Happy 99th Birthday Marilyn Monroe

by John CharetJune 1, 2025

A polite reminder before reading this blog entry of mine 🙂 I will not tolerate any insults or negativity towards my subject of this post. This blog entry is strictly for dyed-in-the-wool Marilyn Monroe fans like myself or fans in general. So once again, please be kind 🙂

This Happy Birthday blog entry is dedicated to Classical Hollywood era icon Marilyn Monroe, who would have been 99 years-old today on June 1. In other words, I would like to wish a very Happy Birthday to Marilyn Monroe. Considering that her tragic life has been dwelled upon endlessly, misunderstood by men and women alike (well-intentioned or otherwise), not to mention exploited, I am dedicating this entry solely to Marilyn Monroe’s achievements onscreen. For myself, Marilyn Monroe is truly the embodiment of a goddess. In other words, Monroe is an iconic sex symbol, who succeeds brilliantly at both comedy and drama. When it came to the former, Marilyn Monroe took the stereotypical dumb blonde (a term I hate) persona of her characters and deconstructed it. For example, click here to see what I mean. To put it in other words, it is us viewers, who come off as the bumbling idiots for thinking that she was one 🙂 I could link to many others, but for me, no other comedy of Monroe’s demonstrates her deconstruction of the aforementioned trope given to her more perfectly than in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. As for the latter, Monroe displayed her dramatic chops masterfully in quite a few films. Once again, I could ramble on and on, but If I had to single out my number one favorite in terms of drama, it would be her performance as Cherie in Bus Stop. Check out Monroe’s bus conversation scene by clicking here and her rendition of That Old Black Magic by clicking here. Speaking of which, my number one favorite Monroe rendition also happens to be her most iconic – Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend. The number features Monroe wearing a shocking pink dress (designed by William Travilla) singing about her love of diamonds surrounded by adoring men dressed in suits and bow ties (and much more). Click here to watch the link – the number begins at the 0:50 mark. Cover versions post-1953 range from Lena Horne to Megan Thee Stallion (read here). In addition, entertainers ranging from singer Madonna to actress Margot Robbie (read here) have not only paid homage to Gentlemen Prefer Blondes aforementioned musical number, but also wore pink dresses similar to the one Monroe was dressed in while performing it.

Before I share with you dear readers all of my favorite Marilyn Monroe films, I would like to show you all some links below.

Here is a link to an appreciation of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes by one of my many favorite female writers, which in this case is the Chicago-based film aficionado Caroline Siede

Here is a youtube video link to another iconic number from the film entitled Two Little Girls from Little Rock

My UK readers may have seen the above musical number parodied by British comediennes Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders on the long running sketch comedy series French and Saunders – click here

Here is a youtube video link to legendary French actress Catherine Deneuve and her late older sister Francoise Dorleac performing the song Chanson d’un jour d’ete (Summer Day Song) in Jacques Demy’s 1967 musical masterpiece The Young Girls of Rochefort. In the film, the two actresses play twins. The musical number and the dresses worn by the two leading ladies are subtly similar (If not completely) to how Two Little Girls from Little Rock was performed. Click here to view the dubbed in English version.

Here is a youtube video link to musician Madonna’s 1985 Material Girl music video, which references the Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend musical number

Here is a youtube video link to musician Kylie Minogue’s homage to the Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend musical number from the 1999 Grand Opening of Fox Studios in Australia

Here is a youtube video link to actress Nicole Kidman’s version of Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend in the 2001 musical romance Moulin Rouge

The 2010’s American television series Glee also paid homage to Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend (and briefly Material Girl) in an episode. Click here to watch

American comedienne Rachel Bloom loosely parodied the visual style of Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend (only replace anything colored red and pink with blue) in an episode of the satirical 2010’s CW television program Crazy Ex-Girlfriend – click here and here to see it

Here is a youtube video link to American broadcast journalist Edward R. Murrow’s 1955 Person to Person interview with Marilyn Monroe

Here is a youtube video link to American television personality Dave Garroway’s 1955 audio interview with Marilyn Monroe

Here is a youtube video link to a brief 1960 audio interview with Marilyn Monroe. I do not know who is conducting it though

Also, for more Marilyn Monroe fandom, click on these two youtube channel links here and here. The first channel is titled Marilyn Monroe Video Archives and the second is called The Marilyn Monroe Channel

One more thing, I do not know If any of my readers subscribe to the Criterion Channel streaming service, but If any of you do, last year in June of 2023, the streaming service featured most of Marilyn Monroe’s films – click here to view the trailer

Click here to view a youtube video link of actor Ryan Gosling singing the Oscar nominated song from 2023’s Barbie entitled I’m Just Ken from the Academy Awards back in March of 2024. The style of the performance is sort of similar to Marilyn Monroe’s Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend number in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

Click here to view a blog entry I did back in January of 2025 on one of the most popular Marilyn Monroe impersonators Suzie Kennedy 🙂

Oh and one more thing. I will not tolerate any criticism of number 9 below. Any negative comments will be deleted. So once again, please be kind 🙂 Now without further ado, below is a list of my favorite Marilyn Monroe films 🙂 All of them I gave * * * * (out of * * * *) stars to 🙂

Ladies of the Chorus (1948) (Dir: Phil Karlson) There is no original theatrical trailer to the film, but one could watch the film on youtube
The Asphalt Jungle (1950) (Dir: John Huston) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer
All About Eve (1950) (Dir: Joseph L. Mankiewicz) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer
Clash by Night (1952) (Dir: Fritz Lang) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer
Don’t Bother to Knock (1952) (Dir: Roy Ward Baker) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer
Monkey Business (1952) (Dir: Howard Hawks) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer
O. Henry’s Full House (1952) (Dir: Harry Koster)
(Segment: The Cop and the Anthem) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer
Niagara (1953) (Dir: Henry Hathaway) Click here to view a colorized version of the film’s original theatrical trailer
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) (Dir: Howard Hawks) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer
How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) (Dir: Jean Negulesco) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer
River of No Return (1954) (Dir: Otto Preminger) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer
There’s No Business Like Show Business (1954) (Dir: Walter Lang) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer
The Seven Year Itch (1955) (Dir: Billy Wilder) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer
Bus Stop (1956) (Dir: Joshua Logan) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer
The Prince and the Showgirl (1957) (Dir: Laurence Olivier) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer
Some Like It Hot (1959) (Dir: Billy Wilder) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer
Let’s Make Love (1960) (Dir: George Cukor) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer
The Misfits (1961) (Dir: John Huston) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer

Let me conclude this blog entry with three questions below for all of my dear readers

What were your favorite article links in this blog entry?

What are your favorite video links in this blog entry? Which ones did you all find the most fascinating?

Besides Some Like It Hot, what are your other favorite Marilyn Monroe films?

Happy 58th Birthday Sheryl Lee

by John CharetApril 22, 2025

A polite reminder before reading this blog entry of mine I will not tolerate any insults or negativity towards my subject of this post. This blog entry is strictly for dyed-in-the-wool Sheryl Lee fans like myself or fans in general. So once again, please be kind

One more thing: I will not tolerate any negativity towards Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me or Twin Peaks in general. Any negative comments will be deleted, so I am politely asking you all to be kind to the subject of my post

Most of my dear readers are probably aware of this by now, but I am a massive fan of not only legendary director David Lynch and Twin Peaks (read here, here and here), but also of the immensely beautiful and talented actress Sheryl Lee, who portrayed the doomed Laura Palmer on the aforementioned series. So what better way to honor than to wish Sheryl Lee a very happy 58th birthday. If Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me had been widely acclaimed during it’s initial 1992 theatrical release, it is undeniable that she would have gone on to have a prestigious career. Thankfully, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me has since been re-assessed as one of director Lynch’s greatest films. Lee deserved so much more after that, but then again, she was probably just too good for the mainstream. Even in brief appearances, Lee stands out. Based on all of the video links I am about to give, the words gorgeous, intelligent, kind-hearted, nice (and once again) talented are the ones that best describe Lee on a whole.

Since I would have to dedicate an entire different blog entry regarding every other four-star film she was in, I have decided to focus solely on her work in Twin Peaks. The one thing I can guarantee my dear readers here is that I gave everything Twin Peaks related * * * * (out of * * * *) stars. I would love to take this time to direct my dear readers to a bunch of links below regarding Lee and Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me:

Here is a youtube video link to a 2021 Q&A with actors Sheryl Lee and Dana Ashbrook at Chicago’s Music Box Theatre: during a special screening of Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me

Click here to view Part 1

Click here to view Part 2

Click here to view Part 3

Click here to view Part 4

Click here to view Part 5

Click here to view a 2013 HollywoodChicago.com interview with actresses Sheryl Lee and Sherilyn Fenn

Click here to view some past coverage of the Wizard World Chicago 2012 (now called Fan Expo Chicago) convention that featured actresses Sheryl Lee and Sherilyn Fenn as two of the guests.

Click here to view a preview of this 2019 Milwaukee Film Festival Q&A with actors Sheryl Lee and Ray Wise during a special screening of Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me. Also, click the two links below for the expanded Q&A between Lee and Wise:

Click here to view Part 1

Click here to view Part 2

Click here is a youtube video link to an interview recorded in 2019 with actress Sheryl Lee by the Indiana-based Twin Peaks youtube channel Take the Ring

Last, but not least, click here to view actress Sheryl Lee’s Facebook page

Click here to watch author Scott Ryan’s introduction to Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me during a 2021 showing at Chicago’s wonderful Music Box Theatre

Click here to watch author Scott Ryan and songwriter Daniel Knox introduction to Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me during a 2025 Retrospect on director David Lynch from last week at Chicago’s wonderful Music Box Theatre

Also, click here to view this adorable photo of actress Sheryl Lee and her son Elijah at a Los Angeles 2017 premiere of Twin Peaks: The Return

Click here to listen to the Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me soundtrack composed by the late great Angelo Badalamenti

Click here to listen to the Twin Peaks Theme and here for Laura Palmer’s Theme – also composed by Badalamenti

Click here to view the original theatrical trailer to Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me

Now I have a question for all of my dear readers below:

What video link is your favorite or which one, fascinated you the most?

Happy Belated 102nd Birthday Ava Gardner

by John CharetFebruary 23, 2025

A polite reminder before reading this blog entry of mine 🙂 I will not tolerate any insults or negativity towards my subject of this post. This blog entry is strictly for dyed-in-the-wool Ava Gardner fans like myself or fans in general. So once again, please be kind 🙂

Yes, I know I am two months late on this one (her 102nd birthday was on December 24, 2024), but I could care less. I would like to wish a Happy belated 102nd birthday to iconic Classical Hollywood era star Ava Gardner. Click here to view a wikipedia entry on her. Aside from being famously formerly married to Ol’ Blue Eyes himself Frank Sinatra (the widely acclaimed singer and actor), Gardner was so much more than that. Beyond her beauty on film, Ava Gardner also deserved to be celebrated as a woman with a big heart (read more about The Ava Gardner Trust by clicking here).

Click here to view a series of youtube video links that talk extensively about why Ava Gardner is such a national treasure, whether it be as a Hollywood star or human being

Click here to view the website devoted entirely to the Ava Gardner Museum located in North Carolina – the state she was born in

Now without further ado, below is a list of my favorite Ava Gardner films 🙂 All of them I gave * * * * (out of * * * *) stars to

The Killers (1946) (Dir: Robert Siodmak) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer
Pandora and the Flying Dutchman (1951) (Dir: Albert Lewin) Click here to view what may be the film’s original theatrical trailer (even though it was a 2010 revival showing). Click here to view the film’s Restoration trailer
Mogambo (1953) (Dir: John Ford) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer
The Barefoot Contessa (1954) (Dir: Joseph L. Mankiewicz) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer
Bhowani Junction (1956) (Dir: George Cukor) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer
55 Days at Peking (1963) (Dir: Nicholas Ray) Click here to view what may be the film’s original theatrical trailer
Seven Days in May (1964) (Dir: John Frankenheimer) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer
The Night of the Iguana (1964) (Dir: John Huston) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer

Let me conclude this post with three questions below for all of my dear readers

Did any of you watch some of the videos on that first youtube link from the second paragraph? Not the movie trailers, but the videos about her legacy? And If so, which ones did you watch and what did you find fascinating about that particular video?

Did any of you visit the Ava Gardner Museum website yet that I mentioned in the third paragraph? And If so, is there anything you read or watched that stood out for you in particular?

Last, but not least, what are your favorite Ava Gardner films?

Happy 92nd Birthday Kim Novak

by John CharetFebruary 13, 2025February 13, 2025

A polite reminder before reading this blog entry of mine 🙂 I will not tolerate any insults or negativity towards my subject of this post. This blog entry is strictly for dyed-in-the-wool Kim Novak fans like myself or fans in general. So once again, please be kind 🙂

Today, I would like to wish a very happy 92nd birthday to great Classical Hollywood era actress Kim Novak 🙂 She is also an accomplished painter and while I could go on with details, instead I will direct you all to two interesting links that are more in-depth. The first is a wikipedia entry (click here) and the second is an insightful article by former Chicago Reader film critic Jonathan Rosenbaum (click here). If any of you are interested in viewing her paintings, click here to view them. As for myself, I shall celebrate by composing a list below of my favorite Kim Novak films (all * * * * out of * * * *) in chronological order.

Pushover (1954) (Dir: Richard Quine) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer
Phffft (1954) (Dir: Mark Robson) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer
5 Against the House (1955) (Dir: Phil Karlson) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer
Picnic (1955) (Dir: Joshua Logan) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer
The Man with the Golden Arm (1955) (Dir: Otto Preminger) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer
The Eddy Duchin Story (1956) (Dir: George Sidney) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer
Jeanne Eagels (1957) (Dir: George Sidney) Since I can’s find a trailer, click here to view one of the film’s many impressive scenes
Pal Joey (1957) (Dir: George Sidney) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer
Vertigo (1958) (Dir: Alfred Hitchcock) Click here, here and here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer, 1996 Restoration trailer and 60th Anniversary 4K Restoration trailer
Bell, Book and Candle (1958) (Dir: Richard Quine) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer
Strangers When We Meet (1960) (Dir: Richard Quine) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer
The Notorious Landlady (1962) (Dir: Richard Quine) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer
Boys’ Night Out (1962) (Dir: Michael Gordon) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer
Kiss Me, Stupid (1964) (Dir: Billy Wilder) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer
The Legend of Lylah Clare (1968) (Dir: Robert Aldrich) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer

Click here to view this insightful youtube video link to a 2020 CBS Sunday Morning profile on her

Click here to view another insightful youtube video link to late TCM (Turner Classic Movies) host Robert Osborne’s 2012 TCM Classic Film Festival interview with Kim Novak

Click here to view a youtube video link to a 1964 episode of the 1960’s NBC documentary series entitled Hollywood and the Stars: In Search of Kim Novak

Click here to read my Vertigo essay from last year

Let me conclude this post with a question for all of my dear readers below:

What were your favorite article links in this blog entry?

What were your favorite video links in this blog entry? Which ones did you all find the most fascinating?

What are your favorite Kim Novak films?

R.I.P. Alain Delon (1935-2024)

by John CharetSeptember 8, 2024

Along with Gena Rowlands, the cinephile community lost another giant this past month on August 18. In this case, it is Alain Delon – one of the most iconic French actors of all-time. He was 88 years-old and the cause of death was B-cell lymphoma. On the screen, Delon oozed coolness and sexiness in equal measures. Various actors, artists, directors and musicians among others have cited Delon as an influence on their work. As usual, I could go on, but I want to finish this blog entry by citing some of my favorite films with Delon (all * * * * out of * * * *).

Purple Noon (1960) (Dir: Rene Clement) Click here and here to watch two various trailers
Rocco and His Brothers (1960) (Dir: Luchino Visconti) Click here and here to watch two various trailers
L’Eclisse (1962) (Dir: Michelangelo Antonioni) Click here to watch a various trailer for it
The Leopard (1963) (Dir: Luchino Visconti) Click here and here to watch two trailers
Any Number Can Win (1963) (Dir: Henri Verneuil) I could not find an English subtitled trailer for it
Le Samourai (1967) (Dir: Jean-Pierre Melville) Click here to watch a 4K Restoration trailer for it
La Piscine (1969) (Dir: Jacques Deray) Click here and here to view two different 4K Restoration trailers for it
The Sicilian Clan (1969) (Dir: Henri Verneuil) Click here to watch a trailer for it
Le Cercle Rouge (1970) (Dir: Jean-Pierre Melville) Click here to watch a 4K Restoration trailer for it
Un flic (1972) (Dir: Jean-Pierre Melville) Click here to watch a trailer for it
Tony Arzenta (1973) (Dir: Duccio Tessari) Click here to watch a trailer for it
Mr. Klein (1976) (Dir: Joseph Losey) Click here to watch a 4K Restoration trailer for it
Nouvelle Vague (1990) (Dir: Jean-Luc Godard) I could not find a trailer for that one

I would like to end this blog entry with a question for my dear readers below

What is your favorite Alain Delon film?

R.I.P. Gena Rowlands (1930-2024)

by John CharetAugust 19, 2024August 19, 2024

Last Wednesday, one of the most extraordinary actresses to have ever lived passed away at the age of 94. The actress was Gena Rowlands. The cause of death was complications of Alzheimer’s disease (read here and here). According to her son Nick Cassavetes (read here), Rowlands had been living with Alzheimer’s for the past five years. And yes, Nick is the son of the late great actor/director/writer John Cassavetes. Rowlands had been married to John from 1954 until his death in 1989. To commemorate her career, I will list my favorite films of hers where she serves as a standout below (all * * * * out of * * * *).

Faces (1968) (Dir: John Cassavetes) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer
Minnie and Moskowitz (1971) (Dir: John Cassavetes) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer
A Woman Under the Influence (1974) (Dir: John Cassavetes) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer
Opening Night (1977) (Dir: John Cassavetes) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer
Gloria (1980) (Dir: John Cassavetes) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer
Love Streams (1984) (Dir: John Cassavetes) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer
The Notebook (2004) (Dir: Nick Cassavetes) Click here to view the film’s original theatrical trailer

I would like to end this blog entry with a question for my dear readers below

What is your favorite Gena Rowlands film?

Happy 98th Birthday Marilyn Monroe

by John CharetJune 1, 2024May 30, 2025

This blog entry was originally posted last year on June 1, 2023 to celebrate Classical Hollywood era icon Marilyn Monroe’s then 97th birthday – or what would have been her then 97th birthday. Almost everything written here for her 98th birthday remains the same.

This Happy Birthday blog entry is dedicated to Classical Hollywood era icon Marilyn Monroe, who would have been 98 years-old today on June 1. In other words, I would like to wish a very Happy Birthday to Marilyn Monroe. Considering that her tragic life has been dwelled upon endlessly, misunderstood by men and women alike (well-intentioned or otherwise), not to mention exploited, I am dedicating this entry solely to Marilyn Monroe’s achievements onscreen. For myself, Marilyn Monroe is truly the embodiment of a goddess. In other words, Monroe is an iconic sex symbol, who succeeds brilliantly at both comedy and drama. When it came to the former, Marilyn Monroe took the stereotypical dumb blonde (a term I hate) persona of her characters and deconstructed it. For example, click here to see what I mean. To put it in other words, it is us viewers, who come off as the bumbling idiots for thinking that she was one 🙂 I could link to many others, but for me, no other comedy of Monroe’s demonstrates her deconstruction of the aforementioned trope given to her more perfectly than in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. As for the latter, Monroe displayed her dramatic chops masterfully in quite a few films. Once again, I could ramble on and on, but If I had to single out my number one favorite in terms of drama, it would be her performance as Cherie in Bus Stop. Check out Monroe’s bus conversation scene by clicking here and her rendition of That Old Black Magic by clicking here. Speaking of which, my number one favorite Monroe rendition also happens to be her most iconic – Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend. The number features Monroe wearing a shocking pink dress (designed by William Travilla) singing about her love of diamonds surrounded by adoring men dressed in suits and bow ties (and much more). Click here to watch the link – the number begins at the 0:50 mark. Cover versions post-1953 range from Lena Horne to Megan Thee Stallion (read here). In addition, entertainers ranging from singer Madonna to actress Margot Robbie (read here) have not only paid homage to Gentlemen Prefer Blondes aforementioned musical number, but also wore pink dresses similar to the one Monroe was dressed in while performing it.