1931 western Fighting Caravan, was it the first mainstream 'gay film' 77 years before Brokeback Mountain.

 

I always believed 'Brokeback Mountain' should have won Best Picture in 2006. Did it lose because it was a film about a gay couple?

Imagine my surprise when I bought a Gary Copper film called 'Fighting Caravans'. Cooper's character is raised by two men and when he wishes to marry, his two 'companions' (as the credits list them) bicker if the young lady is good enough for their boy. It was made in 1931 which was pre Hays Code.

Hot lips.

I remember when black people were mocked for having full lips. Now women spend thousands attempting to have them. This album cover captures the true beauty of our full red lips X three. 

Another one of my favourite album covers.

Before Michael was The Jacksons.

This cover is phenomenal. 

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside.

 I think vinyl LP / album covers were works of art. This is one of my favourites. 

SPLAT!

Why do we love leopard print?

I recently watched The Apartment (1964) and had to rewind to see again the amazing hat and tote bag belonging to Mr Sheldrake's secretary. Although the film is in black and white I had a serious case of leopard print envy.

In the film Laura (1944) Laura's sugar daddy admirer is first shown sitting in a bath with a leopard print covered sofa in the background.

In Some like it Hot (1959) I too didn't care for Daphne's (Jack Lemmon) legs, but I loved her/his coat with the face fattering faux (I assume) leopard collar.

Winter is coming and I have a coat which I purchased last year a Pop Boutique in Covent Garden, London which gets me looks of admiration, lots of complements and the odd bitchy female remark (Poor dears).

I have tried to research but have not managed to find any explanation for our love of this particular animal print; why not zebra? I can only assume poor leopard were prized hunters skins and rich society ladies wore mink and leopard to show their wealth which caught on with the office secretary etc.

Remember the recent Cecil the Lion killing? I am not condoning this or any other killing of animals for fun but have come across real leopard hats in vintage stores and was surely tempted.

The Oscars. My new category for 2014.

My new category is best non living/non human character.


These are my nominees: 

9. Ghost (1990) Mr Sam Wheat - Best boyfriend ghost

8. Casper (1995) Casper - Cutest friendly ghost

7. Blithe Spirit (1945) Mrs Elvira Condomine - Most annoying ghost

6. Shawshank Redemption (1994) Mr Stephens - Best apparition/phantom 

5. Cast Away (2000) Mr Wilson - Best ball boy

4. Lars and the Real Girl (2007) Miss Bianca  - Best vagina girl

3. Harvey (1950) Harvey - Very funny rabbit

2. Donny Darko ( 2001) ? - Seriously scary rabbit

1. Ted (2012) Ted -  Horny teddy.


And the winner is;

Shawshank Redemption's Mr Stephens (spoiler alert) for skipping town with all the warden's stolen money; as the police bang down the warden's office door he blows his brains out.

Served him right, the bastard!

ENJOY.

Whatever happened to Baby Jane? Film 4 summer screening at Somerset House.

I have seen only a few black and white films on the big screen and this is the biggest screen you could get; Projected on one of the four building within the courtyard of Somerset House by Waterloo Bridge.

Arriving at around 7 pm I managed to secure a place right in front about half way down the cobbled courtyard. The spaces were already filling up so I was not surprised when at about 8.50pm, minutes before the film was due to start, late comers were walking round and round trying to spot a gap.

Whatever happened to Baby Jane (1962) is often referred to as a camp classic as well as black comedy and horror. There are now some unintentionally funny moments; when Jane (Bette Davis) tells the maid Elvira (Maidie Norman) "see you next Tuesday" everyone including me, laughed. Jane stomping around the house in her slippers with a glass of Johnny Walker in her hand for breakfast is hysterical, but there are still scenes which hold your breath, what Jane does to Elvira after handing over the keys to Blanche's (Joan Crawford) locked bedroom makes you lift your hand over your eyes.

The film was nominated for 5 Academy Awards but won only one for Best Costume Design, Black and White. Baby Jane's lace dress, over sized hair bow and powdered face is a favourite with female impersonators, which explains the film's camp classic tag.

 SPOOKY!

I recently found the above dress in a vintage charity shop and am selling it in my EBay shop Balconygirl13 as a Halloween costume party dress; Whatever happened to Baby Jane was released on October 31st.