Blog Archives
Oscar Vault Monday – Jezebel, 1938 (dir. William Wyler)
I really love this film. I have watched it many times. It’s one that gets richer each time you watch it. Often, you hear it dismissed, or at least introduced, as Bette Davis’s Gone With The Wind, but it is definitely more than just a consolation prize. This film represents a turning point in Davis’s career and it was after her phenomenal turn in this film that she became the superstar we now know and love. The film was nominated for five Academy Award, won two: Best Cinematography, Best Score, Best Supporting Actress Fay Bainter (won), Best Actress Bette Davis (won), Best Picture. The other films nominated for Best Picture that year were The Adventures of Robin Hood, Alexander’s Ragtime Band, Boys Town, The Citadel, Four Daughters, La Grande Illusion, Pygmalion, Test Pilot, and winner You Can’t Take It With You. I have actually seen all of these films, and they are ALL fantastic.
Movie Quote of the Day – Alexander’s Ragtime Band, 1938 (dir. Henry King)
Roger Grant: Don’t you understand? I’m an artist. Like Pygmalion.
Stella Kirby: Like who?
Roger Grant: Oh, just a Greek who took a hunk of marble, molded it and polished it into a beautiful woman. Then he fell in love with it.
Stella Kirby: Then you mean you’ve just fallen in love with your, with your. . .
Roger Grant: . . .handiwork.
Stella Kirby: Oh, that isn’t so. You loved me from the first day you saw me, platinum hair, loud mouth and everything.
Roger Grant: I guess you’re right.
Stella Kirby: This is the real thing, isn’t it?
Roger Grant: It’s the realest thing that ever happened to me.
Movie Quote of the Day – Bringing Up Baby, 1938 (dir. Howard Hawks)
Aunt Elizabeth: Well who are you?
David Huxley: I don’t know. I’m not quite myself today.
Aunt Elizabeth: Well, you look perfectly idiotic in those clothes.
David Huxley: These aren’t my clothes.
Aunt Elizabeth: Well, where are your clothes?
David Huxley: I’ve lost my clothes!
Aunt Elizabeth: But why are you wearing *these* clothes?
David Huxley: Because I just went gay all of a sudden!
Aunt Elizabeth: Now see here young man, stop this nonsense. What are you doing?
David Huxley: I’m sitting in the middle of 42nd Street waiting for a bus.