Tag Archives: Only Angels Have Wings

“I guess I became an actress because I didn’t want to be myself.” — Jean Arthur

It’s her birthday today, one of my all-time favorite actresses! First up, two pieces I wrote for Film Comment: For my “Present Tense” column, I wrote about her career and her distinctive voice. For TCM Diary, I wrote about onscreen … Continue reading

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Present Tense: on Jean Arthur

For my next Present Tense column at Film Comment (because life goes on and I am very grateful that all of my work is web-based and can continue in this climate): I wrote about one of my favorite actresses, whom … Continue reading

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100 Day Movie Challenge: Day 1

This was one of those things going around on Facebook, and it’s now caught on among my group of friends. It’s to post an image from a movie that “had an impact on you”. No explanation, no pontification, no dramatic … Continue reading

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Rules of the Sex/Love Game to Keep In Mind, Thanks to Howard Hawks

Elaborated from Twitter: In our current moment of sexual harassment claims sweeping the nation (which I will not debate: if you feel defensive, you need to look in the mirror and ask why. If you feel like saying “not all … Continue reading

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Great Movie Posters

A meme has been going around Facebook to post your favorite movie poster of “a great film.” It’s been a lot of fun to see all the different artwork posted by people. Figured I’d share some of them. First, I … Continue reading

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Only Angels Have Wings: The Atmospheric Opening

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Happy Birthday, Rita Hayworth

Hayworth was a newbie when she appeared as Judith, the wife of the hated flier MacPherson (the fantastic Richard Barthelmess), in Only Angels Have Wings (directed by Howard Hawks), but she’s terrific in the part. The part is deceptively simple, … Continue reading

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Happy Birthday, Jean Arthur

She is “my kind of actress”, which may deserve some explanation. “My kind of actress” is an actress who seems to be alive, on a moment to moment basis, with very little trickery or self-importance. Arthur was a very shy … Continue reading

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Happy Birthday, Jean Arthur

I’m one day late. She, the wonderful actress, who has a permanent spot in my banner is “my kind of actress”, which may deserve some explanation. “My kind of actress” is an actress who seems to be alive, on a … Continue reading

Posted in Actors, On This Day | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

Happy Birthday, Rita Hayworth

She was a newbie (pretty much) when she appeared as Judith, the wife of the hated flier MacPherson (Richard Barthelmess), in Only Angels Have Wings (directed by Howard Hawks), but she’s terrific in the part. The part is deceptively simple, … Continue reading

Posted in Actors, On This Day | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments