“Very fond of rumpots, crackpots, and how are you, Mr. Wilson?”*

by chuckofish

Today we salute American stage and film actress, Josephine Hull (1877-1957), who died on this day in 1957.  She made only seven films, including Harvey (1950) for which she won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar. She is most fondly remembered for portraying doughty old ladies to perfection in the original Broadway productions of You Can’t Take it With You (1936), Arsenic and Old Lace (1941)…

…and Harvey (1944). I confess that I tried to watch Harvey a few weeks ago when it was on TCM and I had to quit after 20 minutes. James Stewart just drives me crazy and I cannot watch him anymore. I loved that movie as a child and I loved James Stewart back then too, but no more. It’s funny how that works sometimes.

The reverse is also true. I never thought much of Cary Grant growing up and as a young woman, but now I think he’s great. Also true for James Cagney(!)…I watched Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) recently and James Cagney was wonderful. He always gave 110% and I appreciate that.

Anyway, here is Josephine Hull receiving her Oscar in 1951, very graciously indeed.

We used to tease our mother that she reminded us of Josephine Hull, but now I think I am beginning to look like JH myself!

Well, have a good day! Watch an old movie, avoid Pookas.

*Wilson, reading from the encyclopedia: “P O O K A – Pooka – from old Celtic mythology – a fairy spirit in animal form – always very large. The pooka appears here and there – now and then – to this one and that one – a benign but mischievous creature – very fond of rumpots, crackpots, and how are you, Mr. Wilson?” “How are you, Mr. Wilson?” Who in the encyclopedia wants to know?