Catching Up with 'Quelle (2)

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Movie Star Diet – Something Celeste Holm said in an interview about High Society (1956) has wedged itself in my brain and hasn’t wanted to let go. She said that Grace Kelly was very conscious about her weight and her lunch on set was always a cup of tea with honey and a grapefruit. Yikes! I think my ulcer would come back if I ate like that. I sometimes wonder what movie stars ate? Especially when they were working on a movie. Then there is Ava Gardner (the only actress I truly despise) who would eat like a horse and not gain weight. Her daily meal consumption included:

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Breakfast: Southern-fried chicken, grits, biscuits, gravy, coffee.

Lunch: A large steak, veggies, potatoes, salad, apple-pie with ice cream, iced-tea.

Snack: A milkshake. Cornbread dipped in cooked vegetable juices.

Dinner: Another steak, with all the trimmings.

Dessert: ____

Evening snack: An omelette.

Geez at least she skipped dessert!

Robert Mitchum iPhone 4 Case - I got it!

And I love it! It pretty much represents who I am. Someone who loves modern technology but yearns for the past.

You can custom make your own iPhone case over at CafePress.com . The above image is from my Instagram. If you'd like to follow me on there, my username is QuelleLove.

Recuperating - I had surgery on Friday so I've been (trying) to take it easy this weekend. Lots of movies seen! I hope you all have a good week.

Liz and Dick - I recently watched the trailer for the new Liz and Dick TV movie. What do you think of Lindsay Lohan as Elizabeth Taylor? I know a lot of you are strongly against it. I wasn't happy with Jennifer Love Hewitt as Audrey Hepburn and I'm expecting similar from Lohan.

Lightning Flash Giveaway ~ Lawrence of Arabia (1962) 50th Anniversary Event

It's time for another Lightning Flash giveaway hosted by Sony Pictures Entertainment and NCM Fathom Events!

 I'm giving a way 3 pairs of tickets for Lawrence of Arabia (1962) screening on Thursday October 4th  in select US theaters. Check out NCM Fathom Events' official page for the Lawrence of Arabia event for details on where it's showing.

The event features an introduction by Omar Sharif, a newsreel from the New York premiere of Lawrence of Arabia, an interview with Director Martin Scorsese and some extra fun features. The film has been digitally restored in celebration of the 50th anniversary. 

Also on November 13th, a fantastic new Blu-Ray set will be available for sale! (I swear no one is paying me to say this, I just like really nice looking collector's editions boxed sets. I wish I could own them all!)

 You can enter to win a chance to see this here! It's a lightning flash giveaway so please be prepared to respond ASAP to my email if you are contacted. Read the rules and regulations and fill out the form below.

Rules and Regulations:

1) US participants only.

2) Enter by Sunday September 30th at Noon EST.

3) Winner will be chosen at random and contacted via email.

4) There is only ONE SHOWING. If you are not available to see this on Thursday October 4th, please do not enter this contest.

5) If you win, you must reply to my announcement email by 8 am EST on Monday October 1st so NCM Fathom can get you the tickets.

Good luck!

CONTEST IS NOW OVER. 

Winners are Merry, Steve and Bill. Congratulations! Thank you to everyone who participated.

Warner Archive Wednesday ~ Any Number Can Play (1949)

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Any Number Can Play (1949) was shown recently on TCM (Turner Classic Movies). Host Ben Mankiewicz chose to screen it right after Gilda (1946) because both movies dealt with casinos and the people who run them and how that affects the people in their lives. Any Number Can Play has a terrific cast. It stars Clark Gable who was still a major star but according to Mankiewicz needed something to boost his career after a bit of a slump after WWII. Gable also had to compete with the new popular media: Television. So instead of a fancy film about casinos, this one is more about the emotional toll casinos and gambling take on the folks involved.

Clark Gable plays Charley Kyng, the owner of an underground casino. The years of dealing with staff, gangsters and gamblers has taken a toll on him. He's developed a pain in his chest (angina) and wants to take some time off. But it's harder to pry himself free from his business than he thought. He sees how his choice of career is affecting his family: his wife Lon (Alexis Smith) is sad and worried and his son Paul (Darryl Hickman) lashes out.

This film has a terrific cast. Audrey Totter plays Alice, Charley Kyng's sister, and Wendell Corey plays her husband Robbin who works at the casino. Mary Astor plays Ada, Charley's old lover who still harbors strong feelings for Charley even though he won't reciprocate. Frank Morgan plays a regular at the casino. 

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And then there is Lewis Stone. Oh my goodness. How I do love Lewis Stone. I have a serious soft spot for him. Lewis Stone plays Ben, an old widower and ex-insurance agent with a penchant for drink and gambling. In one scene, he comes to Charley (Clark Gable) for a loan. He's done it several times in the past but this time he has collateral. He leaves behind the flask his deceased wife Imogee left to him. It's at this point where I just burst in to tears. A lot of tears. Every single scene with Lewis Stone just gets me crying. Balling. Sobbing. Lewis Stone. I'll save you! Don't give up! I'll adopt you! Let me give you a hug!

I also really sympathized with Clark Gable's character Charley. I have been having some bad chest pains too (although mine are muscle related due to an inflammation around my rib cage). It gets worse with every day stress of work, chores and other health problems. I wish I was in the situation where I had enough money to take a break. But alas I don't.

The film has a good cast but it moves very slowly. It could have used the noir touch for some added intensity and drama. The promotional poster (see above) says this film is not suitable for children but it's not as dark as it pretends to be. It's worth watching for the terrific cast though. 

The movie is available on DVD via Warner Archive.


Warner Archive Wednesday - On (random) Wednesdays, I review one title from the Warner Archive Collection. Movies selected are rented from Classicflix, watched on TCM or purchased from Warner Archive, Classicflix or TCM. This series is not sponsored by Warner Archive.

Turner Classic Film Festival 2013 April 25-28

Here are the details from TCM. I really hope I can go this year!

TCM host and film historian Robert Osborne will serve as official host of the 2013 TCM Classic Film Festival, with TCM's Ben Mankiewicz also introducing various events during the festival. The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, which has a longstanding role in movie history and was the site of the first Oscars® ceremony, will once again serve as the official hotel for the festival, as well as a central gathering point for attendees. Screenings and events will also be held at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, the Chinese 6 Theatres and the Egyptian Theatre. The Hollywood Roosevelt will also offer special rates for festival attendees.

Cinematic Journeys: Travel in the Movies, the theme for the 2013 TCM Classic Film Festival, will explore how movies can carry viewers beyond their hometowns to distant or imaginary locales, where they can be transformed by great storytelling. Often, the mode of travel provides the filmic inspiration, whether it's planes, trains, or automobiles. At other times, the trip itself serves as the central narrative, as in the case of many "road movies." With Hollywood as the starting point, TCM's cinematic excursion will take festival attendees on a fascinating journey to cinematic worlds both familiar and new.

Festival Passes
Passes for the 2013 TCM Classic Film Festival are set to go on sale in November and can be purchased through the TCM Classic Film Festival website at http://www.tcm.com/festival. Passes will be available in five levels, including an additional level added this year. The number of passes available is limited, especially for top-level "Spotlight" passes.

• The "Spotlight" Festival Pass: $1,599 – Includes all privileges available to "Classic" and "Essential" passholders, priority entry to all events; plus entry to an exclusive opening-night party following the red-carpet gala screening at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre; meet-and-greet events with TCM friends, including Robert Osborne and Ben Mankiewicz; and an official TCM Classic Film Festival poster signed by Osborne.
• The "Essential" Festival Pass: $699 – Includes all privileges available to "Classic" passholders, plus entry to the opening-night red-carpet gala screening at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and official TCM Classic Film Festival collectibles.
• The "Classic" Festival Pass: $549 – Includes access to all film programs at festival venues Thursday, April 25 – Sunday, April 28 (does not include admittance to the opening-night red-carpet gala screening at Grauman's Chinese Theatre or the opening-night party); access to all Club TCM events, panels and poolside screenings at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel; an opening-night welcome reception at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel; the closing-night event; and a commemorative festival program.
• The "Matinee" Festival Pass: $349 – Includes access to all film programs starting prior to 6 p.m. (PT) at all festival venues Friday, April 26 – Sunday, April 28; admission to Club TCM events and panels at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel until 6 p.m. daily, Friday, April 26 – Sunday, April 28; and a commemorative festival program.
• NEW PASS LEVEL: The "Palace" Festival Pass: $249 – Includes access to all screenings and events at Grauman's Chinese Theatre (excluding the opening-night red-carpet gala) and the Egyptian Theatre Friday, April 26 – Sunday, April 28 as well as a commemorative festival program.

 
The TCM Classic Film Festival launched in spring 2010 and has quickly established itself destination event. Each year, the festival welcomes 25,000 to more than a hundred screenings and events, with passholders coming from around the world to attend. The 2012 TCM Classic Film Festival included appearances by Liza Minnelli, Kirk Douglas, Mel Brooks, Kim Novak, Debbie Reynolds, Angie Dickinson, Robert Wagner, Stanley Donen and many, many more.

Information about the TCM Classic Film Festival, including video and photos from past festivals, is available at http://www.tcm.com/festival/.