Tikisoo
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Posts posted by Tikisoo
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>I am a professional-caliber musician who has played every one of the songs in both of these musicals, which of course gives them a highly personal quality to my own experience.
I'm glad you brought this up, GR.
As a kid, my chorale instructor LOVED M. Willson and I recall having to learn several of his songs. When you sing them (or play them) I think their "less than typical" timing and melodies become even more apparent.
The guy was truly a genius; it's almost as if he knew the "rules" and knew them so well, he could bend them and still succeed.
And Robert Preston was just the perfect vehicle for them.
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I am just discovering Eddie Cantor and was delighted seeing this last night. And extra bonus to see my hero Raymond Scott & his orchestra!
I don't think anything was funnier than seeing Roland Young dressed in those crazy clothes. His droll line delivery was a scream.
>In the uncut version they do so and encounter a sultan-type guy abusing and beating up his several wives.
Yeah, as if the stuff left in was any less offensive!
(your memory & knowledge of film amazes me musicalnovelty)
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>I wish to own one of the pallets of new money which it shows? Purely as a piece of movie memorabilia of course.
I knew someone who owned stacks of money props used in a gangster film. It was a riot because it was a stack of foam with paper money glued to the top and printed paper edges covering the sides.
And "movie money" is 5-10% larger than real money to show up on camera better and never be confused with real money after the film is over.
To clarify what I meant about "shoes or glasses that could have been worn by anyone"...
I own some clothing props and really, they have little meaning. I keep a photo of the actor wearing it but it's still just a movie prop collecting dust.
Most people are more impressed by the repro Maltese Falcon (from that same bookstore!) than any authentic movie clothing. Either something is lost without the actor wearing it, or it's disappointing because it's so cheesy fake looking.
I guess "object" props are just more interesting. (especially fake food)
That said, there's a member here who owns a space suit from 2001. I'd like seeing that just to see how different it looks in person from how it photographed.
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You will find many reproductions of famous props available, like the golden Mayan idol from *Raiders of The Lost Ark* if you know where to look. Horror make up heads like Karloff as Frankenstein are readily available, if you want to display a head on your dining room buffet.
I have a chalkware Maltese Falcon that was cast from the original over 30 years ago (I think it was less than $20!) that guards my DVDs.
But would you really want a pair of shoes or glasses that could be anyone's?
As a restoration artist, I can "fake" anything and have often thought about substituting myself in a reproduction of the final Dorian Gray painting to expose my many sins!
(the original "young" portrait was owned by Hatfield and the "end" one is in an art museum in Chicago)
Really, if you do want a "Laura" portrait, if you provide a good working copy, any artist worth their salt could make one.
My favorite movie memorabilia is a pair of Mole Richardson baby spots. I often imagine it lighting Garbo or Bette Davis's face, but most likely they were used in some Roger Corman film.
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>I love THE MUSIC MAN except for one thing: Ronny Howard's cloying, annoying, over-the-top performance. I wish he had been reigned in.
I agree with that and would also throw in Buddy Hackett's performance in Sha-poopie. Ew.
It's like the clever songs or townspeople's reactions aren't enough comic relief, they have to add in crummy slapstick that undermines the real human comedy.
I love this musical- Shirley is just stunning in it (those clothes!) and it really shows what a gorgeous voice she has. And Robert Preston is simply perfection.
The costumes were a dream, they certainly deserved an Oscar. And wasn't that Thurl Ravenscroft at the beginning with the black horse?
I really enjoy Meredeth Willson's compositions.
He's not verse/chorus/verse/chorus like all of the others, but instead creates very unusual timings and rhythms. Yet, he can bring in elements of oldie timey marching band music, evoking a certain "feel".
My favorite lyric is when Prof Hill uses the rhyme "carrion" when he's wooing Marian in song!
I'm sure my neighbors were rolling their eyes hearing my stereo blasting this last night, my tastes are so corny. I'm glad others here enjoy the corn too.
As for OKLAHOMA, the only scene I like is the opener with hunkster Gordon MacRae riding his horsie along the cornfield. Whenever I ride along the fields I burst into song too.
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fxreyman, thanks for your post about SprawlMart.
Of course I understand they do not "open up each DVD and edit it".
I just don't patronize WalMart because of their business practices.
Many people are unaware the movie or music they buy there is an edited version. Many also don't realize the once high quality US brand name product (ie Woolrich, Hanes, etc) is now manufactured in China in a "store exclusive" factory to keep prices down. (Target does this too)
Sometimes the "lowest price" comes at a great cost to our society. It always seems those with the least to spend are those willing to stand up & say NO.
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>It WOULD be hilarious if there were a screw--up, and a foul-language film were shown at mid-day, or better yet, at prime time.
I recall once seeing topless women on a Saturday afternoon, was it Hawaii? Completely non offensive, but I recall thinking that was an odd choice.
And hamradio- sure, we've heard the f word before, but no one in this house uses vulgar words when we speak.
I don't care for any stories (reading or movies) that uses them rampantly. It just "dumbs down" the story for me.
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Thanks for mentioning this-I saw it on the schedule & thought, "never seen this one" and maybe give it a try. But I despise foul language in films and will just skip it.
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We hadn't watched TV in a few days so were shocked when seeing RJ at the helm last night. We looked at each other & said "uh oh".
Our first thought was RO might be sick, then realized the "intro/outros" are taped well in advance.
We then speculated he may be out for a limited amount of time for health reasons & surgery seems plausible.
I hope RO makes a speedy recovery & enjoys some down time for a change.
(and one of the reasons I have no desire to attend TCM "events" is because I hate seeing "fans" crowding & bothering celebrities trying to impress them with their knowledge)
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>First of all, big comedies seen alone on small screens can easily fail. Comedy is kinetic and laughter is contagious.
INDEED
I feel almost the same way about silent film and have a tough time watching them on DVD.
Thanks for that photo of Barrie Chase & Dick Shawn.
As a kid, Ethel Merman was my favorite in the film, and now I really love the whole Mr Cool Dick Shawn crying while trying to get to his mother. (maybe because I know too many guys like that in real life and they ARE hilarious!)
And TikiKid leapt out of her chair when she saw the Big Dubbya before the actors!
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So far I have the recorder set for:
*The Mayor of Hell* which makes a great triple feature paired with *Angels With Dirty Faces* (why don't they ever show this?) and *Wild Boys of The Road.*
And I'm very curious about *Young Winston.* Churchill is a family favorite, and family members who don't get TCM are fighting over who borrows it first. Hope it's good.
I happened upon *Louisiana Purchase* and was bummed I missed it-Bob Hope is a fave of mine. How was it?
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The biggest issue I see with IAMMMMW is that all of us have grown up and our tastes and opinions have changed.
As a kid I thought it was the funniest thing ever, and TikiKid was GLUED to the set when she happened upon it halfway through. The recognition of ALL those stars together and seeing loudmouth Ethel Merman's underwear tickles a film loving kid. Much the same as Abbott & Costello. It's just silly.
And I'm another consumer that has never set foot in a WalMart. Anyone who buys censored media there is a chump.
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Oh god misswonderly, I love poutine! Sounds gross I know, but oh so delicious!
Nothing is as good after rigorous winter excersize like skiing or snowshoeing. It's the spicy gravy and gooey cheese that make it great-ketchup? Ew.
I hear even McDonalds sells a version of poutine in Ontario.
When ice skating on the canal in Ottawa, you can grab a poutine from a vendor cart. Every time I see the "hot sweet potato" seller in *The Bishops Wife* skating scene I think of poutine vendors.
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Recently I discovered the "theater mode" input on my new TV's remote. It lessens the contrast, making the blacks less black and the whites softer. On b&w films, it gives the picture almost a sepia tone look and on better color films a "dreamy" effect.
MrTiki prefers the "sharper" look of regular mode. Most likely because he thinks it looks brighter & cleaner and feels "theater" mode is dull looking.
Opinions?
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Wow Terry, you perfectly expressed my exact feelings again. All great observations.
Most every role I've seen Howard in, he's a milktoast fop, I couldn't see why any woman would find him attractive.
I saw him yesterday and thought he was wonderful. And at times actually handsome.
>Howard gives a fine performance, and I came away thinking this guy was a real patriot, on and off the screen.
Didn't he die in WW2? I don't recall seeing him as an aging actor.
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> I recorded this too, and heard a loud humming on the sound for the first 20 minutes or so. (Could be my sound system, though)
I heard it as a buzz early in the film, but not very loud.
I've noticed the "hum" on some early films. Could it be when they make a "copy" the original sound track is low and they record it with the volume turned up? I can turn my volume lower and the hum diminishes, but annoying and not a keeper.
I know when my TV's volume is anything more than minimal, I hear an echo between that & my 5.1 SS system. I definitely prefer stereo sound to TV speaker sound when watching movies.
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Well I'm a big fan of "musicales" but most people don't like them, they think they're silly.
*Singin' In The Rain* is one of those films that appeals to almost everyone. The cast is great, the production is great, the writing (story) is great and don't discount how catchy the tunes are.
The only other film that rivals SITR in these respects is *The Wizard Of Oz.*
Heck, even my hunched over the iPod jaded teen loved it. After seeing it she looked up the lyrics to "Moses Supposes" and proudly recites it all the time (be careful what you wish for)
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I want to expose my jaded teen to musicals and after *Singin' In The Rain*, I showed her *Cabin In The Sky.* Cabin was a great choice because of the fantasy aspect of the angels/devils and afterlife theme. Mr Tiki was impressed with Ethel Waters singing and Lena Horne's beauty. There is nothing racist about this movie (to me at least) and is simply a great movie period.
The kid also really likes the whole zoot suit jitterbug dancing jive thing and last night I previewed *Stormy Weather* as I couldn't recall it.
It featured a few song & dance numbers that made me cringe because of racist imagery:
The cakewalk had dancers wearing sunflower headdresses with smiling blackface centers. There was even a "minstral" comedy number with black actors wearing blackface with white around their mouths!
There were a couple of "African" inspired numbers, but that seemed ok, maybe I was just distracted by Bill Robinson dancing on the drums. (way cool zebra costumes on the girls)
Anyway, be forewarned.
Overall, the movie was a huge delight...Bill Robinson was the lead and I've never seen him so much in the spotlight before. Lena Horne did the best singing ever, she was truly a treasure, more than just beautiful.
There were a couple of numbers featuring Cab Callaway wearing the funniest zoot suit with a huge bow tie! Another outstanding singer immortalized in his heyday on film. Fats Waller plays piano too.
I had to laugh out loud when Cab had a "jive" conversation with Bojangles who couldn't understand a word of it. These days, those words are commonly spoken and Bojangles scoffed at it, he preferred to speak proper English.
These films (as well as many not shown on TCM) are available on DVD at your local library. I think it's very important to expose my teen to these "hot potato" films no one will broadcast on TV. Although SW contains a few uncomfortable moments, it's still worth watching to see these legendary black performers in big beautiful production numbers.
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I was just getting home from work when I saw the beginning of *The 49th Parallel* mentioned earlier in this thread. That was enough to sway me to watch it (certainly not drawn in by the title)
Story was entirely about CANADA and I loved it!
What was going on with Olivier's accent?
I was thrilled Canadian Raymond Massey got to get the guy at the end!
Another great Powell/Pressburger creation, thanks to this thread for making me aware of this film about Canada!
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Well I watched this the other night just to see Carmen Miranda's bits. I have to say, this was THE prettiest movie I've seen in a long time-the color was just magnificent!
The storyline was pretty hokey but the costumes, songs & dances made up for it. I only wondered WHO Carmen ended up with at the end? Mr Slick handsome the dancer or Mr Bumbling Valet? Was Charlotte Greenwoods charatcor left out in the cold with no pairing?
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How was your recording scsu? I recorded this too, and heard a loud humming on the sound for the first 20 minutes or so. (Could be my sound system, though)
And maybe Teddy is inspiration for the police because he carries a big stick. (not to be confused with Monty Python's "pointed stick")
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Whenever your work is for "the general public" there will be people who think they can do better. All day long I hear about what I should have done (in my job), all the while knowing their idea wouldn't work. 25 years experience taught me how to do a proper job & they are just looking at the finished product.
That's how I feel about Leonard Maltin's reviews.
His reviews are well thought out, beautifully written and are geared to the "average" person. We ALL know here the *average* person doesn't necessarily like what *we* like. We can rave on about how great "Now Voyager" is while the rest of the world is enjoying "Iron Man 2" for example.
As for his 2 line synopsis in the Movie Guides, YOU try summing up a movie (for the average person to understand) in a couple of lines. It doesn't matter if it's written by a staff if under his guidance/criteria. It's just giving you a quick idea what you might expect from the movie.
I find the movie guide extremely helpful. I can "read between the lines" and ascertain if I want to burn a permanent DVD copy, or just watch it once on an RW. Often they state "cult" film or "for Garland fans only" or "an oddity" or something to that effect to really give you a better idea. (I hate spoon-fed-everything-spelled-out-for-you writing as well as movies)
Any of you who;
A. think Maltin hates movies
or
B. think Maltin's opinion is dumb
need to read his real film books such as the one on animation, short films or my favorite, "Movie Crazy".
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> I don't know anyone who can stand Tom Hanks. Who does he appeal to? I don't get it.
Are you kidding? It seems to me EVERYone heralds him as Hollywood royalty. I'm considered a film snob because I won't see his films. And people look at me like I'm nuts when I say he's a lousay actor.
I'm glad you find him "passable" Valentine, you're right, that's truly where he falls. I guess I just get angry that a "passable" actor is too often regarded as such a great talent. Like clore said, "When Hanks is compared to Jimmy Stewart, I just want to throw up."
>I'm one of the few who loves GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER. Shoot me. I can't help it. It makes me laugh and cry.
I'm right there with you again, Terry. The powerhouse performances by all overshadow any dating of the story. Coming from that same generation, the movie has a lot of effect for people my age.
It only first occurred to me the story is obsolete when it was brought up on this board!
(which is why I love movie discussion! And whew! glad to know I'm not the only one who finds Hanks overrated)
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Nice post voranis. I too enjoy the sets & scenery just as much as the whacked costumes.
I noticed on one, possibly "Queen of Outer Space" that used painted masonite PEGBOARD walls in the spaceship! I couldn't stop laughing.
Guess it was a handy futuristic way to hang your phaser where it could be easily grabbed in case of emergency. Plus it gives good ventilation.
Two of the Best Musicals Ever Tonight !
in General Discussions
Posted
I think the problem with little Ronny Howard's performance is someone (the director, his mommy, who?) thought it was funny to have him occasionally spit (raspberry is more like it) his dialogue rather than just lisp as he does 90% of the time.
As a good little trouper, he complied, he is a fantastic "performer". Only the choice to ask him to do so ruined his entire performance.
As for HELLO DOLLY, I've only seen the film once, on TCM of course. My impressions were that I didn't really like it as a film, except the "look" of it and the songs.
I was however, very impressed with the incredible star quality Streisand possesses. Whenever she's on the screen, she's quite riveting and I think she has over-the-top talent in both acting & singing.
I could imagine her being "difficult", she must have a huge pushy ego to perform the way she does. I could also imagine Matthau having a huge ego as well and the two of them clashing for the spotlight. (brilliant casting Matthau with Lemmon who posesses a "quiet" ego)