Hollywood's Golden-Era: 6 ways old is better

Hollywood Glamour.

I love old Hollywood. I don't know why. Even though my last novel, Fly Away Home, has nothing specifically to do with Hollywood Glam, I can definitely say that the shimmer-glimmer-glamour of the 1930's, 1940's, 1950's cinema-life impacted the general DAZZLE of FAH.

 Only in the last several years have we started watching these old awesomes, so I'm a little behind the times. But oh do I love old movies now. What makes me love them so?

Let me count the ways...

1.) Appearance

Is it just me, or did they grow them handsomer/more beautiful back then?

 (Left to Right: Grace Kelly, Priscilla Lane, Ingrid Bergman, Gene Kelly Gary Cooper, Gregory Peck, Deanna Durbin)

I mean seriously now, folks. Have you ever walked down the street and met someone who looked like Gregory Peck? I think it's something in the water. Or maybe it's just the fact that people way back when took care with their appearance.

2.) Humor

I love the sometimes-corny musical humor, the slapstick stage-hand gags, the funny dancing, the witty lyrics. It's all so simple and relaxing, clean, family-friendly, clever. 

Frank Sinatra & Gene Kelly in "Anchors Aweigh"

3.) Values

Like I said, old movies have better values. One of my besties grew up in a family where they weren't allowed to watch any movie made after 1960. Hence, she's my go-to for which movies are the most amazing. With most of the old classics you can be certain there won't be a mad dive for the remote when a "shocking part" comes up. Relaxing. Entirely. (Weren't the kids in My Favorite Wife {1940} adorable?)

 

4.) Dancing & Music

In our family, we proclaim loudly that there is a song lyric for any occasion. Our love of Broadway was born from a love for old musicals, and these still have a place deeply imbedded in our hearts. (Though The Sound of Music was probably the oldest of the movies we saw growing up) And I swear you'll never see dancing again as good as that given us by Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, and so many others.

5.)  Wit

The best of the old movies are often referenced in the writing how-to books and I love to watch films like Casablanca to hear the verbal sparring, the fencing-with-words, or the downright awesome-sauce of a brilliantly constructed screenplay. Here are some quotes from my favorite old movies:

Nick Arden: (discussing how to tell the children that Ellen is their mother) "Would it help if I wrote a letter?"

Ellen Arden: "Oh yes. 'Enclosed, please find your mother.'"

-My Favorite Wife (1940)

Jerry Mulligan: "Back home everyone said I didn't have any talent. They might be saying the same thing over here but it sounds better in French."

-An American in Paris (1951)

Captain Renault: "What in Heaven's name brought you to Casablanca?"

Rick: "The health. I came to Casablanca for the waters."

Captain Renault: "The waters? What waters? We're in the desert."

Rick: "I was misinformed."

-Casablanca (1942)

Irving Radovich: "She's fair-game, Joe. It's always open season on princesses."

-Roman Holiday (1953)

6.) Costumes

I love vintage fashion (but you already knew that) and in these Golden-Era films, fashion shines. Some of it is downright absurd, and some of it is absolutely adorable. Glamorous, cute, insane or awesome, the clothes in these movies are (in the main) so much cooler than today's modern movie.

These, then, are my top six reasons why I love old movies. I only wish Netflix had more uploaded! I can't seem to find any of the ones I'd like to see on there. Below is a list of the B&W (Black and White) films I've seen. When I say "Black and White" it's a general term for movies made in the 40's and 50's. Technically, some of them were made in color, but I'm a sloppy hand at categorizing. ;)

My Favorite Wife (1940)

Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)

An American in Paris (1951)

Anchors Aweigh (1945)

This is the Army (1943)

My Fair Lady (1964)

Holiday Inn (1942)

The Music Man (1962)

Carousel (1955)

The Importance of Being Earnest (1952)

Christmas in Connecticut (1945)

It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

Singing in the Rain (1952)

Roman Holiday (1953)

Cinderella (1957)

State Fair (1945)

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)

Oklahoma! (1955)

Charade (1963)

Sabrina (1954)

Funny Face (1957)

To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

Casablanca (1942)

The African Queen (1951)

Captain Kidd (1945)

I think that's most of them! (I intentionally failed to mention any Shirley Temple films. Somehow those don't exactly count.) What are some of your favorite old films? Any must-sees that I've missed? I know I am totally missing some Grace Kelly films as well as needing to re-watch most of these. (I don't really remember Singing in the Rain at all.) Any-who, this was a fun post to write up and I'm glad to see that my list of Have-Seens is actually not so very short after all. And as an interesting piece of trivia, I can totally recommend any of these movies to any of you as far as my judgment takes me. See? Isn't that amazing? No "Well....umm...there's that ONE part..." ;) Toodle-loo, darlings, and in the words of Teddy, "CHARRRRRRRGE!"

{From My Bookshelf}: With Every Letter- Sarah Sundin

With Every Letter

 (Book One in Wings of the Nightingale Series)

By Sarah Sundin

If you've stuck around this blog for any length of time you'll have come up with the quite accurate idea that I'm a romantic. I don't need anyone to teach me how to dream, how to propose (or help him propose) or how to make a match. I count it one among many "severe-ish mercies" in my lifetime that I have gone through my girlhood years knowing next-to-no eligible young men. Honestly, I didn't need the distraction. Which is why, as a general rule, I stay away from romance novels. It isn't that I think they are bad, or harmful. (though some might fit the bill) It's just that my poor little fluffy mind doesn't need help imagining or longing for that All -Elusive Someday. On occasion, even an over-abundance of BBC films can throw me into a slight state of discontentment that I'd do better to avoid.
But when I won Sarah Sundin's latest book, With Every Letter, in a giveaway, I knew I had to take a whack at it. First of all, it was free. Second, it had a beautiful cover. Third, it was set in WWII. Fourth, I could tell she'd done her research. Fifth, it had to do with a romance conducted through letter-writing. I was hooked. When the book came in the mail I ambled over to the picnic table we've somehow neglected to remove from the roadside the past several winters, and started to read. Once started, there was no going back. This gal is good.

"Before I start this letter, I must be clear that I'm searching for friendship, not romance. I don't want to mislead you or toy with your affections. I do apologize if you hoped for a romantic letter from a perky beauty..."

Thus runs Lt. Mellie Blake's first letter to her anonymous correspondent. Gotta love her frankness! This is what tipped me off to the fact that this book would be different than a lot of romance novels. It was going to actually be pure.
With Every Letter follows the young, insecure, but compassionate and loving Lt. Philomela (Mellie) Blake--a young flight nurse in WWII. But because I'm never that great at synopsisises...synopsi? Whatever. Since I'm not that great at those, I'll give you the blurb on the back of the book. It's enough to grab anyone's interest!

        Lt. Mellie Blake is looking forward to beginning her training as a flight nurse. She is not looking forward to writing a letter to a man she's never met--even if it is anonymous and part of a moral-building program. Lt. Tom MacGilliver, an officer stationed in North Africa, welcomes the idea of an anonymous correspondence--he's been trying to escape his infamous name for years.
        As their letters crisscross the Atlantic, Tom and Mellie develop a unique friendship despite not knowing the other's true identity. When both are transferred to Algeria, the two are poised to meet face-to-face for the first time. Will they overcome their fears and reveal who they are, or will their future be held hostage by their pasts?

Isn't that interesting? I thought so. This book did not disappoint me in any way, shape, or form. In fact, I ended up falling way harder for the characters than I thought I would. Here, therefore, is a list of my favorite things and my thoughts about With Every Letter...

1. Lt. Mellie Blake: Perhaps I identified with Mellie because of her heart for Christ and loving spirit, but I will also admit that Mellie's insecurities and doubts sometimes about whether a man could think her attractive enough to see her and only her sound an awful lot like some of my doubts and fears when I take my eyes off Christ. The way the Lord {and Sarah Sundin. haha!} bring Mellie through this is beautiful and humbling. I also appreciated the fact that she is definitely not looking for romance. Actually, she resists officially meeting Tom to the point of exasperation for me--sitting back here knowing Tom loved her and how...AHHH!

2. The setting: WWII is a great enough setting...but Sarah Sundin set the book in North Africa, Algeria, and the lower Mediterranean which was just really neat. I mean, who has read a book set in those places? Not me. Plus, Lt. Blake is one of only 500 flight nurse to serve the US during WWII! Really neat.

3. Sarah's research: As an author, I know it's tough to do your research thoroughly--and she has done it. By George, she's done it! You feel like you're in Algeria during the 1940's. Seriously!

4. How Mrs. Sundin portrays Christianity: there comes a point in the life of your book when you've got to determine how your relationship with Christ and your world-view will come out in the story. Some books/authors turn preachy and unrealistic with that OSS (Obligatory Salvation Scene) we all cringe over. Others omit all mentions of religion and Christianity. But both Mellie and Tom and Christians and their personal relationships with Christ are a huge part of the story, which I really liked.

5. The romance: You were waiting for that, weren't you? ;) Unlike many stories, I felt like Mellie and Tom's romance was realistic, beautiful, and pure. They begin with a mutual desire for only friendship and therefore their relationship is built upon encouraging one another in the Lord, learning the heart of the other...discussing important things...all of that. Then you get the romantic tension building. Tom's struggle (which I can't discuss at length here, not wanting to spoil the plot for you) with physical attraction toward an "acquaintance" is portrayed so honorably I wanted to cheer. Without being inappropriate {which a lesser author would default to}, Sarah let us know that Tom felt attraction toward this one woman (not lust, mind you.), and described and played out his struggle for honor in so great a way that you like this guy a lot. A whole lot. Ahem. So much that you kinda-sorta-wish-he-was-real-and-not-confined-to-the-page.

And the last scene? Great Snakes. I didn't see such an "AWWWW!" moment coming and it totally made my day when I read it. That, darling, is how I want to be loved. That is the kind of man I want to marry. That is what love is supposed to look like. *sniff*

In conclusion: Not having read any other "Christian historical romances" and not knowing how much actual history they put in amongst the kissing, I am sticking my neck out and saying Sarah Sundin has it down pat for the perfect formula of romance and actual historical plot. I found myself enjoying this book an actually thinking that my brother might enjoy it--Tom's side of the story is strongly supported and written so the book is an even split between guy and girl. Because of the fact that this is a romance and the author does deal with their increasing physical attraction toward one another (though in a very mild, gentle, innocent way) and because of high danger/action/emotional tension in the rest of the plot, I would recommend With Every Letter for ages 18+, though mature, younger readers would enjoy it as well. I say 18+ merely because it's my personal opinion that younger girls don't need to be focusing on romance just yet. ;)

But trust me. You'll love it. I know you will.This is how historical romance ought to be written!

{Danceables}

Because sometimes it's fun just to listen to and dance to a whole playlist of random music that has no connection, save that it makes you smile. :)

{And by the way, I don't know anything about some of these artists--I just like this particular song of theirs. :}

Corinne Bailey Rae "Put Your Records On" 

--just heard this on Pandora--what a cute little song! Makes me happy. :)

JJ Heller's "Boat Song"...always a favorite. :)

"Waka Waka" by Shakira
{Sarah showed me this very danceable song after she did some Zumba with some friends. :D}

   

 Josh Turner "Why Don't We Just Dance" <3 

For Daniel & Abigail: "Lovin' You is Fun" by Easton Corbin

   

 Jack Johnson's "Banana Pancakes" :) 

Hee-hee! I couldn't resist. ;)

 What are you some of your fun-to-listen-to songs?

Fashions for Fall

Getting excited for fall fashions? I am! I think the possibilities of Autumn and Winter fashion-wise are so cozy and cute! <3 Here are some of my favorite pins getting ready for the cooler weather!

I want a red slouch beret/tam. I need a red tam. <3

These shoes from Shabby Apple! So adorable, even if they're more like Spring.

And though my figure in a thousand years would never be this slender, I love that outfit ^

Ooh look! More Kate! This coat = temptation for me to get rich quick so I can buy one. :P

And another coat I adore. <3 I need a princess-style coat...I just do.

Can't begin to tell you how much I love the details of this dress....

I love well-tailored clothes! <3 But I'd make the buttons black here.

Boots! I love boots with a passion...even though my stupid calves won't fit in many of the straight ones. :P Good grief...the woes of being a substantial sort of person. (yay for Shrinkage!)

Very pretty Maxi-dress for the cooler months.

I love daring patterns.

Doth I see Cary Mulligan in here? I doth.

This belt is very close to a Christmas present a friend got for me last year. :) Can't wait!

Sweater-vests are really cool too!

What are your fall-fashion favorites?! I can't wait for cool weather!!! <3

The Pursuit of Refinement

People used to think I was a girly-girl. Goodness. I thought I was a girly-girl. But I wasn't. (And I'm not.) We labored under the delusion that because I wasn't a tom-boy, I must be a girly-girl. But "everything pink" was not me and is not me. Sure, I like pink things and I like to look pretty and I love things that sparkle and glitter, but I'm not the typical girly-girl.

I don't like zebra stripes or tu-tus.

I don't wear high-heels when it's ridiculous to wear high-heels.

I don't get manicures and pedicures every weekend.

I didn't ever want a room that was entirely pink and frilly. (or at least, not in my memory)

There's nothing wrong with any of those things, but I'm just proving a point. I'm not a girly-girl. Got it? So what am I? Dear, dear. We've got a rather narrow mind, haven't we? Thinking girls can only be sloshed into one of two categories. I've discovered what to call the sophisticated, feminine strain in my personality. I call it:

The Pursuit of Refinement. 

"The Pursuit of Refinement" isn't prudish or wax-dollian or boring when exercised in its proper capacity. It simply means that my tastes are more refined, sophisticated, and cosmopolitan than they are flirty, giddy, and fluffy.

I admire multi-lingual people, and wish I knew French, German, or Italian.

I love polished wood and coffee shops.

I love travel, and talking about travel, and old suitcases.

I love big hats and tiny waists. (And I have neither. :P)

The idea of going to the theatre or an opera or a concert thrills me.

Red lipstick ought to come back into style.

Nights on the town (in the most innocent sense of that term) are my cup of tea.

I'd love to go to a horse-race someday.

I take fashion-inspiration from old actresses.

Bookstores hold my literary-heart in captivity.

"Effervescent" describes me to a "t": "vivacious, lively, sparkling"

City-life fascinates me.

Rich people fascinate me.

I read classics because I truly love them--not because I've been assigned a reading project.

I have a deep-seated desire to be "accomplished" in the manner of those good-old-days.

I love dressing up.

I prize cleverness and wit.

So I quote clever and witty people. ;)

Anyone who can play well on any instrument has my deep regard.

Intelligent conversation is a must.

I work at becoming a well-read person.

The Pursuit of Refinement inspires me to write, to draw, to sing, to dance, to visit historical houses and to be mindful of my posture. It lends magic to words like "masquerade," "ball," "tea," and "aristocrat." It gives me bourgeoisie satisfaction in truly clever things, and teaches me the difference between wit and wise-cracking. Of course my entire life is not about pursuing refinement, just as the girly-girl's life isn't all about painting her nails and the tomboy's life isn't all about paintball-ing. But it does lend a certain atmosphere to the ways I choose to cultivate my tastes, pleasures, and talents. :) So what sort of a girl are you? If you'd like, write your own blog post about it and leave a link in a comment. I'd love to read about your personality in this respect. <3

Capering And Cookery: The Ice-cream Sandwich

Is there anything more...American than an ice-cream sandwich fresh from the freezer? I mean, they were invented in America. Icecream has America written all over it. Sure we weren't the first with the idea, but when one thinks of ice cream (and particularly ice-cream cones or ice-cream sandwiches) it conjures up an image of a state fair or an amusement park or of Norman Rockwellian kids sitting on a pier burning sparklers and eating their summer dessert.

Or maybe it's just my head. :P

I have long been....well... smitten with the cooking blog Smitten Kitchen. I mean, when you find a woman who shares your obsession with making random things you usually buy (i.e. gold-fish, pop-tarts, etc.) you know you've found a kindred spirit. Not to mention she is hilarious. So when I got a super intense desire to make homemade ice-cream sandwiches and saw that smitten-kitchen had a recipe, I absolutely knew I had to try it. I mean, this gal has got the same taste as me. Everything she speaks of from graham crackers to pop-tarts sound like it popped out of my mouth. Some people are sworn PW's (The Pioneer Woman)...I'm a Smitty all the way. :D

But back to the ice-cream sandwiches.

I'm a dedicated ice-cream sandwich fan. I mean honestly--is there anything better than those delicious all-too-small bars of sticky chocolate cookie and squishy vanilla icecream? Nope. Didn't think so. We've done the whole cookie ice-cream-sandwich thing, but it's just not the same. Enter Deb's fabuloso Classic Icecream Sandwich recipe. I saw it and knew we had to make these for our Wednesday dessert night. But inspiration coincided with coastal baking day and by the time we were able to make them I was dead-tired. It would have become an ill-fated idea if not for Sarah who turned her hand to the making of these beauties. I contented myself with the oddly satisfying job of poking those classic holes in the tops of all the cookies with a thermometer. :) *happy smile*

via smittenkitchen.com

So here's the scoop. I've given you the basic directions and if they aren't clear enough for you, just follow the link to Deb's highly enlightening post to get the whole shebang--pictures and all.

Sarah--True Grit there. ;)

Classic, Homemade Ice-cream Sandwiches

                       (makes 12 sandwiches)

via smittenkitchen.com

• 2 2/3 c. all purpose flour

• 1 c. cocoa powder

• 1 1/4 cups butter, softened (2 1/2 sticks)

• 1 c. sugar

• 3/4 tsp. salt

• 2 large egg yolks

• 1 tbs. vanilla extract

• (plus 1/2 gallon icecream of your choice. :)

1. Preheat oven to 350°F degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Sift the flour and cocoa together (I am generally too lazy to sift things but cocoa is really lumpy so don’t skip this) and set aside. In the bowl of a standing mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the butter, sugar, and salt together until light and fluffy. Add the yolks and vanilla and mix until combined, then scrape down sides and mix briefly again. Add the flour mixture a little at a time then mix until combined.
2. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and divide into two equal pieces. If the dough is too soft to handle, wrap and chill it until firm enough to roll out (I recommend 30 minutes only; any longer and it becomes crumbly to roll out). Roll each batch into a 1/4-inch thick rectangle, about 10 by 8 inches. Cut into a total of 24 2-by-4-inch rectangles. Transfer to prepared sheets.
3. Bake the cookies for 16 to 18 minutes, or until they stay firm when tapped in the center.
4. DON'T OVERCOOK! Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining cookie dough, rerolling scraps as needed.
5. Meanwhile, line the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch pan with parchment paper, allowing it to overhang on two sides (it will act as a sling for the ice cream). Spread the softened ice cream into the pan, smooth the top and freeze until firm, about one hour or so.
6. Run a knife along the exposed sides of the pan to loosen the ice cream. Holding onto the parchment paper, lift ice cream out of the pan and onto the work surface. Using one of the cookies as a template, cut ice cream into 12 2-by-4-inch bars.  Flip each piece of ice cream onto a cookie, peel off the paper, and finish sandwiching the rectangle of ice cream with a second cookie. (you can use kitchen shears in this step :)
7. Wrap each ice cream sandwich in plastic wrap. Yes, this is super important. Your sandwiches will slip and slide and look horrid if you don't wrap immediately! :)
8. Freeze until just before serving and then unwrap for a splendid summer treat!

The cold-blooded murder of the English Tongue. :)

This is a song just because...just because I like it...and just because we all butcher English with a frightening frequency...just because you know you want to laugh. :)

Higgins: Look at her, a prisoner of the gutter, Condemned by every syllable she utters. By right she should be taken out and hung, For the cold-blooded murder of the English tongue.
Eliza: Aaoooww!
Higgins: Aaoooww! Heavens, what a noise!This is what the British population, Calls an elementary education. 
Pickering: Come, sir, I think you picked a poor example. 
Higgins: Did I? Hear them down in Soho square, Dropping "h's" everywhere. Speaking English anyway they like. You sir, did you go to school? 
Man: Wadaya tike me for, a fool? 
Higgins: No one taught him 'take' instead of 'tike'!
Hear a Yorkshireman, or worse, Hear a Cornishman converse, I'd rather hear a choir singing flat.Chickens cackling in a barn, Just like this one here. 
Eliza: Garn! 
Higgins: I ask you, sir, what sort of word is that? 
It's "Aaoooww" and "Garn" that keep her in her place. Not her wretched clothes and dirty face.
Why can't the English teach their children how to speak? This verbal class distinction, by now, Should be antique. If you spoke as she does, sir, Instead of the way you do, Why, you might be selling flowers, too!
Pickering: I beg your pardon!
Higgins: An Englishman's way of speaking absolutely classifies him. The moment he talks he makes some other Englishman despise him.One common language I'm afraid we'll never get,Oh, why can't the English learn to 
set a good example to people whose English is painful to your ears? The Scots and the Irish leave you close to tears. There even are places where English completely disappears. 
In America, they haven't used it for years! 
Why can't the English teach their children how to speak? Norwegians learn Norwegian, the Greeks are taught their Greek. In France every Frenchman knows his language from "A" to "Zed" 
The French never care what they do, actually, as long as they pronounce it properly. 
Arabians learn Arabian with the speed of summer lightning,The Hebrews learn it backwards, which is absolutely frightening. But use proper English and you're regarded as a freak. 
Why can't the English,Why can't the English,Learn To Speak?

The Young Victoria: A Movie Review

Hey Girls! You all voted on the side-bar poll for more book and movie reviews, so I thought I'd obleege you by posting a review of one of my favorite new(er) movies. That movie, my dahlings, is The Young Victoria.

First off, you have not lived Period Drama Costumes until you have watched this movie. That's all. You have not grown to love Queen Victoria after whom the Victorian Era is named until you've seen this movie. That's all. You have no idea that Prince Albert was so entirely amazing until you've seen this movie. That's all. *"be still, my heart, I'm hardly breathing.."* ;)

Emily Blunt as the young Queen, and Rupert Friend  as Prince Albert

The movie (obviously) covers the younger life of Queen Victoria--the most beloved queen (arguably) in England's history. There are politics galore, lots of intermarrying, and quite a few treasonous people. The first time I watched Y.V (Young Victoria, people. I'm just a wee bit weary of typing that title over and over :) I was horribly confused and befuddled and breathless.

Then why do I love this movie? Because I realized quite afterward that I watched it while coming out of anesthesia from my wisdom-teeth surgery. Not the sharpest crayon in the box, but oh well. I guess it affected my better judgement. This called for a re-watch. And it was not that confusing after all. You can certainly understand the most of it if you're not drugged and in terrible pain. :D

Albert and Victoria have a fascinating life together. I have always admired the young queen's valiance, determination, and loyalty to her people and her country. I didn't know that much about Albert except that he's rather a nice chap on a whole. This movie convinced me that Albert and Victoria are my favorite couple in all of (true) history. Period. Their love is so sweet--actually, Victoria is rather young and selfish once she gains her throne but Albert loves her through it and eventually she learns to take his advice rather than rely on her own favorite: Lord Melbourne. There is actually a fantabulous scene where Lord M. admits he has used Victoria for his own political pursuits and that she ought to realize what a wise, kind husband she has. It's my favorite scene from that movie, almost! :)

So now for a closer look. The costumes, as I mentioned before, are drool-worthy. Take a look at some of these beauties:

This has got to be my favorite--the color is breathtaking.

A closer view of the gold-rose ballgown....

It is simply delicious.

Emily Blunt looking lovely in green silk... :)

She looks so sweet and girlish in this simple dress. :)

There are so many beautiful dresses (and a few strange ones. :D) The hairstyles are also a tad weird, but that is explainable, as they are period correct. :)

There are dozens off characters so I will not try to show them all to you. I just want to hone in on four. First off, Victoria's mother, The Duchess of Kent, played by Miranda Richardson.

She is a cold, frightened, rather pliable woman who is under the thumb of her adviser, Sir John Conroy. She and Victoria's relationship is rocky at best, but somehow you feel sorry for her through it all. Especially in this little scene where you realize how much the Duchess really did love her daughter:

Sir John Conroy: [watching the crowd outside the palace] How changeable they are. They hate you, they love you, they hate you.
Duchess of Kent: They punished her. They never hated her.

Next is Sir John Conroy himself:

At first I was laughing because Sir John is such a different part than that Mark Strong played in Emma as Mr. Knightley, but it soon because evident that he was perfect for the part of a cruel, influential, manipulative adviser. I even have him staked out for Mr. Murdstone if they ever make another version of David Copperfield. Bwahaha. ;)

Lord Melbourne, played by Paul Bettany, is Victoria's Prime Minister.

He is a charming, officious, not bad-hearted version of Sir John Conroy. As in, he manipulates Victoria and tries to sway her political views, as seen in this quote:

Queen Victoria: I do want to help them, whatever you say. And not just the laboring poor, but the hungry and the homeless, and... There are people who are lost, and whose business is it to see to their welfare?
Lord Melbourne: Well, in my experience, ma'am, it's best to let these things develop naturally. If you interfere, you risk overturning the cart.
Queen Victoria: Well, Prince Albert doesn't agree. He's made a study of the working man's condition, he's full to the brim with ideas for their improvement.
Lord Melbourne: Is he indeed? How inspiring.

He's such a schemer, but Albert sets him straight in the end. Oh Albert! Now I get to talk about him, okay? :) Rupert Friend was The Albert.

I don't see how anyone else could have played him. Funny, because I first saw this actor as Mr. Wickham in the 2005 Pride and Prejudice and was disgusted with him. But as Albert, Rupert Friend is unrivaled. He even got the slight Belgian accent down to a "T". Albert is everything Victoria needed in a husband: faithful, gentle, wise, insistent. He even ***SPOILER ALERT*** intentionally takes a bullet that was meant for his Queen. *sniff sniff sniff* ***END OF SPOILER***
He handls Lord Melbourne brilliantly:

Lord Melbourne: Your Highness, there's your opening if you'll take my advice...
Prince Albert: Lord Melbourne, forgive me but you seem to have confused me with a member of your club. I am not your drinking companion nor your whist partner. I am the husband of your sovereign. And as such, I will make my own decisions, and I neither seek nor invite your advice. Good evening.

Yes. That is my Albert. :) Love him for me!

There are so many amazing parts in this movie that I could share all the quotes in the movie with you and still not have said enough. :) But I don't want to entirely spoil it for you, so I'll leave you with a few quotes at the end of this review. :)
So now we come down to the pins and needles of this film. What are the cons? What things are wrong with it? Of course Victoria was not a very submissive wife (partly what her position demanded) and of course she was not very kind to her mother, and of course she leaned on her Prime Minister rather than her husband for wisdom and advice. But all these issues are worked out in the movie in a fabulous, unmatchable way, so I don't count them as cons. Therefore, the only thing I can say in opposition to the film is that the dresses are a bit low, and there are several long(er) kissing scenes, one of which occurs in bed. (Though since the characters are married and fully dressed I didn't have *such* a problem with. We usually fast-forward though)
The Young Victoria is a film that every Victorian-era lover should see, and one that is destined to go down as a rich, elegant, heart-warming classic. Go watch it and be enthralled. :)

Quotables:

Sir John Conroy: [outraged] I cannot believe I'm being subjected to this interrogation!
Prince Albert: [sitting behind a desk, piled with papers] You're not being subjected to anything, Sir John. You have been in charge of the Duchess's finances for many years. Indeed, you have made public statements testifying to their health.
Sir John Conroy: I have!
Duchess of Kent: And I am so grateful.
Prince Albert: All I am asking is that you will be so good as to tell us exactly where the money has gone.

Prince Albert: I just got your note. I was riding.
Queen Victoria: Sit, please.
Prince Albert: The park is marvelous.
Queen Victoria: I'm so pleased you like it. I do want you to feel quite at home... I'm sure you're aware why I wished you to come here. Because it would make me happier than anything, too happy really, if you would agree to what I wish.
Prince Albert: And stay with you?
Queen Victoria: And stay with me.
Prince Albert: And marry you?
Queen Victoria: And marry me! 

Prince Albert: "For Pity's sake, smile woman. Anyone would think we'd have quarreled!" ;)

*I saved the best quote of all for last. :)*

Princess Victoria: Do you ever feel like a chess piece yourself? In a game being played against your will.
Prince Albert: Do you?
Princess Victoria: Constantly. I see them leaning in and moving me around the board.
Prince Albert: The Duchess and Sir John?
Princess Victoria: Not just them. Uncle Leopold. The king. I'm sure half the politicians are ready to seize hold of my skirts and drag me from square to square.
Prince Albert: Then you had better master the rules of the game until you play it better than they can.
Princess Victoria: You don't recommend I find a husband to play it for me?
Prince Albert: I should find one to play it with you, not for you.