Meredith of Forever Classics, hosted a Romantic Classic Movie survey in honor of Valentine's Day(my contribution is a little late):
1. What is your favorite romantic comedy?
Midnight (1939). Claudette Colbert, is wonderful in the role of an American gold digger living it up in Paris, Don Ameche is a charming romantic lead, Mary Astor, makes the perfect rival and John Barrymore is in one of his funniest performances.
2. What is your favorite romantic drama?
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir(1947). I love this film and Lucy Muir (Gene Tierney), who against all advice moves into a cottage on a bluff overlooking the ocean. The ghost of Captain Gregg (Rex Harrison) is at first frightening but we come to love him.
3. Worst romance film you've seen? I dunno..
4. How do you feel about the majority of romantic films being labeled "chick flicks"?
I do not take the term too seriously...
5. Favorite on-screen couple?
Gene Tierney and Tyrone Power.
6. Favorite off-screen couple?
Clark Gable and Carole Lombard.
7. Best kiss in a movie?
The Thomas Crown Affair(1968).
8. Favorite romantic scene?
Thomas Crown Affair. This movie showcases McQueen's perfect cool image and the beautiful Dunaway.
With the then-innovative multiple split screens and the beautiful theme song with Noel Harrison. The chess game is still the most-seductive scene where all the clothes stay on and nobody talks.
9. Who are 2 film characters you wished had gotten together, but never did?
Gary Cooper as Prof. Bertram Potts from Ball of Fire (1941).
Gene Tierney as Susan Miller from Rings on Her Fingers (1942)
10. Two actors you think would have great chemistry, but have never done a film together?
Gene Tierney and Gary Copper.
11. Favorite romantic song in a film (doesn't have to be from a musical)?
Doris Day "It's Magic" from the classic film, Romance on the High Seas.
12. Best score from a romance film?
13. Most romantic film quote?
The Age of Innocence (1993).
Ellen Olenska: I think we should look at reality, not dreams.
Newland Archer: I just want us to be together!
Ellen Olenska: I can't be your wife, Newland! Is it your idea that I should live with you as your mistress?
Newland Archer: I want... Somehow, I want to get away with you... and... and find a world where words like that don't exist!
14. A film you'd recommend to watch on Valentine's Day?
Breakfast at Tiffany's.
I thought it would be fun to fill out Frankly, My Dear. survey from Rianna's fun blog. I decided to post my answers to her survey here on N and CF. If you would also like to fill out the survey, click on the link to Frankly, My Dear. blog listed below:
9. Which studio would you have liked to join?
I would have loved to have worked for, musical choreographer.. Busby Berkeley.
10. Favorite common on screen pairing that SHOULD have gotten married?
Gene Tierney and Tyrone Power.
11. Favorite I Love Lucy episode?
12. Out of these actresses which one do you like best: Lucille Ball, Ingrid Bergman, Natalie Wood, Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Greer Garson, or Katharine Hepburn?
Grace Kelly
13. Shadowy film noir from the 1940’s or splashy colorful musicals from the 1950’s?
I love them both.. N/A.
14. Actor or actress with the best autograph (photo preferred).
Gary Cooper.
15. A baby (or childhood, or teenage) photo of either your favorite actress or actor (or both, if you’d like.)
Marilyn Monroe
I thought it would be fun to fill out Amanda's survey from her fun blog. I decided to post my answers to her survey here on N and CF. If you would also like to fill out the survey, click on the link to Amanda's blog listed below: http://noodleinahaystack.blogspot.com/2010/10/amandas-cinema-survey.html
1. What is your favorite movie starring William Powell and Myrna Loy, excluding all of The Thin Man films?
Libeled Lady (1936). Cast: Jean Harlow, William Powell (who were romantically involved at the time), Myrna Loy and Spencer Tracy. The movie was written by George Oppenheimer, Howard Emmett Rogers, Wallace Sullivan and Maurine Dallas Watkins. Directed by Jack Conway. The film was remade as Easy to Wed (1946) with Esther Williams, Van Johnson, and Lucille Ball.
2. Great one-shot film team.
Katherine Hepburn and John Wayne, in the film.. Rooster Cogburn(1975). Loved the banter between these two older characters. This movie is the sequel to the film, True Grit(1969).
3. Best Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers film?
Flying Down to Rio (1933). Best known for being the first screen pairing of Fred Astair and Ginger Rogers. Astaire and Rogers were not the stars of the film, Dolores Del Rio and Gene Raymond were top-billed.
4. Favorite "Robert"?
Robert Mitchum.
5. An actor/actress who, when you see one of their movies, you always wish that someone else was in his/her role?
Mickey Rooney.
6. An actor/actress that someone close to you really loves that you can't stand or vice versa?
I really do not care for, Arnold Schwarzenegger. My husband seems to like all of his films.
7. An actor/actress that you both agree on completely?
To name a couple, John Wayne and Clint Eastwood.
8. Virginia O'Brien is to Ethel Merman as...
Anna Nicole Smith to Zsa Zsa Gabor
9. Favorite Ray Milland?
Dial M for Murder(1954). Directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Ray Milland plays a retired tennis pro who makes plans to have his wife killed. Grace Kelly plays the wife.
10. Favorite movie of the 1960s?
Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961). Cast:Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard, Patricia Neal, Buddy Ebsen, Martin Balsam, and Mickey Rooney. It was loosely based on the novel of the same name by Truman Capote. Hepburn's portrayal of Holly Golightly as the naive, eccentric woman is generally considered to be the actress's most memorable role. Hepburn's performance of "Moon River" helped composer Henry Mancini and lyricist Johnny Mercer win an Oscar for Best Song.
11. An actor/actress that you would take out of one film and put into a different movie that was released the same year?
I would like to take Gene Tierney out of the film( pictured above)Tobacco Road(1941) and put into the movie, High Sierra (1941). Film noir written by W.R. Burnett and John Huston from the novel by Burnett. Cast: Ida Lupino and Humphrey Bogart and was directed by Raoul Walsh on location at Whitney Portal, Mount Whitney.
12. Favorite of Robert Montgomery's leading ladies?
Carole Lombard
13. You think it would have been a disaster if what movie starred the actor/actress who was originally asked to star in it?
14. An actor/actress who you will watch in any or almost any movie?
Michelle Pfeiffer.
15. Your favorite Leslie Howard film and role?
Gone With The Wind.
16. Four Barbara Stanwyck films?
Double Indemnity, Meet John Doe, Sorry Wrong number, Executive Suite.
17. Perfect comedy? Why?
Bell Book Candle. Kim Novak, at the peak of her career and plays a beautiful witch. (James Stewart) moves in upstairs, and the trouble.. I mean, the fun begins. Great cast of comic actors very entertaining and a huge contrast to Novak and Stewart's earlier pairing (the same year) in Hitchcock's "Vertigo". I think it is worth seeing.
18. You will brook no criticism of what film?
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir(1947). Is about a young widow who rents a Cottage, near a fishing village. The cottage is haunted by the ghost of a sea captain.
19. Favorite Irish actress?
Maureen O'Hara
20. Favorite 1940s Ginger Rogers?
The Major and the Minor. A woman disguises herself as a young girl to save on a train fare and is taken in charge by an army man who doesn't notice the truth.
21. Do you enjoy silent movies?
Yes, Please check out my blog:).
22. Favorite Bette Davis film?
Dark Victory. A socialite is diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour, and must decide how to live in her final days.
23. Favorite onscreen Hollywood couple?
Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall.
24. Favorite Hollywood costume designer?
Edith Head.
25. Favorite tough action film?
Rio Bravo. The film was shot at Old Tucson Studios, just outside Tucson, Arizona. Rio Bravo is best known as one of Hawk's best films.
26. You are currently gaining a greater appreciation for which actor(s)/actress(es)?
33. Favorite movie from each of these genres:
Comedy: The Egg and I
Swashbuckler: The Adventures Of Robin Hood
Film noir: Leave Her To Heaven
Musical: Singin' In The Rain
Holiday: Christmas In Connecticut
Over the past couple of years, I feel Beck and I have become good friends.. Becky, has a passion for movies, she also loves to read, mainly classic English literature, she also loves to write on her classic movie blog, Becky loves classical music. That's why she calls herself... ClassicBecky!
Dawn: Who are your top 5 favorite classic movie actor/actresses?
Becky: Errol Flynn, Bette Davis, Laurence Olivier, Olivia de Havilland and Spencer Tracy.
Dawn: Describe why they are your favorite?
Becky: Errol Flynn, A real movie star, dazzling and charismatic obviously, but more talented than he got credit for. He brought a sense of charm and wit to his most famous dashing roles like "Adventures of Robin Hood" and "Captain Blood", and depth of talent in others, particularly The Sun Also Rises" and "Too Much Too Soon".
Bette Davis, In my opinion, the greatest American screen actress. She fought for her career, was not afraid to look unattractive if the part called for it, made her own mold rather than try to fit one, and dominated the industry in her time. Talent - well, just think "Of Human Bondage" "Jezebel", "The Letter", "The Great Lie", "Dark Victory", "Now, Voyager", "The Little Foxes" and "All About Eve".
Laurence Olivier, one of the greats. "Richard III", "Hamlet", "Pride and Prejudice", "Wuthering Heights", "Sleuth", Marathon Man", "Spartacus" - was there anything he couldn't do? He was a giant in movie and theatre.
Olivia deHavilland, Beauty did not stereotype this wonderful actress. She insisted on diversity in her roles and, like Bette, she would willingly diminish her looks or enhance them as the part called for. "Captain Blood", "Gone With the Wind", "In This Our Life", "The Old Maid", "The Snake Pit", and what I think is her best, "The Heiress.
Spencer Tracy, the consummate American actor. From the 30's to the 60's, he dominated the screen in every way, talent, humor, depth and an appeal to everyone. "Captains Courageous", "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", "Edison the Man", "Father of the Bride", "The Old Man and the Sea", "Judgment at Nuremberg," and what I consider to be his finest role, "Inherit the Wind".
5 Runners-up: James Cagney, Fred Astaire, Edward G. Robinson, Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart. (Forgive me, Dawn, I couldn't help myself.)
Dawn: Errol Flynn, with his real-life adventures, lived every man's dream of a full life and maybe found himself typecast. I also loved Bette Davis, for her performances in, crime dramas, period films and romantic comedies. Laurence Olivier, was also known to perform in a wide variety of roles on stage and screen. I will never forget his performance in, "Wuthering Heights". Olivia de Havilland, was one of the most beloved actresses of all time. Spencer Tracy, an amazing actor who performed in 74 films in his career. What movie got you hooked on classic movies?
Becky:I remember distinctly being hooked on classic movies with Errol Flynn's "Captain Blood". Like most American kids of my age, I had seen "The Wizard of Oz" once a year since I was quite little, but it was with "Captain Blood" my real conscious decision for classic movies began.
Dawn: Captain Blood, is also one of my favorite pirate movies. Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland have wonderful on screen chemistry. What is your favorite classic movie?
Becky: "The Red Shoes" with Moira Shearer and Anton Walbrook. I remember my father taking me to a downtown theatre for a revival when I was 13 years old. It has everything I love, high drama, classical music, tour-de-force over-acting, ballet, incredible cinematography - it had a profound effect on me.
Dawn: You wont believe it when I tell you I have not had the opportunity to see the film, The Red Shoes. Who are your top 5 current favorite actors /actress?
Becky: Robert Duvall ("The Great Santini", "Tender Mercies"), Meryl Streep ("Sophie's Choice", "The Devil Wears Prada"), Marisa Tomei ("My Cousin Vinny", "The Wrestler"), Gary Oldman ("Sid and Nancy", "Bram Stoker's Dracula"), and Tom Hanks ("Philadelphia", "Castaway").
Thank you, Becky for taking the time to chat with us. Please check out Becky's blog located on the side bar. :)