Topper (1937) is a good screwball farce...

A fun-loving and handsome couple (Cary Grant, Constance Bennett) are killed when they smash their sporty roadster into a tree while returning from a bender. As ghosts in limbo, they decide that one good deed will send them to heaven, so they choose to enliven the life of their dull friend Topper (Roland Young) by showing him how to live as they did -- fast and loose. One of the best screwball comedies of the 1930's with the entire cast clicking on all cylinders. In addition to Grant, Bennett, and Young, look for the great Billie Burke as Mrs. Topper. She's a hoot as usual. Followed by two more entertaining sequels, Topper Takes A Trip (1938) and Topper Returns (1941).

Happy Birthday Irene Dunne (1898 - 1990)

Happy Birthday to Irene Dunne, a grand actress who starred in all kinds of films: musicals, westerns, dramas, and of course screwball comedies. Her pairings with Cary Grant are legendary with The Awful Truth, My Favorite Wife and Penny Serenade. And Irene was sensational in the screwball comedy classic Theodora Goes Wild. Other films include Love Affair (1939), A Guy Named Joe (1943), The White Cliffs Of dover (1944), and Life With Father (1947). Happy Birthday Dunnie, as my friend Renata calls her.

Christmas In Connecticut (1945) is my favorite Christmas movie

If I had to choose one Christmas movie to watch during the holidays I would probably choose Christmas In Connecticut (1945). I know there have been countless blogs and posts written about this classic so I won't add another review of this by now familiar tale. Suffice to say, this film works because of just two little words: Barbara Stanwyck. She is positively amazing as columnist Elizabeth Lane, viewed today as the Martha Stewart of her day. Except for the fact that Ms. Lane's description of herself and her abilities is all lies. She can't cook, doesn't know a thing about decorating or antiques, and definitely does not live the family life on a farm in Connecticut as she has told all her loyal readers. Needless to say her lack of skills will be tested when her publisher puts her on the spot to cook a family Christmas dinner for a wounded returning soldier (Dennis Morgan). I simply think this is one of the best of the Christmas films from yesteryear. And when you think about it, the film really is not about Christmas per se, but it's story just happens to take place during Christmas. That won't stop anyone from enjoying this film though. But you will find hearty laughs and a nice comfort feeling while watching this film. As I stated before Barbara Stanwyck is definitely the star of this movie and she carries it like a seasoned professional. Her comic timing, which was not used nearly enough in her stellar career, is perfection. She looks absolutely stunning and plays off her fellow co-stars with ease. Delivering some of the best lines with that sly twinkle in her eyes. One of the scenes I love is when the owner of the magazine requests that she do her sensational high pancake flip that she is famous for. Of course Elizabeth has never tossed a pancake in her life, so the look of her face as she steps up to the stove and grabs the pan to flip the pancake looks like a person marching to the electric chair. I recommend Christmas In Connecticut as a perfect movie to view with friends and family over the holidays. You won't regret it.

The More The Merrier (1943) is good whimsical fun

Delightful comedy set during the WW2 housing shortage in Washington, DC.

Connie Milligan (Jean Arthur) rents an apartment. Believing it to be her patriotic duty, Connie offers to sublet half of her apartment, fully expecting a suitable female tenent. But instead she gets a mischievous, middle-aged man named Benjamin Dingle (Charles Coburn). Dingle talks her into subletting to him and then promptly sublets half of his half to young, irreverent Joe Carter (Joel McCrea). Then the rest of the movie has Dingle playing matchmaker for Connie and Joe. This is a top notch comedy that was one of several similarly themed movies. The others include Pillow to Post with Ida Lupino and The Doughgirls with Jane Wyman and Ann Sheridan. The More The Merrier makes good use of it's talented cast with Jean Arthur, who by this time is a skilled comedienne thanks to earlier films such as The Devil and Miss Jones, and Easy Living. She makes it look so easy. Charles Coburn is also a delight as the meddlesome Dingle. And Joel McCrea, who had his share of other classic comedies such as The Palm Beach Story and Sullivan's Travels is pretty good too. And in the hands of skilled director George Stevens, everything clicks like a well oiled machine.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles(1987).

Planes, Trains and Automobiles(1987). It was written, produced and directed by John Hughes. Cast: Steve Martin and John Candy.

After being on a business trip in New York, Neal Page is traveling back home to be with his family in time for Thanksgiving. His journey begins with with Del Griffith stealing his taxi cab right out from under his nose. Their misadventure continues when their flight from LaGuardia Airport to O'Hare is diverted to Wichita because of a blizzard. What should have been a 1 hour and 45 minute New York-to-Chicago flight turns into a three-day adventure. To complicate matters even further, on the first night in Wichita, a thief breaks into their motel room and steals all their money.

After burning down the car, Neal blames Del for all their troubles. In turn Del accuses Neal of being too critical. After their heated argument, a bond forms between them and they pull their resources together to finally make their way home.

Believing that Del has a family of his own, the two men part ways. Neal later pieces together things Del said and realizes that Del is alone. Will Neal go back to the train station looking for Del?

In my opinion John Candy is underrated comedian. There are some important messages in this film.For example the argument scene: Del says, "You wanna hurt me? Go right ahead if it makes you feel any better. I'm an easy target. Yeah, you're right, I talk too much. But I also listen too much. I could be a cold-hearted cynical like you, but I don't like to hurt people's feelings. So you go right on and think what you like about me. But I'm not changing. I - I like me. My wife likes me. My customers like me. 'Cause I'm the real deal. Wotcha see is wotcha get. "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" is one of my favorite Comedies. Happy Thanksgiving. Sorry, I could only find part 1 of the documentary.

Laila Robins, performed in many film and television roles. In 2006, she played Nora Paxton in The Book of Daniel. She played Victoria Heller in Gabriel's Fire(1990). She also appeared in the television movie Dream Breakers (1989) and The Equalizer(1988). On The Sopranos, she portrayed the younger version of manipulative, conniving, abusive family matriarch Livia Soprano. In 1987, she played Steve Martin's wife in the movie Planes, Trains & Automobiles directed by the late John Hughes. In 2006, she played Toddy Allen in The Good Shepherd, directed by Robert De Niro. She made her film debut in the 1987 picture, A Walk on the Moon. In 2009, it was announced that she will be playing Claire Williams, on the daytime drama, All My Children.

Ginger Rogers Having Wonderful Time (1938)

Ginger headlines this terrific comedy as New York office girl Thelma "Teddy" Shaw who goes to the Catskills for some rest and relaxation and winds up being romanced by Douglas Fairbanks Jr. It's all entertaining fun with Ginger and Douglas making quite a good pair. And also the supporting cast is top notch with Eve Arden, Lucille Ball, and Jack Carson. Coincidentally these three had just worked with Rogers the year before on the classic film Stage Door. Having Wonderful Time is a breezy comedy that I enjoyed thoroughly.

Screwball Comedies: Let's Misbehave video

New Poll Started

Over on my other blog, All Good Things, Ginger Rogers is my classic movie goddess for the month of November. So I decided that my poll on this page would be about her. Of course everyone knows of her legendary run with Fred Astaire in those wonderful musicals. And her Oscar winning role in the film Kitty Foyle. But Ginger also did several screwball comedies that were some of the best of the genre. I pose the question which one was your favorite. The six choices are Stage Door; Tom, Dick & Harry; Monkey Business; Vivacious Lady; Roxie Hart; and Stage Door. There were a few more comedies I could have chosen but I decided to limit the choices to six. I may do another poll featuring Ginger before the month is out as well. So please drop by and vote for your favorite comedy of hers.

Carole and Clark and some kittens...

Happy Birthday Constance Bennett (1904 - 1965)

Noted for several screwball comedies including Merrily We Live, Topper, Topper Takes A Trip, and Ladies In Love. Constance was the older sister of Joan. And a fabulous comedienne. Her classy blonde looks, husky voice and unerring fashion sense gave her a distinctive style. In the 1940s she made fewer films, working in radio and theatre; shrewd in business, she invested wisely and started businesses marketing women's wear and cosmetics. Loving conflict, she feuded with the press and enjoyed lawsuits. Her last marriage, to a U.S. Air Force colonel, was happy and gave her a key role coordinating shows flown to Europe for occupying troops (1946-48) and the Berlin Airlift (1948-49), winning her military honors. Still young-looking, she died suddenly at age 60 shortly after completing the last of her 57 films. Happy Birthday Constance.