Tikisoo
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Posts posted by Tikisoo
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Heh, so many "classic" films are products of their time....The Women & Guess Who's Coming To Dinner? come to mind.
I was 12 when The Exorcist came out. EVERYone was reading the book. The images and discussion I overheard scared the bejeezus out of me. Hey, I was a young girl.
Then as I went into my teen years, the Exorcist was parodied everywhere, like on Saturday Night Live. I was exposed to many of the famous scenes, like the vomiting, the head turning, the gutteral voices, etc.
Fast forward to 30. I finally decided I was mature enough NOT to be scared by this film. (yeah, I'm a lightweight when it comes to gore) I borrowed it from the li-berry and watched it alone in October. (talk about facing your fears)
And just like the William Castle films that scared me as a kid, the Exorcist had *no* impact except for sadness.
My take on the film is that it's particularly horrifying to see such a sweet innocent girl taken over by an unseen force. No one wants to lose control over their own mind & body.
All the really horrifying scenes lost all impact because I knew they were coming, except the "crabwalk" down the stairs which I admit was rather jarring.
So, I think it's a rather good film, as far as "horror" films go. The premise & execution is pretty scary (even the shuffling sounds coming from the attic early on) But it was so sensational in it's decade, it lost all impact. And of course, now viewers are even MORE disensitized to
horror.
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>It derives from the French fort, meaning one's strong-suit, the same meaning it has in English, and not the Italian forte, in which the "e" is pronounced.
Obviously I've been mispronouncing this all these years just like everyone else. (just cuz everyone else does, certainly doesn't make it right!)
So what does the Italian forte (for-tay) mean?
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> Professional critics get paid to give opinions about the hard work of others and they'll grab any opportunity to skewer something just to look like they're doing something for their paychecks. They're parasites.
This discussion about NOTH has been incredible insightful and the jab at critics was uncalled for.
Film critics give the general public an idea of what to expect from a movie. They have to take everyone in consideration from kids & teens to parents and the elderly, in all walks of life.
Film critics are film buffs just like you & I. Except they must sit through countless films day after day, not just movies they want to see. (you try it sometime)
And they have to access what the average Joe is going to think when they see the film. Will they enjoy or be repulsed by the gore? Will they be excited or bored by the car chases or love scenes? Will they be insulted or angry they wasted $10 to see it? It's not really about the critic, it's about the audience.
They are not "out to get" filmmakers or actors, they are merely trying to give an educated point of view to the public. Could you be confusing an educated professional critic with a blogger?
(ah, NETWORK was so prophetic)
I can see how critics of the day might think the average audience of the day might be confused or bored by the film. Wha..a close up of a frog?
Remember we can enjoy watching a film over & over, while audiences back then expected a succinct linear story.
I think this is why we now appreciate film more as an art form than just "entertainment".
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I think it's GREAT TCM is gaining broadcast rights to more Universal/Paramount films. I know Ann Sheridan was a big star but from the few things I've seen her in, just never understood her appeal.
Being able to see more of her films might correct that view and then I may want to own the DVD. (esp when they package them as box sets) Knowing different films will be shown on TCM also may prevent me from pulling the plug on my outrageous cable bill.
Seems these "deals" are a win/win situation for all around!
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I am an antiques restorer specializing in 20th Century American amusement folk art & commercial buildings (and minoring in everything from vintage 60's TV collectibles to depression furniture) so I'm pretty interested in history.
I love watching old movies and seeing props of things I commonly use, like decorated tin cake carriers, stainless steel water carafes, or little mink hats.
Smileys-my family heirloom clock (brass face, oak, Gothic Eastlake style) which I hope to inherit someday is clearly seen in NIGHT OF THE HUNTER. Mine will run.
My home studio is filled with all sorts of art in various stages of restoration. I kind of want to think my fort? is film related memorabilia although I don't get enough of it in.
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>And even in "the information age", researchers can misstype, find bad info, maybe not clarify what version they are citing, a number of things can happen.
And this is exactly why you shouldn't confuse an "expert" with an "MC".
I am sure when RO has something to contribute (intro/outro) concerning what Academy Awards the movie won, he KNOWS it. I'm sure he researches any minute facts/dates/names just to make sure before speaking. And I don't mean the internet, I mean his own sources.
He is the cited authority for the Oscars and of course his knowledge overlaps "general" movie history. But I wouldn't call him an overall film expert.
And I'm sure Ben is somewhat of an "inside authority" based on family stories & experiences. I'd venture to guess Carrie Fisher, Teri Garr and others brought up in the industry know a lot of Hollywood poop too.
But the only TCM MC I feel confident calling a true "expert" in overall knowledge of Hollywood film is Leonard Maltin. He certainly can keep an awful lot of interesting (if obscure) facts in his bean.
(and there's a few on this board who rival him in knowledge but just aren't in front of the cameras!)
What Robt O & Ben M have is plain old good screen presence. All those wonderful "guests" should have illustrated that. While good, they just don't have the relaxed, commanding presence of TCM's "regular" hosts.
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>I think of Robert Osborne as a film expert, which he is.
Really? I just see him as an elegant "host", a Master of Ceremonies if you will. I see Ben M the same way, if just a bit more casual.
If the host was truly a film expert he would have a fair idea of what he was saying about a film, in other words write their own script. If there was any doubt about a date, a name, etc, he would research the fact himself, just to make sure.
I know several people who are truly film experts and that's how they work.
The fact TCM's hosts don't write their own scripts just tells me they are not that involved in the historical aspect.
The intros/outros seem rather pedestrian to me and I don't consider myself an "expert" by any means.
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>I will say, after half an hour of this endless bleeping, I felt I wanted to kill whoever was responsible for it.
If I can see the film another time, I leave & complain to the attendant. It makes their day to kick people out for disturbing the other patrons & they'll give you a free ticket for another time.
If I'm behind them, _*I*_ become the annoyance & toss popcorn at their head.
I'm forever amazed as I walk through the mall I work in to see people "together" but doing something with their devices. Even couples sitting in a restaurant face to face across the table are texting away.
I otoh, only carry my phone when cross country riding & turn the sound off not to spook my horse. It's in case I get dumped and she runs back to the barn without me!
Ah, wilderness!
And isn't it sad that horses used to be a part of daily life...pretty much anyone over 50 has ridden a horse. Kids today think they "smell" and freak out over the manuer. They are visibly scared standing next to a horse, as if they have zero understanding of a farm animal.
Makes me wonder if kids think meat comes from styrofoam.
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Most of my autographs are classic rock stars...was quite the groupie in the 70's/80's.
I love lavvyblue's story about the jewelry store-what fun when a REAL celeb comes in! I worked in a dept store when Sophia Lauren was making personal appearances hawking her perfume, but barely got a glimpse of her!
But it IS exciting to relate to a real human being. I'm always surprised at a person's size!
I have a cheesy Robin Williams autographed still from equally cheesy film Death To Smoochy.
Found an authenticated Janet Gaynor in the Salvation Army for $5.
A classic Capt Kirk shot autographed by Bill Shatner when still handsome.. someone else got for me.
The only one I ever mailed & begged for was beloved Yma Sumac who had her personal assistant call me to tell me how much she LOVED my letter! A shakey autograph arrived soon after and a year later she passed.
But my very favorite is my Gloria Swanson. I met her at an event when I was 16, riding my bike carrying a crappo 110 camera. I took a photo of her in the lobby under a huge framed portrait of her, signing a program for an event I never could have attended. Thrilling!
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Great question!
I pay about $65/month for TW cable and am seriously considering dropping cable and replacing it with the Netflix & streaming route. My only reticence is my friends who "stream" often get broken connections and NF has been raising their prices as well.
(how can you justify raising prices when your operational costs stay the same? Grrrrr)
MrTiki keeps the premium package (around $100/month) and frankly, all I watch over there is an occasional documentary (Schmatta was wonderful!) and Bill Mahr. The new movies that show aren't worth the extra dough.
My brother forks out the same as I do for Comcast and TCM isn't included! We watch DVDs when I'm there. A total waste!
I primarily watch TCM but sometimes wander over to PBS. People are amazed I don't know ANY commercials or reality shows they often talk about.
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>the intent of the film is to demonstrate the falseness of the professor's views, the calamity that results, and to reaffirm the convention that love is the only thing that has value, and material wealth is unimportant.
As is usually the case, it's kind of a "sliding scale" of truth. In this economy as well as the Depression, wealth (money) means survival. And the idea of "using what you got" can mean as little as dressing well for a job interview.
I think the key to the story's appeal is that we ALL understand Bab's dilemma....really, how far are you willing to exploit yourself for security/survival?
Sometimes I feel like a prostitute selling my precious TIME working for a stupid retail/computer/service job for money.
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Well, this would be my high point of Western Art:
I love that shot-and that movie too. But I'd consider 20th Century American Film in general to be "the high point of western art". Not all our films are A1+, but Hollywood really shaped an industry and developed an art form.
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TJ's is a must stop whenever visiting my brother in MA (smoked sea salt, mesquite honey, black bean soup)
Just like Wegman's (white hots, Grandma Brown's Beans) was when I lived in MA and visited Mom in Rochester!
I have the large curvature style physique popular in the 40's. I only wish I could wear those kooky Adrian hats!
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I confess that I haven't seen any Maltin intro/outros yet but think he is an outstanding writer with just the right amount of enthusiasm & sentiment to flavor his facts. He has a true interest in classic film much deeper than the "top 40 hits" with a wealth of knowledge about the most esoteric of subjects.
All I can think is it must be his delivery people don't take a shine to.
OTOH, Robert Osborne strikes me as being a perfect professional gentleman in his delivery, coming across as a warm fascinating film friend. His intro/outro content however, just strikes me as pithy common knowledge factoids derived from internet searches.
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As someone who loves a good ham, I'll agree & add:
John Barrymore
Lionel Barrymore (to a lesser degree)
Charles Laughton (better in some roles than others)
How could you forget Paul Muni? He makes A SONG TO REMEMBER unbearable.
As stated earlier, I often love lighthearted song & dance ham like Eddie Cantor, Bob Hope, Mickey Rooney, Gene Kelly, Betty Hutton.
I think hams make the most intense dramatic actors like Jimmy Cagney to Anthony Hopkins. Or would you just call them broad actors?
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Well, I recorded YANKEE DOODLE DANDY and it's in the family queue. How could anyone NOT like it? Why doesn't TCM ever show MAN OF 1000 FACES? I love that one too.
>By the way, have you ever had a chance to see Cagney when he was reteamed with Virginia Mayo in West Point Story?
No, and I've never watched STRAWBERRY BLONDE either, but I'll make sure I do next time it airs based upon this thread!
>a zoot suit?
Another "historical" thing TikiKid jumped on. We saw Tom (Tom & Jerry) in a zoot suit & I had to explain what it was & signified. She''s delighted when she spots one in a film!
A "zoot suit" was an oversized suit; padded shoulders, wide pointy lapels, HIGH waisted pants, skinny belt, pant cuffs. Often flourished with a heavy watch chain & big floppy pancake (pimp) hat.
It was mainly worn by blacks, I think Cab Callaway was the king of zoots. The black connotation (criminal, booze, loose sex-to whitey) made it "bad boy" and radical for whites to adapt any of the elements, not unlike jazz music.
It's no different than the droopy drawers huge hoodie uniform of rap stars today. Amazing to me that some things never change.
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>Sorry, I don't mean to take this thread into a whole different direction.
Heh, I kind of think message boards are like parties...the conversation can flow and break off into smaller factions. Let's wander to the corner...
>Please tell me I'm wrong, but is there not something even rather poignant about Wood's portrayal of transvestitism in Glen or Glenda?
I think the key to appreciating his films is bearing in mind his deep sentimentality. Maybe I'm influenced by the Burton film, but I think Wood was a sweet & fun guy who truly loved movies.
(he shows us "loving" them and "making" them are two different things!)
I think in GOG? he was trying to unapologetically explain his point of view. I think he truly felt he was helping others understand & possibly accept this "demon" behaviour.
Way before his time, really.
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Such a great discussion in this thread!
I just want to add to Tom's beautiful post about Mayo's brilliant performance...
Good point that all the other performances needed to balance with Cagney's. Her charactor was very well written, she was just as mean and nasty as Cody, wasn't she? Some of the venom in her line delivery was stunning and chilling at the same time. While Cody was driven by loyalty, his girl was driven by selfishness of her own survival.
I just loved Mayo in this role and one of my favorite scenes is when she's primping in the mirror and Cody knocks her down to the couch! It seems totally unanticipated and she flops like a fish!
TikiFamily saw White Heat screened last year & TikiKid refers to it as "the one where the guy blows up 'on Toppa The World' at the end, right?" Cagney is one of the rare classic actors that's made a lasting impression on her 14 year old psyche-YAY!
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>Thanks to you and everyone for a lot of great info in this thread, wow!
Yeah I know, I'm almost afraid to respond.
But I too have wondered why I can love high falutin' prestige pictures like THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY and BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES while also really loving schtick like Eddie Cantor & lowbrow Stooges.
(I was always under the impression the majority of adults HATE the Stooges. It's reassuring to read so many positive posts)
I think narrow tastes reflect a narrow personality. As having slight multiple personality disorder, it stands to reason I'd enjoy a broad spectrum of art and therefore, film.
"Artsy" films work my brain & emotions in a satisfying way, not unlike a great novel. "Low brow" comedy (and the Stooges are lowest) appeal to my animal sense of movement, primitive social hierarchy while recognizing these charactors as fantasy, like reading a folk tale.
Besides, I love the current trend references, the old Hollwood locations & props and the brilliant sound effect guy's contribution.
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And might I add Jesse Matthews to that musicalnovelty? A big star in England, she just didn't catch on here.
I'd venture to guess many "misses" on the star front are due to timing. Musicals go out of favor, noirs & gangster films become popular... some just got into the industry too late for their niche.
I agree with the Ryan ONeal comment, but drugs, booze, homosexuality and just difficult personality can ruin many a career despite talent & brilliance. And I *do* think ONeal is a brilliant actor.
After watching THE ONEALS on Oprah's network, I got a much better understanding of the dynamics of Ryan & Tatum (& Farrah) I gained a LOT of respect for Ryan whom at 70 the phrase "Too soon old, too late smart" seems appropriate.
What I don't really understand is what inspires someone to GO INTO such a thankless, difficult field. And I especially mean those without superstar looks, like Mabel & Frank Albertson, James Gleason, J Carrol Naish, etc.
I can only guess it's the true love of acting that lures them.
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Thanks for the straight to the point post. I had it marked in my Now Playing, but wasn't sure it would be worth it. Now I know to put it on an "R" and not an "RW".
Planning on making a double feature along with Pay Day.
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I just watched my recording of THANK YOUR LUCKY STARS last night which contained several cameo appearances. I was blown away by seeing Hattie (playing herself really) singing a song! I knew she had started out as a singer, but hearing her belt one out was truly a thrill. She had a beautiful strong trilling sort of voice, so sad she was too often limited to playing maids, although she brought a LOT to those roles.
Does anyone know if she had a stronger more varied career in "black" cinema made for the south? A powerhouse of talent, a wonderful person, she will always be a huge inspiration to me.
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Last year I was Baby Jane Hudson in her "going to the store" outfit with the fur & black beret. It was loads of fun putting on that crazy make-up and styling a blonde wig in big curls over my own jet black hair. The downturned eyebrows were especially fun.
Too bad few recognized me, they thought I was just a demented prom queen despite the fact I carried a giant rat (12" tall) on a platter.
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Really nice article, filmlover. Puts a whole new spin to the idea of "Moguls & Movie Stars". Shameful. I wondered why he wasn't in more films...
He sure was handsome in his later years, preferable to his young "pretty boy" years. I loved him in PICNIC, didn't realize it was his first film. He played that charactor well-with desperation evoking sympathy from the viewer.
A classy actor.
The fat lady is singing!
in General Discussions
Posted
I'm also a TCM fan.
Am I the only one out there who likes Chris Isaak as a host? Even though he's primarily a singer/songwriter, he had a really great show on MTV for awhile so has some experience performing & reading lines. I find him pretty personable in front of the camera...similar in personality to Ben M.