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Ann Blyth (1927/1928-2026)
This evening, The Hollywood Reporter broke the sad news that Ann Blyth passed away yesterday, Wednesday, June 24, at the age of 98. Some other sources had her age at 97. Regardless, Blyth was one of the last stars of the Classic Hollywood era, and earliest surviving nominee of the Best Supporting Actress Oscar. She was nominated in 1945 for her performance as my favorite character and villain, Veda Pierce, in Mildred Pierce. For the record, I think that Blyth was robbed and should have won. Ann Blyth was 16/17 years old (based on whether she was born in 1927…
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Audrey Hepburn Blogathon–“Funny Face” (1957)
I’m a little late with my post. I honestly didn’t realize that it was only one day, I thought I had the weekend. Whoops. I attended a baseball game (employee appreciation function) with my coworkers that evening and just didn’t have time. Anyway, better late than never, right? I didn’t want to miss out on writing about one of my favorite movies, Funny Face from 1957. I recently saw The Devil Wears Prada 2, the sequel to the first film that came out in 2006. I’m not the first person to make this observation, but The Devil Wears Prada shares…
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Celebrate the Drive-In Blogathon–Memories, Drive-In List Game, and The Facts of Life (1960)
This blog entry is going to have three parts: 1) My memory of the Drive-In; 2) My answers to the Drive-In Movie List Game; and 3) My highlight of a very funny scene in The Facts of Life (1960) that takes place at a Drive-In. 1. My Memory of the Drive-In Having been born in 1984, I missed the heyday of the Drive-In. By the time I was old enough to be out watching movies in a theater, or even at the Drive-In, most of the Drive-Ins in my hometown (Salem, OR) were long gone. I performed some research at…
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Marilyn Monroe 100th Birthday Blogathon–“Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” (1953)
Today (June 1, 2026), marks the 100th anniversary of Norma Jeane Mortensen’s birth. Norma Jeane, of course, would be christened “Marilyn Monroe” in 1946. For the sake of clarity, I will refer to her as “Marilyn” from here on out. To say that Marilyn’s childhood was tumultuous and difficult would be an understatement. In 1942, at the age of 16, Marilyn married James Doughtery. They would be married for 4 years, until divorcing in 1946. Marilyn signed an acting contract in June of 1946. Husband Doughtery was against her having a career, and her contract stated that she needed to…
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National Classic Movie Day–May 16th
Rick at the Classic Film and TV Cafe started National Classic Movie Day on May 16th, back in 2014, and it’s still going strong. I actually have tickets today to see Double Indemnity up on the big screen, but I’m trying to decide whether to go. I know this sounds sacriligious, especially today, but it is about a 1.5 hr round trip from my house to NE Portland, OR. Frankly, sometimes I’m just not feeling the drive, you know? I have also seen Double Indemnity in the theater before, even at Grauman’s Chinese Theater! I could also see it tomorrow…
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Spring CMBA Blogathon– “Make ‘Em Laugh,” The More the Merrier (1943)
I’m not a big fan of war movies, however, what I do love are movies set against the backdrop of war, where a different story unfolds, something that isn’t just one battle scene after another. While there are films set during pretty much every war (some major, some minor), perhaps no other war inspired as many war films as World War II (1939-1945). While there were many films that focused on the individual WWII military campaigns, battles, prominent figures, etc. there were just as many films focused on the homefront in the United States after December 8, 1941, the day…
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The 7th Golden Boy Blogathon, A William Holden Celebration: The Moon is Blue (1953)
Director Otto Preminger’s The Moon is Blue (1953) is memorable for being featured in a 1982 episode of M*A*S*H, “The Moon is Not Blue.” M*A*S*H took place during the Korean War (1950-1953) and during this particular episode, Hawkeye and BJ try to obtain a copy of the newly released film, The Moon is Blue, having heard about its scandalous content. Upon finally viewing the film, the two men are dismayed about how innocent and non-salacious it was. One of the other characters states that a character did say “virgin,” and Hawkeye replies with “that’s because everyone was!” The Moon is…
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The 12th Annual Buster Keaton Blogathon–“The General” at the Hollywood Theatre, PDX 2.28.26
For this event, I decided to be a little unorthodox and write specifically about my experience seeing a screening of The General at the Hollywood Theatre in Portland, OR. Like The General, the Hollywood Theatre is also turning 100 years old this year. I am also a member of the Hollywood Theatre, and am able to attend many screenings for free or at a discount (it’s not entirely “free” I do pay monthly dues). I have already written about The General and its filming in Cottage Grove, OR. Read my article here. The General has had multiple screenings at the…
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Favorite TV Show Episode Blogathon–“Dances with Dogs” King of the Hill
King of the Hill is a newer topic than what typically write about on this blog, but I love this show so much and this episode so much, that I have to write about it. “Dances with Dogs,” which originally aired on December 1, 2002 is hysterical. It has such a ridiculous plot: Bobby Hill wants to enter the “Musical Canine Freestyle,” a dog-dancing contest which is a sensation in Canada. At the start of the episode, Bobby watches as his parents, Hank and Peggy Hill, leave to get ice cream. He’s been waiting for his parents to leave, so…
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Rain in the Movies
As a native of the Pacific Northwest, Oregon specifically, I have seen my share of rain. In fact, NW Oregon (where I’ve lived my entire life) is in the middle of yet another “atmospheric river” event. Basically, we’re getting rain and a lot of it–at least 3″ between yesterday through tomorrow. Personally, I like the rain. It’s relaxing and makes the outside smell nice. Plus, it makes for excellent movie watching weather. As long as the rain stays out of my basement, I am good. During the last major rain event, just a couple weeks ago, I watched a bunch…
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I’m a Member of:
About Me:
My name is Kayla. I am a native Oregonian who has been a fan of classic film and television ever since I discovered I Love Lucy on Nick at Nite in 1994 when I was 10. From then on, I was obsessed with I Love Lucy and everything I Love Lucy-adjacent, but especially Lucille Ball.
A regular visitor of my city library, I read every single book about Lucille Ball that I could get my hands on. From these books, I learned that Lucy had had a film career before she was on television. Luckily for me, my library had a large number of her films on VHS available for rental. I borrowed and watched every single one. From her films, I discovered new favorite classic film actors and actresses.
I decided to make my blog, Whimsically Classic, because I wanted a place to write about my love of classic film and television. Whimsically Classic’s predecessor was my I Love Lucy Geocities fan page (TelevisionCity/3028), which I maintained from 1996-2000. I selected the name “Whimsically Classic” because I wanted something a little nonsensical so I didn’t pigeonhole myself into writing about a specific topic. I like the word “whimsical” because it’s a fun word and leaves me with a lot of room to write about whatever topic. “Classic” is an ode to my love of classic film and television.
Awards Nominated For/Won:
Buster Keaton’s Influence on Lucille Ball 
Buster Keaton’s Influence on Lucille Ball 
Nominee for Best Blog Event– TCMFF 2024 Coverage
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What Have I Been Watching?
My Letterboxd:
- SOURCE: Personal CollectionThis is a film that I've technically seen before, but it's always one of those films that happens to be on in the background while I'm doing something else. So while I've "watched" it before, I've never actually WATCHED it–until last night.This is the first of Busby Berkeley's trilogy of great backstage musicals […]
- SOURCE: Personal CollectionI decided that I was going to embark on a bit of a precode binge. This film starring Loretta Young, Una Merkel, Ricardo Cortez, and Franchot Tone is one of my favorites. I hope Warner Archive gives this film a blu ray upgrade, it needs and deserves it.
- SOURCE: TCM On DemandBogart hated this movie, but I think he was wrong. This is a great film.
- SOURCE: TCMI love this movie. It's one of the best film noir movies ever and is Burt Lancaster's film debut and the film that put Ava Gardner on the map.
- SOURCE: Parents' House CollectionThis is always a fun vacation movie to watch and it seemed appropriate for the summer and the 4th of July.
Whimsically Classic 
