As promised, I’ll occasionally be popping into your inbox with something special in between Friday long forms and The R.E.P.O.R.T (I am a Duchess after all and not a machine!)
And, this Duchess was inspired by dining at Peacock Alley and witnessing the most gorgeous spread that rivaled Fortnum & Mason in London so we’ll call these The Afternoon Tea, something snackable and list-y to fill up your cup in an odd ode to Rob Gordon in High Fidelity.
I’m dedicating this inaugural Afternoon Tea to my best friend who now spends the majority of her time running around after not only three children but also, horses(ish).
Every few weeks she’ll send me a photo of her car dashboard with a song that’s up on Sirius that reminds her of me. For some reason this is often The Greatest Love of All by Whitney Houston. I will unpack this with her some day but I’m pretty sure it’s because we sang it in elementary school in sixth grade chorus.
Nonetheless, I’m charmed every time I get the text.
And I return them.
I did so last week when I had pulled up none other than “The King of Wishful Thinking” by Go West and sent her a photo of it.
Yes, I am one of those people who listens to this song loudly in my car. I also thoroughly appreciate the remake of the video on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and Paul Rudd. I mean, it’s hilarious and brilliant. It’s also shot for shot correct.
But it made me think…this song became popular because of the movie Pretty Woman.
Then I thought of another one from that movie and played it - It Must Have Been Love, by Roxette. And I sent her a photo of that and texted “even better” and she agreed.
And then, Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now by Jefferson Starship, from the movie Mannequin.
And so on and so forth.
And then I thought, man there were really just a few core memory movies from our very young youth that were a major influence on us in some weird Xennial Girl/Elder Millennial/Gen X whatever bucket we are in way.
So this week, the Afternoon Tea is…the Top 5 movies that influenced my very young youth. The deep cuts.
Enjoy!
PRETTY WOMAN (as aforementioned)
Synopsis:
“A man in a legal but hurtful business needs an escort for some social events, and hires a beautiful prostitute he meets...only to fall in love.”
Why It’s On This List:
The plot alone should have been completely inappropriate for any ten-year old yet, I’m pretty sure I saw this in a theater. My mom LOVED Richard Gere and this was peak Julia Roberts.
Prostituting aside, it’s a romance. The whole coming from nothing and meeting a millionaire by chance who is mostly a not so great person and then he changes for her and defends her honor because she’s a good person and they live happily ever after…very Duchessy.
Wow, it all makes sense now as to why I read what I do - it’s from watching these dang films when I was a child!
That red dress and that necklace.
Also Hector Elizondo is a national treasure, he plays Barney and teaches Vivian about forks and knives and spoons and I still think of this scene sometimes when I’m in a restaurant.
Jason Alexander (George Costanza for you Seinfeld folk) plays a slimeball.
Favorite Song:
It Must Have Been Love by Roxette (as aforementioned) which is the winner for me more than The King of Wishful Thinking. I think it’s that key change (I’m not sure if that’s what it’s called) about half way through.
This song was also recently in the movie The Long Shot with Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen, the characters grew up in the 90’s, it’s her favorite song and they dance to it.
“It’s a really dope song.”
Favorite Quote:
Reg. Bev. Wil. (written on the pizza box by Kit DeLuca).
I stayed at the Regent Beverly Wilshire once. It is stunning. The lobby is a lot smaller than it seemed like in the movie but there is in fact a bench in the elevator.
and of course…
Vivian: You work on commission, right?
Snobby Saleswoman: Ah, yes.
Vivian: Big mistake. Big.
MANNEQUIN (as aforementioned)
Synopsis: “A young artist, searching for his vocation, makes a mannequin so perfect he falls in love with it. Finding the mannequin in a store window, he gets a job there and his creation comes to life.”
Why It’s on This List:
There was a show on Nickelodeon growing up called Today’s Special that really wasn’t too far off from this premise where a mannequin in the store came to life and there was also a mouse who lived in the store and a muppet security guard. I think it’s because of this.
And post Brat Pack Andrew McCarthy and a very pre Sex and The City Kim Cattrall.
Favorite Song:
Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now by Jeffereson Starship (as aforementioned) which was the 1980’s version of Jefferson Airplane. Rough.
Favorite Quote:
I need to watch this again because I’m only remembering things that Hollywood Montrose says at the moment and something about Christopher Columbus.
DIRTY DANCING
(this is going to be abridged because I will write a post someday about this movie solely)
Synposis: “Spending the summer at a Catskills resort with her family, Frances "Baby" Houseman falls in love with the camp's dance instructor, Johnny Castle.”
Why It’s on This List:
Ok, the synopsis leaves out some very key sub plot details here (the entire storyline of Penny) which made this movie also inappropriate for a seven-year old (7!!) to see in the theater but it happened and not only did I go with my mother, I went with my grandmother as well!
It was a cinematic adventure.
This list really isn’t in a particular order in terms of favorites but if/when I do another list of what I will call “safe” movies that I a. own on various platforms and in various formats b. can watch over and over again c. can watch with or without commercials meaning if it happens to be on TV I will just watch it d. if I’m traveling or really anywhere I might feel the slightest bit of anxiety, I will play it and all is relieved…this one would be on that list.
It’s a safe space.
And, it’s a Duchess film…innocent girl, not so innocent boy, thrown together into uncomfortable circumstances that then become VERY comfortable, then torn apart, and then brought back together again and happily ever after while proving everyone wrong.
“When I’m wrong, I say I’m wrong”
Am I the only one who ever wondered how Jennifer Grey got those stocking tights to look good with tennis shoes? Just me? I mean, are they leggings?
Favorite Song:
The entire soundtrack that I bought on cassette! Or likely my mother did considering I was seven.
I have a poster in my home office that is a modernist take on the “Loverboy” scene in the dance studio where Neil walks in and ruins it.
“She’s Like the Wind” sung by Patrick Swayze should be on rotation more everywhere. If you have not watched the Patrick Swayze documentary, please do.
Favorite Quote:
Too many but… “I carried a watermelon?” ranks pretty high and “trips to Europe, that’s what these kids want!” and yes yes, no baby in any corner, like ever.
(and 5.) GREASE (1 & 2)
Synopsis:
G1: “Good girl Sandy Olsson and greaser Danny Zuko fell in love over the summer. When they unexpectedly discover they're now in the same high school, will they be able to rekindle their romance?”
G2: “A British student at a 1960s American high school must prove himself to the leader of a girls' gang whose members can only date greasers.”
IMDB (which I will credit for the Synopsis in this post) really needs to work on these.
Case in point, Grease 2 picks up because Michael (Maxwell Caulfield, aka Rex Manning) is Sandy from Grease 1’s cousin. AND, the “girl gang” is the PINK LADIES!!
You are killing me IMDB.
Why It’s On This List:
G1: Once again, completely inappropriate to have watched this as a young person under the age of 10. There is a very questionable subplot involving teen pregnancy. I don’t think I or the girlfriends I would watch this with over and over again - as well as play the original vinyl record which I still own - really understood that part until much later in life.
We were just there for the music and the dancing.
How many times was Summer Lovin’ played at your prom? Or sweet sixteen? Or block party? Tons.
And again, very Duchessy…innocent girl, not so innocent boy, yada yada, milkshakes, cars, races, carnivals, she transforms for him, he transforms for her, they meet in the middle and drive off into…heaven?
Never understood that ending scene. Where are they going?
My favorite character is Rizzo (of course!) and in the sleep over scene she says the word “Fongool”…I asked my (italian) grandmother what this word meant and she told me to never repeat it again.
G2: Much more tame. Lots of bowling. Motorcycles instead of cars. A luau instead of a carnival. Dare I say, a little cheeeesssy.
See here:
But, because we were maybe a little older and this was a sequel, I and my girlfriends definitely watched this one way more. I think we burned out the VHS tape.
Not as Duchessy and not as good as the first but impactful nonetheless.
I have tried for years to achieve the black sweater with tight black pants and black booties look that Michelle Pfeiffer, as Stephanie, not Sandy, pulls off while singing Cool Rider but it just doesn’t work for me.
Little Doris Rebchuck is Pamela Adlon. Lorna Luft is her sister, Paulette. Sharon is Maureen Teefy who played Doris in the original Fame movie (damn, I need to write about that one too!)
Chris McDonald (aka Shooter McGavin in Happy Gilmore) plays Goose. I met him once at the SAG Awards after party and we commiserated over both having lived in Tudor City in New York. Insanely nice guy.
Favorite Song:
Easily the entire soundtracks to both but one b-side that sticks out for me is “Sandy” that John Travolta sings “stranded at the drive-in and branded a fool.”
Favorite Quote:
“Some people are so touchy”…Rizzo when Sandy realizes she is singing about her in “Look at Me I’m Sandra Dee”
And…Frenchie… “Men are rats, listen to me, they're fleas on rats, worse than that, they're amoebas on fleas on rats.”
That is all.
Don’t massacre me for not listing Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Shag or Mystic Pizza.
I see you.
it's because I know an entire post is coming on Girls Just Want to Have Fun.. And your fans hope it comes before Dirty Dancing please.