[BRONXGIRL'S MOTHER, HENRY FONDA'S HIRSUTENESS, ETC.]

It requires time to accept. It was of recent the fifth anniversary of my mother passing. I feel that it may be that I will never truly recover.

 

This will be a time of great distinction between the public you and the private you. Do not try to carry the brave public face into your private time. It does not help. My grandmother would say that a lady would at all times appear to be a graceful swan gliding elegantly across a lake and that she would never let any person see that below the surface she was paddling like crazy. Be a strong and brave lady with all those you meet and allow the tears to flow freely as they wish when you are alone. 

 

We are here for what you need.

 

You have our sympathy and our prayers.

 

 

SansFin, please accept my deepest sympathies and prayers for your mom's passing.  Two of the hardest things in life -- holding on and letting go.

 

I will shed many tears for my mother in private in the coming days, weeks, months and years, but will not break down in front of relatives and friends at Mom's funeral next week.  I refuse to be reduced to a blubbery heap anywhere but in the privacy of my own space, and believe me, I am a world class blubberer.

 

Thanks so much, my friend, for your comfort and support.

[BRONXGIRL'S MOTHER, HENRY FONDA'S HIRSUTENESS, ETC.]

Barb:

So sorry for your loss. You Mom was a pip, and I enjoyed all the stories. Nice to see some of the old gang post here again. We miss you around here.

 

Rich

 

 

Rich, it's wonderful to see you -- thank you so much.  I'm very grateful you enjoyed Mom here on her very own thread. 

 

I have to tell you that after taking care of necessary paperwork and planning my mother's final resting place (i.e., being the adult) I treated myself to FROM HELL IT CAME.   It was even more deliciously awful than I remembered.

[BRONXGIRL'S MOTHER, HENRY FONDA'S HIRSUTENESS, ETC.]

Barb. whenever you absented yourself from here for any length of time I tended to worry a bit about this. And so, condolences on the passing of your mother. And thank you for sharing her with us all these years. Always pure delight at her musings and in your telling. God bless you and your mother and be kind to yourself in the days ahead.

 

This thread is a sort of monument now. I'm glad you mentioned periodic best-bit retrievals. I'll never think of hirsuteness again (ha!) without a parallel thought for Henry Fonda and of course your dear mother. I like the "Etc..." part of the title, because there is so much more.

 

My mom died in 2009, age 94 --- you have my deepest sympathy for what you're going through now.

 

Do take care, Barb

 

laffite

 

 

 

Matey, I'm sorry to hear about the passing of your own mother.  

 

Thank you so much for your kind and generous words about Mom.  She really was a Gracie Allen character when it came to movie critiques.  Mom knew what she liked and what she didn't, and never hesitated to let us know, even if plots and actors were occasionally (or should I say often) mixed up.

 

Over the course of about four years her dementia was progressive as it always is, and she had to move from her apartment to assisted living, then a nursing home.  Her hospice care was a blessing -- Mom did not suffer at the end. 

[BRONXGIRL'S MOTHER, HENRY FONDA'S HIRSUTENESS, ETC.]

Although I am relatively new to this thread, I am very sorry to hear this news. I wonder if your mother and my mother met in a parallel universe: They share so many movie and movie star likes!

 

I am looking forward to your re-posts. And I hope posting them will make the upcoming days easier for you.

 

 

Marianne, you already sound like an old friend!  How wonderful and fun that our two moms enjoyed similiar movie memories.

 

Thank you so much for sharing this with me, and for your kind thoughts.

 

I'm not sure how far back I can go on this thread but I'm hoping I can retrieve some of Mom's best bits.

[BRONXGIRL'S MOTHER, HENRY FONDA'S HIRSUTENESS, ETC.]

Your Mom was tops Barb! So sad to hear this news.

 

I loved hearing her thoughts on films and always enjoyed the conversations between you both that you would lovingly share with us. 

 

These past years you have been by her side through all the ups and downs. That is a treasure that can never be taken from you.

 

Take care of yourself during the difficult days ahead.  

 

Sending big hugs to you my dear friend.

 

God bless you and your wonderful mom.

 

 

Molo my dear friend, you are a very special and loving person and I'm so grateful to know you.  We had two very wonderful, strong mothers. 

 

They will live in our hearts forever.

 

Blessings.

[BRONXGIRL'S MOTHER, HENRY FONDA'S HIRSUTENESS, ETC.]

Much love to you, dear girl. And God bless you as you remember her. It is never easy to say goodbye to the ones we love and  I know she will be dearly missed.

 

You took such good care of her and the stories you have told of your many conversations with her always brought a smile. So now it is time to take good care of yourself, little missy and know that many here are sending you love, and warm thoughts.

 

May God grant you his peace and bless you with his comfort now and always. Sending a huge hug your way, dear friend.

 

Kathy, I am so blessed to know you.  You are an angel here on Earth, bringing me your compassion, wisdom, and spiritual comfort.

 

Thanks, twinnie.

[BRONXGIRL'S MOTHER, HENRY FONDA'S HIRSUTENESS, ETC.]

This is sad news. But what a treat it was to "meet" her through your stories. Sounds like she lived a full life in addition to raising a fine daughter.

 

I hope the sadness you have today will soon give way to wonderful memories. Know that so many people here liked her and we are grateful you brought her to us.

 

My sincere condolences. Prayers for you and the family.

 

Regards,

Chris

 

 

Chris, your generous and kind words touch me so much.  Thank you my friend.  Mom loved you all.

[BRONXGIRL'S MOTHER, HENRY FONDA'S HIRSUTENESS, ETC.]

I am very sorry for your loss. She had a long and interesting life and passed peacefully. Those are all great blessings. That she instilled in you a love of classics movies proves she was a good person at heart and wished to share the good things in the world with those she loved.

 

You have my sympathy for what you will experience in the coming weeks. Allow yourself to grieve. Allow the acceptance of her passing to come naturally. Do not try to overthink it or try to conquer the feelings. It is a difficult time and only time can heal the wounds.

 

You are in our prayers. 

 

 

SansFin, thank you so much for your words of comfort.  It is still rather surreal for me.  Things haven't really sunk in yet, even though I'm coordinating and attending to all the arrangements with a clear head and a deceptively calm exterior.

[BRONXGIRL'S MOTHER, HENRY FONDA'S HIRSUTENESS, ETC.]

Dear TCM Friends,

 

My mom, aka Bronxgirl's Mother, passed away peacefully this afternoon at a hospice center here in Boca Raton.  She was 96 years old.  Her heart just gave out.

 

Mom was famous for her incisive and unintentionally hilarious film reviews, a few of which I'll track down and re-post.

 

Her favorite actresses were Bette Davis and Joan Crawford.  She adored Clark Gable and William Holden, not necessarily for their talent.  Ronald Colman caused a few flutters as well. 

 

Mom was very fond of LOVE IS A MANY-SPLENDORED THING,  NOW VOYAGER, MILDRED PIERCE and GONE WITH THE WIND.

 

She never cared for the original KING KONG.  Told it was a classic, Mom would reply:  "A giant gorilla is silly"

 

Mom would ask me if Cary Grant and John Garfield were still alive, but I put that down to her increasing dementia. 

 

I would like her thread to continue.

[RAMBLES Part II]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That sounds excellent.  I will be watching it in the very near future.  I have ten A&C pics to watch.

 

 

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES, even though I can't believe you've never seen it before!  Gale Sondergaard plays a mediumistic housekeeper (I won't spoil what Binnie Barnes says to her by way of introduction) who conducts a seance to contact "the ghosts of the well" and find out why their spirits are bound to Danbury Manor until "crack of doom". The seance scene has some genuinely spooky moments which are satisfyingly interwoven with the comedy elements, two years before the boys meet Frankenstein.

 

 

Ha!  You remember correctly, she does raise the eyebrow more than once!  Poor Claire.  The rest of the cast was so darn bland and cardboard.  I'm gonna check out The Hard Way.

 

THE HARD WAY requires some suspension of disbelief as we are supposed to believe that Joan Leslie's character suddenly blossoms into a great Broadway musical star.  Jack Carson is excellent in a sympathetic dramatic role, and Dennis Morgan is very believable as an ostensibly love 'em and leave 'em type who has Ida's number, and she doesn't like it, lol.  

 

Actually now that I think about it there is another Claire Trevor film where she's over the top but I can't remember the name of it.  It's a noir of sorts, with Lawrence Tierney as a stone-cold killer she falls for and tangles with.  Heavy handed all around as I remember.

 

 

 

You haven't seen the 1935 She?  Now that shocks me, actually.  You must watch that one.  Helen Gahagan plays the icy "She" and it's her only film appearance.  She's quite an attraction.  She brings just the right amount of ice and eccentricity to the role that makes the film.  Also, the film has a better journey to reach the hidden kingdom.  Randolph Scott and Nigel Bruce are the key travelers.

 

 

Just saw this on YouTube!  But it's the colorized version.  I must tell you that Helen Gahagan looks a bit like Fanny Brice, and old enough to be Randolph Scott's mother.  She doesn't conjure up timeless sexual allure the way Ursula does.  However Gahagan does have some acting chops, and world-weary soulful eyes that do convey a sense of that long, long wait.  But a goddess she ain't.  Helen Mack was my favorite character.  She's the very heart and soul of the story.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[RAMBLES Part II]

Thanks so much, Scottie.  Mom and I are hanging in there.

 

THIS IS THE NIGHT -- Thelma Todd cheating on Cary Grant with Roland Young and Charlie Ruggles??  Sounds like a science fiction film, lol.

 

I don't remember LITTLE GIANT too well and should revisit it, but for me the most unique A&C teaming is THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES.  Bud and Lou both play double roles in different centuries.  Marjorie Reynolds is charming as "Mistress Melody" and there are a lot of picturesque moments but then, I'm a sucker for Early American history and ghost stories.

 

HARD, FAST AND BEAUTIFUL reminds me of another Ida Lupino movie, but not as a director -- THE HARD WAY, where Ida plays a frustrated housewife who tries to realize her ambitions through a younger sister.  Same "stage mother" plot in both, but I find HARD, FAST AND BEAUTIFUL pretty trite  I've never seen Claire Trevor give a bad performance but here she's none too subtle and, if I remember correctly, actually arches her eyebrows before every new ruthless machination.

 

I haven't seen the 1935 SHE, but its Hammer remake is very dull.  Christopher Lee is relegated to a rather muted supporting role.  Peter Cushing just seems to be going through the motions.  Ursula Andress is appropriately icy and seductive, but can't act.

[BRONXGIRL'S MOTHER, HENRY FONDA'S HIRSUTENESS, ETC.]

Hi, matey! First of all, HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY to you and all my TCM family!

 

Can't tell you how much I LOVED this train ride!  Oh my gosh, it went through all the South of France cities I'd love to visit -- Ville-Franche, Menton, Eze, and what a surprise when they arrived in Monte Carlo!  That was totally unexpected, seeing the stylish station and those casually chic people with lots of shopping bags.  Yes, the tunnels were scary! Every time I saw one coming I cringed, lol.  

 

Thanks so much, my friend!

 

Here is my Valentine's Day video for everyone:

 

!

[RAMBLES Part II]

Hope to be back here soon!

 

Love you all.

[BRONXGIRL'S MOTHER, HENRY FONDA'S HIRSUTENESS, ETC.]

Happy New Year, molo!  Hope everyone had a safe and fun holiday.

 

I'm enjoying the Hitchcock and Twilight Zone marathons on TCM and the Syfy Channel.

 

I laid in a tasty supply of snacks -- lox, cream cheese, bagels, fresh squeezed orange juice, Stella D'Oro Breakfast Treats, Cape Cod smoked gouda potato chips (a limited flavor), and Pepperidge Farm German Chocolate cake.

 

Watched THE MUMMY'S GHOST last night on Svengoolie.  It must be the dullest of the Mummy sequels.  Ramsey Ames makes an attractive reincarnated Princess Ananka but her acting skills are limited.  Ditto for Robert Lowery.  They're a snooze-worthy couple.  (the Toto dog is cute, though, and more animated than anyone else in this movie)

[BRONXGIRL'S MOTHER, HENRY FONDA'S HIRSUTENESS, ETC.]

Ha! I think I know what you mean about Dudley -- Cary puts an uneasy spin of mystery and sexual allure into his angel.  You never know if he's about to plant a kiss or let loose the demons of Hell to teach us a lesson, lol.   Don't get me wrong -- I do love Clarence but wouldn't want to spend New Year's Eve with him, if you get my drift.  (oooh, I'm bad)

[BRONXGIRL'S MOTHER, HENRY FONDA'S HIRSUTENESS, ETC.]

!

[BRONXGIRL'S MOTHER, HENRY FONDA'S HIRSUTENESS, ETC.]

It is probably a translation error that I consider: 'butterflying' a chicken is to cut off the breasts as one piece. I find this difficult as one must be delicate to cut meat cleanly from the sternum but yet so strong as to cut through the sternum so that the keel remains with the meat.

 

It is sad to say that I have to now roast chickens as our one frying pan which was so large that it could hold an entire chicken broke. It requires nearly twice as much time in an oven than it does on a burner and the rosemary and dill on it tend to char. We mean to buy a new frying pan of proper size but we forget each time when we go to the city where they can be purchased. There are none available locally and ordering a large cast-iron pan entails a high shipping cost.

 

Happy holidays to you!  Roast chicken is one of my very favorite foods; I think I actually prefer it to turkey during Thanksgiving.  I usually avoid the cooking process entirely by purchasing a fully cooked one (plain, no seasonings) and then dress it up with my own spices and rubs.  

 

I'm woefully low on basic kitchen equipment -- need to upgrade -- and have decided to purchase a set of cookware from the QVC shopping channel.  They have some good bargains!

[BRONXGIRL'S MOTHER, HENRY FONDA'S HIRSUTENESS, ETC.]

Merry Christmas to everyone!  And here's to a healthy and joyous 2017.

 

Wishing you a New Year filled with all good things, my friend.

[BRONXGIRL'S MOTHER, HENRY FONDA'S HIRSUTENESS, ETC.]

Merry Christmas to you and mom too, Miss B. Best wishes for a blessed holiday.

 

Thank you so much, my twinnie!  Mom sends her love.  Blessings back to you and the family.  Peace, love, all the "shining gifts" as David Niven says in his THE BISHOP'S WIFE sermon.  (and who wouldn't want Cary Grant as an angel, lol?  Better than Clarence)

[BRONXGIRL'S MOTHER, HENRY FONDA'S HIRSUTENESS, ETC.]

Well it's nice that the creatures are getting into the holiday spirit!

 

That is our Santa Gator.  He can often be found slithering around back yards wishing everyone comfort and joy.

[BRONXGIRL'S MOTHER, HENRY FONDA'S HIRSUTENESS, ETC.]

Holiday blessings to you, Larry!  Thank you, my friend.

 

I still miss the snow this time of year in Florida.

 

!

[BRONXGIRL'S MOTHER, HENRY FONDA'S HIRSUTENESS, ETC.]

Matey, may the heavens smile down on you all the days of your life, and thanks so much for the kind sweet words about Mom.

 

Rich, what a pleasure and an honor to see you here!  Wishing a happy holiday season to you and Inspector Clay.  Yes, my friend, future events will effect us all in the future.  We must punish the guilty and reward the innocent!

[BRONXGIRL'S MOTHER, HENRY FONDA'S HIRSUTENESS, ETC.]

To my dear TCM friends, I wish you a joyous holiday season filled with love, laughter, and health.  Blessings to you all.

 

!

[BRONXGIRL'S MOTHER, HENRY FONDA'S HIRSUTENESS, ETC.]

No "belated" necessary, dear TWINNIE!

 

Mom enjoyed her turkey and pumpkin pie but told me she would have rather made it herself, lol.  I reminded her that she didn't have to do dishes and that perked her up!

 

My friend always overcooks during this season so she made me take home lots of leftovers, which included her homemade macaroni-and-cheese plus from scratch apple pie.

 

It was a blessed day overall and I hope it was the same for you and your family.

 

SANSFIN, I had to look up "spatchcock"!  Didn't know this means "butterflied" which gives the meat when it's laid out like that a much juicier and intense flavor.  I'm sure you and your sweetie had a delicious meal.  Sometimes simple is best.  As for my bathroom scale, I have a rule never to jump on it until the day after New Year's, lol.  No use crying during the winter holidays.

[BRONXGIRL'S MOTHER, HENRY FONDA'S HIRSUTENESS, ETC.]

Hi, matey!  Hope your turkey day was blissful, my friend.

 

Yes, Mom has her own television but sometimes has problems remembering which channel is TCM.   When that happens, she inadvertently turns on CNN and has to listen to Wolf Blitzer.   That she cannot stand, lol.