Spring Has Sprung 2- Sabrina (1954) & a Melancholy Coming Of Age

 

With Spring popping it's head through the atmosphere more days than not now, I am in the mood for a different kind of film than what I have been hunkered down with all winter. Several days I made my first post of this series about Bells Are Ringing, you can find that post here. 

Today, I wanted to talk about Sabrina starring Audrey Hepburn, William Holden, and Humphrey Bogart. Beautifully directed by Billy Wilder, with absolutely luscious gowns by Hubert Givenchy. Audrey Hepburn plays the titular role of Sabrina, a young woman coming of age as the daughter of the chauffer of a wealthy and old monied family. She and her father live above the garage and Sabrina is dreaming of a different life that seems far out of her reach. It doesn't help that she thinks herself in live with the feckless but dashing playboy son at the main house a good deal older than her who has no time for school girls (a good thing I would say!) and likely not time for chauffer's children either based on the models and socialites he seems to date. After a close call with meeting her maker, fortuitously interrupted and which Sabrina tries to unconvincingly explain away, she is off to Paris to study at Le Cordon Bleu to follow her parents into service and be an excellent chef like her late mother was. Like you would expect several years away in Paris and at that age means she comes home a good deal changed. And no longer a school girl by any measure. The feckless playboy of William Holden is still much the same as he was and their paths soon cross. What follows is not wholly unexpected but their are enough turns in the story for it not to be dull and the whole movie has a beautiful touch that really does give it a lighter feel even when it gets slightly heavier in places. Their are moonlit parties, champagne,  and gowns I could only dream of twirling in, let alone playing tennis or dashing across a stone drive in! 

The casual clothes are none to shabby either though and both the schoolgirl dress and her 50s modern boating outfit are ones I wish I had in my closet! This is another film that feels poppy and fresh but has a ripple of melancholy that arises in moments throughout, that for me make it easier to not only feel deeply for the characters but also find parts of myself in those moments as well making it very easy to connect with the story despite the differences in time and circumstances that are all the characters lives. 

If this is a film you haven't yet seen, or one you might be interested in watching again it is a perfect watch as the days get longer, spring rolls into summer and as that hope and nostalgia of June days and nights of years past starts to creep up on you!
Have you watched Sabrina before or do you plan to watch it soon? I think I will be watching again before the spring is gone this year it very much hits the spot! 

Part 3 coming soon!

Spring has Sprung! & Bells Are Ringing ☎️

Spring has sprung and I am in the mood for musicals, melancholy, and joy! 

I am wanting to revi sit some old favourites, and these were the ones that have been spinning in my dvd player as the grass gets greener, leaf buds are appearing and the crocus blooms are appearing. 

Bells Are Ringing
One of my favourite films, I was late to finding this one, but it has meant a lot to me these past 10 years or so and I have become a massive Judy Holiday fan since. Led to this film after going on a Dean Martin binge and taking a gamble on it when I spotted it online. It feels like a quintessential musical from that 50s/early 60s era. In the vein of the Doris Day/Rock Hudson films but also with the distict touch of Compton and Green (writers of Singing in the Rain). Infused with New York characters and a case of mistaken identity, a boozy writer (Dean), and Holiday playing what might be best described as a bit of a ditz- but an incredibly good hearted and kind one.

 She works answering phones and taking messages at Sue's Answer Phone in the basement of a townhouse in the city and has a tendency to get too involved and feel too attached to the people on the other end of the line. It has some beautiful musical numbers and Judy Holiday is more adept than most at giving these characters more layers than you might see on the page, but because of this it always feels a bit more grounded and despite the broad comedy and the breaking out into song, you also not only care about her character, but you feel like this is a person you know and maybe even a glimpse of yourself.

Like in Kiss Me Stupid with Kim Novak, Dean plays a character that might be easy to write off but brings a real sense of humanity, complexity, and good will from the viewers. In this way the leads are perfectly matched and you don't feel like either in is emotional danger to pursue this relationship. 

nd you don't feel like either in is emotional danger to pursue this relationship. 

Have you seen this film? If so, let me know what you think of it and if you have other movies you would recommend knowing it's a favourite of mine!

Part 2 coming soon!

 

The Trouble With Lucy

     So... I was kinda nervous to post this video...  Like many others I Love Lucy. The show changed the face of tv and although their were many great shows on the air at the time the technology and production plus it’s star made this show something extra special. I don’t think the things I mentioned in the video are really even the fault of the show. It’s the way we choose to talk about the show that gives me most of my concern.

      All tv, movies, even youtube videos are a biproduct of the era they are made in. Sometimes representing progressive values, sometimes traditional but should always be looked at with that in mind. Lucy isn’t exempt from that. I think some of our more modern values are easier to pick out in Lucy than some of the other tv shows of the time, the surface stuff looks pretty good. She was driven and she had a real desire to get out into the world and would often buck no refusal to be able to do so. But that being said there are also some deeply troubling things about viewing the show through those rose coloured glasses that blend and blur out the parts that maybe aren’t so good. I think that when we start talking about a show as representing something (especially something it never intended to be representing) that we have a duty to talk about the parts that aline with that as well as the things that really don’t; maybe even especially the bits that don’t. That may be the best way to find the present context as much as the historical one and to not get what the meaning and value of such an ideal really is. 

     As much as I love I Love Lucy I can’t bring myself to talk about it as a feminist show or even as an incredibly positive portrayal of women. The show is funny and Lucy is unapologetically flawed- except when she’s apologizing to Ricky for her flaws; It is nice to see that this role existed, that she was different from other woman on tv at the time, that it wasn’t actually all Harriet Nelson’s and perfect "Mothers" but it’s important for that not to be enough. And as I mentioned in the video some of the things that I would count at the core of a woman being respected and treated as an equal were missing from Lucy but surprising present in shows like Leave it Too Beaver. I would never want Lucy to have to have been June or visa versa (and God knows I’m closer to a Lucy than a June) but that doesn’t mean we should exalt one show and put down the other for the ways in which they chose to show women as they moved into a very different time. Personally I think June Cleaver deserves a bit more credit. But we also need to look at I Love Lucy with a more critical eye. It was an amazing show, that did help move women forward; but I think we need to talk about some of the problems with it as well.

I’d love to hear your thoughts here or in the comment section of my video.

I hope you’re having a great day!

Annie x

Perry Mason Mysteries Boxset Packaging Review

Perry Mason Mysteries is a series of 30 tv movies that aired on CBS between 1985 and 1995. A continuation of the original series (1957-66), Raymond Burr and Barabara Hale returned in leading roles of Perry Mason and Della Street, with the first of the tv movies setting things up for Perry to leave his job as a judge and get back into practising as a criminal defence lawyer.  William Hopper had passed on and the detective role was filled by William Katt (Barbara Hale's real life son), playing the son of Perry's trusted detective Paul Drake.  Raymond Burr starred in 26 of the 30 tv movies, passing in 1993.  In the final 4 mysteries Paul Sorvino and Hal Holbrook take on the iconic role of Perry Mason.

 

 

Packaged in a plastic case with a cardboard slip this set contains 15 discs each with 2 ninety five minute movies on it.  Released by Paramount and CBS the discs themselves are a plain mat grey and silver.  Episode titles are listed on the interior cover as well as the discs.  Films are all in their original 4:3 aspect ratio and English subtitles are available on the episodes. This set is very similarly packaged to the other sets released by CBS/Paramount so far this year.  (Matlock, Cheers, The Untouchables)

 

More pictures of this set below and if you are looking for more specific information please feel free to ask.  I also have a video up on my youtube channel that you can see by clicking here or scrolling to the end of this post to watch. I hope this was helpful and that you have a great day!

 

 

Back of the case

Specs on the back of the case.

If you like this kind of tv show please check out my youtube channel where I talk about lots of things including classic tv and movies :)
Annie x

More Great Recipes!

Hi!
This is a post that corresponds with a video I made over on my youtube channel. (click here or scroll to the bottom of this post to see the video)

I hope you enjoy, and if you try any of them, please let me know what you think here, on youtube or over on twitter!
Have a great day!
Annie x

Cream of Celery Soup
http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/type-of-dish/soups/cream-of-celery-soup
This easy-to-make soup is great as a meal, starter, or side.  Especially lovely in the cooler months, this soup freezes well and reheats nicely.
If you don't have celery on hand (or aren't fond of it) have no fear in omitting it. This is also a nice traditional cream of potato soup without it!

Kelsey's Spinach Dip:
http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/145/Kelseys_4_Cheese_Spinich_Dip50365.shtml
My all time favourite dip! Great for party's, game day, movie night, or even as a meal.  Serve with pita wedges, tortialls chips, celery, carrots, cucumber, crackers, french bread... the list is endless really as I can't think of much this doesn't go great with.  If you can't eat the spinach, omit and you still have a great cheese dip that is just on the richer side of things.  If you have trouble with the onion or red pepper (not allergies but if you have problems with solids or fibre etc) I recommend sticking a bigger piece or two in the centre while cooking and removing before eating so you still get the benefit of the flavour.  I've found this to make a big difference to the flavour of the recipe.

Mozzarella Sticks (and my adaptions)
Information coming soon!

Some Amazing Recipes

Today on my YouTube channel I was talking about some of my favourite  recipes. Click here to watch the video (or scroll to the bottom of this post) 
Sorry about the lack of pictures, I've been restricted to what I can eat since filming but I will try to get some up when I'm back to eating these things again!
Be sure to let me know if you try any of these!
Annie, x

Avocado soup
Below I have included the link to the recipe I use.  I never add the sour cream and bacon as I don't think it needs it although I do serve with extra salt and pepper.

It's a simple and easy recipe and also pretty quick soup to make.You can't freeze this one once it's all done but you can make the  potato and onion base up and freeze it- then later you just need to thaw and blend with the avocado before reheating. This is a bit quicker than starting from scratch.
http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/avocado-soup


Cauliflower Cheese
2 quart baking dish or about 8x8
saucepan
Oil or butter (for baking dish)
frozen or fresh cauliflower florets- equal to 1 medium head
1 cup heavy cream
2 ounces cream cheese, cut into small pieces
2 cups shredded cheese
1 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1/4 salt

*** Preheat your oven to 375*F
1. Cook cauliflower: If using fresh cauliflower you will need to cut it into pieces and cook it until crisp tender. You could boil or steam it on a stovetop or cook it in the microwave.  How long it will take to cook depends on your cooking method and how big your pieces are.
I prefer using frozen, and I tend to cook it until it softer than crisp tender as that is what's best for my digestion how soft or firm you cook it here really depends on personal preference.
Drain thoroughly and pat dry between paper towels or a cotton towel.

2. oil the inside of your cooking dish, using an oil sprayer or a thin coat of oil or butter on the bowl to stop the casserole from sticking to the dish.
Place the dried off cauliflower in the dish and set aside.

3. In a saucepan heat the heavy cream to a boil
4. whisk the small pieces of cream cheese and mustard into the boiling cream, until the mixture is smooth

5.Stir in one cup of shredded cheese, salt, pepper, and garlic into the pan and whisk until the cheese has melted-should only be a couple of minutes

6. Remove from the stove and pour over the cauliflower pieces- stir to combine

7. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top.

8. Bake for 15 minutes

Scalloped Potatoes

I don't have exact measurements for the milk or potatoes you really just want to eyeball this one!

1. Lightly oil a 2.5 quart casserole dish
Peel and thinly slice enough potatoes to fill up to 1/3 full.

2. Add milk to almost cover, then wisk a heaping tablespoon of cornstarch with a 1/3 cup of milk and add to bowl.

3. Next add a few dashes of black pepper and about 4 pats of butter.

4. Peel and thinly slice enough potatoes to fill up to about ½ inch from top of dish.

5. Fill casserole with milk to just cover potatoes and then top with another 4 pats of butter

6. Put in oven at 375 degrees and bake for about 90 minutes.

7. Top should be nicely browned by this time.

8. Serve and enjoy!

McMillan and Wife Complete Series Packaging Review & Demonstration

McMillan and Wife is an American tv movie mystery series that ran for forty episodes between 1971 and 1977 Starring Rock Hudson, Susan Saint James, Nancy Walker, and John Schuck. It was part of the NBC Movie Mystery wheel series which also included Columbo and McCloud.  The episodes are movie length and often split into 2 parts when the show is aired in syndication.

Rock Hudson stars as the likeable Stuart 'Mac' McMillan, police commissionaire  of San Francisco.  (Somewhat) newly married to Sally, whom has a great role up until the final series where she was written out (the show just went by McMillan that year).  Much like Columbo (or many other tv mysteries from the time) it is set up as a procedural and Mac tends to solve the case by the end of the episode.  Although their are tense moments (some episodes more than others) overall the show is pretty lighthearted especially by today's standards.  Which isn't in any way said to take away from the show which is well written and thoroughly enjoyable.  Susan Saint James' character of Sally is better fleshed out than many of the wives/girlfriends on tv. Her 'personality' and behaviour was consistent episode to episode and didn't seem to change based solely on what the writers needed that week. The show was the better for her being in it and it's a shame they decided to do the last season without her. Their were some great episodes in that final season, and even if they had done it without her it seemed unnecessary and odd to have written her and the baby out the way that they did as it failed to drive the story forward in any significant way and felt more like a hindrance to the stories at hand.

  John Schuck plays Mac's right hand man and is the perfect costar and character for Rock to play off both in drama and the comedic moments. The contrast in the energy they bring to the screen makes for always enjoyable scenes that have a lovely frisson to them.

Nancy Walker plays the McMillan's housekeeper.  You will recognize her as a wonderful character actress and she had starred with Rock Hudson in numerous movies before this  project.  They also appeared on several variety shows together over the years.  They were real life friends and that chemistry carried over nicely to the screen.  The absurdity of the height difference (she was less than 5 foot and he was well over 6) as well as the contrast between the characters they tended to play and it always elevated the comedy, and the drama. As the wayward maid, Mildred is just an absolute delight.  Her relationship and conversations with Mrs.McMillan are a delight and she really is the something that elevates the show to something special.

The packaging for the series is nothing too special but is by no means inferior.  Housed in a decently thick cardboard box that holds the three cases inside (each holding 2 seasons of the show).  One small thing I noticed as soon as I opened the box was that of these three cases the 2 thicker ones were black and the slimmer one is clear plastic- it's a small thing, but if that type of thing will bother you be aware that it might be the case.

The reverse side of the cover has the episode information on it.  On the clear case this is easy to read by simply moving a disc, for the black cases you can flip the cover if  you want to be able to see the episode info.

The discs are easy to access and take out and as an added bonus they are multi-coloured and easy to read which means it's never to much of a phaff to find the one you want to play.  Closed captioning is available on them as well.

To see this packaging in action check out my video for it here.

If you have this set let me know what you think of it!  And if you are a Nancy Walker fan please tell me so I know you are an awesome person with excellent taste! :)

I hope you're having a great week,
All the best,
Annie