Tikisoo
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Posts posted by Tikisoo
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>He played along with a fruitcake in letting her believe she had a comeback in her future, her in that once she got him in there, she took more and more of his life and identity outside of her.
Since Norma Desmond was delusional, she wasn't really aware she was doing anything wrong-this was normal life for her.
Joe, OTOH was wholly aware he was taking advantage of her feelings for him, but thought he could play with fire and remain unscathed, as does most people in their 20's.
He thought he could beat the odds but once he realized how dangerous the situation was, he was already trapped! That's why the Nancy Olsen visit scene was so poignant. He is admitting his entrapment to her.
What makes this film really great though is the segment when Norma visits the studio. I love hearing the whispers, "Norma Desmond!" and the overhead shot of the crew gathering around her in admiration. The spot on her face and the boom mike nudging her were the most touching & brilliant part of this movie for me.
It helps illustrate Norma's greatness, she's not just a whacko.
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>I have not been very pleased with many of the touted bios that get promoted in the last few years, that seem to have authors who know little about their subject matter and just do minor research.
The dumbing down of publishing never stops amazing me. They pack a book in with photos trying to compensate for lack of writing skills. With the new "electronic editors" I find more and more simple typos that ruin any book's credibility.
I had high hopes for the Busby Berkeley biography but found the writer's voice insipid often referring to the subject as "Buzz" without the quotes. And he often states how Busby felt or reacted to any given situation that was obviously private. Really? Where you there?
So I've given up wasting my money and just read books from the library. Currently trying the DESILU book- chapter after chapter of the same old story, the only progression is time. And I swear every other page contains "quipped"....they just couldn't think up an alternative word?
Shameful, embarrassing writing.
(that's why I was so tickled by the talented writing of last SSO guest-Martha Cantarini)
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Just watched CHAMPAGNE FOR CEASER where Vinnie played a comic charactor brilliantly!
He was over-the-top but so funny & wonderful as the president of Milady Soap Co. He could "tune out" and absolutely freeze and at other times use his entire body to convey his evil spoiledness.
You just know the cast had a blast making this movie-it shows!
(Vincent Price is teen TikiKid's favorite classic actor, along with Cagney)
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>...anything involving "spiritualism" is a fraud, and, in some cases by their replies, have gotten away from the thread's original concentration which was upon the spirit world.
OK, so if you are looking for the first movie to feature a "real" ghost, in the classic sense, it's been said THE UNINVITED is the first. And by this meaning a "real ghost" as a charactor. (not a fraud ghost created by another charactor)
I just finished seeing THE TESTAMENT OF DR MEBUSE" (toldja, on a Fritz Lang kick) and there were "ghostly figures" but the figure represented mental powers, not a real ghost.
Still, it was pretty eerie when the shadowy figure stepped onto a real man's body as if to "possess" him.
My favorite seance sequence is from I LOVE LUCY when Lucy & Fred both pose as "Tillie" which turns out to be a dog, not the guy's wife. I love Viv acting like a radio operator, "Tillie, contacting Tillie. Do you read me Tillie?"
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>This thread just reminded me, what ever happened to that old horror film "Gargoyles" (1972)?
I loved that film! It was in heavy rotation on the Saturday kid's movie on local TV.
Wasn't there a scene in the cave where the monsters were plotting against the humans and as the departed, one Gargoyle pats the other on the fanny like a football player?
I remember shrieking in laughter as a young teen seeing that.
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When I saw this thread I knew it was right up my alley-I have a penchant for fakery, carney, gypsy fortune teller movies, as I am descendent of these people.
Was that picture Lugosi as Roxor in CHANDU THE MAGICIAN?
The CLAIRVOYANT with Claude Rains is a fave, glad it was mentioned. I also very much like THE CRYSTAL BALL and THE CAT & CANARY (with Paulette Goddard) WHEN WERE YOU BORN (with Anna Mae Wong)
As a kid I was always disturbed by the Ouija scene in Bill Castle's 13 GHOSTS. Disturbed by a Bill Castle movie, sheesh.
Who doesn't love Frank Morgan as Professor Marvel & the goofy (brilliantly portrayed by Jeffrey Jones) Criswell in Ed Wood films. But of course, the greatest ballyhooer was Houdini. And he made a serial now available on DVD by Kino.
Thanks for the MINISTRY OF FEAR tip. I've been on a Fritz Lang kick and will have to watch it next week.
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I just finished watching two Joan Crawford films, DAISY KENYON and SUDDEN FEAR neither of which will be shown on TCM. I was really impressed with Joan's acting in both films, (although long in the tooth for the roles) she was really a good actress & pulled it off.
I think her role in THE WOMEN perfectly suited her, she definitely added to the film. Although I think MILDRED PIERCE was her best performance, DAISY KENYON makes a perfect "double feature" to go along with it.
I'm just kind of puzzled as to why she's such an icon to gay men. Is it because she looks kind of mannish? (all women look mannish as they age, while as men age they seem more womanly)
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>ESPN is single-handedly driving up the price of cable; sports in general is the biggest culprit by far, and ESPN is easily the worst.
Did anyone see Frontline this past week? It was mostly about head injuries in pro football (shameful cover-up) but it actually covered TV sports history.
The NFL's aggressive marketing of broadcasting games on TV brought the game huge popularity in the 70's and actively promoted the violence to appeal to viewers. Before that, US football was more of a local sport where average people cheered and enjoyed the "game".
Since I don't give a whit about sports, I never noticed this transgression, except for the unseemly aggressive behaviour displayed by fans acting like giant toddlers in their team jerseys screaming at games. (do people act this way at the Kentucky Derby?)
OMG Fred, I completely forgot about those Hare Krishnas at the airport! What happened to them?
And thanks for the kind words, SansFin....
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>directed by THE HUNGER GAMES director Gary Ross
Aw, I am so sorry to hear once promising director Ross has succumbed to making this teen driven dreck. I imagined him as the next Capra when he did his own stuff. Guess we all have to eat.
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As a kid I would get Harris completely mixed up with Clifton Webb. They still seem pretty similar to me: spoiled mama's boy with a hefty dose of lavender.
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Thanks for correcting me SansFin.
I knew I had seen a cable "fee" list before and just remembered that ESPN was always included on the "lowest tier". Thanks for explaining why-makes perfect sense.
So great you caught my mistake & didn't flame me. (guess I can't keep all those facts straight in my head-heh)
>Geralddd said: They must get some commission for locking people into those packages. I don't fall for any of it. Keep everything separate and you can clearly see the prices. And make changes accordingly.
Well said. These days it seems you have to be so defensive with every purchase, it's like every salesman is Mr Haney from Hooterville.
I have a retail job 2 days a week and last month a mayoral candidate came in. He gave me his card and said, "Vote for me!" I asked what issues he most wanted to focus on and he said (no lie) "Do you have TW Cable? I want to change their policy of offering "packages" to an "a la carte" system where you only pay for the stations you want."
"Really? You'd funnel your energy as mayor to changing TV PROVIDER POLICIES? I don't even have cable."
You should have seen his face. What a maroon.
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>ccoral said: The problem is that companies like Cable are being drained dry by Sports and that is who is driving up the price of Cable.
It's my understanding ESPN and it's several offshoot channels are the very cheapest for cable to carry. I think they are even offered on the lowest tier of "local channels" in most areas.
>The problem is I dump Cable then I lose Internet & Phone as I have the bundle deal with Cable for 12 months.
You drank the "bundle" kool-aid. Bundling your media is only to the company's advantage, not the customer's, no matter how attractive they make it sound; save money! simplify your bills!
I became aware of what hostage taking "bundling" is when I couldn't reach a client for DAYS when his phone, internet & TV went out. How was he to contact the company to complain without a phone or email? But when they fixed his service he was credited $2.50 for his inconvenience.
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I love what both Andy & mrroberts said so eloquently!
For myself, Vincent Price brings a sexy handsome quality to roles which makes him seem all the more dangerous! His obvious glee in having power over others comes across just as well in his non-horror roles such as in Dragonwyk.
I find the well educated, mannered, sensitive & elegant part of his real persona add to his horror roles too. But with or without his mustache and even into old age, he was definitely a handsome man!
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I have experienced no problems with this message board being slow. I'm on a Mac using an old version of Safari...and I'm on a DIAL UP connection!
Some of the top menu fonts don't format correctly, but I can read & post just fine.
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Thanks hamradio....perfect comment!
I love when people post a photo as their comment....one of my favorites (as some ay know) in any "complaint" thread:
I've never had to use one of these on the TCM boards, although it fits a few:
>Andy said: This is exactly the sort of derailment that takes place routinely on other sites and it's a perfect example of the point I was making last night.
Yup.
Back on topic: Another reason I like these boards is the discussion of films I may never have seen before.
We have a lot of regulars on this board who have specific interests....like JamesJazzGuitar. I've always wanted to know his opinion of the movie about Chet Baker LETS GET LOST. Worth seeing?
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Thanks for the heads up, SSA. As both an equestrian & cinephile her appearance was right up my alley.
Fascinating and 100% dead on. Glad she can tell it "like it is" both in the horse training world (no horse will do anything it doesn't WANT to do) and in the movie star world (positive comments about Spencer Tracy's family & some star's bad attitudes)
She was even great at dispelling falsehoods without sounding "catty"- very difficult.
Many books reminiscing about old Hollywood are just terribly written and ramble on & on. Martha Crawford Cantarini is obviously a gifted writer and I know FALL GIRL is going to be an excellent read.
Thanks again!
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Your post was perfect, Andy...well said.
I've been a participant in internet message boards since 1994 on an old SE30 Mac. I've seen boards evolve, devolve, implode and die from bullies, spam, disinterest and infighting.
We are drawn together because of our interest in classic film, and that offers many different levels of participation. At best we are enjoying the "party" and learning from other's opinions and experiences since the majority of posters maintain a respectable level of intelligence & maturity.
At worst we tolerate the know-it-alls, the bad grammar, the shouting newbies while true disrupters are escorted out and "ignored".
Definitely internet Darwinism.
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Logging in this morning, the Internet News has a headline of some reality show "star" coming out about how manufactured the "reality" is. Seems most people realize these shows are "edited", but are you truly aware of how "created" they are?
I had a call over the summer from a Reality Show producer (don't ask who) pitching the idea of doing a show about my business. The money was BIG, let me tell you, like my typical year salary per week for six weeks.
Unfortunately, my "customers" would be actors-not people off the street. Drama was a requirement: making fun of the client, infighting within my staff, making mistakes on jobs, etc.
They would dictate my clothes, hair & make up and would "bleep" my speech for effect.
Are we so starved for creativity TV has turned into The National Enquirer?
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Isn't it funny? When you speak among other classic film fans, you realize just how vast the sheer number of films made. It's great there is always more to discover...
On a Fritz Lang kick and saw WOMAN IN THE WINDOW last night for the first time-wonderful! I kept marveling over that ultra sexy woman also played the refined mother in FATHER OF THE BRIDE.
SUDDEN FEAR is the next logical choice-thanks for the mention.
sewhite: The Greatest Show on Earth
You gotta like schlocky musicals (I do) This movie is corny, but that goes along with the subject.
Sepiatone: MY LITTLE CHICKADEE
Just awful despite the stellar leads. Worst picture made by each of them. See WINGS instead.
LonesomePolecat-you've never seen PSYCHO? Get it. Today. It's almost impossible to dislike.
(One of my favorite costumes for Halloween is Baby Jane Hudson. I wear a blonde wig with bows, her funny make up and carry a giant 18" rubber rat in a small picnic basket!)
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It's tough to sit down and get excited for a movie that's outside your usual genre. I've never seen many classic westerns and war films only because it's not what I'll reach for first. (I'll always pick a musical or pre-code)
A theater setting is great for that, I saw THE SEVEN SAMURAI in the theater and it was great. I could never watch it home alone.
I've been getting classics from the library and finally saw DAISY KENYON-wow.
Some on the list are:
HOW THE WEST WAS WON
CRISS CROSS
PRIDE OF THE MARINES
Just dedicate some time for CITIZEN KANE. It IS a fantastic film and really just a great story of a man's life, his loves, his mistakes. I think most people can identify with it. The "effects" and the way it looks is secondary to the story, but gorgeous storytelling.
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>JJG said: I find this statement hard to believe: Talk to most cable subscribers and they'll confirm the "classic movie" channel is their most watched.
When asking my neighbors & coworkers about cable, that's what they say, (not realizing I'm a cinephile) along with the History or Science channels.
I think many people see "classic movies" as elitist and classy and want to be thought better of than the sort who watches "My Strange Addiction" or "Dancing With The Stars"
>Most of my friends never watch TCM. They watch sports, network TV stations or movie channels that show recent movies.
I think that's probably closer to the truth, although I do think many are sucked into TCM when channel surfing and then realize how satisfying watching a classic movie is. This is why it's good TCM shows GASLIGHT and other "introductory" type movies.
>The people at this forum do NOT represent the general cable viewing public. That is something to be proud of.
See? TCM has replaced PBS as the "intellectual, artistic" choice.
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With the economy the way it's been and most people having to cut back on expenses, cable is really shooting themselves in the foot. Talk to most cable subscribers and they'll confirm the "classic movie" channel is their most watched.
TCM wasn't worth $100+/month to me, but most of the reason I discontinued cable was I hated being part of their cash cow. Cable serves up a lot of insulting crap-pap that I just couldn't support any more.
You can watch sports & PBS for nothing. The library has tons of classic DVDs available-many which are not shown on TCM like Fox movies.
I'm still amazed how many dopes continue paying cable's high prices for mostly pap, but see an awful lot more dishes these days.
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Well said Sepia. (my opinion of course)
As we all know, posting on an internet message board has it's own set of 'netticate apart from RL (real life) mostly because it's in writing without inflection and it's not instant like RL conversation.
People have a tendency to state their opinion as fact, ie "anything after 1960 is not a classic" or "TCM shows XXX too often or at a terrible time slot" and that sort of thing.
It's much better to say something to the effect: "I just don't understand the genius of Hitchcock....can anyone explain?" rather than "I hate that loser Hitchcock" as it's inviting conversation rather than shutting the door on anyone else's opinion.
Mostly, this indicates the poster thinks only within their own world and little of others feelings or opinions-something personal computer devices promote, sadly.
Good social skills come with time, practice & mistakes, as does good 'netticate.
"I don't like a man with too many muscles"
"I didn't make him...for YOU!"
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I love that picture, tracey.
I find it interesting we are discussing the differences between Katherine Hepburn's beauty (tall, slim, firm) to Elizabeth Taylor's beauty (softer & rounder) in 2013 when the ideal beauty is the ultra tall gaunt model seen in media!
This could be an ad today:
Kate just didn't have a soft feminine attitude, which I love her for. I like Kate for the same reasons I like Lauren Bacall...
This is precisely why S,LS was so perfectly cast. Vi is an aging smart sophisticated beauty pushed aside by lusty/young/sweet Catherine -everything Vi isn't. Liz Taylor simply was the epitome of gorgeousness-especially in this movie.
PS just looked at the imdb page for this & saw Eddie Fisher was an uncredited street urchin-ew
Sunset Boulevard
in General Discussions
Posted
>newbie said: Norma wanted a younger guy and did whatever she could to keep him and buy him off.
You're kind of missing the point. Norma doesn't want a younger man intentionally. Norma does not see the huge gap in their respective ages, she has very little acceptance that she herself has aged.
>The weak link in the film was the Nancy Olsen character. I didn't think she really fit the role too well - or Jack Webb.
When I think of "supporting actors", I think of these two roles (as well as Bruno Kirby & Carrie Fisher in WHEN HARRY MET SALLY) which I think are superb! They truly "support" the story!
The supporting couple mirror the doomed Joe & Norma charactors relationship, only the "let's do things the right way, it's better" example. It's illustrating Joe's and Norma's "slippery slope" attitude towards morality ending in death.
I think both Jack Webb & Nancy Olsen were perfect for their parts. It was nice to see Webb acting happy as compared to his stone faced Joe Friday portrayal.
And Nancy Olsen was sweet but serious. I thought her confusion upon discovering Norma and subsequent hurt realizing the man she has fallen in love with is a weak coward...was perfectly portrayed.
>Great movie and discussion on this thread.
I agree, and I hope you're not offended by my 2?.