Hitchcock's Birthday Bash: Guest Blogger Kate-Gabrielle on "Breakdown"

OH MY GOSH! Kate(actually doesn't have a hyphen in her name)Gabrielle of Silents and Talkies and NUMEROUS other amazing sites has written a guest post on THE most brilliant Alfred Hitchcock Presents....EVER! Her review is excellent...I want to go watch it again for the zillionth time. AND she posted links to where YOU can join in on the brilliance! *sigh* I love this episode/this post so much.


If I were forced at gunpoint to name my favorite of Alfred Hitchcock's directorial endeavors, I would have to include the seventh episode of his anthology tv series. Now, I wasn't necessarily forced at gunpoint to tell you this, but I did promise Millie I'd write a post, so po-tay-to, po-tah-to ;-D

The episode is "Breakdown" starring Joseph Cotten, and it's one of the most unforgettable 26 minutes I've ever spent watching television. It's a tour-de-force in acting and directing, since almost the entire thing is a series of static shots of Joseph Cotten lying paralyzed, and the plot really only moves forward through his voiced-over thoughts.

The plot seems really simple.. Joseph Cotton is a business executive with ice-water in his veins. But after a freak-accident leaves him completely immobilized and trapped in his car, he finally becomes human. Appears simple, but it's really a heart-wrenching, edge-of-your-seat suspenseful drama that will stick with you forever.


The plot probably wouldn't have worked as a two hour long movie, but the caliber of the story, acting, direction and writing are definitely the same as any of Hitchcock's feature length films. In fact, they are so superior that I'd say this television episode lands in my top five Hitchcock favorites. And in a portfolio that includes North by Northwest, Vertigo, The 39 Steps, Psycho, The Birds and Rear Window I think that speaks volumes about how extraordinary this little mini movie really is!

It's Hitchcock in one of my favorite forms-- experimental. His forays into the avant-garde are always a delightful treat.. whether it's the Dali dream sequence in Spellbound, the shower scene in Psycho or his documentary-style "The Wrong Man," Hitchcock-as-artist is always a joy to behold. The man was a genius, and this episode is just further proof.

Well, it's about time you quit reading me blabber on about how great it is, and just watch it for yourself! It's available in the Alfred Hitchcock Presents Season 1 box set, or, more conveniently (and immediately), on Hulu and YouTube .

Ok, what are you doing still reading this?? Did you not read the last paragraph? GO! Watch it! I am virtually holding you at gunpoint. Now scram!!


Thanks so much, dahling! This post is beyond Wowzie Kazam!

-Millie

Um, hi, everyone....

Sorry, I sorta abandoned the Hitchcock Birthday Bash this last week!

I was highly busy/depressed. I'm starting college next month, so I have been wandering around trying to save my last few precious hours of freedom-- mainly this has consisted of reading Calvin and Hobbes, watching Wild Wild West, and creating my 50 Utterly and Completely Gorgeous Classic Film Stars list. A bad usage of time, you might say.

ANYWAY, tonight is the 4th Annual Alfred Hitchcock Birthday Party...which never actually ends up taking place on his birthday....

I managed to get a few friends to come over tonight and we're going to be watching The Trouble With Harry, which The Millie utterly ADORES. This is also going to be happening out in my creepy fort in the middle of the woods...A SCARILY LONG DISTANCE FROM MY HOUSE! My fort is actually like a small, inadequately-ventilated guest house without electricity that my dad built for my older sisters billions of years ago. It's slightly wowzie kazam.

ALSO OCCURRING TODAY:

The 95th Birthday of Ingy.

^We're pretending this is birthday cake!

More on that, later! :-D

-Millie

Off to the Crazies Family Reunion...

I'll be back on Sunday! Currently I'm hiding out in my room while my family runs around trying to get ready...any moment now I'll be found and dragged out to the public square... but I just had to post this first!

Read about the reunion last year, Insanity runs in my family...in fact it practically gallops!

I'm taking a pile of Hitchcock's with me (including Lifeboat and I, Confess), so expect report, when I get back!

-Millie

^This has nothing to do with anything. It's just HILARIOUS!

Hitchcock's Birthday Bash: Guest Blogger Joy Henry on "The Lesser Known Works of Alfred Hitchcock"

This was a super interesting post from Joy Henry at My Dog Ate My Blog. It covers a lot of lesser-know/lesser-loved/hugely awesome Hitchcock films! Foreign Correspondent and Stage Fright are particular favorite's of mine! This was really just a really well-written and fascinating post! Thanks, Joy! :-D

Alfred Hitchcock made a huge number of films, and a lot of them went on to become successful trademarks of his innovative style. His most famous, like The Birds, Psycho, and Rear Window, are known for a masterful use of suspense and voyeuristic camera angles that draw the audience into the film. Hitchcock's lesser known films, however, offer a different thrill for movie buffs. In early British silent films you can see the master getting his technical footing and experimenting with styles. Other later films such as Foreign Correspondent gathered rave critical reviews but have faded in popularity behind some of his flashier thrillers. Here are ten of Hitchcock's lesser known works that are worth giving a look.

The Pleasure Garden (1926)

Based on a novel by Oliver Sandys, this silent film was Hitchcock's first as full director. It tells the story of two chorus girls who work at The Garden Theater. Though the film is not in the same style as Hitchcock's later more famous pieces, the evidence of his directorial skill shines through.

The Mountain Eagle (1927)

The Mountain Eagle was Hitchcock's second film as a director, and the only lost film directed by Hitchcock, meaning that no original prints of the film are known to exist. Set in small town Kentucky, it revolves around a feud between J.P. Pettigrew and John Fulton. After Fulton marries Beatrice, the woman Pettigrew loves, Pettigrew attempts to have Fulton put in jail for murdering his estranged son.

Blackmail (1929)

After being assaulted by an artist friend in his apartment, Alice Webber stabs the man to death in a frightened rage. Alice's boyfriend Frank, a detective, is assigned to the case, but Alice denies the murder. A local thief, Tracey, is indited. Tracey tries to escape by climbing to the top of the British Museum, but he falls and dies. Alice is compelled to confess, and she is sent to jail.

The Ring (1927)

Hitchcock both wrote and directed this black and white film. In the film, a love triangle forms between two boxers, Jack Saunders and Bob Corby, who both love Nellie. During the boxing sequences you can see some cinematography tricks Hitchcock would later perfect in The Man Who Knew Too Much.

The Farmer's Wife (1928)

This movie was based on a play by English writer Eden Phillpotts. Farmer Sweetland wants to remarry and enlists his maid Aramintha to help him. Only after Aramintha sabotages his efforts with three women does Sweetland realize he is in love with his maid.

Murder! (1930)

Diana, an actress in a travelling dance troupe, is convicted of murdering one of her fellow group members. The court finds her guilty of the murder, but one famous actor, John Menier, is convinced she is innocent. John sets out to prove it, before Diana receives the death sentence.

Foreign Correspondent (1941)

Foreign Correspondent was Hitchcock's second Hollywood film, and though the film was nominated for six Oscars, it is one of his lesser known. In the film, Johnny Jones, a New York reporter, is sent to Europe to investigate a secret treaty. Jones doesn't know what he's in for, however, and he ends up tracking down a group of spies.

Lifeboat (1944)

This film set in WWII is based on a novel by John Steinbeck. Survivors from a ship hit by a German U-boat gather on one lifeboat. Those stranded on the boat all come from different backgrounds, but they work together to survive.

Stage Fright (1950)

Jonathan Cooper is wrongfully accused of murdering his lover's husband, and his friend Eve offers to hide him from the police in her apartment. Jonathan insists that his lover killed her husband, and Eve goes undercover to find out the real story.

Torn Curtain (1966)

One of Hitchcock's last films, Torn Curtain is set in Cold War Europe. Michael Armstrong, A U.S. scientist, defects to East Germany, and his fiancee secretly follows him. Once in East Germany she discovers his defection wasn't what it appeared to be, after all.

Joy Henry is a guest blogger for My Dog Ate My Blog and a writer on online schools for Guide to Online Schools.

Thanks again, Joy! This was great! :-D

-Millie

Photo of the Day!

One of Hitchcock's favorite actresses and...HIM. ;-D

Hitchcock's Birthday Bash: THE CONTEST WINNER!

I used Random.org to randomly choose the winner of the two tickets to The 39 Steps on Broadway!

And the winner is:

KATE!

Congratulations, Kate! Enjoy your prize!

And thank you to everyone who entered! I loved reading about your favorite Hitchcock films! :-D

And thank you again SO much to The 39 Steps for allowing me to host this contest! (Visit their website!) It was a crazy honor!

-Millie

Photo of the Day!

Cary + Ingy.

I love them.

Summer Movie Blogathon: Confessions of a Former Six-Year Old Classic Film Fan Recruiter

^This banner looks like me and my older brothers watching The Lone Ranger...like we did every afternoon!

Kate over at Silents and Talkies is hosting a blogathon on movies you watched as a kid. It's pretty awesome. I'm slightly late, but that's not exactly earth-shatteringly new news.

Anyway...

I lived on movies when I was younger...I still do. But, then, just like now, I couldn't handle just keeping classic movie adoration to myself! I HAD TO HAVE EVERY SINGLE PERSON I REMOTELY KNEW BE A CLASSIC FILM ADORER.

My family of course has always had to put up with it simply because there was no way for them to get rid of me (although, their continued insistence that I should eat ALL the berries and mushroom-looking things I saw whenever we went outside is highly suspicious)

It is however a not-exactly small miracle that I've ever been able to keep any friends ever.

Especially, since I was ALWAYS trying to recruit them as classic film fans. Well, more like forcibly drafting them.

Back when I was six, I didn't take into account, the types of films certain people would like, nor did I learn by experience which movies suited certain people. (I mostly understand this concept now. Because, obviously Kate really does love Tyrone Power movies, she just doesn't know it yet!)

Well, I had/still have (craziness) one friend in particular who has remained my friend ALL THESE YEARS! She has remained my friend through repeated attempts to get her to enjoy westerns, through repeated attempts to convince that there are a few cool non-Hitchcock black & white films. She has even remained my friend through the several forced viewings of Pride & Prejudice (1940) when we were six.

One particular instance of the above mentioned scenario-- I remember CLEARLY.

It was a warm, happy summer day. Allie (my friend) was over to play (as she was every day), I had SOMEHOW succeeded in getting her into the living room and in front of the TV. I exclaimed excitedly about the completely amazing movie I was gonna to show her. It's "hilarious", I proclaimed! The dresses are so "fancy", I told her!

The moment it started....she hated it. She was bored, because it was such "boring" movie. And worst of all, IT WAS BLACK & WHITE! NOOOOO!

I finally decided to fast-forward to my favorite part: the ball. "This is the absolute best part", I told her. "It's very funny, and the dresses really are fancy!"

I sat enraptured as- what I was sure was complete brilliance- unfolded before my eyes. All too soon, the scene was over, I turned to Allie, and just sighed.

Her response: "When are the cool dresses going to show up...and WHEN IS THE FUNNY PART GOING TO BE HERE!"

I'm surprised I didn't disown her at the spot.

I really should've disowned her back then. She hated Bonanza too. Hating Bonanza was kind of a deal-breaker to 6 year-old Millie!

I tried to get other friends to watch classic movies too. I don't know how many times I tried showing various Roy Rogers movies. Strangely enough, I don't remember most of these "friends" anymore! ;-D

I was a persistent and courageous classic film recruiter, every now and then I had a break-through. My 2 years-younger than me brother for instance, became a die-hard Deanna Durbin fan.

Unfortunately, he grew out of this when he was five.

But, I have had a few real successes! When I was ten, I finally got through to Allie. It was The Thin Man that did it! I FINALLY SUCCESSFULLY RECRUITED A PROUD CLASSIC FILM FAN! (Well, a classic film fan at least! However, she still sneaks through Borders hoping no will see the old movie she's buying me for my birthday. We're still working on the "proud" part.)

Besides the films already mentioned, a few others I adored and revered most as a very young child included:
It Happened One Night, My Man Godfrey, The Strongest Man in the World (+ the other Dexter Riley movies), The Monkey's Uncle, The Parent Trap, everything Bob Hope, and every single western I could get my hands on!

Summers back then were for drinking my mum's all-natural, home-made pink lemonade (she made it pink by juicing a sliver of a beet) and plopping down on the couch watching old movies...and forcing everyone else to watch random musicals from the 50's with me.

THOSE were the good old days (in, um, 2000...AHAHAHA! I feel young!)

-Millie

Hitchcock's Birthday Bash: The Millie's 10 FAVORITE Hitchock Heroes

I'm here! And the Party's getting started (a little late, I know...but I was gone all weekend...)!

And, since, everyone was SO curious about it, here are my 1o favorite Hitchcock Heroes (Heroines will come later, I PROMISE):

10}

Chief Inspector Hubbard (John Williams) -- Dial M For Murder

The true hero of this film (please do not mention that bland and boring Robert Cummings to me!).

He's amazing. I was talking to my older sister, Shannon (she's awesomeness-personified, so you should follow her non-film blog.) today, and she was telling me WHY he's her favorite Hitchcock hero ever. She described how fascinatingly he makes it appear that he believes Grace is guilty, and that he's willingly going to send her to her death by execution...but really, he's known the truth all along. (She told it to me in a far more interesting way of course! Haha!)

I also asked my mother about her favorite Hitchcock Hero but she mentioned something about some guy in Vertigo. I dismissed this answer, as she OBVIOUSLY is not of sound mind.

9}

John Ballentine (Gregory Peck) -- Spellbound

So, this may sort of fall under the "I love Gregory Peck in everything" category, but still. He's pretty stupendously amazingly cool in this. I know some people think this movie is over-the-top, and maybe a bit pretentious, but I LOVE IT! And, I think Gregory Peck does quite well as the amnesiac...not as brilliantly amazing as Ingy (but who ever is?!).


8}

John Jones (Joel McCrea) -- Foreign Correspondent

I know there are a large group of people still angry that Gary Cooper turned down the role (and I really do adore Gary and he probably would have done well), BUT, I think Joel McCrea was completely perfect in this role. Everything about the way he played it was brilliant. And one problem with Gary, is that it's always obvious his character is going to win. I mean, with Joel, we know he's most likely going to come out on top, but there is still that slight "Does he even know what the heck he's doing?!" about it. That's brilliance.


7}

Devlin (Cary Grant) -- Notorious

Even though, I always get horribly angry at him half-way through the film (and usually start screaming at him/the TV screen) he's still Cary Grant. Which means, he's still pretty much the coolest character ever.


6}

Commodore Gill (Alastair Sim) -- Stage Fright
The best part of this BRILLIANT film. He's fifth-billed, but he easily steals the entire thing. EASILY. Even away from Marlene Dietrich (one of the most can't-bring-yourself-to-look-away-from-her people), Richard Todd (being highly awesome), and Michael Wilding (I wish I had room for his Wilfrid "Ordinary" Smith on this list).

5}

Max de Winter (Laurence Olivier) -- Rebecca

So, basically, there are going to be a lot of British anti-heroes with mustaches on this list. I've mentioned their complete awesomeness in other posts before. Max is definitely one of the coolest. A fleshie of mine had never seen a Hitchcock before, in fact, she didn't want to see any Hitchcock. She mumbled something about not liking "thrillers". My face at this revelation:

Yeah.

Anyway, I finally got her to borrow Rebecca, I told her it wasn't really a "thriller", and she would love it, because it was sorta Jane Eyreish (she actually LOVES that horrible book).

She LOVED it! The reason was Max. She couldn't stand most of the characters (including the second Mrs. de Winter...MWAHAHAAHAHA!), but she thought Max was just cool.

Now, she's seen several Hitchcock's. And she's even coming to my Hitchcock Birthday Party.

Thanks, Max.

;-D

4}

John Robie (Cary Grant) in To Catch a Thief

His nickname is The Cat. He's not REALLY a timber baron from OreGONE. And (I know I've mentioned this an excessively large amount of times, but...) he wears stripes + polka dots AT THE SAME TIME.


3}

Gilbert (Michael Redgrave) -- The Lady Vanishes

He's a musician. He has a hilarious mustache. He has a British accent. He's Michael Redgrave. I mean, seriously, I shouldn't even have to explain his Wowzie Kazam Hitchcock Hero Awesomeness.


2}

David Smith (Robert Montgomery) -- Mr. and Mrs. Smith

How could he not be one of the greatest Hitchcock heroes EVER?! He's extremely clever (pretending to collapse in despair at your wife leaving you...can have excellent results). He's very knowledgeable (if the cat doesn't eat...NEITHER SHOULD YOU). And he's quite savvy on legal matters (it's most likely NOT illegal to trace over someone's penciled signature with pen). And plus, he can render his enemies dead with just slight changes in his facial expressions:

I can't help but laugh uncontrollably at the sight of his face!

1}

Richard Hannay (Robert Donat) -- The 39 Steps

Best Hitchcock Hero EVER! He's got an amazing accent, a rather fascinating mustache, AND he's a brilliantly insane, evil asthmatic! SERIOUSLY!

I love him.
That's all!

So, who are your favorite Hitchcock Heroes, and why?! Let me know in the comments or at your own blog! :-D

-Millie

Hitchcock's Birthday Bash: Guest Blogger Jean Howard on "The 39 Steps"

This guest post comes from Jean Howard at Discovering Ida. IT'S AMAZING. It immediately made me want to run and watch The 39 Steps...and now I'm completely going to watch it tonight (for the zillionth time). This is how to write a great review (haha, something my blog sadly lacks in knowledge of ;-D). Thank you so much Jean!


Over a span of four days, the smart and unflappable protagonist, Richard Hannay (Robert Donat) is involved in a circular journey to prove his innocence and expose the hive of intrigue. He is involved in chases and romantic interludes that take him from London to the Scottish Highlands and back again and he assumes numerous identities on the way - a milkman, an auto mechanic, a honeymooner, a political speaker among others. The reason for this journey begins when a mysterious woman comes to him for help, claiming that she is being hunted by spies. Hannay helps her, but when she is murdered in his home it looks like he is to blame, and he has to go on the run from the police (who obviously want him for the "crime") and the spies (who want him to find out how much he actually knows). En route, he has many adventures as he flees across the South Scotland landscapes, including being handcuffed to a woman (Madeline Carroll) who happens to think he is guilty of the murder.

Trust and betrayal have been a recurrent theme in several of Alfred Hitchcock's works. The 39 Steps, made in 1935, has all the classic elements of the master filmmaker that set the standard for later Hitchcock films. The 39 Steps has the classic Hitchcockian theme of an average, innocent man caught up in extraordinary events which are quite beyond his control. The sexually frustrating institution of marriage is another major motif present in the film. The strained and loveless relationship between the crofter and his wife, the placid relationship of the innkeeper and his wife, the (physical) bond between Hannay and Pamela can be examined in terms of degrees of trust between the couples. In fact, the short 'acquaintance' between Hannay and Smith and Hannay and the crofter's wife are also built completely upon trust. It is these couples, and the chemistry between them (or the lack thereof) that drive the entire film.

The opening of the film, the first three shots do not show him above his neck. With his back to the camera, he is followed down the aisle to his seat. He is then assumed to be lost in the crowd. This gives the audience the feeling that he could be anybody. Later when he takes in the identities of a milkman, a mechanic, a politician one realizes that he is Hitchcock's archetypal 'everyman' who unwittingly finds himself in incredible dilemmas.

In one of the brilliantly managed sequences on the train, Richard Hannay throws himself at a lone girl and forces a kiss just as a detective and two policemen pass by their compartment. It reveals his desperation to remain free until he can prove his innocence. In the scene after Annabella staggers into his room with a kitchen knife in her back, Hannay sees her ghostly image (which is superimposed) talking to him, `What you are laughing at right now is true. These men will stop at nothing.' The double exposure achieves a result which is a tad chilling and sad. The hallmark of Hitchcock's style is his ability to completely shock his audience by deliberately playing against how they would be thinking. In such episodes as the murder of the woman in Hannay's apartment or when the vicious professor with the missing finger casually shoots Hannay, the action progresses almost nonchalantly leaving the viewers stunned.

A great story, interesting and likeable characters, slyly incongruous wit, classic Hitchcockian motifs and a great MacGuffin are just a few things that make the The 39 Steps one of the essential Hitchcock films.

This movie has been a classic thriller since it was first released, and like other hit movies of the period, Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps was adapted for radio in 1937.

In this version, Ida Lupino portrayed the character of Pamela in the radio play of The 39 Steps on the Lux Radio Theater. I think she made the role her own very nicely and I can easily picture her in the film version. It would have been interesting to see her in that movie, especially after hearing her performance in this broadcast. Also from listening to the radio play, I once again get the impression that you just can't help but like Robert Montgomery. I think he and Ida worked very well together.

And now that I've talked about it so much, here it is for all of you to enjoy, too: The Lux Radio Theater production with Ida Lupino and Robert Montgomery.

The 39 Steps

- Jean

Thanks again Jean! I LOVE THIS!

-Millie

PARRRRTY TIME!

Happy 111th Birthday to Sir Alfred, the impossibly cool and amazing and genius person behind countless acts of awesomeness!

I love him.

-Millie

P.S. So, yesterday, today and through Sunday is Fair (I've got my chickens there). I won't be able to crazily celebrate for Hitchcock 'till Monday. WHEN EVERYTHING IS GONNA BE HAPPENING! ;-D

I will continue to be posting guest posts, however! AND the littlest brother and I are watching Shadow of a Doubt tonight...SO EXCITED! My favorite Hitchcock and he's never seen it before!

AND BE SURE AND ENTER THE HITCHCOCK BROADWAY TICKETS GIVEAWAY!

Hitchcock Birthday Bash: Guest Blogger Steven DeRosa author of "Writing with Hitchcock"

I really enjoyed this post by Steven DeRosa from Writing with Hitchcock (and also a Hitchcock/writing community on Facebook). It's all about the writing/the writers in Hitchcock films and how they connect to Sir Alfred. UTTERLY FASCINATING! Thank you so much Steven for the submission! It's amazing!

Enjoy!

Alfred Hitchcock himself said that his favorite part of making movies was the time spent in his office with the writer when they plotted, invented, and devised new ways to thrill an audience. To me this has always been the most intriguing aspect of Hitchcock’s work, because it’s when the creative energies and ideas were their most pure—before the necessary compromises of budget, casting, performance, and the million and one other things that can go wrong during the making of a movie come into play.

The writers that worked with Hitchcock have been overlooked in large part because more attention in Hollywood is paid to stars and directors. The politics of the Hollywood studio system and the widening acceptance of the auteur theory downplayed the significance of the screenwriter’s contribution to the art of filmmaking. Frank Capra’s most successful films were all scripted by Robert Riskin , yet few people are familiar with Riskin’s name. Similarly, Ernst Lubitsch collaborated with Samson Raphaelson on nine films, and John Ford collaborated with Dudley Nichols on eleven. Again, these screenwriters never received the recognition enjoyed by the “auteurs” for whom they wrote. But the director who has been most often canonized as an auteur is Hitchcock. And Hitchcock never went out of his way to correct the myth that he was the sole creator of
his movies.

This is also the reason why Hitchcock’s films were frequently adapted from lesser-known novels and plays. Hitchcock learned a valuable lesson from his first Hollywood production, Rebecca, which was billed as "David O. Selznick's production of Daphne du Maurier’s celebrated novel ... directed by Alfred Hitchcock.” Thenceforth, whatever the source material, Hitchcock would make it his own. After all, it was “Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window," not “Alfred Hitchcock’s film of Cornell Woolrich's classic suspense story...”

In terms of writing I'd say that Hitchcock's films work so well and endure because there's a distinction between plot and story, which I explored in a recent video on writingwithhitchcock.com



Without question Alfred Hitchcock has had an impact on the art and language of cinema like no other director. His signature style was rooted in the way he tells his stories visually. So often we’ll see these long, wordless sequences. And through these, he is able to put the audience into the mind of the character. He had a deep understanding of point of view editing—something you’ll see in nearly all of his films. Thus, he was never merely directing the action … but more interested in directing the audience. And that was really his genius.

See, isn't it fascinating!

I have a couple other guest posts all lined up, but I'd love to have even more! :-D Send your submissions to classicforeverblogger {at} yahoo {dot} com!

-Millie

Hitchcock Birthday Bash Giveaway: Two Tickets to "The 39 Steps" on Broadway!

I am SO excited to be able to host this contest. It's a pretty awesome way to get to kick off the, ahem, 2nd Annual Hitchcock Birthday Bash!

Here are the details:

The prize is a voucher good for two tickets at the date of your choice during August or September.

I want you to leave me a comment telling me your favorite Hitchcock film and why. I'll be choosing a winner by random. (So, picking Vertigo will NOT make you lose!)

You have until next Thursday, August 19th at 3:00am PST.

When I announce the winner I'll have the winner send me their e-mail address. Then I'll be sending that info onto the completely awesome marketing person (who is allowing me to host this contest) they will then get the voucher to the winner (if this makes any sense?! ;-D).

Here is the press release info thing that explains it all in much more lucid detail:

THE 39 STEPS

New World Stages • 340 West 50th Street

www.39stepsny.com

WIN TWO TICKETS

to the Tony Award® Winning Comedy Thriller!

Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python and you have THE 39 STEPS, New York's smash hit comedy thriller about one man’s quest to clear his name.

THE 39 STEPS features a cast of four actors who, against all odds, breathlessly and hilariously attempt to reenact all of the characters, locations and famous scenes in Hitchcock’s 1935 film thriller with just a few props and a lot of theatrical ingenuity and split second quick changes.

“ABSURDLY ENJOYABLE!” –The New York Times

“INGENIOUS! A DIZZY DELIGHT!” – Daily News

CONTEST RESTRICTIONS: Prize is valid for two orchestra seats to The 39 Steps at New World Stages in New York City on a select performance through September 30, 2010. Winner will have the option to choose from a variety of dates. Some blackout dates apply.

Millie again: Well, I hope everyone (New York area) enters! This show looks SOOOO brilliantly hilarious! It makes me actually wish that I didn't live on the West Coast.....and we know how crazy that is for me! ;-D

-Millie

Photo of the Day!

This photo is just.....coolness.
I

NIIIIIIIICCOOOOLLLLLAAAAAAA is stinkin' 21!

^Basically, I'm trying to fit James Dean into every birthday post! ;-D

Happy 21st Birthday to the absolutely darling and amazingly awesome Nicola! She's one of the most amazing people/bloggers around! :-D



I hope you have the best birthday ever!

-Millie

Photo of the Day!

She's so adorable and French....IT'S ANNOYING!

Also, I need that beret.

Something to be called LEGITIMATELY EPIC! (unlike everything else that people call epic...SHEESH!)

Dirk Bogarde Week at Silents and Talkies.

Pretty much I'm just excited.

Awesome 60's Dance of the Day!

GAH! That stupendousness is too much! Annette! Cool Headbands! Pajama Party!

AND AWESOME, COMPLETELY "SPONTANEOUS" IN SYNC DANCING!



Basically this movie is just brilliance. No Frankie (SAD!)....(he was probably asking for another pay raise....) but we do have Tommy Kirk playing an alien or something like that...it's not exactly important to the plot.

Also: Donna Loren and Jody McCrea (THE EXACT DUPLICATE OF JOEL) and I'm pretty sure there are other amazing people in this...I can never quite remember who is in which movie...

EDIT: It was Buster Keaton I was thinking of...he plays, um, an Indian Chief.... O_O

Watch Pajama Party on Hulu:



-Millie

Bloglovin! YAYA!

Follow my blog with bloglovin

I'm on Bloglovin so I had to make his post...to claim my blog...IT'S MINE MWAHAHAHAHA!

-Millie

P.S. I am not copying Sarah. SERIOUSLY! I'M NOT......really...er.....

Patricia Neal.

Patricia Neal.

January 10th, 1926 - August 8, 2010

Although, it may be a cliched term, I think Patricia Neal was a striking actress. One can never forget her face...or any of her performances. Whenever I watch her in a movie I can't possibly imagine anyone else in the role, she always left such an impact.

She will be missed.

The 2nd Annual Hitchcock Birthday Bash

THAT'S RIGHT! It's time to party for Hitchcock ALL OVER AGAIN!

For once in my blogging life, I am not only on time-- BUT EARLY! This is an odd phenomenon (almost as odd as the fact that I cleaned my room while it was still light out today AND EVEN TOOK OUT THE GARBAGE BEFORE MIDNIGHT).

Anyway, I am crazily excited to have an awesome Hitchcock Birthday Bash later this week/the rest of the month!

This year I am focusing on rewatching Hitchcock's I've seen only once:

I Confess

Lifeboat

The Wrong Man

and....MAYBE Vertigo (the original watching experience was far too tramautic! A HITCHCOCK THAT ENDED UTTERLY BLEAKLY AND DEPRESSING WITH ALL THE GOOD CHARACTERS DEAD).

All of those I saw during or before the age of 13. The first, third, and fourth: I distinctly disliked. Lifeboat, I enjoyed, but somehow I've have never felt the inclination to watch it again! I'm going to be reevaluating these films!

Also, I get to share two of my favorite Hitchcock's with my youngest brother James for the first time! Strangers On a Train and Shadow of a Doubt (my absolute favorite Hitchcock ever). So, I'm sure they'll be some "interesting" thoughts coming from him! ;-D (You many recall his bloodthirsty tendencies from last year!)

And, I'm hosting my 4th annual Hitchcock Birthday Party at my house, we're watching The Trouble With Harry this year.

BUT ANYWAY, coming to the most important part.........

I WANT GUEST POSTS!

I had so many awesome guest posts from awesome guest bloggers last year! I'd absolutely LOVE to see some more this year! :-D

It can be about anything you want pertaining to Sir Alfred: a movie review, about his TV show, something about him, a personal experience that was very Hitchcockian....I DON'T CARE! I'd love to read it! Long or short; poetic or hilarious! Send me the post at: classicforeverblogger {at} yahoo {dot} com (trying to cut down a bit on the spam I receive). You can start sending it now, 'till the end of the month. I'm "officially" gonna kick off the party (and start posting) on Wednesday night probably!

And seriously, PLEASE send me something! If you don't, it's just gonna start to get pathetic around here! ;-D

-Millie!

{Check out last year's party!}


^Sir Alfred IS SO READY FOR THIS PARTY!

Photo of the Day!

Foreign Correspondent.

Awesome 60's Dance of the Day!

{New series....because I'm dreading the coming end of summer! Haha!}

The first in this amazing new series: the Mambo from Gidget Goes Hawaiian. Movie Mambos just don't get cooler than this (well, Teacher's Pet is a close second)!

The dancing starts at 1:10, but I'd recommend watching the whole clip. (the back-story is OH-SO necessary! ;-D)

This Awesome 60's Dance is done by Michael Callan (stupendously amazingly cool) and Deborah Walley (no comment).

After watching it, I always want to go to a 60's Night Club and start dancing. SERIOUSLY. (And, uh, you REALLY don't want to know how many times I've seen Gidget Goes Hawaiian *looks over shoulder*).

-Millie

P.S. The completely awesome Michael Callan actually originated the role of Riff in West Side Story on Broadway!

P.P.S. Other completely awesome people to watch out for in this clip are: Carl Reiner and Joby Baker.

Photo of the Day!

James Dean.

(Don't listen to Matthew! JAMES IS STUPENDOUSLY AMAZINGLY COOL!)

The Visit: Remind Me Again Why There Are a Few Sad Souls in the World Who Don't Completely Adore Ingy?!

The Visit was beyond brilliant. I mean, It's difficult to explain that level of brilliance.

First of all, thank you so much Auntie Casey for sending me a copy! That was exciting.

So, The Visit came in the mail a couple days ago. I wandered into the kitchen to show my mother the movies Casey has sent me. Then my mum COMPLETELY FREAKED ME OUT! She was standing by the counter making dinner-- with a very large knife in her hand. I mentioned The Visit and my mum turned around and stared straight at me, saying angrily...."The visit is OVER."

(I was ready to run for my life at that point.)

Turns out The Visit is a movie my mother has loved forever, but hasn't been able to see in years! She was super-excited about the copy I had and we decided to watch it today.

It was amazing.

I would say that Ingy stole the whole thing, but really, it was all her's to begin with...

AND she gets to model the most awesomely amazing 60's wardrobe, hair, and make-up.

AND she gets to take sweet revenge!

I mean, I THINK THIS MOVIE WAS MADE FOR ME. *sigh*

Oh, yeah, there were also Anthony Quinn, and some other people, and a plot, and such....but those things don't really matter.

In conclusion: I would recommend this movie to absolutely anyone. It's just brilliant.

Oh, and here is a tribute to Ingy in The Visit video I made. It was GOING to be a tribute to the movie itself, but uh, Ingy sorta took over! ;-D



Thanks for reading!

-Millie

P.S. Check out this jaw-droppingly amazingly brilliant, probably the best actor tribute video I have ever seen! Just made by Kate-Gabrielle:

Photo of the Day!

Chosen at random: Michael Redgrave and family.