Tikisoo

For what it's worth, I am a fan of THE SHINING. I think it's a great interpretation of the King novel using images to instill fear & horror rather than dialogue giving it a nighmarish quality. I believe Different Seasons is King's collection of 4 novellas that include: Rita Hayworth & The Shawshank Redemption (spring) Apt Pupil (summer) The Body (autumn) The Breathing Method (winter) These are all well written stories and as I recall, not "horror" really. As I recall The Body is very close to the Stand By Me interpretation. The scene with the deer seems central to the story and I thought the way it was shown in the movie captured the feeling I had reading the story perfectly. Rob Reiner is a great director. I'm glad you mentioned the costumes in PENNIES FROM HEAVEN speedy. Did you notice in one fantasy dancing scene, Peters' costume changed from a calico dress into the same dress covered in sparkly beads? I thought that was a brilliant design decision. The beads were tiny and sewn (& lit) just right to glitter magically. Not only are there no actors that compare with "golden age" stars, but there doesn't seem to be many costumers with the brilliance of forever youthful Bob Mackie. At the 2012 TCM Festival: My HERO.

I love Henry Hull! I'll watch anything with him in it. You should check out this place. I bet you'd enjoy interesting conversations about Henry Hull with his great nephew; artist, collector & unique guy Cortlandt https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witch%27s_Dungeon_Classic_Movie_Museum

I just caught up on 2 recordings from TCM- First I watched O LUCKY MAN. I hadn't seen it in over 25 years, but surprisingly remembered the "jist" of the story. It's long and meandering episodes broken by "Greek Chorus" of songs, spelling out the theme. The singer at the piano reminded me of a very young Jeff Bridges. I laughed out loud when the main charactor (Michael Travis played by Malcolm MacDowell) bumped into the rock band and hitched a ride in their VW type van. In fact., one of the best elements of the movie was the myriad of charactors were played by relatively few actors. In the end credits you see many actors played three or four charactors. It brings a kind of familiarity to such a random story. Despite the random nature of the episodes & people, I loved it. After all, that's the theme- randomness, chance and opportunity. I called it a "modern Candide" when I saw it at 25 and am amazed I was so astute considering all the booze & drugs I was on back then. The movie certainly isn't for everybody, but I'm SO GLAD I have it on disk, it's not available commercially. And like MAGNOLIA, it's one of those movies die hard film fans would enjoy. Highlights were Vivian Pickles as a soup kitchen lady. Love love love her voice & delivery. She's my favorite part of HAROLD & MAUDE. Also, "Grady" from the SHINING plays a similarly creepy charactor. Fun spotting him. I then watched Steve Martin in PENNIES FROM HEAVEN, which I had never seen before. Another "odd" type of film for film fans especially. Depression era songs play throughout the movie, and the charactors lip synch to illustrate their inner most thoughts. The story line fizzled a bit, but was held up by the stellar performances of Steve Martin, Bernadette Peters & Jessica Harper. All the actors absolutely looked "vintage" because of the outstanding costumes, make up & hair. Christopher Walken had a teeny bit part, but he was incredibly convincing and looked as if he stepped right out of the 20's. Bob Mackie was the costumer and his creations were BRILLIANT. He borrowed design directly from Jaynet Gaynor for Peters' hats & dresses. Why not? Gaynor was married to Adrian, who knew exactly how to dress her. Every musical number made me gasp out loud, the last one for the "Let's Face The Music & Dance" sequence. It was beautiful and amazing Mackie copied Ginger's dress exactly for Peters. Although I think Martin & Peters did an excellent job dancing, you see the brilliance of Astaire/Rogers by comparison. I also really liked all the banjo music on the soundtrack-I suspect it's Martin playing. I discovered Steve Martin early in his career, in his arrow-headdress days singing Grandmother's Song. I never saw his movies first run, but really like his honoring classic detective, horror & musical film with his films. He's handsome, has great timing and can pull off singing & tough dancing. He is a classic treasure in our time. Then I watched a few I LOVE LUCY shows, season 4 when they went to Hollywood. The Harpo Marx one was great, Lucy is amazing in costume, taking on other personas. When Harpo plays harp, he uses the instrument from the orchestra instead of bringing his own. It's a very distinct white harp with gold leaf scrolls at the foot. The William Holden episode is particularly funny in the Brown Derby scenes where he turns the tables on Lucy & stares at her. The slapstick "melting nose" scenes less so. I never knew Van Johnson was such a light dancer & song man. I couldn't stop laughing over Lucy finally getting her big break having stage fright, saying over & over, "I can't do it!" Guess Lucy is funniest when we recognise how WE'D act in the same situation.

My feeling about "repeats" for SUTS is this: we are hard core film fans and watch TCM regularly. These films are familiar to us and somewhat a bore. For someone only marginally interested in classic film, tuning in & seeing Katherine Hepburn might be a joy. They may catch a good movie previously unknown to them that may spark a larger interest in classic film. The biggest thing to remember is it's not all about YOU, there are millions of others watching TV.

Thanks swithin. I know not much about Howard personal life except A. he was a ladies man (that paled Uncle Miltie -woo hoo) and B. he died serving in WW2. I'd love to know more about him, since he was a really good actor. You may not know the answer, but where can this documentary be seen? Theaters? TV? Internet only?

I agree Dargo, Kathleen Freeman is fantastic. She was all over the place in the 60's, and like Rita Shaw were the female Thomas Mitchells of charactor actors. When I read the title William Holden in I LOVE LUCY was a standout for me. I had no idea who William Holden was when I first saw that episode as a kid and the cameo always comes to mind when seeing Holden in a movie. I just rewatched that episode and boy was he adorable! I LOVE LUCY using movie stars in cameos was a stroke of brilliance. Funny so many stars avoided the small screen, as if they'd be marked a traitor. That episode WALKING DISTANCE was based on Rod Serling's childhood in Binghamton NY and the gazebo in Recreation Park (across the street from his childhood home) has a commemorative plate mentioning it. Serling made sure the episode actually looked like the Park, carousel and all.

You should like The Crimson Pirate. It's definitely a silly movie, but Lancaster runs around shirtless and in tight pants for most of it Nothing silly about that! (a friend who knew I love Lancaster gave me the poster for this-DEFINITLY exploits Lancaster's costume!!)

No one has mentioned....didn't Raymond Burr play a creep in REAR WINDOW? Also doesn't ANYone else find Burr (& Creegar) handsome? I find it kind of sad the studios saw his smoldering sexy look more as a "bad guy" than romantic lead. I think he would have been the perfect "bad boy magnet" romantic lead the skirts couldn't resist. We all know that spiral happens in real life. I also found a young Jackie Gleason handsome in the same smoldering way. All these guys struggled with their weight too, Creegar tragically so. Cregar had a bit more edge to him than even Burr, which is saying a LOT. Great point, Andy.

ND said: where are the historical epics? nowhere. where are the war films? nowhere. Historical: LINCOLN. War films: AMERICAN SNIPER Movie Madness said: Movies today are made more for an international audience, so the comedies are meant to make us look stupid. They find that funny apparently. They must find this thread's original post hilarious

I had no idea there were so many on the Bette Davis boob watchers patrol. LOL I think Bette Davis was such a good actress, she made you focus on whatever she wanted you to notice. She obviously was proud of her rack. She also often adapted poor posture, a rounded shoulder sort of slump for some roles. In movies, I always notice how heavy & pendulous her k n o c k e r s look, even when she's a young cutie like that pic in Dobbs' post.

calvin said: Ironically, like the Confederate Flag, Bill Cosby is destined to be exorcised from entertainment history because of his foul deeds. Which brings up the age old question... do you dislike the art because of the artist's personal life? What would you think of Cosby's show, stand up, comedy routines, writing? (did he write his stuff or was he a "performer"?) if this news had been kept out of public knowledge? Cosby totally ruins my theory that only the best people will achieve great success. I've met so many really nice "celebrities" I thought there was a definite correlation between intelligence/heart and success, thinking; "doors will only open for nice people, if you're a jerk, no one will hire you" I could kind of understand celebrity outbursts for invasion of "private life" with crowds & cameras, that sort of bad behaviour. But these allegations are t a w d r y and make me sad he isn't more mature. His comedy is still funny, just not as enjoyable to me.

Bette Davis needed a bra, if only to keep them "in place". Even as a young woman, her breasts hung as low as her elbow, where they should have been up closer to her armpit height. Not attractive. It shortens your waist, which looks "matronly", especially in pictures.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who finds Kathryn Grayson's singing excruciating to listen to. It's not just her voice, it's the weird expressions she makes with her face that irks me. Jeanette MacDonald is another one that makes silly faces when she sings.

Raymond Burr always reminds me of Laird Creegar; big burly guys with smoldering dark features, very dramatic actors. I like them both and wish they did some comedic or romantic roles. Hollywood was so narrow minded. That close up of Burr reminds me a little of Wolfman Jack, another handsome guy. That cartoon is a riot, hamradio....especially since Burr is depicted as b&w.

Nice synopsis & observations, sewhite. My film group has screened these films and they're always a hit-enough variety and story movement to keep most entertained. I especially like after a "performance", the audience typically erupts with applause....as if it's a "live" performance. I think Oakie was a very beloved comedian in his day. He's pretty much everywhere in smaller supporting roles. He's the definition of a classic "supporting" actor. The comedy storyline seemed like it could have belonged in a Bob Hope movie Well Paramount did the "Road" pictures and other Bob Hope vehicles for the most part. I dearly love Paramount comedies-while not as glitzy as MGM or gritty as Warners, they have a very lighthearted charm to them that seems to reach young & old, sophisticated & low brow, pretty much everyone.

Sorry, but I don't have a 'What's the Knucklehead Up to Now' thread lol

I find it pretty amazing censors would cut anything because of n i p p l e s. Everyone has them, what's the big deal? Judging this body part as "dirty" or "titillating" seems a big stretch to me, not unlike all the hoopla over seeing a navel. Deeming it forbidden or taboo only excites the immature (meaning teens or the maladjusted) more when they DO see it in a movie. I much prefer the European attitude about the body. And nothing is more clever than language double entendres like Mae West's.

While he seems just a tad dry, if given time I'm sure he'd loosen up as "TV host" just as Ben M has. "Hosting" is a particular kind of "role" and as an audience, we have definite expectations of how a "host" should behave. But I agree...the empty set is just awful. A living room set, late night diner set, barroom set, ANYthing would have looked better and been more natural feeling than empty space. Heck, if TCM could have afforded it, different sets could have illustrated his points; set in a bedroom Mueller could have discussed how beds were shown in movies as an "unwritten code for sex" and the like.

Next month is the Grease sing-a-long. As much as I enjoy Grease, I cannot subject myself to the trauma that is listening to people sing along to the music while trying to watch a movie, so I will pass. Eh, on my first date with MrTiki...we saw MY FAIR LADY at the Dryden Theater. Some lady two rows over sang the entire thing from her seat loudly enough to receive an occasional "shush". Thank gawd it was a first date because "regular behaviour" Soosé would have gotten up & popped her. Sorry you missed JAWS, Holden. It's a white knuckler in a theater and you're too on edge to notice the mechanical shark's steel skin. We screened it on the side of a building two summers ago for our "guerrilla drive-in" and it attracted several cars off the main road.

Fred says; in DECPTION (1946), Bette Davis murders Claude Rains without being punished. She's not even arrested. But clearly at the end of the film, she is giving herself up to authorities. She is resigned to "do the right thing" out of moral righteousness. Tom said: Sorry, TikiSoo, I don't understanding. I could have sworn the MISFITS mistake was already mentioned on pg 1. Crafty editing? Next time I'll take the time to quote.

Would I be out of line posting what "I just watched"? Seems the "best & worst of the week" isn't relevant, since I'm watching recorded TCM. PARIS BLUES- Beautifully filmed, the principle actors Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Sidney Poitier & Dianne Carroll never looked better-yummy. Carroll & Woodward wore gorgeous clothes as 2 single gals visiting Paris enjoying the jazz club where Newman & Poitier were musicians. I liked all the different views illustrated about racism in the US in the 60's. I also liked that Woodward's behaviour was unapologetically s l u t t y! Gone was the code and we could see people in real life situations. Good for a viewing, but not burn worthy. THIS HAPPY BREED- The stand out of my group of movies, I loved this slice of life look at a British family's life over 10 years spent in a city house. It was bookended by arial views of the neighborhood, showing all houses & yards pretty much identical, illustrating stories like this one probably happen in every house. I loved the family dynamics of the wayward daughter, elderly mother & crazy old maid aunt (me!) arguing, supporting & surviving a difficult time in British history. Like the opening, key scenes are told in pictures, like when the parents are given horrible news, they sit silently while the camera backs away, leaving then to their grief. Wow. Loved seeing Stanley Holloway so young as the good time neighbor and as usual he was a hoot! All principle actors give spectacular performances. A must see, under-discussed gem. The box set also contains IN WHICH WE SERVE & BLITHE SPIRIT. I liked IWWS, but don't care as much for war stories. The use of flashback was brilliantly done and it should be seen at least once. I liked BLITHE SPIRIT a lot, although it reminded me of TOPPER a bit in theme. Margaret Rutherford was a standout as the medium- just kooky enough to be believable yet funny. This one we get to see Rex Harrison as a young man and you can't take your eyes off him! The woman who plays the spirit is way too annoying, especially her voice, which had the same whiny quality as Jean Arthur but with a British accent! I fell asleep during this one, but I'm burning it so it can be watched later. (This David Lean Directs Noël Coward Criterion set is fantastic, it includes a booklet too. This team used all the same "talent stable" for their pictures, like Capra, Hitchcock and more recently Tim Burton) After the Hayley Mills discussion, I borrowed IN SEARCH OF THE CASTAWAYS which ranks as the worst movie I saw this week. I liked the story and boy Hayley Mills is great. But the story was ruined by really awful special effects. I was surprised, as it was a Disney film, and they usually spare no expense. Sure, you have to suspend your disbelief for situations, like a giant tree caught in a waterspout and everyone landing safely. But the layering of film to depict volcano spitting lava was awful. The trek through the Andes was pretty awful too. But the worst was the "ride on a boulder" down the mountain. We were supposed to believe 5 people could hold on to an icy boulder sliding in snow down a mountain and just fall into snow laughing at the bottom? Ridiculous. Plus, at the end I wasn't sure if the father was a pirate or prisoner or even wanted to see his kids again. "The end" was shown over footage of a miniature ship in rough rolling water-yet the ship was perfectly still! Oy! I am very grateful movies give us a chance to time travel-both for situations of another time, and actors/actresses work. John Mills was such an incredible actor and it's fun to see how fantastic daughter Hayley was as just a kid. It's all there preserved for us to enjoy!

I had seen several versions of METROPOLIS through the years and when a friend did a private screening of it at the theater, I yawned. Fellow film buddy Markfp2 urged me to come along, he's always up for a movie. Boy am I glad we went. Seeing it on the BIG silver screen was a joy. If it held your attention at home on TV, imagine what it's like seeing it in a movie palace with a group of friends. I love Fritz Lang's films. Many are diverse in theme, but they all feature clocks & doorways.

Wow page 2 of this thread is identical to page 1. Doesn't anyone READ a thread before posting?

Just heard a report on NPR that Murneau's grave has been disturbed. The report started with backstory on the movie Nosferatu, then that Murneau's casket had been robbed. I found this article in Variety: http://variety.com/2015/film/news/f-w-murnau-head-stolen-nosferatu-dracula-1201540223/ So sad, so disrespectful, so self centered an act.

My dirty mind always finds several off beat innuendos. At a screening of a Charlie Chan movie, I believe "At The Wax Museum" one, a gangster says "I'm not gonna let no little Chinese d i c k ruin MY racket" to which his lackey responds, "Want me to rub him out?" Our table erupted in uncontrollable laughter. Another lol moment was an old Bob Hope (road?) film where he is sitting balancing a lovely girl on each knee and quips, "Gee I wish I had a third leg!"