College (1927)

I'm re-watching Buster Keaton's film College and it's remarkable how modern this film looks. Just think of how movies looked ten years prior. The comedy is so sharp & precise. Zero overacting. The stunts, like always, iconic. Keaton's acting is always natural, not to mention his amazing physicality (watch the scene where he tries some campus athletics. There was a lot of muscle packed in his tiny body). Silent film at its finest.

I highly recommend this movie if you are a comedy fan. Once you watch it, go ahead and continue with The Camera Man (1928) for more.

Easter Parade (1948)

When I was 13 I had the VHS, the soundtrack AND I performed Judy's parts 'til I dropped.

I will never be as cool like that again.

93-year old Mary Ellis flies a Spitfire

Found this gem on YouTube. The original video is from 2010 when she was 93. You can also read a recent article published just this past March 10 about Mary Ellis, now 98 years old, who is still active and flying her precious Spitfire. Here's a link:

Mary Ellis was a Spitfire pilot in WW2. At 98, she still flies

I'll write a lot more on this, but it is 2am and I have to go to sleep!

Judy Garland - (I'm) Confessin' (That I Love You) (1958)

Judy Garland - The Joint is Really Jumpin' Down at Carnegie Hall (1943)

She sings: "I said to hear you get in the groove".

Forty years before Madonna.

The Mills Brothers - Till Then (1944)

Perfection.

Little Anthony and the Imperials - Tears On My Pillow (1958)

I heard this song today coming from the living room TV while I was busy writing in my bedroom. It made pause for a bit and I didn't even notice I stopped until it was over. It's such a beautiful tune.

Ella Fitzgerald (feat. the Ink Spots) - I'm Making Believe (1944)

Judy Garland - Put Your Arms Around Me, Honey (1949)

Listen to this. I promise you it will be stuck in your head for days. Especially after Van Johnson's quick ditty. Of course Judy kicks his butt. And you will love every moment. It's the power of Judy Garland.

You're welcome!

Buster Keaton

His films aren't just meant to be enjoyed. They are meant to be STUDIED. Anybody who is involved in comedy writing/directing/editing/producing/acting needs to know his filmography inside & out.

I can't remember when I first started watching him, I was so little. Probably when I was five or six. Back then I thought he was 'young Chaplin'. I thought he was the same guy, but his mustache had not 'grown' just yet. My knowledge of Keaton's life and films has expanded quite a lot since then...

It's over twenty years now and I still love him. Well, both. He and Chaplin are my soulmates.

Every Sunday in October Turner Classic Movies is going to be showing marathons of his films. And that makes me happy. (I'm not headed toward an intellectual discussion here. Like I said, he simply makes me happy.)