by Asanat Odeyale Cary Joji Fukunaga, an American filmmaker, director, and writer, was born on July 10, 1977. He first gained notoriety for writing and directing the 2009 film, Sin Nombre and then for the 2011 adaptation of Jane Eyre. He even became the first director of Asian descent to win a Primetime Emmy award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series for the HBO series, True Detective. Fukunaga was chosen to direct […]
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Happy Birthday Dwanye “The Rock” Johnson
by Jason Wieder Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was born on May 2nd, 1972. Johnson originally began his career as a professional wrestler, but soon became known for his acting career. Johnson generally acts in action or thriller movies; however, one notable exception to this is his performance as Maui in Disney’s Moana. Outside of his wresting and acting careers, “The […]
Continue readingHappy Birthday Jeff Goldblum
Happy Birthday Jeff Goldblum! An actor so fixed in our collective cultural consciousness that this: Became this: Of all the ways to commemorate the original Jurassic Park’s 25th anniversary, this was certainly the most… interesting. But anyway, happy birthday to Jeff Goldblum. Many happy returns, and may you always be memeable. You can check out […]
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Julie Andrews: Practically Perfect in Every Way
I originally planned to post this yesterday, but three blog posts seemed a little much for one day. Yesterday, October 1, 2018, was Dame Julie Andrews’ 83rd birthday. The Queen of England may only have made her a knight, but Julie will always be the Queen of Genovia, and the ultimate Queen of Shade.
Andrews began her career as a child performer in post-war London, and she gained fame by appearing in Broadway musicals in the late 1950s. In 1956, she originated the role of Eliza Doolittle in the Broadway production of My Fair Lady, and was soon cast in Camelot and Cinderella. However, when Warner Brothers won the movie rights to My Fair Lady, studio executive Jack Warner cast Audrey Hepburn as Eliza, rather than casting Andrews. Warner was banking on Hepburn’s name recognition, and doubted that the relatively unknown Andrews could draw the audiences needed to make the film a success.
Oh how Jack Warner would come to eat his words. Walt Disney, who saw Andrews in Camelot, knew that she was the practically perfect choice to play Mary Poppins. After begging her to take the role, he even paused pre-production on the film in order to accommodate Andrews’ pregnancy. Mary Poppins went on to become a huge box office success, and Andrews earned an Oscar and a Golden Globe for her performance.
We all know Julie Andrews is the classiest woman alive, but she couldn’t help taking just a bit of revenge against Warner. During her Golden Globes Acceptance speech, she closed with: “And, finally, my thanks to a man who made a wonderful movie and who made all this possible in the first place, Mr. Jack Warner.” If that short dig isn’t the classiest little bit of revenge, then I don’t know what is.
So happy birthday Julie Andrews! If you want to see (or hear) more of this incredible actress with a voice like silver bells, you can find these movies in the AU Media Collection:
- Marry Poppins (DVD 7850)
- The Sound of Music (DVD 5916)
- Thoroughly Modern Millie (Music Library DVD 253)
- Alfred Hitchcock’s Torn Curtain (DVD 5199)
- Victor/Victoria (DVD 6740)
- Shrek 2 (DVD 13518)
Happy Birthday William Powell!
Today, July 29th, is William Powell’s birthday! I think I’ve suggested The Thin Man (HU DVD 4971 – 4977) about to death, so I’d like to encourage you to check out: The Great Ziegfeld (HU DVD 1979) Manhattan Melodrama (HU DVD 12753) Mister Roberts (HU DVD 5171) and My Man Godfrey (HU DVD 5850) Happy Birthday to the man […]
Continue readingHappy Birthday Natalie Wood!
Today is a very special someone’s birthday…Natalie Wood! Natalie Wood was born July 20th, 1938. She was in so many good movies, but we’re going to particularly recommend: Gypsy (HU DVD 5738): I already have “If Mama Was Married” stuck in my head. The Searchers (HU DVD 1808): This movie is incredible. I completely forgot […]
Continue readingHappy Birthday Errol Flynn!
Errol Flynn was born June 20th, 1909! I personally much prefer Kevin Kline playing Errol Flynn, but, since it’s his birthday, we would like to highlight: The Adventures of Robin Hood (HU DVD 3938), because obviously. Gentleman Jim (HU DVD 4979), because I like the word pugilist. Captain Blood (HU DVD 6595), because apparently our copy […]
Continue readingHappy Birthday Judy Garland!
Judy Garland was born June 10th 1922, which means it’s time for everyone to settle down and watch my favorite Judy Garland song: her tribute to Clark Gable, “You Made Me Love You.” Naturally there are far better versions of this song, but this is the sweetest tribute to Clark Gable, and I adore it.
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