Lately I've been seeing lots of classical movies. I mean classical, black and white movies from Hollywood's Golden Era (1930s-1950s).
Garland and Temple
Growing up, I used to hear my mum's admiration towards Elizabeth Taylor and Monty Clift. So now that I have enough knowledge and resources (internet connection that is), I've done my share of admiration too. I watched some popular classical movies during my childhood (I enjoyed Shirley Temple and Judy Garland Movies). They always had a certain quality that brings me to smile and always been able to cheer me up.
Judy Garland
Shirley Temple
The first classical movie that I purchased was Breakfast at Tiffany’s. As a fashion lover, I've heard a lot about Audrey Hepburn and thought that I'd like to see Breakfast at Tiffany's. I was lucky they have it on DVD here. So I purchase the DVD along with Jane Russel and MM's Gentleman Prefer Blondes. Can't say that I enjoyed both movies. Holly Golightly (Hepburn's character) doesn't impress me all that much. She's too artificial. Okay, probably she's a lonely lady, but I think she's a bit shallow. I searched for Audrey's other movies and kinda liked My Fair Lady and Roman Holiday. But I can't say that she's my favorite.
Pride and Prejudice
Then I accidentally found Pride and Prejudice starring Greer Garson and Sir Lawrence Olivier. I have a certain niche for Jane Austen’s movies and I think this version of Pride and Prejudice was the best of all (even though the movie made Lady Catherine de Bourgh looked like a Saint). I actually liked Lady Catharine – which was portrayed in such a comical manner. The movie was so funny and witty, I completely got under the spell of the classical cult. Greer Garson and Olivier’s portrayal of Elizabeth & Darcy is by far the best of all version of P and P. So I started searching for Garson’s films, sadly I can only found Mrs. Minniver, which I think is great and Garson’s performance was outstanding.
The Leading Ladies
Shirley Temple was my next target. She was soooo cute back then. I also adore Eleanor Parker, Ava Gardner, Sophia Loren, Olivia DeHavilland and Maureen O’Hara. I think they’re the most beautiful stars of the Golden Era. But no one beats Kate Hepburn. I find her very distinguish. She had a strong character that went all the way through her movies and the role she played.
Eleanor Parker
Ava Gardner
Greer Garson
Kate Hepburn
The Leading Men
After that it was Rock Hudson, the one actor my mother frequently mentioned, other than Monty Clift. And boy.... Hudson was one hot male. I mean, really, really hot. Who would've thought that he was gay. He was so perfect and had on screen chemistry with Doris Day, it's creepy.
Of course I stumble into Cary Grant and adore his debonair style and acting deeply. I liked Houseboat (with Sophia Loren), Philadelphia Story - PS - (with Jimmy Stewart and Kate Hepburn) and Holiday (with Kate Hepburn). I really think they have one of the strongest chemistry in the History of Hollywood.
Next, I've heard that You've Got Mail was a remake of an old movie. Turns out it was a really really old movie: The Shop Around The Corner. Starring Margaret Sullavan and Jimmy Stewart. I really really really liked the movie. Much better than the remake version and I completely adore Jimmy. Especially after I saw Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, directed by Frank Capra. I love the following scene so much.
Capraesque Addiction
And from there, I started looking for Jimmy's Movies: It’s a Wonderful Life (IWL) and Philadelphia Story (PS). All Mr. Smith, IWL and PS were directed by Capra and without a doubt got addicted to Capraesque (Wikipedia has its own page for this term). Capra’s films usually carry a definite message about the basic goodness of human nature and show the value of unselfishness and hard work. His wholesome, feel-good themes have led some to term his style Capra-corn, but those who hold his vision in high regard prefer the term Capraesque. Nobody does movies like Capra did then. Dead Poets Society and Forrest Gump are very few examples of movies that I think probably pay a tribute to Frank Capra. Hail Capra!
Coop!
My admiration (and addiction) to Capra got me in very deep in Old Hollywood Era. After finding Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur), I didn’t watch it until almost a year! After I watched it, I couldn’t take the movie (and Gary Cooper) off my mind. Gosh! I love that movie so much. I’m deeply, madly in love with Capra and Cooper! Modern Hollywood tried to remade the movie (remember the silly and awkwardly stupid Mr. Deeds starring Adam Sandler?). Mr. Deeds was a complete insult to both Capra and Cooper.
On my watch list (ready in the hard drive of my laptop) are the following Coop’s movies:
Coop won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Alvin York, the pacifist turned war hero in 'Sergeant York' in 1941. Such was Coop's fame and stature at that time the real life Alvin York had refused to authorize any movie about him unless he was portrayed by Gary Cooper. He won his second Academy Award for Best Actor and great critical acclaim for his controlled, understated portrayal of the embattled marshal facing his enemies, and his destiny, alone. Saw both movies and thought that Coop was way better and more believable as a cowboy than John Wayne. Coop was that everyday guy we can all relate to.
In the end, the magic of Hollywood was created and peaked in the Golden Era. Dozens of major stars were born. I am so grateful that I came across these movies. Don’t know why but I got really tired of Modern Movies and found I enjoy TV Series more than the movies. But still, TV series are no comparison to Silver Screen movies, so I wander around and got lost in the Hollywood Golden Era and found myself not wanting to go back to the present time. I found my entertainment in Capra, Cooper, Stewart, Hepburn, Gardner, Grant, Loren and Garson.
My last words of this post:
Brad Pitt stripping naked or fully clothed Gary Cooper eating an apple... ? Oh gosh almighty, the second one please!
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