Tikisoo

Someone on the board posted a photo of Jennifer Anniston and I was struck how much she reminded me of Gloria Grahame (kind of, well they both have unique lips) I'm always trying to make parallels between modern/classic actors. They don't really look alike, but Anniston would be great playing Grahame in a biopic. A good Grahame biopic would be welcome, she had a pretty interesting, wild life!

Wow those babies look like twins! He inherited handsomeness, talent & intensity from both his parents-what a direct line of talent. So glad he left us some great performances, did he ever become a director?

Welcome to the boards! I'm a huge Thelma Todd fan and have pretty much read everything on the subject as well as the TV movie about her life: White Hot. Like my other favorite unsolved case, (Lizzie Borden), there's just not enough evidence, nor do I think there will be any for a neat closure. It's just a matter of opinion, and MY opinion is Thelma hung around some pretty unsavory charactors who were capable of anything. I think she had enough of that crowd and tried severing her ties with them and she was killed to keep her quiet. I spit on that guy's grave.

Another case of writing a fictional story about a real person. In the above description, it sounds pretty insulting, as if Fred Rogers was delusional.

Sadly, that fake squeaky "kid" voice he used ended up typecasting him. He actually was a very handsome mature man. Perfect as the con man killer in STRANGERS ON A TRAIN. The Milk Delivery man played by James Gleason is a stand out supporting performance. Better than rent, your library most likely has a DVD of THE CLOCK that you can borrow for nothing.

I got a Gary Cooper one for you 😜 Are the McFarland books contemporary? Does SUICIDE BLONDE cover Grahame's marriage to her step-son? I own several Hollywood biographies from the 70's-80's and they're horribly inaccurate. Especially sad since many golden age stars were still alive & agreeable to interviews.

I remember it! LOL. Had to have been repeated since I was born in '61. WOW. I remember when Christmas was special hand made gifts. Any pics of you IN the jacket? Would LOVE to see it. How wonderful a job for your sister-as an artist Looking at sets/costumes was always a fascination of TV/movie viewing, influencing my art career choice. A few years ago I restored a Captain Kangaroo doll for an enthusiast. While sewing isn't my forté, the customer requested fairly simple fabrics and some great reference photos. Special request was I had to craft "CBS" eye logo cufflinks for the doll's suit. Children's TV show hosts is a personal favorite genre for me, one reason I fell for oft maligned 2002 DEATH TO SMOOCHY. While I found Mr Rogers a little too goody-goody and the puppets creepy, I enjoyed it occasionally. I adored Captain Kangaroo although as a kid couldn't figure out his hairdo. I treasure a set of 6 beautifully printed 11x14 photos stills from Capt. K show. The collector informed me they were uncut pictures for a series of jigsaw puzzles. They were for my children's room someday.

I'm sorry this thread seems to have lost it's legs. I read a LOT of Hollywood non fiction and love to hear what others think. Currently reading Oscar Lavant's autobiography after others talked about it here. Before that I read Gary Cooper American Hero by Jeffrey Meyers. There must be this new writing "style" that eludes me- a biographer inserting his/her opinion and referring to the subject as if old buddies. I almost threw my copy of Busby Berkeley against the wall, the writer's injections & ineptitude were so maddening. Sorry, I'm not interested in "your voice", but the subject you're supposed to be writing about. This Jeffrey Meyers peppers his book with not only his opinion, but nonsensical sentences and repeated entire passages. Sure, William Shatner repeats his stories, but it's the ramblings of an 89 year old actor. A professional WRITER should proof his book better. I chalk that up to the digital age, where it's too easy to copy n paste paragraphs trying to decide where they should go...but some miss deleting the redundant section! Another skim over is every plot of every movie is a written out synopsis. Excuse me, this is a biography not a movie review. Most annoying is the author writes, "...then Cooper stands at the ledge of the skyscraper..." no, it's the character who is doing the action in the movie. The author's writing confuses the actors with characters. A few examples of Meyers writing: "Coopers eloquent eyes and gestures could register the very slightest change of expression on his sexy and likable face." (author's opinion) "In the third disconnected section of the movie - trains collide and explode, the dwarf is badly beaten and Cooper carries the loyal little fellow into the hotel ballroom. The mindless movie was much more enjoyable for the principle actors than for the audience." Speaking of Jesse Laskey: "He became an independent producer at Warner's, and by 1940 he was on his uppers." (Whaa?) I realize not everyone agrees with my opinion on this, but like I said, I read a LOT of Hollywood biographies. I love the "easy read" that engages me to not put the book down. I know biographies written by Peter Bogdanovich, Roman Flamini, Charlotte Chandler and Gerald Clarke will be thoroughly researched with facts presented in well structured, easy to comprehend sentences/paragraphs. And I do urge readers here to give some of Leonard Maltin's books a look. Unlike his movie "guides" they are well researched, well written and he knows how to unobtrusively & intelligently include his personal "take". MOVIE CRAZY is my favorite.

Yeah, she was one of my favorites as a child. Lovely lady RIP. I watched last night, first time I had ever seen that stinker.

Exactly. Everyone talks about how great the movie is and know it's time for a re-viewing because so much was over my head at that age. Ugh whatever happened to a handsome, clean looking hero? I'd rather look at THIS vvv for two hours instead of THAT ^^^ A big part of the appeal of classic movies...the "look" of them.

I loved him too-and Mr Green Jeans & Mr Moose. Although I found Dancing Bear scary. Both Mr Rogers/Capt K shows offered US industrial films about working jobs- how things were made. When I saw THE SHINING '80, I thought OH NO DANCING BEAR!

American culture (meaning the arts) has always been reflective & cyclical of the national temperament. Popular colors and textures will cycle between "moderne/fantasy"- cold clear colors, hard shiny surfaces and "environmental/natural"- muted colors, soft textures. When a country is in war, periods of prosperity and doom are all reflected in plays, novels, clothing, cars, architecture and most design of the period. Disney based Main St on the "simpler, kinder times" of the first decade of the century which was a shared nostalgia for many in the (cold, moderne) 50's Mr Rogers is definitely a nostalgia right now for baby boomers (a huge spending market, ay) and definitely reflective of a perceived by gone era.

That picture makes it look terrible, but I'm a huge Wes Anderson fan. THANK YOU for your succinct thoughts on this. Yay! My li-berry has a copy!

Was I the only person to notice the announcement warning posted by the Mods in the "Message Board Announcements" sub forum?

Thanks a lot for the spoiler. I've been trying to watch ERASERHEAD for years but can't get past the first 15 min. Every once in awhile I get in the mood & try again. Now I know ET has a small role in it. Ah, thank you. I knew it was the 63rd year (hrumph) and had been waiting to see if it would continue. I hope 70 is the last year, it's getting too sad. I have all the 7 UP episodes on DVD. It makes a great binge watch for anyone just discovering it. For those of similar age, it's very poignant and reflective, even if you're from a different culture. I wonder if it will have the same impact to younger generations who may not be able to relate.

Obviously not a great actor if all you see....is a man pretending. I agree, Hanks might be able to save his career by shifting toward more dramatic, darker roles. Although I seriously doubt he has the talent or intensity necessary to succeed.

Still no DRUG STORIES though. Actually, I called up the "month schedule" link and didn't find any of those others listed either. Too late for me to reprogram the DVR anyway.

Exactly. That's why most actors will play the role rather than attempting an "imitation". (leave that to pros like Rich Little) Hanks attempt to imitate Rogers just comes across as mocking. They certainly had a creepy nightmarish quality, didn't they?

very first time I heard that one though You gotta get out more 😜 Seriously though, if you only get your movie news from the Hollywood Reporter and those other big media pushers, you'll only get the latest big budget product hype geared to the lowest common denominator, not always the best quality viewing.

Crap! How did I miss THAT GEM? 😜 Ah, that's the sweet place your taste & mine collide. Too bad I missed recording this. I rely on this thread to choose what to record a month in advance. I think these were off the list by Nov 30th. That's OK, there was a lot to choose from this month! Is there any better title than STAKE OUT ON DOPE ST?

Meh. Tom Hanks inept imitation of Fred Rogers is cringeworthy and insulting. A dramatization of Mr Rogers Neighborhood is simply not needed. Last years documentary WONT YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR was outstanding & excellent, highly recommend if interested in knowing more about Rogers & the series. Also, our friends at QED have done some wonderful tributes to Fred Rogers that compliment this documentary with behind-the-scenes accounts of those who actually worked with him making the show.

Just requested it from the library-THANKS for mentioning it!

Please include examples. I'd actually like to "hear" what you're saying. (I realize it's tough to find good examples) Wasn't UNDERDOG voiced by Wally Cox? Lots of 60's cartoon charactors were voiced by famous actors-or imitated famous actors. Wasn't SNAGGLEPUSS an imitation of Bert Lahr?

I love both these movies-not in a mocking MST sort of way, but I just really enjoy watching them most likely due to to the strength of the lead performance as you describe above as "without irony". I also think you are spot on describing Marshall as "pure charm and menace" which every vampire must possess to be believable. I never understood the attraction to a sickly sad vampire-you only should feel pity for them as a balance after fearing or hating them. Every well written vampire & wolf man story follows this basic arc. I have some Bollywood horror I feel the same way about-entertaining, good acting on a cheesy stage set. Same appeal as Star Trek OS.

Interesting. Lynch's output is spotty for me-a few are great, some are weird & middling and a few are unwatchable. He's a perfect illustration of a film auteur in that he has a "personal vision", and I admire that. Think of all the writers/producers/directors during the studio age where it was just assembly line production work, taking on various assigned projects. Lynch's work is personally expressive and hopefully can connect with his audience. Like Kubrick, Gilliam and other auteurs, time and availability may bring new fans through the years.