Thank Your Lucky Stars (1943)

Note: This post is part of the John Garfield centennial blogathon hosted by Patti of They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To 

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This year marks the 70th Anniversary of Thank Your Lucky Stars, a spirit-lifting all-star musical from Warner Bros., featuring some of its top players in cameos, including  John Garfield. This year also marks the 100th anniversary of Mr. Garfield's birth (he was born March 4, 1913).

Olivia appears in the film too, in a short routine which I'll write about toward the end of this post.

All of the songs and dances are tied together in a plot involving two producers (Edward Everet Horton and SK Sakall) looking for stars to perform at their benefit concert.

The movie opens with Horton & Sakall in the audience of comedian Eddie Cantor's radio show in Hollywood, California. The show - one of the biggest variety shows on the air at the time - regularly featured singer Dinah Shore, and she appears in this film too, playing herself. After she performs, the producers are determined to recruit her for the benefit.

This was Ms Shore's first movie appearance, and she performs 3 songs in the film.  

Mr. Cantor has a duel role as himself and as a mild-mannered taxi driver, Joe.  Everyone mistakes Joe for the real Cantor, even Dinah at one point.

One of the funniest parts of the movie has Cantor trapped in a room with a bunch of dogs and maple syrup. There's no easy way to describe it; you just have to see it.

The other two actors driving the plot along - and adding a little romance to the movie - are Joan Leslie and Dennis Morgan playing aspiring showbiz performers. Joan shows off her comedic chops throughout the movie, and does a funny imitation of her Yankee Doodle Dandy co-star Jimmy Cagney (who's not in this picture).

John Garfield appears within the first 10 minutes and plays himself as a guest on the Cantor show. Paroding his tough guy image, he is seen "threatening" Cantor backstage before the two exchange some funny wisecracks on stage. He then performs a unique rendition of "Blues in the Night", which was first introduced in the 1941 Warner Bros. film of the same name and became a big hit. According to IMDb, Garfield was originally considered to play the lead in Blues in the Night, but for whatever reason he turned it down. Perhaps his singing the tune was a way to make amends.

John Garfield singing - one of the film's highlights 

And that's just the first star cameo. Many more are to come. Olivia de Havilland performs alongside Ida Lupino (her Devotion co-star) and George Tobias (her Strawberry Blond co-star) in a silly jitterbug dance. It's funny to see Olivia jive dancing and chewing bubblegum at the same time. This was a rare time Olivia ever sings in a film, although this is not entirely true because her voice was actually dubbed by another singer. Overall, the skit lasts only about 5 minutes; arguably, it's not one of the more memorable ones in the film. Sorry, Olivia.

Some other of my favorite bits in the film feature some of Olivia's best-known co-stars: Bette Davis, Errol Flynn, and Hattie MacDaniel.

"You're Never Too Young Or Two Old" is performed by Bette Davis, the first and only time she sings a song on film. And it's her own voice, too! In the number she laments the lack of available men during the war. The catchy song was nominated for an Oscar for Best Song that year.

"That's What You Jolly Well Get" is set in an English pub, and  Errol Flynn is amusing as a jolly chap who performs the song with a strong cockney accent and beer in hand. It's funny to see him in his handlebar mustache. One of the signs in the barroom reads "Drink Wine in Winter for Cold and In Summer for Heat". 

"Ice Cold Katie" features Hattie MacDaniel (as "The Gossip") in an ensemble number about a girl who will not return the affection of a young soldier (Willie Best) waiting at her doorstep. Ms McDaniel and a chorus of singers and dancers urge Katie to "marry that soldier".

"Katie" is played by Rita Christiani; "The Justice" is played by Jess Lee Brooks

Adding to the fun with various other musical numbers include Spike Jones & the City Slickers, Ann Sheridan, Alexis Smith, and  Alan Hale & Jack Carson.  

Non-musical cameos by Don Wilson, Frank Faylan, and Mike Mazurki as Cantor's bodyguard.

Humphrey Bogart is the only big name in the picture who does not sing or dance.

All of the stars in the film donated their salaries to the Hollywood Canteen, where solders came for entertainment during WW2 (Mr Garfield and Ms Davis were co-founders).

Thank Your Lucky Stars is available on DVD.

If you see it, you'll thank your lucky stars that you did!

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This post is featured in Patti's blogathon devoted to the films of John Garfield in celebration of Mr. Garfield's centennial year.

The Heiress (1949)

The Heiress (1949). Directed by William Wyler. Camera: Leo Tover. With Olivia de Havilland, Montgomery Clift, Ralph Richardson, Miriam Hopkins, Vanessa Brown, Betty Linley, Ray Collins, Mona Freeman, Selena Royle, Paul Lees, Harry Antrim, Russ Conway, David Thursby, Donald Kerr, Harry Pipe, Una Mortished, Ralph Sanford, Lester Dorr, Franklyn Farnum, Douglas Spencer, Jack Chefe.

A wealthy widowed physician Austin Sloper, does not understand why his socially awkward daughter Catherine, does not have all the wonderful qualities of her beautiful mother, even with all her schooling and training. Austin, asks his sister, Lavinia, to come stay with him to help teach his daughter social graces.

That night at a party, Austin's sister, Elizabeth and her husband Jefferson, announce the engagement of their daughter Marian to Arthur Townsend. Arthur's handsome cousin Morris, asks Catherine to dance. Although, she has two left feet, Morris does not seem to notice and asks if he could see her again. Morris, makes frequent visits to her home the following week, her father seems surprised that someone has taken any interest in his daughter.

One night, Lavinia pretends to have a headache and when she leaves Morris and Catherine alone together, he proposes. Catherine accepts, despite the fact Morris is unemployed, uneducated and squandered away his inheritance in Paris.

Catherine, who can not wait, announces her engagement to Austin, who then calls for Morris' sister, Mrs. Montgomery to come visit. She confirms Austin's suspicions, that Morris is after Catherine's substantial inheritance. Austin, convinces Catherine to travel with him to Europe for six months, and Morris promises to wait for her.

While Austin and Catherine are in Europe, Morris visits Lavinia and settles in to a luxurious life style. Austin, soon realizes that Catherine still still in love with Morris, and they return to New York. Where Austin, tells his daughter that because she is homely and dull, her only attraction is her money, and the only thing she does well is her neat embroidery work. Shocked by her father's feelings for her, Catherine plans to elope with Morris that night, and tells Morris her father's threat of disinheriting her. Catherine, is packed and ready and waiting, but, Morris never shows up. Lavinia, who agrees that Morris is a fortune-hunter, feels that he at least offered Catherine a small chance at happiness.

A week later, Austin becomes ill and Catherine learns that Morris has moved to California. Catherine, is heartbroken, and she refuses to see her father when as he lays dying.

Years later, Morris returns to see Catherine. Although she refuses to see him at first, she changes her mind when she hears his voice. Morris, then asks for her forgiveness and tells her the reason he left was so she would not loose her inheritance. Morris, proposes again, saying that he needs her love, and Catherine encourages him to elope that night. Will they now marry and live happily ever after?

Fun Fact:

Montgomery Clift learned to play the piano for the scene where he sings, "The Joys of Love" to Olivia de Havilland.

Olivia De Havilland's, performance from a naive girl to a bitter woman is perfectly believable. Montgomery Clift, performance was just right for his part as a fortune hunter. It is hard to know which side to root for.. You might agree with Dr. Sloper's thoughts about Morris and only wants to protect his daughter. Morris could be a fortune hunter, or he could be a man who could make her happy. A wonderfully told story.

Santa Fe Trail (1940)

Santa Fe Trail(1940). Western directed by Michael Curtiz. Cast: Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland. The film was the seventh of eight films that Flynn-de Havilland made together. The outdoor scenes were filmed at the Lasky Movie Ranch, on the Lasky Mesa area of the Simi Hills in the western San Fernando Valley.

The story begins when Cadet Carl Rader, is dishonorably discharged from West Point Academy for conspiracy. His friends Jeb Stuart and George Custer, graduate and are assigned to duty at the most dangerous post in the army. While traveling, Custer and Stuart meet Cyrus Halliday, the man responsible for building the railroad and his daughter, Kit Carson. After arriving at the fort, they find Brown's army, has been terrorizing the countryside with their raids.

During a raid on a wagon, Stuart and Custer capture Brown's injured son Jason and before dying, Jason tells them where his father's hideout is. In disguise, Stuart rides into the hide out and is recognized by Rader, who takes him at gunpoint to Brown. Stuart, finds himself trapped in a burning barn but is saved by Custer and his troops. Brown does not go down without a fight.



Olivia De Havilland, plays a Calamity Jane type character, who gave Errol Flynn and Ronald Reagan as George A. Custer, a run for their money.

Errol Flynn(20 June 1909 – 14 October 1959), was best known for his romantic swashbuckler roles and his flamboyant lifestyle.

Flynn co-starred with Olivia de Havilland in eight films, Captain Blood (1935), The Charge of the Light Brigade (1936), The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), Four's a Crowd (1938), Dodge City (1939), The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939), Santa Fe Trail (1940), and They Died with Their Boots On (1941.

Highlights from The Film Noir Blogathon 2011

Well the 2nd annual Film Preservation Blogthon finished up yesterday and - according to co-host The Siren - over $5,000 was raised to benefit the Film Noir Foundation and the restoration of the 1950 film The Sound of Fury, starring Frank Lovejoy and Lloyd Bridges. You can still donate to the blogathon, even just a small amount.

There were so many great entries. At least three posts discussed films starring Olivia de Havilland, and at least one post discussed a noir starring Joan Fontaine.

A few highlights:

The Dark Mirror - Ivan has written an excellent analysis

More on The Dark Mirror in a post by Vince Keenan who attended the Noir City Film Festival last month in San Francisco.

The Snake Pit is among a number of films discussed in David Steece's post on Oscar-nominated cinematographer Leo Tover.

1948's Kiss The Blood Off My Hands starring Joan and Burt Lancaster. Here's a capsule review of  the film.

Congratulations to all who put together the fundraiser.

Greg from Cinema Styles put together this great video for the blogathon:

Trailer for "Santa Fe Trail" (1940)

"..and the match for them, all, the lovely Olivia de Havilland...in her most exciting role since Gone With the Wind!"

Olivia de Havilland, Errol Flynn, Ronald Reagan

Monty has a great post today on the films of Olivia and Errol.
Mythical Monkey has a great post today on Ronald Reagan,
who was born on February 6, 1911 (100 year anniversary)