Saluting the Flag

 
A farmers family saluting the US Flag, during the drought in Central and South Missouri; October 1953. LIFE images.

    
Clockwise from top left: a civilian, Girl Scout, fireman, and Boy Scout each saluting the flag; 1940. New York, NY. LIFE images.

 
Astronaut Edwin Aldrin saluting Amer. flag after being second man on moon during Apollo II mission; July 1969. LIFE images.

 
Kindergarten class singing the Flag Song as TV camera records saluting of the flag; 1951. Louisville, KY. LIFE images.

 
American soldiers saluting American flag flying at half staff during break in WWII action on Orote Pennisula in Guam; 1944. LIFE images.

WWI and WWII propaganda posters featuring the stars and stripes.

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

~

HAPPY FLAG DAY!

*** Note: I couldn’t find very many pictures of classic stars saluting, so Jimmy is kind of alone up there! I thought some of the other photos were cool, though. ;)

Happy Birthday, Priscilla Lane!

Though Priscilla Lane is probably most know today for her role in Arsenic and Old Lace (1944), she also worked with the likes of Alfred Hitchcock [Saboteur (1942)], James Cagney [The Roaring Twenties (1939)], Busby Berkley [Men Are Such Fools (1938)], John Garfield [in  his breakthrough role in Four Daughters (1938) and in Dust Be My Destiny (1939)], and Humphrey Bogart [in the aforementioned films Men Are Such Fools (1938), and The Roaring Twenties (1939)].

With Frank Capra and Cary Grant on the set of Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)

 

More from Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)

 

 

She had two other sisters (not pictured) who were screen actresses—Lola and Rosemary (who she costarred with in several movies)—and one, Leota, (also not pictured) who was a stage actress.

 

Possessing a wholesome charm, girlish beauty, and expressive eyes, Priscilla can sometimes fade into the background. But in the roles of hers that I have seen, I find her to be a capable actress and a delightful screen presence.

Maureen O’Hara Interview

For those of you not on Tumblr, I thought I would share this interview with Maureen O’Hara that Sara recently posted. It’s delightful to hear her recount her early days in Hollywood and share her experiences with some of the wonderful people she worked with. At 90 years of age, I think you’ll agree that Maureen is as spirited, spunky, gracious, honest, and genuine as ever. I envy those who will have a chance to meet her next week at the film festival in Ireland to be held in her honor.

To listen to the interview, which is just under a half hour long, –> CLICK HERE <--and scroll a little to where you can press ‘play’. [I couldn’t figure how to imbed the interview.]

Thanks again to Sara for posting the link!

In case you are interested, here a promo video of some of the films that will be viewing at the upcoming festival. It sounds great!

Come Live with Me (1941)

May 18 - June 2, 2011 <--it really did take me that long to finish this!

54. Come Live With Me (1941)

Starring James Stewart, Hedy Lamarr

Produced & Directed by Clarence Brown

Plot: "Illegal immigrant and showgirl Johnny Jones is due to be deported from the USA, her only hope is to get married…" (from IMDb)

Despite tepid IMDb reviews and a weak start, I found this film to be an enjoyable yet lightweight romantic comedy in the grand style that only the '30s and '40s could produce. That's not to say that it ranks among the best of the genre--some of the dialogue is a bit corny, there are plot points that don't make sense (or worse, are just dropped)--but all things considered, I can think of worse ways to spend an hour and a half. :) Hedy Lamarr is gorgeous and Jimmy Stewart is amusing--but a bit gangly and awkward as if he hasn't quite yet grown into his stardom.

Donald Meek makes a cameo appearance.

The title is taken from a Christopher Marlowe poem called “The Passionate Shepherd to His Love”. It begins…

“Come live with me and be my Love,
And we will all the pleasures prove
That hills and valleys, dale and field,
And all the craggy mountains yield.”

You can read the rest here.

Jimmy’s character recites part of this poem in the movie.

If you are interested in seeing this film, it can currently be viewed on YouTube.

**Please note that the pictures and graphics in this post are NOT MINE. You can find the original source by clicking on the respective image. If you are the creator and prefer that I not post your work, please let me know and I will promptly remove it.**

On Dangerous Ground (1952)

May 17, 2011

53. On Dangerous Ground (1952)

Starring Ida Lupino, Robert Ryan, Ward Bond

Directed by Nicholas Ray

Plot: "Hard, withdrawn city cop Jim Wilson roughs up one too many suspects and is sent upstate to help investigate the murder of a young girl in the winter countryside." (from IMDb)

This film was okay, but overall I am not a big fan. In its favor, it did include interesting location shooting, pioneering camera techniques, and a nice score (though the latter was sometimes a bit obtrusive). Ryan and Lupino are both good actors but I can't say I really like them... or the film. But maybe I just had false expectations. You see, going by this (which prompted me to check out the film), I was expecting it to be deep and moving. Instead, it seemed to be lacking that certain 'something'. Perhaps the depth was there but it just failed to resonate with me--for whatever reason. Still, it's an interesting film and if you like noirs about hardened cops and with tacked on endings, I would recommend giving it a view.

For a different perspective…Laura also reviewed this film several years ago.

The Slender Thread (1965)

 
May 13, 2011

52. The Slender Thread (1965)

Starring Sidney Poitier, Anne Bancroft, Telly Savalas
Directed by Sydney Pollack

Plot: "A college volunteer at the crisis phone gets a call from a suicide caller." (from IMDb)

Awhile ago, Millie did a post on this movie and it interested me enough to check it out myself. (So thanks, Millie, for the great post and recommendation!!!)

The film has a sort of odd feel to it at first. I can't quite put my finger on what causes this, but I think it has something to do with the music and the cinematography. There is some good camera work/editing in this. At least one moment in the film I was so impressed I had to rewind and see the previous part again. I don't know a lot about cinematography, etc., but I do know when something catches my attention.

I found the acting in this—particularly by Anne Bancroft—to  be incredibly raw. At times that makes it almost hard to watch, because it feels so personal. But Bancroft is really incredible in this. I also thought Telly Savalas was great, and although his dialogue is limited, it’s what he can convey in a single look that impressed me. Poitier was okay. I mean, he's good but for some reason his acting rarely comes off as truly genuine. At least to me. But maybe I just need to see some of his better performances.

What impacted me most about this film, though, was how much I could relate to Anne Bancroft's character. No, I've never been in that exact situation, but I think that many people, at one time or another, have felt a similar sense of rejection, hopelessness, or boredom with life that leaves them floating anchorless. There are just so many scenes that powerfully emote those feelings. One in particular, where she (Anne Bancroft’s character) goes to seek psychiatric help and then is given a bunch of pat answers in response, really rang true. Even as I write this, there are so many lonely and hurting people in this world. I don't think anyone can really relate to what those feelings of despair are like unless they have felt them. As this film shows, sometimes just giving a smile, a helping hand, or being there to listen can make all the difference.

This film is unusual, like I said, but I think it is worth seeing. It touches on a lot of issues that affect all of us (more than I even mentioned here). It's also very suspenseful at points. One can't help but be riveted to the screen while watching it.

P.S. Fans of old TV may be interested to know that Ed Asner (Lou Grant on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and in his spin-off series) has a small role in this.

QUOTE:

Alan Newell (Sidney Poitier): "What went wrong?"
Inga Dyson (Anne Bancroft): "Nothing…really. I just didn't have anything to do."

 

It Should Happen to You (1954)

May 11, 2011

51. It Should Happen to You (1954)

Starring Judy Holliday, Peter Lawford, Jack Lemmon
Directed by George Cukor

Plot: Newly unemployed Gladys Glover has a chance meeting with a documentary film-maker Pete Sheppard that results in having her name plastered all over New York. (um, okay, we already know that I’m really bad at summaries…)

This story is really fun. It’s the kind of movie that just puts a smile on your face. I honestly think that Jack Lemmon is my favorite part, though. He is just too darn cute! And he has some great scenes. I’m trying really hard to like Judy Holliday. I mean, it’s obvious the woman is a brilliant actress and comedienne. But I can’t seem to get past her screechy voice. But like I said, I’m trying. As for Peter Lawford, usually I like him but his character really has nothing going for him here. That’s okay, though, because *POSSIBLE SPOILER* Jack and Judy make an adorable couple. :)

This movie also has an interesting message about fame. *SPOILER ALERT* As Gladys Glover comes to realize:“It isn’t just making a name. It’s making a name stand for something.” It’s a clever story and surprisingly prophetic. In the age of the Internet and reality TV, there are so many people today who are obsessed with self-promotion or are merely famous for being famous.

Over all, if you haven’t seen this one yet, I would definitely check it out. It’s a light, fun, well-paced film featuring great comedic performances from the two leads. 

QUOTE:

Gladys Glover (Judy Holliday): "I always think I can think better with my shoes off. Did you ever notice that?"

Pete Sheppard (Jack Lemmon): "On or off, I have trouble."