Completely having kittens.. ..with Peter Frankenfeld

And again: Hello to a new issue of Completely having kittens at this little corner of blogland!

This is part of a meme hosted by Michelle @ THE TRUE BOOK ADDICT

Today I have a gentleman as my guest who is actually a German Telly legend and who is one of today's birthday boys: Peter Frankenfeld - the man who made the greatest TV-Shows and was famous for his chequered jackets. 

 He was the entertainer of German Telly since the 1950s to his early death at age 65 in 1979. 

After WWII - before his big career - he became an interpreter for American Government in Berlin.

When he married singer Lonny Kellner in 1956 (they stayed married until his death..)

his best man was boxer Max Schmeling. 

Well-- okay.. okay.. that's not what you came for.. 

You want a kitty? 

Here you have a kitty:

Peter Frankenfeld  - with a very little kitten..

*aaawwww* 

Thank you very much for listening!

Yours very, very well and truly

Irene

I dare you, Irene Palfy!

Yes, this is a challenge to myself! By that I dare myself do write at least two film reviews a month - and one of them has to be an European film. And I hope I am strong enough to write about e.g. a German film though I know most of my followers won't even look at it - but maybe I will write just for myself then.. 

I think this might just be because it's summer and I am feeling like doing some exercises - though I can't use any of this town's swimming baths or gyms because everywhere I will meet customers - and I simply want to relax when I am exercising.. I think I need an exercise machine.. though why not exercising my brain on a machine.. 

I am curious about whether I can make it or I will tank with it.. 

We'll see.. and watch.. 

Thank you very much for listening

yours

Irene

All day long I thought of you..

Well.. not of YOU maybe.. though.. who knows.. no.. actually it was her:

Romy Schneider.

Exactely 30 years ago on May 29, 1982 she died at the age of 43. And when ever I wrote today's date down today (and I wrote it quite often) I was thinking of her.. She is one of my really favourite actresses ever. I know I use "favourite actress/actor" a lot - there are so many I like.. But there is a little "inner circle" of just a few.. A few of whom the most are a little dickey or have a little crack.. The broken and despaired.. ok.. let's leave that..

Back to Romy and me.. 

We met when we were very young.. she was a teenager and became Empress of Austria and married a really boring man (sorry, Mr. Böhm.. but: Franz Joseph wasn't the kind of guy I would go for..)

~ I hated and loved those SISSI-films..
- but I think I might write some posts about those films which made her a star in Germany later on..  ~

 and I was a child and became obsessed with films.. - not because of her or her films - it was just that we met at the right moment - and the more I learnt about her troubles and fights the more we grew together.. She gave me a feeling of being ok even if all people around you expect things of you you do not want or are not able to do. A feeling of not beeing alone..

And for I found her not sooo breathtaking when she was young but just beautiful when she grew older I had the hope that maybe someday even I could be pretty.. a bit.. well thoughts of a caterpillar looking at a butterfly, I guess..

Since then we spent a lot of time together.. 

We cried together 

We were afraid together

We laughed together

We had a heck of a time - though she was dead already and all that was left were some shimmering images on film - but at some points I think: we all are merely some glimmer in another person's eye..

She was the best friend I never had - so:

Romy, I think I love you.

Yours 

Irene

Start with a smile - Ann-Margret and a friend

Here to wish all of you a nice start into the week.. 

It's quite sunny here - so take care of your skin...

...and please - take care of your love-ones, too..

Thank you very much for listening!

Yours

Irene

Fresh from cinema.. ..Moonrise Kingdom

As you know I watched two films yesterday in cinema when I spent the day in the city.. So here is the second film - which also openend the Cannes Film Festival this year:

MOONRISE KINGDOM (USA, 2012) by Wes Anderson

In a nut-shell: 

It's 1965. On Penzance Island, New England, Sam Shakusky (Jared Gilman in his first appearance - really liked his performance here) "quits" as a Khaki Scout and runs away with Suzy Bishop (Kara Hayward - also her first film - and also great..) who reads a lot but just at times goes off the rails.. They are in love and as they both are social outsiders they have a lot in common and for sure nothing to hold them back.

~ finding a way -
Suzy (with a furry friend in the basket) and Sam (with something furry on his head.) ~

Soon Suzy's parents (Frances McDormand and Bill Murray - both as we are used to see from them: just wonderful..), Scout Master Ward (unbelievable funny: Edward Norton) with several other Khaki Scouts, Island Police Captain Sharp (Bruce Willis - very cool and here I mean it in a good way ..) and "Social Services" (Tilda Swinton - great as always..) are after them.. What all of them don't know - but thanks to Narrator Bob Balaban (yay for him!!) we do : there is a storm ahead.. 

~ There were those two lawyers, a scout and a police man on a pier..
 ... oh.. You know that one already?  ~

If you are since forever dreaming to see...

... off-key romances and disaster movies...

... films set in 1965 on Islands...

... Bruce Willis not loosing his shirt but wearing glasses and listening to some Hank Williams songs...

... Bill Murray wearing nothing but his pyjama bottoms, some alcohol and an axe...

... Edward Norton / Harvey Keitel in Scout uniforms...

... you shouldn't loose time:

Go, watch this film as soon as possible, please!

~ always keep in mind: fire prevention - and a neat outfit ~

Yes.. I was waiting for this film since Wes Anderson is another of my favourite recent directors. - They release many films these days my favourite recent directors.. Really good for me.. - As in his other films the humour is quite laconic - and the film has so many details to see that every time you watch his films you might see something you did not notice before.. What I also like that every film of him seems to have it's own colour - this time it was yellow.. The soundtrack is as always for Anderson's films amazing - here it includes Classic and Country music by Hank Williams as much as Françoise Hardy's LE TEMP DE L'AMOUR..

I love Wes Anderson's film characters - how could I not love a girl who is not only an outsider but who loves to read and who won't leave her home without taking her Françoise Hardy album and her little tom-cat with her?  (That is truly a character I can relate to - though I never attacked people..)

To be frank: I was a bit worried about the cat.. There appears always one death in Wes Anderson's films.. If you're looking careful at this post you will learn who it'll be this time - in case you don't want to be surprised.. 

~ another actress named Hayward..
I will be watching you, love.. yes.. I will be watching.. *muhahaha* ~

Those who know Wes Anderson's films will be aware that there is kind of an Anderson ensemble - those actors who will appear in his films frequently - in this film it is Bill Murray and Jason Schwartzman (who played another Scout..). I loved that none other than Harvey Keitel appeared as the ultimate Scout Commander Pierce! And that Edward Norton agreed to play Scout Master Ward - well.. little film fan girl was quite excited.. and *Jiminy Cricket!* really had a great time!

Have a look - you'll even get to see the little tom-cat in the end..:

 

So if you like some intelligent,calm and at times a bit black humour presented by a magnificent cast - you might enjoy this 94 minutes of film as much as I did. 

Thank you very much for listening!

Yours very well and truly

Irene

Fresh from cinema.. ..My Week with Marilyn

In case you read my last post you know by now that today I spent the day on my own in the city.. And I went to see two films in cinema today.. Here is the first one (the second will follow tomorrow..)

MY WEEK WITH MARILYN (UK/USA, 2011) by Simon Curtis

In a nut-shell:

In 1956 Sir Laurence Olivier (Kenneth Branagh - great as usual..) and Marilyn Monroe (Michelle Williams mastering a tough challenge here) are going to star in a film directed by Sir Laurence and based on the successful play THE SLEEPING PRINCE. Hence Marilyn Monroe will stay for some time in Great Britain.
Due to their very different backgrounds (film vs. theatre ; classic acting vs. method acting ; fluff vs. Shakespeare etc.) and Marilyn's insecurity which leads to her being frequently too late at the set or appearing not prepared the atmosphere at the set is quite tense. 

~ arriving in London: Marilyn Monroe and husband Arthur Miller ~

Not helpful at all that Vivien Leigh (Julia Ormond - just wonderful) is very jealous esp. for she is struggling with her age  - and that Marilyn's new husband Arthur Miller (Dougray Scott - I loved him. And to be honest I did not recognize him.. maybe because of his glasses..) is inable to cope with Marilyn's "moods"/need for undivided love and attention. 

~ Arthur Miller, Marilyn Monroe, Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh
- before filming.. ~

There are few persons left Marilyn still trusts in: Paula Strasberg (as always a delight: Zoë Wanamaker) whose "additional directing" drives Sir Laurence mad ; Milton Greene (very good - and certainly one to keep an eye on: Dominic Cooper) the brilliant photographer and her good friend who is actually looking after her like a jealous watchdog and at last Colin Clark (Eddie Redmayne - I am sorry, whenever I see him I feel like someone should give him something to calm down.. he looks so terribly nervous..) an aspiring film maker on his first job in film business as 3rd assistant to the director who of course fells for Marilyn at once - much to the chagrin of Lucy (Emma Watson - not very inspiring.. maybe it was the part..) who he dated first..

~ Paula Strasberg (love those shoes), Marilyn Monroe (in one of my favourite gowns ever) and Milton Greene on set~

If you are a fan of...

... films about films ...

... Judi Dench - honest: Sybil Thorndike must have been the sweetest lady ever! ...

... beautiful pictured landscapes, gardens etc. ...

... Michelle Williams - and esp. her bum (though I think here was at some points a little brush used in these pieces of film.. otherwise.. aww.. shucks.. escuse me.. I need to do some workout.. ASAP)...

... Kenneth Branagh quoting Shakespeare (e.g. THE TEMPEST) - hands down.. that man must breath Shakespeare where ever he goes.. - ...

... you might give this film a try.

~ smiling colleagues - well.. the camera is obviously on.. ~

Frankly - since I am an avid (or maybe hardcore) fan of Marilyn Monroe - caused mostly by the fact that I can relate to her so much in so many aspects - and THE PRINCE AND THE SHOWGIRL (1957) , that's how THE SLEEPING PRINCE was named when it was released, is one of my favourite films I did not expect too much from MY WEEK WITH MARILYN. Actually I was not even sure whether I should watch this film or not. My expectations were disappointed in a way which makes me by now say: I am glad I finally watched this film.

~ Colin Clark - the real one ~

Of course as always when you watch a movie about real events and people you got to get rid of this "comparing attitude" - especially when the pictured persons are that well-known and documented as Marilyn  Monroe and Co. Of course Michelle Williams is not Marilyn Monroe. No one is - besides Marilyn Monroe. ( - and even she had trouble being Marilyn  Monroe..)
MY WEEK WITH MARILYN is a film which does not just copy THE PRINCE AND THE SHOWGIRL - it tells a story for itself and is merely based on Colin Clark's diaries. It is for sure no collective photo album. If you got that into your head you will watch a very entertaining film with a marvellous cast which among others includes Dame Judi Dench as Dame Sybil Thorndike, Toby Jones as Arthur Jacobs and Georgie Glen as Rosamund Greenwood (I enjoyed her performance very much..).
You should also watch out for Geraldine Somerville (like Emma Watson esp. HARRY POTTER fans will know her face..) as Colin's mother and especially fans of TV series DOWNTON ABBEY will be pleased to see Jim Carter (Mr. Carson..) as a pub owner..
I was very delighted that Paula Strasberg this time did not appear like she was a mean black dragon sucking Marilyn Monroe's blood..

~ Susan Strasberg (don't you just adore Zoë Wanamaker's smirk??) 
and her star Marilyn Monroe ~

And: I liked Michelle Williams' performance as Marilyn Monroe - she really played a struggling actress and not just tried to give the best Marilyn imitation possible. I am glad about that because it could have easily happen to turn the whole film into a parody..

~ a little solace but not much more: Marilyn Monroe and Colin Clark ~

Especially how the light was used gave me lots of pleasure - the exuberance as much as the absence - it was wisely used in this film. I also loved how accurate the costumes and sets of THE PRINCE AND THE SHOWGIRL were re-made - well, they used the original soundstage.. The costumes of the whole film were great - well... I adore Marilyn Monroe's style...

~ re-build Pinewood studios.. Isn't that just stunning?? ~

Even the soundtrack is great - and just by the way: Lang Lang played piano for it.. 

Have a look:

So - if you're fine with letting your memories of the real people go for about 99 minutes you will watch a nice little film - and maybe now and then will catch a little manirism of Michelle Williams which reminds you of a certain blonde actress.. 

Thank you very much for listening!

Yours very well and truly

Irene

Three Swedish Girls..

Today (May, 26 - somehow the "date thing" isn't working here - no matter how often I fix it..) is the birthday of Ingrid Goude who was Miss Sweden in 1956 (In 1951 it was a certain girl named Anita Ekberg..) and appeared in a few movies of maybe not really international fame..  

Though I happen not to care too much for nowadays beauty pageants (for beauty pageants at all.. I can't see why anyone should make her-/himself reliant to the judgement of a bunch of people - without need..) - I have a soft spot for the beauty ideals of the past.. (Maybe until the mid 1970's..) Well.. anyway.. 

Today I will spent the day in the city on my own - which I enjoy very much. It will be kind of a single girl's day - but of course to be with friend is also great - so here you have some pictures of Ingrid Goude having fun with fellow Swedish ladies May Britt and Inger Stevens. And for in Northern Hemisphere the Summer is beginning and at least in USA (for Memorial Day) and in Germany ( for Pentecost) Monday will be a day off (I am not sure whether Azerbaijian's and Armenia's Republic Day and National Day in Etophia are off, too) and I think these pictures really fit the occasion of a long, sunny weekend.. 

But first: 

Happy Birthday, Ingrid

- or:

 Grattis på födelsedagen, Ingrid!!! 

And now - have a wonderful weekend!..

..and don't forget: 

~ Keep your hair in style.. ~

~ make sure you look good on photos - and the light is right.. ~

~ Keep your feet clean ~

~ don't forget to eat a bit.. ~

~ and of course: have fun! ~

Thank you very much for listening!

yours very well and truly 

Irene

Completely having kittens.. ..with Ginger Rogers

Welcome to this new post for this series -

which is part of a meme hosted by Michelle @ THE TRUE BOOK ADDICT.

- last time I featured French singer of the 1960's Sylvie Vartan on another blog of mine: NOT SOPHISTICATED.. Today we're back into film business with..

..my guest - the very, very popular Miss Ginger Rogers..

(Michelle had her post themed with dancing cats..
so I thought posting pictures of a famous dancer might fit into that..)

Here she is with her Siamese cat.. 

~ yes.. many Siamese cats in Hollywood indeed.. 
But - frankly - they really are wonderful.. also is Ginger Rogers' outfit.. ~ 

For we have a really sunny day here one might take a little stroll 

- why not taking a feline friend with you?

~ I love her outfit here, too.. It looks very comfortable.. ~

Enjoy your day!

Thank you very much for listening!

Yours very well and truly

Irene