Tikisoo

I just received my Now Playing guide and took a look. I was pleasantly surprised at the list of Capra films they are showing. Several are rarely broadcast, and never together in a block like that. Very happy to see other examples of his work. It's like hearing the whole album rather than just the big hits that always play on the radio. (if anyone remembers THAT concept) ;-)

Oops, grammer trouble. I meant to say I've seen every _genre_ of film Dickie Boy has made-musicals, mystery, comedy, etc. I give him a try and still can't warm up to him. As for *Mae West*, there was an entire discussion about her last year on these boards. I'm an early film buff and never understood her appeal or humor either. UNTIL our Cinefile Society started screening a film a year of hers. I was amazed at how much more fun her pre-code films are, ESPECIALLY when viewed with an audience. The jokes are actually funny, her gestures, even just the way the men watch her as she walks into a room are a scream. I discussed this (and similar feelings about WCFields) with our film historian guru. He said both stars were much better before the "code" dictated their humor. Also amazing that Mae wrote her own stuff. Feminist. I always perceived her to be trashy and pandering to men but soon realized her role was a very smart woman who took advantage (and made fun of) men's inabilities to control themselves. Not powerless at all, but powerful, and never mean. Her less than perfect face/figure makes it all the funnier, imho. Yeah, some of the humor doesn't translate because our morality is so loose these days. Who would think it scandalous to "come up & see me" today? But take my advice....see both Mae West & WC Fields in something other than that awful My Little Chickadee. They are a joy and deserving of their iconic status. And anyone who can't understand Marilyn's appeal needs to see her in Clash By Night. She eats up the screen in every scene she's in. Even in jeans.

Thanks for that photo Kyle. I was just given a linen Hollywood postcard book of the 30's with a photo of the hotel in it. I wondered if it was still standing? Poor MrTiki had to sit through Hollywood Hotel with me as a "Depression era" lesson of film. There were several famous people in bit parts; Ronald Reagan, Susan Hayward and even Sonny Bupp as well as real life musical legends as Gene Krupa & Lionel Hampton (who WAS that piano player?) I was delighted at how tickled he was with Johnny Davis's effusively gay performances and surprised he laughed several times at goofy Hugh Herbert. Herbert was born in Binghamton (the city I work for) and the inspiration for Daffy Duck's _behaviour_. Daffy Duck's _voice_ was the animator's jab at making fun of boss Leon Schlesinger. They cringed when Schlesinger first screened the charactor...and at the closing he said, "Jethuth Critht, that'th a funny voith! Where'd you get that voith?"

It certainly seems to me TCMs programmers are listening to us. And luckily some of us have abiding work schedules enabling us to enjoy them. I've been known to take the entire day off for a good line up like that one. Boris Karloff Halloween was one of them.

> {quote:title=ziggyelman wrote:}{quote} > TikiSoo, I am curious, have you just seen the Dick Powell with the stupid grin of the Warner Bros films, or the post musical Powell of Murder My Sweet, The Tall Target, etc??? Oh I've seen Dick Powell in every one of his films, there's usually another factor worth watching than his star power. He's talented and ok looking, just kind of smarmy & smug acting. I understand his appeal for other people, he just creeps me out personally. Maybe he just reminds me too much of my exhusband. :-) > I could understand how Joel's voice, with a hint of monotone might annoy some, but I think he's great in comedies like the *Palm Beach Story* , *Sullivan's Travels* and *The More the Merrier*. Joel MaCrea is ok, I like those movies all right, I just don't catch his "star power", he just strikes me as kind of average. And I know EXACTLY the Joan Fontaine complaint. She always looks like a wounded deer on the verge of bursting out crying. That works great in many of the roles she was cast in such as Rebecca, The Women & Suspicion. Shempette, the "transition" you mentioned about Valentino is exactly what I've felt several times about several stars. I'm ashamed to say I couldn't understand why anyone would find William Holden mesmerizing in Sabrina when I was 16. But now that I'm * cough* mature, I don't know how I could have missed his cool sexiness. And I hate Streisand and the whole Long Island Diva thing she has going. But watching Funny Girl and remembering the 60's time period, realizing this was a huge role for a relative beginner, I am impressed she pulled it off. When I was a kid she taught me that despite not being pretty, having a big nose (like myself) could all be overridden by talent and hard work. I've always remembered that lesson.

I actually kind of like the idea of this thread, wish more would respond seriously. I never understood the appeal of several stars until I was older and saw them in a different light. Francot Tone, Fredric March & Bill Holden all fall into the catagory. Now I'm crazy about them! Stars I still don't "get": Randolph Scott Ann Sheriden Joel MacRae Dick Powell (ew, identical creepitude of Tom Cruise!) Van Johnson Abbot & Costello Red Skelton Danny Kaye (danny cakeboy)

I LOVED it. For all of you who complain about "newer" films broadcast on TCM....here's a great example of a more recent film that fits perfectly well in the "classic" format: no other station is going to show it in it's entirety, without interruption. It was overlooked when released and is a perfectly worthwhile film-intriguing story, beautifully filmed and even kids can watch it. Thank you TCM for giving this film the respect it deserves and giving us the opportunity to see it. And another round of applause for Charles Martin Smith's performance. I can't believe he carried the entire film...now THAT'S talent! (plus, nice bum cakes)

Ugh. I too just love these "light wartime musicals" but knew I wouldn't be able to stay awake for it. So I gave my new DVR a shot and recorded two hours of blue screen. What really excited me about this is that I absolutely love Dorothy Lamour and Betty Hutton and here they are together in one film. Two polar opposites of "type" that together encompasses all that's wonderful about women; Betty, the happy sweet small town America blonde and Dorothy the sultry sexy southern brunette. I sure hope they broadcast this one again!

> {quote:title=Hibi wrote:}{quote} > Thought it was excellent overall. I wouldnt have minded it being a little longer. It seemed like they rushed through his later work (60s and beyond). I could've done w/out the bit with Eastwood's daughter. Talk about nepotism. I agree with you 100% on all points. I was amazed at how many great songs I love are his, and especially enjoyed the footage of the man himself singing them. What a ham! And so very nice to hear different interpretations of the same song. I knew songwriters often wanted their songs introduced by Fred Astaire, but never really understood why. That was illustrated for us beautifully. And I never knew he was a driving force behind many stellar careers (like Nat Cole & Jo Stafford)along with founding Capitol Records. I have HUGE Capitol retrospective 20+ CD series because the recording quality & engineering talent are up to the musician & singer's talent. Capitol was a class act. I think they "rushed through" his later work because it just wasn't his golden years, times were changing. Just goes to show how important it is to be "the right person at the right time & place". I certainly could have also done without footage of Clint Eastwood in conversation discussing Mercer. Just as inappropriate as including spots of his daughter. I look to documentaries to teach me things I didn't know and this one certainly clarfied a LOT about Mercer for me. Very little opinionated conjecture, like so many documentaries throw in these days. LOVED IT!

> {quote:title=JonnyGeetar wrote:}{quote} > As an avowed fan of "Mystery Science Theater" I have seen almost all of Roger Corman's GOD AWFUL 1950'S-60'S CRAP, and I would have to say that this is a text book example of turning a sow's ear into a silk purse Well, to call Targets a Roger Corman film is like calling Rosemary's Baby a William Castle film. Both were just producers putting up the money for the film and true to their stingy nature, not much money at that. Just goes to show you what _talent_ can do over money. And wasn't Psyco Hitch's statement that a film could be successful without huge budgets? I only wish present day Hollywood could larn this simple lesson. PS Glad to know there's other MST3K fans on this group. And also glad to know others were so impressed with Targets. It really is quite clever.

I actually like how the witches are portrayed in Practical Magic. And who can forget zany Ruth Gordon taking the edge off the scary coven of witches in Rosemary's Baby? "Drink the mouse" Does Snow White's wicked stepmother count? Or did she just have a magic mirror? But of course Margaret Hamilton set the standard for our conception of witches forever with her brilliant portrayal. We forget that before her portrayal as a witch, only the pointy hat "look" was standard. Her cackle, her evil humor, her brilliant gestures were ALL brought in by her as an actress. Aren't we lucky she looked as she did and was asked to do the part?

Trying to decide which of the several Castle threads to post this in....seems like the only thread that isn't CK's press releases and actually has forum members responses. Saturday night we attended House On Haunted Hill at the gorgeous Capitol Theater in Rome NY. It was a class act and pretty well attended. The theater was decorated with cobwebs and dripping blood on the entrance doors. They first showed 20 minutes of "coming attractions" of really silly horror films that warmed up the audience while relieving kids worried about being too scared (like mine) Next they had a really excellent magician who did a 30 minute routine involving kids from the audience (ALL the boys were named Alex) He ended with an extremly deft straight jacket escape which brought a standing ovation! Then the movie! A GORGEOUS clean, crisp 35mm print (rated British "X" haha) We sat in front (of course) and I knew from the wires we had a good position. I was AMAZED how many people pointed to the wires wondering what they were. Obviously, no one reads the program. My 12 y/o was pretty scared at many of the scenes, but hearing the audience behind us laughing definitely helped. Then, when the skeleton came out, the entire room erupted in laughter. Yeah, the small rubber skeleton was kind of anti climatic, but I am SO GLAD they did it. It was a fun evening that none of us will ever forget. Hooray for the Capitol!

I haven't seen Targets in several years, but was always impressed with it. As I understand it, Corman funded Bogdanovich on the stipulation he use footage of Karloff left over from another film (or something along those lines) I thought the footage was used in a very clever way. And I especially love Karloff's role in this film. Sums up my feeling of him exactly. Such a great actor reduced to "spook" for narrow minded horror buffs. I feel the same way about Rod Serling and Vincent Price. One of my fave clues this is a director's "early" film is the scene with one car tracking another on the highway and the "camera car" gets off at the exit! Cute! But really, otherwise top notch. A real time capsule of commonalities in the 70's now gone. Watch it!

> {quote:title=casablancalover wrote:}{quote} > All too funny, TikiSoo... When I first saw this thread, I first thought Gangsta ! > Are you working on something? Eh, for some reason new slang like "gangsta" just seems lazy while 30's slang is colorful & imaginative. Mr Tiki is training for his new position as a screw at the Big House, but I just hate calling him that. So now I can call him my "turnkey" (I'm his moll, obviously)

Hey all you Cinefiles who love gangster films! I need some slang terms gangsters used for prison guards. The only one I can think of is "screw" and that's just not very lady like for me to say. I know gangsters called cops "G-Men" and that's ok, but I really need prison guard or jail warden terms. Thanks in advance.

You know, I always kind of felt sorry for Jayne. She kind of typifies the tightrope most women must walk between being powerful but not pushy, sexy but not trashy and persistant but not bitchy. I can't imagine being a smart, beautiful woman trying to "make it" in show business in that cusp of 50's pureness and 60's all out there. I agree, I think she calculated incorrectly...Sophia is a perfect contrast of someone who calculated successfully. I can only hope that despite the awful tawdryness of what she put herself through, she had a fulfilling home life. I once visited her pink marble heart shaped stone marking her grave in Pen Argyl PA.

>Re: Charles Laughton is awesome! You're just now realizing this? Glad you crawled out from under your rock to join us.

Re: JUST CAN'T GET A NEFF 'DOUBLE INDEMNITY'....eh Hudson, you're a scream! As a restorationist, I am always thrilled at anyone's attempt to preserve the past for the future. She certainly couldn't recreate all the furniture, but I think she did a great job keeping the "feel" of the place. It's what I call a restoration with integrity. I also really like her choice of colors. Great job!! I travel a lot and make a point of visiting film locations or cemetaries with movie stars as a sideline. I found myself at the Timberline Lodge on Mt Hood in Oregon where The Shining was filmed. Oh, I guess Shining _exteriors_ were filmed. When I opened the door to the lodge I was flabbergasted, it was nothing like the film! I am still amazed all the interior shots were at Pinewood sound stage...huge, huge sets! And last year I was back in the area and they built a hideous concrete block annex IN FRONT of the hotel, so you can no longer take a photo and see the granduer of the vintage lodge with the mountain top as backround. Fools!

Nice synopsis, Movie Prof. I never thought about that before. Don't forget Madonna who thinks she IS MM. I don't really know what made MM so unique except maybe at the beginning she was naive and sincere and it showed. She may have "wised up" with time, but only from listening to others. When you grow up without proper guidence, you self doubt and trust others who seemingly care about your welfare. In other words, easily manipulated. I've read so many books on MM and several on directors/actors who mention her. I like Billy Wilder's take on her that yes, she was a pia on the set, but it was all worth it when you saw what came out on film. He had no explanation for it, but he could "see" it. I guess we all "see" it, because artist renditions or poster photos just don't capture "it". And btw, I am one of the few believers that Debbie Harry of the punk band Blondie is MM's daughter given up for adoption. She has the same quality and the dates fit.

I just like when someone here said, "Bogdanovitch got his comeuppance". Perfect & succinct. Don't get me wrong, I love Bogdanovitch; Targets/PaperMoon/Picture Show, his ascot, his smarmy Hollywood 'tude. He had it *all* and *blew* it. What's not to love?

Oh I have a lot of "those". The aforementioned Taxi Driver certainly fits in the catagory. I also won't see Paths of Glory ever again, or The Godfather, Somebody Up There Likes Me or Dr Zhivago. I guess movies with lots of violence or unhappy endings or excessive length are just too emotionally involving. I like The Longest Day only because I know they were heros and didn't give their lives in vain.

> {quote:title=ADDIE wrote:}{quote} > The shorts with Thelms Todd are where I first saw Zasu Pitts. Those are wonderful. My first introduction to her too. As a child, my Mom called me "Zazu Pitts" and I was shocked to find she was a real person, not just some dreamed up name. > I did not know she was a favorite of Erich Von Stroheim:s, he was an interesting guy wasn:t he? Yes! I was surprised to see his name as screenwriter for The Devil Doll that was broadcast this past Saturday. My favorite line from (some) Woody Allen film, "I just can't sit through another Eric Von Stroheim Film Festival!" cracks me up.

I like both films. But last night I watched the last half hour of HS and it cracked me up! The chase scene on the winding dirt roads up the mountain....every curve you heard tires squealing on pavement sound effect. On dirt. And the closing shot of teary eyed Ida Lupino. So dramatic, you're focused on her full screen face and see a boom mike shadow run across her porcelain forehead. Geez! Kind of ruins the drama. And I saw the all too familiar oval Bernard print of the pagoda & Asian girl in the interior scenes. Did Warner Bros have THAT small of a prop shop? (seen in Mr Skeffington, Dark Victory and countless other films)

BUMP. Anyone? Please answer my previous post....I'm still hangin'! (why won't my image load? It loads for my "preview")

Please, please, PLEASE tell me how this movie ends! I listened to Robt O's opening monologue and was intrigued. I had a blank tape in the recorder & hit "record" assuming it would be 2 hours. I cuddled up on the couch last night and watched it and was STUNNED when the tape stopped 10 minutes short of the ending! Leslie Caron never looked more gorgeous. I enjoyed the story as it switched from silly comedy to serious subjects to just a delicious portrait of a French port fishing town. I very much enjoyed both Boyer & Chavalier just hamming it up without trying to be sexy, which neither of them are, to me. I thought the photography was striking, especially the shots of the glorious sailing ship and the hilltop shrine. My only qualm was Fanny's mother's voice dubbing was clumsily awful. My tape ended when Fanny gathered Cesare from the garage and said, "Hurry, Panisse is dying". I know reading it won't be the same as seeing it, but it's better than hanging here! PS I've been shopping for a DVR. Long overdue.