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Make Me a Star (1932) / Merton of the Movies (1924/1947) Hearts of the West (1975) Nickelodeon (1976)

Saw some of ANATOMY OF A MURDER on TCM last night, which reminded me that I met Ben Gazzara. Late 1990's or maybe 2000 at a daytime benefit event at The Boathouse in Central Park. The organization hosting was a charity that supported the widows and children of NYPD and FDNY personnel that perished in the line of duty. A very worthy cause, and I wish I could remember all of the celebrities that were there. I do remember Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Annabella Sciorra, Roger Cedeno of the NY Mets, and Mr. Gazzara. This was about a 3 or 4 hour event, and most of the celebs did a bit at the podium, took some pics and left. Mr. Gazzara stayed the entire time. In fact he planted himself at a table, had people assisting him who brought photos to autograph, and Mr. Gazzara spent time talking with everyone who wanted to chat with him. I remember overhearing, some of the chat was about his more recent films, particularly ROADHOUSE. I said to myself, if I get the chance to talk with Mr. Gazzara I will bring up a less obvious film (I was thinking CONVICTS 4). So during a lull, I said Hi, asked him if he needed anything.., Mr. Gazzara said he was fine. I said "Mr. Gazzara, I loved CONVICTS 4". Mr. Gazzara lit up a bit, and seemed surprised that I remembered this movie. We had a brief discussion that I don't remember verbatim... but the essence of the convo was that CONVICTS 4 was an important step in his career, and the bits by Vincent Price and Sammy Davis Jr, helped draw attention to the film.

Oh, I didn't really forget. I'm sorry nobody knew that 13 was A Single Man...because Colin Firth's performance deserved a win that year, but instead Jeff Bridges (who I always like) won for that big risk down-on-my luck country singer that's been done about a hundred times before...oh well. You know, this was probably the first year I didn't even attempt to watch the ceremony! I believe Arsan 404 got the most correct, so in honor of this ho-hum Oscar year, the prize is a trip...no expenses paid..to Boring, Oregon! This guy (the 'wild man of Boring') will be your guide Thanks everyone for playing! legal disclaimer: the picture is for comedic effect...I do not hold any negative opinions of the citizens of Boring...or Dull, Scotland...or guys in faded floral shirts

Presenting Lily Mars

Dick Powell gets the best send-off...Hooray for Hollywood in Hollywood Hotel W.C. Fields heads west to grow oranges in It's a Gift Martin and Lewis add a monkey to the act in My Friend Irma Goes West The Ricardo's and Mertz's begin their trip to Hollywood in I Love Lucy

Okay then, here's my, ahem, short list: Billy Barty

Wait! How can they even read a script if they're alliterate??? (...oh...wait...never mind)

Friday, May 7 The TCM Film Festival continues. 10 a.m. The Whistle at Eaton Falls (1951). Columbia’s newly restored film with Lloyd Bridges, Lillian (Dororthy) Gish, Anne Francis, Ernest Borgnine and Murray Hamilton. The reviews for this on the imdb are stunning.

No, I'm not mistaken. I'm referring to the TV production with as good a cast as the movie: Claudette Colbert, Lauren Bacall, Noël Coward, and Mildred Natwick. Trimmed for TV, it's fifteen minutes shorter than even the movie (wonder how long the stage play was). It doesn't lose anything, it's snappier, more direct. They all have their timing down, and deliver their lines without fault--not an easy thing in this play. There's a lot to say and it must all be light and airy as a--well, you know. But though Miss Bacall is really nifty, floaty, vain, scheming, and, um, blithe, the scene stealer is Mildred Natwick as the psychic. Her dialog, filled with the most ridiculous absurdities, she delivers in such an offhand, matteroffact way that redoubles the comic effect. Here it is, it's a kick:

Almost by definition, a series called The Essentials will tend to show movies that many members on these boards are likely to have already seen, perhaps multiple times. And yes, one could perhaps argue that the show creates the illusion of a "special event" by simply re-framing films the channel often shows anyway. But that doesn't mean the show doesn't still serve a valid purpose within the broader ecosystem of everything the channel broadcasts (which, it's worth noting, has gradually expanded over time to include increasingly arcane repertoire--underground films, foreign films, etc). The Essentials is presumably aimed mainly at less experienced moviegoers who are looking to acquaint themselves more thoroughly with films that might be considered "canonic," and who might also be interested in the accompanying commentary (depending on who's doing it). And at a predictable prime-time slot that they don't have to fish around for or remember. I don't personally watch it that often, but I don't resent the fact that it exists. To do so would be to expect the channel to magically conform to my personal interests 24 hours a day. I do agree that it might be possible to expand the definition of what is considered "essential" and thus allow some less predictable titles to emerge more frequently. But the Essentials hosts are already, in effect, long-haul guest programmers: their definition of "essential" is already going to be, one hopes, at least somewhat different than yours (as in the Ava DuVernay example mentioned above).

I've noticed that lately the trailers for older Academy ratio movies are made to look widescreen, thereby distorting the image and cutting out visual and credit information. Can this be corrected please??

I'm hoping to have dinner one night in the Gaslamp Quarter. I've tentatively got a lot of Classic Hollywood-related activities planned in our trip (LA & San Diego), I hope my husband is ready. Lol.

The Beverly Hillbillies tv show Without Reservations 1946 Valley of the Dolls 1967 Hollywood Boulevard 1976

Ericson , John

Hell's Half Acre Next: Anthony Quinn, Gina Lollobrigida, Boris Vian

Chandler, Jeff

The Real McCoys

Ball. Suzan

The Loved One Next: Evelyn Keyes, Nancy Gates, Marie Windsor

Stand By Me 1986 next: Robert Morse, Rod Steiger and Anjanette Comer

Allyson ,June

Your willingness to admit it is the first step. Sepiatone

THE TWO MRS. CARROLLS (1947)

Deleted

Michael Wilding

1936

No, actually here TB, I think the REAL problem with THAT sort'a thing would be to FIND one in the FIRST place!!! (...and 'cause as far as I could ever tell, the LAST "intelligent conservative" around is George Will, and I'm not sure if the guy is even INTO classic movies!) LOL

NOISES OFF 1992 next James Stewart visits the Lincoln Memorial

Not to mention that this series ended weeks ago...

Thanks for sharing this. I knew it had been done on US TV, but didn't know it had been saved on kinescope. Too bad it pre-dated the availability of videotape - otherwise we'd get to see it in color. This is the type of programming we rarely see anymore, even with a thousand TV channels, and endless streaming services. The role of the medium is always the scene stealer, in all forms of this property (film, TV, musical).

Mitchell, Marsha was played by Ginger Rogers in Storm Warning 1951

THE SISTERS

THE BOOK OF LIFE QUINCEANERA

POPI SELENA MCFARLAND USA

RKO 281

Please cut out the cancel culture lectures and just show the damn movie. I enjoy watching TCM, but I do not need to be lectured.

Well then, how about classic athletes/sports stars? PHIL RIZZUTO, "the Scooter", New York Yankees Hall of Fame shortstop and broadcaster came to the restaurant just once when I was working. I'm pretty sure it was 1995. He and his wife Cora were both in their late 70's, both petite but an extremely fit, nice-looking couple. It was an early evening in December (like 5:30PM) and they were lugging bags of gifts, etc. I guessed they had a big shopping day in the city (I was aware that they lived in NJ). They were seated at table 66 (one of the small booths in the bar area). It was not my section but I asked their waiter if I could take the table (I was a big Yankee fan). I asked the manager on duty if I could "promo" the table (comp them), Tom (mgr.) said sure (he was also a Yankee fan). I greeted them by saying something like, "Mr and Mrs Rizzuto, welcome to the Russian Tea Room. Mr. Rizzuto, welcome to the Baseball Hall of Fame (the Scooter had finally been inducted in 1994)". I told them that it was a pleasure for me/us to serve them, and they would not spend a dime. They were guests of the restaurant. Would they like some caviar, or maybe to peruse the wine list (we had recently upgraded the Italian section of the list). The Scooter, who looked tired, said "Thank you but can we just each have a glass of champagne?" I told the Scooter, we'll get you a bottle of Dom Perignon, Cristal or whatever they might enjoy. Mr. Rizzuto said, "that's nice but whatever you're pouring by the glass, is fine." At the time we poured Nicholas Feuillatte by the glass. I set their glasses on the table, poured them each a glass. I asked them if I could get them appetizers, anything else... Mr. Rizzuto said "No thank you, this is all we need, we'll be fine." So I left them alone pretty much. They stayed for 20-30 minutes, smiling and just staring at each other, not saying much. I remember thinking what a sweet couple they were, what a great life they must have together.

James Caan was in Rollerball and The Yards. Next: Laurence Olivier and Clémence Poésy

She must be!

Oh now Ralph. Don't get your feelings hurt here, dude. Nope, don't go all "snowflake" on us here, dude. Nope, leave THAT sort'a thing to the liberals, why don't ya. Nobody here implied conservatives were "ignorant", ya know. (...nope, BUT you're never EVER gonna be as intelligent as we CENTRISTS in the world are, THAT'S all!!!) LOL

Not using aerosol hairspray also. (I like to continue a theme.)

Jack Hawkins

Perhaps another streaming service has licensed Bullitt, for a period to begin after the TCM Film Festival?

I think Debbie should stick to singing.

Well, 95% of the American and British World War II films.

It's too obvious, too quintessentially relevant to this thread to have escaped oversight, but just in case..... LIFE goes to the real world - Patty Duke signing with Helen Keller: Patty Duke (Astin) coming full-circle with The Miracle Worker (1979):

People... if you like the original, be prepared for the possibility that the remake is better! I like what I saw in the preview. One of the biggest flaws that I find with the original... I absolutely hate the appearance of the Hispanic characters They all appear to be slathered with the same make-up and have the same complexion. As if all Puerto Ricans look the same. They don't. There are white Puerto Ricans, black Puerto Ricans. And every shade in between.

We're Not Dressing