Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Stitching and some Flicks

Last night was spent stitching on "Le Jardin"
- it is coming along nicely and I am really enjoying this - Here is a snap...


I have over the past couple of weeks been watching the box set of films called the "Sweetheart Pack" by Deanna Durbin. I had really never seen any of her films and was curious about how I would like them since I am a big fan of the musical film. I am waiting for the sixth film but the first five were super and they were ... "Three Smart Girls" - 1936 - Deanna's first film for Universal. After she was let go by MGM - they kept Judy Garland - Universal Pictures snapped her up and this film is what rescued the entire company from bankruptcy. The film centers on three sisters and is a 30's style Parent Trap type movie. Next up would be "First Love" - 1939, a reworking of Cinderella with the mean cousin played by Helen Parrish getting hers in the "end." "It Started with Eve" - 1941 - was a really great movie that costars Charles Laughton and is based on mistaken identity. Then there is "Can't Help Singing" - 1944 - the only color pick from the set is a period piece set in the western migration of the 19th century. The final film "Something in the Wind" - 1947 - a more contemporary film with more modern music than the classical pieces she had sung in earlier films. The sixth film from the box set is "Lady on a Train" - 1945 - I haven't gotten yet - it is a mystery movie and should be pretty interesting. Deanna's last movie was in 1948 after that she quit the movie business and moved to France where she has lead a normal a private life. I have enjoyed all this films and would recommend them to anyone as they are easy to watch and Deanna is so natural and honest that you believe the parts shes playing. Sometimes the plots a so thin you can see right through them but such fun it really doesn't matter. So if you haven't seen these films give them a look you won't be disappointed. Another film from last nights movie fest was "The Young in Heart" - 1938 - with a stellar cast including... Billie Burke, Paulette Goddard, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Roland Young and Janet Gaynor - in her last film role until the 50's. What a charming a wonderful film!! If you ever get the chance to see this film make the effort. It isn't on DVD so it is harder to see but you can often catch it on TCM.

Thanks for stopping by!!
Take care,
edgar

11 comments:

  1. Le Jardin is really pretty!

    My mom loved Deanna Durbin when she was younger. I bet she's seen the movies you mentioned and would probably love to see them again. The only time I've seen Deanna Durbin was in a short with Judy Garland where they were singing together in a gazebo in a park.

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  2. Wow - you are really zipping along on that piece. It looks fantastic!

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  3. I have seen all 21 of Deanna Durbin movies and I think she was the greatest singing actress of all time. I have a tribute website which has heaps of photos and information about Deanna which is the largest in the world about her. There is also vintage footage of Deanna at Lake Arrowhead where the opening scene of THREE SMART GIRLS was shot. I also have footage of Deanna cutting her wedding cake on the day she married Vaughn Paul. And thanks for the SWEETHEART review!

    www.deannadurbindevotees.com

    Alex

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  4. The Le Jardin is beautiful Edgar, I love the colours in it.

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  5. LeJardin is absolutely gorgeous with all those pretty colors! Fantastic job Edgar!

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  6. Ohhhh Le Jardin is just beautiful! The colors are gorgeous! Beautiful job, Edgar. :)

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  7. You're doing really well with Le Jardin. I love the colours you are using, very pretty.

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  8. Edgar,

    I am loving the colors on that piece... very soft, yet very colorful. It's looking beautiful!

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  9. I love the colours you have picked for "Le Jardin". It looks amazing!

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  10. Lovely work on Le Jardin ~ the fabric and overdyed fibres make it look very antique-y :-D

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