The Liebster Award

Who knew you could win awards in blog-land...

The very lovely Michaela Ann at Love Letters to Old Hollywood has nominated me for a Liebster Award. For someone who's been blogging for only a few months, that really means a lot, so thank you very much. To accept the award, all I have to do is answer Michaela's 11 questions, share 11 facts about myself, nominate up to 11 bloggers and then ask my own 11 questions for them to answer. So, on with the show.

  

Here are the two nice ladies I've decided to nominate:

Laura at The Stars Are Ageless (hopefully this will make you start blogging again)

Phyl at Phyllis Loves Classic Movies

My answers to Michaela's questions:

1. Who is your second favorite actor/actress, and why?

That's a tough one. I'd say probably Gene Kelly. He was really the one that introduced me to the wonders of classic cinema and he never fails to put a smile on my face.

2. Favorite on screen duo?

I have quite a few favorites, but I'd say my top 3 are William Powell & Myrna Loy, Rock Hudson & Doris Day and Spencer Tracy & Katharine Hepburn.

3. Which actor/actress/director/etc. do you wish wrote an autobiography?

Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Not individually, though; together. And not really an autobiography; more like the story of how they met and how they came to be friends and all the crazy adventures their went through together and with the rest of the Rat Pack. I think that would have made an awesome book. 

Isn't that gorgeous?

4. If you had the money, what film-related item would you buy in an instant? Memorabilia, a theater, old costumes...?

That's an easy one: that fabulous white dress Ginger Rogers wore in "They Can't Take That Away From Me" in The Barkleys of Broadway (1949). It's absolutely stunning! Or maybe the red jacket James Dean wore in Rebel Without a Cause (1955), just because of what it represents.

5. What is your personal favorite flick from 1939?

So far, I'd say probably Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. It was my fourth black & white film and the second time I saw James Stewart on screen. How the Academy didn't give him the Oscar for Mr. Smith is beyond me.

6. Splashy 1950s musicals or gritty 1940s films noir?

Splashy 1950s musicals all the way! They're so much fun to watch and they always make me happy, especially if Gene Kelly happens to be in them.

7. Is there a director you wish got more attention, during their time and/or today?

Hmm, Stanley Kramer maybe...? I haven't seen all of his films yet, but I feel that he didn't always get the appreciation he deserved because of how daring and controversial they were.

8. Who do you think was Fred Astaire's best partner?

Ginger Rogers, without a doubt! Though I've not yet seen all the films they made together (I know, I know, shame on me!), I think they were soulmates as far as dance is concerned. They were always so perfectly coordinated and they made dancing seem completely effortless.

9. If you were allowed only one movie-related book, what would it be?

Something like George Hurrell's Hollywood: Glamour Portraits 1925-1992 by Mark A. Vieira. I love looking at pictures of classic actors and actresses. They always look so classy and elegant.

10. Favorite Disney film?

Uhm, I don't know... I'm not much of a Disney girl. Does Mary Poppins (1964) count?

11. Is there a movie you're ashamed to admit you hate/love?

No, I'm not at all ashamed to admit that I absolutely hate Citizen Kane (1941). Honestly, what crazy person ever decided that Citizen Kane is the greatest film of all time? Rosebud... Pfff!

Here are 11 facts you may or may not know about me:

My favorite picture of Burt Lancaster

#1: I share a birthday (November 2) with the wonderful Burton Stephen Lancaster, Mr. Muscles and Teeth himself. Is it very weird that I feel incredibly proud of that?

#2: I hate being sang "Happy Birthday" to. For the life of me, I can't figure out why that is. I just hate it. I'm not particularly fond of birthday parties either (mine or other people's).

#3: Just like my lovely nominator, I cross-stitch too. I learned it when I was in 7th grade (so twelve years ago) and I've been cross-stitching ever since. I find it incredibly relaxing.

#4: In 2012, I spent a semester abroad as an exchange student at the University of Nottingham in England. It was honestly one of the best and most enriching experiences of my life. The campus is beautiful and everyone was just so lovely and helpful. I have only but good memories of my time there and I miss it so terribly much sometimes. If you have the opportunity do study abroad, don't think twice and do it. I promise it will be one of the best things you'll ever do in your life. Funny fact: D. H. Lawrence graduated from Nottingham in the late 1900s. He wrote Lady Chatterley's Lover, which happens to be one of my favorite books.

#5: I have a very unhealthy obsession with John Bender from The Breakfast Club (1985). I mean, I have an awfully big crush on young Judd Nelson in general, but there's something about John Bender that just gets me. He's like the '80s version of Jim Stark from Rebel Without a Cause. He has the greatest lines out of everyone in the film and the way that he flips his hair really gets me overwhelmed. Plus, he can light a match with his teeth. How freakin' cool is that?

#6: I have a YouTube channel where I upload my own tribute videos to my favorite TV series and films, including classics. In case you're at all interested, you can check it out by clicking here.

#7: I've seen 30 Seconds To Mars in concert 5 times: twice in 2008, once in 2011 and twice again in 2013. What can I do? They're my favorite band.

#8: I've recently discover that I love baking. It has become a bit of a ritual for my sister and I to have a "baking session" every Saturday afternoon. Our most recent concoction was a triffle made with layers of white crazy cake, lemon curd and whipped cream. Not to brag, but it was pretty delicious.

#9: I can name all 47 capital cities in Europe and all 50 American states. Now I'm bragging.

#10: I can't whistle. Ridiculous, I know. I've tried several times, but no sound ever comes out.

#11: I'm fascinated by everything related to World War II — books, films, TV series, documentaries... I know that that was arguably the most horrible period in world history, but I've been completely fascinated by it ever since learning about it for the first when I was in 9th grade.

And lastly, here are my own 11 questions:

1. What was the first classic film you ever saw?

2. Favorite movie character (classic or otherwise)?

3. How many films from AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies 2007 list have you seen?

4. Favorite Gene Kelly film?

5. If you could spend a day with any classic actor/actress, who would you choose and why?

6. Is there any book you wish was adapted into a film? If so, which one?

7. Favorite song from a movie?

8. Favorite film from the 1940s?

9. Black & white or Technicolor?

10. What actor/actress/director do you think deserved an Oscar but never got one?

11. If you could cast 5 actors from any decade/era in a film, who would you cast?

And that's it. Once again, thank you so much the nomination, Michaela. It really does mean a lot. If you're not one of the two ladies I've nominated but you still want to answer my questions, go right ahead. I'd love to read your responses. :)