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I saw most of Saratoga Trunk today and found it even more delightful than I remembered. Ingrid Bergman and Gary Cooper have great chemistry, and this is much more fun than For Whom the Bell Tolls. Florence Bates has a great role as the grande dame of the grandest Saratoga hotel. No one today would cast the role of Bergman's maid, Angelique (yes, Dark Shadows fans, Angelique) with a British actress in blackface, but Flora Robson's performance is fine, and within the parameters of the role, respectful. John Warburton is the rich man Bergman targets for matrimony, and I wish Ethel Griffies had another scene or two as the domineering mother who's on to the phony countess. Ah, Ingrid Bergman in dark hair. Ingrid Bergman getting tipsy on peaches in champagne. Bergman scheming and flirting. Do you prefer: 1) Ingrid Bergman looking sexy in Saratoga Trunk; 2) Ingrid Bergman looking constipated in Viaggio in Italia. For all the acclaim heaped on Viaggio in Italia, it's basically a domestic melodrama (a.k.a. a woman's picture) for the arty set. If I'm going to be bored in an unhappy marriage, then let me have enough money like Ingrid Bergman and George Sanders to rent that delightful villa and travel through the scenic beauties of Italy. Unfortunately, Rossellini never makes me care a hoot about the quarreling couple, and as for the ending of that film: is it more dishonest to suggest that 1) a saucy minx could end up with Gary Cooper or that 2) what an unhappily married couple needs is a baby? Which belief is more dangerous in real life? By the way, Sam Wood isn't given much love as a director, but Saratoga Trunk, like his earlier picture Kings Row, is well-directed. The camera is usually in the right place in the interior scenes without any flashy camera moves, and that's what this film needs.

Well, I just saw FLUFFY. Glad I did but boy was it a bummer, lol. Flat, labored, it didn't even rate one single solitary chuckle from me. The most outlandish aspect of the entire thing was a practically unrecognizable Shirley Jones decked out in a Marlo Thomas That Girl black flip-style wig, doing insane herky-jerky dance moves with Tony Randall (as Professor Daniel Potter) and reacting (like the rest of the cast) with over-the-top silent movie expressions whenever the titular lion approached. Whatever drew Shirley to this material is a mystery. Gotta give Tony credit, though -- I really believed his scientific fervor and enthusiastic love for poor, sweet, mangy-looking Fluffy (listed in the credits as "Played by Zamba"). So the Prof checks into an apartment hotel with Fluffy in tow, and orders 35 hamburgers from room service. All I kept thinking was that I hoped Randall brought with him some very large litter boxes.

I loved that Lou Grant's office set had this framed photo: You knew it was him, looks just like him. When he was Lou Grant, I thought he was an old guy. Now that I'm old, I realize he was similar age as Mary Tyler Moore - just bald - making him appear older. Plus, he acted older. I also really liked the clever opening credits of the Lou Grant Show: the process of writing, typesetting, printing of a newspaper....last seen lining the bottom of a birdcage.

Beat THIS one! Beulah Bondi...and all in one movie and even as the very same character! And in of course, this one particular perennial Christmas flick here...

Yep! I remember being JUST as ticked-off at the cancellation of the Lou Grant series (which was as one of the highest quality programs one could watch on network television at that time) as I had been about ten years earlier and after CBS cancelled The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, and pretty much for the same damn stupid reason. (...yep TB, I agree...TOTALLY!!!)

https://deadline.com/2021/08/ad-asner-dead-lou-grant-mary-tyler-moore-1234823859/ RIP Mr. Asner. I loved you as Lou Grant in "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," as Carl in "Up," and as Santa in "Elf." Asner's passing leaves Betty White as the only surviving cast member of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." She's also the only surviving cast member of "The Golden Girls."

I wanted to start a new topic discussion. I read the fans comments on my last thread and really appreciate your kind words. I hope to one day be a guest programmer. My dad was a great story teller and told us many. He also kept journals of his work. I guess to say his favorite film was the one he made in 1960 where he met my mom. The film was "Circle of Deception." The Way We Were was popular. He played JJ. My dads banter with Robert Redford was not scripted it was all improvised. A story about my mom, she said Fred Astaire had a crush on her- they made "Funny Face." "Compulsion" was based on a real crime story. Dolores Hart after making the film St. Francis of Assisi, became a Mother Superior. Any films of my parents a favorite of yours?

Wow. I just heard about Asner's death 9:00 pm last night on the car radio when leaving my sister in law's house. And THREE PAGES already! I thought this meant there was a lot of LOVE for Asner here. But not totally as it seems some here are picking him apart like vultures due to his politics. Who gives a f**K? I liked and admired Asner for his ACTING and certain roles and appearances. Sure, I liked his LOU GRANT character on MTM, and equally his continuing the character in his spin-off show. The abusive father AXEL JORDACHE in the "Rich man, Poor Man" mini series.... The captain of the slave ship in the earlier ROOTS mini series episodes His dying businessman trying to reunite with his wife and estranged family on what might be his last Christmas in the TV movie THE GATHERING('77) And the plethora of other small movie roles and TV appearances he made before MTM, LOU GRANT and since. I recall spotting him in an old THE UNTOUCHABLES rerun and RAWHIDE and WAGON TRAIN too. Rest In Peace, Ed. you've worked hard enough. Sepiatone

Max Von Sydow as Jesus in The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965) The Devil in Needful Things (1993)

I thought your Mom was not only beautiful and classy in it but also gave a most convincing performance in Ten North Frederick as part of a May-December affair with Gary Cooper. She had great chemistry with the actor. I assume this may have been one of her favourite roles since she received good reviews for her work here working with a movie legend.

They're almost all gone now but The Mary Tyler Moore Show was a model of what great writing and marvelously cast actors could produce in a situation comedy with more than a touch of class that could also be unexpectedly touching at times. Lou Grant, with his gruff exterior and innate honesty, was always a particularly special character in the show to me. Lou and Rhoda, smart azz, self zinging insecure (but beautiful) Rhoda, those were probably the two I loved the most. Here they are, the key cast members together, with the love and warm sense of family they brought to the show. Fictional characters or not, their vivid, warm, funny, very human interpretations of their roles and interactions with one another, week after week, for seven years, has left its viewers with happy, affectionate memories. So that when another one of them leaves us, even though it may have been years since we last saw the show, we still feel the pain of having lost a dear friend. That we care so deeply about them says much about the appeal of this once in a lifetime cast. So long, Ed Asner, and enjoy the cast reunion.

I met him once and he was SO NICE!!!! (And it was in a situation where he did not have to be!) sad to hear this.

I'm a fan of The Eddy Duchin Story. As a musician I really love the scene where the children play along with the Duchin band. Since this is a Columbia film I doubt TCM has it in their "vault": the original Ted Turner Library of films which are mostly associated with the studios Warner Bros., MGM and RKO. I.e. it is more likely TCM leased the film as part of a limit lease package of Columbia films. I believe the last showing was part of Kim Novak theme programming. Either way hopefully TCM shows the film soon. The cast is first rate and one of the few films with Victoria Shaw.

Funny, but I don't remember Asner's character Bart Jason, a wealthy land baron, bein' any sort'a "socialist" there, cowboy! (...land barons usually don't lean that way, ya know)

whew, had to come up for air from the DARK SHADOWS binge-a-thon I've been on for a while. All nine seasons of PERRY MASON are on imdb tv, with waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay fewer commercials than there are on PLUTO (which also shows PERRY MASON re-runs, only you can't choose which ones.) man, TV Producers and writers in the 50s/60s really thought a hell of a lot more of the intelligence of the average viewer than now, these are some LABYRINTHINE, INTRICATE stories that would have, on occasion, I imagine even RAYMOND CHANDLER scratching his head. For "straight" episodes- I recommend THE CASE OF THE NEBULOUS NEPHEW, which has a great twist at the end not related to the ID of the murderer, and THE CASE OF THE DEADLY VERDICT, which guest stars a surprisingly haggard JULIE ADAMS as a woman whose case Perry loses and who goes on death row. but the one I think I enjoyed the most was THE CASE OF CONSTANT DOYLE, which was one of FOUR GUEST STAR EPISODES in SEASON SIX (1963) done for the series when RAYMOND BURR was in the hospital for a month. MISS BETTE DAVIS steps in wearing a mink and a hard-front wig and proceeds to TEAR IT UP as a widowed lady lawyer named CONSTANT DOYLE who is working on a murder case wherein it seems her late husband was involved in a swindle. in all honesty, this episode could have been expanded into a feature film, and it has some wonderful things to say about being a WOMAN LAWYER. Sadly, it did not end up turning into a series of its own, although I would wager there was talk of it at the time.

Rope (1948) The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) The Breakfast Club (1985) Philadelphia (1993)

I’m not saying this to derail the thread trust me, but I’m sure he was thrilled he at least lived to see a Democrat back in the White House. (Ed was a hardcore Lib!) (and bless him for it)

And just about any show from the 40's, 50's and 60's. Betty White is the Olivia De Havilland of Television. 😄

I love how clearly defined the archetypes are in classic movies. Sweet Ma & Tom Joad who kill their enemies with kindness in THE GRAPES OF WRATH (1940). Versus Ma & Cody Jarrett who kill their enemies with bullets in WHITE HEAT (1949). Barbara Stanwyck is a victimizer in DOUBLE INDEMNITY (1944). Then she's a victim in SORRY WRONG NUMBER (1948). Can't forget debonair Claude Rains. Heavenly in HERE COMES MR. JORDAN (1941). And hellish as the PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1943).

The Frogmen (1951) - FXM On Demand w/ Richard Widmark, Dana Andrews, Gary Merrill, Jeffrey Hunter, Warren Stevens, Robert Wagner (but I must have blinked during his screen appearance), Harvey Lembeck and Robert Rockwell. Plus, down in uncredited land, Parley Baer, James Gregory, Robert Patten and Jack Warden. And directed by Lloyd Bacon. You've seen this movie before even if you haven't seen this particular movie before. An experienced military unit gets a new commanding officer after the death of their former leader. And, of course, he is nothing like his much-loved predecessor. And, of course, the team resents him for that. Until, of course, circumstances eventually demonstrate that he is worthy to be one of them. Obviously originality wasn't a prerequisite for a movie to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Story back in 1951. However, having this unit be one of the U.S. Navy's Underwater Demolitions Team in action during World War 2 with that action presented in a semidocumentary style does boost this one up a couple of pegs. And, besides, one rarely goes wrong with Richard Widmark.

He's also very good in the comedy THERE GOES MY HEART (1938).

My thanks to two movie experts. I do appreciate your input. Next:: Gene Tierney

BORN YESTERDAY — shot in chronological order because Judy Holliday was used to live theater GROUNDHOG DAY — kind of in order, they would shoot the day 1 scene then the day 2 scene then day 3 etc so Bill Murray could get the sense of deja vu

Of course you have Henry Fonda as the all-American nice guy who wants to do the right thing (MISTER ROBERTS, TWELVE ANGRY MEN, THE OX-BOW INCIDENT come to mind) to his cold-blooded, murdering snake-in-the-grass Frank in ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST who has no mercy for his victims (not even a child!). Also with his ruthless bandit in FIRECREEK, Fonda was also playing against type.

James Cagney: in Ragtime (1981) with McGovern, and in The Mayor of Hell (1933) with Evans. Next: Lynn Fontanne and Arlene Francis

E.T. (1982) Riff-Raff (1991) Rosetta (1999) Victoria (2015)

the COLLINWOOD (PARALLEL TIME) KITCHEN:

Bette was an amazingly versatile actor.

two thousand one hundred seventy-ninth category Shot mostly in sequence AMERICAN GRAFFITI (1973) THE SHINING (1980)

Just read some more about Lou Grant's cancellation, it seems that Asner sent out letters urging funding for the El Salvador opposition by writing. "My name is Ed Asner, I play Lou Grant on television" which probably also encouraged some wrath from CBS. The producers of the show, while not conservative in political opinions, were also begging Asner to tone down his comments because they wanted the show to go on. After the show was axed, Asner forever blamed himself for putting the whole cast and crew out of work and he never forgave himself for that. The show had slipped to #43rd in the ratings (WKRP was lower, at #56), typically a bit of a danger zone for shows back then. And the Emmys, one of the main reasons CBS had kept it on the air, had dried up except for Nancy Marchand, as they were now fully in their Hill Street Blues phase. For the record, there were two rookie CBS series that year that had worse ratings than both Lou and WKRP that were renewed: Simon and Simon (#70) and Cagney and Lacey (#64) It's just a pity it could not have gone on a while longer.

Thunder in the East (1952) An Alan Ladd vehicle from Paramount which continued a studio tradition by casting him as an adventurer or opportunist in exotic Far East settings. Previous film titles of this nature were China, Calcutta and Saigon. This one is set in Ghandahar, a small province in independent India in 1947, as native tribesmen in the hills lead by an ambitious warlord are staking it out for attack. Of course those natives are indigenous to the land, as opposed to the Europeans, primarily British, that seem to largely occupy the province in this film. But I guess we're not supposed to think about that. Ladd plays a gun runner who lands a plane full of weapons in the province so the local Maharaja can purchase them for defence. His fast buck plans backfire, though, as the Maharaja's Prime Minister right hand, who really runs the province, is an avowed Gandhi-like pacifist who refuses to purchase the weapons but confiscates them so Ladd can't sell them to the tribesmen instead (which he would do). Distinguishing this film as a cut above other Ladd features are two co-starring performances. Charles Boyer, serene and dignified in brown face, as the pacifist Indian with a suspiciously French sounding accent, and Deborah Kerr, as a blind English woman with a positive attitude whose upbeat spirit breaks through Ladd's glib, hard shell kindling in him a feeling of concern for her. Kerr is quite affecting in her role, vulnerable, yet never seeming a plucky noble spirit despite her physical affliction stereotype. Ladd's gradual (if predictable) conversion from fast buck opportunist to someone starting to identify with people with finer aspirations is convincingly portrayed by the actor in a role that fits him like a glove. Corrine Calvet, on the other hand, is largely wasted in a fourth billed role as a woman eager to escape from the province before the native attack begins. The film reaches a peak in interest at its fairly rousing finale which, while perhaps a bit rushed, is still affecting. The final minutes of this production are memorable even if the overall film itself may not be. A better than decent exotic melodrama, it may be short on action, but its three stars and the overall professionalism of the presentation, including Charles Vidor's direction, still manages to maintain the interest. Thunder in the East, not one of Ladd's better remembered films, was recently released on DVD by Via Vision as part of The Alan Ladd Collection, Volume One. Other titles in the five disc collection are Two Years Before the Mast (1946), Calcutta (1947), Red Mountain (1951) and 13 West Street (1962). By the way this was the second film in Boyer's career with the same title. He had made a British film called The Battle in 1934, renamed Thunder in the East when released in the United States. 2.5 out of 4

GRAYSON HALL just strikes me as the sort of person who, the minute she heard the word "CUT!" reached for three unfiltered, extra-slim cigarettes and lit them simultaneously. to paraphrase JEFF FOXWORTHY (which I rarely do)- I bet she did not even remove the cigarette from her lips when telling the State Trooper to "kiss her @ss." one thing that sorta surprised me in watching behind-the-scenes clips of DARK SHADOWS was DAVID SELBY with a cigarette in his hand, but, then again, he was from WEST VIRGINIA, so I guess that's better than chewing tobacco.

The Best of Everything - Johnny Mathis - The Best of Everything another title song from any movie you like

As testamony to his diversity, Asner made a great heavy as well. I especially liked him as Guy Banister in Oliver Stone's JFK.

Martha Raye is interred at Fort Bragg, NC. The only non-military internment who wasn't the spouse of a military server.

He was Lou Grant.

-- Guns of Navarone, to Keys of the Kingdom. - Gregory Peck. -- White Heat, to Yankee Doodle Dandy. - Jimmy Cagney. -- Gods Little Acre, to Pretty Much the Entirety of the Rest of His Career. - Buddy Hackett. -- Dragon Tattoo Trilogy, to Mary Magdalene. - Rooney Mara. -- Joker.. Inherent Vice.. You Were Never Really Here (Pick 'em).. to Mary Magdalene. - Joaquim Phoenix. (sp)

Charlie Chan in Panama (1940)

The Postman Always Rings Twice Next: Spencer Tracy

A Fool There Was (1915) Theda Bara

If it does (which I doubt), it's not available to subscribers.

The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956) Next: knife-throwing (or any similarly sharp object)

I don’t see what’s “woke” or even objectionable about Malone pointing this out. It’s a true fact, isn’t it? And it was already quite rare in 1945 to see a white actor in blackface (even if it’s not specifically minstrel show blackface) in a dramatic role, so noting this in some introductory comments seems appropriate. Black actresses were considered for the role, but a deliberate choice was made to cast a white actress and put dark makeup on her. This is notable and worth mentioning, and no, everybody doesn’t know this already. Many people watch TCM who haven’t seen all the movies before and don’t know much about film history.

I occasionally thought that Spencer Tracy, around the time he made Father of the Bride, would have been a great Lou Grant. So I understand the Asner-Tracy comparison. Both could be cantankerous, a times, but exuded a fatherly wisdom in their screen personas. You felt that beneath the crumpled exterior they cared and would be protective of some others, in particular, a Mary Richards-like daughter figure. They were comforting figures, not only for Mary, but members of the audience. Many people, I'm sure, would like to have a Lou Grant-type person in his or her life.

One of the most talented actors, ever. I could watch him in anything. And . . . he hated spunk!

Apparently, the only thing that could stop "Lou Grant" was Asner's political activism. He was president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1981 to 1985. The drama was canceled in 1982 after its fifth season. CBS contended that the show's ratings had declined. But some observers cited Asner's vocal opposition to the Reagan administration's controversial stance on El Salvador as a major reason for the series' demise.

Ed Asner, wonderful solid actor. Always a quality performance. A few weeks ago, I watched an episode of Blue Bloods that he guest starred in. He gave a touching performance. No one could have been a better Lou Grant. He was great in comedy or drama. So funny as Lou on the MTM show and great as Lou Grant in the tv drama he starred in. Besides his great acting ability, he was known as a kind, generous, humanitarian. Thanks Ed Asner for the many hours of great entertainment, you were one of a kind. RIP Ed Asner

Ed Asner was wonderful as Lou Grant, assertive and, at times, grumpy on the outside but a bit of a marshmallow inside. Sure, on the surface, it sounds like a stereotype but Asner, along with the show's great writing, brought a depth to the role that never made his character seem like a cliche. These many scenes, with Mary seeking advice from Mr. Grant in his office, were, as far as I'm concerned, the very heart of The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Thanks, Ed Asner, for your marvelous contribution to one of the great situation comedies. It's time to start giving Mary advice again. RIP.

The Black Raven (1943) Several not-quite-respectable people take refuge during a thunderstorm in an old dark tavern operated by a not-at-all-respectable innkeeper. This is a quite wonderful movie! All the characters are introduced with great economy and the action simply goes on and on. It is surprising that this is only an hour long as it has better characterizations, greater action and more murders than some movies twice as long. George Zucco is perfect as the crook who got out when the getting was good and settled down to a quiet life away from the city. He is intelligent, restrained and quite gentlemanly in retirement. I believe that this movie could make any viewer become a fan of his. Not one but two comic reliefs are provided by: Glenn Strange as the dim-witted houseman and by: Charles Middleton as the equally dim-witted sheriff. Wanda McKay is the only female in the cast but her character carries the duality of a young soon-to-be-bride and disrespectful and rebellious daughter. The great variety of sets, intelligent dialogue and multi-faceted mystery set it far above a 'B' movie. 8.2/10 It is available for viewing free with commercials on: TubiTV and several other streaming services.