Tikisoo
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Posts posted by Tikisoo
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>where the heck did you find the symbol for "cents" on a modern keyboard?
Look for "keycaps" in your computer menu and it'll show you the "extras" when you press a key.
On a Mac the middle of the three smaller keys left of the space bar (big one at the bottom) are "control", "option" & "command" (the 4 leaf clover)
When you press "option" with the $/4 key, it's the ?.
Option also provides ?, ? ? ?e ? and all sorts of cool symbols. Try it!
The reason I know about so many random things is because I'm an artist and as an artist I've had to take all kinds of oddball jobs, such as cartographer, taxidermy painter, computer graphics, etc. And I use antique tools to do a lot of it, like hand crank drills, leather punches and old sewing machines.
When people say I have a cool job I always picture Daffy Duck as the giant's watch, "It's a living"
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Haven't seen the show yet, it's DVR'd for later viewing....but maybe I can answer a few queries;
I've had a lot of experience with taxidermy and they are extremely delicate. I suspect a real zebra head mount was not used in any way aside from hanging on an interior wall with some sort of climate control. Tanned skin with fur dries out quickly and becomes very brittle. It wasn't until the 70's/80's that plastic resin forms were used-before that the forms were wood/plaster/sawdust-a very delicate base.
As for old sewing machines, yes, the older ones RULE! Why don't they make them like that anymore? Because old ones were steel and made in USA (or Europe), today they are mostly plastic and made in Asia. They traded quality and durability for lightweight and cheap production.
It's one of the rare items worth rehabbing if found at a yard sale or thrift shop. (actually, so are 40's-50's kitchen appliances)
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>A really scary made for TV movie is the original Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, with Kim Darby, Jim Hutton, and William Demerest. But I would never want to see it -- or any made-for-tv film -- on TCM.
Well, it's already been broadcast on TCM Underground. I watched it and thought it was MST3K fare; funny for Darby's dopey facial expression and silly for the oversize sets trying to make the costumed gremlin actors appear teeny.
A hoot!
I was unaware it was made-for-TV.
When I read the OP I was under the impression he/she was suggesting one evening a week they'd broadcast a made-for-TV movie featuring a classic Hollywood star like Barbara Stanwyck or William Holden in their later years.
Some of these m-4-TV were pretty good productions (wasn't George C Scott's "Scrooge" a m-4-TV movie?) and would be of interest to the classic movie fan.
But I'm with musicalnovelty on the mini-series suggestion.
Roots & George Washington were the only two I even bothered with (hey I was in my 20's and a wild thing with no time for TV) but for the most part I think mini series were too bloated, cheesy and fall short for broadcast on TCM.
If you want to revisit a mini series, buy the box set on DVD.
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Took me awhile to figure out what you were talking about....MADE for TV movies, right?
Many made-for-TV-movies were very well done, with former movie studio cast & crew. In fact, many TV shows (example Alfred Hitchcock Presents) used movie studios crew & sets since theater film was winding down as TV was ramping up. I have no problem with them broadcast on TCM.
How do you feel about the 80's mini-series? I can't think of one that would hold up today, weren't they fairly tawdry?
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Well, I don't know what insights Osborne had for this movie....but this was screened last season by our Cinefile Society and *our* stellar host pointed out these classic Ealing comedies were filmed before clean up of WW2 bombings had been completed. In many deep focus exterior scenes you see rubbled buildings doubling for city slums and blight. I found that interesting, since that never occurred to me.
These Ealing comedies are still just as fresh as when they were made and go over great with an audience-many who never heard of them before!
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The best thing about METV is they show complete episodes...no cutting to fit in more commercials! AND, most importantly, they do not cut, squeeze or speed up the end credits as most cable companies have done to a ridiculous level.
Now we can read a familiar face like "Dick Curtis" in the credits to look him up on IMDB. (cool story Dargo-thanks for mentioning him)
Plus, it's on free TV-I receive it with my antenna!
If you like classic & cheesy horror movies check out Sat nights at 10pm, with the Svengoolie Show. Sven's a goofy host in the finest tradition and he offers interesting factoids about the actors, extras or making of the film during breaks. A new fave!
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Dick Van Dyke just published his autobiography, "My Lucky Life" this past year which is definitely worth reading. "Lucky" really sums it up, for so many of his breaks into show business were pure luck with timing and connections.
Of course, it didn't hurt the guy is hard working, affable and super talented!
I find whenever dealing with people who've "made it" they possess that winning combination. Complainers, divas, slackers....they may have the talent, but they don't make it very far.
And if they start out decent and get hoity toidy with fame, they are taken down very fast. It's like natural selection.
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I really hope networks listen to the audience. Reading this forum it's very apparent what (intelligent) people like and dislike on cable TV. Everyone is bored to tears with "reality" shows and thirsts for well made programming-even history & documentaries! Let's hope those insipid, bleeped shows get fazed out soon. (in "reality" they are scripted, edited & populated with aspiring actors-what a joke)
If you are bored with the repeats of classic film, just stop watching them awhile. I watched Monkey Business (the Cary Grant/Ginger Rogers one) last night after not seeing it for maybe 2 years-it was as if a first viewing-very fresh!
I noticed the gorgeous car Grant drove was an old Jag roadster type and made me think of this thread.
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Why is this conversation so civil, while the exact same subject turned angry/emotional in the "Shirley Temple" thread? Doesn't this "barefoot & pregnant" attitude make _women_ look stupid?
I'm a woman in a man's field and I STILL see the look on people's (mens) faces when I show up and they say, "You're doing this job? You?" Eh, I'm more proud than offended.
>bundie said: the jury members examined her torso in the judge's chambers to determine the color of her nipples
Gratuitous. Everyone knows **** color is the same as lip color. I'm a colorist-I've actually tested it. True.
That picture made me lol Dargo. We just watched SLIH & I had never caught the joke:
"I won't fit into your mother's dress-we're built differently!" Then Osgood says, "We can have it altered"
Lemmon gets a horrified look and says, "You will NOT!"
Never caught they were thinking about "altering" different things!
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Well as some of you may know, February marks my one year anniversary without cable.
It was actually a very artistically stimulating year! I watched a lot of very well made interesting documentaries on PBS, borrowed a LOT from the library and received approx 6-10 films per month recording other's TCM. Not everything was great, I saw my share of stinkers.
Often I'd borrow films from the library stimulated by seeing them listed in Now Playing guide-just to keep up with this group. And realize, not EVERYTHING is available on DVD, or popular enough for the library to buy.
There IS a limited pool: they don't make old movies any more. I don't mind TCM adding some TV (like Dick Cavett/Playhouse 90) when it's movie star related to freshen up the mix. TCM also sprinkles in their own documentaries & interviews occasionally. Good job!
I just cannot afford the crazy cable bill that provides TCM along with 99% awful & insulting programming...which I refuse to support financially because then I'm supporting them to continue.
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Thanks musicalnovelty-that's great news!
>Restoration and preservation will be done and a 35mm screening print will be struck, so it can be shown at film festivals.
And that's even better news! I understand many film restorations (process done digitally, btw) will stay digital without transfer back to film.
But it has been pointed out to me that manufacturers (like Kodak) will most likely stop even making film in the future. And if another manufacturer starts film production, the cost of transfer may be prohibitive.
Film is being forced out of our lives...what a world, what a world!
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Wow, this thread has gone way off topic....I hope not due to any of my posts.
The only true life experience I have observed about modern gypsies involves friends of mine who build caravan wagons (gypsyvans.com) who attended a big yearly gypsy gathering in the UK.
They set up like the circus, taking over very large fields with their encampments. My friends were surprised by the fanciness of their clothing, wagons & spotted horses-for poor people they sure seemed to boast about their possessions.
She has photos of the grounds after the vans left. It looked like a bomb went off-they never cleaned up their litter, horse apples, wasted food, etc. I can see why the authorities have disdain for these groups, they didn't seem to hold any respect for others, leaving the public grounds a mess.
The modern gypsies in the UK seem to be breeding horses for a living (most likely picked up from Irish ancestry) and "gypsy vanner" horses are very popular right now. Martha Stewart and other celebrities keep stables of the foundation breed, Fresians. Often used in film, Fresians seem the horse world flavor-of-the-month.
Really, it's hard to pinpoint their heritage since gypsies are nomadic and pick up different cultures as they go. I like that actors are called "gypsies" because of the parallel that you have to "go where the work is" and do such a variety of jobs just to make a living.
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Uh oh we're getting personal....
>Hey, GYPSY, eh? Did you get married in one of those God-awful 100 pound GOWNS?
>With regards to "heritage gypsies": So you're ancestors are from the area between Spain and France? I love to play gypsy jazz music
The giant gowns are a "new" twist, and I have nothing to do with Gypsy culture, I'm American. Every country has "gypsies", originally called that because they looked "Egyptian".
As far as I understand my once Gypsy ancestors settled in Hungary as farmers, but my family name of Martinez (shortened to Martin when coming to US pre 1900) certainly does not sound Hungarian. I suppose they picked up a lot of Hungarian culture (like the language) from living there for generations.
My Nana said we were distantly related to Bela Lugosi, but that could be a fantasy on her part. She sure looked & acted like him when she got Alzheimer's!
We've been in America over 100 years and I certainly identify with American culture. But I too love all that Balkan/Gypsy weird time signature jazz and am always surprised when other people don't "get" it. Lucky you to see it in person.
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Well Kyle, I think you're contribution to this forum is huge- I love your intelligent comments & contributions. (as well as several other "regulars" here)
And for me, the classic movie racial discussion is exactly the same as the women's issue in classic film.
When I watch an old movie and the charactors "talk down" to women, consider women nothing more than broodmares, or housekeepers/maids/cooks, it's the same thing. An "independent" woman was considered a moll or loose and (god forbid) a childless woman a barren old maid!
I AM a woman...and I am often shocked but never upset over the way things "were" for women. It's a part of history and I'm so glad I'm a woman today instead of my mother's era.
That's exactly how I view the insulting treatment of Blacks, Asians, Irish, Jews and (MY heritage gypsies) in old films. Ever see a gypsy who's not an old bag? She's a thieving dancing girl ready to charm every dollar from you. Should I be upset over that? C'mon grow up.
>JJG said: So us former hippies that are now upstanding citizens tend to react strongly when we see pictures of young people where it is implied that because of how they look TODAY, they are destined to end up being loser.
Heh, I'll join that club too. In the early 80's I wore ripped shirts held together with safety pins, mini skirts and had hot pink spiked up hair. I wasn't served in restaurants, even bartenders were afraid of me! When I see kids with tattoos, piercings & colored hair I just think, meh, it's been done. And to look at me now, you'd never know I was such a hardcore punk.
My biggest concern for kids today is not thinking ahead "that cute little hummingbird tattoo on your breast is gonna be a stork by time your 50".
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I posted the modern clothing photos (sorry) in response to a comment that kids these days are fashion conscientious.
I see kids of ALL color tones wearing PJs & low bottom pants and do not see it as a "racial" but a "youth" trend since there aren't many adults dressed that way.
Sorry if it was offensive.
And my comment on "shame" had more to do with keeping your private life PRIVATE. (and that goes for underwear too!) I think you'll agree it wasn't very prudent to post that kid's photo on the internet. (I presume it was originally posted by the parent)
But why _can't_ we discuss racism and how far it's come (if at all) since depicted in a classic film? I like knowing most of the posters here find it abhorrent, but take it in context.
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Don't forget, Marion was a "bad" girl because Norman saw her naked and was aroused (presumably) by her.
Lila may have been seen by Norman/Mother as a "good" girl or at least off limits/not of interest because she was with another guy.
Although at that point in the story, Norman seems suspicious about their stopping at the motel-no bags, no wedding rings, no nasty weather. Could they be stopping for (gasp) sex?
Besides, I really think it was the "arousal" that triggered Norman's guilt and therefore eradication of the catalyst who caused it.
Hitchcock was a great filmmaker who showed enough for us to understand what was going on with Norman in the "peeping" scene. I wasn't embarrassed at all to watch it with a 15 year old. Can't say the same for that awful remake.
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When I was in high school in the early 70's, we had a dress code: no shorts shorter than "mid thigh" and no bare midriff. Big deal. Most of the "rules" never were an issue because parents didn't allow their kids to leave the house looking like mini hookers anyway.
Nowadays you need rules like: no pajamas, no slippers & no exposed underwear. Amazing you even have to point those things out.
Love your story sepiatone, especially "Popeye's legs". Cops love this look because it's fairly easy to catch & apprehend a waddling perp.
hamradio: there were ALWAYS boys like that, even in our day. Just no one would glamorize them by posting a photo-they remained hidden & ashamed.
(sometimes shame is a good thing!)
Anyone who leaves their home dressed as if they just left the hospital or prison obviously has NO PRIDE in themselves and zero shame.
The saddest thing is these kids look like this (waistband under their butt) and have no idea the connotation. TikiKid pointed out to a boy at school, "you realize that look comes from prison" and the boy said, "yeah, I'm BAD" and she enlightened him it's a signal to other inmates that he's available for sex. He pulled his pants up on the spot!
Sorry, but I'll repeat today's "fashion" makes people look a heck of a lot stupider than any old Shirley Temple movie.
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Since you're all discussing Psycho, I gotta share our Psycho story:
The (15 y/o) kid has seen every parody of the shower scene from the Simpsons to sitcoms-the shrieking violins, the stabbing, the chocolate syrup, etc. She had NEVER seen the movie and I thought how can you appreciate clips if you never seen the scenes in context?
It was so much fun watching it with someone who saw every scene "fresh". She was 100% charmed by Norman, thought he was "dreamy" and sympathized with him.
I thought she was going to launch out of her chair when Norman was caught in the fruit cellar-she hadn't even an inkling Norman was anything but sweet and gentle.
The closing synopsis was helpful for her too, since she was confused by Mother's skeleton. The scene was so powerful for her she never noticed the badly matched Mother's voice dubbed in the scene, which I always found pretty clunky.
We now use Norman Bates as an example to her that it's tough judging a boy on his looks and first impression!
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>hamradio said: Kids today worries to much about fad and fashion that is a major distraction by which the private school system does have the right idea of uniforms.
Really? Kids even giving a thought to their appearance? Fashion?
I live on the same street as a high school, and these are the "fashions" I see parading by daily.
I'll go out on a limb and say these clothing choices make kids look a heck of a lot stupider than any old Shirley Temple movie.
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>No, what put Judy Garland in a class by herself among the actresses we've been talking about is the depth of emotion she put both into her songs and her performance.
Again, I agree with your post 100% Andy, even our preferences of Judy's movies.
Judy is one of those people where the stars aligned and several crucial factors come together. Kind of like a film with great writing, director, casting, visuals & photography are all top notch-there are scant few nearly flawless films.
For example, Betty Hutton has a great voice, can sell a song, pretty, good dancer, passable actress and confident performer, yet vulnerable.
She's close...but Judy has something else. It's undefinable, like "star quality".
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>So if I want to keep a movie, it has to go straight to DVD and I can't remove the extra before and after that I record to make sure I get the whole film.
Aren't you glad TCM is uninterrupted & commercial free?
Always record to the starting time of the next movie. You'll be pleasantly surprised 5 years from now when you see a discontinued featurette. I love watching my old TCM recordings and see beloved fillers. It's always some classic film related homage, never a commercial.
(but even seeing the evil Robert Osborne Bobble Head makes me lol)
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I find it funny (& sad) that in 2013 ANY culture whether in India, Japan, Iran, Mexico all people have "preferences" about skin tone.
And even funnier (& sadder) that lighter skin toned people prefer the darker spectrum of their scale (NJ whites & tanning booths) while darker people (like East Indians) prefer the lighter spectrum of their scale!
>it puzzles and saddens me when I hear about (some) Asian people wanting surgery to make their eyes look rounder (read, more "white"), and (some) black people looking into procedures on how to lighten their skin colour.
Well, plastic surgery to change your appearance is just sad in every case. But I'm not above using over-the-counter skin lightener to fade age spots!
And as for "words", spend 5 minutes on the high school grounds and you'll hear "n****r" spoken all over the place. Although repugnant to me, it seems a source of power (albeit empty) within young black male circles.
And to come back around to the beginning of this conversation, that's what watching racism in old movies is like. You may be repulsed by "words", or demeaning situations, but it's a time capsule of what "used to be" and every time I am jarred by it, I'm thankful those words & situations are no longer acceptable in 2013.
I mean really, how many of us laugh at the glamorization of cigarette smoking in Now Voyager? Isn't it the same thing?
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I find it pretty ballsy a company that shows digital presentation would call itself "Arclight".
(although I'm happy to see Brief Encounter, The Apartment & Some Like It Hot are 35mm projections!)
Digital presentations are the bottom of the barrel visually and if you've ever seen real arc light projection you know it's the visual ultimate.
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Love the insights posted here. Why should we be afraid of discussing racism? I think 99% of us are all on the same page.
I especially loved:
>AndyM108 wrote:To make a more general point of this, I think that one of the main reasons I love TCM so much is that by showing us a nearly limitless number of movies from well before "our time", we begin to learn by a sort of gradual osmosis what it "felt" like to live in those long gone decades. If "the past is a foreign country," then many of these films are our passports and time travel tickets.
I'll tell you the worst thing I have seen on TCM was the last line of "Call Of The Wild", which actually made me gasp. Jack Oakie comes back to the cabin with an Eskimo girl and says, "I won *it* in a card game." I couldn't believe it! Objectifying women or Native cultures? Disgusting either way.
African-Canadian? Heck, the Canadians are too busy arguing over "Anglo-Canadian" vs "French-Canadian" to worry about skin color.
I know an "African-American" who is a pale blonde girl born & raised in South Africa. She checks "African American" on every form and she certainly gets a strong reaction from US blacks.
C'mon, would I refer to myself as "Hungarian-American" when my ancestors came over generations ago?
And yes, the skin color differences create prejudices within the community. I know several kids of mixed race who deny their black heritage exactly as portrayed in the movies "Imitation of Life". Yes, that still happens!
And I sought out the statue of Bill Robinson in Richmond Virginia. He is dancing on stairs because I believe that's his most famous step... immortalized in The Littlest Rebel.
Does Anyone Else Think Things are Getting a little Boring Around Here?
in General Discussions
Posted
Nice post & comment Cappy.
>and the sad thing is, the people who I do mean won't see themselves as possibly doing anything wrong
oops, could be me-I try to be polite
I guess what really frosts me about this board is all the attention hounds pulling us away from actual film discussion. There's nothing I enjoy more than someone starting a topic about a film or a genre and everyone adds their insights.
I don't even mind off topic threads, there's a lot of interesting opinions here.
A thread getting off topic to a certain extent is fine-I liken it to a coctail party conversation, it has a life of it's own, maybe the subject is talked out.
Instead, what I find too often is a thread consisting of the original author posting photo after photo as a guessing game (doesn't that belong in the games/trivia section?) or a poster reposting over and over in their own thread-stop & listen to others for a change!
But, like at real film festivals, a few bloated social misfits just take over the conversation trying to impress you with their "vast knowledge" on film history. (like comic book guy) Boor & a bore.