Tag Archives: New Year’s Eve

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If Adventures Will Not Befall a Young Lady in Her Own Village, She Must Seek Them Abroad

Happy New Year!

So even though this year is the 210th anniversary of Pride and Prejudice.

I went with a Northanger Abbey quote because I am going abroad to Ireland in the fall!!! I’m so excited!

But even though I am deciding to make this my “Catherine Morland” year (I’m coming for you Mr. Tilney)-I do plan to try and review/post something Pride and Prejudice related every month. Now I know I failed in reviewing Emma (1972)-but I’m really going to try and do my best!

Now on to the year in review!

The Views

This year I had over 56,000 views! That might not seem like a lot to some but I’m thankful for each and every one.

Thank you!

The Top Five Posts

Here are the top five most viewed posts of the year, although again none were posted this year. I guess whatever I post in the actual year is never popular enough? Who knows.

5) I Ran Out of Milk So I Put Buttermilk in My Tea from 2019

This was just a silly post, I’m surprised it was so popular this year.

4) A Real Man from 2014

Why is this post so popular? I don’t know, but once again it’s in my top 5.

3) Which Husband Ran Off With Addie Ross?: A Letter to Three Wives (1949) from Horrorfest VII from 2018

This is a fantastic film and I know it is one of the top viewed as people are always trying to find out which husband ran off with Addie Ross. The answer lies in my review.

2) What Happened to Ally Palmer?: The Good Student (2006) from Horrorfest VII from 2018

When I first saw this film with my friend I was confused. Ever since I have reviewed it, the review has been read by fellow confused viewers.

1) Fulfilling the List: A Walk to Remember (2002) from I Only Want To Be With You: Romance is in the Air from 2013

Ever since I have posted this it has been my number one viewed post. For 10 years nothing has been able to knock it out of first place. I’m extremely surprised.

First of all I celebrated my 10th Blogiversary! I’ve been doing this for 10 years! Can you believe that?!

Jane Austen Posts

It’s the name of the blog, of course there will be posts on Jane Austen or her works!

Pride and Prejudice:

Sense and Sensibility:

Emma:

Northanger Abbey:

Persuasion:

Jane Austen and the Regency Era:

Non-Austen Films for Austen Fans

Have you watched every version of Jane Austen’s works in film and TV and now wonder what to watch next? That’s why I started making a list of films that have components similar to Jane Austen’s works but not an exact retelling or a variation.

Spill the Tea, Tea Reviews

Reviews of tea shops, cafes, & more!

Recipes:

Who doesn’t love having a nice teatime snack to eat while reading or watching Jane Austen?

Crafts:

I’m going to try and share any regency, Jane Austen, or tea related crafts!

Non-Austen Reads for Austen Readers:

What do you read after you’ve read all of Jane Austen’s works? That’s why I started making a list of books that have components similar to Jane Austen’s works but are not an exact retelling or a variation.

Giveaway Reviews:

Who doesn’t like free things?

Catherine Morland’s Viewing List

Similar to Catherine Morland’s Reading List, this is a list of gothic films I recommend for the Henry Tilneys and Catherine Morlands out there who are looking for something spooky to watch.

Catherine Morland’s Reading List

Similar to Non-Austen Reads for Austen Readers this is a list of gothic books I recommend for the Henry Tilneys and Catherine Morlands who are looking for something spooky to read.

Horrorfest XI

31 reviews of horror films, mysteries, monsters, etc; and of course Northanger Abbey.

Instagram Stuff

On Instagram (@janeaustenrunsmylife) I try to achieve a Bookish Bingo every month. I usually read whatever I like and then see which slot it fills. I write how it fits the categories in my stories and save them for the month and the one after, replacing it with the new month’s selections. It is a lot of fun, and I recommend trying it out.

I also did a countdown to Halloween by reading a chapter of Northanger Abbey everyday, created 31 Days of Hallotean countdown to Halloween, and a countdown to Christmas with my Advent calendar the 25 Teas of Christmas.

July Blogiversary

I celebrated my 10th Blogiversary this year, my niece and I reviewing Austenland. Thank you to all who have been a part these past 10 years. Also on my Instagram I asked a series of questions and posted the results. I asked the following questions this year:

  • If Austen characters could have any food we have today, which one do you think they would go the most crazy over?
  • If the Jane Austen characters were alive today, what jobs would they have?
  • If you could cast any actor/actress in a Jane Austen production, who would it b
  • If you could cast any actor (alive or dead) as Mr. Darcy, who would
  • If you couldn’t marry one of Jane Austen’s Main Characters/love interests, which character would you marry?
  • If you were to make a modern adaption of Jane Austen, which book would you pick and what changes would you make to have it be ‘modern’
  • Jane Austen opinion you will never be talked out of?
  • What are your top 5 Jane Austen adaptions/retellings?
  • What is a Jane Austen themed tradition, oddity, or eccentricity you have/have in your family?
  • What is the best Austen themed product you have purchased or been gifted?
  • What is your favorite Jane Austen book cover?
  • What Pop Culture thing would the Austen characters be into?
  • What’s your favorite costume/outfit from a Jane Austen film.
  • Which Austen parent is the worst?
  • Which character in Austen’s works do you dislike/hate
  • Which Jane Austen character deserves a novel showcasing them?
  • Which is the worst film or TV adaption of Jane Austen’s work

25 Films of Christmas

I like to watch a Christmas film every day in December. Theses are the ones I watched this year.

That’s it for 2022, here’s hoping 2023 will be better!

For 2021 in review, go to I Always Deserve the Best Treatment, Because I Never Put Up With Any Other

For 2020 in review, go to I Will Be Calm. I Will Be Mistress of Myself

For 2019 in review, go to The Mysterious Affair at Jane Austen Runs My Life

For 2018 in review, go to The Future is Bulletproof

For 2017 in review, go to Life Seems But a Quick Succession of Busy Nothings

For 2016 in review, go to A New Hope

For 2015 in review, go to To Boldy Go Where No Man Has Gone Before

For 2014 in review, go to Where We’re Going, We Don’t Need Roads

For 2013 in review, go to Looking at the Past, Focusing on the Future

For 2012 in review, go to Looking Back, Moving Forward

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I Always Deserve the Best Treatment, Because I Never Put Up With Any Other.

Happy New Year!

I had a hard time trying to decide what to entitle this year’s post,was there something I cared for that was having a special anniversary? After looking through the years the only thing I found was Emma (1972) is turning 50. Of course that mean I will be reviewing it (as soon as I finish the last episode of Austentatious.

With that it means a very Emma year, which has already started. I don’t know about you all but lately I tend to waffle between these two thoughts, getting ready for things and having plans fall apart due to some new COVID related issue:

And trying to maintain a good attitude in these trying times:

But no matter how bad it gets, there is always Jane Austen to make you feel better.

Or Read

I’m going to try and carry on with the attitude of Emma. Whether you love her or hate her-she knows what she deserves.

Now on to the year in review!

The Views

This year I had over 100,000 views! That might not seem like a lot to some but I’m thankful for every one.

Wow!

The Top Five Posts

Here are the top five most viewed posts of the year, although again none were posted this year. I guess whatever I post in the actual year is never popular enough? Who knows.

5) Being Friends is Good Enough: Catching Fire (2013) from Romance is in the Air II from 2014

4) Time is the Most Important Thing from 2015

3) A Real Man from 2014

2) What Happened to Ally Palmer?: The Good Student (2006) from Horrorfest VII 2018

1) Fulfilling the List: A Walk to Remember (2002) from Romance is in the Air 2013

Recipes

Who doesn’t love having a nice teatime snack to read or watch Jane Austen with?

Jane Austen Posts

It’s the name of the blog, of course we need posts on Jane Austen or her works!

Jane Austen and the Regency Era:

Sense and Sensibility:

Pride and Prejudice:

Emma:

Northanger Abbey:

Persuasion:

Tea Time Posts:

Jane Austen Birthday Tea Party

Last year I turned 29 and decided to throw myself a Jane Austen themed birthday party!

Jane Austen Runs My Life Collaboration with Madsen Creations

This year I collaborated with Madsen Creations and made some Jane Austen themed clothing and household items!

JARML collab with Madsen Creations recreating the Selena top:

JARML Spooky collab with Madsen Creations

Catherine Morland’s Viewing List

Similar to Catherine Morland’s Reading List, this is a list of gothic films I recommend for the Henry Tilneys and Catherine Morlands who are looking for something spooky to watch.

Spill the Tea, Tea Reviews

I’ve wanted to do this for a while and last year I started reviewing tea places, more to come soon!

Horrorfest X

31 reviews of horror films, mysteries, monsters, etc; and of course Northanger Abbey.

BookishFirst Bingo

On Instagram (@janeaustenrunsmylife) I try to achieve a Bookish Bingo every month. I usually read whatever I like and then see which slot it fills. I write how it fits the categories in my stories and save them for the moth and the one after, replacing it with the new month’s selections. It is a lot of fun, and I recommend trying it out.

July Blogiversary

For my Blogiversary this year my niece reviewed Northanger Abbey (2007) and on my Instagram I asked a series of questions and posted the results. I asked the following questions this year:

  • Unpopular Jane Austen Opinions
  • What Pop Culture book/film/movie/idea do you think the Jane Austen characters would be obsessed with?
  • If there was a company that allowed you to hire Jane Austen cosplayers would you? Who would you want to hire?
  • Which Jane Austen Character is the most annoying
  • What is a Jane Austen adaption you like to watch or read over and over again
  • If you could cast any actor (alive or dead) as Mr. Darcy who would it be?
  • If you could cast any actresses (alive or dead) as Elizabeth Bennet who would it be?
  • Which Jane Austen adaption needs to be turned into a film, TV show, or needs to be remade?
  • If the characters from Jane Austen lived today, what would their fashion style be?
  • Should I make some Jane Austen Runs My Life stickers?
  • Which Jane Austen hero is actually the worst? And why?
  • Who is more desperate to marry off their children: Mrs. Bennet or General Tilney?
  • If you could cast Aiden Turner, Lee Pace, Kit Harrington, or James Frain in a Jane Austen adaption, which one and which character?
  • Which Jane Austen Parent is the worst?
  • If you could cast Emily Mortimer, Natalie Dormer, Rachel Weisz, or Michelle Dockery in a Jane Austen adaption, which one and which character?
  • Which Jane Austen adaption is the worst?
  • What Jane Austen opinion will you not be talked out of and believe until the day you die

MadsenCreations Noirvember

I assisted MadsenCreations in her Noirvember and posted my reviews of the films on my tiktok. We reviewed the following films (although I still need to post the remaining few reviews). Don’t be surprised if some of these pop up during this year’s Horrorfest.

25 Films of Christmas

  • The Thin Man (1934)
  • The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
  • The Lady in the Lake (1947)
  • Backfire (1950)
  • Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
  • How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
  • Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi
  • Die Hard (1988)
  • Batman Returns (1992)
  • The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
  • The Santa Clause (1994)
  • Jingle All The Way (1996)
  • You’ve Got Mail (1998)
  • Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
  • The Santa Claus 2 (2002)
  • Love Actually (2003)
  • The Polar Express (2004)
  • 12 Men of Christmas (2009)
  • A Christmas Wedding Date (2012)
  • The Christmas Candle (2013)
  • A Cinderella Christmas (2016)
  • The Mistletoe Promise (2016)
  • Marry Me at Christmas (2017)
  • Love Hard (2021)
  • Spider-man: No Way Home (2021)

That’s it for 2021, here’s hoping 2022 will be better!

For 2020 in review, go to I Will Be Calm. I Will Be Mistress of Myself

For 2019 in review, go to The Mysterious Affair at Jane Austen Runs My Life

For 2018 in review, go to The Future is Bulletproof

For 2017 in review, go to Life Seems But a Quick Succession of Busy Nothings

For 2016 in review, go to A New Hope

For 2015 in review, go to To Boldy Go Where No Man Has Gone Before

For 2014 in review, go to Where We’re Going, We Don’t Need Roads

For 2013 in review, go to Looking at the Past, Focusing on the Future

For 2012 in review, go to Looking Back, Moving Forward

by

I Will Be Calm. I Will Be Mistress of Myself

Happy New Year!

So to say 2020 didn’t go as expected is an understatement. Most people spent the year like this:

I know whenever I am troubled, there is always something I turn to:

Or her other works. Or read her books.

That lead me to this year’s theme. There is no better book to help you get over 2020 and move forward than Sense and Sensibility. I mean the Dashwoods encountered grief, hardships, huge changes, etc.

As this year marks the 210th anniversary of its publication, of course it will be the theme of the year.

I’m not quite sure how I will work it in, will it be an Sense and Sensibility post every month or just more Sense and Sensibility? I reviewed the 1995 film this year, maybe I’ll do the miniseries? I guess we will just wait and see.

Now on to the year in review!

Let’s go!

The Views

From Clueless

This year I had over 118,200 views!

Wow! from The Blob

The most viewed day of the year was November 7th with 6225 views! That was the day I posted nothing, but the number one post viewed that day was What Happened to Ally Palmer?: The Good Student (2006) from Horrorfest VII. That doesn’t surprise me as the end is confusing and I’m sure many google and read it to try to find out the answer.

The Top Five Posts

Here are the top five most viewed posts of the year, although again none were posted this year. I guess whatever I post in the actual year is never popular enough? Who knows.

5) A Real Man from 2014

4) I Ran Out of Milk So I Put Buttermilk in My Tea from 2019

3) Fulfilling the List: A Walk to Remember (2002) from Romance is in the Air 2013

2) What Happened to Ally Palmer?: The Good Student (2006) from Horrorfest VII 2018

1) Being Friends is Good Enough: Catching Fire (2013) from Romance is in the Air II from 2014

The Followers!

So this community has really grown in numbers and I can not describe how pleased I am about that. We have gone from 14 followers in 2012, to 439 in 2015, to 1021 in 2017, and now 1714 in 2020.

Jane Austen Posts:

Of course there will be quite a bit of these as Jane Austen is the name of the blog.

Jane Austen

Jane Austen Products

Sense and Sensibility

Pride and Prejudice

Mansfield Park

Emma:

Northanger Abbey

Persuasion:

Recipes:

Nothing goes better with reading than something yummy to snack on!

Modesto Jane Con:

This year my book club and sister attended JaneCon in Modesto. I took copious notes which I transcribed into the following posts:

 

Mystery Posts:

From Knives Out

This year’s theme was mysteries in honor of the 100th anniversary of The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie being published. I tried to post at least one mystery a month. I also received a mysterious package every few months and detailed what was in it.

Mysteries:

Mysterious Packages in the Mail:

Romance is in the Air Part VII:

Every year I do 14 posts on a romantic moment in TV and film, below are this year’s picks.

 

Giveaways:

I love giveaways! Every time I win something I try to post a review of what I received.

Non-Austen Reads for Austen Readers:

There comes a time when you have read all the Austen books and quite a few adaptions and are searching for something else. Something like Jane Austen, but not a direct retellings. That’s why I created the Non-Austen Reads for Austen Readers and here are the ones I reviewed this year.

Catherine Morland’s Reading List:

Any Gothic novel lovers out there? Catherine Morland’s Reading List is a review of Gothic novels I know Catherine would love (if she were alive today).

Horrorfest IX:

Every year I let my Catherine Morland spooky girl side out and have 31 posts of different horror films or TV shows to countdown to Halloween.

BookishFirst Bingo:

On Instagram (@janeaustenrunsmylife) I try to achieve a Bookish Bingo every month. I usually read whatever I like and then see which slot it fills. I write how it fits the categories in my stories and save them for the moth and the one after, replacing it with the new month’s selections. It is a lot of fun, and I recommend trying it out.

Jane Austen Bingo:

So Jane Austen bingo is when you spot a Jane Austen actor in a non-Jane Austen film or TV show. Before I just snapped/shared a picture, now I post a picture on my Instagram (@janeaustenrunsmylife) that has the actor in their Jane Austen media alongside their other work. It’s a lot of fun and this year I determine the film with the most Jane Austen actors in a non-Jane Austen film is Love Actually as it has 8: Bill Nighly (Mr. Woodhouse in Emma 2020) as Billy Mack, Colin Firth (Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice (1995) & Mark Darcy in the Bridget Jones’ Diary series) as Jamie, Emma Thompson (Elinor Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility (1995) as Karen, Keira Knightley (Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice (2005) as Juliet, Julia Davis (Elizabeth Elliot in Persuasion (2007) as Nancy the caterer, Alan Rickman (Colonel Brandon in Sense and Sensibility (1995) as Harry, Hugh Grant (Edward Ferrars in Sense and Sensibility (1995) & as Mark Cleaver/Mr. Wickham in the Bridget Jones’ Diary series) as the Prime Minister Davis, and Kris Marshall (Tom Parker in Sanditon) as Colin Frissell.

Period Drama Saturdays

With COVID19 my sister and I have started a new tradition, Period Drama Saturdays. Every Saturday we make a pot of tea and watch a period drama, alternating who gets to pick. Quite a few of these I plan to review for Non-Austen Films for Austen Fans, but just haven’t gotten around to it yet. Here are the ones we have watched this year:

  • Poldark (1996)
  • Drover’s Gold (1997)
  • Ever After (1998)
  • Turn of the Screw (1999)
  • Lorna Doone (2000)
  • Under the Greenwood Tree (2005)
  • Little Dorrit (2008)
  • The Young Victoria (2009)
  • Titanic: Blood and Steel (2012)
  • Poldark (2015-2019)
  • Dr. Thorne (2016)
  • The Moonstone (2016)
  • Victoria (2016-)
  • Selena: The Series (2020-)

Instagram Photo Challenges

From Clueless

So I have only done a few photo challenges in the past but this year I decided to try a few others. All are on my Instagram (@janeaustenrunsmylife) if you are interested in seeing the pics, and if any interest you-join me this year.

  • 30 Days of Jane Photo Challenge from Jane Austen Festival Kentucky
  • 30 Day Literacy Challenge from Jane Austen Literacy Foundation
  • Sip Down September 30 Day Photo Challenge
  • 31 Days of Hallotean
  • Tea Advent Calendar Swap on Instagram: This year I did another tea advent calendar swap and posted a photo every day leading up to Christmas on the tea. I will be doing a full review later.

Blogiversary Jane Austen July

My blogiversary is in July and alongside a post, I also like to do a series of questions on Instagram (@janeaustenrunsmylife) and post the results. This year I asked the following questions with the results on my Instagram if you are interested.

  • If you were going to match up Georgiana Darcy with one of Jane Austen’s remaining bachelors (Colonel Fitzwilliam, William Price, Thomas Bertram, or James Morland) who would you pair her up with, and why?
  • Who was the worst of Jane Austen?
  • Which Jane Austen character has the best clothes?
  • Which Jane Austen character needs their own story?
  • Which actor/actress would you love to cast in a Jane Austen film or miniseries?
  • What period drama would you love to see a crossover with a Jane Austen story (time period and country doesn’t matter)?
  • Who is the worst Mr. Darcy?
  • If the Jane Austen characters lived today what jobs would they have?
  • Do we need more Virtual Jane Austen festivals/events that run on PST?
  • What Jane Austen mashup do I need to do next?
  • If you had to wait in line with a Jane Austen character, who would be the worst one and why?
  • If you could live in any Jane Austen home or estate which one would you want to live in?
  • What Jane Austen adaption needs to be turned into a TV show or film?
  • What is something from the Regency Era you wished we had today?
  • If the Jane Austen characters could eat any food we have today, which one would they be going crazy over?
  • If you could cast any actor as Mr. Darcy (alive or passed on) in a Regency or modern adaption, who would you pick?
  • If you could cast any actress as Elizabeth Bennet (alive or passed on) in a Regency or modern adaption, who would you pick?

25 Films of Christmas

So I started a few years ago on Instagram (@janeaustenrunsmylife), watching and posting a Christmas movie everyday in December. This year I actually ended up watching 29, but the original 25 were:

  • A Christmas Carol (1954)
  • Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
  • Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983)
  • The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (1988)
  • Goodfellas (1990)
  • Home Alone (1990)
  • The Santa Clause (1994)
  • Jingle All the Way (1996)
  • Borrowed Hearts (1997)
  • Eloise at Christmas (2003)
  • Love Actually (2003)
  • Christmas Child (2004)
  • Deck the Halls (2006)
  • Christmas in Wonderland (2007)
  • 12 Men of Christmas (2009)
  • RED (2010)
  • Rise of the Guardians (2012)
  • The Christmas Candle (2013)
  • Christmas in the City (2013)
  • A Christmas Mystery (2014)
  • The Holiday Calendar (2018)
  • Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe (2018)
  • A Very Nutty Christmas (2018)
  • A Kiss on Candy Cane Lane (2019)
  • A Recipe for Seduction (2020)

Other Posts:

Here are the others who don’t fit a theme (or I didn’t have enough similar posts to give them their own):

That’s it for 2020, here’s hoping 2021 will be better!

For 2019 in review, go to The Mysterious Affair at Jane Austen Runs My Life

For 2018 in review, go to The Future is Bulletproof

For 2017 in review, go to Life Seems But a Quick Succession of Busy Nothings

For 2016 in review, go to A New Hope

For 2015 in review, go to To Boldy Go Where No Man Has Gone Before

For 2014 in review, go to Where We’re Going, We Don’t Need Roads

For 2013 in review, go to Looking at the Past, Focusing on the Future

For 2012 in review, go to Looking Back, Moving Forward

 

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Book Club Picks: The Mother Keeper

So as you all know I started a book club, because you know me and books…

Every month we read a book and I do a little post on the book we read and discussed. What can I say, I just love books.

There is no theme, other than with each month, a different member gets to pick a book, whichever one they want. This time the book club member chose:

The Mother Keeper by Paula Scott

So in my last book club book review I had chosen The Far Side of the Sea by Paula Scott and our book club actually got to meet her!

Afterwards, we all started following her on instagram, facebook, etc. One book club member spotted this on facebook and afterwards wanted to read it.

Paula Scott told us that she started writing this years ago and tucked it away, bringing it out later when her daughters wanted a romance as she wouldn’t let them read Twilight (thank goodness).

She tweaked it here and there and rewrote it-this being the finishing product.

Jenny McBride and her husband Kevin, live in Colorado, are celebrating New Year’s Eve and ecstatic for their pregnancy. They can’t wait or the baby, dreaming of all the things they would like to do.

Both are Christians and strong leaders in their church. That night Kevin had a drink, something Jenny does not approve of, and she insists on driving them home in the snow. A car comes careening their way, and crashes into them. Jenny loses her uterus, Kevin his leg, and both their baby.

Nooooooooooooooo

Jenny can’t believe this happened to her, her whole life she has been a good Christian and this is what happens to her? She is hurt, depressed, and angry.

Noooo!

Meanwhile, in the country areas of Tennessee, teenagers Ellie Ryan and her boyfriend are making plans for the future. Jamie is a big football star and will get a scholarship, while Ellie can get one with her amazing grades. However, there is one wrinkle-Ellie is pregnant.

That is not good,

She doesn’t tell her boyfriend, she just breaks up with him. She then heads to the pregnancy crisis center where her sister had gotten an abortion before she took off to California. Ellie hasn’t heard from her since.

At the center, Ellie meets Patsy Klein, a pastor’s wife, who invites her to come stay with her and take part in their church’s Mother Keeper program. The Mother Keeper program, is when a family takes in a pregnant teen and helps take care of her until she has the baby. Sometimes they adopt the baby, help arrange adoptions, or just help them until they can figure out their next step. They pay the food and medical bills through church funding/fundraising.

Ellie stays with Pastor Klein, Patsy, and their three boys-Shawn, Seth, and Stephen. For Ellie, this a dream come true as she is finally part a perfect family.

Shawn is upset when he hears that a pregnant girl from Sutterville-Sucksville-is going to be living with  them. He has enough on his plate with football, a scholarship to Vanderbilt, his beautiful girlfriend Jill who desires him. But meeting Ellie and spending time with her-Shawn realizes that the life he has been living isn’t what he wants at all, but what does he want? Now, he doesn’t know.

Hmmm….I need to rethink my life’s choices

As Shawn and Ellie grow closer, Shawn wants to marry her and raise the baby together. But the assistant pastor contacts his sister Jenny, she having gone through a spiritual battle and grief, is ready to adopt-Ellie’s baby. What will Ellie decide?

Many more decisions will be made as secrets are brought out in the open: a secret affair, true parentage revealed, murder, rape, and a fight over who will adopt Ellie’s baby.

Wow!

This was a a fantastic story and a real page turner. Paula Scott doesn’t pull way from anything, but hits the truth hard.

What?

It’s funny because it certain characters reminded me of ones from Desperate Pastor Wives and The Masterpiece. That was completely unplanned by us. In DPW, Jennifer Shores too has lost a baby, and becomes angry with God; having to go through her journey, getting close to God, and figuring what is next in the future. In The Masterpiece, Grace Moore is kept by a family until she has her child, and goes through a similar battle over who will adopt her child, along with having family issues she has to work through.

It was a fantastic book, and I strongly recommend it.

For more Book Club Picks, go to Book Club Picks: Far Side of the Sea

For more by Paula Scott, go to Book Club Picks: Until the Day Breaks

For more Christian novels, go to Book Club Picks: Desperate Pastors’ Wives

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It’s A Hard World: Backfire (1950)

backfire_film_poster_1950

“You’re amusing, Mr. Connolly… and hard. 

It’s a hard world.”

So like Dial 1119 (1950), this film came on the Film Noir Classic Collection, Volume 5.  Out of all the films on this set this seems to be the one disliked the most by critics.

Whattheheck

To be honest, I just don’t get it.

Who knows!

I didn’t think it was as horrible as everyone else said. In fact I thought it was pretty good and I enjoyed it.

One of the reasons why many people didn’t care for this film (and it’s still not considered a great film noir like it should be) is because it is a bit unusual. This postwar film was written to show the hardships about G.I.s coming back into civilian life, trying to find work, etc; kind of like The Best Years of Our Lives. However, the project was pushed back two years, being premiered in 1950; where that type of story wasn’t as popular. If it has been one year it would have been fine, or more than two years it would have been a “period piece”. But as it came out in 1950, too much and too little time had past.

clueless mybad oops

The film is also set at Christmas, being a Christmas Noir film like Lady in the Lake, and not something a lot of people enjoyed. It is supposed to be a juxtaposition between the “happiest time of the year” fused with the dark underbelly; and while you think that would be a winner, not a lot of people liked it.

Also at this time, studio’s owned actors and actress. This meant that as an employee they couldn’t just make whatever film they wanted to, it was the decision of the head of the studio. These actors were Edmond O’Brien, Virginia Mayo, Dane Clark, Viveca Lindfors and Richard Rober. I thought the actors did very well, but others felt they were too stilted or not suited for the film.

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So let’s talk a look shall we?

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The film starts out with WWII veteran, Bob “Cowboy” Corey (Gordon MacRae) recuperating in a hospital in the LA area. They never say exactly what happened, but he was injured in the war and has been undergoing several operations; along with some severe psychological trauma.

He and his friend Steve Connolly (Edmond O’ Brien) met in the war and planned on going to California, buying a ranch, and living their days there. That was before Bob had his accident and was unable to begin their dream. Steve comes to visit him at the hospital, suggesting they use their money to buy a gas station while they are waiting for Bob to recover, as who knows how long it will take, but Bob says no, he wants the ranch. What Bob doesn’t know is that the doctors told Steve Bob will have to take it easy for a year, maybe longer. But instead of telling Bob this, Steve agrees to wait and says he will try to find some other work. He tells Bob he’ll be back in a few days. But that is the last Bob hears of him.

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Bob has been worried about Steve, and his nurse and girlfriend, Julie Bensen (Virginia Mayo) tries to reassure him, but he just can’t stop thinking that something bad happened to Steve.

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Bob has ten days left, and after he receives his clean bill of health he plans to start searching for him.

That night he is asleep when he is visited by an Austrian beauty, Lysa (Viveca Lindfors). She tells him she is a friend of Steve’s and that Steve was injured and is in horrible pain. Should she end it or have him keep fighting? Bob says to wait, he will be out in ten days and can help him. The next morning, Bob can’t tell if it was real, or all a dream?

Whattheheck

On New Year’s Eve, Bob is finally released. He says good-bye to Julie as he is out to search for Steve. He hasn’t gone far when he is stopped by Captain Garcia. It turns out that Steve is wanted as he is a suspect in a murder.

Steve? A murderer?

Steve? A murderer?

Captain Garcia reveals that before the war Steve was involved in all kinds of underhanded things in the underworld and has quite the reputation. Sully Blayne, racketeer, was murdered, shot to death and they believe Steve was involved with it all, but Bob is certain that Steve wouldn’t do such a thing.

Now the film is told in the present time, with a series of flashbacks. We see Sully being killed, but the angle and lighting make it impossible for us to see who the killer is.

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Victim #1

Could it be Steve?

suspicious Hmm

Bob is intent on finding out what happened.

On the case

On the case

Bob move into the room Steve was staying and interviews the cleaning lady. She has a flashback about how Sully would comes to see Steve many times. She also gives him a card that Steve had dropped. It is for a mortician. A mortician?!

OMG gasp

Bob heads out to the funeral home and it turns out to be owned by Ben Arno, his old military buddy. Bob is a little weird out about the “dead” thing, but when Ben couldn’t open a nightclub, too much red tape and the bank’s didn’t feel he was a safe investment, he decided to take another route. After all:

And taxes

And taxes

I personally don’t get the weirdness about it. Owning a mortuary is a really good business and a sound investment. Arno is doing really well for himself, but people get strange when death is involved.
We then flashback to when Arno bumped into Steve. He went to a boxing match and found Steve there getting pummeled.

ouch Hermione

After the show he goes to speak to him, and finds out that Steve is getting paid good money to lose the match every day. Arno gives him is card and tries to get him to work for him, but Steve is also creeped out by death and says no. And that is the last Arno saw of him.

Bob goes back to the hotel and takes care of Steve’s charges that he “ran out on”. One was a phone call, and he looks up the number. When he calls he reaches a women at the end and pretends to be Steve and finds out about Steve’s girlfriend Lyssa Radoff. He gets her address and heads to the house.

When he gets there he finds a note about the key, discovers its hiding place and waits. Lyssa doesn’t come, but her roommate, Bonnie Walsh, does. Bonnie tells them how Steve and Lyssa first met.

Lyssa is Lou Walsh’s woman, even though she doesn’t love him.

Hate YOu

Part of her duties are singing in his club. Steve left boxing to work for Lou Walsh and as his gofer, he has to fetch Lyssa to take her to Walsh’s private residence. Unlike Walsh’s other men, Steve is always polite and treats all the women (call girls) right. Lyssa begins to fall in love with Steve, and he with her.

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Bonnie starts to question Bob, and when she leaves to make coffee, Bob runs out. Shortly after Bob leaves, Bonnie is shot, murdered by the unseen Walsh.

#4

Victim #2

Captain Garcia brings Bob and Julie in, claiming that they are messing up the investigation. He blames Bob for Bonnie’s death, telling him he should have called and given him the phone number instead of leading the killer right to her.

But before Garcia could continue his wringing out, they receive a call about Walsh’s wounded butler, Quong. Quong claims that he has information on Steve’s whereabouts, and everyone runs out to see him. Quong is suffering from a bullet wound, but starts to give his testimony in another flashback.

Quong didn’t buttle for Walsh, but his girl Lyssa, in the extravagant home that Walsh bought her. To keep her safe and from any other men, Walsh instituted Steve as Lyssa’s bodyguard. But this caused the two’s love to grow and grow.

Especially when you fall for a mobster's girl.

Especially when you fall for a mobster’s girl.

After Sully was killed, Walsh told them both to remain in Lyssa’s house as they would be safe there. That night Lyssa and Steve declared their love, planning on running away together. Steve left Lyssa to go tell Walsh as he doesn’t want to do any double dealing to the man he owes for all the help he has given. However, unbeknownst to them, Walsh heard and saw everything and releases the parking brake of the car outside, so that it rolls down the driveway and crushes Steve.

AAAAAAAAHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AAAAAAAAHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Walsh calls a doctor to come visit and care for Steve.

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Quong was shot by Walsh, as he knew too much. The police try to get an address out of him, but it is too late. He’s dead too.

#4

Victim #3

Afterwards Bob and Julie are talking about what they found out when Bob wonders why Walsh would call a doctor when he wanted Steve dead. Julie points out that he did it for Lyssa, who thought it was an accident and not attempted murder. After Julie goes home she gets an idea and calls Mrs. Blayne, Sully’s wife, to see what doctor came to check on him. She tells Julie that it was Dr. Herbert Anstead.

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Julie goes off in her nurse’s uniform and breaks into the doctor’s office by telling the janitor that she is one of Anstead’s nurses. While there Anstead returns and Julie has to hide from him. Anstead is about to destroy Steve’s file, when he is interrupted by the janitor asking when he and the nurse are leaving.

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Anstead tries to find the nurse, while Julie attempts to smuggle out the file. Unfortunately, she is caught by Andstead. Julie yells at Anstead telling him he will become an accessory to murder and Anstead shocked at this, locks Julie in the closet and calls Bob to let him know where Steve is. But Anstead is interrupted by Walsh, and killed.

#4

#4

Man bodies are dropping everywhere. Paraphrasing Angels with Filthy Souls:

Don’t gimme that! You’ve been killin’ everybody! Sully, Bonnie, Quong, etc.

Bob rushes over to the address the doctor gave him and meanwhile Julie is let out by the janitor and calls the police, relaying the murder and the address.

When Bob reaches the house he finds Walsh and it is none other than his old pal……………………….

Get it together!

Get it together!

Steve.

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Just kidding

So obs

So obs

It is actually Ben Arno.


Ben couldn’t have the nightclub as Ben, so instead he led this double life of Lou Walsh. Steve was boxing because he owed Sully money, Ben paid him off and gave him a job. Bob is trying to find Steve, but Ben doesn’t believe him. Ben thinks that Bob is in love with Lyssa and trying to get her.

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Ben is obsessed with Lyssa and can be the only one who has her. He did everything he could to make her happy; clothes, jewelry, house, etc. But Lyssa didn’t love him.

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On the night he injured Steve, he called the doctor to save him for Lyssa, as Lyssa thought it was an accident. However, when she found out there was nothing wrong with the brakes on her car she wanted to leave Arno. But Arno didn’t want her to go and strangled her.

When one is obsessed they will do all they can to have that person. Even kill them.

#4

Bob asks why he didn’t just kill Steve as that is the one he doesn’t like, but Arno couldn’t have him be a martyr and he needed someone to talk to about Lyssa; everyone else was dead. Steve doesn’t know that he killed her, he thought she just ran off on them.

While they are talking, Steve has very slowly walked down the stairs as his body is covered in braces. Arno is about to shoot Bob, and Steve jumps on him, saving him just in time.

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Arno gets up and Bob tells him the police are almost there, and we can currently hear the sirens. Arno decides that if he can’t have Lyssa, Alyssa’s house, and someone to talk about her then he doesn’t want to live and runs out shooting at the police; getting shot himself (as he intended). Pretty high body count…

In the next scene we see that Steve is alive and has recovered. He is leaving the same hospital that Bob was at. Bob and Julie pick him up and take him to their new ranch, Happy Ranch.

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I REALLY liked it. I wasn’t quite sure who Walsh was but I never thought it would be the mortician. That was an excellent twist.

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I also really liked how the theme of “backfire” played well into the character of Steve. He was always trying to do something good, honorable, or better and yet it always seemed to backfire.

I really liked the actors, and I loved the flashbacks. I thought it was all extremely well done.

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Plus the filming was amazing. We have some great angles when hiding the identity of the Walsh, the use of shadows on the wall telling the story, etc.

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It was some good watching.

I highly recommend it.

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To start Horrorfest V from the beginning, go to Who You Gonna Call?: Ghostbusters (1984)

For the previous post, go to Heroes are Not Born, They’re Created: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014)

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For more on the Film Noir Classic Collection Volume 5, The Mad Killer: Dial 1119 (1950)

 For more film-noir, go to I Do Think You Are Confused Mrs. Bowman: Dangerous Crossing (1953)
For more films told in flashbacks, go to What Have We Done to Each Other?: Gone Girl (2014)
For more Jean Froissant, go to Dreaming of the Sandman