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Meg Waite Clayton

Author of the international bestsellers The Postmistress of Paris, The Last Train to London, and 7 other novels

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1950s Movies to Watch & Popcorn Recipes

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One of the most fun things about writing Typewriter Beach was being able to watch old movies in the afternoon and call it “work.” Here’s a starter set for you, along with my popcorn recipe. Enjoy!

Hitchcock’s Grace Kelly Movies

REAR WINDOW (1954): Photographer L.B. “Jeff” Jeffries (Jimmy Stewart), whiles away the hours he’s confined to his New York apartment due to a broken leg by watching his neighbors, with the company of his high society girlfriend, Lisa Fremont, and his nurse Stella —and with them begins to suspect that a man in the window across the way may have murdered his wife. (My favorite Hitchcock.)

DIAL M FOR MURDER (1954): Tony Wendice (Ray Milland) blackmails an old college associate to murder his wife.

TO CATCH A THIEF (1955): Notorious cat burglar John Robie (Cary Grant) has retired to the French Riviera when a series of robberies are committed there in his style. Then he befriends wealthy young Francie Stevens and her jewels are stolen, putting their budding romance at risk.

Blacklisted Movies

In 1986, the Writers Guild began restoring writing credits from the Hollywood Blacklist era. The Guild includes a complete list , but here is a starter set:

ROMAN HOLIDAY starring Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn (1952)
The story credit, originally given to screenwriter Ian McLellan Hunter, was restored to Dalton Trumbo in 1991.

THE BRAVE ONE starring Michel Ray, Rodolfo Hoyos Jr., and Elsa Cárdenas (1956)
The screenplay for this movie, which plays a role in Typewriter Beach, was originally credited to Harry Franklin and Merrill G. White, with the story by “Robert Rich.” On February 2, 2024, Dalton Trumbo was added as a screenwriter and given full story credit in place of the fictional Robert Rich

AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr (1957)
Donald Ogden Stewart was added to the original screenplay credit September 29, 1997

THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI starring William Holden, Alec Guinness, and Jack Hawkins (1957)
Pierre Boulle, who wrote the novel on which the movie was based, was credited with and given the Oscar for the screenplay even though he spoke no English. Credit was restored to Carl Foreman and Michael Wilson October 22, 1986

INHERIT THE WIND starring Spencer Tracy, Fredric March, and Gene Kelly (1960)
The original screenwriting credit was to Harold Jacob Smith and Nathan E. Douglas—a pseudonym under which blacklisted Nedrick Young wrote. Credit was restored to him April 1, 1997. Director Stanley Kramer reportedly brought in Young even though he was blacklisted.

Perfect Stovetop Popcorn

3 T olive oil
1/3 cup kernels

Place oil in heavy three quart saucepan over medium high heat, and sprinkle a few kernels in. When the kernels pop, spread remaining kernels over pan bottom, remove from heat for thirty seconds, then replace on burner and cover until kernels stop popping.

Toppings
melted butter
salt
nutritional yeast
cumin
curry powder
cayenne pepper
Parmesan cheese

Kettle Corn

Stir 1 T of superfine sugar into the oil in the recipe above just before adding the remaining kernels.

 

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