My memories of Robert Osborne (1932-2017)

Robert Osborne at the 2014 TCM Classic Film Festival

I don’t think there was a nicer guy on the planet than Robert Osborne. He was a true gentleman. The world lost someone truly special when the long time host of TCM passed away yesterday. He had been missing from the channel for quite a while and many of us suspected the worst. When the news hit yesterday that he was gone my heart broke. I knew it was coming and probably soon but nothing can really prepare you for the loss of someone who meant so much.

When I first started exploring the world of classic film, Robert Osborne became my teacher and guide. I watched his intros and outros with fervent curiousity and admiration. Thanks to his infectious enthusiasm for classic movies, it wasn’t long before I was hooked.. Osborne had a true love for movies, their history and the people who made them. He was inclusive, understanding, gentle and compassionate. I saw this firsthand when I attended the 2013 and 2014 TCM Classic Film Festivals. For as much as he loved movies, he loved us fans too. Robert Osborne was one-of-a-kind. We’ll never have anyone quite like him.

In honor of the great Robert Osborne I wanted to share some of my favorite memories from seeing him at two of the TCM festivals.

Note: All of the photos shared in the post are my own unless noted otherwise.

Robert Osborne at the 2013 TCMFF Press Conference

1. The first time I saw Robert Osborne -  The 2013 TCMFF press conference was just about to start and I couldn't believe that in a few moments I'd be seeing Robert Osborne, THE Robert Osborne, in person. It had been a dream of mine for years and it was finally happening. What would he be like? Would he be totally different from his on screen persona? Finally I spotted him. Tall, elegantly dressed. He looked ready for the camera. And his presence filled the room. I stared at him in awe. He was larger than life and had a way of making us feel like we belonged there with him. I hung on to his every word. I'd see him numerous times afterwards but I'll never forget that first glimpse.

Ann Blyth and Robert Osborne at the 2013 TCMFF

2. Robert Osborne's interview with actress Ann Blyth - I loved attending the TCMFF interviews held in the Hollywood Roosevelt hotel lobby. These were great moments to see the talent up close. My favorite of these was Osborne's interview with Ann Blyth. Two of my favorite people were only a few feet away from me I couldn't believe it.  Osborne had a way of making his interview subjects feel at ease. You can tell he had a real admiration for Blyth's talent and beauty. He later interviewed her at a screening of Mildred Pierce and that moment was special for me too.

Eva Marie Saint and Robert Osborne pose for pictures at 2013 TCMFF

3. Live from the TCM Classic Film Festival taping with Eva Marie Saint - Not realizing how far away from the main hub of the festival this taping was being held, we hoofed it and barely made it in. We got stuck with nosebleed seats and I was nursing some bad blisters. But I'd do it all over again for the opportunity to watch Robert Osborne interview his good friend Eva Marie Saint. Saint had a love for Osborne and it was evident in their conversation. She said first there was her husband and then there was Osborne. This interview is on the Conversations with Robert Osborne DVD.

TCMFF goers observe the interior of the Grauman's Chinese before it's remodel, circa 2013.

4. On the eve of the TCL/Grauman's Chinese Theatre remodel - The final screening of the 2013 TCMFF festival was held at the Grauman's Chinese Theatre (now the TCL Chinese). The movie was The General (1926) and Osborne was on hand introduced the final big film of the festival. This wasn't going to be any ordinary introduction. Robert Osborne informed the audience that we were attending the second to last event at the theatre before it would be remodeled for IMAX. The theatre was just as it had been since 1926 and he told us to take a moment to look around and take it all in. After the screening was over we all took Osborne's advice. For a few minutes we stood, looked every which way around us and took pictures. It was a bittersweet moment.

Robert Osborne at the 2014 TCMFF Press Conference

5. Robert Osborne's final TCMFF press conference - Robert Osborne held his final TCMFF press conference in 2014 and I was in attendance. I'm grateful for this conference in particular because we got to spend a lot of time listening to Osborne tell us some of his amazing stories. He spoke about how Jane Darwell and Lucille Ball helped him get his start, about his special friendship with Olivia de Havilland and their weekly phone calls and about his excitement for Maureen O'Hara attending that year's festival. Osborne also spoke at length about his favorite movies and how TCM has helped many people get through tough times. You can read my full transcript of Osborne's Q&A here. I feel privileged to have been part of a small group of people who got to hear him speak at this conference.

Robert Osborne and Kim Novak at the 2014 TCMFF

6. Robert Osborne's interview with Kim Novak - I attended a screening of Bell Book and Candle (1958) not expecting the emotionally charged interview that would kick off the event. This happened not too long after Novak's appearance at the Oscars. She had been nervous and took some medication to calm her down which had the ill effect of making her look flighty on stage. She suffered a lot of criticism for her awkwardness and her physical appearance. As Novak recounted the events of that night and its aftermath, Osborne held her hand. You could tell that Novak spoke from deep pain and Osborne was there to comfort her. This really moved me. I knew Novak was in good hands with Osborne by her side and with us as a supportive audience.

Robert Osborne with Maureen O'Hara at the 2014 TCMFF

7. Robert Osborne's interviews with Maureen O'Hara - I consider myself beyond lucky to have seen Robert Osborne interview Maureen O'Hara on two separate occasions. The screening of How Green Was My Valley (1941) was tops for me and some of us got in line a couple hours early to guarantee entrance and a good spot. O'Hara was quite old at that point and had some difficulty with the interview. Osborne was a true gentleman. He was patient and supportive of O'Hara and had this look of admiration that echoed what so many of us felt at that time. There was another interview with O'Hara, a surprise bonus for many of us, at the lobby of the Hollywood Roosevelt. I was at that one too. It hurts to realize that both of these wonderful people are now gone and only the memories remain.

Meeting Robert Osborne in 2014. Photo by Laura.

8. Conversations with Robert Osborne DVD signing - I had no clue that this would be both the only time I would speak with Robert Osborne but also the last time I would see him in person. If I had known that would be the case I would have spoken up more and told Osborne how I truly felt. Earlier in the festival I learned of an opportunity to meet Osborne. Attendees who purchased Conversations with Robert Osborne DVD at the gift shop could attend a special signing on the final day I went with my friend Laura of Laura's Miscellaneous Musings. We were almost last in line and it took quite a while to get to the front. What took so long was Osborne taking the time to chat with attendees and pose for photos. We were told specifically that Osborne had a screening to get to so we could not keep him long and posing for photos was strictly prohibited. Laura and I came up with a plan. While she was getting her DVD signed I'd secretly take photos of them together and she would do the same for me. When I finally got to meet Robert Osborne I was so nervous. Even though his staff was in a rush to get him out of there, Osborne made it seem like he had all the time in the world for me. He asked me if I was enjoying the festival. I couldn't believe he was talking to me. I had spent years watching him on TV telling me everything I wanted to know about the movies I loved. Now here he was right in front of me. It was surreal moment.

And I got to take home a keepsake to treasure forever.

For Raquel. From Robert Osborne.

Thank you Mr. Osborne for the memories. You will be missed.

God speed Robert Osborne (1932-2017)

Bells Are Ringing (1960)

"I'm in love, with a man.

Plaza o double four double three.

What a perfect relationship.

I can't see him, he can't see me.

I'm in love, with a voice.

Plaza o double four double three.

What a perfect relationship

I talk to him, and he just talks to me."

During the late 1950s things weren't looking up for actress Judy Holliday. Her marriage to David Oppenheim was over. She had been summoned by the House Un-American Activities Committee and although she wasn't blacklisted her movie career suffered as a result. Things needed to change for the better and quickly. In steps in her good friends Adolph Green and Betty Comden, the writing duo behind many stellar musicals on stage and on the big screen. Inspired by Holliday's time as a switchboard operator at the Mercury Theatre, Comden and Green create a musical with her in mind. It becomes a huge hit on Broadway with over 900 performances before MGM picks it up and adapts it for screen. The end result is a sparkling musical that serves as a last hurrah for the brilliant Judy Holliday: Bells Are Ringing (1960).

The film stars Judy Holliday as Ella Peterson. She lives and works with her two roommates in a dilapidated freestanding brownstone in New York City. The three of them run a service called Susanswerphone, an answering service for everyone from artists, to local businesses to busy socialites. Ella has a soft spot for her clients and becomes personally involved with them, much to the dismay of her boss and roommate Sue (Jean Stapleton) who wants to keep things strictly business. The thing is Ella is starting to fall in love with the man behind Plaza-04433, Jeffrey Moss (Dean Martin). He's a writer working on his newest musical The Midas Touch. However he's down and out because his writing partner left him and he'd rather drink than face writing by himself. In steps Ella to save the day. Jeffrey thinks Ella is really a 60 year old lady and lovingly refers to her as "Mom". When Ella meets Jeffrey in person she pretends to be Melisande Scott and they fall in love.

A wrench is thrown in the works when two police inspectors have their eye on bringing down Susanswerphone. They suspect it's really some sort of escort service. Sue puts pressure on Ella to be on her best behavior and having a romance with Jeffrey could ruin everything. To complicate things further, Sue is smitten with J. Otto Prantz (Eddie Foy Jr.), the leader of a bookie ring who disguises his illegal activity behind the ruse of the classical music distribution company Titanic Records. Unbeknownst to the smitten Sue and her two roommates, Otto is taking bets on horse races under the guise of orders for Beethoven symphonies and the like.

Ella can't help herself. She wants to help Jeffrey but she also wants to help the dentist who dreams of  being a songwriter and local beatnik Blake Barton (Frank Gorshin) who dreams of making it big as an actor. She wants to help everyone but doesn't want hurt the business either. What's a gal to do?

Judy Holliday sneaks into Dean Martin's apartment in Bells Are Ringing (1960)

With plenty of memorable musical numbers, fun characters and a zany plot with a satisfying ending, Bells Are Ringing (1960) is sure to please. Having seen the film several times recently I've fallen completely head over heels for it. Judy Holliday is so charming. It's her final film role and her only leading part in a color movie which makes it extra special and something to treasure. My favorite numbers of hers are It's a Perfect Relationship, a delightful song you'll find yourself singing over and over again, and the somber The Party's Over. The Titanic Records/bookie scheme is brilliantly explained in It's A Simple Little System lead by Eddie Foy Jr. Let's not forget Dean Martin who has several great solo songs and duets with Holliday. In addition to Comden and Green, Bells Are Ringing features powerhouses from movie musicals including director Vincente Minnelli, producer Arthur Freed, musical director Andre Previn and songwriter Jule Styne.

Bells Are Ringing (1960) was begging to be brought out on Blu-Ray and the good folks at Warner Archive heard the call and did just that. Seeing Judy Holliday don a gorgeous red party dress in the brilliant color only Blu-Ray can bring makes the whole thing worthwhile. The Blu-Ray includes several extras including two deleted musical numbers and an alternate version of The Midas Touch scene and the film's trailer. There is also a featurette from the 2005 DVD release which includes archival footage of Comden and Green discussing the movie, an interview with Hal Linden, who was Sydney Chaplin's understudy for the role of Jeffrey Moss on Broadway, as well as an interview with actor Frank Gorshin. I love that the Blu-Ray has English subtitles and a song selection menu which gave me an opportunity to play my favorites over and over again while also learning the lyrics.

The story of this film has a somber note as well. Holliday had a rough time making the picture. Ever the perfectionist she wanted it to be just as good as the Broadway production. She had a love affair with Sydney Chaplin, son of Charlie Chaplin, and her co-star on Broadway. That relationship ended before MGM started production on the film. It was inevitable that they had to replace Chaplin. Vincente Minnelli had just made Some Came Running with Dean Martin so he was a natural choice for the role. Holliday was sick during the making of Bells Are Ringing and died 5 years later of breast cancer. It's a shame we don't have more time with her. It makes films like this all the more special.

Bells are Ringing (1960) is available on Blu-Ray from the Warner Archive. Their Blu-Rays are pressed discs and not made on demand like their DVDs. You'll definitely want to pick up a copy of this one!

Warner Archive Wednesday - On (random) Wednesdays, I review one title from the Warner Archive Collection. Thank you to the Warner Archive for sending me Bells Are Ringing (1960) for review!

J'accuse (1938)

"I dedicate this film to the dead of the war of tomorrow, who will no doubt watch it skeptically without recognizing in it their own image." - Abel Gance

Yesterday my husband and I had a lovely conversation with a 93 year old WWII veteran who fought on D-Day in 1944. He told us about the time when he went back to Normandy for the 50th anniversary of the battle. My husband asked if visiting was difficult for him to go back and he replied "not really." In fact during the most of the conversation this vet brushed off any notion that anything to do with his service, including the dwindling size of his infantry, had any bad effect on him. This vet was either impervious to the brutalities of war or was still living with the decades old stigma of shell shock and the societal pressure of being a brave soldier.

But what about those who were affected and showed it openly? Director Abel Gance's J'Accuse (1938) shines a spotlight on the mental anguish caused by war. Victor Francen plays Jean Diaz, a soldier during WWI, is having an affair with the wife of fellow soldier Laurin (Marcel Delaître). It's the eve of the armistice and Laurin's troop has been chosen by lots to fight at Ravin des Dames, a battle that will lead to certain death. Laurin gives Jean a series of letters to send to their shared love Edith (Line Noro). Jean decides instead to swap places with another soldier and fight alongside Laurin and the others in the troop. Jean is the sole survivor and he returns to Edith. But he discovers he's lost his love for her and instead focuses his energy on preventing another war. Twenty years pass and the threat of a second great war is looming. Jean, who displays photos of the lost soldiers in the form of a cross above his bed, is haunted by the dead. His mental state spirals out of control. When Jean hears the news of the impending war he summons the dead from the graves in an epic and fantastical finale.

"I hope they have enough trees to make crosses." - Morat

I've read a few summaries of this film and many focus on the love triangle between Jean, Laurin and Edith. While this is certainly part of the plot it's not really the heart of the story. J'Accuse is Gance's anti-war manifesto. It comes almost 20 years after his silent version of the story, released in 1919 focusing on WWI. Gance remade the film in a sound version but chose to expand the story and bridge both WWI and the impending WWII. It's a fantastic film yet it's also bleak, unrelenting and difficult to watch. I had started and stopped the film several times. After my conversation with the WWII vet I was in a better head space to tackle the film and watched it all the way through.

J'Accuse is my first Abel Gance film but it certainly won't be my last. I've had my eye on Napoleon for a while and will be watching the original J'Accuse very soon.

Jean Diaz (Victor Francen) at the tombs of his fellow soldiers

The title is inspired by Jean accusations. He blames Europe of not learning from the past war to prevent a future one. I was particularly taken by Jean's speech, delivered just before his downward spiral. I've transcribed it below:

"I accuse the war of yesterday of making the Europe of today. And I accuse the war of tomorrow of preparing its destruction. I accuse mankind of failing to learn the lessons of the last catastrophe, of waiting with folded arms for the next war.  I accuse the short-sighted, the egotists, of having allowed Europe to be divided instead of building a permanent alliance. And I accuse the men of today not only of failing to understand, but of laughing when reminded of the most beautiful expression on earth: love one another. I accuse you same men of ignoring the voices of the millions who died in the war and who have cried out to you for 20 years Stop! You're taking the same terrible path!" - Jean Diaz

J'Accuse was released a few months before the start of WWII. According to Gance's end credits, the film's success demonstrated that France wanted peace not war. I've always been drawn to these types of stories. I credit Dalton Trumbo's anti-war novel Johnny Got His Gun for my love of literature and for influencing my politics. And in many ways it contributed to my passion for film. I was particularly fascinated by how Gance focuses on the dead and how their sacrifice should never be forgotten. The film is worth watching not only for it's message but also for the wonderful cinematography, the fine performance by lead actor Francen and an early depiction of zombies, who differ greatly from our modern representation of the paranormal.

Even if you're put off by the subject matter, I encourage you to tackle this film. J'Accuse is an underrated classic and important time capsule of world history.

J'Accuse (1938) is available on Blu-Ray and DVD from Olive Films. Thank you to Olive for a copy of this film to review.