August 4, 2007

The Movie Theater Mall : Small World


Anywhere, anytime, anyhow


It's a small world of laughter,
It's a small world of tears.

It's a small world of hopes,
It's a small world of fear.

There's so much that we all share that it's time we're aware it's a small world after all.

Small world at your fingertips.



The Movie Theater Mall

August 2, 2007

The Movie Theater Mall : The Great Race(1965)

Director: Blake Edwards

STARS :
Jack Lemmon ... ……Professor Fate/Prince Hapnik
Tony Curtis ......... Leslie 'The Great Leslie' Gallant III
Natalie Wood ......... Maggie DuBois
Peter Falk ......... Maximillian 'Max' Meen
Keenan Wynn ……... Hezekiah Sturdy
Arthur O'Connell ......... Henry Goodbody
Vivian Vance ……... Hester Goodbody
Dorothy Provine ……... Lily Olay
Larry Storch ... Texas Jack
Ross Martin ……... Baron Rolfe von Stuppe
George Macready ......... General Kuhster
Marvin Kaplan ……... Frisbee
Hal Smith ……... Mayor of Boracho
These are what critics said about the movie:
Professional daredevil and white-suited hero, The Great Leslie, convinces turn-of-the-century auto makers that a race from New York to Paris (westward across America, the Bering Straight and Russia) will help to promote automobile sales. Leslie's arch-rival, the mustached and black-attired Professor Fate vows to beat Leslie to the finish line in a car of Fate's own invention.

The Blake Edwards style of slapstick and song originated with this movie. A dedication to Laurel and Hardy appears at the beginning of the film. Edwards' tribute to Stan and Ollie can be seen most clearly in the interaction between Professor Fate and his cohort Max, as well as in the operatic Pottsdorf pie fight.
As the race gets under way, Fate eliminates all the other contestants through nefarious means except for feminist Maggie Dubois. But when her car breaks down, she's forced to ride with Leslie, who has his hands full trying to avoid being obliterated by the artillery-laden Hannibal 8 that carries Fate. After getting into a brawl in the wild West and riding an ice floe across the Bering Strait to Siberia, Fate kidnaps Maggie, and the racing teams make an extended sojourn in Carpania as Edwards parodies THE PRISONER OF ZENDA. Then the dastardly Baron von Shtuppe tries to take advantage of Fate's resemblance to their ruler, Prince Hapnick, to start a revolution. This enjoyable, out-of-control spectacle, loaded with hysterical sight gags and routines from the silent comedy era, features good work from Lemmon, Martin, and Peter Falk as Fate's henchman, Max. The film was the basis for the WACKY RACES animated children's series.
The Sweetheart Tree
Words & Music by Johnny Mercer & Henry Mancini
Recorded by Henry Mancini, 1965
From the movie "The Great Race"

G7 C Em Dm7 G
They say there's a tree in the forest,
C Am7 Dm7 G
A tree that will give you a sign;
Fdim Am Em F C
Come along with me to the Sweetheart Tree,
C/B Am D7 Dm7/G G7
Come and carve your name next to mine.

G9 C Em F Dm7/G
They say if you kiss the right sweetheart,
G7 C C7 F Cdim
The one you've been waiting for,
C Gm7 C7 F Cdim
Big blossoms of white will burst into sight
C Dm7 G7 C
And your love will be true evermore.

July 30, 2007

The Movie Theater Mall : Every Night At Eight

Producer: Walter Wanger
Director: Raoul Walsh
Screenplay: Gene Towne, Graham Baker and Bert Hanlon(based on the story "Three On a Mike" by Stanley Garvey)
Art Director: Alexander ToluboffCostume Design: Helen Taylor
Cinematography: James Van TreesFilm Editing: W. Donn Hayes
Stars :
George Raft as "Tops" Cardona
Alice Faye as Dixie Dean
Patsy Kelly as Daphne O'Connor
Frances Langford as Susan Moore
Jimmy Hollywood, Henry Taylor, Eddie Bartell as The Three Radio Rogues
Harry Barris as Snorky
Musical Program:
Take It Easy (Alice Faye, Frances Langford and Patsy Kelly)
Speaking Confidentially (Alice Faye)
I'm in the Mood for Love (Frances Langford)
Every Night at Eight (Alice Faye, Frances Langford and Patsy Kelly)
I Feel a Song Comin' On (production number - Alice Faye, Harry Barris, Chorus)
Then You've Never Been Blue (Frances Langford)
Alice Faye, Patsy Kelly and Frances Lanford are "The Swanee Sisters," and their friends and co-workers think they're pretty good. They use the boss' dictaphone to make a demo tape, but they get caught in that act and fired. Out of work, they decide it's as good a time as any to pursue their entertainment career. At a local talent contest, they meet up with band-leader, George Raft, who has his own band. They win at last.

However, the girls lose the prize money to band-leader. But they team up with him, and become "The Three Swanee Sisters". The girls soon become radio's singing sensation appearing on the air every night at eight. As time goes by, Langford as Susan has fallen in love with the "all work and no play"-George Raft as Cardova - but fails to realize this until after the team take a temporary walk out. Nevertheless, they come back by the end after he realizes he isn't any good without the girls vocalizing him, and save him from starting to fall.

That’s all for the movie. But who can forget one of the unforgettable songs. I bring for you here….right below!

I'm In the Mood for Love
Words & Music by Jimmy McHugh & Dorothy Fields, 1935
Recorded by Frances Langford, 1936 (#5 on the Hit Parade)
From the movie "Every Night at Eight"
D G6 A7 D
I'm in the mood for love, simply because you're near me.
F#m7 Fdim Em7 A7 D Em7 A7
Funny, but when you're near me, I'm in the mood for love.
D G6 A7 D
Heaven is in your eyes, bright as the stars we're under;
F#m7 Fdim Em7 A7 D DM7
Oh, is it any wonder I'm in the mood for love?

Bridge:

G6 A7 D Am6 B7
Why stop to think of whether
Em6 A7 D
This little dream might fade?
Bm6 C#7 F#m
We've put our hearts together;
Dm6 C7-5 C7 Gdim Em7 A7
Now we are one, I'm not afraid!
D G6 A7 D
If there's a cloud above, if it should rain, we'll let it;
F#m7 Fdim Em7
But for tonight, forget it!

First time:
A7 D A7
I'm in the mood for love.
Last time:
A7sus4 A7 Gdim D Bm7 G Gdim D
I'm in the mood for love.



July 28, 2007

The Movie Theater Mall : Hit The Deck


STARS

Jane Powell as Susan Smith
Tony Martin as Chief Boatswain's Mate William F. Clark
Debbie Reynolds as Carol Pace
Walter Pidgeon as RAdm. Daniel Xavier Smith
Vic Damone as Rico Ferrari
Gene Raymond as Wendell Craig
Ann Miller as Ginger
Russ Tamblyn as Danny Xavier Smith


Hit the Deck is the second film version of the same-named 1927 hit Broadway musical. Though updated in 1955, the basic plot remains the same. Sailors Tony Martin, Vic Damone and Russ Tamblyn spend their entire shore leave in pursuit of three beautiful gals. Martin is "that way" about Ann Miller, Damone is stuck on Jane Powell, and Russ Tamblyn only has eyes for Debbie Reynolds. Some fun is extracted from the fact that Tamblyn is the son of by-the-book admiral Walter Pidgeon. Additional comedy relief is provided by Alan King (the same!) and Henry Slate as a pair of dumb-dumb shore patrolmen.

Gobs pursuing gals, while on shore leave, was a situation that served musical movies (such as On the Town, Anchors Aweigh, etc.) for years. However, by 1955, it was a situation that needed some new twist if it wasn't to seem shopworn. Hit the Deck's screenplay didn't find that new twist. It also got some bad critics’ comments—one of silly MGM musicals. But it did boast a starry cast that makes the proceedings enjoyable. The women come off rather better than the men, as neither Vic Damone nor Tony Martin was great shakes dramatically. Russ Tamblyn was somewhat better as an actor, and his dancing was energetic. Debbie Reynolds and Ann Miller were even more energetic, raising the roof with their several dance routines, and Jane Powell was bright. Production values were very good, with a finale that for sheer size is breathtaking.
One of all time beautiful songs in Hit The Deck is More Than You Know. You’ll love it --whoever you are.

More Than You Know
Words & Music by Billy Rose / Edward Eliscu / Vincent Youmans
From the Broadway musical "Great Day" (1927)
From the 1930 movie "Hit The Deck" (re-made in 1955)
Recorded by:
Billie Holiday - 1939
Benny Goodman & His Orch. (vocal: Helen Forrest) – 1940
Frank Sinatra-1942
Lena Horne - 1946
Ella Fitzgerald - 1949
Judy Garland - 1958
Pat Boone - 1959
D7+5 G6 D7 G9
More than you know, more than you know,
G7 C Fdim Am
Girl of my heart, I love you so;
Cdim D7 A7 D9 D7 G Em Am7 D7
Lately I find, you're on my mind more than you know.
D7+5 G6 D7 G9
Whether you're right, whether you're wrong,
G7 C Fdim Am
Girl of my heart, I'll string along;
Cdim G E7 A9 D7 G Am G
I need you so, more than you'll ev - er know.

Bridge:

Em6 F#7 Bm
Loving you the way that I do,
Em F#m7 Bm
There's nothing I can do about it;
Gm A7 D Bm7
Loving may be all you can give,
E7 Em7 A7 D7 Fdim D
But Honey I can't live with - out it.
D7+5 G6 D7 G9
Oh how I'd cry, oh how I'd cry
G7 C Fdim Am
If you got tired, and said good-bye;
Cdim G E7 A9 D9 G Em Bm7-5 E7
More than I'd show, more than you'd ev - er know.
Coda:

Cdim G
More than I'd show,
E7 A9 D9 G Em Am7 Cm7 G6
More than you'd ev - er know.

The Movie Theater Mall

July 27, 2007

The Movie Theater Mall : Cover Girl


COVER GIRL
A Columbia Picture (1944)

Producer: Arthur Schwartz
Director: Charles Vidor
Screenplay: Virginia Van Upp, Marion Parsonnet, andPaul Gangelin

From story by Erwin Gelsey


The Stars:

Rita Hayworth as Rusty Parker/Maribelle Hicks
Gene Kelly as Danny McGuire
Lee Bowman as Noel Wheaton
Phil Silvers as Genius


Cover Girl was just the kind of escapist film America wanted in the midst of World War II. It made people forget their troubles for the afternoon. It's full of lighthearted songs, plenty of dancing, and in Technicolor! It's one of the musicals that made Rita Hayworth one of the most popular pin-up girls of World War II.

The score for Cover Girl created by Jerome Kern and Ira Gershwin, which featured the Oscar nominated "Long Ago and Far Away", was a major factor in the film's success. The picture also received four other nominations, including as "Best Color Cinematography" and "Best Interior Color Decoration". Cover Girl is perhaps Rita's most famous musical. The magic she created in the numbers with Gene Kelly is still dazzling musical fans today.

Although the song “Long Ago and Far Away” was a major factor in the film’s success, less people know there were 6 versions of this song. Ira Gershwin wrote the first to sixth with no inspiration. He felt bad for all and was trying to write the new one while there was no time enough left since the show was ready to go.

One day Arthur Schwartz called him, saying that things could wait no more. Ira decided to read the sixth version for Arthur. Fortunately, Arthur liked it and told Ira he needed this version in the show.

That’s it. That’s why we all can have such a beautiful song ever since.

Long Ago And Far Away
Words & Music by Ira Gershwin & Jerome Kern, 1944
Recorded by Glenn Miller, 1944
Sung by Rita Hayworth and Gene Kelly in the Movie

A6 F#m7 Bm7-5 E7 AM7

Long a - go and far away,
Bm7-5 E7 A6
I dreamed a dream one day,
Bm7-5 E7 A6 F#7 Bm7-5 E7
And now that dream is here be-side me;

C Am Dm7 G7 CM7
Long the skies were o-ver-cast,
B7 E+7
But now the clouds have passed;
C#m7-5 Bm7-5 E7
You're here at last!
A6 F#m7 Bm7-5 E7 AM7
Chills run up and down my spine;
Bm7-5 E7 A6
A-lad-din's lamp is mine;
Bm7-5 E7 A6 F#7 Bm7-5 E7
The dream I dreamed was not de - nied me.

Em7 A9sus4 A7 DM7 Dm6
Just one look and then I knew
G9 A6/C# Cdim Bm7-5 E7 A6 Bm7-5 E7
That all I longed for long a-go was you.

Last time:

G9 A6/C# Cdim Bm7-5 E7 A6 D9 BbM7 A
That all I longed for long a-go was you.

July 25, 2007

The Movie Theater Mall : Smile and Someone





Then you’ll come back.

Look at your feet, they’re still there and are your own.

Now, you’ll ask yourself “What’s the use of crying?”

Yes, you can stand proudly on your own feet for whatever reasons.

At the end of the storm there’s a golden sky….Right?!?!?

Trust me, there must be someone waiting for you somewhere, sometimes, somehow.

It’s someone who has always been your spouse throughout your former lives.

Someone who’ll always watch over you!

Smile
Words & Music by John Turner, Geoffrey Parsons & Charles Chaplin
Recorded by Tony Bennett, 1959 (#70)
First used in the 1936 movie "Modern Times"

D D9
Smile, though your heart is aching,
DM7 D9
Smile, even though it's breaking;
D6 Fdim Em Cdim B7
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by
B7sus4 Em B+ Em7 Em6
If you smile through your fear and sorrow,
Gm C9
Smile, and maybe tomorrow
D DM7 D6 Em B+ A6 A7
You'll see the sun come shining through for you.

D D9
Light up your face with gladness,
DM7 D9
Hide ev'ry trace of sadness,
D6 Fdim Em Cdim B7
Although a tear may be ev - er so near,
B7sus4 Em B+ Em7 Em6
That's the time you must keep on trying,
Gm C9
Smile - what's the use of crying?
D9 D DM7 D6 Em B+
You'll find that life is still worth while
A6 A7 D
If you'll just smile.



Someone to Watch Over Me
Words & Music by Ira Gershwin & George Gershwin, 1929
Recorded by Rosemary Clooney

E E7 A6 Cdim
There's a somebody I'm longing to see...
E/G# Gdim B7/F# Fdim C#7
I hope that he turns out to be
F#m Bbm7-5 F#m7 B7 E G#7 AM7 B7
Some - one to watch o - ver me.

E E7 A6 Cdim
I'm a little lamb who's lost in the wood;
E/G# Gdim B7/F# Fdim C#7
I know I could always be good
F#m Bbm7-5 F#m7 B7 E E7 A B7
To one who'll watch over me.

Bridge:

E E7 Bm7-5 A Am7/6 Am7
Although he may not be a man some
E9 E E7/9 E7
Girls think of as handsome,
Gdim Cdim G#7 C#7 F#7 B7
To my heart he carries the key.

E E7 A6 Cdim
Won't you tell him, please, to put on some speed,
E/G# Gdim B7/F# Fdim C#7
Follow my lead, oh, how I need
F#m Bbm7-5 F#m7 B7 E C#7 A Am7/6 Am7 E
Some - one to watch o - ver me

The Movie Theater Mall

July 23, 2007

The Movie Theater Mall : Who can I turn to?


Now, you’ll have to find yourself the answer—“Who can I turn to?”

Will you decide to stay alone, insolently?

No, you won’t!!!!

At first, you’ll have to cry….cry yourself a river. And this is the use of crying since it’ll help you not to stay alone.

Don’t rush yourself to be normal. Take your time to cry as you need—an hour, a day, a month or even a year.

Who Can I Turn To
Words & Music by Leslie Bricusse & Anthony Newley
Recorded by Tony Bennett, 1964 (#33)
From "The Roar of the Greasepaint, The Smell of the Crowd"

CM7 C6 Dm7 G7 Dm7 G7
Who can I turn to when nobody needs me?
C C6 CM7 C
My heart wants to know, and so I must go
Gm Gm7 C9
Where destiny leads me.
F F6
With no star to guide me
FM7 Em7 CM7 Am
And no one beside me,
Am7 FM7 Dm6 Em7
I'll go on my way, and after the day
A7 Dm Dm7 G7
The dark-ness will hide me.

CM7 C6 Dm7 G7
Any maybe tomorrow, I'll find what I'm after;
C C6 CM7 C
I'll throw off my sorrow, beg, steal or borrow
Gm Gm7 C9
My share of laughter.
F F+ Dm6 Am Am+7 Am7
With you I could learn to, with you on a new day;
F C6 Dm7 Fdim G7 C6 Dm7 Fdim G7
But who can I turn to if you turn away.
(Second time)
F C6 Dm7 Fdim G7 C6 Dm7 Fdim CM7 CM7/6
But who can I turn to if you turn away?

The Movie Theater Mall

July 20, 2007

The Movie Theater Mall : It's almost tomorrow

Here comes the Sun.
But wait! Are you sure everything will be alright?
Yes, it’s almost tomorrow and you are still there….alone.
Maybe your dreams and memories would never come true.
Somewhere, sometimes, somehow….fate isn’t looking at you.

It's Almost Tomorrow
Words & Music by Gene Adkinson & Wade Buff
Recorded by The Dream Weavers, 1955 (#7)

E7 A C#m7 D A
My dearest my darling tomorrow is near;
D9 A B7 E7
The sun will bring showers of sadness, I fear.
A C#m7 D A
Your lips won't be smiling; your eyes will not shine,
Bm7 A D9 E7 A
For I know to - mor - row that your love won't be mine

E7 A C#m7 D Cdim A
It's almost tomorrow, but what can I do?
D9 Dm6 A F#7 B7 Cdim E7
Your kisses all tell me that your love is un - true.
A C#m7 D A
I'll love you forever till stars cease to shine,
Bm7-5 Fdim A F#7 D9 E7 Fdim A
And hope some - day, Darling, you'll al - ways be mine.

E7 A C#m7 D Cdim A
Your heart was so warm dear, it now has turned cold;
D9 Dm6 A F#7 B7 Cdim E7
You no longer love me, for your mem' - ries grow old.
E7 A C#m7 D Cdim Dm6 A
It's almost to - mor - row, for here comes the sun
Bm7-5 Dm6 A C#m7-5 F#7 D9 E7 Fdim A
But still I am ho - ping that to - mor - row won't come.

The Movie Theater Mall

July 17, 2007

The Movie Theater Mall : At Dawn

You’ve been sitting all night, watching the sky and finally found something. Then the dawn comes and such “something” is clear in your mind.

It’s clear because you’re going forth across the doorsill where the night world touches the day world.

The light and breeze at dawn have secrets to tell you. Such secrets can help release your mind. That’s why something is clear.

You may ask the dawn for what you really want.

Someone you still love or someone new.

But....believe me, all you want are in your memories.

Memories of You
Words & Music by Andy Razaf & Eubie Blake, 1930
Recorded by The Benny Goodman Trio with Rosemary Clooney 1956 (#20)Also recorded by The Four Coins, 1955 (#22)

D Fdim Em7 Edim D Bm7 E7
Waking skies at sunrise, ev - ry sun - set too,
D9 Bm7 Cdim B7 E7 A9 D A7
Seems to be bringing me memories of you.
D Fdim Em7 Edim D Bm7 E7
Here and there, ev - 'ry - where, scenes that we once knew,
D Em7 Cdim B7 E7 A9 D F#7
And they all just re - call mem - o - ries of you.
Bridge:

Bm G7 Bm Bm7-5 E7
How I wish I could forget those happy yes - ter - years;
Bm Bm7/E E7/9 E7 A7 Em7 A7
That have left a ro - sa - ry of tears.
D Fdim Em Edim D Bm7-5 E7
Your face beams in my dreams, in spite of all I do,
D Em7 Cdim B7 E7 A9 D
And ev - 'ry - thing seems to bring mem - o - ries of you.

July 16, 2007

The Movie Theater Mall : Midnight

Until midnight, your heart may remind you of something. Then you'll remember again about someone, midnight sky and stars. Everything will be so clear in your mind.

It was a very sweet time, isn't it????

Ask yourself! GO Midnight.

Midnight, The Stars and You
Words & Music by Jimmy Campbell, Reg Connelly & Harry Woods
Recorded by The Ray Noble Band, Al Bowly vocal, 1932

DM7 D6 DM7 D6 G GM7 G6 G5
Mid - night, with the stars and you;
A7sus4 A7 Em7 A7 Dalt Fdim(IV) G Gdim
Mid - night, and a ren - dez - vous.
Fdim(IV) G Gdim B7 E7/9 E7
Your eyes held a mes - sage ten - der,
Bm7-5 E7/6 E7 G/B A7 Em7 A7 A7+5
Say - ing, "I sur - ren - der all my love to you."
DM7 D6 DM7 D6 G GM7 G6 G5
Mid - night brought us sweet ro - mance,
A7sus4 A7 Em7 A7 B7 Cdim B7
I know all my whole life through
G9 Gdim Gm7
I'll be re - mem - ber - ing you,
DM7 F#7 B7
What - ev - er else I do,
Em7 A7 Em7 Em7/9 A7 D
Mid - night with the stars and you

The Movie Theater Mall

July 14, 2007

The Movie Theater Mall : Count Every Star


And then the night comes. You may hear something in the air. You'll finally find it's your heart. Your heart is singing. But I'm not so sure since sometimes your heart is crying rather than singing, isn't it?



COUNT EVERY STAR
Music and Lyrics by : Bruno Coquatrix / Sammy Gallop / Michel
Sung by : Linda Scott

Count every star in the midnight sky
Count every rose, every firefly
For that's how many times I miss you
Heaven knows I miss you



Count every leaf on a willow tree
Count every wave on a stormy sea
Count every star and darling when you do
You'll know the times I have cried for you

The Movie Theater Mall

July 11, 2007

The Movie Theater Mall : Twilight Time

Maybe somewhere between Sun set and Moon rise is twilight. You may sit by the window, watching the sky listlessly. Then you may know at last at twilight time. That’s the time you miss her/him….most of all.

Say a pray for yourself each day to be with your beloved one together again.


July 10, 2007

The Movie Theater Mall : Somewhere between Sun set and Moon rise

Below is one of my beautiful favorite songs :
Somewhere Along the Way
-Artist: Nat King Cole
-Peak Billboard position #8 in 1952
-Words by Sammy Gallop and Music by Kurt Adams
I used to walk with you
Along the avenue
Our hearts were carefree and gay
How could I know I'd lose you
Somewhere along the way?
The friends we used to know
Would always smile "Hello"
No love like our love they'd say
Then love slipped through our fingers
Somewhere along the way
I should forget
But with the loneliness of night I start remembering ev'rything
You're gone and yet
There's still a feeling deep inside
That you will always be part of me
So now I look for you
Along the avenue
And as I wander I pray
That some day soon I'll find you
Somewhere along the way
Somewhere along ....the way
But we all don't know "Where?" Maybe it's somewhere between Sun set and Moon rise that you and I can find our beloved one.

July 7, 2007

The Movie Theater Mall : Walking by the lake

There are many good movies available through web sites. However, it can’t be denied that you may find some wicked movie as well. Both types of movies are marketable. In order to find the best thing, you should find and sift through such movie sites.

Some movies retain a somewhat timeless appeal and can remain marketable for longer period. Some are only new fresh ones and can’t remain marketable longer than 5 years.

So, please take your time, walking by the lake (with your dearly beloved) and keep your eyes out for the best one somewhere.


Walk along the lake with someone you love.

The Movie Theater Mall



July 6, 2007

Comment@The Movie Theater Mall

The followings are some kind of good comments:

“Some movies must be seen in a theater, on the silver screen. Or they have created such a splash that you'll feel foolish if you wait for them to reach the video rental stores. Other titles look fine on a television screen and don't demand to be seen right away. Learning to distinguish between the two types will save you money, time and aggravation."
But most of all, how do you know it’s a good movie????

July 4, 2007

Words and Music@The Movie Theater Mall



Mickey Rooney ... Lorenz Hart
Tom Drake ... Richard Rodgers
Perry Como ... Eddie Lorrison Anders
Ann Sothern ... Joyce Harmon
Betty Garrett ... Peggy McNeil
Janet Leigh ... Dorothy Feiner
Marshall Thompson ... Herbert Fields
Jeanette Nolan ... Mrs. Hart
Richard Quine ... Bob Feiner, Jr.
Clinton Sundberg ... Shoe Clerk
Harry Antrim ... Dr. Rodgers
Ilka Gruning ... Mrs. Rodgers

And

Guest Stars:
June Allyson, Judy Garland, Lena Horne, Gene Kelly, Cyd Charisse, Mel Torme, Vera-Ellen, Dee Turnell, Emory Parnell, Helen Spring, Edward Earl, Allyn McLerie, The Blackburn Twins


Words and Music (MGM 1948) is a biographical musical based on the partnership of Richard Rodgers (played by Tom Drake) and Lorenz Hart (played by Mickey Rooney).Though apparently inaccurate, as are most musical biographies, it is a very enjoyable tribute to the wonderful music of this fabulous duo.

Right! The film doesn’t tell us the story of Rodgers and Hart than that it does. Lorenz Hart was known as a gay dwarf. He was twenty-four when he met sixteen-year-old Richard Rodgers in 1919. He took one look and fell instantly in love, an emotion that was not taken mutually. Rodgers was tall, athletic, and straight. He was a hard worker, aloof and distant. His one real enthusiasm seemed to be earning millions of dollars by writing dozens of great popular songs. Hart, on the other hand, hated working. In fact, Rodger’s real job was getting Hart to work. Hart loved to drink excessively. He died a furious alcoholic at forty-seven; not lying death on the sidewalk as we saw in the film according to pneumonia.

The plot of Words and Music is also deadly. Anyway, when the music starts, the stars come out. At their best, it was believed that Rodgers and Hart was a match for the Gershwins, Cole Porter, and Irving Berlin.

There’s a rumor that MGM had not planned on having Judy Garland in Words and Music, the film’s director offered her $50,000 to help with her medical bills if she would guest star for one number. Although she was on the verge of collapse, her performance was so well received that the director offered her another $50,000 to film an encore number.

This was the last time Judy and Mickey would appear in a film together. The duo sings and dances “I Wish I Were in Love Again”.
This was Mickey's last film for MGM, too.

Some other highlights are Perry Como and Allyn McLerie in "Mountain Greenery," June Allyson's "Thou Swell," Lena Horne’s “Where or When” and Gene Kelly and Vera-Ellen's interpretive ballet, "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue."

Although many critics have attacked the film because it refuses to pay attention to the facts, we’d have to accept that this is a lovely tribute to the old time musical.

Another highlight is

There's A Small Hotel
Words & Music by Lorenz Hart & Richard Rodgers
Sung by Betty Garrett

DM7 D6 DM7 D D6 A7 DM7 D D9
There's a small ho - tel with a wish - ing well,
Em7 Em7sus4 A7 A DM7/9 Bm7 G6 Edim
I wish that we were there to - geth - er;
DM7 D6 DM7 D D6 A7 DM7 D D9
There's a bri - dal suite, one room bright and neat,
Em7 Em7sus4 A7 A Am7 D9 Am7 D7
Com - plete for us to share to - geth - er.
Bridge:

G Em Am7 D7
Looking through the win - dow,
G6 Edim Am7 B7
You can see a dis - tant stee - ple
Em B7 Em B7 C Em Bbm7-5 A7
Not a sign of peo - ple -- who wants peo - ple?
DM7 D6 DM7 D D6 A7 DM7 D D9
When the stee - ple bell says, "Good night, sleep well,"
Em7 Em7sus4 A7 A Am7 D9 Am7 D7
We'll thank the small ho - tel to - geth - er.

July 2, 2007

Mardi Gras@The Movie Theater Mall


Christine Carère - Michelle Marton
Tommy Sands - Barry Denton
Sheree North - Eadie
Gary Crosby - Tony Runkle
Fred Clark – Curtis

Please consider the following plot description:

“The plot is set in motion when a group of Virginia Military Institute cadets organize a raffle: the "prize" is French movie star Michelle Marton (Christine Carere), queen of the New Orleans Mardi Gras. On his own, cadet Pat Newell (Pat Boone) meets and falls in love with Michelle, not knowing her true identity. The cause of True Romance is nearly compromised by the raffle and by Hollywood publicity hacks, but by film's end everything works out fine. ”

One might think this film is great for young girls. It has a lot of morals in it, which may not meet with the today’s life. It is fun to watch as well as listen to good music.

However, I think it’s a grade B musical with a difficult to believe plot. It’s so boring even I’m trying to cheer myself up according to Pat Boone. The only one thing left for us all is the sweet song “I’ll remember to night”. Just only one! Believe me!

Here you are!

I’ll Remember Tonight
Music & Lyrics by Sammy Fain and Paul Webster
Sung by Pat Boone

I'll remember tonight
That lovely melody we danced to
The sweet confusion when we met
We never spoke a word
And yet we knew

I'll remember your smile
The way it warmed me in the moonlight
The way my heart began to melt
The strange affection that I felt for you

To think that only a moment ago
We were no more than strangers
And now my heart tells me that we are strangers no more

So what ever be false
Our little world of joys and sorrows
I'll remember tonight
For a thousand and one tomorrows

The Movie Theater Mall

June 30, 2007

Carefree@The Movie Theater Mall


Fred Astaire ... Tony Flagg
Ginger Rogers ... Amanda Cooper
Ralph Bellamy ... Stephen Arden
Luella Gear ... Aunt Cora
Jack Carson ... Thomas Connors

CAREFREE (1938) is a different kind of Rogers-Astaire film in many ways, particularly it is more a screwball comedy than a musical. And this is a Ginger Roger’s show time, not Fred’s. The film features only four Irving Berlin’s musical numbers. Anyway, I think it's a good movie played by Rogers-Astaire despite it’s got underrated by many critics. You’ll see some kind of highly amusing about how Rogers toys with Astaire at the beginning of the film, and then once he begins hypnosis, they have one of the best dance scenes ever seen between them. Their magic together is astonishing and bewildering throughout all time.

Here is one of Irving Berlin’s best songs in this film.

Change Partners
Words & Music by Irving Berlin
Sung by Fred Astaire in the film
D6 Cdim
Must you dance every dance
Em7 Gdim A7
With the same fortunate man?
F#m Cdim Em7 A7
You have danced with him since the music began.
Em7 A7 G Edim A7 D6 Cdim A7 A7+5
Won't you change partners and dance with me?
D6 Cdim
Must you dance quite so close
Em7 Gdim A7
With your lips touching his face?
F#m Cdim Em7 A7
Can't you see I'm longing to be in his place?
Em7 A7 G Edim A7 Gdim D
Won't you change part - ners and dance with me?
Bridge:
G G/F# Em B+ Am7 D7
Ask him to sit this one out while you're alone,
G G/F# Em B+ A7 Em7 D9 A7
I'll tell the waiter to tell him he's wanted on the telephone.
D6 B7
You've been locked in his arms
Em7 Gdim B7
Ever since heaven-knows-when.
F#m Cdim Em7 A7
Won't you change partners and then,
Em7 A7 G Edim A7 D
You may never want to change part - ners again.

June 28, 2007

An American in Paris@The Movie Theater Mall


Gene Kelly ... Jerry Mulligan
Leslie Caron ... Lise Bouvier
Oscar Levant ... Adam Cook
Georges Guétary ... Henri Baurel

and

Nina Foch ... Milo Roberts


An American in Paris(1951)
My mom told this story to me:
“People drew in the breath sharply, as from shock, when the announcement of the main Academy Award echoed through the theater. But then, all the critics recovered and erupted into applause.”

For me, it’s so strange because despite the genius of Gershwin songs particular a beautiful ballad getting along with a couple ballet on the Bank of the Seine, some reviewer called this film, “too fancy and overblown”.

Although getting bad reviews, An American in Paris remains one of the Hollywood’s greatest musicals compared with such the same movie type like “Singing in the Rain” as well as the Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers films.

O.K.! I think it’s too fancy and overblown, but things are completely compensated by such a beautiful ballad on the Bank of the Seine. Yes, it’s”Our love is here to stay”. This is the last George Gershwin’s song which he would never finish. He’d died before but Oscar Levant and friends remembered the type and helped finish later. The beautiful melody got the beautiful lyrics from Ira Gershwin.

Here you are!


Our Love Is Here to Stay
Words & Music by George & Ira Gershwin

F Fm
It's very clear
Fdim G7 C C/B Am
Our love is here to stay
Am/G Dm7 G G+ E7 Bm7-5 E7
Not for a year, but ever and a day
F Dm7
The radio and the telephone
C C/B Am
And the movies that we know
F Dm7 G#7 G7
May just be passing fancies and in time may go

F Fm
But oh my dear
Fdim G7 C C/B Am7 Am7/G
Our love is here to stay
Dm7 G G+ E7 Bm7-5 E7
Together we're going a long long way
F G
In time the Rockies may crumble,
C Am
Gibraltar may tumble--
F Fm Fdim
They're only made of clay, but
C A7 G Fdim Dm7 G#7 G7
Our love is here to stay.
(instrumental interlude --first 2 lines of last verse)
F G
In time the Rockies may crumble,
C Am
Gibraltar may tumble--
F Fm Fdim
They're only made of clay, but
C A7 G Fdim C A7 G#7 G7
Our love is here to, our love is here to
Dm7 G Dm7 C Fdim C
Our love is here to stay.

The Movie Theater Mall

June 26, 2007

Holiday Inn@The Movie Theater Mall

Jim Hardy <=> Bing Crosby
Ted Hanover <=> Fred Astaire
Lila Dixon <=> Virginia Dale
Linda Mason <=> Marjorie Reynolds

HOLIDAY INN (Paramount, 1942), directed by Mark Sandrich, with adaptation by Elmer Rice and based on the idea by The Great Irving Berlin, stars crooner Bing Crosby and dancer Fred Astaire for the first time.
Here is an excellent chance to see another movie that picks up great swing band music, singing, and dancing. It is an entertaining movie. Being born brother to the star Bing may have given Bob Crosby and his band the job of doing such a "musical treatments" for everyone who watched and watches the film.
With Astaire and Crosby what more can we ask for? We all not only get two of them, but also gain the bonus of a great band as mentioned and a wonderful cast of supporting players as well as movie’s Christmas script that isn't excessively sentimental.
Finally, everyone knows the songs "White Christmas" or even "Easter Parade" is deserved lasting. But should one recognize other excellent Irving Berlin’s songs? Yes, he’d written more than two very good ones. Here’s the other one you’ll love.

Be Careful, It's My Heart
Words & Music by Irving Berlin .
Recorded by Bing Crosby, 1942 (#2) from the movie "Holiday Inn"

Em7 A7/9 G/B A7 D6 B7
Be careful, it's my heart.

Em7 G/B A7 Edim D6 B7
It's not my watch you're holding, it's my heart.

D DM7 D7 Cdim(IV) Gm7 Edim D
It's not the note I sent you that you quickly burned.

F Dm7 E7 A7
It's not the book I lent you that you never returned.

Em7 A7/9 G/B A7 D6 B7
Be careful, it's my heart.

Em7 G/B A7 Edim B7
The heart with which so willingly I part.

G Gm7 Gdim Edim
It's yours to take to keep or break,

D6 C#m7-5 B7
But please, before you start,

G G/F# Em7 A7 A7+5 D
Be careful, it's my heart.

The Movie Theater Mall