(Don’t forget to scroll down to the bottom of the page to pause the music so you can hear the video.)
Have a look at this footage from MGM’s silver anniversary luncheon, where “more stars than there are in the heavens” sat down to dine, newsreel cameras rolling. Some of you may remember this clip as part of “That’s Entertainment” (1974).
What especially caught my eye this time was dinner partners Errol Flynn and Greer Garson. I don’t know if the seating was arranged, but may well have been. It could have been about this time that Mr. Flynn and Miss Garson were shooting “That Forsyte Woman” (1949), though I don’t remember her costume from that movie. However, a little ways away at another table we see Walter Pidgeon, also starring in that same movie, and his outfit, and mustache, do resemble the character he played.
We’ll be discussing “That Forsyte Woman” this coming Thursday as the first of two films in which we’ll examine Errol’s success in a couple of non-Errol type roles. The second film will be next Monday, “Cry Wolf” (1947).
Have a look again at Errol and Greer. One notices immediately that they are completely aware they are on camera, but unlike many other stars at this occasion, pretend not to be aware. Notice the casual, but so on-the-mark posing each does, good side to the camera. This is a fascinating look into two people who are at ease, self confident, and knowledgeable about the tools of the trade, their stunning good looks.
For all their stardom and the posing, there is still something quite irresistibly genuine about the great lady and the swashbuckler as the camera passes by them. In “That Forsyte Woman”, they both play less magnificent people, and, just as in this luncheon clip, seem playfully aware of their own superb magnetism.
See you Thursday. And a Happy Thanksgiving today to our chums in Canada.
Lovely! I loved the video and how Buster Keaton is ALWAYS in character. And Errol and Greer look fab.
ReplyDeleteOh no, you've gone the way of auto-play music? :-( I usually read your blog on my Reader so I haven't noticed it before.
Hi, Raquelle. Buster Keaton is always great. I've done the auto-play music for a couple of years now. Thanks for reading, whichever way you choose.
ReplyDeleteI've always loved this clip. There's also a great photograph that takes in almost every player in a kind of 'stars in their heaven' still life. Thanks for posting this.
ReplyDeleteI think I know the photograph you mean. Greer's right down front sitting next to the Big Cheese.
ReplyDeleteLove Errol Flynn! It's a great moment. And like others who commented here, Buster Keaton was hilarious, looking like he ate something that he really didn't like and didn't know what to do with. Fun post!
ReplyDeleteHi, ClassicBecky. Buster was so creative, anything in his hands became a comedy prop. It is fun to see all those movie stars together.
ReplyDeleteI love your analysis of Errol and Greer at the luncheon.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a kick to catch a glimpse of favourites in supposedly candid moments: J. Carroll Naish, Reginald Owen, Frank Morgan and other character guys.
I think I'm falling in love with Walter Pidgeon, but I don't want to be disloyal to Warren William. What's a girl to do?
I wonder how the food was at that lunch. We can't go by Buster.
Hi, Caftan Woman. I wonder what was on the menu? It's a fun film clip. I sympathize with your Pidgeon versus Warren quandry.
ReplyDeleteBy the time of this luncheon, I think Rosalind Russell, and possibly Myrna Loy, had already left the fold.