Here's looking at me kid

Movie Monday- How to Marry a Millionaire

What happens when three models shack up in a pre-furnished apartment for a year? Why, they sell all of the furniture in order to marry a millionaire, of course!

Lauren Bacall's character is the mastermind behind the operation of snagging millionaire men. And besides planning the rich future of the three bride-to-bes, she manages to smoke more cigarettes than any other leading lady that I have seen. Even Gilda!

And so the ladies set out on planes, in tranes, and police-escorted automobiles, to be wined and dined by their choice eligible bachelors. Of course, nothing works out exactly as they had planned. 

In the end, each of the girls find happiness, some of them find wealth, and they all manage to keep wrapped up in mink and fox furs. (P.S. This film is so much fun that even my Phil enjoyed it!)

Movie Monday- Three Days of the Condor

It's probably my favorite 1975 almost-spy-thriller. One of my favorite '70s films. Complete with murder, CIA conspiracies, and unexpected romance. Oh, and did I mention the classy renditions of the 70s era spy-drum-music?

Supposedly, Faye Dunaway sort of fell in love with Robert Redford during the filming of this movie. But, really, do you blame her? During Three Days of the Condor, there are many opportunities when Bob flashes his perfectly sculpted jaw line while talking on a payphone. Oh, Bobby.

But besides having a perfect jawline, his character also likes photography and has a sensitive affection for the women he kidnaps. Need I say more?

Movie Monday- A Room with a View

Broodingly romantic young men, stolen glances, achingly beautiful scenery, and an awkwardly snobby Daniel Day Lewis all gave this movie a place on my all-time favorite movies list. Add a dose of improbable romance, and it's just earned a place in my top five. Sigh. Why did I wait so long to watch this gem of a movie?

Mind you, all this raving is coming from a girl who was weaned on Anne of Green Gables and Sarah Plain and Tall. I happen to enjoy a good period piece, particularly from the early 20th Century. Bustles, parasols, and men who tip their hats all set my heart a flutter.

A Room with a View is not only terribly romantic and beautiful, but I caught myself laughing out loud on several occasions. Humorous indeed. Oh, just go watch it yourself. Please. And if you're smart enough to have seen it before, well, for goodness sake, go watch it again! ;)

....Oh, and I would like to briefly add that the men's fashion in this movie is just fantastic. I wish Phil dressed like this. Like, every day. That would be splendid. Okay, now go watch it. I'm off to convince my mother to watch it with me again. Romantic movies are better enjoyed in the company of other hopeless romantic souls, you see.

Movie Monday- Carefree

"It's not me, it's you." Or so says Ginger Rogers to her long term boyfriend who is unable to persuade the beautiful blonde to commit to him in marriage. So, taking her excuses seriously, he decides to have his psychiatrist friend psychoanalyze her. The psychologist just so happens to be Fred Astaire, of course.

Ginger knows that she doesn't need "fixed" mentally. She just doesn't want to marry her beau. And as the movie continues, it's very easy to see why. And so she strings along the psychiatrist with stubborn sarcasm as tries to fix his friend's girl.

During a session in Astaire's office, Rogers declares that she never dreams while she sleeps. But the very next night she has a doozy of a dream about Fred himself! (insert obligatory dance-dream sequence here) When she wakes up, she realizes that she is actually in love with her psychiatrist!

All the while, Astaire is oblivious to her admiration of him (although very charmed by his pretty patient). So he gives her drugs in order to more effectively psychoanalyze her. The problem is, of course, that she escapes when he leaves the room for just a moment. And she proceeds to wreak havoc downtown. Rogers is quite an excellent comedian, or this scene might have been a bit over-the-top as far as I'm concerned.

The movie includes just enough dance sequences between Rogers and Astaire, without boring viewers who might be watching for more of the comedic aspect of the film. And although it's quite a puffy 1930s dance comedy (starring arguably the most cliche movie couple in history), I enjoyed seeing the emotional interaction between the two. It was especially charming seeing Astaire dutifully hypnotize Rogers into no longer loving him, and into believing that she loves her fiance. A decision he later regrets, and tries to undo- all the way up to the wedding day!

An added bonus in watching this movie, at least for me, was soaking in all of the 1930s interiors, as well as all of Ginger's hats! So many floppy hats in this movie, it's almost ridiculous. But oh how I absolutely adore them!