T.F.S. Something In The Wind

The Toronto Film Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and enjoyment of film and movies.

In this romantic comedy, Deanna Durbin, plays Mary a lovely female disc jockey, just trying to make it big in her career.  Her life is turned upside down, when a millionaire's grandson mistakes Mary for her Aunt... who was dating her grandfather.  Thinking that Mary was having a scandalous relationship with his late grandfather... the boy tries to get Mary to sign papers stating that nothing happened.   Mary finds this infuriating and so decides to teach the boy a lesson... causing much grief.. but also romance as the two fall for each other in spite of themselves.

Deanna Durbin once again shines as her tremendous voice captures peoples hearts.  Although I didn't like this movie as much as First Love...  I found it enjoyable and fun to watch none the less.  It was interesting to see the juxtaposition from one of Durbin's first films... to one of her last.  I definitely feel the need to catch some more though... having seen these two.  (4.0/6.0)

T.F.S. First Love

The Toronto Film Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and enjoyment of film and movies.

"First Love" is a entirely enchanting and romantic hollywood version of Cinderella.  The main character Connie Harding (Deanna Durbin) is going home to live with her Aunt and Uncle after finishing boarding school.  Her rich and spoiled relatives really do not care for Connie and treat her as there personal servant... asking her to do many things.. which she does.. feeling obligated for letting her live with them.   When everyone is invited to a major social event...  Connie is overjoyed.. feeling she is being accepted finally... but her dreams are crushed when her jealous cousin Barbara sees to it that she cant go.  With the aid of her kindly uncle, and adoring house servants, Connie makes it to the ball and meets her Prince Charming.

I LOVED this movie...  the story is very simple but effective.   Deanna Durbin is perfect for the part, showing youthful innocence and sweet compassion.   She has a fantastic voice which she demonstrates several times though the movies scores.   This is a great valentines day movie... that everyone can enjoy.  (5.0/6.0)

T.F.S. Weekend In Havana

The Toronto Film Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and enjoyment of film and movies.

"Weekend In Havana" is a light hearted musical starring Carmen Miranda and Cesar Romero.  Although the plot line is a bit light.. the dancing and singing shine in this truly enjoyable movie.

After a steamship line (think cruise ship back in the day) ship runs aground off the coast of Florida the executives are anxious to get all the passengers to sign a waiver to indemnify them of any wrong doing.  They are able to do this for everyone except for one persistent passenger who insists that she be shown a good time to replace her lost vacation.  A weekend in Havana seems like the trick...  hilarity ensues as one man tries to show her a good time and romance at the same time.

It was great to see Carmen Miranda..  I had heard of her of course from my folks and through her fame but I had never actually seen one of her movies.  She was excellent and her energetic style sets the movie.  I enjoyed this movie for just that...  a light and entertaining movie.  (4.0/6.0)

T.F.S. Edge Of The City

The Toronto Film Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and enjoyment of film and movies.

In 'Edge Of The City' we are introduced to Axle, a guy seemingly at the end of his rope.  He can't go home and is in trouble enough that he needs to stay out of the public radar.  Taking a job at the docks as a stevedore he only wants to be left alone.  His life changes though when he meets and is befriended by Tommy Tyler a gregarious and fun loving black man, who sees the good in Axle.   Through 'T' Axle learns to live and love again...   but how long can it last before Axle's past catches up with him and what will he do when it does.   

This movie had a good story line and I enjoyed the interaction between Axle and Tommy...  I am not sure about the ending though.  Not saying it was bad.. .but I found it a bit abrupt.   Everything was resolved but I felt that more could have been said.   I REALLY liked Sydney Poitier in this film.  Man he was young.  I didn't realize though how old Poitier is currently.  He doesn't look as old as he really is... which is a compliment I assure you.  He's aged very well.   (3.5/6.0)

T.F.S. Thieves' Highway

The Toronto Film Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and enjoyment of film and movies.

Thieves' Highway tells the story of a veteran returning from war only to find that his father has been injured and has lost his legs to an unscrupulous produce marketer.   Seeking revenge, the son travels to San Francisco, looking for the man and to extract payment for what was done to his father.   During his journey, he learns that friendship and loyalty are more valuable than money and that money does strange things to people.  

I liked this movie, in spite of its edginess.   It's dark atmosphere did not subtract from it's feel good ending, which   I appreciated.   It's alway nice to see a movie where justice prevails and the good guy wins.  (4.0/6.0)

T.F.S. Androcles And The Lion

The Toronto Film Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and enjoyment of film and movies.

Androcles And The Lion (1952) tells the story of Androcles a bumbling tailor living during the Roman persecution of the Christian's.  Androcles, a Christian, hasn't met an animal he doesn't love and that includes lions.  It's not long before Androcles is captured by the Romans and sent to Rome, with other fellow Christians, to be martyred in the Coliseum.  Will Androcles and the rest of his faithful friends be able to keep their faith or will they bend and sacrifice to the Roman gods to spare their lives and keep them from being fed to the lions, that he loves so much.   (4.0/6.0)  

T.F.S. One Touch Of Venus

The Toronto Film Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and enjoyment of film and movies

One Touch Of Venus (1948) tells the story of a statue of Venus (Goddess Of Love) that comes to life when a hapless store clerk gives it a kiss one night.  The beautiful Ava Gardner who plays Venus falls in love with the clerk and the comedy ensues as she turns his life upside down as she pursues him.  In the end everyone finds their true love, although they aren't who they originally intended.  I LOVED this movie.  I would have to say this is the best of the T.F.S. movies I have seen this season.   It is a definite feel good movie and it brings a smile to my face just remembering.  Definitely a must see if you can find a copy.  (5.0/6.0)

T.F.S. That Uncertain Feeling

The Toronto Film Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and enjoyment of film and movies

That Uncertain Feeling (1941) is a hilarious comedy about a shaky marriage and a women's infatuation with a crazy musician.  Jill and Larry Baker have been married for 6 years... but Jill is starting to feel that MAYBE she picked the wrong man.  When a "tell it how it is" musician comes into her life she is entranced by the difference in life styles.  The comedy ensues as the wife is swayed by the new life style but then realizes that the grass is NOT always greener on the other side of the fence.   (4.5/6.0)

T.F.S. Separate Tables

The Toronto Film Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and enjoyment of film and movies.

Okay this is one of the best movies I have yet to see at the T.F.S. I must say.  It stars Rita Hayworth, Burt Lancaster and David Niven in a drama around a group of broken people living in a Hotel in England.  Each of the characters has a serious fault or faults as the case may be.. and all are seeking refuge in what they think is an anonymous hotel where no one will see.  The hotel owner cares for her lodgers and makes them feel safe.  What the characters don't realize at first is that they aren't alone in their brokenness.. that although they are strangers sitting at separate tables... they have become closer than family.  Personally I liked how all the stories played out...  coming together at the end for a satisfying ending.  The acting was extremely strong... with each of the characters seeming to be fully developed.  For instance one of the characters a timid and brow beaten women was played excellently by Deborah Kerr.   (5.0/6.0)

T.F.S. Bitter Sweet

The Toronto Film Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and enjoyment of film and movies.

The second movie this week was Bitter Sweet (1940) starring Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy pictured above.  This Oscar nominated musical begins when we find out that a well to do daughter of an aristocrat has secretly fallen in love with her music teacher.  Already engaged through an arranged marriage the two are desperate to be together so they elope to Vienna..  The story continues as the couple try to make a go of a life there in Vienna.  A good story line and some great singing acts make this a wonderful film to watch. (3.5/6.0)

T.F.S. Kiss Me Again

The Toronto Film Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and enjoyment of film and movies.

The movie Kiss Me Again (1931) is an extremely enjoyable musical staring Bernice Claire (pictured below) and Walter Pigeon.  The storyline follows the lives if a rich aristocrat, a poor little shop girl with big dreams, and a pair of meddling fathers who want their children to marry the people THEY want, no matter what.  Kiss Me Again is actually a re-work of a longer movie... Toast Of The Legion.   Unfortunately the studio decided that the longer version wasn't working well so they reedited the movie removing alot of the song footage of Pigeon.  Although Kiss Me Again works extremely well, I still would have like seeing the longer version.  The comedy of the busy body dads.. and a great comic performance by Frank McHugh make for a fantastic movie.  (4.0/6.0)

T.F.S. My Sister Eileen

The Toronto Film Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and enjoyment of film and movies.

My Sister Eileen (1942) is an Oscar nominated comedy about two young women who move to New York from Ohio in order to establish their careers.  The havoc that ensues as they try to establish themselves makes for a fantastic fish out of water story guaranteed to make you laugh out loud.   I didn't quite like this movie as much as I liked Dream Girl but I think that came down to personal preference.  When I think about it there really wasn't anything in this film that I disliked.   A great cameo by the 3 Stooges at the end makes for an amusing ending to a good movie.   (4.0/6.0)

T.F.S. Dream Girl

The Toronto Film Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and enjoyment of film and movies.

I found Dream Girl (1948) to be light hearted, funny and easy to watch.  The story is about Georgina played by Betty Hutton who is constantly day dreaming about what a life that could be but isn't.  Until the day she meets her match in a hard nosed sports writer who wants her to live her life and not dream about it.   Spark's fly as the two butt heads over their differing world views... but is Georgina's distaste a cover for a secret attraction??   The movie is a bit corny in areas... but not distractingly so.  I really enjoyed the banter between the two leads... as they slowly came together.   (4.5/6.0)

T.F.S. Twentieth Century

The Toronto Film Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and enjoyment of film and movies.

Twentieth Century is a wacky comedy about a megalomaniac stage director (Barrymore) and his star pupil / actress (Lombard).  After Lombard's character leaves because she can't stand the overbearing director.. Jaffe..  he soon finds himself in bitter straights after a series of flops at the box office.  Desperate.. Jaffe flees the city aboard the Twentieth Century train, only to find that he is on board with his former star.  These two over the top characters (who are more alike than they want to admit) spar with each other.. as each tries to get one better over the other.  Although the comedy in this movie was funny at times... I found I didn't like the over bearing John Barrymore.  I know that is they way he was SUPPOSED to be... but I found it unappealing a bit.  On the whole the movie was good...  just that small bit though made it not as appealing as We're Not Dressing.   (4.0/6.0)

T.F.S. We're Not Dressing

This past Monday I had the opportunity to attend one of the screenings of the Toronto Film Society.  This local club or society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the appreciation of film.

We're Not Dressing is a light hearted musical starring Bing Crosby, Carole Lombard, George  Burns and Gracie Allen.  Crosby plays a sailor who is comically shipwrecked with a spoiled socialite played by Lombard.  Crosby and Lombard's characters are in love with each other but their differing world views makes a comedy of errors ensue.  George Burns and Gracie Allen liven things up as well, playing a geologist and his dim-witted wife also on the island (unbeknown to the shipwrecked couple)  I loved the chemistry that both Bing Crosby and Corole Lombard had together.. and of course George and Gracie are famous for just the same thing.  (5.0/6.0)