Members

I used to think of Cat People and I Walked With A Zombie as superior explorations of the eerie and supernatural. Now I see them more as fitfully interesting films with great, perhaps even haunting, moments. Zombie, in particular, is quite slow (despite its brief running time) with a less than compelling story and characterizations. Yet those great moments make these films, as well as most of the other Lewton productions, well worth the investment of our time. That night walk to the voodoo ceremony in Zombie, with its stunning black and white photography, gliding camerawork, the natural sounds of nature, with wind and the rustling of stalks and bushes with the two women, as they proceed, gradually starting to hear the rhythmic sounds of drums accompanied by chanting takes the viewers into a dark underworld of the islands where we feel, at that moment, anything can happen. Quite frankly, what I may think about the rest of the film really doesn't matter, so memorable is the creeping unease that I feel while watching these two women in their night journey. It's worth sitting through the rest of the film to experience a sequence like this.

Everybody knows her as Mrs. "Luvy" Howell from Gilligan's Island Secret Beyond the Door 1947 Noir Repeat Performance 1947 Noir The Snake Pit 1948 Caught 1949 Noir Payment on Demand 1951 Female on the Beach 1955 Noir The Day of the Locust 1975

I live in a very conservative, very religious (supposedly) area and the local churches boost Halloween. Several have what they call Trunk or Treat where they supposedly stand by parked cars and give out candy. They also tend to give out religious pamphlets. So, I don't think Halloween itself is filling in for anything else. Just an opportunity for companies to sell decorations and candy and for kids to beg for candy. It is definitely overdone.

aka, a company that FOR YEARS has profited off the image of a MERMAID on their packaging WHILE AT THE SAME TIME EMPLOYING EXACTLY 0 ACTUAL INDIGENOUS PERSONS OF THE SEA OR TRANSPECIES INDIVIDUALS. (SHAKES HEAD AND SIGHS)

Last night I watched Martin Scorsese's film of Bob Dylan's ROLLING THUNDER REVIEW 2019. I had seen this show on tour but recall very little of it. When interviewed even Dylan says "how can I remember what happened 40-50 years ago?" While not a Dylan fan in the least, I went to see Joan Baez, Ramblin' Jack Elliott and most especially Joni Mitchell. I don't recall much of the concert itself, so I was hoping this movie would refresh my memory a bit. No such luck. Joni Mitchell didn't show up until the 1:50 mark. The one scene of her singing was worth sitting through (or fast forwarding) the rest. I always wondered about the formulation of this group show and Dylan did kind of explain his ideas for developing this tour. I applaud him for presenting something creative and different. A lot of screen time was spent showing concert footage, mostly of Dylan himself although a few duets with Baez were included. After the first few songs, I just ff through the concert footage, I'm just not a fan. The off stage stuff was interesting, the absolute highlight was the entire entourage singing along with one guitar to "Love Potion Number Nine" in the last 15 minutes of the movie. Stuff like that happens backstage, and it's often magical-especially so with that super talented group. It was fun seeing Roger McGuinn, I didn't recall him included on this tour. The best part of this movie was Scorsese kept interview footage intact of Dylan B-essing as Dylan typically does. He's passive/aggressive to fans, interviewers and even colleagues, so spoiled & ungracious. It's as if he's afraid everyone will discover he's a fraud. I did enjoy seeing one or two performances I thought showed some talent & cleverness, but still, Dylan remains an overrated buffoon in my book.

Dean Stockwell - The Boy with Green Hair (1948)

The Great Escape (1963) Escape from Alcatraz (1979) In the Name of the Father (1993) The Hurricane (1999)

1938

I recently saw "Repeat Performance" where Natalie's characterization, as a well-chiseled harridan, spurs the plot and affects the conclusion. When you see solid character acting like hers, you realize how much a film depends on the supporting actors.

I can't think of a single Val Lewton film that I find completely satisfactory (perhaps that study of childhood innocence, Curse of the Cat People comes the closest). Having said that there are creepy, unsettling moments that stay with you in so many of them. The leopard attack and the blood seeping under the door in Leopard Man, Jane Randolph's dip in the swimming pool with some cat like creature seeming to prowl around it in the dark in Cat People, the walk through the bamboo stalks at night, with the rustle of wind through them, in I Walked With A Zombie, the drip of water followed by a scream from the coffin in Isle of the Dead. That suggestion of evil, the unearthly, leaving so much to the audience's imagination, can be far more terrifying than a thousand vampires or werewolves jumping out at us from the screen.

Midnight Express Papillon

There's no question that Halloween is more popular these days especially with adults. I used to love to dress up like a vampire or whatever. Like I said earlier, I was fine with Noir Alley showing those classic horror movies. However, one thing that still puzzles me is the recent infatuation with zombies. It seems like shows about them are everywhere now. For me shows like THE WALKING DEAD etc. are not really horror shows. Someone once said horror movies are supposed to scare you, not make you sick. I totally agree. Give me films about Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolfman, The Invisible Man, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and I'm watching. I know these won't be on Noir Alley but I still like them.

I think Halloween gradually becoming a more popular holiday is mostly due to adults taking it up, perhaps to have a reason to party in the month of October before getting to Thanksgiving and then Christmas. And naturally all the companies that can make a buck are happy to publicize it. I've always wanted to go as Ivan the Terrible from the Eisenstein films. That great fur coat and hat and the staff. What a great costume they would make.

The real reason Streep hesitated to open that door in Madison County...

Treasure Island 1950 Knights of the Round Table 1953 Magical Mystery Tour 1967 The Eagle Has Landed 1976 The Onedin Line tv show 1971

PIRATES OF PENZANCE POLDARK

Barbara Stanwyck's hat in "Remember the Night" is one of my favorite classic film hats.

I know people who spend all year working nightly on their next Mardi Gras costume. There is a vintage clothing and costume shop next to the liquor store (that’s how I know) and for weeks before Halloween the people are lined up around the block. I don’t think it’s so much the “holiday” as the fascination with costuming, showing off in public.

Alice and Oliver never fooled me, ever! I was on to them from the first!

My wife and I had seen Cat People many times before last Saturday, but she ended up watching most of the film (I watched the entire film again). After it was over for the first time she made similar comments like yours. I don't know what in this subsequent viewing made her see these two characters from that angle. What might have triggered this was when I mentioned how Irena was the victim and the degree of sadness associated with her fait.

Sunrise, Sunset Next: Light-Hearted Song by Julie Andrews

My Cousin Rachel (1952) Straw Dogs (1971) Unfortunately there is no adaptation of Thomas Hardy's A Mere Interlude.

This might seem strange coming from someone who dearly loves her mystery/horror/sci-fi movies, but I am noticing -- please bear with and forgive if I am getting overly sociological, and be patient, since my post does relate to Noir Alley -- that with every year, Halloween is evolving into a more important -- dare I say, even an increasingly disproportionately significant -- part of our culture. Note that I am NOT approaching this from any religious perspective whatsoever, it is merely an observation over the past decade or so that this holiday seems to be....what? Filling in for....I won't say God or a Supreme Being, though it might be tempting to consider, since I am an interested amateur student of post-modernism, lol. On the lowest level, there is the intrusion of pumpkin-flavored everything (now don't get me wrong, I adore this gourd -- am tremendously fond of the pie and Jack-O-Lanterns) in our foodstuffs. A bit higher up on this spook-chain we now have public television channels running "specials" on zombies, ghosts and haunted historical places. I've seen these shows in the past but they have become more prolific in the last five years or so. What used to be a minor, fun holiday on October 31st is now a major one, infiltrating every aspect of our lives for the entire month. I find it all....disconcerting. The emphasis on a zombie apocalypse has been around for some time, which is quite depressing. Yes, the Lewtons can definitely be described as "supernatural noir" and technically do fit into Eddie's "roster" but (and guys, correct me if I'm wrong) I don't think we've seen horror-type movies scheduled before on this program simply because it was Halloween or adjacent. Why did TCM feel it necessary to include CAT PEOPLE and THE LEOPARD MAN into Muller's line-up? Because of this ever increasing obsession with Halloween, that's why.

"it's an outrage isn't it ethyl?"

Interesting, Tom. Given all those excellent examples you cite of Lewton 's ( and often Tourneur's) talent and special way of making eerie films rather than blatantly violent horror films ( we seem to agree on that, that the "unshown" is more effective for chills than the obvious), I'm wondering in what way you find them unsatisfactory. Could be the plot flaws one can think of in many of them, especially noticeable after several viewings? Or maybe the emphasis on atmosphere rather than character development? Of the Lewton films I've seen, I do find I Walked with a Zombie the least satisfying in terms of character and the back story of the zombie woman ( the wife of the man who hires Frances Dee). But the eeriness of his films, which you fully acknowledge, and the beautiful cinematography in them, for me more than compensates for any defects in plot or character. Also, as I mentioned in my post about Cat People, I take any supernatural elements in a film like that, or Curse of the Cat People, to be real. I enjoy the films more that way, and have no problem accepting the actual existence of such elements. If one wants /needs to have rational explanations for them, I can see that approach making the films less satisfactory.

Wild Strawberries (1957) DVD 8/10 A lonely old professor (Victor Sjostrom) reflects on his life while on a road trip to receive an honorary award. I have been longing to see this Ingmar Bergman film, I finally broke down and bought the Blu Ray. It turns out to be worth it. The nightmare sequence at the beginning is disturbing. I liked the scenes the old man has with his mouthy housekeeper. He also has a strained relationship with his daughter in law. Another great scene is where he visits the home of his childhood and sees the past come alive again. Fanny And Alexander is my favorite Bergman film but this one is great too, I may watch it again soon.

TCL doesn't own the theater. It's owned by an LLC (Chinese Theatres), fronted by Donald Kushner and Elie Samaha. TCL paid for the naming rights It was renovated in 2013. I've been lucky enough to see many files there during the TCMFF. The ceilings and walls weren't destroyed in the renovation. The auditorium rake was altered (improved in my opinion), and the house was outfitted for IMAX presentations. It's definitely not a cookie-cutter inside. The TCL multiplex next-door, is.

If Alicia's so charming how come she's giving guys atomic wedgies? Oh wait. That didn't really happen, did it? I get so easily confused these days. Please be patient with me.

Alicia's got them all beat in my humble opinion. Plus, she's charming! As a fan of New Wave I was very happy Malone got to host this series because frankly, who else could have, with any real credibility? Oh, okay, perhaps Jacqueline Stewart but the poor woman is never let out of that gilded diversity cage long enough for us to reap the benefits of her film knowledge. Also, Stewart (like Dave Karger) doesn't seem comfortable in front of the camera. Very unfortunate.

NO SH-T! Not happy with them pushing Noir Alley into the wee hours. This is the 3rd of 4th time now.

From November 3-5, 1921, the Poli ran The Sky Pilot, starring John Bowers as Arthur Wellington Moore, Colleen Moore as Gwen, and David Butler as Bill Hendricks. The film was released in April of 1921. It is available on YouTube (with an incredibly bad music score), running around 75 minutes. Brief Plot: Arthur Wellington Moore arrives in the small Canadian town of Swan Creek. When the locals discover he is a preacher, or “sky pilot,” they mock him. Bill Hendricks, a ranch hand, sticks up for Moore. However, when Moore gives a sermon, Hendricks also mocks him. The two have a fistfight, in which Moore bests Hendricks. Hendricks’ friends ride Moore out of town. Hendricks, chastened, goes after the preacher, and the two shake and become best friends. Hendricks gets Moore a job at the Ashley ranch. A rival rancher named the Duke is after Ashley’s herd. When Moore is shot off his horse, he is rescued by Gwen. But Gwen’s father is an old-timer who has rejected God and is in cahoots with Ashley. When Gwen and her father discover Moore is a preacher, they reject him. Later, during a cattle stampede, Moore saves Gwen’s life, but she is unable to walk. The townspeople build a church for Moore and surprise him on Christmas Day. But the Duke has plans for the church. Will the Duke and his gang be brought to justice? Will the old-timer see the light? Will Gwen ever walk again? Review: This is a fine film with a lot going for it. The acting is good across the board (especially by Butler), and the outdoor photography is first rate. The fight between Bowers and Butler is vicious and realistic. Moore makes a cute and spunky heroine. The stampede is well-staged, with Bowers standing astride the prone Moore, waving away the cattle. According to one trade magazine, Bowers eschewed a stunt double for this scene. “I’m so dead tired of being an ice cream hero,” he complained, “I’d take any risk.” After the scene was shot, the rancher who had supplied the cattle said to Bowers “young man, I don’t know whether you’re the bravest many alive – or you don’t know a thing about cattle!” In watching the scene, it does appear to be Bowers sticking his neck out. In between the dramatic scenes, there is some welcome humor, with Butler falling backwards off his chair, and Bowers attempting to ride a bucking bronco. I highly recommend this film. Director King Vidor claimed this was the first film in which tints were used to reflect nature and suggest moods. He used soft violet for early dawn, pale yellow for post-sunrise, amber for noon and evening, and deep blue for moonlight scenes. To express joy and sorrow, he used pink and green respectively. Unfortunately, the print I saw was lacking the tinted scenes. However, there is a short clip on YouTube which does feature some of the tinted scenes. You can see the dramatic difference below. In the first shot, Bowers is riding into town at night. In the second, he and Butler make up after their fight: The still below shows Vidor with Moore having some fun on location in northern California: The second still shows Vidor directing a scene with cameraman Gus Peterson: E. R. Rogers, manager of the Rialto Theatre in Chattanooga, built a church inside his lobby to promote the film. The construction only cost him $35, and he reported that business increased by twenty percent:

I am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang ('32)

It's from the Indecent Proposal soundtrack.

Pat and Mike

Michael Wilding

1990 - Days of Thunder 1992 - Far and Away 1999 - Eyes Wide Shut Next: Irene Dunne & Ralph Bellamy

"Good Morning"-- Singin' in the Rain Next: Your favorite song from the movie "Fiddler on the Roof"

The Prisoner of Shark Island 1936

The Astonished Heart

The Prisoner The Fixer

A + E Studios is part of A + E Networks, which everyone probably better knows as A&E. It's a joint venture between Hearst and Disney. Lifetime is part of the A&E umbrella.

Attinger, Doris--Judy Holliday in Adam's Rib

We really enjoyed both CAT PEOPLE and THE LEOPARD MAN. I think it's great Eddie got into the swing of Halloween. I'm old and I really like the older horror flicks. I'm a big fan of Hammer films. I understand the younger crowd probably relates more to films like NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, The HALLOWEEN SERIES and FRIDAY THE THIRTEENTH, but I still love the old stuff. Having said that, I do like the original 1978 version of HALLOWEEN. The music still makes my flesh crawl.

I grew to appreciate Jane Randolph in a couple of Falcon movies and she does very well in Cat People.

The Sinatra Selfie

Do Not Deliver Us from Evil (1971) France/Dir: Joel Seria - Two Catholic school girls (Jeanne Goupil and Catherine Wagener) decide to "devote themselves to Satan", and so begin committing increasingly depraved and violent acts on first, animals, and then men. Things reach a terrible fever pitch during an unsupervised summer vacation. A very controversial film upon its release (it was severely censored and then outright banned for awhile in its home country), this is disturbing, although not as brazenly sleazy or exploitative as one would expect given its reputation. The acting by the two leads is very good, and I was relieved to see that they were 19 and 20 at the time of filming, since they appear much younger, and are often in less-than-savory situations. The ending is memorable. (7/10)

I like the style and visual aspects of The Cat People more than the story, which has always seemed kind of silly, something that doesn't improve after further viewings. There are some truly spooky moments no doubt about it. I also enjoy the cozy feeling of the movie. Even though it takes place in the big city, there is an intimate feeling there due to the fairly restricted number of locations and the small number of characters. If I happen to be in the mood I will watch it, and the fact that it's so short helps. I got to wondering after this viewing what does Irina do with her clothes when she turns into a panther? Likely takes them off, puts them in a stylish tote bag, hides it in a dark corner of the zoo, and then comes back after she's turned back into a human being and goes on her merry way. Even the mystic and exalted order of cat people have to live most of their time in the real world.

Apparently Ben and Eddie Mueller are no longer talking to one another and, on at least one occasion, had to be pulled apart before things turned physical. They now only communicate remotely. It's all over Alicia's accent. Ben likes it and Eddie doesn't. They get very passionate about things other than just movies in TCM Land. Actually I'm bored and I just made that up. Would make a pretty feeble plot for a lousy movie, though, wouldn't it? "It's good." "It's no good." "No, you're no good." "Say that to my face, why don't ya?" Sorry, I got caught up in it again. I'm still bored.

I Want to Live! (1958) Birdman of Alcatraz (1962) Cry Freedom (1987) The Last Hangman (2005) The Baader Meinhof Complex (2008)

I apologize If my two cents just now comes off as harsh or not in the right place, but I just gotta drop em on the counter: This was the most poorly curated October schedule I can remember in as long as I’ve been watching TCM. Just as a classic horror fan, the disappointment I found in not only seeing half the usual slate of movies, but seeing them peppered across the month with VERY LITTLE thought to a theme was disconcerting. Besides that, TCM underground continues to disappoint and I am still not happy about that print of White Zombie....Also really, the BFI restored “horror of Dracula “several years ago and found new footage, why the hell would you not show that version TCM? I know they think they can be the criterion channel, but in the end “new wingding font TCM“ is just coming off like a mix tape your friend who has way too scattered taste in music makes for you... ...and CHARTEUSE is a hideous color.