Film | The Seven Year Itch

I have been collecting classic films for about 12 years now but I will always remember my first 'classic purchase' being the Marilyn Monroe Diamond Collection. The sets includes great movies like Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and How To Marry A Millionaire. Another movie in that set I finally got around to watching again [after almost 6 years] is The Seven Year Itch. There are very few modern movies that I can watch again and again and still find it as fresh as the first time I viewed it. I am always surprised [even though by now I shouldn't be] most classic films I enjoy the tenth time just as much as the first. The Seven Year Itch definitely is one of those films.

Quote Of The Week

 

Just watched The Seven Year Itch the other night and this is one of my favorite quotes from the film... it's just silly [especially in the context of the scene]. Make sure you check out the post I made about The Seven Year Itch.

Blog | Upcoming Blogathons

Today while browsing the web, I came across three more Blogathons! I am always up for posting with a theme, so Blame Mame is going to take part in the following...


Name: World In Film

Theme: Classic Movies Around The World

Date: September 9-12th

Hosted by The Great Movie Project

Name: Juxtaposition 
Theme: The Women ('39) vs The Women ('08)

Date: September 12-16th

Hosted by Pussy Goes Grrr

Name: Darling Deborah

Date: September 30th

Hosted by Waitin' On A Sunny Day






And on top of those, we still have the Fashion In Film and Carole-tennial(+3) Blogathons lined up.If anyone knows of any other Blogathons [especially Classic Film related] that are coming up, please comment.

Actors | Stars To Watch

I was sitting on my recliner the other day looking at videos on YouTube of some of my favorite classic stars, when it struck me that I haven't seen many films of the stars I consider 'favorites.' As I thought about it more, two of the video clips ['Shimmy Like My Sister Kate" and "Too Darn Hot"] I look at often are from films I have never seen!

I decided to make a list of stars who's films I would like to become more accustom. That is what this post is all about. The star's, the films I have seen, and the films I want to see most. 

I also added a few stars who's films I have never seen. These are stars I see in post around the blog-o-sphere and run across their films at the stores often. Stars that others have created blogs/websites dedicated to, but I have yet to enjoy myself.

These are the stars that are at the top of my list of filmographies to explore...

ANN MILLER

I've seen On The Town & Easter Parade

I would like to see Kiss Me Kate

Everytime Ann comes on the screen, tap dancing with a smile that goes from cheek to cheek, I can't help but want to see more. The way she effortlessly moves and the way she looks into the camera really makes you feel like she is looking right at you, wanting you to have just as much fun as she is having on screen.

Cyd Charisse

I've seen The Band Wagon & East Side, West Side

I would like to see Silk Stockings, Party Girl, & Brigadoon

This is another star who captivates me with their dancing whenever I seen them on screen. The 'Girl Hunt' number in The Band Wagon is in my top three classic film scenes of all time. The way she dances is just elegant. I have watched some of her other dance scenes on the internet and I am definitely want to see more.

Betty Grable

I've Seen How To Marry A Millionaire

I would like to see Pin-Up Girl & How To Be Very Very Popular

The scene from Wabash Ave where Grable sings 'Shimmy Like My Sister Kate' is another of my favorite videos to watch over and over, but I have never seen that film. Betty Grable was known for having the best gams in the business and from what I have heard a beautiful voice... what more could you ask for?

Blog | Updates

Just the other day I was thinking to myself how I wish Blogger had a feature similar to Facebook's 'Like' feature. It would be nice for those readers who want to give feedback, but may not have an actual comment to make. Well, while reading a few blogs on the blog roll (points to right side of blog) I read on Frankly, My Dear (who just added it to the blog) that the feature existed. Well if you look at the bottom of the posts, below the comments, you will see this new gadget. So if you like a post you have read here on Blame Mame, please click the 'Yes' link... I think the other options are self explanatory. Please remember if you have a comment to make, please continue to leave those as well!

 

I also wanted to point out that Blame Mame now has over 20 followers. I want to give a big THANK YOU to everyone who visits the blog! Remember if you read the blog often, please click the link on the side bar or top bar to follow Blame Mame!

On Wednesday, August 31st... Blame Mame will be 3 months old! I can't believe the blog has been open for almost 3 months now. I was excited to join the Classic Movie Blog Association, but I just read they aren't accepting any new members until 2012.

Once again, thanks to everyone who takes their time to visit Blame Mame!

Film | Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

I guess I have been on an Elizabeth Taylor kick lately because this is my second film starring her that I have watched this week. I picked this film up for 40% off at Barnes and Noble right after Taylor's recent passing. The store had a 'featured' end cap with some of Liz's movies on mark down. My wife recently began reading a book where Stephen King described it as "the most riveting look at the dark side of marriage since Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?", which got us interested to pop in the DVD. And boy... I was not ready for what came after.

You are cordially invited to George and Martha's for an evening of fun and games.

Film | Suddenly, Last Summer

I had heard of the film Suddenly, Last Summer before, but it wasn't until the movie poster at my work sparked my interest, that I learned what this film was about. The picture of Elizabeth Taylor in the white swimsuit are famous, and are everywhere on the web, but they don't really get you excited to see the film.

It was just a few days ago, after seeing the movie poster that I looked the film up on IMDB to read reviews and watch the trailer. Well... I was hooked. I needed to get this film and it would have taken too long to get it from Netflix because I have a film at home already, so I went in search of buying the DVD. Thank goodness, Barnes and Noble had the movie and on top of that... it was only $9.99. It isn't often they have a movie in store I am looking for specifically.

A Classic Hollywood film about murder, homosexuality, lobotomy, pedophilia, incest, greed... count me in. I know that sounds sick, but I am always up for a movie with a juicy plot. I have also only seen Taylor, Hepburn, and Clift in one... maybe two other movies, so I was glad to see them in dramatic roles like this.

Photography | George Hurrell's Style

In my regular life, I work at a photo store where I do sales and photography. I am still relatively new to shooting in the studio, so I am always fascinated by the way lighting can dramatically change the look of a picture. You have different lighting for children, different lighting for head shots, different lighting for different colored backgrounds... there is so much simple lighting can do to make a picture pop!

Jane: "I feel like a guinea pig."

George: "You won't when we've finished with you."

I know I have already done a post about George Hurrell, but I wanted to do another one to share these behind the scenes photos of Hurrell's 1942 photo shoot with Jane Russell at the Beverly Hills Studio. Jane Russell (21 at the time) was a relative unknown in Hollywood. Her big break in the 1943 film The Outlaw (which we all know what this film did for her career) hadn't come out yet. Hurrell was paid $4000 by Howard Hughes to take pictures of his newest protege.

Quote Of The Week

Music | Classic Hollywood: Gleek'd

As I just revealed in my last post, the FOX TV series 'Glee' is one of my favorite things of all time. I decided to do a little post about some Classic Hollywood [the time frame is a little stretched, but oh well] songs/musical numbers that have been Gleek'd.

01. Happy Days Are Here Again/Get Happy

  

Original Performer: Judy Garland & Barbara Streisand
Gleeks: Lea Michele & Chris Colfer

Award | The Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award

Wow, Blame Mame has been honored with another blog award. This time Sophie at Waitin' On a Sunny Day has chosen this blog to receive The Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award! Thank you so much for the honor!

Feel free to use this on your own blog if you like.

 I don't know if it goes against the 'rules', but I decided to give the award image a little Classic Hollywood makeover. To see the original image, please click here.

Once you receive this award you are supposed to share 7 things about yourself and nominate 12 of your favorite blogs to be honored with this award. Since I just nominated 5 blogs with a Liebster Awards, I am going to add 7 new blogs to my awarded list. So here it goes...

A few things about myself...

- I have many pets. [3 dogs, 1 cat, 2 chickens, 6 lizards & 1 ferret]

- Besides my dogs, birds are my favorite thing to photograph.

- My wife and I have been best friends since we were in 6th grade.

- 'Glee' is one of my favorite things of all time.

- I am obsessed with all things Disney.

- I have one tattoo. [barcode with my wedding date above ankle]

- A 7th grade Social Studies project started my love of Classic Hollywood.

My honorees for this award...

- Sally at Flying Down To Hollywood 

- Mason at Love Those Classic Movies

- Becky at Classic Film and TV Cafe

- Emily at The Silver Screen Affair

- Sarah at And...scene!

- Rupert at Classic Movies Digest

- CK at Hollywood Dreamland

And there you have it... The Irresistibly Sweet Award.

Reel Life | Too Darn Hot

I finally made it to get my hair cut today and while I was there I had a Classic Hollywood moment. It has been ridiculously hot here in New Orleans. With the heat and humidity I am always in the mood for a cold shower. 

Well, while I was getting my hair cut, Ms. Carol (the nice lady who does my hair) wiped her forehead and said in a breathy voice "It's just too darn hot!" The first thing that came into my mind is Ann Miller's number from Kiss Me Kate, "Too Darn Hot." I love this song and was actually just singing it yesterday. 

From there my mind went into singing "Heat Wave", the Marilyn Monroe song from There's No Business Like Show Business. I was just having a heat induced party in my mind. That tends to happen as I get my hair cut because I tone out what everyone in the shop is talking about because I usually am not interested in their small talk. This was another one of those pointless post, but I felt like sharing. 

Here are the videos I was watching in my mind...

Birthdays | August

Well it's that time! Time for the Blame Mame to wish Happy Birthday to some of my favorite Classic Hollywood stars! So here we go!

Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday dear Gene, Maureen, Norma, Lucille, 

Robert, Myrna, Mae, Esther, Ann & Alfred!
Happy Birthday to you!

I know this is a little silly, but it made me smile. And while I am at it... Happy Birthday to any of the followers who may have a birthday this month!

Music | The Girl Cant Help It

I was sitting here listening to the soundtrack of the 1956 film The Girl Cant Help It, when I realized how much fun the music in this film was. In all honesty, I have only seen the movie twice, but the music is always running through my head. I hadn't heard most of the music before seeing the film, but it just stuck with me. I find myself jamming and dancing to this soundtrack more than I probably should.

 

 

Award | Liebster Award

Marsha at A Person in the Dark has nominated Blame Mame for its first award... the Liebster Award! I was really suprised to see this in my inbox because I wasn't sure many people had made their way on the blog, better yet enjoy it enough to honor it with an award.

In German & Spanish Liebster means "beloved". From what I understand this blog award started in Germany and has made its way all the way over here. It was meant to highlight blogs with less than 300 followers.

The only rules for this award are to link back to my blog and pay it forward by nominating a few of your favorite blogs!

Here are the recipients of the award from Blame Mame...

- Meredith at Forever Classics

- Rianna at Frankly, My Dear

- Jacqueline at Another Old Movie Blog

- Dawn at Noir and Chick Flicks

- Marsha at A Person in the Dark

All of these blogs are on the Blame Mame blog roll and I usually take a daily stroll over to their wonderful blogs to see what sort of interesting things I can read about.

Once again... thanks for the honor Marsha!

Reel Life | Suddenly, Last Summer Poster

I work in a camera/photo shop and today the framer was putting together a frame for a very large movie poster. It wound up being the french movie poster for the 1959 film Suddenly, Last Summer starring Elizabeth Taylor, Montgomery Clift, and Katharine Hepburn. 

Hipstamatic art of the poster

Blog | Blame Mame Graphics

I decided to open another part of the Blame Mame Blog dedicated to graphics. On the Blame Mame Graphics Blog you will find information about my designs and goodies for yourself (ie. icons, banners, desktops, etc). 

Click here to visit Blame Mame Graphics

You will find things like these icons...

I Love Lucy | #37 "The Handcuffs"

I have always 'loved Lucy', but after True Classics Loving Lucy Blogathon, it reminded me how much I love I Love Lucy. Yes, I realize the term 'love' was just used way too much. 

I grew up watching I Love Lucy, but most of those times were when I was a child. As an adult, I have only watched all of Season 1. I was happy to find Season 2 of I Love Lucy at Target for $12.99. My wife and I sat down last night and watched the first disc. I don't think I have laughed that hard in quite some time. The funny thing is that it didn't have to be crude, rude, or gross to make me laugh. I was inspired to start a new series on Blame Mame to highlight my favorite episodes of I Love Lucy.

So here it goes...

"The Handcuffs" [Episode #37]

 

Photos | On Set

Here is another installment on the On Set series. This time we have three pictures from the set of the Joan Crawford film Dancing Lady.

Joan Crawford hanging out with the Three Stooges

Bette Davis | The Singer

Do the terms 'recording-artist' or 'singer' come to mind when you hear the name Bette Davis? Well it should, because throughout her long career, Bette full-filled that title quite a few times. Continue reading to learn about Bette Davis... the singer.

Blogathon | Loving Lucy

In celebration of Lucille Ball's 100th birthday celebration, True Classics is hosting the Loving Lucy Blogathon! Here is my contribution...

Most people know Lucille Ball as the hilarious housewife of Ricky Ricardo on the show I Love Lucy, but here are some things about Lucy you may not know. Who knows, maybe it will make you "love Lucy" more?

Film | You'll Never Get Rich

The other night I watched the 1941 war-themed musical You'll Never Get Rich, starring Rita Hayworth and Fred Astaire, for the second time. While the plot may not be the most exciting, the movie is still just as enjoyable the second time.