Legal Eagles (1986) The 8th So Bad its Good Blogathon

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Before I tear the film apart, I’d like to say, rest in peace, Mr. Robert Redford. I don’t love the film, but, I enjoy his efforts in anything he made. Please know, its currently the only Robert Redford film I owned BUT REMOVED from my personal collection. MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD.

The 80s were an interesting time for movies. I was born in 1996, so I completely missed out on the decade. Usually, for me, 80s music is better than 80s movies, as my mom raised me on music from the 70s/80s. Such is the case with 1986’s Legal Eagles, as Sir Rod Stewart’s “Love Touch” (there’s a music video intercut with movie scenes) is far more memorable than the movie.

Directed by Ivan Reitman (Ghostbusters), the premise is as follows: Tom Logan, Assistant District Attorney (Robert Redford) is about to launch a bid to be DA, when a fellow defense attorney, Laura Kelly (Debra Winger) seeks him out to help her with her client, Chelsea Deardon (Daryl Hannah). Chelsea is pyro performing artist, who is accused of attempting to steal a painting from millionaire Robert Forrester (John McMartin). In her view, Chelsea claims her artist father, Sebastian (James Hurdle), gave her the painting for her eigth birthday, which is also the day her father and most of his work perished in a mysterious fire.

 

In a turn of events, Forrester soon let’s the piece go, and trades it in for a Piaccsio work, from museum collector, Victor Taft (Terrence Stamp). Tom and Laura discover Forrester and Taft were close business associates of Sebastian’s, and it seems Chelsea is let off the hook, but then veteran detective, CJ Cavanagh (Brian Dennehy), who investigated the case years earlier, discovers evidence that may say otherwise. 

Stright off the bat, the script is terrible. The bizarre nonsense plot of trying to find the painting doesn’t work. The wardrobe is equally as awful, as well as the score. For Elmer Bernstein to do the score, what was a veteran like him thinking? He did work like the Magnificent 7 (1960), and then did something odd here; it was so off, the score music was out of sync for his reputation. 

Personally, I’m not a fan of Debra Winger; she’s just not a, “likable“, actress, and puts forth no effort to be charming, cute, or even flirty in her scenes with Mr. Redford.

There’s actually a random montage of Debra and RR that is, awkward, to say the least. Although I do admit, RR is cute singing along to “Singin in the Rain” (A nod to his daughter Amy? It’s her favorite movie!), and is funny while playing paddle ball, skiing and riding a tricycle around his apartment; It’s the intercuts to Debra eating junk food in bed, gross combo foods which makes it all horrendous. The way she ate the chicken was, DISGUSTING! My mom was watching with me and I asked her, “Was Debra trying to be sexy??” 

My mom said, “No, that was just gross“

Not to be missed, I’m not a fan of Daryl Hannah either, she can’t even act. Her character had zero depth, and was almost superfluous throughout. Kind of just “there” to create a love triangle with Debra and RR, which had no stakes. 

The scene that made me bust out laughing due to ridiculousness was the ticking-time-bomb in the warehouse. Terrible pacing, it was embarrassing, not to mention the out of left field forklift.

 My mom mentioned this was an era in which men still doubled for women with intense stunts, and pointed out Debra’s male stunt double to me- I was shocked how obvious it was!

As for Mr. Redford, Bob’s acting wasn’t his natural alluring style, and he has no chemistry with either of these half baked leading ladies. He really did try his hardest, however, as the sweetest scenes he had was with the young actress who played his teen daughter. 

Maybe if Jane Fonda was his leading lady, we would all forgive the God- awful plot! Chemistry really can make or break a movie, and this movie broke it.

With all this being said, if you’re a fan of this film, I applaud you, because maybe I’m just the wrong audience to enjoy it. I increasingly find a handful of 80s films that were major or fan favorites don’t work with film fans who were not originally present to view them. Be it the actors, or the directors, or even the lack of total nostalgia, 80s films are very hit and miss for me. 

This one was a total miss for me, but I do find myself thankful I saw it, because Robert Redford was in it. According to Bob’s life at that time, he was divorcing, exhausted from the shoot in the previous year’s Out of Africa, and maybe he needed this, “easy release”. It’s an anomaly in his body of work for being a comedy, and he didn’t make too many comedies, so some RR GIRLS may want to give it a try. 

And even if that can’t hook you, know this: Cary Grant lent a piece of his own artwork to appear in the film.

This was written for the 8th So Bad, It’s Good Blogathon FEB 13-15 2026, hosted By Taking Up Room.

The Beach Boys: An American Family 2000

On By The Flapper DameIn Genre Grandeur1 Comment

This post was written for Movie Rob’s Genre Grandeur of November 2025 with the theme of Music and Musician depictions on tv and movies.

Brian Wilson was one of the greatest musical composers of all time. Many years from now, when we as a society are long gone, his name will live on and be placed next to Mozart, Bach, Gershwin, and the other legendary composer of our time, Sir Paul McCartney. 

Brian’s life has been dramatized many times over the years, most famously in 2014’s Love and Mercy, but I always found that it unfortunately cut out the bigger story of The Beach Boys. 

The Beach Boy’s story has been told on television twice, so far: one TV movie in 1990, and one TV mini series in 2000. 1990’s Summer Dreams: The Story of the Beach Boys was centered around Dennis Wilson’s life, while the 2000 Beach Boys An American Family production has been called the Mike Love POV, as Mike was a creative consultant on it. 

While neither adaption is actually perfect, I do find the 2000 mini series slightly edges out the 1990 tv movie.

For the contents of this review, I will be solely focused on the 2000 mini series, and will leave the 1990 tv movie for another day, and another review! My mom and I actually watched both series last summer, with the 2000 series being a rewatch for her, as she watched it on tv when it originally aired. 

Part One of the mini series focuses on the early days of the group to Brian’s 1964 breakdown on the plane. Their origins, their foundation, and of course their early success is all covered in part one. 

Part One is the less exaggerated portion of the story. From their adolescence to becoming a group, it touches on all the members: Brian (Fred Weller) and Mike (Matt Letscher) teaming up, Brian putting his his brother Carl (Ryan Northcott) in the group, Audree Wilson, the Brother’s mom (Alley Mills), begging the guys to let Dennis (Nick Stabile) in the group, Al Jardine (Ned Vaughn) re-connecting with Brian after high school again, and even neighbor David Marks (Dublin James) joining the group after Al temporarily left.

It accurately portrays how both David and Al were on the touring group in 1963, with David quitting because he clashed with Murry Wilson (Kevin Dunn) (the brother’s father and their first manager), not because Al came back. 

I also appreciated how it showed that Murry had good intentions for the group initially, and why they had a falling out: the boys wanting more control of their own music and lives, while Murry wanted to maintain creative control.

Part Two picks up in 1965, with the success of “California Girls” and goes to 1974 with the release of their most famous compilation album Endless Summer. 

Brian himself admitted, that while Part One was well done, he didn’t like Part Two and had issues with the way he was portrayed. In his 2016 memoir, I am Brian Wilson he said John Stamos issued an apology to him, as Stamos was also an executive producer on the project. 

Part Two is kind of where it becomes the “Mike Love Story”, with Mike trying to steer Brian on a better path, as well as Mike taking up Transcendental Meditation as a way to stay sane. It even includes Dennis Wilson’s Charles Manson run in and subsequent connection with him. I understand Part Two could be really boring of a story if it constantly showed Brian’s sandbox years at his house, with fellow junkies coming in and out, but with that shift to Mike keeping everyone together, it lost sight of all the guys as a group. Al, Carl, and Bruce Johnston (Jesse Caron) have almost no part in the story, save for group scenes. Carl does get a a mini spotlight, during the recording of “God Only Knows” and the scene of strongly urging Brian and Dennis to attend their father’s funeral. Pet Sounds is included but, minimal scenes are devoted to it.

The depiction of the group in 1974

As the narrative does end in 1974, the final scene is a a bit of a jumbled mess of the band putting out Endless Summer, and a concert proving the Beach Boys are back on top. As an in joke, John Stamos is playing drums, with Dennis just singing on a mic with the other guys. Bruce Johnston was even included in this concert, just for simplicity’s sake as he was not in the band in 1974 (he left around 1972, and returned in 1978). 

The ending really hits you when you read the words about Carl Wilson’s death, and at the time of the original airing, it was only an event that occurred two years prior. I have no doubt that the fans and viewers were still reeling from Carl’s death when watching this program in 2000.

The real group in 1974

Overall, as a fan of both the band, and of of course movies/ TV, I think the mini series was made with good intentions, it just lost its way as it went on. It was nominated for 3 Emmy’s in 2000, and I think it was a major way to learn about the Beach Boys at the time it was made. I myself will easily admit, Part One is really truly well done, its just part Two needed some guidance. We needed the full story of those years, without making Brian look like the villain and Mike the hero. I do recommend any Beach Boys fan to watch this mini series, but only if they know the real story.

Gary Griffin and I August 2025, Al Jardine concert, Aracada Theater

Fun fact, I met the music director of this mini series, Gary Griffin, in August 2025, at Al Jardine’s concert. Gary has many Beach Boys connections: played on MIU, Summer in Paradise and That’s why God made the Radio, toured with the band from 1977-1978 and 2002, and toured solo with Brian and now Al’s group. He also appeared on General Hospital, Full House, and Fuller House as a fellow member of John Stamos’s in universe bands. He happily took a photo with me, after I grabbed his attention by yelling out, “THANK YOU FOR FULL HOUSE, GARY!” after the concert. He also signed my Love You and Holland albums- despite not playing on either (but it should be noted, Love You came out in 1977, the year he joined the touring band.)

The mini series is available on youtube to watch if anyone is interested.

Rest in Peace

Dennis Wilson 1944-1983

Carl Wilson 1946-1998

and

Brian Wilson 1942-2025

Robert Redford 1936-2025: The Last Great American Actor

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2025 has been a strange year. One the one hand, we have the first ever Pope from The United States… from Chicago!!!! (And as a native, it’s very exciting.) But on the other hand, it’s had more death in it than I’d care to admit. 

It started off with the loss of my Aunt in March. Then it kept going, and growing: Brian Wilson, Ozzy Osbourne, Ace Frehley, and of course, Robert Redford, aka truly the last great American actor this country had.

Yes, I am aware, all of these names are celebrity deaths, and I’m not family or a friend to any of them. I’ve never even met them, (Ace Frehley being the one and only exception!), and yet it still hurts to know that these talents who make my life richer and are a small part of my life are gone. 

The first time I unknowingly watched a small part of any Robert Redford film was somewhere around 2001/2002 in kindergarten or first grade. My friend’s older sister was obsessed with The Horse Whisperer (1998), and she always played the dance scene, because she loved the song. I never actually watched the entire movie, at this age, but actively remember waking up at sleepovers with the credits rolling. It would take me until the year 2023 to finally watch The Horse Whisperer fully through, and despite not being a horse enthusiast, I truly adored it!

Amazingly, Mr. Robert Redford finally came into my life when I was about 19/20, so we are talking 2015/2016. I had watched The Sting (1973) on the reccomendation of a professor friend and really enjoyed it, followed by Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), and again, really got into it, but after that, sort of didn’t actively pursue more of Redford’s movies, for some silly reason. 

That all changed one day when I was watching TCM, and this tribute clip for Natalie Wood came on tv. I’m a dedicated Natalie fan, so I paid close attention. All of a sudden, this voice automatically draws me in, as he starts talking about being a high school classmate of Natalie’s: it was Robert Redford.

I had never seen or heard of Inside Daisy Clover (1965), which was heavily talked about in Redford’s tribute video, but luckily it was airing within a few days.

Upon first watch, I admit, the movie is a bit of a tough one, but as one digs beneath the surface, it’s actually a movie Natalie fought hard to make. Solely because she believed in it, that was good enough for me to be a fan of it. I feel beyond lucky, as Christmas 2021, my (then new) friend, sent me an original lobby card from the film. It was such a parallel, as the movie of Inside Daisy Clover was the real beginning of Bob and Nat’s friendship, and the lobby card of film, was a beginning of another friendship with my friend and I. 

Watching Daisy Clover then propelled me to seek out the other Redford-Wood movie, This Property is Condemned (1966). I remember I had to wait like 5 or 6 months for it to air on TCM, but it was worth it. To this day, This Property is Condemned is one of my favorite all time Natalie movies, but it also became one of my favorite RR movies too. Sure, Bob’s part of Owen Legate is actually playing a supporting role to Natalie’s main character, Alva, but no scene with him is wasted. 

From there, it really just grew. I sought out his pictures he did with Jane Fonda, and enjoyed all of them but The Chase (1966). Barefoot in the Park (1967) is of course, legendary, The Electric Horseman (1979) is truly genuinely fun, and Our Souls at Night (2017) is a touching and emotionally charged film that tugged at my heartstrings. 

I then just started putting any RR movie that popped up on TCM on the DVR, as well as just started picking up some movies on disc. Results were mixed, as personally I can’t stand The Way We Were (1973, SO SORRY!) or Legal Eagles (1986), but I adore The Great Waldo Pepper (THANK YOU, KGLEE!), and Up Close & Personal (1996). 

Regardless of whether I enjoyed the movie or not, I did realize something about Bob and his acting: Bob Redford was always a fearless actor. He didn’t want to be the, “Golden Boy Beauty“, of the screen. He took on roles that made him jerks and heals, and didn’t suffer from negative public perception. He was able to take on such diverse roles because he always infused humanity and depth into his performances.

Now of course, don’t get me wrong. There’s a legit reason why women like myself, see Bob Redford as the charming, teasing, likable, charismatic guy. His physical screen presence is always magnetic, and wherever he is, your eyes will follow. But it always was secondary to his overall acting, and that’s what made Bob edgier: talent first, and looks second. 

The day Mr. Redford passed away, I was dog sitting for a family friend. I was still lying in bed in the morning and it was Hello! Magazine UK’s social media post I saw first. I really thought when I read the news, I would cry, but I actually didn’t. Rather I thought, I actually got to live within this acting legend’s lifetime. Bob lived long long life, with 89 years to his name, passed away in his sleep, with the people he loved, in a place he loved. He did it all and then some: actor, director, producer, founder, activist, husband, father, and grandfather. When put in that perspective, there’s nothing to cry about. His family, and his fans, as well as his Sundance festival will carry his legacy- forever. 

Rest in peace, Mr. Robert Redford 1936-2025. 

PS- Thank you so much for ALL of your amazing, kind and, positive comments here on my small little blog. I DO READ EVERY SINGLE ONE, and they mean so much to me, despite the fact it goes unanswered or replied to months later! It makes me smile when I feel down!

Titanic Exhibits 2024: Titanic in Pop Culture Blogathon 2025

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This entry is for the 2025 Titanic in Pop Culture Blogathon hosted by Taking up Room.

In 2024, something really super cool came to the Chicagoland area: an immersive Titanic Exhibit at the Westfield Orchard Mall in Skokie IL. (As of this writing the exhibit is in Dallas, Texas) Me, being the Titanic super-fan certainly told my Mom we had to go, and my Dad even wanted to go along with us because he loves historical exhibits. I knew beforehand the exhibit was to be about the real ship herself, but I was stoked to learn there was also to be some 1997 movie props included too! This is a very abridged version of my experience at the exhibit because there were MANY pictures to take and I’m going to be relating it for this blogathon post to the 1997 movie. I hope you realize the exhibit was so much more than the “movie moments” as it was a real life tribute to the real life people and ship.

My family and I ended up going on April 5, 2024- just 10 days before the sinking anniversary.

We all got tickets of a real life passenger. I amazingly got a ticket of a French second class actress posing as a movie director’s wife. My Mom got a waiter working as crew, and my Dad got a ticket of an Australian who was working in a Russian mine.

When I say immersive, it really was truly immersive. The life size rooms made it seem like you really really there!

I took the opportunity to recreate some of the 1997 movie’s most famous moments! Including running away from Lovejoy and being stuck behind the third class gate.

On the promanade deck just like Jack and Rose!

BUT what would a Titanic Exhibit be without waiting for Jack to take me to a real party!

You really went though it all- the boiler room, the promenade deck, a first class sitting room (roped off and could not sit down), even saw a third class bunker which was to scale: the beds, the room size (again roped off). It really was a humanizing experience. For myself especially, I’m Chinese (and my family is Italian on one side and German on the other) and it made me imagine all of us would be real life third class passengers. The scariest part was probably an outline of the to scale lifeboat which was marked on the floor (it was too difficult to get a picture), then there were benches arranged in the same manner in which people would have been seated. You could sit on the benches and there was a slide show looped to show you what the actual sinking process was and what angle the ship was at when it went down. They even had a panel kept at the temperature the water would have been when the ship went down. I kept my finger on it for maybe 1 second. Below my mom got a shot of me at the “iceberg” with me putting my hand on the cold part. You can see a bit of where the lifeboat is marked on the floor.

It was after the ship sinking part of the exhibit you got to see the aftermath, including what was found on the ocean floor and the legacy of the ship which was immortalized in movies. There were costumes, a script, one of the Heart of the Ocean necklaces (many were used and made for the movie), one of the nude drawings, and even silverware replicated with the White Star line.

In August 2024 my family and I went to the Volo Car Museum in Volo IL, where they have a permanent Titanic exhibit amongst their many, many exhibits. We are planning on revisiting the museum in order to soak it all in (we live maybe a little over an hour from the Volo Museum, and can easily make a day trip of it). It was very different to the traveling exhibit, as at the Volo exhibit you had to be quiet, with signs to be respectful to the real life passenger’s memory.

This exhibit had some costumes and the famous TWIN car of the real life car that sunk in the real life Titanic.

The exhibit had an immersive part to it in the sense you could feel the sloping floor. While the 15 degree was almost nothing, believe me when I say at the 45 degree slope, as soon as my Dad snapped the picture, I got off. You felt the slope in your feet and legs.

Of course in the outside portion of the exhibit (where you could talk) I certainly was gonna have my fun!

Overall going to these two exhibits was eye opening and humanizing of the real event. While it’s fun to recreate some movie magic in real life, the true point of these exhibits are to never forget the human tragedy, and the people who’s lives were lost and their families who were impacted.

I hope you all get the chance to see the traveling exhibit or go to a similar Titanic exhibit near you.

Aquamarine (2006)

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This is for Movie Rob’s June 2025 Genre Grandeur of Summer Movies!

Set on the coast of Florida (actually shot in Australia), two best friends Claire (Emma Roberts) and Hailey (Jojo) are about to be separated with Hailey moving to Australia for her mom’s work. One night during a sleepover they wish for a miracle to occur, so Hailey doesn’t have to move. Their luck seems to be changing when they meet wish granting mermaid Aquamarine (Sara Paxton). But to get their wish, they first have to help Aquamarine, who wants to find true love. Excited, the girls happily accept, even if it means giving up their mutual crush: local lifeguard Raymond (Jake McDorman).

Aquamarine (2006) is a movie that over the years went from one of my most favorite summer movies to a movie that now, I can’t sit through completely. The actors and the humor don’t resonate me with me anymore, as well as the fact the TV show H2O: Just Add Water (2006-2010) is vastly superior when handing the same topics of friendship, love, and of course, mermaids!

That being said, I will always be happy to say I went to see this movie in theaters (with my mom and younger sister) circa May/ June 2006 because I remember at the time, really wanting to see it. I was 9.5 years old and my sister was 7. We both really enjoyed it in the moment and for years to come and I think that’s what truly counts in the end. 

I remember in 4th or 5th grade I even read the novel- which came first- and the story was vastly different. In my view, Aquamarine is a rare example where the movie’s story worked better, as the novel was really dark and not as sugary sweet fun. Such as Aquamarine becoming sick and almost dying due to lack of salt water. Other downbeat aspects of the novel include Capri Beach Club being run down and closing for good, as well as Claire (yes for the film it was swapped) actually shown to be moving and the girls being separated. 

That being said there are some positives within the film that are a stand out, and despite the film not being my all time favorite anymore, I find it could be a calming background presence.

Positives

The best friend dynamic: Hailey and Claire are best friends and nothing will change that, not even if Hailey moves away. Emma Roberts and Jojo never met until auditions for the film, but they instantly clicked. Sara Paxton too- you just believe they are friends and have known each other for years. 

The summery mise en scene: the DOP (Cinmatographer) did an amazing job on this film because everything about it screams 2000s summer. The beach scenes, the night time scenes, the mall scene, the street fair scene, its an eternal summer and its so easy to look at. Makes you want to jump through the screen and join in on the fun action. It is a time capsule for those growing up in the 2000s.

The message to young kids: In the end, Aquamarine learns what true love is, and its not exactly true romantic love. It was a major lesson to young kids at the time, and I’d, up to that point, never seen any movie end exactly like that. This movie came out before Frozen (2013) did, but because its not Disney, and had a tween/ teen girl market, it was never able to reach the same popularity as Frozen. 

The Soundtrack: One Original Thing by Cheyenne Kimball, Summertime Guys by Nikki Cleary and Connected by Sara Paxton- this soundtrack is packed with iconic 2000s tween goodness. Of course I have to mention the cover of Weezer’s Island in the Sun by Halfday. That scene forever lives in my mind and will continue to live in my mind as iconic. I’ve never been a Weezer fan, but this version is perfection.

Negatives

The Humor- The cringe inducing humor is something I can’t phantom. Raymond jumping over the balcony of his room in slow motion was something super funny at age 10- but as an adult I understand why my mom pretty much hated it. I also understand why Aquamarine had to be quirky and over the top: as she’s a mermaid, not a human, but it was just so in your face at times I don’t enjoy it. The phone scene where they call Raymond and she screams into the phone comes to mind for an example of this awful humor. 

I don’t like the actors: Even as a kid, I was never a super fan of Emma Roberts, Jojo, or Sara Paxton- but as an adult, I just don’t really care about them. Oddly, the one actress I actually do like from this movie played mean girl Cecilia, Arielle Kebbel. She went on to be Lexi in TV show The Vampire Diaries (2009-2017). Contrast this to H2O- I really do adore Claire Holt, Phoebe Tonkin, and Cariba Heine- to this day. 

The age of the characters: Claire and Hailey just completed 7th grade. They state that at their sleepover, Claire asking Hailey, “How can I face 8th grade without you.” 

Their crush is on Raymond who is 17/18- and going to be a freshman in college. While its clear the girls only have school girl crushes on Raymond, and that’s understandable, this age aspect kind of takes away the fun of the movie. Maybe the girls should have been 16. And then- Aquamarine is supposed to be 18? Older than the girls, but her naivety about human life makes this age difference less noticeable. This all also means Cecilia, whom of which is of driving age, and has a permit, is bullying two 8th graders.

Overall, its fun every once and a while to revisit what you once loved, but as I get older, I’ve realized only a handful of these movies and TV shows will actually stick. H2O, The Princess Diaries, The Princess Diaries 2, and Full House have stuck for life, but some things like this fade away. For me Aquamarine lives in a time and space in which it brought comfort to me when I needed it, and it now lives as a relic of that time of my life: visited and appreciated, but not long lasting.

Hatari! (1962)

On By The Flapper DameIn Blogathon, john ford12 Comments

This entry is for the Adventureathon hosted by Real Weggie Midget and Cinematic Catharsis. It runs from May 2-4 2025, so be sure to check out other exhilarating posts!

Hatari! is a film that growing up, I had no idea about.  My grandfather, THE JW Fan in our family, never mentioned it, nor did anyone in my family own it on dvd. It basically alluded me until I was older and I went on the internet to get a full list of John Wayne movie titles. Though, once I started reading and learning about directors and actor collaborations, I somehow knew that at one point, I was gonna watch this movie because this movie is exactly just that. The fourth of fifth collaborations between Howard Hawks and John Wayne, 1962’s Hatari! (Swahili for “danger”) follows a group of animal trappers- NOT HUNTERS– on a safari reservation in Tanganyika. I had the pleasure of watching the brand new 4K restoration on the Kino Lober disc I got for Christmas 2024. It comes with a commentary by Julie Kirgo and Pete Hankoff. (To be noted, her commentary on the disc isn’t a great listen, as she seems highly unaware and randomly selected to talk about John Wayne. Dare I say, I, and so many other fans I know, could do much better!)


In true Hawksian fashion, the plot is somewhat irrelevant, as we follow the group of characters spending the trapping season together on the reservation. Rounding out the group is Irish-American Sean Mercer (John Wayne), French safari owner Brandy de la Court (Michèle Girardon), German retired race car driver, Kurt Muller (Hardy Krüger), NYC cabbie, Pockets (Red Buttons),  Little Wolf, “The Indian”, (Bruce Cabot), Mexican Bullfighter: Luis Francisco Garcia Lopez (Valentin de Vargas), Anna Maria “Dallas” D’Alessandro, an Italian photographer (Elsa Martinelli) and French marksman Charles “Chips” Maurey (Gérard Blain). As advertised in original promos and posters: excitement, hilarity, danger, and even a bit of romance are all what awaits in Hatari!

On one hand, Hatari! has been called Hawks’ answer to John Ford’s Mogambo (1953). Interesting to note, Hawks wanted Clark Gable to play opposite John Wayne, perhaps taking a page from Mogambo, of which Gable was the star, but this unfortunately did not happen, as Gable died in 1960. There’s also an argument African safari adventure films were a trend at this point, as The Lion with William Holden also came out in 1962.

Honestly, at first I thought the movie was about hunters on a reservation, but knowing they are just out there to obtain animals for zoos or carnivals, and not killing said animals makes it somewhat of an easier watch. There are some outdated animal handling methods, which are tough to watch, but there are also some scenes of pure animal cuteness, like the baby elephants bathing in the pond, and their interactions with Elsa Martinelli’s character. Not to mention there’s also the sweet pop tune “Baby Elephant Walk” by the legendary Henry Mancini.


As for Hawks the director, for someone known to have whip smart fast talking dialogue and fast paced interactions, like His Girl Friday (1940) or Twentieth Century (1934), this film did a complete 180 turn. The lush landscape taking over the screen and slower moving pace and interactions, make it seem as if this is the most “Ford” Hawks ever channeled in one of his films. There’s also the fact Duke’s character is named Sean and is Irish-American, which again, may be another nod to John Ford. However, there are some comparisons to be made to Hawks’s prior work, as he worked with animals in a close capacity in Bringing Up Baby (1938) and Monkey Business (1952) both of which star Cary Grant. Going from animals in a domestic setting in those two movies, to putting the characters in an outdoor wilderness setting for Hatari! could be both the connection and stand out difference between the three Hawks animal movies.

Overall, I just think the movie is fun, you don’t need to think too hard about it, and John Wayne is John Wayne. It is a tad overlong, but I say the character dynamics and the actors who portray them make it interesting and can hold your attention. I love the fact all the characters are a collection of people from around the world, all in a setting that is not their own home, so I love it how they all have each other. It adds a dimension of realism to the movie, that these people all would be in a group and have the connections they do.

I also must point out just how freaking adorable all the baby elephants are and how many amazing scenes there are so close to the animals. Sure one could dismiss this as a,“so what“, but there are some screen shots of the actors and the animals so close that it makes it really incredible.

It’s personally amusing a great deal of the dialogue had to be re-looped as John Wayne would curse with having to do so many takes with the animals! True to form, Duke was the professional who knew his lines, and animals being animals, are unpredictable, it makes it a fun and sometimes funny interaction!

I am glad I finally watched Hatari! after all these years, as its just something I always felt I should have done. I’d like to give a shout out to my pal Les Wadley, a friend and fellow Kiss fan, as I know this is his favorite John Wayne movie of all time, and easy to see why, as it is this adventure with the animals, location, and John Wayne just having a blast with these fun and eccentric characters. So glad I understand now Les! I certianly would re-watch this movie in the future and had fun going on a safari with the Duke!

Actors I wish worked with Hitchcock- Third Master of Suspense Blogathon

On By The Flapper DameIn Blogathon, Hitchcock21 Comments

Hello everyone it has been FAR FAR to long since I’ve did any writing. I’ve been practicing German wanting to be more fluent and doing word exercises and practices for that. And watching dubbed language tracks on select movies that have them: The Postman always Rings Twice 1946 is an easy choice.

Anyways, what way to kick of 2025 blogathons than by writing about one of my all time favorite directors, The Master of Suspense Alfred Hitchcock for the Third Master of Suspense Blogathon! I participated in some other Hitch Master of Suspense Blogathons in the past such as Discovering Hitchcock entry in 2023 and also 2024’s Hitch on the Big screen. Naturally I wanted to return and write about the most fascinating director to ever have his name above the title.

Again wanting to think outside the box, I chose to write about actors I’ve always wished got the chance to work with the master! I have chosen 5 ladies and 5 men that would have been fantastically smashing on the big screen under The Master’s direction.

As always ladies FIRST!

1- Audrey Hepburn

This is a bit of a cheat, as Audrey ALMOST did work with Hitch in a movie that was to be called No Bail for the Judge, based on the book of the same name by Henry Cecil. The film was to start production in February 1959 and the project fell apart for a few reasons, the main one being Audrey was pregnant, and without her Hitch had no interest in continuing. Audrey did make two “Hitchcockian” style films: Charade (1963) with frequent Hitch leading man Cary Grant (both are a favorite actor and movie of many) and 1967’s Wait Until Dark (which is the picture above) in which she plays a blind woman up against criminals searching for drugs.

2- Natalie Wood

I think this is what Natalie would have thrived at doing. Work in a real thriller (unlike 1966’s Penelope) that would be dramatic, stylish and romantic with a well paired leading man. I think she would have been the proper age to be a leading lady in say one of Hitch’s 1960s or 1970s films, but Natalie sort of went into a semi retirement in the mid 1960s and into the 1970s to raise her daughters Natasha and Courtney. While I respect her decision, imagine her in any of the later Hitch movies- she would have been incredible! Plus Natalie loved psychology- which is what all Hitchocck movies are based upon!

3- Vivien Leigh

Vivien would have been perfect in any Hitchcock movie. I really believe it. Sure she was selective and preferred to work in theater, but she and Hitchcock I think could have teamed up for something that would be legendary. I kind of always in my mind believe she is Rebecca, and she could have played that role, had the movie called for it.

4- Deborah Kerr

I think this choice for me came up as surprising myself, but now I think harder about it, I think it could have been very interesting. Deborah has the stage training and also the British element about her that so many other Hitch actors had, so this may have been a natural match up. She played a vast range of characters in her career, from a nun in Heaven knows Mr. Allison (1957) to a shy repressed girl looking to break away from her mother in Separate Tables (1958), so I think she could have done any role what was required of her.

5-Jean Arthur

Yes, she was known for her team ups with George Stevens, Billy Wilder, and Howard Hawks (becoming a famous Hawksian Woman for her one team up with him), what about a pairing with The Master? Jean always preferred to play working women over wives or mothers, and Hitchcock certainly would have been able to find an interesting role for her to play. This may be my most “iffy” choice on my list, but I still wonder about what would have happened.

Onto the leading men!

1- Robert Redford

Oh, how I wish this could have happened! MR. BOB REDFORD and Hitchcock- YES PLEASE! While RR may have had similar issues that Paul Newman had working for Hitchcock, as Redford loved to improvise and was in a different school of acting and performing than what Hitchcock preferred – I still believe it could have been successful. I mean could you imagine Redford in something like Topaz?? (NOTE: I have not seen Topaz, for the sole reason I hear its a bit boring and it doesn’t have the Hollywood star power to rely on, one day I’ll watch it). I would have seen Topaz already if Redford had been in it! The closest RR ever came to being in a Hitchcock type of film was in 1975’s 3 days of the Condor, directed by his common collaborator Sydney Pollack.

2- William Holden

Bill and Hitchcock? While Holden is famous for his 4 film team up with Billy Wilder, imagine if he did a film with The Master!! I think Bill would have the polish and the charm that Hitch so looked for in his leading men and he could play both the dark and light very equally well. I kind of wish he did Dial M for Murder (1954) with Grace Kelly and Ray Milland- yes that would mean Robert Cummings would be out- but I’m OK with that! Bill actually did a movie in 1962 called The Counterfeit Traitor (he is pictured in that film above), which may be his most Hitchcockian movie he did in his career.

3- Ronald Colman

I honest to God had to double check he didn’t make a film with Hitchcock as my brain went through 5 seconds of believing he did work for Hitch. One of the most revered actors of his generation, I am sure Hitch would have sought out to work with him, it’s just Colman died prematurely at age 67 in 1958. Colman had it all to be in a Hitchcock film: elegance, a strong voice, stage training, and the style.

4- Gary Cooper

Again this is another cheat, as the Cooper film The Wreck of the Mary Deare (1959) was almost directed by Hitchcock. Cooper was also considered to be the American every man, just like Jimmy Stewart, and was shortlisted by Hitchcock for films like Saboteur (1942) and Foreign Correspondent (1940). Ultimately none of these worked out and they never did collaborate. I so do wonder what this partnership would have looked like!

5- Fredric March

This like my choice of Deborah Kerr comes at a great surprise. I’m not sure why I didn’t think of Fredric March earlier, as I do believe he is one of the most under rated and overlooked actors of his time. I have only seen a handful (maybe 6-7) of his films, but every one I do watch, I’m just blown away by the sheer talent and presence he holds on screen. Whether he would play a lead or supporting role, as an actor he commands your attention automatically. To see him work with Hitch would have been something spectacular.

And there we have it! I almost selected Elizabeth Taylor and even William Powell, but then quickly changed my mind.

Any actor that worked with Hitchcock certainly didn’t forget the experience, and had their performance immortalized on film. Then we have The Master himself who was always actively involved in who was cast and why. Most of the time, his casting choices it worked out, but sometimes it didn’t. Feel free to agree or disagree with my choices, but this list is 100% something I’ve always wanted to discuss! I wanna thank Maddy at Classic Film and TV Corner for bringing back this fabulous blogathon, as I always have a blast writing for it!

The Unforgiven 1960

On By The Flapper DameIn audrey hepburn, Blogathon10 Comments

I would say most of you who read my posts know what I really love, but in all honesty, I do end up watching movies I don’t really love. I try not to write negatively on my own blog- and it is rude to tear apart someone else’s art they worked hard at creating. Yet, sometimes, there are films out there that no matter what- you personally will never enjoy them.

Such is the case with 1960’s The Unforgiven. Directed by John Huston and starring Burt Lancaster, Audrey Hepburn, John Saxon, and Lillian Gish, The Unforgiven is based on the 1957 novel of the same name by Alan Le May, who also wrote the novel The Searchers. It tells the story of a young Texas frontier woman whose family roots are revealed when it is discovered she was born as a Native American, as part of the Kiowa Tribe. Aside from being the lead, Lancaster was also a producer, as the film came from his own Hecht- Hill-Lancaster Productions.

While the narrative has been called a B-side or even reverse version of The Searchers (1956, D. John Ford), I declare this movie falls flat not only in terms of storytelling, but it also paints a picture that is anti-adoption. Although the anti-adoption angle is common for Hollywood in general, this movie takes it too far- and I will certainly be talking about it as the major reason as to why I will always dislike it.

I saw this movie for the first time on TCM, and honestly it’s because Audrey Hepburn is in it. I love Audrey– she was a darling, a true humanitarian, and simply the most elegant spirit in movies. Burt Lancaster, well he is not really my “type” when it comes to leading men, I wasn’t bothered by the fact he was in it, I just kind of accepted it and can tolerate it. I had previously read negative background info on the movie- such as Audrey breaking her back during a riding stunt and miscarrying her child- but it did not detour me from viewing it. Honestly, I didn’t know John Saxon was it in, but his small and short presence gleefully made the movie better to watch!

The whole premise is The Zachary family lives on the Texas frontier with the oldest son Ben (Burt Lancaster) supporting the family as their father, Will, died in an Indian raid. The Zachary family consists of the mother, Matilda (Lillian Gish)and three other children: Cash (Audie Murphy), Andy (Doug McClure) and only daughter Rachel (Audrey). The whole family dotes upon Rachel and are extra protective of her.

The family’s neighbor/ business partner Zeb Rawlins (Charles Bickford) has a son, Charlie (Albert Salmi) who is interested in marrying Rachel, but that worries Ben. One day on a cattle drive, a rancher named Abe Kelsey (Joseph Wiseman) casually mentions Rachel is actually Kiowa by birth, and thus begins the conflict, as Ben denies Kelsey’s claim. It starts with tit-for-tat by stealing horses, but quickly escalates to kidnapping Rachel and a violent stand off between the Kiowa tribe and the Zachary family. Soon the truth comes out not only about Rachel’s lineage, but also Will Zachary’s death and the history of bad blood between the two families. It gets ugly really fast.

If there wasn’t enough reason to dislike this movie, Mr. John Saxon has a role, Johnny Portugal, that was sadly diminished, as some of his scenes were even deleted without the director’s consent. I was shocked to learn that, as Saxon had a 3 picture deal with Hecht-Hill-Lancaster Productions, and you think they would use him to his full potential with each movie they did.

Then of course, I must personally bring up the negative sentiment the anti-adoption angle presents for me. The romance between Audrey and Burt is supposed to work but it doesn’t. First of all, they were raised as siblings– brother and sister. While I understand the two are the leads, and inevitably marketed by the system to fall for each other, it’s still pretty gross. I myself am adopted from China to the USA and adoption does create siblings and family. My sister, who is also adopted, is my sister, end of story. By Rachel and Ben falling for each other, it’s basically Hollywood subtly admitting that adoption, while it does happen, is not legit, and does not create family. That’s impossible for me to sit and digest while watching.

I will always stand against this viewpoint and find it difficult to enjoy films that promote this ideology. I will admit, however, I am glad to be aware that such films exist, because it means we have the ability to change. Let a film such as The Unforgiven, be a product of the past, and a historically outdated way of viewing things so we can see how far we have come.

Unlike The Searchers this movie is not nuanced in storytelling, and tells a straight forward narrative of how the audience should think and feel. I don’t blame any one person, nor do I think the film should be banned- but it’s certainly not “enjoyable”. John Huston himself tried to push back against the “commercialism” that H-H-L Productions wanted of the story, and make more of a statement against racism, but he failed in his efforts.

As for the actors, well, I think this goes beyond them. No matter who would be cast in these roles, the movie would still be awful to watch. They do a satisfying job in the parts that are written, and because it’s top notch actors, like Audrey and Mr. Lancaster and Mr. John Saxon, you are more inclined to care about what happens.

All in all, The Unforgiven will always be an example of how easily a western can go wrong. You can have all the right ingredients- cast, director, production company- but if you don’t have the story down to being perfection, it will all fall apart and people will notice. All actors end up in bad movies, I’m just glad that for these actors, they ended up in very few!

This post was written for Real Weegie Midget’s and Barry at Cinematic Catharsis’s John Saxon Blogathon running Dec 6-8 2024.

Grace Kelly & Frank Sinatra: A Sensational Friendship

On By The Flapper DameIn Blogathon, Grace Kelly13 Comments

When it comes to legendary Hollywood friendships, I always find it fascinating to learn who really clicked and who did not. We read and hear about so many on screen co-stars who loathed each other, then we discover who became life long friends. 

When it comes to Grace Kelly, I’d say 95% of her co-stars who worked with her ended up adoring her. Of course there were exceptions like Stewart Granger, (but none of us like him anyways!), but a majority of fellow actors just loved Grace as an actor- and as a friend. 

Even actors like Robert Redford, who never even met Grace said she was “wonderful“, “smart“, and had a “great sense of humor“. 

Credit Grace and Family Tumblr. Grace and Frank 1970

Out of all the people Grace was friends with, one of her most intriguing friendships I say was her lifelong friendship with Frank Sinatra. 

Knowing that Grace was charming to Frank isn’t all that surprising, but what is more surprising is how much Frank adored Grace, for it seems it was harder to befriend the Chairman of the Board.

Grace and Frank first met behind the scenes on set of Mogambo (1953, Dir. John Ford), while in the African bush. Ava Gardner who had recently also just met Grace was her co-star on the film and Frank flew out there to be with Ava, his wife. 

Despite the fact Ava and Frank were having marital difficulties, the 3 really bonded together while out in the wilderness. All of them were missing their families, as the shooting occurred around Christmas and Frank was able to work some Christmas magic by putting up some decorations, singing Christmas carols, and bringing in some traditional festive food.

It would be a few years before Grace and Frank saw each other again, this time they would be playing the co-stars, as they would star together in 1956’s High Society (Dir. Charles Walters), the musical remake of The Philadelphia Story (1940, Dir George Cukor). 

I’m can’t pinpoint exactly why, but there is something magical when you watch Frank and Grace together: dancing under the moonlight, or Frank (as Mike) serenading Grace (as Tracy) telling her she’s sen-sational. It all makes me wish Frank and Grace’s characters were the main love interests for each other.

Their on screen chemistry was actually so strong, rumors circulated Sinatra actually wanted to have a quick affair with the already engaged Grace. Co-star Celeste Holmes disputes this by saying Grace kind of saw Frank as a, “street kid“, and she was a princess, “long before she married“. (I have personally read this rumor in a few pieces I’ve read, but could never find any hardcore evidence. I don’t believe anything happened, as I do declare Grace would have turned him down flat!)

Frank was invited to Grace and Rainier’s wedding, yet did not show up.  His no show was actually simple: he didn’t want the press centered on him and take away from Grace’s day, and more so, Ava, his recent ex-wife at this point, was attending the wedding. According to author Jeffrey Robinson of the book, Grace of Monaco, (originally published as Rainier and Grace: An Intimate Portrait), Frank was to be seated next to Grace’s former agent Rupert Allen, between them. Later, when asked about Frank and Ava’s seating arrangement, Grace told Allen she was trying to rekindle the flame by seating them near each other!

With Grace as Princess of Monaco, she never let that title take away from her already established friendships, and Frank was no exception. He made many visits to Monaco in for both public and private reasons. Grace invited Frank to Monaco red cross balls, charity events, and invited him to stay at the palace as a friend, as he also stuck up a close friendship with Prince Rainier. 

1958, Monte Carlo

Frank was also a fixture in Grace’s children’s lives, as he attended Princess Caroline’s first wedding in 1978. This time Ava Gardner was also there, but apparently there was no friction between them by then!

credit Grace and Family Tumblr

The Princess in turn, would make many visits to America, and visiting Frank was always something to look forward to. Frank and his wife Barbara threw Grace and Rainier their 25th wedding anniversary party at their house in Rancho Mirage, California.

Perhaps one of Grace and Frank’s most famous friendship moments occurred when the Princess appeared at his concert in 1970 at the Royal Albert Hall. HSH mentions their time working on High Society and the gold disc she earned for singing True Love with Bing Crosby.

When Grace died in 1982, while many were stunned to see only Mrs. Barbara Sinatra and not Frank at the funeral, again for fear of paparazzi, he did issue a statement saying,”Grace was the most incredible human being I’ve ever known. Everything she touched came alive“.

In today’s world, I think we all look at the Grace-Frank friendship as something legends are made of. While my personal favorite Grace friendship is that of the one with Cary Grant, her friendship with Sinatra was pretty cool, and in my view, overlooked. They came from different worlds, took different paths, yet were still the best of friends who loved entertainment, charity causes, and family.

I look at the Grace-Frank friendship and it reminds me to be open minded about where you can find your friends, regardless of background and life stations. After all, if a street kid from Hoboken, New Jersey and a serene girl from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania can become friends, I believe anyone can find a friend from anywhere!

This article was written for the 6th Wonderful Grace Kelly Blogathon (Nov 12-14 2024) hosted by Ginnie of the Wonderful World of Cinema and myself, The Flapper Dame.

The 6th Wonderful Grace Kelly Blogathon is Here!

On By The Flapper DameIn Blogathon4 Comments

Hello my lovelies and welcome to the 6th Wonderful Grace Kelly Blogathon! Ginnie of The Wonderful World of Cinema and I are so excited for this celebration of all things Grace Kelly and are so thrilled you are all here to join in the fun!

We both will be hosting everyday from Nov 12-14 (Nov 12 being Grace’s Birthday!) so feel free to let either of us know your post and both of us will end up posting it! Thanks so much to Ginnie for inviting me to be a part of this and join in all the terrific salute to Grace Kelly!

Let the Grace birthday celebrations begin!!

Gil from RealWeggie Midget Reviews starts us off by talking the 1983 Grace Kelly Biopic starring Cheryl Ladd.

Classic Film and TV Corner covers Grace’s last screen role in High Society (1956)

My splendid co-host Ginnie writing for her blog Three Enchanting Ladies, wrote about her visit to Grace’s hometown to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, literally going where Grace used to go!

Not to be missed on the small screen, Box Office Poisons talks Grace’s TV Career!

I board the blogathon with my post on the unlikely, but cool life long friendship of Grace and Ol’ Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra.

Taking up Room waits for High Noon to occur!

Hoofers and Honeys also gives us a take on the swell party that is High Society

Whimsically Classic takes us back to Grace’s Oscar winning role in The Country Girl.

18 Cinema Lane informs us what happens when you Dial M for Murder.

Critica Retro swishes through the pages to give us a book review La Decisión de Grace Kelly, by Sophie Benedict.

Once again, Ginnie and I thank you so much for showing so much love and admiration for Miss Grace Kelly (aka HSH the Princess of Monaco!). We hostesses may not have lived within her lifetime, but there is something about her that transcends time, for she will be relevant for all time.