"I'm sorry, but I thought I better hit you before he did. He's in better shape than I am."

[sophieisgod]

Today, I had a feeling I haven't had for a while. I fell properly, madly, head over hells in love with Hollywood. And it's because of The Philadelphia Story.


Man alive. Cary Grant AND Katharine Hepburn AND James Stewart. Why haven't I seen this movie before? What could I have possibly been doing that would have been more important?

Anyway, it was glorious. Delicious. I was smiling all the way through. So much so, that I'm smiling now because I'm thinking about it. It's such a fucking cliche, but they just don't make 'em like that anymore. The dialogue was so sharp and they talk a mile-a-minute. Sigh.

Good god, but Cary Grant was a fox in 1940! I mean, seriously. With the hair and the dryness and the suits? He was definitely hotter in this than he was in Bringing Up Baby, although I did like those glasses. I think it because there was a bit of angst. Not much, but it was definitely underlying. Also, the suits. I cannot mention the suits too often. Then, there was James Stewart! Being the only person on the planet never to have seen It's A Wonderful Life, I've only really seen him in Rear Window. Although he works the blue jammies and wheelchair combo fine, I was not prepared for this chain-smoking, drawling, TALL beast of a man! Also, he plays the best drunk I've ever seen. Adorable.

So, dilemma. Because the film was so engaging and un-formulaic, and the two male leads were so damnably handsome, I genuinely didn't know who I wanted to get the girl. Generally, we're not given much of a choice and it's pretty clear who we're supposed to be rooting for, but this? Not so much. I think I would have been happy to see Tracy with either of them, for different reasons. I think Dexter had a sort of didactic Mr Knightley element to him, like he knew where she was going wrong and loved her anyway, and Mike was someone who saw her in a completely different way to most people, despite his initial preconceptions. Anyway, did I mention they were both HOT?

And Katharine Hepburn, winning at everything, ever. She fucking rules.

Has anyone seen High Society? Because now I'm intrigued, but I don't want to see it if it pisses all over this.


Also, I'm trying to gather ideas for future picspams. Does anyone have any suggestions or requests? I'm pretty much open, as long as there's a little bit of fun to be had, so not Schindler's List or anything. Pretty men would be a plus.

Comments

[darkangsty42.livejournal.com]

I love classic films. And you're right. They really don't make them like they used to.

You should do a Heroes picspam! *coughcompanymancough* Or any other episode that strike your fancy, that that episode is made of pretty/sad.

[sophieisgod.livejournal.com]

Ooh, Heroes! 'Twould be awesome, but I'd have to track down the caps. I don't know if there's enough Claude hotness in "Company Man" to compensate for the lack of Peter, though...

I'm about to binge on classic movies to make up for the big M&C shaped void. All About Eve, woop!

[darkangsty42.livejournal.com]

This gallery owns my soul.

[scissorgypsy.livejournal.com]

Eeeeee! I love 'Philadelphia Story' too :D
I love drunk James Stewart and Dexter's 'proposal':
Tracy: 'Are you sure?'
Dexter: 'Not in the least, but I'll risk it. Will you?'

AWWW!

And yes, Katherine Hepburn does win at everything :D

[sophieisgod.livejournal.com]

"C.K. Dexter Haaaaa-ven!"

[buffologist.livejournal.com]

Amazingly enough with my High Society obsession I have never seen this one!! I am on the other side of the fence. Will I lose all the fluff and the singing and general Cole Portery goodness if I see Philadelphia Story?? I would say give High Society a go if only because of the songs but then I am rather biased, it's my favourite musical ever!!!!

[sophieisgod.livejournal.com]

Hmm, I just watched the movie of High Society, and I have to say that Grant/Hepburn/Stewart beats Crosby/Kelly/Sinatra. I really enjoyed it, I just think I would have enjoyed it more if I hadn't seen The Philadelphia Story first, because the songs meant that some of the awesome dialogue got compressed. Also, The Philadelphia Story is definitely sexier. Bing Crosby is bit too granddad for my tastes.

I also think I'd have enjoyed it more if I'd actually seen it on stage, because some of the film blocking was a bit meh. Although, how do they do the Louis Armstrong bits onstage?

TPS is definitely less fluffy, particularly Dexter's character. For 'composer of charming jazz' read 'alcoholic'.

So see both, enjoy both, and each to their own. The genius of Cole Porter cannot be denied.

[latrex.livejournal.com]

Hi

I came here for the Northanger Abbey picspam (which is awesome, by the way), but I friended you when I saw you loved The Philadelphia Story. I hope that's alright.

Also if you liked Philadelphia Story you might like "It happened one night" with Clark Gable. Like "Philadelphia" it's a romantic comedy with a plot you see all the time, only it's brilliant.

[sophieisgod.livejournal.com]

Hi

Sorry it's taken me so long to respond, I've been having what I shall politely term 'computer issues'...

That's fine, I love new friends!

It Happened One Night owns my soul, I have a MAJOR Clark Gable weak spot. One of my friends actualy *hates* him, and I'm like "But.. Rhett! And the lack of vest! And guh!"

Also, your icon is great. Hellen Mirren FTW!

[latrex.livejournal.com]

Oh, no worries :)

That's appalling, though I feel your pain. My mother - the woman who spawned me! - thinks Clark Gable looks greasy, and that Rhett Butler is an oaf (!?)

[sophieisgod.livejournal.com]

Rhett Butler an oaf?! Sacre Bleu! This is blasphemy! A cad, by all means, but an oaf?

And don't talk to me about the dubious opinions of mothers. Mine thinks that Michael Crawford is the peak of male physical perfection.

[latrex.livejournal.com]

Hah, I had to google Michael Crawford, but you definitely win.