I Married a Woman (1956)

I Married a Woman (1956) - George Gobel (Marshall "Mickey" Briggs), Diana Dors (Janice Blake Briggs), Adolphe Menjou (Frederick W. Sutton), Jessie Royce Landis (Mrs. Blake).  I've always read about how funny and popular George Gobel was in the 1950's.  Having never seen anything he was in, I never really understood.  

Once I saw this film, I immediately understood Gobel's appeal.  George plays Marshall "Mickey" Briggs, an ad executive from Sutton Advertising charged with coming up with a new ad campaign for Luxumberg Beer in two days.  In addition to speed, it must be family friendly.  The increased work time causes problems in his marriage to former Miss Luxumberg Janice, played by the lovely Diana Dors.

I simply loved the acting in this film.  Everyone seemed perfect for their roles.  Gobel as the frustrated, lovable husband.  Dors, my blond bombshell of choice, as his neglected wife Janice.  Landis as the ever suffering mother in law.  And the delightful Adolphe Menjou as the scheming, yet sort of realistic, boss.

What was odd about the film was the mini John Wayne film within a film.  At one point Mickey and his wife go to a John Wayne film.  She thinks he treats his ladies with diamonds and fancy trips, so Janice gets the idea that she isn't being treated fairly.  It's also similar to the fashion show segment in The Women (1939) in the sense that the fake John Wayne film is in color, while the rest of the film is black and white.  This part was definitely unnecessary.  The film would have been fine without it.  I'm not sure if Wayne needed a paycheck or if executives needed a bigger star somehow involved in the film.

I found the film absolutely delightful.  Funny, well acted, good dialogue, I loved it.  Oh why won't someone put this gem on DVD?

Jimmy and Ingrid are Tempted

Director Leo McCarey

Leo McCarey

Has never given up the idea of doing the story of Adam and Eve for the screen.  At first he wanted Jimmy Stewart and Ingrid Bergman for the leads.  Now he’d settle for John Wayne and Audrey Hepburn.  How’s that for casting the Biblical version of the original man and woman.

[Source: Movieland; February 1955]

Unfortunately McCarey never was able to make his film because of the necessary nudity.  Those in charge of the production code would not approve the script, let alone the filming.

Memorial Day, John Wayne, and Sands of Iwo Jima

A big "Thank You" to all our vets on this Memorial Day.  Thanks for your courage, sacrifice, and service.

Recreation of the Flag raising

Sands of Iwo Jima (1949) depicts the epic battle for Iwo Jima during World War II.  The three survivors who helped raise the real flag on Mount Suribachi were used to recreate the scene in the film (along with John Wayne, of course).  The real flag was used as well, on loan from the marines.

After this film, John Wayne was asked to leave his footprints outside Graumann's Chinese Theater.  Sand from Iwo Jima was added to the cement.

Over 2,000 marines were used in the filming.

John Wayne Gets Hitched in Hawaii

Wonder Why John Wayne and Pilar Palette didn’t invite Lex and Lana to their marriage and wedding reception?

They were all in Hawaii when the wedding ceremony took place. And Lana had just co-starred with John in “The Sea Chase.”.

Duke was quoted as saying something to the effect: “You can bet this will be a hot marriage. The ceremony was performed on a lava bed.” It was, of course, an idle jest, but it just may prove to be true. Both John and Pilar have fiery tempers that easily get out of control, but they cool off quickly. They’ve already had frequent squabbles. Many of their friends – who like them both – wanted them to wait longer to see if they were really meant for each other. Now that they’re married, we wonder if Pilar will listen patiently in what could be Duke’s theme song: “Don’t fence me in”.

(Source: Movieland; February 1955)

John Wayne and Pilar Palette, a former Peruvian actress, were married in Hawaii November 1, 1954 - the very day his divorce from 2nd wife Esperanza Baur was finalized. According to Pilar, Wayne got a phone call from his attorney while in Hawaii during the filming of The Sea Chase to tell him the divorce from his wife was finalized. He went into their hotel room and said they were going to get married that very day. She and Mary St. John were to find the dress and The Duke would do the rest. He wanted them to marry at sunset to the sounds of "The Hawaiian Wedding Song" and honeymoon at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. (Source: http://johnshore.com/2008/06/05/how-john-wayne-proposed-to-his-third-wife-pilar/).

John Wayne and Pilar Palette stayed together until they separated in 1976 and were still technically married at the time of his death in 1979. Pilar keeps herself busy these days as an artist.

What 100 Stars Want Most in 1956 - Hugh O'Brian

Hugh O'Brian (born April 19, 1923) is probably best known as Wyatt Earp in the television series The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp. The show ran from 1955 to 1961 with a total of 226 episodes!

Some Hugh O'Brian Trivia:

• Hugh was "discovered" by the fabulous Ida Lupino
• He became friends with Marilyn Monroe during the filming of There's No Business Like Show Business
• Hugh was a soda jerk at Schwab's Drugstore on Sunset Boulevard
• Hugh established the HOBY Award (Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Award)
• Hugh is the the youngest ever Marine Drill Seargeant at the tender age of 17
• He was inducted into the Western Hall of Fame in 1992
• Hugh was the last person killed on screen by John Wayne (In 1976's The Shootist)
• Hugh waited until he was 81 to get married. He married teacher Virginia Barber, 30 years his junior, whom he had dated for 18 years. They were married with music by Debbie Reynolds, June 25, 2006.

What were Hugh's 1956 wishes:

"I'd like to find the right girl"

Obviously this took a long time since he didn't marry until 2006!

"I'd like to continue to do three or four motion pictures a year and continue with my television series Wyatt Earp"

"As a citizen, I think also in terms of Hollywood and the good it can do through the medium of motion pictures. In 1956, I hope we have more movies like Blackboard Jungle and Trial".
I just saw Blackboard Jungle and it was fabulous! Glenn Ford and Sidney Poitier - how can you go wrong?