ChipHeartsMovies

The movie *The Blue Bird* (1940) with Shirley Temple has a scene in Heaven among the unborn children. That one's in Technicolor, though.

I've posted about her in other threads, but I think Jeanine Basinger is terrific. She's the head of the (excellent) film program at Wesleyan University. *The Star Machine* is all about the way the studio system created/manufactured stars. *Silent Stars* is an immensely readable collection of short biographies of many of the major silent film stars. *A Woman's View* is an in-depth look at "women's pictures." There are so many excellent autobiographies it's hard to know where to start. Gloria Swanson, Lauren Bacall, Shelley Winters all wrote terrific autobiographies some years ago, and these can easily be found cheaply in used book stores or on eBay. More recently, Tab Hunter's autobiography is a great read, and shows what it was like being a closeted gay star in Hollywood. (There are similar recent books by Richard Chamberlain and Farley Granger; Chamberlain's is pretty good but Granger's is a little dull, and *Wisecracker*, the biography of William Haines). I also liked the recent *Me and My Shadows*, Lorna Luft's story growing up as the daughter of Judy Garland.

Variety gave it a strong review also.

I've actually turned it on when I am in another part of my apartment (like the kitchen) and know I can't see the screen for an extended period of time.

These are all great autobiographies --- well written, informative, and fun to read; Lorna Luft and Tab Hunter are recent, the rest you will need to look for in the library or used book store, as they are older and likely out of print: *Swanson on Swanson*, Gloria Swanson *Me and My Shadows*, Lorna Luft (Judy Garland's daughter) *Shelley, Also Known as Shirley*, and *Shelley II, Middle of My Century*, Shelley Winters *Lauren Bacall By Myself*, Lauren Bacall *Tab Hunter Confidential*, Tab Hunter *Playing the Field*, Mamie van Doren A really fun, trashy read can be found in *My Face for the World to See* by Liz Renay, who is known today mostly for appearing in John Waters' *Desperate Living*. She was a stripper and "actress" in the 1950's/60's who was the girlfriend of a mobster and went to prison rather than rat him out. If you're the kind of person who laughs through *Valley of the Dolls* and *Showgirls* (like I am), you'll LOVE this book. The actress Barbara Payton had a turbulent life, which she wrote about in *I Am Not Ashamed*. She appeared in films opposite James Cagney and Gary Cooper, had serious alcohol problems and messy public and private affairs with Franchot Tone and Bob Hope, and ended up a street prostitute who died in her 30's of alcohol poisoning shortly after the book was published. A really sad read. A similar story with a much happier ending is *Father Does Know Best* by Lauren Chapin, the TV actress who played youngest daughter Kathy on *Father Knows Best*; she turned her life around. Some biographies (as opposed to autobiographies) that I found especially good: *The Secret Life of Bob Hope* by Arthur Marx *Judy* by Gerald Clarke and *Judy Garland* by Ann Edwards *The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson* by Robert Hofler (about Henry Willson, the agent who shaped the careers of Rock Hudson, Tab Hunter, Troy Donahue, etc.)

As Arkadin said, I hope TCM Programmer is reading this. I want to see it!

As Arkadin said, I hope TCM Programmer is reading this. I want to see it!

I am unfamiliar with this movie, but your discussion makes it a must-see --- let's hope TCM replays it soon. It sounds really terrific.

The strong identification of gay men with Judy Garland is undeniable, but we're happy to share.

And can I say, YIKES! I don't know the movie, but the description you gave of that scene.... pleasant dreams, all.

And, the child in *Shadow* is definitely mute.

I was out of town (and away from the boards) for several days, and on the plane home tonight I realized the movie title I was searching for before was *Shadow on the Wall*, the same movie dianabat came up with. I actually logged onto the boards immediately on arriving home to chime in. Try and catch it, since both dianabat and I both came up with the same film maybe it's the one.

I've seen the movie on TCM or Fox Movie Channel (probably TCM) in the last year or so, but the title and stars escape me --- hopefully it will come to me. The little girl is taken to a psychiatrist, and I believe they use a dollhouse to try and get her to talk. I don't remember if she saw the murder through a mail slot/door ajar. Definitely b/w and definitely 1950's.

I love this movie so much that a couple of my friends and I make jokes about jingling charm bracelets being the harbinger of doom all the time. I missed it on TCM this airing but I have the handy-dandy DVD, which I think I should pop in right after TCM's airing of *Sunset Boulevard* (which is on now). Oh, the priceless shot of the shadow of Joan lopping off Lee Majors' head with the axe that was fortunately in the woodpile just outside the bedroom...

NZ, you picked two of my two favorites already, *Meet Me in St. Louis* and *Holiday Inn*. *Meet Me in St. Louis* is my all-time favorite movie, but purely from a Christmas-theme standpoint *Miracle on 34th Street* is my favorite, followed by *St. Louis*. I also love *Christmas in Connecticut*. But those other movies aren't musicals, so I am sticking with your choices. Message was edited by: ChipHeartsMovies

If you talk to Tura at the screening, tell her that her pal Chip in NYC says hello with much love. I produce events and she and I did a couple together a few years back, and we email each other periodically. She's a sweetheart, and the stories she can tell....! (Ask her about Elvis, or her earliest days in the burlesque world).

And a Judy fan (which someone named themanthatgotaway clearly is) will LOVE the *Meet Me in St. Louis* 2-disc set. It includes one of the best packages of extras of any film.

My pal Annie Sprinkle (the famous porn actress from the 70's/80's) writes here about Gerard's death and about his 80th birthday party this year: http://worldofwonder.net/archives/2008/Oct/27/gdamiano.wow

Welcome GingerRogersFan! Please dive into any discussion that strikes your fancy. You'll find TCMers are happy to answer any question they can and argue (nicely) any point. And it's great to learn about trends in classic movies, terrific movies that are coming up on TCM, lesser-known stars, etc., from fellow fans. My favorite Ginger Rogers movie, by the way, is *Roxie Hart*. That's the movie that inspired the Broadway musical and film *Chicago*. What's your favorite?

If you Google "Kiss and Tell" "Shirley Temple" "DVD" together you'll find copies easily. Realize that bootlegs aren't always great quality, and some sellers may be fakes.

This is one of Judy Garland's few non-musical roles, and she is wonderful in it. Her interaction with the special-needs children is really touching, and you can see genuine affection among them. Garland was also terrific around the same time in another drama, *Judgment at Nuremberg*, for which she was nominated. It's diffficult to believe that within a few short years she would be so ill, dying just six years afterward.

Like TikiSoo, I'm not really a baseball fan (although I can enjoy a baseball-themed movie), but I am very much a John Sayles fan. If you're unfamiliar with it, do yourself a favor and rent *Matewan*, about labor organizers in the coal mining industry. Absolutely one of the best movies of the 1980's, and the one he made just before *Eight Men Out*.

If she is a current member of Actor's Equity (the union for Broadway/legitimate stage actors), you can call them, ask for the membership desk and request agent information, then contact her through her agent. I believe you can do the same with AFTRA (TV actors), unsure about SAG (film). If she isn't a current member they can't help you. There are a number of professional services (which have costs) that exist: in New York, Celebrity Service maintains a database on all types of celebrities, with agents, publicists, managers, etc. There are online services like WhoRepresents.com that do the same thing. (Poor WhoRepresents. Write their name out in all small letters and....uh oh). With someone this obscure, I would doubt that these services would work. Even if she is in their database, chances are the information is outdated. Who knows, she may be currently working in small roles you don't know about onstage (which would likely not turn up on Google), and Equity might be able to help.

Ah, Fred. It's fun when you get kooky and we can all fake-argue. I've certainly had my tiffs with you (remember the Gay Pride movies a couple of years ago?), but I always love seeing you on the boards. That said, this young woman (who faked an attack from an Obama supporter) is clearly ... how can I say it nicely ... not healthy emotionally. May I suggest we all --- on both sides of the political fence --- agree that her actions were just a sad reaction to her, um, instability? Let's not make fun of her for being "stupid" enough to carve the "B" backward, and let's not draw parallels with conspiracy movies on the other hand. I am the most Liberal Elite New Yorker on the planet, and I only wish her well. Super-conservatives like Michelle Malkin also recognize that she has issues (WOW! I agree with Michelle Malkin on something?!?). This young woman clearly needs help, I hope she gets it, and I wish her the best. This has NOTHING to do with Obama, McCain, the election, or anything other than someone who is unstable. Hopefully this sad situation will lead her to get help. Let's discuss something else, what do you all say?

Since *Lt. Robin Crusoe* is a live-action Disney, that means TCM DOES have the rights. So you might get lucky. I don't recall it being played previously. Last June TCM did a month of Asian stars in films (and films in which Caucasian actors played Asians), and I'm sure there was a lot of Nancy Kwan played then.