My Tribute to Tennessee Williams

For the last couple of months I have been devoting much of my time to reading the works of Tennessee Williams, as well as watching the movies based off of his plays. I have always loved A Streetcar Named Desire, but for the past months I have made it my personal project to watch as many films based off of his plays that I could get my hands on. I am still working on that project, but some of the ones I have watched so far are: A Streetcar Named Desire (of which I am currently reading), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Fugitive Kind, and Sweet Bird of Youth. All of which I thoroughly enjoyed! As I have been focusing on his plays, I have come to realize how truly amazing his work is. It isn't very often that you read or watch something that really hits you; his works have really made an impact on me and are finding a special place in my heart. His plays are so full of depth, and symbolism; the personal struggles he felt in his own life have really impacted his writing and bring them to life. His magnetized works have captivated me, and I would like to share my feelings about two of my favorite movies based off of his works.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof--

This movie is slowly becoming one of my very favorites. It might have to do with my burning love for Paul Newman, or maybe it is just because it is acted so wonderfully, and the story line is written by the playwright extraordinaire, Tennessee Williams. This movie has a fine cast and keeps you going until the last minute. This movie is about wealthy southern plantation owner, Big Daddy Pollit (Burl Ives), who is unaware that he is dying of cancer and is perturbed by the childless and weakened marriage of his favorite, alcohol driven son, Brick (Newman), and his other son, Gooper (Jack Carson) and his wife who are constantly trying to take over his fortune and plantation. Maggie (Elizabeth Taylor), Brick's wife, tries to no end to get Brick to stay away from the bottle and affronts him about his relationship with a deceased friend, Skipper. Tensions arise when Big Daddy finds out the truth about his health, and he and Brick try to resolve their differences. I absolutely fell in love with this movie the first time I watched it, and love it even more each time I re-watch it. The acting is superb, and it does not surprise me that it was nominated for 6 Oscars! Paul Newman's acting is outstanding and he was as FINE as ever! I absolutely love Elizabeth Taylor in this movie! She is beautiful and he performance is breath-taking. This is an emotion-filled, suspenseful, and very impressive movie! I highly recommend it.

The Fugitive Kind--

This movie, based off of the play Orpheus Descending, encompasses the theme of good overcoming evil, and is filled with a passion for life. It is about a drifter , Val 'Snakeskin' Xavier (Marlon Brando), who wanders into a small Mississippi town and gets a job as a store clerk at a small shop ran by Lady Torrence (Anna Magnani). Lady is a sex-staved woman, who is married to a cold and abusive husband who is dying in the room above the store. As Val and Lady become closer, passion sets fire to the movie as the two come to deeply care for each other. Meanwhile, Val is also being pursued by local rebel, Carole Cutrere (Joanne Woodward). This film is filled with the delicious symbolism of Tennessee Williams, and the actors in it fit the archetypal characters that Mr. Williams meant them to be. The Fugitive Kind is filled with passion, and enveloped sensuality and vitality. It is lively and captivating, and deeply heartbreaking. This is not only a movie, but to me it has become a way of life. It is very rare that you watch a movie that you can almost feel inside you, this movie is like that for me. I have rooted a deep connection to this movie, and its compelling beauty almost seems to consume me every time I watch it. This movie radiates the complexity and brilliance of Tennessee Williams. The acting is magnificent. Marlon Brando yet again shows the world what acting really is, and brings the character of Val to life. His performance is divine, and I am once again reminded why I love him so much. Anna Magnani magnifies William's earthy and beautiful character, and gives a performance that many a time gave me chills. Joanne Woodward is magnificent, and her great performance is the icing on top of the cake. This movie will keep you going until the very end, and there is no doubt the the last minutes will leave you breathless.

"Wild things leave their skins."

My respect and love for the works of Tennessee Williams grows and grows. His brilliance never ceases to amaze me. He is the master of the playwrights. He was a great man, whose works embody passion and life. The depth and beauty of his plays have defied time, and there is no doubt the his works will be forever burned into the history of America.

What's Eating Gilbert Grape

The other day I came across a movie treasure, What's Eating Gilbert Grape. I know that I usually blog about old movies, but for this I will make an exception. From the moment the movie started I just had a feeling that I was going to love this movie. I loved every moment of this movie, it is one of those few movies that is truly beautiful. The movie is about a young man named Gilbert Grape (Johnny Depp) who has to take care of his mentally challenged brother (Leonardo Dicaprio) and his morbidly obese mother (Darlene Cates), as well as provide for his family financially. Gilbert is a caring brother who takes care of Arnie with complete devotion and compassion. He selflessly serves his family, hardly ever thinking for himself. As the family is planning Arnie's 18th birthday party, a camper trailer brings a young girl, Becky (Juiliette Lewis), into town. As she and Gilbert become close, Gilbert is influenced by her free way of life and starts to learn how to live his own life. This film is tragic and very heartfelt. Not only was it beautiful, but the acting was phenomenal. By the end of the movie I had completely forgotten that Leonardo Dicaprio was playing the mentally challenged Arnie Grape, because he had almost seemed to become the character. Dicaprio's performance was one of the best I have ever seen, and he most definitely deserved the Oscar and Golden Globe he won for this role. I love Johnny Depp and I have seen many of his movies, but I have to say that his character of Gilbert Grape has moved its way to the very top of my list. His character will steal your heart and captivate you entirely. Darlene Cates, who plays Momma, gives a spectacular performance. You can feel her heartache and her inner turmoil. Your heart goes out to her as she goes through a daily physical struggle. This movie has really had an impact on me, and has left me feeling so grateful for what I have and that I should never take it for granted. This movie will make you laugh, cry, and maybe even help you gain a new perspective on life.

Penny Serenade

Yesterday I had the great pleasure of watching the movie, Penny Serenade. First you must know that I am a huge Cary Grant fan, so any critique I make about him will be nothing but absolutely glowing. Before this movie I had only seen Irene Dunne in one other movie (The Awful Truth) but it was in this movie that I just fell in love with her. This movie was tender and really touched my heart. The story starts with Julie (Dunne) going through records as she is about to leave her husband. The story unfolds as she listens to the songs, which take her back to the earlier events of her marriage. She recalls falling in love with newspaper man, Roger (Grant), and the early days of their marriage. She and Roger lose their coming baby in a tragic accident, and the rest of the movie consists of their attempt to cope with their lose, and eventually trying to adopt. Without giving any major spoilers I will just say that this story is most definitely a tear jerker, and a box of tissue goes hand in hand with this movie. Now I would like to expound on the excellent acting done in this picture! I have seen over a dozen of Cary Grant movies, but this one really stands out to me. It is no wonder this role earned him an 1941 Oscar nomination (one of his only two). And it is no wonder this movie was one of Mr. Grant's favorites, because he shines. This movie has made itself a special place in my heart, and I would highly recommend it to anyone.

A Weekend of Movies

This weekend I was able to get a LOT of movie watching done. I started off with watching one of my VERY favorites- Hello Dolly! If you like musicals, even just a little bit, I highly recommend that you watch this movie. This movie is hilarious! Barbara Streisand is Dolly Levi and she delivers! In my opinion this is definitely one of her greatest performances. And how could one go wrong with a movie directed by none other than the amazing Gene Kelly! And if any of you are Phantom of the Opera fans like me, then you will find a treat in seeing a young Michael Crawford as the 28 3/4 year old store clerk, Cornelius Hackl! This movie is fun, and definitely worth your time.

I then watched the movie that rose Paul Newman to stardom, Somebody Up There Likes Me. This movie is about the middle-weight boxer, Rocky Graziano, played by Paul Newman, and how he became a fighter. Newman's performance is a great one, and it is no wonder that it helped him grab his fame. This movie has everything; romance, conflict, fighting, etc. This is a great movie for all, and is one that I will definitely watch again.

Next, I re-watched The African Queen, which is one of my absolute favorites! The movie comes out on DVD for the first time tomorrow so I thought that I would gear myself up. Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn both give incredible performances, and create an on-screen relationship that is full of chemistry. There are wonderful settings, a lot of it being filmed in the jungle itself. The plot is exciting and keeps you going throughout the entire movie. It is no wonder that Bogie won an Oscar for this performance! He is amazing, and this role is definitely one of my favorites of his. This movie will leave you very satisfied and hopefully by the time you are done you will have found a new favorite like I did.

Today I watched Funny Face, starring Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire. It is amazing that I took so long to watch this movie! Hepburn and Astaire make a dazzling team! Hepburn is a book store clerk named Jo, and Astaire is the fashion photographer who picks her out of the crowd and grooms her for stardom. The musical numbers are witty, romantic, and very memorable. And the dance numbers are excellent, and how could they not when Fred Astaire is the choreographer! Audrey's wardrobe alone is reason enough to watch the great movie! This movie is a song and dance filled extravaganza that will entertain you to no end!

Along with these movies I also watched the movies: Funny Girl, starring Barbara Streisand and Omar Sharif, The Hustler, starring one of my favorites yet again, Paul Newman, That Touch of Mink, starring the very handsome Cary Grant and Doris Day, and The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer, starring Cary Grant once again, along with a teenage Shirley Temple and Myrna Loy. All of these movies were fabulous and I would highly recommend them along with the movies above!

An Affair to Remember... And You Will Definitely Remember!

One of my all time favorites is An Affair to Remember. There have been many versions of this movie made, but this version is by far my favorite! This is a romantic masterpiece about two lovers, Terry McKay and Nickie Ferrante, who fall in love on a steamship and agree to meet on top of the Empire State Building in six months. Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr are both at their very best in this movie. And how could any girl resist the debonair charms of the amazingly handsome Cary Grant?! This film is beautiful, and really tugs at the heart. Although it is 50 years old, this movie still remains a timeless classic, and is one that I can watch over and over again. Leo McCarey's An Affair to Remember is a legendary tear jerker, and is one that you will find yourself quoting over and over again.

"Winter must be cold for those with no warm memories."

A Streetcar Named... Amazing!

Yesterday I re-watched one of my very favorites-- A Streetcar Named Desire. Once again I was reminded why I love this movie so much. Elia Kazan has made this movie with perfection, it was perfectly casted, Marlon Brando shines in his role as Stanley, and Vivien Leigh does a wonderful Blanche Du Bois. And of course the supporting roles were beautifully played: Karl Malden as Mitch and of course Kim Hunter as Stella. It is no wonder that this movie won 5 Oscars!! All of the leads, excluding Brando, won an Oscar for their stellar performances. And of course one must give credit to Mr. Tennessee Williams for writing this this legendary play! This movie is unforgettable and after watching it, there is no doubt that Brando yelling, "Hey Stella!!" will be forever etched into your mind.

About Me- Danielle the Crazy Movie Girl

Hello, my name is Danielle, and I am an obsessive movie watcher. I love movies!! I have made this blog to share what I think about the movies I watch every week, and recommend the really good ones, as well as impart my movie wisdom with you. I especially love older movies, so this blog will probably be filled with recommendations to mainly older movies from the 50's and 60's. I absolutely adore Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant, James Stewart, Paul Newman, and of course the truly amazing Marlon Brando!! Some of my favorite movies are The Godfather, On the Waterfront, The African Queen, Roman Holiday, The Philadelphia Story, and most of all Casablanca; so if you haven't seen any of these movies I highly recommend that you go rent them this very minute!!