12 days of blogging: Day 12- It's A Wonderful Life (1946)

"every time a bell rings an angel gets its wings"

Come on now you didn't really think I wasn't going to include this christmas classic in the list, shame on you. This film is considered the best christmas film by many and some have even said that it is the best film in the world so it has earned its place as my post for christmas eve and last post of this blogathon. I recently went to watch a production of this film in my local theater and though some of the acting and set design was questionable it did remind me of why I fell in love with this film and the meaning behind it. Though the film was a flop in 1946 it has now become one of the most powerful and inspirational films that has ever touched the world, it has now become timeless. I couldn't praise this film more, so please if you haven't already watched this film than now is the time.

Cast

James Stewart

Donna Reed

Lionel Barrymore

Henry Travers

Thomas Mitchell

Beulah Bondi

Gloria Grahame

Synopsis

An angel, Clarence (Henry Travers), is hired to help a man so he can get his wings, George Bailey (James Stewart) is contemplating suicide, to help him he must see his life up to this point. We are shown all of the people who George has touch and all of the significant points in his life. George saved his brothers life by rescuing him from drowning and because of this became death in one ear. George also helped his boss who had recently lost his son and turned to alcohol. He had made plans to leave Bedford Falls and go to college but he kept having to stay and run the bailey and loans company in order for it to not be taken over by the greedy Mr. Potter, who owned everything else in the town. George soon falls in love with Mary (Donna Reed), they marry and have children while still living in Bedford Falls, the town of which George always wanted to leave. 

On christmas eve, George's uncle Billy loses the businesses $8,000 while intending to deposit it in the bank. Mr. Potter found the money and kept it in hope that they would get arrested and he could then take over their company. When George realizes that he will be held responsible and sent to jail and the company would collapse, thinking of his loved ones he contemplates suicide while on a bridge in order for them to receive his life insurance. Clarence then shows up to help George, he does this by showing him what the world would be like if he didn't exist, when finding out of the things that he did that caused the world to change for the better he realizes that suicide isn't the answer and so returns home. Once he returned home, his friends, after finding out the trouble that George was in all came together to raise the money he needed to keep the company. Afterwards Clarence is seen to have gotten his wings for helping George Bailey.

"no man is a failure who has friends"

Some Little Facts

• 42 bells are heard throughout the film, so 42 angels get their wings.
• This film created an alternative to using painted cornflakes as snow and instead used foamite, soap and water, pumped at a high pressure through a wind machine. The company was awarded for this achievement.
• Frank Capra said the film would be shot in 90 days and when he was right a party was made to celebrate.
• This was Donna Reeds first starring role.
• It is James Stewart's and Frank Capra's favourite of their films.
• The role of George Bailey was originally made at another studio with Cary Grant in mind but when Frank Capra took over he rewrote the part to suit James Stewart.
• Though a stunt double was hired, Donna Reed successfully threw the rock that broke the window in the Granville house, she had a strong throwing arm from playing baseball in high school.
• This was the only time that Frank Capra co-wrote, produced, financed and directed a film.

Now I know it's sad that it is the end of my Christmas blogathon but I feel like I have made a great achievement and have been successful in what I set out to do, I hope you enjoyed it just as much as I have. Don't worry I will still post regularly just not as regularly as this.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR 

12 days of blogging: Day 8- Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

Meet Me in St. Louis was the second Judy Garland film I had ever seen and one of my favorites (though it wasn't until I bought Love Finds Andy Hardy on a whim that I was then hooked). This film came in one of the first box sets I ever bought, at the time I thought it was extortionate to pay £10 for a nine film magical musicals collection, but oh how that has changed and I am so glad I took the leap to part with my money for that set. It opened me up to a world of films that would captivate your soul. Anyway I have been trying to get my family hooked on the film for over a year but it is discouraging when you show your mum it for the second time and she insists she has no recollection of it. I guess it just didn't touch them as it did me, which is sad. Though this film doesn't revolve around Christmas it is shown and from this film came the birth of the song "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" so I though it qualified.

Synopsis
The rich Smith family have four daughters one of the daughters, 17 year old Esther (Judy Garland), has fallen in love with the boy next door (Tom Drake) though he doesn't seem to notice her at first. During this time her younger sister, Tootie (Margaret O'Brien), is causing mischief and being cute. When the father of the family has decided to take a new job opportunity in New York it the family turns chaotic as love-lives are turned upside down and tears are shed and even a snowman or two are killed. Mostly the family are worried whether they will miss the St. Louis fair of which they have eagerly awaited.


Facts

• "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" was originally about war until Judy Garland refused to sing it to Margaret O'Brien because she thought it would upset her, so the lyrics were changed.
• Judy Garland met her future husband, director of the film,Vincente Minelli during this production.
• A lightning guy of the film intentionally dropped a heavy spotlight on Margaret O'Brien, narrowly missing her. He did this because His daughter had gotten the part after Margarets mother asked for more money though this was later changed and Margaret was then cast as Tootie, the lighting guy was actually institutionalized for a short period of time after this.
• The trolley song was apparently filmed in one take, though I find this hard to believe as they would usually do an extra take for safety.

12 days of blogging: Day 3- Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

So today's post is about one of my favourite Christmas films EVER, Miracle On 34th Street wooohooo. I just think this film has such a good premise, I adore it. I watched this film again while putting up all of our lovely decorations and it just made everything feel complete. The film stars Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Edmund Gwenn and one of my absolute favourites, Natalie Wood.
Synopsis
The films is about Doris Walker (Maureen O'Hara) and her daughter Susan (Natalie Wood) who has been taught not to believe in things such as Santa. A kind old man (Edmund Gwenn) claims he is Santa Claus and for this he is institutionalized as insane. Doris' neighbour Fred Gailey decides to defend the kind, old man claiming that he is in fact Santa Claus. This lead everyone to then debate whether they do in fact believe in Santa or not. The kind man has seemed to touch everyone he meets, including Doris and Susan, changing their minds and making them believe.


Some little film facts

• Maureen O'Hara was ultimately forced into this role but changed her mind when she read the script. 
• Natalie Wood believed that Edmund Gwenn was really Santa and only found out he wasn't when she saw him out of costume at the wrap party.
• The scenes of the Macy's thanksgiving parade were of the real parade held in 1946.
• This film was Thelma Ritters debut.
• Despite the film being set in Christmas it was released in May because the studio head said more people went to the cinema in the summer, so the fact that it was a Christmas film was kept a secret when promoted.

It's just literally the perfect Christmas film, family-friendly and all. Who doesn't adore this movie and especially an 8-year-old Natalie Wood, just adorable. So being Christmas and all you better watch it, it will really make you think about what you believe in.

Double Indemnity (1944)

Doubling indemnity since 1944... This was a film noir that i had put off watching for a while because i just thought that it would be quite intimidating to watch. Another reason I had put of watching this film was that no matter how hard i try (and boy do i try) noir films just aren't my favorite so far, but I guess I should keep my mind open and watch a few more to make a complete judgement. Now there is no doubt that double indemnity is a classic and well known among film buffs, maybe not as well known as casablanca and gone with the wind but hey maybe one day.

Double Indemnity is the story of Walter (Fred MacMurray) an insurance rep who is attracted to Phyllis Dietrichson (take a moment to review the name and do with it what you will) who is played by Barabra Stanwyck. They begin an affair and Phyllis convinces Walter to help her kill her husband and receive the double indemnity insurance. Walter devices a clever plan on how to do this though things turn out perfectly....in the beginning. With the help of Walters friend and co-worker Barton Keyes (Edward G.Robinson) their plan comes crumbling down. I don't want to give to much away but paranoia takes over and  well things don't turn out as planned.







I did enjoy Double Indemnity, i really did but i had a complete feeling of deja vu throughout the entire film though never having seen it before. I also thought that the ending wasn't predictable but neither did it shock me. I did think that when Walter carried out the murder he was very smart and it was detailed. I really enjoyed how they planned the murder i thought it was pretty ingenious, even if it didn't turn out as planned. overall I did enjoy this film and thought the acting was beautiful.
I rate this....................8.2 out of 10

Magical Musicals!!!

As you may or may not have guessed I am obsessed with musicals and anything with dancing that was choreographed from the heart. I'm just your average musical girl singing and dancing my way through life. Though I have noticed that some people do find it weird when I sing what I say and do a little jig and unfortunately not many join in but there are some who join in and gather a crowd  until there is a classical flash mob happening. Well today I will make a lovely list (I do love my lists) of all of the musicals I have seen, well the ones I can remember anyway.

1. Young At Heart
2. It Happened To Jane
3. The Thrill of It All
4. Top Hat
5. Swing Time
6. Pin Up Girl
7. The Dolly Sisters
8. The Gangs All Here
9. Orchestras Wives
10. Daddy Long Legs
11. Sun Valley Serenade
12. Oklahoma
13. The King And I
14. The Sound Of Music
15. State Fair
16. Love Finds Andy Hardy
17. Royal Wedding
18. Black And Tan
19. Gigi
20. Calamity Jane
21. The Wizard Of Oz
22. The Harvey Girls
23. An American In Paris
24. Seven Brides For Seven Brothers
25. Annie Get Your Gun
26. Singin In The Rain
27. High Society
28. Meet Me In St Louis
29. For Me And My Gal
30. In The Good Old Summertime
31. Thoroughbreds Don't Cry
32. Lover Come Back
33. You Were Never Lovelier
34. Cover Girl
35. Babes In Arms
36. Girl Crazy
37. Strike Up The Band
38. Andy Hardy Meets Débutante
39. Life Begins For Andy Hardy
40. Babes On Broadway
41. A Star Is Born
42. Oliver!
43. West Side Story
44. Cabaret
45. Guys And Dolls
46. Easter Parade
47. Pillow Talk
48. There's No Business Like Show Business
49. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
50. Lets Make Love
51. Some Like It Hot
52. Funny Face
53. My Fair Lady
54. Thoroughly Modern Millie
55. Three Smart Girls
56. First Love
57. 100 Men And A Girl
58. Can't Help Singing
59. Mad About Music
60. Three Smart Girls Grow Up
61. Because Of Him
62. The Pyjama Game
63. Kiss Me Kate
64. Two Weeks With Love
65. The Mating Game
66. The Unsinkable Molly Brown
67. Lullaby Of Broadway
68. Everybody Sing
69. Summer Stock
70. Little Nellie Kelly
71. I Love Melvin
72. Mister Big
73. Anything Goes
74. Cynthia
75. A Date With Judy
76. The Tender Trap
77. Anchors Aweigh
78. On The Town
79. Funny Girl
80. Every Sunday
81. Listen Darling
82. Let's Dance
83. The Jazz Singer

Those are all of the films that I believe to be of a musical nature and all of the ones I can remember. Well I hope that you comment saying if you have seen any of these or comment suggesting other musicals (I like cheesy mgm musicals like Two Weeks With Love or something like Kiss Me Kate which isn't really cheesy).

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

I know that I may be a little late with a happy new year blog but it is my first blog of the year so I decided to make it special. I am going to make a list of my favourite films I watched in 2012. I only properly started watching and obsessing over films this past year so the list may be a bit long....anyway I hope you enjoy my lovely little list.

The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939)


Stage Door (1937)


Now Voyager (1942)


Grand Hotel (1932)



It happened one night (1934)


To kill a mockingbird (1962)


Marnie (1964) (one of my favourite Hitchcock films)


The Apartment (1960)


The Odd Couple (1968)


Wuthering Heights (1939)


Jezebel (1938)



Modern Times (1936)



The Harvey Girls (1946)



Thoroughbreds Don't Cry (1937)



National Velvet (1944)



Who's Afraid Of Virgina Woolf (1966)



Camille (1936)



Don't Bother To Knock (1952)



Lassie Come Home (1943)



Three Smart Girls (1936)



First Love (1939)



Christmas Holiday (1944)



Cat On A Hot Tin Roof (1958)



Wait Until Dark (1967)



Funny Girl (1968)



East of Eden (1955)



The Unsinkable Molly Brown (1964)



The Nun's Story (1959)



The Great Dictator (1940)



The Red Shoes (1948)



The Time Machine (1960)



The Man With The Golden Arm (1955)



Now these are only a few of my favourite films of the year because I can't remember if I watched the others before 2012.

Also you may have noticed a few films belonging to a certain actress which you may not have come across on this blog before.....yes you clever person you, Deanna Durbin I have come down with Durbin fever. She was a rival of Judy Garland's to some extent so I took a keen interest in her I then found out I had already watch a short film of hers featuring Judy Garland called "Every Sunday" she was charming in that film with a great voice she is probably my favourite classical voice while Judy is my favourite spunky voice. I ask for two volumes of her box set for christmas and loved every minute, I took a keen interest into "Christmas Holiday" and the others are wonderful I especially liked her rendition of Danny Boy in "Because of Him". Her acting talent as well is WOW. With some money I saved up I bought volume 3 and 4 of her box set and am loving every moment. You shall be hearing a lot more about her on my lovely blog.