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About Gigi123

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  1. I have always loved this movie especially when the men perform the dusty dance with bottles positioned on their heads that never fall off! What a dance. In the '70s, the "generation gap" issue was often used as a theme to support, justify, explain all sorts of changes the world would eventually accept or dismiss. Presenting history in musical form seem to have been a unique approach where audiences interacted with and would not soon forget the messaging. Also, during the '70s, ecumenical practices were advancing among the religious centers, internationally. It's still a great movie! (If there is a name for the dance mentioned, please share. Thanks.)
  2. First time ever seeing this movie. Trying to make myself see its benefits. So far, it seems to be a throw-back to the first "talking pictures" musicals, leaving nothing to the imagination: black and white turns color. I personally liked the "debauchery everywhere" 1935 Midsummer's Night's Dream" rendition.
  3. As in Gaslight, I seem to remember shadows being in scenes that supported condescension. In the case of My Fair Lady, Eliza seems to fade into the wallpaper, as she stands in a shadow in the back of the room, when Higgins is bragging to everyone and not including her efforts in winning the bet. Also, after the "I've grown accustom to her face " monologue, Higgins sits in a chair, listens to the phonograph and there is a shadow on the floor. Of what, I do not know. It moves. Miss Doolittle had not yet entered the room. But when she does enter, fashioned to induce a soft pink aura from head to toe, it changes the whole scene from woe to romance.
  4. 1, 2. Ms. Day made the "scruffy" persona, including dirt smudges, rather sexy. A form fitting outfit on a neat figure didn't hurt. White teeth helped accentuate the rounding out of great vocal tones. So, enters the I'm-TOUGH-but- pretty darn- sexy-too era. Who could possibly dislike me? This particular attitude (genre?) seems repeated with leadingmen like Rock Hudson, Cary Grant, etc. 3. Ms. Day's bright and sunny persona seems to be supported by the "out west" eco/geo system of fresh air, sunshine, and green trees and proves to be enough for her to bounce around in. It was still prevalent in the early '50s. (Was Las Vegas in full bloom then?) Does her persona add to or detract from her CJ role? I think it does, but oh, what the heck? Does it matter? It's still a slap thigh, rip-roaring show.
  5. For fun, I just couldn't wait to find out if the Orange Merchant was the future Klinger of M*A*S*H and it is! Jamie Farr. ?
  6. 1. It's fun listening to references of Fred Astaire's earlier movies. "The Gay Divorcee" pops out clearly. Also, sorta reminds one of a "pow-wow" session among scouts of long ago. Apologizes if that isn't politically correct to say. 2. The actors may look formally dressed compared to casual styles today. But they are casually dressed for that era. However, Ms. Fabre's outfit would not be considered a "house dress". Astaire's blue socks, the frumpy looking jacket on one guy, skirt and blouse set, this is casual wear. Yes, even wide, wide netted crinolines were not considered formal. 3. It is said that a great painting will invite the eye to move all over the canvas. That is what good staging does, also, and invites the players to interact with the props. Please, will someone explain the red rose thing that seems to be a prevalent in this time period? Does it have some other significance than fragrance and being pretty? Gene Kelly makes use of the red rose often.
  7. 1. My introduction to Judy Garland was as Andrew Hardy's (Mickey Rooney) teenage love interest and musical partner in a series of film about Judge Hardy's family. Bright eyed, adorable, eager to make a good impression, and above all, she appeared to be having a good time. Although staged, it seemed so easy for her. Miss Garland was in and out of trouble with Andrew and they seemed to sing and dance their way through it all. 2. I don't view Judy Garland so much as different, as she became better known, but as being able to adapt her gift to more advanced story lines that were appropriate for her age. So, we get to see a more mature vocalizing of and reaction to romance in different time periods of America which may have been reflections of her own personal realities.
  8. Notables regarding Battle of the Sexes: 1. Fred whistles, Ginger answers in kind. Note, the mores of the day forbids women to whistle underlying the old adage, "a whistling women and a crowing hen never comes to a good end". 2. Fred throws Ginger over his leg and Ginger throws Fred in same manner. 3. Both end up in the same pose at end of dance routine. However, being coy on the part of the woman again remains a theme, i.e.,the woman is afraid of thunder and falls in man's arms. Of course, it was pointed out early in the movie, one man to another, that women are known to scheme. So, in 1935, interpreting attitudes about the role of the woman as a mate have not seriously advanced. Distinguishing Top Hat from other Depression Era musicals: The Latin influence on "amour" is introduce. French influence isn't as overpowering.
  9. Thanks for beginning the discussion on the wizard of Oz. There's so much that can be said about the significance of WO. First, Judy Garland, age 16, was the correct choice compared to Little Miss Temple, age 11 in 1939. She would have been about the same size as the Munchins. No contrast there. Politically, FDR, in the time of the Great Depression, became the first President to be on television (The Wizard?).
  10. Post-code: "Don'ts and Be Carefuls" ( Wikipedia) allowed for more imagination via audience participation allowing for a brand of movie marketing through word of mouth, i.e., good old gossip. Pre-code, not so much.

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