Easter Parade, 1948

As promised, I decided to review Easter Parade - another favorite of mine! Fred Astaire (his autobiography is amazing!) plays Don Hewes, a famous dancer who loses his partner to a solo career. In order to replace her, he wanders into a saloon, only to discover Hannah Brown, played by Judy Garland. As their fame becomes greater and greater, Hewes' old dance partner tries to win him back, breaking Brown's heart. But have no fear - the ending is what you predict it to be!

I love this film - not just because of the story, but also because of its amazing songs and costumes! One of my favorite musicals, this film includes the songs "A Fella with an Umbrella", "It Only Happens When I Dance with You", "Steppin' Out with my Baby", and of course "Easter Parade". Fred Astaire is incredible - I have always preferred him over Gene Kelly because I find him much more graceful. He also seems light-hearted when he dances, instead of being so intense and moody. Judy Garland is always a joy to watch. Even though her personal problems became deeper and harder to deal with, the audience only sees her grace, elegance, and beautiful voice.

I recommend this film not just for Easter, but for everyday of the year!

Ciao!

"Easter Parade" Trailer with Judy Garland & Fred Astaire (HQ)

I just realized - why didn't I review Easter Parade?! That's silly of me. I'll make sure that's my next film review. Happy Easter!

Rebecca, 1940

Happy Easter everyone! You would think I would pick a film to review that's more appropriate for this day, but I decided otherwise. Rebecca is Alfred Hitchcock's first Hollywood film. Starring Joan Fontaine and Laurence Olivier, this film tells the story of a young, innocent woman who falls in love with an older, more sophisticated widower. However, Rebecca's ghost haunts Fontaine's character through the hatred of the housemaid, Mrs. Danvers. Mrs. Danvers makes sure that Fontaine's character will never live up to Rebecca.

Also starring George Sanders and Judith Anderson, Rebecca is such a beautiful film filled with love, hate, passion, and suspense. Hitchcock, as always, does an incredible job directing this film. And everyone knows how much I love that director! Joan Fontaine and Laurence Olivier were both nominated in their roles, but lost to James Stewart (The Philadelphia Story) and Ginger Rogers (Kitty Foyle). However, Fontaine won the next year in another Hitchcock film, Suspicion.

I have always loved Joan Fontaine's acting. She's subtle, modest, and incredibly alluring- we also share the same birthday! Laurence Olivier, however, is another story. Though I love him in this film, I have always found him to be pretentious in his acting (ie Hamlet). Despite that, Rebecca is one of my favorite Hitchcock films. It's suspenseful, but it's also whimsical and romantic. Fontaine and Olivier have amazing chemistry, which really brings this film together. So, enjoy!

Ciao!

Sabrina 1954

Terribly sorry for the 2 people who read my blog - I've been traveling and visiting family, so I had no time to add some posts! The next film I'm reviewing is one that is very dear to me. I just watched it yesterday with my mom and remembered how much I love it and that it's one of the films I can recite by heart.

Sabrina, starring Audrey Hepburn,

William Holden, and Humphrey Bogart, tells the story of a chauffeur's daughter who goes to Paris for cooking school and comes back home as a sophisticated woman. Though Audrey Hepburn's acting is definitely not the best and can be a bit annoying, she is nevertheless charming in this Billy Wilder film. I remember reading that Humphrey Bogart really disliked Hepburn because he wanted his wife (Lauren Bacall) to have the lead role. On the other hand, William Holden fell in love with her on set and they were planning a future together until Hepburn realized that Holden could not have anymore children.

So, back to the film..... this is a lovely, light-hearted story with amazing fashion by Hubert Givenchy, even though Edith Head received most of the credit. And the only thing that bothers me is that the characters of Hepburn and Bogart are trying to convince the audience that they are falling in love and that a 30 year age difference is not unusual.

Despite the fact that Hepburn could be Bogart's daughter, I feel that this is one of Hepburn's best films. This is her second American film, after Roman

Holiday. I recommend this playful, romantic film to everyone. It's definitely a film to watch during those hot summer nights that are not too far away.

Ciao!

Mildred Pierce, 1945

Mildred Pierce is definitely one of my favorite films. Starring Joan Crawford, in her Oscar winning roll, Ann Blyth, and Eve Arden, Mildred Pierce is about how far a mother will go for her daughter. Mildred Pierce is a single mother who works as a waitress in order to support her daughters. As years go by, she eventually opens her own chain of restaurants and becomes a success. Veda is Mildred's spoiled daughter who is never satisfied with her mother's unconditionallove and devotion. However, Veda goes too far and Mildred feels she has to pay the price.

Oh, this film is so fantastic! Joan Crawford is so amazing in this; and of course she decides to fake sick on Oscar night just in case she didn't win for her role. I'm also very excited for the miniseries of Mildred Pierce that debuts this month on HBO. The series is based directly from the book by James M. Cain and stars Kate Winslet (yay!) and Guy Pierce. Unfortunately, I don't have HBO, so I'll either have to wait until it comes out on DVD or do a little internet streaming. Oh well. Either way, if you have HBO, please watch the series - and of course the original film!

Ciao!

Mildred Pierce - Original Theatrical Trailer