Showing posts with label Burns & Allen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Burns & Allen. Show all posts

Thursday, December 25, 2014

Christmas Wishes Golden Age Hollywood Stars Seasons Greetings

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays


1938 Holiday Greetings from Carole Lombard, Cecil B. DeMille, Gary Cooper, Ginger Rogers, Will Hay, Stanley Lupino, George Formby



 "Season's Greetings from The Thin Man and Family"
aka Nick and Nora Charles, Nick Jr and Asta
William Powell and Myrna Loy

MGM Stars wishing you a Merry Christmas 1921:
Bert Lytell, Viola Dana, May Allison, Alice Lake, Ina Claire, Buster Keaton



1923, silent movie star,  actress Shirley Mason's audio greeting Christmas in Hollywood


1924 Paramount Stars wish you a Merry Christmas. 
Left to right: Lois Wilson, Noah Beery, Lillian Rich, Vera Reynolds, Rod LaRocque, Betty Compson, Ernest Torrence, Jane Winton, Raymond Hatton, Mary Brian, Agnes Ayres, Betty Bronson, Constance Bennett and Esther Ralston. 
"They are all busy at the West Coast Studios."

Joan Crawford audio/radio Christmas message


Christmas Card featuring Katharine Hepburn in Little Women
Every good wish for 1921 from Silent film star Harrison Ford


Christmas Parade of Stars 1960 

Best Wishes from Houdini
Yuletide Greetings from
Harold Lloyd


Santa George Burns and Gracie Allen

Merry Christmas from Douglas Fairbanks 1919


Christmas clips with a song
 

A Christmas Lullaby by Cary Grant



Merry Christmas from John Wayne and Bob Hope 1976



The stars speak for charities at Christmastime:

Clark Gable for Christmas Seals:



Doris Day - Christmas Message for Toys for Tots 1954



Jack Webb for Christmas Seals



James Coburn for Christmas Seals



Joan Crawford for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute


Greetings from Will H. Hays  1924


"Greetings! With a proper feeling of gratification for what has been accomplished during the year now drawing to a close, but with much greater feeling of gratitude to the public which has made our accomplishments possible by its encouragement and support, the motion picture industry looks forward hopefully to the beginning of another year of opportunity to serve you. 

"During the twelve months now ending more really fine motion pictures have been produced and exhibited than ever before in the history of this form of entertainment. Of that fact we are proud. The success of 1924, however is but the urge for larger accomplishments in 1925.
 

"To all the men and women of the industry who have given their sincerest efforts to this great service of providing the public with its most popular form of entertainment, I offer my thanks and my most genuine good wishes that their Christmas may be happy and their New Year be one of attainment and the rewards that attainment brings."
Will H. Hays (above)


Related Pages of Interest: 

Watch favorite old holiday-themed television episodes

A Christmas Wish: Kermit the Frog and John Denver

Charles Boyer receives The Gift at Christmas, parents and grown children

Harrison Ford, Strong, Silent Movie Star

Five child photography tips 

Dirty Business, Film Censorship in the early days of cinema 

Monday, July 7, 2014

Heterochromia Different Colored Eyes

Heterochromia
Two different color eyes : Celebrities with 2 different color eyes 

Heterochromia iridum: A term usually used to mean having two different
photo of white cat with 2 different color eyes magnet
Khao Manee
White Kitten Magnet
colored eyes, different colored irises in the eyes. It's less common in humans but more common in dogs, cats and horses. Odd eyes can happen to anyone. 


You're apt to see it in Dalmatians and Australian sheep dogs. In cats it's common in the Khao Manee and it can be seen in the Turkish Van.

Trauma or disease can change the color of an eye. Contact a medical professional if you notice a change in your eye(s) that has you concerned.

Heterochromia may also mean a person has different colors of skin or hair, including eyelashes. I read of one doctor who had a patient who had different color eyelashes as well as irises in the eyes. (see below)

Different Colored Eyes Day is celebrated annually on July 12th.

Photo of actress Kay Francis
What Kay Francis thinks of the whole topic
8x10" Photo

I can't find information on Kay Francis' having heterochromia. Articles tend to say she had grey or blue eyes. Having different colored eyes would probably not have been advertised or noted back in the early days of cinema.

Also couldn't find an Alice Eve or Mila Kunis photo where it was visible, though they are on several lists.

From article, lower right: "... A beautiful blonde who had a blue eye with blonde lashes and a brown eye with black lashes on the other..."
clip of article about heterochromia eyes, eyelashes 1960s
Doctor speaking about
The Children's Castle Helsinki,
Finland. The Spokesman-Review,
June 7, 1965

How many people do you know with green eyes? Is this more common in people who have lighter eyes? Do these stars have mismatched eyes?

Celebrities said to have Heterochromia:

Gracie Allen one blue and one green
Kiefer Sutherland blue and green
Joe Pesci one blue one green 
Josh Henderson green and blue 
Michael Flatley one blue and one green

Dan Aykroyd brown and hazel
Jane Seymour one brown and one hazel

Demi Moore one green one hazel

Kate Bosworth blue and hazel
Christopher Walken blue and hazel

Norma Eberhardt brown and blue
Max Scherzer blue and brown
Alice Eve brown and blue
Tim McIlrath brown and blue
Pacho O’Donnell blue and brown?

Mila Kunis one green and one brown
 

Kiefer Sutherland color autographed photo
Kiefer Sutherland Autographed Signed 11x14 Photo PSA DNA
Hard to tell in most photos
Kiefer Sutherland, son of actor Donald Sutherland, is an actor and producer. He has appeared in films and television shows and lent his voice to to movies, TV shows and popular video games. Stand by Me and The Lost Boys are some of his famous films. 

He has a star on Canada's Walk of Fame and also on the Hollywood Walk of Fame where his star is near that of his father both with the address, 7024 Hollywood Blvd.

Gracie Allen:

"Gracie had two different color eyes. One eye was green the other was blue. Of course it didn't matter - on radio they were the same color and on black and white television."  

Early photo of Gracie Allen
Gracie Allen


Gracie Allen retired in 1958, leaving the Burns & Allen TV show. This was when television was switching to color and there was talk that she retired due to sensitivity about her eye color being seen on camera. She also had significant health issues, including having had a mild heart attack. 

It seems this was the real reason for her retirement. George Burns, by the way, had blue eyes and brown hair. Eventually he had grey hair. Then on top he had little hair so he had Promotional photo Burns and Allenstore-bought grey hair....

Gracie Allen had a scar on her arm that was due to an accident she'd had with a pot of boiling water when she was a very young child. She always wore dresses that had 3/4 length sleeves and was never seen in public without that arm's being covered. 

Even in a film like The Big Broadcast of 1937 when she was dancing in a toga, Gracie had a scarf situated so it covered that arm. 

In George Burns' book they said the injury was so bad that they thought at the time she might lose her arm. It's very difficult to find a photo where you get a hint of her different colored eyes. Gracie died from a heart attack in 1964 at the age of 58.

I read somewhere that someone back in the 1940s-50s wondered if she had something to do with drugs because her arms were always covered?! When you look at newspaper fashion reports of the 1930s and 40s, her name is often mentioned alongside the glamorous movie stars, telling what Gracie was wearing.


Abigail Van Buren column letter about different eye colors
Advice columnists Abigail Van Buren and Dear Abby received letters
from young people who were embarrassed because they
had two different colored eyes. They would often mention the names of
celebrities who also had different colored eyes. "There's nothing to be embarrassed about."
Just one more of the many things eye-related that may worry a teen or tween is known as blepharospasm (excessive blinking and spasming of the eyes). This may be due to particularly dry eyes or those that are very sensitive to light.

Benedict Cumberbatch:

Cumberbatch has a case which is called Central Heterochromia, displaying two colors in the iris. Some also refer to this as Sectoral Heterochromia or Sectoral Hypochromia but others reserve these terms for non-humans, such as cats and dogs, etc. 

This gets a nickname, Cat Eyes. Note: these terms wouldn't normally be capitalized. With Benedict Cumberbatch, the outer part of his iris is blue while the inner part is more golden green. 

Simon Pegg, "blue-grey with brown areas" may also fit into this category.



Trauma to the eye, Changes in eye color:

"Trauma to the eye, whether accidental or surgical, can change eye color by changing the content of the pigment in the iris. 
Some David Bowie Posters
accentuate his eyes - he knows
different is good

"An injury to certain nerves in the upper chest or neck can result in a condition known as Horner's syndrome. 

"Here a lightening in iris color occurs in the affected eye. People are sometimes born with this condition. 

"A more recent cause for change in eye color has been the use of new types of medication in the treatment of glaucoma. .... 

"The natural aging process can cause certain conditions to occur which can change eye color."
 


-- Dr. John P. Nairn Jr. MD Ophthalmology, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, May 7, 2002

David Bowie:



Snip of article about David Bowie's eyes, color pupils
Young David Bowie and his friend were fighting over a girl, the story goes.
A punch in the eye left one of his pupils permanently dilated. Bowie's eyes also appear to be different colors.




Related Pages of Interest

Celebrity family members who have Hollywood Walk of Fame Stars near one another

You remind me of a man, copyright and short phrases: Cary Grant and Myrna Loy, David Bowie...

Who taught Paul Henreid to light 2 cigarettes at once for Now, Voyager? Bette Davis or Gracie Allen? 

Books:

The books on Kay Francis both get good reviews from readers and both available digitally for eReaders such as the Kindle

Gracie, A Love Story by George Burns
  
This one has gotten some good reviews recently Kay Francis - I Can't Wait To Be Forgotten - Her Life on Film and Stage by Scott O'Brien with foreward by Robert Osborne 

Kay Francis: A Passionate Life and Career by Lynn Kear and John Rossman 


For kids with eye conditions, children who feel different & need support:

All Children Have Different Eyes: Learn to Play and Make Friends....Starring Tommy with Nystagmus (wobbly eyes) and Wendy with Strabismus (crossed eyes) 

The Patch A child must wear a patch over one eye. What will the other kids think?

 
colored contact lenses, prescription lenses
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Image shown is of Golden Twilight Contact Lenses manufactured by Marietta Vision "Golden Twilight Contacts are golden amber in color with a cut out center."
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Prescription Help Whether you have your prescription or not. They can phone the doctor. A prescription is required for all FX lens purchase. There is a sample contact lens prescription so you'll know what's needed. A Circle of Excellence Gold Honoree : Shopzilla

For a make-up artist, model or to wear for a performance or holiday sometimes we'd like to know how to change eye color.
"Perfect for a Halloween costume, theatrical productions, novelty contact lens, cosmetic eye changes and for parties year round." All lenses carry a money back guarantee for unopened or defective lenses
Try Special Effects Contact Lenses, turn your eyes a different color or go all out and get something like Special Effects Black and White Spiral Contact Lenses: Remember the opening of Twilight Zone??

-- Sources: Thanks to the book, Gracie, A Love Story by George Burns,
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Rome News-Tribune, BBC News, mentalfloss.com, wikipedia and other research
.
Because this list was culled from different sources, the information may not be entirely accurate.
 

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Please Mister Postman the Marvelettes, Beatles, Mel Blanc, George and Gracie

Please Mister Postman
the Marvelettes, the Beatles,
Mel Blanc, George and Gracie

There must be some word today
From my boyfriend so far away
Please Mister Postman, look and see
If there's a letter, a letter for me ....


The song came out long before email and internet, conference video calling such
Mel Blanc 1976
as Skype. Then the only ones who did that kind of thing were pretty much The Jetsons.

May 30, 1908 is the anniversary of Mel Blanc's birth. He's a famous voice actor and comedian who worked at Warner Brothers. He provided many character voices, including those for Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Tweety Bird, Sylvester the Cat, Yosemite Sam and Foghorn Leghorn.

He had his own show and was a cast member on some early radio shows including the George Burns and Gracie Allen Show in the 1940s where he played the Happy Postman. Early in the episode, Gracie would answer the door. "Hello, Mr. Postman!" I often think of the song when I hear her greet him.




Blanc was a popular guest on other TV and radio shows. He is great on the Jack Benny Christmas special episodes.

What is the background of Please Mr. Postman? Who are some of the artists who've sung it? August 21, 1961, The Marvelettes released a single of Please Mr. Postman. Their album of the same name came out on November 20, 1961.




I've been standin' here waitin' Mister Postman
So patiently
For just a card, or just a letter
Sayin' he's returnin' home to me...


December 6, 1961 they released Twistin' Postman to follow up the success the group had with Please Mr. Postman and to take advantage of Chubby Checker's The Twist dance craze.

November 30, 1963, The Beatles released their LP, With the Beatles. This included their version of Please Mister Postman. 



Another Beatles hit that was along letter writing lines was P.S. I Love You, written by Paul McCartney. An early single, its B side was Love Me Do. It was included on their 1963 LP Please Please Me.

The album also included Till There Was You by Meredith Willson, a song some might recognize from the musical The Music Man.

Meredith Willson was bandleader and a regular character actor on Burns and Allen radio show during World War II. He wrote the song for his 1957 musical play The Music Man. It also appeared in the 1962 movie version with Shirley Jones, Robert Preston and a young Ron Howard.

A few of us had an event where we were using sealing wax on cards and letters. The latest I can recall hearing, from artsy friends and those sending out wedding invitations using sealing wax is that there have been some problems. I'd be interested to hear your experiences.

What people do now is hand deliver the cards to one another. You can also use it to adorn a piece of art or create a certificate, an award. Sending it through the mail may risk ruining your masterpiece or jamming a machine.




On one show, because of the postwar housing shortage, Gracie decides to take in a veteran and his family. Meredith Willson wants to start a vaudeville act with George. 
 
So many days you passed me by
See the tears standin' in my eyes
You didn't stop to make me feel better
By leavin' me a card or a letter ....


November 8, 1974 The Carpenters released their single, Please Mr. Postman. The flip side was This Masquerade.  

This Masquerade was written by Leon Russell. His version is part of the soundtrack for director William Friedkin's 2006 psychological thriller film Bug. It also appeared in the movie The Pursuit of Happyness.



Both songs were hits for The Carpenters but Please Mr. Postman was one of their biggest hits ever worldwide. Their official music video was shot at Disneyworld and includes appearances by Disney characters.

Later I'll talk more about it, but recently we watched a documentary, 20 Feet from Stardom. The documentary pays homage to the backup singers who do not get the recognition they deserve. I adore backup singers, they add so much to the sound and the entire show. 

The program includes "Darlene Love, the uncredited lead voice on some of Phil Spector's most memorable productions of the 1960s." Also you'll enjoy Lisa Fischer and Merry Clayton. Some amazing singing on this documentary. It's available to stream or get on DVD. 
 
Karen and Richard Carpenter in Studio


The show spoke primarily about female backup singers. Gladys Knight's famous Pips weren't included as I recall. Sting, Bette Midler and Mick Jagger are interviewed. The show sparked a lively discussion amongst friends as to whether Dawn (Telma Hopkins, Joyce Vincent) started out as backup singers for Tony Orlando. Telma Hopkins went on to a favorite 1980s show, Bosom Buddies.

In February 2013 it was announced that the USPS would stop mail deliveries on Saturdays beginning in August. On April 10, 2014 the United States Post Office backed off on stopping Saturday mail deliveries. Apparently Congress would not allow the change. There is still a possibility that we may lose our Saturday mail deliveries.
So Mister postman look and see
Is there a letter in your bag for me
I been waiting a long long time
Since I heard from that boyfriend of mine...


Related Pages of Interest:

She fell for The Leader of the Pack in 1964, Dramatic song performance The Shangri-Las' Number One hit

Paul Henreid Directs Bette Davis Ray Charles and Alfred Hitchcock?

Did Bette Davis teach Paul Henreid to light 2 cigarettes at once or did Gracie Allen




Mel Blanc photo flickr image used under Creative Commons from Mblumber
Excerpts from Please Mr. Postman throughout (Georgia Dobbins, William Garrett, Brian Holland and Robert Bateman are usually shown as the song's writers. As with many hit songs, the song gets reworked.)

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Gracie- James Mason- the Cats- a Chair and a Whip

James Mason on the Burns and Allen Radio Show

Seventh Veil Ann Todd, James Mason
Photograph Master Print High Quality
Actor James Mason and his wife Pamela were guest stars on one of my favorite Burns & Allen radio episodes. George Burns and Gracie Allen recorded the show on *February 17, 1949. 

This episode is sometimes called Impressing The Neighbors or George Collects Cats.  

While James Mason had appeared in many films up until this airing, they specifically talked about a film he did in 1945, The Seventh Veil.

The sponsor at that time was Maxwell House Coffee.  Announcer Bill Goodwin kept the show going, including providing introductions, commercial breaks (which were often incorporated into the show itself) and he served as an actor himself.

It's fun to hear those who are usually thought of as dramatic actors. On screen they have suave or maybe scary personas, they come onto radio shows make us laugh.

The other thing you notice on radio is what you don't hear on television shows and in films. On radio shows you hear actors stumble over their lines, you'll hear them say "uh," or even cough. You rarely hear things like that in the movies unless it's in the script.



The Seventh Veil, Starring James Mason, Herbert Lom, Ann Todd and Hugh McDermott 1945: If you're in the US, your best bet is to stream the film. *Please check. Depending on stock available, the DVD may not play on most US machines.

In his 1981 autobiography, Before I Forget, was published. Mason said people assumed he really was mean and asked if he beat his wife. In response, he wrote a satirical, facetious article titled "Yes, I Beat My Wife" with his own illustrations, which was published in a British humor and arts magazine, Liliput.

The fact that people assumed this about him in real life was probably some motivation for the bits in this show. The couple had also appeared on the very popular Fred Allen Show. They even had their own radio show for a while.

Mason was spy, Phillip Vandamm in the 1959 Alfred Hitchcock film North by Northwest. He was Humbert in Stanley Kubrick's Lolita and many other memorable roles. Later in his career he did 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and the spooky Salem's Lot.

I've always liked James Mason as an actor and that's only one reason that this is a favorite Burns and Allen episode. I'm a British comedy fan and a cat person. Both the silly humor about Americans vs Brits and the cat theme makes it funny and charming.

Another interesting bit about this episode from the 1940s is hearing Gracie Allen's contention that women like to be dominated. It's said in humor but she could be right off of a present-day talk show.

Fanny by Gaslight, They were Sisters and The Wicked Lady, from around the same time period also have Mason in what was called his wicked beast persona. In They were Sisters, his wife Pamela played his daughter, even though she was only seven years his junior.


Upturned Glass James Mason '47 Portrait Lobby Card
James Mason appeared with his wives in films
Here he is with Pamela Kellino Mason
Did the show or the writers get an advance copy of 50 Shades of Grey? They're basically chatting about submissive women, Mason's being attractive because he beats women in his films, etc. It's really psychologically relevant today.

How often do you see the discussion something like, do dominant women want to be submissive at home? Is being abusive is synonymous with being 'rough and rugged.'  Regardless, Mason was there to both mock and put an end to that image of himself. Of course it's all satirical.

The premise of the show is that the Masons have moved from England to Beverly Hills. Gracie is thrilled, she's attracted to James Mason and wants to invite him over. Mason was one of the popular and good looking male movie stars of the day. Here are some fun parts of the show. I've had to condense and paraphrase what they said here and there.  


George (GB): Remember Mason in The Seventh Veil - Wasn't he great?
Gracie (GA): Wonderful. And just think, now he's our neighbor. We're almost close enough to hear his wife scream
GB: Why should his wife scream?
GA: It must hurt when he beats her with that cane
GB: Gracie, he only did that in the movie. In real life James Mason is probably very kind and gentle.
GA: Don't you dare say such mean things about him! Kind and gentle? That's a fine way to talk about that magnificent monster!
GB: I'm sorry I insulted him

Gracie: You know, some girls dream of getting a husband who'll cover them in diamond and minks.
I'd rather have James Mason and be covered with band-aids.


GB: You would?!
GA: Sure. Women love to be dominated. But in all the years we've been married you've never struck me once. You're very selfish, George. Well please try to act rough and rugged when the Masons get here. I'm going to invite them over for a visit...

GA: With those piercing black eyes and that cane all he has to do is give you a look and a clap
GB: Gracie for the last time, Mason is not that type of man. He's very soft spoken and gentle. As a matter of fact his hobby is raising cats.
GA: You mean pussy cats? ... Their hobby is raising cats?
GB: Sure they've written a book, The Cats in Our Lives.

George tells her they have nothing in common, she can't just go to their house and invite strangers over. She says, "I've been using his jars for years."
George explains that it's a different Mason who makes Mason jars......

She decides to pretend that they have something in common so they can meet.


Photograph Gracie Allen
8x10 b/w photo "The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show"

Gracie goes over to the Masons' house and introduces herself as their neighbor. She tells them that George has a rare collection of cats. They have a cute exchange about cats. Mr. (JM) and Mrs. (PM) Mason go back and forth asking Gracie questions about George's cats.

 GA: My husband has a rare and valuable collection and one of them disappeared
JM: Really? It so happens that Mrs Mason has quite a collection of cats
GA: You don't say
JM: Yes in our family my wife is the fancier
GA: Oh I don't know, you're pretty cute yourself.
JM: I meant she's an expert on cats
GA: Oh you mean like my husband

PM: Yes. How many do you have Mrs. Burns?
GA: Well only one. That's all the husbands they allow in this country
JM: I believe she was asking about cats, not husbands.

James Mason with Siamese Kitten 1945? Clipping Magazine Photo orig 1pg 8x10
The Masons were said to have Siamese named Flower-Face, Sadie and Tribute

GA: We had 15 when I left the house. Of course there may be more when I get back. Our mother cat is very popular
JM: Is she expecting a litter?
GA: No, her boyfriends can't write. They just call to her from the back fence.
JM: Mrs. Burns, when a cat has a litter she gives birth to kittens
GA: I don't doubt it! -- A shock like that. ...
PM: Do you have any Persians or Siamese?
GA: No. We don't keep people just cats.

JM: Mrs. Burns what is your method of raising cats?
GA: Well, you put both hands under their tummy and lift

PM: What do you feed your cats?
GA:: Cheese
PM: Cheese?
GA: Well yes. They're too aristocratic to go looking for mice. this way the mice smell their breath and they come looking for them.

After telling them that all these cats exist the Masons are anxious to visit and see them. Gracie talks George into walking with her through an alley after she's slipped a bit of aromatic fish into his pocket. A parade of alley cats follow them home.

The Masons arrive and Gracie introduces them. Cats are climbing all over George, who's still unaware that he's got fish in his pocket.

PM: We're so anxious to meet your husband

Gracie: Oh you'll love him Mrs. Mason.
He's the same type as your husband.
He beats me all the time

James Mason: What??

Pamela Mason: Your husband beats you?!
Gracie Allen: Oh he's so British! Here's my husband; he's frolicking with his cats.

JM: By Jove, Mr. Burns I've never seen cats so devoted to a man. They seem to be a curious mixture of breeds. Pam, what would you say that grey one is?
PM: Well it could be part Maltese but it's difficult to tell it's shedding its fur.
GA: Yes, it's part Maltese and part Striptease.

JM: Mr. Burns, your wife told us about your cat collection but we never expected anything like this. You must attend these creatures with a chair and a whip.


George and Gracie try to give all the cats to the Masons as a Welcome to America gift. The only want one, a fancy Persian cat from the neighborhood who wandered in with the others. George gives the cat to them. They name the cat George after their favorite performer, George Jessell.



The Decks Ran Red 1958
Original Lobby Card
Dorothy Dandridge, James Mason


Dorothy Dandridge was the first African American actress  to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for Carmen Jones (1954).

Gracie thinks that Mrs. Mason was making eyes at George, that she's fallen in love with her husband. This may be partly because she's attracted to Mrs. Mason's husband. :)

Their neighbor wants his fancy Persian cat back and George sends Bill Goodwin to the Masons to retrieve it. 

As luck and sponsors would have it, James Mason suggests to Goodwin that they have a cup of tea. Goodwin freaks out saying he'll only drink Maxwell House Coffee. He storms out of the house without the cat. 

James Mason to his wife: "Strange that Burns should have one thoroughbred among all those mongrels. I'll wager it was Mrs. Burns who collected all those battered old veterans. With Mr. Burns at home she must have wanted a matched set."

Mrs. Mason has become particularly fond of George the Persian cat. He asks how she's getting along with him.

PM: Wonderfully, darling. I bathed him and brushed him and he's simply beautiful. He already responds to his new name. 

She goes outside "to have a romp in the garden with George." 


Judy Garland A Star Is Born 1954
High Quality Photo

Gracie goes to their house because she believes Mrs. Mason has enticed her husband George over. She wants her husband back.

GA: I've come to get George
PM: Oh please don't I've grown so fond of him. Must you take him away?
GA: Yes I must

JM: [He begins to beg.] Mrs. Burns, I appeal to you...
GA: You certainly do, but I've come to get George
JM: Please let my wife keep him.
GA: You wouldn't object?
JM: Not at all. If it makes Pam happy I'll even let him sleep at the foot of our bed.
GA: Gee you English are broad minded.

James Mason offers to pay Gracie for George. When Pamela tells Gracie that she gave George a bath, Gracie is shocked and distraught.

GA: You gave him a bath???
PM: Yes
GA: Well, if he let you do that I've lost him. He's yours Mrs mason.
PM: Oh thank you
GA: But be kind to him.... remember he's getting old
PM: You'd never know it he acts very frisky around me
GA: Well it's your first day together. He was frisky on our first day, too. ...

The show is funny and charming. If you get a chance, I suggest that you give it a listen.

Before I Forget, James Mason autobiography

I keep checking to see what volumes of The cats in our lives are available

Favorite Cat Stories of Pamela & James Mason Their cat books are hard to find.

Rudolph Valentino's Impact Lover Movie Idol, Dangerous Man, Valentino's Impact: Would he be such big a star today?

The Burns & Allen radio show Collection on MP3. They had an amazing assortment of film and music stars of the era. You'll find the George Collects Cats episode if you get the set.

Siamese Cats in Films, TV and Books

We found more documentaries, foreign films, more British television shows and many more old color and black and white films to rent and stream on Amazon.  



The first Daily Mail Film Awards were awarded in 1946 to the most outstanding British actor and actress during the war years. These awards preceded the BAFTA Awards as Britain's national film awards.  The awards ran from 1946 to 1951

James Mason won the first one for Most popular and outstanding British actor in 1946, their inaugural year. Mason also won Best Film Actor of the year 1947 but because he was in New York at the time of the ceremony, Mr J Arthur Rank Collected the award on his behalf. On the video, we also hear them sing for the Grand Old Order of Water Rats.

Also in 1946 Most Outstanding British actress award went to Margaret Lockwood. Ms. Lockwood would win Best Actress in 1946, 1947 and 1948 consecutively. Best Film was Way to the Stars.  The award was collected by Anatole de Grunwald (Producer) and Anthony Asquith (Director). 

The trophy is described as being "a silver nymph holding aloft a silver star in its right hand, standing approximately 60 cm high." 

I found more films from James Mason's era on Amazon than other streaming media outlets. Films like The Seventh Veil are only available on VHS and discs that are readable on machines in countries other than the US. 

What is James Mason's era? Mason made movies from 1933 to 1985! He also wrote and co-wrote books and illustrated them. He did other things too but we're not going to list them here just yet. ;)

James Mason was nominated for three Academy Awards and three Golden Globes (winning the Golden Globe in 1955 for ripping our hearts out in A Star is Born). Judy Garland was his costar. 

James Mason has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame located at 6821 Hollywood Blvd. His star is between those of Matt Damon & Forest Whitaker. It's near The Bee Gees, Sammy Kaye, Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert Duvall, Muhammad Ali and Martin Landau.

Join Amazon Prime - Watch Over 40,000 Movies We chose Amazon Prime because we prefer their wide selection of movies and documentaries to other streaming video sites, and the yearly price is about the same. But you get added benefits to joining Amazon Prime.  Having several of the videos free to watch with Amazon Prime is great.

There are always movies you want to pay to rent or own. There seems to still be some special films we want to own on DVD.

** Fun Fact: James and Pamela Mason's son, Morgan married Belinda Carlisle, who was the lead vocalist of the Go-Go's. The couple has a son who is an actor, James Duke Mason, born in 1992.

Related Pages of Interest:

Clark Gable visits Burns and Allen

Gracie or Bette Davis? Who taught Paul Henreid to light 2 Cigarettes at once?

Cary Grant, Claudette Colbert and Irene Dunne, The Awful Truth on Old Time Radio
  

*There's a chance the exact date of the radio show is a little off.