An Evening at the Hollywood Canteen

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Olive

Historic fictional piece Hilary wrote for her World War II course.

Privates Jim Clarke and Joe Bean guffawed as they read over their buddy’s shoulder. Jim jested, “Sweetie, huh? I thought you shook that busted Valentine months ago.”

Joe carried on, “Sweetie’s sweet on you, Bill!”

“Can it!” barked Sergeant William Jefferson as he crumpled the telegram in the palm of his hand. Handling women the morning after his arrival to the States was not on his agenda and Sweetie, whose name personified her behavior, caused a sickening pang in the pit of his stomach. “Not now,” he thought, “… not ever.”

Since Sweetie moved from their hometown in Childress, Texas to succeed as an actress in Tinsel Town, their relationship had been as prosperous as her career in acting. Currently, she was a server at the Cocoanut Grove, a popular nightclub at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, and the closest she had been to playing opposite Clark Gable was when she spilled gin and tonic all over his wing tip shoes.

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“My Hair is Naturally Natural”

Posted on June 7, 2011 by Scarlett

When it comes to hair colour, blondes and brunettes have been best “frenemies” for a very long time. Even film titles contribute to this battle between the two different hair colours: My Favorite Blonde (1942), My Favorite Brunette (1947), and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953). If blondes are ditzy and have more fun and brunettes are sensible, where do redheads fit in?

Many of classic Hollywood’s greatest stars have been redheads. The “Queen of Technicolour” herself, Maureen O’Hara, features radiant red locks (we do not say “ginger” on The Scarlett Olive).

Maureen O'Hara. Her characters often had a stereotypical hot temper.

In many classic films, redheads are portrayed as sexually forward, tempestuous, dangerous, spunky, and zany.

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Kate the Great: A Birthday Package

Posted on May 12, 2011 by Scarlett

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Source: www.doctormacro.com

May 12^th marks the 104^th anniversary of Katharine Houghton Hepburn’s birth. To celebrate the birth of this tsunami of talent, The Scarlett Olive talked to the ultimate fan girl – Martha Wade Steketee. If you didn’t listen to the show (shame on you), Martha is a dramaturg who lives in New York City and loves the theatricality of life and the wonder of acting and the stage. One of the biggest influences of her life was the great Kate Hepburn, and we hear her appreciation as she graciously guest starred on our show.

So, what makes Kate so great?

Katharine Hepburn is a winning mixture of all the things that make an admirable actress: strength, intelligence, wit, professionalism…and a lot of heart. She had the ability to pull off screwball comedy as Susan Vance in Bringing Up Baby (1938), be a woman of the world as Tess Harding in Woman of the Year (1941), and an understanding mother in Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967) and On Golden Pond (1981). What is compelling about Katharine Hepburn’s career is her ability to age gracefully through her roles. In a world of Botox and cosmetic surgery frenzy, it is rare to find an actress who is willing to…act her age. When Katharine was young, she played young roles. When she was middle aged, she chose age-appropriate roles such as Bunny Watson in Desk Set (1957). As an elderly woman, she proudly wore her wrinkles and silver roots in such roles as Grace Quigley (1985) and the endearing Cornelia Beaumont in the TV movie, One Christmas (1994).

Katharine Hepburn's surprise appearance at a George Cukor tribute in 1978. Thanks to Martha for sending us this photo!

Having great attributes and the ability to age gracefully are not the only things that make Kate so “great.” She has star quality. Her personality transcends the screen – whether that is big screen, television, laptop, or iPod – and touches viewers of every generation by those attributes that define her. Her spunkiness is attractive to the young at heart, her hopeful youth roles are relatable to young viewers trying to place themselves in the world, but it is her fascination for life that makes all viewers excited to be living. An actress who can make a viewer feel invigorated sixty – seventy years after a film is made must be “great.” This love of life can also be experienced by reading her autobiography, Me: Stories of My Life.

A portrait for LIFE magazine in 1968 by Terence Spencer. Thanks to Martha again for the photo!

If you listened to the show and enjoyed Martha’s enthusiasm, you can follow her thoughts on life and theatre through her two blogs. Martha’s musings on everyday life can be found here: www.mattiewade.wordpress.com . If you are interested in her theatre reviews, click on the following link: www.msteketee.wordpress.com

We also recommend the Katharine Hepburn hit parody on Youtube, Katie’s Corner. Alexandra Billings respectfully brings “Katie” back to life by producing “how-to” videos which end up becoming a showcase for her zany antics and hilarious stories about Hollywood stars of the past.

Watch Pumpkin Pancakes.

Fanatical Food Frenzy

Posted on March 14, 2011 by Olive

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You Can't Take It With You (1938)

Katie and Hilary discuss the importance of food in films and how it is a staple in humour, family ties, status, and gender roles. So, grab your forks, knives, and napkins and dig in!