Originally posted on Paula's Cinema Club:
Welcome to Day 3 of the Sixth Annual What A Character! Blogathon, in which we celebrate those actors whose faces you know but whose names you may not. I’m your hostess for the Day 3 offerings. Be sure to also check out Day 1, hosted by Kellee at Outspoken and Freckled, and Day 2, hosted by Aurora at… Continue reading Sixth Annual What A Character! Blogathon – Day 3
First things first. Before I can gush on about this distinctively funny lady with the fluttering hands that stole every scene, one must learn how to say her name correctly. Oh sure, many of my ‘old movie weirdo’ friends may know, but it’s a common mistake. To honor her properly, let’s begin with this lesson, provided via Thelma Todd and ZaSu herself: YouTube: ZaSu … Continue reading Zasu Pitts, Funny Lady with a Funny Name
Originally posted on Once upon a screen…:
I’m thrilled to be hosting Day Two of the 2016 What A Character! Blogathon. This is the fifth consecutive year that I co-host this tribute to the lesser known players that enriched so many movies. As you probably know my co-hosts are the fabulous Kellee of Outspoken & Freckled who kicked things off with the Day one posts and Paula of Paula’s Cinema… Continue reading 6th Annual WHAT A CHARACTER! Blogathon: Day Two
The anticipation is over! Today we bring you the first day of the 6th annual What A Character Blogathon, hosted by yours truly and my fellow co-hosts, the classic film loving ladies: Paula of Paula’s Cinema Club @Paula_Guthat and Aurora of Once Upon A Screen @CitizenScreenings. As promised, this annual event celebrates the character actors. Quirky and silly roles in the service industry like the … Continue reading It’s here! 6th Annual WHAT A CHARACTER! Blogathon: Day One
One of those truisms of life is that sequels and remakes rarely equal let alone surpass their original. Not impossible, but rare. When I first watched Norman Jewison’s THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR (1968) I enjoyed the details of the heist, but overall felt underwhelmed. With leading actors like Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway, combined with high style, I was impressed by the visuals (especially the … Continue reading THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR (1999) Bringing Sexy Back
Incredibly tense, politically-charged times in Hollywood erupted seventy years ago when the infamous “The Hollywood Ten” were cited with contempt of Congress on November 24, 1947. After ten writers and directors refused to fully answer questions to the HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee) regarding involvements with the Communist Party, thus began the blacklisting of scores of artists in the industry. Although it is not … Continue reading CMBA’s Banned and Blacklisted: CROSSFIRE (1947)
Announcing the SIXTH ANNUAL What A Character! Blogathon December 15-17, 2017 When you think about your very favorite classic movies, what makes them your favorites? The films worth watching multiple times, endlessly discussing, or just chilling out with…what makes them the cinematic equivalent of comfort food? Sure, great writing is key, but those lines are just words without the right actors delivering them. Beautiful costumes … Continue reading Announcement: 6th Annual WHAT A CHARACTER! BLOGATHON
In the thirty-seven years since Colin Higgins’ Nine To Five (1980) was released, it’s easy to reflect upon this comedic view on feminism and the office workplace and note the changes. The typewriters and other technologies (or lack thereof), the clothes, hairstyles, cars… they all seem dated to the modern eye. But look deeper. The messages being pitched in this film, the struggles of the … Continue reading 9 to 5 (1980)… has the workplace really changed?
The postman always rings twice doesn’t refer to a mail carrier’s methodology of delivery in this 1946 film noir directed by Tay Garnett, starring John Garfield and Lana Turner. This is film noir, friends, so we are addressing the subject of dark and dirty crime. Not just any crime but murder. Mariticide, to be exact. Mariticide is the act of killing one’s husband. Not exactly … Continue reading She Kills Her Husband Once but THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE, 1946
Originally posted on Once upon a screen…:
If there’s one thing classic movie fans share without question it’s a love and appreciation for character actors. This is why I’ve no doubt there’s a lot of excitement in the air about TCM’s April schedule when the Star of the Month will be actors who delight in supporting roles. Robert Osborne wrote his last column for TCM’s Now Playing Guide for… Continue reading Character Actors Spotlighted on TCM in April! #WhatACharacter
Outspoken & Freckled 