Wednesday, January 23, 2008

THURSDAY THIRTEEN #51 -- Recently viewed DVDs that I haven't put away


THIRTEEN DVDs 
THAT STILL 
CLUTTER MY TV STAND


I have a hard time putting things away. I put something down and know – just know – I will pick it up again in a minute. And then a month or two goes by. That’s why I have such a vast and eclectic collection of movies and TV shows cluttering my living room. I enjoy and recommend them all.

Here they are in the order of their appearance in stacks around my TV:

1. Laura. (1944) A completely gorgeous black and white mystery about the murder of a glamorous Manhattan “party girl” (she’s my ideal because, like me, she works in an ad agency) and the three men who claimed to love her.

2. A Hard Day’s Night. (1964) The Beatles’ first, and best, movie.

3. HELP! (1965) The Beatles second movie, the sillier one that’s in color.

4. Valley of the Dolls. (1967) The hair, the clothes, the sex, the bad production numbers, the cheesy dialog … It’s hideous. It’s wretched. And I can’t watch it enough.

5.The Aviator. (2004) Leonardo DiCaprio breathes life into the legend of Howard Hughes, humanizing a man it would be easy to dismiss as a nut. Plus it’s got Cate Blanchette as The Great Kate Hepburn and Alan Alda playing against type as a very bad man.

6. Moonlighting, Seasons 1 and 2. (1985 and 1986) Dave and Maddie and comedy and sexual tension. Oh yeah, and some detective work, too. I adored this show. It’s when I fell deeply, profoundly and everlastingly in love with Bruce Willis. Now, watching it decades later, I have a new appreciation for Cybill Shepherd flair for physical comedy. I’d forgotten what a funny girl she could be.

7. Guys and Dolls. (1955) I love Marlon Brando and Jean Simmons in this! Like Dave and Maddie, they’re the last to know they’re in love. My favorite moment is their duet of “I’ll Know.” Sigh.

8. Law and Order Crime Scenes. A compilation DVD of popular episodes. My favorite stars Julia Roberts – then involved in real life with Benjamin Bratt/Rey Curtis – playing a chillingly convincing evil manipulator.

9. Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid. (1969) The harmonic convergence of Robert Redford, screenwriter William Goldman, director George Roy Hill and the peerless Paul Newman. Redford looks glorious, but in recent viewings I have come to enjoy Newman’s timing more and more. (“Never hit your mother with a shovel, for it leaves a dull impression on her mind …”)

10. That Girl, Season 3 (1968). I was 10 when these shows first aired and I wanted to BE Ann Marie. I wanted her wardrobe, her bangs, her cool apartment, and her sweet but completely non-threatening boyfriend, Donald. Watching it now, I appreciate what a groundbreaking series it was.

11. The Dick Van Dyke Show. (1961) Six episodes from the first season. I love Rob and Laura together. And Laura and her next door neighbor/best friend, Millie.

12. This Old Cub. (2004)  A star-studded tribute to the Cubs All-Star third baseman, the legendary Ron Santo. It covers his playing days (highlighted by the famous, heartbreaking 1969 season) as well as his brave struggle with diabetes and his current, glorious stint as Cubs radio announcer. Joe Mantegna, Bill Murray, William Petersen and Gary Sinise all appear to express their admiration for Ronnie. So do Ronnie's fantabulous Cub teammates -- Beckert, Kessinger, Williams and, of course, Ernie. Seems the only ones who don't love him are affiliated with the Hall of Fame. (Bastards.)

13. Beach Party (1963) A birthday gift from a dear friend who understands my connoisseur’s appreciation of the finest in cinematic camp.

Include your link in the comments and I will list you here:
1) SJR invites thirteen great funny girls over
2) Monday through Sunday has a serious, moving TT about what not to say to grieving parents
3) Ellen b takes us on a photographic tour of the oldest operating McDonald's
4) Greatfullivin shares Hoosier wisdom with us
5) Sandee reminds us of songs of 1970
6) Nicholas' TT is almost like mine, except it's different (check it out and that statement will make sense)
7) Sandy Carlson rhapsodizes about the sound of silence
8) Cricket's Hearth explains the origins of 13 phrases you hear every day
9) Natalie has a movie-related TT, too
10) Open Grove Claudia shares 13 inspirational quotes
11) Adelle's TT is cuh-ra-zee!
12) Missy looks at this date in history
13) Pjazzypar shares her viewing habits
14) Journeywoman salutes the creative forces behind her favorite shows
15) Proud mom Courtney throws a spotlight on her most active daughter
16) Susan Helene Gottfried shares her photos of Yellowstone … and some pointed commentary from Trevor
17) Not Afraid to Use It lists Girl Power anthems
18) LibAnn answers the question, "Why Blog?"
19) Especially timely after what happened to Heath Ledger, Maribeth looks at those who left us too soon
20) Zenmomma looks at fonts
21) Nancy banishes regret and looks back on her goofier moments
22) Angelle takes us through her morning routine
23) Patti shares all about herself -- brought to you by the letter C
24) D Pop Tart takes a closer look at life on the homefront during WWII
25) Sarai goes on vacation (in her fantasies)
26) Nancy J. Bond's TT will give you the shivers!
27) Tasina's TT was called early due to illness
28) Lori gives us the low down about today in Cincy
29) Celticlibrarian takes us back in time to old, OLD Scotland


Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!





35 comments:

  1. You are as eclectic as am I. Once upon a time I dated one of the former stars of the old beach movies.

    SJR
    The Pink Flamingo
    http://thepinkflamingo.blogharbor.com/blog

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  2. I never heard of #1..I will have to check that out..I love old movies.

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  3. I might have to check into Laura. I like old movies...

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  4. Laura is one of my all time favorite movies! I also wanted to be Ann Marie. I think we have the same taste in media. I wonder where you are in Chicagoland...I was born in Elgin and spent many years there.

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  5. All the oldies I've seen. I loved That Girl. The Beatles were always good. Valley of the Dolls is a classic. I love them all. Have a great TT. :)

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  6. Anonymous5:34 PM

    I have The Aviator somewhere on my Netflix list. I recorded Help off the TV a few weeks ago but haven't got round to seeing it again. I have Dick Van Dyke Show DVD too. I wonder if it's the same as yours.

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  7. Laura is a favorite of mine, too.

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  8. Anonymous6:59 PM

    I like your taste in movies. Wow, it has been forever since a saw Valley of the Dolls!

    I would love to have you stop by to check out 13 Phrases & their Origins. Also you may want to submit a recipe to win a programable slow cooker (shipping included in continental U.S.) for the contest I am offering for National Soup Month. Happy TT! Blessings, Cricket

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  9. What a diverse bunch of dvds.

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  10. Wow. Laura. I haven't even thought about that movie in ... a couple decades. I loved the book - carried it with me to college. Great list!

    Happy TT.

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  11. That's a real diverse set of DVD's. Great list. Happy T13!
    Feel free to drop by my blog!
    http://adellelaudan.blogspot.com

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  12. Anonymous8:39 PM

    That is a very eclectic collection. Thanks for sharing.

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  13. I love your list, especially # 1 and 4. Happy TT.

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  14. Anonymous9:14 PM

    Moonlighting Season 3 is on my recently viewed list.
    Laura is one of my mom's favorite movies.

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  15. Anonymous9:15 PM

    I used to love watching Moonlighting!
    http://amomspeaks.com

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  16. ... and I bet those are getting a LOT of play lately with the writer's strike affecting TV, too.

    Awesome stuff on that list!

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  18. Anonymous10:00 PM

    Hey gal..
    This is why you have SHOES all strewn about as well.....right???? Hah! Now they all know!!
    your old pal
    Good list of movies, BTW!

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  19. Wow. Usually I am right there with these lists, but you have a ton of stuff I haven't seen! I'm might just have to give them a go...

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  20. I love The Aviator and Dick Van Dyke! Love physical comedy!

    Happy TT!


    Lib
    http://not-much-more.blogspot.com

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  21. Anonymous12:09 AM

    I love the Beatles but I have never watched their movies.
    Shame Shame on me.
    Fun TT.
    Maribeth
    www.marnini.wordpress.com

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  22. I've seen them all but the baseball movie. Fun!

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  23. I love, "That Girl." I had no idea you could get it on DVD. How fun.

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  24. I've wanted to see Valley of the Dolls for a long time. Still haven't though!

    my 13

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  25. Oh! I used to love watching Moonlighting. Is Beach Party similar to Beach Blanket Bingo?? One of my all time fave flicks!! :) As cheesy as it was!

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  26. You know, I've never seen Valley of the Dolls (yet), but I can't get enough of the wicked sequel ;)

    Laura is one of my favorites -- but I don't own that one yet either... I feel a wishlist comin' on. Heh Heh.

    (I'm not funny at CQ's T13 today. Sorry. But I'm told I was funny at KKC...)

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  27. Well damn I don't own any of them. I have heard of them but haven't seen them. I had to put a couple in my netflix box so maybe...
    Sarai
    http://www.saraij.blogspot.com

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  28. What a great collection. I'm wildly jealous that you have Moonlighting. I adore that show and no matter what I'll always think Bruce Willis is one of the sexiest men alive!

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  29. Cool list of DVD's. Right now I think we have Christmas Eve on Sesame Street, Scooby Doo, and Molly: An American Girl. And we don't put things away either.

    I wanted to be Mary Tyler Moore.

    Happy Thursday!

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  30. Anonymous2:05 PM

    Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid & Beach Party!

    I Love both of these films. Actually, I have all but one of the beach party movies, and Pajama Party. They are lots of fun, and someday I plan to host a "Beach Party" Party.

    Happy TT!

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  31. TeeHee "That Girl." I use her hairstyle as a visual example in one of the classes I offer at my shop. I tell my students to take their wire in the tips of their round pliers and curl it into a "That Girl" hair flip. Any student under 35 has not a clue what I'm telling them to do, the older ones just grin.

    What a cool bunch of movies you have! "Beach Party" *g* makes me want to grab my board, my bikini and dance on the beach!

    Happy TT!!

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  32. Butch and Sundance. Two of my favorite actors, one of my favorite movies.

    Happy TT

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  33. Man, I haven't thought of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid in ages. Now I've got an urge to see it again.

    Warning: Nekkid people.
    http://lisaandel.blogspot.com

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  34. Whata brilliant TT list...and now I am coveting your dvd collection. I too used to love Moonlighting...and have been in love with Bruce Willis ever since!!!

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  35. You know I watch a lot of movies and there isn't a single on one that list that I've seen. With the exception of Moonlighting

    Happy TT

    http:betweentheticks.blogspot.com

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