Classic Films

Stylish Movies: Sinbad the Sailor (1947)

August 21, 2016 by Allison Leave a Comment

Sinbad the Sailor (1947) has something for everyone: swashbuckling romance, action and adventure, mystery, fantasy, and lavish costumes and sets. This RKO Radio Pictures release stars Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and Maureen O’Hara in a good, old fashioned popcorn movie filmed in eye-popping, glorious Technicolor.

In Persia, during the time of the Caliph Harun-Al-Rashid, lived Sinbad the Sailor (played with great style and verve by Douglas Fairbanks Jr.) As the film begins, Sinbad regales a group of men with tales of his many adventures. When they grow tired of listening to the same old stories, Sinbad spins a yarn about his “eighth voyage.”

The Story of Sinbad the Sailor

One day near Basra, Sinbad and his friend Abbu (the amusing George Tobias) salvage a baggala (or ship) whose crew has been mysteriously poisoned. Exploring the baggala, Sinbad discovers a map with directions to the lost treasure of Alexander the Great located on the island of Deryabar.

He also notices that one of the ship’s stained glass windows contains the royal seal of Prince Ahmed, the lost ruler of Deryabar. Since the royal seal matches the pattern on the medallion he has been wearing since childhood, Sinbad (who doesn’t know who his parents are) wonders if he could be Prince Ahmed!

Sinbad decides to follow his fate and sail to Deryabar but the map suddenly disappears.

As the story unfolds, Sinbad becomes involved with other characters that can help him find the way to Deryabar. He falls for the beautiful Shireen (Maureen O’Hara), mistress of the ruthless and powerful Emir of Daibul (Anthony Quinn), but she and Emir both want to claim the treasure.

Sinbad The Sailor (1947) Anthony Quinn Maureen O'Hara Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

Shireen, The Emir of Daibul and Sinbad

Shireen has shifting loyalties, between Sinbad, the Emir and her own self interest, and can Sinbad really trust her?

Sinbad’s barber Melik (played by Walter Slezak in a skillfully acted supporting role) claims to have seen and memorized the stolen map to Deryabar. Melik also wants to get his hands on the fortune. Then there is a shadowy murderous figure known only as “Jamal” who will stop at nothing to seize the treasure of Alexander the Great (Jamal is revealed near the end of the movie.)

Sinbad The Sailor (1947) Stylish Movies Douglas Fairbanks Jr. Walter Slezak

Sinbad on the baggala with Melik

The storyline revolves around this quest for lost riches. The film culminates with the main characters arriving in Deryabar at the ruins of Alexander the Great’s palace. There Sinbad meets his father the Aga and learns his true identity, Shireen must decide between the Emir and Sinbad, and Melik and Emir seek tremendous wealth.

Sinbad’s father says that true happiness (the real “treasure”) is found in the mind and the heart, not in material things, and that’s the moral of the story. Indeed, we see that characters greedy for money and power are destroyed, while those who love unselfishly without a thought to gold and priceless treasures are rewarded with joy and fulfillment.

Sinbad the Sailor (1947) was Douglas Fairbanks Jr.’s first film after five years in the Navy. With The Prisoner of Zenda, The Corsican Brothers and Sinbad the Sailor on his acting resume, he moved firmly into swashbuckling territory. However, box office results for Sinbad were modest, reflecting the post war audience’s declining interest in the type of swashbuckler films that made his father Douglas Fairbanks a superstar.

Sinbad has some swashbuckling, but it’s hampered by a script that emphasizes verbosity over thrilling action, so it never reaches the level of a masterpiece like Fairbanks Sr.’s The Thief of Baghdad (1924).

Sinbad the Sailor (1947) Stylish Movies Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

Doug Jr.’s Sinbad is an homage to his famous father Douglas Fairbanks Sr.

Some aspects of the film feel uncomfortable: the stereotypes, the whipping of galley slaves and scenes of women confined to a harem. Emir treats feisty Shireen like a possession. It’s ludicrous the way the actors are done up in heavy dark makeup to play Arabs and an Asian.

Despite these problems, I still recommend this film.

If you can overlook its flaws, this is an interesting movie which glides along as silky smooth as Sinbad the Sailor’s satin cape.

Directed by Richard Wallace, this film offers stunning cinematography by George Barnes, a lush, sweeping score by Roy Webb, dazzling set design and glorious 40s Technicolor!

The production values are astonishing yet a little quaint, which adds to its appeal, as the film’s atmosphere couldn’t be duplicated with modern digital effects.

From the sapphire tones of the sea to Ms. O’Hara’s bright red hair, the vibrant, saturated colors and images are unforgettable.

Douglas Fairbanks Jr. radiates elegance and charm as Sinbad: lover, showman, adventurer, teller of tall tales. He has wonderful chemistry with Maureen O’Hara, who makes a fine Shireen, strong and gorgeous (O’Hara was the Queen of Technicolor!) Jane Greer shines in a small role as Shireen’s servant. It’s fun to watch veteran character actors like Alan Napier, George Tobias and Walter Slezak make the most of their supporting roles.

Sinbad the Sailor: Film Fashion

Sinbad the Sailor features beautiful costumes by Edward Stevenson. The actors and actresses wear dazzling Joseff of Hollywood jewelry. Here are some of Sinbad’s stylish film moments:

The silk gown worn by Maureen O’Hara sold at auction for $4,480.

Sinbad the Sailor (1947) is available to buy at Amazon and shop.tcm.com.

(Images: The Movie Stills Database, Doctor Macro, eBay. All screen captures by Allison at CelluloidandLipstick.com)

Ultimate List of Scary Stylish Halloween Films

October 23, 2015 by Allison Leave a Comment

Ultimate List of Scary Stylish Halloween Films

Are you planning a Halloween get together and looking for some smart, stylish Halloween films for your bash (or your monster mash?) Perhaps you’re enjoying a quiet night in and searching for some great films to entertain you on All Hallows’ Eve.

As a Halloween aficionado, I’ve got you covered!

My last post featured six stylish Halloween movies—I like to call them “The Thinking Person’s Guide to Halloween Films.” Today I’m back with six more scary films to help you celebrate the season.

That’s twelve Halloween movies in all, the perfect way to get your fright on!

Here’s my Halloween movie list, a great alternative to the same old “scary movie.”

1. Theatre of Blood (1973)

What is Halloween without crazy costumes, creepy music, lots of candy and a little Vincent Price? Theatre of Blood, a cut above the usual pedestrian horror flick, offers Vincent Price at his eerie best.

Price stars as Edward Lionheart, a Shakespearean actor who exacts revenge on his critics in gruesome, creative ways. Theatre of Blood, said to be one of Vincent Price’s favorite roles, has a deliciously droll script, classically trained actress Diana Rigg as Lionheart’s daughter Edwina, and a thrilling, fiery climax.

Price is campy in The Abominable Dr. Phibes; he is shattering as Lionheart in Theatre of Blood (that’s saying something, as Phibes is one bloodcurdling dude!)

2. Dracula Has Risen from the Grave (1968)

Creeped out yet? You will be after an evening of Vincent Price followed up with some Christopher Lee in Dracula Has Risen from the Grave!

Lee plays Count Dracula, who rises from his grave to seek revenge when Monsignor Mueller (played by Rupert Davies) exorcises Castle Dracula. Dracula Has Risen from the Grave, one in a series of Hammer horror films, was directed by Freddie Francis, and his clever use of colored filters creates a moody vibe.

The film is memorable as an example of classic British horror; Christopher Lee’s acting, the stylish atmosphere and rooftop chase scene make it a must see Halloween movie.

3. Dracula (1979)

Christopher Lee is a horrific Dracula, but Frank Langella, star of Dracula (1979) is certainly “the thinking woman’s vampire.” Long before we had cinematic heartthrob vampires in films like the Twilight saga, Frank Langella was making pulses quicken as Dracula, sexiest bloodsucker ever to hit the big screen.

With his languorous attitude and liquid brown eyes, actor Langella brought a potent sensuality to the classic vampire tale, reinvigorating it for modern audiences.

Dracula taps into our shadow side that is attracted to the dangerous and forbidden; the vampire becomes a symbol for the ultimate thrill beyond our wildest imaginings. Watching Frank Langella, we know we should run away, but our shadow self secretly longs to be smitten, and bitten.

4. Nosferatu (1922)

Before Christopher Lee was Count Dracula, or Frank Langella played the sexy vampire, we reach deep into the celluloid vault to talk about Nosferatu.

Nosferatu, a classic silent horror movie, is a totally different take on the vampires we know (and love?) from American cinema. In this German Expressionist film from 1922, a version of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the famous vampire is called “Nosferatu” and Count Dracula is named “Count Orlok.”

Unlike Frank Langella (or Christopher Lee) this vampire isn’t tall, dark and handsome. Played by the incomparable Max Schreck, Count Orlok is one vampire you won’t want to cuddle up to. Later versions of Dracula present the vampire as an attractive man; here Count Orlok is a hideous monster with sinister claw like fingernails who certainly won’t prompt any sort of sensual awakening in susceptible females…

It’s interesting to see how vampires have been represented on screen throughout the years, and are they a reflection of cultural attitudes and mores?

Nosferatu is pure intellectual horror, creepy in an artsy kind of way.

I enjoy this film because it is an authentic vampire movie that relies on atmosphere and storytelling instead of digitally enhanced special effects. If you’re a fan of the Bram Stoker novel, you need to see Nosferatu.

5. Carnival of Souls (1962)

Can a horror film be beautiful? Carnival of Souls, a 1962 low budget independent horror film directed by Herk Harvey, has a certain haunting beauty that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

Carnival of Souls is a story with a lot of soul, proof that you don’t need a lot of money or special effects to make a chilling horror movie. I often wonder why this scary stylish film which has a cult following is overlooked and all but forgotten.

Candace Hilligoss plays Mary, a woman who experiences eerie visions after she survives a car accident. Soon Mary begins hearing strange sounds of organ music and seeing the macabre figure of “The Man.” Then Mary is drawn to an abandoned pavilion where she meets with the ghouls who have been haunting her, culminating in a satisfying ending that sheds light on Mary’s soulful journey.

Carnival of Souls is one of my favorite Halloween movies of all time, along with Ghost Story (1981) and Halloween (1978). I love the film’s terrifying, yet stylish quality. In my opinion, Mary’s detachment from the living could symbolize the restless discontent and feelings of alienation that arise while searching for a sense of identity and one’s rightful place in the world.

Whatever your interpretation of the story, don’t miss this unforgettable masterpiece with surreal images and fine acting.

6. Night of the Living Dead (1968)

These days, you can see The Walking Dead and Fear the Walking Dead on television. Why not watch the original zombie fest Night of the Living Dead?

There are more zombies than you can possibly handle in this classic horror film that’s gruesome yet surprisingly thought-provoking and stylish.

Directed by George A. Romero, Night of the Living Dead is an independent low budget 1968 horror film about a bunch of characters trapped in a rural Pennsylvania farmhouse under attack by “the living dead.” One by one, each character in the house meets a grisly demise until one character is left, his fate revealed in a shocking twist at the film’s end.

I’m usually a more hopeful optimistic person, but Night of the Living Dead’s surprising ending made me think the movie’s message could be nihilism—existential nihilism, the view that life is essentially meaningless, or perhaps moral nihilism, the idea that as humans we are capable of all kinds of behavior, even acting like “zombies!”

This film is open to so many interpretations, and that’s what makes it so enduring and fascinating. Definitely see Night of the Living Dead and draw your own conclusions, just don’t watch this classic Halloween movie alone!

Must See Halloween Films:

Only have time for a few Halloween movies? Want to plan a killer movie list for Halloween night? These are my top five must see stylish Halloween films:

Halloween (1978)

Ghost Story (1981)

Night of the Living Dead (1968)

Carnival of Souls (1962)

Dracula (1979)

My Ultimate Halloween List. Don’t miss these! Enjoy your Halloween!

(Images: Wikipedia, The Movie Poster Database, lobbycards.net)

Six Stylish Halloween Movies

October 19, 2015 by Allison Leave a Comment

Looking for a great film to watch this Halloween season, but tired of the same old “scary movie?” Perhaps the standard Halloween blockbuster, with its predictable storyline (and gruesome violence) isn’t really your thing. If, like me, you are repelled by senseless gore, and you want some style and sophistication with your thrills and chills, check out these six stylish Halloween movies.

The Thinking Person’s Guide to Halloween Movies

Halloween (1978)

The 2007 Halloween remake, written and directed by Rob Zombie, only makes me long for the original. Halloween (1978) starring Jamie Lee Curtis sets the bar for Halloween entertainment (ignore the tedious sequels; the first one is the best!) It is by far one of the best Halloween movies ever, and stands up to repeat viewings due to its suspenseful plot and strong female lead.

The story concerns teenage heroine Laurie (Curtis) who must fight for her life when trapped in the house with killer Michael Myers. The film uses psychological horror to deliver its thrills, and has become a Halloween ritual for me. Don’t watch this one alone (when Jamie Lee reaches for the knitting needle and a clothes hanger, you don’t want to be in the house by yourself!) I guarantee that when the credits roll on this one, wherever you are, you’ll be double checking to see if all the doors are locked.

Practical Magic (1998)

Based on the novel of the same name by Alice Hoffman, this beautiful, surreal film stars Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as sisters (and witches!) who are misunderstood and ostracized by the inhabitants of their small New England town, because they are “different”: they have the gift of magic.

Sally Owens (Sandra Bullock) is the more serious sister, who refuses to use her powers; she is nicely balanced by her free spirited sister Gillian (Nicole Kidman.) The sisters live with their eccentric aunts (Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest) in a rambling Victorian house, and must battle a centuries old curse: any man who falls in love with an Owens woman meets with an untimely death.

Not only is this a fun tale about a pair of witches, there are inspiring messages about celebrating our gifts, rising above adversity, and finding the courage to love.

The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971)

It just isn’t Halloween without some Vincent Price! He stars here as the titular Dr. Phibes, in one of the campiest, creepiest films I have ever seen. Without ever being overly explicit or gruesome, in my opinion, the movie has some extremely scary scenes. The highly stylized art deco design and seventies feel also make the movie a lot of fun to watch.

Giving away too much of the plot might ruin the element of suspense, so I’ll just reveal that Dr. Phibes was severely disfigured in a car accident on the way to see his very ill wife. He discovers that his wife died on the operating room table. He blames the doctors for not saving her life, so he proceeds to murder them in very inventive ways (the murders are patterned after the Ten Plagues of Egypt.)

In one of the most chilling scenes in the movie, Phibes kidnaps the son of one of the doctors, threatening to disfigure the boy with acid if the father cannot save him in time. The film’s ending is equally disturbing, (hmm, something involving embalming fluid?) and those final moments will stay with you for long time. Does Dr. Phibes die? I can’t answer that for you, but he does come back for a sequel (equally campy Dr. Phibes Rises Again…)

Stylish Halloween Movies the-abominable-dr-phibes (3)

So Seventies…

The Shining (1980)

You can’t go wrong watching a Stephen King film on Halloween night, and The Shining has become a cult classic, for good reason: the film’s strange images will haunt your memory long after the movie is over (the film’s theatrical poster bills it as a “masterpiece of modern horror.”) Jack Nicholson stars as Jack Torrance, an alcoholic writer who is hired as a caretaker at the Overlook Hotel.

When Jack, his wife Wendy (the eerie Shelley Duvall) and his son come to live at the hotel, they are warned they will be snowbound through the winter months, and this might cause them to suffer cabin fever. Sure enough, Jack’s mental condition starts to decline, and he develops the dreaded writer’s block–typing over and over again the same phrase “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy!” (Writer’s block can be a real killer…)

Jack’s son Danny is telepathic, a power referred to as “the shining.” He keeps seeing visions, such as blood flowing from a hotel elevator (a disturbing image that is repeated throughout the movie.) Danny starts to wonder what happened in Room 237 (does his curiosity have something to do with the fact that the previous caretaker killed his wife and two small children, before ending his own life?)

Soon Jack is wielding an axe and in the film’s thrilling climax, Wendy and Danny are running for their lives through a bizarre landscape that blurs the line between fantasy and reality. The most unsettling aspect to The Shining is that it raises more questions than it answers. Not only does this stylish film deliver scary moments the first time you see it, it is also very thought provoking, and ideal for repeat viewings.

The Birds (1963)

Alfred Hitchcock is the master of elegant, stylish gore. The Birds, starring a then unknown Tippi Hedren, is one of his greatest masterpieces. Hedren stars as Melanie Daniels, a young woman who finds herself repeatedly attacked by birds in the small seaside town of Bodega Bay.

As the film progresses, the attacks become more and more gruesome, involving bird attacks at a schoolyard, a diner and a gas station. As the film reaches its conclusion, Melanie is trapped in a house as the bird’s attack, and watching the tense and claustrophobic scenes, we wonder: will Melanie make it out alive, or will she finally be killed by the birds?

Poor long suffering Tippi Hedren: first Hitch had prop men throw live birds at her for a week while filming the movie’s climactic scenes, then he proceeded to ruin her career after she rejected his advances on the set of their next collaboration Marnie. Like Grace Kelly before her, Hedren typified one of Hitchcock’s “cool blondes.” She was plucked from obscurity by Hitchcock and his wife to star in The Birds, and he involved her in almost every aspect of the production. The Birds is classic Hitchcock and a truly terrifying film (you’ll never look at a phone booth the same way again.)

Ghost Story (1981)

This film, starring the hauntingly beautiful South African actress Alice Krige, is one of my absolute favorites to watch during the Halloween season. In the movie, Krige skillfully plays the dual role of Eva/Alma, a woman who has an important role in the lives of six men, played by Fred Astaire, Melvyn Douglas, John Houseman, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., and Craig Wasson (in a dual role.)

The four older actors (Astaire, Douglas, Houseman, and Fairbanks) are members of The Chowder Society, who meet to drink brandy, gather round the fire, and tell each other ghost stories. Many years ago, each man in the group loved a woman named Eva. The tale they never talk about is how the men accidentally killed her.

One of the men has two sons (played by Wasson) and both of them fall in love with a woman named Alma (also played by Krige) who looks a lot like Eva (could there be a vengeful ghost coming back to haunt the elderly gentlemen?)

One by one, the old men start having nightmares before they die…could this be the work of the ghost of Eva, disguised as Alma? Part of the fun of Ghost Story is that it is told in flashbacks, so we get to enjoy period costumes and some very stylish set design. It’s also very enjoyable to watch classic actors like the graceful and elegant Astaire bring some Old Hollywood glamour to the story. The movie’s greatest charm is the stunning Krige: she is so luminous and stylish in the dual role of Eva/Alma that it’s easy to see how six men could fall in love with her!

Ghost Story is scary in a drawing room, smoking jacket kind of way: if you appreciate old fashioned storytelling and psychological horror, this is the film for you (don your smoking jacket, pour yourself a brandy, light the fire, and settle in for Ghost Story…)

There you have it: some Stephen King, a taste of Alfred Hitchcock, two films with that retro seventies vibe, a movie with a bit of Old Hollywood glamour, and a modern adaptation of Alice Hoffman’s novel about a pair of witches.

What I like to call “The Thinking Person’s Guide to Halloween Films.”

These movies represent the best type of Halloween fare–intelligent, stylish horror that engages the mind as well as the body. A warning: don’t try to watch all these films in one night, or you probably won’t sleep for a week! (They’re that scary!)

Have fun watching these films, and feel free to come up with your own best list of “Halloween classics.”

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

(Images: Wikipedia, The Movie Poster Database, lobbycards.net, famousfix.com)

Parachute Jumper (1933) Review

September 18, 2015 by Allison Leave a Comment

“I’m a stenographer without a typewriter to pound, a piece of gum to chew, or a place to put it.” –Bette Davis as Alabama, from the film Parachute Jumper (1933)

If you’ve only seen Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. in movies like The Prisoner of Zenda and Gunga Din, check out the Pre-Code film Parachute Jumper (1933) starring Fairbanks, Bette Davis and Frank McHugh. Part action adventure flick, part crime caper, part screwball romance, this light hearted romp showcases Doug’s way with witty dialogue and his skills as a comedic-dramatic actor.

Parachute Jumper (1933) Review

In Parachute Jumper, Bill Keller (Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.) and Toodles Cooper (Frank McHugh) are two ex-Marine Corps flyers and roommates looking for work during the Great Depression in New York City. Down on his luck and reduced to his last fifty cent piece, Bill bumps into a pretty, unemployed Southerner he nicknames Alabama (played by Bette Davis). She looks thin so he buys her plate of ham and eggs then sweet talks her into moving in with him and Toodles.

The story revolves around these three characters and their involvement with a slick gangster named Kurt Weber (Leo Carrillo). After Bill risks his life “parachute jumping” for grocery money, he lucks into a job as a chauffeur for Weber’s girlfriend Mrs. Newberry (Claire Dodd), who clearly wants a lot more from Bill than driving her car.

Weber threatens to shoot when he catches Bill kissing Mrs. Newberry, but Bill talks his way out of the dangerous situation and ends up being hired as Weber’s bodyguard.

As Toodles and Bill fly around smuggling liquor for their bootlegger boss, Bill’s romance with Alabama hits a snag after she flirts her way into a job as Weber’s secretary.

When Bill is almost framed for murder and the two friends find out Weber is actually running a narcotics ring, they try to extricate themselves from the gangster while Bill attempts to mend his rift with Alabama (and this being such a happy-go-lucky kind of film, we sense there’ll be a happy ending for such a delightful young couple).

Directed by Alfred E. Green, Parachute Jumper is a drama that also works as a screwball comedy. There’s a gleeful lawlessness in the Pre-Code universe, where characters speak sexy, sophisticated banter and suggestive scenes slip by the strict but not-yet-enforced Hollywood censorship.

Claire Dodd has some great lines as Mrs. Newberry. She slinks around sizing up her employee Bill like a cat eyeing a rather large, tasty bowl of cream; she tells him there’ll be a lot of “night work” but she thinks he’ll enjoy the “position,” and all of her chauffeurs have been Frenchmen because as a rule, they’re “more versatile.”

Claire Dodd

Parachute Jumper also reflects the Pre-Code’s fascination with crime. While some Depression era films such as Jewel Robbery and Trouble in Paradise offered luxurious sets, fancy costumes and elegant jewel thieves as escapism for weary audiences, Parachute Jumper is a slice of life tale about three ordinary people trying to survive the tough economic times any way they can.

If that means working for a gangster as a way to keep the wolf away from the door, so be it. The Pre-Code value system doesn’t judge Keller and Toodles or any of the film’s amoral behavior. The movie glamorizes Weber, depicting the violent criminal as a smooth operator who views the law as something to laugh at.

It’s interesting how the lead characters willingly smuggle booze for Weber; however, they draw the line at being part of a narcotics ring.

One of the joys of Parachute Jumper is the chemistry between the very funny Frank McHugh, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. and Bette Davis. How can you not love a film with characters named Toodles and Alabama? Evidently, Bette Davis didn’t love it. She hated second banana girlfriend roles and called this her least favorite film!

I really enjoyed her as Alabama, a tough talking celluloid blonde who manages to retain some hopeful vulnerability. She’s a dame in the gutter looking up at the stars, been around the block a few times and racked up some disappointments, living by her wits, wondering if she can put her faith and trust in Bill.

Parachute Jumper (1933) Review lobby card 3

Bette Davis as Alabama

Bette Davis fans who think of her as a thundering crescendo will be surprised by the delicate, wistful Alabama. Here she is wonderful in a more subdued way, striking much gentler notes than she does in the powerful Of Human Bondage (Who can forget that film’s epic, bone rattling Bette temper tantrum. Poor Leslie Howard!)

As great as Davis is, Parachute Jumper belongs to Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., our hero with a touch of Pre-Code moral ambiguity. He’ll give Mrs. Newberry his “all” if necessary, he’s rubbed out a few in his day, and he smuggles liquor in some thrilling aerial sequences.

After seeing Parachute Jumper and The Dawn Patrol (aka Flight Commander) I want to fly a plane! (Maybe I’ll visit the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome!)

It’s a testament to Fairbanks that he could make a character tangled up in illegal activities so charming and likeable. We care about Keller and want him to succeed. This film gives Doug a chance to display his range as an actor, as there are many facets to Bill: he’s a soft hearted good guy in love with Alabama, a loyal friend, a brave pilot, a bit of a daredevil, and a wisecracking tough guy, and he shows all these sides in fantastic style!

There’s a scene in a nightclub where Keller is all dressed up in evening wear, and his elegance is quintessential Fairbanks. His character is kind of an old soul, so it’s hard to believe that Doug was only twenty-four in this movie. He demonstrates impeccable comic timing, delivering the rapid fire dialogue with a maturity beyond his tender years.

Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. worked in silent films, such as the dramatic A Woman of Affairs, so he knows how to make the most of a mood, a look, a gesture; when Bill is told to get rid of a mysterious package if something goes horribly wrong while he’s smuggling liquor, we see the remark land on him. He pauses, thinks it over and takes it all in, and its full implications, before finally issuing a terse “Okay.” We learn a lot about the character of Keller in moments like that, revealed to us through the artistry of Doug’s acting.

What a delight it was to see Parachute Jumper when Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. was featured on TCM’s Summer Under the Stars. I was bowled over by the sheer variety of roles he played, how he was able to create so many unique characters. Watching his body of work definitely gave me a new appreciation for his gifts and I’ve wondered why he is often overlooked as one of the great classic actors.

Parachute Jumper (1933) Review Douglas Fairbanks Jr Portrait

Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. 1930s Portrait

If you’re familiar with Doug as an action adventure star, try Parachute Jumper, a fun little movie that allows us to experience a whole other side to the swashbuckling Fairbanks.

Shopping for the Parachute Jumper (1933) DVD

The Parachute Jumper DVD is available to purchase at the following stores:

Buy the Parachute Jumper DVD at Amazon.com

Buy the Parachute Jumper DVD at Shop TCM

Buy the Parachute Jumper DVD at The Warner Bros Shop

You can also shop for Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. photos and movie posters at Allposters.com.

(Images: The Movie Poster Database, lobbycards.net, Famous Fix, Wikipedia, and Doctor Macro)

The Swan Grace Kelly Vintage Movie Poster

August 13, 2015 by Allison Leave a Comment

If you’ve always wanted to own a vintage movie poster from your favorite film, I’m amazed at the huge selection available at eBay.com. Today on eBay I saw a vintage poster for the Grace Kelly movie The Swan. It’s one of my favorite Grace Kelly movies, click here to read my review.

I love the vivid colors in this vintage poster. I’m thinking about decorating with movie posters and photos to inspire me as I write my movie reviews. Since I was a little girl I’ve been fascinated by old movie magazines, vintage movie posters, film stills and autographs of classic performers. I’m going to start looking around at the many flea markets and antique shops in the mid-Hudson Valley and see what I can find!

I also like to browse sites like eBay and Etsy.com for jewelry, craft supplies and movie memorabilia.

Click here for vintage movie posters on eBay.

Click here for Grace Kelly movie memorabilia.

You can find great deals on beautiful reproduction film posters at: Allposters.com, HollywoodMegastore.com, wbshop.com, and shop.tcm.com.

Happy collecting!

The Prisoner of Zenda (1937) Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.

August 11, 2015 by Allison 1 Comment

“Somebody once called fidelity a fading woman’s greatest weapon and a charming woman’s greatest hypocrisy. And you’re very charming…” –Rupert of Hentzau, from the film The Prisoner of Zenda (1937)

I love a good swashbuckling adventure, done up in romantic 30s celluloid style. As a girl, I adored young Cary Grant in Gunga Din, which starred another beautiful actor who caught my eye, the dashing Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. When The Prisoner of Zenda (1937) also starring Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. was playing on TCM, I tuned in to see Doug. I’m so glad I did, as this film has it all: talented and charismatic actors, a well crafted script, stylish costumes and sets, breathtaking action sequences and a wry sense of humor.

Then why is The Prisoner of Zenda overlooked and underrated?

The Prisoner of Zenda (1937) Review

The film’s plot revolves around the power struggle for the throne of an unnamed European kingdom. As the movie begins, English gentleman Rudolf Rassendyll (played by Ronald Colman) goes on a fishing trip where he encounters Fritz (David Niven) and Colonel Zapt (C. Aubrey Smith), two aides to the about to be crowned King Rudolf V (also played by Colman).

The men are astounded by the striking resemblance between the king and Rassendyll (who turns out to be King Rudolf’s distant cousin). The night before the coronation, King Rudolf is drugged by his half brother Michael (Raymond Massey), so Fritz and Zapt convince Rassendyll (the doppelganger) to be crowned in King Rudolf’s place, impersonating the king until the rightful royal can be restored to the throne.

All sorts of complications arise, as black hearted Michael schemes to eliminate King Rudolf, seize the throne for himself, and marry King Rudolf’s intended bride the Princess Flavia (Madeleine Carroll). When Michael’s henchman Rupert of Hentzau (the delicious Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.) kidnaps the drugged King Rudolf and hides him in Zenda Castle (where he’s now the “Prisoner of Zenda”), Rassendyll must find a way to penetrate the castle, free the king, and fend off Hentzau, in one of the most thrilling sword fights ever filmed…

There have been several filmed versions of the popular “Prisoner of Zenda” story, but this 1937 movie is the best, due to the pitch perfect casting and excellent performances.

Much of the film’s success hinges on the work of Ronald Colman, who’s a pleasure to watch as he handles the dual role of Rudolf Rassendyll/King Rudolf with ease. Rassendyll’s amused, sardonic air keeps the film from becoming too heavy handed.

The same can be said for two supporting players, David Niven and C. Aubrey Smith. The Prisoner of Zenda was a breakthrough role for Niven and he relishes all the dialogue and comedic bits he is given throughout the movie. C. Aubrey Smith is always a welcome sight; he’s an old hand at performing, the ultimate character actor, and a treasure. These British actors bring such flair and elegance to the film that it’s hard to imagine Zenda without them.

British actress Madeleine Carroll, another underrated and all but forgotten performer, exudes star quality as Princess Flavia, the woman destined to marry King Rudolf but who falls in love with his twin, Rassendyll. She’s not an accomplished actress; she doesn’t have to be, she’s a natural.

Carroll, one of the most beautiful silver screen actresses, doesn’t need to “act” the purity, morality, and radiance of Flavia, she simply embodies it, gracing the film with her presence in sweet love scenes with Rassendyll. The camera loves her, and when she gazes up while wearing a glittering crown, I get chills. It’s an unforgettable classic cinema moment.

The other female lead, Mary Astor (playing the role of Black Michael’s mistress Antoinette) always impresses me with her beauty, range, warmth and intelligence. Astor’s character is described as a “woman of the world” who is hopelessly in love with Michael, imploring him to marry her instead of seeking the throne and a marriage of convenience with Flavia.

I admire Astor’s versatility. In Red Dust, she played the ingenue like Madeleine Carroll, but here she makes the most of a small but significant role. She must be a gifted actress to make us believe her knowing, mysterious character could be so devoted to a dud like Michael (played by Raymond Massey, the film’s only lackluster performance).

The Prisoner of Zenda (1937) Mary Astor Ronald Colman

The amazing Mary Astor behind the scenes with Ronald Colman

In classic films, I notice “good girls” and “bad girls” and a woman had to choose a side. Astor falls into the latter category; she wears a lot of dark clothing and veils and hangs around murky castles conducting clandestine meetings, rebuffing Hentzau’s advances (he wants to come to her room…) Quite a contrast to the “good girl” Princess Flavia, who wears white a lot and is referred to as an “insipid flaxen haired doll.”

I love both the ladies in this film. Carroll is breathtaking but in my opinion, Mary Astor almost steals the show from Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. as Hentzau. In fact, I’d love to see a movie starring the two of them, all about their Zenda characters!

The Prisoner of Zenda (1937) Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.

Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. is the best thing about The Prisoner of Zenda. His Rupert of Hentzau is one of the great cinema villains, all epaulets, white gloves and cigarettes.

Fairbanks, Jr.’s performance is vital to the film; without him, Zenda wouldn’t have been nearly as much fun.

He’s delightfully mercurial, steel wrapped in velvet, romancing Mary Astor’s character one minute, menacing Rassendyll the next, keeping us off balance, always wondering what his evil henchman will do next.

The Prisoner of Zenda (1937) Douglas Fairbanks Jr Hentzau

Every girl’s crazy ’bout a sharp dressed man…

And he looks amazing too! With his lithe dancer’s body and urbane manner, Doug displays incredible, swashbuckling style. He was born to wear all the Zenda costumes. What a matinee idol, something to dream on! (One of the most beautiful men ever…)

Fairbanks, Jr. creates such a multidimensional villain that it’s unsettling: he confuses our sensibilities by making a morally reprehensible character so seductive and appealing.

(What does it say about us if we’re secretly attracted to Doug as Hentzau? What if we find him more desirable than Rassendyll? Maybe characters like Rupert of Hentzau and films like Zenda allow us to explore our shadow side in a safe, cinematic way…)

I’m amazed at how Fairbanks, Jr. comes up with so many layers that aren’t in the wonderful script. The subtly exaggerated eye rolling and body language are reminiscent of the old days of silent film, but he makes it all work. Rupert seems sweet enough on the surface, always laughing, smoking, throwing barbs and trading quips, but don’t cross him or he will strike! Hentzau’s sunny side makes his heinous deeds seem all the more dastardly, because we simply don’t expect them from such a dashing, beautiful man.

It’s unfair that Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. didn’t receive more acclaim for playing Rupert of Hentzau and for his entire body of work. Maybe it’s because he makes it look so easy! He’s so good looking and personable and joyful that all his hard work seems effortless.

Some actors in the celluloid vault are unsung performers who don’t always get the credit they deserve (stars like Monty Clift, Kay Francis, and I could go on and on…) One of the joys of Celluloid and Lipstick is celebrating my favorite overlooked performers.

I hope as new audiences discover Zenda, it will shine a light on Doug and he will be remembered as one of the great actors of the Golden Age of Cinema.

***The Prisoner of Zenda*: Underrated Film**

We don’t have films like The Prisoner of Zenda these days. In Zenda, everything is heightened, like Shakespeare’s classics, and more theatrical than modern, realistic films.

In the digital era, we get our thrills from car crashes, explosions and computerized special effects, and don’t have the patience for something as lyrical and poetic as The Prisoner of Zenda.

In the celluloid age, it took a lot more skill, subtlety and subtext to communicate danger and Zenda did it in such a refined, classy way, through the performances, the dialogue, and the atmosphere. I appreciate the beauty and romanticism of films like The Prisoner of Zenda, qualities often lacking in the digital age.

Watch The Prisoner of Zenda for Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.’s performance as Hentzau, one of the best villains of all time. This movie offers such fine acting, writing and storytelling; I’ve often wondered why it’s not better known. On a cold winter night or a balmy summer evening, escape with me to Zenda, and get swept away to a land of castles, beautiful damsels, mythical kingdoms and handsome gentleman. Give this film a chance and I think you’ll agree: The Prisoner of Zenda is great entertainment and an underrated masterpiece.

(Images: Wikimedia Commons, The Movie Poster Database, The Movie Stills Database, lobbycards.net, and fanpix.net.)

Grace Kelly Movie The Swan 1956

March 20, 2015 by Allison Leave a Comment

“Think what it means to be a swan…to glide like a dream on the smooth surface of the lake and never go on the shore…” -Prince Albert to Alexandra, from the Grace Kelly movie The Swan (1956)

One afternoon, I discovered The Swan playing on TCM. The film’s biggest claim to fame is that actress Grace Kelly played a fairy tale princess in the movie just as she was about to tackle the off-screen role of Princess of Monaco. The Swan was released in 1956 to capitalize on the public’s fascination with Grace’s marriage to Prince Rainier, her ascension to royalty, and the possibility of art imitating real life.

I’m a Grace fan and observer and several Grace Kelly biographies line my bookshelves, but somehow, I had never seen the movie. I was surprised by how much I liked this film so I bought the remastered DVD at Amazon.com; it played beautifully on my older DVD player and I plan on watching it again soon.

**Grace Kelly Movie The Swan 1956 Review**

The Swan is rich in surface detail but slim on plot. The story revolves around a mythical kingdom in 1910 Central Europe and the complications that arise as Princess Alexandra (Grace Kelly) prepares for an arranged marriage with her cousin, Crown Prince Albert (Alec Guinness). Her mother Princess Beatrix (Jessie Royce Landis) schemes to marry her off well (a la the “marriage market” of Jane Austen’s day) in order to protect her family’s palatial “home in exile” and regain the throne stolen from them by Napoleon.

The only monkey wrench in this master plan is love! Alexandra is attracted to her handsome tutor (Louis Jourdan) and the feeling is mutual, but as a commoner, he is not a suitable match for her. The fun of the film is seeing this all play out, as Alexandra is torn between ambition and desire. Should she marry the heir to the throne and fulfill her destiny as The Swan, something higher than mere mortals, or surrender to her human feelings of love and settle for an ordinary existence with her tutor?

Though the movie feels light as air, it has a lot to offer as it floats by on a cloud; these are some of the highlights:

Jessie Royce Landis, who also played Grace’s mother in To Catch a Thief, is delightful as she schemes to marry off her daughter (Estelle Winwood steals scenes as her daffy accomplice). It’s a joy to watch the cast full of veteran actors perform this witty script (which is based on the play by Ferenc Molnar) with subtle grace.

The costume design is stunning. Alexandra’s ethereal, eye-catching gowns were designed by Helen Rose, who also created Grace Kelly’s royal wedding dress. The Swan was shot on location at the majestic Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, and the elaborate sets are a feast for the eyes.

And there’s a fencing match! (I do love a good duel…)

Alexandra’s fencing scenes with her tutor are a high point, when Grace drops the regal facade, displaying some of that celebrated Kelly fire, athleticism and her skill with a sword! The ballroom dancing sequence, where Alexandra experiences an awakening while dancing with her tutor, is also sublime.

Grace Kelly is lovely in the title role; it’s a treat to see her character thaw from an icicle to a human woman. You can really feel the tension when flashes of raw feeling slip through her carefully cultivated exterior.

On top of all that, there’s Alec Guinness.

Alec with Grace and director Charles Vidor (Alec is on the right wearing the hat…)

I confess: I now have a crush on Sir Alec, who’s slyly charming as Prince Albert. Louis Jourdan is so very appealing…but I’m team Alec all the way.

Alec Guinness conveys as much with gesture and body language as he does with dialogue. All of the fine acting and attention to detail elevates this agreeable little movie to something that is so much more than the sum of its sumptuous parts.

**Grace Kelly: The Swan Princess**

The Swan glides along pleasantly enough, but deeper questions spring to mind. Does the film echo Grace’s personal journey at all? Was Grace the woman ever caught between ambition and desire? Are there any parallels between Alexandra and Grace?

Grace and her film character both aspire to royalty. Alexandra declares “I want to be a Queen” and Grace was excited to become a princess. It was her greatest role of all, something of a much higher status than winning an Oscar, or being a Hollywood movie star. Grace was a Kelly, an overachiever, and being Her Serene Highness would elevate her to a rarified realm where she would be assured her place in history.

Pretty heady stuff for a woman still in her twenties! One can only imagine Grace, who was secretly exchanging letters with her real life prince during the filming of The Swan, being swept off her feet by Rainier, the prospect of life in Monaco, the idea of a royal wedding, and her glittering fairy tale future. She had been wildly in love before and hoped for a wedding (Oleg Cassini was one of her prospects) but her parents opposed those potential marriages, Grace would not defy her family, so they never happened.

Her many biographers have written about Grace the flesh and blood human, debunking the Ice Princess myth. She is said to have had many affairs at a time when women played a more traditional role in society, and could be shamed for openly expressing desire.

Princess Alexandra wrestles with inconvenient passion versus position, but Grace also had a dilemma: she was Hollywood’s untouchable Goddess on a pedestal, the poster girl for a 50s ideal of the glamorous “girl next door,” yet she was also a passionate woman with secret affairs. This image of propriety and perfection is what Hollywood and society wanted from Grace; being an icon of purity meant keeping her own human desires firmly under wraps.

In my opinion, it’s rather Swan-like, that conflict between ambition and desire, prestige and passion.

Robert Lacey writes in his intriguing biography Grace:

“Keeping up appearances had always been Grace’s greatest strength and weakness–as a Kelly, as Hollywood’s Ice Maiden, and as Princess of Monaco.”

From everything that has been written about Grace’s life, it makes a lot of sense that the idea of being royal would appeal to her sensibilities. Of course, we’ll never really know for sure what went on behind palace walls, if royalty was everything she hoped it would be.

Robert Lacey’s book paints a portrait of Grace as a daughter, Hollywood actress, wife, mother and princess, someone who gave up her acting career and fulfilled her royal duties with great care, winning the hearts of her royal subjects. However, there are hints the glass slipper chafed a bit. He suggests that Grace in mid-life was a vulnerable human being who sometimes felt lonely, isolated and frustrated by the way her life had become circumscribed.

But what about Alexandra?

If you aren’t familiar with Molnar’s story I won’t reveal the ending, but suffice to say The Swan becomes more interesting and poignant as it goes along; if you stay until the end you’ll be rewarded with some nice acting moments by Grace Kelly and Alec Guinness. The final scenes reveal messy human emotions bubbling up as Alexandra grapples with her fate; maybe she’s not really cut out to be a swan after all.

Whether or not Grace’s final scenes as Alexandra are prophetic of the pitfalls of being a princess, I’ll let you draw your own conclusions. But one thing’s for sure. When this delicious film breaks the surface to reveal the acting talents of its stars, the surprising power of The Swan will slay you.

The Swan 1956 DVD

Many fans fondly remember The Swan movie, but it has been hard to find. The Grace Kelly biography Grace by Robert Lacey and The Swan DVD are available to order at Amazon.com.

(Images: famousfix.com and TCM.com)

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***The Prisoner of Zenda*: Underrated Film**

**Grace Kelly Movie The Swan 1956 Review**

**Grace Kelly: The Swan Princess**