Singin in the Rain, 1952

(Originally posted: March 11, 2012)
THURSDAY MOVIE CONNECTION!!!
Gene Kelly-- Debbie Reynolds

Director: Stanley Donan, Gene Kelly

Choreographer: Gene Kelly

Stars: Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Jean Hagen, Cyd Charisse

Silent film star Don Lockwood (Kelly) and his on-screen partner Lina Lamont (Hagen) need to start making the transition to "talking pictures" like all the other Hollywood studios are doing. The problem is: Lina has the most awful voice! She works as a silent film star, but in public, the studio keeps her from talking at all costs!

On the way to one of his studio parties, Don meets Kathy (Reynolds), who doesn't fall for his tricks, and promptly puts the great star in his place. Then, unfortunately for her, their paths cross again at the party, where she is one of the hired dancers for entertainment.

Don can't stop thinking about Kathy, which is probably because she was the first girl not to fall for any of his lines, as his friend Cosmo (O'Connor) told him. When they accidentally meet again, he doesn't waste any time letting her know how he feels, and their romance begins. But Lina is still a problem. Not only is her voice horrendous, but she also seems to think that she and Don should be together.

This is the greatest American musical ever made! I think this one and The Sound of Music are definitely tied for my favorite musical of all time.

American Graffiti, 1973

Director: George Lucas

Stars: Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Paul le Mat, Cindy Williams, Harrison Ford





A bunch of teenagers cruise around Main Street showing off their cars (it's the 50's) and hanging out before leaving for college the next day.  It's one of those teenage movies, very slow, not terrible, just not terribly interesting.  I don't know, I'm just not crazy about it.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off, 1986

Director: John Hughes

Stars: Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck, Mia Sara, Jennifer Grey, Ben Stein





Ferris Bueller (Broderick) decides he needs a day off of high school and comes up with an elaborate scheme in order to pull it off. (Including a recorded message that plays when the doorbell rings!) He gets his best friends off, too, and together they set out for a day in Chicago, doing whatever they please, and ending the day by singing in a parade.

I love love love this movie! Ferris is hysterical. It's the perfect film for a rainy day.

Summer Stock, 1950

(Originally posted: March 9, 2012)
THURSDAY MOVIE CONNECTION!!!
Eddie Bracken-- Gene Kelly

Director: Charles Walters

Choreography: Nick Castle

Stars: Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, Eddie Bracken, Gloria DeHaven

Jane (Garland) has to deal with getting the crops in and taking care of her family's farm all by herself because her sister Abigail (DeHaven) has left for school. But Abigail is scheduled to return and when she does, Jane is sure she will help out. Instead, Abigail brings all her friends with her- to use the barn to put on a great production. Jane is upset, especially when she meets Joe (Kelly), the director, and they don't get along. But they workout a deal so that Joe and the rest will work on the farm every morning to earn their keep.

But when Abigail and the male lead decide to leave for a better job in New York, Joe convinces Jane to take on the female lead, so they don't have to return all the money from the ticket sales.

Sorry, Fred, but Gene is my favorite dancer! Fred was suave and elegant; Gene was athletic and powerful. And both were BRILLIANT, with all capitals. I guess Gene was better looking, anyway, and that may be part of the reason.

Oscar, 1991

THURSDAY MOVIE CONNECTION!!
Tim Curry-- Eddie Bracken




Director: John Landis

Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Ornella Muti, Don Ameche, Peter Riegert, Vincent Spano, Tim Curry, Marisa Tomei, Eddie Bracken, Kurtwood Smith, Kirk Douglas




Gangster Angelo "Snaps" Provolone (Stallone) is finally going straight like he promised his dying father he would.  But the day he decides to become a banker and has the board of directors over is the very day his entire household is under police surveillance, he finds out one of his employees has been stealing from him, and the thief asks to marry his only daughter.  A few identical suitcases full of jewels and cash and women's underwear, respectively, add extra intrigue to the whole situation.

I LOVE this movie!

Charlie's Angels, 2000

THURSDAY MOVIE CONNECTION!
Bill Murray-- Tim Curry


Director: McG (We Are Marshall, This Means War)

Stars: Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu, Drew Barrymore, Bill Murray, Tim Curry






Okay, just going to be honest here: although, I've seen it, it's probably been 12 years.  As in, I saw it when it first came out, and then never bothered again since it obviously wasn't that great.  I will say that's a silly remake of an old tv show from the '70s.

It seems the "thing" these days to remake tv shows.  I can't wait for Magnum PI, the movie!  I'm thinking Bradley Cooper.....but he already someone in a tv show-turned-movie....maybe Ryan Reynolds?