A Nerd Exploring Old Hollywood Through Fashion, Film, and Books.
I can somehow cry a river of tears for a video about cats or a grandpa holding hands with his grandbaby but when it comes to films I only have a handful that I have actually sobbed to. I mean a good, deep cry for films like After the Promise (1987), Lady Jane (1986), or Imitation of Life (1959). But there is also another film that never fails to give me a good cry, Terms of Endearment (1983) . It…
“Once upon a time, there was a king so great, so loved by his people, and so respected by neighbouring kingdoms that he was the happiest of monarchs" is how Donkey Skin (1970) begins. A beloved King utterly enamored with his beautiful Queen looking lovingly out their window to admire their equally beautiful daughter. The narrator states that their daughter had such grace and charm that that they…
When people ask me what my favorite movies are I have to tell them to give me a decade and genre. There really are too many but I can say for sure that The Poseidon Adventure (1972) is on my list of favorites. There is something special about a movie that takes you along on the adventure. This film has its ups and downs-literally and figuratively-but its the characters and the journey they go on…
The Lady Vanishes (1938) stars Margaret Lockwood as Iris Henderson, a wealthy English tourist who who is enjoying time with her girlfriends on the slopes of the fictional countryside of Bandrika. Iris is about to get married because she figures she has done everything in life and she should just settle down. In the midst of all this an avalanche happens and those who were traveling through by…
With Easter around the corner there is a lot of prepping and cooking that happens this time of the year. A few years ago I shared 7 Vintage Easter Recipes which you can see HERE . I thought I would share a few more for some inspiration. There is something to be said about vintage food recipes-they are timeless. Here are 7 more vintage Easter recipes that you can enjoy this springtime:
I Love Lucy (1951-1957) is one of those shows that is absolutely timeless. The cast had perfect comedic timing and the storylines were always fun. You were guaranteed a good time anytime you watched the show. What made it even more fun were the times they would have guest stars join in on their adventures. Some of the guest stars played specific characters in an episode and some simply played…
B movies can be defined as a type of cheap, low-budget film. A type of film that may have well known stars of the time in it but not necessarily have the big budget or the backing of a studio. Although B movies aren't usually popular in the mainstream, they are just as a fun and enjoyable as big budget popular films. The 1960's came out with slew of entertaining B movi es- The Shuttered Room…
A few years ago I shared 5 classic films all about love for Valentine's Day. What I love about romantic films is that they can be about all types of love. They can also be meshed with fantasy or comedy or ever horror. This year I would like to share 5 more Classic films about love. All This, And Heaven Too (1940) : S tarring Bette Davis and Charles Boyer. Drama Romance. Based on a true story of…
I Knew Her Well (1965), is a film by Italian director Antonio Pietrangeli starring Stefania Sandrelli . It starts out with a scene on a beach with upbeat contemporary music playing. In just those few moments of watching the film you might think this is going to be a romantic comedy or romantic adventure but it actually ends up being an unexpected tale of misguided dreams and the parts of ourselves…
There isn't anything like the holidays in New York City. Despite the crowds of visitors, the city is a delight to spend time in. Exploring all the iconic sights and trying as many hot chocolate drinks as possible-the holidays in New York are magical. For those who are disabled (or simply needing a walking aid) commuting through the city and navigating through the busy streets can be tricky. For…
Between Two Worlds (1944) is set during WWII in London where people are trying to get out of the city because of bombings. A sensitive Austrian pianist-turned-soldier in the Résistance named Henry (Paul Henreid) is seen trying to get out of London and board a ship to America. He is denied because he does not have an exit ticket. Out of nowhere comes his wife, Ann (Eleanor Parker) who is searching…
Romance on the High Seas (1948) stars Doris Day as Georgia Garrett and Jack Carson as Peter Virgil in a charming romantic comedy. The fashion in this film was just as much a character in this kooky lov e story as the actors themselves. This was Doris Day's first film so I didn't expect her fashion in the film to be anything spectacular but it was. In the twenty years that Day spent making movies…
Doris Day had a twenty year movie career that began with Romance on the High Seas (1948) and ended with With Six You Get Eggroll (1968) . By the time she starred in this film she already had a successful career as a big band singer that began in 1939. She eventually had commercial success in 1945 with two Number one recordings, " Sentimental Journey " and " My Dreams Are Getting Better All the…
Myra Breckinridge (1970) starts out with the first title card of an image of a letter which said, " I must write it all down. Exactly as it happened. While it is fresh in my memory. But my hand trembles. Why? Twice I've dropped the yellow ball point pen. Now I sit at the surgical table making the greatest effort to calm myself, to put it all down not only for its own sake but also for you,…
I know from personal experience that having to use a walking aid comes with challenges-both physical and mental. Accepting the use of a walking aid can be tricky. But once you do it then becomes all about finding the right walking aid. Walking aids don't have to be some old clunky thing you use to help you walk better. It can become a part of your personal style. Fashionable Canes has canes that…
I have heard it said that becoming a parent is not for the faint of heart. After being one for almost seventeen years I can say that it is 100% true. There are so many highs and lows-for yourself as a woman, for each of your children, your spouse, and others around you. Becoming a mother isn't always a picture perfect experience. Some women face the challenges of divorce, widowhood, neglectful…
I started journaling at the age of nine back in 1985. I still have most of my journals. That first one sadly perished in a house fire but I still remember feeling the excitement of writing in it and sharing all about my secret crush. It feels so special to be able to look back on your life in such detail because of the gift of journaling. Here are 6 benefits from journaling: 1. Connect with…
Despite being a critical and commercial failure, The Monster Club (1981) i s no ordinary B horror movie. It stars Old Hollywood legends Vincent Price as the Vampire Erasmus, John Carradine as the horror author, R. Chetwyn-Hayes, and Donald Pleasance as the Vampire Hunter Pickering. Each of these A-list stars are known for a massive and diverse body of works as actors but they are each famous for…
The nicest thing happened a few months ago. Gill from Realweegiemidget’s Reviews blog nominated me for a Sunshine Blogger Award. It's been ages since I have been gifted one of these. They were really popular when I first started blogging back in 2011. It was really cool to be nominated and thought of by such a wonderful blogger like Gill from Realweegiemidget’s Reviews . Now technically I will not…
Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing (1973) was discovered on one of my many trips down the rabbit hole when researching mo vies. I saw that it starred Maggie Smith and I knew I would be going on a ride of a lifetime. And as always, she doesn't disappoint. The film begins with a introduction to Walter Elbertson (Timothy Bottoms) who is painfully shy young man who doesn't really know what he is…
I was lucky to meet the lovely Mr. David Bean back in October 2022 at the Chiller Theater Expo in New Jersey. I purchased his book at this event and after reading When You’re A Jet: A Dancer’s Extraordinary, Ordinary Life , I reviewed it on my blog . I was so inspired by his life stories that I decided to try reach out to Mr. Bean in the hopes of conducting an interview. To my surprise I received…
I just love old recipes. I have a slew of vintage cookbooks but the recipes are usually hard for me to understand. I appreciate a cookbook that takes old recipes and fleshes them out for the modern day cook. Retro Recipes from the '50s and '60s: 103 Vintage Appetizers, Dinners, and Drinks Everyone Will Lov e by Addie Gundry has heaps retro recipes that include appetizers, dinners, sides, soups,…
Back in 1985 the late John Hughes wrote the words, “We're all pretty bizarre. Some of us are just better at hiding it, that's all.” For those of you that grew up watching The Breakfast Club (1985) it was the first movie that really showed the complexities of being a teen. Trying to figure out who you are, peer pressure, cliques, feeling like an outcast, family turmoil, and the pressures from…
Have you ever watched a film that you just loved and enjoyed the soundtrack to the film just as much? You can listen to a soundtrack and it can transport you right back into the movie or you can hear the music in the film and suddenly the quality of a scene is lifted to new heights. My record collection like my cd and cassette tape collections, all contain soundtracks. One of my favorites in the…
I'm taking a few steps as a blogger to not only enhance my blog and the work I have been doing for over ten years but also to build on the business side of my blog. I recently opened an Amazon Storefront on Amazon. There I have categories where you can shop from. Each category is carefully curated, true to my brand, and caters to all things that I love. The classic films and old Hollywood books I…