Movie Review: Three Guys Named Mike (1951)

Hello, hello, hello!

Today I'm writing about a movie I watched for a special occasion (you know me, I'm making to read to the bottom to find out what it was) which I really wasn't expecting it

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


Three Guys Named Mike (1951):

Based on: 'the story by Ruth Brooks Flippen, from suggestions made by Ethel 'Pug' Wells" (from Wikipedia)

"God didn't mean people to be strangers and with commercial aviation people all over the world are becoming neighbors."

Marcy Lewis is starting her job as an airline stewardess. She is a girl with a bubbling personality and millions of ideas streaming out of her all the time. Throughout her travels she meets three guys in different situations, who all are attracted to her and all happen to be named Mike! Where will Marcy's ideas get her next, and who will be with her?

Genres: Comedy, Romance.
Length: approx. 90 minutes.
Costumes: 7, standard clothing and uniforms. There is a scene where an outfit is really short, but it's part of the story, and is only there for a few minutes anyway.

Costumes by: Helen Rose.
Script: 10, no bad words or swearing!

Crew: Directed by: Charles Walters. Written by: Sidney Sheldon. Ruth Brooks Flippen, Ethel Wells.
Starring:
Jane Wyman as Marcy Lewis.
Van Johnson as Michael Lawrence.
Howard Keel as Mike Jamison. "I feel like a flying busboy."
Barry Sullivan as Mike Tracy.
Phyllis Kirk as Kathy Hunter.
Anne Sargent as Jan Baker.
Jean "Jeff" Donnell as Alice Raymend.
Barbara Billingsley as Ann White.
John Maxwell as Dr. Matthew Hardy.
Herbert Heyes as Scott Bellemy.
Robert Sherwood as Benson.
Percy Helton as Mr. Hawkins.
Bonnie Kay Eddy as Natalie.
Don McGuire as MacWade Parker.
Hugh Sanders as Mr. Wiliams.
Ethel 'Pug' Wells as Herself.
Sydney Mason as Osgood.

Cinematography: 9, while it's nothing spectacular, I was so impressed by all the airplane shots! Now we don't think much about people getting on an airplane, but this was made in 1951, when it wasn't as common! I can't recall many other movies this early to feature shots from an airplane with landings and such, so I thought that was neat.

Cinematography by: Paul C. Vogel.
Music: 7, nothing memorable if there was any.
Music by: Bronislau Kaper.
Quotability: N/A, because I just watched it for the first time so recently.

"In every class that you teach someone will remember something you say, and because of it his life will be changed a little and he'll change someone else's life, and that way you become projected into the future."

Content: 8, smoking, a few lines of innuendo, and one suggestive situation at the end, but that's it!
Originality: 9, I know that there are a few later comedies that focus on aviation (most famously Airplane (1980)), but this one seemed so original to me! I really liked Marcy's character, and everything with the story was just fun to watch.

Good For: Fans of the actors.
Age Range: I think absolutely any age could watch this and get a kick out of it! Very decent for all.
Overall Score: 8!

Worth watching?: Yep! Marcy was such a relatable protagonist! Not that most people have three guys loving them, but with how she handles situations. She messes up, sometimes in really big ways, but she isn't a bad person. She always tries to fix her mistakes and is so friendly to everyone. Just something about her struck me as being great.

"What I did was right, it just turned out wrong."

Will I watch again?: You know what? I will! It was a fun way to spend my time and I can see myself watching it multiple times in the future.

For the blogathon:
Remember that special occasion I mentioned earlier? Well, this is my contribution to The Forth Van Johnson Blogathon!

I first heard of Van Johnson during the first blogathon in his honor, and after that I realized that I had seen some films with him and began looking for new ones specifically with him in it.

I was having trouble deciding which movie to talk about for this blogathon, but I'm so glad I chose this one! His character in here was so sweet. One of my favorite parts was when a little girl, Natalie, asked another character about him: "Don't you think he's handsome?"

Check HERE for other posts about Van! Thank you to Michaela for hosting this!

Thanks to all of my readers for, well, reading! Tell me if you've seen anything with Van Johnson! Best wishes to you all!

MovieCritic

Older vs. Newer Movie Review (x3): The Shop Around the Corner

Hello all you lovely people!

I am participating in Phyl of Phyllis Loves Classic Movies, Remake of the "They Remade What!?" Blogathon!!

I am really happy that she is hosting this because I bugged her a little about hosting it again since I wasn't here to do the first one!

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

Anyway, I am doing three reviews in one post! Yes, I think that is the most I have ever done! As you can see, it is in my Older vs. Newer set up so all of these are all following the basic storyline of the first one.

Which is....

The Shop Around the Corner (1940):

Based on: Parfumerie/Illatszertár - by Miklós László
In Budapest, Hungary, there is a little shop around the corner called Matuschek and Co. A woman convinces Mr. Matuschek, the owner, to hire her, much to the dislike of the head clerk, Mr. Kralik. The two of them always argue about everything. What they don't know is that they are each others anonymous pen-pal who they are each in love with.

Genre: Romance, Comedy (?) [I'm not sure, but it makes me laugh].
Length: approx. 99 minutes
Costumes: 8, nothing too fancy. Maybe a blouse that some people don't like. (teeheehee).
My favorite: The blouse!

Script: 9.
Crew:
Directed by: Ernst Lubitsch
Produced by: Ernst Lubitsch

Written by:
Samson Raphaelson
Ben Hecht
Starring:
James Stewart as Alfred Kralik

Margaret Sullavan as Klara Novak
Frank Morgan as Mr. Matuschek

Felix Bressart as Pirovitch

Joseph Schildkraut as Ferencz Vadas
Sara Haden as Flora Kaczek
William Tracy as Pepi Katona
Charles Smith as Rudy
Inez Courtney as Ilona Novotny

Cinematography: 8, I love the scenes with snow.

Cinematography by: William H. Daniels
Music: 7.
Music by: Werner R. Heymann
Quotes: 9, "I want your honest opinion."

Storyline: 7, there is smoking, and maybe one suggestive thing.
Good For: Anyone anytime. And Jimmy Stewart fans.

Overall Score: 8!!
Bonus thoughts: Do you ever have a movie that just makes you so happy? That is what this is for me! (Sorry, I might have gone a little over the top with the pictures.)


VS.


In The Good Old Summertime (1949):

Based on: Parfumerie - by Miklós László
In Chicago, all is going well for Andy until he runs into a girl outside the post office. Apologizing, he gives her his business card and offers something on sale to make up for it. She shows up looking for a job! It is a music store and she is a beautiful singer, so she is hired, though Andy doesn't like it. They fight with each other all the time, not aware that the person they write letters to anonymously is standing in front of them!

Genre: Musical, Romance, Comedy.
Length: approx. 102 minutes.
Costumes: 7, there is one scene where we see someone in their undergarments.
My favorite: Look at that coat!

Script: 8.
Crew:

Directed by: Robert Z. Leonard
Produced by: Joe Pasternak
Written by:
Samson Raphaelson
Albert Hackett
Frances Goodrich
Ivan Tors
Starring:
Van Johnson as Andrew Larkin.

Judy Garland as Veronica Fisher.
S. Z. Sakall as Otto Oberkugen.
Clinton Sundberg as Rudy Hansen.
Spring Byington as Nellie Burke.
Buster Keaton as Hickey.

Marcia Van Dyke as Louise Parkson.

Lillian Bronson as Aunt Addie.
Liza Minnelli as little girl (uncredited).
Cinematography: 7, just kind of standard of that era, but I like this dance number!

Cinematography by: Harry Stradling Sr.
Music: 7, my favorite is "Meet Me Tonight In Dreamland".
Music by: Fred Spielman, George Evans, Betti O'Dell, George E. Stoll, Jimmy Wakely, Robert Van Eps.
Quotes: 9, "Psychologically, I'm very confused, but personally I feel just wonderful."

Notes:
1. Judy Garland is left-handed. You can really see it here because of the letter writing.
2. Though the name is In The Good Old Summertime, most of it is set in the winter.
Storyline: 9, a little kissing, but that's all.
Good For: Those who like musicals, those who are fans of the actors.
Overall Score: 7.5!!


VS.


You've Got Mail (1998):

Based on: Parfumerie - by Miklós László
"My breath catches in my chest until I hear three little words: You've got mail. I hear nothing. Not even a sound on the streets of New York. Just the beating of my own heart. I have mail. From you."
In New York City, Kathleen Kelly runs The Shop Around The Corner, her mother's book store. A man named Joe Fox decides to put up a big book store nearby, trying to steal all of Kathleen's business. They detest and criticize one other, though they don't know that they are correspondents, and they anonymously email every day.

Genre: Romance, Comedy.
Length: approx. 119 minutes.

Costumes: 7, just ordinary city clothes.

Script: 7,
"Can you spell cat?"
"F-O-X."

Crew:
Directed by: Nora Ephron
Produced by:
Nora Ephron
Lauren Shuler Donner
Written by:
Nora Ephron
Delia Ephron
Starring:
Tom Hanks as Joe Fox.

Meg Ryan as Kathleen Kelly.

Greg Kinnear as Frank Navasky.
Parker Posey as Patricia Eden.

Jean Stapleton as Birdie Conrad.

Steve Zahn as George Pappas.
Heather Burns as Christina Plutzker.

Dave Chappelle as Kevin Jackson.
Jeffrey Scaperrotta as Matthew Fox.
Hallee Hirsh as Annabel Fox.
Dabney Coleman as Nelson Fox.
John Randolph as Schuyler Fox.
Cinematography: 7.

Cinematography by: John Lindley

Music: 7.
Music by: George Fenton
Quotes: 9, "When you read a book as a child it becomes part of your identity in a way that no other reading in your life does."

Notes: 
There are references to the book Pride & Prejudice!
And, "What is with men and the movie The Godfather?"
Storyline: 6, a few bits deal with divorce, there are some suggestive things.
Good For: Anybody, fans of the actors.
Overall Score: 7!


Winner: All of them! They are all awesome.


Spoiler alert! The next bit to the end contains spoilers, so if you haven't seen any of these movies don't read!

Comparing the three:

Aside that they are set in three different places, here is a list of things to show you the similarities.
1. Obviously, they all work around people who communicate with each other anonymously.
2. The first two really have the same plot.
3. In You've Got Mail, Kathleen Kelly's store is called The Shop Around The Corner.
4. In the first two there is a character named Rudy.
5. They all involve the male character finding out first and keeping it a secret.
6. The female characters all get sick at one point and are visited by the male characters.
Side note: Also, the first time I saw the first two I watched them back-to-back and it was great to see the similarities!


James Stewart, Van Johnson, Tom Hanks:

(Sorry that none of these pictures are the best!)
I'm just going to say quickly that in all of the movies I relate to the guys the most. They are all so great.
Who is the best?
Well, James Stewart is my favorite actor of all time. But, recently I have really been enjoying Van Johnson, and this is no exception. And... Tom Hanks is so good, in fact this might be my favorite movie of his.
I'm going to say James Stewart, but the others are excellent!


Margaret Sullavan, Judy Garland, Meg Ryan:

Who is the best?
This is even harder because I can't just go with my favorite! I think this is the only movie I have seen Margaret Sullavan in, and she is wonderful. I have been watching Judy Garland movies as long as I can remember and at one time she was my favorite actress. Meg Ryan's performance here is wonderful!
Nope, can't choose.

Please tell me who your favorites are!


Thank you so much for reading! Big thank you to Phyl for hosting this! Make sure to go check out all the other entries HERE.

MovieCritic

Movie Review: Brigadoon (1954)

Hello!
I am participating in Love Letters to Old Hollywood's Van Johnson Blogathon!! Yes, I know this happened days ago, but I am still having my say even though I am late.

It was funny, I saw this last year, but I thought, "I don't even know who that is." Then this year I watched The Last Time I Saw Paris. "Oh, so that's who that is!" I exclaimed. Thinking about it, I had watched two movies before that with him, and I am here to review the first Van Johnson movie I saw!

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

Brigadoon (1954):

"...And you're lost in a beautiful forest.."
Two hunters are walking around Scotland one misty morning when they stumble across Brigadoon, a town that only appears every 100 years, but each time it appears it is just the next day from when it appeared last. Today, there is to be a wedding! Tommy and Jeff, the hunters, decide to fully enjoy the day because it is the only time they will ever see this place.

Genre: Musical, Romance.
Length: approx. 108 minutes

Costumes: 9.
Script: 8, "I've been wanting to do that all day."
Crew:
Directed by: Vincente Minnelli
Produced by: Arthur Freed
Written by: Alan Jay Lerner
Starring:
Gene Kelly as Tommy Albright

Van Johnson's facial expression here is the best.

Van Johnson as Jeff Douglas
Cyd Charise as Fiona Campbell

Virginia Bosler as Jean Campbell
Jimmy Thompson as Charlie Chisholm Dalrymple
Hugh Laing as Harry Beaton
Barry Jones as Mr. Lundie
Albert Sharpe as Andrew Campbell
Elaine Stewart as Jane Ashton
Eddie Quillan as Sandy
Tudor Owen as Archie Beaton
Owen McGiveney as Angus
Dee Turnell as Ann
Cinematography: 7.

Cinematography by: Joseph Ruttenberg
Music: 8.
Music by:
Alan Jay Lerner
Frederick Loewe
Conrad Salinger
Notes:
Cyd Charise was so tall she is always barefoot in this movie so it doesn't look like she is taller than Gene Kelly.
Quotes: 7, "You've noticed that, have you?"

Storyline: 6, There is some kissing, death, drinking, smoking, and suggestive things.
Good For: Musical lovers.
Overall Score: 7.5

Thank you so much to Love Letters to Old Hollywood for hosting this! Make sure you go check out the other entries, HERE.

I am so sorry this is late, I am having a problem with being on time this year. I hear by promise I will not be late anymore. And you can hold me to that.

Thanks for reading!

MovieCritic