Tikisoo

Well Fred, I feel the way you do. Today's "stars" are bland and look alike, especially the Barbie doll girls. All you have to do is watch an old Ed Sullivan Show and you'll see performers of every different size, shape and wearing clothing containing COLOR! Today's navy blue, black and gray wearing stars are all as ordinary as their clothing. I find it amazing stars refuse to take roles where their looks may be altered, they are no longer "pretty". Can you imagine Bette Davis, Olivia DeHavilland or Deborah Kerr afraid of being made up "ugly"? Remember when "Impressionist" was a career? There were many people to imitate, they had unique voices, cadences, and gestures. I'd love to see someone try doing an impression of ANY celebrity these days. Can't be done. Although he's just as bland looking as the rest, I've recently seen a couple of movies with Sean Penn and he is a stellar actor, he's earned my respect.

Gee, I'm surprised you felt this way about THE SUNSHINE BOYS. I remember it being well acted and a very funny premise. This movie was the first to address the lack of respect old people get in our society (& movies) I debated whether to revisit it again on PBS too. But the lure of original series STAR TREK & MUNSTER GO HOME on MeTV won me over. (how can you say Saturday offers zero good TV?)

I agree, the Lullaby of Broadway is an odd number for that ending. One of my favorite BB numbers is in PALMY DAYS, "Bend Down Sister (if you want to be thin)" When you see the first girl bend over and showcase her cleavage, you knew EXACTLY what Berkeley was thinking! When we screen BB musicals the most often heard comment is, "What was he smoking?"

>Aurturo said: well Fred, the incorrect use of regional specific animals has always bothered me too. Unlike you however, it extends beyond camels....the wrong use of elephants bother me immensely. I'm not bothered "immensely" but I'm still bothered by it. I figured it's because of my years working in a zoo. I also dislike chimps and gorillas refered to as "monkeys". Really? Only monkeys have tails. Love when they spot tigers in Africa. The "jungle" whether Africa, South America or India are all interchangeable in Hollywood. As were humans. I howl when spotting Italians and Jews as Amerindians. GUNGA DIN fails for me solely on the fact a Jew in make up plays an Indian and THE GOOD EARTH fails for the 2 non Asian leads. Just awful. Ever see nice Los Angeles black guys play Africans? They can't even attempt African sounding language or accents and instead speak Hollywood Indian; "White man go now, ugg" >Fred said: I think maybe someone who was working on the script and maybe the director too, thought the audience wouldn't understand the mirror reversal Oh yes because the concept is just too technical and deep. C'mon, an 8 year old realizes a mirror is a reversed image of themselves.

Congrats on quitting smoking! I usually am not influenced by the power of suggestion of eating or drinking in a movie, but I just don't have that kind of personality. But I can see how others might suddenly "crave" what they are seeing. (what about sex scenes TopBilled?) My issue is movies truly hypnotizing me. I practice self hypnosis, meditation if you like, and am so adept at it almost anytime I concentrate and relax, will fall asleep. It's not so disturbing when watching a DVD, I just turn it back and watch again. I've SEEN what was "slept" through, just my mind was elsewhere. It's hard to explain. What's really scary is when I have to drive long term on a highway. The idea of DVD players in cars is particularly terrifying.

Funny this comes up...MFL is burned in my brain since childhood and I recently caught Pygmalion on PBS (must be public domain) and as I watched was struck by how much alike they are. I didn't think anyone could be as good a Higgins as Rex, but Howard's portrayal is just a tad less brash with more homosexual undertones (which is how I imagine Higgins) But word for word in many cases: "I'll taught others what you taught me!" "I've grown accustomed to her face" The entire "gin was like mother's milk" "offed her for a hat" story Was much of the dialogue lifted from Shaw? If so, very wise to keep it in for MFL-the writing is brilliant! But the writing of the songs is also brilliant. They can stand alone without the story. As a child "Why Can't The English?" and it's counter "Loverly" influenced my lifelong interest in diction and regional linguistics. The story rules and Pygmalion is all story. Add great songs, sets & costumes and you've got MFL. The weakest link imho is Audrey Hepburn who overacts. I also would have much preferred hearing her own singing voice which was sweet and just fine for that role. No one can be a Julie Andrews-why try?

Thanks for posting this MissW....Lili is a film I've never seen, but will now seek out. I too love circus/carnival themes and enjoy the principle actors involved. I too like Mel Ferrer...a quick IMDB search revealed he was born in NJ and attended Princeton! Wow!

Just like anything else....you find out by doing a little research. The company is still in business - http://www.escostatue.com/ As an antique dealer, I've come across many Escos in my day, the most common: Groucho, Mark Twain, WC Fields and Mae West. Don't know if I've ever seen a Cagney....so that tells you it's more unusual. Apparently, they produce a figure for a limited time (molds deteriorate) then stop production, so they are *all* "original". I know the ones from the 70's are made of chalkware (porous plaster type material) and the ones in production now are resin (dense plastic) so that can help date it for you. No matter what it's made of, be careful not to let it chip or crack, it'll dramatically lower the value. Vacuum it with a soft brush, never dust it by rubbing with a cloth or cleaning solution!

TomJH-you seem to start a lot of threads asking for opinions, then ignore the posts and instead write long soliloquies in your own thread. Really, one day I logged on and there were no fewer than 5 threads "authored" and "last post by" TomJH. You strike me as a frustrated classic film critic/historian.

Eh, From the thread title I mistakenly thought this discussion was about THE KIDNAPPER'S FOIL http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2614498/

I know one 15 year old who will be happy in October...among all the gothic anime charactors hung on her wall is a photo of Vincent Price! No Dragonwyk? I know it's been on TCM before because I've recorded it. But they included THE STORY OF MANKIND? Oy. Heh Dargo, I have a rubber Tingler and plastic jointed skeleton in the house as a Bill Castle tribute too. People often recoil as my Tingler is scooting up the wall in my kitchen! (along with plastic cockroaches in the glass jar of rice)

This has always been one of my favorite films and I'm enjoying all the comments & observations. No one has yet mentioned how outstanding Gladys Cooper plays mother Vale. She is so restrictive and nasty, it's almost over-the-top. "You may come and see me one at a time" And the casting of Mary Wickes as the nurse-BRILLIANT! I was amazed when I recognised Cooper in other films, most notably the sweet neighbor in REBECCA. She is actually a very lovely older lady but she certainly makes you hate her in NV! I bet she very much enjoyed playing Mrs Vale, such a meaty part. Weren't her facial expressions just perfectly spot on? Although you don't see much of Dr Jacquith's therapy, his few lines were perfect, "Sometimes it's good to feel that way". Mostly, her time at Cascades benefitted her by just being away from her mother and interacting with those who accept her. When Jacquith sends her off with the "Now Voyager" quote it reminds me of when Mr Jordan sends Joe Pendleton off in HERE COMES MR JORDAN, "Goodbye Joe and enjoy the life you were meant to live" (or something to that effect) It's certainly a Pygmalian theme in that once Charlotte "learns & grows" she wants to help Tina in the same way. Remember Eliza saying "I'll teach others what you taught me". My favorite line of Charlotte's; "It was a calamity on both sides!"

I'm really into illusionists and love the variety of depictions of the genre. (I love Penn & Teller despite Penn's unfunny gutter language) Not traditional "trick" magic, but THE CRYSTAL BALL with Paulette Goddard, WHEN WERE YOU BORN with Anna May Wong and THE CLAIRVOYANT with Claude Rains are favorites.

>Oh, and I have a silly question - is there no film industry in Canada? Well, a large percentage of "Hollywood" films are shot in Canada. Toronto is known as Hollywood Northeast, while Vancouver is known as Hollywood Northwest. Most NYC neighborhoods (Moonstruck) and performance scenes (Chicago) are made in Toronto NE. Many cable network series like excersize shows and sitcoms are made in Hollywood NW. Both cities have strong post production, title, special effects, animation, sound (and more) studios set up that get non stop work from what we think of as Hollywood film industry. Sadly, very little acting talent ever makes the crossover into US celebrity status (or maybe they're lucky to stay away) As for the Cagney, Bogart & Robinson comparison....I have exposed TikiKid to all three stars, and Cagney is by far the standout. His broad acting style reaches a 15 year old kid not all that interested in "old b&w" movies. She even sat through MAN OF A THOUSAND FACES because Cagney's performance made the story riveting for her. Bogart and Robinson, while broad actors to adults, holds nothing to Cagney's apparent glee brought to his roles. I can't wait to show her FOOTLIGHT PARADE just for the dancing. But she'd be lost with DOUBLE INDEMNITY, LITTLE CESAR or VINES/TENDER GRAPES, she just wouldn't see Robinson's brilliance, it's too subtle. And Bogie uses too much dialogue and too little body to get across to a teen. Again, he's actually subtle compared to the Cag. Cagney is so convincingly rotten in LOVE ME OR LEAVE ME, I can't watch that film a second time.

>The song was written out of gratitude to the country that offered them a safe and better life. Thanks for taking the time to articulate, lavenderblue....but I wholly understand the sentiments of the song "God Bless America", I was asking about the phrase. I find it inappropriate for our president or other government representatives to say this because it comes across as "We're deserving of God's favours and other countries be damned". >The Music Man dosen't just use popular themes of American life to elicit automatic responses in the viewers Perfectly said - I'll remember your phrasing when I hear a crappy rock tune inserted in a modern kids film.

Wow I can't believe no one's mentioned Sanders' portrayal of Favelle in REBECCA (1940) I thought that role particularly suited him-sneaky, charming and manipulative all the same time. Love how he steps through the window! I especially love the scene outside the trial when Max & "wife" are lunching in the carriage and he looks in and says, "Ah a picnic, how lovely" and steps in! The dialogue in the carriage is priceless! I also like him in DORIAN GRAY, but he's really only playing the devil, suggesting, tempting Dorian Gray to sell his soul for immortal youth.

Can someone please explain the phrase "God Bless America" to me? It certainly seems as if the statement demands God to play favorites. "God bless America....and anyone else be damned" So yes to me, that's cheesy. As for the Music Man....Preston is always excellent in any role he performs, but the offbeat writing for the Harold Hill role really allowed his talent to shine! (what ode to a woman rhymes her name with "carrion"?)

Happy Birthday George-the most lovable cad in film. Anyone know the story about how he served ZsaZsa divorce papers? I remember howling when I heard it-but don't recall enough to paraphrase in front of this group of experts.

TCM is still showing that filler spot? Gives me the heebie jeebies just thinking about it.

>I can't believe we live in a world now where people cannot be trusted to use common sense and discretion when it comes to conversing with others in a retail environment. Finally comes the day when I disagree with you, MissW. I am amazed at what "common sense" items are listed in most employee handbooks these days. You actually have to STATE all employees wear closed footwear to work? You mean any employee would be STUPID enough to wear flip flops on the job? Many jobs require employees to remove any piercings and completely cover tattoos while on the job. This is why you see the doopahead in a long sleeved turleneck in July. Just recently, a 30 yr old I work with called merchandise "crap" right in front of a customer! Glad a manager didn't hear that! (but it IS crap) So yes, management leaves nothing to the discretion of the employee and in some cases it truly helps kids grow up. A demotion at 21 because I had pink hair taught me that-thank goodness I never did anything permanent! Another lesson on "meaningless conversation": While working, mall visitors will come up to me all day and say, "What are you doing?" (sweating) or "Are you painting?" or "Are you an artist?" I mentioned this to OfficerTiki because it drives me bonkers. He said, "People just want to make a connection....they don't know what to say" which of course made me feel like a jerk. So now I try to be a better citizen & nicer person. PS MissW I loved your "bshite"

I recently watched a movie recorded from the last 31 Days (took me 4 months!) and recalled the format as organized by studio. I really liked that a lot because it showcased the different studio styles and stable of talent. It'll be tough topping that one.

My first thought was "these are the real Essentials" too! Wow! >so, it looks like it's an academic/influential/enterainment "story" as opposed to a popular/entertaining/renowned review. Thankfully. I just detest those "clipfest" walks down memory lane "docu-crap". I really like the decade "chapter" descriptions and the films chosen to illustrate it. Thankfully, I've already seen most of the films but am thrilled to see a Wenders film new to me! Thanks SansFin about recommending DAISIES. I'll recommend HAXAN (1922) if you like gothic film with historical aspects...good story sprinkled with truly bizarre visuals involving nuns, the devil & sex. >Let it be said again: Anyone who thinks TCM is going downhill needs to go jump off a bridge RIGHT NOW. Yes, Indeedy. Thanks Liz for posting all of that!

We're ALL infuriated with this new found rudeness-especially in movie theaters which is supposed to be a sort of intimate experience. But people have brought their bad manners into every public space. I think we have completely lost our sense of community. When did we forget as a society the importance of making those around us comfortable? >helenbaby said on pg 1: I could even overlook it with the kids, ages 6 and 9. But their mom is in her early 40's--she should know better. There's your answer-she DOESN'T know better. Manners need to be TAUGHT. You can't expect a 6 or 9 year old to know how to be nice unless they're taught by their parents (and sometimes schoolyard fights) So many parents today were brought up as the center of the universe, they simply have lost the idea there's anyone else. Their kids learn the same lesson. One of my jobs is to paint a carousel in a Mall Food Court. I'm amazed at the bad behaviour I see daily: ? Children running out of control while parents sit & text (hands in my paint!) ? Parents texting while holding 2 year old on carousel horse (enjoy the ride!) ? People who talk or eat with their mouth full (and texting!) Seems to me youngsters are acting out just to get attention from their parents who are just too busy. Many people do not know the protocol of elevator manners is to let all exit before boarding. Gender has nothing to do with it. It has to do with the tight confines. I also work as a cashier, and I too dislike fake politeness. Yes, I have to acknowledge anyone walking in with a "hello". The real reason is to check if the person is carrying a bag, instrument or whatever for security reasons. I hate treating people like criminals before even interacting with them. MY final salutation is "Thanks for shopping with us today" or something to that effect because I know if they didn't come in, I wouldn't have a paycheck. Capuchin-do you have a snappy answer for the awful parting greetings: "There you go" (no, there YOU go) "Have a good one" (good what? Lunch? Drive home? Bowel movement?)

>Certainly seems like the same idear of mindless escapism. Although it's shifted from positive hope messages for negative destructive messages. My statement was kind of jumped on with interpretations of "message" movies. OK, how about substituting "overall feeling" for "message" in the above sentence? My intention was to compare the demographics of 30's movies to today's- Today's popular movies are generally short on story while tall on mindless escapism. They made mindless escapism movies in the past too. Just the overall feeling when you left the theater after watching a Shirley Temple or Astaire & Rogers was, "Don't let things get you down, it'll work out in the end" When I leave the theater after seeing a modern movie, my overall feeling is negative, sadness and fear for the future. Not all of them, but many of them.

Dargo, I'm becoming a fan of your photo punctuations.... I am pretty much bored by modern movies....even the better ones like The Artist or Hugo are still pretty meh. Yes, they gear movies to a different audience - teens, especially boys because they're willing to pay $15 for an empty shoot-em-up gore fest and I'm not. The popular films during the depression were musicals- Busby Berkeley, Astaire & Rogers, Shirley Temple, etc. They were geared towards a certain demographic. If you didn't like screwball comedies or silly musicals the choices were few & far between. Certainly seems like the same idear of mindless escapism. Although it's shifted from positive hope messages for negative destructive messages.