Curly Howard; Gone Too Soon Blog-a-thon

Today I am venturing into my first Blog-a-thon and its a good one. I have linked up with http://cometoverhollywood.com/.

Curly Howard is not someone who is known for feature films, or by his birth name Jerome Lester Horwitz. He is known as the bald, chubby stooge who takes the brunt of his brothers “abuse”in the wonderfully loved Three Stooges Shorts.

As much as I sincerely adore all the stooges, I was horrified to read that Curly did not live a charmed life. He was at times a lonely drinker who was terrible with money and worse with women. What I found out has made it sad for me to watch the Three Stooges on some days. Just knowing that random strangers would see Curly on the street and poke, kick and hit him thinking it was funny just makes me sad. Curly was described as quiet when off set (when sober) but, kind. He was known to enjoy people and always want to be with people. Curly was married several times, sadly to women who used him only for his money. After his first major stroke, he finally found someone to care for him and love him. I hope he was able to spend those last few years happy and in love.

Curly Howard was arguably the greatest stooge. If you ask 10 people who their favorite stooge is, 80% will say Curly. He was sweet, child like, and hilarious. I grew up loving the stooges.

Curly was the first stooge to go. At 48 years old, he had suffered a stroke on the set of his final picture “Half-Wits Holiday” He had completed nearly every scene when his brother Moe found him slumped over in a chair unable to speak.  For years he struggled after his stroke, but was lovingly cared for by his wife. The years after the stroke were torture. He was shipped around from home, to hospitals and finally to a sanatorium. After several more strokes he passed away on January 18th, 1952.

My favorite Three Stooges short as an adult is Cash and Carry, but as a kid Hoi Poli was the best. The stooges are picked up by two rich men on a bet to see if they can turn these trash men into gentlemen of high society. Sitting and watching this short with my grandfather is one of my greatest memories. The scene where curly gets the spring from the couch stuck to his butt, then falls only to pop back up still has me laughing so hard I nearly cry. It was comedy at its best. Nothing perverse, or raunchy…just amazing physical comedy.

You can find the Episode here: http://www.channels.com/episodes/1782595

Some of my favorite lines and my 6  year old sons favorite lines came from this short.

Prof. Richmond: Can you spell cat?
Curly: Soitenly!
Prof. Richmond: Spell it!
Curly: Cat. K-I-T-T-Y, pussy.

Moe: “See the deer. Has the deer any doe?”
Curly: Yeah, two bucks!

I cant help but wonder what full feature films The Three Stooges would have made later in their careers had Curly lived into his 80′s. Would Curly have branched out on his own? Would he have lived deliriously happy? Sadly, we will never know. What we do know is today now more than ever the Stooges are wildly popular. People mimic their physical comedy still today. My son has 4 three stooges signs on his wall, and I am a member of the Stooges fan club. I wonder if Curly knows how much he is loved and admired for his comedy? That today he would be put on a pedestal. I hope he is sitting somewhere proud that he is so loved by so many people and a huge part of some peoples lives? Let’s hope so.

This blog is part of the Gone too soon blog-a-thon. Check out the rest here!

Curly Howard; Gone Too Soon Blog-a-thon

Curly Howard is not someone who is known for feature films, or by his birth name Jerome Lester Horwitz. He is known as the bald, chubby stooge who takes the brunt of his brothers “abuse”in the wonderfully loved Three Stooges Shorts.

As much as I sincerely adore all the stooges, I was horrified to read that Curly did not live a charmed life. He was at times a lonely drinker who was terrible with money and worse with women. What I found out has made it sad for me to watch the Three Stooges on some days. Just knowing that random strangers would see Curly on the street and poke, kick and hit him thinking it was funny just makes me sad. Curly was described as quiet when off set (when sober) but, kind. He was known to enjoy people and always want to be with people. Curly was married several times, sadly to women who used him only for his money. After his first major stroke, he finally found someone to care for him and love him. I hope he was able to spend those last few years happy and in love.

Curly Howard was arguably the greatest stooge. If you ask 10 people who their favorite stooge is, 80% will say Curly. He was sweet, child like, and hilarious. I grew up loving the stooges.

Curly was the first stooge to go. At 48 years old, he had suffered a stroke on the set of his final picture “Half-Wits Holiday” He had completed nearly every scene when his brother Moe found him slumped over in a chair unable to speak.  For years he struggled after his stroke, but was lovingly cared for by his wife. The years after the stroke were torture. He was shipped around from home, to hospitals and finally to a sanatorium. After several more strokes he passed away on January 18th, 1952.

My favorite Three Stooges short as an adult is Cash and Carry, but as a kid Hoi Poli was the best. The stooges are picked up by two rich men on a bet to see if they can turn these trash men into gentlemen of high society. Sitting and watching this short with my grandfather is one of my greatest memories. The scene where curly gets the spring from the couch stuck to his butt, then falls only to pop back up still has me laughing so hard I nearly cry. It was comedy at its best. Nothing perverse, or raunchy…just amazing physical comedy.

You can find the Episode here: http://www.channels.com/episodes/1782595

Some of my favorite lines and my 6  year old sons favorite lines came from this short.

Prof. Richmond: Can you spell cat?
Curly: Soitenly!
Prof. Richmond: Spell it!
Curly: Cat. K-I-T-T-Y, pussy.

Moe: “See the deer. Has the deer any doe?”
Curly: Yeah, two bucks!

I cant help but wonder what full feature films The Three Stooges would have made later in their careers had Curly lived into his 80′s. Would Curly have branched out on his own? Would he have lived deliriously happy? Sadly, we will never know. What we do know is today now more than ever the Stooges are wildly popular. People mimic their physical comedy still today. My son has 4 three stooges signs on his wall, and I am a member of the Stooges fan club. I wonder if Curly knows how much he is loved and admired for his comedy? That today he would be put on a pedestal. I hope he is sitting somewhere proud that he is so loved by so many people and a huge part of some peoples lives? Let’s hope so.

This blog is part of the Gone too soon blog-a-thon. Check out the rest here!

curly

Skeffington fever

Here I am again having to blog from my phone. (damn computer). On this particular Friday night I decided to finally sit down with my Rosalind Russell biography I found for 10 cents a few years ago. As I read the introduction I saw the word Skeffington. It did not refer to the film but my brain decided to go there, and as I read on I couldn’t stop thinking about Bette Davis and Claude Raines. so, I dug and found my DVD. It’s been about 6 months since I’ve watched it so, whats a better way to start my weekend?

As I sit here I realize how sad it always makes Me.

Play word association with anyone on the street.
Claude Raines—- who?
Ok, show them a photo, If they recognize him, it will be from Casablanca.
That’s great, but I find this to be my favorite of all of his films and performances. He is heartbreaking, brilliant and sweet. The way he puts up with Fanny is incredible. She beats him down and in his final scene he is beat, gray and blind. I find it to be so emotional and powerful, i cry every time. And every time i fall in love with him more and more.
I find it to be one of the most highly UNDER rated films of all time.
I’ve seen it maybe 100 times. I will watch it once and have a need to watch it about 5 more times the same month. Once my husband starts to complain, I will put it away and start all over again in a few months.
As much as I love this film and consider it one of my favorites, I have a complaint. I love love love Bette Davis, yet I don’t buy that she is the most beautiful, sought after woman in NYC. She is pretty, but not to the caliber they make you believe. Norma shearer, yes. Joan Crawford, yes. Bette Davis, not really. I know this is my personal option and may anger a few but, I will never get it.
In closing, this film always makes me giggle as do many of these classics. When Fanny faints you know she is with child. It’s the classic first symptom of pregnancy. If a lady faints, you know she’s in trouble. It makes me laugh every time yet i find it very sweet and innocent at the same time. Damn, don’t you wish they still did it that way? Now we have girls using gas station bathrooms and stealing pregnancy tests. I prefer a good faint. Ahhh, the good old days.
I’d love to hear your feedback on the wonderful Mr. Skeffington, and if you love it as much as I do.

Loves of my life…

You know besides my child, dogs, husband, niece, family, etc. I have many other loves of my life.

Humphrey Bogart. At 28, I’m crazy in love with Bogie. Why? He is not the best looking man, and he is not the most articulate. To tell you the truth, it took me a while to give him a chance. I couldn’t figure out the lure of him. Finally i decided to give him a shot. I chose the most unusual film to watch first. Dark Passage. Film Noir at its finest. Please, I’f you have not seen this one go, go now. Order it on amazon!
It’s the story about a man who escapes from prison and undergoes an operation to change his appearance. For a Bogart vehicle, it’s odd you do not see him until about 45 minutes into the movie. Lauren Bacall plays the beautiful sweet love interest of bogies, and Agnes Moorhead play the awful, orange loving Madge. I wont give away spoilers but, this films ending breaks with classic film laws. I was drawn in right away and here, 6 years later as I type this I see my Bogart Collection, Casablanca poster and dark passage poster around the room and thank god I gave in to the charm of Bogart. His gruff voice, face, and ruggedness is unmatched. There will never be another.

Cary Grant. How do you not love this sexy beast? That accent, dimple, laugh…I want to faint dead away thinking about him. I’ve loved him from day one. The greatest film ever made was no doubt The Philadelphia Story. But, I will mention my first Grant Film, His Girl Friday. This is the definition of smart comedy. everyone knows this film. It’s a great film for both men and women, romance, comedy and action. I think this is why Cary Grant is universal, men want to be him and woman want to Marry him. It’s nearly impossible to say one Grant film is your favorite. I do have mine and stand by it 100% but, I start to think, well I laugh so hard at The Awful Truth. I could and have watched Only Angels have wings a million times, North by northwest is iconic! But, then I go back to the first 15 seconds of The Philadelphia story and am quickly reminded why this gem is above all, the best of cinema. I can honestly say there is not one Grant film I don’t love. But if all of his films, I feel Holiday is one of the most under appreciated. It is my husbands favorite CG film. Why do you never hear someone say, I think Holiday is One of the best? I know Hepburn was labeled box office poison at the time but, this is a great film. Every time I watch it, I’m dumb struck at the lack of excitement over it. I’ve wondered for year’s why this is and still do not have an answer.

William Powell. Two words; Thin Man. This is really all you need to say. He is funny, charming and handsome. Many of my favorite quotes came from him. “they didn’t get anywhere near my tabloids” funny now but for me given the time of that film, it’s hilarious! Nobody can argue the chemistry between Powell and Loy. But, I find magic in him and eX-wife Carole Lombard’s performance in My man Godfrey. I don’t really feel the love from him for her, but I love the performances! And find them both very funny. If I have to choose a favorite of mine that does not include the Thin Man series, it would be Love Crazy. Powell in drag; funny. Jack Carson; funny and when his evil mother in law slips on the rug and he says, “what a stupid place for a rug”; really funny. I’m not a laugh out loud while watching a film kind of girl, but that one gets me every time! I feel so sad at the under appreciation for him this day and age. you know him and love him, I know him and love him but, if I mention his name around my mom, sister, friends, or boss….I get a blank stare. Everyone knows Bogart, Grant, Stewart, and Tracey. Why do they not know Powell? He was a comic genius! A screen powerhouse! I vow to get a shirt that just says “William Powell” and his photo on it. Maybe that’s a start of his recognition in my area!

These are just three of the loves of my life. I see them daily, watch them monthly and praise them continuously. As the TCM promo says,
“films are in my blood”
When I’m old and bed bound, I expect to watch nothing but my classic films, and read nothing but my biographies. My grandkids will hate me for preaching the “good word of classic films” but by God they will know lines from Dark Passage, Laughs from Holiday, and who William Powell is and that he is pretty damn amazing.
Even if it kills them, they will know!

Daily TCM

I have quite a few theories in life. But these two are my favorites, Every morning no matter where I am, I turn on the tv the second I wake up to check TCM. I feel that the film that is on the moment I wake up will set the tone for my entire day. I know this is loopy and idiotic but, I know on days like today when I turn on the TV, and a Bogart film is on, I will have a great day.
I swear I’m not a total weirdo. What is better than seeing Bogart’s face first thing in the morning? The day I was married my all time favorite film was on (the Philadelphia story), the day my son was born (dark passage), the day my niece was born (the long long trailer) and my niece who was planned to be named Lucy after Lucille Ball months before, came into the world during an I love Lucy marathon. These are all small ways I find my theory to be true. I have my iPhone TCM app and my Now Playing but never check the morning schedule. I like to be surprised, and imagine its fate.
Speaking of these events, my son whose middle name was nearly Bogart is also a fan of classics. My second theory, Raise your children with a knowledge of classic films.
He is 6 and his favorite Bogart film at the moment is Key Largo.
In true little boy fashion he loves the bad guys, hero, guns and hurricane. I don’t recommend this film for all kids, however I had no problem letting him watch it. I know that when I sit down with one of these classic films that I will not have to explain the curse words or sex. I believe that children should watch more of these classics! My son can tell you who his favorite silent actors are (Harold Lloyd, buster Keaton and Chaplin) and he can tell you who is favorite “talkie” actors are (bogart, grant, William Powell, frank Sinatra and Audrey Hepburn) why Hepburn? Well he thinks she and I look similar and I love that.
My mother gives me a hard time about this but, my boy can quote Bogie. Yes, he still loves sponge bob and I never force him to watch theses films with me. He just enjoys them. He grew up with them.
I believe that allowing him to watch these films with me will teach him, proper English, history, hats and ties are classy, and a passion for traveling.
I promise to get more specific films soon. I just wanted to add a blog as I lay here in bed with my coffee and Bogie. Happy Sunday.

With the silent’s comes the snow….

OscarWelcome to my first Classic Film Post on my new/second blog. I have added and will continue to add a bit about myself on the About page but for now, on with the show.

Today I received my PDF schedule of the  16 Annual Kansas Silent Film Festival. 

I love this Festival. For one, I have a ton of amazing friends who always make the trip to Topeka.  We have all met through these few and far between festivals so each one is a fun gathering of sorts for us. Second, I live in small small town USA. We do not have Classic or Silent Film showings anywhere near us. I have held a few Harold Lloyd showings at his birth home but, besides that…..nada. So, having one only a few hours from where I live is very exciting. Every year its like another Christmas to me,  So every year we load up and head to Topeka KS. Well, that is we try. Of the last 4 years, we have been snowed in 3 of those times. I’m talking roads closed due to snow. It’s so frustrating. Im especially scared this year. It’s January 4th and its about 58 degrees out. We have had only 2 “snow” days and neither are hardly worth mentioning. I know im going to trot around town with no coat, in this “heat wave” for the next month and a half, only to be snowed in on February 25th.

Last year was the most painful yet. The amazingly talented Annette Lloyd (Harold Lloyd biographer/lover) was the guest speaker and my all time favorite silent film was shown as well. 1928′s Speedy, starring Harold Lloyd. (I found my love of silent through Lloyd, but this is a story for later) since I was in my teens I have said, If I ever get to see one silent on the big screen, it must be Speedy. Well, 2011 was my year….to get snowed out and end up crying all night. Yes, I am that big of a baby. But, how often will that chance come around? Especially around here! They even had  Benjamin Glazer‘s Academy Award statuette loaned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for  “Best Writing, Adaptation” for 7th Heaven. This was just an all around heartbreaking year to miss.

Snow will be painful as I am super excited to see Trip To The Moon this year on the big screen. How excited to watch a film in a room full of other’s who understand the significance of it. For those of you who do not know, Trip to The Moon is a (1902) film directed by Georges Méliès. Its 14 minutes long but, quite amazing.  Yes, you may giggle at some of the animation and camera work, but at the time it was quite spectacular! For years this film has grabbed me every time its been shown. If you ever get an extra 14 minutes, take a peek at it. How many times can you say you enjoyed a film that is over 100 years old?

This year they are also featuring some of my silent favorites. “Fatty” Arbuckle & Harry Langdon will be in the mix as well as John Gilbert. We have an exciting trip planned this year, so let’s either dump 20 feet of snow here now or March 1st. Thank you.

You can check out their website to see what films were shown in the past and see the great guest speakers they have had at http://www.kssilentfilmfest.org/ and if you are within about 6 hours of this festival, I recommend you come. We are a pretty great group of people, and the films are good to!