Self-Isolation. I hope.

Today, my lovelies, is move-in day at my college.

Thankfully, I've been here for a week to help with International Orientation, so I'm free to sit in my room all day and watch as my fellow students cart their luggage to their respective rooms. The suckers. ;)

I'm off today, and have planned a delightful Netflix marathon for myself, consisting of--

• Cool Hand Luke ('cause I missed it yesterday)*

• After the Thin Man, which happens to be the only one I've not yet seen, and made twice as nice by the fact that it doesn't have the woefully obtrusive Nick, Jr., who always reminded me --and not in a good way-- of the kid from The Dick Van Dyke Show.

• Elevator to the Gallows, my first venture into Jeanne Moreau land.

Might watch another, if time allows. I'm thinking Klute, Father Goose, Sleuth, or whatever else catches my eye. There are just too many options on Netflix, and in some ways, availability breeds disinterest. For me, at least. I know it's there, so there's no real rush or urgency to see it. Does that make sense? No, probably not. I'm just being lazy.

Also, was looking for some recommendations-- I know a lot about melodramas, but haven't actually seen too many. I'm talking the Douglas Sirk variety, or for later years Tennessee Williams adaptations. I always convince myself they're not my cup of tea, but when I do watch them, I enjoy them 'same as anyone else. So let's hear 'em-- what are your favorites?

*doubly unfortunate, as it was presented on TCM by my manlove, Alec Baldwin

Monday Murder Series

I've been in a mystery type mood lately-- blame it on Dame Agatha. Anyway, I thought I'd give a new series a go. The Monday Murder Series. Nothing criminal, mind you, just good old fashioned murder... mysteries. ;)

If nothing else, this'll be an excuse for me to watch some of my favorite movies (and, of course, prattle on about them here). Good, huh?

To start off the series, I chose one of my favorite Ginger Rogers films-- Star of Midnight. Judging by the number of Ginger devotees out there, this one is by no means obscure or unpopular. (Can I get a "wise choice, Juliette"? ;)


Ginger and William Powell with their Star of Midnight director.

Directed by Stephen Roberts, it stars Ginger acting alongside my love William Powell. Most people tend to criticize this one as being a Thin Man rip-off (and I s'pose it is), but I adore it. Possibly more than The Thin Man.*

Because the only thing more tedious than reading a dry plot synopsis is writing a dry plot synopsis, I'll skip it-- for my sake as much as yours. The plot's rather silly anyway, but thatd doesn't make it any less enjoyable.

Some girl performer (the, uh, star of "Midnight") has disappeared and one lad's convinced she was his lover Alice, and another guy gets shot in William Powell's apartment and Eric Blore says "yessir" a lot and Ginger wears a ton of gowns. Yeah, that's it. Ish. There's a complicated climax followed by what the filmmakers would have you believe to be a laughably simple resolution.

However, in the midst of all this silliness and complexity, there is room for great performances and great banter. Makes me wish Ginger and Bill had partnered up quite a bit more, but I suppose that would be too much goodness for the universe to allow.

Anyway, if you've not already done so-- check out Star of Midnight. You'll like it, I promise. :)



*The juries still out on that one.