Coming Soon: The Lives and Legends of Kate the Great

Meet Me in St.Louis (1944)

Meet Me in St. Louis was released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1944, starring Judy Garland and Margaret O'Brien. The film was directed by Vincente Minnelli, who had just recently started out as a director at MGM. Before St. Louis, he had been famous for directing the all-black musical, Cabin in the Sky, starring Lena Horne. Meet Me in St. Louis is about a year in the life of a turn-of-the-century family. The story is also set on the brink of the 1904 World's Fair. The Smith family has four daughters including Esther and Tootie. Esther has fallen in love with next door neighbor, John Truett, however, he barely notices her...at first. Tootie, on the other hand, decides to prove herself as a daredevil with the neighborhood kids. At Halloween, Tootie proves herself when she goes to the front door of Mr. Braukoff's house and blows flour in his face. Towards the end of the film, Mr. Smith informs the family that he has been transferred to a nicer job in New York City. Ultimately, the family has to leave St. Louis and the World's Fair. At this point, Esther and John have fallen in love and decide to get married. The movie ends with Mr. Smith announcing to the family that they are staying in St. Louis. Months later, the family attends the World's Fair. I absolutely love this film and it is by far, my favorite Christmas movie. The story warms your heart. One of the film's iconic moments is when Garland sings "Have Yourself a Merry Christmas". Everytime I watch it, I'm in total awe of Garland's performance. She gives it her all and when she winds up "Tootie's" jack-in-the-box, you fall under her spell and become completely enamored. When she made this, Judy Garland was on the verge of transitioning from "girl next door" roles to mature, adult-driven films. She and director, Vincente Minnelli married after the film wrapped and later had a daughter, Liza. St. Louis solidified Minnelli's career as an A-list director; he would go on to make such classics as An American in Paris and Gigi. For anyone in the mood for a family movie, why don't you come on and Meet Me in St. Louis...

See You at the Movies!

--Screen Siren 23

Summer Stock (1950)

Summer Stock was released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1950, starring Judy Garland and Gene Kelly. Garland stars as

Jane Falbury, a farm owner whose actress sister, Abigail arrives with her theater troupe. They need a practice stage; Jane and her housekeeper, Esme agree to let them use the barn. The group including director, Joe Ross, repay her hospitality by helping out on the farm. Although Joe and Abigail are engaged, he begins to fall for Jane when Abigail leaves him after a fight. Jane is also engaged, but falls in love with Joe. Abigail returns before the group's first performance and demands Jane give up the role of leading lady. She refuses to give up the role. The film ends with Abigail deciding not to intefere in Jane's budding romance with Joe. He proposes to Jane before the show begins. She accepts and they take to the stage, ready to perform. Although Garland had her share of success with Summer Stock, trouble loomed behind the scenes. She was dealing with pressure in her personal life and begin to heavily rely on prescription meds. She also put on weight. Her weight fluctuation is clearly visible in the film's last musical performance "Get Happy". She is slimmer and looks fabulous in a pair of black nylons with a matching fedora and tuxedo jacket--knocking the song out of the ballpark! Before filming the number, Garland had taken a couple months off and had lost 20 lbs. After production had wrapped, she took a well-deserved vacation. It wasn't long after the studio came knocking and she was called back to the studio to start filming Royal Wedding with Fred Astaire after June Allison had bailed out. Again, she struggled to put on a happy face even though she was suffering from overworking and exhaustion. She was fired from the film and later reached a mutual agreement with MGM to terminate her contract. Summer Stock's cast also includes the delightful Marjorie Main, Phil Silvers, Eddie Bracken and Gloria DeHaven. You'll laugh, you'll dance, you'll wanna "get happy"!



See You at the Movies!



--Screen Siren 23

Ruby Slippers Countdown: Judy Garland's Best Moments

#1 "Over the Rainbow"- from The Wizard of Oz







#2 "Have Yourself a Merry Christmas"- from Meet Me in St. Louis














#3 "The Man Who Got Away"- from A Star is Born







#4 "The Trolley Song"- from Meet Me in St. Louis

































#5 "Get Happy"- from Summer Stock

A Star is Born (1954)

A Star is Born was released by Warner Brothers Pictures in 1954, starring the legendary Judy Garland and James Mason. The film was directed by George Cukor, who was famous for creating such classics as Camille, The Women, and My Fair Lady. It is also a musical remake of the 1937 film starring Janet Gaynor and Fredric March. A Star is Born tells the story of Norman Maine, a movie star who allows alcohol to start interfering with his career, discovers Esther Blodgett, a singer with her own "star quality". One night in a downtown Hollywood night club, he watches her perform and becomes instantly enamored with her. Maine helps Esther start her own career in movies while he puts his own on the backburner--it later crumbles. As the film goes on, the duo fall in love and eventually marry. Esther changes her name to Vicki Lester and her career continues to skyrocket. Norman, on the other hand, becomes "washed up" and goes on a downward spiral. Despite that, Esther stands by her husband. However, it slowly becomes clear that Norman's problems are ruining her life and he performs a final act of desperation to save Esther from spiraling downward along with him.

I thought I'd save this film for last. As a film student and aspiring historian, I finally caved in and purchased the new "deluxe edition" of this movie. It's a wonderfully sad film and falls under the umbrella of "Hollywood Stories". Stars shine bright, but stars can also fade within a quick snapshot. Both Judy Garland and James Mason give stellar performances. At the time of release, Mason was one of Hollywood's top leading men. Mostly known for villainous and debonaire roles, this was a change for James Mason. His performance of alcoholic, Norman Maine, echoes the great, yet short-lived career of John Barrymore. There's also a "Svengali-like" element; actor with brilliant caliber helps starlet become a highly successful star of her own kind. Garland really shows her triple-threat range of talent: singing, dancing, and acting. Throughout most of the movie, she commands the screen with guts, soul, and a hard working, tough-cookie exterior. Although I am a fan of the 1937 version as well, Garland's performance overshadows that of Janet Gaynor who portrayed Blodgett as mousy and then eventually, a weak damsel in distress. One of Garland's best moments is "The Man Who Got Away". She knocks the song "out of the ballpark" and like all her performances, she gives away a piece of herself each time. Next to The Wizard of Oz, I believe this is Judy Garland's 2nd best film. After a few years of personal struggles, she made a comeback by returning to the screen in A Star is Born. The film garnered six Academy Award nominations including two for both her and James Mason. It also marked the highest peak in her career. Before her depature from films, she would go on to create two other notable performances in Judgment at Nuremberg and A Child is Waiting. For anyone who is huge fan of Judy Garland and her films, this "star" is indeed worth adding to your own personal film library. Until next time, I'll...


See You at the Movies!



--Screen Siren 23

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

The Wizard of Oz was released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1939 and stars Judy Garland. It's based on the novel of the same name written by Frank L. Baum. Oz is the story of Kansas farm girl, Dorothy Gale and her journey "over the rainbow" to the land of Oz. When a mean neighbor tries to have her dog put to sleep, Dorothy takes her dog, Toto, and tries to run away. A tornado carries her to the wonderful land of Oz; there she meets a scarecrow who needs a brain, a tin man in need of a heart, and a cowardly lion desperate for some courage. They journey to the Emerald City to meet the wizard, hoping their wishes will be granted. Dorothy also battles a wicked witch, who wants to seek revenge on her for a magical pair ruby slippers that once belonged to her sister. The film ends with everyone's wishes granted; Dorothy returns home to Kansas where she knows..."there's no place like home". The movie also has a colorful cast including: Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Burt Lahr, Frank Morgan, Margaret Hamilton, and Billie Burke.
The Wizard of Oz was released in the summer of 1939 to mild success. Ticket sales from the film were less than predicted. Oz would go on to gain an immortal status in pop culture years later thanks to the success of television, VHS tapes, and re-releasing the film in theaters. Did I also mention thanks to a fabulous pair of ruby shoes as well? The Wizard of Oz is a great film for any age. It's a delightful tale for anyone that's looking for an adventure beyond their own backyard and those who wish to journey "somewhere over the rainbow".

Here's a little extra Oz trivia, film goers. enjoy! :)

http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title.jsp?stid=852&category=Trivia



See You at the Movies!

--Screen Siren 23

Babes in Arms (1939)

Babes in Arms was released by MGM in 1939 starring Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland.
The film is about Mickey Moran, a talented singer and musician, son of a veteran from the show business. Mickey has a partner, Patsi Barton, a pretty girl and also a very talented singer. One day, a big opportunity arrives for Mickey, a big contract to set up his own show. However, things don't go well, and in order to avoid being sent to a work farm, he'll improvise a show in the country, despite the awful weather conditions. Patsi's in love with Mickey, he loves her too, but for him the show must go on, and his big dream maybe will come true: formally stage his play in a big scenario, with a huge production.

Babes in Arms also includes appearances from character actors, Guy Kibbee and Margaret Hamilton. Before seeing this, I was never a fan of Mickey Rooney. It's not that I didn't think he was a bad actor, but I just never warmed up to him. I've always been a Cary Grant/William Holden kind of girl. Throughout the film, Rooney was a ball of energy from start to finish. He was also like a young Cagney with a dose of street smarts. Judy Garland's performance was also delightful. She filmed Oz at the same time she did Babes in Arms. Even though early in her career, you can already tell that the makings of a superstar are visible. In most of the film, her performances are very song and dance, but towards the end, she sings to a picture of Mickey Rooney and it's kind of a sweet torch song. Babes in Arms is a delightful family fun and a musical for anyone. It's very light-hearted story that I'd recommend and it will make you wanna stand up and cheer.

See You at the Movies!

--Screen Siren 23

Happy Birthday Judy Garland!

On June 10th, Judy Garland would have celebrated her 88th birthday. She was known as one of the greatest voices of the 20th Century...bar none. If she were still around today, she would be the music industry's equivalent of Betty White. "Like mother, like daughter", she and Liza Minnelli would both be energizer bunnies. Fabulously old and still going strong! ;) She was born Frances Ethel Gumm on June 10, 1922 and became part of a hard-working vaudeville family. Garland and her sisters were known as the Gumm Sisters. She was the youngest and later became the most talented. In 1935, she was signed to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and in 1939, had her break-out role starring in The Wizard of Oz. With her portrayal of Dorothy Gale and the film's signature song, "Over the Rainbow", Garland was forever immortalized in cinematic celluloid. Her performance won her a special oscar for "Outstanding Performance as a Screen Juvenile". After Oz, she went on to star in the musicals, Summer Stock, The Harvey Girls, Meet Me in St. Louis, Babes in Arms, and Easter Parade. During her career, Garland battled a life-long addiction to drugs, however, besides Oz, she garnered success with two oscar nominations for her roles in Judgment at Nuremberg and the classic Hollywood tale, A Star is Born. Aside from Hollywood, she had a successful career in music. Her hits included "The Man That Got Away", "Swanee", "You Made Me Love You", "On the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe", and "The Trolley Song". In the end, she lost the battle with drug addiction and died from a fatal overdose of sleeping pills on June 22, 1969, just two weeks after her 47th birthday. Even with her inner demons and successes, she was always able to captivate her audiences with her huge presence on stage and screen--tugging at our heart strings everytime. I raise my glass to Judy Garland, wishing her a "Happy Birthday". Thank you for always taking me and millions of other fans "somewhere over the rainbow" with your films and music. :)

See You at the Movies!

--Screen Siren 23

The Essentials Series

I thought I'd kick things off with my "The Essentials Series". I got the idea from Turner Classic Movies' companion books; Leading Ladies: The 50 Most Unforgettable Actresses of the Studio Era and Leading Men: The 50 Most Unforgettable Actors of the Studio Era. Both are excellent books for any fan of classic films. Each takes the top 50 actors and actresses of the era and gives a brief biography, trivia, and a page listing their top five must-see films. I'll be discussing my favorite actors and actresses films and why they're considered essentials.

See You at the Movies!

--Screen Siren 23

"For Tonight's Feature"

Hey Everyone,
Welcome to "The Secret Life of a Classic Film Fan". The title of this first post says it all. I have heard this signature phrase spoken hundreds of times on my favorite channel, Turner Classic Movies. What can I say? I'm a HUGE old movies fan and it's my all-time favorite channel. I adore its host, Robert Osborne. Everytime he utters the words, "for tonight's feature", I am completely enthralled! The man is a genius and knows everything about old movies and the history of Hollywood. I've been wanting to start a project like this for awhile for two reasons: first being, expanding my own knowledge and viewing of classic films. Second, my two closest friends thought it would be a good thing for me to do. Well, as they say at the Oscars, " I would like to thank the "little people" who made this possible." Thanks to those for supporting my "lightbulb" and getting this project off the ground. :) See you at the movies!



--Screen Siren