Remembering Roz 35 Years Later

Rosalind Russell died 35 years ago today, on November 28, 1976. This seems rather significant because 35 years is a long time. Sometimes I can't believe that she had already been dead just over 13 years when I was born. I was clearly born in the wrong era, but I am glad I was able to get to know her through her films. I am very appreciative for TCM for providing me with most of her films, as well as DVDs that have already been released. More and more seem to be coming out on DVD recently, and that's a great thing!

I have not been able to watch a film in her honor today, but I hope to watch one soon--at her comedic best because this is how she is best remembered. A friend of mine suggested A Woman of Distinction because it's her favorite one so far, and now I kind of want to watch that one, too. It's hilarious with all the physical comedic stunts (which I have always loved--hello, I Love Lucy fan here!) and of course, I love the eventual romance that develops in the film.

Anyway, on this day, I wanted to share a video with you all that my dear, dear friend Irina made in honor of this day today. It is a video to remember Roz and it is dedicated to me--how sweet is that! It is actually the third Roz video that has been dedicated to me... haha! :)

Enjoy--I think it is really lovely!

"Evelyn Prentice" --A Good Start

Howdy folks,

I see from the results of the first poll that Hildy Johnson is the favorite character. Good choice, all J Mame Dennis is my personal favorite, in case you were wondering. I watched the movie Evelyn Prentice about a week ago. It is from 1934 and stars William Powell and Myrna Loy, my favorite on-screen couple. Of course I’ve seen this movie several times already because not only is it a Bill and Myrna film, but it was Roz’s screen debut. While Roz is gone within the first 15 minutes of the movie and comes off as somewhat of a “homewrecker,” it is very interesting to see her in her first movie at the age of 27.

I remember reading that she did not quite know how the movie business worked, having been in summer stock up until that point. Bill Powell had to tell her that she could not just simply walk into the scene and walk out. She had to stop on the marked spots on the ground. The shot had to be just right, after all, hence the marks on the floor.

One thing I notice in this film is how low and soft Roz’s voice is. It is not quite the voice we are probably used to—that loud voice full of excitement and energy, ready to instill laughter at any given moment. I am glad she went on to her famous comedic roles, but “Evelyn Prentice” was a still a good start for her. I believe the small roles she received in the first few years at MGM probably gave her plenty of time to hone her acting skills in a variety of roles, from drama to comedy. Another thing that stood out to me was how her dark clothing (her character is a widow) looked with her equally dark hair and eyes. Very interesting effect and she did well her first time up at bat.

On a last note, Bill and Myrna are as adorable as ever, although this is more drama than comedy. The last courtroom scene with Myrna crying on the witness stand always moves me. She just breaks my heart in that scene!

I’m signing off for now, friends. See you later :)

Roz Accepting Award for Helen Hayes

Yesterday, I found new footage of Roz I had never seen. It is from the year 1971 and she accepts an award for Helen Hayes, who was not present. She says a few words and is charming as always. You can catch a glimpse of her husband, too, who is sitting next to her. If you haven't seen this clip yet, enjoy!

Roz Accepting Award for Helen Hayes - 1971

Sorry, I guess I'm not an expert on attaching a video, here's the link ;) Toodles!

FIRST POLL: Roz Characters

I am watching Auntie Mame, my favorite movie, today. It is a very gloomy day here. I haven't seen the sun at all, but the cloudy sky is a good reason to watch a movie. And my favorite kind of movie to watch on a day like this is a comedy!

I wanted to know what your favorite Roz character is from this very first poll (COMEDY characters). I have never done a poll before and please tell me how you like it :) More polls in the future seem like they would be fun to do!

And of course, if there is a comedic character that you like even better than the ones in the poll, please say so in the comments.

Ta-ta, dahlings! <3

My favorite in my hometown...

Hello, folks…

Say, have you ever eaten something so delicious that you feel angels in heaven are dancing in your mouth? That it’s purely paradise?! I feel like that right now. Ben & Jerry’s just came out with a new ice cream flavor, Red Velvet Cake. It is amazing. Go ahead and try it if you live in the United States :) I eat a red velvet cake for my birthday every single year. That’s how in love with it I am. I realize that this is a bit off-topic for my blog, but I digress.

I don’t know how you feel about your favorite actor/actress (I am not going to assume it is Rosalind Russell just because you follow my blog!), but I absolutely delight in the fact that Roz has actually visited (no matter how accidental) the town in which I live. I’ll forever remember the story I read in a newspaper archive from 1935, I believe. She was on her way to Agua Caliente, which is right near the border of California and Mexico. However, she was driving herself down there from Los Angeles and she had a bit of car trouble. I distinctly remember her being quoted as stopping in “a little village called Vista” as she was running out of gas. She coasted her car down a big hill until she reached a small gas station. The gas station clerk asked her for the money to pay to fill up her car with gasoline. Another problem though—Roz did not have any money with her. So what did she do? She told the clerk who she was (no, that doesn’t always get you 100% out of things) and gave the clerk her fur stole as a “down payment” for the gas. I imagine since she gave a down payment (collateral?!) for her gas, she gave the money later? Or did she let the clerk keep her fur stole as a souvenir of meeting Rosalind Russell? Haha.

I laugh to myself every time I think of the “little village” of Vista that she ended up in. I have not been living in Vista very long (although I did live here and go to school here when I was very young), but I love this town and the fact that Roz, my idol, got lost here is so funny. No matter if she is acting on the screen or not, Roz never fails to amuse me. By the way, Vista is no little village anymore! Practically any town in the county of San Diego in southern California would not be considered a village because there are too many people here (and too many people who want to live here). But I can’t help but think of this little anecdote when I pass a heavily trafficked street in Vista called Vista Village Drive. I think… Was Roz in this area? Where was that little gas station? Trivial things, but fun.

My dear Vista "Village"

If you have any stories like this (because I’m sure we all idolize someone famous…), please tell me! And share with all of us… I’d love to hear it.

I’ll go back to the paradise that is in this carton of ice cream now… It was nice to write something to all of you… Thank you to Renata for inspiring me again… I just may try writing a film review and see how that goes!

P.S. I should share some more stories about Roz's mishaps with automobiles, haha.

Take care, friends! <3 

Roz, the Fashion Model

You know, I've always noticed that Roz wore clothes very well. You have no idea how many times I wished I could wear clothes as well as she could. I found some gorgeous publicity photos while searching the Web tonight. Just thought I'd share with you all!

"Take a Letter, Darling"

"Four's a Crowd"

"Flight for Freedom"

"What a Woman!"

And just for fun... here's a photo of Roz with her husband Freddie. I love this picture!

June 4 -- Rosalind Russell's birthday

Happy birthday to Roz yesterday :) 

She was born June 4, 1907, so she would have been 104 yesterday. I watched 2 of her films in honor of her birthday yesterday--His Girl Friday and Gypsy. These are two of my favorites that I hadn't watched in a while. One is a brilliant comedy and one is a musical drama (in which I believe Roz played her role perfectly). 

Hats off to Rosalind!

Roz Signing Autographs...

It's not too often you see a picture of Roz at home, least of all signing autographs... I think I've hardly found a photo of her signing an autograph, except maybe for the soldiers. Sure, she did it. I just haven't seen many photos of her doing so, haha. 


I love this photo someone found for me. Note the framed photograph of Roz and her husband leaving for their honeymoon:

Followers...

I like seeing the "20 followers" next to my blog when I log onto blogger.com. However, I know that one of the followers is me, "Desiree," haha. So I technically only have 19 and have to wait till it reaches 21, but how nice to see that number! :)

Rosalind Russell Marathon on TCM

They are showing a marathon of Roz's movies tomorrow (05/25) from 6:15  am EST (3:15 am PST) to 8 pm EST (5 pm PST). I'm in! Are you? :) I consider this marathon a treat after working so hard at school, haha! They are playing a great lineup of films, in my opinion:

6:15 am EST/3:15 am PST


Four's a Crowd

8:00 am EST/5:00 am PST

Fast and Loose:

9:30 am EST/6:30 am PST

My Sister Eileen:

11:15 am EST/8:15 am PST

Sister Kenny:

1:15 pm EST/10:15 am PST

Never Wave at a WAC:

2:45 pm EST/11:45 am PST

Auntie Mame:

5:15 pm EST/2:15 pm PST

A Majority of One:

Unfortunately, I can't technically be there during the entire marathon real time because I live in the west coast ;) Kind of early! Haha, but I will watch as much as possible and these are great films, even my absolute favorite (AUNTIE MAME).

I am still here!

Hello everyone!


Contrary to what you might think, I am still alive. It looks like I may have been on a bit of a hiatus from my blog here. I had no idea school would take up as much time as it did. I don't even have time to watch movies anymore. (What a shocker!) Well, the dreadful semester will be over in 2 weeks. I am looking forward to May 19, my last final :) Anyway, do my fellow Americans know about the Rosalind Russell marathon on TCM on Wednesday, May 25? I am looking forward to that! What a great way to end the semester. Anyhoo, I thought I would start something new.... I was thinking of doing a periodic poll on my blog relating to different things (usually having to do with Roz, but maybe about other things as well...)


What do you all think? :)

I hope we haven't lost too many of you! ;)

New Photos

Well, these are the photos I bought from Larry Edmund's bookstore when I was in L.A. (http://www.larryedmunds.com). Just a few with her son that I'd never seen before.

Trip to L.A.

Hello, everyone. Well, I went up to L.A. this weekend, starting on Thursday and came back yesterday afternoon. I had the wonderful opportunity to meet two online friends who are classic movie fans like me. I have known them almost a year and it was an amazing experience I will never forget! 


While I was there, I saw several things related to Roz--her grave, her house, her footprints and handprints at Grauman's Chinese Theater, her star on the Walk of Fame, and the church she went to, which was down a few blocks from her house. It was really fun and here are some pictures of those things...

And YES, this huge thing is all Roz's grave!

Roz at Elizabeth Taylor's Wedding...

I realized I have only seen one photo of Roz with Elizabeth Taylor.... I wish I knew more about any relationship between the two, but as of now, I only have the evidence of the photo... Elizabeth was so young at the time. 

(I'm still a little sad over Liz's death).

Elizabeth Taylor (1932-2011)

I think this is the first time I've written a post that is non-Roz. But when I heard the news this morning that Liz Taylor had died, I had tears in my eyes. She was one of my favorites and I was shocked at the news, even knowing her condition. I think she was the most beautiful actress I have ever seen and she wasn't just beauty like many were. She had brains, too, and talent. You'll agree with me if you have seen her in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" I was blown away by her performance and the ending makes me cry along with her every time. She was truly amazing, gorgeous, and a true star in the best sense of the word.

Rest in peace, Liz. We'll never forget you.

"Rosalind Attracts Laughs Both on, off Movie Set" from November 8, 1942

I think if you press on each one, you can see it in a new window a little bit bigger :)

Favorite film?

Hello, everyone! Well, spring break is almost here (finally). 


I was curious.... what is your favorite Rosalind Russell film and why? :)

Another find on the good ol' newspaper archive

These two items are from 1925 and 1926 when Roz was only 18 years old. Very cool! :) She was attending Marymount College at the time.