Time To Say Goodbye....For Now

 

Hello Gals and Pals!

I hope that everyone enjoyed our Sixties Sorta Summer. I also hope that everyone had a sensational summer themselves. As we enter Fall, we also come up on a year that virtuouslyvintagevixen.com has been online. I will no longer be publishing/posting from this site.

However, I am working on a new website and monthly magazine...SO STAY TUNED!!!!

You can still access past articles and keep up with updates on the upcoming site on

virtuouslyvintagevixen.blogspot.com.

I thank you all for your readership and can't wait for the new site so we can continue the vintage fun!

Keep It Classic!

Love,

Neah B

 

P.S. Be sure to follow me @Neah_B on Twitter !



A Sixties Sorta Summer: The Flamingo Kid (1984)

 

 

Brooklyn, NY. Summer of 1963.

Jeffery Willis (Matt Dillon) has been slated to work at Mr. Henderson's engineering office for the Summer. But, his plans soon change during that hot, lazy 4th of July weekend when he takes a "swing-out to Rockaway" with his buddies Steve (Brian McNamara) and Hawk (Fisher Stevens). They invite Jeffery to be their 3rd in a hot gin game at The El Flamingo Beach Club.When he gets a glimpse of resort life, and the lovely Carla Samson (Janet Jones), being an office clerk is furthest from his mind; Especially when he gets hired as a valet attendant.

Jeffery's work ethic (and gin game) catches the interest of Carla's uncle/Porche salesman Phil Brody (Richard Crenna)-whose influence,even gets Jeffery promoted to cabana boy. In turn, Jeffery becomes enthralled with Mr. Brody's flashy lifestyle and turns his back on his humble Brooklyn upbringing...and his plans to attend Columbia University. However, his change of plans don't go over too well with his father (Hector Elizondo); especially when he feels like he's losing his son to Mr. "Hotshot" Brody. But it doesn't take long for Jeffery to find out that Phil Brody is a cheat and a phony. With honesty and the help of some friends, Jeffery dethrones Phil "The King" Brody and reunites with his family during his most memorable Summer.

 

 

 

 

The Flamingo Kid is one my favorite:

 1) Period Pieces

2) Summer Flicks

3) Garry Marshall Films- Then again I haven't seen one I didn't like (Pretty Woman, Princess Diaries,Valentine's Day).

This one was recommended to me by my mother years ago (who was shocked I hadn't seen it). She said that I always reminded her of Matt Dillon's character because I used to hum all the time as a kid...even at dinner. So, when I found this movie at Big Lots (one of my favorite movie collecting hot spots) I grabbed it and have enjoyed it ever since. It's one of my go-to movies during February and March when I get spring fever. I hope that you take a moment to enjoy the remainder of your Summer with another Sixties Sorta Summer classic.

Love,

Neah B

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Image Sources:

 http://www.moviegoods.com/movie_poster/the_flamingo_kid_1984.htm

: http://www.thefancarpet.com/ActorGalleryPicture.aspx?mga_id=32953&a_id=2095

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/culture/la-et-cm-flamingo-kid-20120514,0,2323645.story

More Sixties Songs of Summer

 

As the summer winds down, here are some more tunes to help you soak up the memories!

Love,

Neah B

 

 

 

A Summer Song by Chad and Jeremy

 

 

All Summer Long by The Beach Boys

 

 

Theme From The Endless Summer by The Sandals

 

 

 

Under The Boardwalk by the Drifters

 

 

Sealed With A Kiss by Brian Hyland

 

 

See You In September by The Tempos



A Sixties Sorta Summer: SHAG (1989)

 SHAG  follows the fun and fancy free frolic of four girlfriends during the summer of 1963.

Luanne (Paige Hannah), "Pudge" (Annabeth Gish), and Melaina (Brigette Fonda) whisk their friend Carson (Phoebe Cates) off to Myrtle Beach for one last irresponsible-girls-only fling before she gets married to safe (and boring) Harley (Tyrone Power Jr.). When they hit the beach, they enter into a world of boys and plenty of shag dancin'.They meet Chip (Scott Coffey) and Buzz (Robert Rusler) who join the girls in their Summer adventure of beauty contests, wild parties, and...romance. Melaina chases singing star Jimmy Valentine, Pudge and Chip shag the night away, and Buzz and Carson can't leave each other alone. Things get even more twisted when Harley shows up looking for his fiance (and falls for Luanne) along with Luanne's parents...who think they're in Ft.Sumter on a historical tour! These memories of mischief will make for a summer that these four friends won't forget.

Although not considered a "classic" by many, SHAG is a summer movie staple of mine. This film,along with Dirty Dancing(1987) and Mermaids(1990),was one that I loved watching with my Mom. To me, it's a perfect "Girl's Night In" flick full of good times and Summer romance. One unique aspect of this film (that is often overlooked in 60's pop culture/reproduction films) is the showcasing of the "Carolina Beach" music/dance aka "Shag/Shagging";which is still popular today! SHAG also features classic '60's tunes such as "The Harlem Shuffle", "Monkey Time", and "What Kind Of Fool Do You Think I Am". I hope that you take the time to kick back and (cinematically) hit the beach with the girls with SHAG.
Roll Film,
Neah B

Image Credits

 http://www.moviegoods.com/movie_poster/shag_the_movie_1989.htm

 http://matttrailer.com/shag_1989

 http://matttrailer.com/shag_1989

A Sixties Sorta Summer: The Sandlot (1993)

 Summer,1962.

 Scotty Smalls (Tom Guiry) is the new kid in town.

Awkward and shy, he fails at his first attempt to befriend a team of friends who play endless innings of baseball at an abandoned sandlot. His lack of social graces and baseball skills renders him friendless until Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez (Mike Vital) shows up. Benny (the leader of the local sandlot gang) looking for a ninth man for the team, takes Smalls under his wing and teaches him the essentials of the game.The rest of the guys (Timmy,Tommy, "Yeah Yeah", Ham, Bertram, DeNunez, and "Squints") however, think Smalls is a complete square and hopeless baseball player. But with     Benny's guidance, Smalls is able to prove himself worthy of the team and their respect.

 As the summer heats up, Smalls finds himself among friends and many zany escapades; getting kicked out of the town pool, playing ball under 4th of July fireworks, and finding out that chewing tobacco and The Tilt-OWhirl don't mix! With endless fun and unlimited baseball, everything seems to be going thier way...until Smalls hits his first Home-Run. After Smalls hits it over the park, he decides to help the guys and keep the game going with his Step-Dad's (Denis Leary) baseball...that just happens to be autographed by the one and only Babe Ruth (No biggie, right?). But after that ball goes over the fence, Smalls discovers that he still has a lot to learn about "The Great Bambino", "The Beast", and "Mean" Ol' Mr. Mertle (James Earl Jones).

The Sandlot is one of my all-time favorite films. My parents took my sisters and I to see it at the dollar theatre when we were kid. After that, we watched the heck out of it on VHS! It was always fun to watch (and one the reasons I got into period films). It's one of those movies that is still near and dear to my heart and it's just not Summer without it! One of my favorite scenes has to be "the 4th of July " scene. They all gather for a night game under the stars and just pause as they are captivated by the fireworks. With Ray Charles' version of "America The Beautiful" playing in the background, it just creates such a beautifully memorable moment. It captures the effect that simple summer magic has on us all. I hope that if you haven't seen this movie, you will make a point to watch it this Summer. And if you have....PLAAAAYYY BAAAALLLL!!!!

Love,

Neah B

Image Credits:
http://www.matttrailer.com/the_sandlot_1993
http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20483133_20501604_20974712,00.html

Back To Our Regularly Scheduled Program...

Hey There Guys and Dolls!

Didn't mean to leave you hangin'! I've been working on a few new projects

that I'm sure you'll enjoy (...more on that in a few weeks). Meanwhile, let's continue the

fun with our Sixties Sorta Summer!

Love,

Neah B



Sixties Songs Of Summer: Wonderful Summer by Robin Ward(1963)

In conjunction with our Retro Reels of the week, Dirty Dancing, I figured this special song of summer should be featured. Like the movie, "Wonderful Summer", tells the tale of an unforgettable summer romance."Wonderful Summer"(written by Perry Botkin and Gil Garfield) was recorded when Jackie "Robin" Ward was 21- years-old (already married and a mother). After a recording experiment with sped up vocals, her voice sounded like a teenage girl. Because of that, she agreed to change her name on the record to her daughter's name; Robin.This 1963 hit climed the Billborad charts to #14 and helped create summer memories.Unfortunately, this was her only major hit. Although she never topped radio success again, her voice never faded. She contined to work as a session/background singer for some of the most well-known themes songs in TV history such as Flipper, Batman,

Star Trek and The Partridge Family (as well as Partridge Family Album recordings!)

According to Wikipedia, it's been said that she's been featured in almost 800 films!

Whether forefront or background she will live in our hearts along with Wonderful Summer.

Love,

Neah B

Beach Blanket Bingo(1965) "New Love" sung by Jackie Ward

*Did You Know?...Elton John's "Crocodile Rock" (the famous "laaaa la la la la la) was inspired by Jackie's background vocals on Pat Boone's "Speedy Gonzales"!

Images and Resouces

www.cqhams.com

www.wikipedia.com



A Sixties Sorta Summer: Dirty Dancing (1987)

 It's summer of 1963. Frances "Baby" Houseman (Jennifer Grey) will soon be off to

college along with her dreams of joining the Peace Corps. It's also that unforgettable summer when Frances becomes more than just a baby...She, her older sister Lisa(Jane Brucker),and their parents are off to Kellerman's Mountain House Resort for some fun and relaxation. Amid the many activities (and lame dates with the owner's snotty,dorky grandson) Baby decides to make some fun of her own! While on her exploration for excitement, she stumbles upon the dance instructors/entertainment workers quarters. Her eyes are then opened to a world of dancing like she's never seen. She's particularly intrigued by lead instructor Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze) and his partner Penny (Cynthia Rhodes); They've not only got the moves but get down and dirty!
               She soon gets the chance to be apart of their world when Penny can no longer dance
and is reluctantly asked to replace her as Johnny's partner. From clumsy to confident, Baby soon becomes comfortable on the dancefloor... as well as in Johnny's arms. As their romance ignites, so do her opportunities for Peace Corps training as she learns how underhanded and cruel the rich can be to the working class. Johnny's reputation and the integrity of others are threatened, but the lies are relinquished when Baby steps up for their defense. Even after the dancing queen saves the day, Baby must soon say goodbye to summer...and to Johnny. Despite it all, they celebrate
their love with one last dance.

This iconic 1987 romance classic has danced into the hearts of many over the years, winning an oscar and making a star out of Jennifer Grey (as if playing Ferris Bueller's sister wasn't enough!) as well as the late hunky, heartthrob, Patrick Swayze. It's an overall great film with a wonderfully interesting soundtrack combining timeless Pop and R&B tune of the 50's and 60's (such as "Cry To Me"- Solomon Burke and "Love is Strange"-Micky and Sylvia) as well as some hot 80's tracks including the classics "Hungry Eyes" and "The Time Of My Life". Aside from the "operation" scene, this film will always remain a classic due to the music, steamy love scences and sizzling dance moves! I hope you enjoy this film, as I always do, and have the time of your life this summer!
Love,
Neah B

Images courtesy of:

www.hulu.com

www.pennysdaybook.com

www.smortri-film.org

www.hollywoodchicago.com

A Sixties Sorta Summer: Hairspray(1988)(2007)

Texas is not the only place where everything is big. Try Baltimore, Maryland 1962! BIG beats blasting through the airwaves, BIG hair, and BIG girls who change the world! Meet Tracy Turnblad;

the BIG, blonde, and beautiful sweetheart of Baltimore with dreams bigger than her hair. Hopes of dancing on the Corny Collins Show, dating dreamy Link, and racial equality are her focus. Although folks around try to deter her from reaching her goals, she shakes up the town and breaks the status quo when she earns the coveted spot on the show. Tracy soon becomes an overnight senastion and shows everyone that beauty is not limited to a size small. The hefty hometown heroine also wins the heart of Link while leading and winning the battle for integration on the Corny Collins Show.

This cult classic from, the- king-of-quirk, John Waters has just as big a following as Grease(1978) and even  The Rocky Horror Picture Show(1975). Many prefer the original 1988 version to the more current 2007; and vice versa. I, however, enjoy both and can equally watch them over and over. So, I will be sharing with you why I feel both versions are a wonderful watch.

Hairspray (1988)

• Ricki Lake's Debut! Also features an all-star cast with the likes of Debbie Harry, Sonny Bono, Jerry Stiller, Ruth Brown, Divine, and John Waters himself.
• One of the best soundtracks ever! Up there with Cooley High(1974) and American Graffiti(1972), Hairspray feature some of the greatest Pop and R&B hits of the early1960's such as "Foot Stompin", "I Wish I Were A Princess", and "Mama Didn't Lie".
• I LOOOVEE the fact that they actually perfomed "Madison Time" and featured other dance classics like "The New Continental", "Gravy On My Mashed Potatoes" and "The Bird".
• Overall, I just love the story and the wacky yet wonderful tribute to the early 1960's.

Hairspray (2007)

• Another star-studded event featuring the extremely talented Nikki Blonsky, Queen Latifah, Amanda Bynes, John Travolta, Christopher Walken, Michelle Pheifer, Zac Efron, and of course John Waters. Ricki Lake even makes a cameo appearance as a talent scout.
• Although there are no original songs from the 1960's, I enjoy Mark Shaiman's approach with brodway/60's influence. Being a musical lover, I love how some of the sayings from the 1988 version were made into songs in this update; "Big, Blonde, and Beautiful","Ms.Baltimore Crabs", "Mama Welcome To The Sixties" and "Ladies Choice".
• Costume design was great was in the other one, but phenomenal in the remake.

I hope you check out both and find out what brand of hairspray holds you together the best.

See you next Friday with another flick in my Sixties Sorta Summer series.

Love,

Neah B

Images courtesy of:

                                                           

www.franklycollectible.com

                                                                                                         www.wrongsideoftheart.com

                                                                                                                 www.popcrunch.com

                                                                                                                 www.wikipedia.com

Sixties Songs Of Summer: Dancing In The Street by Martha & The Vandellas (1964)

In conjunction with this weeks Retro Reels on Hairspray, I figured that Dancing In The Steet would be more than appropriate for today's Sixties Songs Of Summer. This Motown staple and ultimate 60's dance classic was written by William "Micky" Stevenson and the great Marvin Gaye (who also played drums on this track!)

According to Wikipedia, Stevenson was inspired to write the song while watching people cool off in the hot Detroit Streets as they seemed to be dancing in the waters of the fire hydrants.The song was written with the intent of having Kim Weston sing it, but she wasn't interested. It was then, history was made as it was then passed onto Martha and theVandellas. It reached #2 on Billboard's Pop charts in 1964 and #4 in the UK in 1969!

However, with rising racial tension and riots/demonstrators, the song began to gain different kinds of attention. But it has always been remembered and will always be treasured as a Motown classic that got all walks of life on the dance floor. As long as there is Summer, the time is always right for dancing in the street!

Love,

Neah B

A Sixties Sorta Summer!

Hello Guys and Gals and welcome back! Sorry for being away so long; getting many(great) changes  underway for Virtuously Vintage Vixen (more details on the way). In the meantime, I am back and ready to bring you the best in classic culture!

Now that it's officially Summer, I thought we'd have some fun! Virtuously Vintage Vixen will be celebrating the Summer season with A Sixties Sorta Summer. Every Friday through August, I will be giving you Retro Reels of films set in the 1960's, but weren't actually made in 60's. So get ready for spotlights on Hairspray, Dirty Dancing, The Sandlot and many more! I will also be posting Sixties Songs of Summer each Friday.So let's enjoy this blazin' summer with vintage movie and music madness!

Love,

Neah B

Images courtesy of www.gono.com