Movies in LALA Land

So for my brother's Senior trip my family went to Los Angeles, California. I have two things to say about it 1) The city is absolutely awful and I hate it and 2) the trip was a lot of fun!

While there we toured three movie studios: Sony (who bought out Columbia), Warner Brothers and Paramount. Lots of classic movies were made in these three studios. We even got to see Lucille Balls office! It was lots of fun. We were shown places where the Brady Bunch was filmed, and discussed different old stars that had contracts with certain studios and explored the world of film. It was great!

During the old days studios pretty much owned their actors. Nowadays actors act at any studio the movie they are making is being filmed. However, back in the day an actor or actress signed a contract, for whatever amount of time, to "stay true" (so to speak) to one certain studio. They were paid a certain amount and basically sat around the studio from 8 to 5 every day waiting for a job to drop into their lap. Big name actors usually had a sort of "living quarters" where they spent their time when they were filming a movie. Once they were hired for a movie they would spend several weeks on the film then the lull would start all over.

If there was a studio that wanted a certain actor, but didn't have a contract with them, the studio that did have the contract with that particular actor could "lend them out". For example, say Cary Grant was signed on with Columbia but Universal wanted him for a movie, Columbia would share him while the movie was being made. This could be costly for Universal as they would have to pay both Cary Grant and Columbia. With the way movies are made now, though, is much more flexible for both the studios and the actors.

Back in the Golden Age of movie making studios could film anywhere from 20 to 30 movies in a year. Now movies are made much more slowly and carefully to make them just right and make sure they are quality, and in the end most studios only shoot 4 to 7 movies a year.

I suggest that if people were to visit LA they take at least one tour of a movie studio. I also suggest that it's not Universal as that is more of an amusement park, and less of the "real deal". Have any questions of the history of filming movies? Please leave a comment!

Autopsy Report: Myths and Truths, You Decide

There are thousands of Elvis fans to this day. For those who were alive when he died there was great devastation. Many couldn't believe it, many didn't want to believe it, and some strongly believed it wasn't true. Whether it was because they were doubters, knew it for a fact or were so in love with the rock'n'roll king that they convinced themselves he was still alive is a mystery. So here I present to you facts and stories and will let you take away from this what you want. Enjoy.

On August 16th, 1977 Elvis Aaron Presley died.

It is believed Elvis had had a late night dentist appointment on the night of the 15th, and went home to Graceland to finish some final details on a tour he was starting on the 17th. He went to bed at about 7 in the morning to rest up for his evening flight. While getting ready for bed he must have died. He was living with his fiancee, Ginger, but they were staying in separate rooms, so no one was with him during his final hours.

Some reports indicate that Elvis was naked and in the bathroom when he died, while others say he was in blue pajamas and in his dressing room. It's also possible that he was in blue pajamas in the bathroom or naked in his dressing room. Nevertheless he was discovered by his then fiancee, Ginger.

He was found in the afternoon and there was an attempt to revive him. Later it was believed that he had been dead for several hours before he was found, and resuscitating would have been pointless. Police said there appeared to be no "foul play".

Autopsy reports said that he had anywhere from 8-14 drugs in his system. Some people believed he died of a drug overdose while others said all the drugs in his system were prescribed to him and were not enough to kill a man. It has been reported that Elvis died of a massive heart attack. Many people believe Presley would have died whether he had drugs in his system or not because he had such a bad heart.

The news of Elvis' death hit the world hard. People went into mourning faster than they did when JFK was assassinated. Fans stormed Graceland wanting to be there during the funeral. Could Elvis Presley, the King of Rock'n'Roll really be dead?

There was a viewing and thousands of people went to see their rock'n'roll idol's lifeless body. It's reported that 75,000 people wanted to see the body and about 30,000 people were able to. Is it possible to say that if this many people saw the King dead that he really was and still is dead to this day? Apparently this isn't good enough for some fans because rumors and "sightings" of Elvis being alive are still flying around to this very day.

Much like the stories of Kennedy's death being a conspiracy, and the moon landings being a hoax are the stories of Elvis faking his own death. Whether these stories are true or just a bunch of mumbo-jumbo, I'll let you decide.

First lies the question of Elvis' gravestone. It's said that it was originally spelled wrong. Elvis' name was Elvis Aaron Presley and on the gravestone it was spelled Elvis Aron Presley, but when I tried to look up proof of this I couldn't find any. Either the error was corrected or it never happened and was just a rumor started by someone who believed Presley was still alive.



Then there was the coffin and the body inside the coffin. Wax you say? It's possible. People are reported to have said that when they were carrying the 900 pound coffin they felt a cool air, supposedly because of an air conditioner to keep a wax body cool. Maybe this was the realistic body people saw when they went to view his body.



A story of Elvis faking his own death has drifted around hoping to make people believe that Elvis is an undercover agent fighting the war against drugs. Because Elvis was so against the use of drugs it was decided that Elvis should "die" so he could fight this drug battle without anyone suspecting him. (Read more here.)

There is a story that Elvis was going to expose some criminals, possibly those who were apart of the Mafia. If he did this his life would be in grave danger. So much in fact that he would have to become apart of witness protection and disappear. Someone so famous couldn't possibly "just disappear" so a cover story was formed so he would be gone for good. Wouldn't be funny if the criminals were caught or died and Elvis "came back from the dead"?

How would a person fake their own death? Apparently Elvis was "a pharmaceutical expert" and knew exactly what drugs to take to make it look as though he were dead (I believe that this would backfire though when the autopsy starts seeing as how they have to cut you open). Shortly after his death a man, looking remarkably like Elvis Presley, boarded a plane head for Buenos Aeries. He went by the name John Burrows, a name Elvis supposedly used every once in awhile when he didn't want publicity. (Read much, much more on the topic here.)

The myths of Elvis faking his own death and still being alive to this day continue to circulate everyone around the world. People are constantly "seeing the King". But what is true, and what is not? Is any of it true? You decide.

(This post has been dedicated to my friend Wendy. The biggest Elvis fan I know! And to be honest she has helped my own love of Elvis to blossom. Love you, Wendy!)

Ellery Queen

It may only had 22 episodes, but it was well worth it.

Ellery Queen was started in 1975. It's about an absent minded mystery writer who solves cases with his inspector father. The show takes place in the 40s right after World War II.

Why it only went 22 episodes, I will never know. Mom and I watch other mystery shows together, such as Psych, Monk, Magnum, PI., Murder, She Wrote but this is different. I've never been able to solve the case before the end of any of the episodes like I can in those other mystery shows.

Starring Jim Hutton and David Wayne this show is a must see for all who enjoy a good mystery.

Nothing Better... Grant and Hepburn

Last night was a Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn night. All we did was watch Charade but it's such a great movie. The twists the turns.. yes!

Charade was released in 1963. Cary Grant was 59 years old when it came out and Audrey Hepburn was only 34. Quite the difference. But yet they were both beautiful people that seemed to work pretty well together.



















While watching this movie all I could think was "Coats!Coats!Coats!" Audrey's coats were adorable, to say the very least. They are all brightly colored and I know many girls that would commit murder to get their hands on some of those coats, especially if they looked that good in them.

Well enough about this... I need to finish up at least one of my drafts on here so you all have something interesting to read.

Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation *spoilers*

Last night I watched Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation with my family. It was made in 1962 (In history I've been studying the sixteen hundreds and I just wrote 1692 three times before I got it right. Sheesh.) and stars Jimmy Stewart and Maureen O'Hara.

It's a funny tale of man and his wife and their messed up family all going on vacation. The youngest sits around watching TV all day and brings the TV to the house they stay at for vacation. The second youngest, Katey, is 14 and has just got her braces, so she never smiles or lets or wants to socialize. The two oldest daughters are married with kids and are having problems of their own with jobs, husbands and children. Together the crew goes to a house on the beach, that Mr. and Mrs. Hobbs have borrowed from a friend. Whenn they arrived they discover the place is Victorian and hasn't been fixed up since the day it was built. But that's only they of their problems. After some disasters with the house the maid leaves. Katey isn't talking to anyone and the two oldest daughters and their families are driving people up the walls.

This movie is highly entertaining and the acting is really good. Jimmy Stewart really steals the show in this one, as he usually does in his movies. If you want a good laugh I strongly recommend Mr Hobbs Takes a Vacation.

I'd like people to remember me as someone who was good at his job and seemed to mean what he said.

So I have been browsing around online and I found a museum that is called, "The Jimmy Stewart Museum". I think I want to go there! Unfortunately it's in Pennsylvania and I'm not going to Pennsylvania any time soon.

So here we go...

A Career Takes Off

Jimmy Stewart Biography Part 2

Jimmy Stewart's first job in Hollywood was as a participant in screen testing with new Hollywood stars. Due to his gangly appearance and shy mannerisms on screen it was hard for Stewart to find an acting job in a movie. But finally he came out with his first movie in 1935, The Murder Man. Unfortunately it wasn't such a great success, but everything was forgotten when he came out in the successful movie Rose Marie just the next year. In his early films Jimmy never had a leading roll, but in 1936 he was cast as one of the main characters in After the Thin Man. A fitting title for a man who never filled out the boyish skinniness that he took with him to the grave.



Before World War II Stewart's acting kept everyone captivated by his boyish charm that kept the fans coming. But soon life would change. Stewart had always wanted to be a pilot. However, acting had interfered in his plans to either work with his Father in the hardware store or become a pilot. But on December 7th, 1941 things would take a sudden turn.
To be continued soon...

Rock Around the Clock

Last night my aunt and uncle were just sitting around watching TV after watching The Book of Eli and I guess maybe we were looking for something lighter and more fun to watch after such an intense crazy movie. Anyway, my uncle landed on a movie called Rock Around the Clock. I'm telling you, if you want a movie jam packed (I love jam!) full of great fifties music, especially fifties rock this is the movie for you. Starring Bill Haley and the Comets, The Platters and Freddie Bell and the Bellboys.

The movie was made in 1956 and is a classic black and white picture. It stars Lisa Gaye, with her adorable, curvy figure and great dance moves along with Johnny Johnston as Steve Hollis, the man who is trying to get Bill Haley and the Comets famous.

Bill Haley and His Comets

Freddie Bell and the Bellboys

The Platters

Summer cRaZyNeSs

I've been feeling rather guilty that I've been slacking off on my blogging, until I started reading other people's blogs today and found out that I am not the only one that has not been blogging regularly. Unfortunately besides my week long trip to Mexico I have no excuse for not blogging. I'm just simply lazy and enjoying my Summer vacation. I've been sleeping in late (sleeping is good for healing so that's my excuse!), reading a lot (A LOT! which reminds me I need to finish my Jimmy Stewart post), drinking coffee and watching old films and my beloved Stargate. Oh and of course there if physiotherapy, but no one cares about that too much, including me.

Anyway I was thinking about summer games, sunbathing, playing in the ocean, hanging out with friends, going to the movies and eating buttered popcorn. So, being me, I had to find pictures and wish to share them with you. Please enjoy.

"Sometimes I wonder if I'm doing a Jimmy Stewart imitation myself."

Today I bought an autobiography about James Maitland Stewart. Also known as Jimmy Stewart.

First I would like to say the quote in the title is by Jimmy Stewart himself. Secondly I am fascinated by Jimmy Stewart and love his movies. Thirdly I bought this book because I am traveling to Mexico on Saturday and I wanted something for the flight, so that's the same as saying, I'm sorry if you don't hear from me for awhile because I will out of the country.

This is part one of a short biography on Jimmy Stewart. There's so much to say so for the next few days I will be writing a biography on him then I will be leaving and will return to write to you all about Chitzen-Itza and Tulum.

The Beginning of an Acting Career.

Jimmy Stewart Biography Part One

Jimmy Stewart, born May 20, 1908. Although he is widely known for his acting career he also served in the military during World War II and Vietnam as a fighter pilot. Oddly enough he rose all the way to the rank of Brigadier General.



While Stewart was growing up it was assumed that he would take over his father's hardware store. A profession that has been in the family for three generations. Since Jimmy's childhood he had always had a small desire to perform. Jimmy begged his father to allow him to take piano lessons, but his father greatly discouraged it. But when the Stewart family acquired an accordion and Jimmy quickly learned how to play the instrument.

Jimmy was a shy child and greatly enjoyed building models of airplanes when he was by himself. He had planned to attend the United States Naval Academy but instead his Father urged him to attend Princeton University. Which he eventually did. While there he grew to love drama and music more than he ever had. He joined several clubs and impressed everyone.

After graduating from college Jimmy started auditioning for plays. Unfortunately the year was 1932 and the United States was in the midst of The Great Depression. Jimmy Stewart recalled, "Every play I got into folded."

But after acting in front of Irving Berlin and Moss Hart with his roommate, Fonda in Divided By Three people became very impressed and Stewart was convinced to take a "screen test". After this he was able to sign a contract with MGM and for seven years lived comfortably on a salary of $350 a week.

To Be Continued Tomorrow

Cary Grant vs. Tom Cruise? No competition.

Tonight I was with a bunch of friends for our weekly movie night. We went to Blockbuster to choose a movie and argued and fought over what to watch for quite some time. After we had settled on Top Gun I found myself staring at a screen with Cary Grant acting his heart out in Arsenic and Old Lace. It's not a competition over which movie I would have rather watched. Cary Grant trying to hide the fact that his two crazy aunts are killing people versus Tom Cruise flying a plane? Really?!

And if people think Tom Cruise is a heart throb then our standard of what is good looking has definitely gone down.




VERSUS





Need I say more? ;-)

Both are considered classics, but one is way more classic (and for that matter just plain ol' better).