Wednesday, July 23, 2025

MARION COTILLARD AS EDITH PIAF


Marion Cotillard was chosen by director Olivier Dahan to portray the French singer Édith Piaf in the biopic "La Vie en Rose" (2007) before he had even met her, saying that he noticed a similarity between Piaf's and Cotillard's eyes. Producer Alain Goldman accepted and defended the choice even though distributors TFM reduced the money they gave to finance the film thinking Cotillard wasn't "bankable" enough an actress, preferring Audrey Tautou, hot from appearing in "Amélie" (2001) to play Piaf. Dahan was willing to reduce his budget by $5 million to get Cotillard.

To help portray Piaf, Cotillard shaved back her hairline and shaved off her eyebrows, which were later penciled in, to better resemble the singer. She shrank her body from its petite 5'6" frame to Piaf's minuscule 4'11" stature by crippling and curling her form. When Cotillard played the older Édith Piaf, make-up could take up to five hours.

"I couldn't leave the character on 'La Vie En Rose.' It was weird because I used to kind of judge actors who would stay in character on set or who would have a hard time leaving the character behind when the movie was done. I had this very dumb idea that "Okay, it's a big part of your life but it's your job. Go home and go back to yourself." It turns out it's not that easy. In the process I was in character almost all the time. Even when I went home, there was something that was not entirely me."

Cotillard's performance earned her several accolades including the Academy Award for Best Actress — marking the first time an Oscar had been given for a French-language role — the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy and the César Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance. The film also won the Academy Award for Best Makeup, the BAFTA Award for Best Makeup, Costume Design, Film Music, four additional César Awards and grossed $86.3 million worldwide...



Saturday, July 19, 2025

HOLLYWOOD LOVE: FRANK SINATRA AND MIA FARROW

On July 19, 1966, Frank Sinatra and Mia Farrow embarked on a marriage that would become as iconic as it was tumultuous, symbolizing the glamour and complexities of Hollywood love stories. Their wedding took place at the Las Vegas home of Sinatra's friend Jack Entratter, with the couple exuding an unusual charm. At the time, Farrow was only 21, a young actress whose ethereal beauty had caught the public’s eye, while Sinatra, a legendary crooner and established Hollywood icon, was 50. Despite the nearly 30-year age gap, their romance captivated the media and fans alike, drawing both fascination and speculation. Sinatra’s affection for Farrow was undeniable, and at his insistence, she initially agreed to step back from her budding acting career to focus on their marriage. This decision came at a time when Sinatra’s career was thriving, and he longed for a more traditional companion, perhaps one who would shadow his footsteps quietly. However, Farrow’s youthful ambition and emerging identity as an actress soon conflicted with Sinatra's expectations. Their brief marriage would come to reflect the clash between two distinct personalities—a seasoned star seeking stability and a young actress navigating the waters of fame and independence.

In the months that followed their wedding, Farrow traveled with Sinatra on his film shoots, portraying the role of the devoted wife. Yet the dynamic soon began to reveal cracks, as Farrow grew restless with the idea of being just a companion on the sidelines. In 1967, Farrow made the pivotal decision to accept the lead role in "Rosemary’s Baby," a horror film that would later define her career. Her commitment to the film led to a clash with Sinatra, who had cast her in a role in his own upcoming movie, The Detective. Farrow’s involvement in Rosemary’s Baby soon ran over its scheduled timeline, creating a rift with Sinatra that would culminate in a drastic turn. While Farrow was immersed in the haunting scenes of the film, Sinatra’s frustration grew, feeling sidelined as his wife’s professional ambitions took precedence over her commitment to their marriage. When Farrow failed to report for filming on The Detective, Sinatra, in a decision that spoke to his own sense of pride and professionalism, replaced her with actress Jacqueline Bisset. The couple's relationship continued to strain, as Sinatra’s lawyer served Farrow with divorce papers on the set of Rosemary’s Baby in November 1967, a dramatic moment that underscored the tragic end to their whirlwind romance.


The divorce papers, served amid the intensity of filming, came as a blow to Farrow, who later admitted that she bore some responsibility for the marriage’s failure. Reflecting on the relationship, Farrow described herself as an “impossibly immature teenager” during that period, noting how their vast age difference had contributed to the dissolution of their union. Sinatra, in contrast, was accustomed to a lifestyle and partner dynamic that Farrow could not comfortably conform to. In hindsight, she acknowledged that they had been at different stages of life, and despite her deep admiration for Sinatra, their needs ultimately clashed in ways that were irreconcilable. The age gap, combined with Sinatra’s traditional expectations and Farrow’s desire for a career, created an insurmountable rift. Though the romance was short-lived, it left an indelible mark on both of their lives. The two managed to mend their friendship in the years following their divorce, remaining close and supportive of one another until Sinatra’s death, an unusual yet enduring connection forged through mutual respect and affection.
Their wedding day, captured in photographs at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas, remains etched in Hollywood history. The images show a young, hopeful Mia Farrow alongside the charismatic Sinatra, both of them draped in a mix of glamor and vulnerability. Farrow’s pixie cut, a daring fashion statement at the time, contrasted with Sinatra’s classic, polished look, encapsulating the blend of old Hollywood and the emerging modern era. These photos reveal the undeniable chemistry between them, a bond that, despite the challenges, was once filled with genuine warmth. Yet, the marriage was emblematic of the intense pressures that often plagued Hollywood couples, caught between personal aspirations and public scrutiny. Sinatra and Farrow’s relationship story became part of the Hollywood lore, capturing the imagination of fans who saw in them a mix of romance, mystery, and sadness. Though their marriage ended, the brief union left behind a powerful narrative of love, ambition, and the struggles that come with balancing personal and professional lives under the spotlight.


In August 1968, their divorce was finalized, closing a chapter on what could have been a legendary love story. The aftermath saw both continue to build their legacies, with Sinatra further solidifying his place as a music and film icon, while Farrow’s performance in Rosemary’s Baby catapulted her into stardom, forever intertwining her name with one of cinema’s most haunting films. They each pursued separate paths but kept a bond that would last through the decades, with Farrow speaking warmly of Sinatra even after his passing. This marriage, though short-lived, stands as a reminder of how love and ambition can collide, especially in an industry that magnifies every flaw and tests the resilience of relationships. Sinatra and Farrow’s wedding day photos remain a poignant glimpse into a fleeting but unforgettable romance—a union that was both a product of its era and a timeless tale of two people who, despite their differences, found a moment of connection in the unpredictable world of fame...

Thursday, July 17, 2025

RIP: CONNIE FRANCIS

Singer Connie Francis, best known for her 1962 song "Pretty Little Baby" and hits like "Everybody's Somebody's Fool," has died at the age of 87, her manager confirmed.

"It is with a heavy heart and extreme sadness that I inform you of the passing of my dear friend Connie Francis last night," said her copyrights and royalties manager, Ron Roberts, in a post on social media. "I know that Connie would approve that her fans are among the first to learn of this sad news."

"Pretty Little Baby" most recently became a viral song on TikTok, which Francis joined shortly after, and the song has been used in more than 17 million videos totaling more than 27 billion views globally on the app.

"I'm flabbergasted and excited about the huge buzz my 1962 recording of 'Pretty Little Baby' is making all over the world," Francis said. "To think that a song I recorded 63 years ago is captivating new generations of audiences is truly overwhelming for me."

"Pretty Little Baby" was included on Francis' 1962 album, "Connie Francis Sings 'Second Hand Love' & Other Hits," which charted on the Billboard Top LPs chart. The singles "Together" and "Don't Break the Heart that Loves You" both peaked at no. 1 on the Easy Listening chart.

In May of this year, "Pretty Little Baby" broke into Spotify's Global and U.S. charts for the first time.

Francis was born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero in Newark, New Jersey on Dec. 12, 1937, and is estimated is to have sold more than 200 million records worldwide in her lifetime.

She started singing on TV programs when she was a child. Her first hit, "Who's Sorry Now," debuted in 1958. In 1960, Francis was only 21 when she became the first female artist to get a Billboard Hot 100 No 1 hit, with her song "Everybody's Somebody's Fool."

Francis went on to have 53 hits on the Billboard charts over the course of her decades-long career.

In 1964, she was awarded a special Golden Globe for her contributions to the recording world.

In 2001, "Who's Sorry Now" was named one of the Songs of the Century in a list compiled by the Recording Industry of America and the National Endowment for the Arts...



Sunday, July 13, 2025

FINAL RESTING PLACES: BILLIE HOLIDAY


One of the greats of jazz was the amazing Billie Holiday. Holiday had a seminal influence on jazz and pop singing. Her vocal style, strongly inspired by jazz instrumentalists, pioneered a new way of manipulating phrasing and tempo. She co-wrote only a few songs, but several of them have become jazz standards, notably "God Bless the Child", "Don't Explain", "Fine and Mellow", and "Lady Sings the Blues". She also became famous for singing "Easy Living", "Good Morning Heartache", and "Strange Fruit". Billie, who had an addiction to alcohol and drugs, was arrested on a few occasions for drug possession. As her health declined in the 1950's, so did the quality of her voice and career. In 1959, she was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver, and died from pulmonary edema and heart failure caused by the cirrhosis on July 17 of that year. As she was dying in the hospital, Billie was once again arrested for drug possession and police were guarding her hospital room until the end. She is buried at Saint Raymond's Cemetery in the Bronx, NY...



Thursday, July 10, 2025

THE STORY BEHIND MOMMIE DEAREST


One of the most campiest of films, Mommie Dearest, made the leap from book to the silver screen in 1981. Surprisingly it came out only four years after Joan Crawford died. According to Faye Dunaway, producer Frank Yablans promised her in the casting process that he wished to portray Joan Crawford in a more moderate way than she was portrayed in Christina Crawford's book. In securing the rights to the book, Christina's husband David Koontz was given an executive producer credit, though he had no experience producing films. Dunaway likewise demanded that her own husband, photographer Terry O'Neill, be given a producer credit so he could advocate for her on set. According to Yablans, the two husbands jostled over Dunaway's portrayal of Crawford: “I had two husbands to deal with, David driving me crazy that Faye was trying to sanitize Joan, and Terry worried we were pushing Faye too far and creating a monster.”
 
In 2015, actress Rutanya Alda (Carol Ann) published a behind-the-scenes memoir, detailing the making of the film, "The Mommie Dearest Diary: Carol Ann Tells All." In it, she describes the difficulty of working with Dunaway, whose method approach to playing Joan seemed to absorb her and make her difficult to the cast and crew. In an interview with the Bay Area Reporter, Alda stated, "People despised Faye...because she was rude to people. Everyone was on pins and needles when she worked, and relaxed when she didn't."

 
Alda described the process of acting opposite Dunaway very unfavorably by claiming that she manipulated the director to deprive the other actors of screen time and required the members of the cast to turn their backs when not in the shot so she would have no audience. She also claimed that Dunaway was "out of control" while filming the scene where Joan attacks Christina in front of a reporter (Jocelyn Brando) and Carol Ann has to pull her off. Alda was hit hard in the chest and knocked over several times, while Jocelyn Brando, who was scripted to help Alda pull Dunaway off of Diana Scarwid, refused to get near her for fear of being injured.

For decades, Dunaway was famously reluctant to discuss "Mommie Dearest" in interviews. In her 1997 autobiography, she only briefly mentions the film by stating that she wished that director Frank Perry had had enough experience to see when actors needed to rein in their performances.
 
In 2016, Dunaway expressed regret over taking the part and blamed it for causing a decline in her Hollywood career. She also claimed that the performance took a heavy emotional toll on her, stating: “At night, I would go home to the house we had rented in Beverly Hills, and felt Crawford in the room with me, this tragic, haunted soul just hanging around.… It was as if she couldn’t rest.”
 
By coincidence, Joan once said in an interview in the early 1970s that of the current young actresses, only Faye Dunaway had "what it takes" to be a true star...



Tuesday, July 8, 2025

RECENTLY VIEWED: JURASSIC WORLD - REBIRTH

This weekend I dragged my kids to the latest Jurrassic World movie. Actually they wanted to go. I had seen every Jurassic Park/World movie in move theaters since the first one in 1993. Jurassic World Rebirth is a 2025 American science fiction thriller film directed by Gareth Edwards and written by David Koepp. A standalone sequel to Jurassic World Dominion (2022), it is the fourth Jurassic World film and the seventh installment overall in the Jurassic Park franchise. The film stars Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, and Ed Skrein.

Work on the film began shortly after the release of Jurassic World Dominion, when executive producer Steven Spielberg recruited Koepp to help him develop a new installment in the series. Koepp previously co-wrote the original Jurassic Park film (1993) and wrote its sequel, The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997). Development of Rebirth was first reported in January 2024. Edwards was hired as director a month later, and casting commenced shortly thereafter. Principal photography took place in Thailand, Malta, and the United Kingdom from June to September 2024.

Jurassic World Rebirth premiered on June 17, 2025, at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square in London, and was released in the United States and Canada by Universal Pictures on July 2. The film received mixed reviews from critics, with some deeming it an improvement over the previous entries. It has grossed over $322 million worldwide against a budget of $180 million, making it the tenth-highest-grossing film of 2025.


I won't bore you or spoil the movie with plot details, but the film includes dinosaurs. The dinosaurs as awlays, are the main attaction in the film. What changed from the prior six movies is I did not care for the characters as much as I did in the prior six films. Scarlett Johansson was the lead in the film. I like her personally, but her character had not personality. Almost any actress could have been plopped down into her generic role. The standout actor to me was Mahershala Ali. He played Duncan, one of Scarlett's friends that came along on her mission. I hate to say this, and I have never said it before, but the franchise is getting tired. I will never stop watching these movies because I love them. Yesterday I rewatched the 1993 original film, and it was just so amazing. This most recent film is good, but the film is no longer amazing. I'm glad I went to see the film, but the movie made me a little bit sad. It made me think of some of the prior films in the series that really made me excited...

MY RATING: 8 out of 10



Sunday, July 6, 2025

BETTE DAVIS AND THE BABY JANE MAKE UP

"A director is a ringmaster, a psychiatrist, and a referee."

Early on, Bette Davis made the decision to create her own makeup for her character in "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?" (1962) "What I had in mind, no professional makeup man would have dared to put on me," said Davis. "One told me he was afraid that if he did what I wanted, he might never work again. Jane looked like many women one sees on Hollywood Boulevard. In fact, author Henry Farrell patterned the character of Jane after these women. One would presume by the way they looked that they once were actresses, and were now unemployed. I felt Jane never washed her face, just added another layer of makeup each day."

Davis' garish makeup made her look something akin to a grotesque version of an aging Mary Pickford gone to seed, and she loved it. She took pride when Farrell visited the set one day and exclaimed, "My God, you look just exactly as I pictured Baby Jane." The outrageousness of Davis' appearance caused some concern for director Robert Aldrich and the producers, who feared it might be too over-the-top. However, as time went on, they came to see that Davis' instincts for the character were right.

Aldrich on Davis: "Now Davis is a tough old broad and you fight. But when you see what she puts on the screen you know it was worth taking all the bull."


In a 1972 telephone conversation, Crawford told author Shaun Considine that after seeing the film she urged Davis to go and have a look. When she failed to hear back from her co-star, Crawford called Davis and asked her what she thought of the film. Davis replied, "You were so right, Joan. The picture is good. And I was terrific." Crawford said, "That was it. She never said anything about my performance. Not a word."

During the filming of "Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte" (1964), Crawford said to visiting reporter and author Lawrence J. Quirk, "She acted like 'Baby Jane' was a one-woman show after they nominated her. What was I supposed to do? Let her hog all the glory, act like I hadn't even been in the movie? She got the (Oscar) nomination. I didn't begrudge her that, but it would have been nice if she'd been a little gracious in interviews and given me a little credit. I would've done so for her."

The public was well aware of the longstanding feud between these divas. So this was very much stunt casting; meant to play off the real life drama; and it worked; this movie was a critical and box office smash. They were meant to repeat this formula in "Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte," but problems with the director and Davis caused Joan to be replaced by Olivia De Haviland at the last minute.
"There's no doubt in the world that Crawford was sick, seriously sick. If she'd been faking either the insurance company would never have paid the claim or she would never have been insurable again. Insurance companies are terribly tough, there's no such thing as a made-up ailment that they pay you off on."




Friday, July 4, 2025

PHOTOS OF THE DAY: MORE PATRIOTIC HOLLYWOOD

 o celebrate the 4th of July/Independence Day, here is some more photos from classic Hollywood celebrating the holiday...


Jane Russell


Liberace


Anita Page


Shirley Jones


Andy Griffith


Debbie Reynolds



Tuesday, July 1, 2025

MY INTERVIEW - GINNY SIMMS

One of the first interviews I had the honor to do was with the great singer Ginny Simms. It was 1992, and I was 18 years old. Ginny Simms was living quietly in Palm Springs. It was a phone interview because this was before the internet, and I did not record it, but I found some of the transcripts...


MY QUESTION: What are your greatest memories of your time in Hollywood

GINNY SIMMS: I have so many great memories. My fondest memories was all the talented people I got to know and work with like Judy Garland, Fred Astaire, and George Murphy. I got to know a lot of the brilliant songwriters like Cole Porter and Irving Berlin. It was an amazing time.

MY QUESTION: Speaking of Judy Garland, as we all know she dealt was some horrible things in Hollywood. Did you ever see the darker side of Hollywood?

GINNY SIMMS: The darker side was definitely there. I had to deal with Louis B Mayer, who thought I would be his girlfriend if he got me roles. I liked singing more than acting, but I once went out to dinner with him, not knowing that after that I would be known as his girlfriend, but he was a horrible person. It was a tough time in Hollywood for women, and it probably is tough. 

MY QUESTION: You started out with Kay Kyser and his orchestra, what are your memories of those years?

GINNY SIMMS: Kay Kyser was a wonderful human being. He really was. I am still friends with his wife Georgia (Georgia Carroll). He was like a father figure to me, and he was one of the nicest people I got to know when I first left Texas. Harry Babbitt, who I sang with was another really nice soul. 

MY QUESTION: Would you ever consider making a record today in 1992?

GINNY SIMMS: Oh heavens know. I basically retired in the late 1950s. My voice is not as clear as it used to be. My health is only so-so. I am mostly in a wheelchair now due to my heart, but I still get around. I love going on my porch and enjoying my garden. I sing once and a while to my old records, but only in private.

I wish I had more of this interview. Sadly, Ginny Simms died on my birthday - April 4, 1994. If you get a chance, listen to some of her singing. She is very underrated as vocalist. I'll never forget this interview I did with her!



Sunday, June 29, 2025

THE LAST DAYS OF FARRAH FAWCETT

Farrah Fawcett spent her final days in quiet resilience, surrounded by those she loved most. By 2007, her battle with anal cancer had intensified, requiring aggressive treatments, including chemotherapy and alternative therapies in Germany. She kept a strict daily routine mornings often began with a gentle walk when she was able, followed by meditation and quiet reflection. Despite her deteriorating condition, she maintained a meticulous appearance, never wanting to appear weak. She documented her journey through the 2009 documentary “Farrah’s Story,” determined to raise awareness and inspire others facing similar struggles.

Her relationship with her longtime partner, Ryan O’Neal, deepened in these last years. He became her primary caretaker, ensuring she was as comfortable as possible. Their bond, though tumultuous over the decades, found solace in their shared love. O’Neal often read to her, recounting memories of their best times together. Their son, Redmond, who was in and out of legal troubles due to drug addiction, weighed heavily on her mind. Even from her hospital bed, she expressed her deepest wish for him to find stability and happiness.

Farrah endured painful treatments, but she fought bravely, refusing to let illness define her. Some days were better than others; on her stronger days, she would spend time looking through old photographs, reminiscing with close friends like Alana Stewart. Despite the grim prognosis, she never lost her sense of humor. In private moments, she joked about how she wanted to be remembered not for her suffering, but for her spirit.

In her final hours, her breathing became labored. The room was filled with whispered prayers and quiet goodbyes. Redmond, allowed a temporary release from jail, held her hand, promising her he would try to turn his life around. Her last words reflected love and peace. She asked those around her to celebrate her life, not mourn her death. On June 25, 2009, Farrah Fawcett passed away at 62, leaving behind a legacy of strength and unwavering determination...



Friday, June 27, 2025

THE MURDER OF JONATHAN HOSS: POTENTIONAL HATE CRIME?

The husband of slain “King of the Hill” star Jonathan Joss has claimed his killer cackled and spewed a gay slur moments after allegedly shooting the voice actor in the head.

Joss, 59, was gunned down near his San Antonio, Texas, home Sunday night in an attack that his spouse alleges was carried out by a homophobic neighbor.

“Everything was really close range. It was in the head,” Tristan Kern de Gonzales told the Press of the moment the actor was fatally shot.

“While I’m holding him, [the suspect] has the gun pointed over me, and he’s laughing, saying, ‘Oh, you love him? Joto,'” de Gonzales alleged.


“‘Joto’ is Spanish for f—t. I never knew the word until I came to Texas, and then I heard it a lot.”

The suspect, Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, 56, was arrested a block away and has since been charged with murder.

Cops, however, said the initial probe had found “no evidence” that indicated Joss was killed due to his “sexual orientation.”


“We take such allegations very seriously and have thoroughly reviewed all available information. Should any new evidence come to light, we will charge the suspect accordingly,” San Antonio police said in a statement.Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez was arrested and charged with the murder of Jonathan Joss on June 2, 2025.

It comes after the husband claimed the alleged killer had approached the pair after they stopped by to check the mail at Joss’ home, which had been heavily damaged during a January fire that claimed the lives of their three dogs.

The husband said the couple had just found the bones of their dead pet dog displayed on the property — causing them both “severe emotional distress.”

“We began yelling and crying in response to the pain of what we saw,” de Gonzales said in a social media post.

“While we were doing this a man approached us. He started yelling violent homophobic slurs at us. He then raised a gun from his lap and fired.”

The husband said the couple had just found the bones of their dead pet dog displayed on the property — causing them both “severe emotional distress.”Facebook/Tristan Kern de Gonzales

Joss — best known for voicing John Redcorn on the bawdy cartoon comedy — was struck by the gunfire and killed. He also appeared on the NBC comedy "Parks And Recreation".

“He was murdered by someone who could not stand the sight of two men loving each other,” Joss’ husband said.



Wednesday, June 25, 2025

HISTORY OF A SONG: WOULDN'T IT BE NICE

"Wouldn’t It Be Nice" is a famous song by The Beach Boys, the legendary American band, released in their 1966 album Pet Sounds. This song quickly won over listeners with its cheerful, sweet melody and hopeful message about love. "Wouldn’t It Be Nice" speaks about the desire to grow up faster, so one can fully enjoy life with their loved one.

The song was inspired by Wilson's confused infatuations for his sister-in-law, who projected an "innocent aura" that he wished to capture in "Wouldn't It Be Nice". Lyrically, the song describes a young couple who feel empowered by their relationship and fantasize about the romantic freedom they would earn once married to each other. Like the other tracks on Pet Sounds, it subverted listeners' expectations, as past Beach Boys songs had normally celebrated superficial conceits such as material possessions and casual flings.

Wilson produced the record between January and April 1966 with his band and 16 studio musicians who variously played drums, timpani, glockenspiel, trumpet, saxophones, accordions, guitars, pianos, and upright bass. The harp-like instrument heard in the introduction is a 12-string mando-guitar plugged directly into the recording console. One section of the song engages in a ritardando, a device that is rarely used in pop music. The band struggled to sing the multiple vocal parts to Wilson's satisfaction, and the song ultimately took longer to record than any other track on the album.

The song achieved great success on music charts. Notably, it reached the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, one of America’s most prestigious charts. It's also one of the most iconic songs by The Beach Boys, solidifying their place in pop-rock music history. "Wouldn’t It Be Nice" became a symbol of the golden age of 60s rock music and continues to be widely listened to even today...



Sunday, June 22, 2025

BORN ON THIS DAY: BILLY WILDER

The great director Billy Wilder was born on this day in 1906. Originally planning to become a lawyer, Billy Wilder abandoned that career in favor of working as a reporter for a Viennese newspaper, using this experience to move to Berlin, where he worked for the city's largest tabloid. He broke into films as a screenwriter in 1929 and wrote scripts for many German films until Adolf Hitler came to power in 1933.

 Wilder immediately realized his Jewish ancestry would cause problems, so he emigrated to Paris, then the US. Although he spoke no English when he arrived in Hollywood, Wilder was a fast learner and thanks to contacts such as Peter Lorre (with whom he shared an apartment), he was able to break into American films. His partnership with Charles Brackett started in 1938 and the team was responsible for writing some of Hollywood's classic comedies, including Ninotchka (1939) and Ball of Fire (1941). The partnership expanded into a producer-director one in 1942, with Brackett producing and the two turned out such classics as Five Graves to Cairo (1943), The Lost Weekend (1945) (Oscars for Best Picture, Director and Screenplay) and Sunset Boulevard (1950) (Oscars for Best Screenplay), after which the partnership dissolved. (Wilder had already made one film, Double Indemnity (1944) without Brackett, as the latter had refused to work on a film he felt dealt with such disreputable characters.) 


Wilder's subsequent self-produced films would become more caustic and cynical, notably Ace in the Hole (1951), though he also produced such sublime comedies as Some Like It Hot (1959) and The Apartment (1960) (which won him Best Picture and Director Oscars). He retired in 1981. Once told Billy Bob Thornton that he was too ugly to be an actor and he should write a screenplay for himself in which he could exploit his less than perfect features. Thornton later collected an Oscar for his Sling Blade (1996) screenplay. Billy Wilder died in 2002...



Sunday, June 15, 2025

FATS DOMINO: AIN'T THAT A SHAME

“Ain’t That a Shame” by Fats Domino is like a rock skipping across a pond, each note creating ripples that dance in the air, tugging at your heartstrings with a playful yet poignant touch. When you hear the unmistakable opening notes, it’s as if a warm summer evening sweeps in, wrapping around you like a beloved old sweater. Domino’s voice, smooth and rich, carries a sense of familiarity that feels like home, yet there’s an ache beneath the surface.

The song’s rhythm is infectious, a swinging beat that invites you to sway along, your feet tapping in time with piano keys gleaming like the sun off a calm lake. And in that delightful groove lies a bittersweet tale—loving someone who doesn’t feel the same way can feel as disorienting as a carousel spinning a little too fast. The melody rises and falls like a gentle wave, echoing the fluctuations of young love, where joy and sorrow intermingle with dizzying precision.

As Fats pours his heart into the lyrics, “Ain’t that a shame,” rolls off his tongue like honey, each word dripping with the kind of regret that’s as sticky as spilled soda on a summer day. You can almost taste the wistfulness in the air, like the hint of rain before a storm. The piano tinkles like laughter and the horns pop out with zest, underscoring that despite the heaviness of lost love, life still carries on in vibrant colors.
It’s a celebration of those moments that linger—the memories that replay in your mind like an old black-and-white film, bittersweet yet beautiful. You can picture the scenes: a lost afternoon at the diner, a soda shared over stolen glances, the exhilaration of a first crush mixing with the heartbreak of reality. Each note is a gentle reminder; even in sadness, there’s joy to be found in the music of your memories.

In “Ain’t That a Shame,” Fats Domino paints a world where love is both a thrill ride and a tumultuous sea, capturing the essence of youthful longing with an authenticity that resonates today. You can’t help but smile through your own feelings as you hum along, enthralled in the ability of music to make sorrow sing, and heartbreak feel like a dance...









Sunday, June 8, 2025

HOLLYWOOD TIDBITS: VICTOR/VICTORIA


The film's screenplay was adapted by Blake Edwards (Julie Andrews' husband) and Hans Hoemburg from the 1933 German film "Viktor und Viktoria" by Reinhold Schünzel. According to Edwards, the screenplay took only one month to write. There was also a 1935 remake named "First a Girl," made in the United Kingdom and directed by Victor Saville, about a woman who stands in for a female impersonator and becomes a hit. Julie Andrews watched the 1933 version to prepare for her role. The film had been planned as early as 1978 with Julie Andrews to star alongside Peter Sellers, but Sellers died in 1980 while Andrews and Blake Edwards were filming "S.O.B." (1981), so Robert Preston was cast in the role of Toddy that originally was envisaged for Sellers.


Reportedly, Andrews struggled with her role in this movie. Andrews has said of this, "There were so many things to be worked out. As someone who likes to be in control, I felt wobbly. There was something else, too. When you get older, you kind of get on to yourself. You know the tricks you play to get by, and you like them less and less if you care about your work. I was trying hard to get away from them, and was sometimes falling back."


The costume worn by Julie Andrews in the number "The Shady Dame from Seville" is in fact the same costume worn by Robert Preston at the end of the film. It was made to fit Preston, and then, using a series of hooks and eyes at the back, it was drawn in tight to fit Andrews' shapely figure. Additional black silk ruffles were also added to the bottom of the garment, to hide the differences in height. The fabric is a black and brown crepe, with fine gold threads woven into it, that when lit appears to have an almost wet look about it. Preston did the final musical number in one take, which explains why he was so clearly out of breath, physically stressed, and sweating profusely during the second half of the number.

Although Edwards' movies garnered numerous Oscar nominations over the years, this was the only time that he received an Academy Award nomination, for Best Screenplay Adapted from Another Medium. However, in 2004, he was awarded an honorary Oscar in recognition of his writing, directing, and producing an extraordinary body of work for the screen...




Thursday, June 5, 2025

BING CROSBY AND BOB HOPE: FRIENDS OR RIVALS?

Bob Hope worked with Bing Crosby for the first time in 1932 at the Capitol Theater in New York. Bing was already a big recording star and Bob was asked to emcee a show that Bing was going to do at the Capitol Theater. They actually, to entertain themselves, they just decided to do some bits together onstage, just some funny, silly little bits together. And they worked so well together — they really loved working together. They then didn't see each other for five years because Bing went back to Hollywood where he was making movies and Bob stayed on Broadway for another five years.

When Bob went out to Hollywood in 1937, he got friendly again with Crosby on the Paramount lot and they became good friends. They entertained together at [the] Del Mar racetrack, where Bing was a part owner and Paramount executives saw their act onstage together and said, "Hey, these guys might work together in a movie."

So they geared up a movie that ended up being called Road to Singapore. This came out in early 1940 and it was just terrific. It was the highest-grossing film for 1940 in a year with a lot of big Hollywood films, and the audience responded instantly to the chemistry of the two of them on-screen together. They were relaxed, informal — they seemed to be friends authentically, not just movie characters. The movie was so much fun that it launched a series.


They were friends and they loved working together, but they were not close friends. They were very different personality types. ... Bob was someone who loved being famous and loved being out there as a star and he loved talking to fans and he was basically a happy guy. Bing was much more ambivalent about his stardom, I think. He was more reclusive. He didn't like the Hollywood scene; he moved up to Northern California halfway through his career. He didn't like showing up at things. There was a famous Friars Club Roast for Bob Hope in the late '40s and every major comedy star — from Milton Berle, George Jessel, etc. — were there. ... And [Bing] didn't show up. I think that bothered Bob a little bit.

I think there was a slight bit of resentment there. I think also Bob envied Bing in the early years, particularly. Bing was more successful and Bing was a smart businessman. Bob learned a lot from him. I think that there was a little bit of a rivalry. Like so many movie pairings, they were great on the screen but offscreen it might have been another story. They were friendly, but when Bing died in 1977, I do not think Bob Hope was one of his close friends, although Bing's wife Kathryn did invite Bob Hope to his funeral. Bing preferred the friendship of Phil Harris. With Harris, Bing could be himself. With Bob Hope, Bob always needed to have an audience and be "on". Bing did not need that...


Sunday, June 1, 2025

THE BOX OFFICE STARS: 1957

 1957 was an interesting time in the movie industry. There were some changes to the top ten list, but here are the top ten movie actors/actresses for the year:





1. Rock Hudson
2. John Wayne
3. Pat Boone
4. Elvis Presley
5. Frank Sinatra
6. Kim Novak
7. Gary Cooper
8. William Holden
9. James Stewart
10. Jerry Lewis



         


Friday, May 30, 2025

RIP: LORETTA SWIT

Loretta Swit, who played Maj. Margaret Houlihan on the TV series "M*A*S*H," has died, a representative for her confirmed to CBS News. She was 87.

Swit died at her home in New York City, her rep, B. Harlan Boll, said in a statement to CBS News on Friday. She was believed to have died of natural causes.

Swit starred on stage and screen, but she was perhaps best known for her long-running role as the head nurse who was a foil to Alan Alda's Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce on "M*A*S*H," which aired for 11 seasons on CBS, from 1972 to 1983.

Swit won two Emmys for her performances on "M*A*S*H" and was nominated eight other times for her work on the show. She was also nominated for four Golden Globes.

As the show developed and incorporated more dramatic plot lines with the comedic ones, Swit wanted to portray Houlihan as more than the "Hot Lips" nickname her character was given while having an affair with Linville's Burns.

"Loretta Swit's portrayal of Margaret 'Hot Lips' Houlihan was groundbreaking – bringing heart, humor, and strength to one of television comedy's most enduring roles," Journey Gunderson, executive director of the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, New York, said in a statement. "Her talent extended well beyond that iconic character, with acclaimed work on both stage and screen that showcased her intelligence, versatility, and passion."


Apart from her acting career, Swit was an active supporter of animal welfare, serving on the boards of Actors and Others for Animals and The Wildlife Waystation and as a spokesperson for the Humane Society. In 2016, she founded Swit Heart Animal Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to ending animal cruelty. She used proceeds from her original artwork to raise funds.

In 2019, after a 21-year absence, she returned to the screen in the religious film Play the Flute, about a youth group. Swit was married to actor Dennis Holahan, whom she met on the set of M*A*S*H, from 1983 until their divorce in 1995.

Donations in her memory can be to Actors & Others for Animals or the Swit Heart Animal Alliance, which she set up to protect, rescue, train and care for animals and preserve their habitat. She recently created a fragrance and a necklace, the sales of which supported her efforts...