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Tag: classics

  • The Andy Griffith Show (TV Comedy)

    The Andy Griffith Show (TV Comedy)

    1960 to 1968, 249 episodes

    Andy Griffith statues, copyright Paul Singer.

    Genre: TV, Comedy
    TMDB Rating: 8.4
    Clean Rating: 5
    Watched It On: iTunes and DVD

    Watching the entire series again, beginning April 27, 2023 following a visit to Mt. Airy. Visited Mt. Airy again Jan 2024 and thus we watched a couple of episodes that month in Venice, FL. An ongoing pleasure.

    My Comments: The series ran from October 3, 1960, to April 1, 1968. 249 half-hour episodes across eight seasons. 159 episodes in black & white and 90 in color. The producer of The Danny Thomas Show, Sheldon Leonard, and Danny, asked writer Arthur Stander (who’d contributed several of the “Danny Thomas” scripts) to create a pilot show for Griffith. The pilot was filmed and aired. This then gave birth to Andy’s own show. The show was filmed at Desilu Studios and other nearby locations in California.

    The fictitious town of Mayberry was based largely upon Griffith’s home town of Mt. Airy (Surry County), North Carolina, with some inspiration from nearby Pilot Mountain (also in Surry County), plus a good dose of imagination. A wonderful place to visit, Mt. Airy hosts The Andy Griffith Museum and many recreations of the show’s locations and some locations that really exist (such as Snappy Lunch diner). The diner is mentioned in episode 7, which aired November 14, 1960, – “Andy the Matchmaker”). You can read about the California studio set and actual town here.

    There’s something very near and dear to our hearts about Mayberry and its gentle, long-suffering, sheriff. Mayberry is where we all want to live. A place of community, normalcy, pleasantness, and bygone simplicity. This is an excellent TV series to enjoy, laugh along with, and relax with.

    Some of our own “Mayberry” moments below. Photos © Copyright Paul Singer.

    Note: Gallery photos by Paul Singer. Do not download or use without permission.

    Andy and Barney with a full jail

    Trivia: to come …

    I give The Andy Griffith show 4.5 stars for watching pleasure and a perfect Clean5 morality rating.

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  • The Talk of the Town

    1942, 118 min


    Genre: Classics, Drama
    TMDB Rating: 72%

    My Comments:

    √ Watched it 03-18-2023 at our place in Niagara (PS, HS). Excellent interaction between the film’s 3 main characters (Cary Grant, Jean Arthur, and Ronald Colman). It’s an excellent commentary on the interplay on law, morality, and common sense in society. There’s romance brewing, but you can’t tell right away who’s going to get the girl. A wonderful classic.

    ENJOYMENT RATING: 4 stars

    Clean Rating: 5

  • Easter Parade

    Easter Parade

    1948, 1 hr, 43 m

    Genre: Classic, Musical
    IMDB Rating: 7.3
    Clean Rating: 5
    Watched It On: DVD

    Watched at Ash’s house in two parts. First half on Easter Sunday, then finished it 04/23/2022.

    My Comments: We try to watch this movie every Easter. This is a classic movie in every sense of the word. Starring Judy Garland, Fred Astaire, Peter Lawford and Ann Miller. Directed by Charles Walters (known for The Unsinkable Molly Brown, 1964; and Ask Any Girl, 1959). Screenplay by Sidney Sheldon. The music is by Irving Berlin (See Britannica and his official site) and includes the songs “Easter Parade”, “Steppin’ Out with My Baby”, and “We’re a Couple of Swells.”

    This is a feel good musical that isn’t so crazy full of musical numbers that you want to run for the hills. Most of them fit in quite naturally. There are two songs we usually fast-forward through because they’re a bit monotonous. Overall, the story is loveable. Each of the four main characters are well cast and do an excellent job as actors. In conclusion: the flick has a cute story, excellent cast, and gorgeous costumes! I must also mention Jules Munshin in his funny bit showing how he makes his “salade francois” – caesar salad. Toss toss, mix mix. Pure delight!

    Jules Munshin as the waiter

    Trivia: Gene Kelly was first set to play Don, but he broke his ankle when he kicked his foot in anger after losing a volleyball game. He suggested Fred Astaire as his replacement. Cyd Charisse was to play the role of Nadine, but she had to drop out due to a torn ligament. Ann Miller was her replacement. Judy Garland had never met Astaire, and while she was a major star, she was still very shy about speaking with him until they were formally introduced.

    I give Easter Parade 4.5 stars for watching pleasure and a perfect Clean5 morality rating.

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