Tikisoo

Fridays at 10 PM they broadcast "Theater Of The Mind", which is old radio shows, both dramas and comedies. That radio show plays every night from 10-midnight here in all of central NY. One night is comedies, often with Jack Benny or Groucho Marx, other nights focus on crime, mysteries, westerns and horror. It's great only wish it wasn't on so late. I just finished reading Sheldon Leonard's autobiography and he had a LOT to say about sponsorship & the quality of product. He much preferred when sponsors supported an entire show, like in radio days. Early TV kept the tradition, but once they broke up "time" into little increments with multiple sponsors, he felt the artistic quality of shows went downhill fast. "Ratings" took over, pushing the money aspect higher than content. Leonard felt everything went downhill because of that.

I am starting to "get" why Hammer is so beloved.... I LOL when the camera zoomed in on the Burgermeister's hand on that blonde's shoulder in the pub. All I saw was luscious bewbies ...... then Dr Frankenstein exclaims, "My RING! That guy stole my RING!"

Several times I have requested the Swedish nature film The Great Adventure on the Suggest a Movie List, hoping that one day I might hear Ben Mankiewiscz introduce the movie and its director Didja ever think that kind of intent is what resulted in your request being ignored?

Reminds me of Addie & Moses in the diner in PAPER MOON. She says numerous times in a low voice "I want my two hundred dollars" and since she's ignored, she yells it for the entire room to hear, "I want my two HUNDRED DOLLARS!!"

JOB INTERVIEWER READING APPLICATION: Yeah, I too think of this scenario when I read some of the posts here. Then, and when I see people wearing shorts in March showing all the tattoos on their legs. Guess we'll always need shopping cart wranglers.

hope you give it (ORPHEUS) another go, it's become one of my favs I'm really glad we CAN have repeated viewings nowadays. And understand, it was my repeated viewings that helped me "get" the meaning of 2001, not Clarke's book. (I love that linked Flash synopsis-even more points I never thought of) But yes Tom, I agree with you 100%-if a viewer can't understand and enjoy a movie with the information presented, it's a failure. I think some filmmakers get so caught up in their vision, they don't realize they are failing to communicate. Sadly, most of these films are often discounted. But some, like 2001 and the others mentioned are worth "working" to understand. And yes, I will revisit ORPHEUS, it's a library Criterion copy, obviously deemed worthwhile by others! Other people get it, I feel like a dummy that it eluded me. What a great art medium film can be....head scratchers like 2001 along with crazy fluff like Marx Brothers and musicals like ANNIE GET YOUR GUN!

But I have to ask the same question again: did you derive your explanation about the monolith (as well as the understanding of the final passages of confusing narrative in 2001) just from the film itself? My brother told me to read the books BEFORE seeing the movie because I wouldn't understand it! Then I saw the movie (on the big screen in a theater) and while I liked it, like everyone else found it confusing. Every time I watched 2001 on TCM, I liked it a little bit more, and each time I figured out a little bit more. It simply took repeated viewings. Because if you did it on your own just from the Kubrick film, assuming that you are correct, bravo to you. If you had to use other sources, as well, though, what does that say about Kubrick's narrative skills as a filmmaker? I agree Kubrick's not for everybody. I know a movie should stand on it's own and at best reaches many instead of a select few. I like the fact the vision isn't "dumbed down", but also realize unless it reaches others, any art is masturbatory. Once you recognise the story Kubrick is telling, many viewers prefer the non narrative style. For example; when the ape throws the bone into the air and it turns into a spaceship.....I thought huh? It jumps next to seemingly empty moments....really giving your mind a chance to digest what you just saw. I thought: the ape had just discovered tools....then man is in space. We KNOW the story of mankind in between those 2 events. Why waste time showing it? I think this is why it took Kubrick so long to make his films....he had a vision and wanted to communicate it with pictures. I bet he edited his stuff to death trying to take OUT as much out as possible. 2010 is more of a linear narrative that the average person prefers. Those who "get" 2001 prefer it just because it's a different style of storytelling. Last night I tried watching Jean Cocteau's ORPHEUS. I didn't understand a THING! Of course, it made me think of this thread, haha. I'll give it another go Sunday afternoon when I'm not so sleepy and hopefully enjoy it better.

So is it possible to put together a complete list of banned words? Yeah: ****, *****, ****** ******, *******, **** and ****

Thanks Sepiatone....I caught this on my PBS station last night. Glad they are repeating it. It was pretty insightful, hearing others impressions of Judy's later years. When so much has been written about a movie star, (Marilyn, Katherine Hepburn, Chaplin) it's great when they focus on just one aspect of their lives and flesh out a different perspective.

OK, I'll bite here.....ready for the flaming- I think the reason why the forums get boring are because those interested in discussing film are in the minority. When looking at the forums, all you see are "vanity" threads. Some posters never bother to compose or engage others, they simply post photo after photo. And then there are posters who desperately try to control the conversation by proclaiming "discussion of the day!" and then just reply to their own thread! Didn't anyone ever tell them a successful conversation is between 2 or more people? One of my favorite threads is "Best & Worst of the Week". We ALL know the old chestnuts of movies-GWTW, NBNW, Casablanca, etc. In this thread people talk about what more obscure films they saw and their impressions of them. It's fun to hear about someone's new discoveries and disappointments. I often borrow these titles from the library just to see what they were talking about. And it saves me from wasting 2 hours on something I may not like! In that vein, I also like 666's "Premieres" thread. 666 will list them in advance, and others will contribute their comments-sometimes praise. sometimes not. I like hearing my fellow film fan's opinions. Threads on comedians are usually fun & informative too. I like discussing particular films as well, but those rarely show up in "Films & Filmmakers" sub forum. Again, this is just my opinion.

In another thread, w h i p was bleeped out. Really? Guess the ONLY definition for a w h i p is a dirty one.

FredDobbs said: We need to add that narration to the end of the film, in a man's voice, with a nice British accent. Kubrick often uses imagery instead of narration. It's up to YOU to interpret what you are seeing, that's what I like about it. It can mean different things to different people. TomJH said: If the film doesn't "fail," then why do so many viewers not get the ending? Because many people prefer their stories spoon fed to them. Many enjoy crime & noir because they ENJOY figuring out what's going on. Typically the charactor's words will indicate, sometimes it's their actions. With a Kubrick film, he simply records what is happening, like a news reporter, and YOU have to actively participate. And we haven't even touched on the black monolith. The monolith is a vessel of communication between the "gods" and mankind. You notice the apes listen to it-they are primitive enough not to question the knowledge it communicates. A monolith was buried so that once it's uncovered, it would send a signal to the "gods" that mankind has progressed enough to travel to their own moon. It's a physical sign that mankind has developed enough to colonize another planet. Start again. The monolith can be a black hole, electricity, who knows? It's just another element of discussion & opinion. And Bowman was put in that ornate room to live out his life, like an animal in a zoo. That room was his "habitat", designed by his "keepers" in a way they thought would comfort him.

I'm sure many of you forum users will never forget the anxiety you went through before, during and after the system was refurbished.

Another film that gives me that "brain dead" feeling (my inability to understand what I'm viewing) are large passages in the final scenes of 2001:A Space Odyssey. Yeah, I know....many people say this. I find it a fantastic movie to discuss with others. Kubrick doesn't "fail", it's really very much up to interpretation. Bear with my choice of words; The "voices" are the "gods" the creators of the universe. When the (Bowman) the old man dies, he is reincarnated into the star child and travels at light speed through space & time. The universe as a womb is just imagery. This baby will be the first to inhabit a new planet, a new history starts over again. With a link to our earth, mankind, meaning our earth is just a terrarium of the gods.

To each his or her own, but Me And My Shadows got excellent reviews at the time of its first showing My video tape is a "galley" from the producers and I just recall seeing several "howl worthy" mistakes. Maybe it was revised before broadcast? Maybe those who watched it didn't really care? Should dig out my VCR?

You mention a PBS special, and I'd only add to that a recommendation to see Judy Davis's biopic of Garland, Me And My Shadows. It's a magnificent performance Ugh but what an awful movie. Terrible.

Haha I remember Doan's Pills! " Oh doan forsake me oh my darlin'! " Gee, I hope that infantile "baby talk"doesn't infiltrate the movies like it has this board. "yo, whassup buggy. doan tread on pant leg on da floor!" What a jerk ^^^^

I saw HOT SPELL in the dealer's room at Cinefest yesterday in case you were looking for a copy-it's out there.

I think Julie Andrews is terrific and elevates a mediocre film with her abundant talents. A joy to watch, a joy to hear. Love, love, love Julie Andrews.

I just watched CABARET last night and was completely blown away by Liza. What a powerhouse. She completely carried that film. I was reminded of TELL ME YOU LOVE ME JUNIE MOON, which she also carried. What talent. And what a funny intelligent woman....apparent in any interview...and I think she still looks great. Liza is a true American treasure of an entertainer....one of the few remaining "triple threats". I hope she's aware of the affection & respect we have for her. So glad she is on top of her addiction and refuses to allow it to bring her down, like her beloved Mom.

Gee, hope it's not a case of "sick of film fan-itis"

My Favorites: ED WOOD LOST WEEKEND THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL (eh, I'm a theremin player) PAPER MOON O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU? ANNIE GET YOUR GUN (I'm less enthusiastic of dubbed lead vocals) I also like: all Carl Stalling Cartoon soundtracks anything by Angelo Badalamenti (TWIN PEAKS, CITY OF LOST CHILDREN) anything by Bernard Herrman (VOYAGE OF SINBAD, TWILIGHT ZONE, JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH, etc)

Yea, poor Chet. He should have sleep with the window closed. Please elaborate.... Interesting guy and great jazz musician. (but his singing is an acquired taste). Really? I thought his singing was kind of mainstream, sweet sounding. Remember Chet Baker's "Sunny Side of Life" audio clip TCM would use for afternoon movie openings? WAY better than the PD sound bites they use now.

RIDE A PINK HORSE has shown on TCM, albeit infrequently, in the past 5 years. I bought my recorder about 6-7 years ago and I swear, the week it was hooked up TCM stopped showing 1960's ALL THE FINE YOUNG CANNIBALS. There just aren't enough movies with Susan Kohner! love this movie and it's not available on DVD. Wah!

When I heard on the radio about the "on demand HBO" Apple is offering, I knew the writing is on the wall. I believe this will be the first "slippery slope" that will turn the tide to more a la carte viewing. I hope this trend continues and breaks up the crazy TV monopoly cable & satellite providers have over us. More and more people I know are cutting the cord out of dissatisfaction. Higher costs are a factor, but mostly it's what is "provided" that turns people off. And even more amazing to me those pitching new show ideas keep pumping out & selling this dreck.