RINGS ON HER FINGERS (1942)

Rings on Her Fingers (1942) comedy. Cast: Henry Fonda, Gene Tierney, Spring Byington and Laird Cregar.

Susan Miller wishes for a luxurious life full of wonderful people. Everything changes for Susie's when she meets Mrs. Maybelle Worthington and Warren, two con artiest who use girls to rob wealthy men. Maybelle and Warren convince Susie to work for them. The three start looking for prospects, with Susie playing the part as Linda Worthington, Maybelle's daughter. They make a good living off rich men who become interested in Susie, until one day, on Santa Catalina Island, they meet John Wheeler, who is looking to buy a yacht. Susie and Maybelle, also pretend to be interested in the yacht , which they allow John to buy instead. John, does not know that the man he buys the boat from is not the real owner, but Warren.

Susie, Maybelle and Warren decide to move quickly to Connecticut, where they move in with wealthy Tod Fenwick and his parents. Tod is in love with Susie, and Maybelle and Warren plan on profiting from their marriage. They are surprised to see John, who is their accountant. Susie and John, fall in love and decide to marry, and even though Maybelle's says that she cannot quit so easily, Susie leaves with John. Wanting to return John's money without him knowing. Susie gives $15,000 to a casino owner friend, who arranges for John to win the money while gambling.

Will John ever figure out who robbed him out of his life savings?

Henry Fonda, is wonderful in this film, playing the likeable, everyday guy. Opposite him, Gene Tierney looks absolutely beautiful. Spring Byington and Laird Cregar are wonderful playing the villians.
RINGS ON HER FINGERS (1942) MOVIE CLIP.

The Lady Eve (1941)

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Very entertaining screwball comedy from Preston Sturges that teams Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda.
Fonda shines in a rare early comedy role, his second with Ms. Stanwyck. They paired up three years earlier in the delightful The Mad Miss Manton (1938). Here he plays Charles Pike, a young rich man, on his way back from a year long scientific research in the Amazon, aboard a cruise ship. Charles is accompanied by his bodyguard/friend Ambrose, played by Sturges regular William Demarest. Charles is promptly tagged by con artists Jean Harrington (Stanwyck) and Harry (Charles Coburn) who pretend they are father and daughter and who love take rich people to the cleaners, mainly through cards. Well on this rare occasion, Jean falls in love with Charles and is ready to settle down. But Charles finds out about her past and things turn sour fast.

Having being jilted by Charles, Jean tries to get back at him by pretending to be a English woman who is visiting Charles family. Of course Charles thinks it's Jean, but she tells him her name is Eve and he promptly falls in love with her. Cue screwball antics. I love this movie. It's one of my favorites of all time. Stanwyck and Fonda show that they can do more than just drama and thrillers and are perfect in this film. One of the funniest scenes to me in this film is when Jean is checking out Charles with her mirror on the ship and pretends to do the conversation she sees Charles having with a young lady. It's hilarious as all get out. I wouldn't be surprised if some of that was ad-libbed the way Barbara handles the scene. It's awesome. The duo get great support from Coburn and Demarest. One of the best screwball comedies ever made. And directed with the usual great flair by Preston Sturges.

The Philadelphia Story (1940)

Classic comedy with a dream team of Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart, and Katherine Hepburn. Kate is Tracy, a wealthy woman who is about to remarry. Grant is her ex-husband who pops by the weekend of the wedding. And Jimmy is a reporter trying to get an exclusive for the wedding event of the year. They all converge at Tracy's huge estate and the fireworks soon begin. This is classic golden age comedy right here. Kate is simply amazing. Jimmy Stewart is really funny. And Mr. Grant is kinda laid back in this one, but he is still very good. This is one for the ages.

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Macaulay Connor: I would sell my grandmother for a drink - and you know how I love my grandmother.

BATHING BEAUTY(1944) MOVIE CLIP.

Bathing Beauty Movie Clip.

Bathing Beauty (1944) Musical. Cast: Red Skelton, Basil Rathbone and Esther Williams. Director: George Sidney. Bathing Beauty was not William's first screen performance, it was her first Technicolor musical. The film was first titled "Mr. Co-Ed" with Red Skelton having top billing. However, once MGM executives watched the first cut of the film, they realized that Esther Williams' role should be showcased more, and changed the title to "Bathing Beauty," giving her top billing. The film is also Janis Paige's film debut.

A Thin Man video of hilarious quotes

A Night At The Opera (1935) is pure Marx Brothers hilarity

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The Marx Brothers in top form as they take on high society trying to get two opera singers into the biz. The wisecracks and antics of the boys are offset by the occasional song and dance, but the film still flows pretty good. Groucho rips off one liners faster than you can blink your eyes. The famous scene where they pack like 30 people into their stateroom aboard a ship is classic. One of their last really good films.
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Otis B. Driftwood: "You're willing to pay him a thousand dollars a night just for singing? Why, you can get a phonograph record of Minnie the Moocher for 75 cents. And for a buck and a quarter, you can get Minnie".

New Poll started

To all screwball fans, just wanted to let you know I started a new poll that asks who was your favorite co-star of Cary in his many screwball comedies. The choices are the great Katherine Hepburn, who paired with Grant in Bringing Up Baby, Holiday, and The Philadelphia Story. Myrna Loy who teamed with Grant in The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer and Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House. Irene Dunne who made The Awful Truth and My Favorite Wife. And lastly, Rosalind Russell, who only did one screwball comedy with Grant, but it was a big one: His Girl Friday. I was split between Russell and Dunne myself, but ended up choosing Irene in the end.

I Was A Male War Bride (1949)

A wonderful mix of romance and comedy make I Was A Male War Bride one of my favorites. French officer Henri Rochard (Cary Grant) and Lt. Catherine Gates (Ann Sheridan) fall in love while on a mission in Germany. It's a courtship involving adventure, romance, accidents, mishaps and finally true love. The two decide to get married and everything is bliss, until Catherine gets orders to ship out ASAP back to America. They subsequently learn that the only way Henri can get a visa to emigrate with her is under the War Bride Act, as a spouse of a member of the expeditionary forces, in military regulations that allow war brides to accompany their husbands. So the roles are reversed and Henri in order to get past unbelieving Navy officers, must dress as a woman.

This is a terrific comedy with both stars at their very best. Grant is his typical self, I don't think the man ever gave a bad performance. His Henri is the type of the guy who likes things to go a certain way, and when they don't look out. He will let you know how he feels about it. Sheridan is also very good as Catherine. She has always been one of my favorite actresses and I don't think she was given nearly enough credit for her ability as an actress. She showed a knack for light comedy and I wished she was offered more comedic roles during her career. War Bride is directed by ace veteran Howard Hawks, who also made Bringing Up Baby, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and of course my favorite movie of all time..His Girl Friday.


 I Was A Male War Bride is breezy, escapist fun that will appeal to film lovers looking for laughs and romance. It's a great couples movie or even for the whole family to enjoy. And I believe it to be a very underrated film classic.

Pics from The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer (1947)

The Bachelor And The Bobby-Soxer (1947)

Another classic comedy with Cary Grant as playboy artist Richard Nugent who through a court order has to date a love struck teenage named Susan (wonderfully played by Shirley Temple) who sneaks into his apartment one night. Her sister, Judge Margaret Turner (Myrna Loy) is convinced that for Susan to get over Nugent is for her to date him and then she will eventually come to her senses. Of course Nugent goes out of his way to make sure that happens all the more quickly. This is a classic comedy that has everyone involved at their peak acting abilities, especially the three leads in Grant, Loy, and Temple. One of the best comedies from yesteryear.
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Matt Beemish: I'm the court psychiatrist.
Richard Nugent: Come back in an hour. I'll be crazy by then.

Some Like Hot (1959)

Some Like It Hot (1959) Comedy. Director: Billy Wilder.

Cast: Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon.

Federal agent Mulligan, is about to a raid a Chicago speakeasy, run by bootlegger "Spats", based on information he received from "Toothpick". As Mulligan inspects the speakeasy, two members of the band, saxophonist Joe and bass player Jerry, are making plans on how to spend their paycheck. Jerry notices Mulligan's badge and they leave to avoid the police roundup. Looking for work, Joe and Jerry, visit the musician's agency hoping to find another job. The agencies receptionist Nellie, tells them that there is an opening for a bass and sax with a band in an all-expenses paid trip to Florida. Joe and Jerry find out that the positions are in an all-girl band. Later, Joe and Jerry unintentionally witness Spats and his gang shoot Charlie and his gang for ratting out their speakeasy. They are spotted by Spats, but escape in the nick of time. Jerry wants to go to the police, but Joe reminds him they will not be safe from Spats in any part of Chicago. Joe telephones Sid, and using a woman's voice, accepts the job with the all-girl band. Later, that evening at the train station, Joe and Jerry, disguised as Josephine and Daphne, check in with band leader Sue and manager Beinstock, as new members of the Society Syncopators. On board the train, Joe fears that womanizer Jerry will give them away and warns him to act "like a girl".

In the ladies' room, the men/girls met up with singer and ukulele player Sugar, drinking bourbon from a flask. Sugar, begs them not to report her, because she has been warned if she is caught drinking again, she would be fired. During rehearsal, Sugar's flask falls to the floor, Jerry steps forward, and claims the flask is his. That night on the train, (in one of my favorite scenes) Sugar sneaks into Jerry's compartment to thank him for covering for her. Jerry overwhelmed, says that he needs a drink and within minutes a party breaks out. Will these two Drag Queen's be successful in keeping their true identity hidden?

In films like "Tootsie" and "Some Like it Hot" it seems they tone down the fact you have men dressing up in woman's clothing, so you notice the comedy and snappy dialog. The acting of Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis, and Marilyn Monroe, are wonderful in this film.
FUN FACT:

Director Billy Wilder originally wanted Frank Sinatra as Jerry/Daphne.

My Favorite Wife is one of my favorite movies ever...

Pure comedy gold. Grant and Dunne team up again for this hilarious comedy about a man who remarries after his wife is reported missing at sea. Everything is fine until the first wife is found by the coast guard and turns her husband's life into a wreck. Cary is in usual good form, but it's Irene Dunne who makes the picture. She is delightful as the former wife who comes back. Great comedy.

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

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Arsenic And Old Lace

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The definition of a dark comedy which has several characteristics of screwball antics. When you mix humor with murderers and corpses, then throw in Cary Grant with two old bitties (his aunts) who happen to like killing single old men- then count me in. A truly different type comedy that has to be seen. Cary is of course in perfect form. Josephine Hull and Jean Adair as his aunts are quite funny. And lets not forget the long lost brother Raymond Massey who just escaped from prison and decides to come home. Plus Prisciilla Lane is fetching as Cary's girlfriend-soon to be wife.


Aunt Martha: "For a gallon of elderberry wine, I take one teaspoon full of arsenic, then add half a teaspoon of strychnine, and then just a pinch of cyanide."
Mortimer: "Hmm. Should have quite a kick".

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