Such a Nifty Couple

Hide-Out:  the movie simply cries out for a follow-up episode.  Yes, will prison turn Lucky into a real bad guy?  Will Pauline be still waiting for him?  Will Lucky be able to "go straight"?  Will Willie (Mickey Rooney) still be a pest?  Can you just imagine how cute their kids could be?  

                      Bob and Maureen O'Sullivan in Hide-Out (1934)

  It's easy to tell Bob and Maureen enjoyed working together.  Cuteness Personified!

The Ever-Dapper Mr. Powell

It's a very Happy Birthday greeting to the delightful Mr. William Powell, born July 29th, 1892.  He's one of those rather rare celebrities one would like to meet, with little fear of disappointment.  

Ah, the suave, most elegant, etc., etc. younger Mr. Powell.  Takes me back to my smoking days when I could sit back with cigarette in hand and dream of Bill asking if I would like a light.  Rrff.

Then there is the 1947 version of Mr. Powell as Clarence Day in Life With Father.  It's two decades later, but he is still the suave gent dressed impeccably.  

And a delightful caricature of Bill found on a cigarette trade card from England.  Yes, quite the dapper gent.  

Quite the Relief ... Turns out to be a good movie!!

Yes, Letty Lynton has FINALLY arrived in Bakersfield (all the way from LA?).  Hopefully everyone else has theirs as well.  Thoroughly enjoyed watching it without getting a mild headache squinting for a clearer image.  Beautiful print.  Bob just perfect in his first scene wearing that gorgeous white suit.  Had warned my husband we'd be watching it the same day it arrived.  He actually laughed out loud during the scene with Jerry and Letty in the boat's dining room.  Their exchange of one-liners is really quite good.  One of my favorite scenes is with Bob running up a flight of steps while carrying Joan.  He was in good shape, for sure.  Anyway, the nifty thing is that he stops his run with one step to go, one foot still in camera range.  You'd think there would've been a landing for him to step onto and put Joan down, but...or maybe he just ran out of gas!  

Anyway, it is a most enjoyable watch.  A beautiful print with beautiful stars and a decent enough storyline, especially for a 1932 movie.  That's only three years since the advent of the talkies.  Such a long time ago.  And we're just now getting to enjoy it.  For me it was worth the wait.  

Now, if someone would hunt down a copy of Three Live Ghosts(1929) ... Or a decent copy of Unfinished Business (1941).  Or Hell Below on DVD.  Or .... at least the list is one movie shorter!

                  Bob and Joan Crawford in Letty Lynton (1932)

Happy Birthday, Mr. Cagney!

 James Francis Cagney, born this day July 17th on the lower east side of Manhattan in 1899.    A compelling performer.  For sure.  

Just love the print below.  All that energy bundled up and ready to explode.  Dig the eyelashes.  I'm envious.  

A mustache worked okay for young Mr. Cagney, in his tough guy roles in particular.  Much better than Bob.  For sure.  

Jim and best friend Frank McHugh practicing being tough with one another.  I wonder how many movies they made together.  

Aaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrggggggggghhhhhhh, Part 2!

 So....Amazon has delayed the (hopeful) delivery of the Letty Lynton DVD once again, until July 20 to July 22.  And they actually asked if I still wanted my order.  Aaarrghh!  These people just don't get it.  Waiting all these years .... sigh.  (I know ... get a grip, woman!)

               Nils Asther and Joan Crawford, Letty Lynton (1932)

Meanwhile, June Bride (1948) is available for streaming on TCM until August 11th and When Ladies Meet (1933) only until July 18th.