Thursday, July 6, 2017

Thursday Movie Picks:Summer Vacation


I found this a tough week because, aside from one film that popped into my tiny brain, I had a hard time with the second 2. I don't watch the new, mindless teen flicks because they just look like they are typical T & A. I will be excited to see what the other film nuts will choose for this challenge. Head on over to the brainchild, Wandering Through The Shelves, to see what they did choose. Here are my 3.....

1. MR. HOBBS TAKES A VACATION-1962


I just re-watched this film and it really is a fun movie with James Stewart as the patriarch and the beautiful Maureen O'Hara as his wife. This was my obvious pick for this week. It begins with Stewart, who is back to work, dictating his summer vacation to his secretary about the hell he lived through. He takes his family to an old beach house that was beautiful...once, but now looks like something from the Adams family. His teenage daughter is not happy since she has to where braces and his young son is truly upset since he can't watch his western tv show. In comes his 2 other daughters with their husbands and bratty children and chaos ensues. You have a bosomy woman who loves to suntan and chat with husbands, a boat trip with his young son that goes really bad, a nutty future employer(for Stewart's one son in law) and his wife, who seems way too straight laced, and loves bird-watching and Fabian. It is a heartwarming comedy which is made much better with James Stewart and O'Hara. This was the start of a few comedies that Stewart made during this time that had a similar fatherly theme.

2. MUSCLE BEACH PARTY-1964


Yup, this is another Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello movie where they spend their summer vacation on the beach and surfing. You see many of the regulars that appeared in most films like Jody McCrea, and always some fun characters in this case Don Rickles who is the  agent for a bunch of  body builders. You even see a 13 year old Stevie Wonder who makes his film debut in this movie. The body builders find the surfer's secret beach and the surfers are not happy. A bosomy countess decides to make Frankie a teen idol and he is loving it and all but forgetting bosomy, but innocent, Annette. He gets a talking to by his fellow surfers and all ends well. It is a sweet summer flick that is typical of their films. Unfortunately, Eric Von Zipper and his dim wits don't appear in this movie like they do in the rest.

3. ON GOLDEN POND-1981


Talk about doing a 180:) This is a serious film starring 2 greats, Henry Fonda and Katherine Hepburn, who both won Oscars for their roles in this film. Every summer, for decades, the family would venture to their lakefront home. Kate's character is the strong wife who notices that her husband is dealing with memory issues along with other health problems, namely his heart. Their daughter, portrayed by Jane Fonda, Henry Fonda's real-life daughter, comes to visit with her fiancé and his son. Henry and Jane have many hurdles to overcome and much resentment on both parts. Jane and her fiancé leave his son with her parents and a special bond forms between Henry and the son. It really shows the acting prowess of some greats and the writing is excellent. Jane Fonda credits Katherine Hepburn for helping heal the actual wounds she felt with her dad and found this film hitting close to home. It helped heal their wounds which is even more important since this was Henry Fonda's last film as he was sick when making this. In fact, the director and many on the set were very concerned when Henry did not want to have a stand-in when he was in the water scene so this scene is with Henry Fonda.

What films would you choose?

61 comments:

  1. Hi Birgit - I've never seen On Golden Pond ...and one day really must ...

    this is the one I'd suggest: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Vacances_de_Monsieur_Hulot

    Just a fun movie ... cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your film pick is on my list to see because I heard it is considered a masterpiece

      Delete
  2. Well, it was a summer vacation for some people, so you could count Jaws. There's also One Crazy Summer with John Cusack. Not the same level as Better Off Dead but it was fun.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. jaws is a great pick and it is all about summer and actually July 4th:)

      Delete
  3. I've seen Mr. Hobbs and On Golden Pond, not the mindless beach movie. Speaking of mindless movies, my first thought was 'Summer Place.' Troy Donahue, Sandra Dee. Haven't seen it in years, but I should probably put the book that inspired it on my list. I am enjoying seeing what movie pops into my head each week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know about Summer Place but never have seen it. I want to since it Stars Sandra Dee...poor thing

      Delete
  4. I've actually seen one of these movies: On Golden Pond. I saw it on tv, but I hope that counts.

    The minute I saw vacation, I thought of Weekend at Bernie's. It may not have been a summer vacation, but it was a hilarious film. Again, saw it on tv, but I laughed all the way through it. Never saw the other two, and I somehow doubt they were ever on tv. Probably too old. I say that because they were before MY time!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Love Weekend at Bernie's which always makes me laugh. Great pick

      Delete
  5. I haven't seen any of these but I really want to see On Golden Pond.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. On Golden Pond is a good movie and typical for that time although it is not my favourite overall. I think they gave Fonda the Oscar because he deserved one long ago and Hepburn just didn't deserve it I think.

      Delete
  6. I haven't seen any of these. I suck at old movies.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hahahaaaa....I hope you see Mr. Hobbs and I will read your critique

      Delete
  7. I ADORE Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation!!! Such a sweet movie and ya Jimmy could have played his part in his sleep but his wry sincerity and consternation are just right for the film. He pairs well with Maureen O'Hara and I've always had a weak spot for both John Saxon and Fabian. Jimmy did have quite a run with these sort of films there for a while, with this, Dear Brigitte (another I love), Take Her, She's Mine and a couple others.

    I forgot that Stevie Wonder was in Muscle Beach Party and he was amazing and SO young! I've never been as fond of this one though, without Eric Von Zipper it just ain't the same.

    I liked On Golden Pond and the acting was of course excellent but I didn't think it was Oscar winning level. I understand why Henry won, making up for the many he should have had before but why Kate? No way she should have won in a year that contained better performances including the unnominated Kathleen Turner in Body Heat.

    I picked a Beach Party movie too! Plus a surfer flick and a travelogue.

    My Life in Ruins (2009)-Stranded in Athens teacher Georgia (Nia Vardalos) takes a job as a tour guide which she hates and isn’t very good at hiding it. Every group seems just like the last-a goofy couple, a frat boy, a sullen teen, a feuding couple, divorcées looking for a mate, and the funny guy who really isn’t. Mostly tourists on summer vacation and mostly Americans they’re historied out by the time she gets them and most just want to shop. Her latest group looks like it will be business as usual but as unexpected events transpire what starts out so badly slowly turns into a life changing pleasure. Genial romantic comedy filled with stunning views of Greece.

    Beach Blanket Bingo (1965)-It’s summer vacation so Frankie & Annette along with Bonehead and the whole gang hit the beach and battle Eric Von Zipper and his gearheads to save the kidnapped singing star Sugar Kane (Linda Evans) with the help of mermaid Lorelei (hey it’s a beach party movie go with it). The ultimate AIP summer flick where all the typical elements gelled into the best of the series with the catchiest theme song.

    Gidget (1959)-17 year old Frances Lawrence (Sandra Dee) goes to the beach one day on her summer vacation with her girlfriends. While they are sunning she decides to take a swim and promptly gets bumped on the head by surfboarder Moondoggie (James Darren). Intrigued by both the sport and the boy she buys a second hand board with her birthday money and is soon hitting the waves with Moondoggie and his gang of buddies lead by slightly older beach bum The Kahuna (Cliff Robertson) who dub her Gidget (a contraction of Girl and Midget). From then on it’s pretty much sun, fun and hitting the curl until the film takes a darkish turn when Kahuna, who’s been traveling around the world chasing the perfect wave, faces an existential life crisis but that doesn’t stop Gidget and Moondoggie from falling in love. Enormously successful film with a very appealing Sandra Dee followed by several sequels and a short lived TV show that introduced Sally Field to the world.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you like my picks and we at least had the same thought with Eric Von Zipper whom I love! I almost picked the Girl in the Invisible Bikini. Now I must see that film My Life in Ruins with your recommendation. I love Beach Blanket Bingo but picked it before....so much fun. I forgot about Gidget which is another fun movie with the sad Sandra Dee. I always think of John Saxon talking about her and how he was shocked by how his hand covered her entire waist because she was so thin.

      Delete
  8. Haven't seen Muscle Beach Party but I can recommend the other two.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you like Frankie and Annette and the rest, the. You will like this film plus it has a 13 yr old Stevie Wonder.

      Delete
  9. Never seen Muscle Beach Party, but I've seen Back to the Beach with them. Weekend at Bernies and Meatballs popped in for me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes...all your picks are great. Must watch Meatballs again

      Delete
  10. Never seen any of those, but seem enjoyable indeed. Thank you for sharing and hope you are having a good week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are fun and wishing you a good week also

      Delete
  11. No Chevy Chase Vacation movies? True, Christmas Vacation is the best one, but any of the others would be appropriate.

    Or Taken. Didn't that start with his daughter being kidnapped whilst on vacation?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Almost chose European Vacation and...wait u til next week:) Taken is excellent

      Delete
  12. I like your choices, Birgit, especially Mr. Hobbs (Jimmy Stewart is my all-time favorite actor). In this category I'd include Summer of '42 and Dirty Dancing.

    Love,
    Janie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jimmy Stewart is my favourite also! How could it not be?? Dirty Da cling is popularbthis week

      Delete
  13. I missed Harvey Lembeck's Eric Von Zipper character in Muscle Beach Party, too. Peter Lupus (later of the Mission: Impossible TV series) appears in this one, billed as "Rock Stevens."

    I have a copy of the paperback adaptation of Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation, autographed to me by Jimmy Stewart in the late 1980s!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am so envious right now and hope you blog about this book and show the signature. You met my idol!

      Delete
    2. Before I can post about it, I'll have to dig out my copy of Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation, as well as my autographed copy of the adaptation of another Stewart flick, Dear Brigitte. And don't be too envious; I never actually met him. But I mailed the books (and a fan letter)to him, for him to sign. (One was personalized to myself and my then-fiancee, but I got "custody" of both books when she and I split up!)

      Delete
  14. Unfortunately, the first thing that popped into my mind was Cliff Richard in Summer Holiday. Not thanking you for that image! Much more palatable is Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry for the image:) love Audrey is Roman Holiday...great film.

      Delete
  15. I haven't seen either of these movies but now I'm planning to! Thanks for sharing.


    www.ficklemillennial.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. You are the second one to choose Mr. Hobbs, it does look good.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Mr. Hobbs was the movie that came to mind before I scrolled down to your first choice. Like minds we are. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  18. I've only seen On Golden Pond, but at the time it came out, so I was a kid and didn't "get it". I should see it again now.

    Two movies came to mind with this topic. One was just on TCM. Rome Adventure. The other is similar in theme, but I can't think of the title. Maybe it'll come to me later.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rome Adventure sounds like fun because it probably shows much of the city.

      Delete
  19. Stand by Me. I never thought of it as a summer vacation movie until just this moment but if it counts, it's definitely my favorite.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know what you mean because we always think young kids and fun...or horror but not a drama like this.

      Delete
  20. Hi, Birgit!

    I have seen movies #2 and #3 and, being a Jimmy Stewart fan, #1 looks like the kind I would enjoy. The characters and situations revealed in the Hobbs trailer look familiar because they are quite similar to dozens of other films produced during that Mad Men period. Fabian is one recording "artist" you are not likely to find on SDMM any time soon. :) Notice the traditional trailer format with a narrator and brief sound bites. Did you hear the word "gay" used near the end of the trailer in reference to the family vacation? I didn't realize the word was still being used in that context as late as 1962. It must be one of the last times.

    It's nice to see another of my favorites, the late Don Rickles, in the trailer for Muscle Beach Party, and also nice to see Annette before she took ill. I went to see Golden Pond upon its release and enjoyed it, but was never a big fan of Katherine Hepburn, nor have I ever been keen on movies aimed at older adults. All these of these films were made with an older audience in mind including the string of Frankie & Annette beach movies. Easy Rider is more my speed.

    Thanks, BB, and have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did not think Fabian would be on your blog... or Eddie Fisher. Oh yes, I heard the word Gay in the trailer and you are probably right that this was one of the last times it was used to mean happy. I wonder if kids now realize what Gay actually means? I have never seen Easy Rider...I know and my mom watched it! Hahahaaa

      Delete
  21. You have great taste, Birgit. On Golden Pond is a wonderful classic.

    I hope you're doing well and had a fun-filled July 4th.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oops, you're Canadian, eh? I forget where some of my bloggy friends live. Anyway happy July and all good things to you.

      Delete
    2. Glad you like my pick. Yes, Canada Day was fun and it doesn't matter which one we actually choose to celebrate because it is about our country and we celebrate close together. Hope you had a great time

      Delete
  22. Great suggestions. I've heard good things about these films but I haven't really watched it myself.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are good and you can pick any Avalon/Funicello film...the bestbis actually Beach Blanket Bingo

      Delete
  23. OMG. Do the Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello Beach movies take me back. I think I caught everyone of them:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I watched every one and loved Eric Von Zipper.

      Delete
  24. The only one I know this week is On Golden Pond. I think I'd like to see Mr. Hobbs. It sounds like a great trip back in movie time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mr. Hobbs is a really fun and nice movie to watch

      Delete
  25. I've never seen or heard of any of these. I don't think I even know any summer vacation movies. Unless maybe you count Army of Darkness (I have an odd taste in vacations).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm surprised you have not even heard of these. One picked nothing but slasher flicks this week

      Delete
  26. Your information on Golden Pond is fascinating, Birgit.
    I did not know there was any tension between Henry and Jane Fonda. Or that Henry was ill when it was filmed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, even though Henry Fonda was a Democrat and don't like the Vietnam war(unlike his best friend James Stewart), he did not agree with the lengths Jane Fonda did during this turbulent time. She went to the Vietcong and celebrated with them. Jane and her dad had some major issues to overcome from this to her dad not being able to show feelings too well. This film helped heal their wounds. Henry Fonda was not well with heart issues and many were concerned for him during the shoot.

      Delete
  27. I love films that feature women "finding themselves" in other countries/cultures. I'm not sure they qualify as vacation films, but Eat, Pray, Love and the like really resonate with me.

    On Golden Pond is a great flick.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, yes, this film was picked a few times by others and it does work. I enjoyed this film too.

      Delete
  28. I haven't seen these films, but I agree with JH. Eat, Pray, Love resonated with me, too. I watch it all the time.

    ReplyDelete
  29. BIRGIT ~
    The first -- and only -- movie that came to my mind was MR. HOBBS TAKES A VACATION. So, yep, I guess you can put that one on my list, also.

    I've seen all three of these, but the other two didn't really do anything for me.

    With a whole lot of twisting maybe I could sneak FIELD OF DREAMS onto my list. It takes place in Summer and they do make a trip to see a ballgame. Yeah, that's pretty well stretching it, I know.

    There was another movie that took place on a beach during a Summer Vacation. It was kind of a weak Disney-like movie though with that blonde girl who played both herself and her identical twin sister. That's all I can remember, which tells you how much that movie impacted my life.

    ~ D-FensDogG
    Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends

    ReplyDelete
  30. I really want to see On Golden Pond, I always hear/read so much about it. Also, isn't Jane Fonda's fiance the same guy who plays her evil boss in 9 to 5?

    ReplyDelete