Movie Musical Friday

Last Friday I had the occasion to be home from work (which is a story in itself).  Being as there was nothing really interesting on TCM, I decided I was in a mood for a good musical.  So - I popped in "Guys and Dolls", which I hadn't seen in quite awhile.  I have to say, I really love that show.  The music is fun, it's got atmosphere, and the performances are terrific.  I've always been a fan of Jean Simmons, and her scenes at the nightclub in Havana and singing "If I Were a Bell" are just a joy to watch.  Not only that, but Marlon Brando looks dang good in it.

Still in a tuneful mood, I followed that up with another fave - "The Music Man".  Having lived in Iowa, it always gives me a good feeling.  The songs are fun, and Meredith Willson just nails small town life.  Robert Preston is the definitive Harold Hill (do you hear that Matthew Broderick?), and if he were around today, I would totally love to be scammed by him.

So Long Kid Twist

To start us off today, I wanted to mention the passing of a terrific character actor, Harold Gould.  Even if you recognize the name, you'd probably recognize the face.  He was probably most known for playing Rhoda's father on "Rhoda", and for playing Rose's boyfriend on "The Golden Girls".  But my favorite role of his was in one of my all-time favorites, "The Sting" (Best Picture 1973).  "The Sting" is a heist movie known mostly for bringing Redford and Newman back together on-screen, as well as for Marvin Hamlisch's fabulous rag-time score.  But it also has a host of terrific actor's, among them Harold Gould in the role of Kid Twist. In the movie, Kid Twist is a kind of right-hand man for Newman's character of Henry Gondorf.  He hires the gang, rents the furniture and sets up the wire store, and helps to rope in the evil mark, Doyle Lonegan.  It's a fun part, and Harold Gould is terrific in it.  

If you haven't seen "The Sting", and you're a fan of heist movies, I hope you'll check it out.  It's fun, funny, suspenseful, and it stars two of the handsomest men ever to be in movies.

Welcome!

I've been considering for awhile the addition of another blog.  Tracie's World is perfect for sharing what's going on in my life in general, but I felt it would be fun to have a forum where I can talk about just movies (most of you know that I am a BIG movie fan).  I'll share thoughts on my favorites, movies I've seen recently, movie stars and movie history.  Hopefully this will be a place where you can feel comfortable sharing your comments and recommendations on movies as well.

So welcome, and I hope you enjoy.  Ready, set, ACTION!