So I've gotten bored on my Asian adventures and took a break from Asian/French/German movies to watch some of the oldies.


I watched the Cary Grant/Rosalind Russell classic His Girl Friday (1940).

This has been on my list for a long time now. Mostly because I was in love with Cary Grant since I was. . .say, around 10 years old? I've never really seen Rosalind Russell in any movies but I must say that she was absolutely perfect in this role.

The dialogue in this movie was fabulous. Fast paced, witty, biting. I think these two defined 'snark' before it was even in the dictionary (is it in the dictionary?). I was enthralled, almost at the edge of my seat trying to keep up with their rapid fire dialogue.

Hildy Johnson: Walter, you're wonderful, in a loathsome sort of way.

Bruce Baldwin: [Concerning Walter] I like him; he's got a lot of charm.
Hildy Johnson: Well he comes by it naturally his grandfather was a snake.

Grade: A. I got a little bored near the end but it was still very entertaining.


I also watched the Doris Day/Rock Hudson film Lover Come Back (1961).

This was my first Rock Hudson film and, I've got to say, he's quite a charmer. He's got the typical leading man look, and when he first walked on screen, my first thought was DAMN, the man is tall!!

Anyways, the movie itself was. . .uninspiring. It was silly fun that grated a little on my feminist side. There's one part where Day's character tells Hudson, "No, don't do the dishes, that's the woman's job!".

Also, I really didn't like how absolutely stupid they portrayed Day's character. She was supposedly an advertising genius, feared by her underlings, but put her in a scene with Hudson and she turned into a simpering idiot. I had to watch it with an open mind; I knew times were different then.

That said, the ending was very silly and enjoyable and while it didn't make any kind of sense, I enjoyed it. This movie did introduce me to Tony Randall who was friggin HILARIOUS as Hudson's best friend. I really need to look up what other movies he's done. He had me cracking up.

Carol Templeton: You kissed me and I was thrilled!
Jerry Webster: A kiss? What does that prove? It's like finding out you can light a stove. It doesn't make you a cook.

Jerry Webster: Your trouble is that you're still living in the shadow of your Father. You're even afraid to get rid of his old car.
Peter 'Pete' Ramsey: You don't realize how completely he dominated me ever since I was a little boy. Just once I spoke back to him. He cut a switch from a tree and gave me such a whipping, in front of this girl. It was a shattering experience.
Jerry Webster: Pete, all kids get whippings.
Peter 'Pete' Ramsey: But I was twenty five, the girl was my fiancé.

Grade: A- for the non 'rah rah sisterhood' stuff.

Next Up? I'm considering a Charlie Chaplin marathon. I got my dad the DVD's for Christmas one year but he never watched it. Is Charlie Chaplin worth it? Will I be bored to tears? I guess we'll find out.

Labels: movie review