Christmas In Connecticut is my favorite Christmas movie of all time

If I had to choose one Christmas movie to watch during the holidays I would probably choose Christmas In Connecticut (1945). I know there have been countless blogs and posts written about this classic so I won't add another review of this by now familiar tale. Suffice to say, this film works because of just two little words: Barbara Stanwyck. She is positively amazing as columnist Elizabeth Lane, viewed today as the Martha Stewart of her day. Except for the fact that Ms. Lane's description of herself and her abilities is all lies. She can't cook, doesn't know a thing about decorating or antiques, and definitely does not live the family life on a farm in Connecticut as she has told all her loyal readers. Needless to say her lack of skills will be tested when her publisher puts her on the spot to cook a family Christmas dinner for a wounded returning soldier (Dennis Morgan). I simply think this is one of the best of the Christmas films from yesteryear. And when you think about it, the film really is not about Christmas per se, but it's story just happens to take place during  Christmas. That won't stop anyone from enjoying this film though. But you will find hearty laughs and a nice comfort feeling while watching this film.

As I stated before Barbara Stanwyck is definitely the star of this movie and she carries it like a seasoned professional. Her comic timing, which was not used nearly enough in her stellar career, is perfection. She looks absolutely stunning and plays off her fellow co-stars with ease. Delivering some of the best lines with that sly twinkle in her eyes. One of the scenes I love is when the owner of the magazine requests that she do her sensational high pancake flip that she is famous for. Of course Elizabeth has never tossed a pancake in her life, so the look of her face as she steps up to the stove and grabs the pan to flip the pancake looks like a person marching to the electric chair. I recommend Christmas In Connecticut as a perfect movie to view with friends and family over the holiday. You won't regret it.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Thank our lucky stars

Monty

 

Let's watch.. ..The Shop around the Corner (1940)

You should know this: I am an avid Ernst Lubitsch fan.

There is at least one film of his I watch every year around christmas time:

THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER (1940)

Budapest, 1930s: Alfred Kralik (James Stewart) works as a clerk in the shop of Hugo Matuschek (Frank Morgan). He writes letters to a young lady. Around christmas time he finds out that she is his new colleague Klara Novak (Margaret Sullavan) who doesn't know who her penfriend is either. He can't stand her - apparently a mutual feeling - till now..

~ Dear friends? James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan. ~

I don't know if this film is a so called "christmas classic" - as I said: I watch it every year around this time - and I love it. It is one of my favourite films. It is based on a play by Miklós László that it is based on a play is very obvious for most of the story is set in the shop - and the characters are few but quite well portrayed.

The additional cast is marvellous: We have so many of my favourites - who are just wonderful - no matter if comedy or tragedy they were able to do it - very versatile actors indeed: Frank Morgan, Felix Bressart, Joseph Schildkraut, Charles Smith, William Tracy, Inez Courtney and Sara Haden.

Actually I love the whole cast! Margaret Sullavan is also a wonderful actress - who sadly would die very young (I will spare you more facts about her.. this is after all not meant to turn out a Miss Sullavan fan post..) - and I think I don't have to say a word about James Stewart at all..

THis film is not only a comedy - it also has some very grave parts:

Hugo Matuschek suspects his wife (who never appears on screen..) to be unfaithful, the clerks are afraid to loose their jobs - so much that they are careful what they say about their boss when their co-workers are around, there is even an attempted suicide (a very well done scene just by the way..) - all that hardly topics for light comedies. Maybe I might call this film a "melo-comedy"..

~ maybe my favourite "couple" in this film: Frank Morgan and Charles Smith. ~

There are at least two remakes - if you can call them remakes - for as I said originally it was a play:

The first one is IN THE GOOD OLD SUMMERTIME (1949) with Judy Garland and Van Johnson in the lead - and an amazing additional cast: Buster Keaton, Spring Byington, S.Z. Sakall and Clinton Sundberg. - Even Charles Smith appears here again. It also features little Liza Minnelli.. It has only a small scene set on christmas - and it is moved to a music shop in Chicago around 1900.. It's actually more of a blitheful musical - I love that one, too..

The newest version might be YOU'VE GOT MAIL (1998) - which I find horrible - though it is set in bookshops in New York..

I just prefer the classic versions..

And finally I'd like to say:

Thank you, who you work in shops around all the corners of the world for all your patience during our christmas shopping sessions!

Thank you - and I hope that some of your customers know this film - and give you a little smile or a nice word now and then!

~ getting ready for christmas business:

Inez Courtney, James Stewart, William Tracy, Sara Haden and Felix Bressart. ~

Hope you're enjoying the show!

Yours (very well and truly

Irene

A little Christmas joy from White Christmas (1954)

Here are some pics from the beloved classic White Christmas, which starred Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye. Vera-Ellen and Rosemary Clooney.

The boys having a little fun....

Lovely couples pic

I love Vera-Ellen!

Bringing in the children..

Christmas Movie Montage

To get everyone in the holiday spirit, here's a montage of classic holiday films. Enjoy! It's more modern films than classic films but still it's pretty good.
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Errol Flynn signs off as our star of the month

It was a great month with Errol Flynn being the first star of Let the Show begin. Me and Irene contributed reviews, photos and other assorted posts recognizing Mr. Flynn. And I guess it went over big because of all the wonderful comments from you guys. Here is a pic of Errol as he makes his exit.

Let's watch.. ..Errol Flynn

For this will be my last review of an Errol Flynn film this month – I chose one of my favourite Western - please forgive me the following Schwärmerei!:

SAN ANTONIO (1945)

San Antonio, 1877: Saloon owners Roy Stuart (Paul Kelly) and his partner Legare (Victor Francen) have betrayed some ranchers - and stolen their cattle. Clay Hardin (Errol Flynn) - who is attracted to new singer of the saloon Jeanne Starr (Alexis Smith) - and Charlie Bell (John Litel - he is one of my favourites. Please watch out for him!) are going to straighten things up..

Jeanne Starr: "This town looks as if it's full of men who step on baby chickens."

In this film S.Z. Sakall mentioned about two times "empty horses" - which might be a side blow to director Michael Curtiz who during the filming of THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE (1936) demanded "empty horses" when he wanted to have stray horses for some battle scenes - David Niven and Errol Flynn found that most amusing. So much that David Niven later named his autobiography BRING ON THE EMPTY HORSES.. Anyway: SAN ANTONIO was directed by David Butler - and (without credit) by Raoul Walsh and Robert Florey.

This film (again) was done in beautiful Technicolor. And if you look at Alexis Smith in this film you'll know: this was a great decision! Have a look - Perfectly stunning, isn't it?

Jeanne Starr: "Are they going to arrest you?"

Clay Hardin: "I hope not. That would spoil our whole evening."

You may have noticed now that I have a soft spot for Alexis Smith.. But it's not "only" her - the film is partly that kind of beautiful that you are reminded of 1940s Disney films - it's hard at the frontier to kitsch.. Pure eye candy.. Even the first five - ten minutes of the film will prove that to you..

I love not only the looks of this film but also the story: I think that the "bad guys" Legare and Stuart are fighting each other as well makes it very exciting to watch. The show down in El Alamo is another very beautifully done scene..

Just because it is one of my alltime favourite film dresses - Alexis Smith again in an utterly wonderful white gown - My sincere thanks to Milo Anderson who was in charge for the costumes here:

Hope you're still enjoying the show!

Yours (very well and) truly

Irene

Errol Flynn...A Pictorial Timeline

Here is my little timeline of Errol Flynn through the years with some photos...Enjoy.

Let's begin with this little gem of a pic when Errol was a wee little lad...

                                                      At the age of 14, looking dapper already...

Still pretty young in his sweet ride..

Hollywood Calling Card Photo

                                                                    The Olivia Years...



                                                                 Matinee Idol..yes indeed

                                                      Spending time with Joan Blondell...hmmm..

                                                                In a spot of trouble...

Still working though on quality films like Edge of Darkness with Ann Sheridan

                                                                 In the twilight of his career

Count our lucky stars

Monty