“It’s not me, it’s you.” Or so says Ginger Rogers to her long term boyfriend who is unable to persuade the beautiful blonde to commit to him in marriage. So, taking her excuses seriously, he decides to have his psychiatrist friend psychoanalyze her. The psychologist just so happens to be Fred Astaire, of course.

Ginger knows that she doesn’t need “fixed” mentally. She just doesn’t want to marry her beau. And as the movie continues, it’s very easy to see why. And so she strings along the psychiatrist with stubborn sarcasm as tries to fix his friend’s girl.

During a session in Astaire’s office, Rogers declares that she never dreams while she sleeps. But the very next night she has a doozy of a dream about Fred himself! (insert obligatory dance-dream sequence here) When she wakes up, she realizes that she is actually in love with her psychiatrist!

All the while, Astaire is oblivious to her admiration of him (although very charmed by his pretty patient). So he gives her drugs in order to more effectively psychoanalyze her. The problem is, of course, that she escapes when he leaves the room for just a moment. And she proceeds to wreak havoc downtown. Rogers is quite an excellent comedian, or this scene might have been a bit over-the-top as far as I’m concerned.

The movie includes just enough dance sequences between Rogers and Astaire, without boring viewers who might be watching for more of the comedic aspect of the film. And although it’s quite a puffy 1930s dance comedy (starring arguably the most cliche movie couple in history), I enjoyed seeing the emotional interaction between the two. It was especially charming seeing Astaire dutifully hypnotize Rogers into no longer loving him, and into believing that she loves her fiance. A decision he later regrets, and tries to undo- all the way up to the wedding day!

An added bonus in watching this movie, at least for me, was soaking in all of the 1930s interiors, as well as all of Ginger’s hats! So many floppy hats in this movie, it’s almost ridiculous. But oh how I absolutely adore them!

I’m always a little surprised when I’m inspired by fashion which predates the 1950s. But it happens in the least likely of places! Like silent movies. I simply don’t pay attention to one thing at a time for a long enough period of time to become a fan of silent movies. I like to multi-task, and that doesn’t work out quite well when you can’t hear what’s happening on screen.

Ah, but Clara Bow. I’m suddenly overwhelmingly inspired by her sweaters, pleated skirts, collars, ties, suspenders, and scarves. Even her bob! (Don’t worry, I’m not planning on cutting my hair any time soon!)

I might see if any of her films are available on Netflix. I suppose classic fashion, like great design & wonderful films, truly is timeless.

(sources: IMDB & Myspace)

If you know anything about Peter Sellers, you can expect this movie to be every bit as crazy and pointless as it actually is. I saw this film about 7 years ago and thought it was absolutely wonderful, so I was quite excited to watch it again last week. My reaction this time around? Meh.

I did appreciate the humor of a white collar middle class man stuck in a convenient yet loveless relationship with his secretary. The same man who finds his identity in his vehicle and is driven to take huffs from his inhaler when panic attacks loom near.

When Harold is stuck with a hippie-mobile for a ride and his brother’s hippie friend for an unexpected companion, life begins to change. He decides he doesn’t want to live his life simply to fulfill other’s wishes of him.

I think the “special” brownies hippie girl made Harold might have been the turning point.

But his hippie lifestyle is shot to pieces when the crazy, dumpy, high lifestyle of the hippies disrupts his home. As hippie girl would say, “It’s very unhip to say that you’re hip, Harold.”

Take it for what it’s worth, my friends. I’ve decided that I’m going to share most of the movies I watch on Netflix, so there ya have it! :)