Classic Movies - Legendary Couples: Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland (Errol)

For the remainder of September, we would like to bring back some of our favorite movie couples. This week let's talk Classic Movie Legendary Couple - Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland. This wonderful pair appeared in many legendary motion pictures together, but today, let's talk classic movies of Errol Flynn. Best known for his swashbuckler films, flamboyant lifestyle, and devil-may-care personality, Errol Flynn lit up the screen with his magnificent swordfights, flashing smile, and romantic love-scenes. There was an endearing roguishness to the characters he portrayed, a quality that made him a favorite with the ladies and the envy of the gentlemen in his audiences. According to some critics, his acting ability was not quite on par with many of his peers, but we certainly never noticed. The films he made during the 1930’s and 1940’s were always enjoyable to watch on the “late show” and we thought he was wonderful.
From his first starring role in Captain Blood in 1935, Errol Flynn’s popularity soared for the next dozen years or so before his destructive lifestyle began taking a toll on his health and some of his performances. Subsequently, his career had its highs and lows throughout the 1950’s. Errol Flynn died from a heart attack in 1959 at the early age of 50. Several of our favorite films of Errol Flynn (without Olivia DeHavilland) are The Prince and the Pauper (1937), with the Mauch twins; The Sisters (1938), with Bette Davis (although the story’s ending was changed to suit Hollywood) ; The Sea Hawk (1940), with Brenda Marshall; Virginia City (1940), with Miriam Hopkins and Humphrey Bogart; Footsteps in the Dark (1941), with Brenda Marshall; San Antonio (1945), with Alexis Smith; Cry Wolf (1947), with Barbara Stanwyck; Silver River (1948), with Ann Sheridan; Rocky Mountain (1950), with Patrice Wymore (his third wife); Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises (1957), with Tyrone Power; and Too Much, Too Soon (1958), with Dorothy Malone.

The Errol Flynn classic we are spotlighting today is 1942’s Gentleman Jim, with beautiful Alexis Smith. The film tells the story of World Heavyweight Boxing Champion James J. Corbett, who defeated the great John L. Sullivan (played superbly by Ward Bond), by a knock-out in 21 rounds back in 1892. The movie follows Corbett’s rise in “bare-knuckles fisticuffs”, his scientific approach to boxing, and the climactic match with Sullivan. In this entertaining biopic, Errol Flynn, himself a capable pugilist, deftly portrays the title character. The brawling Corbett brothers are lots of fun to watch and Flynn is absolutely perfect as the swaggering, rather “swollen-headed” boxer. The scene between Errol Flynn and Ward Bond after Sullivan’s defeat is quite touching. Flynn and leading lady, Alexis Smith, also have a delightful screen chemistry as the bragging Corbett and the girl who wants to see him fall on his face and ends up falling for him.

Gentleman Jim is a wonderful picture and one of our favorites of Errol Flynn. It is also one of Flynn’s personal favorites as well. Take a look at it when you get the chance. Read "Let's Talk Classic Movies" every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for more classic movie presentations and trivia.

**Trivia Question for Today: In Too Much, Too Soon, what self-destructive actor does Errol Flynn portray (much like himself)?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: The one Sullivan sister was named Genevieve. She also served in the Navy as a WAVE. It was the death of her boyfriend, Bill Ball, at Pearl Harbor that prompted her five brothers to join the Navy to avenge his death.

Classic Movies - American War Heroes: Sullivans

We would like to conclude our veterans honors week by paying tribute to an entire family of five brothers who, during WW II, gave the ultimate sacrifice--their lives. They became national heroes through this sacrifice. This post is in remembrance of those who bravely fought and/or died for our freedom.

The War Heroes Classic Movie we would like to review today is The Fighting Sullivans (1944). This film was based on a true story about five brothers from Waterloo, Iowa, who grew up in a close-knit family, and served in the U.S. Navy during WW II. It chronicled the brothers' childhoods, their mischief, loyalty to each other, romances, and their decision to join up together after the tragic news of Pearl Harbor. The film resonated with a war-weary nation, a reminder of the values for which American troops were fighting.

In November of 1942, the Sullivan brothers were all serving aboard the cruiser U.S.S. Juneau in the Pacific when the ship was torpedoed by the Japanese during the battle of Guadalcanal. The brothers, who had received special permission to serve aboard the same ship, were all killed. The family's tragedy captured the public imagination, and by March of 1943, Twentieth Century Fox revealed that they would make a film about the Sullivan brothers. The film was originally titled The Sullivans (the name was later changed to boost the box office results). In spite of its finale, The Fighting Sullivans is not considered a war film. The brothers' military service took up just a few minutes at the end of the film. As Bosley Crowther wrote in his New York Times review, "It is a story of typical Americans, with love of home and love of family at its core....This is a story of why the Sullivans fought, not how."

The Fighting Sullivans was made with the cooperation of both the Sullivan family and the U.S. Navy. The parents, sister, and Al's widow all watched parts of the filming, and served as technical advisors. Their participation assured that the film was mostly true to the facts, evidently one incident was not. In the film, the officer who signed up the brothers personally delivers the bad news to the family. In reality, the boys’ father, Thomas, was preparing to go to work when the parents were notified of their deaths. Three men in uniform a lieutenant commander, a doctor and a chief petty officer, approached their front door on January 12, 1943, two months after the incident. "I have some news for you about your boys," the naval officer said. "Which one?" asked Thomas. "I'm sorry," the officer replied. "All five." The climactic scene of the Juneau's sinking was shot on the first anniversary of the actual event.

After the deaths of the Sullivan brothers, the Navy declared that family members could not serve on the same ship during wartime. The “Fighting Sullivan Brothers” were national heroes. President Franklin Roosevelt sent a letter of condolence to the parents, Tom and Alleta. The Iowa Senate and House adopted a formal resolution of tribute to the Sullivan brothers. The Sullivan parents traveled at length making speaking appearances at war plants and shipyards on behalf of the war effort. Mrs. Sullivan christened a destroyer named USS The Sullivans after her sons on April 4, 1943. (Al's granddaughter christened another ship named after them twenty-three years later.)

In remembrance of all the soldiers who fought and died for the freedom of the United States, we have dedicated our blog this week. We hope and pray that our country will continue to have the freedoms that have cost our country and our families so dearly. May we never forget the sacrifices our servicemen and women made and still make to protect the love of home and family. We salute the American soldier: U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marines, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Coast Guard. Thank you for making us safe.

**Trivia Question for Today: The Sullivan brothers also had one sister. What was her name?

Trivia Answer from Previous Post: Audie Murphy’s first starring role was in the movie Bad Boy (1949). His character name was Danny Lester.

Classic Movies - American War Heroes: Audie Murphy

We would like to continue honoring our veterans this week to show our appreciation of the sacrifices they have made and are still making for our country. This week, let's continue talk Classic Movies of American War Heroes! Our last blog post featured Sgt. Alvin York, a WW I American hero who saved lives throughout his time serving our country. The American war hero classic movie that we are featuring today is one in which Second Lt. Audie Murphy, a WW II American hero, plays “himself” in Universal’s To Hell and Back (1955).

Based on the star's autobiography, this is the story of how Audie Murphy became America's most-decorated soldier during WW II. After dwelling a bit on Murphy's impoverished Texas upbringing, the story moves ahead to 1942, when, at 17, Audie Murphy joined the army. Within a year, he was a member of the 7th Army, serving in North Africa, Italy, France and ultimately Germany and Austria. One by one, the members of Murphy's Company B are killed in the war, until only three men from the original company are left (the others appear at the finale as ghostly images, a standard visual cliché of 1950s war films). The bulk of the film is given over to Murphy's conspicuous acts of combat bravery, and his killing of 240 enemy soldiers. Highlighted by excellent battle sequences, To Hell and Back is a serviceable tribute to Audie Murphy, a most complex individual.

Second Lt. Audie Murphy’s enlistment details: After the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Murphy tried to enlist in the military, but the services rejected him for being under age. In June 1942, shortly after his 17th birthday, his sister Corrine adjusted his birth date so he appeared to be 18 and legally allowed to enlist, and his war memoirs, To Hell and Back, maintained this misinformation, leading to later confusion and contradictory statements as to his year of birth. Murphy was accepted into the United States Army, at Greenville, after being turned down by the Marines and the paratroopers for being too short (5 feet 5.5 inches) and of slight build. He was also turned down by the Navy for being slight of build. He was sent to Camp Wolters, Texas, for basic training and during a session of close order drill, passed out. His company commander tried to have him transferred to a cook and bakers' school because of his baby-faced youthfulness, but Murphy insisted on becoming a combat soldier. His wish was granted: after 13 weeks of basic training, he was sent to Fort Meade, Maryland for advanced infantry training.

Second Lt. Audie Murphy was the most decorated American soldier of World War II. He received the Medal of Honor, the U.S. military's highest award for valor, along with 32 additional U.S. and foreign medals and citations, including five from France and one from Belgium. Murphy was a celebrated movie star for many years in the post-war era, appearing in 44 films. He also found some success as a country music composer. He died in a plane crash May 28, 1971 and was interred, with full military honors, in Arlington National Cemetery. Audie Murphy's grave site is the second-most visited grave at Arlington, after that of President John F. Kennedy.

**Trivia Question for Today: What movie did Audie Murphy have his first starring role? Who was his character in that movie?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: When shooting at enemy soldiers, the trick Sgt. York used to coax them out in the open was to gobble like a turkey. This “turkey tactic” worked for the turkey shoot, likewise it worked for enemy soldiers to arouse curiosity. Just like the turkeys, the soldiers would raise themselves up from the safety of their barricades to give Alvin a clear shot.

Classic Movies - American War Heroes: Alvin York

This week, let's talk Classic Movies of American War Heroes to honor our veterans on Labor Day! There are three movies we would like to share that were made about actual American war heroes from WW I and WW II: Sergeant York (1941), Sgt. Alvin York, a WW I war hero portrayed by Gary Cooper; To Hell and Back (1955), Second Lt. Audie Murphy, a WW II war hero, starring Audie Murphy as himself; and The Fighting Sullivans (1944), George, Frank, Joe, Matt, and Al - five brothers who grew up together and all joined the Navy during WW II.

The American war hero classic movie that we are featuring today is one in which Gary Cooper played a real American hero of World War I. It also captured for him the first of his two best actor “Oscars”. Of course, that film is Sergeant York (1941), with Joan Leslie and Walter Brennan. As the hillbilly sharpshooter from Tennessee who became one of the most decorated heroes of “The Great War”, Gary Cooper was a perfect fit for the title character. He was, in fact, the only actor the real Sgt. Alvin York (who had to give his consent) would even consider for the role. We think you’ll agree that Gary Cooper is wonderful to watch as his character transforms from drunken rowdy to converted Christian and from “conscientious objector” to war hero. 'Alvin York' declares throughout the movie, “The Lord sure does move in mysterious ways”, a statement that rings true time and again in the extraordinary biographical story of Sergeant York. We love this film and think you will, too.

We hope you enjoy the Sgt. Alvin York Tribute. He was a true American hero who risked his life for the safety of the men around him, and for the freedoms we all still enjoy over ninety years later.

**Trivia Question for Today: When shooting at enemy soldiers, what trick did Sgt. York use to coax them out in the open?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: The basket that Margaret O'Brien carries around in Little Women is the same basket that was carried by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz.

Bonus Trivia Answer for Previous Post: The scene in Little Women that June Allyson actually cried real tears is the scene where Beth (O'Brien) tells Jo (Allyson) that she doesn't mind dying. She was so moved by Margaret O'Brien's performance that she was sent home early, still crying, and had to pull over several times on her journey home as her tears rendered her unable to drive.

Classic Movies - Famous Child Star: Margaret O'Brien - Little Women

Starring
June Allyson
Peter Lawford
Margaret O'Brien
Elizabeth Taylor
Janet Leigh

and
Mary Astor

Today let's conclude talk Classic Movie Child Star - Margaret O'Brien. We are going to skip ahead a few years to 1949. The featured movie for today is Little Women. Louisa May Alcott's beloved novel is brought to life by a stellar cast: June Allyson, Peter Lawford, Margaret O'Brien, Elizabeth Taylor, Janet Leigh, Mary Astor, Rossano Brazzi, Lucile Watson, C. Aubrey Smith, Leon Ames, and Harry Davenport.

Little Women is an autobiographical account of Alcott's life with her three sisters in Concord, Massachusettes in the 1860s. Set in New England during the Civil War, Little Women chronicles the lives and loves of four sisters. Meg, Josephine, Amy and Beth March are the little women who, together with their mother "Marmee" (Astor), keep the home fires burning while their father (Ames) serves with the Union army. The March ladies must rely on each other for strength as they face tragedies both large and small. Meg (Leigh), the eldest, is a second mother to the troupe while "Jo" (Allyson), the tomboy, takes on the role of man of the house in the absense of their father. Amy (Taylor) is proud and yearns for the good things in life, and Beth (O'Brien), the youngest and frailest of the four, overcomes her shyness as she seeks comfort in gentle music. Little Women is a simple tale of four young girls coming to womanhood, finding love and their place in the world. In the novel, Amy is the youngest sister, but in order to use Margaret O'Brien as Beth, Beth was made the youngest in the 1949 version of Little Women.

We highly recommend watching Little Women. There have been several versions made throughout the years that are exceptional. Our favorite versions are the 1933 and 1949 versions. Read "Let's Talk Classic Movies" for more classic movie presentations and trivia.

**Trivia Question for Today: The basket that Margaret O'Brien carries around in Little Women is the same basket that was carried in a previous movie. What was the name of the movie and who carried it?

Bonus Trivia: In which scene in Little Women did June Allyson actually cry real tears?

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 - Famous Child Star: Margaret O'Brien - Meet Me In St. Louis

Judy Garland and

Margaret O'Brien - 1944

Today we will continue to talk Classic Movie Child Star - Margaret O'Brien. The movie we would like to feature in today's post is probably one of our favorite movies, at least one of our favorite musicals - Meet Me In St. Louis (1944). In her most memorable performance and the one for which she earned her special juvenile Oscar, Margaret O'Brien played Judy Garland's youngest sister "Tootie" in Vincente Minnelli's turn-of-the-century mid-western musical.

Meet Me In St. Louis is a 1944 romantic musical film from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer which tells the story of four sisters 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.

Fall 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. 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: The 1942 movie Journey for Margaret inspired her to change her name from Angela to Margaret, because she so identified with the character she played in this film.