Tired Old Queen at the Movies: Blithe Spirit (1945)

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Steve Hayes reviews the classic celestial fantasy, filmed in glorious Technicolor in England at the end of World War II, based on the play by the great Noel Coward.  Never mind what the critics said at the time, or later - this is a beautifully filmed, delightfully upper-crust comedy of the kind that isn't made anymore.  And darling Margaret Rutherford, the old dear, is a complete hoot!  If you've never seen it, your're in for a treat - enjoy!

Bonus:  The English country house that was used for exterior shots is still standing just outside London, and just as lovely as it looks in the film.  Check out the real estate listing from 2019 to see some stunning photos of the inside and outside.

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Tired Old Queen at the Movies: My Favorite Wife (1940)

 

 Steve Hayes reviews the delightful screwball comedy, starring Irene Dunne and Carry Grant.  M.P. and I recommend it highly.  It was remade by Doris Day and Jim Garner in 1963 as Move Over, Darling, which is also a treat.

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Tired Old Queen at the Movies: Woman of the Year

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Steve Hayes reviews the 1942 romantic comedy:

Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn enter the battle of the sexes in the first of several collaborations in George Steven’s classic comedy: “Woman Of The Year” . Also starring Fay Bainter and William Bendix, it’s the perfect comic pairing of two pros at the top of their game.

The full movie is available for rent or purchase on YouTube.  Catch more fabulous movie reviews at Steve's YouTube channel.

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Tired Old Queen at the Movies: The Chalk Garden (1964)

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Steve Hayes reviews the 1964 English drama:

A mysterious guest arrives and disrupts an already chaotic household, when Deborah Kerr, as a governess with a secret, is put in charge of delinquent teenager Hayley Mills, in Ronald Neame’s The Chalk Garden (’64). Also starring John Mills as a wise, ever faithful butler and Oscar nominee Dame Edith Evans as the domineering grandmother.  Based on the hit Broadway play by Enid Bagnold, The Chalk Garden is riveting drama from beginning to end.

 

What I Say:  Your Head Trucker loved Hayley Mills and always looked forward to those summertime Disney films that she starred in. But The Chalk Garden, produced by Universal, was a big disappointment - the story line and the dialogue were way over my head, and I was bored to tears. But when M.P. and I watched it online a few years ago, we were both impressed by the emotional depth of the screenplay and the brilliant acting by the whole cast. It's an odd story, but very moving and well worth watching. 

Catch more fabulous movie reviews at Steve's YouTube Channel.

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