Members

Lately I've been watching a DVD box set of The Untouchables TV series from the late '50s and early '60s. There is a lot of great character work in the show by Hollywood veterans and I noticed, in particular, the contributions in six different episodes of character actor Nehemiah Persoff. Incredibly he will turn 102 this August and I thought it would be nice to pay a brief tribute to him while he was still with us. Persoff's first film work was in The Naked City in 1948. He would later play a gangster's accountant in The Harder They Fall, Bogart's last film, and, most memorably, would be Little Napoleon in Billy Wilder's Some Like It Hot. Can anyone forget him in that film with his Mussolini-like bald head and manner, booming voice ("You mean you missed them TWICE!?!") and hearing aids which he conveniently turned down when anyone was getting shot in the same room with him. Years later he would play Streisand's father in Yentl. Persoff's TV credits, though, seem almost endless, ranging over a half century from 1949 to 2003. Among the countless series in which he made appearances were The Twilight Zone, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Playhouse 90 (in one episode he actually did play Mussolini). Route 66, Wagon Train, Naked City, Rawhide, Burke's Law, Ben Casey, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Big Valley, Time Machine, Man from U.N.C.L.E., I Spy, Wild Wild West, It Takes A Thief, Mission Impossible, Flying Nun, Bill Cosby Show, Adam 12, Mannix, Marcus Welby, Gunsmoke, Barney Miller and, well, the list goes on and on. Persoff could play it big, larger than life and, yes, at times, a little hammy. But he could, in the true tradition of great character actors, also play it small (that is fully demonstrated by some of the contrasting characters he played in The Untouchables). He's a true acting veteran who has been with us for years, even if he never had a big star name. Everyone who has seen movies or television from the 50s though to the '80 will surely recognize his face. As Little Napoleon in Some Like It Hot. He even got George Raft and his hoods to rise to their feet. ("You too, Spats. UP!!!). Harder They Fall The Untouchables Gilligan's Island Mission Impossible Barney Miller Yentl Star Trek The Next Generation Persoff has turned to painting watercolours since retirement in 2003 with 206 acting credits So let's hear it for a great acting veteran while he's still with us . . .

1.) Alfred Hitchcock is virtually ubiquitous. Every person knows something about the movies he made and the ways his style is presented. Scenes such as the shower, the airplane and the playground have entered the public consciousness outside the sphere of movies and established expectations of what one will see in his works. It may be supposed that the reason an adult has never watched any of his movies is that they are not attracted to such things. It is therefore best to begin with movies which express his visual eloquence in other ways. 2.) An adult who is interested in movies but has never watched one of his is an aberration. It is the very nature of an aberration that they spring from unnatural causes and have non-standard constructions and can not be attacked or influenced in normal ways. A unique approach must be used. 3.) Starting with the most successful of his movies and those which bear his imprint most strongly leaves only lesser offerings if/when the introduction sparks an interest in his work. His odd little works may be considered opening acts for his iconic movies. 4.) One may consider it in the same manner of seasonings. A diet of thriller-thriller-thriller will quickly pale in the same manner as a meal of salty-salty-salty. Sweet and sour, spicy and umami and savory and smoky evoke richer experiences and invoke more interest. Comedy-romance-thriller will do the same. 5.) A person who has purposely avoided his movies will have constructed a wall to guard against his thriller/murder/noir influences. A comedy will slip under such defenses. That is five reasons but I have had only twenty minutes. 😉

twins separated at birth...The Comedy of Errors updated for Big Business

Loved the original Magnum PI theme music by Mike Post and Pete Carpenter. Peter Gunn, Mannix, Route 66, Adventutes In Paradise, Perry Mason, 77 Sunset Strip and I love The Simpsons opening theme music and exit music. Always especially loved the Mr. Lucky theme song

No, but they can be. People like to make their own changes to cocktail recipes. Some substitute heavy duty motor oil for heavy cream.

I was looking forward to The Trouble With Harry, when they kept showing the previews during the five "lost" Hitchcocks resurrected for theaters in '83 (along with Vertigo, Rear Window, Rope and Man Who Knew Too Much). And I wanted to like a Hitchcock comedy more than I did, but the story and actors were SO arch, and John Forsythe and Shirley MacLaine's dialogue was SO unnaturally and unspontaneously "clever", I couldn't follow anything that even closely resembled human behavior. Lines that were supposed to be "funny", just got....confused stares from me 🤨 , even though I was already into the Weekend at Bernie's vibe of misplaced cadavers.

Don't let her kid you -- her only reason is she loves being devious, underhanded, and subversive. If she can blindside someone along the way, she's all for it. Being straightforward is anathema. Traditional is boring, and she'll never submit to being mundane.

I was actually able to watch last week's Noir Alley which was exciting. I had seen The Blue Gardenia before, but it'd been a long time. It was like watching it for the first time. I really liked this movie. For some reason, I always love movies that feature switchboard operator scenes. The operator pushing the various cables into the board, seemingly randomly (but I'm sure it wasn't) fascinates me. I loved Anne Baxter and Ann Sothern in this film. I thought Raymond Burr was great as well--though I don't particularly see him as a lady killer. Though at the same time, he was only trying pickup Ann Sothern (originally) so he could get her back to his place. I assumed that he was going to ply her with Polynesian Pearldivers like he did to Baxter. Burr's character seemed like the type that wanted action with anyone, it didn't matter who. I laughed at how fast he had that coffee made. It was literally done as soon as they arrived at his place. I loved the struggle scene as one could assume what was happening, but it wasn't entirely sure what was going on. I thought Baxter's scenes of struggling with remembering the events of the evening and the stress of small events (e.g. the woman's mirror breaking) that triggered memories of the struggle with Burr were well done. The only scenes that I thought were a little hokey, were when Baxter was pretending to be "her friend" to Conte. I thought for sure Conte knew she was talking about herself, so when he acted surprised, I was surprised. I couldn't believe that he really thought that Baxter was advocating on behalf of her friend. I know others mentioned having not been surprised by the reveal that Burr's death was caused by his jilted, pregnant lover; but I'd completely forgotten about her until she reemerged at the ending--so the ending worked for me. I suppose it would have been a let down if Baxter really had been the killer and killed in self-defense. That would hardly be the most exciting conclusion.

The more of these posts I read, the choice to avoid SNL seems like one of the best decisions I've ever made.

Love's Labour's Lost (2000), directed by Kenneth Branagh ("shot like a 1930s musical") Timon of Athens (2009), directed by Michael Shaw Fisher (updated to modern-day San Francisco) Coriolanus (2011), directed by (and starring) Ralph Fiennes

Preaching to the choir brother. I was a moderator on a social media app dedicated to horror movies and books or it was supposed to be. I'd post about subjects like the Universal monsters and the RKO Val Lewton horror noire movies. Dead silence. Meanwhile the 16 year old majority is posting daily Jason vs. anybody with a chip on their shoulder that would consistently Garner hundreds of responses ( mostly along the lines of "Ferrdy so awzom"). I knew it was time to step away when some little bas... tyke insisted that Tod Browning's Freaks wasn't "real" horror because it didn't have any blood and gore.

There are a lot of great character actors, movie stars, and to be movie stars on "The Untouchables", but Nehemiah Persoff was at the top. He made a historical character of Al Capone's accountant, Jake "greasy thumb" Guzik. Persoff's characterization of the gangster Waxey Gordon was particularly brutal and vitriolic in his targeting of hatred against Eliot Ness. Among the greats, Nehemiah was one of the best.

Destry Rides Again, 1939 Next: A modern day classic film where drinking is an issue

Ya know folks, I'm really starting to hate it when these dang youngins come on here and make me feel old!

Sabotage (1936) The Wrong Man (1956) The Lodger (1927) The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934) Probably looking forward to The Wrong Man and The Lodger the most. Silent films can be more difficult for me to sit through but I like anything to do with Jack the Ripper.

(Phil Hartman made an excellent everything.)

For me real life ruins the impression. When the actor mimicking the President has a very publicly feud with that person, it takes me out of the skit. It is no longer an actor doing an impression, it's someone who doesn't like the person their impersonating and trying to get their kicks in. I believe this is the first time with presidents on SNL that this has been an issue for me. I think the more over the top impressions of the past were the best- i.e. Dana Carvey doing Bush 41.

I dunno 'bout that. The 2nd shift at the GM plant I worked at(that my Dad got me hired into) ended at 11:30 pm. Which meant that most of the guys working that shift(as did I when I first hired) probably didn't get home until midnight or so. And most of those guys headed for the bars anyway and stayed until closing, so it'd mean in the metro Detroit area, the ABC affiliate would have to re-schedule THE FUGITIVE for a 3-4:00 am broadcast. And since back in those days those local affiliates usually "signed off" by 1 or 2:00 am, it's highly unlikely they would have done that. Sepiatone

I'm recording four that I haven't seen before. Can't wait.

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS became THE BOYS FROM SYRACUSE (1940) with Allan Jones playing twins, Rosemary Lane, and Maryha Raye, based on the Broadway musical by Rodgers and Hart. This show is the origin or "This Can't Be Love" and "Falling in love with love"

Nielson, Leslie

As You Like It 1936 Much Ado About Nothing 1993 The Merchant of Venice 2004

The Asphalt Jungle

We're on the Jury 1937 She Got Everything 1937 Meet the Missus 1937 next: Deanna Durbin and Franchot Tone

The Tempest (2010) The Tempest (1982) Fobridden Planet (1956) is based on The Tempest Troilus & Cressida (1981) tv movie

That was during the time Lorne Michaels was on "vacation" and the show was on the verge of cancelation.

Secrets of a Secretary (1931) Three-Cornered Moon (1933) Four Frightened People (1934) Next: Victor Moore and Helen Broderick

This is apparently the Pearl Diver Mix: 1 oz unsalted butter, softened 1 oz honey 1 tsp cinnamon simple syrup 1/2 tsp vanilla simple syrup 1/2 tsp allspice dram --- I had to look up what velvet falerum was, I'd never heard of it. This drink would definitely be a one and done for most people, with it's 2.5 shots + barspoon of liqueur of alcohol. I have a feeling that this would be one of those drinks that could quickly get someone into trouble as it probably doesn't taste like all the alcohol that's in the drink. How many of these did Anne Baxter's character drink? Like 6? I'm surprised she was coherent and mobile enough to even get out of the restaurant. I would have been a puking mess.

The Shopworn Angel (1938) Next: Angels and Insects (1995)

I watched two episodes of Marcus Welby last night. I had never seen this show before. I expected him to be in full-star mode, collecting a paycheck and sleepwalking through the part. But I have to say, the two episodes I sampled were quite interesting and he was exceptionally good in them. In one, he has to talk a man down that is on top of a building about to jump off and commit suicide. And in another one, he has to give his protege Kiley (James Brolin) a stern lecture about missteps in a patient's treatment. Robert Young was a very skilled and underrated performer.

The only Julia Louis Dreyfus skit I really remember is her as Marie Osmond, Gary Kroeger as Donnie, singing and then suddenly furiously start making out. It really made me laugh out loud. It was pretty funny. That's all.

Where's the love for Setsuko Hara? TCM introduced me to Hara, and Yasujiro Ozu, a number of years ago and now I'll watch anything thing with Hara, or directed by Ozu. Really excited for Setsuko Hara day.

Peter Lorre

1942 - For Me and My Gal 1948 - The Pirate 1950 - Summer Stock Next: Claudette Colbert & Mary Boland

From June 23-25, 1921, the Poli ran The Stealers¸ with William H. Tooker as Reverend Robert Martin, Norma Shearer as Julie Martin, Ruth Dwyer as Mary, Jack Crosby as Raymond Pritchard, and Walter Miller as Stephen Gregory. The film had its premiere at New York’s Hotel Astor on September 17, 1920. It was eight reels, and is presumed lost. However, I found a plethora of stills. Plot: Robert Martin preaches at fairs and carnivals, but this is a front for his followers who rob and swindle the people. His accomplices include Mary and her lover Stephen Gregory, who pick pockets and con customers. Martin’s daughter Julie, just out of boarding school, joins the group, ignorant of what they are doing. Martin decides he will give up his crooked dealings after one last deal, in order to protect his daughter. Mary is caught trying to pick the pocket of wealthy young Raymond Prichard. Pritchard confronts her, and is so impressed with her that he decides to let her go. The gang schemes to rob the safe in a tavern in town. While Martin remains home, his underlings go to the tavern. Julie overhears the plan, and pleads with her father to have greater faith in God and himself. Martin then tells Julie how he lost his faith in God as a young minister, when his wife abandoned him and Julie. A tremendous storm hits the town. While Martin is at the window, a stroke of lightning blinds him, and the house is set afire. Julie is injured in the blaze. Martin is comforted by Mary, and then prays for Julie. The crooks at the tavern are caught, and Gregory is sent to prison. Mary, lost without him, wanders into the arms of Pritchard. Pritchard marries her, despite his friends telling him it is a mistake. The result is that Mary is reformed. When Gregory escapes jail, he attempts to win back Mary. While Mary welcomes him, she refuses to abandon Pritchard. Gregory reforms. Julie regains her health and falls in love. Martin regains his sight, is reunited with the wife who deserted him, and completes his reformation as well. Wid’s Daily remarked that the “action very often parallels “Miracle Man,” and that the film had a “very good beginning but many turns of picture’s body don’t convince.” Motion Picture News praised the direction of William Christy Cabanne, writing “the scene where the house is struck by lightning is perfect. The subsequent fire is just as faultless. His big sets, both exterior and interior, are a credit to him or any other director. His rain and wind storm is fully up to the standard of the numberless others we have seen this season. His atmospheric, scenic shots and details in staging the county fair sequences are extraordinary.” Picture-Play Magazine had a different opinion, writing that the film was “very obviously an imitation of “The Miracle Man,”” adding “as long as Mr. Cabanne has rested contented with tracing the plot of “The Miracle Man,” so long also is he successful in holding the attention. But when he has made futile attempts to be original, to parallel the plot of the greater picture with situation and incident of a slightly different mold yet of one by which to perform the same functions of development – then he fails miserably.” (Note from me: although I understand this last sentence, it is one of the most poorly written things I’ve ever read.) This film featured one of Norma Shearer’s earliest film appearances. Ruth Dwyer, who portrayed Mary, married Hollywood talent scout William Mackie. The two later formed the Ruth Dwyer Agency at the Fairmount Hotel in San Francisco. The agency helped cast local people in movies and television shows. On March 1, 1978, the Muscaline (Iowa) Journal published a retrospective article on silent screen performers, which included Dwyer, John Bowers, Betty Compson, Edna Purviance, and others. Eerily, Dwyer died the next day.

The limited schedule release so far has confirmed the blanks in speedracer5’s lineup, matching the order of the unassigned actors as they were originally listed: 4 - Louis Armstrong 10 - George Segal 11 - Kathryn Grayson 12 - Ramon Novarro 13 - Jane Fonda 24 - Maurice Chevalier 25 - Jane Wyman 26 - Tony Randall Thanks again to speedracer5 for posting the list.

Rogers Next: Cage, Pauls, Sarkozy

Dangerous Number 1937 Maisie 1939 Lady Be Good 1941 next: Judy Garland and Gene Kelly

The Enchanted Cottage Next: A film where Robert Young didn't get the girl

In this thread, no alternate meanings are intended. It's strictly pitchfork justice.

Hardy, Oliver

Tom's inference in this regard goes back a few years and when he started this thread. Moe. It's in reference to the old saying, "squealing like a stuck pig" and after, say, it would be pitchforked. (...and not in reference to what happened to the recently departed Ned Beatty in that movie)

Veteran character actor Robert Hogan dies at 87 Actor Robert Hogan died on May 27 due to complications from pneumonia, his family announced. The versatile actor known for “The Wire” was 87. Over the course of Hogan’s illustrious six-decade-long career, he had 150 credits to his name on some television’s most famous shows including “Murder, She Wrote,” “Law & Order” and “Gunsmoke.” https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/veteran-character-actor-robert-hogan-dies-at-87/ar-AAKDjaq?li=BBnbfcL

Yes that too, and you're such a cutie it probably worked for you. but he was such a sympathetic character I think that's what got him all that adoration from the girls.

Redrum! Redrum!

So lavender, why do you think, and as I mentioned earlier in this thing, for a while I affected that quick little one-sided grin of his back then? Uh-huh! I was hoping girls would get crushes on me TOO!!! (...hey, it worked for HIM, right?!) LOL

Richard Long

SWORD IN THE STONE JOHNNY TREMAIN THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY POCAHONTAS 101 DALMATIANS THE LITTLE COLONEL BONNIE SCOTLAND INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS THE DINNER GAME LOVE ON THE RUN INTERRUPTED JOURNEY GO WEST STREET SCENE FOOTLIGHT SERENADE FINGERS AT THE WINDOW

Joanne Linville, of ‘Star Trek’ and ‘Twilight Zone’ fame, dead at 93 Joanne Linville, a prolific actress best known for playing a Romulan commander in an episode of “Star Trek,” died Sunday. She was 93. Her passing was confirmed by Variety. Linville, a California native, appeared in dozens of popular television shows in her decades-long career, including “The Twilight Zone,” “Columbo,” “Kojak,” “Dynasty,” “Charlie’s Angels,” “L.A. Law,” “Gunsmoke,” “The Streets of San Francisco,” “Hawaii Five-0,” “Route 66,” “Barnaby Jones” and “Alfred Hitchcock Presents.” She also worked in films including the 1976 version of “A Star Is Born,” starring Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson, and the 1973 spy movie “Scorpio” with Burt Lancaster. But she is often remembered for playing a powerful Romulan commander in the Sept. 27, 1968, “Star Trek” episode “The Enterprise Incident,” in which her character faces off with Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and romances with usually unfeeling Vulcan officer Spock (Leonard Nimoy). Television and film producer Mark A. Altman (“Pandora,” “The Librarians”), who worked on the 2016 documentary “50 Years of ‘Star Trek,'” saluted her portrayal on social media, calling it “perhaps the best thing about #StarTrek’s third season.” Saddened to hear about the passing of the great #JoanneLinville. Perhaps the best thing about #StarTrek's third season. Commander of not one, but three Roman flagships and custodian of the cloaking device and, for a time, Mr. Spock's heart. pic.twitter.com/Xg0zo1bEEG — Mark A. Altman (@markaaltman) June 21, 2021 She is also remembered for playing a Southern Civil War widow in a 1961 episode of Rod Serling’s classic sci-fi series “The Twilight Zone.” One of her more recent parts was portraying legendary gossip columnist Hedda Hopper in the 2001 TV movie “James Dean,” starring James Franco in the lead role and directed by her ex-husband, Mark Rydell. According to The Hollywood Reporter, she and acclaimed teacher Stella Adler started an acting conservatory under Adler’s name in the 1980s. Linville is survived by her ex-husband, Oscar-nominated director Mark Rydell (“On Golden Pond”), and their children, Christopher and Amy, as well as several grandchildren and a great-grandchild. https://nypost.com/2021/06/21/joanne-linville-of-star-trek-and-twilight-zone-fame-dead-at-93/

Back around '79 or '80 one of the local independent stations here started airing Twilight Zone. The promos they aired started with a black screen and Twilight Time by the Platters playing over it. Slowly the Twilight Zone logo scrolled up and as Tony Williams softly faded on the final "Together at last at twilight time" , it seamlessly bled into the familiar Zone theme. Very effective and quite creepy. It also made me pay more attention to the Twilight Time lyrics. That was some OG goth stuff there!