2 posts in a row, marking the death of great movie stars. Both quite old. O'Toole was 81, Fontaine, 96.
Someone will say these deaths come 3s, so I will. But let's talk about Joan Fontaine. I love the movie "Rebecca." She won an Oscar for "Suspicion." Similar movies.
I don't go for the triad theory, but if you want a candidate I offer Audrey Totter, one of the queens of B movies and film noir. She did a memorable turn in "THE SET UP" with Robert Ryan.
She outlived most of her mourners. Peter O'Toole died at an age when his passing can be felt as a loss. But if you're going for a tragic, mythic death of James Dean proportions, Paul Walker definitely has the starring role in this month's obituaries.
The moment where Olivier ("the brooding Max De Winter") turns to Joan and says of Rebecca, "Love her? I hated her!!", is one of the best surprise moments on film.
Astaire is TCM's star of the month. His dance with Joan, from Damsel in Distress, is featured in the clip that is being shown constantly. Not a great movie, but one of the few featuring George Burns and Gracie Allen. And a nice(!) version of "Nice Work If You Can Get It," first time I ever heard the full version of the song that provided the theme for Cybill Shepherd's eponymic TV show (though I now have an Ella Fitzgerald version as well).
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18 comments:
2 posts in a row, marking the death of great movie stars. Both quite old. O'Toole was 81, Fontaine, 96.
Someone will say these deaths come 3s, so I will. But let's talk about Joan Fontaine. I love the movie "Rebecca." She won an Oscar for "Suspicion." Similar movies.
So Olivia has outdone her sister at last, by surviving.
I hope they reconciled before their permanent separation.
I don't go for the triad theory, but if you want a candidate I offer Audrey Totter, one of the queens of B movies and film noir. She did a memorable turn in "THE SET UP" with Robert Ryan.
"Ms. Fontaine is survived by her sister, Ms. de Havilland...."
She is 97.
She outlived most of her mourners. Peter O'Toole died at an age when his passing can be felt as a loss. But if you're going for a tragic, mythic death of James Dean proportions, Paul Walker definitely has the starring role in this month's obituaries.
Tom Laughlin ("Billy Jack") died a couple of days ago....your third star?
Plus, Joan was the last of Astaire's dance partners....from the 1930's! The 70 year feud with her sister....that takes the cake!
“In this brief transit where the dreams cross
The dreamcrossed twilight between birth and dying
Not as esteemed as O'toole/Fontaine:
Tom Laughlin
Love that movie.
The moment where Olivier ("the brooding Max De Winter") turns to Joan and says of Rebecca, "Love her? I hated her!!", is one of the best surprise moments on film.
Two down, who else to go?
Other than in an old movie, I don't recommend using the phrase "you little fool" in a marriage proposal.
Brian from Family Guy resurrected....but then he never counted, being tv and such.
"I'm asking you to marry me, you little fool!"
There's a master of romance....
@Godfather,
I don't recommend using the phrase "you little fool" in a marriage proposal.
Waaaay too old fashioned. Now, one uses the phrase "you stupid twat" in a marriage proposal.
I love that scene and that movie. Thanks for posting it!
Astaire is TCM's star of the month. His dance with Joan, from Damsel in Distress, is featured in the clip that is being shown constantly. Not a great movie, but one of the few featuring George Burns and Gracie Allen. And a nice(!) version of "Nice Work If You Can Get It," first time I ever heard the full version of the song that provided the theme for Cybill Shepherd's eponymic TV show (though I now have an Ella Fitzgerald version as well).
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