Hello to all of our retro-loving friends!
Welcome to the maiden voyage of Musings on the Past!
We're thrilled to have you on board with us as we
reminisce about:
We're thrilled to have you on board with us as we
reminisce about:
and we welcome comments on your favorites, too!
To begin, we should probably be clear about what we
consider to be "retro" or "classic"...
consider to be "retro" or "classic"...
For us, a classic movie, TV show, actor, fashion statement, etc. must be one that existed before 1970
(and in many cases, before 1960).
(and in many cases, before 1960).
If you browse our favorite movie lists by decade
(on the right), you'll see that the majority of our faves
were from the 30's to the 50's. This is not to say that
(on the right), you'll see that the majority of our faves
were from the 30's to the 50's. This is not to say that
nothing "classic" or notable was produced in the 60's –
(heck, we were both produced in that decade!) –
but rather that the era we're most drawn to is the pre-1960's.
but rather that the era we're most drawn to is the pre-1960's.
(Anyone else out there freaked out by postings on eBay
and elsewhere for "vintage" items from the 80's???
Enough said.)
and elsewhere for "vintage" items from the 80's???
Enough said.)
In honor of our "Maiden Voyage", we thought it only
fitting to share with you our favorite classic film of all time – Now, Voyager – starring the incomparable Bette Davis.
(the movie trailer video wouldn't play when embedded here :( ––
please click here to watch, but be sure to navigate back to us!)
As odd as it may sound, until we first saw this film about
six years ago, we had not seen another Bette Davis movie.
Sad and hard to believe, but true!
Even though we're both big classic movie fans, we had always associated Bette with "creepy" films – those of
her later years that seemed to always show up in clips.
Take a gander at these movie posters and you'll see why!
Need we say more?
But let's set creepy aside...
Little did we know back then that her career from the
30s to the 50s was one of the most remarkable of any
movie star of that time (where the heck were we???).
She was simply beyond compare.
We've since watched about 25 of her movies – most of
them absolutely fantastic – but
Now, Voyager is still the all-time favorite!
In honor of what we consider to be Bette's finest hour on
screen (a tough call to make, we know), we offer this succinct, pictorial peek at the brilliant
(and a bit controversial for its time)
story written by Olive Higgins Prouty, and adapted
for the screen by the famous Casey Robinson...
Cue the Warner Bros. fanfare!
* * *
This dowdy, repressed, overprotected "late child" of her domineering mother
blooms into a beautiful, fashionable,
evolving-toward-confident woman
during a three-month cruise after a stint at Cascade,
a retreat for those in need of a friendly dose of
psychological tender loving care, run by the sensitive
Dr. Jaquith, and played by the inimitable Claude Rains.
A complete shock to her, the new and improved Charlotte attracts the attention of dashing (unhappily-married) passenger, Jerry Durrance
(handsome and debonair Paul Henreid)...
They share numerous intimate, moving moments together...
(we wish you could hear the swelling,
Academy Award-winning Max Steiner score right now!)
...only to have to part, believing that they must forget about each other and never see one another again
(did we mention it's a two-hankie weepie?)...
When Charlotte returns home, though now more confident
and evolved, she is rendered dispirited once again
in the presence of her overbearing mother...
Well...wouldn't you?
As Charlotte turns to leave her mother's room,
her hand lingers on the doorknob, she glances slightly
over her shoulder, thinking, then hesitates.
(anyone else out there all grown up but still becomes
an awkward teen or introverted child in the presence
of a parent?)
* * *
What happens next ... well ...
If you haven't seen this film, we do NOT wish to give
the rest away...
And if you have, please feel free to share!
Stay on board for more Musings on the Past...
We're delighted to have you join us on our voyage!
