LOVE WITH THE PROPER STRANGER!

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We continue with a Comedy/Drama because it is well done and also because many people don't associate Steve McQueen with having a slightly comedic side. Natalie Wood is one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen, and her sass comes through with an intelligence and wit in every movie role I've seen her play. Word has it that the studios filmed this picture in Black & White to save money (and incorrectly pre-judged it to receive little or no notice). They were wrong! Filmed in 1963 and in fact, released on Christmas Day, this is one of the best films to deal with a still touchy issue of a single woman unexpectedly becoming pregnant and deciding what to do. For as many different people as there are in the world, that debate will continue, but for this film the characters take an amusing turn of events. Here's the plot:

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Angie Rossini (Natalie Wood) hails from a heavy-handed Italian Catholic family where she is shadowed by her overly protective brother, Dominick. Rocky Pampasano (Steve McQueen) is a cool trumpet player who has a one-night stand with Angie. What she calls a "stupid experiment" worsens when she finds herself pregnant. Edie Adams is Rocky's sleazy girlfriend with too many dogs and winds up stealing away the few scenes that she's in. When Angie informs Rocky that "I'm going to have a baby", McQueen plays the role straight and ignorant with a blank facial expression as he replies, "Congratulations," as if he were on another planet! Reality sinks in when Angie tells him: "Don't worry, I'm not going to cause you any trouble. I just want you to find me a doctor -- an address, you know?" Here are two completely different characters and they are quite a contrast in what makes their lives tick. They are rather lost, but joined by this new fate. But McQueen's character is vulnerable and unlike future roles, his steely resolve wavers until he sees something in Angie and wants to make a mid-course correction by proposing to her. When she refuses his offer of marriage on the basis of not being in love, their dysfunctional friends and family members go nuts and the picture becomes both funny and moving!

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Look for "Happy Day's" Tom Bosley makes his screen debut as well as a possible suitor for Angie who gets nowhere. Recognizing he must do something to win her heart, Rocky resorts to some hilarious strategies outside Macy's department store where Angie works. The dialogue here is rich and this is an early effort by Producer Alan J. Pakula. The tension between the independently-driven Angie and Rocky is amazing as he must fight for and eventually earn her trust and love. It is here where McQueen is cast in such a unique role that brings the best out of both actors.

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This film was Nominated for no less than 5 Academy Awards for: Best Actress in A Leading Role (Natalie Wood); Best Art Direction-Black & White (Hal Pereira, Roland Anderson, Sam Comer and Grace Gregory); Best Cinematography, Black & White (Milton Krasner); Best Costume Design-Black & White (the Legendary Edith Head); Best Writing, Story and Screenplay-Written Directly for the Screen (Arnold Schulman).The film was also nominated for two Golden Globe Awards for Steve McQueen and Natalie Wood in the Best Actor and Best Actress categories. This entry in our 'Festival' will deliver a pleasant surprise to you. And the ending is one you'll not soon forget! We are largely deprived of movies delivering a sense of Hope for the future. This film is my answer to "Reality TV". The Cast: Natalie Wood, Steve McQueen, Edie Adams. Herschel Bernardi, Tom Bosley, Harvey Lembeck, Penny Santon, Virginia Vincent, Nick Alexander and Augusta Ciolli. Produced by Alan J. Pakula and Directed by Robert Mulligan.

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ENJOY THIS ONE!

for Natalie Wood

Authors Note: Dariana needs your support. She has been diagnosed with lung cancer. After you've visited mine, go to hers and give her your help. She needs it badly. Her blogsite is: http://thedivinedivas.blogspot.com