WYSW: The Quatermass Xperiment/The Creeping Unknown (1955)

This is my entry for the Monster Mash Blogathon, hosted by Nathanael from FCoY.

Based on a 1953 BBC TV series of the same name, this is a science fiction film, about an obsessive professor and an alien-possessed astronaut, and the resulting conclusion when the two mixes together. I'm not really into horror or sci-fi, but this is anyway a classic and it has certain quality that is mention-worthy here. Some points about the film I love, but some I just plain dislike (like the fact that it's a horror movie). And so, the reasons why you should at least consider to watch The Quatermass Xperiment (in my opinion) are...

Friday highlights

1. I am now LAMB member #1033

go ahead, make my day

2. (Fake) criterion
I found this tumblr blog and I love it. I hope it's being updated daily. My favourite being this from all:

le awesome

3. Rhett Butler

Never in my life have I seen anyone like him. Being in love with the most impossible girl in the world, witnessing his beloved daughter died practically in vain, and dealing with jealousy and heartache almost everyday with no clear solutions. He has everything, except that one girl he just could not reach. Such a hurt man. He takes it all like no gentleman, and no gentleman he is. You think he's good? He's not! But I love him to bits, just like how I love Scarlett to bits. They're one of the most messed up couples I've known.

oh snap!

4.  Hepburn, Bogart (and Holden)'s film together

 

I always love watching a refreshing classic romance. This week's classic lighthearted romance is Sabrina (1954). It's funny, it's sophisticated, it's true to the genre, the actings are honest and the chemistry's lovely, and the plot is amusing. And I have to say, Audrey Hepburn's legs are to die for. Those are the limbs of a true woman! And what is more, Humphrey Bogart is the leading man here. And then there's Paris and champagne glasses in pockets. And dancing inside a tennis court, with a Givenchy gown that might be worth your lifetime's salary. This film is a dream come true to any girls out there with a head full of lovely, romantic things.

5.  And of course... the Monster Movie Blogathon!

It's started already. Click for Day 1

Sabrina (1954)

Sabrina Fairchild: Maybe you should go to Paris, Linus. 
Linus Larrabee: To Paris?
Sabrina Fairchild: It helped me a lot. Have you ever been there?
Linus Larrabee: Oh yes. Once. I was there for thirty-five minutes.
Sabrina Fairchild: Thirty-five minutes?
Linus Larrabee: Changing planes. I was on my way to Iraq on an oil deal.
Sabrina Fairchild: Oh, but Paris isn't for changing planes, it's for changing your outlook! For throwing open the windows and letting in... letting in la vie en rose.
Linus Larrabee: Paris is for lovers. Maybe that's why I stayed only thirty-five minutes.

It Happened One Night (1934)

Alexander Andrews: Oh, er, do you mind if I ask you a question, frankly? Do you love my daughter?
Peter Warne: Any guy that'd fall in love with your daughter ought to have his head examined.
Alexander Andrews: Now that's an evasion!
Peter Warne: She picked herself a perfect running mate - King Westley - the pill of the century! What she needs is a guy that'd take a sock at her once a day, whether it's coming to her or not. If you had half the brains you're supposed to have, you'd done it yourself, long ago.
Alexander Andrews: Do you love her?
Peter Warne: A normal human being couldn't live under the same roof with her without going nutty! She's my idea of nothing!
Alexander Andrews: I asked you a simple question! Do you love her?
Peter Warne: YES!

Why you should watch: Casablanca (1942)

Who doesn't know about Casablanca? This movie might be the greatest of all great classic movies. It's a literary film, and that's exactly why I love it.

And why should you watch Casablanca? Aside from the fact that it's plain epic? Well...

New to classic films?

You don't have to worry at all, because I too am new to classic films. I'm still learning!
Here are some fantastic links to get you started on classic cinema... and more.

New To Classic Film? 6 Movies To Get You Started
(basically 6 introductory movies to the classics 6 essential classics)

Ten Great Films To Get You Hooked On Pre-Code Hollywood
(pre-Code was an important era in the history of classic cinema... read on)

Beginner's Guide to Silent Films
(title says it all)

The Beginners Guide to Classic American Cinema
(brief talk about Classic American Cinema)

A Beginner's Guide to Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier
(the couple played major roles during the Golden Age of Hollywood and was highly influential... up until now)

Alfred Hitchcock
and his notable films
(quite lengthy, but you simply cannot forget about the great auteur!)

Classic Films
(yet another 'a-beginners-guide')

Films During the Great Depression
(highlights some notable Depression-era films)

and of course, the one site I consider essential when talking about the classic cinema:
100 Years

Notice that there are a lot of sites and classic film blogs out there that you can use as a reference or two (try starting from my blogroll) The links here simply highlight certain aspects that you should know in order to understand the value of classic cinema; to become familiar with it. I do hope this helps!

Happy 100th birthday Ginger Rogers!

The Gay Divorce (1934)

Egbert Fitzgerald: "Now listen, I'll give you the password. When you see the lady, you must go to her and say 'chance is the fool's name for fate'."
Rodolfo Tonetti: "Chance is the foolish name-"
Egbert Fitzgerald: "More fair, the fool's name for fate."
Rodolfo Tonetti: "Oh yes, I will-- tell me please, what she mean?"
Egbert Fitzgerald: "Well, you have to have some method, you have to, when you... uh, who? Oh, nevermind, nevermind what it means, just say it!"
Rodolfo Tonetti: "Yes!"
Egbert Fitzgerald: "Now, Tonetti, remember, i want delicacy, tact, assurance, finesse!"
Rodolfo Tonetti: (pats his bag) "I have brought everything."

21

I have made a resolution to target down 21 films that I have to watch before July ends. This might sound simple, this might sound easy, but believe me, I was struggling to finish off three films in two days the previous week (and this comes from an unemployed high school grad!) so we'll see how I will cope with this new mission.

And the movie candidates are (in no particular order):

1. Singin' In the Rain (1952)
2. Casablanca (1942)
3. It Happened One Night (1934)
4. The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle (1939)
5. Holiday Inn (1942)
6. Now, Voyager (1942)
7. The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)
8. Sabrina (1954)
9. The General (1926)
10. Kitty Foyle (1940)

11. The Quatermass Xperiment (1955)

12. Sidewalks of London (1938)
13. Anatomy of a Murder (1959)
14. Grand Hotel (1932)

15. Cleopatra (1963)

16. Gentleman's Agreement (1947)
17. Gone With the Wind (1939)
18. Shall We Dance (1937)
19. Blonde Crazy (1931)
20. The Philadelphia Story (1940)
21. Modern Times (1936)

What, you ask, is the purpose of this random movie marathon? Simply to expand my film knowledge. Then I can brag about it. And besides, almost all of these films are still foreign to me. Thus, people must think 'how dare she runs a classic film blog yet she haven't even seen Casablanca?' yeah, beats me too. Shame on me, shame on me.

This week's focus

Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier

more of Fred and Ginger

Charlie Chaplin's The Great Dictator

Rex Harrison. Why is he so handsome here?

blogathons

James Stewart and Alfred Hitchcock

That Hamilton Woman and the history behind it

Five more days...

To Ginger Rogers' 100th birthday!

I want to show my appreciation for her by spamming this blog with loads of Ginger-related posts on that day (which is July 16th) and reviewing (of course) one of her movies. But this time, no Fred Astaire involved! I've been planning to watch the film that gained her her very first and only Academy Award win for Best Actress, Kitty Foyle (1940). In fact, the movie was also nominated for Best Picture, though it lost to Rebecca. I expect this to be quite a film, and I just can't wait to see Ginger act a more dramatic role, compared to the usually light and comedic roles she did with RKO Pictures and Fred. This might change the way I look at Ginger as an actress... in a much better way!

Sleuth (1972)

How should I start...? From the very beginning to the very end, I felt like going on a thrilling yet fun adventure watching this film. I love everything about it. I love the intro, I love the film score, I love the plot and the twists, the superb dialogue, Michael Caine, and I love Laurence Olivier. I love their pairing so much it's ridiculous.

So what's Sleuth about? It tells the story of a cat-and-mouse game played by a wealthy writer, Andrew Wyke (Olivier) and a hairdresser, Milo Tindle (Caine), for a much more wicked motivation than just general pastime.

Storm in a Teacup (1937) - Viv & Larry Blogathon, on Vivien

There are several reasons why I chose this film for the Viv & Larry blogathon: 1) this is one of Vivien's early films, and I planned to cover her early film, 2) there is Rex Harrison in it and 3) it's a romantic comedy, which I like. I like classic rom-coms.

Anyways, my first impression of this film is amazement over Vivien's poise as she acted the role of a provost's daughter, Victoria Gow, and adoration towards Rex Harrison's cheeky expression and mischievous gaze. I also liked the witty dialogues. Then I began to wonder, as I watched, almost the whole time they're just causing a ruckus over a dog... one fact I just can't seem to take off my mind.

Welcoming (the first week of) July

I started July by downloading The Gay Divorcee and finishing off The Temple of Doom. Then I saw A Streetcar Named Desire, watched the trailer for Marathon Man, knew for the first time that the actress who played Scarlett O’Hara suffered bipolar disorder, remembered that Sleuth is one of the movies I must watch ASAP, and finally stumbled upon the site vivandlarry.com.

Breakfast At Tiffany's (1961)

Paul Varjak: I'm sorry to bother you, but I couldn't get the downstairs door open. I guess they sent me the upstairs key. I couldn't get the downstairs door open-- I said, I guess they sent me... upstairs key. I couldn't get the downstairs door open.

Lady and the Tramp (1955)

Jock: Look here, laddie! Who are you to barge in?
Tramp: the voice of experience, buster. Just wait 'til Junior gets here. You feel the urge for a nice, comfortable scratch, and... "Put that dog out! He'll get fleas all over the baby!" You start barking at some strange mutt...
[Barks]
Tramp: "Stop that racket, you'll wake the baby!" And then... then they hit you on the room and board department. Oh, remember those nice, juicy cuts of beef? Forget 'em. Leftover baby food. And that nice, warm bed by the fire? A leaky dog house.
Lady: Oh, dear!