sagebrush

Happy centennial birthday to lovely Pearl Bailey, born March 29, 1918!

I think she's just very confidant, and it comes across that way.

I had never heard a jazz instrumental version of the song before I saw your post. I watched some of them on YouTube. Very nice! I wish I could put my finger on what it is about french music that I find so captivating.

For someone whose resume never lists " dancer" as part of her occupation, Jane Powell really did do a good job of dancing. She appeared in many films where she had to dance, and she never looked over matched (to me, at least.) I think Betty Grable suffered from being at 20th Century Fox all those years. They seemed unwilling to cast her in any type of musicals other than turn of the century and Coney Island stage shows where she basically wore elaborate costumes and smiled and showed her legs. A few of her dance numbers ( a very small number) do show she was better than they usually let her be. I also think she had a nice singing voice. It was very in style for the big band era. She had decent comedy skills, too. Since we are speaking of Fred Astaire here ( one of my favorite topics!) I have to add that as I was watching ZIEGFELD FOLLIES the other day on TCM, I was thinking how delightful of a pair Fred and Lucille Bremer made. I really liked their numbers in that film ( and Yolanda And The Thief.) Both films were Eugene Loring dance numbers, weren't they? I really like the Limehouse Blues dream sequence, even through the chinese makeup ( which was actually kept minimal on both of them, I felt.) I love seeing Fred do a cartwheel :D! I just always have had a thing for dances with props, and I love the fan work. I think Bremer had a similar dance style as Rita Hayworth, except without the look of pure joy Rita conveyed through her dancing.

The beautiful opening title sequence to AUTUMN LEAVES, performed by the wonderful Nat King Cole, was the best part of the film (in my opinion.) http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/video/278125/Autumn-Leaves-Movie-Clip-Opening-Nat-Cole.html

Robert Donat in THE PRIVATE LIFE OF HENRY Vlll: "Every woman thinks herself the best wife for every other wife's husband.”

I didn't know Ernest Belcher did the choreography for those films. Shirley Temple's dream sequence in THE LITTLE PRINCESS is really well done. and in my opinion, her best dancing.

Yes to all the lady dancers mentioned. I love them all! It's nice to have someone mention Mitzi Gaynor's name- I think she so often gets overlooked, probably because she came to movies as musicals were declining (even though she appeared in one of the most famous musicals of the 1950's.) Can I add one to the list? Marge Champion. I know she is almost exclusively known as half of a partnership, but her few solos, such as the rehearsal number in GIVE A GIRL A BREAK, or Derry Down Dilly from EVERYTHING I HAVE IS YOURS,make me wish there were more of them.

Seems kind of obvious that that would be a solution. I wonder why it hasn't been implemented, considering this is an every day issue now.

She really was gorgeous. She had an amazing smile. My favorite role of hers was as Aunt Sissy in A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLIN.

She was strong enough to fight cancer once. Hopefully she can do it again.

happy centennial birthday to the lovely Eileen Herlie, born March 8, 1918!

One year ago today, we lost our gracious and original host of TCM. Just thinking about him today.

Wow, this is some Spam-O-Rama. Boo!

It is getting annoying. I'm used to it when I log on at my usual time ( about 3:30 AM PT) but this has continued throughout this entire weekend. Grrr!

My favorite line, as well! He always struck me as a man who might go around quoting Shakespeare sonnets in his real life. A voice such as his is a true blessing. RIP, Sir.

Well, sadly I haven't seen many of the nominated films or performances this past year. However, I did get a chance yesterday to see a compilation of all the nominated live action and animated short films. I think both DEAR BASKETBALL and DEKALB ELEMENTARY are good choices. I have to say, though, that I enjoyed THE ELEVEN O'CLOCK the best and thought WATU WOTE did the best job of telling it's story within the short film time frame.

I'm thrilled to hear that Noir Alley will be moved to Sat nights with a repeat in the Sun morning usual time slot. I work some Sunday mornings, so I sometimes miss it. ( I know I can DVR it, but I just NEVER get around to watching anything I've recorded.)

I would like to see Murray as host, as well. He has a quick wit and his comic insults don't seem so mean, for some reason.

I like both of these folks. The article also states that Tiffany V. will continue working with TCM in their social media dept. Good for her to be able to stay in some capacity.

How was Eleanor Boardman not nominated for best actress for The Crowd? Is it because they were only nominated for their cumulative work in a specific year and she only made two films in 1928? Pity; she was wonderful in the film.

I like how, at the time of Penn's execution, it reminds us of the horrific homicide he committed by finally showing what actually happened directly after he apologizes to the victim's loved ones. If we as an audience are feeling even a spec of humanity for him, this flashback scene jolts us back into reality. Very well directed indeed.

Henry Fonda has my vote. I agree Anton Walbrook should have been nominated, but I still would have gone with Fonda.

Aw, I loved her. She was sassy and spunky, but never annoying. Also, she didn't fade in the presence of the male comedians. RIP, lovely lady.

Doris Day's 96th birthday will be April 3rd, and she's still very sharp.