Lovely Lake

November 14th would have been Veronica Lake's 91st birthday.  Such a glamorous star.

Ladd as Gatsby

Alan Ladd played Jay Gatsby in the 1949 adaptation of The Great Gatsby.  I haven't seen this particular version, that I recall.  I haven't seen this year's adaptation either.  I just can't bring myself to see a film starring Leonardo DiCaprio.  He is just to swarmy for me.  I have seen the 1973 and the 2000 versions and found them less than impressive.  I just don't know if anyone has the acting chops to bring Gatsby to life.

Is Gregory Dodging the Taxman?

Gregory, wife Greta, and Children

For some reason, those European made pictures just don’t seem to come off as well in America as the Hollywood-made ones.  Maybe it’s due to the terrific publicity and promotion Hollywood gives the films.  And absence does not make the heart grow fonder with the American movie-going public.  Alan Ladd, after eighteen months in Europe, is having to get a new grip on his fans; so is Kirk Douglas.  And Gregory Peck is beginning to seem like a stranger in American theatres.  

Moby Dick Press Tour

Ironically, Greg told us he thought it unwise for an actor to stay abroad eighteen months just to escape the income tax.  To keep busy he’d likely have to accept inferior pictures, and his career would suffer in the long run.  Then, going against that judgement, Greg took the leap himself.  Now he may wind up paying taxes to both England the the United States, as “Moby Dick”, which is being shot in Britain, is running over schedule.  “Moby Dick” can be the most exciting picture of all time – or the most resounding flop.  John Huston, forever experimenting, is handling the film as Herman Melville wrote the book – as an allegory.  We can recall no successful transformation of allegory to the screen.  So Greg is really taking a chance.  

[Souce: Movieland; February 1955]

Gregory Battles the Whale

I have yet to see Moby Dick, even though I'm told Gregory's performance is wonderful.  I just did not enjoy the book at all, so the thought of seeing the film is not that appealing.  Is it anyone's favorite film?