Friday, January 18, 2008 - Cary Grant Movie Reviews--The Awful Truth and My Favorite Wife

Note: these reviews come to you on a very special day--Cary Grant's 104th birthday! :-)

The Awful Truth

Irene Dunne and Cary Grant team up for the first time in this film. The duo worked so well together, that they later went on to co-star in two more films--My Favorite Wife and Penny Serenade. 

In this comedy of remarriage, Grant and Dunne play not so happy husband and wife Jerry and Lucy Warriner.  At the beginning of the movie, Jerry is just coming back "from a trip to Florida"--or so he tells his wife. In reality, Jerry has been out having a nice time of his own, away from his wife.  Jerry returns to find out his wife had been spending a lot of time with her music teacher while he was away. These two facts set the couple arguing--and eventually, they both decide it's time for them to split up.

Of course, no divorce goes perfectly.  Although the couple had quite a lot of material possessions and wealth, that fight quickly dissolves. It's a custody battle that has them about to rip each other's throats out.  Custody over an adorably cute little fellow that brought them together originally. And no, it's not their son.  It's the dog, Mr. Smith. (and just an interesting note, the dog is the same one that was in Bringing up Baby with Cary Grant! Of course, I'm probably the only one who finds that interesting!)

Lucy eventually is rewarded custody (moral #1 from this movie: milkbones will get you far!) but Jerry is granted generous visitation.  When Lucy moves into her aunt's apartment, she allows Jerry to come and take Mr. Smith out once a week.  Things are going well, until Jerry shows up one day to find Lucy preoccupied with her neighbor--a farm boy from Oklahoma.  Lucy is enchanted with his simple life--but Jerry's a bit disturbed over a man that refers to his ex-wife as a "prairie flower".  Dan, or Buffalo Bill, as Jerry dubs him, is enchanted with Lucy and is determine to take her back to Oklahoma to be his bride.

It is settled. Lucy is to wed Dan, and heartbroken Jerry finds solace in another young woman, the rich socialite Barbara Vance.  Barbara and Jerry share many fun moments together--including an awesome, several-second scene of them at an Army-Navy football game!  Eventually, they, too, become engaged.

But Lucy and Jerry find themselves in a predicament when Barbara mistakes Lucy as Jerry's sister.  After a few-too-many drinks, Lucy has a wonderful idea for fun--playing the part of Jerry's sister, when he goes to "meet the parents"!  Jerry is mortified, and must get his drunk "sister" away from his proper future in-laws. 

Comedy lurks in every corner in this movie.  From Jerry's interruption of an important concert of Lucy's (he thinks she's with the music teacher...alone), to the fight over Mr. Smith, this movie is one laugh after another.  It also keeps you wondering--the relationships between the characters are a tad confusing. Will Lucy and Jerry reconcile, or have they found their soul mates in other people?

Quotes from the movie:

"And if you get bored in Oklahoma City, you can always go over to Tulsa for the weekend!"--Jerry

"I've seen your picture in the paper and wondered what you looked like."--Lucy

 

 

 

My Favorite Wife

Irene and Cary's charm together resurfaces in their second film as a couple.  Irene (a very underrated actress, I must say--she's wonderful!) plays Ellen Arden, and Grant her husband, Nick.

It has been seven years since Nick has last seen his beloved wife, Ellen. It has been seven years since he said goodbye to her, wished her a good journey, and saw her boat off. It has been seven years since she kissed their infant twins goodbye.  Seven years ago, her boat sank when she was on a short term business trip.  Now, everyone has come to face the facts--she must be dead.

Since seven years have gone by, Nick can have Ellen declared legally dead.  This leaves him free to marry Bianca Bates.  Bianca is a well-respected woman, and although Nick is not sure if he really loves her, he thinks she'd make him a good wife.  Minutes after the judge declares Ellen dead, Nick and Bianca marry. They set off for their honeymoon.

Meanwhile, at Nick's home, the twins, Tim and Chinch, are approached by a strange woman while playing outside.  She seems friendly enough, but the children are suspicious and run inside to tell their grandmother.  Nick's mother is shocked to see the woman, and find out that Ellen, is, after all, still alive.  Apparently, Ellen has spent the last seven years on a deserted island, and was rescued by a passing ship just a few days before.

It was a few days too late, though.  Nick's mother tells Ellen about his recent marriage, and Ellen, horrified to think of her husband spending a honeymoon with his other wife, rushes to find them.  She runs into Nick in their hotel, and although at first he's thrilled to see her, his joy turns to fear when he realizes he has two wives--one the true love of his life, and the other waiting upstairs in their room for him!  However, Nick promises Ellen he will tell Bianca.

Bianca, on the other hand, is hardly happy that Nick seems rather...uh, preoccupied.  She finally decides that they should just go home and forget about the whole honeymoon idea.  Nick takes the suggestion joyfully...almost forgetting that he has not even told Bianca that Ellen is still alive.

They arrive home to find Ellen entertaining the children, who do not yet know she's their mother.  Ellen pretends to be an old family friend--a friend of the children's mother--and Bianca accepts it without question.  Nick just can't bring himself to tell her that he has another wife--especially not on their wedding night!

To make things worse, Nick becomes insanely jealous when he realizes Ellen wasn't alone on the island she had been deserted on.  No, for those long seven years a man had been with her.  Nick finds it hard to believe that their relationship could have only been as friends, after being on an island--just the two of them--for so many years.

More creative than it sounds, My Favorite Wife is a neat film.  Ellen and Nick must work out their own relationship, Nick must eventually face Bianca, and the children will have to accept Ellen as their mother.  It's a heartwarming and comical movie.

Quotes from the movie:

"Oh, by the way, how was my funeral?" --Ellen

"The moment I saw you I knew..." --Nick  "I bet you say that to all your wives."--Ellen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Tuesday, January 15, 2008 - Cary Grant Movie Reviews--Talk of the Town and I was a Male Warbride

 

Talk of the Town

What do you get when you mix an important, but serious law professor, his pleasant young landlady/secretary/cook (she's a busy woman, you see!), and a handsome escaped prisoner?  I think I would say it would, indeed, give you something that the whole town would talk about.

Leopold Dilg (Grant) is framed for arson.  One man dies in the fire, and Dilg is apprehended.  The whole city is furious with him--and demands he be given the toughest sentence in the books.  Dilg can't prove his innocence, and is overwhelmed by the evidence against him.  He is put in jail, but plots his escape. He pulls it off wonderfully, and slips into the night.

Meanwhile, Nora Shelley (played by Jean Arthur), is busy preparing a house for a new tenant due the next day.  Nora just so happens to be the childhood sweetheart and good friend of Leopold Dilg.  However, he's the last person on her mind as the unexpected happens--the new tenant, an important law professor and Supreme Court Candidate, Michael Lightcap (Ronald Colman) arrives ahead of schedule!  Nora frantically tries to make the home suitable for the professor while dealing with another surprise--finding Leopold Dilg at her doorstep.  The escaped convict is banished to the attic, and Nora must hide his presence from the Professor. After all, the professor is highly esteemed in the world of law and order. Nothing could prevent him from turning Dilg in...and Nora, too, for that matter.

In a bizarre turn of events, Nora finds herself as the stuffy professor's secretary and assistant.  No longer able to hide Dilg from him, she kindly introduces him as the gardener.  The three warm up to each other, and Lightcap and Dilg become good friends, even through their debates on law and justice.

Of course, it becomes increasingly difficult to hide Dilg's true identity from Lightcap.  Nora tries hard--such as carefully removing the pictures of Dilg in the professor's newspaper-- but eventually the wise Lightcap figures it all out.  He is conflicted--should he give Dilg up, or explore the case of his new found friend in hopes to prove his innocence?

Nora also has to make a decision--both men are growing very fond of her. Likewise, she finds them both interesting. Will she return the feelings of the strict yet kind-hearted legal scholar and find happiness in the prominent Washington, DC circles as his wife, or will she choose Dilg, who at any moment may find himself back in jail?  Interestingly, two endings were shot for this film--one where Nora chooses Dilg, and another where she chooses Lightcap.  Hint: only one of them was used!

Most would call this film a comedy. And yes, it has some hilarious moments.  But I think I would consider this film a great example of a social satire.  Lightcap and Dilg become friends through their different beliefs about the justice system.  Both must learn that their viewpoints are equally important.  Lightcap's well-delivered courtroom speech is one of many moments that bring out the meaning behind this screwball comedy.

 Quotes from the movie:

"What is the law? It's a gun pointed at somebody's head. All depends upon which end of the gun you stand, whether the law is just or not."--Dilg

"Stop saying "Leopold" like that, tenderly. It sounds funny. You can't do it with a name like Leopold." --Dilg

 

 

I WAS A MALE WAR-BRIDE

Cary Grant is a "man's man" to cinema (to me, anyhow!)....well, then there is this movie.  You may just think twice about that statement after seeing this movie.  Just kidding, despite some of the strange (yet hilariously done) actions of Grant's character in this movie, it's not all that bad. 

Grant plays the French (with a very un-French accent, I must say!) officer Captain Henri Rochard, who is often assigned to work with the professional, annoying (to him), yet pretty Lieutenant Catherine Gates.  Despite their protests, the unlikely duo are given an assignment together--one that goes dreadfully wrong.  A series of comical adventures follow them, and the two find themselves not only having to rely on each other, but actually...well, just maybe, becoming...dare I say the word? Friends.

Obviously, the smart thing for the two of them to do now is to fall in love. Piece of cake. So's the marriage ceremony--make that ceremonies, since he's French, she's American, and they are working in Germany.  The happy couple plan to spend a lovely honeymoon, and return to Catherine's home in the United States later.  That is, until Catherine is ordered back to the US--and without her husband, as he is not an American citizen!

Lucky for Henri, Catherine finds a loophole.  The War Bride's act--any spouse or child of military personnel may enter the US.  Unfortunately for Henri, this act normally applies to male soldiers that married foreign civilian women.  Henri may just find some problems trying to convince everyone that he is, in fact, a male war-bride.  The only way he will be able to get around the bureaucratic officials, Henri realizes, will be to pose as a woman!

Quotes from the movie:

"I am an alien spouse of female military personnel en route to the United States under public law 271 of the Congress." --Henri

"I'm *Mr.* Rochard." --Henri  "Well, it's your *wife* who must report here for transportation to Bremerhaven."--solider
"According to the War Department, I *am* my wife!"--Henri

 

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Sunday, January 6, 2008 - Cary Grant Movie Reviews--Charade and Father Goose

 

Charade

Murder. Hidden money. Men with secret identities. Pretty widows. Secrets from a war long over. Lies. Theft. Spying. Guns. Sound like an adventure? I think you are right! 

Audrey Hepburn (another favorite of mine...oh my, I seem to have a lot of favorites, don't I?) plays a young woman named Reggie Lampert, who is planning on divorcing her husband, Charles. She is vacationing at a ski resort in France, but plans to return to Paris, where she will ask Charles for a divorce. It is at the ski resort she first meets Cary Grant's character, Peter Joshua.  Peter and Reggie's first meeting is a brief one--but both seem to develop an instant liking for each other.  Reggie even invites Peter to look her up in Paris once her divorce is finalized, never expecting Peter to do so.

Reggie's plan changes dramatically, however, when she arrives home in Paris to find that her husband has been killed.  The new widow is alarmed, but almost relieved. Peter arrives to offer his regrets, and the two start a friendship.  It isn't until Reggie is introduced to a CIA agent that things truly become messy--the agent informs her of her husband's involvement in a government theft during the war. Of the four men that were with him, one was dead. The other three were still alive--and had killed Charles, the CIA suspected, for the money that he had helped to steal.  Now the three believe that Reggie has the money, and they will do anything to get it back.  Reggie's life is in danger--but worse than that, she has a small problem--she doesn't know where the money is herself!

Thus, Reggie enlists the aid of Peter, and the two join forces to find the money, avoid the killers, and fall in love. This is a suspenseful, action filled movie--from Peter's rooftop battle over Paris with a one-handed man to rescuing a kidnapped French child!

Reggie is a delightful character, and Peter equally charming. But Reggie begins to suspect Peter of lying to her--and her fears are confirmed. She  wonders if she can trust anyone--especially when it appears Peter may be working against the CIA.  She even begins to wonder if he will kill her himself! Is Peter who he says he is? (I'll give you a hint, he most certainly is not!)

Some special extras add to this movie--the Paris scenery, to be exact. Reggie's references to the Humpback of Notre Dame, Gene Kelly's dance from An American in Paris, and the sights of France in the background add a little extra flavor to an already sizzling movie.  Another favorite part of mine--this is for you Audrey Hepburn or My Fair Lady fans--is when Grant's character takes Reggie to her hotel room, and proclaims that they are "On the street where you live!" (and for you others, this is a reference to another famous film of Audrey's, My Fair Lady, and the name of a song in it) Just makes me laugh!

 Quotes from the movie:

"Do women find it feminine to be so illogical, or can't they help it?"--Peter

"Three of them. All in their pyjamas? C'est ridicule! What is it, some new American
fad?"-- police commissioner

 "No it isn't, I'm getting a divorce."--Reggie   "Please! Not on my account."--Peter

 "Oh, poor old Herman. It seems like him and good luck always was strangers. Well, maybe now he'll meet up with his other hand some place."--Tex

Father Goose

Now here's a fun movie! I've been wanting to see this one for a while, and so many people (lotrsavvy, for one! thanks!) have recommended it to me, I had to get it and watched it over Thanksgiving. And then I watched it again. And actually, I ended up watching it four times in one week. I really do love this movie now. Everything about it is awesome--the locations are beautiful, the story is funny, romantic, cute, and exciting, the cast is wonderful, Cary Grant is sixty but still incredibly handsome and as charming as ever...hehe.

Set during World War II, Grant plays American Walter Eckland, who has been spending much of his time alone in the South Pacific with his new beautiful boat. However, he is recruited--and forced--into becoming an Allied coast-watcher.  His good friend, Commander Houghton, has found use for this whiskey-loving man--and he is dropped off with provisions on a small island.

Walter's job is simple--at first.  He watches for enemy planes, identifies them, and radios in (using his title-derived code name, Mother Goose) to the Commander. A replacement can't come soon enough, though, for Walter--he hates this job. Thus, he is delighted when a replacement is found. Of course, the replacement is on the next island over.  Walter must take a small trip in his tiny motorboat to rescue the man from the Japanese, bring him back to his own island, and then, he can finally leave.

Upon arriving at the replacement's island, however, Walter is greeted with a surprise--the man is dead. And on the island instead is a pretty French schoolteacher, and the seven little girls in her charge. Walter is horrified--not only must he continue to be on his island as a coast watcher, but he must take eight females with him!

Hilarium ensues back on the island.  Walter and the woman, Catherine, clash constantly. Catherine is a prim, proper woman who will not have the children subjected to Walter's filthy, bachelor ways.  He, on the other hand,  is determined to stay out of their lives, and believes they should do the same to him. Unfortunately, the women-folk take over--everything. His hut, his clothes, his tin beef, his coconuts--they even hide his whiskey!  The girls can't stand him either--and he doesn't try very hard to win their affections at first.

Both parties must learn to compromise in this hysterical battle of the sexes.  Will Walter ever get used to life with women? Will the little girls warm up to him, and will Catherine ever accept him for who he is? It's a funny tale, complete with lots of excitement as Walter and Catherine have to avoid Japanese troops, the island dangers, take care of the children, and deal with their own growing relationship!

Quotes from the movie:

"Let me tell you-- I am not a father figure. I am not a brother figure or an uncle figure or a cousin figure. In fact, the only figure I intend being is a total stranger figure."--Walter

"How do you know it's [a fish] a 'she'?"--Catherine "Her mouth is open, now be quiet."--Walter

"How in English do you say 'parachute'?" --Catherine

 

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Wednesday, December 12, 2007 - Cary Grant Movie Reviews--Once Upon a Time and North by Northwest

 

North By Northwest

 

Mistaken identity. It's a favorite tool of filmmakers, and apparently moviegoers as well, as the plot has stood countless years and films.

Grant plays Roger Thornhill, who is leading a delightfully normal life as an advertising executive. He has a mother, admittedly, who gets on his nerves a bit, but he can deal with it. His life is fine--that is, until he is kidnapped by two anti-American agents who assume him to be another man. 

Madness ensues as Thornhill tries to convince the men they nabbed the wrong fellow.  Disgusted, they try to quiet him by forcing him to drink a large amount of liquor.  What follows is one of the best drunk scenes in film history.  Intending to kill him, the men put the intoxicated Roger Thornhill in a stolen car, but he somehow manages to drive (albeit dangerously) home. The police, seeing the stolen car, chase him in an almost hilarious yet scary scene, and finally capture him.  He insists he was not to blame, but no one, including his mother, believes him.  Eventually, he is let go, as the police investigate his story--which, thanks to the sly enemy agents, seems like just that--a story.

When an important UN official is killed, Roger is framed for murder. He has only two choices now--admit to something he didn't do, or run from the law and find the real killer.  Roger gets involved with a beautiful woman who later turns out to be a spy.  Is she for him, or against him? He doesn't know. But he is determined to get to the bottom of this--and a simple murder throws him into a world of espionage and danger.

Quotes of the movie:

"Now you listen to me, I'm an advertising man, not a red herring. I've got a job, a secretary, a mother, two ex-wives and several bartenders that depend upon me, and I don't intend to disappoint them all by getting myself "slightly" killed. " --Roger

"FBI, CIA, ONI... we're all in the same alphabet soup."--Professor

"Something wrong with your eyes?" --ticket seller  "Yes, they're sensitive to
questions." --Roger

Once Upon a Time

Sounds like a fairy tale, eh? You're pretty close with that description.  Once Upon a Time is a borderline strange movie--yet it's a happy, light-hearted family movie as well.  It will leave you with a warm feeling inside of you when it's over--even if you roll your eyes and think, "Oh, please," through half of it.

Jerry Flynn (Grant) is a slick city showman--starting as an entertainer and working his way up to owning a theater. His Broadway plays have been very popular and famous--until recently. Flynn has experienced three failing plays, and he is very close to losing all his reputation.  Even worse, he is about to lose his theater if he cannot come up with $100,000 by the end of the week.

Miserable, Flynn is taking a walk one night alone, when he runs into a small boy.  The boy, Arthur, earnestly begs Flynn to stop, just for a moment, and take a look in his cardboard box.  Although Flynn is hesitant, he obliges the young boy. What he sees amazes him.

Inside the box is a caterpillar named Curly. He is Arthur's pride and joy--his best friend, the orphaned boy tells Flynn. And, he can dance! That's right ( and here's where the story becomes suitable for only those who are still kids in their heart, or who love Cary Grant. I'm both, so I'm in luck!), this little caterpillar has the rhythm of a human when Arthur plays, "Yes, Sir, That's My Baby" on his harmonica.

Flynn is mesmerized by the caterpillar, and is sure that he could make money off of him. He is laughed off by his colleagues, however, but finds a way to prove that Curly can indeed dance.  Curly becomes almost instantly famous--during a wartime America, he is a symbol of hope, fun, and happiness.  Offers pour in from around the world, including from Walt Disney himself, to buy Curly.

Yet Flynn is torn--between his desire for money and his promise to Arthur not to sell his pet.  To make matters worse, Arthur's attractive older sister refuses to allow Flynn to take advantage of her little brother.  Arthur trusts Flynn, he realizes. Thus, Flynn must chose between a little boy's trust (and perhaps the love of his sister) and the life he always wanted to live--one of wealth and fame.

Quotes from the movie:

-"There's a war going on, or hadn't you heard?"--newspaper man (on saving Curly)   "I've been in London, Chun King, and Malta and saw kids dodge bombs to try to save some mangy dog."-- Air Force pilot

 

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Sunday, December 9, 2007 - Cary Grant Movie Reviews--An Affair to Remember and To Catch a Thief

An Affair to Remember

Oh boy. This one's plot is sappy, romantic, and just plain sickeningly sweet. And even more sad than that--I actually like it. Somehow, as sweet as it sounds, it doesn't come off quite too disgustingly sappy when you're watching it.  Or maybe I'm just a lost cause. That's actually probably it.

Nickie Ferrante (Cary Grant) and Terry McKay (Deborah Kerr) meet on an ocean liner in the middle of a cruise.  Each are heading to America--Nickie to his wealthy fiancee, and Terry to her rich, respectable fiance.  The two enjoy each other's company while on the ship (and sympathize with each other over their prospective marriages, as neither are quite sure about their chosen "soulmate").  The liner makes port in the town of Nickie's grandmother, and the two go ashore together. During their days ashore with his family, Terry and Nickie become quite close. 

By the time the ship docks in New York, the two are decidedly in love.  As much as they want to be together, they admit it is not practical at this time--both have no money of their own, which is why both were planning to marry rich.  Terry proposes a plan--over the next six months, the couple would go their own ways, work, earn a steady income, and break up with their respective fiances. At the end, if they still loved each other, they would meet at the top of the Empire State Building.

Things are going well. Both find success in the world over the next few months--Nickie as a painter and Terry as a singer.  Finally, the six months have passed, and the couple is ready to reunite.

Tragedy strikes, however, leaving Nickie all alone on top of the Empire State Building, waiting for Terry to come. He's convinced she doesn't love him anymore. Determined to move on, he leaves, and tries to forget her. But, of course, he can't.

Yes, like I said, it's sappy. Delightfully so, I'm afraid.

Quotes from the movie:

"The Empire State Building is the closest thing to heaven in this city." --Terry

"There must be something between us, even if it's only an ocean. "--Nickie

 

 

 To Catch a Thief

 The beautiful princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly, teams up with Cary Grant in this thrilling tale of true love....and crime. 

John Robie (Grant) is the first to admit he once loved the life of crime. Theft, to be more exact. His living as a youngster had been made solely by stealing jewelry.  Because of his bravery during World War II, though, he, and his partners in crime, were offered full pardons. Now, Robie has been living an exemplary life in his home in France, living leisurely, yet legally.

Robie's life is about to change.  Someone is conducting a series of jewelry robberies in France--with the exact same methods that he employed in his thieving days! Naturally, Robie is the first suspect. 

Realizing he must prove his innocence, Robie decides to use his own knowledge to predict when the burglar will strike next. First, he must find a victim whom the real burglar would possibly rob. With the help of an insurance man friend, he becomes acquainted with two wealthy American women--a mother, and her daughter, Francie (Kelly). He hides his identity from them both.

Francie and Robie embark on a whirlwind romance, even though she eventually finds out who he really is--and in turn, believes him guilty. She is torn--does she help the man she loves escape from the police who are after him, does she turn him in, or does she believe him, and help him find the real jewel thief?

Quotes from the movie:

"So this is where you live? Oh, Mother will love it up here! "--Francie

"I'm in love with you."--Francie  "Now that's a ridiculous thing to say."--Robie

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Monday, December 3, 2007 - Cary Grant Movie Reviews--Houseboat and The Howards of Virginia

 

Houseboat

Single dad Tom Winters (Grant) is struggling trying to raise three children in the bustling city of Washington, D.C. He loves his children a lot, but he realizes, with their mischievous ways, they need a mother, or at least some kind of woman in their life.

And into his life walks Cinzia, an Italian woman rebelling against her own family.  While her family is in DC, she sets out on her own, and runs into Tom's children, who have likewise run away.  Ironically, she convinces them to back home, eventually taking them herself. Here, she meets Tom. The two have an instant connection, and as time goes by, the children insist Cinzia come and be their new governess.

Tom agrees, but on one condition--they no longer live in DC. Instead, he moves his family and Cinzia to Maryland--were they inhabit a lovely little houseboat on the Potomac River.

This is a fun film about family and work and love.  It's cute, and fluffy, but enjoyable nonetheless!

Quote of the movie:

"--That's you, Sir." --"Who, Sir?" "Me, Sir?" --"Yes, Sir." "You, Sir."

 

 

The Howards of Virginia

When I first read about this movie, I knew I had to see it for two reasons. One, it has Cary Grant in it. Two, Cary Grant is in it. Wait. I'm certain there was another reason. Oh yeah. Much of it takes place in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, which is where my mom grew up. So I really wanted to see it.  However, this movies is an interesting one. A lot of folks say Cary Grant was a miscast in this one. I'm not sure if I agree or not, to be honest. I think the movie is good, and Grant does a good job.  The plot of the movie is nice; a bit cliched but still well done. The historical accuracy is neat, so is the "appearance" of some real people in it--Washington, Jefferson, Lafayette, Baron Von Steuben, etc.

The real problem I have is with Grant's role. It's not that he's really not good for the role, there's just something missing. I'm not quite sure what. I think it's that he's almost too hyper in it. Yes, he plays a backwoodsman type man, but the energy he displays is something that is fine for a comedy set in the 40's, but doesn't quite work in a Revolutionary War era drama.

Still, I liked the movie a lot, and would recommend it.

Grant plays Matt Howard.  His story is chronicled from the time he was about ten (as childhood friend of Thomas Jefferson), and his father died in Ohio, to his participation over thirty years later in the Revolutionary War. He is married, builds a home, has children, becomes a delegate in the House of Burgesses, and butts heads with his beloved wife's Loyalist family.  He struggles with his relationships with his own sons, and leaves to fight in the war.

Good historical tale, kinda cool to see Grant as a Patriot captain, too! Very different from his usual films.

Quotes:

"I am a Howard from Virginia, you will bow down and worship me! - Matt

 

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Thursday, November 29, 2007 - Cary Grant Movie Reviews--Suspicion and Notorious

Suspicion

 What happens in a movie when two strangers meet--one a charming, flirtatious young man, and the other a beautiful yet doomed to be single (so her family tells her) young lady? Usually, the woman is swept off her feet, the man falls in love despite trying his best not to, and they live happily ever after.  Not so in this suspenseful film, I'm afraid.

Cary Grant plays the likeable and fun Johnnie Aysgarth, who meets a pretty, single woman named Lina. Lina is tired of her life with her parents--who love to conveniently remind her that she, at twenty-eight, is destined to old-maidenhood.  She is determined to prove them wrong, however, and throws herself headlong into a courtship with Johnnie--who her parents warn her about.  He's of "rotten stock", says her father.  Lina refuses to believe the warnings, and soon elopes with Johnnie.

The two enjoy a happy honeymoon, and settle in a beautiful house back home.  Lina is very delighted with the home, the servants, and the expensive things Johnnie has given her, although she did not realize that he was quite as rich as he appeared.  As time goes by, she becomes more suspicious. Where was Johnnie getting the money?

Eventually, she discovers that Johnnie has been gambling--which he promised to give up.  Lina tries to convince him to get a real job, and she thinks she has been successful in doing so. Yet, she soon finds that her husband has been telling her one lie after another.

Lina still loves Johnnie--he may be doing wrong, but he's just trying to make a living for their family, she thinks.  Things progress, however, and Lina suspects Johnnie of an even more diabolical scheme--murder! She even wonders if he will murder her--and evidence is pointing strongly at it.

This movie is "the study of a murder as seen through the eyes of the eventual victim." Will Johnnie really murder his wife?  If so, will she be able to escape?

Quotes from the movie:

"You're the first woman I've ever met who said yes when she meant yes."--Johnnie

"My villain? My hero, you mean. I always think of my murderers as my heroes."--Isobel

 

Notorious

Doesn't the title of this movie just make you shiver? It's one of those movies that you know from the name that it will be wonderful.  Suspenseful, mysterious, romantic, and thrilling, this is a classic tale (and one of my favorites--my favorite actor, favorite actress, and one of my favorite directors, and one of my favorite movies!) of a spy, a woman, and a little bit of uranium--that could do a lot of damage.

Ingrid Bergman (in my opinion the most beautiful woman Hollywood has seen) plays Alicia Huberman, and Cary Grant plays T.R. Devlin.  Alicia is the daughter of a Nazi spy who has been convicted just after the war. Devlin, a government agent, recruits her--the US government has a job for the patriotic American girl, and she has the perfect background for it. She's a...well, to put it nicely, very experienced with men, she's familiar with her father's acquaintances, and she would be the best person to get information from them for the government.

Thus, Alicia follows Devlin to Brazil, where many Nazis had relocated.  Neither is quite sure what the exact job is that she will perform--but they get settled comfortable in Brazil and wait for their boss to contact them. In the process, Alicia falls in love with Devlin.  He seems torn, though--he is cool to her, yet sometimes a glimmer of love shows through--but not for long.

Alicia's orders come--an old flame, Sebastian, has come to Brazil, and it is up to her to fake a relationship with him in order to gather information about his supposed Nazi connections.  Things are going well--until Sebastian asks her to marry him. At first, Alicia is hesitant, but agreed when the heart-hardened Devlin and the other agents push her to it.

Soon, Sebastian and Alicia are married. Things are going well, and she keeps Devlin informed of various incidents.  Alicia is close to bringing her husband's Nazi activities to light, until the unthinkable happens. The truth is revealed to Sebastian, and he is furious to find himself married to an American agent.

 Alicia's life is in danger--can Devlin save the woman he now freely admit he loves from her criminal husband?  I can guarantee the end will shock you!

I love Grant's character in this movie. He's not really all that likeable as a person, yet he is. He's unusually cruel--in fact, he's a jerk to Alicia's face for much of the movie. He pushes her into the arms of Sebastian, yet when she does it for him, he clearly wants to forget anything he ever felt for her.  You can't help but feel sorry for him, though, when he does show his vulnerable sides!

Quotes from the movie:

"Waving the flag with one hand and picking pockets with the other, that's your
 'patriotism'." --Alicia

"What does the speedometer say?"--Alicia  "65."--Devlin "I want to make it 80 and wipe that grin off your face. "--Alicia

"I knew her before you, loved her before you, only I'm not as lucky as you."--Devlin

 

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Sunday, November 25, 2007 - Cary Grant Movie Reviews--The Philadelphia Story and His Girl Friday

 

 The Philadelphia Story

Once upon a time, a man fell in love with a woman. They got married.  And then, sadly, they divorced.

Such was the case of C.K. Dexter Haven, played by Cary Grant, and Tracy Lord, played by Katherine Hepburn.  Time has elapsed since their messy divorce--and Tracy has found new happiness with the man of her dreams (she thinks), George Kittredge. Things are going fine before the wedding, until Dexter arrives. Yes, he seems to have recovered from the alcoholism that ruined their marriage.  Yet he's also the same Dexter she once married and fell in love with--the charming, smart, witty, and handsome Dexter. 

Tracy is not swayed, however.  Even when Dexter invites himself to her family's home so that he can attend the wedding, she refuses to listen to him.  Two more join the party--a reporter, Mike Connor, played by Jimmy Stewart, and his photographer, Liz.  Their job is simple--they are to cover Tracy's wedding and secure an interview, all in return that the paper they work for does not reveal publicly a dark shadow in Tracy's father's life.

Meanwhile, Dexter is making himself home at the house.  He's a favorite of the family, to Tracy's disgust--her mother loves him, her ten-ish year old sister adores him (she very wisely advises her big sister to go back to him, because she likes him 'much better than George'; she even threatens to have the wedding postponed by getting smallpox!), and George...well, as you can imagine, George and Dexter don't always see eye to eye. Especially when it comes to Tracy.

A party is thrown...and unfortunately, both Tracy and Mike have a bit too much to drink.  This puts a sinister idea in the head of Dexter--it's time for action, if he's going to prevent George and Tracy's wedding.  He arranges George to see Tracy and Mike together (perfectly innocent on their part, minus a kiss or two!). Heartbroken, George is convinced Mike and Tracy are involved, and he calls off the wedding.

Bet you think you know what happens next. Not so fast, I'm afraid. George is out of the picture, but Dexter has another problem on his hand--he hasn't won his girl back yet. Mike, of all people, may have just found his way into Tracy's heart, all because of the plan Dexter devised to get her!

Filled with Cary's dry humor, Jimmy's boyish attitude, and Katherine's flippant wisecracks,and hilarious ad-libs (the best thing a movie can have!) this movie is a must-see!

Quotes from the movie:

"Yes, yes your Majesty, but first, could I interest you in some small blackmail?"--Dexter

"C.K. Dexter Haaaaaaaaaven! Oh C.K. Dexter Haven!'--Mike

*hiccups*--Mike  "Excuse me."--Dexter. (total ad libbed moment here, you gotta see it for it to be funny. You can see them both trying not to laugh)

 

 

 

His Girl Friday

Yet again, Cary Grant is playing an ex-husband who desperately wants his ex-wife back, even though she's now moved on to another man.  Walter Burns, Grant's character, is still madly in love with Hildy Johnson. She's all set to marry Bruce Baldwin, however.

Sound like another Philadelphia Story? The plot is rather similar, I admit. But watching them both feels so different, yet equally good.

Walter Burns is an editor for a popular newspaper, and Hildy once worked for him. They married and divorced, but Hildy stayed in the business. She's tired of it, though--she wants something every woman wants--a steady man, a house she can call her own, and children. Bruce Baldwin has promised her these things, and she is ready to forsake the business world, and become the perfect little housewife.

Walter is devastated when he hears of her engagement, but tries to play it cool.  He traps her into covering just one more story for him--an important case which could result in a man being executed for a crime he did not commit--before her wedding.  Throughout, he remains "friendly" with Bruce, but in reality, he's setting him up for disaster--and maybe worse.

The story starts as a man wanting his woman back. Somehow, politics, the legal system, justice, and media slant issues are weaved through the story intricately, making it much more than just another "romantic comedy". Although funny it is...and equally romantic! Walter struggles with a question throughout the movie as well--will Hildy ever truly be happy with him, even if she did succumb to his charms once more, or is it better to let her go and have what she deserves?

Quotes of the movie:

"Oh, Walter, you're wonderful - in a loathsome sort of way."--Hildy

"He's an insurance salesman. That's a good, honest business, isn't it?"--Hildy  "Oh certainly, it's honest. It's also adventurous, it's romantic. Listen, Hildy, I can't picture you being surrounded by policies, policies... "--Walter

"He looks like, uh, that fellow in the movies, you know, uh, Ralph Bellamy". --Walter (ad libbed line, describing Bruce, who was actually played by Ralph Bellamy. Bet everyone was dying when he said that!)

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Friday, November 23, 2007 - Cary Grant Movie Reviews--Gunga Din and Penny Serenade

Gunga Din

 

Before Star Wars and Narnia, there was an action movie that every boy played with his friends after school.  Take Indiana Jones, mix it with Cary Grant's boyish humor, and you have it--Gunga Din. Based on Rudyard Kipling's poem, this story chronicles the adventures of three British Army officers based in India--Sgt. MacChesney, Sgt. Ballantine, and Grant's character, Sgt. Cutter. 

The three, reminiscent of a British version of the Three Musketeers, are known throughout their company as daring, brave, and maybe even a bit troublesome (in a fun way, of course) young men.  However, the company is about to be broken up--by a young woman. Ballantine is planning to get married, and consequently, leaving the Army.  It is up to Cutter and MacChesney to prevent his leaving, and to prevent his replacement (hated by the trio) from joining them.

To make matters worse, Cutter accidentally stumbles upon a secret Indian sect that has been dormant for fifty years. Now they have risen up again, and are ready to do one thing--kill. The lives of many are in danger. It's up to these three, fun-loving soldiers and a wanna-be-solider and Indian native, Gunga Din, to disarm the enemy in the name of the Queen.

This movie is an adventure. It's also just plain fun.  The three, especially Cutter, are so careless and mischievous, you have to love them!  I just about died laughing when Cutter, as a distraction while Gunga Din goes to warn the Army, walks right into the sect's solemn, terrifying meeting, swaying his arms and singing about roast beef and England!  There is action, but there are also plenty of light moments that make the movie both enjoyable and interesting!

Quotes from the movie:

"How can we get a nice little war going?"-- Sgt. Cutter

"You're a better man than me, Gunga Din."--Colonel Weed

 

Penny Serenade

This one is a bit of a change from the typical, happy-go-lucky type films Cary Grant starred in. He plays a regular guy here--same charming fellow, but with the struggles of daily life. No secret agents or ex-wives or rollicking adventure here. This is the story of a man, a woman, and their wish for a happy family.

Cary Grant and Irene Dunne team up to play Roger and Julie Adams. The film chronicles their meeting, their courtship, and their engagement and hasty marriage before Roger is transferred to Tokyo.  Julie will join him when he has settled and they can afford a home on his salary as a reporter.

Roger starts off as a bit of a big shot--he's got dreams and aspirations, and he's not going to let anything get in the way of them.  He loves Julie, of course, but he's perfectly content with their family as it is--just the two of them.

Thus, when Julie joins him in Japan several months later, she is a bit hesitant to reveal that she is pregnant. However, Roger is delighted--he can't wait to have "one of their own" (especially shown as he's very devoted to the Japanese children, buying them presents and teaching them American games).  Tragedy strikes, however. Actually, an earthquake strikes, leaving Julie underneath a pile of rubble.  She loses the baby, and it also leaves her unable to have anymore children.

Heartbroken, the couple return to America, and try to move on.  Roger starts his own newspaper in a small town.  Things are going well, but Julie can't help but feel something is missing--they need a child in their lives.  So, to the orphanage Julie and Roger go, determined to find a curly blond haired boy of two with big blue eyes and dimples.

No child of that description is at the orphanage, and Roger is ready to go home.  No sense looking at the girls, he thinks. Who wants a girl? They were positive on adopting a boy. But Julie insists that at least have a look....and look they did, right into the eyes of a beautiful, six-week old little girl.

Julie loves her already. Roger is hesitant...until she grips her finger.  Maybe a girl wouldn't be that bad, he admitted. The couple take the baby home--they can have her for a one year probationary period, and if all is good then, she is theirs.

Now that they have their baby, Roger and Julie are not quite sure what to do. It's hilarious to watch them take care of the infant--Julie is overwhelmed by having to bathe and change her, she won't stop crying, and Roger *must* stick to the directions on taking care of babies he pasted to the nursery wall.

They adjust, though, and little Trina becomes a vital part of their life. She's adorable--and also daddy's little girl.  But then..Roger loses his job, just as their one year probation is up. The judge will never grant them custody without an income--no matter how much they love Trina.

Warning--this is a sad one. I've told you a little about it.  But I haven't even touched on some of the tragic things that happen in this movie, because I don't want to give it away...so I'll just end here with, be prepared to cry!

Quote from the movie:

"If you take her away now ... she wouldn't know what had happened to her  ....We have to put up with inspections - people checking up on us to make sure we're taking care of her properly - her vaccinations, her shots, her toothbrush ... How many 'real' parents have to put up with something like that?"

 

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Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - Cary Grant Movie Reviews--Arsenic and Old Lace and Bringing up Baby

For those of you that know me well, you'll know I'm a big Cary Grant fan. I've recently gone back and have been watching movies--re-watching some old favorites and discovering some new ones.  I'm going to review each one of his movies I've seen. At first I was going to do them all on one post, but then I thought you all might appreciate NOT being overwhelmed (after all, even though I've not seen them all, he was in more than 80 movies!) so I'm going to do it as a series. If you have any questions on the movies, let me know! If you've seen them, tell me your opinion, if you haven't, please check them out!

Arsenic and Old Lace

The play version of this story was so successful that Frank Capra knew it would be an instant success as a movie, likewise. Ironically, Bob Hope, Jack Benny, and Ronald Reagan were all asked to play the part of the lead character, Mortimer Brewster, but could not. It was then that Capra asked Cary Grant to take the role. Although the role was one of Grant's least favorites of his own performances, I have to disagree with him there (sorry!).  The whole movie is brilliant, but he brings new life to it. His non-verbal communication is genius.  The faces, the reactions--this movie is a great specimen of what an actor should be made of. Grant perfected passionate romance, humor, adventure, horror, terror, insanity, and hysterics into one movie.

Mortimer Brewster is about to embark on the greatest voyage of the human life--something that he had actually made a living off of mocking. The great author who wrote numerous articles opposing the institution, well, he was partaking of it himself. Yep, Mr. Brewster was getting married. 

Martial bliss is put aside soon, however.  He always knew his family was a little bit zany--there was Teddy Brewster, his brother, who thinks he's Teddy Roosevelt, and then there is the other brother Jonathan...oh, Jonathan. But he's been gone for years, so there's no need to worry about him, right?

His family is completed by his two elderly aunts. The sweetest women in the world, everyone proclaimed.  Those two, Mortimer thought, balanced out the rest of the family. Dear sweet Aunt Abby and Aunt Martha. What would he do without them?

Unfortunately, a shocking truth is revealed to Mortimer.  His aunts may be more crazy than the rest of his family put together. And where does this leave Mortimer? He's from a family of maniacs.  Is he the next to fall to insanity?  And what to do about his *dear* family?  Is his marriage destined for failure--after all, who would want to be married to someone from his family?

Quotes from the movie:

"This is developing into a very bad habit! I don't know if I can explain it to you. It's not only against the law, it's wrong!" --Mortimer

"You wouldn't want to have children with three heads, would you? I mean, you wouldn't want to set up housekeeping in a padded cell. Oh, it would be bad." --Mortimer

"The gentleman died because he drank some wine with poison in it. Now, I don't know why you're making such a big deal over this, Mortimer. Don't you worry about a thing!"--Aunt Abby

 And just for fun:

 

 

Bringing Up Baby

 

Along with Arsenic and Old Lace, this movie made me laugh until I cried. Plus,  I continue to laugh every time I watch it. It never loses its charm.  It's just classic screwball comedy with true, raw humor. Grant and comedy go hand in hand, of course--he's very witty. However, this is a new kind of funny. Here, Cary Grant is just plain goofy. And it's delightful.

Teamed up again with the wonderful Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant plays Dr. David Huxley, a scientist very serious about his work. He's been working on a dinosaur skeleton for years now, and just needs one more bone--an intercostal clavicle, to be precise--to complete his "child." Yes, he thinks of his work as his child. So does his down to business fiancee, Alice Swallow.  Their marriage will be a purely business negotiation, in order to devote more to the world of science.

Yet, Dr. Huxley is in for a surprise when he meets Susan Vance, played by Katherine Hepburn.  She drives him crazy--and he tries to get rid of her as best as he can. But somehow, the smitten Susan outsmarts him so that he will miss his wedding--with a insane plan involving a leopard named Baby, millions of dollars, lost clothes, a little dog named George, and whole new identity for him (which he knows nothing about!). The antics of this duo will have you rolling--down to the very last adorable moment.

Quotes from the movie:

"There is a leopard on your roof and it's my leopard and I have to get it and to get it I have to sing." --Susan

"Now it isn't that I don't like you, Susan, because, after all, in moments of quiet, I'm strangely drawn toward you, but — well, there haven't been any quiet moments."--David

 

 

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