Tuesday, February 17, 2009

dabadabada dabadabada


The hot item at the manor this week is the fabulous 1966 Claude Lelouch film Un Homme et une Femme. (A Man and a Woman) Yes, you guessed right, it's a love story, but holds up incredibly well after forty years. Classy, artistically shot scenes in wintertime France and the jazzy, lush mid 60's score by Francis Lai make this movie magnificent, winning two Academy Awards in 1967. I know, I'm a hopeless romantic, so I adored this movie. But it also has great car race sequences and wonderful 60's fashion. I guarantee you will recognize the music! I like this one so much, I must buy myself a copy for my little film library.

I chose this particular video clip for the dabadabada dabadabada...

74 comments:

  1. You're right! I recognized the music.

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  2. Thanks for posting this. I'd forgotten the movie actually and how much I enjoyed it when I saw it. I too am going to have to add it to my film library.

    Two For the Road was on TV the other night. I missed it. I need to get a copy of that as well.

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  3. Grandpa, I haven't seen Two for the Road in ages! I've got to add it to my Netflix. Thanks for reminding me.

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  4. You lucky USA-ers with your Netflix. It's not available for us Europeans. Anyway I loved this film and of course the lovely score.

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  5. So that's who did the score! Every now and then, I like to hum the tune, never knowing anything a bout it. I'll admit to never having seen this movie but the tune used to get a lot of air play( well where I was growing up, anywho ). To think you can still hear it in advertising, to-day. If I can't get the film, I'll find the soundtrack. Another good soundtrack is from Exodus!

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  6. ah Willow, that tune used to play on my mother's radio as she sewed late into the night when I was a child in the 60s. Thank you,

    deb meyers

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  7. Subtorp, I used to have Exodus in my LP collection years ago. I had totally forgotten about it.

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  8. " I know, I'm a hopeless romantic,"
    --no, my dear, that would be ME! LOL. Sounds like a fabulous movie for all the reasons you note. trouble is most of these aren't availablel to rent ay my local Showtime!

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  9. okay, it's on my netflix list now - you haven't failed me yet!

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  10. I am so old! I saw this film when it came out and I was living in NYC. I adore this film but I will always remember how chic everybody looked just to go to the movies in Manhattan in those days. It was truly marvelous time to be young and in the city. Thanks for the memory!

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  11. At first I was expecting the Flintstones, but now it all makes sense! This looks very intriguing, but then Eleanor always has impeccable taste in film, doesn't she?

    Kat

    Oh, pop over for my fun tribute to Warhol (in poetry, natch).

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  12. An iconic film of my youth.
    So French so sophisticated.
    I bet they smoked Gitanes.........
    Way cool!

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  13. I love a good romance.

    CJ xx

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  14. I love this movie, almost posted it myself of Valentines Day!

    Glad to find another romantic!

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  15. Willow, I had Exodus. Alas, it went with all the other vinyl for donations( still banging head against the wall, on that one ). Other copies are pretty easy to find round here :) It's one of the few scores that can move me. This one by Lai is just soooo relaxing.

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  16. I saw Janet Frame's book cover on your blog book list. I love her writing.

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  17. I've never seen this classic! Can't wait to check it out. Thanks for always, always bringing the most wonderful movies to my attention!!

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  18. Two lovers running towards each other, swinging around and dabadaba.. I need this movie again, this kind of love story!!!

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  19. Thanks for your kind words willow.
    I have reciprocated

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  20. Thanks for your kind words willow.
    I have reciprocated

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  21. Great movie. I love the intimacy of the film shots. The music is iconic, just like that of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (Les parapluies de Cherbourg) with Catherine Deneuve. I'm always totally absorved by French Cinema. Now I want to see the movie again. Merci bien, ma cher Saule.

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  22. Great movie. I love the intimacy of the film shots. The music is iconic, just like that of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (Les parapluies de Cherbourg) with Catherine Deneuve. I'm always totally absorved by French Cinema. Now I want to see the movie again. Merci bien, ma cher Saule.

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  23. Great movie. I love the intimacy of the film shots. The music is iconic, just like that of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (Les parapluies de Cherbourg) with Catherine Deneuve. I'm always totally absorved by French Cinema. Now I want to see the movie again. Merci bien, ma cher Saule.

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  24. I've been repeated by this most ungracious Internet...Quel dommage!

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  25. Yep, how can you not love the all-encompassing combination of the 60's, France, a hopelessly romantic guy, the beach, a couple of adorable kids and an enchanting theme song. Heck, they even threw in a cute, floppy-eared dog! It's got it all! And I love it.

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  26. A wonderful bit of music with a good film attached to it. Thanks Willow!

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  27. Thank you for the recommendation Willow. I will certainly look for "Un Homme et une Femme"! Who can help being a "hopeless romantic" ... I think I'm in the same club. <3

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  28. Willow, I have not seen this film in ages. I do remember it was romantic! Now, for a film starring French actress Sophie Marceau, add to your incurable romantics queue FIRELIGHT (1997) if you somehow have missed it. I had just watched it a few times before I decided to follow your blog. There is a beautiful and haunting definition of firelight in the story. Yes, I am very impressionable.

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  29. Love the theme song-- it's actually quite fun to play on a ukulele

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  30. I just adore all of your film tips!

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  31. Yes, great movie! And Dorci, don't for get that classic Mustang.

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  32. Ronda,
    Yes! I did mean to mention that beautiful Mustang, too! That just tops it all off.

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  33. I remember the movie from when it first came out. It was considered extremely sexy for its time.

    So I went to see it again.

    Sorry I didn't pay much attention to the music.

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  34. Dorci and Ronda, I agree, the fabulous Mustang is one of the best features!!

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  35. Ah, Jean Louis Trintignant live in the next village from us in France. He is still enchanting.

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  36. Ohhhhhh, I immediately knew what music you were talking about--love that film. I haven't seen that in years, though, so I wouldn't mind watching that again. OMG, Two for the Road--another gem. So many movies, so little time...sigh!

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  37. I must watch this movie! I'm all things '60's at the moment. I'm not sure why. Maybe because things were classy and hopeful? (AMC's "Madmen" has me hooked.)

    I will add this one to my netflix. Thanks for idea.

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  38. dabadabada dabadabada...grande chanson ! Ah... à l'amour et à la jeunesse...splendid willow; I will have to find this piece.

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  39. I've been familiar that song for years and years. It was on a Ferranti and Teicher album. Bet that album is still down in the basement....of course I don't have a turntable anymore. This is the first time I've heard it in context.

    This isn't the first time I've heard of the movie though...Michael Connelly or Nelson DeVille feature it in one of their books...can't for the life of me remember which one...I can tell you the plot though...

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  40. oh oh OH! i'm so excited to rent this! i have a love of French movies, one of my favorites that is newish is The Dreamers...

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  41. Sigh!

    I hate to say, but they don't make them like this anymore. Thanks for the reminder.

    And there was another Jean-Louis Trintignant film in which a car played a part. I remember loving this movie. Haven't seen it in decades. It's called "Il Sorpasso" and also stars Vittorio Gassman and Catherine Spaak.

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  42. what is netflix?
    the music for this is wonderful x

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  43. Lisa, Netflix is an online DVD rent by mail service. It's so convenient!

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  44. Tattered, Il Sorpasso sounds like one I would like, too. Thanks for the suggestion. My Netflix queue is getting out of hand! ;^)

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  45. Thanks for this review it's now in our queue. BTW that Amanda Forman Georgiana book is fab'.

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  46. I love French films... and looking at the set decoration, clothes, hair...etc of older movies. I'll look for this one!

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  47. I am not familiar with the film, but I immediately knew the music you were referring to with the "dabadabada"s - iconic. And I love the prancing pooch :-)And in the hopeless romantic department??? I would be Queen of the floor! We could reign together, Willow!

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  48. I first saw this film in a little art house theatre in New York...I remember feeling so grown up and worldly!

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  49. I remember this film as a teen. You always bring back such neat memories. Such a catchy tune! That scene when they run to meet each other is so exciting. I love seeing people so happy to get together. Why can't we all get excited to see one another and realize our life is short and we need to love every moment.

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  50. This must be one of Francis Lai's best compositions and also the most welknown one.

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  51. One of my favorite movies, and my favorite music.

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  52. Yes you are an incurable romantic, and so am I, and this clip helped my over a muddy patch just now. Thanks.

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  53. This is such a nice movie! I'm a big Lelouch fan.

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  54. It is an amazing film.

    And here's a secret:

    If a song gets stuck in your head and you wish to unstick it, sing this, to the theme song of the film:

    A man, a woman and a duck
    Woman and a duck
    Inside my Chevy pickup truck
    Chevy pickup truck
    You know it only cost a buck
    Only cost a buck
    A man, a woman, and a duck
    QUACK!


    It really works.

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  55. Reya, yep. It's stuck. Cute antidote...I'll give it a try! How in the world did you know this?

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  56. Dabadabadabadaba Dabadabadaba said the monkey to the chimp. Just letting you know I'm still reading. Pappy

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  57. That is a fantastic antidote-- yes, it's a sticky song.

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  58. Just been catching up Willow, have been busy of late and missed your wonderful blog.

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  59. Doesn't it make you wonder why is it that there have been no great French films of late? I've seen lots of pretentious fluff and Hollywood imitations in the past few years but nothing that really stands from the crowd.

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  60. That music does take you places. I think I need a martini and a chic cocktail dress to listen to it. And some samba lessons to help my two left feet.

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  61. fabulous flash to the past and the dabadabada dabadabada dabadabada dabadabada

    watching the beach seen had me also reflecting on another great french flick - though much more recent ....the butterfly and the diving bell.

    certainly you have seen this, in fact probably wrote about it but new to the manor, well.....

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  62. I love your reviews. the clip was a good choice. i'll be singing Dabadabada for the rest of the day.

    greetings from sunny florida!

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  63. A great film..........beautifully shot...

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  64. my very first date..when I was nearly 16...with an older boy...to an art movie theater..."A Man and a Woman"...I even remember what I was wearing that night in 1966...will never forget that music...I was in over my head!

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  65. Willow! I so wish I had the time to watch these films!!!

    Thanks for stopping by last night.

    Denese

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  66. Thanks for this post. I admit I have never seen this movie, but it is at the top of my movies to see list! I love a good, romantic chick flick. Pride and Prejudice is my personal favorite;)

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  67. I must look for it!

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  68. oh, I do know the music :)!

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  69. Ah, that scene on the beach with the mustang convertible--ah, mon Dieu, que je mors d'amour!
    I've been trying to love like Anouk ever since. Effortlessly chic and tres francais!

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  70. I love romantic one's too.The last romantic movie I saw was The Korean Classic that bought tears incessantly. I gotta watch this one...probably will be a balm after that one :). Thanks.

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Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of existence.
― O. Henry (and me)