How does an obsession begin?

This started as a Q&A on Classic Hollywood Nerd, and I couldn't resist joining in with my answers.

Who was the actor/actress that you were first interested in?
When I was maybe ten, I remember my best friend and I were filling out lists of our favorites, and for actor I put Clark Gable. (She had no idea who he was.) I'm not sure why I picked him at the time, although I always liked Gone With the Wind and I vaguely remember that It Happened One Night was one of the first movies my family recorded off TV with our new VCR.

How old were you when you really began watching old movies?
I don't remember a time when I didn't watch old movies. My love of them began in childhood, thanks to my classics-loving father, and never really stopped.

What was the first old movie that caught your interest?
As a kid I had all the dialogue (though a few lines were off) to The Wizard of Oz memorized. My parents had to ask me not to say every line along with the movie.

Who is currently your favorite actor?
I always like Bogart and Spencer. I like to look at Paul Newman, Dana Andrews, William Holden and Brando. I am strangely fascinated by George C. Scott and George Sanders. I think Ray Milland and Fred MacMurray are underrated. The more I see of Kirk Douglas and James Mason, the more impressed I am with them. And most recently I've been enjoying Edward G. Robinson.

Who is currently your favorite actress?
For a while now I've been identifying with Ginger Rogers.

What is your favorite old movie and why?
Only one? I really enjoy The Maltese Falcon for the unfolding mystery and Humphrey Bogart's great reactions to the assorted crazy characters. The Third Man is also high on my list. While it's artistic and moody it also has some great little moments of humor.

How many old movies do you own? How many old movies do you have recorded/on the dvr?
How should I know? What am I, an accountant? ;-)

Not as many as I'd like to own. I haven't counted, probably around 50, but I have a lot more recorded from television. And maybe 10-15 taking up space on the dvr. Putting my collection at what I would guess to be more than 100, but less than 200.

If you could go back in time and visit any actor/actress, who would it be?
I imagine that conversations with Orson Welles and/or Katharine Hepburn (if I could keep up with them) would be interesting. I think visits with Jimmy Stewart and/or Jack Lemmon would be pleasant.

Who is one actor/actress that you want to know more about?
It seems the more I learn about actors, the less I like them. Since learning about the real lives of actors is often disappointing to me, I usually prefer to know and appreciate them on-screen only. However, I did just watch an American Masters about Gene Kelly that was pretty interesting and not entirely depressing.

What film could you watch over and over again?
Among my go-to favorites for re-watching are The Big Sleep, Laura, and The Philadelphia Story.

What is your favorite Hitchcock film?
Probably North by Northwest.

Who is your favorite director?
Billy Wilder is genius.

Share your answers here or on your own blog. :-)

Month O' Musicals: The Wizard of Oz

Vital Stats:
Year: 1939
Director: Victor Fleming
Stars: Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Frank Morgan, Jack Haley, Bert Lahr, Billie Burke, Margaret Hamilton
Based on the novel by: L. Frank Baum

Summary:
Dorothy Gale and her little dog Toto are swept away in a cyclone and transported to the magical land of Oz. In her quest to return back home, Dorothy follows the yellow brick road in search of the wonderful wizard of Oz, making new friends (and a dangerous enemy) along the way.

Memorable Moments:
The beautiful song "Over the Rainbow" made it to the top of AFI's 100 Years 100 Songs list. Many other aspects of the movie (the ruby slippers, the yellow brick road, "Lions and tigers and bears, oh my", "I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore") have been referenced elsewhere, showing the fairytale's wide appeal and cultural impact.

What I love about it:
It's hard to be objective about a childhood favorite, and it's very possible that nostalgia plays a part in why this one is close to my heart. Anyway I'm not alone; the movie seems pretty universally beloved. But one unusual thing I like about the story is the four main characters' connection to the four main temperament types outlined by David Keirsey. In the book People Patterns, these characters are referenced (along with other book and movie examples) to show how different temperaments behave. Dorothy is the stable Guardian, cautious and yearning for home; the Scarecrow is the quick-thinking, brainy Rational who figures out how things work; the Tin Man is the dreamy Idealist with the kindest heart of all; the Lion is the excitable Artisan who values courageous action above all else. I think it's a lot of fun trying to guess where people (and movie characters) fit into the different personality/temperament types, and these four make a good starting place (and reference point) for the basics. What's your personality type?