For my 30 list I am going to watch Casablanca, it's one of those classic movies that I can't believe I have never seen. But I am also having movie nights to watch other new films, let's face it, there's so little that I have actually seen that most films will be new to me! So a page for movies seemed like a good idea...
Marx brothers night: Duck Soup and Monkey Business
These were my first ever Marx brothers movies, and I hadn't really planned this but I was in HMV and saw Duck Soup and remembered seeing Rory watch it in the Gilmore Girls. And I'm so happy that I did get it because I haven't laughed so much in ages :) I feel like it's going to need a good few viewings to actually hear all of the gags because they talk so insanely fast, but it was pure gold.
Elizabeth Taylor movie night: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, A Place in the Sun
As the legend that is Elizabeth Taylor died recently, and although I think she is iconic I had never seen any of her movies, I decided to have Elizabeth Taylor movie night.
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf was stunning, I mean she is phenomenal!! it was funny and sad, and intense and engaging, one of the best films I've seen, and she is an amazing actress, really capable of pulling your heart and making it ache. And the chemistry between her and Richard Burton is electric.
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof was also fantastic, and she looks stunning - gorgeous fashions, I love the high waist pencil skirt and blouse she wears at the start.
A Place in the Sun was my least favourite, but Montgomery Clift is hot! In fact so was Paul Newman in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof - they really truly don't make movie star like that any more.
A Star is Born movie night: all three productions of A Star is Born
1937 the original Vicki Lester and Norman Maine: Janet Gaynor and Fredric March
I thought that this might be a bit tedious because it's so old, but it was fantastic. It feels a little bit wizard of oz-y at the start, and takes a little while to get going, but Janet Gaynor is really engaging and Fredric March might be the best of the three leading men. I also didn't realise that Dorothy Parker was one of the writers. In fact, the writing struck me as being timeless.
1954 the next Vicki Lester and Norman Maine: Judy Garland and James Mason.
This was really the Judy Garland movie, and it was so sad how much it was her story. This happens every time I hear Judy Garland sing, but my breath was taken away by the power of her voice - it's so pure and raw and full and devastatingly emotional. She is also really funny :)
1976 Vicki Lester is now Esther Hoffmann, Norman Maine has become John Norman Howard, yes it's Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson in a rock remake. I remember seeing this when I was much younger and listening to the soundtrack over and over - I obviously listened to it a LOT because I still remembered all the words! I've got to say I wasn't convinced by the acting, and it felt a bit too much like the Barbra Streisand show, but what a phenomenal voice. And I know they kept the ending in as much as she is announced as 'Esther Hoffmann Howard' but then going on to sing a whole big thing I think took something away from the lovely simplicity of the other films' "Hello everybody, this is Mrs Norman Maine" although I guess there is a pretty symmetry in her singing 'One more look at you' when Norman in the other movies asks 'Do you mind if I take just one more look?'.
Verdict: it's got to be Judy Garland as the best of the three!
Let's head to Rick's cafe for Casablanca night!
