Tikisoo

I really appreciate all the films made about WW2 when all of that history was still fresh in people's minds: The Longest Day, So Proudly We Hail, They Were Expendable...all great. I won't mention the fiction stories built around the setting like From Here To Eternity or Best Years of Our Lives.It's too bad none of this history was taught in school, or maybe it was so long ago I just don't remember it. For space films, The Right Stuff is still my favorite, although no film has addresed the astounding "all up" route they took for Apollo. I'd love to see the book Apollo adapted for the screen, it's such an amazing story. The enormity of space and power of rockets can only come across on the big screen. Biopics are trickier, but I really enjoyed the recent Capote. I'd love to see it on a double bill with In Cold Blood which I think it a brilliant adaptation of his book. I also enjoyed Man On The Moon although I dislike both Any Kaufman & Jim Carey. It succeeded in explaining a lot of Kaufman's strange behaviour sucessfully where The Private Life of Peter Sellers failed miserably.

> {quote:title=FredCDobbs wrote:}{quote} > I read on Wiki that it's all fiction and the dialogue is all fiction. This is yet another anti-Anglo propaganda film

Yes HWGL, some talent has come out of indie films, like old B pictures of the past. There's bound to be talent in the 90's, talent just doesn't stop because of an industry change. But what we're talking about here is the number of really great movies past vs present. 5 star movies that everyone can enjoy, that reache diverse cultures, ages and does so over time. (the definition of classic, btw) Granted, it's too soon to say if anything made in the 90's will withstand the test of time. And there's always hidden treasures we may not be familiar with because they weren't blockbuster hits. All I can do is use my DVD shelves as an example, since I consider myself a cinefile and my collection is an active lending library. When I look at films I can recommend to ANYbody, that I know will be enjoyed by most, the bulk of them fall between the late 30's and 70's. And the number seriously thins out from the 60's onward, and is thinnest in the last two decades. Sure, there are fantastic foreign, silents and others that I think are 5 star films, but then you're getting into specific "tastes" which limit universal acceptence. Eldery people aren't keen on reading subtitles, but don't mind title cards of silents. Kids often can't identify with mores or acting style of the silent period. Do they still make *great* films? Sure, but to use my limiting criteria of "Enjoyable For Everyone" I do agree they are fewer & farther between these days. I do think films made up to about the 80's had broader appeal in mind and films these days target smaller groups. The film Free Enterprise is one of my favorites this decade, but I don't expect my Mom nor a 12 year old to get the trekkie theme. But me, my Mom a 12 year old and my Hindi grocer will all enjoy It's A Wonderful Life. The biggest limitation for modern films being enjoyable for "ANYone" is usually the language or violence. Thank goodness Disney & Pixar make films almost everyone can enjoy, even though they are labeled "kids movies".

I like what you write myidol, but for some reason your posts appear all jumbled with html charactors sprinkled throughout, making them difficult to read....is it my browser or your typing? ;-) I loved spotting Jackie Gleason this week in Requiem For A Heavyweight , what a powerhouse performance. Whenever I see an actor like Gleason; a mountain of a man, somewhat course, not real attractive, I wonder what made them decide to go into acting, a profession that invites people observing and judging you. Obviously, guys like this (John Goodman, Jack Klugman, Carl Malden come to mind) have concrete self confidence in themselves and their acting. They always make the best actors and comedians, knowing how to play the "everyman" with complexity rather than the vapid "pretty boys". I love Gleason, his roles always move me. He was so stellar in the Honeymooners, he will always be known for that. Lucky he found a signature role. Although it eclipses everything else he did, it certainly does not diminish his serious roles, which (in my opinion) are riveting.

Sorry to interject, but I have to mention the other Guest Programmers feature: the fan retrospective. I've only seen one, the one with Rome Mendheim and must comment on how wonderful it is. Rome talks about how movies came into his life and the impact they made. He speaks a little about his favorites and personal observations about them. I just love this spot, for several reasons.... The crew behind the camera and the post production people at TCM have to be the most talented people in film out there. They chose real tight close ups of Rome's face, his impish grin, his dancing eyes, very flattering. They found clips that illustrate what he's saying and imposed it on a screen behind him so it appears we are "reading his mind" as he describes it. The editing is the best, keeping the ideas/monologue crisp and moving. They made Rome look good (although such a handsome charismatic guy, it was easy!) and made that spot a real standout. I like that spot better than one featuring ANY movie star or director. As an audience we connect with other people just like us, who love classic film and TCM, and like hearing other's experiences. I would really like to see TCM continue with this theme and style. It sure beats the heck out of the interviews in crowded room about collections or tattoos.

> {quote:title=TriciaNY wrote:}{quote} > I watched Chickadee. I sat there in wonder in what it was that she had. Maybe we don't see it since we are women? I think the biggest problem here is you are judging Mae West based on one performance. And that film isn't very good in my opinion. (I never understood Field's appeal either until seeing Six of A Kind '34 - a totally different comedian!) As I stated in an earlier post, West was enjoyed by both men & women (I'm a woman, btw) and no one seemed offended by her antics. She seems to have figured out how the world works (run by men) and how to make things work for her (exploiting men) because she's betting on the idea that men are ruled more by their pants than their brains. She's never cruel, just exploitative. And the male audience isn't offended, after all, they're smarter than that chump on the screen, right? ;-) And I'm not offended because she did the best she could given the circumstances. Ane none of us would exploit men the way she does, right? ;-) And like everyone's other favorite tough cookie (Barbara Stanwyk) she ends up falling for the guy in the end, illustrating even the most calculating woman is vulnerable to real kindness and true love.

Kid, those pics are PERFECT! That first one is the base picture that originally gave me the idea. The third pic helps the most-for simple composition. I don't want to copy the house exactly, just place houses on a street scene to fill the other 7 feet of the area. Although I have to remember no leaves but snow on trees! And several people comment on the Clint Eastwood movie....I've never seen it. But I certainly collect images of scenes set on carousels and can usually ID the machine if it's still running. Strangers On A Train shots of the carousel running with people on it was Griffith Park. I especially like the scene in Purple Rose of Cairo in Prospect Park, Brooklyn because they sit in the chariot in the dark when the carousel is closed. Most people don't experience rides when they're closed like that, my favorite time. OK, here's what I was given to work with: I'll post the finished painting for all you critics in another week or so.

I would not disagree with any of the viewpoints brought up in earlier posts...there's not just one answer, but a myriad of contributions. Are there fewer & farther between _great_ films? To paraphrase Cane's butler, "Well, yes & no". I've often wondered whether the old studio system was a good thing or a bad thing. Again, both answers are correct. One factor no one has brought up yet is the idea that these days everything has to be an *A* picture. Back then, writers, directors, actors and all other sort of talent had a training ground to learn their craft. Learn by doing. Learn by working with others with talent in the field. B pictures were great in their own right. After the studio system broke there was great breakthrough of young promising talent creating a whole new genre of "modern" film. But by the 80's everything needed to be a blockbuster and ended up looking like a Spielberg flick. And the 90's has very few great films, (in my opinion) Films these days don't really seem to have much to say, they're all trying too hard to be the next blockbuster hit moneymaker. I love going to the theater to see a movie. I work in a vintage theater in my neighborhood and can see anything I want free, but rarely go.

I'm doing a painting of the scene from Meet Me In St Louis where the 3 sisters are building snow people. I have a nice close up shot of the girls I took off this forum, which gave me the idea in the first place. But unfortunately, it cuts off the backround of the porch, houses, and yard. After looking through every musicals & MGM book in my library, I turned to searching the internet over and cannot find ONE picture to go by! Any pictures of the lot, the yards, houses, anything would help. I know I could just paint any porch in the backround, but I'd like it to be authentic. FYI: I am restoring rounding boards, the top scenery paintings on a carousel. These murals are 18" high and 8 feet long, a weird space to fill. The original murals are gone. I'm trying to pay homage to the ametuer attempts from the 80's I'm painting over and in this case it was kids building a snowman. I spotted the photo of Judy & Margaret here and thought it was the correct time period of costumes and would be cute. I promise I will post the "before" and "after" of my restoration in this thread once it's done, in about a week. I'll skip working today and wait to see if anyone can come up with something for me. THANKS in advance!!

It's been discussed before and I recall someone saying it was Martin Landau's voice, but don't recall who the "damn good actress" is he's referring to. I thought I recalled hearing an interview with Spencer Tracey where he was talking about Marilyn Monroe and he said "damn good actress" (haha!) and thought to myself, "Oh that's the word of mouth intro sound bite!" But my memory could be totally flawed. That voice definitely sounds like Martin Landau, though, more than Spencer Tracy.

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> {quote:title=LonesomePolecat wrote:}{quote} > never did watch Ace in the Hole. I need to. Haven't seen The Lost Weekend either. I'm ashamed. I find both of those films difficult to watch. But you NEED to see them at least once. At least TLW has an upbeat ending, AITH always leaves me exhaused after watching. (last time it was on I listened to it while working, still difficult for me, but what a great film. You can HEAR Kirk's acting!) That Double Indemnity poster with Babs legs covered is a SCREAM!

Wow that's an impressive list of films. I saw An American In Paris on the big screen and it was like a totally different movie. I urge all to see films in theaters on FILM whenever you can. (I dislike digital projection-meh) The 15 minute ballet at the end may strike some as silly on TV, but in a theater comes across brilliantly. Minelli seems to have been a genius with a vision which makes a great film director, but usually includes a dark side. I can absolutely believe he had a dark side after reading Clarke's book on Judy Get Happy. I wonder if any of Minelli will be covered in the new biopic based on the book? At least we got Liza out of the pairing!

> {quote:title=LonesomePolecat wrote:}{quote} > Capra uses the hawk in Wonderful Life in You Can't Take it With You also. A hawk? Do you mean the crow? > Another great side character of Capra's is Ward Bond as the bus driver in It Happened One Night - A joke around this house is "Ward Bond is everywhere". Wasn't he the policeman Bert in IAWL too? Another was a take off on the insipid internet phrase "word is bond"....I'd say, "No, Ward Bond!"

How could you forget......? 8. TCM repeats the same movies over & over. (which of course, I like because I'm notorious for falling asleep. Gives me another chance to see the movie)

> {quote:title=musicalnovelty wrote:}{quote} > Any Donald O'Connor fans who enjoy his work in "Singin' in the Rain" don't miss his excellent song & dance number to "Me and My Shadow" in this. Loved it! And was that movie magic O'Connor's shadow used behind the screen? Appeared to be Don, not a dancing double. Shows you his incredible dancing up a wall bit was his trademark well before Singin' In The Rain. > And, Three Stooges fans, watch for future Stooge Joe Besser. Although Joe didn't blend that well into the Stooges (maybe after Curley expectations were too high) I loved him as a solo comedian. I definitely appreciate him more after seeing this movie.

> {quote:title=LonesomePolecat wrote:}{quote} > Basically, thanks for not being AMC. LOL

> {quote:title=Scottman wrote:}{quote} > I would say that in her early films (pre-codes) it's her "naughtiness" that is her appeal. > It's in the facial expressions and voice inflection. She does well in NIGHT AFTER NIGHT (1932), > SHE DONE HIM WRONG (1933) and I'M NO ANGEL (1933). > In her films made after code enforcement she generally appears more like a parody than she does sultry. Like that last line Scott. I was never a Mae West fan, my impression of her was submissive and pandering to men. I have since discovered from the two films Scott mentioned, that she was the exact opposite. She was a very smart woman of considerable power (wrote all her films) and really paved the way for strong women & feminism. The Syracuse Cinefile Society screened I'm No Angel Monday night and it was thoroughly enjoyed by all. She hoodwinked men using her feminine wiles, but no one was offended by this, not the men or women. It's funny. I loved her opening scene when she leaves the stage and mutters "suckers" under her breath. Last night I watched My Little Chickadee which paled in comparison. West & Fields fought for the top position and both lost out. I also noticed several really close up shots of Mae's face, losing the subtlety (or unsubtlety) of her body language. Like Scott said, almost a parody of herself. So give her another try. I felt the same way helenbaby, but for some actors, you have to look deeper. I couldn't sit through the day long Harold Lloyd films. But see them in a theater with others and it's a wholly different experience. Take a second look at other Mae West examples, you might just "get" it.

> {quote:title=Ollie_T wrote:}{quote} > We just got the new HOUDINI set. Never seen these before, and we're enjoying these. Are you talking about the RENO set Houdini The Movie Star ? I'll have to throw a viewing party....I'm having trouble keeping interested viewing these alone. I wanted to respond to the "other" box set thread....I won't buy some box sets when I don't love every film included. Instead of buying the Forbidden Hollywood Collection, I made my own pre-code box set of only films featuring Barbara Stanwyk; Baby Face, 10? A Dance, Night Nurse & Shopworn. I even design my own covers so I can "shelve" it. Warner's offering DVDs a la carte promotes this idea...create your OWN box sets!

Came home from a screening of I'm No Angel and caught Ruggles mid point, WAH! But I still could follow the story just fine. I don't think I had ever seen Laughton so young! And my two favorite charactor actors, Roland Young & Charlie Ruggles TOGETHER in one movie! I almost fell out of my chair when I saw C. Ruggles playing a cowboy against his usual type, just adorable! Never knew he had that kind of range. And Zazu Pitts....(my childhood nickname from my Mom) she was adorable. Everytime she spoke all I could think of was "The young prince fall down?". She delivers her lines just like the kid who voiced Thumper. And Kyle, that pic of Laughton on the carousel.....was that a scene I missed in the movie? I collect pics of movie stars on carousels. That looks like it might be Tilden Park.

Another headache sufferer here (raises hand) Not only the flashing lights, but the intro for One Reel Wonders with the postcard rack has a super high pitched "beeping" that seems only my dog and I hear. It actually hurts my head...but it's only a few seconds long, thank goodness.

> {quote:title=MarianStarrett wrote:}{quote} > many PD versions, I hope the one you got is a reasonably good print with good image/sound. Well I asked this very question in the DVD forum and didn't get any clear answers. There is a Meet John Doe DVD calling itself "enhanced", another "remastered" and then several with different covers. Any help identifying? The one TCM broadcast recently looked good to me. If anyone DVR'ed it and would be willing to share, I'd appreciate a copy.