Greetings from VKMfanHuey!!!

Welcome to the Gingerology blog for the 1935 RKO film, Roberta!!!

This was the third pairing of Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire...and their partnership really hits stride here, as they workout "I'll Be Hard To Handle" and glide through the beauty of "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes". The setting is at Roberta's, the top fashion shop in Paris - and concerns one of the designers there, Stephanie (Irene Dunne), and her budding romance with John Kent (Randolph Scott), the nephew of the lady currently running Roberta's, Aunt Minnie (Helen Westley). When Minnie passes away, John assumes the role of running the shop, but is not quite up to the task...but Stephanie should be. With help from John's musical bud Huck Haines (Astaire) and the 'Pseudo Countess Scharwenka', a.k.a. Lizzie Gatz (Rogers), who also just happens to be Huck's 'old gal' from Indiana, Stephanie might make be able to salvage the shop...and her relationship with John.

Please note the 'menu' above, which has various information regarding the film; to the right (just below the Gingerology link) there are additional links regarding the film.

Please feel free to leave a comment with any general info, links, pics, or just to say hi!

...And be sure to check out our 'main' site, Gingerology - just click on the Ginger pic to the right. There you'll find a list of ALL of Ginger Rogers' films; click on any one, and you will be directed to a 'dedicated' blog about that film (not unlike this blog).

Keep It Gingery, y'all!

VKMfanHuey

---

Friday, April 11, 2014

Archive Post #5 - from Gingerology - originally posted February 4, 2013

...February ALREADY?

...dang, where does the time go?
First off, hope y'all had an eventful Groundhawg Day... ...I think we are in good shape here, although it's still around freezing at night...
...yeah, this thing our girl is holding isn't a groundhog, but... it's the closest I could find... not really that focused on the varmint in this pic, anyway (duuuuuh...) :-P


...still plodding along on Roberta...it's my New Year Resolution to get that out before....whenever. I'm tired of setting a deadline for it... currently I am doing more screen caps.... see, here's the deal... I was cruising along pretty well until I got to Ginger doing "I'll be Hard to Handle"... and 100 screen caps later, I feel a 'reset' is in order... First, the dance scenes will be submitted on another post (or two...or tres), as previous routines have... and another issue is that it really appears I am going to have to 'break' the review text from the 'alternate plot' cap section...so, look for two posts back-to-back...in fact, it's probably how most of the future ones will be presented, as there will be just GOBS of Ginger caps in the future... she's not even IN this one that much, y'all... (I can't even fathom how Kitty Foyle will be, cap-wise... more bytes, please!)  but here's a few caps from the Tanka solo for reference:






...OK, so NOW y'all have a greater appreciation for what I'm up against... this last pic is my fave screen cap I've EVER captured...yeah, you'll be seeing that pic again, y'all...
So, please have patience...these things take time in order to achieve proper execution...
-----
As for Ginger on TV, TCM is firing up their Oscar Month deal, which is ALWAYS a great time to catch (and capture, if possible) some of the overall greatest films ever... it appears like about this time next week will be RKO week, and of course films with Ginger and Fred, as well as Ginger solo, are well represented - please see the page detailing upcoming GingerFilms on TCM...
Also, I have found another source of when Ginger is to be on TV... they include a few channels I am unfamiliar with, but I will update soon and put on the site... for that matter, if there are folks in other parts of the globe who can direct me to a schedule for channels in their region showing GingerFilms, please reply...I'd love to have as much info as possible on here regarding that, in order to inform folks of when and where our girl will be featured Internationally!
-----
Until some time later...hopefully SOONER than later...y'all...

KIG!

Hu
---

Posted by at 11:03 PM
Gingerology Meter... 

8 comments:

  1. Can't wait to see the screen caps from I'll be Hard to Handle. Her facial expressions are priceless!(Especially when in slow motion lol)

    Get the Roberta review up soon. :D
    1. ...those caps will be in a 'special' post by themselves... and of course, they will ultimately be 'archived' in the Roberta blogsite... that is where Facebook will hopefully work well, when I get those cranked up or do any 'updates' anywhere...

  2. They had a selection of Fred and Ginger films on the BBC the other week, I know Top Hat was one of them but not sure of the others as i don't have tv thanks to being unwilling to pay the licence fee (and i have the movies on dvd anyway!) I handed in my final uni assignment yesterday!! So will get on with catching up with everything :) Although i'm meeting my bf's mom for the first time this weekend so that might get in the way..!
    1. well, hope all is well with ...everything! Sounds like you have a lot on yer plate!

      How did the finale of Uni go? I'm sure it was perfect!

      an FYI - I have a Facebook deal now...you nay have already found it and even submitted a 'join' deal... but just in case...just look up 'vkmfan huey' and it should get ya there!

  3. I sympathize with you on Hard to Handle, Huey. So many adorable expressions. I loved Ginger's hair and outfit in it. And she brought so much personality and energy in the singing and dancing. I think that out of all 10 movies Ginger and Fred did together, they seemed to have the most fun with this one....hence Ginger's laughter during the Hard to Handle number. I'm so glad her laugh remained on the soundtrack as it puts an exclamation mark on the dance. As for a review, remember, Huey, you're writing a review not a book. :)

    F&GM -- You should wear your beautiful Smoke Gets In Your Eyes black dress to meet your BF's mom. That would dazzle her. :) Have fun!
    1. They did seem to enjoy it...I think Fred finally was 'at pease' with the fact he and Ginger were a 'once in a lifetime' match, and could be the greatest dance team evah... good eye Freddie, good eye...

  4. Hard to Handle is going to be hard to handle for the screen caps but you can do it! I would think Smoke Gets in Your Eyes will be easy on the eyes but hard to handle as well so pace yourself ;)
    1. Well, honestly, I haven't even done any caps for the two dance 'routines'... but should get them done sooner or later...I might just shoot them 'straight to the Roberta blog'... The dance caps are not QUITE as 'voluminous', since a lot of the steps are 'repetitious'...I try to catch the 'peak moments' - which of course there are gobs...but when Ginger sings, it's like the proverbial 'shooting fish in a barrel' deal...just point and shoot!
Posted by at No comments:

Archive Post #4 - from Gingerology - originally posted January 5, 2013 AND January 12, 2013

...GingerPoll Time, y'all!!!!

Well, hi there, G-ologists!!!!

Hu is in the house, and is ACTIVELY working on the 'Roberta' review this weekend!  ...still a bit to do, but...it's getting there!

With that, after 'review' of the movie, I got to thinking...of course as far as HueyReviews go, there's the ultimate 'Rankings Board' for the films...and, since the 'level' of GandF in Roberta is somewhat comprable to 'Rio', save for a few more dance routines, I got to thinking... which is the more 'Gingery' character, Honey Hale or Tanka Scharwenka? Well, of course, I couldn't choose between these two, as I would gladly tote a fully loaded steamer trunk across Grand Central Station for either of them... although Ms. Hale had a lot more 'trouble' with those trunks, if memory serves... :-]

Anyway, since this is a new year (BTW, Happy Twenty-Thirteen, y'all!!!), what better way to kick it off than with a GingerPoll - which has been awhile since we've done one, so...

The Question at hand:  Which character is more 'Gingery'...
Honey Hale, or...

...Tanka Scharwenka?

Yeah, it's pretty tough, but... well, y'all can be pretty opinionated at times, so...have at it!!! The poll is at the top of the blog for your use!!!

Be sure to comment as to your reasoning behind your vote...we stress accountability here at G-ology!!! ...or at least some modicum of protocol... however you go about THAT...

Y'all keep it Gingery, now...y'hear?

Hu
---

Posted by at 11:58 AM
Gingerology Meter... 

13 comments:

  1. I voted for Tanka Scharwenka. It seems that in Roberta, Ginger has more screen time, and her attitude just seems more gingery.

    I like the Honey Hale character but, for some reason, she just doesn't have enough "gingeryness" to her. Also it feels that you don't get to see enough of her. Ginger's character in Roberta is more sassy and awesome!
    1. Honey was the 'prototype'... pretty sassy, but maybe a BIT of an 'airhead'....albeit an adorable airhead! I love 'Music Makes Me', probably a bit more than 'I'll be Hard to Handle'... but Tanka had a bit more 'street smarts', thus a good bit more 'opinionated', and sassy...

      KIG, GF!

      Hu
      ---

  2. Even though I've only seen Roberta a couple of times, I'd have to vote.....Tanka Scharwenka. Only because by this time, she really was "Ginger" as we know her. Rio, she was still finding her Gingery footing. That is my very scientific analogy. :)
    1. Tanka is the more 'established' Ginger... Honey wasn't really given a lot of opportunity in 'Rio', but she did make the most of it...

      And, yes, scientific analogies are MOST welcome here.... it's Gingerology, after all! :-)

      KIG, Betsy!

      Hu
      ---

  3. How can I choose? Both characters are tough girls that can take care of themselves, giving them a lot of gingery-sass and smartness. Both have lovely clothes and look great in them, although Tanka really wins out in that department due to old Roberta's designs and all. Both travel the world on their own dime and live by their wits (and witty repartee ;)) But if I MUST choose, I pick Honey Hale just because she is more of an independent character. She sings and she dances, just like Tanka, but she also flies on the outside of airplanes and directs others while doing it. Bravo to her independent spirit! Isn't Honey Hale the ONLY character Ginger played in a comedy that DIDN'T have to get married during or, presumably, right after the end of the film?
    1. ...great point about Honey directing traffic for the airplane routine... as well as the lack of the somewhat obligatory 'let's get married' at the end of honestly, all other GandF films if memory serves...well, the Castles and the Barkleys were married throughout the film, or purt near, in the Castles case...

      Score one for HH...

      KIG, 'e'!

      Hu
      ---

  4. that is so hard its going to take me ages to decide!! incidently i got to see a picture today of Lydia Roberti and had to look twice, in the picture (a scene from Roberta) she and Ginger look awfully alike and not just the accent!!
    1. cool! I might just have to get ya to 'forward' that Lydia pic on to me for the Roberta review, which is...well, in the 'process'... getting closer, tho... especially if she favors our girl!!! :-)

      ...hope you made up your mind... lest you become like 'Jenny'... :-)

      KIG, Kat!

      Hu
      ---
    2. i'll have to scan it, its in a book! and yes don't worry i made up my mind! and speaking of lady in the dark i went to the V&A hollywood costumes exhib yesterday, very much worth the entrance fee!!
    3. ...great to hear ya had a good time there! And have a great weekend, Kat! I'll be waiting for those scans! :-)

      KIG!
      Hu
      ---

  5. It's Roberta for me. Oh those cute little curls in Ginger's hair, the fun and joy G&F displayed in "Hard to Handle" (not to mention those pants looked great on Ginger), and then of course her regal like entrance in the fur coat and the finale in her black dress. OK, Huey. I'm all warmed up for the review. :)
    1. ...no doubt they threw the works at this production, and Tanka had some awesome attire throughout... and yeah, that's a fave scene, especially when she walks toward Fred, and he is smiling... something tells me she tried her best to crack him up, as you couldn't see her face there... if I know Ginger (and believe me, if anybody does, I reckon....), she might have caused a couple of 'extra takes' there... :-)

      The review is getting there... hopefully... soon...

      Hope you have a great weekend, Lady F!!!

      Hu
      ---

  6. Final votes:

    Tanka - 18

    Honey - 7

    Thanks again to all who voted!

    KIG!
    Hu
    ---

    Tanka...Tanka very much...

    ...well, by over a 2-to-1 margin, Miss Scharwenka was deemed the more Gingery character, besting Miss Hale in a pretty easy victory.
    ...I'll go along with that... hard to argue the results, since the 'header pic' that has been gracing the top of G-ology for years now is none other than Tanka Scharwenka...  As usual, I didn't 'inject' any real 'bias' either way during the voting period, so as not to sway the voting...
    Thanks to all who participated!
    I am getting a bit more 'caught up' at my place of employment, so...that bodes well for G-ology... hopefully more progress will be made, not only on reviews, but also other features... 2013 is slated to be quite Gingery, according to the Mayans...or was it the Incas? I always get those two mixed up... kinda like the Shakers and the Quakers...
    Anyway - hope y'all have a great week ahead, and...

    KIG!

    Hu
    ---

    9 comments:

    Awesome! Roberta is one of her best films and Tanka is one of her very best roles.

    By the way, I took all my blogs off. I've been trying to concentrate on other things, but blogger still killed too much time. This always looking at stats, although there's hardly anything happening sucked too much. This time I'm serious, it's over.

    Only the blog of my pet, miss-g-and-friends.blogspot.com, will go on and looking up those stats from time to time is okay. Cuz this is about informing and helping animals and that's important to me.

    Sweet & Hot was a mess lately anyway. Writing about movies hasn't been my thing since 2011. So I went to tap and my 30s music. Right now I'm just rehearsing and it's all standard copyrighted stuff and my articles about plastic trombone and great new clarinet mouthpiece weren't so hot.

    My blogging didn't make sense anymore, it was just holding on to that old habit. Actually I hope to win wasted time to see a classic movie, like Roberta, again, which very tragically didn't happen for months....


    1. well, heck...sorry to see ya (kinda) getting out of blogging... do you facebook? I'm most likely going to crank up a VKM 'address' or whatever there...I know NOTHING about FB, but...I figured if anything, it can be used as a 'real time chat room', which blogger does not appear to have... so stay tuned for that...

      Well, thanks for your support, CS - hope you remain a G-ologist, and jump into the topics whenever you can...you are really one of the 'experts' of the timespace that Ginger resided in, so....you're definitely needed here!!!

      Hope all goes well with your band...keep us updated!!!

      And most of all...

      KIG!

      Hu
      ---
    2. As my mother is signed out, I probably have to answer. She's actually my co-author, and as you cannot type fast enough with a beak, doing the most of all the work on www.miss-g-and-friends.blogspot.com
      So she's still to contact in the blogspot world.

      Basically she's a facebook hater, but still in love with Twitter. I'm not there, but it's a snappy way to communicate -- you don't waste much time there, which actually is what she's lacking off all the time.... Oh, she hate's chatrooms, cuz they kill a lot of time.

      In things movies she fits horribly well here, still refusing to see modern films, cuz too much sex in there. Now, we had a little drama in our home, but she's fine again.
    3. Hop on the fb bandwagon lol. Are you going to make a page where people just like it? Or are you going to make one where people have to send a friend request?

      I really can't wait for the "chatroom" type deal. Talking with other gingerfans? Awesome!

      Have a great evening. Unfortunately I started homework way too late-whoops.
    4. ...Thanks for the info, Miss G! Tell CS I said hi, and to keep cranking out tunes from the Golden Era!!! And try to stay out of the weather...it's been pretty rough lately...


      ...As to GF, well, heck...I'm gonna have to get with my wife on this, as she is a FB person...not an 'addict', by any means, but knows enough to set up and show me the ropes.
      It will be a 'open member' deal or whatever, and most likely anyone and everyone is welcome...but will probably have a pretty short rope, in case our buddy from last year shows up spewing anti-Ginger stuff...

      Well, hope yer homework was easy...I had some junk from work to do as well, but it's pretty much cleared out...cool!

      KIG, y'all!
      Hu
      ---
    5. Oh yes, the anti ginger anon from last year.
      You can't really "approve" comments on fb, but you'll just have to monitor them. Hopefully nothing like that happens!

      Oof, homework was not that easy last night. Stayed up till 1 doing it. Almost done with tonight's hw. :)
      Have a gingery evening!
    6. ...it's a 'pending' deal...looks like work is 'stabilizing' somewhat, so....we shall see...Roberta must be published first, tho...looking good for that... no, REALLY!

      hope you have a great weekend - are y'all off for MLK Day on Monday? I think purt near everyone is at this point...it's sad when you can remember back before there were so many holidays / observances... President's Day is another 'recent' one... oh well, fine with me?

      KIG, GF!
      Hu
      ---
    7. Yes we do. Thank god! I think I need a break from school for a bit.....

      Also, hopefully you get that Roberta review on here this weekend. Cannot wait to see it.

      Have a great Friday evening!
      BTW today in my History class we watched a documentary on the Great Depression. And I think I was the only person that squealed inside when I saw a scene from Gold Diggers. It was the part when Ginger says, "The depression deary."
      I thought it was awesome!
    8. ...sounds like yer History Teacher is a potential G-ologist... wasn't there a line in there that said, 'What's so great about it? - the Depression, that is... maybe not - not sure if they even called it that until some years afterward...

      will make progress here... onward to the review!!!

      KIG, GF!

      Hu
      ---



Posted by at No comments:

Archive Post #3 - from Gingerology - originally posted December 9, 2012

...ok, getting a bit closer...

...to the Roberta review, y'all.
I know, I know... but it's been somewhat busy the last month or so, with the Advent Season, and a fair amount of production work in the hopper at work...just tough to focus on the review. And, as I think y'all may be aware, I am a 'stickler' in terms of giving reviews my FULL attention...

But, it appears in a few days, I shall be able to start on it 'proper', and hopefully get it out soon.

As a 'preview to the review', I've just been thinking a bit about this one... as a Ginger fan, thus a GandF fan, the biggest 'issue' I have with this film (and to a lesser extent, Follow the Fleet) is that Ginger and Fred are not even the main characters in it... thus, it just isn't...as awesome as other GandF films, to the best of my recollection...

...now, before I incur the wrath of those voracious Irene Dunne fans out there, much less the tenacious Randolph Scott faction, let me say this...

Irene is awesome in this film... although my fave role for her is in The Awful Truth, of course... but here she does play the role of the 'high society / royalty / whatever' lady in a noble, yet warm way that sells the part to perfection. Her operatic vocals are impressive, although honestly not quite my preferred octave of feminine vocalizations... that of course may only be heard from Miss Scharwenka herself...

And Randolph Scott is...serviceable...probably much more comfortable on a horse, of course...is a horse...is a horse of course... ahem... but he plays the 'goofy guy getting in over his head and somehow persevering and winning the girl' quite well.

BUT... (there's always a big 'BUT', right?) ...Ginger and Fred are what makes this... well, a classic film, right? Look, when you mention the film 'Roberta' to anyone...well, anyone who has any idea about classic movies to begin with... what's their first thought?
"Oh, yes, that's that movie with Irene Dunne and Randolph Scott!"
...er, no, most likely not, unless they are in one of those fan clubs... more often than not, you'll hear, "Oh, yes, that's that Fred and Ginger movie!"
...so... not really sure what my point is here, unless I'm trying to weigh the 'level' of Gingery goodness this one will have... it would seem to be able to eke into the top ten, but...we'll see.

It's been awhile since I've watched it all the way through... Ma is always playing it, but she generally just watches the finale with GandF's dance to 'Smoke Gets in Your Eyes', which, is pretty hard not to fast forward to...

SO, all this warbling to say... it's getting close... hopefully it will make it out before Mayan Doomsday...

In the meantime, hope everyone is having a great holiday season thus far, and will continue to...

Keep It Gingery!!!

Hu
---
Posted by at 11:50 PM
Gingerology Meter... 

6 comments:

  1. I love this film, it's a treasure of costume, and a bitchy Ginger with a Russian accent makes an absolute delight.
    1. ...she is definitely in 'high sassy' mode in this one... but I think she 'mellows' at the end, fortunately...
      And yes, this one has wickedawesome costumes...of course one of them is right above, as the G-ology header pic1 That fact ALONE should give this film a pretty high ranking, no?
      thanks for the comment, garofit!!
      KIG!
      Hu
      ---

  2. I love Roberta. First time I saw it I watched the whole thing, but usually since I know what happens, I just mainly watch all the parts with Ginger and Fred.

    I love the I'll Be Hard To Handle routine, Ginger's outfit is so cute! I wouldn't mind having a recreation of that to wear for myself.
    I also love the Smoke Gets In You Eyes routine....OMG the dress is SOOOOO pretty there. I also want a copy of that too lol. Let's just say I like love all of Ginger's outfits from this movie.

    Also not to mention the songs are pretty good too.

    Can't wait for the film review for it!

    KIG!!!

  3. ...looks like a 'go' for the weekend, so...at least I will be working towards it... but I really need to get back on 'pace' with the reviews...maybe after the first of the year I can get rolling again...
    And yes, Ginger is VERY well attired throughout the proceedings, so...that's gonna score some nice points... even tho I'm not THAT into costumes, as Ginger in a potato sack is still...GINGER!!!, but....it definitely does not hurt anything to have sharp wardrobe included.

    ...if anything, screen caps and the 'main review' should take place soon... then the 'alternate storyline'...which typically results from reviewing the screencaps, with a combination of late-night mind wandering... some strange stuff results...

    KIG, GF!

    Hu
    ---

  4. I think this is your last weekend before the Mayan doomsday. Spending it working on a Gingery review sounds just about the best way to go! I can understand your feelings towards "Roberta" and the 2 story lines going. It does take away from the movie, unfortunately. I love the "Hard to Handle" number too, it makes the movie, IMO. If you need more motivation think of it this way, if you don't get through "Roberta", how are you going to get to "Top Hat"?

    Have a good weekend and KIG!

  5. yep...it's 'under way'...the review, that is... gotta do the screen caps, but plan to watch the movie tonight... but there will be at least one post before this one...stay tuned...

    KIG!
    Hu
    ---
Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)