Film Festival: Art Deco Located in decadent pre-war Berlin, Grand Hotel is an art deco treasure, where music is always playing and the people are always beautiful. The film Grand Hotel won the Best Picture Oscar in 1932 and is still a winner today. “I just want to be alone.” — Greta Garbo as Lizibeta Grusinskaya Grand…
Culture
In “Lisa’s Home Bijou”, I’ll share my reviews of classic films and hopefully inspire you to have a few film festivals of your own. I am proud to claim Betty Grable as a distant cousin. My “film career” began when my parents named me for Leslie Caron’s character in “An American in Paris.”
Lisa’s Home Bijou: Moon Over Miami
Film Festival: Art Deco Betty Grable is our hostess for a romance-filled tour in Moon Over Miami. When you think about Art Deco, Miami Beach comes to mind. It’s one of the best places in America to see Art Deco buildings and style integrated into the fabric of a city. “We’re going to Miami. That’s…
The Lady Eve comedy con game: Lisa’s Home Bijou
Film Festival: Cruise Ship Romance The Lady Eve (1941) is a sparkling romance on a cruise ship and a revenge plot in high society Connecticut. Barbara Stanwyck plays dual roles with Henry Fonda as the young heir of a brewing fortune. I’ve always loved the fantasy life of people cruising on ships in the old…
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes: Lisa’s Home Bijou
Film Festival: Cruise Ship Romance Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) is one of the great Technicolor movie musicals with two famous beauties as the stars. Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell take over a cruise ship. I’ve always loved the fantasy life of people cruising on ships in the old days. Dressing up for dinner, meeting all…
Shall We Dance ballet and jazz: Lisa’s Home Bijou
Film Festival: Cruise Ship Romance Shall We Dance (1937) is the seventh pairing of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. This time he is the star of a Russian ballet troupe and Ginger is the famous tap and jazz dancer he admires. Traveling on a cruise ship is a huge piece of the plot. I’ve always…