JackBurley

Hi Shann, check out this thread: http://forums.turnerclassicmovies.com/jive/tcm/thread.jspa?messageID=7779142

I really must figure out a way to make these more difficult... You're on, Mr.Write!

I put mine in my profile the day I registered.

Alas and alack, sage one. Clue #2: a record breaker

Yippie! Clue #1: Tin can

"How about the famous scene from 'Tom Jones' in which the hero and his lady devour their meal passionately?" That's one of the most famous food scenes of all time, and it reminds me of another food scene: the very sexy banquet scene with Barbra Streisand eyeing John Richardson in Daisy's flashback to the banquet at the Royal Pavilion in Brighton in On a Clear Day You Can See Forever. (I believe that's the longest run-on sentence that I've ever written.)

Oh, oh, oh! What's the Matter with Helen?

"Too bad that Dvorak has faded from view." Not as long as we're alive, SandyK. Let's go to "Suggest a Movie"!

Elmer Gantry? No wait! Final Verdict. That's my final answer (until the next clue).

Apparently it was the same situation as Bette Davis' and anyone else who held higher standards regarding their role. Miss Dvorak received accolades for her work in Scarface, but this was followed by roles that weren't as challenging. She often complained about the lack of quality of her films, and this led to arguments with the top brass.

Bad news: It seems the July 21 evening of Imitation of Life has been cancelled. [i hope this isn't due to illness!] Good news: Instead they'll show Mildred Pierce and Miss Ann Blyth will be appearing!

IMDB lists this RKO comedy from 1938. Unfortunately, it looks as if it hasn't been released on DVD yet.

Thank you Miss Finnie! Yes, I'm familiar with Mick LaSalle; he's one of our local film critics. Though I'm sorry to say I still haven't read his book Complicated Women. I've seen him read from it at local showings, but haven't managed to pick it up myself yet. Thank you so much for the Ann link. And Larry, I'm suggesting that movie...

I'm always looking for the consummate tap number. What are your favorites? Here's my top ten (which I imagine I'll be updating over time): Gold Diggers of 1935- "Lullaby of Broadway" Cast of "Thousands". A narrative in tap; it's disturbing, creepy and exquisite, exposing the dark underbelly of the upper classes. The deco simplicity of a nightclub for two, which is overtaken by a stomping army of debauched dancers. It includes Busby Berkeley's patented dizzying camera angles. We see dancers from above and below (tapping on a plexiglass floor!). The rhythms are intoxicating and the entire number is breathtaking, right up to the suprise ending. The Little Colonel- Bill Robinson and Shirley Temple. Swing Time- "Pick Yourself Up" Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The introduction to this number is involved -- a tease really -- combining comedic brilliance of Eric Blore and Helen Broderick with Mr. Astaire's mockery of dancing. Ginger Rogers gets to sing the chorus of this Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields song, and she never sounded better. Sung in a lower key than we'd normally heard her previous to this, it lends a velvet shading to her timbre. When the real number begins it seems as if it will be a ballroom number, but in mid-turn the couple bursts into resplendent tap. I have to admit I'm enchanted by Miss Rogers in this number. Just watch her port de bras: her mock delicacy as she lifts her skirts, the dainty pose of her fingertips on Astaire's arm. There's a relaxed freedom to her style. They both give so many little details in such a short number. Their exit, as they float over the banisters shows an otherworldly grace. Lady Be Good- "Fascinating Rhythm" Eleanor Powell. Broadway Meloday of 1940- "Begin the Beguine" Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell. The greatest tap duet of all time. Introduced by the close-harmony Music Maids (with cross-marketing reference to the The Wizard of Oz) singing Cole Porter's sublime hit. The white costumes of the duo set against the glimmering, inky black mirrored set is striking. Once Miss Powell and Mr. Astaire appear, the camera work is simplicity itself. This number was photographed in only two long shots. This would be unheard of today. First because Hollywood doesn't believe audiences have the attention span for long takes; and secondly, because of the virtuosity that long takes demand. One mistake and the entire shot must be done over from the beginning. And the dancing? Amazing. The two are perfectly matched; so assured. The complex rhythms are flawlessly performed and the pace is perfection; building to their cadenza. It leaves one breathless. Orchestra Wives- "I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo" The Nicholas Brothers. A superb introduction by The Glenn Miller Orchestra (with glimpses of a young Jackie Gleason and Cesar Romero with the band!) and vocals by Tex Beneke and The Modernaires (including the vivacious Marion Hutton [sister of Betty]) leads to this spirited dance number featuring Fayard and Harold Nicholas. So dapper in white tie, they sing the song and then sell it with one of most energetic tap numbers captured on film. A perfect blend of elegance and acrobatics; these brothers defy gravity running up walls to a back flip years before Donald O'Connor's famed stunt in Singin' in the Rain. Fayard's double tours en l'air is a thrill to behold. A priceless number. Barkleys of Broadway- "Bouncin' the Blues" Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. It's great to see Fred & Ginger again after ten years apart; and this time we get them in glorious Technicolor. This is a pure celebration of rhythm, and it begins appropriately enough with a fanfare from the drum set. The musical arrangement is simple and understated jazz so that the taps really "pop". I love the endearing moment when he "chucks" her chin at the beginning of this percussive pas de deux. Clean and precise. Singing in the Rain- "Fit as a Fiddle" Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor. Singin' in the Rain- "Good Morning" Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, Donald O'Connor Here's a song from 1929 by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed (who also produced Singin' in the Rain), featured in a miraculously high spirited number that takes place that same year. The miracle is 19 year old Debbie Reynolds, who had done some gymnastics as Miss Burbank of 1948, but until now was not a dancer. Gene Kelly, Ernie Flatt and Jeanne Coyne drilled her [reportedly] until her feet bled, and then worked her some more. The result is this joyous and optimistic number with Miss Reynolds' bleeding feet joining the energetic steps of Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor. The number begins with us leaving the foreshadowing rain and entering Don Lockwood's house where the trio is in the midst of an epiphany -- how to save their movie-within-the-movie. It's a new day and they have a new idea; let's celebrate with dance! This dance leads the terpischorian trio through Don's house from kitchen, over furniture, up stairs, down stairs, climbing ballustrades and sends them musically around the world (including pseudo-Irish jigs, a quick homage to Kelly's An American in Paris, a Hawai'ian "hula" and a Spanish flamenco) before returning to the flapper's America. Visual puns abound. For instance, Don's "bar" becomes Don's "barre" as they combine tap with a ballet corp's plie routine. The sometimes frenetic tapping is precise, varied in rhythm and style. This tour de force ends with the gang giggling and exhausted on a trodden davenport. Behind them we can see through a window, and are reminded once again, that it's raining outside... Kiss Me Kate- "It's Too Darn Hot" Ann Miller. Annie starts off the number with "Go boys, go!". It's apparent she's having a ball in this scene; effervescent and using every inch of the small living room set. Shot in 3-D, Miss Miller teases the audience by stripping off her gloves, scarf, jewels and tossing them at the anaglyph-bespectacled audience. This is Ann at her most flirtatious and sexy. Her cadenza is expeditiously shot in front of a double-angled mirror. And the close-up of her fanning herself while tantalizing the audience? Well, it's too darned hot!

Go to "Your Control Panel" (three lines under the Welcome, michellej line). There, change your "Watch" preferences (toward the bottom of the page. You can choose to never be e-mailed, to receive e-mails only for threads you've started, or receive e-mails for all threads in which you've contributed. Enjoy!

Larry, Is it possible that the movie you're referring to is MGM's 1950 flick A Life of Her Own? I think I'll put it on the "Suggest a Movie"... Thanks!

You're a wonder, Larry! With apologies to Miss Geoghegan, she was merely my example of "fame before accomplishment". Wanted to point out to the original poster that "celebrity" is not a recent invention. Miss Geoghegan is remembered today as much as Nicky Hilton (Paris' sister, that is) will be remember sixty years from now. Your copy of Who's That Girl awaits...

Has anyone seen this 1938 short subject? Does TCM play it? It's a "documentary" about the preparations for and premiere of Marie Antoinette. IMDB shows that -- among others -- the following are featured in it: Adrian, John Barrymore, Freddie Bartholomew, Jack Benny and Mary Livingstone, Charles Boyer, Fanny Brice, Clarence Brown, Virginia Bruce, Claudette Colbert, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Clark Gable, Reginald Gardiner, Judy Garland, Billy Gilbert, Fernand Gravey, Helen Hayes, Hedy Lamarr, Carole Lombard, Jeanette MacDonald, Elsa Maxwell, Louis B. Mayer, Una Merkel, Robert Montgomery, Paul Muni, Merle Oberon, Tyrone Power, Norma Shearer, Simone Simon, Pete Smith, Barbara Stanwyck, James Stewart, Ed Sullivan, Robert Taylor, Spencer Tracy, Don Wilson, and Robert Young. I wonder if it still exists. It'd be swell to take a gander at this one!

There have always been less talented stars as well as great actors/actresses and there always will be. Cream rises to the top, and the good are remembered better. So years from now, we may not be watching reruns of Madonna movies, but I know that I'll be watching Meryl Streep, Scarlett Johansson, Daniel Day Lewis, Don Cheadle, Patricia Clarkson, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Charlize Theron, Javier Bardem, Djimon Hounsou, Ed Harris, Lawrence Fishburn, Joan Allen, Laura Linney, Angela Bassett, Mark Ruffalo, Anjelica Huston, Natalie Portman, Morgan Freeman... I'm sorry, I'm going to develop carpal tunnel syndrome if I continue typing today's talents. Trust me, there are many of them. Now, if you're talking about "celebrities" (people whose fame is not based on talent); well, there's nothing new there either. Check out the movie It Should Happen to You, a satire on this very subject made in the 1950's, starring Judy Holliday and Jack Lemmon (in his debut role). But celebrities aren't remembered as more than as a Trivial Pursuit answer... Anyone remember Patricia Geoghegan?

Thanks vallo. That bio is what I was referring to in my post ("According to IMDB she wasn't happy about it either."). Mr. Mongo might be the way to go!

As I type this I'm wending my way through the Ann Dvorak vehicle Housewife (as part of the Bette Davis Festival). I'm reminded of Miss Dvorak's beauty and wonder why she didn't find more success on the screen. According to IMDB she wasn't happy about it either. Anyone have more on her career? I'm also struck by Ronnie Crosby, who plays the young son of Miss Dvorak and George Brent. He has an edge that cuts through the usual "preciousness" of kid actors. He's swell. I wonder if he was as good in his other roles? Has anyone seen more of his work?

All This and Heaven Too. The mother was played by Barbara O'Neil in a neat reversal of her role in Gone With the Wind wherein she plays the idealized mother.

Silents are still being made today and could buffer the schedule. I saw Milord Thomas' 2001 feature Claire a few years ago when it was shown in San Francisco with full orchestral accompaniment. Canadian Guy Maddin sometimes makes silent films (like The Heart of the Word). I've heard that Aki Kaurism?ki made the silent Juha in 1999, and The Call of Cthulhu was recently released.

The movie was Cabin in the Cotton. This was shown a couple of weeks ago on TCM. Volcano also showed Miss Davis' striptease from this movie...

Cookie's Fortune?