Wacky Wednesdays with Jenbiff

Oldies But Goodies

Can you believe it's been ANOTHER month?? I can't! To be honest I was a little nervous with our October blizzard that I wouldn't even have power to post today, but lucky I got it back just in time for some Oldies but Goodies! Recently I was thinking about this monthly post and how to make it better for you and I realized that for the most part listing the movies I've watched probably means nothing to you. For all you know I could be making up the names of these movies! Well dear reader, I want to inform you that starting today I am going to write about each movie I've watched in the past month. But don’t worry—I will still let you know which ones were my favorite! So let’s get started!

Ben-Hur (1959)

Starring: Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins and Stephen Boyd

A prince, Judah Ben-Hur, who lives in Jerusalem went to a neighboring city where his friend, Messala, had been named command of the Roman legions. Unfortunately they ended up arguing because of their differences in politics. Because of these differences and an accident, Messala had Ben-Hur put in the galleys and his mother and sister put in prison. Ben-Hur then devotes his life to coming back and getting his revenge.

*Warning: This movie is 3.5 hours long…so set aside a lot of time and have your popcorn ready!*

The famous chariot race in Ben-Hur (Photo Credit: Google Images)

The Maltese Falcon (1941)

Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor and Gladys George

Sam Spade is a private detective who is investigating a murder when his partner is murdered himself. The police start to follow Spade thinking he killed his partner! Spade can’t be bothered by this because he is working on his own case. As Spade find out more about the first murder, more people are killed and it’s all over a statue of the Maltese Falcon.

Humphrey Bogart in The Maltese Falcon (Photo Credit: Google Images)

Singin’ In the Rain (1952)

Starring: Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, and Debbie Reynolds

Silent movie actors Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont are stuck with the issue of continuing to entertain in new “talkie” films. Their first film is a musical and Lina’s voice is less than pleasant for the new talking and singing parts, so aspiring actress Kathy Selden is brought in to talk and sing in the place of Lina. Will their new “talkie” movie be a success?

*Side Note: It is a musical. For those of you who know me, you know I don’t like musicals, but I did really like this movie

Tied for second favorite of the month!

Gene Kelly on that famous lamp post in Singin' in the Rain (Photo Credit: Google Images)

The Band Wagon (1953)

Starring: Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse and Oscar Levant

Actor Tony Hunter has had a hard time fitting in to the new world of acting and movies. His friends Lily and Les Martin come up with a funny play for Broadway and Hunter agrees to be in it. When a famous “artistic” director/producer/star joins the production things get out of hand and the play ends up being a disaster. Can they fix things and make the show a success?

*Side Note: Another musical, but again really awesome.

Tied for Second favorite of the month!

Fred Astaire with Cyd Charisse in The Band Wagon (Photo Credit: Google Images)

How to Marry a Millionaire (1953)

Starring: Marilyn Monroe, Betty Grable and Lauren Bacall

Three broke models rent a beautiful apartment with a plan. They are tired of dating broke men and are equally tired of being broke themselves, so they come up with a plan to marry millionaires. 

My favorite for the month!

Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Bacall and Betty Grable waiting for their millionaires in How to Marry a Millionaire (Photo Credit :Google Images)

Wrong Man (1956)

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock

Starring: Henry Fonda, Vera Miles and Anthony Quayle

Christopher Emmanuel Balestrero, or Manny, plays the cello at a local jazz club. He is a devoted family man and a practicing Catholic who is accused of holding up an insurance company and many other local businesses in the area. The more he cooperates with the police the more they think he’s guilty. In the mean time, the stress from the trial and financial burdens, his wife breaks down and ends up in a psychiatric facility. 

Henry Fonda and Vera Miles in Wrong Man (Photo Credit: Google Images)

Do you like the new format? But more importantly: What old movies did you watch this month? 

Quote of the Week: Pola Debevoise: I want to marry Rockefeller.

Schatze Page: Which one?

Pola Debevoise:  I don't care 

Last Weeks Answer:  "I Put a Spell on You" by Creedence Clearwater Revival