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movie stars

Roy Damron & Mitzi Mayfair

Do you remember Roy Damron from my post about the Rendezvous Ballroom? I came across a photo of him from The Milwaukee Journal, March 10, 1944. (Google News Archive is my new toy! 🙂 

Roy Damron with Mitzi Mayfair, one of the stars of Four Jills in a Jeep (1944)
I haven’t seen Four Jills in a Jeep in several years (our copy is VHS, and we don’t have a player anymore!), but I checked on YouTube and there’s a clip of them dancing together! So far as I know, no one has attributed this clip to Roy previously — it’s not on his IMDB profile. Does anyone know how to add it?
Enjoy!

TCM Film Festival 2011

Last weekend was the annual Turner Classic Movies film festival in Hollywood, and on Friday night we attended a cocktail party/concert they held. TCM brought out Vince Giordano and His Nighthawks from New York to play the score for a Buster Keaton film and for the party, and they’re top drawer! They play only 20’s music, which is a little earlier than we usually listen to, but the band is so tight and well-rehearsed that it was a pleasure to listen to them. You know this band if you’ve seen The Aviator (2004) – they’re the band playing “Happy Feet” in the Cocoanut Grove.

Without further adieu, here are the pictures!

I took my anniversary purse out for it’s first outing! It’s the perfect size – I can fit everything I need for a nice evening out, and because it’s structured I don’t have to worry about my phone getting crushed.  Not super-fancy and beaded, but I love it!
Chris looking dapper as always!

This dress is from a mid-40’s Vogue pattern, and it’s one of the trickiest ones I’ve made – the front princess panel wraps around to the back, and the back skirt is gathered to create a “bustle” effect. The back has a lot of visual interest, so I took the flower applique from a 50’s dress that was falling apart and added it to the front.
Our group of snazzy dancers!

I can’t figure out how to link to the video, but there’s a super brief clip of the dancing on the TCM website – follow the link and click on Festival Update Day Two if you’re interested. Doesn’t the weekend look amazing? I think I need to attend some movies at next year’s event!

The Great White Way

Broadway Melody of 1940 was on TCM the other night, and we turned it on just as my favorite dance scene was starting – the “Italian Cafe Routine”. It’s not as jaw dropping as the “Begin the Beguine” finale, but I love how this routine is natural and playful. And it doesn’t hurt how great their outfits are – Chris and I would wear clothes like this every day if we could!  (He’s just crazy for that little bolero – they show off his small waist. 😉

Here’s a picture of Fred and Eleanor rehearsing for this movie- I love that Eleanor was a trousers gal.

Now where are my tap shoes?!

Clark Gable – Song and Dance Man?

I was browsing around on iTunes today, and found a song of Clark Gable singing “Puttin on the Ritz”…huh? Clark Gable, singing and dancing? I had to track it down.

Here it is, “Idiot’s Delight”, from 1939. Gable’s singing isn’t much, but his dancing is surprisingly competent! A little stiff, but still entertaining. I love when it cuts to Norma Shearer – it’s like she can’t decide if she’s pleased or embarrassed for him!

Deanna Durbin: Teen-Age Fashion Icon

Star Fashions with Deanna Durbin 
Designed by Vera West for “That Certain Age”
from Movie Mirror magazine, September 1938
I think Deanna would have been 16 when this article was released. I love the detailed descriptions of the fabrics and colors! The monogrammed top with the waist tabs is my favorite – I love having my initials on things — especially since I got married and they changed from “BS”. 😉