This week has been busy. It’s funny how you can sail down the river at a pretty even keel for quite a while, and then suddenly a big gust of wind blows everything at you at once.
But even during a busy week, and at sometimes unexpected moments, I find that I am always “living vintage,” whether that means finding out my doctor’s favorite movie is Back to the Future, or discovering a Frances Langford album I like.
So here are some clips from my “reel” life this week!
New Discoveries
I went to a library bookstore and found some new movies and books! (You may be tired of it at this point, but this is your weekly encouragement to support your local library! You may be surprised by what you stumble upon…)
Film Finds!
TCM Greatest Classic Legends: Esther Williams
I’m so happy to find another Esther Williams collection to add to my TCM Spotlight one! I’ve only seen Pagan Love Song (love me some Howard Keel), and I’m excited to watch the others!
Lucky Partners
I’ve never heard of this one, but the minute I saw Jack Carson’s name, I snapped it up! I’ve been on the lookout for more of his films ever since I saw Romance on the High Seas.
Book Finds!
This Time Together
I’ll admit, I don’t always read a book cover to cover. Sometimes I start in the middle and skip around. Carol Burnett’s short, but hilarious and heartwarming stories, make this a great book to do that with! (One time she and her husband met John Steinbeck in an elevator, and she was so taken with him that she forgot her husband’s name when introducing him. That’s a mood, Carol.)
The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man
I had a great time with Paul Newman's Shameless Exploitation in Pursuit of the Common Good (co-written with A.E. Hotchner), so I can’t wait to read his memoir. I know I’m in for a treat.
Potential New Favorites, and Old Comforts
As for what else I’m watching these days, the realization is setting in that a lifetime may not be long enough to watch all the movies I want to watch! If you’ve been following me on Instagram, you know that I’ve been trying to track down as many of Errol Flynn’s movies as I can. I’ve found Letterboxd to be very helpful at times like this—the site allows me to add films to a watchlist, and I can also log the films I’ve seen. I’ve been revisiting a book called The 100 Greatest Stars of All Time, and each star’s profile includes a list of their essential movies. Thanks to that book, I’ve now added some James Cagney and Steve McQueen films that I’d like to see as well. The only problem is that my watchlist is growing faster than my “watched” list! (But let’s be honest: is that really a problem?)
And last but certainly not least, what is life without good food? Earlier this week, my mom and I made Audrey Hepburn’s penne alla vodka, one of our favorite things to eat! The recipe is from her son Luca Dotti’s book Audrey at Home: Memories of My Mother’s Kitchen. It’s very touching and beautifully written, and every recipe I’ve tried so far is delicious (as you can see by all the "bookmarks" of our favorites).
I hope you’ll be encouraged to find your own snippets of a vintage life wherever you go! The joy and magic of film is within your grasp. Be well this weekend, and keep living vintage!
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