Classic Movies - Christmas Classics: Bachelor Mother

Polly Parrish (Ginger Rogers) is a salesgirl at the department store John B. Merlin and Son in New York City who has just been told that since the Christmas season is ending she is going to be dismissed. During her lunch break, she sees a stranger leaving a baby on the steps of an orphanage. Fearing the baby is going to roll down the steps, Polly picks it up as the door is opened, and is mistakenly thought to be the mother.

David Merlin (David Niven), the playboy son of the store's owner, J.B. Merlin (Charles Coburn), is sympathetic to the "unwed mother" and arranges for her to get her job back. Mrs. Weiss (Ferike Boros), Polly's landlady, offers to take care of the boy when Polly is at work. Unable to convince anyone that she is not the mother, Polly gives up and starts raising the child.

David's involvement with Polly gradually turns into love, but he keeps the relationship a secret from his father, fearing his reaction. When he finds that New Year's Eve has arrived and he has no date, David turns to Polly. He orders clothes to be sent from the store and takes her to a party. Although David is falling for Polly he does not relish the idea of a "ready made family."

J.B. finally finds out about the child; he assumes that David is the father and no one can convince him otherwise, especially when, in a bit of bad timing, Polly and David each produce a different man whom they claim is the father. To his son's surprise, J.B. is delighted (he had been impatiently waiting for David to settle down and provide him with a grandson). In the end, David decides that he is in love with Polly and baby John. He tells his father that he is the father of the child and plans to marry Polly, all the while believing Polly is the child's mother.

**Trivia Question for Today: Bachelor Mother was remade in 1956, starring Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher. What is the name of this remake?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: For the 'drunk' dance in the New Year's Eve scene in Holiday Inn, Fred Astaire had two drinks of bourbon before the first take and one before each succeeding take. The seventh (last) take was used in the film. I would say that he was pretty 'tipsy'.

Classic Movies - Christmas Classics: Holiday Inn

Jim Hardy and Ted Hanover have been vaudeville partners for many years but when Ted announces that he and Jim's girlfriend, dancer Lila Dixon, are going to set off on their own, Jim decides the time has come to retire. He buys himself a farmhouse in New England and settles into the country life but soon realizes that he has an opportunity to do something special. He decides to open his inn to the public, but only on major holidays. Things are going well for him until his old partner Ted shows up and sets his sights on Jim's new friend, Linda Mason. The film introduced the song White Christmas.

**Trivia Question for Today: For the 'drunk' dance in the New Year's Eve scene in Holiday Inn, was Fred Astaire really drunk or was it just an act?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: Although the word "Scrooge" means a stingy person now, in Charles Dickens's time, the word was a slang term meaning "to squeeze."

Classic Movies - Christmas Classics: Scrooge (A Christmas Carol)

Ebenezer Scrooge is a business man who thinks only of making money. For him Christmas is, in his own words, a humbug. It has been seven years since his friend and partner, Jacob Marley, died and on Christmas Eve Marley's ghost tells him he is to be visited during the night by three spirits. The first is the Ghost of Christmas Past who re-visits some of the main events in Scrooge's life to date, including his unhappy childhood, his happy apprenticeship to Mr. Fezziwig who cared for his employees, and the end of his engagement to a pretty young woman due to growing love of money. The Ghost of Christmas Present shows him how joyously is nephew Fred and his clerk Bob Cratchit celebrate Christmas with those they love. The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come shows him what he will leave behind after he is gone. Scrooge awakens on Christmas morning, a new man intent on doing good and celebrating the season with all of those around him.

**Trivia Question for Today: Although the word "Scrooge" means a stingy person now, in Charles Dickens's time, the word had another meaning. What was the meaning?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: Lionel Barrymore was originally set to play Scrooge in the 1938 version of A Christmas Carol, but had to back out due to illness. Barrymore instead suggested his friend Reginald Owen take over the role.

Classic Movies - Christmas Classics: A Christmas Carol

On Christmas Eve, an old miser named Ebenezer Scrooge (Reginald Owen) is visited by the spirit of his former partner, Jacob Marley (Leo G. Carroll). The deceased partner was in his lifetime as mean and miserly as Scrooge is now and he warns him to change his ways or face the consequences in the afterlife. Scrooge dismisses the apparition but the first of the three ghosts, the Ghost of Christmas Past (Ann Rutherford), visits as promised. Scrooge sees those events in his past life, both happy and sad, that forged his character. The second spirit, the Ghost of Christmas Present (Lionel Braham), shows him how many currently celebrate Christmas. The Ghost of Christmas yet to Come (D'Arcy Corrigan) shows him how he will be remembered once he is gone. To his delight, the spirits complete their visits in one night giving him the opportunity to mend his ways.

**Trivia Question for Today: In the 1938 version of A Christmas Carol, who was originally set up to play the part of Ebenezer Scrooge?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: There are 21 mail bags carried into the courtroom at the end of Kris Kringle's hearing in Miracle on 34th Street.

Classic Movies - Christmas Classics: Miracle on 34th Street

At the Macy's Department Store Thanksgiving Day parade, the actor playing Santa is discovered to be drunk by a whiskered old man (Edmund Gwenn). Doris Walker (Maureen O'Hara), the no nonsense special events director, persuades the old man to take his place. The old man proves to be a sensation and is quickly recruited to be the store Santa at the main Macy's outlet. While he is successful, Ms. Walker learns that he calls himself Kris Kringle and he claims to be the actual Santa Claus. Despite reassurances by Kringle's doctor that he is harmless, Doris still has misgivings, especially when she has cynically trained herself, and especially her daughter, Susan (Natalie Wood), to reject all notions of belief and fantasy. And yet, people, especially Susan, begin to notice there is something special about Kris and his determination to advance the true spirit of Christmas amidst the rampant commercialism around him and succeeding in improbable ways.

**Trivia Question for Today: How many mail bags are carried into the courtroom at the end of Kris Kringle's hearing in Miracle on 34th Street?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: For the scene in It's a Wonderful Life that required Donna Reed to throw a rock into the window of the Granville House, Frank Capra hired a marksman to shoot it out for her on cue. To everyone's amazement, Donna Reed broke the window with true aim and heft without the assistance of the hired marksman!

Classic Movies - Christmas Classics: It's A Wonderful Life

George Bailey (James Stewart) has spent his entire life giving of himself to the people of Bedford Falls. He has always longed to travel but never had the opportunity in order to prevent rich skinflint Mr. Potter (Lionel Barrymore) from taking over the entire town. All that prevents him from doing so is George's modest building and loan company, which was founded by his generous father. But on Christmas Eve, George's Uncle Billy (Thomas Mitchell) loses the business's $8,000 while intending to deposit it in the bank. Potter finds the misplaced money and hides it from Billy. When the bank examiner discovers the shortage later that night, George realizes that he will be held responsible and sent to jail and the company will collapse, finally allowing Potter to take over the town. Thinking of his wife, Mary, (Donna Reed), their young children, and others he loves will be better off with him dead, he contemplates suicide. But the prayers of his loved ones result in a gentle angel named Clarence (Henry Travers) coming to earth to help George.

**Trivia Question for Today: For the scene in It's a Wonderful Life that required Donna Reed to throw a rock into the window of the Granville House, did she actually break the window herself?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: Danny Kaye was a last-minute replacement for Phil Davis in White Christmas. Donald O'Connor was originally cast to play the part.

Classic Movies - Christmas Classics: White Christmas

After leaving the Army after W.W.II, Bob Wallace (Bing Crosby) and Phil Davis (Danny Kaye) team up to become a top song-and-dance act. Davis plays matchmaker and introduces Wallace to a pair of beautiful girls, the Haynes sisters, Betty (Rosemary Clooney) and Judy (Vera-Ellen), who also have a song-and-dance act. When Betty and Judy travel to a Vermont lodge to perform a Christmas show, Wallace and Davis follow, only to find their former commander, General Waverly (Dean Jagger), is the lodge owner. A series of romantic mix-ups ensue as the performers try to help the General.

Trivia Question for Today: Danny Kaye was a last-minute replacement for Phil Davis in White Christmas. Who was originally cast to play this part?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: In The Bishop's Wife, there was a change in the cast part way through the filming. Cary Grant was originally cast as the bishop and David Niven was cast as the angel. When original director William A. Seiter left the film, Henry Koster replaced him and viewed what had been shot so far. He realized that the two were in the wrong roles. It took some convincing because Grant wanted the title role of the Bishop. He soon accepted the change and his role as the angel was one of the most widely praised of his career.

Classic Movies - Christmas Classics: The Bishop's Wife

An Episcopal Bishop, Henry Brougham (David Niven), has been working for months on the plans for an elaborate new cathedral which he hopes will be paid for primarily by a wealthy, stubborn widow. He is losing sight of his family and of why he became a churchman in the first place. Henry prays for guidance with his cathedral. Dudley (Cary Grant), an angel sent to help him, arrives on the scene, but his guidance isn't about fundraising. Dudley does help everyone he meets, but not necessarily in the way they would have preferred. Dudley quickly charms his way into Henry's life, becoming a favorite of his maid, his daughter, and even his wife Julia (Loretta Young), all the while preventing Henry from telling anyone what Dudley claims to be. Julia begins to enjoy Dudley's company, being completely charmed by his ability to do seemingly everything well. Meanwhile, Henry gets no closer to building his cathedral, and becomes increasingly angry with Dudley for taking over his family. With the exception of Henry, everyone loves Dudley, but Henry begins to believe that Dudley is there to replace him, both at work and in his family's affections, as Christmas approaches.

**Trivia Question for Today: In The Bishop's Wife, there was a change in the cast part way through the filming. Who were originally cast as the bishop and the angel?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: In March of the Wooden Soldiers, the "actor" in the "Mickey Mouse" costume was a capuchin monkey!

Trivia Bonus Answer for Previous Post: In March of the Wooden Soldiers, look carefully at the back wall in the Three Little Pigs' house, and you'll be able to spot framed photographs of "Mother" and "Father" - a plate of sausages and a football, respectively.

Classic Movies - Christmas Classics: March of the Wooden Soldiers

Ollie Dee (Oliver Hardy) and Stanley Dum (Stan Laurel) try to borrow money from their employer, the toymaker, to pay off the mortgage on Mother Peep's shoe and keep it and Little Bo Peep (Charlotte Henry) from the clutches of the evil Barnaby (Henry Brandon). When that fails, they trick Barnaby into marrying Stanley Dum instead of Bo Peep. Enraged, Barnaby unleashes the bogeymen from their caverns to destroy Toyland.

**Trivia Question for Today: In March of the Wooden Soldiers, who was the "actor" in the "Mickey Mouse" costume?

Bonus Trivia for Today: In March of the Wooden Soldiers, how was the mother and father of The Three Little Pigs portrayed?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: In 1949, Mitchum was contracted to RKO Pictures. According to Robert Osborne, Howard Hughes, the head of RKO, had Mitchum take the part in Holiday Affair to repair his image after his arrest for marijuana possession.

Classic Movies - Christmas Classics: Holiday Affair

Holiday Affair (1949)
Janet Leigh and Robert Mitchum

Just before Christmas, department store clerk Steve Mason meets big spending customer Connie Ennis, really a commercial spy. He unmasks her but lets her go, which gets him fired. They end up on a date, which doesn't sit well with Connie's steady suitor, Carl, but delights her son Timmy, who doesn't want Carl for a step-dad. Standard (if sweet) romantic complications follow.

**Trivia Question for Today: At the time of filming Holiday Affair, Robert Mitchum was contracted to RKO Pictures. According to Robert Osborne, Howard Hughes, the head of RKO, had Mitchum take the part to repair his image after his arrest. What was Mitchum arrested for?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: American Film Institute Catalog of Feature Films 1931-1940 claims that, except for Double Indemnity (1944), this was Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray's only joint screen appearance. Fact is, they also co-starred in The Moonlighter (1953) and There's Always Tomorrow (1956).

Classic Movies - Christmas Classics: Remember the Night

Just before Christmas, Lee Leander is caught shoplifting. It is her third offense. She is prosecuted by John Sargent. He gets the trial postponed because it is hard to get a conviction at Christmastime. But he feels sorry for her and arranges for her bail, and ends up taking her home to his mother for Christmas. Surrounded by a loving family (in stark contrast to Lee's own family background) they fall in love. This creates a new problem: how do they handle the upcoming trial?

**Trivia Question for Today: American Film Institute Catalog of Feature Films 1931-1940 claims that, except for Double Indemnity (1944), this was Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray's only joint screen appearance. Fact is, they also co-starred in two other movies together. What are the names of these two movies?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: The Connecticut home used in Christmas in Connecticut was also used in Bringing Up Baby (1938) starring Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn.

Classic Movies - Christmas Classics: Christmas in Connecticut

Journalist Elizabeth Lane is one of the country's most famous food writers. In her columns, she describes herself as a hard working farm woman, taking care of her children and being an excellent cook. But this is all lies. In reality she is an umarried New Yorker who can't even boil an egg. The recipes come from her good friend Felix. The owner of the magazine she works for has decided that a heroic sailor will spend his Christmas on *her* farm. Miss Lane knows that her career is over if the truth comes out, but what can she do?

Trivia Question for Today: The Connecticut home in Christmas in Connecticut was the home used in a 1938 comedy film starring Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn. What is the name of the film?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: Bing Crosby's performance as Father O'Malley earned an Oscar nomination for Best Actor, the first time a person received a nomination for playing the same character in two different films. In 1944, Crosby portrayed Father O'Malley in Going My Way.

Classic Movies - Christmas Classics: The Bells of St. Mary's

Father O'Malley the unconventional priest from 'Going My Way' continues his work for the Catholic Church. This time he is sent to St. Mary's, a run-down parochial school on the verge of condemnation. He and Sister Benedict work together in an attempt to save the school, though their differing methods often lead to good-natured disagreements.

Father Chuck O'Malley is assigned as the pastor of an inner-city Catholic school and has to work with the dedicated, but stubborn, principal Sister Mary Benedict. O'Malley and Sister Mary Benedict quarrel frequently and he feels the school should be closed and the children sent to a nearby school with modern facilities but all of the sisters believe that God will provide for them. Specifically, they put their hopes on Horace P. Bogardus, a businessman who has built a modern building right next door to the school and who they hope will donate his new edifice to them.

**Trivia Question for Today: Bing Crosby's performance as Father O'Malley earned an Oscar nomination for Best Actor, the first time a person received a nomination for playing the same character in two different films. What was the name of the first movie in which Crosby portrayed Father O'Malley?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: Van Johnson was originally cast as John Truett in Meet Me in St. Louis.

Bonus Trivia Answer for Previous Post: The house at 5135 Kensington Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri was the actual home of Sally Benson, author of the short stories that Meet Me in St. Louis was based on. Cheaper By The Dozen (1950) was the other well-known movie that used this same house for the Gilbreth family's house set in Montclair, New Jersey.

Classic Movies - MGM Musicals and Christmas Classics: Meet Me in St. Louis

We would like to wrap up our month of MGM Musicals, and begin our new month with a Christmas classic all in one film. The movie we would like to feature in today's post is probably one of our favorites - Meet Me In St. Louis (1944). Even though the Christmas season is short-lived in this film, it is still one the the most memorable Christmas scenes debuting a Christmas song which has been sung and re-recorded by many singing artists throughout the years, and has become one of America's favorite, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas".

Meet Me In St. Louis is a romantic musical film from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer which tells the story of four sisters and a brother living in St. Louis at the time of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition World's Fair in 1904. It stars Judy Garland, Margaret O'Brien, Mary Astor, Lucille Bremer, Tom Drake, Leon Ames, Marjorie Main, June Lockhart, and Joan Carroll, and was released by MGM. The movie was adapted by Irving Brecher and Fred F. Finklehoffe from a series of short stories by Sally Benson, originally published in The New Yorker magazine, and later in the novel 5135 Kensington.

The film was directed by Vincente Minnelli, who met his future wife, Judy Garland, on the set. In the film, Garland debuted the standards "The Trolley Song" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas", which both became hits after the film was released. Another wonderful song, "The Boy Next Door", is Judy Garland at her best.

Meet Me in St. Louis is a heart-warming story about the Smith family, who lead a comfortable middle-class life in St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Alonzo Smith (Ames) and Mrs. Anna Smith (Astor) have four daughters: Rose (Bremer), Esther (Garland), Agnes (Carroll), and Tootie (O'Brien); and a son, Lon Jr. (Henry H. Daniels Jr.) The film highlights a year in the life of the Smith family, beginning in the summer of 1903. Esther, the second eldest daughter, is in love with the boy next door, John Truett (Drake), although he does not notice her at first. Rose is expecting a phone call in which she hopes to be proposed to by Warren Sheffield (Robert Sully). Agnes has been keeping cool at the swimming hole. Tootie is delightful on the ice wagon helping Mr. Neely (Chill Wills) deliver ice to his customers. The Smith household are anticipating the upcoming World's Fair in St. Louis, echoing the song throughout the opening scenes, Meet Me in St. Louis.

The fall season arrives and Esther finally gets to meet John properly when he is a guest at the Smith's house party, although her chances of romancing him don't go to plan. Agnes and Tootie are up to mischief on Halloween, which is one of our favorite scenes of the movie. Tootie is declared "The Most Horrible" from all the neighborhood kids because of her bravery. After all the chaos from the young Smith girl's prank, the family enjoys each other's company while having cake made by their maid, Katie (Main). Then Mr. Smith announces to the family that he is to be sent to New York on business and eventually they will all move. The family is devastated and upset at the news of the move, especially Rose and Esther whose romances, friendships, and educational plans are threatened. Esther is also aghast because they will miss the World's Fair. But father insists that they will move shortly after Christmas. Everyone in the Smith household deems Mr. Smith as a villian and leaves him alone to eat the cake, but Anna consoles him. As Alonzo and Anna sing a duet, one by one the family decides to join them.

Meet Me in St. Louis forwards to the next season, Christmas. The family has been packing and preparing for their move. An elegant ball takes place on Christmas Eve. Esther is devastated when John cannot take her as his date, due to his leaving his tuxedo at the tailor's and being unable to get it back. But she is relieved when her grandfather (Harry Davenport) offers to take her instead. While dancing with Grandpa, she is overwhelmed when John unexpectedly turns up after somehow managing to obtain a tuxedo, and the pair dance together for the rest of the evening, followed by a marriage proposal. Esther returns home to an upset Tootie. She sings her "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas". Tootie, however, does become more upset at the prospect of the family's move and runs downstairs, out into the cold to destroy the snowman they have made. Mr. Smith sees his daughter's upsetting outburst.

Mr. Smith later announces that the family will not leave St. Louis after all when he realizes how much the move will affect his family. He also discovers that St. Louis is a wonderful city, with the 1904 World's Fair just around the corner. John declares his love for Esther and Warren declares his love for Rose and together they state that they will marry at the first possible opportunity. And all of the family finally are able to attend the World's Fair in the spring season.

We highly recommend Meet Me in St. Louis. It is a wonderfully, inspiring movie. The music is great - mixed with romance, laughter and emotions, Meet Me in St. Louis is one of the finest musicals ever made. This film holds a special place in our hearts because we live only 40 miles away from St. Louis! Read "Let's Talk Classic Movies" every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for more classic movie presentations and trivia.

**Trivia Question for Today: Who was originally cast as John Truett in Meet Me in St. Louis?

Bonus Trivia: The house at 5135 Kensington Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri was the actual home of Sally Benson, author of the short stories that Meet Me in St. Louis was based on. There was another well-known movie of the 1940s that used this same house for a family based on a true story. What was the name of the film?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: Liza Minnelli appears in the final scene of In the Good Old Summertime. She's the little girl with Van Johnson and her mother, Judy Garland.

Classic Movies - MGM Musicals: In the Good Old Summertime

It's turn of the century America when Andrew and Veronica first meet - by crashing into each other. They develop an instant and mutual dislike which intensifies when, later on, Andrew is forced to hire Veronica as a saleslady at Oberkugen's music store. What the two don't know is that while they may argue and fight constantly throughout the day, they are actually engaged in an innocent, romantic and completely anonymous relationship by night, through the post office.

**Trivia Question for Today: Who is the little girl who appears with Van Johnson and Judy Garland at the end of In the Good Old Summertime?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: MGM considered Seven Brides for Seven Brothers a B movie - they had higher aspirations for the more expensive Brigadoon (1954). For this reason, they slashed the budget on "Seven Brothers", forcing Stanley Donen to use painted backdrops instead of location filming.

Classic Movies - MGM Musicals: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

Adam (Keel), the eldest of seven brothers, goes to town to get a wife. He convinces Milly (Powell) to marry him that same day. They return to his backwoods home. Only then does she discover he has six brothers - all living in his cabin. Milly sets out to reform the uncouth siblings, who are anxious to get wives of their own. Then, after reading about the Roman capture of the Sabine women, Adam develops an inspired solution to his brothers' loneliness.

**Trivia Question for Today: MGM considered Seven Brides for Seven Brothers a B movie - they had higher aspirations for the more expensive film also made in 1954. What is the name of this film?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post:

Classic Movies - MGM Musicals: Brigadoon

Classic Movies - MGM Musicals: Singin' in the Rain

Classic Movies - MGM Musicals: Royal Wedding

Classic Movies - MGM Musicals: Show Boat

Classic Movies - MGM Musicals: The Barkleys of Broadway

Classic Movies - MGM Musicals: Annie Get Your Gun

Classic Movies - MGM Musicals: On the Town

Classic Movies - MGM Musicals: Anchors Aweigh

Classic Movies - MGM Musicals: Easter Parade

Today we will continue Classic MGM Musical Movies. Another of our favorite Judy Garland pictures takes us to 1948 when MGM produced Easter Parade, which is our featured movie for today.

Classic Movies - MGM Musicals: The Harvey Girls

Today we will continue Classic MGM Musical Movies starring Judy Garland. One of our favorite Judy Garland movies and the film in today's spotlight is The Harvey Girls (1946).

Classic Movies - MGM Musicals: The Wizard of Oz

This month let’s talk Classic MGM Musicals. Today's featured film was highlighted in an earlier post in Let's Talk Classic Movies. It is definitely worth repeating! Released by MGM Studios in 1939, The Wizard of Oz is a remarkable classic for all ages and the “best family film of all time” according to the American Film Institute. During childhood and long after, this magical film is one that we watched on TV with each yearly telecast. We would eagerly anticipate our annual walk down the “yellow brick road” with Dorothy and friends and were saddened when Dorothy’s final “There’s no place like home” was spoken, knowing it would be another year before we would make the journey through “Oz” again. Now that we own the film on DVD, we can watch it anytime we want and still enjoy it as much as ever. The songs are just as delightful, though we know them by heart, and the characters are still as lovable (or despicable) as they’ve always been. Opening with a dedication to the “young at heart”, The Wizard of Oz is quite possibly the most wonderful gift Hollywood ever presented to young and old alike.

The amazingly talented Judy Garland plays Dorothy, the wide-eyed youngster from Kansas who dreams that she and her dog, Toto, are swept away by a tornado and dropped (house and all) into the enchanting “Technicolor” land of Oz. (It was years before we ever saw the film in its colorful splendor.) In search of a way back home to Uncle Henry and Auntie Em, Dorothy heeds the advice of Glenda, the Good Witch of the North (Billie Burke) and the little folk of Munchkinland (The Singer Midgets) and follows the “yellow brick road” to Emerald City to implore the “Wizard of Oz” (Frank Morgan) for help. Along the way, she encounters “three marvelous personifications of human frailty”-the Scarecrow, with no brain (Ray Bolger), the Tin Man, with no heart (Jack Haley), and the Cowardly Lion, with no courage (Bert Lahr). Like Dorothy, they wish to seek help from the “Wizard” and go along with her. Before and after reaching the “Wizard”, they all must suffer the menacing wiles of the Wicked Witch of the West (Margaret Hamilton), who, with the aid of her “flying monkeys”, is determined to retrieve the powerful “ruby slippers” that Dorothy wears. Her evil plans, however, are foiled at every turn, either by the Good Witch, or by the cleverness and courage that Dorothy and her companions unknowingly possess, but constantly display throughout their journey together.

“Dorothy and company succeed because they abide by the prescription of L. Frank Baum’s original story: believe, and the rest will follow. Nothing evokes Baum’s theme more than the song Dorothy sings while still in her native Kansas. Dreaming of something lovelier than the endless expanse of Midwestern plains she looks up and sings, “Somewhere, over the rainbow…” It was an irresistible magnet for sentimentalists and romantics willing to believe and one that thrust Garland into superstardom and helped make this movie the most enduring of childhood-fantasy films.” (Author, Paul Trent)

The Wizard of Oz is a beautifully made film, produced by Mervyn LeRoy and directed by Victor Fleming. The songwriting team of E. Y. (Yip) Harburg and Harold Arlen masterfully penned the legendary songs with which we are all so familiar, “Over the Rainbow”, “Ding-Dong the Witch is Dead”, “Follow the Yellow Brick Road”, “If I Only Had a Brain (Heart, the Nerve)”, etc. Unfortunately, several fabulous musical dance numbers (staged by Bobby Connolly) were cut from the film due to length. Would any of us have actually minded watching an additional 15 or 20 minutes of this thoroughly entertaining motion picture? We think not.

The Wizard of Oz garnered two Academy Awards out of six nominations; one for best song, “Over the Rainbow” (Harburg and Arlen), and the other for best music-original score (Herbert Stothart). Judy Garland also won a miniature “Oscar” for the year’s best “juvenile” performances for Babes in Arms and The Wizard of Oz. The film would probably have won more in any other year, but 1939 produced some of the best movies to ever come out of Hollywood, including mega-blockbuster, Gone with the Wind. We thoroughly recommend The Wizard of Oz to one and all; young, old, and in-between. It is an enduring and timeless classic that remains an audience favorite after seventy years, proving that truly great films never die.

More pictures from The Wizard of Oz 1939:








I'm melting, melting, aaaaaaaaaaahhh.








There's no place like home.














**Trivia Question for Today: Whom did Jack Haley replace as the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz and why? The answer will appear in our next post.

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: Lon Chaney, Jr. portrayed the mummy, Kharis in three 'Mummy' movies. Besides his first 'Mummy' portrayal in The Mummy's Tomb, the titles of the other two movies: The Mummy's Ghost and The Mummy's Curse, both made in 1944.

Classic Movies - Universal Studios Monsters: Mummy - The Mummy's Tomb

Today we will conclude "Monster Mash Month" with Universal Classic Monster: the Mummy. The movie in today's highlight is The Mummy's Tomb (1942) with Lon Chaney, Jr. playing the role as the wrapped fiend. A high priest travels to America with the living mummy Kharis (Chaney) to kill all those who had desecrated the tomb of the Egyptian princess Ananka 30 years earlier.

The Mummy's Tomb begins with a long recap of what happened in The Mummy's Hand as told by Stephen Banning (Dick Foran), the hero of the first film now an old man. The film features many scenes from the last "mummy" film to tell the story. After the recap Banning, the man who found the Ananka tomb 30 years before, is killed in his own house in New England by the mummy after a high priest has vowed revenge on the men who entered the tomb years before. Banning's old partner, 'Babe' Hanson (Wallace Ford), is also targeted. As the Banning family is killed off one by one, the high priest (Turhan Bey) decides to take a young woman (Elyse Knox) as his bride instead of killing her. He orders the mummy to kidnap the woman. Angry villagers, led by Banning's son John (John Hubbard), hunt down the monster and again burn it to death.

So for a scary "Monster Mash Month" selection, we highly recommend Universal's 1942 film, The Mummy's Tomb. Join "Let's Talk Classic Movies" every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for more classic movie presentations and trivia.

**Trivia Question for Today: In how many 'Mummy' movies did Lon Chaney, Jr. portray the mummy, Kharis? Besides his first 'Mummy' portrayal in The Mummy's Tomb, what were the titles of the other movies?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: The excavation scenes in The Mummy's Hand were shot on the Universal back-lot in a rocky and desert-like section of the natural hills. The name of the area was known as "Gausman's Gulch," named after Russell A. Gausman, set decorator on this film, and many other of Universal's horror films. To give the gulch a more canyon-like and wild appearance, it was augmented with artificial rock-faces and boulders.

Classic Movies - Universal Studios Monsters: the Mummy - The Mummy's Hand

Today we will continue talk Universal Studios Monster - the Mummy. Let's jump ahead a few years to 1940 when Universal brought us The Mummy's Hand with Tom Tyler.

A couple of comical, out-of-work archaeologists (Dick Foran and Wallace Ford) in Egypt discover evidence of the burial place of the ancient Egyptian princess Ananka. After receiving funding from an eccentric magician (Cecil Kellaway) and his beautiful daughter (Peggy Moran), they set out into the desert only to be terrorized by a sinister high priest (George Zucco) and the living mummy Kharis (Tyler) who are the guardians of Ananka^Òs tomb.

So for a scary "Monster Mash Month" selection, we highly recommend the Universal's 1940 film, The Mummy's Hand. Join "Let's Talk Classic Movies" Friday as we conclude 'Mummy' week with Universal's The Mummy's Tomb.

**Trivia Question for Today: The excavation scenes in The Mummy's Hand were shot on the Universal back-lot in a rocky and desert-like section of the natural hills. What was the name of the hills?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: The Mummy poster holds the record for the most money paid for a movie poster at auction: more than $453,500.

Classic Movies - Universal Studios Monsters: Mummy - The Mummy

This week we will conclude "Monster Mash Month" with another Classic Universal Studios Monster - the Mummy. With the legendary Boris Karloff starring as the ancient Egyptian prince, wrapped and buried alive from the times of the pharoahs, The Mummy (1932) was clearly one of the scariest movies Universal had produced. Even though the Mummy couldn't move as swift as the Wolf Man, it was hard for his victims to escape his wrath as they were spellbound with fear.

The Mummy was set in 1921, when a team of British archaeologists led by Sir Joseph Whemple (Arthur Byron) uncovers the 3700 year old mummy of Imhotep (Boris Karloff). When one young archaeologist opens the scroll of Thoth, he goes delirious and the Mummy comes to life. Ten years later Sir Joseph returns with his son Frank (David Manners). Unknown to them, the Mummy now exists as the mysterious Egyptian, Ardath Bay (Boris Karloff), who helps the expedition uncover the tomb of his ancient love. He then uses his mystic powers mesmerize the reincarnation of his lost love in the form of Helen Grosvenor (Zita Johann). When Sir Joseph interferes, he mysteriously dies. Frank Whemple, with the help of Dr. Muller (Edward Van Sloan), attempts to discover the key to Ardath Bay's powers and get Helen back.

So for a scary "Monster Mash Month" selection, we highly recommend the 1932 version of The Mummy. We also recommend the 1999 remake version of The Mummy with Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz. Join "Let's Talk Classic Movies" Wednesday as we continue 'Mummy' week with Universal's The Mummy's Hand.

**Trivia Question for Today: The Mummy poster holds the record for the most money paid for a movie poster at auction. How much was paid for the film's poster?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: House of Dracula was the last of Universal's original FRANKENSTEIN movie series. There were seven films included in this series. The movie which was excluded from this series was Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein.

Classic Movies - Universal Studios Monsters: the Wolf Man - House of Dracula

Today we will conclude our week of Univeral Studios Monster - the Wolf Man. The movie featured today is House of Dracula (1945), starring Lon Chaney, Jr., John Carradine, Martha O'Driscoll, Lionel Atwill, Onslow Stevens, Jane Adams, Ludwig Stössel, and Glenn Strange. During the 1940s, Universal had created several monsters to scare the public, one movie after another. Several of those movies not only featured one of their monster creations, but two or three, which added to the tension and fear of the film. In House of Dracula, Count Dracula and the Wolf Man seek a cure for their afflictions; a hunchbacked woman, a mad scientist and the Frankenstein monster have their own troubles.

Dracula arrives at Dr. Edelman's (Stevens) office asking for a cure to his vampirism. However, this is a ruse by Dracula (Carradine) to get near Dr. Edelman's beautiful female assistant, Nina (Adams), and turn her into a vampire. Meanwhile, a sincere Lawrence Talbot, AKA the Wolf Man (Chaney), arrives seeking a cure for his lycanthropy. When Dr. Edelman's first attempt fails, Talbot tries to commit suicide by jumping off a cliff, but instead finds a network of underground caves where the Frankenstein Monster (Strange) is in stasis. Chaos ensues as the three monsters fight for dominance of each other.

So for a scary "Monster Mash Month" selection, we recommend watching the 1945 classic film, House of Dracula with Lon Chaney, Jr., John Carradine, and Glenn Strange. Join "Let's Talk Classic Movies" next week to conclude our month of Universal Studios monsters when we feature a week of Universal's 'Mummy' movies. Monday we will be featuring Universal's 1932 film, The Mummy, starring Boris Karloff.

**Trivia Question for Today: House of Dracula was the last of Universal's original FRANKENSTEIN movie series. How many films were included in this series? Which movie was excluded from this series?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: When The Monster's dialogue was deleted in Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man, also removed were any references to The Monster being blind - a side-effect of Ygor's brain being implanted into The Monster at the end of The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942). As a result, Lugosi's sleepwalker-like lumbering gait with arms outstretched is not explained and became the subject of ridicule. It also established the Frankenstein Monster-walk stereotype.

Classic Movies - Universal Studios Monsters: The Wolf Man - Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man

Today let's continue talk Universal Studios Monster - the Wolf Man. The film featured in this post is Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943), starring Lon Chaney, Jr., Bela Lugosi, Patric Knowles, Ilona Massey, Lionel Atwill, and Maria Ouspenskaya. Larry Talbot (Chaney) chips the Frankenstein monster (Lugosi) out of a block of ice. When Talbot changes to the Wolf Man, the two creatures go into battle.

In Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man, Larry Talbot finds himself in an asylum, recovering from an operation performed by the kindly Dr. Mannering (Knowles). Inspector Owen (Dennis Hoey) finds him there, too, wanting to question him about a recent spate of murders. Talbot escapes and finds Maleva (Ouspenskaya), the old gypsy woman who knows his secret: when the moon is full, he changes to a werewolf. She travels with him to locate the one man who can help him to die - Dr. Frankenstein. The brilliant doctor proves to be dead himself, but they do find Frankenstein's daughter, Baroness Elsa Frankenstein (Massey). Talbot begs her for her father's papers containing the secrets of life and death. She doesn't have them, so he goes to the ruins of the Frankenstein castle to find them himself. There he finds the Monster, whom he chips out of a block of ice. Dr. Mannering catches up with him only to become tempted to monomania while using Frankenstein's old equipment.

So for a scary "Monster Mash Month" selection, we recommend watching the 1943 classic film, Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man with Lon Chaney, Jr. Join "Let's Talk Classic Movies" Friday to read more about the Universal Studios Monster werewolf in House of Dracula.

**Trivia Question for Today: What fact was not explained in Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man, which established the Frankenstein Monster-walk stereotype?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: Makeup artist, Jack Pierce, was responsible for the amazing werewolf transformation in The Wolf Man. Lon Chaney, Jr. was fully capable of doing the makeup himself, just as his father had, but due to professional unions within the motion picture industry, he was not allowed to do his own makeup.

Classic Movies - Universal Studios Monsters: The Wolf Man

To continue "Monster Mash Month", this week we would like to talk Universal Studios Monster - The Wolf Man. The 1940s brought us several movies that we would sit on the edge of our seats in fear when we watched them. The film in today's highlight is The Wolf Man (1941). With his sharp teeth and furry face, we thought he was terrifying as he ran through the mist, sneaking up on his next victim.

Who will ever forget Lon Chaney, Jr. as Lawrence (Larry) Talbot and his lycanthropic alter-ego,"the wolf man"? After eighteen years of estrangement, the unsuspecting, good-natured Larry returns home to his father’s European estate, only to be bitten by a wolf soon after his arrival. It was not just any wolf, mind you, but a werewolf and, once bitten, the victim himself will also become a werewolf. The nightmarish life of blood-lust and horrific transformation thus begins for poor Larry Talbot with each full (autumn) moon. As we are reminded several times throughout The Wolf Man: "Even a man who is pure in heart, and says his prayers by night; may become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms, and the autumn moon is bright". (Sequels would change the last line to "and the moon is full and bright”, but the original "autumn moon" indicates that the werewolf only transforms in the fall and not with every full moon of the year, thereby receiving a respite from his wolfish pursuits.)

How we thrilled as Lon Chaney, Jr. changed from man to wolf in this film as well as in the sequels. Whether or not his transformation compares to the technically advanced transformations that appear on the screen today is irrelevant to us. We much prefer The Wolf Man of old, with legendary Lon Chaney, Jr. in the “monster” role that was solely his throughout the 40s (Henry Hull had portrayed a similar character in Universal’s The Werewolf of London in the 30s, but it never achieved the popularity of the 1941 version). With a stellar cast that includes Claude Rains, Ralph Bellamy, Patric Knowles, Evelyn Ankers, Warren William, Maria Ouspenskaya, and Bela Lugosi, The Wolf Man is definitely a horror classic and one of the all-time favorites of that genre.

So for a scary "Monster Mash Month" selection, we recommend watching the 1941 classic film, The Wolf Man with Lon Chaney, Jr. Join "Let's Talk Classic Movies" Wednesday to read more about the Universal Studios Monster werewolf in Frankenstein Meets The Wolf Man.

**Trivia Question for Today: Who created Lon Chaney Jr.’s transforming makeup in The Wolf Man?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: In Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, the transformation of Count Dracula to a bat and visa versa was animated. The person responsible for this animation was Universal-International's animator, Walter Lantz (of Woody Woodpecker fame).

Trivia Bonus for Previous Post: The villain who appears at the end of Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, or shall we say 'who does not appear' is the invisible man. As Chick and Wilbur are escaping Dracula's castle in a row boat, a cigarette lights up in the boat and only a voice is heard. The voice of the invisible man is that of Vincent Price.

Classic Movies - Universal Studios Monsters: Dracula - Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein

Today let's conclude talk Universal Studios Classic Monster - Dracula. While Bela Lugosi only portrayed Count Dracula in the original 1931 movie Dracula, he was considered "the ghoul king" because of that portrayal. Others played the part of The Count in several movies throughout the years, but none captivated the character role as well as Lugosi. It wasn't until 1948 that Lugosi returned to the role in the comedic spoof, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. Lugosi played the part of Count Dracula, Lon Chaney, Jr. played the wolf man, and Glenn Strange played the part of the Frankenstein Monster for laughs.

Chick Young (Bud Abbott) and Wilbur Grey (Lou Costello) are two hapless freight handlers who work as railway baggage-clerks in LaMirada, Florida. When Wilbur mishandles two crates belonging to McDougal's House of Horrors museum, Mr. McDougal (Frank Ferguson) demands that they deliver them in person so that they can be inspected by an insurance agent. McDougal boasts to Wilbur's girlfriend, Dr. Sandra Mornay (Lénore Aubert), that the crates contain "the remains of the original Count Dracula" (Lugosi) and "the body of the Frankenstein Monster" (Strange). Meanwhile, Larry Talbot (Chaney), alias the wolf man, has taken the apartment across the hall from Wilbur and Chick. He has tracked Dracula and the Monster from Europe, and knows them to be alive. Talbot asks the boys to help him find and destroy the villains. Wilbur agrees, but Chick is a non-believer --at least for a while. Soon they are being chased by the monsters at Dracula's castle. After all, seeing is believing!

So for a scary, yet comical "Monster Mash Month" selection, we recommend watching the 1948 classic film, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein with Bela Lugosi, Lon Chaney, Jr., and Glenn Strange as the monster trio. Join "Let's Talk Classic Movies" next week to read about the Universal Studios Monster werewolf - The Wolf Man.

**Trivia Question for Today: In Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, the transformation of Count Dracula to a bat and visa versa was animated. Who was responsible for this transforming animation of Dracula?

Trivia Bonus: What villain appears at the end of Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein? Who portrays this villain?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: In The Wolf Man, Bela Lugosi plays the small, but pivotal role of Bela, the gypsy fortune teller/werewolf that bites Lawrence Talbot (Lon Chaney, Jr.), marking him as a werewolf, too.

Classic Movies - Universal Studios Monsters: Dracula

In our last post, we highlighted Bram Stoker’s weird tale about Count Dracula in the 1922 silent film, Nosferatu. Today we would like to forward to 1931 when a Hungarian-born actor named Bela Lugosi cornered the "ghoul" market as the blood-thirsty vampire in Dracula. Lugosi had played the vampire Count on Broadway, and was chosen by Director Tod Browning to portray Dracula in the film version. Black-caped, soft-spoken, and oh-so-sinister, Count Dracula made his daytime home in a coffin, but when he eerily emerged from it, audiences knew that he was ready for action. He was never actually shown at work as the vampire, but once a victim’s head fell back, exposing a "deliciously veined" neck, one knew exactly what was going to happen.

So for a scary "Monster Mash Month", we recommend watching the 1931 classic film, Dracula with Bela Lugosi. Join "Let's Talk Classic Movies" Friday to read about the Universal Studios Monster vampire comedy spoof movie -Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein.

**Trivia Question for Today: What was Bela Lugosi’s pivotal role in The Wolfman (1941)? The answer will appear in our next post.

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: Director F.W. Murnau found Max Schreck "strikingly ugly" in real life and decided the vampire makeup would suffice with just pointy ears and false teeth.

Classic Movies - Universal Studios Monsters: Dracula - Nosferatu (Prana Film)

For the month of October "Monster Mash Month", let’s continue talk Classic Monster Movies of Universal Studios! This week, let’s talk Universal Monster Classics - Dracula! The film in today's highlight however, is not Universal Studios, but instead is a German made movie produced by Prana Film. Today we are going back to 1922, when a silent film, Nosferatu, was made based on Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel, a weird tale about Count Dracula. This is the very first time in film history in which a vampire is killed by sunlight. Director F.W. Murnau knew that he would be sued for borrowing heavily from Bram Stoker's novel, Dracula, without permission so he changed the ending so that he could say this film and Dracula were not exactly the same. This was the first and last Prana Film; the company declared bankruptcy after Bram Stoker's estate, acting for his widow, Florence Stoker, sued for copyright infringement and won.

Vampire Count Dracula moves to Wisburg and brings the plague, which reveals his connection to the Realtor Jonathon Harker, and the Count's obsession with Harker's wife, Nina - the only one with the power to end the evil. The story is narrated from the diary of Johann Cavallius, historian of the city of Bremen, who is wondering if it was the Nosferatu who brought the plague to Bremen in 1838.

Newlyweds Harker (Gustav von Wangenheim) and Nina (Greta Schroder) are saddened when Harker is sent to Transylvania by Harker's employer Renfield (Alexander Grannach) to arrange for Count Dracula's (Max Schreck) purchase of a house across the street from the Harkers' house in Bremen. Harker travels to Transylvania where he stays with the Count, is bitten by him, and eventually escapes from the castle but not before seeing the Count depart on a cart loaded with coffins. While Harker recuperates in a hospital after succeeding in his escape, the Count moves into the house across from the Harkers'. The rise in deaths is accredited to a plague thought to have arrived with Demeter, the ship that Count Dracula sailed to reach Bremen. The "Book of the Vampires" tells Nina what she must do to end the vampire.

The Count meets his doom when Nina manages to keep him until after cock crow. As the sun slowly advances on the houses across the street (visible from the window), the Nosferatu attempts to escape. In doing so, he passes the window and is trapped by the sunlight. He 'vaporizes' into a puff of smoke on the carpet.

Nosferatu is considered the most frightful portrayal of Dracula. So for a scary "Monster Mash Month", we recommend watching the 1922 classic film, Nosferatu. Join "Let's Talk Classic Movies" Wednesday to read about our next featured Universal Studios Monster movie -Dracula.

**Trivia Question for Today: What kind of make-up was used for Max Schreck in Nosferatu?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: Donnie Dunagan, who portrayed Peter in Son of Frankenstein, provided the voice of young Bambi in Walt Disney's cartoon movie Bambi (1942).

Classic Movies - Universal Studios Monsters: Frankenstein - Son of Frankenstein

For October's "Monster Mash Month", let’s continue talk Classic Monster Movies of Universal Studios! Today we will conclude our Frankenstein week with Son of Frankenstein (1939), the third and final movie in which Boris Karloff portrayed the Frankenstein monster. In Son of Frankenstein, Karloff’s monster no longer speaks and is somewhat upstaged by the wonderful performance of Bela Lugosi as the amusingly sinister, broken-necked Ygor. In the first two films, Karloff’s creature is portrayed with some poignancy and we can sympathize with his plight, but in the third film, the monster is much more violent and destructive.

Baron Wolf von Frankenstein (Basil Rathbone), son of Henry Frankenstein, returns with his wife (Josephine Hutchinson), to his fathers estate to claim his inheritance. When he arrives with his family he recieves a hostile reception from locals. While exploring his fathers laboratory he comes across crooked blacksmith - Ygor (Lugosi), who asks him to revive his father's creation - the MONSTER who is lying in a coma. The Baron tries to revive the monster and believes he fails but then some of the locals are found murdered soon after who just happened to be part of the jury that sent Ygor to the gallows. The villagers immediately connect the killings to Frankenstein and send the inspector to investigate. He discovers the monster is alive and is being used as tool by Ygor. The Baron then in a fit of madness shoots Ygor. The enraged monster, losing his only friend, kidnaps Peter (Donnie Dunagan), the Baron's son. In the end the Baron tracks the monster to the lab where he swings down on a chain knocking the monster into a sulpher pit and thus his demise.

We’ve heard that the increased violence of the monster in Son of Frankenstein is one of the reasons Boris Karloff decided to give up the role in the sequels that followed and which include Ghost of Frankenstein, Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman, House of Frankenstein (Karloff appeared in this film, but not as the monster), and House of Dracula. We like these sequels well enough, but they just aren’t of the same caliber as those with Karloff as the Frankenstein monster.

So for a scary "Monster Mash Month", we recommend watching Son of Frankenstein. Join "Let's Talk Classic Movies" next week to read about our next featured Universal Studios Monster -Dracula.

**Trivia Question for Today: Donnie Dunagan, who portrayed Peter von Frankenstein in Son of Frankenstein, was used for a famous voice in a Walt Disney cartoon movie. What was the movie and what character did Donnie Dunagan voice?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: In Bride of Frankenstein, Elsa Lanchester's shock hairdo was held in place by a wired horsehair cage.

Classic Movies - Universal Studios Monsters: Frankenstein - Bride of Frankenstein

For October's "Monster Mash Month", let’s continue talk Classic Monster Movies of Universal Studios! Boris Karloff reprised the monster’s role in two more films, Bride of Frankenstein (1935), with Colin Clive and Son of Frankenstein (1939), with Basil Rathbone and Bela Lugosi. Our featured film in today's post is Bride of Frankenstein, which is often considered the best of the three and it is definitely our favorite. We especially enjoy hearing the monster speak, saying such lines as “Food-good”; “Friend-good”; “Drink-good”; and “Fire-no good”.

Bride of Frankenstein follows on immediately from the events of the first film, and is rooted in a subplot of the original novel, Frankenstein (1818). Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein, reveals to Percy Shelley and Lord Byron that Henry Frankenstein and his Monster did not die. Both lived, and went on to even stranger misadventures than before. As the new story begins, Henry Frankenstein abandons his plans to create life, and wants nothing more than to settle into a peaceful life with his new bride. But his old professor, the sinister Dr. Pretorius (Ernest Thesiger), appears unexpectedly. Henry is tempted and finally coerced by the Monster to continue his work. The Monster wants his creator to construct a mate for him. Henry is forced to give his creature a bride. The monster's tender, yet unreciprocated, love scene with his man-made bride (Elsa Lanchester) is one of the highlights of the film.

For a scary "Monster Mash Month", watch Bride of Frankenstein. Join "Let's Talk Classic Movies" Friday to read about our next featured Frankenstein classic movie starring Boris Karloff - Son of Frankenstein.

**Trivia Question for Today: What held Elsa Lanchester's shock hairdo in place in Bride of Frankenstein?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: Dwight Frye played the part of Fritz, the hunchback in Frankenstein. He was in many of the horror classics and always added a comedic touch to most of his roles. He played Renfield (the fly and spider-eating slave of the vampire) in Dracula and Karl (one of the grave-robbing assistants) in Bride of Frankenstein. He was one of the hardest-working actors in Hollywood and on stage, a trait that probably contributed to his early death in 1943 at age 44. His nickname was “The Man with the Thousand-Watt Stare”.

Classic Movies - Universal Studios Monsters: Frankenstein

For the month of October "Monster Mash Month", let’s talk Classic Monster Movies of Universal Studios! The monster movies created by Universal Studios during the 1930s and 1940s will always hold special places in our childhood memories. It was great fun to be scared by the likes of the Frankenstein monster, Dracula, the Wolf Man, and the Mummy as we watched Spook Spectacular (St. Louis area) on Saturday night TV in the late 50s, early 60s. We usually watched in the dark as we lay on the floor. A pillow or blanket was always close at hand in case we needed to cover our faces in a hurry. Our favorite legendary actors of the “Universal” horror genre and those featured in this month’s posts are the terrifying trio of Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, and Lon Chaney, Jr.

This week, let’s talk “Universal” Monster - Frankenstein! In 1931, a British-born, intellectual actor named Boris Karloff appeared in 13 talking pictures. One of them, Frankenstein, Karloff portrayed the flat-topped, knobby-necked creature that was first depicted more than a century earlier in the novel by teen-aged feminist, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley.

Dr. Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive) wants to build a man in his own image, using the body of a dead man, and various parts of other bodies. He and his assistant Fritz dig up a freshly buried coffin and steal the body. When they realize the head and the brains of the body are severely damaged, they decide to steal a brain from Dr. Frankenstein's former teacher Dr. Waldman (Edward van Sloan). When Fritz accidentally drops the glass jar labeled "good brain" on the floor, he is forced to take the glass jar labeled "bad brain". Using some kind of mysterious ray that Dr. Frankenstein discovered, the body is brought to life during a thunderstorm, and the monster of Frankenstein (Karloff) is born.

Later, when Dr. Frankenstein realizes that he has created an aggressive monster, he and Fritz lock the monster up in a cell. When the monster is repeatedly bullied and provoked by Fritz, the monster eventually manages to kill him. When the monster escapes, he reeks havock in the village nearby. In return, the people of the village hunts and seeks to destroy the Frankenstein monster.

For a scary start to "Monster Mash Month", watch the 1931 version of Frankenstein. Join "Let's Talk Classic Movies" Wednesday to read about our next featured Frankenstein classic movie starring Boris Karloff - Bride of Frankenstein.

**Trivia Question for Today: Who is the character actor who plays Fritz, the hunchback who torments the monster in Frankenstein?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: Ginger Rogers appeared as the Queen in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s TV musical production of Cinderella in 1965. The cast also included Lesley Ann Warren as Cinderella, Stuart Damon as the Prince, Walter Pidgeon as the King, Celeste Holm as the Fairy Godmother, and Jo Van Fleet as the Wicked Stepmother.