Tikisoo
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Posts posted by Tikisoo
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>I've used wrinkled cellophane with a video camera to take the lines off older people's faces.
If that's so, I'm going to wear wrinkled cellophane around my head like a veil from now on.
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>the opening scene was right out of the W.C. Fields segment of If I Had A Million, that slight case of plagiarism doesn't diminish the film in the slightest. And in terms of atmosphere, you couldn't depict the Baltimore of the early 60's any better if you could step into a time machine.
Love your assessment Andy.
And I love Levinson's trilogy.
They are not the stupendous films that touch every viewer beyond demographics like The Wizard of Oz, but I don't want them to be.
I like Levinson's story telling style and his talent of setting the atmosphere and connect with them like a "cult" film will. I especially enjoy them in contrast to John Waters' Baltimore. Unlike Fred, I identify with Baltimore and enjoy the role it plays in their story telling.
And omg sepiatone, you left out of your list Paul Riser!
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>Here's a little of what a wikipedia article says about "The Golden Age" of movies
Yeah, because we all know Wikipedia must be right-they wouldn't print it if it wasn't FACTUAL.....
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>The list includes people like Robert Taylor, Tyrone Power, Dana Andrews, Glenn Ford, Paulette Goddard, Gene Tierney, Teresa Wright, Barbara Stanwyck, and 17 others.
Eh, "forgotten" stars.....really? Not this crowd.
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>When the girls says 'what can we throw in the well now?', the creature mugs for the camera with a look of 'hey, I have an idea!'.
Without ever seeing the original film, people know what he's thinking...the question is quite leading.
I've always considered Young Frankenstein one of the "perfect" films of perfect writing, perfect casting/acting, perfect editing & perfect looking. It's a film someone of 10 or 70 will find funny and entertaining. You can't say much more than that about it.
Such a nice role for great Madeline Kahn.
My favorite line? When a student asks, "Are you related to the Frankenstein who did all those experiments?"
"We all know what he did."
(Wilder's tired delivery just makes that so funny)
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OK, I'm going to go out on a limb here....
On pg 2, I mentioned the actors of yesteryear had more "personality" than the actors of today, in voice, gestures and physicality, while actors today are simply "bland".
Errol Flynn was gorgeous, yes. But his real talent lied in him just being himself on screen. HE was fascinating, so he made the charactors in the role fascinating. Cagney, Bette Davis, Cary Grant all brought their unique personal style to their roles.
Have you ever met anyone with a personality like Carol Channing? No, and you won't, she's a CHARACTOR.
Cary Grant had more than a British accent-he had an unusual cadence to the way he spoke, you listened to every word.
I've found even "natural" actors, such as Spencer Tracy -the king of subdued acting- added all kinds of memorable gestures and emphasis that registers subliminally! But wow, he still makes an impact.
I've been told by some "in the biz" that it is difficult for today's actors to "act". A take can be 45 seconds long and the actor has no idea where (or if) there's any story arc.
I also think there is much less opportunity to become involved in a story, in a charactor, in today's movies. There is so much whirling around visually, you can't really concentrate on a story, or concentrate on an actor's emotions or gestures.
Someone needs to put the drama back into acting by putting drama into the stories.
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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.
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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?)
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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?"
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>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.
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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.
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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?
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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!
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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!
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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.
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Eh, From the thread title I mistakenly thought this discussion was about THE KIDNAPPER'S FOIL
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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)
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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!"
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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.
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>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.
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>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.
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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.
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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"?)
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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.
Tootsie ??? not AGAIN!
in General Discussions
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>It is difficult to understand why anyone would declare ONE decade to be the best there ever was in cinema history. (snipped) What is even more difficult to understand is why people can't just go, "Well, I prefer (fill in decade), but I recognize that's a personal preference
Because the anonymity of the internet encourages people to state their beliefs/tastes/preferences as facts, since it's true for themselves, it MUST be true for others! Then you add to the mix all those people who feel the need to "correct" everyone else, the "know-it-alls".
Sigh.
It just gets tiring.
When you're discussing art, music, movies, comedy...the reaction is so objective, so much a matter of opinion, it's unwise to state anything as "factual" without reasonable back-up such as documented examples. Then throw into the mix misinterpretation of the written word. (ever try "technical" writing?)
You just have to take these discussions with a grain of salt and give people room for their opinion, "Tootsie...not again!" you either agree with or you don't. People added their opinion and stated why.
Then, like every good discussion at a party, this conversation gained a life of it's own, complete with bullying, snarking, etc. In RL people would walk away, but on the 'net some feel the need to drive their point for pages & pages.