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Each month, the CMBA profiles a classic movie blog written by one of our members. This month, we are featuring Kellee Pratt, who writes at Outspoken & Freckled. 

1. Why do you blog?

Likely like everyone else in the CMBA, I love classic film and I truly enjoy enjoy writing, as well. I love where researching a film, its cast and crew, and the background history leads me. A fascinating pursuit each time and I hope that my enthusiasm comes through in my writing. As a result, I've become part of a wonderful community of fellow classic film bloggers of whom many are dear friends. 

2. Besides classic movie blogging, what are some of your other passions?

My passion for old movies has lead me to a career in teaching others. Many years ago, I began teaching through a city program where I live (... in the small college town of Lawrence, Kansas, the home of a few universities including my alma mater, the University of Kansas). My educational background is in public speaking so in addition to my series of classes, I have other speaking and teaching engagements- at community lunch-and-learns, at the local history museum, and this spring I will be teaching a series on Censorship in Early Hollywood through the Osher Institute at the University of Kansas.  

One of my other passions is gardening. There's so much to learn in the vast topic of gardening. So I decided to expand my knowledge by becoming a Master Gardener through my county's extension office. I completed my basic training this month and I will continue my education and volunteer hours every year going forward. I have a special interest in native plants, especially pollinator plants, and in supporting wildlife and biodiversity. I am registered nationally as a Monarch Waystation and I am certified as a Wildlife Habitat through the National Wildlife Federation. Additionally, I'm an amateur birder. I love to watch a variety of birds flock to my feeders and trees in my yard- including hummingbirds, woodpeckers, owls, hawks and so many more. 

Otherwise, I am drawn to architecture, history, politics, social causes, interior design/home improvement projects, tennis, cooking/baking, and college basketball (Rock Chalk, Jayhawk!) I am fiercely loyal to my friends and family. My immediate family includes my husband, our 4 grown kids, and our 2 dogs and kitty.   

3. If you could program a perfect day of classic movies for TCM, what would be the seven films on your schedule?

This question is difficult because I have very eclectic taste in film. It depends upon the day and my mood. It's also like asking which is my favorite child. (My husband would whisper, "oh just admit that it's Murphy.") I do have a special fondness for Film Noirs, Pre-Codes, and Comedies. But really, I love every genre and subgenre. Here are some long-standing favorites, in no particular order.

THE AWFUL TRUTH (1937)

Cary Grant is my favorite actor and, in my personal opinion, Irene Dunne was his ideal co-lead actress of his comedy films. This was their best film together and I wish they had made even more than only three.

GOLD DIGGERS OF 1933 (1933)

Every time I watch this, I escape into another world of song, dance, humor, and fantastic spectacle. The creativity of costumes and choreography is breathtaking. Incredible cast, and what a pulse on the Great Depression. You feel your worries melt away entranced by each musical number; undoubtedly that was true for movie goers of this time, too. If only until reality hits after the closing credits.    

METROPOLIS (1927)

Talk about a mind-blowing feast for the eyes. The visual effects and story-telling are outstanding. Not just for a silent film, but for any film. I'm so lucky to live in an area where there are great opportunities for silent film with live music (yes, right here in Kansas), as such I've screened my share of some silent film gems. There's good reason that this film is likely in the top three of silent films that most people who are less experienced with silents. It's not just mainstream, it's a masterpiece.   

THE GREAT RACE (1965)

This film is a nod to classic comedy in every way. The opening credits tell us it's Blake Edwards' tribute to Laurel and Hardy. No, this is not a biopic of their lives. But you'll find a lot of slapstick- by a hilarious duo of Jack Lemmon and Peter Falk. In addition to humor, you'll find adventure, swashbuckling, romance (with yummy Tony Curtis and drop-dead gorgeous Natalie Wood), and even a pie fight so grand in scale that it does bear tribute to a particular Laurel and Hardy gag- yet in technicolor.  

MURDER, MY SWEET (1944)

I know what you're thinking. Why not OUT OF THE PAST, DOUBLE INDEMNITY, or some grittier Warner Brothers B noir? From high-brow to low-brow, I love so many. MMS has all the right ingredients for a memorable noir. But there's also something so cheeky about it, too. It's those unforgettable "Philip Marlowe" lines, delivered by Dick Powell. He dives right into those bottomless black pools. 

BABY FACE (1933)

A Pre-Code essential. There's no subtlety in Barbara Stanwyck as Lily Powers' intentions. Just like there's no subtlety in the bleak world she must navigate. She is a rags-to-riches survivor. A feminist powerhouse. 

HOW GREEN WAS MY VALLEY (1941)

But Kellee, you always rattle on and on about how THE QUIET MAN is a Maureen O'Hara favorite for you and served as your Irish family's unofficial manual growing up to describe your heritage and ancestral homeland. What gives? True, true. But like I said, depends upon the day and mood. Today, I'm thinking of this beautiful film. From the performances, to the cinematography, to the storytelling itself, this is indeed a uniquely beautiful film. Did it 'rob' great films like CITIZEN KANE, SERGEANT YORK, and THE MALTESE FALCON for Best Picture Oscar? I love those incredible films, but the Academy got this right.  

4. What is a classic movie that you love, but most people don't know about -- and what do you love about it? 

If you're discussing most people within our community of classic film bloggers and fans, I find it difficult to name one that most are not already well aware. We have some incredibly astute fans in our community! But if I expand that 'most people' to mainstream film viewers, I can think of several Noirs and Pre-Codes that are off the beaten path. One that comes to mind is FINISHING SCHOOL (1934). On the surface, it's a coming-of-age story about boarding school girls trying to fit in, break rules, and explore their blooming sexuality. Frances Dee couldn't be more adorable. But WOWZA, there are some Pre-Code moments that literally pack a punch. I love it because the jaw-dropping scenes are so unexpected, especially from angelic-faced Dee. I saw it first at TCM Film Festival years ago, so I love the memories of that initial screening experience, too. 

5. What is something most people don't know about you? 

Another tough question. I'm such a broadcaster, an over-sharer, that I'm straining to think of anything someone wouldn't already know about me (that isn't too personal, or private). Here's a couple of tidbits about me, anyway. 1) I love decorating the house for the holidays, but especially for Christmas. I have 4 Christmas trees that I leave up year-round, including a retro pink one in our bathroom that matches the original 1956 pink tub. The real tree is up from Thanksgiving to almost the 2nd week of January. 2) I grew up in a very colorful childhood in Taos, NM. My beautiful, hippie mother befriended many celebrities and artists that would visit or lived in Taos during that time, including - Dennis Hopper, Dean Stockwell, Michael Martin Murphey, and Neil Young. For a time, we lived with another family - another mom with 2 kids, similar ages as us. They had a big house and were British. They had recently moved to Taos from London and later moved to LA, where they had big dreams for the daughter's acting career. The daughter, who was a couple years younger than me, her name- Olivia d'Abo. You may know her from "The Wonder Years" and other films/TV. Her mom- Maggie London, was a hugely successful model for Vidal Sassoon in the swinging sixties London. She had uncredited acting roles in A HARD DAY'S NIGHT (dancing with Ringo Starr), and in 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (she speaks the first line in the film, in the elevator of the space station.) Maggie's husband at the time, composer/singer Mike d'Abo, was busy during the 60s and 70s as a popular British rock singer in bands like Manfred Mann. Mike's first cousin is Maryam d'Abo, a 'Bond girl' in THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS. Olivia's brother Ben, who also lived with us and was slightly older than Olivia, was very sweet and loved to dance around pretending to be Rod Stewart. 

We thank Kellee for participating in our Q&A profile and encourage you to visit OUTSPOKEN & FRECKLED. 

Each month, the CMBA profiles a classic movie blog written by one of our members. This month, we're featuring Karen Hannsberry, who writes at SHADOWS AND SATIN.  

CMBA: Why do you blog? 

Karen: I have a pretty simple answer to that one - because I love to write and because I love classic movies. Blogging was made for me - it gives me the chance, on any given day, to write to my heart's content about whatever I want to explore and discuss.  

CMBA: Besides classic movie blogging, what are some of your other passions?  

Karen: I'm passionate about the film noir newsletter, The Dark Pages, that I started almost 20 years ago. It may not make me rich, but it's a true labor of love. Also, I'm passionate about my collections- I have many: classic movie magazines, old radios, clocks, shot glasses, refrigerator magnets, dolls, ashtrays, autographed photos, classic movie lobby cards, and books that were made into classic films. 

CMBA: If you could program a perfect day of classic movies for TCM, what would be the seven films on your schedule?

Karen: This was a lot harder than I thought it would be- I wanted to include a silent movie, a western, a musical, a Pre-Code, and a film noir- plus movies featuring my favorite three actresses: Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, and Barbara Stanwyck. So here goes ...

The Gunfighter (1950) 

I'm fond of a lot of westerns, but I love The Gunfighter the best. It's such a good story, with memorable performances from all of the cast, especially Gregory Peck and Helen Westcott. And a great ending. 

Night Nurse (1931)

This film filled the bill for both a Pre-Code and a Stanwyck movie - and it's one of my favorites for both. Plus, it's one of the few films from that era where a crime goes unpunished, and I love that!

Sunrise: A Tale of Two Humans (1927)

Sunrise is one of the only silent films that I've seen more than once. It's that good. 

Sunset Blvd. (1950)

Sunset Blvd. is the focus film for the Dark Pages newsletter's 'giant issue' for December 2023, and I've been immersed in it for the last several weeks, loving it more every time I see it. 

Bye Bye Birdie (1963)

I'm not a huge fan of musicals as a rule, but the ones that I love, I REALLY love. And I REALLY love Bye Bye Birdie. The songs, the dance numbers, the color, Ann Margret, Paul Lynde ... the list goes on and on. It's a real feel-good movie.

Queen Bee (1955)

It's not my favorite Joan Crawford movie, but I selected Queen Bee for my Crawford pick because I saw it a few years ago at the TCM film festival, and it was just so much fun. 

All This, and Heaven Too (1940)

This is my Bette Davis pick. There were so many good ones to choose from, but I wanted to select one that's not mentioned very often but deserves to be seen. 

CMBA: What is a classic movie that you love, but most people don't know about- and what do you love about it? 

Karen: That's easy - Young and Willing (1943), starring William Holden, Susan Hayward, and Eddie Bracken. It's a silly little comedy but I've always loved it. It cracks me up every time I watch it. For years, I never met anyone who'd even heard of it, but now it's on YouTube, so I hope more people will begin to check it out. 

CMBA: What is something that most people don't know about you? 

Karen: I have an Etsy store called Kim and Karen's Patio, where I sell all kinds of vintage items, including cookbooks, glassware, albums, salt and pepper shakers, classic movie magazines, sheet music, framed magazine ads, vases, serving dishes - I even have an antique ice cream scoop and a 1935 Shirley Temple Photo Flip Book. You never know what might turn up!

 The Classic Movie Blog Association is over the moon to present the 2023 CMBA Fall Blogathon: Blogathon & the Beast. The blogathon, for CMBA members only, runs Nov. 6-10th, 2023, and focuses on iconic characters who are caught in a struggle with their primal inclinations and those who challenge social norms.

The entries submitted by our CMBA members can be accessed below – please stop by their blogs to read and comment on these offerings. Enjoy!

Monday, November 6, 2023 

A Person in the Dark — Leave Her to Heaven: The Beast Inside the Beauty

Cary Grant Won't Eat You — Jimmy Stewart in Vertigo

Real Weegie Midget Reviews — Purple Noon (Plein Soleil) (1960)

Silver Screenings — The Bad Seed (1956)

Tuesday, November 7, 2023 

Poppity Talks Classic Film — Character analysis: Wally Fay in Mildred Pierce

Film Fanatic — Scarface (1983)

Cinematic Scribblings — The Bad Sleep Well

The Silver Screen Affair — Stanwyck as Phyllis Dietrichson in Double Indemnity 

Filmland Follies — Airborne Adventuress: Katharine Hepburn in Christopher Strong

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Whimsically Classic — Queen Christina (1933)

Box Office Poisons - Queen Yllana of Queen of Outer Space

Outspoken & Freckled - Angel Face (1952)

Thursday, November 9, 2023

Another Old Movie Blog — Criss Cross (1949)

Crítica Retrô — The Divorcee (1930)

The Last Drive In — Dietrich and Anna May Wong in Shanghai Express (1932)

Classic Film And TV Corner - Elsa Bannister In The Lady From Shanghai (1948) 

Friday, November 10, 2023

Spellbound With Beth Ann — Valkoinen Peura / The White Reindeer (1952)

Once Upon a Screen — Robert Walker as Bruno Antony in Strangers on a Train

Silver Screen Classics — La Belle Et La Bete (1946)

A Vintage Nerd  — Kansas City Bomber (1972)

Speakeasy — Creature Feature "Beast" movies, Ranked

Shadows and Satin — The Beasts of Joan Crawford Noirs

Watching Forever --  Kay Francis in In Name Only (1939)

Second Sight Cinema — Joan Crawford in Humoresque (1946)

Silver Scenes - Irene from Cat People (1942)

The Everyday Cinephile -  The Beast Within: The Hands of Orlac (1924) & Mad Love (1935)

It’s almost here! Time for the CMBA Fall Blogathon! This year’s theme is “Blogathon & The Beast:’’ 

King Kong, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, Cody Jarrett, Night of the Hunter’s Harry Powell, Shelley Winters as Bloody Mama, or Bonnie & Clyde. All iconic characters who are caught in a struggle with their primal inclinations.

The blogathon ‘beast' does not have to be a literal “beast,” or a menacing, or criminal character, although it can be! It also could be a complex protagonist who challenges social norms, such as the quintessential film noir anti-hero, the pre-Code heroine, Dietrich's enigmatic Shanghai Lily, Pacino's determined Serpico, the indomitable characters from Seven Samurai, or the outrageously zany Tasmanian devil from Warner Brothers' roster. 

If you haven’t signed up yet, there is still time! Please use this form to submit your topic choice, blog name, and preferred date for posting, if any. 

Because there is such a variety of topics to choose from, we won't be accepting duplicates. Topic selections will be accepted in order of receipt.

To promote the blogathon on your blog, take your pick from any of the banners at the bottom of this post. 

We’re really looking forward to another great blogathon! 

Monday, November 6, 2023 

A Person in the Dark — Leave Her to Heaven: The Beast Inside the Beauty

Cary Grant Won't Eat You — Jimmy Stewart in Vertigo

Real Weegie Midget Reviews — Purple Noon (Plein Soleil) (1960)

Silver Screenings — The Bad Seed (1956)

Tuesday, November 7, 2023 

Poppity Talks Classic Film — Character analysis: Wally Fay in Mildred Pierce

Film Fanatic — Scarface (1983)

Cinematic Scribblings — The Bad Sleep Well

The Silver Screen Affair — Stanwyck as Phyllis Dietrichson in Double Indemnity 

Filmland Follies — Airborne Adventuress: Katharine Hepburn in Christopher Strong

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Second Sight Cinema — Joan Crawford in Humoresque (1946)

Silent Cinema School — London After Midnight (1927)

Whimsically Classic — Queen Christina (1933)

Box Office Poisons - Queen Yllana of Queen of Outer Space

Outspoken & Freckled - Angel Face (1952)

Thursday, November 9, 2023

Another Old Movie Blog — Criss Cross (1949)

Crítica Retrô — The Divorcee (1930)

The Last Drive In — Dietrich and Anna May Wong in Shanghai Express (1932)

Classic Film And TV Corner - Elsa Bannister In The Lady From Shanghai (1948)

Friday, November 10, 2023

Spellbound With Beth Ann — Valkoinen Peura / The White Reindeer (1952)

Once Upon a Screen — Robert Walker as Bruno Antony in Strangers on a Train

Silver Screen Classics — La Belle Et La Bete (1946)

A Vintage Nerd  — Kansas City Bomber (1972)

Speakeasy — Creature Feature "Beast" movies, Ranked

Shadows and Satin — The Beasts of Joan Crawford Noirs 

Watching Forever - Kay Francis in In Name Only (1939)

King Kong, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, Cody Jarrett, Night of the Hunter’s Harry Powell, Shelley Winters as Bloody Mama, or Bonnie & Clyde. All iconic characters who are caught in a struggle with their primal inclinations.

That is the topic of CMBA’s fall blogathon, Blogathon and the Beast!

 The blogathon ‘beast' does not have to be a literal “beast,” or a menacing, or criminal character, although it can be! It also could be a complex protagonist who challenges social norms, such as the quintessential film noir anti-hero, the pre-Code heroine, Dietrich's enigmatic Shanghai Lily, Pacino's determined Serpico, the indomitable characters from Seven Samurai, or the outrageously zany Tasmanian devil from Warner Brothers' roster. 

This subject delves into the complexity of free will and natural instincts inherent in a wide variety of characters, whether cast as malevolent antagonists or tough protagonists. 

“Blogathon and the Beast” embraces a broad spectrum of characters who defy societal constraints or the natural order of things. Let your imagination roam free and embrace the diversity of this intriguing theme!

The blogathon, for CMBA members only, will run November 6-10, 2023. Please use this form to submit your topic choice, blog name, and preferred date for posting, if any. Because there is such a variety of topics to choose from, we won't be accepting duplicates. Topic selections will be accepted in order of receipt.

To promote the blogathon on your blog, take your pick from any of the banners at the bottom of this post.

We look forward to another great blogathon!

Each month, the CMBA profiles a classic movie blog written by one of our members. This month, we're featuring Michael Roberts, who writes at FILMYCKS.