"Adventure" on TCM on Nov 30

This 1945 movie cannot compare with Greer's wartime efforts, and was the beginning of her downturn.

But be sure to record it and watch it several times.  It may grow on you.

Marsha Hunt is 91 today

Marsha Hunt, who starred in three movies with Greer, turns 91 today.

As recently as spring 2007, Marsha was still active on the festival circuit, appearing on stage for a lengthy interview at the Noir City 5 festival.

Her first movie with Greer, "Blossoms in the Dust," will be released on DVD in November.

"Blossoms in the Dust" on DVD

This 1941 movie will be released on DVD on November 11, 2008.

This is Greer's second Oscar-nominated performance and her first of eight movies with Walter Pidgeon.

And it's one of the few Technicolor movies made in 1941.

"Random Harvest" poem is revised

I have a major revision of the "Random Harvest" poem.

A new ode to Greer!

I've replaced my old "ode" to Greer by another one, one that I believe is much improved in metre and style.

I've reproduced it below so that you'll be forced to read it. Remember to leave a comment.



=================
An Ode to Greer Garson
=================

While Rhett and Scarlett fought the Civil War

and Mister Smith held up the Senate floor,

a lonely teacher climbed a mountain height

and on a rock he saw a startling sight.

A woman sat upon that stony chair

enjoying lunchtime in the alpine air.

He'd heard her shouting and became alarmed

but thinning air and her compassionate charm

took his breath away and set his heart ablaze,

and they fell in love within the next few days.

He'd scaled a peak to save this woman's life

and she made him whole when she became his wife.

She helped that teacher win the golden prize,

the Oscar statue catching Gable's eyes.

With forty minutes in the role she played,

Eileen Greer Garson's movie name was made.

Jane Austen is well-known to one and all;

her famous book still holds the world enthralled.

When filming started for this great romance,

the role of Lizzy wasn't left to chance.

For Austen mentioned on her book's first page

the Michaelmas feast-day in that far-off age.

Now Greer's own birthday in the year '04

was that very date that Austen's first page bore.

With such a birthday Greer was truly blest;

how Austen knew it we can only guess.

I have a feeling it was Jane's decree

that Greer was destined to play Lizzy B.

Louis B. Mayer became the studio's sage.

He brought Greer often to the Oscar stage.

For noble pairings he had quite the nose,

so Walter Pidgeon kept her on her toes.

He soon became a loyal movie pal

and helped her boost the nation's war morale.

Throughout the war she kept a rugged pace;

she helped the troops survive that fierce embrace.

She charmed the public and the movie gods

and brought her costars many Oscar nods.

She righted the hands of a stairway clock;

she found candescence in an ancient rock.

She helped her Major in a social rout;

she ate Joan Crawford and then spat her out.

She stopped a Nazi with a well-earned smack;

with gentle love she brought her Smithy back.

So many actors look and sound the same.

A meagre few deserve their great acclaim.

But Miss Greer Garson wasn't one of those.

Her glory shone just like a red, red rose.

This dulcet goddess that we miss so much,

who left a mark upon the lives she touched,

will spur the gods to light a brilliant flame

and midst the stars inscribe Miss Garson's name.

(c) 2008 Ed's Jaff

More Stars Than There Are In Heaven

Here is the big picture of MGM's greatest stars in 1943, on the occasion of MGM's 20th anniversary.

Greer is seated to Louis B. Mayer's left.

Greer's cute crossover

As Greer begins her dance in "Random Harvest," she raises her baton over her head and quickly crosses and uncrosses her legs.

Very cute.