Classic Film References, Homages and Tributes #2: Hollywood Steps Out

Sometimes, as much as we love movies and their actors and actresses it's more fun to mock their scenes, mannerisms and grander than life personalities. The folks at Warner Bros. knew that the movie going audience would get a kick out of seeing their favorite performers in an exaggerated manner. And thus, they created the 1941 Merrie Melodies cartoon, "Hollywood Steps Out".



Directed by Tex Avery (who would go on to create some of the most hilarious cartoon shorts ever), the short features a lot of references to the films of the era and as well as caricatures of their leading personalities.

But as funny as this short is, it hasn't aged well at all. Many of the references are quite dated, and some of the celebrities are very obscure to the point where the joke is lost on today's audience.

Can YOU name the classic celebrities in this short? Visit our Facebook group and write your answer in! The full list of characters will be posted later in the week.

Have fun with this one!

Review #4: Sullivan's Travels (1941)

Sullivan's Travels (1941)

Starring: Joel McCrea, Veronica Lake, Robert Warwick, Eric Blore, Robert Greig

Directed by: Preston Sturges

Released by: Paramount Pictures

Synopsis: Filmmaker Joel Sullivan (Joel McCrea) wishes to make a film with social relevance and a deep message. He realizes, however, that due to his upbringing he doesn't understand what it means to be in trouble. He embarks on a road trip in hopes of learning what it means to be a guy in trouble. Along the way he meets a girl (Veronica Lake) who decides to join him as a homeless couple and learn about the hardships of life.

Review: Sullivan's Travels is a film that mirrors Sullivan's own goal: to deliver a film with a message. But instead of being serious, dramatic and heavy handed Sullivan's Travel is a fun, funny and heartwarming tale that celebrates both our sense of humor and the fighting nature of the human spirit.

Joel McCrea's Sullivan is a great character. He isn't the stereotype of the pretentious filmmaker that wants to create a deep film. He instead comes off as an earnest guy who just wants to make a special film and is willing to go through any lengths to give his film substance. He is surprisingly street smart without being a cliched wise guy.

The rest of the characters are also quite good. Veronica Lake as the girl does a pretty good job of providing moral support to Sullivan as well as giving him a reason to move on with his journey. Speaking of the journey, it is one filled with many adventures, hardships and wonderful characters. My personal favorite is the hot rod ride Sullivan embarks on with a 13 year old kid just as he is starting his trip.

There are also some very clever and even inventive plot twists that tie perfectly to the overall narrative. I won't spoil them for you, of course. But you'll be amazed at how clever the writers were when handling this film.

My one and only complaint with the movie is that Sullivan's realization happens near the end of the film instead of throughout his adventures. But I guess this was done intentionally, to say that even when you have problems, there's a lot of worse things to you can experience in your own journey.

Overall, Sullivan's Travel is a great feel good film with a very strong message: no matter how hard our lives may be, it is always important to have a great sense of humor about it.

Rating: 4 filmstrips out of 5

Review #3: Singin' in the Rain (1952)

Singin' in the Rain (1952)

Starring: Gene Kelly, Donald O' Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Jean Hagen

Directed by: Gene Kelly, Stanley Donen

Released by: MGM Pictures

Synopsis: Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) is one of the most prominent stars of the silent film era… until talking pictures entered the scene. Now, he struggles to star in a talkie film, and his mean spirited co-star Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) isn't making things any easier. But with the help of his friends Cosmo Brown (Donald O' Connor) and Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds), they will put on a show that will leave 'em dazzled, all while singing in the rain!

Review: SINGIN' IN THE RAIN! I'M SINGIN' IN THE RAIN! WHAT A GLORIOUS FEELING WE'RE HAPPY AGAIN! GONNA WALK DOWN THE LANE, WITH A HAPPY REFRAIN! I'M SINGIN', SINGIN' IN THE RAIN!

If there is a film I am kicking myself for missing it all these years is Singin' in the Rain. It truly is one of the best musicals ever produced. This is all thanks to the talent and charisma of Gene Kelly, who also directs (with the help of Stanley Donen) and choreographs. Even when he is playing a very proud film star, belittled by the advent of talking pictures, he is still very likable and a classy gentleman. Right alongside Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly defines the big, Hollywood musical, and Singin' in the Rain is considered to be one of his best works. He is able to act, sing and dance, all in perfect harmony.

The best part of the film, though, is that the supporting cast is able to keep up with him, and in Donald O' Connor's case, he is able to surpass Kelly in sheer energy in the song number "Make 'em Laugh". Jean Hagen's Lina Lamont may not sing or dance, but she does a fantastic job playing the film's antagonist, delivering some of the best, non musical scenes in the film. Speaking of musical numbers, the music is the heart of the film while the dancing is the soul. Every song and dance number dazzle in their professionalism, something that is fueled further by the energy of the performers. The symbolic "Singin' in the Rain" number defines not just the movie but the whole genre, a feat that no film has been able to accomplish to this day.

It is also quite funny! Singin' in the Rain gently parodies Hollywood's transition from silent to talking films. Everything from the actors' lack of talent to all the technical difficulties they experience adorns this whimsical look at pictures. If the disastrous film preview of "The Dueling Cavalier" doesn't make you giggle, nothing else will.

A potential issue some fans may have with the film, though, is that the plot and character development is thin. Unlike other musicals like Fred Astaire's The Band Wagon and Julie Andrews' The Sound of Music, the plot in Singin' in the Rain may come off as shallow, relying only on the charisma of its performers and the song and dance numbers to carry it through. Luckily, the films is so well made that some people may not care at all and just sit back and enjoy the show.

Without a shadow of a doubt, Singin' in the Rain is more than deserving of the title "best film ever made". Nothing was spared to create a film that dazzles in its iconic choreography, and it's all complemented by some of the most talented actors to have ever graced the silver screen. Their spirits shall live on in anyone that have looked at the rain and started humming a happy song.

Rating: 5 filmstrips out of 5

Classic Film References, Homages and Tributes #1: Audrey Hepburn in REC

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. This is a truth many classic films and performers can attest to. In this segment of Filmstrip Memories we'll look back at some of the references, homages and tributes many movies, TV shows and even videogames have presented us throughout the years. These references further fuel the impact these classic films and their performers have left in our hearts.

In honor of the film that inspired this whole project, the first subject of our investigation will be none other than Audrey Hepburn.



Audrey Hepburn will forever be remembered as being a beautiful and talented performer with a great humanitarian soul. Her film roles have forever been engraved in pop culture, and many stories have been written in her honor. One of these is a Japanese manga/anime series called "REC."



REC tells the story of a young voice actress named Aka Onda. One day she meets an average "salary man" named Fumihiko Matsumaru at the entrance of a movie theater. After he realizes that his date has stood him up, he proceeds to destroy the film tickets. Aka stops him by doing the voice of the tickets. The weird meeting is enough to convince him to not throw away the tickets, and proceeds to invite the girl to the movie. During the movie, the girl keeps reading the lines aloud. After the film ends, Aka tells Fumihiko that she aspires to be a voice actress, most specifically, Audrey Hepburn's official Japanese voice actress. At the end of the date, they realize that they live on the same neighborhood. Later in the evening, Aka's apartment catches on fire, leaving her homeless. Fumihiko invites her to live on his apartment, starting a weird and funny relationship.

As I just explained, Aka wishes to be Audrey Hepburn. Her dream is highlighted throughout the whole series thanks to its many references to classic Hepburn films.

The first of these is the intro…



In a few segments of the opening, you see Ako dressed up as some of Hepburn's most memorable characters, including Holly Golightly (Breakfast at Tiffany's) and Sabrina (Sabrina). As the series progresses, the intro is upgraded to feature other Hepburn references, such as Roman Holiday.


NOTE: One of these Hepburns is not like the others! One of these Hepburns is actually Jennifer Love Hewitt playing Audrey Hepburn in the TV movie "The Audrey Hepburn Story". My apologies for the mistake

Next are the titles of the episodes. Each episode is named after a Hepburn movie. In total there are 9 episodes, each 12 minutes long. Appropriately, the first episode is titled "Roman Holiday". Not only is this the film the main characters see when they first meet it’s the first American film Audrey Hepburn made. Her performance in that film earned her an Oscar.

As for REC, it's a very cute and charming anime series, if riddled with clichés and typical anime humor. The usage of Hepburn's films may come off as a gimmick, but I think it's great that they chose such a great actress and paid tribute to her in an unconventional manner.

Definite proof of how great movies and performers can inspire young artists and writers, no matter where they come from or who they are.

-Pedro

Review #2: Some like it Hot (1959)

Some like it Hot (1959)

Starring: Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon

Directed by: Billy Wilder

Released by: United Artists

Synopsis: Two struggling musicians, Joe and Jerry, (Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon respectively), witness a mob massacre, which puts their lives in danger. In an effort to run away from the pursuing mob they accept jobs at an all girl band, forcing them to dress in drag! In their misadventures they meet Sugar Kane (Marilyn Monroe), a blonde bombshell who wishes to find the right guy with a lot of money. It's a thrilling story of romance, organized crime… and panty hose!

Review: This was the film that sparked my curiosity towards classic comedies and films in general thanks to a recommendation from a dear friend of mine. She was right in that I would enjoy this movie! I love comedies and this is easily one of the finest ever made! All three leads (Tony, Marilyn, and Jack) are fantastic in their comedic roles; especially Tony Curtis who pretty much plays three characters (the musician, the musician in drag and the Cary Grant inspired millionaire). The comedic timing in this film is impeccable thanks to great sight gags as well as delivery of lines. Some like it Hot also features some great musical numbers, all delivered by Marilyn Monroe. The film also amazes in its set design and effective cinematography, giving it a touch of class and elegance despite its ridiculous concept.

The greatest thing about this movie, though, is how it manages to be an over the top comedy without being gross, sexist or even mean spirited, things that most of today's comedies are nowadays. You can see that the cast had a great time making this film, and it's never in any way trying to be anything else. Any hints of sexual comedy are very subtle and at times classy, which is why the movie is so effective. It's no wonder some critics consider it the best comedy of all time! It's silly and irreverent while being very professional about it.

If you love comedies make sure to see this film at least once. You'll be glad you did!

Rating: 5 filmstrips out of 5

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-Pedro

Language Issues

Hey guys. It's come to my attention that even though my entries are in English some of the links and options are in Spanish. This is due to Blogspot automatically selecting Spanish as the default language because of my area. I changed the settings so hopefully there's no issue. If it still persists let me know.

-Pedro