Travis Simpkins: Cary Grant

Showing posts with label Cary Grant. Show all posts

Saturday, June 29, 2019

Bringing Up Baby (1938): Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn

Directed by Howard Hawks, Bringing Up Baby (1938) is the quintessential "Screwball Comedy" and ranks amongst the funniest and most influential comedies ever filmed. It's reputation has grown steadily, and it provided much inspiration for Peter Bogdanovich's classic film, What's Up Doc? (1972). The film is often cited as the first to use the word "gay" in the common modern context (in a scene during which Cary Grant's character is wearing a woman's robe). The rapid-fire story concerns a paleontologist, a fast-talking and mischievous girl and a leopard on the loose. Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn have great chemistry in the lead roles. The supporting cast is excellent as well, including Charles Ruggles and Fritz Feld.

Bringing Up Baby. 1938: Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn

Bringing Up Baby. 1938: Cary Grant

Bringing Up Baby. 1938: Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn

The Philadelphia Story (1940): Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn and James Stewart

Directed by George Cukor, based on the play by Philip Barry, The Philadelphia Story (1940) remains an undisputed Classic. Sparking with witty dialogue, the story concerns a socialite whose wedding plans are jeopardized by her ex-husband and two tabloid reporters. Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn are excellent in the lead roles. James Stewart won a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for his performance. The rest of the cast is great as well, including Ruth Hussey, John Howard and Roland Young.

The Philadelphia Story. 1940: Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn

The Philadelphia Story. 1940: Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn and James Stewart

The Philadelphia Story. 1940: Katharine Hepburn and James Stewart

The Philadelphia Story. 1940: Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn and James Stewart

The Philadelphia Story. 1940: Katharine Hepburn

"The Philadelphia Story"- movie trailer

Saturday, February 23, 2019

Houseboat (1958): Cary Grant and Sophia Loren

Directed by Melville Shavelson, Houseboat (1958) produced drama both in front of and behind the camera. Cary Grant and Sophia Loren had begun an affair before filming, which ruined Grant's marriage, but the brief fling had dissolved by the time the cameras started rolling... causing problems on set. The story concerns a widower father of three, who reluctantly hires a beautiful Italian maid, not knowing that she is really a well-to-do runaway. Despite tensions, Cary Grant and Sophia Loren work excellently together, and the film is enjoyable throughout.

Houseboat. 1958: Sophia Loren

Houseboat. 1958: Cary Grant and Sophia Loren

Houseboat. 1958: Sophia Loren

Houseboat. 1958: Cary Grant and Sophia Loren

Saturday, January 26, 2019

North by Northwest (1959): Alfred Hitchcock, Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, North by Northwest (1959) is an undisputed masterpiece and is widely considered to be the director's finest film. The story concerns an advertising man who is mistaken for a spy, and the 2,000 mile cross-country trek he must make to save himself. One memorable scene after another rolls in quick succession... from the crop dusting scene to the climax on Mount Rushmore. Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint are excellent in the lead roles. The supporting cast is great as well, including James Mason and Martin Landau. A memorable score by Bernard Hermann sets the pace in this must see Classic.

North by Northwest. 1959. Alfred Hitchcock: Cary Grant

North by Northwest. 1959. Alfred Hitchcock: Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint

North by Northwest. 1959. Alfred Hitchcock: Cary Grant

North by Northwest. 1959. Alfred Hitchcock: Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint

"North by Northwest"- movie trailer

Saturday, December 29, 2018

To Catch a Thief (1955): Alfred Hitchcock, Cary Grant and Grace Kelly

To Catch a Thief (1955) was both a first and a last for Alfred Hitchcock. It was the first time he used the newly developed widescreen film process, VistaVision, which he would subsequently use in four more films... and it was the last time he worked with Grace Kelly, who gave up acting in 1956 when she married royalty and became Princess Grace of Monaco. Hitchcock tried persuading her to star in his 1964 film, Marnie, but the citizens of Monaco wouldn't allow it, feeling it would be inappropriate for her to resume acting given her station. Nevertheless, To Catch a Thief is a lovely and fitting farewell to Grace Kelly the actress, with her elegant beauty captured against the breathtaking scenery of the French Riviera, and alongside a dapper leading man in Cary Grant.

John Robie (Cary Grant), a notorious jewel thief known as "The Cat", has been retired for the past fifteen years. His peaceful life on the French Riviera is thrown into turmoil once again, however, when a series of burglaries in his signature style lead the authorities to believe he has resumed his life of crime...

To Catch a Thief. 1955. Alfred Hitchcock: Cary Grant

Realizing that proclaiming his innocence is futile, Robie goes on the run, in an effort to hunt down and expose the copy-cat thief who is causing him so much trouble. He catches the eye of wealthy American heiress Francie Stevens (Grace Kelly), who along with her mother also happens to be the next likely target of the new jewel thief...