It was the Jazz age. It was an age of Elegance and Violence.

Posted by donnamarie on April 9, 2017

“The Cotton Club” (1984)

“The Cotton Club” is a 1984 American crime-drama film centered on a Harlem jazz club of the 1930s, the Cotton Club.

The film was co-written by Francis Ford Coppola with William Kennedy, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, and produced by Robert Evans. Choreographed by Henry LeTang, the movie starred Richard Gere, Gregory Hines, Diane Lane, and Lonette McKee. The supporting cast included Bob Hoskins, James Remar, Nicolas Cage, Allen Garfield, Laurence Fishburne, Gwen Verdon and Fred Gwynne.

Despite performing poorly at the box office, the film was nominated for several awards, including Golden Globes for Best Director and Best Picture (Drama) and Oscars for Best Art Direction (Richard Sylbert, George Gaines) and Film Editing. (Wikipedia)

Francis Ford Coppola (R)

Diane Lane

Richard Gere

Gregory Hines and Lonette McKee

Maurice and Gregory Hines

I remember looking forward to screening this film. I understood the significance of The Cotton Club during the Harlem Renaissance of the 20’s and 30’s and wanted the 1980’s audience to be curious about the history of the real club and incredible level of talent that appeared there between 1923 – 1940.

Some of the original performers at The Cotton Club included:

Lena Horne

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Duke Ellington

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Count Basie, Billie Holiday,

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Cab Calloway, The Nicholas Brothers

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Cab Calloway

Among many others.

The movie is intense. Producer Robert Evans originally wanted to direct the project but later asked Coppola. There are definite similarities to “The Godfather” in the film due to its violent nature and also the fact that Mario Puzo (author of The Godfather) wrote the original story and screenplay.

Gangsters, racism and love, this film exposes them all. I do, however, wish more of the movie focus was on The Cotton Club itself and the lives of those characters.

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The story centers around the dangerous love affair of Dixie Dwyer (Richard Gere) and Vera Cicero (Diane Lane). She “belongs” to mobster Dutch Schultz (James Remar). Dutch is a straight up psychopath We also follow the budding romance between Sandman Williams (Gregory Hines) and Lila Rose Oliver (Lonette McKee). He wants to get married. She wants to be a “Star.” (She’s also hiding a secret about her “other life.”)

Watch and listen as Lonette McKee, also from the movie (“Sparkle”), delivers a taste of the film’s 1930’s Harlem.

The song: “Ill Wind (You’re Blowing Me No Good)” Composed by Harold Arlen, lyrics by Ted Koehler. It was written for their last show at The Cotton Club in 1934.

One of the most memorable scenes is between the real life and onscreen brothers – Maurice and Gregory Hines. Clay (Maurice Hines) and Sandman (Gregory Hines) have had a major falling out and at this moment we get to share in their reunion.

Growing up, this old school tap dancing duo was compared to The Nicholas Brothers. Gregory Hines remarked in an interview that after seeing The Nicholas Brothers perform that “nobody was going to be the next Nicholas Brothers, least of all my brother and I.”

Explore the 1984 film but more importantly explore the controversial history of The Cotton Club and the entertainers and music that fueled the Jazz generation.

🎶 Sing!🎶

Posted by donnamarie on April 1, 2017

“All creatures great and small, Welcome.” Buster Moon

I just finished watching the outstanding Illumination Entertainment hit “Sing” (2016) for the 3rd time and cried again for the 3rd time. I always seek to understand my emotions and the source of my feelings, with “Sing” it was all about the exhilaration of doing what you love and the boundless joy that comes with honoring your spirit.

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I shed tears of joy during and after the movie for having the opportunity to share my passion for singing and performing, honoring my spirit. I shed tears of joy for Rosita (Reese Witherspoon) who despite the 25 or if you count her husband Norman, 26 obstacles before her that she would not let deter her, coming up with the most creative plan to make sure she could take her shot.

And then, tears of joy for both Ash (Scarlet Johannson who was incredible!) and Johnny (Taron Egerton-fabulous voice!) for refusing to give up on their dreams despite dealing with disappointment and heartbreak.

Sing is a 2016 American 3D computer-animated musical comedy film produced by Illumination Entertainment. It was directed and written by Garth Jennings and co-directed by Christophe Lourdelet, and stars the voices of Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Seth MacFarlane, Scarlett Johansson, John C. Reilly, Taron Egerton and Tori Kelly. The plot involves a group of animals that enter a singing competition, hosted by a koala hoping to save his theater. (Wikipedia)

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I absolutely love Gunter and his infectious exuberance and living out loud attitude on life. Some may see him as self-absorbed but he was compassionate enough to want to help Rosita fulfill her dreams and showcase her true talents.

Gunter

Talk about self-absorbed, Mike (Seth MacFarlane) is his own biggest fan! Even though most of the time you want to choke him, his smooth, docile toned voice wraps you up in his effortless performance which you have to give him credit for.

Mike

At one point in the film, the performers are waiting to go on stage and theater owner and entrepreneur Buster Moon (Matthew McConaughey) gives them a pep talk telling them it’s a small audience but that’s okay, go out there and perform for yourself. His words so reminded me of my days on the stage and directors imparting the same edict. Have fun, share your passion, and be present in the moment!

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My favorite performer is Meena, that’s why I saved her for last. She touches my heart the most and moves me with the powerfulness of her voice. In the final scene, she literally brings down the house.

Tori Kelly as Meena

First of all, Tori Kelly’s voice is out of this world!! Her final number showcases the power of joy; how it feels to release and give your all and see how that is received. Secondly, witnessing the sheer magic of Meena truly being in the moment and finally coming into her own.

I didn’t include that lovable Koala, Buster Moon with the performers although he too realized his dream of being successful; like his motto says, “When you reach rock bottom there’s no place to go but up.” Buster was finally able to pay respect to his dad and their mutual love of the Moon Theater.

Even Miss Crawly and Buster’s best friend Eddie got to be a part of the rebirth of the Moon Theater. And, of course, I can’t leave out Nana who is a serious diva and former star of the Moon Theater. In their totality, Rosita, Ash, Johnny, Mike, Gunter, and Meena all moved her heart and brought back warm memories of her glory days.

Johnny

Meena and Ash

Buster Moon

Miss Crawly

Mike

Nana Noodleman

Eddie

Buster

Rosita

Crooner Mike

Gunter and Rosita

One of the more impressive features of this film is that the cast did all their own singing. I’m of the mind that if an actor can’t both sing and act, don’t hire them for a musical role. I own the soundtrack which is both upbeat and heart-pumping.

The movie includes more than 60 songs from various artists and also has an original song by Stevie Wonder and Ariana Grande called “Faith“, which was nominated for a Golden Globe. I can’t get it out of my head and danced my way out the theater!

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I’m a big fan of Illumination Entertainment best known for the Despicable Me franchise and the films The Secret Life of Pets and Sing. The Minions, characters from the Despicable Me films, are the studio’s official mascots and my favorite buddies.

The studio’s highest-grossing films are Minions (2015), which has grossed $1.159 billion worldwide; Despicable Me 2 (2013), which has grossed $970.8 million worldwide; and The Secret Life of Pets (2016), which grossed $875.5 million worldwide. (Wikipedia)

Illumination knocked it out of the park with this production. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, animated films these days have come a long way since Bambi and aren’t just for kids. The plots, characterizations, and execution are outstanding!

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Hopefuls seeking their place in the limelight.

Voice Cast

Matthew McConaughey as Buster Moon, an optimistic koala who plans to save his theater from closure by holding a singing competition.
Reese Witherspoon as Rosita, a pig who gave up her teenage music dreams to become a devoted wife to Norman, and mother to their 25 piglets.
Seth MacFarlane as Mike, a white mouse “with a big Frank Sinatra-esque voice and an arrogant attitude.”
Scarlett Johansson as Ash, a teenage porcupine and punk rocker who takes part in an alternative-rock music duo with her boyfriend Lance.
John C. Reilly as Eddie, a sheep and Buster’s friend who doubts the future of the theater.
Tori Kelly as Meena, a teenage elephant with an exquisite voice and severe stage fright.
Taron Egerton as Johnny, a teenage gorilla who wants to sing, though his father wants him to follow his criminal footsteps.
Jennifer Saunders as Nana Noodleman, a sheep and Eddie’s grandmother who was a singer in her glory days.
Jennifer Hudson as Young Nana
Garth Jennings as Miss Crawly, an elderly iguana with a glass eye who is Buster’s administrative assistant.
Nick Kroll as Gunter, a dancing pig partner to Rosita.

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All in all, my two very enthusiastic thumbs up!

Feud 😒 Bette and Joan -Whatever Happened?

Posted by donnamarie on March 27, 2017

Bette Davis is at the top of my list of incredible actresses of classic film and her infamous relationship with Joan Crawford is legendary. So, when I heard Ryan Murphy’s 2017 series “Feud” was recreating their tumultuous battles in the film “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?” I had to check it out. Susan Sarandon (Davis) and Jessica Lange (Crawford) bring back old Hollywood and pull back the layers of the complexity between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford.

Director Robert Aldrich’s cult classic “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane” (1962) is brilliant! It’s not fair, but to the powers that be, women in Hollywood age but men are considered “salt n pepper” hot. Aldrich’s production capitalized on the star power of the “past their prime” celebrated divas and the result is a glimpse into the real-life feud between the stars.

Bette Davis (L) Joan Crawford (R)

Not to be too biased😄 but, Ms. Davis literally kicked Joan’s behind! Crawford was way over her head onscreen and off as Bette outperformed and out strategized her nemesis. Bette is my hero because she took on roles other actresses wouldn’t touch because of their image.

Bette Davis in “Of Human Bondage”

She wasn’t afraid to go there and if the role required her to look unattractive she was game. An original in a class by herself, in “Of Human Bondage” (1934) her appearance was shocking to audiences of the time as she portrayed a callous woman dying of tuberculosis; not a pretty sight.

“What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” is a 1962 American psychological thriller-horror film produced and directed by Robert Aldrich, starring Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, about an aging actress who holds her paraplegic sister captive in an old Hollywood mansion.

Alfred Molina as Aldrich (L) Robert Aldrich (R)

The screenplay by Lukas Heller is based on the 1960 novel of the same name by Henry Farrell. Upon the film’s release, it was met with widespread critical and box office acclaim and was later nominated for five Academy Awards, winning one for Best Costume Design, Black and White. (Wikipedia)

Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? bette and joan

Bette Davis (L) Joan Crawford (R)

Susan Sarandon (L) Jessica Lange (R)

In true Bette Davis fashion, she came up with her own makeup for the role. She said that Jane was someone who never washed her face but just added more makeup.

In “Whatever Happened…” The young neighbor was played by Davis’ daughter B. D. Merrill who, followed in the footsteps of Joan Crawford’s daughter Christina, and wrote a scathing memoir, “My Mother’s Keeper”, that depicted her mother in a harsh light. However, unlike Christina who waited until after Crawford’s death to publish “Mommie Dearest”, B.D. published hers in 1985 while Davis was still alive but in poor health.

B.D (Davis’ daughter-L) Kiernan Shipka portrays B.D in “Feud”

It was an open secret that Davis and Crawford loathed each other, and filming was contentious as their real-life hatred for one another spilled over into the production, and even after filming had wrapped.

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The film’s success spawned a succession of horror/thriller films featuring psychotic older women, later dubbed the psycho-biddy subgenre, among them Aldrich’s Hush… Hush, Sweet Charlotte, What Ever Happened to Aunt Alice? and What’s the Matter with Helen?. It was parodied by the Italian comedy film What Ever Happened to Baby Toto? (Wikipedia)

Shaun Considine’s 1989 book Bette and Joan: The Divine Feud chronicles the actresses’ rivalry, including their experience shooting this film.

Both Bette Davis and Joan Crawford had incredible and challenging careers and personal lives. If I’ve peaked your interest and you’d like to learn more, check out this eye-opening documentary.

Saturday Monster Madness!😱

Posted by donnamarie on March 11, 2017

Ladies and gentlemen, just a word of warning. If any of you are not convinced that you have a tingler of your own, the next time you’re frightened in the dark… don’t scream. Dr. Warren Chapin “The Tingler”

Vincent Price (Dr. Warren Chapin)

I maybe just a wee bit set in my ways, but the day of the week dictates my movie viewing genre. Monday thru Friday are pretty wide open, however, Saturday and Sunday must stick to my particular criteria. Saturday afternoon is definitely B-horror/Sci-fi flicks and Sunday is reserved for Melodrama film classics.

If you’ve read my About Page you know that as a kid the Saturday Matinee had a big influence on my love of B-horror/Sci-fi movies and William Castle.

The Blob, The Incredible Shrinking Man and The Tingler. Now that’s good stuff!

The Blob (1958)

The Blob, directed by Irvin Yeaworth, was Steve McQueen’s first leading role before he got his own TV series – Wanted: Dead or Alive (1959). McQueen was called “The King of Cool” and starred in such popular films as The Magnificent Seven and The Thomas Crown Affair. He received an Academy Award nomination for his role as Jake Holman in The Sand Pebbles.

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Steve McQueen “King of Cool”

The Blob plot revolves around what happens when an old man pokes a stick at a piece of meteor and it cracks open releasing an oozy substance that starts to crawl up the stick. He tries to shake it off but ends up with “the blob” all over his hand. (This is why you don’t poke at things that drop from the sky. Yeesh!)

Steve (also his character name) and his girl Jane, after almost hitting the old man who has run onto the road, take him to the local doctor. Cutting to the chase: while Steve and Jane ( Aneta Corsaut, who eventually plays Andy Griffith’s TV girlfriend Helen) leave the doc’s office to look for clues to what’s on the old man’s hand, The Blob absorbs the old man, the doc and his nurse. Next thing you know it’s at the midnight horror movie. Cue the fleeing and screaming and holy crap how do we stop it. Phew, that was exhausting.

The theme song, written by Burt Bacharach and Mack David (who wrote some of the top hits of the sixties) is a catchy little gem. “It creeps and leaps and glides and slides across the floor…beware of the blob.” Here it is:

The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957)

Directed by Jack Arnold

I’ve watched this movie a hundred times and the ending always makes me cry. This thought provoking Science Fiction classic taps into an anxiety of meaning in life and what exactly is the meaning of life. Scott Carey (Grant Williams) is dusted by a radioactive mist while on a boating vacation with his wife Louise (Randy Stuart). A few weeks later he starts to notice his clothes are fitting looser and he also appears to be losing height. After visiting a specialist, it is confirmed that he is indeed shrinking.

Grant Williams

Reduced to living in a dollhouse and eventually fighting for his life against the cat and then a tarantula living in the basement of the family home, Scott finally shrinks to an infinitesimal size, entering the realm of the unknown.

For me, this movie is so much more than just another Saturday afternoon B-Movie flick. The closing monolog makes the point by concluding that no matter how small, we still matter in the universe because, to God, “there is no zero.”

The film won the first Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation in 1958 by the World Science Fiction Convention. In 2009 it was named to the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically or aesthetically” significant and will be preserved for all time. (Wikipedia)

Producer/Director William Castle delivers his finest in The Tingler (1959), his third collaboration with writer Robb White. The film stars the incomparable Vincent Price as Pathologist, Dr. Warren Chapin who researches and discovers the existence of The Tingler.

“Percepto” is my favorite William Castle gimmick. There comes a time in the movie when the Tingler (a parasite that feeds on fear) is loose in the theater and to save your life you need to scream! For grins, in select seats in the theaters, Castle placed the “Percepto” system which made the seat vibrate to simulate the feeling of fear you feel in your body when The Tingler strikes.

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Man do I wish I could have been there in 1959 when The Tingler attacks the projectionist, the film strip breaks and The Tingler appear on the screen. If that’s not enough, the lights go out and you hear the voice of Vincent Price declaring that The Tingler is loose in the theater so scream, scream for your life! Awesome!!

Just think of it, being in the movie theater watching The Tingler scene and ending up participating in the experience in your “Percepto” seat, with lights out and the sound of Price’s voice. I love it!!!

Break out the popcorn and let me know your faves in the comments.

Favorite Trailers That Make The Cut!🎬

Posted by donnamarie on March 6, 2017

I was working on a post the other day and the TV show Nothing but Trailers was on in the background. It got me thinking about some of my all-time favorites and what constitutes a great trailer.

First of all, it can’t just be a series of scenes from the movie. That really irks me! What’s the point of me going if you’ve already given me your best shots? Just lazy.

An excellent trailer peaks your curiosity gets your heart stirring and demands that you’re first in line to see it. An incredible trailer gives you minimal information but builds the anticipation with atmospheric music, punctuation shots, and an ending that elicits the core emotion of the film.

This is the criteria I applied to the following trailers and is the basis for them being some of the most memorable.

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Number One has got to be the 1979 sci-fi classic – Alien. “In space, no one can hear you scream.”

Starring Sigourney Weaver, director Ridley Scott scared the crap out of me and the little boy sitting in front of me at the theater. Oh, and to make matters worse, I was pregnant at the time. Yikes! (if you’ve seen it you understand, if you haven’t, what?? You must!) And my girl Sigourney Weaver showed the world what a badass woman in space looks like.

Sigourney Weaver

This is the epitome of an incredible trailer. Little bits and moments and truly haunting music. My heart was racing and I had no idea of what I’d just seen.

The visuals were outstanding! There was absolutely nothing familiar in the images coming off the screen. The Alien and its accompanying elements were designed by Swiss surrealist artist H. R. Giger. (I don’t know how he slept with those images in his head) The film received both critical acclaim and box office success, receiving an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.

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Number Two is the sci-fi thriller –The Dark Knight (2008) – “Why So Serious?”

First of all, Heath Ledger. Second of all, Heath Ledger!! Even in the trailer, his intensity shines thru. He draws you in and you’re compelled to see more. His Oscar-winning performance was incredible and the most talked about that year.

Ledger almost made a complete sweep of over twenty awards for acting, including the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Supporting Actor, the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture, and the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.

Heath Ledger

Unfortunately, we lost him, but his genius as The Joker lives on. Starring Christian Bale as the caped crusader and directed by Christopher Nolan, when I saw this trailer I knew where I was going to be on opening night. Totally lived up to the hype.

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Last, but certainly not least of this compilation is the original master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock’s – Psycho (1960) “…she just goes a little mad sometimes.”

This trailer shows Alfred Hitchcock taught the world just how horror is done. Fits every criterion for an incredible movie trailer and then some. Starring Janet Leigh and Anthony Perkins, my heart is racing right now re-visiting this magnificent piece of cinema.

Sir Alfred Hitchcock – (13 August 1899 – 29 April 1980)

Hitch’s stylistic trademarks include the use of camera movement that mimics a person’s gaze, forcing viewers to engage in a form of voyeurism. In addition, he framed shots to maximize anxiety, fear, or empathy and used innovative forms of film editing. (Wikipedia)

To quote me, “An incredible trailer gives you minimal information but builds the anticipation with atmospheric music, punctuation shots, and an ending that elicits the core emotion of the film.”

An unquestionable classic!

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Now that I’ve shared some of my faves, I’d love to hear some of yours! 😎

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“All About Eve” Harrington is Back!

Posted by donnamarie on February 22, 2017

Fasten your seatbelts. … #AllAboutEve is coming to theatres

March 5th & 8th 2017

From the moment she glimpses her idol on Broadway, Eve Harrington (Anne Baxter) strives to upstage Margo Channing (Bette Davis). After cunningly stealing Margo’s role, Eve disrupts the lives of anyone close to the actress in this timeless cinematic masterpiece. With its witty dialogue and knockout performances, the film earned a record 14 Oscar nominations* and also features Marilyn Monroe in an early supporting role.

1950: Best Picture (won), Supporting Actor (George Sanders, won), Costume Design (B&W, won), Directing (won), Sound Recording (won), Screenplay (won), Actress (Anne Baxter), Actress (Bette Davis), Supporting Actress (Celeste Holm), Supporting Actress (Thelma Ritter), Art Direction (B&W), Cinematography (B&W), Film Editing, Music (Score).

The principal cast of All About Eve. (Left to right) Gary Merrill, Bette Davis, George Sanders, Anne Baxter, Hugh Marlowe and Celeste Holm

Bette Davis is one of my all time favorite actresses! Her style and attitude both on and offscreen are legendary. She didn’t take any stuff and could give it right back! (my kinda girl:) “All About Eve” (1950) showcases Ms. Davis in all her glory. Love her, or hate her, there’ll never be another one like her! My post “If it’s Sunday Breakout the Hankies” pays tribute to Ms. Davis and her outstanding film career.

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(Miss Joan Crawford was one of her fiercest rivals)

“All About Eve” is a 1950 American drama film written and directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, and produced by Darryl F. Zanuck. It was based on the 1946 short story “The Wisdom of Eve” by Mary Orr, although screen credit was not given for it. (Wikipedia)

The film stars Bette Davis as Margo Channing, a highly regarded but aging Broadway star. Anne Baxter plays Eve Harrington, an ambitious young fan who insinuates herself into Channing’s life, ultimately threatening Channing’s career and her personal relationships. George Sanders, Celeste Holm, Hugh Marlowe, Barbara Bates, Gary Merrill, and Thelma Ritter also appear, and the film provided one of Marilyn Monroe‘s earliest important roles.

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Eve (Anne Baxter) Miss Casswell (Marilyn Monroe bottom center) Margo Channing (Bette Davis)

Praised by critics at the time of its release, “All About Eve” received 14 Academy Awards nominations (a feat only matched by the 1997 film “Titanic” and the 2016 film “La La Land”) and won six, including Best Picture. All About Eve is the only film in Oscar history to receive four female acting nominations (Davis and Baxter as Best Actress, Holm, and Ritter as Best Supporting Actress).

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“Titanic”, “All About Eve”, “La La Land”

This classic was selected in 1990 for preservation in the United States National Film Registry and was among the first 50 films to be registered. “All About Eve” appeared at #16 on AFI‘s 1998 list of the 100 best American films. (Wikipedia)

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A back screen documentary on “All About Eve.”

“All About Eve” is one big screen classic not to be missed! So, grab your tickets, a bag of popcorn, and “buckle your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy night!”

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See you at the Movies!

Khan Noonien Singh – 50th Anniversary of “Space Seed”

Posted by donnamarie on February 18, 2017

Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before.

This week we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of my favorite Star Trek episode, “Space Seed” (Season 1, Episode 22) with Ricardo Montalbán as Khan Noonien Singh.

Broadcast on February 16, 1967, the storyline was written by Gene L. Coon and Carey Wilber, and directed by Marc Daniels. The plot explored the concept of Eugenics,”super-intelligence and the result of creating a group of “super people” (from Earth’s past) bred to conquer the world.

The subsequent 1982 film Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan was a brilliant sequel to “Space Seed” as we find out what subsequently happened to Khan and his people on the planet to which Kirk banished them.

The film ratcheted up the intensity of the television episode proving to be a full-out sci-fi thriller which I give two, very enthusiast, thumbs up!👍🏼👍🏼

Khan: To the last, I grapple with thee. From hell’s heart, I stab at thee. For hate’s sake, I spit my last breath at thee.

Wow, what a statement! In 1966, an authentic representation of an international crew. Radical stuff which showed the brilliance and social awareness of creator, the late Gene Roddenberry.

Set in the 23rd century, the series would evolve to follow the adventures of Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and his crew who were charged with solving intergalactic conflicts without interfering in the planet’s culture. This vehicle was Gene Roddenberry’s method of initiating dialogue around controversial human and sometimes not so human, issues such as racism, technology, war.

(Front to back – William Shatner (center) DeForrest Kelly (L) Leonard Nimoy (R) James Doohan (back L), Walter Koenig, Majel Barrett, Nichelle Nichols, George Takei)

I’ve always been of the mind that art is revolutionary. The great Renaissance masters like DaVinci, and Michelangelo, were considered subversives in their time. They had to hide their political messages inside their remarkable works to keep from being prosecuted. In his way, Gene Roddenberry could be considered a “Renaissance Man”.

(August 19, 1921 – October 24, 1991)

Roddenberry had a vision that we can co-exist in a multicultural, multinational world and, as an eleven-year-old black girl from the east side of Detroit, I was right there with him. I had the same dreams and beliefs for my future.

The series was produced from September 1966–December 1967 by Norway Productions and Desilu Productions, and by Paramount Television from January 1968–June 1969. Star Trek aired on NBC from September 8, 1966, to June 3, 1969, and was actually seen first on September 6, 1966, on Canada’s CTVnetwork.

“Trouble with Tribbles”

Star Trek‘s Nielsen ratings while on NBC were low, and the network canceled the show after three seasons and 79 episodes. Several years later, the series became a bona fide hit in broadcast syndication, remaining so throughout the 1970s, achieving cult classic status and a developing influence on popular culture.

Star Trek eventually spawned a franchise, consisting of five additional television series, thirteen feature films, numerous books, games, toys, and is now widely considered one of the most popular and influential television series of all time. (Wikipedia)

Live Long and Prosper

Ethel Waters – Forgotten Star ✨

Posted by donnamarie on February 8, 2017

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Ethel Waters (October 31, 1896 – September 1, 1977)

Ethel Waters was American blues, jazz and gospel singer, and actress. Her best-known recordings include “Dinah,” “Stormy Weather,” “Taking a Chance on Love,” “Heat Wave,” “Supper Time,” “Am I Blue?” and “Cabin in the Sky,” as well as her version of the spiritual “His Eye Is on the Sparrow.”

Waters was the second African American, after Hattie McDaniel, to be nominated for an Academy Award. She was also the first African-American woman to be nominated for an Emmy Award, in 1962. (Wikipedia)

Waters was born in Chester, Pennsylvania, on October 31, 1896, and by the age of 17 was singing professionally in Baltimore. It was there that she became the first woman to sing “St. Louis Blues” on the stage. In 1925 she appeared at the Plantation Club in Harlem, and her performance there led to Broadway. In 1927 she appeared in an all-black revue Africana. Thereafter she divided her time between the stage, nightclubs, and eventually movies. (Wikipedia)

Ms. Waters had a troubled childhood. Born as the result of rape, she was raised in poverty and never lived in the same place for more than 15 months. Waters said of her difficult upbringing, “I never was a child. I never was cuddled, or liked, or understood by my family.”

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After her start in Baltimore, Waters toured on the black vaudeville circuit. As she described it later, “I used to work from nine until unconscious.” Despite her early success, she fell on hard times and joined a carnival, traveling in freight cars along the carnival circuit and eventually reaching Chicago.

Around 1919, Waters moved to Harlem and there became a celebrity performer in the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s. In 1921, women blues singers were among the most powerful entertainers in the country and Waters became the fifth black woman to make a record, on the tiny Cardinal Records label.

As her career continued, she evolved into a blues and Broadway singer, performing with artists such as Duke Ellington and starring at the Cotton Club.

She had a featured role in the wildly successful Irving Berlin Broadway musical revue As Thousands Cheer in 1933, in which she was the first black woman in an otherwise white show. She had three gigs at this point; in addition to the show, she starred in a national radio program and continued to work in nightclubs. (Wikipedia)

Ms. Waters was the highest-paid performer on Broadway starring as Petunia in the all-black musical Cabin in the Sky. In 1942 Ms. Waters reprised her stage role of 1940 in the film, directed by Vincente Minnelli; it was a huge success.

ethel-waters-cabin-in-sky-ad-m-story-3-43

Adding to her list of accomplishments, Ms. Waters was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for the controversial film “Pinky“ (1949) about a light-skinned black woman passing for white; directed by Elia Kazan.

In 1950, she won the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for her performance opposite Julie Harris in the play The Member of the Wedding. Waters and Harris reprised their roles in the 1952 film version, Member of the Wedding.

Ethel Waters, Julie Harris

In 1950, Waters starred in the television series Beulah, becoming the first African-American actress to have a lead role in a television series. However, she quit after complaining that the portrayal of blacks was “degrading.” She later guest-starred in 1957 and 1959 on NBC’s The Ford Show, Starring Tennessee Ernie Ford. In the 1957 episode, she sang “Cabin in the Sky”. (Wikipedia)

Despite her earlier successes, by the 1950’s Ms. Waters remarkable career was fading. As her health suffered, she worked only sporadically. In 1950–51 she wrote her autobiography His Eye Is on the Sparrow with Charles Samuels, in which she wrote candidly about her life.

ethel-waters-portrait

His Eye Is on the Sparrow was adapted for a stage production in which she was portrayed by Ernestine Jackson. Her second autobiography was titled – To Me, It’s Wonderful.

American feminist and jazz historian Rosetta Reitz called Waters “a natural … [Her] songs are enriching, nourishing. You will want to play them over and over again, idling in their warmth and swing. Though many of them are more than 50 years old, the music and the feeling are still there.”

“His Eye is on the Sparrow”

Black History and Hollywood 🎇

Posted by donnamarie on February 3, 2017

Black History Month

Both the Oscars and Black History Month are recognized in February which gives me the perfect opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of Black Artists in Hollywood.

oscars-2017

2015 and 2016 were standout years for the lack of Black filmmakers nominated for Oscars. However, 2017 breaks that record and will make African-American Oscar nominee history.

Janelle Monae, Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer “Hidden Figures” (2016)

1. “Moonlight” director Barry Jenkins, 37, is the first African-American filmmaker to be nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

2. “Fences” star Viola Davis, 51, is the first Black actress to be nominated for an Oscar three times (Doubt in 2009, The Help in 2012) with her Best Supporting Actress nod.

3. “Arrival” cinematographer Bradford Young, 39, is the first African-American to be nominated for the Best Cinematography award. (Young is the second Black man; British cinematographer Remi Adefarasin was nominated for Elizabeth in 1998.)

Moonlight

4. A Black actor is nominated in all four acting categories for the first time in history:

✨Denzel Washington, Best Actor, “Fences”

✨Ruth Negga, Best Actress, “Loving”

✨Mahershala Ali, Best Supporting Actor, “Moonlight”

✨Octavia Spencer, Best Supporting Actress, “Hidden Figures”

✨Viola Davis, Best Supporting Actress, “Fences”

✨Naomie Harris, Best Supporting Actress, “Moonlight”

5. This is the first time that six African-American actors and actresses have been nominated in total. (The previous record was five in 2005 and 2007.)

6. “Moonlight” editor Joi McMillon is the first Black woman to be nominated for film editing.

7. This is the first time that three Black people have been nominated within a single category (Best Supporting Actress, in this case):

Viola Davis in Fences, Naomie Harris in Moonlight, and Octavia Spencer in Hidden Figures. (Carolyn L. Todd)

Let’s keep up the good work Oscars!

History

✨

The 12th Academy Awards is historic for being the 1st Oscar nomination for an African-American and 1st Oscar win. In 1940, Hattie McDaniel accepted the Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in “Gone With the Wind” for the character – Mammy.

Hattie McDaniel

However, if David O. Selznick (Producer, film studio executive) hadn’t pulled a favor, she might not have been able to deliver her acceptance speech at all. At the time, the Cocoanut Grove nightclub (located in the Ambassador Hotel) was segregated so Ms. McDaniel wasn’t even allowed entrance. Selznick pulled another favor so she could be seated at a table at the very back of the room with her agent. To add insult to injury, Hattie McDaniel wasn’t allowed to speak her own words, the acceptance speech was written by the studio.

Despite all the prejudice, Hattie McDaniel – who at the time was one of the biggest African-American actors in the world -promoted herself for the nomination. After the release of the movie, she placed a stack of outstanding film reviews on O. Selznick’s desk and the rest is history. (Wikipedia)

First Best Actress Oscar

In 2002, Halle Berry became the 1st (and to date) only African-American to win the Academy Award for Best Actress. The Oscar was for the film “Monsters Ball”.

Halle Berry 2002 Best Actress

Dorothy Dandridge – (November 9, 1922 – September 8, 1965) is the 1st African-American actress to be nominated for a Best Actress Oscar in 1954 for her performance in “Carmen Jones.” She has been recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was married to dancer Harold Nicholas. Check out my previous post on the Nicholas Brothers here.

Dorothy Dandridge

Halle Berry portrayed her life in the HBO biographical film “Introducing Dorothy Dandridge” in 1999.

Watching Halle’s acceptance speech again while researching this post, I burst into tears reliving her emotion as she tries to process the win and the historical significance of this moment. Looking forward to the acceptance speech of our second Best Actress Oscar Winner.

Halle and Denzel Oscars

This win also marked the 1st time two African-American performers won in leading role Oscars in the same year (Denzel Washington, Training Day).

Image result for oscars red carpet background

Best Supporting Actress

First to Win: Hattie McDaniel “Gone With the Wind” 1940

Hattie McDaniel 1940 Oscars

Although known as an actress she was a professional singer-songwriter, comedian, stage actress, radio performer, and television star; she was the first black woman to sing on the radio in the U.S. and has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 1975, she was inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame and in 2006 became the first black Oscar winner honored with a US postage stamp.

Hattie McDaniel was also the oldest African-American actress to win an Academy Award (age 44).

Finally – 50 Years later the 2nd Winner!

Winner: Supporting Actress – Whoopi Goldberg “Ghost” 1990

First African-American actress to receive two acting nominations overall.
Second African-American actress to win Best Supporting Actress.

Whoopi Goldberg 1990 Best Supporting Actress

Winner: Supporting Actress – Jennifer Hudson “Dreamgirls” 2006

Jennifer Hudson 2006 Supporting Actress Oscar

First African-American actor (male or female) to win an Academy Award for a debut film performance.
Youngest African-American actress to win or be nominated for Best Supporting Actress.
Youngest African-American actor (male or female) to win an Academy Award (age 25).
First African-American actress to win an Academy Award for a musical film.

Image result for oscars

Oldest African-American actress to be nominated for an Academy Award (age 83) – Ruby Dee “American Gangster” 2007.

Ruby Dee

For her life and career see my previous post here:

Ruby Dee

Winner: Supporting Actress – Mo’Nique “Precious” 2009

Mo’Nique

The second film to feature African-American nominees for both Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress.

Octavia Spencer

Winner: Supporting Actress – Octavia Spencer

“The Help” 2011

The third film to feature African-American nominees for both Best Actress and Supporting Actress.

Winner: Supporting Actress – Lupita Nyong’o

“12 Years a Slave” 2013

First black African (Kenyan) actress to be nominated.
First black African to win in any category.
Second black actor to win for a debut performance.

Denzel Washington, Louis Gossett, Jr, Sidney Poiter, Halle Berry

Oscar Winners

Hattie McDaniel

John Ridley – Screenwriter

Steve McQueen-Director/Producer

The Oscars

Rupert Crosse-Best Supporting Actor

12 Years a Slave

Congratulations and Cheers to these exceptional artists!

We’ve come a long way, but we’ve still got a long way to go.

Dirty Dancing 30th Anniversary Event!

Posted by donnamarie on January 25, 2017

Sunday, January 29 and Wednesday, February 1

Fathom Events and Lionsgate present a special two-day event, Dirty Dancing 30th Anniversary, in select cinemas nationwide.

Click here for tickets.

I still remember sitting in the theater with my heart beating with anticipation as I reminisced about a time and music that is a flashback to my childhood memories. From the first beat, I knew I was in for a rockin’ good time.

Choreographed by Kenny Ortega, “Dirty Dancing”(1987) is a soulful coming of age tale of star-crossed lovers Baby (Jennifer Grey) and Johnny (Patrick Swayze). The film showcases an award-winning dance soundtrack that genuinely represents the spirit of the early 1960’s.

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Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze

Written by Eleanor Bergstein, and directed by Emile Ardolino, “Dirty Dancing” was originally a low-budget film by a new studio, Great American Films Limited Partnership, and with no major stars (except Broadway legend Jerry Orbach in a supporting role), “Dirty Dancing” became a massive box office hit. As of 2009, it has earned over $214 million worldwide. (Wikipedia)

Dirty Dancing is based in large part on screenwriter Eleanor Bergstein’s own childhood: she is the younger daughter of a Jewish doctor from New York, spent summers with her family in the Catskills, participated in “Dirty Dancing” competitions, and was herself nicknamed “Baby” as a girl. (Wikipedia)

Image result for dirty dancing

Bergstein constructed the character of Johnny based on the stories of Michael Terrace, a dance instructor whom Bergstein met in the Catskills in 1985 while she was researching the story.

Jack Weston (L) Patrick Swayze (R)

“Dirty Dancing” was the first film to sell more than a million copies on home video, and the Dirty Dancing soundtrack created by Jimmy Ienner generated two multi-platinum albums and multiple singles, including (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life”, which won both the Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Original Song, and a Grammy Award for best duet (Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes) . (Wikipedia)

Kelly Bishop, Jerry Orbach

Patrick Swayze

Grey and Swayze

Patrick Swayze

Jennifer Grey

So, whether it’s your first time or you’re enjoying it all over again, make sure to make plans to see “Dirty Dancing” on the big screen and, have the time of your life!

“The Cotton Club” is a 1984 American crime-drama film centered on a Harlem jazz club of the 1930s, the Cotton Club.

Despite performing poorly at the box office, the film was nominated for several awards, including Golden Globes for Best Director and Best Picture (Drama) and Oscars for Best Art Direction (Richard Sylbert, George Gaines) and Film Editing. (Wikipedia)

Some of the original performers at The Cotton Club included:

Count Basie, Billie Holiday,

Cab Calloway, The Nicholas Brothers

Among many others.

Gangsters, racism and love, this film exposes them all. I do, however, wish more of the movie focus was on The Cotton Club itself and the lives of those characters.

Watch and listen as Lonette McKee, also from the movie (“Sparkle”), delivers a taste of the film’s 1930’s Harlem.

The song: “Ill Wind (You’re Blowing Me No Good)” Composed by Harold Arlen, lyrics by Ted Koehler. It was written for their last show at The Cotton Club in 1934.

One of the most memorable scenes is between the real life and onscreen brothers – Maurice and Gregory Hines. Clay (Maurice Hines) and Sandman (Gregory Hines) have had a major falling out and at this moment we get to share in their reunion.

Growing up, this old school tap dancing duo was compared to The Nicholas Brothers. Gregory Hines remarked in an interview that after seeing The Nicholas Brothers perform that “nobody was going to be the next Nicholas Brothers, least of all my brother and I.”

Explore the 1984 film but more importantly explore the controversial history of The Cotton Club and the entertainers and music that fueled the Jazz generation.

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“All creatures great and small, Welcome.” Buster Moon

And then, tears of joy for both Ash (Scarlet Johannson who was incredible!) and Johnny (Taron Egerton-fabulous voice!) for refusing to give up on their dreams despite dealing with disappointment and heartbreak.

I absolutely love Gunter and his infectious exuberance and living out loud attitude on life. Some may see him as self-absorbed but he was compassionate enough to want to help Rosita fulfill her dreams and showcase her true talents.

Talk about self-absorbed, Mike (Seth MacFarlane) is his own biggest fan! Even though most of the time you want to choke him, his smooth, docile toned voice wraps you up in his effortless performance which you have to give him credit for.

My favorite performer is Meena, that’s why I saved her for last. She touches my heart the most and moves me with the powerfulness of her voice. In the final scene, she literally brings down the house.

First of all, Tori Kelly’s voice is out of this world!! Her final number showcases the power of joy; how it feels to release and give your all and see how that is received. Secondly, witnessing the sheer magic of Meena truly being in the moment and finally coming into her own.

One of the more impressive features of this film is that the cast did all their own singing. I’m of the mind that if an actor can’t both sing and act, don’t hire them for a musical role. I own the soundtrack which is both upbeat and heart-pumping.

The movie includes more than 60 songs from various artists and also has an original song by Stevie Wonder and Ariana Grande called “Faith“, which was nominated for a Golden Globe. I can’t get it out of my head and danced my way out the theater!

I’m a big fan of Illumination Entertainment best known for the Despicable Me franchise and the films The Secret Life of Pets and Sing. The Minions, characters from the Despicable Me films, are the studio’s official mascots and my favorite buddies.

The studio’s highest-grossing films are Minions (2015), which has grossed $1.159 billion worldwide; Despicable Me 2 (2013), which has grossed $970.8 million worldwide; and The Secret Life of Pets (2016), which grossed $875.5 million worldwide. (Wikipedia)

Illumination knocked it out of the park with this production. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, animated films these days have come a long way since Bambi and aren’t just for kids. The plots, characterizations, and execution are outstanding!

Hopefuls seeking their place in the limelight.

Voice Cast

Matthew McConaughey as Buster Moon, an optimistic koala who plans to save his theater from closure by holding a singing competition.

Reese Witherspoon as Rosita, a pig who gave up her teenage music dreams to become a devoted wife to Norman, and mother to their 25 piglets.

Seth MacFarlane as Mike, a white mouse “with a big Frank Sinatra-esque voice and an arrogant attitude.”

Scarlett Johansson as Ash, a teenage porcupine and punk rocker who takes part in an alternative-rock music duo with her boyfriend Lance.

John C. Reilly as Eddie, a sheep and Buster’s friend who doubts the future of the theater.

Tori Kelly as Meena, a teenage elephant with an exquisite voice and severe stage fright.

Taron Egerton as Johnny, a teenage gorilla who wants to sing, though his father wants him to follow his criminal footsteps.

Jennifer Saunders as Nana Noodleman, a sheep and Eddie’s grandmother who was a singer in her glory days.

Jennifer Hudson as Young Nana

Garth Jennings as Miss Crawly, an elderly iguana with a glass eye who is Buster’s administrative assistant.

Nick Kroll as Gunter, a dancing pig partner to Rosita.

All in all, my two very enthusiastic thumbs up!

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Bette Davis (L) Joan Crawford (R)

Not to be too biased😄 but, Ms. Davis literally kicked Joan’s behind! Crawford was way over her head onscreen and off as Bette outperformed and out strategized her nemesis. Bette is my hero because she took on roles other actresses wouldn’t touch because of their image.

Bette Davis in “Of Human Bondage”

She wasn’t afraid to go there and if the role required her to look unattractive she was game. An original in a class by herself, in “Of Human Bondage” (1934) her appearance was shocking to audiences of the time as she portrayed a callous woman dying of tuberculosis; not a pretty sight.

“What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” is a 1962 American psychological thriller-horror film produced and directed by Robert Aldrich, starring Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, about an aging actress who holds her paraplegic sister captive in an old Hollywood mansion.

The screenplay by Lukas Heller is based on the 1960 novel of the same name by Henry Farrell. Upon the film’s release, it was met with widespread critical and box office acclaim and was later nominated for five Academy Awards, winning one for Best Costume Design, Black and White. (Wikipedia)

In true Bette Davis fashion, she came up with her own makeup for the role. She said that Jane was someone who never washed her face but just added more makeup.

It was an open secret that Davis and Crawford loathed each other, and filming was contentious as their real-life hatred for one another spilled over into the production, and even after filming had wrapped.

Shaun Considine’s 1989 book Bette and Joan: The Divine Feud chronicles the actresses’ rivalry, including their experience shooting this film.

Both Bette Davis and Joan Crawford had incredible and challenging careers and personal lives. If I’ve peaked your interest and you’d like to learn more, check out this eye-opening documentary.

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Ladies and gentlemen, just a word of warning. If any of you are not convinced that you have a tingler of your own, the next time you’re frightened in the dark… don’t scream. Dr. Warren Chapin “The Tingler”

If you’ve read my About Page you know that as a kid the Saturday Matinee had a big influence on my love of B-horror/Sci-fi movies and William Castle.

The Blob, The Incredible Shrinking Man and The Tingler. Now that’s good stuff!

The theme song, written by Burt Bacharach and Mack David (who wrote some of the top hits of the sixties) is a catchy little gem. “It creeps and leaps and glides and slides across the floor…beware of the blob.” Here it is:

Directed by Jack Arnold

Reduced to living in a dollhouse and eventually fighting for his life against the cat and then a tarantula living in the basement of the family home, Scott finally shrinks to an infinitesimal size, entering the realm of the unknown.

For me, this movie is so much more than just another Saturday afternoon B-Movie flick. The closing monolog makes the point by concluding that no matter how small, we still matter in the universe because, to God, “there is no zero.”

Producer/Director William Castle delivers his finest in The Tingler (1959), his third collaboration with writer Robb White. The film stars the incomparable Vincent Price as Pathologist, Dr. Warren Chapin who researches and discovers the existence of The Tingler.

Just think of it, being in the movie theater watching The Tingler scene and ending up participating in the experience in your “Percepto” seat, with lights out and the sound of Price’s voice. I love it!!!

Break out the popcorn and let me know your faves in the comments.

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I was working on a post the other day and the TV show Nothing but Trailers was on in the background. It got me thinking about some of my all-time favorites and what constitutes a great trailer.

First of all, it can’t just be a series of scenes from the movie. That really irks me! What’s the point of me going if you’ve already given me your best shots? Just lazy.

An excellent trailer peaks your curiosity gets your heart stirring and demands that you’re first in line to see it. An incredible trailer gives you minimal information but builds the anticipation with atmospheric music, punctuation shots, and an ending that elicits the core emotion of the film.

This is the criteria I applied to the following trailers and is the basis for them being some of the most memorable.

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Number One has got to be the 1979 sci-fi classic – Alien. “In space, no one can hear you scream.”

This is the epitome of an incredible trailer. Little bits and moments and truly haunting music. My heart was racing and I had no idea of what I’d just seen.

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Number Two is the sci-fi thriller –The Dark Knight (2008) – “Why So Serious?”

First of all, Heath Ledger. Second of all, Heath Ledger!! Even in the trailer, his intensity shines thru. He draws you in and you’re compelled to see more. His Oscar-winning performance was incredible and the most talked about that year.

Unfortunately, we lost him, but his genius as The Joker lives on. Starring Christian Bale as the caped crusader and directed by Christopher Nolan, when I saw this trailer I knew where I was going to be on opening night. Totally lived up to the hype.

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Last, but certainly not least of this compilation is the original master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock’s – Psycho (1960) “…she just goes a little mad sometimes.”

This trailer shows Alfred Hitchcock taught the world just how horror is done. Fits every criterion for an incredible movie trailer and then some. Starring Janet Leigh and Anthony Perkins, my heart is racing right now re-visiting this magnificent piece of cinema.

Hitch’s stylistic trademarks include the use of camera movement that mimics a person’s gaze, forcing viewers to engage in a form of voyeurism. In addition, he framed shots to maximize anxiety, fear, or empathy and used innovative forms of film editing. (Wikipedia)

To quote me, “An incredible trailer gives you minimal information but builds the anticipation with atmospheric music, punctuation shots, and an ending that elicits the core emotion of the film.”

An unquestionable classic!

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Now that I’ve shared some of my faves, I’d love to hear some of yours! 😎