Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on August 23, 2012

Irene Dunne and Cary Grant made three pictures together.  Far too few for this fan.  Those were, Leo McCarey’s, The Awful Truth (1937), Garson Kanin’s, My Favorite Wife (1940) and George Stevens’, Penny Serenade (1941).  The first post I ever did for a blogathon was on their first   read more

Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on August 22, 2012

The blogosphere is all abuzz this week in celebration of the life and work of Gene Kelly.  Today would have been his 100th birthday.  I just had to do something to honor him.  By way of a simple tribute to him and my (sentimental) favorite of his films, I jump...   read more

Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on August 21, 2012

This is by far the most difficult post I’ve ever tried to write. I’ve thought about it since I first saw the announcement for the Summer Under the Stars (SUTS) blogathon hosted by Michael and Jill.  I believe that’s over a month ago.  That’s not my usual M.O.   But...   read more

Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on August 11, 2012

There are countless, unforgettable films made during the golden age of Hollywood that were the result of “accidents,” where for one reason or another stars or directors ended up on a film because it was meant to be.  The Barkleys of Broadway is one of those. Kismet:  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer   read more

Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on August 6, 2012

The Broadway production of “A Raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry opened at the Ethel Barrymore Theater in New York on March 11, 1959, ran for 530 performances and was nominated for the 1960 Tony Award (New York City) for Best Play.  Both Sidney Poitier and Claudia McNeil received T   read more

Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on August 4, 2012

On the day that Turner Classic Movies (TCM) is honoring one of cinemas greatest actors, Claude Rains, I am confessing my unwavering love for Captain Louis Renault in a simple but heartfelt post.  Captain Renault is the scheming, cheating, back-stabbing, lying, womanizing, corrupt prefect in Casablan   read more

Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on August 1, 2012

“Life is not a having and a getting, but a being and a becoming.” Today is Myrna Loy day on Turner Classic Movies (TCM).  This would have been her 107th birthday and I can’t resist jumping on the blogging  bandwagon and dedicating a post to the Hollywood legend.  I watched...   read more

Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on July 31, 2012

Starting today is a blogathon extravaganza.  Michael of Scribehard on Film and Jill of Sittin’ On a Backyard Fence are hosting a month-long Summer Under The Stars (SUTS) blogathon to coincide with the Turner Classic Movies (TCM) schedule.  Classic film bloggers the world over will be posting n   read more

Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on July 25, 2012

There are movies.  And then there are MOVIES. WWII has just ended and three servicemen meet on their way back home to the town of Boone City.  Air Force Captain Fred Derry, Infantry Sergeant Al Stephenson and Sailor Homer Parrish.  During the day-long journey home, the three men forge a...   read more

Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on July 17, 2012

Another blogathon!  One with character! This summer is proving to be a landmark in the classic film blogosphere.  Events are planned covering an array of fabulous classic films, movie stars and topics on all things movies. Borrowing a catch-phrase from our beloved, home of the classics, Turner Class   read more

Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on July 16, 2012

One of the few, true triple threats in American cinema would have turned 101 years old today.  I haven’t a clue how to put into words the joy she’s brought to so many through the years by way of her extraordinary talents.  I never tire of watching Ginger Rogers.  As...   read more

Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on July 15, 2012

For the most part, I am not a fan of film remakes and am certainly against the remaking of great classic films.  There’s just no need for it.  Remakes are very rarely any good – especially when compared to the originals.  My feeling is leave our classics alone and expose new...   read more

Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on July 14, 2012

You may have heard that  Universal Studios is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. To celebrate, they will be restoring and reissuing some of its classics. A few of which may appear in theaters near you as special releases so be on the look-out! I wanted to post a personal homage to...   read more

Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on July 13, 2012

“Doo-dloo-doo-doo-doo Doo-dloo-doo-doo-doo-doo Doo-dloo-doo-doo-doo-doo Doo-dloo-doo-doo-doo-doo… I’m singing in the rain Just singing in the rain What a glorious feelin’ I’m happy again…” I spent the entire night “Doo-dloo-doo ing.”  It&#   read more

Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on July 12, 2012

In 1924, MGM was formed by a merger of Louis B. Mayer’s Metro Pictures Company with the Goldwyn Pictures Corporation. Under Mayer’s influence, MGM productions were characterized by elaborate sets, gorgeous costuming and pretty girls. Such pictures as Ben-Hur, Grand Hotel and The Good Earth gai   read more

Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on July 9, 2012

“And now a little diddy for all you bloggers out there in the airwaves.  My contribution to The Best Hitchcock films Hitchcock Never Made blogathon, hosted by the fabulous Tales of the Easily Distracted and Classic Becky’s Brain Food .  From an era gone by, misty memories.” _______   read more

Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on July 7, 2012

Following is one of my earliest classic movie memories as I shared it on The Cinementals site, a random post on June 5.  It’s on a movie that means the world to me, that was a revelation and one, which I thought was my little secret, Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly’s ON THE TOWN (1949).  Let...   read more

Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on July 3, 2012

I posted the following on the anniversary of Errol Flynn’s birthday on June 20 as that day’s entry of the Cinemental Journey on the former The Cinementals site.  But in looking at him in Vincent Sherman’s, THE ADVENTURES OF DON JUAN (1948) on Turner Classic Movies it occurs to me...   read more

Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on June 29, 2012

I was given an assignment – to submit an essay discussing Douglas Sirk’s 1959 melodrama, Imitation of Life in a “Career Women in Film” course I took some time ago.  Since the topic didn’t thrill me, I submitted the following essay, which certainly addresses the topic but also includes some,...   read more

Once Upon a Screen Posted by Aurora on June 24, 2012

This is a special tribute originally submitted as part of the “Cinemental Journey” daily series on The Cinementals site in celebration of what would have been Judy’s 90th birthday.  I am re-posting it here because I don’t want this one to fall into obscurity.  Judy Garland sh   read more