It’s been quite a while since we’ve had an installment of At the Movies. Even though there is so much style and design content to cover, I felt like a little break might be refreshing before moving on to the the frenetic pace of Fashion Week. Over the last month or so, with staggered re-entries, our house has been focussed on back to school. Whether preparing for law or middle school, it’s an all-encompassing process that includes trends across the board, from dorm decorating to the hot must-have binder (the perfectly usable ones from last year so passé) to the most fashion forward dress code-compatible collared blouse. Not much has changed – I remember the same routine and “discussions.” In fact, no matter what era you consider, there was always the generational stand-off.
One film that portrays this dichotomy so well is The Bachelor and The Bobbysoxer. With an Oscar winning script by none other than Sidney Sheldon, this lively romp plays off the starry eyed exuberance of youthful romance with the sober, responsibility of maturity. Of course along the way the two get intermingled and the fun begins. Faced with his incomparable good looks and style, it’s sometimes easy to forget what impeccable comedic timing Cary Grant had. Yet even at his goofiest in the film, he is still dashing and debonair. Pitted against the elegant and charming Myrna Loy, he finds his match. With clever banter, including the famous “You remind me of a man” scene, below, the combination of neer do well playboy and intelligent uncompromising judge is a study in ultimately compatible contrasts.
A teenage Shirley Temple plays the love sick school girl, dragging Grant along into her post-war slice of life.
And of course fashion does make a statement – it’s part of the era.
While not my favorite Cary Grant nor Myrna Loy movie, it’s light hearted, fast paced fun that comments on the timeless themes of coming of age, the attraction of opposites and not judging a book by its cover. Here’s a taste from the original trailer
God I loved that movie! I love the movies you feature becaause they’re all classics and so worth watching again.
Enjoy your weekend!
XX
Debra~
I had no idea that Shirley Temple made movies after childhood, this looks so cute and quaint, seems like such a sweet innocent film.
He is my favorite by a mile and Myrna is right up there as well. Haven’t seen this one in decades and wish it wasn’t 4:50 a.m. so I could watch it right now without disturbing the house :)
What a difference between the law school and middle school wardrobes there must be at your house – good luck to both!
It’s one I would love…must try to find…happy weekend!
Love this, Stacey. I’ve missed your movie series! Anything with Cary Grant gets a star in my book. I’ve never see this one, but it looks like a winner and perfect for back-to-school season!
Happy Friday!
Aaaahaaa, the “good ole days” of movies you remember!! Amazon, here I come! franki
ahhh, the innocence of the classics. Who would play lil ole Shirley’s role today? Certainly not a freckled face Lindsey Lo! Maybe the newly Kennedy-lovin Taylor Swift!?
Thanks for the throw back Stacey!
Why is it we haven’t seen this one yet? We thought we’d seen any and all Cary Grant movies… Off to Netflix to add this to our queue! Happy restful weekend, Q.
xxoo
C + C
Love this recommendation, another classic film you have turned us on to. I love Cary Grant, especially when he was goofy. Will be checking this one out! I can just imagine how busy your house has been lately getting everyone off to school. I hope it all went well. Where did the summer go!
Love this style of movie!!! Back when the story line and great acting was the real draw!!!
Enjoy a little breather before next week!
xoxo E