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Showing posts with label Rosemary Clooney. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rosemary Clooney. Show all posts
Monday, December 03, 2018
favorite movie #98 - holiday edition: white christmas
Favorite movies that have had an impact on me - #96 - White Christmas! (1954) - There's so much I love about this film. The banter between Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye (I much prefer them as a duo to Bing and Bob Hope), the bright, splashy Irving Berlin musical numbers (except for the problematic minstrel number, but at least they left out the blackface that was in Holiday Inn), the amazing dance done by Danny Kaye and Vera-Ellen, Bing's bluer-than-blue eyes, and his romancing Rosemary Clooney over a liverwurst sandwich. I could go on and on and watch it every year (probably more than once during December).
Sunday, November 18, 2012
holiday movies — white christmas
The kid has been super-excited about Christmas lately. We put some holiday-themed decals on our windows yesterday afternoon and in the evening she pulled out two holiday movies to watch. Her first choice was White Christmas with Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Vera Ellen and Rosemary Clooney. The apple doesn't fall very far from the tree. This is one of my favorites, and last year I bought it on Blu-ray. It was like seeing a completely different movie. Of course the huge HD television screen helps, but I was once again amazed at how great the movie looks. The bright colors and details of the sets just pop. And who knew that Bing Crosby's eyes were so blue? But what I love best about White Christmas is Danny Kaye. The man could do anything, as he so elegantly proves in this dance number with Vera Ellen, "The Best Things Happen While You're Dancing."
Kaye was actually second choice to play the role of Crosby's sidekick. The movie was originally written as a vehicle for Crosby and Fred Astaire, who turned down the role. Kaye signed on after Astaire's replacement, Donald O'Connor, dropped out. Although I love Fred Astaire, he is not missed in this film. Kaye is perfect. Check out the dance clip when he spins around a pole around the 2:11 mark. Gorgeous. That's the same guy who could be goofy (and funny) as hell in The Court Jester?
The kid got tired out before the movie finished, and feel asleep before the big Technicolor finale, so I have a feeling we will be screening this one again before Christmas actually hits. I'm O.K. with that. I may have to look up The Court Jester, too.
Kaye was actually second choice to play the role of Crosby's sidekick. The movie was originally written as a vehicle for Crosby and Fred Astaire, who turned down the role. Kaye signed on after Astaire's replacement, Donald O'Connor, dropped out. Although I love Fred Astaire, he is not missed in this film. Kaye is perfect. Check out the dance clip when he spins around a pole around the 2:11 mark. Gorgeous. That's the same guy who could be goofy (and funny) as hell in The Court Jester?
The kid got tired out before the movie finished, and feel asleep before the big Technicolor finale, so I have a feeling we will be screening this one again before Christmas actually hits. I'm O.K. with that. I may have to look up The Court Jester, too.
Friday, February 11, 2011
i want a frittata ... made by Stanley Tucci
Article first published as DVD Review: Big Night on Blogcritics.
I just rewatched Big Night and it is as wonderful and heartbreaking and inspiring as ever. There is so much to love in this film, from the fabulous soundtrack of songs by Louis Prima, Rosemary Clooney and others, to the great ensemble cast of Stanley Tucci, Tony Shalhoub, Minnie Driver, Ian Hom, Isabella Rosselini, Allison Janney and Campbell Scott—to the amazing food, food, food. I still have yet to attempt the signature dish timpano, but this movie makes me want to try.
The movie was written by Tucci with Joseph Tropiano and directed by Tucci and co-star Campbell Scott. Like the infamous timpano, the film is a labor of love in how it portrays the difficulty two Italian immigrant brothers find in adapting to their new country, while at the same time wanting to hold onto and share the culture of Italy and their family with their new friends. Older brother and chef Primo, played by Shalhoub, is in despair that diners at the brothers' restaurant want Italian-American fare—a side of spaghetti with everything. Rival restaurant owner Ian Holm is more than willing to give the people what they want. Restaurant manager Tucci just wants to succeed in his new country and provide a showcase for his talented brother.
The movie builds and builds its momentum, with the viewer and every character in the movie wanting the brothers to succeed on their big night—a chance to cook a feast for popular Italian-American bandleader Louis Prima and his band. Images like the burning wrappers of the amaretti give the viewer clues along the way, but the final scene, my favorite, says so much without the actors saying a single word. Food, love, life is what matters to these brothers—as Shaloub's character Primo says, "To eat good food is to be close to God."
I just rewatched Big Night and it is as wonderful and heartbreaking and inspiring as ever. There is so much to love in this film, from the fabulous soundtrack of songs by Louis Prima, Rosemary Clooney and others, to the great ensemble cast of Stanley Tucci, Tony Shalhoub, Minnie Driver, Ian Hom, Isabella Rosselini, Allison Janney and Campbell Scott—to the amazing food, food, food. I still have yet to attempt the signature dish timpano, but this movie makes me want to try.
The movie was written by Tucci with Joseph Tropiano and directed by Tucci and co-star Campbell Scott. Like the infamous timpano, the film is a labor of love in how it portrays the difficulty two Italian immigrant brothers find in adapting to their new country, while at the same time wanting to hold onto and share the culture of Italy and their family with their new friends. Older brother and chef Primo, played by Shalhoub, is in despair that diners at the brothers' restaurant want Italian-American fare—a side of spaghetti with everything. Rival restaurant owner Ian Holm is more than willing to give the people what they want. Restaurant manager Tucci just wants to succeed in his new country and provide a showcase for his talented brother.
The movie builds and builds its momentum, with the viewer and every character in the movie wanting the brothers to succeed on their big night—a chance to cook a feast for popular Italian-American bandleader Louis Prima and his band. Images like the burning wrappers of the amaretti give the viewer clues along the way, but the final scene, my favorite, says so much without the actors saying a single word. Food, love, life is what matters to these brothers—as Shaloub's character Primo says, "To eat good food is to be close to God."
Sunday, December 20, 2009
snow, snow, snow, snow . . .snow!
Seems perfect for the blizzard of 2009.
White Christmas is one of my favorite holiday movies. It's corny in parts, And has the classic girl misunderstands boy plot that drives me nuts. But it has some wonderful numbers, courtesy of Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Danny Kaye and Vera-Ellen. My favorite is "Snow." I love how they make the winter scene out of two napkins as they wait for their "snow" cocktails.
White Christmas is one of my favorite holiday movies. It's corny in parts, And has the classic girl misunderstands boy plot that drives me nuts. But it has some wonderful numbers, courtesy of Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Danny Kaye and Vera-Ellen. My favorite is "Snow." I love how they make the winter scene out of two napkins as they wait for their "snow" cocktails.
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