What's My Line?: Olivia de Havilland

Welcome friends!

If youʼve stuck around this blog for a while you know that I love classic hollywood and I love birthdays, so when you can stick them together Iʼm a happy person! The birthday that Iʼm talking about today is bittersweet, though. 

Olivia de Havilland was born 105 years ago today, and this is the first birthday of hers that Iʼve celebrated on this blog where she wasnʼt with us. I didnʼt know when I wrote my review for her birthday it would be the last time she was alive on her birthday.

All the same, Iʼm talking about her today! Itʼs been awhile since I did my last post about Whatʼs My Line?, so Iʼm going to talk about her appearance on the show!

The basic rundown that I give you every time:

First of all, what is this game show? What's My Line? was a 30 minute game show that ran from 1950-1975.

How it worked:

A panel of four judges try to guess contestants' "lines" (jobs) by asking yes or no questions. The host/panel moderator, John Charles Daly, guided them and helped rework questions to fit the correct format. Each member of the panel would guess until they received a solid "no", a card is flipped, the contestant earns five dollars, and the next person on the panel begins to guess. When all ten cards are flipped the contestant wins! If the panel guess what their line is, then they still get however much money that they won in "nos".

L to R: The three regular panelists, Arlene Francis, Bennett Cerf, and Dorothy Kilgallen, & the panel moderator, John Daly.

Does this sound boring? Far from it! The occupations are so unique, the panel has a hard time. Sometimes their guesses are so off, that it's a hoot! Plus, the highlight is that after two contestants there is the mystery guest! This guest is a celebrity and would be recognizable, so the judges wear blindfolds and get to ask one yes or no question before moving onto the next panel member and they have to guess who it is.

Blindfolds ready, panel?

For ages I would always just skip to the mystery person, but once I started watching full episodes I realized how much I was missing. 

They are hilarious as they josh with each other! For example, in one of the episodes that Iʼm going to talk about with a different contestant John kept pausing to clarify where Arlene was getting annoyed with it:

Arlene Francis: “John is dubious. How are you, Mr. Dubious?”

The celebrity is how I'm connecting it back to my blog. The plan for this series is to talk about all of certain celebrity's appearances. To me, I think that you can tell a lot about a person based on the way they acted here. Some where shy, some were funny, some were bold, you get the idea!

If I were to review it like I do movies, I would say:

Length: approx. 30 minutes. 25 without advertisements.

Script: 10, Iʼve never heard a bad word.

Content: 9, sometimes there are one or two suggestive comments, but itʼs rare.

Age Range: Iʼve been watching this for a long time, but as I said, I didnʼt used to be interested in the first 2/3. I would say that little kids would like to just watch the mystery guest if they knew who it was, just because they wouldnʼt get how funny the rest of it was (especially if they canʼt read).

It is time to start! Will you come in mystery challenger, and sign in please...

Olivia de Havilland appeared as a contestant on Whatʼs My Line? on four separate occasions. Here are the dates and who was on the panel for each time:

May 25th, 1958: PANEL: Arlene Francis, Eamonn Andrews (who was part of the British version of Whatʼs My Line?), Dorothy Killgallen, & Bennett Cerf (this was Bennettʼs birthday so he had lots of jokes directed his way).

March 4th (which is the only day of the year that is both a date and a command, by the way), 1962: PANEL: Arlene Francis, Robert Morse, Dorothy Killgallen, & Bennett Cerf.

August 9th, 1964: PANEL: Arlene Francis, Joseph L. Mankiewicz, Dorothy Killgallen, & Bennett Cerf.

August 8th, 1965: PANEL: Arlene Francis, Martin Gabel, Carol Channing, & Bennett Cerf.

Watching these episodes has me smiling from ear to ear! In each one Dame Olivia was so gracious, with a dazzlingly joyous smile and happy to be there! She always knew the panel and gave them lots of kisses and hugs! Everyone else is always brighter after sheʼs been there, too. After watching these episodes I want to go back in time to bask in her warmth. This amazing lady won two Oscars!

Time to discuss the attempts to disguise her voice! I talk about it with every contestant and I will continue to do so because it never fails to amuse me. She first tried with a French accent, but that didnʼt work as everyone knew that she was living in Paris. A gravelly tone and Russian accent were better alternatives.

They talked about the movies The Proud Rebel (1958) (Bennett said he cried through the whole thing!) and The Lady in a Cage (1964) which is one I havenʼt seen. They also talked about a play she had been part of where Bennett said it was beautiful and (this made me laugh!) she seemed a little sarcastic when she replied, “Yes, itʼs beautiful, thatʼs what everybody says, thatʼs the word they use.” Has anyone else noticed that?

Once someone has been on Whatʼs My Line? the panel usually recognize their tactics when they come back. But unlike others who did the same thing each time, she learned her lesson with each time and improved her methods! Youʼll have to watch the episodes for yourself to see how successful she was. You can find it easily on YouTube.

Here are some of my highlights! Olivia de Havilland will be abbreviated as OdH:

Bennett Cerf: “Would you be considered, by even your worst enemies, to be very very lovely looking?”

OdH: *gave a doubtful look*

John Charles Daly: *yells* “YES!”

Arlene Francis: “Are you better known for your work in pictures than any other medium?”

OdH: *deep gravely hissing voice* Yes

Arlene Francis: *mimicking same voice* Swell!

Dorothy Killgallen: “Have you ever played a dual role in a movie?”

OdH: “Yes.”

(If you were interested, I reviewed such a movie of hers right HERE last year)

John Charles Daly: “Thatʼs one of the great benefits of this job, I want to tell you, not all of you ever get a chance to hold hands with Olivia de Havilland and I do.”

Thatʼs all from me! Iʼve seen seven of her forty-nine feature films, so I have a lot to look forward to! What is your favorite role of hers? I am rather partial to her Maid Marian and Melanie, though her parts in The Dark Mirror (1946) are fascinating! Anything that I've seen her in has been incredible.

Happy birthday, our lovely Olivia. 

MovieCritic

2020 Memorial

Hello.

The last day of the year is the time when I usually write a memorial for any actors or authors who we lost. This year I knew that it had to be bigger than that. The whole Earth has experienced loss as deaths have been higher this year for so many reasons.

It hasn't just been actors. Sure, they've been there, but there have also been singers, writers, TV show hosts, dancers, doctors, athletes, parents, children, aunts and uncles, business workers, teachers, friends, etc. etc. etc.......creators. Young, old, and somewhere in the middle. People from all over the world. Everyone has made an impact, so everyone is a creator and source of inspiration: a spreader of joy in different formats.

So many people have died from Covid-19, but also from old age, battles with cancer, abuse. Like the first list this one also, sadly, continues into infinity.

I think that every family in the world knows someone who isn't here to brighten the world as we continue the march on.

I've spent months trying to figure out what to say at this moment. I've pondered, searching for the right words, but there are none. I keep trying to make 2020 out to not be as bad as everyone says it was. I look for all the good that has come from it, and I am truly grateful. Right at this moment, though, I am saddened. This post is me taking my time to mourn. I know that I am usually on the selfish side, but right now I just want to think of all the people who have added to this world and aren't here today to see it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

In no world could I have known all of you, but I miss you all the same.

Here's to the world and making it better in the memory of those who have gone before us...and better for those yet to come.

To all my readers, I wish all blessings to come to you and yours.

MovieCritic

Movie Review: The Dark Mirror (1946)

Hello, everybody!

It is so fun to watch actors and actresses in different roles. You can compare the characters to each other and see how wide a range the actor or actress can play. Today I'm going to review a movie where an actress played TWO roles! That actress is the fabulous Olivia de Havilland who is turning 104 today!

My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning. This is spoiler free!


The Dark Mirror (1946):

Dr. Frank Peralta was murdered and two people undoubtably saw Miss Collins with him that night. Police Lt. Stevenson talks to her, but she has a solid alibi where three people saw her miles away at the same time. Lt. Stevenson is trying to get more information out of her when he learns that she is an identical twin! He knows that one of them committed the murder and one was out walking in the park, but they refuse to tell him who was where! And it's impossible to tell the difference between them. He gets a twin specialist to try to figure it out without either of them knowing what he is up to. Which girl did it, and more importantly, why?

'"What am I supposed to say to that?"

"I'm just waiting to see."'

Genre: Mystery, Drama, Film noir.
Length: approx. 85 minutes.
Costumes: 9, they weren't magnificent, but I really liked the way they really incorporated the clothes with the girls same outfits as opposed to when they have a T and an R on their jackets.

Script: 10, no bad words!

"For a policeman you sure spend a lot of time thinking about love."

Crew: Directed by: Robert Siodmak. Written by: Nunnally Johnson & Vladimir Pozner.
Starring:
Olivia de Havilland as Terry Collins & Ruth Collins.

Lew Ayres as Dr. Scott Elliott.

Thomas Mitchell as Police Lt. Stevenson.

Richard Long as Rusty.
Charles Evans as Dist. Atty. Girard.
Gary Owen as Franklin.
Lester Allen as George Benson.
Lela Bliss as Mrs. Didriksen.

Cinematography: 10, ah, black and white is so cool. There is such an awesome element here of Olivia de Havilland playing both of the girls, so the had to film twice and merge the two together. I could spot several of the transitions. As you would suspect from the title, the use of mirrors was fantastic!

Cinematography by: Milton Krasner.
Music: 7, it helped build the suspense and tension really well, but even though I just saw it this morning I can't think of what it was.
Music by: Dimitri Tiomkin.

"I don't get it, I just don't get it. It doesn't make anymore sense to me than Chinese music."

Quotes: N/A, I just watched this movie this morning, so I don't know how often I'll quote it, yet. I wouldn't suspect that I'd do it a lot.

"You know, there ought to be a state law against the sale of gloves to murderers."

Content: 8, there is murder and manipulation, but it is shown as being wrong. There is also a bit of smoking, but I think that's it!

Originality: 9, movies where there are twins are rare, so I love it! The plot was very original.
Good For: fans of Olivia de Havilland, mystery and film noir lovers.
Age Range: It is very clean, but I think the ages here are old based on the story. It seems that younger viewers just wouldn't be interested! I thought it was great, but it might be boring for a 12 year old.
Overall Score: 8.5!


This is my entry in Charity of The Sacred in the Secular's Olivia de Havilland Blogathon! As I said above, she is 104 today! That is amazing.

I loved seeing her play two characters in this! At the beginning it was hard to tell them apart, as it is meant, and I'm sure with a rewatch I would nail it, but at the ending the development was so vivid. Just subtle parts were so important. Ah, so good. I don't watch a lot of thriller or suspense movies, but this was good. I guessed what was going to happen at the end seconds before it did happen, but I'm still thoroughly satisfied with it. It shows how terrible manipulation is, and the difference in personalities.

Thanks to Charity for giving me an excuse to watch this! Check out the other entries HERE.


Thanks to all of you for reading! Happy Birthday, Olivia de Havilland! Readers, tell me your favorite of her roles!

MovieCritic

Movie Review: The Proud Rebel (1958)

Hello, everybody!

One of my favorite actresses is Olivia de Havilland, and today is a big day for her... she is turning 103!! She is so amazing. Because this I am reviewing one of her movies (obviously). I actually watched this movie for Alan Ladd, and was pleasantly surprised to find that she was in it!

"Come now, I'm not going to hurt thee."

My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning.

The Proud Rebel (1958):

Based on: the story Journal of Linnett Moore (featured in The Country Gentleman) -by James Edward Grant.
"Bitterness can become a bad habit."
John Chandler is roaming with his 10 year old son, David, looking for a doctor who can heal David, who has been mute ever since he saw his mother killed. In Illinois they find Dr. Enos Davis who knows a friend who might just be able to do the job, but he will need money. David's best friend in the world is his dog Lance. After a fight, John ends up in court. He gets the help of Linnett Moore, and works out a deal to work for her. But Harry Burleigh really wants Lance because he knows that there has never been a better sheep dog. Will he stop at nothing to get him? Will John be able to make enough money to help David?
"Is money the only way to pay for something?"

Genre: Western.

Length: approx. 103 minutes.

Costumes: 8. "A woman without a hat is only half blessed."
Script: 10, no bad words (I'm pretty sure)!
"He's got a mind of his own."

Crew:

Directed by: Michael Curtiz.

Written by: Joseph Petracca & Lillie Hayward.

Starring:
Alan Ladd as John Chandler.
Olivia de Havilland as Linnett Moore. "You're a strange woman, mam."

David Ladd as David Chandler.

Dean Jagger as Harry Burleigh.
Cecil Kellaway as Dr. Enos Davis.
James Westerfield as Birm Bates.
Henry Hull as Judge Morley.
Dean Stanton as Jeb Burleigh.
Thomas Pittman as Tom Burleigh.
Eli Mintz as Mr. Gorman.
King as Lance.

Cinematography: 8, this had some very cool shots!

Cinematography by: Ted D. McCord.

Music: 6, uh, I really don't remember it. I think that it moved the film along nicely, but I can't tell you what it was.

Music by: Jerome Moross.

Quotes: 9, "A lot of wars begin before shooting starts."

Storyline: 7, there is fighting, death, and one suggestive thing.

Good For: Western lovers, people who are suffering with loss, and people who are fans of the actors.

Age Range: David is 10, so I definitely think that anyone of that age would like it. Maybe even lower, it is a very sweet story.

Overall Score: 8!

Bonus thoughts:
I watched this thinking that it was going to be your typical western, but I was wrong! It is a very sweet story about the relationship between a man and his son. I greatly enjoyed it. The only thing is that the ending wasn't my favorite, it was okay, I just thought of a better one (in my opinion). Also, the title of this movie doesn't make a lot of sense. It is set after the Civil War, and John was a soldier then so does that have something to do with it? He also is very unwilling to accept help so that may be part of the "proud".

It was so cool to see Alan Ladd and his son David Ladd work together! They were great.


In honor of Olivia, Phyllis Loves Classic Movies and In The Good Old Days of Classic Hollywood are hosting a blogathon! This is their fourth year, and I have participated in 2017 and 2018. Make sure to check out all of the other entries HERE or HERE.

Miss De Havilland plays the role of Linnett wonderfully! She is so kind and loving, I can't picture anyone else!


(Sorry, the photos that I could find are not great.)


Thank you so much for reading! A big thank you Phyl and Crystal for hosting this!

Happy Birthday Olivia de Havilland!

MovieCritic

Movie Review: Santa Fe Trail (1940)

Hello everyone!
Do you know what happened on Sunday? The amazing Olivia de Havilland turned 102!!!! Isn't that incredible!? Because of her I am participating in a blogathon hosted by In the Good Old Days of Classic Hollywood and Phyllis Loves Classic Movies!

In her honor, I will be reviewing a movie (okay, that was obvious.). I watched this specially for this blogathon, and I have some mixed emotions...

Let's get to it!

My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless it says so.

Santa Fe Trail (1940):

"There is no other fort between us and Santa Fe."
Some West Point graduates get into trouble and are sent down to Kansas to help settle things so the construction of the railroad to Santa Fe can continue. One of the soldiers, Bob Holliday, is happy because that is where he is from. His sister, Kit Carson, catches the eyes of two of the soldiers who playfully see who can win her. But the abolitionist John Brown is on the move and no one is sure of what the right thing to do is.
"I've given you fair warning, you can keep your heads or lose them, as you wish."

Genre: Period Drama, Romance, Adventure, Biography.
Length: approx. 110 minutes.
Costumes: 9, nothing bad and we have some great period pieces!

My favorite is the one in the middle.

Script: 8.
'"Wait a minute, they out number us three to one!"
"If it makes you nervous, don't count them."'
Crew:
Directed by: Michael Curtiz
Produced by: Hal B. Wallis
Written by: Robert Buckner
Starring:
Errol Flynn as J. E. B. "Jeb" Stuart. "I intend to be a masked man."

Olivia de Havilland as Kit Carson Holliday.

'"I thought two years in Boston would make a lady out of you."

"So did I, it just popped out."'

Ronald Reagan as George Armstrong Custer (first Ronald Reagan movie I've seen!).
Raymond Massey as John Brown.

Van Heflin as Carl Rader.

Alan Hale as Tex Bell.
Guinn Williams as Windy Brody.
Gene Reynolds as Jason Brown.

Henry O'Neill as Cyrus K. Holliday.
William Lundigan as Bob Holliday.
Alan Baxter as Oliver Brown.
Cinematography: 7, nothing spectacular.

Cinematography by: Sol Polito
Music: 7, nothing spectacular.
Music by: Max Steiner
Notes: I am always surprised at the depth of the movies Miss de Havilland was in. You think, "Oh, just Olivia de Havilland movie." You think it will just be a light watch (At least that is what I think).
Mais no.
"God doesn't tell people to kill one another."
There is a deeper meaning, something that leaves you thinking. This movie is no different, it is deals with a really big subject. This movie is set pre-Civil War. All the characters are trying to figure how to work with the tricky subject of slavery. Some make rash actions, some mock others, some sit and think. Because we don't have slavery anymore it is hard to think that it could have been a hard decision, but this movie shows it was.
"What does pride got to do with human lives?"

Quotes: 9. "This was something a lot bigger than myself."

Storyline: 6, There is death, fighting, smoking, drinking, and slavery.
"I'll take that bet."

Overall Score: 7.



Big thank you to Crystal and Laura for hosting this! Please go check out the other entries!

MovieCritic

Movie Review: The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

Hello All!
Do you know what happened Saturday? Olivia de Havilland turned 101! To celebrate this amazing actress, Phyl at Phyllis Loves Classic Movies and Crystal at In the Good Old Days of Classic Hollywood are hosting: The Olivia de Havilland + Errol Flynn blogathon!!

I will be reviewing my favorite movie of theirs, and the first movie I saw with them: The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938). This was the movie that got me obsessed with Olivia, Errol, and Robin Hood.

The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938):

Based on the legends of Robin Hood:
The noble Sir Robin of Locksley turns outlaw after a fight with the Sheriff of Nottingham and Guy of Gisbourne over the how people are being treated. In the forest Robin of Locksley, now Robin Hood, and a band of "Merry Men" work to convince the nobles that people ARE being treated badly and to defeat the Sheriff and Guy of Gisbourne. Meanwhile, Robin can't take his eyes off Maid Marian, a noble who hates him.

Genre: Adventure, Romance, Action.
Costumes: 10, the costumes here are so magnificent! From the Lincoln green to Maid Marian's costumes they are so lovely! I can't pick a favorite.

Script: 9, there is not anything bad that I can think of.
"Why, you speak treason!"
Crew:
Directed by: 
Michael Curtiz

William Keighley

Produced by:
Hal B. Wallis

Henry Blanke

Screenplay by:
Norman Reilly Raine

Seton I. Miller

Rowland Leigh

Starring:
Errol Flynn as Robin Hood, "You're a strange man."

Olivia de Havilland as Maid Marian

Basil Rathbone as Guy of Gisbourne
Claude Rains as Prince John

Melville Cooper as the Sheriff of Nottingham
Patric Knowles as Will Scarlett

Alan Hale, Sr. as Little John

Eugene Pallette as Friar Tuck
Herbert Mundin as Much

Una O'Connor as Bess
Montagu Love as the Bishop of the Black Canons
Ian Hunter as King Richard the Lionheart
Music: 10! Lovely!
Music by: Erich Wolfgang Korngold
Quotes: 10, "Strange? Because I feel for beaten helpless people?"
Notes: This film is my favorite Robin Hood movie ever. If you watch it make sure to watch it in color, because it will be amazing!
Storyline: 8, There is so death, and talk of abuse, but Robin Hood is here to stop that. It is a romance, so there is some kissing, but it is the movie that changed me, the most un-romantic doesn't like romances person, into someone who one of their favorite romances EVER is this movie.

Good For: Whoever watches this movie will be changed.
Overall Score: 9.5!

Thank you so much for hosting this blogathon Phyl and Crystal! Be sure to check it out HERE!

MovieCritic