Silly Cinema: The Girl Most Likely To... (1973)

It is a gift when enough time passes to allow one a new perspective on a traumatic event - or even an entire era.  That's kind of how it is with the 1970's.  Instead of making like most vintage enthusiasts and painting the decade as a burning tire fire of fuel shortages, political corruption, excessive body hair, bootie bumping, and - dare I utter the word - polyester, I choose to paint the 70's in finer brushstrokes.  Over forty years since the inception of that much-maligned decade, I think it is time to view those years as a triumph of a color, a triumph of cornball, and a triumph of revisionist history (think all those 1930's/40's silhouettes, think American Graffiti, think "Happy Days").  What better way to revise the past than to get a face-full of plastic surgery and create a future-full of vengeance?!!

Enter "The Girl most Likely To..."
a 70's, revenge-film spectacular
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Years ago, under the influence of an unhealthy dose of cough medicine, I watched a rerun of The Girl Most Likely to... (1973) in the wee hours of a sickbed morning.  Waking up the next day, I couldn't remember the name of the black comedy or many of the details; I did remember that I liked what I saw and that the star was a young Stockard Channing.  Some minor investigation (asking around and checking some of my movie-review books - this was pre-internet) resulted in not a single lead.  Cut to many years later when, on a search for something totally unrelated, I stumbled upon the DVD for The Girl Most Likely to...  Needless to say, I whipped out the old credit card and, quick as lightning, I was home enjoying this prime example of wacky tacky cinema all over again.

I had actually thought of the movie fondly and often
as the idea of "a beautiful person who had been
kidnapped by an ugly body" meting out merciless justice
to her tormentors provided a vicarious thrill.

I mean, how could you not love a movie with a tag line like, "They treated
her like a dog.  Now she's a fox.  And she's going to make them pay."

The story of The Girl Most Likely to..., an original made-for-TV movie, is about as straightforward as it gets.  Channing plays Miriam Knight, a lovelorn girl, heavy of body and brow, who must endure the stereotypical indignities and alienation associated with sub-standard beauty in America.

"'Miriam, don't worry.  Your turn will come.'"

Surviving not only the mistreatment of family, friends, and schoolmates, Miriam barely survives a catastrophic accident that results in full-body-and-facial reconstructive surgery.  Astoundingly, the surgery leaves her completely unrecognizable yet, thanks to skillful plastic surgeons, stunningly beautiful (or at least that is expectation of our suspended disbelief).  Her new appearance allows Miriam to exact her wildly-creative revenge on those richly deserving of their comeuppance.  If for nothing else, The Girl Most Likely to... is mandatory viewing for the hilarious scenes of retribution, played always to the slapstick-iest hilt.

It was time to start paying everyone back..."with interest."
It's pretty neat trick, managing to have hair and makeup done underneath the bandages!

Believe it or not, this tale of "an unloved, ugly duckling transformed by plastic surgery into a luscious, lovely lady," was written by that woman all-too-familiar with the surgeon's scalpel herself, Joan Rivers. 

Sometimes looking good is its own revenge, right Joan?
Am I right, Joan?  Joan?  Joan....
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I'll be the first to admit that the 70's are by far not my favorite years for fashion and culture but I would be lying if I said that I didn't have a soft spot for "The Brady Bunch," The Carpenters, Freaky Friday, and one Miss Miriam Knight, dog-turned-fox.  And, just for the record, I'm no snob when it comes to polyester either.

If you're thinking of creating a "new you" for the new year, might I suggest The Girl Most Likely to... (viewable in its entirety here) as a cautionary tale rather than a how-to guide.  Happy New Year! 

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Corriganville Movie Ranch: A Railroad Adventure

The only thing consistent about Hollywood is its insatiable desire for "the next big thing."  Left in the wake of obscurity created by Hollywood's endless voyage towards new horizons are many people who devoted their entire careers to the business of show.  One of those folks is Crash Corrigan.

Crash Corrigan
(February 14, 1902 - August 10, 1976)
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Crash Corrigan found minor success as no-name working actor in B-movies.  He really hit his stride when his willingness to perform extreme stunt work made him a hot commodity and a star of action films - particularly Westerns - of the 1930's.  In 1937, Corrigan parlayed his affinity for the West with his knowledge of the film industry into Corriganville Movie Ranch, a parcel of land that he bought, and on which he built a fully-functioning Western town, with the express purpose of renting it as a location for filming.

The gates to Corriganville

By the late 1940's, the entrepreneurial Corrigan saw an opportunity to exploit the possibilities of his Old West town even further.  Why not open the ranch to the public?  In the days of The Lone Ranger, Hopalong Cassidy, and Roy Rogers, it only made good business sense to recreate live scenes of cowboy bravery and high noon shootouts for public consumption.  At the height of its popularity, Corriganville Movie Ranch was a much larger draw than its cowboy cousin to the South, namely Knott's Berry Farm. 

Rodeos, Wild West shows, pony rides - Corriganville was a full-service
 theme park years before Uncle Walt had Disneyland up and running.
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Corrigan and some lucky cowpokes.
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There is nothing we love more at wacky tacky than a midcentury interpretation of the Old West, so we were hot on the trail of Corriganville Movie Ranch.  It seemed the perfect destination for an adventure day with our pals Jesse and Emily (a lover of old Hollywood and head blogger at The Silver Screen Affair).  Knowing that the movie ranch itself was long gone, we were hoping to see some remnants of Corrigan's vision.  Unfortunately, the parts of Corriganville that were not devastated by a fire, were destroyed by earthquakes.  Anything else that was left was torn down in the interest of public safety.  The good news is that the land on which Corriganville stood is now a park that can be explored by anyone with a free afternoon and a love of cowboy culture and the great outdoors.

While the Western town is gone, Jesse proves that the landscape offers plenty of Western frontier to discover.
Hiking trails abound and we came across a least two boy scout troops .

Mr. Tiny, Mary, Emily, and Jesse

The only vestiges of Corriganville's former glory are some cement foundations and some
partial stone walls that were part of the working stables. It appears as if some horse's behinds
still populate the premises. 

Okay, some partial stone walls and the vents for the plumbing;
Emily gracefully displays their improper use. 

Mary found some ancient carvings of some indigenous people that
looked suspiciously like a "WT."  wacky tacky?
Did they know we were coming?

The neat part about this movie ranch turned nature reserve are the markers placed throughout the park that identify the history of the land and the films that were shot onsite.  While Corriganville was a prime location for Western pictures, its sprawling grounds made it a natural for shooting films of all kinds.  Would you believe that the Tarzan movies starring Johnny Weissmuller were filmed there?  As a matter of fact, it was Ray "Crash" Corrigan, as Weissmuller's stunt double, who wowed moviegoers by swinging from vine to vine.

A manmade lake provided a spot for shooting aquatic film sequences.
The lake has been drained so we were able to see some structural
 elements as well as the underwater booths/bunkers through which the
 cameramen shot the underwater  scenes filmed on the ranch. 

Emily & Mary sitting in a tree...
This particular tree happens to be in the bottom of the lake!

A bitter divorce between Corrigan and his wife was the beginning of the end for Corriganville Movie Ranch.  Unwilling to sacrifice Corriganville to California's well-known community property laws, Corrigan sold Corriganville Movie Ranch and all of its assets to Bob Hope when it henceforth became known as "Hopetown" (as much as we like Hope, this is pretty lame).  According to our sources, it was a persuasive call placed by Walter Knott, of Knott's Berry Farm, to Hope that sealed Corriganville's fate.  The exact details of the phone call are lost to history but what is known is that Corriganville/Hopetown languished, burned, eventually became a ward of the parks department.  While we wish that Corriganville was still a working Western Town/film location/theme park, it was nice to see that the land has been preserved for wacky tacky adventure days.

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Corriganville Movie Ranch

7001 Smith Rd

Simi Valley, CA

(805)584-4400

www.rsrpd.org

Just up the road from Corriganville Movie Ranch is another bit of Simi Valley history.  Instead of heading immediately back to the freeway after leaving the park, we made a fortuitous turn and found the transplanted Santa Susana Railroad Depot.  This unexpected stop on our adventure gave us even more insight into the history of Corriganville.

Curt, Mr. Tiny, Emily, Jesse, and Mary

Curt, a local volunteer at the Santa Susana Railroad Depot, was an awesome
tour guide!  He regaled us with details of his 1958 visit to Corriganville and
the "Hanging of Cattle Kate." 

Looking almost exactly as it did on its first day of operation in 1903, the transplanted depot turned museum serves as a historical landmark in the valley, a monument to early 20th Century rail travel and commerce, and a place for train enthusiasts to watch the trains go by and to build railroads of their own.

One of the depot's main functions was to serve as the
Western Union office for the surrounding valley.

If this bike was part of the job of the WU messenger, then I say "Sign me up!"

The depot is outfitted with all the trappings of an early 20th Century train station.

Like sacks of potatoes

Crates of produce

And even more sacks of potatoes....only kidding....the one in the middle is a lady.

I really loved this barrel of railroad spikes.

The most thrilling part of the Santa Susana Railroad Depot was another wacky tacky favorite - miniatures!!!  A large portion of the facilities are dedicated to a huge collection of Lionel trains and a scale model railroad.

Every week, volunteers and scale-model railroad engineers come to
build, operate, and maintain the Santa Susana miniature trains.

A whole environment has been built to reflect Simi Valley and the greater
Los Angeles area.  We were happy to see that  Corriganville was well represented.

Did I mention that I love miniatures?
The details of the setting are meant to reflect Southern California in the 1950's.

Obviously, the details are open to interpretation....
But if I was that shepherd, I would definitely move my flocks far away from
Southern California's native Bengal Tiger population.

Downtown Los Angeles is represented in the form of Philippe's.

This is the part of the railroad's journey that passes through San Pedro.
I think the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce might have a new slogan -
"San Pedro - a great place to hack up sharks." Shudder...

If you're in the market for a wacky tacky adventure day, consider heading up to Simi Valley.  We got a great dose of the Old West, Hollywood lore, railroad history, and vitamin D!  When you're there be sure to give our regards to Crash and to Curt!

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Santa Susana Railroad Depot and Museum

6503 Katherine Rd.

Simi Valley, CA

(805)581-3462

www.santasusanadepot.org

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Silly Cinema: That Darn Cat! (1965)

I can't collect records.  My collections are so varied and too numerous, that adding one more "collection" would qualify me for a very special, cross-promotional episode of "Intervention meets Hoarders."  It isn't that I don't buy records, of course I do.  I just refuse to admit to myself that it is a collection.  My motivation for buying records is limited, however, to nostalgia and an unbridled love of "Music to Strip By."

Really.
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A recent thrifting trip found me face to face with the soundtrack to one of my favorite movies, Walt Disney's That Darn Cat! (1965).  An ardent Hayley Mills fan, I just had to have this album.  I was a little disheartened, however, to only have the vinyl itself.  Fortunately, Mary, an inveterate digger, kept flipping through the remaining bins of records, and found the errant sleeve.

My favorite song/theme title might be "Take This and This and This"

As soon as I got home, I put the record on and was pleased to hear that every bit of the film score was included, even the music from the drive-in surf movie that the characters watch in a climactic scene.  The one confusing part of the record was the two renditions of the theme song, neither one of which was performed by Bobby Darin, the vocal talent which graces the opening credits of the film.  

"That Darn Cat!" - performed by Bobby Darin

The renditions on the record of the title song, penned by the inimitable Sherman Brothers, are sung by no musical slouches, namely Louis Prima and Bobby Troup.  I couldn't find a video of either version and I couldn't be bothered to make one of my own, so here is a totally unrelated clip of Louis Prima - except for the title, "Swing Cats Jamboree."

"Swing Cats Jamboree" - Louis Prima

The inspiration for this post was obviously the record.  Clearly, I got so distracted by the album, that I forgot this was a movie review.  Record review, movie review...what's the difference?  Anyhow, if you grew up on some remote, desert island where Disney movies could not be received by your primitive, coconut-shell, television antenna or you lived under an anti-American, fascist regime, then you won't be familiar with That Darn Cat!, the single-greatest masterpiece of American cinema.  Okay, the single-greatest masterpiece of American cinema released on December 2, 1965 starring Hayley Mills and Dean Jones as a precocious, teenage, amateur sleuth and a starched-shirt FBI agent, respectively.

That Darn Cat! (1965) Movie Trailer

If you didn't gather it from the trailer, That Darn Cat! tells the tale of D.C. (Darn Cat), a Siamese cat of superior intellect, who begrudgingly plays a major role in capturing villainous, bank robbing kidnappers.  I will admit, this film is much less "Fellini" than feline, feel good romp.  But if you're bored on a Sunday afternoon, I promise you nothing will get you in a better mood.

That Darn Cat! (1965)
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For such a mid-60's cornball movie, the cast in this film is really top notch.  We've mentioned in a previous post that wacky tacky icon, Elsa Lanchester, plays a supporting role along with William DeMarest.  A whole slew of 60's favorites round out the cast including an grown-up Roddy McDowall, Dorothy Provine, Neville Brand, Richard Deacon, and Frank Gorshin.

It seems like old Frank was always playing a baddy.
Here a bank-robbing kidnapper...

,

...and here as The Riddler from Batman

Did we mention that one of our favorite comedians/character actors, Ed Wynn, has a cameo as a German jeweler?  We didn't??!?!  Well, shame on us.

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If you're a lover of the Beach Party movies, or Gidget, or Hayley Mills, or wacky tacky, then you're sure love That Darn Cat!  Please feel free to share your reviews on here if you do decide to watch it, or if like us, you've watched it over and over and over again!

Also, don't forget to like us on Facebook, if you're so inclined!

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Happy Birthday Dodo!!!

The recent lack of posts is in no way due to a lack of interesting information, lack of desire, or lack of fun times.  I have just been busy, busy, busy.  We leave tomorrow for Las Vegas (which has never been one of my favorite places but we'll see how it goes) and hence, the trend of absenteeism will continue until our return at which time I'm sure I will have loads of news and pictures to share.  As busy as I have been lately, I would be remiss if I didn't wish a very Happy Birthday to one of the brightest stars in the firmament, Miss Doris Day!

With the exception of the Birkenstock-esque footwear, this
is about as close to perfection as one can get.
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While her age and year of birth have been a source of debate (what celebrity's of a certain generation has not?), today officially marks the 88th birthday of Doris Day.  I could rhapsodize, but I will be brief and just share a few of her hits and my deep admiration for her music and film career.  Remind me later, however, to share with you the story of how I stalked her!

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NPR produced a great story/interview in celebration of her birthday - listen here! (thanks to my old friend Bret for sharing!)  Some of her answers are pretty hilarious so I definitely recommend listening if you're a fan.

Hubba, hubba!
I love that you can see her freckles in this one!
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In honor of her birthday, I thought I would post some of her musical standouts - a couple of her novelty tunes, and a few of my absolute favorites

"Celery Stalks at Midnight" (1941)

"Booglie Wooglie Piggy"

* I couldn't find a YouTube entry for "Tacos, Enchiladas, and Beans" but if you can find it, it's worth a listen!

"It's Magic" (1948)

"Again" (1949)

"Should I Surrender?" (1961)

"Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps" (1964)

If you are unfamiliar with her work, TCM has chosen her as the star of the month and will be playing many of her films.  My favorites include, Romance on the High Seas, My Dream is Yours, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Move Over Darling, Pillow Talk, Midnight Lace, Please Don't Eat the Daisies, The West Point Story, That Touch of Mink, The Thrill of it All, Lover Come Back, Love Me or Leave Me - I pretty much love them all.  

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Happy Birthday Clara Bixby!!!

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

wacky tacky goes Hollywood: Part II

Earlier this year we made our way up to The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills for the auction preview of Debbie Reynolds' vast collection of Hollywood costumes and memorabilia.  The costumes were amazing and Debbie Reynolds' foresight in collecting and preserving these pieces of Hollywood history was truly profound.  Fortunately, we made it (see blog post) - but just barely - on closing day.  When we heard that there would be a second exhibit of even more costumes, we committed to going but being the world-class procrastinators that we are, we again put it off until nearly the eleventh hour (the exhibit ends this week with the auction on Saturday, December 3).  Luckily, I was able to meet up with some friends, including fellow-bloggers Beth from V is for Vintage and Lauren from Wearing History.

The costumes that were on display this time were a little less spectacular than the previous exhibit - Marilyn Monroe's dress from The Seven Year Itch, Maria's dress from The Sound of Music, Dorothy's ruby slippers.  Also, it appears that a little less time was taken in the curation; not every piece in the auction was on display and not every piece was described in detail as was the case in the former exhibit.

This dress, for example, was described as "MGM dress worn by Joan Crawford."

It's funny sometimes how fine a line is drawn between stunning,
1940's glamour gown and crazy "Golden Girls" nightmare.

Having aired my grievances, it must be said that the entire preview catalog is available online and in spite of my minor gripes, the exhibit was still pretty spectacular.  If Reynolds' collection consisted only of the pieces we saw this time, I would still consider her a wise and wealthy woman.  I didn't get pictures of every item, so perhaps the best way to present these photos is by the stars who wore them, starting with Reynolds herself.

DEBBIE REYNOLDS

It Started with a Kiss (1959)
worn by Debbie Reynolds

What's the Matter with Helen? (1971)
worn by Debbie Reynolds

What's the Matter with Helen?

This is too "goody, goody" to miss.

SONJA HENIE

Show costume
worn by Sonja Henie

Show Parasol costume/prop
worn by Sonja Henie

Show costume
worn by Sonja Henie

Show costume
worn by Sonja Henie

BETTY GRABLE

My Blue Heaven (1950)
worn by Betty Grable

The Girl Next Door (1953)
worn by June Haver

Both films co-starred Dan Dailey!

Sweet Rosie O'Grady (1943)
worn by Betty Grable

Springtime in the Rockies (1942)
worn by Betty Grable

JULIE ANDREWS

Star! (1968)

worn by Julie Andrews

Star! (1968)
worn by Julie Andrews

 Details of the beautiful beading

"The Physician"

Star! (1968)

MARILYN MONROE

Niagara (1953)
worn by Marilyn Monroe

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
worn by Marilyn Monroe

Bus Stop (1956)
worn by Marilyn Monroe

Let's Make Love (1960)
worn by Marilyn Monroe

CLAUDETTE COLBERT

Remember the Day (1941)
worn by Claudette Colbert

Without Reservations (1946)
worn by Claudette Colbert
This one is going to get the
Mr. Tiny treatment.

DORIS DAY

Billy Rose's Jumbo (1962)
worn by Doris Day 

Billy Rose's Jumbo (1962)
worn by Doris Day

Billy Rose's Jumbo (1962)

worn by Doris Day

The Glass-Bottom Boat (1966)
worn by Doris Day

 I was pretty excited to see the Doris Day costumes.
She is one of my favorite stars and I have always
thought the mermaid costume was awesome!

The Glass-Bottom Boat (1966)

This movie is about as corny and awesome as it can get -

Paul Lynde as an undercover, transvestite, NASA security guard.

A FEW STANDOUTS FROM THE COLLECTION

Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (1957)
Jayne Mansfield 

With a Song in My Heart (1952)
worn by Susan Hayward

The Opposite Sex (1956)
worn by June Allyson

Ziegfeld Girl (1941)
worn by Eve Arden

Detail of the illusion bodice with 3-D, wired stars.

The Unfinished Dance (1947)
worn by Cyd Charisse

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)
worn by Jane Powell

The Great American Broadcast (1941)
worn by Alice Faye

The Greatest Show on Earth (1952)
worn by Dorothy Lamour
Loving the modesty pearls...

Hello Frisco, Hello (1943)
worn by Lynn Bari

Hello Frisco, Hello (1943)
worn by June Havoc

Showboat (1951)
worn by Marge Champion

Kiss Me Kate (1953)
worn by Ann Miller

Jitterbugs (1943)
worn by Stan Laurel

Up in Central Park (1948)
worn by Deanna Durbin
Deanna is another one of my absolute favorites!

The Thin Man Goes Home (1945)
worn by Myrna Loy
Awesome!!!

20th Century Fox dress
worn by Carmen Miranda
Yep, CARMEN MIRANDA!!!

This hat had the reverent duty of resting atop
Maureen O'Hara's most beautiful head!!!

Overall, it was another great showing of Hollywood history - Irene, Adrian, Helen Rose, Edith Head, Jean Louis, Walter Plunkett, and more.  A serious "thank you" is owed to Debbie Reynolds for being clever enough to save all these things from the ravages of time and studio dumpsters!

I guess if I could have stolen anything from the
 exhibit, it would have been this piece.
Doris Day's boobies were here!

 Cheers!

Mr. Tiny