Different Endings

 

The other day on The Five they had a viewer question for the panel. “For what movie would you change the ending?”

 

I’ve only picked a few starting from about 1960-2000.

 

The first title that jumped to my mind was Old Yeller. Talk about traumatic for a child!!! That movie DESTROYED me!! I told Lia to NEVER read that book or watch that movie.

 

West Side Story was a good movie with awesome music, but I sure wish Tony had lived. Or, if they were going to stay true to the Shakespeare play, have BOTH Tony and Maria die.

 

Marooned. When Richard Crenna sacrificed himself so the other 2 astronauts would live I was highly incensed. And depressed.

 

The Perfect Storm. If you’ve seen this, you know what I’m talking about.

 

Bridge to Terabithia. This ranks right up there with Old Yeller. Heartbreaking. Yes, things were hopeful for the boy and his little sister, but the friend DIDN’T HAVE TO DIE to accomplish that!

 

And yes, while there were movies I saw that I wished had had better/happier endings, if they were at all based on fact or history, I accepted the ending. Like The Great Escape.

 

So, what movies come to your mind that you’d like to change?

 

Gowns By Adrian

 

Marvin and I enjoy watching TCM movies, especially the older ones, usually in black and white. I always look at the credits to see who does the costumes/wardrobe. Many of the classics list “Gowns by Adrian” and I decided to check him out.

 

Born in 1903, died in 1959. He did a lot of work for C.B. DeMille and MGM. He dressed a lot of big stars for big movies. After a big fallout with MGM, he started his own studio.

 

He designed the Eugenie hat, which became a popular style. He’s the one who put shoulder pads on Joan Crawford. He put the ruby slippers on Judy Garland’s feet. His evening gowns were legendary. He died of a heart attack while working on the costumes for the Broadway musical Camelot.

 

A very short selection of the MANY movies he designed for. Check ‘em out. I’m sure you’ll recognize a lot of them:

 

Chicago (1927) This was a silent film, based on a play, which was based on a true story. I loved the 2002 musical and had no idea of its origins. I’m not a big fan of silent movies, but I would love to see this one.

 

Grand Hotel (1932) Based on a play, based on a novel. HUGE list of stars. One was Joan Crawford (before shoulder pads!). I had actually recorded this on TCM and had started to watch it, but just wasn’t in the mood then and deleted it. If I ever see it listed again I will def give it another chance.

 

Dinner at Eight (1933) LOVED THIS MOVIE!!! Great cast! Great story! Sadly, it bored the heck out of Marv, but he enjoyed watching me enjoy it. Wouldn’t mind having this in my permanent collection.

 

Born to Dance (1936) Musical that featured the dancing prowess of Eleanor Powell and Virginia Bruce. AND also starred Jimmy Stewart! Love of my life!

 

The Wizard of Oz (1939) Need I say more? Didn’t think so…

 

The Philadelphia Story (1940) Cary Grant! Katherine Hepburn! JIMMY STEWART!! He even sings a love song to Hepburn! She could’ve had Jimmy…but no…she goes back to Cary! I guess I can’t really blame her…(but I do)

 

Rope (1948) Classic Hitchcock! Great story and innovative use of editing to make it seem the movie takes place in “real time.” Also stars Jimmy Stewart…♥

 

So there ya go. Great movies with a great wardrobe by the awesome Adrian!

Spoon River Anthology

 

 

This book was written in 1915 by Edgar Lee Masters. In 1969, a TV movie was made with some of the free verse poems from the book. That’s when I first heard of this. I absolutely loved it. The poems were epitaphs of people buried in the cemetery of Spoon River, and were recited by various well-known actors. I checked out the book in the library and read all the poems. I later bought a copy of the book. I recently tried to find the movie to either stream or buy. It was listed as being on MUBI, but when I went to the site, it was unavailable. Here are a few of my favorites…

 

Judge Somers

How does it happen, tell me,

That I who was most erudite of lawyers,

Who knew Blackstone and Coke

Almost by heart, who made the greatest speech

The court-house ever heard, and wrote

A brief that won the praise of Justice Breese—

How does it happen, tell me,

That I lie here unmarked, forgotten,

While Chase Henry, the town drunkard,

Has a marble block, topped by an urn,

Wherein Nature, in a mood ironical,

Has sown a flowering weed?

 

Knowlt Hoheimer

I was the first fruits of the battle of Missionary Ridge.

When I felt the bullet enter my heart

I wished I had staid at home and gone to jail

For stealing the hogs of Curl Trenary,

Instead of running away and joining the army.

Rather a thousand times the county jail

Than to lie under this marble figure with wings,

And this granite pedestal

Bearing the words, “Pro Patria.”

What do they mean, anyway?

 

William and Emily

There is something about Death

Like love itself!

If with some one with whom you have known passion,

And the glow of youthful love,

You also, after years of life

Together, feel the sinking of the fire,

And this fade away together,

Gradually, faintly, delicately,

As is were in each other’s arms,

Passing from the familiar room—

That is a power of unison between souls

Like love itself!

 

Mrs. Sibley

The secret of the stars,--gravitation.

The secret of the earth,--layers of rock.

The secret of the soil,--to receive seed.

The secret of the seed,--the germ.

The secret of man,--the sower.

The secret of the woman,--the soil.

My secret: Under a mound that you shall never find.