LIFESTYLELEGENDS
4. Gone with the Wind, starring Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh (1939)
3. Casablanca, starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman (1942)
Even after more than 70 years, this World War II-era classic never gets old. Exiled American Rick Blaine (Bogart) runs the most popular gin joint in all of Casablanca. One day, his former lover, Ilsa (Bergman) enters the place with a leader of the Czech underground. Love and drama ensue. The film has more memorable lines than most others and you’ve probably quoted some of them like Ricks’ “Here’s looking at you, kid,” or Ilsa’s “Play it, Sam. Play ‘As Time Goes By.’” Last Line: “Louie, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”
While Atlanta burned, Gable should have had some breath spray in his pocket. Gable wore dentures and had bad breath, according to his co-star, who said while the camera may have picked up an on-screen chemistry between the two, she hated filming any scenes where she had to kiss Rhett Butler. Oh, and author Margaret Mitchell, who wrote the novel upon which GWTW was based, obviously wasn’t a fan of producer David O. Selznick’s film adaptation. She told reporters (with a straight face) that Groucho Marx would have made a good Rhett Butler. Before editing, “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn,” was scripted as “Frankly my dear, it makes my gorge rise.” Yuck. Last Line: “After all, tomorrow is another day.”
5. From Here to Eternity, starring Burt Lancaster, Deborah Kerr, Montgomery Clift and Frank Sinatra (1953)
The steamy scenes between Kerr and Lancaster (especially the Freudian one on the beach) probably didn’t involve much acting; the two were having an affair during the filming. Must have been a short-lived romance; it only took 41 days to shoot and it cost just $1 million to make (which was considered inexpensive in the movie business even 60 years ago). What was almost as intriguing as the movie was the Sinatra back story. His career was in the toilet, and even after begging for the role of Maggio, Eli Wallach was cast in the part. But then Wallach got an offer to do a Broadway show, and Sinatra agreed to take the role for $8,000. Eight years earlier, he was paid $130,000 to do Anchors Aweigh. Last Line: As they float on the water: “Robert E. Lee Prewitt. Isn’t that a silly old name?” njlifestyleonline.com
LIFESTYLE | Winter 2014
41