Classic Reel Girl Posted by BG Voita on September 13, 2015

Armed with an arsenal of tech tools, Kleenex boxes, and freshly sharpened pencils, I returned to the classroom front mid-August. Before the natives arrived, I revised lessons, dusted and arranged furniture, designed bulletin boards, hung up inspiration posters, and sat through the annual workplace s   read more

Classic Reel Girl Posted by BG Voita on August 4, 2015

On August 5th, TCM will celebrate one of the greatest--if not THE greatest--dancers to ever grace the silver screen: Fred Astaire. While the plots of his films are sometimes criticized for their (delightful) fluff, one aspect that cannot be disputed is the dance. Ever the perfectionist, Astaire's te   read more

Classic Reel Girl Posted by BG Voita on July 31, 2015

How well do you know your musicals? Can you recognize them if given only a partial picture? Take the quiz below and find out. Each of the dance routines debuted in a movie released in July of its year. Guess whose legs they are. Then give yourself a bonus if...   read more

Classic Reel Girl Posted by BG Voita on July 4, 2015

For this fourth, I thought it might be fun to revisit favorite posts devoted to Yankee Doodle Dandy, James Cagney's performance, and the Yankee Doodle Boy himself, George M. Cohan. Enjoy! James Cagney Yankee Doodle Dandy Where were you in 42 at ImagineMDD - Thorough post covering background i   read more

Classic Reel Girl Posted by BG Voita on June 30, 2015

Getting in just under the wire, here are dance routines which debuted in June of their release years. (Some premiered, others were wide-released in the month.) Guess whose legs these are. Then give yourself a bonus if you can name the movie. 1) 2) Hint: June premiere in Miami 3)...   read more

Classic Reel Girl Posted by BG Voita on June 27, 2015

This is part of the Classic Movie History Project Blogathon hosted by Movies Silently, Silver Screenings, and Once Upon a Screen and sponsored by Flicker Alley. To read more amazing posts covering film history, click here. Note: There will be spoilers in this post. Since the beginning, dance   read more

Classic Reel Girl Posted by BG Voita on June 23, 2015

ISBN 978-1-4391-4027-7 Last November I was fortunate enough to win a copy of Hope by Richard Zoglin from Aurora at Once Upon a Screen. I spent the next six months slowly consuming the book. (This has nothing to do with the writing, which is superb. I'm just a busy gal...   read more

Classic Reel Girl Posted by BG Voita on June 18, 2015

It is almost three months late, but here is the conclusion of my TCM Film Festival adventure. (Curious about the first days? Click for Day One and Day Two.) Day Three - Sightseeing Sunday morning brought us another must-see movie: Theatrical Poster Since mom spotted me for 42nd Street, I   read more

Classic Reel Girl Posted by BG Voita on May 29, 2015

Is it spring fever that makes May such a popular month to release a musical? Here are five dance routines which debuted in films during May of their release years. Guess whose legs these are. Then give yourself a bonus if you can name the movie. 1) 2) 3) 4)...   read more

Classic Reel Girl Posted by BG Voita on May 26, 2015

This is a continuation of my adventure at the 2015 TCM Film Festival. Read about the first day here. Day Two - A Couple of Hollywood Gals After our late night adventure, I was torn between sleep and Why Be Good? (1929) the following morning. Raquel's (Out of the Past...   read more

Classic Reel Girl Posted by BG Voita on May 16, 2015

This post is part of the My Favorite Classic Movie Blogathon in celebration of National Classic Movie Day (May 16th). Click here to view the schedule listing all the great posts in this blogathon. I have a confession to make. The Sound of Music (1965) is not my absolute number...   read more

Classic Reel Girl Posted by BG Voita on May 12, 2015

Senior year during high school, my student government teacher took us outside and sat us in a circle. He asked the following: If you could dine with someone famous--living or dead, past or present--who would you select? Why? The answers ranged from the conventional (George Washington, Abraha   read more

Classic Reel Girl Posted by BG Voita on April 26, 2015

Where oh where has April gone? Couldn't let the month pass without celebrating the dance routines which debuted in films during April of their release year. Guess whose legs these are. Then give yourself a bonus if you can name the movie. 1) NY premiere was March 31st, but April...   read more

Classic Reel Girl Posted by BG Voita on April 3, 2015

This is part of the 2015 Pre-Code Blogathon hosted by Danny at Pre-code.com and Karen at Shadows and Satin. Read more fantastic posts by clicking here. The acting is rough, the sound and lighting need work, but for anyone who has ever been thrown over for someone new, Consolation Marriage...   read more

Classic Reel Girl Posted by BG Voita on March 24, 2015

With only a few days left until the annual TCM Film Festival, I have this year's theme, History According to Hollywood, on the brain. I go back and forth on my film choices, wanting to hear the discussion connected with the "herstory" films, but also wanting to see old favorites...   read more

Classic Reel Girl Posted by BG Voita on March 16, 2015

These dance routines debuted in films during March of their release year. Each of the golden decades ('30s, '40s, '50s, and '60s) is represented. Guess whose legs these are. Then give yourself a bonus if you can name the movie. 1) 2) 3) Okay, this is an easy one. 4)...   read more

Classic Reel Girl Posted by BG Voita on February 28, 2015

A little late as we are already a few months into the new year, but what the heck, why not? Here are my favorite film finds from 2014: 1) Sunday in New York (1963) - Without a doubt, this is my top find in 2014. I discovered this film on...   read more

Classic Reel Girl Posted by BG Voita on February 14, 2015

George Burns and Gracie Allen They may not have the onscreen sizzle of Bogie and Bacall, but for my money George Burns and Gracie Allen take the cake for the most romantic, enduring Hollywood couple. I know, I know. Unusual choice, but bear with me. George Burns and Gracie Allen...   read more

Classic Reel Girl Posted by BG Voita on February 9, 2015

Each of these dance routines first graced theatres in February of their release year. Guess whose legs these are. Then give yourself a bonus if you can name the movie. 1) 2) 3) 4)   read more

Classic Reel Girl Posted by BG Voita on January 31, 2015

Or is it Hope and Crosby??? When it comes to dueling divas, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope are probably not the first pair that come to mind. However, during their Road movies, the two got into plenty of "duels" - over money, over women--Dorothy Lamour in particular, and over who...   read more