Guilty Pleasures: Three Coins in the Fountain

1954 Romance Drama
From 20th Century Fox
Screenplay by John Patrick
From novel by John Secondari
Directed by Jean Negulesco

Starring
Clifton Webb
Dorothy McGuire
Jean Peters
Louis Jourdan
Maggie McNamara
Rossano Brazzi
Howard St. John
Kathryn Giveny
Cathleen Nesbitt

The Films of Rodgers and Hammerstein

In the early 40's composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist-dramatist Oscar Hammerstein joined forces and set Broadway marquees on fire with their partnership.  Rodgers had previously worked with Lorenz Hart while Hammerstein partnered with Jerome Kern.  Those partnerships were once successful but they were not to compare with the new one.  Audiences couldn't get enough of them and although they didn't always see eye-to-eye, they produced music with a profound influence on America's tastes.

The Incorrigible Tony Curtis

Hey Tony, are you listening up there?  Can you hear me?  Tell all the ladies to stop feeding you grapes on your overstuffed pillows and to stop oiling your body.  I have something to tell you.  Are you listening?  You were very handsome.  Ok, I'm sorry... you were very, very, very handsome.  Are you satisfied?  I got it out of the way right off.   Now listen up.

Visiting Film Noir: Desert Fury

1947 Film Noir
From Paramount Pictures
Novel by Ramona Stewart
Screenplay by Robert Rossen
and A. I. Bezzerides
Directed by Lewis Allen

Starring
Lizabeth Scott
John Hodiak
Burt Lancaster
Mary Astor
Wendell Corey

From the 1950s: The Naked Spur

1953 Western
From MGM
Written by Sam Rolfe
and Harold Jack Bloom
Directed by Anthony Mann

Starring 
James Stewart
Janet Leigh
Robert Ryan
Ralph Meeker
Millard Mitchell

So Sad: Susan Cabot

She is unknown to most people.  I suspect even at the top of her career, she never made much of an impact on filmgoers, aside from her exotic looks.  Exceptions would be the fans of B westerns where one was able to spot her as an Indian maiden and for those who liked 1950's sci-fi flicks.  While good fortune didn't exactly rain on her in her chosen profession, it must be acknowledged that she made some poor choices.  Everyone's climb to the top is different but hers was... well, so sad.

Visiting Film Noir: The Strange Love of Martha Ivers

1946 Film Noir
From Paramount Pictures
Story by John Patrick
Adapted by Robert Rossen
Directed by Lewis Milestone

Starring
Barbara Stanwyck
Van Heflin
Lizabeth Scott
Kirk Douglas
Judith Anderson
Janis Wilson
Darryl Hickman
Roman Bohnen
Mickey Kuhn

From the 1960s: Five Branded Women

1960 War Drama
From Paramount Pictures
Based on novel by Ugo Pirro
Screenplay adapted by Igo Perilli
Directed by Martin Ritt

Starring
Silvana Mangano
Van Heflin
Jeanne Moreau
Vera Miles
Richard Basehart
Barbara Bel Geddes
Alex Nicol
Harry Guardino
Carla Gravina
Steve Forrest