Another Liebster.

Stop it, guys, you're making me blush. Less than a month ago, I was nominated for the Liebster by the terrific Leah at Cary Grant Won't Eat You, and today I found myself nominated again by Steve over at the great Movie Movie Blog Blog. I'm truly very thrilled. If you haven't heard of the Liebster Award before, the rules are that to accept it, I must answer my nominator's 11 questions, nominate up to 11 bloggers, ask 11 of my own for my nominees to answer, and I have to provide 11 things about myself.

Steve's Questions:

1. “All-time favorite movie” is too tough. What is your favorite genre, and what is your all-time favorite movie in that genre?

It's a tie between comedies and musicals. My favorite comedy is Some Like It Hot, without a doubt. It's way too funny for its own good. Naming my favorite musical is apt to keep me awake for nights on end, so I'll just answer one that is definitely in my top 5: Follow the Fleet, with the inimitable Fred and Ginger.

2. “Theatrical” is too easy. What’s your all-time favorite TV-movie?

You know, I don't watch a lot of TV movies. Just seeing commercials for them makes me cringe. That being said, I would love to see any of Katharine Hepburn's.

3. The Great Movie Genie is allowing you to permanently change the ending of one movie. Which one do you choose, and why?

Roman Holiday. The first time I saw it, I was devastated (probably more than was necessary). Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn were just so good together, it breaks your heart when he walks down that long corridor and you just keep waiting for her to reappear but he keeps going, and then he stops and you think she's behind him, but she's not and you have to figure out how to go on with life. I understand why the filmmakers did what they did, but that doesn't mean I like it.

4. You’re the latest heinie-kissing Hollywood exec, slavishly following trends. Which movie, good or bad, would you like to sequelize or remake?

I would love to remake any classic musical that hasn't been overdone (cough cough, Wizard of Oz). I wish the musical would make a comeback. Unfortunately, it just seems to have died out. I know we don't have the stars we used to, but there are a few who I think would be knockouts in musicals today (Matt Bomer, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emma Stone, Darren Criss...).

5. Name the movie whose screening you’d like to co-host on TCM with Ben Mankiewicz.

Neptune's Daughter. It was my first Esther Williams movie and I was immediately in love with everything. Williams means a lot to me now, so I appreciate Neptune's Daughter immensely.

6. Describe your most memorable movie occasion — not necessarily your favorite film, but a movie you enjoyed with friends, one that evoked a particular memory, etc.

I'm going to cheat a little bit here, because my mom and I regularly go to this one particular theater in Franklin, IN that shows the classics almost every weekend. Every screening has been memorable there. I get to bond with my mom over our favorite movies, and lately we've been bringing other family members along. Last November, we took a group to see Gone with the Wind. My sister got to enjoy Mr. Smith Goes to Washington for the first time ever with us. My 15-year-old niece objected to going to the Hitchcock festival, but once she saw Psycho, she had to grudgingly admit she really liked it. A lot of amazing memories have happened at the Artcraft.

7. What is your favorite line of movie dialogue?

Oh my god, this is tough. I've never thought about that before... This probably isn't the most original choice, but I think it's "We'll always have Paris" from Casablanca. Short, romantic, and loaded with lots of pain, thanks to Bogie.

8. Why are movies special to you?

How long do you have? Without getting too saccharine (I'm saving that for my 2nd anniversary post in August), movies have quite honestly become my life. I eat, sleep, dream, think, and talk about movies all day, every day. Films are escapist fare, no doubt, but the classics just stroke a chord in me that I didn't even know was there. They're time capsules and comfort and amazing angles and terrific costumes and unforgettable lines and larger-than-life people... Classic films opened a whole new way of thinking for me, all while providing fantastic entertainment.

9. What do you enjoy most about blogging?

Writing about my passion. I love connecting with other bloggers and the social side of it, but even when I didn't have readers or people commenting, I adored writing about movies. It's been a great outlet.

10. What is your favorite book about movies?

So far, it's Hitchcock/Truffaut. Hitch is my #1 director, and the fact that Francois Truffaut got to sit down with him and just geek out on his work still astounds me. The French director got to live out the ultimate film lover's dream, if you ask me. I think we would all kill to sit one-on-one with a treasured filmmaker. Plus, Hitchcock was so fascinating, both his filmography and the actual person.

11. You have your favorite movie actor or actress to yourself for 24 hours to do with what you will. Name, please.

Well, this could get dirty quickly... I think I would be too terrified to speak to Katharine Hepburn, but I would love to just chat and have coffee with Cary Grant, maybe watch a film or two of his. That way, I could stare all I want. :)

Since I nominated so many people last time, my list is much shorter this go round. I hereby nominate:

Nitrate Diva

The Vintage Cameo

I apologize in advance for my super simple questions. I'm really bad at coming up with these, and doing this the last time just about killed my brain:

1. Favorite director? Why?

2. Intense femme fatale or brassy musical star?

3. Who do you think is an underrated actor?

4. Underrated actress?

5. Favorite Hitchcock?

6. Favorite real-life Hollywood couple?

7. Favorite modern film (totally based on what you deem modern)?

8. Who's your favorite femme fatale?

9. Which Hepburn, Katharine or Audrey?

10. Favorite classic TV show, if any?

11. Favorite Fred Astaire film or performance?

Taking a page out of Summer's book (Serendipitous Anachronisms), for my 11 things I'll just answer the questions I posed:

1. Favorite director? Why?

Alfred Hitchcock. To Catch a Thief was a big milestone for me, helping to further my film passion. Hitchcock's work is incredible--visually, stylistically, material-wise... He really knew what he was doing, from casting to editing to promotion. I love listening to him talk too; he was wry and funny and he clearly loved filmmaking. I could go on and on.

2. Intense femme fatale or brassy musical star?

As much as I love a gun-toting manipulator in a slinky dress, musicals are the tops for me. Give me a Betty Grable or a Jane Russell any day.

3. Who do you think is an underrated actor?

Dana Andrews comes to mind. He did a lot of great work, but I don't think today's moviegoers know him at all (obviously classic film fans are excepted). The Best Years of Our Lives devastates me for many reasons, and Dana is certainly one of them. His performance in Laura is full of subtlety, and he did a great episode of The Twilight Zone. I think we all need a little Dana Andrews in our lives.

4. Underrated actress?

This won't come as a surprise to anyone who reads my blog... Esther Williams. People tend to think she was more of a star than an actress, but I disagree. She may not have gotten a lot of dramas and "serious" acting opportunities, but I think her films show off her great acting ability, whether she's pissed at Ricardo Montalban or making doe-eyes at Van Johnson. Hey, we can't all be Bette Davis.

5. Favorite Hitchcock?

Rear Window. More on that here.

6. Favorite real-life Hollywood couple?

Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy. Separate and together, they are endlessly fascinating. Their love story is truly unconventional, as well as romantic, sweet, and infuriating.

7. Favorite modern film (totally based on what you deem modern)?

This can change in an instant, but for right now, I'll say When Harry Met Sally. I was very hesitant of it at first, and then Billy Crystal started talking and I fell in love.

8. Who's your favorite femme fatale?

I'm not sure I would totally classify her as a femme fatale, but I really love Rita Hayworth's Gilda. Every time I  watch the film, I forget just how complex she is. I think a lot of people do. Her relationship with Johnny is bizarre and probably not healthy, but I root for them anyway. Not to mention she gets what may be the greatest character introduction of all time.

9. Which Hepburn, Katharine or Audrey?

I love them both to pieces, but Kate is my #1 actress, so I'll give the edge to her.

10. Favorite classic TV show, if any?

I Love Lucy. No matter how many times I watch it, I still consistently crack up. Everyone on that show was so stellar. It's deserved its legacy, that's for sure.

11. Favorite Fred Astaire film or performance?

Well, dammit Janet.... Naturally I had to ask a tough one. Since I answered Follow the Fleet earlier, I'll say Top Hat.

Thank you, Steve! And congratulations to my fellow nominees, the ones I nominated and the ones Steve did!

With love,

Michaela