Photo of the Day!

Bobby Darin...and the Darin smile.

Photos of the Day!

In honor of Father's Day here are some photos of some Hollywood dads:


Orson Welles and Beatrice.


Tony Curtis and Jamie Lee.


Cary Grant and Jennifer.


Fred Astaire and Fred Jr. and Ava.


Frank Sinatra and Nancy.


Dana Andrews and Kathrine and Stephan.


Bobby Darin and Dodd.


Happy Father's Day to all you dads!

Photo of the Day!

Bobby Darin snapping his fingers to "Multiplication" during Come September.

My Darlin' Darin's Birthday!

Today is the 73rd anniversary of Bobby Darin's birth.

My youngest brother (you know, the one who is nine and dressed up like James Dean for 50's day at his school/counts Bob Hope as his favorite actor/likes to watch Michael Kidd choreographed musicals with me) drew a sketch of Bobby for me. I just love it. I think it's amazing, especially considering the fact that he drew it from memory while he was in a car! What my brother likes to do is draw cartoonish drawings of famous Hollywood stars! Some of them are completely hilarious!


Anyways, back to Bobby Darin...

Bobby was one of the most extraordinary performers and human beings ever! I simply adore him!



"It isn't true that you live only once. You only die once. You live lots of times, if you know how. "


(With his wife, Sandra Dee.)


(With his son, Dodd.)

Here's a little slide-show of Bobby and Sandra I did recently:


Happy Birthday, Bobby!

My previous post on Bobby.
IMDb
Wikipedia
BobbyDarin.com

The Results Are In...

The results to my poll: "Who has the most genius among these".

The five candidates were five people who I personally think had the greatest genius!

I have chosen photos which I feel highlight their genius.

Coming in fifth place with 1 vote is the inimitable Bobby Darin:

(Okay, he didn't actually get a vote, but because it was impossible for me to choose the greatest from among those greats, I withheld and gave my vote to the single person on the list who received no votes...My darlin' Bobby.)

Bobby was a genius (contrary to popular opinion, I see). He tackled pretty much every single entertainment medium and conquered it. He wrote amazing music, was legendary performing, acted (Oscar nominated), and generally went through life doing great things at every turn. Read my more in depth post on him here.

Coming in fourth place with 2 votes was genius-of-the-highest-grade: Rod Serling!

Mr. Serling was too much of a genius for words. I mean, seriously, Twilight Zone...Night Gallery...no mere human could think of things like that! And his voice was pretty cool too.

Coming in third place with 4 votes is the iconic Frank Sinatra.

I really don't feel like any words are necessary for Mr. Sinatra. He was Sinatra. He is a part of America...and probably will be...forever!

In second place with 5 votes is the legendary Orson Welles.

(I chose this particular photo, because Orson is so into what he is doing...it perfectly shows off his genius.)
Orson Welles is legendary. He lived his whole life at full speed. And whenever he stopped to use just a little of his genius...it was a remarkable thing. His name is synonymous with genius. In fact, his nickname was boy-genius after he completed his first film, Citizen Kane at age 25.

And in first place with 9 votes is........................................


Alfred Hitchcock!

Hitchcock often spoke of "playing the audience like an organ". That is the kind of power he wielded. He deservedly got first place (although I was rooting for all of them), for there never will be another Hitchcock. A person who so easily unites critical and popular success together. Amazing! In one particular episode of his TV show Alfred Hitchcock Presents, he says, "If I won't be myself, who will?" The quote is so true. There would a great void left in the world without an Alfred Hitchcock!





Kate-Gabrielle brought to my attention that my poll was missing one of the great genius'. And she was right. Mr. Charlie Chaplin was a great genius. Although not in my personal top five (like the other gentlemen) he was still so fantastically innovative and remarkable that he MUST be mentioned. So here's to Mr. Chaplin...another great!

I chose this above photo because if any Hollywood actor (especially an actor famous for slapstick comedy) ever decided to meet and talk with Gandhi...it could most definitely only be Chaplin. ;-D

Photo of the Day!

So, I am extending my theme for the next week because I have so many couples un-showcased!

But, for today...one of my very favorites...


Sandra Dee and Bobby Darin!

If you want to see my VERY, VERY, VERY favorite Bobby/Sandra photo...scroll to the very bottom of the page.

Photos of the Day!

Here are the winners of my 50th Photo of the Day contest:



Requested by DKoren:

Betty Grable! Shown here selling 5 cent hamburgers to help the war effort.


Requested by Raquelle:

How about Bobby Darin AND Sandra Dee? Also their son Dodd. This was taken at Bobby's opening at the Copa.


Requested by Kate-Gabrielle:

Dana Andrews being mobbed by dozens of screaming Hollywood High School students. He took a job at a soda fountain to bring more realism to his role in The Best Years Of Our Lives. But, they knew who he really was.

Thanks guys for the great suggestions!

How About You?

Bobby Darin was known for twisting and tweaking songs...especially lyrics. Here is a great example! It is from his excellent album, Love Swings. I j'adore this song!


"How About You?" was originally written by Ralph Freed & Burton Lane for the film Babes On Broadway.

Here are the original lyrics:

I like New York in June,
how about you?
I like a Gershwin tune,
how about you?
I love a fireside
when a storm is due.
I like potato chips,
moonlight and motor trips,
how about you?

I'm mad about good books,
can't get my fill,
and Franklin Roos'velt's looks
give me a thrill.

Holding hands at the movie show,
when all the lights are low
may not be new,
but I like it,
how about you?



Now, here are Bobby's new and improved lyrics:

I like New York in June
How about you?
I like a Gershwin tune
How about you?

I love a fireside
When a storm is due
I like potato chips an’ moonlight an’ motor trips
How about you?

I’m mad about good books
Can’t get my fill
And Mr. Kennedy’s looks
Give me a thrill.

Holdin’ hands in a movie show
When all the lights are low
May not be new
But I like it …
How about you?

I like New Jersey in June
How about you?
An’ I love me a Bernstein tune
How about you?

I--I--I love a TV set
When a storm is due
Ya know I like my fish an’ chips, rock an’ roll and filter tips
How about you?

I’m nuts about good cooks
Can never get my fill
And Mrs. Darin’s looks
Kinda give me a thrill.

Holdin’ hands in a movie show
All the way in the last row
May not be new
But I like it …
How about you?


After talking about Mr. Kennedy...he just let loose...anything and everything goes...;-D. I like his rather clever word changes, brings the song up-to-date (to the sixties). And when he talks about Mrs. Darin (Sandra Dee) it's SO sweet. Hahaha, I too easily think anything Bobby does is amazing...

But, I just thought I would share this. Now, if I was as clever as Kate-Gabrielle I would be able to give you a link to hear the song (I do own it), but sadly I am not as clever as Kate-Gabrielle, so we will not even mention it...;-D

Photo of the Day!

I won't be able to get on tomorrow, so I am posting "Photo of the Day" for tomorrow, today, instead of tomorrow, and if you can understand me...congrats! ;-D



Okay, and it's actually a gif. Of Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee dancing at a cocktail party thrown by Lana Turner. It's so ADORABLE!

Hud and That Funny Feeling...semi-reviews!

Here are the semi-reviews I promised...I know you guys were all just hanging around your computers waiting for them! ;-D

There may be some spoilers...but I will try not to give out anything very important.

These are two very different films made only two years apart. Hud is a dark, dreary, superbly-acted, Oscar-winning, drama. That Funny Feeling is a light, bubbly, superbly-acted, non-Oscar nominated, romantic comedy. There are also two other main differences. Last week was the first time I saw Hud, whereas, last week was at least the thirtieth time I saw That Funny Feeling.

First, I will share my thoughts about Hud. Or at least what I remember, after being gone over the weekend.


I was prepared to be depressed by this film...and it did not disappoint me on that angle. But, it was also quite mesmerizing. Completely and oppressively bleak, but also completely open and honest. If that makes any sense and I doubt it does.

The James Wong Howe cinematography was absolutely gorgeous! It was both bleak and honest at the same time.

I thought all the acting was excellent as well, although, I have always been a little angry about Melvyn Douglas' Best Supporting Actor win, because he beat out Bobby Darin in that category (Captain Newman M.D.). Errrr!

Patricia Neal was stand-out, she definitely deserved the Best Actress Oscar. Her performance was very mind-searing. I think probably for me...the most memorable role of the film.

As was Paul Newman. I actually felt sorry for him...it wasn't Hud's fault (;-D). It was his father's fault, it was the fact that he never felt loved as a child, it was because his mother died when he was a young boy, it was because he felt guilty about his brother's death, etc. Hehehe, I always sympathize with the main character...no matter how bad they are. The other students in my Lit class always make fun of me during discussion time, because I always feel bad for and defend the main characters in the books we read, even when everyone else hates them. This last week I was defending Absalom in "Cry, the Beloved Country"...he kinda murdered someone in cold-blood...accidentally, of course. Anyways, I felt very sorry for Hud and well the whole thing was very reminiscent to East Of Eden. And in that one, everyone knows that Cal is completely blameless of any wrongdoing, even at the end. ;-)

Anyways, in conclusion (yes, I know, this was completely disjointed and confused, but I told I can't write a real review to save my life), I thought this was an extremely well-made film. A definite classic and a must-see. Not my favorite, but still classic. And the actors were amazing!



Now, onto That Funny Feeling.


I ADORE this movie. It is SO joyful! It just makes me cheerful and happy to watch it. The actors are superb. Sandra Dee and Bobby Darin are so amazingly, talentedly, gifted in comedy...it is fascinating to watch them work. For supporting players you cannot get much better than Donald O'Conner, Nita Talbot, Larry Storch, and Leo G. Carroll. And they all gave excellent performances in this film.

I can seriously quote this film by heart...I'm kinda weird...unless you haven't already noticed...LOL. But there are just too many excellent one-liners.

I would explain the premise and structure of the film, but that is completely impossible. I have tried before. It's almost Screwball in it's nature because of it's chain-of-events craziness. Quite hilarious.

I absolutely, recommend this film to anyone. If only to see Bobby and Sandra together, and the great Donald O'Conner, and the wacky story-line, and the great one-liners, and the catchy title-tune (written and performed by Bobby himself).

Hehehe, this review was more confused and disjointed than the last one. And that's just because I had an entire review worked out and now I am really tired and cannot remember it at all.


(Click for a larger picture.)


They are both so adorable!


This is a still from the scene where she is taking a bath. Does this at all remind anyone else of Bridgette Bardot? I know that sounds strange, but it kept making me think of that.


Well, thanks for reading these weird, crazy, strange semi-reviews...if you did. Once I remember what I wanted to write I will edit this post.

Man, I better just leave this before I get myself looking any stranger...

Photo of the Day!

Aww, my darling, Bobby Darin!

I decided on this photo since you were all just clamoring for a photo of him, after being disappointed about the Jack Lemmon pic. ;-D

Bobby and Sandra...aww what a cute couple!

I really don't know why, but I have really been in a Darin & Dee mood lately.

Here is the separate post with all my amazing Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee photos. Well, not all. I discovered I have at least a hundred photos of Bobby and Sandra together! So, I decided to include those where they look the MOST adorable...they are seriously the most adorable couple ever!

I have ranked them, starting at least-most-adorable to most-most-adorable!

25.

From the film, "Come September"...where they met.

24.

I have absolutely no info on this picture. It has been on my computer for a zillion-billion years. But, hey it is pretty adorable.

23.

Ditto with this photo.

22.

At a film premiere.

21.

At the premiere for "Come September". Sandra is pregnant with Dodd.

20.

The expression of Bobby's face is pure Darinesque.

19.

This picture is just enchanting (you can tell I'm running out of different descriptive words...hehhehheh).

18.

They are both just adorable. Period.

17.

Charming!

16.

Another of Bobby's trademark smiles.

15.

This is from "That Funny Feeling". A movie I just love. This still from it is just hilarious!
14.

Yet another amazing shot, as they arrive at a premiere.

13.

This one is just so cute.

12.

Another beautiful photo of Sandra.

11.

I absolutely love how they both have exactly the same expression on their faces.

10.

This one I like for no apparent reason. It's just delightful (now, there's a new descriptive word).

9.

No comment. ;-D

8.

Aww...they look so happy.

7.

This was taken just after they were married.

6.

Dodd, Bobby, and Sandra at Bobby's open at the Copa.

5.

This one is so sweet. I believe it is on the set of "If A Man Answers".

4.

No comment needed.

3.

At Bobby's opening at the Copa.

2.

This is just too loverly for words!



And Number One Is......


I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this pic!



WOW, that was totally a Bobby and Sandra overload. I don't blame you if you decided to stay behind in the sea of adorableness. Only the most devoted Bobby and Sandra fans could enjoy this...LOL!