Wedding Wednesday

A hot cup of tea and a sweet old fashioned romance movie
comfort me like few things do.
Never any violence..to me the world already has too much.
I need to fill my emotional bank with hope, polite society and a gag or two.

Maybe I am a fuddy duddy but I have no interest in the
Hunger Games or any movie in that genre.

Here we are nearly 12 years ago. It's good to be reminded of
all the joy and sorrow along the way.  Sometimes a triple hankie
film is good but for this week all happiness and light. 

Here are Joe's movie recommendations for the week and our comments:

The Major and the Minor 1942
with Ginger Rogers and Ray Milland.


So sweet and romantic. Movie audiencea needed to hold on
to remnants of normalcy
and innocence especially after the
U.S. entered WWII in 1941.

What an amazing generation of Americans.

I am reading BETTER THAN BEAUTY
A Guide to Charm
by Helen Valentine and Alice Thompson
from the same period

This restless decade is so varied, so quick in its changes, 
that it takes a mental trapeze artist to discover and accept its framework.  
New social orders have come into being. 
New words describing new forms of government and
new techniques have come into the language.  
Some of the very things we have come to accept as 
immutable are being scrutinized and 
hotly debated-freedom of speech, democracy, 
the right to eat, the pursuit of happiness, liberty versus authoritarianism.

For a book first published in the late 1930s t
this commentary seem surprisingly contemporary and relevant.
 

Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation 1962
Jimmy Stewart and Maureen O'Hara


Joe:
I don't know if this one is good but it is a comedy.
Letterboxed colors are beautiful.
(Remember he is under strict instructions to
not recommend any sad movies.)

Me:
Huge old house planted directly on the beach.
They could have stopped right there....beach and family. 
But no, there was more:
a happily married couple and their children on vacation.
Maureen O'Hara is gorgeous.
Jimmy Stewart with his physical comedy
and straight man demeanor.  So charming.


If a Man Answers 1962

Joe:
I don't know how this one ends but I love the beginning.
Sandra Dee and Bobby Darin are married.
He sings the title tune.  Famous for making Mack the Knife a popular song in America.
Died very young..heart trouble.
What is it with Sandra Dee the brown-eyed blond?  Is there such a thing?

Me:
Yes, there is such a thing.
Nicholas (number 2 son) was a brown-eyed blond as a child.
He is still the fairest haired of the four children.

Great movie with a twist.
Has all the hallmarks of my favorite movies:
Useful marriage advice,
Beautiful people,
Lovely clothing including a charming baby blue swing coat, and
Beautifully decorated rooms.

In response to her daughter's three marriage proposals:
"For a man you are not desperately in love with those rings are too small." 

Notice no diamonds here but we are still desperately in love.

"You must always observe your man closely.  
The male animal discloses very 
little audibly."

As far as a contemporary film about dating.
I highly recommend the Tao of Steve  2000.
Mr. Lee had already weaved his magic clearly
described in the movie
to capture and keep my interest
years before.