Wonderland Burlesque's
Let's All Go To The Movies
She's A Lady!
Part XLVIII
Yes, sometimes? It takes a lady.
And sometimes? That lady takes the form of a hawk or a dog!
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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(1918)
Real life outlaw Al Jennings tells a "real" story about how he came to the aid of a woman who was abused by her alcoholic husband.
This American silent Western was directed by W.S. Van Dyke and stars Al J. Jennings, Frank Jennings and Corinne Grant.
The Jennings brothers were members of the outlaw band known as 'The Long Riders'. They were captured and imprisoned, but later given a pardon by President Theodore Roosevelt. Al J. Jennings then became a lawyer and evangelist and, in collaboration with writer Will Irwin, contributed a series of autobiographical stories to The Saturday Evening Post. The story from which this film was taken was "based on absolute facts" as noted by one reviewer.
Filmed entirely in Tehachapi, California near the Mojave Desert.
You can view this film in its entirety for free on Youtube.
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(1923)
Former miner Daniel Slade becomes a wealthy investor and runs for political office, ultimately becoming the governor of his state. Daniel's wife, Mary, is unable to adjust to a life in high society, often embarrassing him in the presence of his colleagues. Temptation arrives in the form of Katherine Strickland, the daughter of a prominent senator, who takes Daniel away from his old-fashioned wife. However, Daniel eventually realizes how much he loves Mary, and returns to her.
This 1923 American silent drama was directed by Harry Millarde and stars Robert T. Haines, Jane Grey, Anna Luther, and Frazer Coulter and Leslie Austin.
Remake of The Governor's Lady (1915). With no prints located in any film archives, The Governor's Lady is considered a lost film.
Anna Luther was as famous for her many court appearances and scandals as she was for her screen career. Frequently named as a co-respondent in a number of divorce cases, Luther was known for her friendship with infamous socialite Peggy Hopkins Joyce and her lavish lifestyle.
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(1928)
Using lines from Scott's poem as titles, the story is told of The Lady of the Lake, daughter of the outlawed Lord James and the three suitors for her hand: Roderick Dhu, James FitzJames, and Malcolm Graeme. She unwittingly comes to the aid of the King of Scotland and later is rewarded with the release of her imprisoned father and fiancé.
Based on the 1810 poem The Lady of the Lake by Walter Scott this British sound romance was directed by James A. FitzPatrick and stars Percy Marmont, Benita Hume and Lawson Butt.
The film was made at the Islington Studios of Gainsborough Pictures. The film was originally silent, with sound added in July 1931. While the film has no audible dialog, it features a synchronized musical score with singing and sound effects. It also features a theme song entitled Eileen, Sweet Eileen which was composed by Nathaniel Shilkret.
Benita Hume
You can view this film in its entirety for free on Youtube.
Blue Fire Lady
(1977)
Jenny Grey, a horse loving country girl, leaves her widowed father to move to the city due to her father's frustrations towards Jenny and her desires to ride horses. Jenny's mother died from a horse-riding accident. She finds work at a country race track and becomes obsessed with a troublesome horse named 'Blue Fire Lady'. The horse responds and shows promise in Jenny's hands, but around everyone else misbehaves and shows no discipline. When 'Blue Fire Lady' is put up for auction it is up to Jenny to either buy her or prove the horse worthy of purchase.
This Australian drama was directed by Ross Dimsey and stars Cathryn Harrison and Mark Holden.
Catherine Harrison is the grand-daughter of actor Rex Harrison.
Known mostly for being a singer, Mark Holden, who was making his acting debut, wrote some songs specially for this film and these are heard in the movie. At the time, Holden had had songs in the Australian top-of-the-pops charts and had been seen regularly on Australian television's music program Countdown.
A rare children's film from producer Antony I. Ginnane who was better known for his horror and sex films.
The film was funded entirely by private sources, coming from Filmways, the Nine network, Channel Seven in Perth and some private investors. Bob Maumill had brought the script to Antony I. Ginnane who decided to make it. Ross Dimsey, who'd written some sex films for Ginnane and had directed children in television commercials was hired as director. Shooting took place in and around Melbourne over five weeks in August and September 1977 with race scene shot at Caulfied.
Never underestimate the love between a girl and her horse; the film enjoyed a reasonably successful run at the box office.
You can view this film in its entirety for free on Youtube.
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(1987)
AKA: Lung Vita alla Signora!
In this parable centering on a chateau dinner given by a grand old lady, a group of bankers, scientists and industrialists eat badly and misbehave monstrously.
This Italian coming-of-age drama was written and directed by Ermanno Olmi and stars Marco Esposito, Simona Brandalise, Stefania Busarello, Simone Dalla Rosa, Lorenzo Paolini, Tarcisio Tosi, and Marisa Abbate.
The film was entered into the main competition at the 44th edition of the Venice Film Festival, where it won the Silver Lion and the FIPRESCI Prize.
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And that's all for now, folks.
Tune in next time...
Same place, same channel.
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Blue Fire Lady - Movie Trailer
(1977)
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