For the Monday Music Moves Me theme it is a celebration of Grandparent’s Day. I never met my dad’s parents because my grandmom died, bleeding to death, after giving birth to another son( who also died) in October 1919 at the age of 39 and my granddad died in 1956 at the age of 86. I did know my mom’s parents and only met them a few times before my beloved Oma died on December 29th, 1986. I met her a few times, when they came here, back in 1968-69, in 1972, 1980 and 1982 when I brought them here for their 60th wedding anniversary. She was so tiny at just 4ft 8in. But she had a fierce will, a lovely way around her and such loving eyes. Opa came to live with us by June, 1987 when my mom’s sister had had enough of him. Opa was known for his quick temper, his artistic talent, and his incredible, I mean, incredible slowness. Where he was ultra slow, Oma was the opposite…she must have been very concerned thinking that he was dead. Anyhow, I have listed 3 songs that for this theme, seems to fit the bill.
1. MUSS I DENN SUNG BY NANA MOUSKOURI-1978
This is a traditional German folk song published back in 1827 after being adapted by Friedrich Silcher. It gained major notice when Elvis sang it back in 1960. I know my Oma loved folk songs and Nana Mouskouri so this works on both counts.
2. I LOVE LUCY AND SHE LOVES ME SUNG BY DESI ARNAZ-1953
My Oma loved this famous TV show and she would watch it every chance she could get. She often said that my mom, her youngest daughter, reminded her of Lucy and, I agree. My mom often got into some mischief and she also looked great in the hairstyle Lucy wore.
3. CARDINAL SUNG BY KASEY MUSGRAVES-2024
My Oma loved birds and would feed them near the window so she could watch them. She loved the little songbirds and, when her and Opa came to visit, in 1982, she loved the bright red of the cardinal and the beautiful blue of the blue Jay. My mom, also, loved birds and would feed the birds and watch them congregate together naming many blue jays because each had a different pattern. Anyway, after Oma died, I just felt a little empty which was strange since there was an ocean between us. The few times I was able to be with her, I just felt a huge kinship and, I know, she felt the same. When I think of my Oma, I often hear the cardinal and just felt that was her speaking to me and this was way before the cardinal was linked to the spirit world. Almost every morning, I hear the cardinal sing and see him perched letting me know she is near.
One more…
4. BREAKING AWAY THEME SONG BY PATRICK WILLIAMS-1979
This film was the sleeper hit of 1979 that was such a small film but ended up with many awards. The music was up for an Oscar, but didn’t win, but it’s often played on the Classical radio station. Why did I pick this film about a teen’s dream to be in the Tour De France? Well, I found out that my Opa was in bicycle races when he was young. When my mom told me he raced, I just about fell off my chair. When Oma died, 6 months later, Opa came to live with us in 1987. My mom was the only one who could handle Opa. He was living with Tante Ilse but that did not work and he had no desire to live under the rules of Uncle Harry so my mom was the best choice…and only choice. She never put up with his bullshit or his anger. To say Opa was slow would be like saying the Pope is slightly Catholic. He was THE slowest man on earth! I’m not kidding! My best friend didn’t believe me until I made her sit and watch him eat breakfast. When he buttered his toast, very slowly, he would sit back, a little burp coming from his lips, taking a deep breath as if he just rode 10 miles, before beginning to butter his 2nd piece of toast. His slowness is legendary amongst my friends.
I took quite a leave from creating cards. After Christmas, I chilled a bit while my hubby created more shelving to hold our film Collection. I think we must have over a 1,000 Dvds and we have run out of room so hubby has to create more shelving. The shelving, above, holds the actors we love plus action/adventure/crime films. We had 5 big, plastic tote boxes full of films, which I went through, slowly, dividing them amongst genres but, also, certain film stars. After getting this all organized and placed in a book, I finally made the keepsake box for my best friend's son's wedding.
It took a long time because I only had the weekend and often, just Sunday, because I had to do the stupid groceries and clean the house. This was my first time creating something using napkins, braids, fly away sparkly shit that went everywhere! I'm certain my colon will look sparkly the next time I have a colonoscopy. Here are some pics...
This is the interior. I stole..um, I mean, grabbed a serviette from their wedding and glued it into the box.
This is the stuff I used for all the edges on the box but it was very messy! In my hair, pants slippers...never again.
This is the inside of the top of the lid. Their colour was blue, like the cornflower which is my favourite flower. I used a variety of colours, in blues, and glued the photo of them that they used for their invitation.
These are serviettes I had which fit the style perfectly. I took off the 2 layers and glued on the patterned layer onto the box, already painted white. I shaded the edges, added the @*$# glitter, used modgepodge as well as varnish in semi-glossy. The dog is Moose, who is their child, at least, for now. If you can see, above and under the doggie, I have their first initials glued in place. The bling and braids adds the finishing touch. This box, I started in January and finished it at the beginning of June.
I am back to making cards and getting my mo-jo back.
I’m writing this late but I had to do a special on World War 2 with Japan because September 2nd was the 80th anniversary of the end of World War 2 with Japan. This marked the total end of this World War and so much is talked about the war in Europe but so many suffered and died during the Japanese siege on the many islands in the Pacific. You know, I remember when a Japanese soldier was found on an island, in 1974, still believing the war was on. I was dumbfounded that he hid for all those years. Anyhoo, here are my 3..
1. THE SANDS OF IWO JIMA-1949
This stars John Wayne as the head of a group of men he must get into shape to survive the perils of the jungle and the Japanese force. He is not liked by his men but, when they start fighting, the quickly realize why he was so hard on them. Over time, many men die in battle but the men start to gain more respect for the soldier in charge. This is a pretty gritty war film that does hold up even after all these years. It’s well acted and the cinematography is great.
2. HELL IN THE PACIFIC-1968
This stars only 2 people, Lee Marvin and Toshiro Mifune as 2 men stranded on a deserted island during the war. They are enemies trying to outwit the other with the Japanese man having water and the American needing it. Over time they form an uneasy alliance as they try to survive and find a way off the island. It is well acted, tense and leaves you riveted wanting more. The stars own the film and this was my introduction to the great actor Toshiro Mifune.
3. HACKSAW RIDGE-2016
This is an excellent film based on a true story of Desmond Doss who signed on, but refused to carry a gun. Labeled a conscientious objector, he worked as a medic, during the battle of Okinawa. He ended up saving 75 men, carrying each one to the edge of the cliff they were on, lowering them down to the men below before going to the next one. Even when wounded, he continued to save the men, while under fire, before, finally, lowering himself to safety. He is the only conscientious objector to receive 2 bronze stars. This film stars Andrew Garfield who delivers a superb performance as the deeply religious man who wants to be part of the war but without killing anyone. You see how badly he was mistreated by his own fellow soldiers until he saves all the men. It is a brutal film without relenting the horrors of war. It is directed by, yup, Mel Gibson, and despite my dislike for this man, he delivered an A1 film. The editing is excellent and the acting, superb.
What films about WW2 films, set in the Pacific, China, Japan can you think of?
I was thinking about events that happened on September 3rd and the songs that instantly popped into my head so I hope you enjoy. I joined the Monday Music Moves Me which you should check out. By the way, doesnt my sweet Lexi look like she’s hyped on her favourite drug? Here we go…
1. I GET A KICK OUT OF YOU SUNG BY FRANK SINATRA-1962
I am praying I have the Sinatra version that sings the original lyrics which are pre-code. The original lyrics have “I get no kick from cocaine…” I always loved this Cole Porter song that was sung by Ethel Merman in the Broadway hit, “Anything Goes”. Today, that horrible woman, Griselda Blanco was shot to death while she was walking in 2012. To say she wasn’t a nice person is an understatement because she is responsible for many, many murders. She became a huge kingpin in the cocaine world of the 70s and 80s earning millions on the deaths of thousands. This song was written long ago for a Broadway show but the 1920s was rife with cocaine as well which is why the lyrics are in there.
2. RAPTURE BY BLONDIE-1980
I just love this song and, at one point, learned the lyrics which I found quite funky. It’s considered a hybrid of rock, 70s disco style, hip hop and rap. Back on this date, in 1976, there was the first Mars landing and what better way to celebrate than listening to this song. Her “Man from Mars” just made me laugh because it was so off the wall but works so well.
3. TILL THE END OF TIME SUNG BY PERRY COMO-1945
This became a big hit for Perry Como and his Pied Pipers in 1945 and was showcased in a film, of the same name, of the returning WW2. September 2nd was the end of the War when the Japanese finally surrendered. Sadly, it took the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki for them to capitulate and freed the many soldiers and civilians from their POW camps where many were starving since the Japanese did not abide by the rules of the Geneva Convention. When I saw pictures of the soldiers in a Life Magazine spread, I was horrified how they looked. This song became a huge hit in August of 1945 and carried on into September when these men came home.
What songs come into your head when you think of drugs, Mars and coming home from War?
MARRIED: Once, to Jack Bean, talent Agent and her manager, until he died. 52 yrs.
CHILDREN: None
FRIENDS: Bob Mackie, Liza Minnelli
TALENT: singing, dancing, knew how to entertain
KNOWN FOR: her perky demeanour. Knew how to calm a situation ie. Ethel Merman was fuming when Marilyn Monroe was late or would not come out of her trailer. Mitzi would give a wink making Merman believe Monroe was having a sex time with someone. This would neutralize Merman’s anger.
Known for her perky and effervescent personality, this sweet gal wished she could be known for her sexiness so she could get some roles that went to Marilyn Monroe but she did pretty good for herself, regardless. She is, actually, from Hungarian aristocracy ( sorry Zsa Zsa but she really is aristocracy)on her father’s side, who was a classical violinist and music director and her mom was a dancer, so her talents were inherited. Her nickname, “Mitzi” is a German endearment from the name “Maria” and she was called this since she was a child. When she came to Hollywood, a talent scout( I think), decided to change her last name to Gaynor, from the film actress, Janet Gaynor, which was fine by Mitzi who loved the actress. Her biggest time in film, were the 1950s with, her last film, being in 1963 when she realized her natural talents would be better utilized on stage. She began appearing in Las Vegas to sold out shows and she would often appear in Vancouver, BC- Canada, to try out a new show and loved the city and the people. She brought the house down during the 1967 Oscars when she sang the Oscar nominated song, “Georgy Girl” receiving a standing ovation that did not stop. The execs had a hard time to get the audience to stop clapping so they could continue on with the show. Mitzi, and her husband, who was her manager, had many TV specials during the late 60s and 79s where she won many Emmys and other awards. She knew how to stop the show especially in her famous Bob Mackie gowns. She continued to perform, on stage, well into the 1990s before she semi retired. She still would dance every day even into her 80s and kept her gorgeous figure. A fun note, she appeared on the Ed Sullivan show when the Beatles performed back in 1964. Afterward, she went out to dinner with them and they asked for her autograph! I love that:)
I’m going to list her film from my favourite on down but the last 4, I did not see but want to.
I think film land, at least Hollywood, is relying too much on remakes or, if the film is a hit, you will see a 2nd, 3rd or in the case of Fast and Furious, #350 in the series. There are some original films out there but, usually, they are made on a small budget. I just watched the latest version of a film based on a book by Erich Maria Remarque who fought in World War 1. So there are 3 versions based on his book, there may be others, but these films have the same title as the book. Here are the 3…
1. ALL QUIET IN THE WESTERN FRONT-1930
This is the first and, to me, the best version of this classic war novel that stars Lew Ayres as the young Paul who, along with his friends, get riled up by their school teacher into patriotic furor and join the German army in 1914. They must go through training with the trainer being their old postmaster who feels he is the next 5 star general and lords it over the kids. Soon enough, these young boys are in the trenches, terrified at the horrors facing them. Over time, one by one is killed until Paul is left alone in the trenches. This is an early sound film and was actually made as a silent until the higher ups realized that it must be a sound film. Sound is used to great effect from the machine gun blitzing the enemy like ducks in a game. The cinematography, by Arthur Edison, is stellar making the black and white come alive. Lewis Milestone is the director who understood what the book was about and knew how to end the film in a great way using his own hand at the very end. By the way, Lew Ayres was so affected by this film that he stated he was a conscientious objector during WW2 and faced taunts and threats. What many did not know is that he joined in the hospital medic field and was truly heroic coming to the aid of soldiers.
2. ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT-1979
I’d love to see this version again which was a TV film that spanned over 3 nights. I had already seen the 1930 version so I was ready to be unimpressed by a tv movie but, I was wrong! This is an excellent adaptation that stars Richard Thomas ( John Boy from The Waltons) as Paul and Ernest Borgnine as the I,Der soldier that takes Paul under his wing. You also have the great Donald Pleasance as the tough commander faced with whipping these kids into shape. Donald Pleasance was in the war and was a prisoner of war for the last couple of years of WW2. It is well acted and the first movie filmed in the former Czechoslovakia, a Communist held country at that time. I hope, one day, you can see this version which, to me, is not quite as good as the original but it’s so worthy.
3. ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT-2022
I just watched this newest take of this classic book and film versions that stars Felix Kammerer as Paul who, along with his friends, join in the last 2 months of the war so they can be war heroes. They learn very quickly that there are no heroes only mud, blood, tanks and death. The bloody scenes are quite realistic and I will not get the image of one soldier, flattened by a tank, out of my mind any time soon. The grittiness and horrors are very realistic and almost too much but I was left wishing for more. Whoever decided to change the time and have it start near the end of the war made me feel like I was gyped. They cut out the scenes when they were being trained and when they visited some French girls. Here it was just one soldier who left and came back with a scarf. Again, I felt like I was cheated and I never felt the real warmth for the characters like I felt in the first film nor the 2nd. The editing, especially at the beginning, left me a bit confused and the friends died so quickly that I just didn’t ….care. This did win many awards and, if I didn’t know the book nor the other 2 films, it might have done more for me but I just didn’t fall in love with the characters like the first one. In the first film, when the first dies and you see another wearing his boots, you feel bad for that boy and icky that his friend took his boots but you understood why. In this film, they omitted the hospital scene but dealt with the footwear in a different way…which I have already forgotten.
Which films have you seen all the versions and which do you like the best? You have Superman, Spiderman, Dune but you have Love Affair as well. Maybe you prefer the first Dune film and, if you do, you might need some shock treatments:)
Yes, I’m Canadian and proud of it but I always liked the Purple Heart which we don’t have in Canada otherwise my Dad would have one. The theme this week, over at Monday Music Moves Me, is about the theme of Honour or the colour Purple and since most chose Purple, I went a different route and hope you like it.
1. SHUTTERS AND BOARDS SUNG BY DEAN MARTIN-1962
This song was written by Audie Murphy with music by Scott Turner and you wonder…how is this appropriate? Audie Murphy is the most decorated American soldier ever. He was small in size, which is why he was not accepted by the Marines and the Paratroopers, but it was the Infantry’s gain. You need to read about him because he was in more than one skirmish with the battle of Anzio being the most famous. He was wounded but, in a burning tank, held off a German attack with a machine gun. He was known to have killed close to 300 German soldiers in battles he was in. After the war, he wrote the book, “To Hell and Back” which was later made into a movie starring Audie Murphy. He did become a film star, mainly in Westerns and was a better than average star but he also suffered from crippling PTSD and was an alcoholic. He wrote many pieces of music as well with this song being one. Sadly, he died in a plane crash in 1971 at the age of 45. To red more bout Audie Murphy, you can go here
2. THEME FROM M.A.S.H. SUNG BY THE RON HICKLIN SINGERS-1970
This song was written by Johnny Mandel with lyrics by Michael Altman and the instrumental version was the theme for the great TV show M.A.S.H. in fact, you see the Purple Heart given a few times in the TV show. It does show Ferret Face…aka Frank Burns put in for a Purple Heart because he stubbed his toe ( I am certain things like this truly did occur) but, the Purple Heart finds its way onto a baby who survived being shelled by friendly fire. James Garner, from Maverick and The Rockford Files fame fought in the Korean War and received 2 Purple Hearts one in combat and one due to Friendly Fire.
3. DOES ANYBODY KNOW I’M HERE SUNG BY THE DELLS-1968
This song made me think of the Late Senator John McCain, who earned 2 Purple Hearts plus other medals during his time in Vietnam. He was severely wounded in the legs and chest and was taken by the enemy in 1967. The North Vietnamese tortured him, beat him severely and he suffered from dysentery. He was in this hellish condition until 1973 when there was a POW swap. He could have left earlier, but he gave up his freedom, more than once, to have his fellow comrades who left for freedom. When he returned he suffered from PTSD and physical issues where he could never lift his arms over his head. He became a senator for the Republican Party and was a vocal opponent to the Cheesy ( who treated this courageous and honourable man atrociously) but, sadly, he died from cancer. He is a true hero. I never thought I’d say that about. republican:)
What songs spring to your mind when you think of songs of valour?
