Bunnybun's Classic Movie Blog

All Quiet on the Western Front

bunnybuntales — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 19:12:24 +0000

I just saw All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) for the first time last week. I was so impressed. It didn’t feel dated. Of course some of the acting was dated but overall I felt it captured the essence of the book. It was a good story, conveyed pacifism and even on a superficial level had good effects and action. This film would have even more impressive if it had been one of the earlier films used in widescreen, a process already in limited use but put on the back burner until the age of of television.

A good acquaintance of mine mentioned his high school teacher opted to show the 1979 version instead of this one, concerned it would not have aged well. In my opinion he did a great disservice. Students are required to study “old” subject matter including Greek and Roman history, Shakespeare, Emily Dickinson, etc. Why not expose them to old films as well? Shakespeare spoke in a funny language harder to comprehend than a 1930s movie. Seriously though, I do agree a good number of old films don’t age well even films made in the 1980s, however like a good book, a good movie will stand the test of time. If any 1930s movie should be shown to a classic movie newbie, All Quiet on the Western Front is one that should be screened in a heartbeat.

As a classic film lover, even I was awed at how excellent and timeless this 80 year old film is and I usually prefer romances and happy comedies! Any teacher who does not show this version to his or her students or any lover of classic cinema who disregards this film as “too old” for newbies is not giving the general public enough credit in taste and intelligence.

Gene Tierney speaks French

bunnybuntales — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 04:50:55 +0000

I don’t like the music here but the visual tribute to Gene showcases her beauty and screen presence.

Oh dear, I’m so tired of reading books and essays on Leslie Caron, Maurice Chevalier, Vincente Minnelli, Audrey Hepburn, Sonja Henie and Peter Lawford. I still have Ernst Lubitsch, Rouben Mamoulian and Stanley Donen left. Everyone is quoting Richard Dyer. I tell you I’m dying myself. I’m in dire need of a vacation. I need a good slasher flick after all these Cinderella story musicals.

Well if you haven’t noticed, all except Sonja Henie have a French connection so it makes me think of Gene Tierney. Gene Tierney was one of the most stunning screen actresses ever in my opinion and also a pretty good actress. Her performance in Leave Her to Heaven was excellent no matter how negative Darryl Hickman speaks of her talents. Anyway we remember Gene not Darryl.

If memory serves me right, Gene went to finishing school in Switzerland learning French. The French language is one reason that brought her and Oleg Cassini together. Anyway I’ve linked an interview in French from 1985 at the Festival du film romantique à Cabourg

Interviews in English

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyVxl5fCRQ4&feature=relate

Ziegfeld Girl, Doris Eaton Travis

bunnybuntales — Fri, 14 May 2010 16:19:18 +0000

On Tuesday, the last Ziegfeld Follies girl, Doris Eaton Travis, died at 106. She is one of the most inspiring persons I’ve heard about lately. She makes me realize I’m young and will still be young in the next 40 years. I have no excuse to not try something because of age (within reason of course). She starred in silents with legendary silent actors including Billie Dove, Donald Crisp, and Pearl White. Doris married her husband of over 50 years in her mid-40s. She got her GED in her 70s, her undergrad degree at age 88, and even worked on her Masters but decided to focus on her autobiography instead. Her last public performance appearance was on April 27th 2010 at the annual Easter Bonnet show on Broadway, a yearly event she attended since 1998. She even had a bit part in the Jim Carrey movie Man on the Moon.

Here is a video of her dancing at age 101

Part one of an interview from April 29, 2010

Part 2

Part 3

Lena Horne (1917-2010)

bunnybuntales — Thu, 13 May 2010 00:43:32 +0000

I didn’t have much computer access for the past few days so I couldn’t post on Lena Horne on Monday. I don’t think I’ve ever seen any of her films. I only saw her on Sanford and Son and The Cosby Show. However I did listen to her music as a child. The first song I recall is Where and When. I can even sing part of it. As a kid I thought it was about reincarnation.

Photo of the Day

bunnybuntales — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 13:01:07 +0000

I think this is a very beautiful and modern looking photo of underrated talent and beauty, Ann Sheridan. I fell in love with her while watching Kings Row. It was an excellent performance. She was strong and independent but also showed a vulnerable and morally flawed side to her character.

Here she is in Kings Row. She starts at 36 seconds. Nancy Coleman is very good too…an even better actress in my opinion. She starts at 4:13 minutes. 5:17 minutes is my favorite scene with Sheridan.

OMD and Louise Brooks

bunnybuntales — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 13:18:22 +0000

I’ve missed you all. I’m still trying to get organized and find time and energy for blogging. I’m juggling jobs, dance classes, studies, and having a social life. While I love the 1920s-1930s best for movies, I love the 1980s best for music. The following song featuring Louise Brooks from OMD’s Pandora’s Box is from the early 90s but it still fits with my preference for New Wave and Synthpop fused with classic film.

I’ll post soon–promise

bunnybuntales — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 12:22:28 +0000

Please forgive me for not posting this past month. I’ve been working long hours and also want to relax my eyes by avoiding the computer. I know I neglected to give my respects to Peter Graves and Robert Culp. BTW, Robert Culp was once married to one of cinema’s greatest beauties, France Nuyen. I still plan to write about more Norwegians in Hollywood. BTW, Peter Graves was of Norwegian descent. I’ve seen a lot of classic movies this year too so I want to comment on those.

Please check on the site. It’s awful to see readership go down but I have a lot of new posting coming ASAP.

Kathryn Grayson (1922-2010)

bunnybuntales — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:32:08 +0000

Operatic singer and MGM actress Kathryn Grayson died in her sleep on Feb. 17th. This week I just saw It Happened in Brooklyn with Frank Sinatra and Peter Lawford. It’s a mediocre film but the beautiful brunette soprano starred in the musical classics Anchors Aweigh, Show Boat, Kiss Me Kate. When musicals grew out of favor in the 60s, she worked in opera, theatre, and occasional television.

Sun Valley Serenade (1941)

bunnybuntales — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 01:20:35 +0000

Another 1940s musical that exceded my expectations. I saw Sun Valley Serenade as a kid and frankly Sonja Henie was not a very good actress, not even as good as mediocre. Henie made up for it with a sweet smile and charming disposition to go along with her figure skating talent. Her character is a bubbly Norwegian refugee sent to a pianist (John Payne) who was expecting a child not a cute grown woman. She can cook, ski, skate, and dance the polka. With these talents she snags Payne from his cold girlfriend (Lynn Bari).

John Payne and Sonja Henie dance the Polka

The film has many merits that makes you forget the silly plot. Firstly Henie’s skating but also the Glenn Miller Orchestra playing “Chattanooga Choo Choo,” “Moonlight Serenade,” and “In the Mood.” The Nicholas Brothers and a very young Dorothy Dandridge also perform to “Chattanooga Choo Choo.” This movie was Oscar-nominated for B&W cinematography and Best music. There is also Milton Berle as comedic relief.

This video includes Milton Berle, The Glenn Miller Orchestra and Lynn Bari. Dandridge and The Nicholas Brothers start performing at 5:00 minutes. Enjoy!

Good News (1947)

bunnybuntales — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 01:38:39 +0000

Good News exceded my expectations. I wanted to explore Peter Lawford musicals including Easter Parade, Royal Wedding, It Happened in Brooklyn and On An Island With You. Anyway I’m not big on musicals but had a blast with this technicolor movie about students and football players at a fictional college. June Allyson often annoyed me so I was surprised that she made me laugh in response to her roommate that she would read her favorite novel, Les Miserables, after Peter Lawford canceled their date to prom. June Allyson was 30 at the time of the film. Nothing wrong with a 30 yr. old co-ed but I hope the makers knew she looked it. It’s funny how June Allyson’s character tries to teach Peter Lawford’s character French so that he can impress a goldigging pretentious co-ed but Peter Lawford has better pronunciation because in real-life he spent his early childhood in France.

The DVD I got from Netflix also has two fun special features of Penny Singleton (billed as Dorothy McNulty) hoofing in the numbers “Varsity Drag” and “Good News” from the earlier screen version of Good News in 1930. Singleton was best know for her Blondie films and as the voice of Jane Jetson. I hope it’s not true but IMDB states she was omitted from the Oscars In Memoriam 2004. Such a travesty if true.