long time no see...

I came up with a new format for this blog. I know that I've been gone now for like two years, but I really want to try and get this blogging thing going again. I was thinking that I could just post about people from the past and the present that inspire me in some way. I don't know if this is a good idea or not for a blog but it's what I'm gonna be doing now. I have a huge interest in people of all different backgrounds, so I thought it would be fun to dedicate this blog to them. I know that this probably makes little to no sense to whoever is reading this but I hope that it will make more sense once I get the ball rolling. I kind of just want to make this blog into a tribute for all of the people that I admire. 

until later,

morgan xx

Music Mondays & Update

Hello All! 

I'm sorry that I've been sort of slacking on posting already but it seems harder to keep up than I thought. I hope that you all had a nice weekend. I had a pretty good one besides the terrible rainstorms we've been getting. On Sunday I went with my mom to see Monsters University. I really enjoyed it a lot. I didn't really know what to expect but it was a fun movie to watch. It's one that I'd definitely recommend if you've seen the first one. I'm glad that I got to see it in the theater because I remember seeing the first one a long time ago with a friend. (2001 to be exact, which means we were just eleven!) So crazy to think that it really has been that long. We also had a crazy windstorm yesterday night which was insane. Big branches were falling off the trees during the night which made the power blink. That's never a good thing around here, since we're surrounded by trees. I'm so glad that the power is still on  today.

What I was planning on doing on Mondays was talking about music that I enjoy and sharing some of my favorite bands/singers. I still think I'll be doing that as much as I can every week. I didn't have much time to think of who I could post about today, so I decided to just name off a few of my all time favorites. So I guess I'll do that for you all, I hope you'll enjoy!

First off:

Judy Garland

I started liking Judy and her music when I was a very small child. I first saw her when I was two in The Wizard Of Oz. Then when I was seven I saw and A&E Biography on her and fell in love with her even more. After I saw what she had gotten through as an individual I began to feel for this woman on a deeper level. Her music spoke to me and made me feel something I never knew I could. She will forever be someone that I love and adore. I feel like she is a member of my family, like I've always known her. She has helped me get through many a tough time in my life and it's all because of her amazing spirit and voice. I highly recommend Judy's music because she has one of the most magical voices that ever graced this earth. I just wish that she was still with us today.

Judy Garland - Zing! Went The Strings Of My .mp3

Found at bee mp3 search engine

Elvis Presley

Elvis is a person who came into my life in 2007. Before then I had known of him and probably had heard his music but never thought anything of it. It was in August of 2007 when I was seventeen when I really started to love and appreciate him for all of the talents he possessed.  It was the 30th anniversary of his passing and so they were showing Elvis films all day everyday. I saw a ton of his movies and concerts. Heard a bunch of his closest friends and family talk about what a kind hearted man he was. It was almost impossible not to fall in love with him. So, since that summer Elvis has had a huge influence on my life. I always come back to his music with a smile. It always seems to take me right back to when I was seventeen and just falling in love with him. Since that year I have grown to love him even more and to understand more than just the image that surrounds him. He was a very sensitive man, who was always searching for his own meaning in life. He possessed this great talent and yet he still did not know why he was here. It really brings into perspective that everyone at the end of the day is just a human being searching for their place in this crazy world.

Elvis Presley - Love Me Tender .mp3

Found at bee mp3 search engine

The Beatles

I began to like The Beatles music in 2009, the year after I graduated high school. I found the four of these Liverpudlian boys to be intoxicating. Once you begin to watch them and listen to their music you can't stop. They all possess so much talent, it's amazing how they all somehow came together. I have seen basically all of their music videos, films, and documentaries. I have always found their accents to be so lovely to listen to as well. Everyone is always wondering who your favorite Beatle is, mine's Ringo. I think that he is just the cutest and sweetest of the group. He has a lovable charm that wins you over. You can't not look at him and smile, it's impossible. As time has gone by, I've found that I love each of them in different ways because together they make up The Beatles. Without one of them and the whole thing would of fallen apart. Some of my favorite songs of theirs are from the earlier albums. But I can go back and forth with favorites at the time. The great thing about The Beatles is that there is such a variety of music that they created in such a short period of time. You can find a song for any kind of mood you happen to be in. I think that in itself is quite the achievement. Overall though, The Beatles make me happy and their music and films bring me a lot of joy.

Beatles - I'll Get You - The Beatles .mp3

Found at bee mp3 search engine

Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash has always held a soft spot in my heart. My father grew up listening to him and so I grew up listening to him as well. I think that he is such a mysterious kind of person, which really intrigues me. On the outside he seems so harsh and mean but on the inside he appeared to be tenderhearted and sweet. It's kind of this wonderful juxtaposition of character. He makes you wanna listen to what he has to say through his songs because he commands attention. He really had a brilliant mind and had a beautiful way with words. I know that he is categorized as country most of the time but I don't really see him as any genre of music, I just see him as a writer spinning his tales for all to enjoy. I believe that when he sang it really was from the heart and he just wanted people to learn more about each other and the struggles they all faced. Bring men together through song, I think that's was Johnny's gift.

Johnny Cash - I Walk The Line .mp3

Found at bee mp3 search engine

Those are just a few of my favorite artists, I hope that enjoyed reading about why I love them each so much. I might do a part two sometime!

Until Later,

Morgan

All images via Google.com

Match Game: My New Obsession

I've just recently gotten into watching Match Game, the 1970's version. I am in love with the whole concept of the game and all of the hilarious celebrities from that time period. It's such a fun game to watch and just to hear the great humor that they all had with one another. I wish that game shows could be more like they were back then, it seemed very free. And all of the fashions are just priceless now. I love it all and I think that if you love game shows you will enjoy it too. It's a total blast from the past but a great one!

My favorite regular is Richard Dawson. I may or may not have a slight crush on him. (I know, so strange). I tend to become really enamored with people that are able to make me laugh. I enjoy comedy so much and Richard is so funny, I find myself stifling a laugh whenever he comes on. If someone can make me laugh they are a winner in my book. His whole story is an interesting one at that but I might get into the subject some other time. haha. 

Here's a little sampling of the show:

 

This bit was so funny and the great thing about this show is that there are so many hilarious moments that come out of nowhere. 

If you liked that clip and want to see more (which I bet you will), then go onto YouTube and just type in match game 1973 or anything in the 70's and there are full episodes! I'm so glad that people have been putting up full length episodes instead of just clips. There are a bunch of amazing guest celebrities that come on each time and only a few are regulars. Betty White is one of my favorite guest celebs. So if you you love a good laugh, crazy 70's fashions, and wild hi-jinks you'll love Match Game!

Until Later,
Morgan


All images via Google.com

Mickey Monday: Celebrating the life and career of Mickey Rooney

Hello everyone, I hope you all had a nice weekend. Mine was a bit washed out from the big amounts of rain we are getting here. I'm not too much of a fan myself, this kind of weather makes me depressed. But I won't bore you with those sorted details now. I was thinking about what kind of post I could make on Monday and I was drawing a blank. I decided on having Music Mondays, but then I remembered that today is Mickey Rooney's 93rd Birthday! So instead of having a Music Monday today, I'm going to write a post about what Mickey Rooney means to me and what I think he means to the Old Hollywood community. I hope you will enjoy reading about him because sometimes I think people don't take him serious enough as an actor. 

Mickey Rooney was born Joseph Yule Jr. on September 23rd, 1920. He grew up in show business since his dad ran a burlesque theater in the early days. A young Joe would watch his father on stage and all the dancers with awe, he loved the roar of the applause and the warm spotlight. He knew deep down that's where he was meant to be. One night he wondered out onto the stage to just see what it would be like, he loved it. Eventually his mother and father came around and allowed him to be a part of the shows. His parents had him made a special suit so he could welcome guests into the show, most people believing him to be a midget. 

He eventually went to California with his mother after his parents divorced. He got some small parts in silent motion pictures billed as a midget once again. He was really just a very small child but the people in those days went with it. (Sort of bizarre really). His biggest role came when he was chosen for the part of Mickey McGuire in a series of silent shorts in 1925-1934. He was the star of the films and helped to make money for the family as his mother raised him by herself. During the time of the McGuire shorts, Joe's mother decided that he should change his name to Mickey to match his character's name. The Rooney came later on at Mickey's suggestion. So the newly dubbed Mickey Rooney was signed to MGM in 1934. After working in bit parts for the studio for years he finally landed a long running role as Andy Hardy in 1937. This would be his second successful run in a series of films that would gross the MGM studio millions.

Throughout the years Mickey worked with many different actors and actresses but his most beloved of all was Judy Garland who he met when they were just young kids on the MGM lot.  They went to school together and made many films as well. They were the best of friends and they each agreed that they were like family. I have always adored the relationship between Mickey and Judy because it always seemed to genuine and real. They seemed like they were made for each other if you watch the musical numbers they did. They truly played off of one another and it shows how great they truly were. In other words, they brought out the best in each other. 

Mickey Rooney has achieved many successes in his life and many other Old Hollywood actors from his time would agree. He is an actor different from anyone else. He possesses so many unique talents that seem almost unimaginable for just one man to have. He is able to play comedy, tragedy, sing, dance, and play numerous instruments. He is truly a tour de force! In my mind there is no one else that could even compare with him because he's on a plane of his own.

If you haven't seen any of his films, especially his earlier ones I would ask you to just take some time out to see this brilliant actor, he is something to watch. He can change the way you feel in an instant and it truly is a magical gift. Just a few of my favorite films of his are Boys Town with Spencer Tracy, Babes On Broadway with Judy Garland, Thoroughbreds Don't Cry again with Garland, Love Finds Andy Hardy, Stable Mates with Wallace Beery, The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn, Young Tom Edison, The Human Comedy, National Velvet with Elizabeth Taylor, Little Nemo (voice). There are so many amazing Rooney films that are to be seen still by me. But these are just a sampling of some of my favorites where I think he really shows his acting range and abilities.

If you have anything to add about Mickey Rooney for the talent that he was or one of your personal favorite Mickey films, leave it below as a comment. I would really like to know what other fans of Mickey think of his large body of work. 

Until Later,

Morgan

(All images from fanpix.net)

Old Hollywood and Scandals

As I was perusing the inter-webs this morning I came across an old E! television show on YouTube. The title was Mysteries and Scandals, which to me always sounds intriguing. I love a juicy Hollywood scandal and I happened upon one about Jack Cassidy. He of course was David Cassidy's father from Partridge Family fame. As I began to watch this old E! show I found it somewhat cheesy, yet also intriguing. I love hearing about people's lives and all the things that they went through or that happened to them. 

Just yesterday evening my mother and I were watching old Match Game episodes on youtube and Jack Cassidy happened to be one of the players on it. So I found that somewhat interesting that just the previous night we had been watching him laugh and be carefree and silly and then this morning to find out he was so very tragic as well. I also find it very unusual how a human being can change the way they are so quickly, depending on who is around them or what they are doing. Cassidy was definitely an interesting and complicated man who seemed to harvest a lot of demons throughout his life. It makes me want to get inside people's heads and see what they are truly feeling in life because I find the human psyche so fascinating. 

 

There is a person on YouTube who has upload quite a few of these episodes and I think I'll be spending a bit of my time today watching those and finding out more about old classic stars. I love to try and analyze the person and figure out what really makes them tick and what sort of factors got them to where they are. All very fascinating stuff for me. 

The next one I'm going to watch is about Clara Bow and then I think I'll check out the Errol Flynn one. But there are a ton of great looking episodes, so I'm guessing I'll be sucked in!

What are some of your favorite Hollywood scandals?
Leave a comment below telling me!

Until Later,
Morgan

Dog Day Afternoon: Movie Review

(Released in 1975, directed by Sidney Lumet)

A few weeks back I saw that this was playing on television, I'd never seen it before and I always had wanted to. The only thing that I remember coming from this film was the shouting of "Attica, Attica, Attica!"At the time I had no idea what that even really meant, except that it was about a prison. But as I've gotten a bit older I've learned some more about it, mostly from John Lennon. 

But anyway, I saw this film one afternoon by myself and as I began to watch it, again I did not know what to expect. I had no idea that it was going to take off that quickly in the beginning into the plot. It definitely sucks you right into the action which was really intriguing for the viewer.
All of the characters quickly fall into place, wonderfully setting up the scene. You instantly feel a sense of shock when you see Sonny (played by Al Pacino) pull out his gun, he commands the scene. Once again Al Pacino gives an amazing performance as Sonny Wortzik a down on his luck man trying to get some money for his lover. You'd think that this character robbing a bank would be cruel and evil, but the amazing thing is that he's not at all. He makes you feel for him and in a way understand where he's coming from. I personally didn't expect to feel that way coming into this film. It truly is a surprising piece of acting on Pacino's part, you really start to side with the "bad guy" and can understand what would push him to this point.
The amazing relationship that comes about with the robbers (Pacino and Cazale) and the hostages is something so unique and interesting to watch. There is this sense of camaraderie as the film progresses which is something you rarely see in a bank heist film. They almost become like a little mini family as they sit there held up for hours on end. Sonny never seems to even want to think about hurting anyone because all he really wants and needs is the money. There is this total character break down as the film moves along. For Sonny and Sal, they each are starting to rethink the whole idea and it really shows through the wonderful acting. Sonny seems to be getting deeper and deeper into insanity as the story moves along. He's lost and confused and isn't sure how to control the situation he got himself into. You, the viewer can feel this anguish radiating from him and you begin to pity the man.

It's a totally complex film and it makes you want to see it more than once because for one the acting is amazing and two it's just a while ride that you have to see again. It's a drama/comedy in a way which if you haven't seen it yet, you won't understand. I personally would like to see it again because it touches on so many different social and political issues of the time. It is an amazing achievement and is really worth the watch.

Leave a comment below and tell me what you thought of the film!

Rating:

★★★★★ 5/5 stars

Until Later,

Morgan

The Panic in Needle Park: Movie Review

So the other day I decided to watch "The Panic In Needle Park" (1971 d. Jerry Schatzberg) for the first time ever. I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I was watching it. I only knew that young Al Pacino was in it and that was a good enough reason for me. haha. I am in a slight Al Pacino phase at the moment, so bare with me.

I had just seen "Dog Day Afternoon" a few days before and totally loved it. So I decided I would see this film since his other one had been so good. 

(Btw, I've seen The Godfather too). 

So I hoped on to Netflix instant streaming and started to watch it. At first, I was a bit confused by the story line because you just sort of jump into the whole plot kind of quickly and you don't even get a chance to learn who these characters are. So to that affect it was kinda hard to follow. Like how did this girl Helen end up where she was, on the streets homeless? It never got into too much detail about that. I suppose the director didn't really want to focus so much on their pasts as he did their growing relationship with one another and what would ultimately start to happen as the film progressed.

I really loved how the director Jerry Schatzberg made the film feel so gritty and realistic with his shots of the other homeless druggies. It gave you this sort of sense like you were there with these people and seeing the story through their eyes. It was kind of amazing how he was able to convey that throughout the film. 

Al Pacino's performance in the film was totally believable and raw. I really enjoyed seeing the relationship between his character Bobby and Kitty Winn's character Helen blossom and transform throughout the film. They go through this amazing push and pull type of relationship as they are both spiraling out of control because of their addiction. In the beginning I felt this great happiness that they had found one another but as the film went on I wondered if they weren't both just messing up each others lives. 

Some of the scenes in the film were hard for me to look at, mostly the heroine use. I have a thing with needles and it's not good for me to watch. But other than that it wasn't too graphic of a film by my standards anyway. I think that this film really gets down to the core of what it was like to be hooked on hard drugs in the 1970's and I'm sure a lot of it still rings true today. You really get to see what the ups and downs are like for these people who got completely sucked into the drug community and how it changed their lives for the worse. But I believe that it also brings awareness to the fact that these kinds of drugs are really dangerous and have the ability to take away life in an instant, just for a short high. 

Overall, I think that this was a really great film. It made me look at certain situations in life differently. And helped me to understand people and their addictions better. It's a really long drawn out process and you have to want to get better for yourself or else you'll keep spiraling out of control.

Rating:

★★★★☆  4/5 stars

Until Later, 

Morgan