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Post by lonesomepolecat on Dec 20, 2023 23:46:23 GMT
Right now I’m watching a Christmas movie with a summer title — IN THE GOOD OLD SUMMERTIME. Obviously not as good as SHOP AROUND THE CORNER (another favorite), but still stands up as a worthwhile MGM musical romp. I feel like they did a good job of making the musical into its own thing — setting it in Chicago music shop at the turn of the century, lightening the sub-plot to be about music instead of an affair, and adding the fun physical comedy like Judy and Van’s Keaton-choreographed “meet cute”.
I also think the two films side by side really shows the genius of Judy’s acting. Not that I hate Margaret Sullivan, but I always felt like her acting was never up to Jimmy Stewart’s level. When you hear Judy read the same lines it’s night and day to me. Just think of the way she “insists on speaking to the owner” and the speech about “the green blouse with the yellow dots,” with all the fun sass and humor of someone who has already decided she doesn’t like this guy at all. I long for some cosmic mashup in which Judy is somehow acting with Jimmy in the original film.
Best part of IN THE GOOD OLD SUMMERTIME to me, however, is Buster Keaton’s violin pratfall!
I could write a treatise on the genius of SHOP AROUND THE CORNER, but I don’t have that kind of time. It thrills my little director’s heart as the Hungarian PRIDE AND PREJUDICE with such a brilliant cast of character actors that live beyond the screen. Each character is fleshed out so believably, and even little Rudy who doesn’t appear til the end. Felix Bressart in particular shines as the best friend we all want to confide in, who sternly warns Jimmy at the restaurant — “She’s dunking!!” He steals the scene as the workplace chicken who trembles in fear at the boss who runs up the stairs to avoid him. I just love this actor. Love the script as well. Genius!
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Post by BunnyWhit on Dec 21, 2023 1:13:47 GMT
Right now I’m watching a Christmas movie with a summer title — IN THE GOOD OLD SUMMERTIME. Obviously not as good as SHOP AROUND THE CORNER (another favorite), but still stands up as a worthwhile MGM musical romp. I feel like they did a good job of making the musical into its own thing — setting it in Chicago music shop at the turn of the century, lightening the sub-plot to be about music instead of an affair, and adding the fun physical comedy like Judy and Van’s Keaton-choreographed “meet cute”. I also think the two films side by side really shows the genius of Judy’s acting. Not that I hate Margaret Sullivan, but I always felt like her acting was never up to Jimmy Stewart’s level. When you hear Judy read the same lines it’s night and day to me. Just think of the way she “insists on speaking to the owner” and the speech about “the green blouse with the yellow dots,” with all the fun sass and humor of someone who has already decided she doesn’t like this guy at all. I long for some cosmic mashup in which Judy is somehow acting with Jimmy in the original film. Best part of IN THE GOOD OLD SUMMERTIME to me, however, is Buster Keaton’s violin pratfall! I could write a treatise on the genius of SHOP AROUND THE CORNER, but I don’t have that kind of time. It thrills my little director’s heart as the Hungarian PRIDE AND PREJUDICE with such a brilliant cast of character actors that live beyond the screen. Each character is fleshed out so believably, and even little Rudy who doesn’t appear til the end. Felix Bressart in particular shines as the best friend we all want to confide in, who sternly warns Jimmy at the restaurant — “She’s dunking!!” He steals the scene as the workplace chicken who trembles in fear at the boss who runs up the stairs to avoid him. I just love this actor. Love the script as well. Genius! |
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Post by lydecker on Dec 21, 2023 1:32:03 GMT
Thanks for that one, it looks very good! I'd forgotten that DeNiro was once a handsome leading man and not always a ruthless mobster. It's a great movie, a nice "grown-up" love story and the end makes me cry every single time! |
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Post by dianedebuda on Dec 21, 2023 11:19:18 GMT
Right now I’m watching a Christmas movie with a summer title — IN THE GOOD OLD SUMMERTIME. Obviously not as good as SHOP AROUND THE CORNER (another favorite), but still stands up as a worthwhile MGM musical romp. I feel like they did a good job of making the musical into its own thing |
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Post by christine on Dec 21, 2023 14:26:30 GMT
Of course I love Robin And The 7 Hoods! Any chance to watch Dino - and he's so cute in a Santa suit! Also love the musical number he does with Frank and Bing - You've Either Got Or You Haven't Got Style!
One of my very favorite holiday movies is 1942 Holiday Inn with Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby. Love all that Irving Berlin music!
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Post by BunnyWhit on Dec 21, 2023 15:05:10 GMT
I'm fond of a Cary Grant Christmas because:
He can decorate the tree in nothing flat in The Bishop's Wife (1947),
he knows how to dress for Christmas morning in Indiscreet (1958),
he enjoys singing with the family in Room for One More (1952),
he brings gifts to his friends in An Affair to Remember (1957),
and he looks great in a Santa suit in My Favorite Wife (1940)!
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Post by NoShear on Dec 21, 2023 15:19:02 GMT
Thanks for that one, it looks very good! I'd forgotten that DeNiro was once a handsome leading man and not always a ruthless mobster. Robert DeNiro might have welcomed your leading man compliment when he was promoting "RAGING BULL", Andrea Doria, as he was quoted as saying that he was never much to look at back then. |
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Post by NoShear on Dec 21, 2023 15:20:26 GMT
How about the encompassing Leon Ames scene in BATTLEGROUND:  |
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Post by mike65 on Dec 21, 2023 15:58:22 GMT
"Remember the Night," is my favorite Christmas movie, too, and my favorite scene is when Sterling Holloway sings, "A Perfect Day."
I just watched this again yesterday and it really is a beautiful scene. So many great small moments in this film, a real treasure. |
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Post by dianedebuda on Dec 21, 2023 16:11:21 GMT
Of course I love Robin And The 7 Hoods! Any chance to watch Dino - and he's so cute in a Santa suit! Also love the musical number he does with Frank and Bing - You've Either Got Or You Haven't Got Style! Style is my favorite number of the movie even though my favorite song there is My Kind of Town - likely in part because I grew up in the NW corner of Indiana & our TV stations were all from Chicago. But all the songs in that movie are good, even the more or less throw-away ones like Sammy's Bang-Bang and Dino's Loves His Mother are cute.
I'm not a clothing whiz like BunnyWhit , but always felt that Barbara Rush's outfits never looked like they fit her properly. Something had to be off for a t-shirt & jeans type like me to notice it.
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Post by intrepid37 on Dec 21, 2023 22:06:04 GMT
As far as Christmas comedies go, this is probably my favorite. I love the rousing song over the opening titles.
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Post by lonesomepolecat on Dec 22, 2023 4:00:57 GMT
Right now I’m watching a Christmas movie with a summer title — IN THE GOOD OLD SUMMERTIME. Obviously not as good as SHOP AROUND THE CORNER (another favorite), but still stands up as a worthwhile MGM musical romp. I feel like they did a good job of making the musical into its own thing I adore SHE LOVES ME as well! Laura Benanti is absolutely incredible! |
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Post by lonesomepolecat on Dec 22, 2023 4:02:35 GMT
Of course I love Robin And The 7 Hoods! Any chance to watch Dino - and he's so cute in a Santa suit! Also love the musical number he does with Frank and Bing - You've Either Got Or You Haven't Got Style! Style is my favorite number of the movie even though my favorite song there is My Kind of Town - likely in part because I grew up in the NW corner of Indiana & our TV stations were all from Chicago. But all the songs in that movie are good, even the more or less throw-away ones like Sammy's Bang-Bang and Dino's Loves His Mother are cute.
I'm not a clothing whiz like BunnyWhit , but always felt that Barbara Rush's outfits never looked like they fit her properly. Something had to be off for a t-shirt & jeans type like me to notice it.
“Style” is my favorite too, but I love the rousing “Mistrr Booze” as well as Sammy’s tap solo. |
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Post by lonesomepolecat on Dec 22, 2023 4:21:31 GMT
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57697047/the_man_who_invented_christmas_TMWIC_1842_R_rgb__1_.0.jpg) Right now I’m watching THE MAN WHO INVENTED CHRISTMAS wondering what everyone’s favorite version is of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. My favorite is definitely the musical SCROOGE by Bricusse/Newley — love those songs like “Christmas Children,” “Father Christmas,” “Happiness,” “I like Life” and “December the 25th.” The genius of the “Thank You Very Much” number creates an exhuberant moment at what is usually a depressing and dark part of other film versions. A brilliant way to get an eleven-o’clock-wake-up-number into the “future” section, while still portraying an aspect of “future” that most of the versions ignore, but that is in the book. I am also a fan of Alec Guinness and Kenneth More anyway. I know the wholenendeavor is an OLIVER! rip off right down to the art direction and choreography style, but to me this version is “the real one”.  But to be honest here there is only one Tiny Tim that has EVER made me cry and it is Robin the Frog in MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL. Most Tiny Tims are too healthy or too annying, but Robin breaks my heart. Plus this version has THE BEST Ghost of Christmas Past.  Actually the only human Tiny Tim who really seemed sickly enough for my taste was in the George C Scott version:  I confess every year I watch MICKEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL  and BLACKADDER’S CHRISTMAS CAROL   and A CHRISTMAS CAROL GOES WRONG  What are your favorite CHRISTMAS CAROL versions? |
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Post by galacticgirrrl on Dec 22, 2023 5:48:52 GMT
What are your favorite CHRISTMAS CAROL versions? Very thankful you foresaw trouble with us picking just one version. I have two favorites. Scrooge (1951)
I love this one for the maids oddly enough. Kathleen Harrison as Mrs. Dilber, Charwoman Teresa Derrington - Fred's Maid (as Theresa Derrington) Kathleen Harrison's reactions on Christmas morning are priceless - touching, memorable, played with cutting edge precision. There are no small parts. ![]()  I see with a quick google, I am not the only one to fall in love with Fred's maid. I wait for her every year. Tonight she was in colour - oh dear. You can't have it all I guess. That look of encouragement she gives Scrooge before entering Fred's fête is indescribable.  Forty-two seconds: Losing your heart to “Fred’s Maid”
probablydontlikeyou.wordpress.com/2011/12/28/forty-two-seconds-losing-your-heart-to-freds-maid/That’s how long it takes her to capture a man’s heart. Forty-two seconds. And over the past 60 years, she’s captured thousands of men’s hearts — each in less than a minute.
Meet the maid: An interview with Teresa Derrington Cozens-Hardy
dickensblog.typepad.com/dickensblog/2013/05/meet-the-maid-an-interview-with-theresa-derrington-cozens-hardy.htmlHonorable mention to Czeslaw Konarski as Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come (as C. Konarski)  Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol (1971 TV Special)Animation for the film was created by multiple pans and zooms and unexpected scene transitions. The visual style was inspired by 19th-century engraved illustrations of the original story by John Leech and the pen and ink renderings by illustrator Milo Winter that illustrated the 1930s editions of the book.  Originally produced as a 1971 television special, the quality of the animation on A Christmas Carol was considered so high that it was subsequently released theatrically, thereby rendering it eligible for Oscar consideration, and the film won an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film one year later. Some industry insiders took issue that a short originally shown on television was given the award, and the Academy responded by changing its policy, disqualifying any future works initially shown on television eligibility. Diana Quick as the Ghost of Christmas Past is particularly, if you'll pardon the pun, haunting.  This 25-minute cartoon is the greatest Christmas Carol adaptation ever madewww.vox.com/2014/12/23/7439089/christmas-carol-best-adaptation |
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