Ah, saw that one not long ago. And yes, Ginger could do a lot more than dance heavenly. Talking about David Niven, I remember enjoying his books/memoirs tremendously. He's incredibly funny and you know he REALLY wrote the books!
Interesting that while the old USA produced its own cowboy role models in abundance its best cinematic examples of the gentlemen seem to be imported - Cary Grant and David Niven. Niven being the more willing raconteur a,so had the benefit of having both war stories and Hollywood stories to regale us with for years.
Yes. Let me have a think about this... American 1950s masculinity- the tough, simple, uncomplicated moral pioneer, heading West. Where do you start? John Wayne, Gary Cooper, that patriarch in The High Chaparral? And then the so-called 'English Gentleman'. Cary Grant's a curious hybrid. To British eyes, he's actually rather American. Tanned on a sunbed, with this bizarre accent, too smooth by half- although my wife, Venetia, would not see this as a fault. But Clark Gable in 'Gone with the Wind', undoubtedly has Byronic 'Gentlemanly' qualities. This is far more complicated than it seems...
And I would push it back more to the ‘40s as these days I spend more effort in looking at the darker aspects of 1950s films as Jimmy Stewart for example plays more complex darker characters fighting with themselves as much as with others while Gary Cooper in High Noon confronts what’s happening in society and finally turns his back on it after fulfilling his duty. Clark Gable, even by American standards, always flashes too much of the rogue to be a gentleman though he mixes comfortably with them.
Jimmy Stewart! Wasn't he wonderful? Or admirable? Brigadier General in the US Air Force Reserve? Yes. And the Old West has this curious resurgence in the 1950s. Re Clark Gable in GWTW. Yes. But there's always a degree of the rogue- even it it's a meagre hint- to the English Gentleman, I think. Flashman, immediately springs to mind. Somebody who doesn't give a toss what others might think. But then, discussing the concept of a 'gentleman' isn't very gentlemanly... it's complicated!
Interesting that while the old USA produced its own cowboy role models in abundance its best cinematic examples of the gentlemen seem to be imported - Cary Grant and David Niven. Niven being the more willing raconteur also had the benefit of having both war stories and Hollywood stories to regale us with for years.
Thank you so much for recommending this, I had no idea, it is exactly my cup of tea. As for those scented corridors, absolutely unbearable. What is wrong with retailers? They keep assailling our nostrils without permission. A sure way to lose my custom.
ON a different note, very best wishes for the new year. And please keep up the good work!
Thank you! And Happy New Year to you too. I will be back on Wednesday with my plans for 2025. Bachelor Mother's great. I loved it. I may well do an instagram post on 'customer service'.
I remember the Banking Hall at Harrods. I used to meet my grandmother there. She was shocked when it was downgraded to a counter on the fourt floor next to WayIn. The beginning of the end lol
Wonderful recommendation, Luke, and it appears to be more widely available here in the States. To close the year, I must tell you how grateful I am to have found you here. I look forward to every email.
Brilliant. Only in America! As your former President (to rhyme with Shush!) once said- pissed as a newt, and recorded on YouTube forever. No. Seriously. I'm pleased to hear that. As Bachelor Mother is a wonderful film, if slightly overlooked. I love it. And that's really kind. Appreciated. The good news is that there's masses of film recommendations coming your way in 2025. Maybe we will eventually run out in 2030. But for the time being it's a fertile breeding ground. And my best wishes for the New Year. Thank you.
And you too. Thank you for your comments over the last year. Appreciated. I'll be back on Wednesday with a New Years Day summing up, and my plans for 2025. Masses of brilliant films we have yet to do... I'm looking forward to it.
OMG. As you Americans say. Yes. HUGE bestseller in 1970 whenever. The book that everybody and anybody had on their shelves. And there's a sequel: 'Bring on the Empty Horses' (1975). Go on. Press the button for that one too.
Ah, saw that one not long ago. And yes, Ginger could do a lot more than dance heavenly. Talking about David Niven, I remember enjoying his books/memoirs tremendously. He's incredibly funny and you know he REALLY wrote the books!
Interesting that while the old USA produced its own cowboy role models in abundance its best cinematic examples of the gentlemen seem to be imported - Cary Grant and David Niven. Niven being the more willing raconteur a,so had the benefit of having both war stories and Hollywood stories to regale us with for years.
Yes. Let me have a think about this... American 1950s masculinity- the tough, simple, uncomplicated moral pioneer, heading West. Where do you start? John Wayne, Gary Cooper, that patriarch in The High Chaparral? And then the so-called 'English Gentleman'. Cary Grant's a curious hybrid. To British eyes, he's actually rather American. Tanned on a sunbed, with this bizarre accent, too smooth by half- although my wife, Venetia, would not see this as a fault. But Clark Gable in 'Gone with the Wind', undoubtedly has Byronic 'Gentlemanly' qualities. This is far more complicated than it seems...
And I would push it back more to the ‘40s as these days I spend more effort in looking at the darker aspects of 1950s films as Jimmy Stewart for example plays more complex darker characters fighting with themselves as much as with others while Gary Cooper in High Noon confronts what’s happening in society and finally turns his back on it after fulfilling his duty. Clark Gable, even by American standards, always flashes too much of the rogue to be a gentleman though he mixes comfortably with them.
Jimmy Stewart! Wasn't he wonderful? Or admirable? Brigadier General in the US Air Force Reserve? Yes. And the Old West has this curious resurgence in the 1950s. Re Clark Gable in GWTW. Yes. But there's always a degree of the rogue- even it it's a meagre hint- to the English Gentleman, I think. Flashman, immediately springs to mind. Somebody who doesn't give a toss what others might think. But then, discussing the concept of a 'gentleman' isn't very gentlemanly... it's complicated!
Interesting that while the old USA produced its own cowboy role models in abundance its best cinematic examples of the gentlemen seem to be imported - Cary Grant and David Niven. Niven being the more willing raconteur also had the benefit of having both war stories and Hollywood stories to regale us with for years.
Thank you so much for recommending this, I had no idea, it is exactly my cup of tea. As for those scented corridors, absolutely unbearable. What is wrong with retailers? They keep assailling our nostrils without permission. A sure way to lose my custom.
ON a different note, very best wishes for the new year. And please keep up the good work!
Thank you! And Happy New Year to you too. I will be back on Wednesday with my plans for 2025. Bachelor Mother's great. I loved it. I may well do an instagram post on 'customer service'.
I look forward to hearing the new plans. And customer service, yes, that is long overdue! Enjoy the respite!
I remember the Banking Hall at Harrods. I used to meet my grandmother there. She was shocked when it was downgraded to a counter on the fourt floor next to WayIn. The beginning of the end lol
Fascinating and great to see the Michael Parkinson interviews again
Love Ginger!
Wonderful recommendation, Luke, and it appears to be more widely available here in the States. To close the year, I must tell you how grateful I am to have found you here. I look forward to every email.
Brilliant. Only in America! As your former President (to rhyme with Shush!) once said- pissed as a newt, and recorded on YouTube forever. No. Seriously. I'm pleased to hear that. As Bachelor Mother is a wonderful film, if slightly overlooked. I love it. And that's really kind. Appreciated. The good news is that there's masses of film recommendations coming your way in 2025. Maybe we will eventually run out in 2030. But for the time being it's a fertile breeding ground. And my best wishes for the New Year. Thank you.
Happy New Year, Luke!
And you too. Thank you for your comments over the last year. Appreciated. I'll be back on Wednesday with a New Years Day summing up, and my plans for 2025. Masses of brilliant films we have yet to do... I'm looking forward to it.
Same here, can't wait!
New to us too, Luke!
A side note on Harrods- the store's only overseas branch (opened at the apex of empire in 1914) was in our old home city of Buenos Aires..
Closed finally in 1998 it left the BA outpost of London's Hurlingham Polo Club as the city's last bastion of British influence...
Best wishes for 2025 from us both!
Interesting. I'm surprised it survived the Falklands? Happy New Year!
I know! Despite the antipathy between governments, wealthy Argentines even today still admire British culture
Quite understandable!
Thanks Luke, another on my list. I have never seen this film, I love David Niven.
It's great. Beautifully made. Terrific acting. Niven is elegance personified. It's a buy!
And thank you for the youtube link, he was a very funny man. Happy New Year!
Oh, yup. He's incredibly dry. Sorely missed.
I didn’t know he had written an autobiography, just bought myself a copy.
OMG. As you Americans say. Yes. HUGE bestseller in 1970 whenever. The book that everybody and anybody had on their shelves. And there's a sequel: 'Bring on the Empty Horses' (1975). Go on. Press the button for that one too.
That will be the next one. :)
I'm watching it right now! As I type. Adore David Niven.