Sons O' Guns (1936)

Sons O'Guns (1936) - Joe E. Brown (Jimmy Canfield), Joan Blondell (Yvonne), Beverly Roberts (Mary Harper), Eric Blore (Hobson), Craig Reynolds (Lt. Burton).  Jimmy Canfield has a sweetheart, Mary, whose father won't let them marry because Jimmy won't fight in the war, World War I, that is.  So he pretends to enlist by joining in one of the parades of soldiers, but he ends up getting roped into service.  

Eric Blore, Joe E. Brown and Beverly Roberts

Sent to France, Jimmy falls in love with French barmaid Yvonne, played by the delightful Joan Blondell.  While Blondell's accent is not great (I wish she never tried), her charm is infectious.  The films turns into a bit of vaudeville as skits are interspersed to highlight Brown's vaudeville talent such as a French cafe scene where Brown is interested in a clearly cross dressing guy which turns into a very obvious dummy chucked through a window.  I'm not sure if this was supposed to be that way because they were on the front with only men and little money, or if it was really bad production.  I'm hoping the first is the case.  Eric Blore is delightful in this film.  Usually playing a butler or the equivalent, he is perfect in his dual occupation as Canfield's former butler turned Army Colonel.  I understand Joe E. Brown's comedy, but I just find it o.k. - not bad, but not funny either.  You can see it a mile away.  

Beverly Roberts, Joe E. Brown and Joan Blondell

The ending was odd.  The entire German army gave up because they were tired and just joined up with Canfield for beer and girls.  Naturally because Canfield brings all of these German soldiers for surrender, he becomes a hero.  Odd ending, but keeping with the Canfield character.  On the whole, this film was just o.k.  Forgettable film, except for the fun performance of Eric Blore.  I enjoyed Joan Blondell, but it is not her best performance.  5 out of 10 Bobs.  

Week in Review

Films I've Watched

• Snowed Under (1936) - George Brent has three women under his spell - two ex-wives and a girl who is infatuated with him.  He runs away to a winter cabin to finish his play, but the three girls and many others follow.  Fun, 1930's romp.  It is the perfect example of why the 1930's is probably my favorite film decade.

Vintage Inspiration - Blonde Beauties

I'm needing some more warm weather inspiration.  Here are some sunny girls, Joan Blondell and Bette Davis.

Weird Wednesday Hair Torture

A little girl from 1938 getting a perm. I have no idea how she sat still for this procedure.

This pic shows our Vintage Inspiration from yesterday, Joan Blondell, enjoying her permanent. These permanents were done by sectioning hair into about 20+ sections and winding hair starting at the root, and winding it up the curler. Heat was applied and thus the curls. Staring in the 1930s, chemicals were used to seal the curl, gradually discontinuing these fun devices. I'm not sure what's worse for your hair - tons of heat or harsh chemicals . . .

Vintage Inspiration September 8th Joan Blondell

Caught Joan Blondell in a bunch of films on TCM this morning. She seems like such a sweetie, and has such a fun persona.

Some Joan Blondell Trivia:

• Real name was Rose Joan Blondell
• She was 5'3" tall, and her measurements were 37-21 1/2-36
• Mike Todd, her third husband, went through all Joan's savings and then left her for Elizabeth Taylor. What a cad!
• She has 208 credits to her name, with a career spanning from 1930 to 1981. Amazing!
• Some of her more famous films include: Grease, Nightmare Alley, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Gold Diggers of 1937, Footlight Parade, Gold Diggers of 1933, and Topper Returns
  

Favorite Foods of Famous Stars Gigi Parrish

Gigi Parrish (Aug 30, 1912 - Feb 8, 2006) provided us with a wonderful dessert menu. Even though it is described as "unusual bridge desserts", the options look rather tasty to me.

Gigi's menu includes: Chocolate Mint Parfaits, Smooth Fruit Sherbet, and Fresh Peach Ice Cream Pie. Delicious!



Above is a picture of Gigi on her exciting Honeymoon at the tender age of 15. I never was able to have a Honeymoon myself, but I can't imagine choosing to motorcycle across the country during the 1920s. Gigi was obviously an adventurous dame.

Gigi Parrish was a real tough one to come up with some info or pics about. She only appeared in 9 films, most in uncredited roles. The most famous films she appeared in were Twentieth Century (934) uncredited and Roman Scandal (1933) uncredited.

I've added some of films I knew she was in. The Hollywood short was fun. Wish I could get some of those giant beer glasses :)



Gigi was also part of the 1934 WAMPAS Baby Stars. The WAMPAS were seen as promising stars of the future. Some WAMPAS babies included Joan Crawford, Clara Bow, Ginger Rogers, Joan Blondell, Loretta Young, Fay Wray and several other girls featured in this cookbook.

For a full list of the WAMPAS, check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WAMPAS_Baby_Stars