Meet JoAnn DiVerdi, one of the CMBA's newest members who writes at classicfilmblog.com - Whaddaya Hear? Whaddaya Say? JoAnn took time to answer our questions so we could all get to know her better.
Why do you blog?
I blog to share my enthusiasm for the films, and for all those who helped to create them, from Hollywood’s Golden Age, the 1930s, 40s & 50s. These films speak to me on every creative level: the dialogue, cinematography, fashion, set design, music, even the typography of the screen titles and end credits. I believe them to be works of art to enjoy and to learn from and to be inspired by. In the most engaging of ways these films show us how much things have changed and how much they’ve remained the same.
Besides classic movie blogging, what are some of your other passions?
I’m actually a little lazy. My other ‘passions’ are more like interests. They include watching documentaries, reading, listening to all different types of music, going to museums, catching any classic car shows that I can and trying to eat out as often as possible.
What genres do you favor?
I favor Screwball Comedies and Film Noir. It seems that together, these two classic film genres reflect the light/dark, yin/yang, of my personality.
If you could have an afternoon chatting over coffee or a cocktail with three people from classic films who would they be and why? (They can be actors, directors, writers, crew – it’s your choice!).
Bette Davis, Preston Sturges, Cary Grant. Talent, Genius, Beauty. <swoon>
What classic film (or films) do you recommend to people who aren’t familiar with older films?
I tend to ask what the person’s favorite genre is first and then suggest a film from that category. But, in general, I feel that you can’t go wrong with:
Bette Davis in either Jezebel (1938) or The Letter (1940).
Barbara Stanwyck in The Lady Eve (1941) or Ball of Fire (1941).
John Garfield in either Body and Soul (1947) or Force of Evil (1948).
Robert Mitchum in Out of the Past (1947) or Angel Face (1952).
And, for the true romantics, Wuthering Heights (1939) or Random Harvest (1942).
And, though they may be more of an acquired taste for some, I love the lightness and fun of:
Hitchcock’s screwball comedy, Mr. & Mrs. Smith (1941)
Archie Mayo’s, It's Love I'm After (1937) – proving that Bette Davis could do comedy! And Howard Hawk’s, Bringing Up Baby (1938), cuz well…it’s Bringing Up Baby!
And, “Whaddaya Hear? Whaddaya Say?” I’d be remiss if I didn't recommend these 3 gangster films, all starring James Cagney:
The Public Enemy (1931)
Angels With Dirty Faces (1938)
White Heat (1949)
What is something that most people don’t know about you or that you would like to share?
When I was very young I worked as a graphic designer in the creative department at the now defunct Thom McAn Shoe Company. They were planning on coming out with a line of shoes in 1987 named “Marilyn Monroe” to mark the 25th anniversary of her death and they needed a tagline. As more of a gesture of good will than of confidence, they first offered up the assignment to their in-house talent before turning it over to their big ad agency in New York, McCann-Erickson. And, to the surprise of everyone, including myself, I was the one that came up with the line! I wrote: “Shoes are a girl’s best friend.”
I was thrilled because my tagline was then used across all media platforms, along with print and in-store displays. Plus, I received a raise and promotion!
But the really cool thing is that ‘my tagline,’ (which I have no legal claims to what-so-ever) lives on! Google it. Lots of products, graphics, fashion articles and blog posts will pop-up using, “Shoes are a girl’s best friend.”
It pleases me that a tagline I wrote so long ago continues to connect and resonate with people today. Especially since it was a line that drew upon my knowledge and passion for classic film.
Why do you use the tagline "Whaddaya Hear? Whaddaya Say?" on your blog?
Why? Because it’s such a great line! Plus, it symbolizes so much that means so much to me:
That James Cagney, one of the greats of the Golden Age of Hollywood, said it in one of my favorite films, ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES (1938). That it was an ad-lib on his part. A line he had heard growing up from a local drug-addled pimp in Hell’s Kitchen. That both Cagney and the line were woven into a couple of episodes of THE SOPRANOS. And that, less than 10 years ago, the man and the line (among many other of his signature lines) inspired an award-winning off-Broadway play, CAGNEY.
It’s all there: classic black & white film, the behind-the-scenes story, the actor and film’s continuing ability to influence and inspire.
"Whaddaya Hear? Whaddaya Say?" embodies it all to me. And, it's just the perfect line to invite others into my world, my blog and into a conversation about classic films.
You can visit JoAnn's blog at classicfilmblog.com.
