Hello Lena and Harry and everyone. As I have mentioned on another page under this subject, I love film musicals especially the old Black and White musicals. With FRED ASTAIRE, MITZI GAYNOR and ELEANOR POWELL being my three favourite film stars. I have three other actresses who I really really do like. GINGER ROGERS, JEANE CRAINE (who starred in the wonderful Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein film musical State Fair - from 1945) - co starring with a very young looking Dana Andrews, and I also adore IDA LUPINO (who was born in the East End of London) who looked really lovely.
I love the old Black and White films especially the musicals. They are so quaint and innocent looking, from an age in time now long gone by. Of the six names mentioned above there is one who I really truly adore, the absolutely wonderful, marvellous, fantastic ELEANOR POWELL, or ELLIE as she is known by. Eleanor Powell starred in the "Broadway Melody of 1940" with Fred Astaire and the film included one of the greatest moments in Motion Picture history when they danced together to the tune of "Begin the Beguine". It was absolutely MAGICAL to see them dancing in unison together. I would say it is THE GREATEST film or movie moment ever, in my opinion. Eleanor Powell as well as being a very very talented dancer - especially - Tap Dancer - had a lovely, warm and friendly personality to go with her fabulous talents. ELLIE was married to the actor Glen Ford for sixteen years and had one son "Peter".
For the past couple of weeks I have been sending a few posts onto the Eleanor Powell Forum on the OFFICIAL Eleanor Powell -Website-. I have also given a few mentions to our MATT as well. If you would like to have a look at what I have been saying about MATT and ELLIE just click onto the OFFICIAL Eleanor Powell - Website- then click on the Forum page, then click on the Eleanor Powell subject.
This is for Lena and Harry or anyone else interested. The old Black and White musical 42nd Street from -1933- has just been released onto DVD. The film stars dick Powell (no relation to Eleanor), and also sees one of the first film appearances of Ginger Rogers, in the days before her very successsful partnership with Fred Astaire began a few years later. Also Lena and Harry, do you remember a lovely looking actress who appeared in one of the earlier "Broadway Melody" films, I think it was from 1935. Her name is - JUNE KNIGHT- she was a fantastic dancer. She started out on Broadway then went to Hollywood in the early 30's. She is a wonderful dancer. In the above mentioned film she dances with a very young looking Robert Taylor. I have clips of some of the old Black and White films on the second disc of "Singin' in the Rain". They look absolutely great, especially being from that era in time. Also appearing in the "Broadway Melody of 1935" are Buddy and Vilma Ebson, doing a fantastic dance number together. Buddy looks really young in the film. I remember him more from the 60's TV programme The Beverley Hillbillies.
Also appearing in the same film, singing "Broadway Rhythmn" is -FRANCIS LANGFORD who looks and sounds TERRIFIC.
So lets have your choices of favourite Actor or Actress and tell us all the reasons why you really like them. Also tell us which films they appeared in.
If you want to, please go onto the Eleanor Powell -Website- to see what I have been saying about our MATT and ELLIE, and please let me know what you think of my comments and remarks. Thank you all very much indeed.
My tears will fall now that your gone
Favourite Film (Movie) Stars
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Hi Robert, sorry about the delay in answering your postings, however we have looked on the Eleanor Powell official web-site and seen your postings about your adoration of Elle and read Lynne ( the web-host's reply) of appreciation to you. Anyway, another description of Eleanor's electrifying tap dancing... it was due to her machine -gun footwork, and what about when she tapped out a morse code message to a secret agent in the middle of a dance routine in the film "Ship Ahoy" 
Of course we also saw all that you said about Matt on there too.
They were exceptionally nice and lengthy write ups.
We listened to the interviews on there with Peter Ford, the son of Eleanor Powell and Glenn Ford. Glenn is 88 yrs old and going strong. It's a great web-site for the old films with many of the true greats, the best actors and actresses ever to have appeared in motion pictures.
Ida Lupino was born in Camberwell, London (we didn't know that ) she then moved to the States during her career.
We can see we've got a bit of catching up to do purchasing some of these films that are now out on DVD.
Of course we also saw all that you said about Matt on there too.
They were exceptionally nice and lengthy write ups.
We listened to the interviews on there with Peter Ford, the son of Eleanor Powell and Glenn Ford. Glenn is 88 yrs old and going strong. It's a great web-site for the old films with many of the true greats, the best actors and actresses ever to have appeared in motion pictures.
Ida Lupino was born in Camberwell, London (we didn't know that ) she then moved to the States during her career.
We can see we've got a bit of catching up to do purchasing some of these films that are now out on DVD.
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Lena & Harry Smith
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Hello Lena and Harry, thanks very much for your reply. Can I thank you both for taking the time to visit the Eleanor Powell - Website - and reading all my posts about MATT and ELLIE. The websites quite good isnt it.
I have only seen one Eleanor Powell film so far, the "Broadway Melody of 1940". But as I have said, I have seen other clips of Ellie on the second disc of "Singin in the Rain". I cannot wait for others to be released onto DVD - hopefully one day. If Marty is reading this, I hope you dont mind, but I quoted you, on the Eleanor Powell - website, by saying that we call Frank Sinatra the "American Monro".!! ( You didn't copyright that phrase at all did you ?? - if so a tenners in the post)
I'm pleased you listened to the Peter Ford interview, Lena and Harry, as that was also very interesting to listen to, wasnt it. The beginning of the interview Peter was was talking more about his Dad - Glen Ford, but they got onto the subject of his Mother - Eleanor Powell towards the end of the interview. ELLIE retired from films (movies) to look after her son in the mid 1940's. She did make a Stage and Cabaret comeback for a while in the early 1960's. I bet she still looked absolutely fabulous even then.
Ida Lupino made a name for herself in Britain, before moving across the pond to Hollywood. But her career stalled somewhat over there as she was only given B Movie appearances. A British made film from 1933 was on TV late one night a couple of months ago "The Ghost Camera" starring a young John Mills and a lovely looking -Blonde- Ida Lupino. Blonde hair suited her very much, she looked really gorgeous as a blonde. She went dark haired later in her Hollywood career.
Now Lena and Harry, were are your favourite film or movie stars.???? You didnt put them on your post did you. I bet you have a good word or two to say about them. I personally cannot wait to hear a story or two from yourselves. Hope to hear from you, or anyone else with their favourites, very soon. Thank you.
My tears will fall now that your gone
I have only seen one Eleanor Powell film so far, the "Broadway Melody of 1940". But as I have said, I have seen other clips of Ellie on the second disc of "Singin in the Rain". I cannot wait for others to be released onto DVD - hopefully one day. If Marty is reading this, I hope you dont mind, but I quoted you, on the Eleanor Powell - website, by saying that we call Frank Sinatra the "American Monro".!! ( You didn't copyright that phrase at all did you ?? - if so a tenners in the post)
I'm pleased you listened to the Peter Ford interview, Lena and Harry, as that was also very interesting to listen to, wasnt it. The beginning of the interview Peter was was talking more about his Dad - Glen Ford, but they got onto the subject of his Mother - Eleanor Powell towards the end of the interview. ELLIE retired from films (movies) to look after her son in the mid 1940's. She did make a Stage and Cabaret comeback for a while in the early 1960's. I bet she still looked absolutely fabulous even then.
Ida Lupino made a name for herself in Britain, before moving across the pond to Hollywood. But her career stalled somewhat over there as she was only given B Movie appearances. A British made film from 1933 was on TV late one night a couple of months ago "The Ghost Camera" starring a young John Mills and a lovely looking -Blonde- Ida Lupino. Blonde hair suited her very much, she looked really gorgeous as a blonde. She went dark haired later in her Hollywood career.
Now Lena and Harry, were are your favourite film or movie stars.???? You didnt put them on your post did you. I bet you have a good word or two to say about them. I personally cannot wait to hear a story or two from yourselves. Hope to hear from you, or anyone else with their favourites, very soon. Thank you.
My tears will fall now that your gone
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Lena & Harry Smith
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Hi Robert, to begin with we agree with Mark's posting on Humphrey Bogart's films, not forgetting the other classic of his, "To Have And Have Not" with the so attractive and sultry Lauren Bacall , about to leave his office with the unforgettable lines.....You Don't Have To Say Anything,.. You Dont Have To Do Anything... You Just have to whistle... and you know how to whistle don't you Steve,?.... You just put your lips together and blow.
They don't make em like that any more.
We're going back further here to the old Harold Lloyd films, dressed in a pair of huge round glasses, a straw hat and scarf, he was known as the" King Of Daredevil Comedy". In fact we put him ahead of Charlie Chaplin. always doing his own stunts He would always be seen dangling dangerously and precariously from buildings and because of his unbelievable athletic agility could scale the highest wall in a matter of seconds.
He made so many films, but on one of these occasions while always playing the fool and always outsmarting everyone in 1919 he was posing for a photo. He grabbed what he thought was a fake bomb and lit it with his cigarette. The bomb went off leaving him minus a thumb and forefinger,
but he bounced back and made many more films,( except that none of them could include the song One Finger One Thumb keep 
oops sorry. More to come.
They don't make em like that any more.
We're going back further here to the old Harold Lloyd films, dressed in a pair of huge round glasses, a straw hat and scarf, he was known as the" King Of Daredevil Comedy". In fact we put him ahead of Charlie Chaplin. always doing his own stunts He would always be seen dangling dangerously and precariously from buildings and because of his unbelievable athletic agility could scale the highest wall in a matter of seconds.
He made so many films, but on one of these occasions while always playing the fool and always outsmarting everyone in 1919 he was posing for a photo. He grabbed what he thought was a fake bomb and lit it with his cigarette. The bomb went off leaving him minus a thumb and forefinger,
but he bounced back and made many more films,( except that none of them could include the song One Finger One Thumb keep oops sorry. More to come.-
Lena & Harry Smith
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- Joined: Tue Jul 12, 2005 10:05 am
- Location: London UK
We also liked the great double act Abbott and Costello. bud being the straight man and bud the stooge 
with his ever constant facial expressions. At the start of their career together they appeared on the Kate Smith (the great singer's) Radio Show and a broadway show with Carmen Miranda the brazilian beauty who's head turban was often loaded down with all kinds of fruit. They appeared in many films like "Hold That Ghost " and the Frankenstein films with Boris Karloff.
And what about Old Mother Riley and her daughter Kitty who were actually husband and wife team Arthur Lucan and Kitty Mc Shane.
They were a big box office draw at the time topping the bill in Variety Theatres as well as making films. Arthur Lucan always dressed as the old washerwoman who had facial and body contortions and would show her bloomers to all (the brazen huzzy ) Kitty Mc Shane was one of Seventeen children, 
only seven we think survived.
They had a turbulent marriage, in fact fought like cat and dog and both eventually dieded with the assistance of the dreaded booze
with his ever constant facial expressions. At the start of their career together they appeared on the Kate Smith (the great singer's) Radio Show and a broadway show with Carmen Miranda the brazilian beauty who's head turban was often loaded down with all kinds of fruit. They appeared in many films like "Hold That Ghost " and the Frankenstein films with Boris Karloff.And what about Old Mother Riley and her daughter Kitty who were actually husband and wife team Arthur Lucan and Kitty Mc Shane.
They were a big box office draw at the time topping the bill in Variety Theatres as well as making films. Arthur Lucan always dressed as the old washerwoman who had facial and body contortions and would show her bloomers to all (the brazen huzzy )
Kitty Mc Shane was one of Seventeen children, only seven we think survived.They had a turbulent marriage, in fact fought like cat and dog and both eventually dieded with the assistance of the dreaded booze
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Lena & Harry Smith
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Sorry, shoud have said it was Lou who played the stooge in Abbott and Costello. Well, our first love is music even right back to the old time Music Hall.
( Good to see the old Hackney Empire revived )
Moving on, moments to remember.... we loved the films with Busby Berkeley, a genius of choreography creating patterns with hundreds of dancers with elaborate designs used in those 42nd Street and Broadway films the Zeigfield Follies, and Gold Diggers Of 1937.
and what about the incompareable Shirley Temple dancing sequences with Buddy Ebsen.
We never tire of watching That's Entertainment all three parts.
Now Robert, who do you think Russell Davies has just mentioned on his show. ? Yes..... Eleanor Powell. Not quite sure what it was about, so we will have to listen to the playback.
Well, our first love is music even right back to the old time Music Hall.( Good to see the old Hackney Empire revived )
Moving on, moments to remember.... we loved the films with Busby Berkeley, a genius of choreography creating patterns with hundreds of dancers with elaborate designs used in those 42nd Street and Broadway films the Zeigfield Follies, and Gold Diggers Of 1937.
and what about the incompareable Shirley Temple dancing sequences with Buddy Ebsen.
We never tire of watching That's Entertainment all three parts.
Now Robert, who do you think Russell Davies has just mentioned on his show. ? Yes..... Eleanor Powell. Not quite sure what it was about, so we will have to listen to the playback.
Hello Lena and Harry. I KNEW you would have a good story or two to tell, the stories make good reading, thank you for replying.
Now, Damn, Damn, Damn, Damn I missed the beginning of the Russell Davies show today. I joined from about 2.55 PM. I will definitely listen to the Listen Again feature, now. I put up the music played list, but they still had last weeks playlist on screen.
Arthur Lucan who played "Old Mother Riley" actually died while on stage. He collapsed while appearing at the "Tivoli" theatre in Hull, he did have alcohol probelms.
Lena and Harry, I agree with you concerning your fondness of Harold Lloyd. He became recognised by a new audience in the 1970's when all his old daredevil programmes were shown regularly on TV. I have always rated Harold Lloyd and Buster Keaton more highly than Charlie Chaplin. Probably as they had more "dare" about their old comedy film routines.
The three Thats Entertainment volumes are fantastic arn't they. Anyone who likes film musicals must have them in their DVD collection. I just wish there was more old black and white footage.
I'm pleased that you like the old Black and White musicals. I like most film musicals, but the old Black and White musicals are just so QUAINT (sorry i've said that before, havent I). I just adore them. They are from a time now long gone. They look so innocent, especially set in the 1930's and early 1940's. To me there is just something magical about the way films (not necessarily musicals), but all films of that era, looked at that moment in time.
Now i'll catch up with the Russell Davies show on - Listen Again - feature.
Once again thank you Lena and Harry for your lovely replies. I had a big smile on my face when reading the "One finger one thumb one arm one leg keep moving" song. I'll also try to catch the remainder of Eric Hall's radio show now, as the Johnnie Walker show has just come onto Radio 2.
My tears will fall now that your gone
Now, Damn, Damn, Damn, Damn I missed the beginning of the Russell Davies show today. I joined from about 2.55 PM. I will definitely listen to the Listen Again feature, now. I put up the music played list, but they still had last weeks playlist on screen.
Arthur Lucan who played "Old Mother Riley" actually died while on stage. He collapsed while appearing at the "Tivoli" theatre in Hull, he did have alcohol probelms.
Lena and Harry, I agree with you concerning your fondness of Harold Lloyd. He became recognised by a new audience in the 1970's when all his old daredevil programmes were shown regularly on TV. I have always rated Harold Lloyd and Buster Keaton more highly than Charlie Chaplin. Probably as they had more "dare" about their old comedy film routines.
The three Thats Entertainment volumes are fantastic arn't they. Anyone who likes film musicals must have them in their DVD collection. I just wish there was more old black and white footage.
I'm pleased that you like the old Black and White musicals. I like most film musicals, but the old Black and White musicals are just so QUAINT (sorry i've said that before, havent I). I just adore them. They are from a time now long gone. They look so innocent, especially set in the 1930's and early 1940's. To me there is just something magical about the way films (not necessarily musicals), but all films of that era, looked at that moment in time.
Now i'll catch up with the Russell Davies show on - Listen Again - feature.
Once again thank you Lena and Harry for your lovely replies. I had a big smile on my face when reading the "One finger one thumb one arm one leg keep moving" song. I'll also try to catch the remainder of Eric Hall's radio show now, as the Johnnie Walker show has just come onto Radio 2.
My tears will fall now that your gone
Hello again Lena and Harry. I listened to the Russell Davies show. He mentioned Eleanor Powell as being one of the co-stars in the 1935 Revue - At Home "Abroad". Thanks for letting me know, as I had missed it. But i'm afraid I missed Eric Halls show. But I might catch up with it on the Listen Again feature. Its good that we can catch up with shows that we have missed, with the excellent Listen Again feature.
My tears will fall now that your gone
My tears will fall now that your gone
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Lena & Harry Smith
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Robert, today, author Ken Barnes was Eric Hall's guest , and the programme today was to pay tribute to Bing Crosby to co-inside with his Birthday on May2nd. He was expected to be with Eric for about an hour for people to phone in for a chat. He stayed for almost the entire show 3 hours.
Ken Barnes has attended many Sinatra meetings giving talks, has a vast knowledge and is a great authority on popular music as well as being an author, and a really nice man
He mentioned the Sinatra show at the London Palladium, said it's wonderful. We hope so we're there Thursday evening.
Now to listen to David Jacobs. Sinatra again.
Ken Barnes has attended many Sinatra meetings giving talks, has a vast knowledge and is a great authority on popular music as well as being an author, and a really nice man
He mentioned the Sinatra show at the London Palladium, said it's wonderful.
We hope so we're there Thursday evening.Now to listen to David Jacobs. Sinatra again.
Hello again Lena and Harry. Ken Barnes has done a lot of "written notes" to accompany DVDs -ie- with the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers Box Sets. I also think Ken Barnes had something to do with the recording sessions Bing Crosby did in this country in the 1970's with ochestration by Pete Moore and his orchestra.
An older sounding Frank Sinatra is now on the David Jacobs show, singing a duet with Natalie Cole. Frank sounds a little "croaky". He is featured in the common denominator slot singing three Duets. (Also with Barbara Streisand and Liza Minnelli).
David Jacobs has just mentioned the "Sinatra" show at the London Palladium, giving it high praise indeed. He said that he enjoyed the show immensely. He went to see it during the week, and recommends it to any Frank Sinatra fan. I really do hope that you will enjoy the show Lena and Harry. I'm sure you will love it, have a great evening.
My tears will fall now that your gone
An older sounding Frank Sinatra is now on the David Jacobs show, singing a duet with Natalie Cole. Frank sounds a little "croaky". He is featured in the common denominator slot singing three Duets. (Also with Barbara Streisand and Liza Minnelli).
David Jacobs has just mentioned the "Sinatra" show at the London Palladium, giving it high praise indeed. He said that he enjoyed the show immensely. He went to see it during the week, and recommends it to any Frank Sinatra fan. I really do hope that you will enjoy the show Lena and Harry. I'm sure you will love it, have a great evening.
My tears will fall now that your gone
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Lena & Harry Smith
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Hello Robert yes Ken Barnes has done a lot of notes on those mentioned DVDS. He and Pete Moore formed a publishing company in 1975 and then the Laureate Company in 2,000 The web-site is www.laureatdvd.com may even have some must-have's on there Robert. There is also a forum with some interesting info on.
Yes we heard the Sinatra duet on David's prog, and yes, like several of the latter ones that he recorded, this one also he did sound croaky.
We do have the past Sinatra duet CDs, but haven't purchased the later one. Neither of us care very much for the Sinatra duets, even though we have just about everything else of the mans.
Yes we heard the Sinatra duet on David's prog, and yes, like several of the latter ones that he recorded, this one also he did sound croaky.
We do have the past Sinatra duet CDs, but haven't purchased the later one. Neither of us care very much for the Sinatra duets, even though we have just about everything else of the mans.
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Lena & Harry Smith
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Hi again Lena and Harry. I have just visited the above mentioned Website. It is very interesting, thanks for letting me know about it.
I found out that a 4 disc Box Set, which includes "42nd Street" and Gold Diggers of 1933 is available, but only in the States, what a shame about that. According to Ken Barnes (who has replied to a lot of queries on that website), there are some exceptional Extras with the Box Set as well, which makes it even worse for me. But thanks again for letting me know Lena and Harry.
My tears will fall now that your gone
I found out that a 4 disc Box Set, which includes "42nd Street" and Gold Diggers of 1933 is available, but only in the States, what a shame about that. According to Ken Barnes (who has replied to a lot of queries on that website), there are some exceptional Extras with the Box Set as well, which makes it even worse for me. But thanks again for letting me know Lena and Harry.
My tears will fall now that your gone