Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
To those of you lucky enough to be Irish and all the rest who are our friends!
Good luck to everyone! And may all your dreams come true!!
AN IRISH FRIENDSHIP WISH
Good Luck!!
May there always be work for your hands to do;
May your purse always hold a coin or two;
May the sun always shine on your windowpane;
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain;
May the hand of a friend always be near you;
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
-
klondike
Re: Happy St. Patrick's Day!
And here's another:
May the roses go to your sweetheart
And your coins go to the brewer;
May your bill go to your landlord
And the pride go to your Da !
May the roses go to your sweetheart
And your coins go to the brewer;
May your bill go to your landlord
And the pride go to your Da !
-
moira finnie
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Re: Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Happy St. Patrick's Day indeed!
In honor of the day, perhaps the re-appearance of this post from days gone by will give you a smile:
You are cordially invited by the Classic Cinema College to:
The First Annual St. Patrick's Day Symposium
Examining the Irish in American Film of the Studio Era:
The Good, the Bad, and the Overbearingly Twee
The Welcoming Committee who will greet you at the door
Where: The Sugarpuss O'Shea Memorial Library in the Edward "Ditto" Brophy Reading Room
When: Saturday, March 17th, 2007 From Top of the Mornin' to Who Knows When
What to Bring: A Boatload of tolerance, dancing shoes, plenty of blather, and a touch of the creature
8:00AM
Benediction: Msgr. Pat O'Brien, Esteemed Professor of Art History & Sports Administration, and spiritual advisor to faculty and students, will deliver the opening prayer for the occasion. Let's hope that he doesn't make too many digressions exhorting the crowd with any of those cryptic pleas to "go and say a prayer for a boy who couldn't run as fast as I could" or "say one for the gipper". The theological significance, much less the existence of a "gipper" has never been fully explained, though Msgr. O'Brien's understanding nature, warmly sonorous voice and good right hook usually convey the metaphysical imperative of praying for the gipper to any doubting Thomases, pronto.
8:15-9:00AM
Professors Spencer Tracy, Msgr. O'Brien, Frank McHugh* and an exhausted Mr. Cagney will enjoy some refreshment while asking acting waiter Lynn Overman for his recommendations for the luncheon meal. Mr. Overman recommended sampling some more of the liquid lunch, along with the aptly named "Lynnie's potatoes".
Buffet Breakfast: This "light" repast will be served to the willing. The breakfast will consist of Blood Pudding (don't ask), Colcannon,(Mashed Potatoes with Cabbage), and Guinness Stout with a hardboiled egg floating within it. Optional Brownbaggers welcome and fully understandable. Msgr. O'Brien will be available to hear deathbed confessions immediately following breakfast.
Copies of that very brief tome, "The Best of Irish Cooking" co-authored by Chefs Marie O'Dressler & S.Z. O'Sakall will be on display and for sale. Btw, according to Chef O'Sakall, the initial S stands for Sean and the Z was for Zeamus in his name. Okay, it's an unusual spelling for the name of Seamus, but according to Chef O'Sakall, his family were among the Wild Geese who landed somewhere in Mitteleurope near Belgrade. Maybe they couldn't afford an S, and had to settle on a Z. Chef Marie says "Let's not get picky."
9:00AM
Opening Remarks: James Cagney, Professor of Criminal Justice and Choreography will give a talk entitled:
"Whaddya Say, Whaddya Think Ya Know?".
The theme of this talk will consist of Mr. Cagney's exploration of what's generally referred to as the "Controversial Ken123 Theory" that hypothesizes that the "Irish Superiority In American Films" was inevitable, understandable, and irresistible. Prof. Cagney will weigh the pros and cons of this conjecture, illustrating his talk with the vast array of clips of the sometimes relentlessly ubiquitous sons and daughters of the Irish Diaspora who enlivened the silver screen for much of the first fifty years of filmmaking in the U.S.
Mr. Cagney is expected to punctuate his recitation with the litany of familiar and obscure names whose careers are cherished by the CCC's scholars---in the breathless, fevered words of the fringe theorist Ken123, Cagney--chosen for this task because of his rapid speech pattern, will name the following to the "Green List", if you will:
"Maureen O'Hara, Tyrone Power (Sr. & Jr.), Arthur Tracy, Spencer Tracy, Lee Tracy, William Tracy, Patsy Kelly, Alan Hale (Sr. & Jr.), J.M. Kerrigan, Edgar Kennedy, Arthur Kennedy, Dennis O'Keefe, Errol Flynn, George Brent, Lloyd Nolan, Henry O'Neill, Brian Aherne, Frank & Matt McHugh Bing Crosby, Robert & Brian Keith,, Alice Brady, James Dunne, Charles McGraw, Ginger Rogers (nee McMath), Rock Hudson(n? Roy Fitzgerald), Dorothy Malone (nee Maloney), Sara Allgood & her sis Maire O'Neill, Gene Tierney, Lawrence Tierney, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Greer Garson and..."
after catching his breath briefly, Prof. Cagney will touch on the contributions of:
"Dudley Digges, Una O'Connor, Raoul Walsh, Virginia O'Brien, Dave O'Brien, Donald O'Connor, Dan Dailey, Barry Fitzgerald, Arthur Shields, Thomas Mitchell, Rita Johnson (n?e McSwean) Sean McClory, Frank Orth, William Frawley, J.Carroll Naish, John McIntire, Jeanette Nolan, Stephen McNally, Francis Ford, Wallace Ford, Allen Jenkins, Jerome Cowan, Arthur O'Connell, Robert Ryan, Irene Dunne, Irene Ryan, James Gleason, Edward Brophy, Margaret O'Brien, Nancy Kelly, Patty McCormick, Grace Kelly, Leo McCarey, Tom Dugan, George Murphy, Jeffrey Hunter(McKennies), Janet Blair (n?e Lafferty), William Lundigan, Jeanne Crain, Myron McCormick, Ruth Donnelly, Harry Carey (Jr. & Sr.),Edward McNamara, Walter Brennan, Spencer Tracy, Dan Duryea, and Brian Donlevy. The contributions of those whose heritage is only partly tinged with blarney will also be mentioned. Among them are John Wayne, Anthony Quinn, and Paul Newman!"
After this much hot air, Prof. Cagney will yield the floor, and allow the audience to catch its collective breath. Whew!
Prof. Cagney conferring with Associate Prof. McHugh during a coffee break
Please Note: Eye rolling, moans and mumbled utterances such as "I say, old man", "Ach der lieber!", "Mama Mia", "Zut alors!", "Ah, so", "?Ay, caramba!", and "Oy vey" during this presentation by certain renowned faculty and visitors, such as Alfred Hitchcock, Karl Freund, Carl Dreyer, Fritz Lang, Sergei Eisenstein, Jean Renoir, Akira Kurosawa, Michael Curtiz, Luis Bu?uel, Roberto Rossellini and the beloved members of the resident British colony at the CCC, (led, as always, by Ronald Colman, sigh and C. Aubrey Smith), will be tolerated and fully condoned by the administration---but, let it be clearly understood, that on this occasion, the CCC hopes that any fisticuffs among the various and sundry parties can be avoided, please? Those bearing axes to grind and bringing bones to pick are asked to please hold their questions for the Q & A session at the end of the talk by Prof. Cagney.
A "friendly" looking crew from last year's symposium, keeping each other company.
10:00AM-12PM
Roundtable Discussion : Blarney, Blather and Malarkey in Irish-Themed Films
The roundtable discussion will examine blarney as a force in the developing American community, as well as its corruption and disintegration as depicted through the often darkly lyrical prism of the Irish American experience on film. Distinguished Professor of Rhetoric and Understatement, Spencer Tracy, is expected to moderate the rough and tumble dialogue on such seminal films as Angels With Dirty Faces, Fury, Going My Way, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and The Last Hurrah. Tracy will use these films to give the gathering an overview of the cinematic creation and commemoration of the occasionally delusional Irish people's favorite myths about themselves. The fact that the majority of such films were directed by fellows with non-Irish names like Curtiz, Kazan, and Lang will NOT be addressed in this forum. "Glossing over", a distinctive Gaelic characteristic, will be applied, as always.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(*Mr. McHugh is Visiting Professor of Applied Physical Science, noted for his study of the stretching of laughs from the thinnest possible material).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
12PM-12:30PM
The Myth of Irish Prudery:
Mr. Errol Flynn, Professor of Western Civilization, (specializing in the Decline of said civilization), as well as the popular Sailing & Fencing Instructor at CCC, will expound on the fallacious notion that actors of Irish descent are unduly inhibited. As usual with Prof. Flynn's lectures, pre-registration for this popular pedagogue's spiel is required, and only females need apply.
12:30-1:00PM
Irish-American Adherence to The Rigid Universe Theory or Are We Really so Hardheaded?:
Professors Emeritus Will Hays & Joseph Breen will present their conclusions based on years of research as Irish "thinkers" into the ability of motion pictures to ignore common sense, biological facts, and reality, (a common Celtic trait).
The researchers may offer their expertise as Irish-Americans, and Moral Policemen with extensive experience in the fine Irish art of passing judgment.
It is expected that there will be a fairly heated exchange during the Q & A session with attendees, so, in the interests of civil discourse, extra Security Officers Slapsie Maxie Rosenbloom & Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams will be present to insure the separation of any pre-code adherents in the audience from the necks of the esteemed speakers.
1:00PM-1:01PM
If he can be prevailed on, Prof. Spencer Tracy may give his views on Irish hospitality, such as it is. Or, based on the looks of things, perhaps the esteemed professor of advanced mood swings, will not be giving this lecture.
1:00PM-2:00PM
From Mother Machree to Pirate Queen:
Prof. Maureen O'Hara, the Distinguished Chair in Technicolor Studies, will discuss the roles of Irish women on film as catalyst, cassandra, partner and fight promoter. Ms. O'Hara is also expected to lace her remarks with one of her favorite subjects, "Great Redheads in History", from Boadicea to Thomas Jefferson to, well, frankly?'Tis Herself!
Early registration is recommended, as space is limited, boys.
Please Note: The restraining order requiring Ken123 to mute his heartfelt sighs and exclamations of fealty to Ms. O'Hara while present in the room for this talk will be strictly enforced. It is sincerely hoped that no cries of "Kiss me, I'm Irish!", directed toward Ms. O'Hara, will offend the dignity of this occasion.
2:00PM-3:00PM
The Dark Side of the Harp:
Messrs. Robert Ryan, Full Professor of Pugilism, (or the not-so-sweet science, as Ryan is wont to call it), & Lloyd Nolan, Full Professor of Group Dynamics (with small mob & small town groups a special field of particular interest to Mr. Nolan) will thrash out the irrational, fatalistic, and pesky violent streak that runs through film noir, Irish edition, with the American Dream taking on rather nightmarish elements.
Mr. Ryan is expected to venture readily onto dangerous ground in exploring various clashes by night of wild bunches. Prof. Cagney is also expected to chime in with his observations on the possible link between the relationship of the Irish Mother figure with her offspring, aka The Public Enemy.
3:00PM-4:00PM
When Irish Eyes Aren't Smiling: Recognizing the Contributions of the Ersatz Irish on Screen:
Distinguished Professors Emeritus of Scottish origin, Donald Crisp and Mary Gordon, along with that "Irish Thrush" of Scandinavian extraction, Dennis Morgan, will comment on their career long attempts to tailor their honest talent to fit the Irish stereotypes. Prof. Crisp will point out that his mastery of Irish "lite" enabled him to apparently pull the wool over the most wildly chauvinistic Irish filmmaker of all time, Mr. John "Sean Aloysius O'Fearna" Ford. Crisp ably assisted Ford in creating near flawless facsimiles of Irish father figures throughout his career, (even when the stories were about Welshmen). Prof. Gordon, who says she knew a steady gig when she got it, is expected to deliver her remarks, entitled "Hey, Sherlock, Ye Hardly Knew Me". This title refers to her long career playing Irish mothers with a Scottish burr and her appearances as Mrs. Hudson in the Rathbone series based on Arthur Conan Doyle's character of Holmes.
As an added enticement for this segment, Prof. Humphrey Bogart, the eminent Classics Scholar, noted for his groundbreaking studies of the Hero figure, has sheepishly agreed to discuss his attempt to grab the brass ring relatively early in his career by his impersonation of an Irish horse trainer with an elusive brogue of suspect origin. The renowned Professor of Ethnic Studies, Mr. J. Carroll Naish, will also make an appearance to expound on the odd career fluke that led to his almost never playing what he was: An Irishman. The title of the don's comments, "The Curse of Versatility", will elaborate on the Irish capacity for appreciating irony and black humor.
4:00PM-?
The REAL Lords of the Dance: A Master Class in Irish Dance and Céilidh :
To conclude our symposium on a raucously joyous note, we are pleased to announce that the justly celebrated true Peers of the Irish Realm of Terpsichore, from the CCC's School of Choreography, Professors Gene Kelly, Dan Dailey, Donald O'Connor, and?we hope?Jimmy "Faraway Fella" Cagney, will give that preening upstart Michael Flatley a run for his money with their Master Class demonstrating the fine art of tripping the light fantastic.
Basing his talk and demo on his fascinating scholarly monograph about the early origins of dance among the Hibernians, Mr. Kelly is expected to point out the replication of a running horse that seems to characterize much of Irish Step Dancing, which furiously emulates the gallop of a wild steed, feeling his oats. The peculiar restraint of the Irish dancer's arm movement while vigorously shifting the legs in a wildly rhythmic manner, is, in Dean Kelly's view, indicative of the duality of the Irish Spirit?a study in contradictions, or, as Kelly's colleagues' claim, "contrariness, plain and simple!"
<img src=http://www.wellspring.com/worldwide/ima ... _kelly.jpg>
In a rhapsodic climax, Kelly, Dailey, O'Connor and Cagney will lead the attendees in an exploration of the happy pagan beneath the sometimes straight-laced veneer of Irish respectability.
Reels, tap, cakewalk, timestep, ballroom, and balletic moves will be encouraged throughout the remainder of the Paddy's Day evening. During this celebration, at the request of Dean Finnie, The Chieftains will play, Enya will keen, Tommy Makem and the Clancy Brothers will sing "Courtin' in the Kitchen", Bing Crosby will warble "Who Threw the Overalls in Mrs. Murphy's Chowder?", the NYC Fire Dept. Emerald Society Bagpipes will perform "Danny Boy" and James Galway will play a penny whistle made from 24 karat gold. It is even rumored that Frank McHugh will appear--with tail--to demonstrate the proper way to dance like a cat, for those who are interested in learning this arcane skill.
Even Bob Hope (an Englishman, yet), will get into the spirit of things with Mr. Cagney. Good thing that they aren't competitive.
BYOB and be prepared for a long, and, one hopes, happy night. Erin Go Bragh!
UPDATE!
This just in!
Due to popular demand, some of our most distinguished scholars from the School of Sidekicks, have been persuaded to hold forth in an impromptu panel discussion on The Fine Art of Scene Stealing (aka "going off-script"). Thanks to a generous endowment from the O'Warner Brothers, the Chairs of the Dept. of Construction Science, who have long investigated the art of making bricks without straw, Messrs. Thomas Mitchell, Barry Fitzgerald, James Gleason, Alan Hale, Sr., Frank McHugh, Edward Brophy, and assorted latecomers will discuss how to milk a scene for laughs (sometimes spelled "laffs"), tears (especially tricky for those seeking avoid that "manipulated feeling"), and color (preferably green).
With any luck, the noted Associate Professors of Third Banana-hood, Arthur Shields, Matt McHugh and Alan Hale, Jr. Will deliver a few choice words on the "Making Your Own Way" or "The Brother/Son Also Rises" theory, delineating the depth of stereotypes and minor characterization that can be achieved when a blood relative brings their slightly different but similar DNA to bear on the problem of splitting the atom of nano-characters.
In honor of the day, perhaps the re-appearance of this post from days gone by will give you a smile:
You are cordially invited by the Classic Cinema College to:
The First Annual St. Patrick's Day Symposium
Examining the Irish in American Film of the Studio Era:
The Good, the Bad, and the Overbearingly Twee
The Welcoming Committee who will greet you at the door
Where: The Sugarpuss O'Shea Memorial Library in the Edward "Ditto" Brophy Reading Room
When: Saturday, March 17th, 2007 From Top of the Mornin' to Who Knows When
What to Bring: A Boatload of tolerance, dancing shoes, plenty of blather, and a touch of the creature
8:00AM
Benediction: Msgr. Pat O'Brien, Esteemed Professor of Art History & Sports Administration, and spiritual advisor to faculty and students, will deliver the opening prayer for the occasion. Let's hope that he doesn't make too many digressions exhorting the crowd with any of those cryptic pleas to "go and say a prayer for a boy who couldn't run as fast as I could" or "say one for the gipper". The theological significance, much less the existence of a "gipper" has never been fully explained, though Msgr. O'Brien's understanding nature, warmly sonorous voice and good right hook usually convey the metaphysical imperative of praying for the gipper to any doubting Thomases, pronto.
8:15-9:00AM
Professors Spencer Tracy, Msgr. O'Brien, Frank McHugh* and an exhausted Mr. Cagney will enjoy some refreshment while asking acting waiter Lynn Overman for his recommendations for the luncheon meal. Mr. Overman recommended sampling some more of the liquid lunch, along with the aptly named "Lynnie's potatoes".
Buffet Breakfast: This "light" repast will be served to the willing. The breakfast will consist of Blood Pudding (don't ask), Colcannon,(Mashed Potatoes with Cabbage), and Guinness Stout with a hardboiled egg floating within it. Optional Brownbaggers welcome and fully understandable. Msgr. O'Brien will be available to hear deathbed confessions immediately following breakfast.
Copies of that very brief tome, "The Best of Irish Cooking" co-authored by Chefs Marie O'Dressler & S.Z. O'Sakall will be on display and for sale. Btw, according to Chef O'Sakall, the initial S stands for Sean and the Z was for Zeamus in his name. Okay, it's an unusual spelling for the name of Seamus, but according to Chef O'Sakall, his family were among the Wild Geese who landed somewhere in Mitteleurope near Belgrade. Maybe they couldn't afford an S, and had to settle on a Z. Chef Marie says "Let's not get picky."
9:00AM
Opening Remarks: James Cagney, Professor of Criminal Justice and Choreography will give a talk entitled:
"Whaddya Say, Whaddya Think Ya Know?".
The theme of this talk will consist of Mr. Cagney's exploration of what's generally referred to as the "Controversial Ken123 Theory" that hypothesizes that the "Irish Superiority In American Films" was inevitable, understandable, and irresistible. Prof. Cagney will weigh the pros and cons of this conjecture, illustrating his talk with the vast array of clips of the sometimes relentlessly ubiquitous sons and daughters of the Irish Diaspora who enlivened the silver screen for much of the first fifty years of filmmaking in the U.S.
Mr. Cagney is expected to punctuate his recitation with the litany of familiar and obscure names whose careers are cherished by the CCC's scholars---in the breathless, fevered words of the fringe theorist Ken123, Cagney--chosen for this task because of his rapid speech pattern, will name the following to the "Green List", if you will:
"Maureen O'Hara, Tyrone Power (Sr. & Jr.), Arthur Tracy, Spencer Tracy, Lee Tracy, William Tracy, Patsy Kelly, Alan Hale (Sr. & Jr.), J.M. Kerrigan, Edgar Kennedy, Arthur Kennedy, Dennis O'Keefe, Errol Flynn, George Brent, Lloyd Nolan, Henry O'Neill, Brian Aherne, Frank & Matt McHugh Bing Crosby, Robert & Brian Keith,, Alice Brady, James Dunne, Charles McGraw, Ginger Rogers (nee McMath), Rock Hudson(n? Roy Fitzgerald), Dorothy Malone (nee Maloney), Sara Allgood & her sis Maire O'Neill, Gene Tierney, Lawrence Tierney, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Greer Garson and..."
after catching his breath briefly, Prof. Cagney will touch on the contributions of:
"Dudley Digges, Una O'Connor, Raoul Walsh, Virginia O'Brien, Dave O'Brien, Donald O'Connor, Dan Dailey, Barry Fitzgerald, Arthur Shields, Thomas Mitchell, Rita Johnson (n?e McSwean) Sean McClory, Frank Orth, William Frawley, J.Carroll Naish, John McIntire, Jeanette Nolan, Stephen McNally, Francis Ford, Wallace Ford, Allen Jenkins, Jerome Cowan, Arthur O'Connell, Robert Ryan, Irene Dunne, Irene Ryan, James Gleason, Edward Brophy, Margaret O'Brien, Nancy Kelly, Patty McCormick, Grace Kelly, Leo McCarey, Tom Dugan, George Murphy, Jeffrey Hunter(McKennies), Janet Blair (n?e Lafferty), William Lundigan, Jeanne Crain, Myron McCormick, Ruth Donnelly, Harry Carey (Jr. & Sr.),Edward McNamara, Walter Brennan, Spencer Tracy, Dan Duryea, and Brian Donlevy. The contributions of those whose heritage is only partly tinged with blarney will also be mentioned. Among them are John Wayne, Anthony Quinn, and Paul Newman!"
After this much hot air, Prof. Cagney will yield the floor, and allow the audience to catch its collective breath. Whew!
Prof. Cagney conferring with Associate Prof. McHugh during a coffee break
Please Note: Eye rolling, moans and mumbled utterances such as "I say, old man", "Ach der lieber!", "Mama Mia", "Zut alors!", "Ah, so", "?Ay, caramba!", and "Oy vey" during this presentation by certain renowned faculty and visitors, such as Alfred Hitchcock, Karl Freund, Carl Dreyer, Fritz Lang, Sergei Eisenstein, Jean Renoir, Akira Kurosawa, Michael Curtiz, Luis Bu?uel, Roberto Rossellini and the beloved members of the resident British colony at the CCC, (led, as always, by Ronald Colman, sigh and C. Aubrey Smith), will be tolerated and fully condoned by the administration---but, let it be clearly understood, that on this occasion, the CCC hopes that any fisticuffs among the various and sundry parties can be avoided, please? Those bearing axes to grind and bringing bones to pick are asked to please hold their questions for the Q & A session at the end of the talk by Prof. Cagney.
A "friendly" looking crew from last year's symposium, keeping each other company.
10:00AM-12PM
Roundtable Discussion : Blarney, Blather and Malarkey in Irish-Themed Films
The roundtable discussion will examine blarney as a force in the developing American community, as well as its corruption and disintegration as depicted through the often darkly lyrical prism of the Irish American experience on film. Distinguished Professor of Rhetoric and Understatement, Spencer Tracy, is expected to moderate the rough and tumble dialogue on such seminal films as Angels With Dirty Faces, Fury, Going My Way, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and The Last Hurrah. Tracy will use these films to give the gathering an overview of the cinematic creation and commemoration of the occasionally delusional Irish people's favorite myths about themselves. The fact that the majority of such films were directed by fellows with non-Irish names like Curtiz, Kazan, and Lang will NOT be addressed in this forum. "Glossing over", a distinctive Gaelic characteristic, will be applied, as always.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(*Mr. McHugh is Visiting Professor of Applied Physical Science, noted for his study of the stretching of laughs from the thinnest possible material).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
12PM-12:30PM
The Myth of Irish Prudery:
Mr. Errol Flynn, Professor of Western Civilization, (specializing in the Decline of said civilization), as well as the popular Sailing & Fencing Instructor at CCC, will expound on the fallacious notion that actors of Irish descent are unduly inhibited. As usual with Prof. Flynn's lectures, pre-registration for this popular pedagogue's spiel is required, and only females need apply.
12:30-1:00PM
Irish-American Adherence to The Rigid Universe Theory or Are We Really so Hardheaded?:
Professors Emeritus Will Hays & Joseph Breen will present their conclusions based on years of research as Irish "thinkers" into the ability of motion pictures to ignore common sense, biological facts, and reality, (a common Celtic trait).
The researchers may offer their expertise as Irish-Americans, and Moral Policemen with extensive experience in the fine Irish art of passing judgment.
It is expected that there will be a fairly heated exchange during the Q & A session with attendees, so, in the interests of civil discourse, extra Security Officers Slapsie Maxie Rosenbloom & Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams will be present to insure the separation of any pre-code adherents in the audience from the necks of the esteemed speakers.
1:00PM-1:01PM
If he can be prevailed on, Prof. Spencer Tracy may give his views on Irish hospitality, such as it is. Or, based on the looks of things, perhaps the esteemed professor of advanced mood swings, will not be giving this lecture.
1:00PM-2:00PM
From Mother Machree to Pirate Queen:
Prof. Maureen O'Hara, the Distinguished Chair in Technicolor Studies, will discuss the roles of Irish women on film as catalyst, cassandra, partner and fight promoter. Ms. O'Hara is also expected to lace her remarks with one of her favorite subjects, "Great Redheads in History", from Boadicea to Thomas Jefferson to, well, frankly?'Tis Herself!
Early registration is recommended, as space is limited, boys.
Please Note: The restraining order requiring Ken123 to mute his heartfelt sighs and exclamations of fealty to Ms. O'Hara while present in the room for this talk will be strictly enforced. It is sincerely hoped that no cries of "Kiss me, I'm Irish!", directed toward Ms. O'Hara, will offend the dignity of this occasion.
2:00PM-3:00PM
The Dark Side of the Harp:
Messrs. Robert Ryan, Full Professor of Pugilism, (or the not-so-sweet science, as Ryan is wont to call it), & Lloyd Nolan, Full Professor of Group Dynamics (with small mob & small town groups a special field of particular interest to Mr. Nolan) will thrash out the irrational, fatalistic, and pesky violent streak that runs through film noir, Irish edition, with the American Dream taking on rather nightmarish elements.
Mr. Ryan is expected to venture readily onto dangerous ground in exploring various clashes by night of wild bunches. Prof. Cagney is also expected to chime in with his observations on the possible link between the relationship of the Irish Mother figure with her offspring, aka The Public Enemy.
3:00PM-4:00PM
When Irish Eyes Aren't Smiling: Recognizing the Contributions of the Ersatz Irish on Screen:
Distinguished Professors Emeritus of Scottish origin, Donald Crisp and Mary Gordon, along with that "Irish Thrush" of Scandinavian extraction, Dennis Morgan, will comment on their career long attempts to tailor their honest talent to fit the Irish stereotypes. Prof. Crisp will point out that his mastery of Irish "lite" enabled him to apparently pull the wool over the most wildly chauvinistic Irish filmmaker of all time, Mr. John "Sean Aloysius O'Fearna" Ford. Crisp ably assisted Ford in creating near flawless facsimiles of Irish father figures throughout his career, (even when the stories were about Welshmen). Prof. Gordon, who says she knew a steady gig when she got it, is expected to deliver her remarks, entitled "Hey, Sherlock, Ye Hardly Knew Me". This title refers to her long career playing Irish mothers with a Scottish burr and her appearances as Mrs. Hudson in the Rathbone series based on Arthur Conan Doyle's character of Holmes.
As an added enticement for this segment, Prof. Humphrey Bogart, the eminent Classics Scholar, noted for his groundbreaking studies of the Hero figure, has sheepishly agreed to discuss his attempt to grab the brass ring relatively early in his career by his impersonation of an Irish horse trainer with an elusive brogue of suspect origin. The renowned Professor of Ethnic Studies, Mr. J. Carroll Naish, will also make an appearance to expound on the odd career fluke that led to his almost never playing what he was: An Irishman. The title of the don's comments, "The Curse of Versatility", will elaborate on the Irish capacity for appreciating irony and black humor.
4:00PM-?
The REAL Lords of the Dance: A Master Class in Irish Dance and Céilidh :
To conclude our symposium on a raucously joyous note, we are pleased to announce that the justly celebrated true Peers of the Irish Realm of Terpsichore, from the CCC's School of Choreography, Professors Gene Kelly, Dan Dailey, Donald O'Connor, and?we hope?Jimmy "Faraway Fella" Cagney, will give that preening upstart Michael Flatley a run for his money with their Master Class demonstrating the fine art of tripping the light fantastic.
Basing his talk and demo on his fascinating scholarly monograph about the early origins of dance among the Hibernians, Mr. Kelly is expected to point out the replication of a running horse that seems to characterize much of Irish Step Dancing, which furiously emulates the gallop of a wild steed, feeling his oats. The peculiar restraint of the Irish dancer's arm movement while vigorously shifting the legs in a wildly rhythmic manner, is, in Dean Kelly's view, indicative of the duality of the Irish Spirit?a study in contradictions, or, as Kelly's colleagues' claim, "contrariness, plain and simple!"
<img src=http://www.wellspring.com/worldwide/ima ... _kelly.jpg>
In a rhapsodic climax, Kelly, Dailey, O'Connor and Cagney will lead the attendees in an exploration of the happy pagan beneath the sometimes straight-laced veneer of Irish respectability.
Reels, tap, cakewalk, timestep, ballroom, and balletic moves will be encouraged throughout the remainder of the Paddy's Day evening. During this celebration, at the request of Dean Finnie, The Chieftains will play, Enya will keen, Tommy Makem and the Clancy Brothers will sing "Courtin' in the Kitchen", Bing Crosby will warble "Who Threw the Overalls in Mrs. Murphy's Chowder?", the NYC Fire Dept. Emerald Society Bagpipes will perform "Danny Boy" and James Galway will play a penny whistle made from 24 karat gold. It is even rumored that Frank McHugh will appear--with tail--to demonstrate the proper way to dance like a cat, for those who are interested in learning this arcane skill.
Even Bob Hope (an Englishman, yet), will get into the spirit of things with Mr. Cagney. Good thing that they aren't competitive.
BYOB and be prepared for a long, and, one hopes, happy night. Erin Go Bragh!
UPDATE!
This just in!
Due to popular demand, some of our most distinguished scholars from the School of Sidekicks, have been persuaded to hold forth in an impromptu panel discussion on The Fine Art of Scene Stealing (aka "going off-script"). Thanks to a generous endowment from the O'Warner Brothers, the Chairs of the Dept. of Construction Science, who have long investigated the art of making bricks without straw, Messrs. Thomas Mitchell, Barry Fitzgerald, James Gleason, Alan Hale, Sr., Frank McHugh, Edward Brophy, and assorted latecomers will discuss how to milk a scene for laughs (sometimes spelled "laffs"), tears (especially tricky for those seeking avoid that "manipulated feeling"), and color (preferably green).
With any luck, the noted Associate Professors of Third Banana-hood, Arthur Shields, Matt McHugh and Alan Hale, Jr. Will deliver a few choice words on the "Making Your Own Way" or "The Brother/Son Also Rises" theory, delineating the depth of stereotypes and minor characterization that can be achieved when a blood relative brings their slightly different but similar DNA to bear on the problem of splitting the atom of nano-characters.
Re: Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Wow, great post!
May the wind be always at your back......yada yada yada
May the wind be always at your back......yada yada yada
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JackFavell
- Posts: 11926
- Joined: April 20th, 2009, 9:56 am
Re: Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Impetuous! Homeric! Brilliant. Thanks, Moira! You are a treasure.
Happy St. Patrick's Day Everyone!
Happy St. Patrick's Day Everyone!
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klondike
Re: Happy St. Patrick's Day!
We left-out "Hibernian", "Milesian" & "tantalyzingly titian-tressed"- but who could object with their mouths hangin' open, I ask ye? 
Re: Happy St. Patrick's Day!
knitwit45 wrote:know what's green and sits outside your house????
PATTY O'FURNITURE
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moira finnie
- Administrator
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- Joined: April 9th, 2007, 6:34 pm
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Re: Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Happy St. Patrick's Day all.
Hey, Walt and Pat must have been sipping that hallucinatory poteen again.
Here's One Forgotten Irish Actor in "Fil-um," as my Dad, and this very serious narrator, used to call it (it's an Irish thing, apparently). The narrator also thinks that Sean O'Casey wrote a play called "Judo and the Paycock." I suppose that starred Bruce Lee and Stephen Boyd? Gosh, why no mention of the immortal fil-um, The Oscar?:
[youtube][/youtube]
Hey, Walt and Pat must have been sipping that hallucinatory poteen again.
Here's One Forgotten Irish Actor in "Fil-um," as my Dad, and this very serious narrator, used to call it (it's an Irish thing, apparently). The narrator also thinks that Sean O'Casey wrote a play called "Judo and the Paycock." I suppose that starred Bruce Lee and Stephen Boyd? Gosh, why no mention of the immortal fil-um, The Oscar?:
[youtube][/youtube]
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intothenitrate
- Posts: 397
- Joined: January 11th, 2010, 3:12 pm
- Location: Cincinnati
Re: Happy St. Patrick's Day!
I recently watched Union Pacific (1939), A CB DeMille epic about the first transcontinental railroad. Barbara Stanwyck's elocution morphs from Brooklyn to brogue for the role of a train engineer's daughter. Not as painful to watch as Bogart in Dark Victory, but perilously close at times! The script calls for some pretty sappy "Irish-isms," but Babs pulls it off.
"Immorality may be fun, but it isn't fun enough to take the place of one hundred percent virtue and three square meals a day."
Goodnight Basington
Goodnight Basington
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JackFavell
- Posts: 11926
- Joined: April 20th, 2009, 9:56 am
Re: Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Ahhh!Much better to look at this morning than a heavily made up Frank McHugh (my darlin'). Thanks Moira!
I think Judo and the Paycock must be a kid's movie along the lines of the Karate Kid.
I think Judo and the Paycock must be a kid's movie along the lines of the Karate Kid.
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klondike
Re: Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Faith & begorrah !!!
Gaelic Martial Arts, is it, now ?!!
Not sure when, or even if, Judo & the Paycock was released, but I think I've found an out-take from it!
[youtube][/youtube]
Gaelic Martial Arts, is it, now ?!!
Not sure when, or even if, Judo & the Paycock was released, but I think I've found an out-take from it!
[youtube][/youtube]
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movieman1957
- Administrator
- Posts: 5522
- Joined: April 15th, 2007, 3:50 pm
- Location: MD
Re: Happy St. Patrick's Day!
It looks like it could be from "Blood On The Sun" as well. There is no mention of a "Judo and The Paycock" in his imdb listings or trivia. The person that did do the review on imdb does mention a martial arts fight. I haven't seen it in years so I don't remember.
Cagney's trivia notes there do indicate he was a black belt in judo.
Cagney's trivia notes there do indicate he was a black belt in judo.
Chris
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana."
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana."