Dear Reader, if you were our neighbour, we would invite you to our place to celebrate National Classic Movie Day on May 16.
There would be balloons, champagne and, of course, a classic movie. Oh – and cake, too!
Doris Day, James Stewart and Alfred Hitchcock are celebrating too. • Image: Cinephilia & Beyond
Rick at Classic Film and TV Café, an advocate of classic film and movie critic extraordinaire, hosts an annual blogging bash to mark National Classic Movie Day. His challenge: Choose five vintage celebrities who make classic movies seem all the more special to you.
We wrestled with this decision for weeks. In the end, we settled on five stars for whom we drop everything to watch. They are five of the reasons we love classic film.
Ida Lupino in They Drive By Night (1940) • Image: tumblr
Because Ida Lupino seems smart and tough. Her scenes make us think, “This, this, is a great actor at work.”
♦
The Nicholas Brothers in Stormy Weather (1943)
Because Fayard and Harold Nicholas seem unfettered by gravity. Their dance sequences make us feel exuberant.
♦
Thelma Ritter in Miracle on 34th Street (1947) • Image: Primo Gif
Because Thelma Ritter is unfailingly charismatic. She is a study in scene-stealing.
♦
John Wayne in Stagecoach (1939) • Image: Imgur
Because John Wayne’s presence fills the screen. He makes us feel like we can conquer formidable obstacles, too.
Now it’s your turn. Who are some of your fave classic movie stars?
This is part of the Five Stars Blogathon hosted by the Classic Film and TV Café.
Silver Screenings 
Glad to see Ida Lupino right up there at the top, where she deserves to be. Always.
Not so sure about one of your choices, who generally has me reaching for the “off” switch. You’ll probably guess who . . .
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I think I can guess who, Pilgrim. 😉
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Pilgrim?
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What? I thought you were not a John Wayne fan?
Please, PLEASE do not tell me you do not like Thelma Ritter.
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You guessed right the first time — I just don’t get the “Pilgrim” reference.
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I think John Wayne said it in a film once, but every two-bit impersonation I’ve heard (mine included) always uses “Pilgrim”. It’s a great nickname!
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Ah! You see, even John Wayne impersonations have me diving for the remote!
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Haha! John, you are true to your convictions.
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I want to be your neighbour. I’d love to celebrate with you. These are brilliant choices and descriptions. I’d have to think on who would be my choices. Don’t have any off the top of my head.
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It’s a tough choice. There are so many talented film actors – past and present – that it’s hard to narrow it down to just 5.
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Movies AND cake. I’m there!
When I watch Ida I don’t think of her consummate abilities first. First I think “I want to be that woman.” Thelma Ritter must have been every screenwriters wish. She could break your heart and make you laugh. “John Wayne’s presence fills the screen.” Indeed!
Oh, the Nicholas Brothers. Our dad would call us to the TV to watch the Nicholas Brothers. His admiration for their skill was unbound. He wanted us to share that appreciation. How could we not?
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I love that your dad would bring you in to watch the Nicholas Brothers. They are astounding. The first time I saw them, I thought, “Who ARE these guys, and how come I haven’t seen them before now?”
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Movie, cake, AND Ida Lupino! Awesome! 🙂
Happy National Classic Movie Day!
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It doesn’t get much better than that, does it?
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Reblogged this on I Found it at the Movies and commented:
Celebrate National Classic Movie Day with the Five Stars Blogathon! 🙂
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Total agreement on Ida Lupino – a treasure!
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She really is a treasure, isn’t she? I can’t believe I’d never heard of her until I started watching TCM, and there was an evening of her films. I was STUNNED that I’d never heard of this terrific actress before.
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Perfect choices!
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Ha! Thanks! It was tough to narrow it down to only 5 people…
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Having said that, I probably wouldn’t include Wayne!
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Yes, a lot of people don’t like John Wayne, and I completely understand that.
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I love Ida!
Great picks.
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Ida Lupino is a gem, isn’t she?
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She sure is!
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I like John Wayne quite a bit … but some of his films, especially later in his career, are a chore to sit through. I remember when I finally got to The Quiet Man … Ugh! This is an enduring cinema classic? I think it would have worked if they had written Maureen O’Hara as a person with an IQ above 65.
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Yeah, the films later in his career are a bit of a grind. And I know what you mean about The Quiet Man. There are fabulous things about it, but overall it leaves me feeling Meh.
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Excellent choices. John Wayne was such a legend, wasn’t he? I’ll be posting my entry later today.
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I’ll be by tomorrow to catch up. I’m looking forward to seeing who you chose!
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Nice choices – Thelma was on my list as well
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Yay! I’m glad you chose Thelma, too. She deserves multiple mentions today.
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I would love if they did this near me!
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I think a lot of people would love it, even people who may not think they’re avid classic movie fans.
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I just saw Ida Lupino in Pillow to Post and realized, “wow, she does comedy too!”
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I have to see that one! Ida Lupino and Sydney Greenstreet in the same film = Too Much Fun, I bet.
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Great choices. The Nicholas brothers had dancing skills that were out of this world!
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Weren’t they amazing? I can’t believe they’re not as famous today as Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly.
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I know! I love Astaire and Kelly, but Harold and Fayard were truly incredible. I am left open mouthed every time I watch one of their routines, how they didn’t hurt themselves is beyond me. So talented.
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Love that Thelma and the Nicholas brothers made your list–artists that wow us AND fill us with joy. And Ida is a favorite too…
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So many talented performers from which to choose. I changed my mind several times, but Ida remained on the list the whole time.
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If I recall. John Wayne used “Pilgrim” a lot in “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.” Pilgrim for (perhaps) someone who just arrived and does not know exactly what to do. Wayne did, however. Ritter as a scene stealer is a perfect description.
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Aha! Thanks for the “Pilgrim” tip. I have to say it’s kind of been driving me crazy…but not crazy enough to actually look up the answer.
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Inspired choices! I have a lot of catching up to do when it comes to Ida and the Nicholas Brothers. That being said, I would be crazy if I didn’t already know how immensely talented they were from the little bits I have seen.
Also, yay for Thelma Ritter! And John Wayne is the absolute definition of “movie star,” regardless of his acting ability (which I happen to admire).
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Thanks, Michaela! I love John Wayne’s movies. I think he has good comic timing, and he also has a rare ability to deliver long speeches while doing something that requires concentration, such as setting up a shot on a pool table, or re-shaping a horseshoe. Those scenes always impress me.
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The Nicholas Brothers! What a great choice. And it’s so nice to see Thelma Ritter up there too ( she appeared on a several other bloggers fav lists as well ). Ida Lupino I adore and only this week I have been exploring some of her early directorial projects.
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I would love it if Thelma Ritter was on everyone’s list!
As for Ida Lupino, I recently discovered I own The Hitchhiker, which I’ve never watched. But I’ll be checking it out soon!
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Great posf and well written! Mind dropping a follow at http://www.tvandcity.com ? We’re a new site trying to gain traction.
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Thanks! I’ll drop by your site later today. 🙂
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That dolly in shot to John Wayne is magnificent…and Lupino in “They Drive By Night” is a thing of scorching beauty: “The doors made me do it!” Awmgawd, Ida…Ida Idalize ya! Nice list, Ruth.
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Bahaha! “The doors made me do it!” Although everyone in that film is utterly fab, I find I get bored waiting for Ida Lupino to reappear…
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I share your love of cake and of John Wayne. Watching Red River at my grandmother’s house is one of my earliest memories!
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What a great memory to have!
I don’t think I saw a John Wayne movie until I was a young teenager, however that never stopped me from doing bad impersonations of him when I was a kid. But when I saw him on television one evening, I suddenly understood why he became a legend.
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Thelma and Ida and Marion–oh, my! Loved this list. Always a feast for the eyes to watch The Nicholas Brothers dance. A joyful post indeed!
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Thanks! It was difficult to narrow it down to only 5 choices because – as you know – there were SO many fab Hollywood folks back in the day.
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I live the inclusion of the Nicholas Brothers, whose incredible dancing was truly unique. As for Ida Lupino, she was a terrific actress, groundbreaking director, and TV pioneer. And she did all that at a time when the industry didn’t support women getting behind the camera. And, honestly, who doesn’t love Thelma Ritter? What a great list!
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Thanks, Rick! I had a lot of fun putting together this list. Thanks for organizing this inspiring blogathon. 🙂
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Did I hear the word cake? LOL
Your choices were surprising and delightful. I’m so pleased to see Thelma Ritter included! Most of us chose A-list stars, and it’s good to see a character actress in a list.
Thanks for the kind comment!
Kisses!
Le
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I wanted to pick a few lesser-known folks because I knew the A-listers would get a lot of attention. Fortunately, there were lots to choose from!
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Reblogged this on WILDsound Writing and Film Festival Review.
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Thelma Ritter is absolutely iconic!
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You got that right! Thelma Ritter is The Best. 🙂
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Love reading stuff from people who understand and love film. Here’s a few film still if you like movie photography. https://thestreetphotographersguide.blog/2018/02/07/the-10-greatest-film-stills-for-a-budding-photographer/
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Thanks! I’ll be by to read your essay. I’ve already learned a lot from you.
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Thanks Silver appreciate it
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