Wonderland Burlesque's
Let's All Go To The Movies
She's A Lady!
Part XLV
Yes, sometimes? It takes a lady.
And sometimes? That lady is no lady. More like a secret government operative or a military unit.
Or so these films would have us believe.
They promise lots of drama, the occasional comedy or musical, and a little bit of dirt!
Let's take a walk down Hollywood Blvd. and shine a light on these magnificent classic films.
This way, if you please. But remember...
Ladies first!
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(1917)
Little orphaned Kate lives happily in a New England lighthouse with its old keepers, Philemon, Peter, and Captain Bartholomew. When Kate falls sick, the prudish Philemon hires Miss Summerville, a live-in nurse, to care for her, but is concerned about possible gossip. To alleviate the situation, each keeper and Dr. Carlyle propose to Miss Summerville, but she rejects them all. After hearing that Captain Peyton, a lighthouse inspector, is scheduled to arrive, Miss Summerville makes sudden plans to depart without explanation. At the urging of Carlyle, she agrees to stay, but tries to avoid Peyton by turning off the lighthouse beacon. Concerned for the safety of the passing ships, Kate relights the beacon and Miss Summerville is forced to meet Peyton. When Philemon learns that Peyton and the nurse were once lovers, he demands her resignation, but Carlyle and Kate stoutly defend her honor. Touched by his devotion, Miss Summerville finally agrees to marry Carlyle.
This American silent drama was directed by Elsie Jane Wilson and stars Gretchen Lederer, Zoe Rae and Winter Hall.
Zoe Rae was an American child actress of the silent era. She appeared in 54 films between 1915 and 1920 and was called "the greatest little emotional actress on record" by Motion Picture Magazine. At the age of ten, her father pulled Zoe Rae out of pictures until her education was completed. After college she tried her hand at screenwriting, but never made another picture.
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(1936)
AKA: Maid Of Honor
Because of a very unhappy affair she had earlier in her life, a woman shuts herself off from the rest of the world. But this lady... she has a secret. People are not who they appear to be and when the truth is revealed... everything goes slightly mad! But will our lady escape her predicament in time to prevent another tragedy?
This American drama was directed by Marion Gering and stars Ruth Chatterton, Otto Kruger, Marian Marsh, Lloyd Nolan, and Lionel Atwill.
Ruth Chatterton was an American stage, film, and television actress, aviator and novelist. She enjoyed her biggest successes as an actress in the early to mid-1930s, and in the same era gained prominence as an aviator, one of the few female pilots in the United States at the time. In the late 1930s, Chatterton retired from film acting but continued her career on the stage. She had several television roles beginning in the late 1940s and became a successful novelist in the 1950s.In 1908, Chatterton and her friends were attending a play in Washington, D.C. Chatterton later criticized the acting of the lead actress to her friends, who challenged her to become a stage actress herself or "shut up". Chatterton accepted the challenge! She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress twice.
You can see this film in its entirety for free on YouTube.
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(1943)
AKA: Campo de' fiori
Peppino, a fishmonger on Campo de' Fiori, a famous Roman marketplace, works alongside Elide, a greengrocer who has a soft spot for him, despite the fact they argue all day long - But neither Peppino nor his friend Aurelio the barber is interested in getting married. Until he meets the beautiful Elsa.
This Italian comedy was directed by Mario Bonnard and stars Aldo Fabrizi, Caterina Boratto and Anna Magnani.
The film was made at Cinecittà in Rome. Much of the film is set on the Campo de' Fiori in Rome.
Aldo Fabrizi and Anna Magnani
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(1949)
Michael Lanyard aka The Lone Wolf, a reformed and retired jewel thief, once again finds himself falsely accused of jewel theft by bumbling New York City Police Inspector J.D. Crane. To clear his name, Lanyard than has to start sleuthing around and find out who lifted the missing ice from an international diamond exhibit. Lanyard has a long list of possible suspects list - including a Texan. He also adds the name of Grace Duffy to his list, a blonde femme-fatale who wants to give him a bit of close, personal attention.
This American mystery was directed by John Hoffman and stars Ron Randell, June Vincent, William Frawley, and Alan Mowbray.
Lois Maxwell was originally cast in The Lone Wolf and His Lady, but was replaced by June Vincent. and was cast in The Crime Doctor's Diary instead.
This was the 15th and final Lone Wolf film produced by Columbia Pictures. After Gerald Mohr stopped portraying the title character Michael Lanyard (AKA: The Lone Wolf), Columbia Pictures selected Australian actor Ron Randell as his replacement. In addition, Alan Mowbray replaced Eric Blore as Lanyard's butler Jamison. At the time the change was announced, Ron Randell was set to star in three or more Lone Wolf pictures... but that did not come to pass.
The Los Angeles Times said the film "fills out the prescribed running time", while Variety said "it answers all demands for the supporting market."
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Dance Little Lady
(1954)
The story of a successful dancer's fight with her husband for the attention of their daughter.
This British drama was directed by Val Guest and stars Terence Morgan, Mai Zetterling, Guy Rolfe, Eunice Gayson, and Mandy Miller.
The film debut of bombshell actress Vera Day. She was 21 at the time. Prior to this she was modeling until she saw an advertisement in a theatrical paper for showgirls. Wearing the smallest bikini she could find, she was hired for a bit part in the play Wish You Were Here at the London Casino in 1953. She was only nineteen. Val Guest was at the opening night and left a note for her at the stage door to contact him. He ended up casting her in this movie.
According to Kinematograph Weekly the film was a "money maker" at the British box office in 1954. Kinematograph Weekly wrote: "The picture wears its heart on its sleeve and its lack of pretense commends it to all classes. Val Guest's treatment is as competent as the acting. "
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "This film gives the appearance of having been rather carelessly made. The plot and dialogue are full of clichés; improbabilities and contradictions abound. As a ballet film it is unsatisfying; the short glimpses of Giselle (danced by David Poole and Maryon Lane) are very brief. The excessive sentiment is reflected in the musical score. Terence Morgan is quite unconvincing as the irresponsible husband; Mai Zetterling and Mandy Miller are efficient. Guy Rolfe alone gives a really creditable performance. The colour (by Eastman Color) is good."
Eunice Gayson, was an English actress best known for playing Sylvia Trench, James Bond's love interest in the first two Bond films (Dr. No and From Russia with Love) and is thus considered to have been the first 'Bond girl'.
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And that's all for now, folks.
Tune in next time...
Same place, same channel.
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