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Re: Big time actors you don't really care for?
Posted: Aug 18, 2012 3:54 AM
in response to: Lazyking
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This wasn't designed to be a bash thread, it was made to more clearly define people's likes and dislikes.
To be totally truthful, I'm a new classic movie fan and all I see and hear about is people's faves.
And that's the way it came across, Lazyking. It's a good thread. 
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Re: Big time actors you don't really care for?
Posted: Aug 18, 2012 3:53 AM
in response to: helenbaby
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But if you go by that logic there might be actors who I like that may never get airtime, like Richard Dix, who was roundly reviled when he was featured during SUTS. Because he has this rep for being a bit florid &OTT, I rather enjoy him.
But that's my point, helenbaby--if TCM scheduled less of the "iconic mega-stars" (which, as this thread's short survey has revealed, aren't quite as beloved as many people assume them to be), there would be more opportunity to feature lesser-known actors. Case in point--I'd never even heard of Richard Dix until now (I'll have to look him up later), but a quick search tells me that he was featured in SUTS once, in 2006. John Wayne, on the other hand, has appeared in SUTS six times (and four of those years were in a row!)
So people didn't react too favorably to Richard Dix at the time--from what I've read here, people aren't all that crazy about John Wayne either, yet he's force-fed to the public like he's mandatory studies or something. The important thing is--greater variety results in greater exposure to classic film stars. How else can one discover new favorites? And where's the experience to be gained in seeing the same old retreads all the time?
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Re: Big time actors you don't really care for?
Posted: Aug 18, 2012 1:15 AM
in response to: Sepiatone
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Current actors do get unfairly slammed. For as much as i'll critize the dime a dozen models that make it big on teen movies or comic book movies (the latter I do enjoy) its not like the studio era didn't have those types of actors. Furthermore, yes, alot of today's actors do have talent but I don't see as many today with defined personality compared to yesteryear. Maybe its because everyone was pigeonholed by genre, they perfected their style but idk, I just don't feel the same nowadays when I see someone on screen...
Depp and Leo are two of my favorite actors today. I also enjoy Denzl Washington and several others but I actually like alot of tv actors more. Amazing what an actor can do with 13 to 20 hours of TV.
And Finally, yes this is a classic movie forum and yes, it does seem to curve at times towards the negative but I just asked a question.. I love movies and I love talking about my favorite actors but being a classic movie forum, there has got to be some actors that people didn't care for or everyone would be their faves.
This wasn't designed to be a bash thread, it was made to more clearly define people's likes and dislikes.
To be totally truthful, I'm a new classic movie fan and all I see and hear about is people's faves..
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Re: Big time actors you don't really care for?
Posted: Aug 17, 2012 7:20 AM
in response to: Mr_Blandings
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But if you go by that logic there might be actors who I like that may never get airtime, like Richard Dix, who was roundly reviled when he was featured during SUTS. Because he has this rep for being a bit florid &OTT, I rather enjoy him.
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Re: Big time actors you don't really care for?
Posted: Aug 17, 2012 5:34 AM
in response to: Sepiatone
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Lay off Cruise? Surely you jest, and I'm not calling you Shirley.
The man's as nutty as a fruitcake and his recent movies stink. He's TOM CRUISE now, nothing more. Even DiCaprio has increased his range, while Cruise is immortalized for jumping on a couch, and nothing more.
Mr. Blandings, pay no attention. a. you're right, and b. IMAGINE THIS? you have the right to your own opinion.
I like a few current actors, male and female, but obviously you like Cary Grant, so you know whereof you speak.
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Re: Big time actors you don't really care for?
Posted: Aug 17, 2012 5:07 AM
in response to: Sepiatone
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But let's try to be a little more honest with ourselves. It was pointed out by me and others in this thread that many of you listed almost ALL of the "big name" actors and actresses from the "golden" days as ones you can't stand, and again I have to wonder just WHAT DO some of you WATCH on this network that interests you?
With all due respect, Sepiatone, I don't think that's a very fair question to ask. I mean--personally speaking--of the dozen or so actors that I mentioned not being able to get behind, I could easily list twenty times as many actors that I do enjoy. So really, with odds like that TCM obviously remains a good bet in entertainment value for you, me, and a lot of people.
Collectively, yes, naturally you're going to get a lot of coverage in regards to which actors are deemed "unliked." But while everyone on the TCM forum is a "classic film fan," the sheer diversity of genres, films, and actors that fall under that general label means individual tastes will come into play and vary greatly as well. That's why TCM has varied programming--to appeal, or not appeal, to everybody equally. For some, having an Elvis Presley day at TCM means they break out the video recorders. For others, like me, it means a break from watching TV (or, more likely, a chance to catch up on films recorded previously!) The reverse goes for actors I happen to like, so one can't complain about variety.
In any case, I believe Lazyking's thread posed an honest question, and it seems to me as though everyone here gave honest, serious answers. Either an actor or film resonates with you ... or rubs you the wrong way--you can't get a much more honest reaction than that. And sharing opinions about those two complementary subjects is certainly nothing to feel guilty about. Not only do you get to know others' tastes, but as an informal survey it will at least let TCM programmers know a thing or two about their regular supporters (if TPTB are reading, that is). And if the same certain actors show up on a lot of people's dislike lists, that has to say something, right? Perhaps some stars are over-exposed on the TCM schedules, while others need a greater chance to shine.
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Re: Big time actors you don't really care for?
Posted: Aug 16, 2012 2:25 PM
in response to: Sepiatone
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As for Depp, whom I often call Johnny DEFT, one merely has to look at his body of work to realize a versatility that most of today's, AND yesterday's "stars" seem to lack. Even the best from yesteryear couldn't pull off both Captain Jack Sparrow AND Donny Brascoe. Not everything he did was golden, but NOBODY has pulled THAT off, either.
I agree...Depp is incredibly underrated. I consider him a great actor...he's incredibly varied and versatile. He's had no less than 3 Best Actor nominations in the space of five years, and a HUGE list of other nimonations and wins related to other awards.
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Re: Big time actors you don't really care for?
Posted: Aug 16, 2012 2:21 PM
in response to: Sepiatone
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I agree with you Sepia. I think some of our friends here have a double mission: slam contemporary actors; and overpraise Barbara Stanwyck! 
I may not want to see too many movies with the contemps on TCM; and I like BS and her films well enough. But some people overdo it.
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Re: Big time actors you don't really care for?
Posted: Aug 16, 2012 12:56 PM
in response to: Lazyking
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Too many here slam a lot of "newer" actors unfairly, yet others correctly. Some of the actors today have displayed some fine talent, but made lousy choices. Others, while displaying fine talent, have been terribly miscast.
One of these is Leonardo DiCaprio. In the movie What's Eating Gilbert Grape , he did such a good job at portraying the mentally challenged young kid that my wife and I thought he was a REAL mental retard. But talent notwithstanding, he suffers from chronic "youth". Meaning that no matter his real age, he still comes off as a little kid playing "big-time" movie actor.
As for Depp, whom I often call Johnny DEFT, one merely has to look at his body of work to realize a versatility that most of today's, AND yesterday's "stars" seem to lack. Even the best from yesteryear couldn't pull off both Captain Jack Sparrow AND Donny Brascoe. Not everything he did was golden, but NOBODY has pulled THAT off, either.
And lay off Cruise. Sure, he's done a lot of schlock and formula. But Born On The 4th Of July showed he CAN put out a fine performance.
Matthew McConna-hey-hey(never COULD spell that name!) showed a fierce talent in Contact and A Time To Kill , but sadly since then let it go to waste.
Which brings me to Clooney. I too, used to dismiss him as merely a "TV hunk". But after seeing some of his efforts as both actor and director, I've changed my tune. As a film maker, he cares more for the STORY than the bottom line, and as an actor, can handle both comedy and drama equally well. You can't honestly think O Brother, Where Art Thou? wasn't funny!
Brad Pitt, however, is Brad Pitt no matter WHAT he's supposed to be doing. He's competent, for sure. But alas, as versitile as a broadsword.
A lot of people in these forums, and I'm also guilty as charged, seem to have fallen into the fun trap of trying to display a level of wit with nastiness. Which film critic Terry Lawson told me in an e-mail reply is more fun than giving good reviews. He cited that his readers responded more actively to them, and often gave him ideas of other nasty adjectives he could save for future use. Nothing too wrong with it. Makes for fun reading. But let's try to be a little more honest with ourselves. It was pointed out by me and others in this thread that many of you listed almost ALL of the "big name" actors and actresses from the "golden" days as ones you can't stand, and again I have to wonder just WHAT DO some of you WATCH on this network that interests you?
Sepiatone
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Re: Big time actors you don't really care for?
Posted: Aug 16, 2012 12:30 PM
in response to: Swithin
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Thanks for the heads-up, swithin. I've not yet seen "The Sisters," so I posted a reminder request.
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Re: Big time actors you don't really care for?
Posted: Aug 16, 2012 12:25 PM
in response to: TomJH
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The Sisters (1938), one of my favorite Bette Davis films, will be shown on TCM on November 14. Errol Flynn is the male lead, in one of his sans-moustache roles.
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Re: Big time actors you don't really care for?
Posted: Aug 16, 2012 12:17 PM
in response to: Deb23
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Deb, as a fellow Canadian I know only too well the exasperation that can be felt in the Great White North when the American TCM schedule does not always extend to north of the 49th, as well.
Since you like Errol Flynn, though, you're in luck. Virtually all the films of his prime years as a star were at Warner Brothers and the WB films make it into Canada when they're shown in the States. You've got a lot of great viewing ahead.
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Re: Big time actors you don't really care for?
Posted: Aug 16, 2012 11:28 AM
in response to: thomasterryjr
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I don't think it was the executives fault. Too easy to blame them. It was sadly the convention of the times for people of color to work as maids and for writers to depict them thus. Lillian Hellman's works had lots of maids; however she endowed them with the same (if not more) humanity than many of her other characters. How do you feel about Irish policemen?
(I apologize for this response, not for the content, but because these conversations come up alot and go on forever!)
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Re: Big time actors you don't really care for?
Posted: Aug 16, 2012 11:20 AM
in response to: AndyM108
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Let me see if I can climb out of this ditch I put myself in by my remarks on Hattie McDaniel, Theresa Harris and the others.
My remarks would have been clearer if I had added the word "studio executives" after the word "Hollywood". I am well aware of the filmographies of all of the actors and actresses I listed and what they have done, thus, my remarks. I look forward to seeing them in all films they are featured. I just wish the Hollywood studio executives would have permitted Louise Beavers, Hattie McDaniel and Theresa Harris to do more than the stereotype of being maids. I enjoyed seeing Ms. McDaniel sing in "It Happened One Night" and "Thank Your Lucky Stars". Louise Beavers was marvelous in the 1959 version of "Imitation of Life". I just wanted to see these talented actors and actresses to be placed in other roles which would exploit and expose their talents to the public more often than just being servants. I guess I am not fond of the Hollywood studio executives of this era. Sorry for the confusion.
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Thank you...
Posted: Aug 16, 2012 9:37 AM
in response to: audreyforever
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If you want to know what I look like in the flesh, here it is... Thanks for posting this...
I've often been told I resemble Franklin Pangborn...
So there you go... Almost exactly me... If I was wearing a tux...B-)
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