In 1961, Donald O'Connor starred in a film called 'Wonders of Aladdin'. This was, however, one of the first few movies he was in that began his down-spiral. As we all know, O'Connor was a song and dance man, but in the 1960s, musical comedies were going out of fashion. This next period in O'Connor's life is viewed as his poorest - he was drinking and, let's face it, he was made for song and dance. 'Wonders of Aladdin' may have been O'Connor's lowest, and after his next film 'That Funny Feeling', in which he played a minor role, he was reduced mostly to special appearances on television shows.
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Aladdin is a free-spirited but poor young man. He fools around and is irresponsible, but his mother is devoted to him, and buys him a lamp. This lamp sometimes makes funny noises so Aladdin's mother has to promise the merchant not to return the lamp. But it cost a pretty penny, leaving her without supper, and Aladdin, devoted to his mother, decides to take it back. On the way, he starts to steal some food, but the lamp begins to make noises and the merchant sees him. Suddenly Aladdin is being chased through the streets, until finally, quite by accident, he rubs the lamp and finds himself the proud owner of a genie. This genie, however, unlike the genie of Disney, is anxious to do as much as he can for Aladdin - the more he gives, the sooner he will be freed from the lamp.
Aladdin ends up with a servant, decides to travel to the royal wedding, gets stranded in the desert, is seemingly rescued by Amazons who then intend to use the two men and then kill them, is saved by the genie and sent to the location of Prince Moluk - who just happens to be captured and on his way into the clutches of a man who wants the throne for himself. But Djalma, a girl Aladdin has known since they were children, in her attempt to follow Aladdin, was captured as well, and now she and Aladdin have the difficult job of saving each other and helping the prince.
This film is dark and dirty. Physical pleasure, trickery, and death color this film very black indeed, and O'Connor's performance does nothing to save it. This film is not recommended.
Today's post is about the 1950s. I don't know if you've noticed, but I love the early twentieth century, especially the 1940s and -50s. I love their styles, their music, their movies.
And of course, there was prohibition and the depression, and certain laws that protect people today did not exist or were not enforced then. But family life thrived, and there at least appeared to be a great pride in our service men, a pride which was in the movies and on television. There was a kind of dignity that the common man commonly had. Even people on the low end had manners and pride and felt shame, or so the movie said - and that's a far cry from many of the movies we have today.
Take even your best film - family geared, family friendly, moral, good values - and compare it to even some of the poorly made movies of those days and you'll notice a great difference in how people related to one another, how they treated each other.
Is it that the movies of today better capture human relationships? Maybe, but I don't think so. Watch even the reality television shows of the day, and even the ones that are questionable may surprise you. I guess that while the youth and discontented were protesting war and injustice, they just didn't have time to shake hands and hold doors.
I live in New England, one of the most reserved areas of the United States. "Reserved?" you might say. Well, yes. Not politically - See, we've almost grown into a kind of "keep out of my bubble" mentality which, as I understand, is not quite duplicated anywhere else. Whenever a New England person feel his bubble has been invaded, it becomes a federal case - sometimes literally.
But I think this is kind of the case with all of the US. What with the wars, Pearl Harbor, 9/11, and so on, we've become very cautious and begrudging. I almost have to wonder if another war, where we've actively fighting for our very freedom, wouldn't in fact help this country, or if it would only sink it deeper. Now, in this time some might call the Lesser Depression, a war might destroy us. It might make us miserly and greedy and mean. Or it might make us open our hearts to one another. If we're any kind of country worth fighting for, and dying for, worth surviving, we'd pull together and become united.
But I digress. This is about 20th century, not about war. Still, I'd be interested to hear anything you have to say on the subject.
Note: I am not affiliated with the above websites in any way and will not assume responsibility of anything on those sites. Visit at own risk.
It is Christmas evening and, as you can see, I have already changed the look of the blog. The bland, monochromatic look was bugging me so that I was itching for Christmas to be over so that I could change it. And so here it is! It is not purple, which rather surprised me, but I did keep the purple title banner.
Christmas began on the 23rd when my paternal grandparents came. It was curious that they were so anxious to celebrate Christmas with us, especially since we would see them again, at the "Seymour Party" and possibly afterwards or beforehand at their own house. But I hardly noticed that, because my nana likes to get together with us. She did seem awfully anxious to distribute gifts, though, and she didn't even jump at our offer to play a game. Finally, after she had given gifts to her grandchildren, she asked Papa, "Did we forget someone? Did we forget someone? We must have left it in the car." My papa got up, employed the help of my trustworthy-Scout brother, and in a moment, they came back in carrying a 32" Samsung flatscreen! Wow, that was impressive. We've had our old TV for perhaps ten years and mostly had no complaints except that sometimes when you pressed the power button the volume turned down instead. It's really quite impressive.
Even besides that, this Christmas has been perhaps the best in many a year - gift-wise, of course, and one should not judge a Christmas by what one has. (But still I am very contented and happy this year.) I got a Thirty-One Gifts upperclassman backpack in harvest plaid, The Midnight Dancers by Regina Doman, some bookmarks and Chai Latte mix, earrings and a bracelet, two $15 gift cards to iTunes, a gift card for Kohls and one for Target, and strongly mint scented soap, Finnish bread, chocolate, and guitar strings from my wonderful fellow-guitarist in the folk group; this was the 23rd and 24th; this morning, I got more chocolate, a clementine, LOTR PEZ dispensers, a small book of manners, a candle that smells like a rootbeer float, a large sketch book, sponge curlers, 'I Love Melvin' (*squeal!!!*), a Thirty-One Gifts umbrella in herringbone spot, 'Bing Crosby: The Voice of Christmas' CD, and a new retractable tape measure (which I need since I do most of the sewing and the old one is trashed).
Then there were a few large presents left. Okay, time for the big stuff! And what does Mom put in my lap but a little box about a cubed inch. The big gifts go in front of my siblings. "What kind of a gyp is this?!" I say a loud - good-naturedly of course. Then Mum shoots the starter gun -whatever that's called - and we tear open our presents. My younger sister by two years gets those boots she wanted. My younger sister by six years gets a large barn kit for her horses (which she and Dad have recently completed). My brother, younger by four years, gets his electric guitar (my jaw dropped and I felt the slightest twinge of envy).
For the smallness of my gift, I probably took the longest to get the wrapping off. Inside was an iPod nano! OMGosh! A few months ago, the hand-my-down I got from my dance teacher a few years ago finally died. I was stranded, trying to scrounge up CDs to listen to - the radio drove me nuts by refusing to play anything of value. Plus some of the best songs we owned are not on CD because we bought them on iTunes. I mean, this thing is really about an inch square - and using two fingers you can rotate the screen - it's crazy! I'm really grateful. Music is practically my life so this means everything to me - to be able to carry it easily with me.
Of course, the first convenient chance I got, I made my own account (no more using Mum's account where people can access my money for their own stuff) and bought four songs, adding a few more to a wish list, which I'll buy later if I decide I really want them. I bought the following:
The first and third are glorified versions on the record obviously (longer, fuller, or whatever), but I still love them.
Well, I'd like to upload pictures but the files were incompatible with my program apparently, so I have to do it a little differently - it'll take some time.
So we watched 'Tender Trap' (which I loved), 'The Grinch who Stole Christmas', 'Blue Skies' (I'd like to see Crosby and Astaire in a film where neither of them is a heel and the girl isn't a jerk), and 'Birth of the Blues', and 'I Love Melvin' (which I also loved!). After dinner of "roast beast" and butternut squash soup (amazingly delicious), we watched the inspiring 'The Nativity Story' and now we're watching an episode of my sister's new season of 'Adam 12'.
Midnight Mass was lovely and we had a good brass section.
I hope youz guyz had a lovely Christmas too, and I hope you tell me all about it.
I don't recall how I came across this blog, but since I'm fairly certain all my current "followers" are girls, I though you might be interested. If you have long hair, you just might flip when you see this. I've seen other websites and even blogs with a similar idea, but nothing so helpful as Elizabeth's blog. My hair isn't quite as long as hers, but I was thrilled to see her tutorial on bandana waves because my hair doesn't hold curls well and I need something that is easy to do over night. This is way easier to do than individual rags!
If you haven't visited this blog yet, I encourage you to just take a peek at least.
'Shenandoah' (1965) tells the story of family. The Anderson family lives on a farm, which they cleared, built, planted, and harvested with their own hands, and they are mighty proud of it. However, when the Civil War wages on all sides of their property in Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, Charlie Anderson (James Stewart) is feeling pressure to join the war, especially since none of his six sons are enlisted on either side. Charlie Anderson, however, feels this is not their war; it doesn't concern them. When the youngest, named "Boy", is taken prisoner by the North, however, the Andersons find themselves in the midst of war and death.
Charlie Anderson is a strong-minded, proud widower with six sons and a daughter. One son, James, is married, and his expectant wife Ann lives with them. And all of them go down to the church Sunday morning for one reason: it was Martha's last wish.
"Lord, we cleared this land. We plowed it, sowed it, and harvested it. We cooked the harvest. It wouldn't be here and we wouldn't be eating it if we hadn't done it all ourselves. We worked dog-bone hard for every crumb and morsel, but we thank you Lord just the same for the food we're about to eat, amen."
Mr. Anderson's daughter Jennie is getting attention from a solider named Sam, who eventually asks her father for her hand. The two get married, but Sam is immediately called away for battle. Then shortly after Ann has her baby girl, "Boy" is mistaken as a southern soldier and taken prisoner by northern troops. Guns, cannons, officers, soldiers, even battles on the property didn't get Charlie Anderson into the war - but this did.
All the boys excusing the married son, plus even Jennie, go off on horseback to find "Boy", leaving James and Ann in charge of the house. The nearest camp of Northern soldiers knows nothing of him, but the man in charge sympathizes with Mr. Anderson. The man overseeing the loading of prisoners onto the train heading north does not, however, so the Andersons take things into their own hands, which ends up in the reunion of Sam and Jennie.
The search for "Boy" continues, but they're out of food and their horses are spent. They resolve for home. On the way, tragedy happens, and what they find at home is nothing to rejoice over either. Sorrow leaves the family silenced at the supper table, as tragedy gives company to Martha's empty chair.
This heart-wrenching film should leave you in tears. It's about family. It's about how family sticks together, works together, lives together. Stewart plays an incredible, amusing, inspiring, and moving Mr. Charlie Anderson. If you were having any doubts as to the value of the family, you will walk away breathless.
I confess myself surprised that today is the 20th. How can Christmas be but a mere five days away? I have a gift for my brother and my youngest sister - what about everybody else? And where's the snow? There isn't a flake. Where's the excitement and expectation? I have reason to be excited, to be sure.
Ah, friends, what can I say? I have nothing to say. I'm as blank as new sheet of paper. Have you ever had a staring contest with a blank piece of paper? I have, and you ought to try it sometime. You may surprise yourself. Writers probably know what I'm talking about. You pick up the pen, dripping with ink, and you know that in a moment the page is going to be smudged and scribbled all over. Yet it holds a mystical power, as it stands in its blankness.
Well, that's pretty much all I have to say except that I'm enjoying myself. And I don't even have that to say. I'm antsy - that I will say. I'm tired, impatient, and I just want everyone to get along. Get along, darn you! I'm especially annoyed with the lack of good manners I'm, for some reason, becoming increasingly aware of. Music in the car playing over conversations, constant mumbling and noise making at the dinner table, and dirty looks from kids who should know better. Good etiquette on the part of other people lets me know exactly how I should behave. It puts me at ease.
But this isn't all about me - oh, wait - it is! It's funny how self-centered blogs are, how self-centered they can become. Well, as I rant on and on, typing only because it saves me from actually doing something, you're bored silly and have no idea why I'm rambling on. Well, I can't tell you, only have a very merry Christmas, to you and yours from me and mine.
If you can spare the time, please enjoy these videos - perhaps while you're knitting or baking or wrapping,
If you guys are getting tired of reading about Christmas, too bad! *insert evil cackle* I'm still riding high on it.
Actually, I'm trying to organize a Christmas recital, which isn't going to be until our Epiphany party, because we just don't have enough time (which reminds me........).
But before I run off to complete a few tasks, I'd like to give you more Christmas music.
In our recital, we, so far, have the following lined up (not in order): I sing Holy Night in C and I might have to use this as my accompaniment if I can't get a hold on my 13 year-old brother. We're not just doing Christmas Carols - we're going to just have fun with this. I'm thinking about this next one as our opening song: But we'll still do some Christmas songs. I plan on having my own piano student playing the next two if she can apply herself to them:
If possible, I'll have her sister accompany her on the guitar.
Again, if I can get my brother to cooperate, we'll play the following on guitar, with a much simpler melody: And I'm thinking of this following song as our closing:
I'd like to beef it up with a few more, so we'll see what else we're capable of.
Ahem, but to continue, I suggest you visit Raindrops and Moonlight for great Christmas carols - the songs she picks out are so lovely! You can also visit her mom's page, which she links to at the bottom, for another Christmas carol and an explanation of Gaudete.
Is that enough for you? No? Well, how about a few from Bing? No, not a Christmas song, I know. How about this one? lol - not a Christmas song either. Tricked you! But I will give you this one: I was listening to the radio a few days ago and the DJ said she asked a question on Facebook about the favorite Christmas song, this one was it! I was thinking: finally, the public consensus is identical with my own! Took them long enough!
The Cutest Christmas Pageant Ever(this clip is from 'The Bells of Saint Mary's', which came after 'Going My Way' - same actor, different story)
Have you ever seen 'A Christmas Carol' starring George C. Scott? It's absolutely fabulous. It's scary, it's funny, it's moving, it's convincing. Christmas Present makes you laugh, Christmas Future freaks you out, and Christmas Past makes you feel.... What does she make you feel?
Anyway, Jacob Marley genuinely terrifies you as much as he scares Ebeneezer Scrooge, especially the first time you see the film. The dark atmosphere sends chills up your spine and the bright bells on Christmas morning cheer your soul.
Yet you haven't seen this story until you've seen it at the North Shore Music Theatre. I haven't been so terrified since I was a kid. I drank in every moment of it. Each character was perfectly performed and splendidly overdone. The dancing was uplifting, the singing beautiful and rousing, the lights magical. More than once, the audience was in fear for their own soul.
This above video was posted in 2007 by the NSMT. What you see is very much like what I saw yesterday. The staging was more than incredible - it was awe inspiring. Never before have so many things risen out of the stage - platforms, tables, actors, dancers, and even gravestones. Much of the orchestra was beneath the stage, but some - the cello, violin, and harp, for instance - were on raised platforms above the stage. I hate to admit it, but probably my favorite song was their rollicking performance of 'Isn't It Grand, Boys'.
They don't permit photography or filming, so the only thing you'll find on YouTube is what they care to release. So if you were hoping to get a taste without leaving your living room, you'll be deeply disappointed.
There's a book called Manners Made Easy written by June Hines Moore, originally published 1999, outlines manners from the table to the telephone. It's really very interesting and I find that recalling its rules makes me feel more confident in those situations she describes. Did you know that youth is supposed to stand when an adult comes into the room? Or did you know that men should descend the stairs first and ascend last? This is to catch women when they twist their ankles in their high heels.
There's a page for every day of the year. You could take it one page at a time, or you could whip through it in a couple of days. Not too repetitive, it is very light reading but it is also very informative. One of the first things it does it to remind us of the obligation of introductions and when to shake hands. Even if you never read the book, you can feel more confident in new acquaintances by remembering these six S's: stand, smile, see their eyes, shake their hand, say your name, say their name back to them.
I found this book when I was looking for Jane Austen's Guide to Good Manners that was recommended on another blog.
Next fall, I'll be moving off to college. No one would have expected this of a home-based girl, but I picked a college that is several states a way. It takes about ten hours to get there from where I live. But it's the best college I've ever seen, from my view point and value stance, so I applied and was accepted. I didn't apply anywhere else because they all dimmed in comparison. I'm a literature freak - I'm not an engineer or an accountant. It wasn't like I had to pick a school that was going to have a really good law program or something like that. When I found a school with a good root in faith and morals, I stuck with it.
Every now and then, the subject comes up that I'm leaving. It's rather surprising but it annoys me. Under normal circumstances, I would have thought that I'd love to hear that I'm going to be missed. I'm sure that hearing I'm appreciated is nice, and yet more than anything it annoys me.
The reason is this: I don't want to be missed because of my cookies, or my babysitting, or my money lending. But I know they really will just miss me. My sister is moving into my spot as a baker, and she can also take over as babysitter. I have no doubt that given a little time, she'll be just as patient and self-sacrificing as I have become when it comes to our young friends. But I almost don't want people to realize how much they'll miss me, and I think the reason is I'm afraid their fears will be exaggerated. I mean, maybe my brother really never will notice how much I've been carrying him. Maybe he'll just assume the responsibilities. Or maybe he'll refuse to miss me but instead just put up a fit.
What I'm saying is I don't want to emphasize the fact that I won't be there because I know they'll scrape together and fill the gaps. And all the reasons they'll really miss me, if indeed they do, are voiceless.
...
As I come to this point, I realize that I completely deviated from my original theme, which was going to be about the annoyance of people moving in on your territory, but that would be so out of place here. I'll have to save it for another time.
An infamous classic starring Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Danny Kaye, and Vera-Ellen. This story is about two entertainers in the army. When the war is over, Bob Wallace (Crosby) finds himself stuck with Phil Harris (Kaye). Phil Davis pushes Bob up the corporate ladder only to find that Bob develops a work ethic that keeps the both of them on their toes. Phil's next scheme is to find Bob a girl who will marry him so they can have nine kids, and "if you only spend five minutes with each of them, that's 45 minutes, and I could at least go get a massage or something."
Finding a girl that Bob's interested in, though, is harder than anything else Phil has ever got him into. However, when a letter from an old army buddy has them going to look at a sister act, two girls land right in their lap. Phil goes right to work, but a TV show and a nosy housekeeper get between Bob and Betty. Phil and Judy try to fix it, but they misinterpret the problem and suddenly Betty's gone.
Can Bob get back up on that white steed and sweep his lady fair off her feet?
Furthermore, can they make their old general-turned-innkeeper feel appreciated and remembered?
I'll say little more since this infamous movie deserves more than I can give it, but I highly recommend it for everyone.
Rating: A Points: 10
Film Trivia:
-Danny Kaye was the ingenious, last minute replacement of Donald O'Connor, who got pneumonia. -The Vermont inn was the remodeled inn from Holiday Inn. -The song "Snow" was originally a different song altogether. -The scene where Bing and Danny do the "Sisters" act was written in after the two of them were fooling around on set. -Rosemary Clooney was actually 7 years younger than Vera-Ellen. -The original lyrics for "Gee, I Wish I Was Back In the Army" went: "Crosby, Hope, and Jolson all for free," not "Jolson, Hope, and Benny". -Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney both had descendants in the Star Trek series. -Crosby, Kaye, and Clooney all died at 74.
Few films can surpass this one for a feel-good theme that captures the hearts of all ages. Father O'Malley (Bing Crosby) comes to be the new pastor to a parochial school that is in decline. The building is old and in need of expensive repair. The nuns have faithfully taught there for years, but growing financial problems could crash the school. Mr. Bogardus is building a large, new building next door, and he has offered to buy the school. Father O'Malley is reluctant to do so, however, because it is the nuns' whole life.
Sister Benedict (Ingrid Bergman) is a very faithful sister, and she and her sisters have been praying that Mr. Bogardus will donate the school to them. Mr. Bogardus is a greedy man, however, and no one likes him. Perhaps Father O'Malley, though, will have a few ideas.
Together, Sister Benedict and Father O'Malley resolve a conflict between two boys, help a girl with a broken family, bring a man and wife back together, solve the mystery of the "failing grades", and revive the school. But it looks like Sister Benedict's days of working with children are coming to an end - with Father O'Malley have the heart to do what's best for her?
Father O'Malley and Sister Benedict often disagree with each other, but their chemistry on screen is incredible. Sister Benedict is faith-filled, inspiring, and endearing. Father O'Malley is a well-meaning, wise priest that immediately makes you laugh. Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman work well together and their acting is superb. This film (1945) will likely have you laughing and crying.
The Thoughts of Mandi is a fledgling blog that is by no means lacking in interesting entries - don't miss out! Her latest thoughts are about homeschooling.
This month is all about Christmas! Be the first to identify the following lines and you win! (Prize to be determined at a later date.)
1. "Bumbles bounce!'
2. "Isn't it wonderful? I'm going to jail!"
3. "He took the roast beast!"
4. "Just a street - any street!"
5. "_____, if you're ever under a falling building and someone offers to pick you up and carry you to safety, don't think, don't pause, don't hesitate for a moment, just spit in his eye."
Of course, I'm the final judge and only my answer counts as the real one, unless you can prove it was in another movie. Even if you don't know them all, go for it!
~Meggy
"You're not exactly Superman but you're awfully available." - Vera-Ellen as Betty Haynes, 'White Christmas'
____________________________________________________________ Congratulations to Mandi, the winner!
Saturday was busy. Well, not so much busy as just out-of-the-house. Mom went out to meet some of her friends for breakfast and the rest of us, after a slow start, met her there mid-morning. From there, we drove to my maternal grandmother to celebrate her birthday. She and my mother aren't on the best of terms, but I think they like each other more than they let on - only they're too much alike. Mom mentioned that we have to leave by one because my brother had places to be, but she added that grandma would probably ask us to help put up the Christmas tree. I'm now convinced that such a thing wasn't on her mind. Grandpa Gene had partially convinced her that they had a tree - the lit up one in the backyard across the street. But I suggested to Mom that we offer to help them so that we didn't get stuck at the last minute.
The tree is one green pole with lots of branches that have to be put on, one by one. But with three or four of us doing the job, it took only ten minutes, and it was fun. Then we put the lights on. My grandmother was so grateful.
As a birthday present, we gave her a Thirty-One Gifts black Organizing Utility Tote with two wine glasses, a bottle of wine, some Christmas plates, and a couple of games. I was surprised that my grandmother had never played Mastermind. We taught her and Grandpa Gene how to play and Grandpa Gene picked up on it right away. Four rounds were played, with various people playing opposite my grandparents, and then we opened the other game, which was a betting game of sorts - could be fun if we ever get it figured out properly.
Sunday was a long after-Mass rehearsal for the folk group. I play guitar and sing, although my voice was half gone yesterday. Don't you just love Christmas music? There's something so beautiful about it. Anyway, we finally got home, and we ate some baked goods that we often pick up at the country store on the way home, and we watched 'The Toy That Saved Christmas' while my brother and my dad went out to get the tree and pick up a few things. Then we watched 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' and a few people fell asleep. After a few minutes, Macbook in lap, I went to YouTube and picked a Donald O'Connor movie at random - 'Yes Sir That's My Baby'. Volume low. Soon, the fake-sleeper sister next to me was watching. Then my nosy sister sitting across the room came over. Then my mom stirred from her nap and leaned over. I think my brother might have even joined us. My dad was less interested and started on dinner. But a few moments after the movie was over, we were cleaning up and moving furniture to get ready for the tree. I ran a few trips downstairs to get Christmas decorations. We got the tree set up and then ate dinner - chicken, yum.
Mom insists that it's tradition to watch 'It's a Wonderful Life' while we decorate the tree. Well, I can't honestly remember, but I wasn't going to argue - Jimmy Stewart is amazing, isn't he? And our tree looks lovely, even if my sister and I were the only ones decorating.
Well, anyway, assuming you were all interested in what I had to say about my weekend and are therefore still reading, I have a little more to say :) :
This song has a lot to say about Prince Charming and true love - listen carefully. The song would be lovely even without Donald O'Connor.
Which reminds me, if you guys watch a movie I recommend to you, comment on the review or whatever on how you liked it - let me know I'm not wasting my time. Not that I don't like to review movies, especially when it comes to Donald O'Connor, but the obligation when I don't want to will disappear if I don't think you care. (that didn't make any sense at all........)
^O'Connor finally makes it off the floor in this one. ;D
A Christmas treat:
What do you think? Does it feel like Christmas yet?
Well, for a moment, it looked like I was going to recover. But I'm a quack doctor and prescribed looking after three small children and then staying up late. You can imagine the results. Ah well. If this illness made me miss my ballet class, it had better keep me on the couch a little longer anyway. ;)
More to the point, it's the first day of December! How's the new form of the Mass coming for y'all? I like it, personally, because I have to reexamine the meaning of what we believe. There's a lot there that I knew we believed but I didn't even realize was being stated in Mass!
I'm glad it's December. And it came in with a proper temperature - about 5 degrees Celcius, 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The last few days have been warmer - which is fine, but it's Christmas season for goodness sake! We need freezing temperatures and snow. But this is New England - ay, the good ol' northeast of the US - and the weather is completely unpredictable. We had snow just long enough for Halloween, my little most-unpredictable-town-in-NE had a wee bit of snow for Thanksgiving, and now we're counting on the weather to stick to its pattern and give us some for Christmas. We'll see what happens!
I just wanted to have some fun here this morning - don't mind me. It'd be interesting to know how many people read through this post though.
Well, what do you think? Could it be Christmas without Bing Crosby?
(Whoever put those poor kids en pointe oughta be hanged! They do a fair job, considering, but those kids will have been destroyed before they got through their teenage years. Well, anyway... what would this movie have been like with Fred Astaire, do you think?)
Another O'Connor-Ryan film from the 1940s, Donald Corrigan is a boy who tends to give his teachers trouble but is great in the entertainment department. The school sends him home for a time, with the promise he can come back after his father can assure them Donald's behavior will improve. On his train ride home, Donald almost literally stumbles into a young girl who's on her way home too. Glory Marlow III is the daughter of Glory Marlow Jr who is the daughter of Glory Marlow Sr, the latter two infamous in show business in their time. Donald Corrigan and Glory Marlow fall in love instantly, after a slight misunderstanding.
But more misunderstandings follow. At the station, a certain Peggy Flaherty is waiting for Donald. Furthermore, Glory learns that, to her mother and grandmother, the name Corrigan means trouble, for reasons which slowly come out as the story plays on.
Then:
Will Glory go into show business? Is Donald's dad a traitor to the country? Will Peggy get the break she's always wanted? Will Glory Jr get the man she's dreamed about?
O'Connor does a very good job of playing his part and Ann Blyth's performance is fair too, but unfortunately, the storyline gets a little sidetracked here and there, adding elements that have little to no gravity on the story. There are multiple threads to this film, all which end at different times and don't necessarily contribute to one common end. Even so, it is amusing and there is more singing and dancing for Peggy Ryan fans.
A Movie Review by Magdalen Aithne Arkwright 
