benwhowell

Another great thread, bhf1940! I LOVE Christmas too...everything about it. I'm lucky to have a partner who shares my enthusiasm for all things Christmas so I consider that my greatest gift (even though he wasn't a Christmas gift ...I hope that counts.) We did "adopt" a kitten recently who was left motherless. We had to handfeed him. He's getting bigger and stronger every day...and so affectionate. When I go home from work I feed him and hold him and he gives me Eskimo kisses...No better therapy than that. Having him this Christmas is all the gift I need. Man, this is getting sappy... OK-favorite movies would have to be "It's A Wonderful Life" and "Miracle On 34TH Street." "IAWL" is a pretty "dark" portrait, but I always feel melancholy at Christmas and that movie seems to validate my feelings...if that makes any sense. I know it's hokey, but I love it when Zuzu says, "Look, Daddy. Teacher says every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings." As for "MO34THS-" Edmund Gwenn is Santa Claus! TV specials are "A Charlie Brown Christmas-"Linus gets me with his speech too! and "The Homecoming-"which introduced us to The Waltons...with Patricia Neal as the mother -in a wonderful performance. I have MANY favorite traditions, but one that I enjoy is driving around looking at Christmas decorations/displays. It makes me feel so connected with humanity. I would love to stop at every house and visit. We just don't do enough of that any more. I guess my favorite songs would be "O, Holy Night" (especially sung by Billy Porter) and "My Favorite Things" (favorite covers by John Coltrane, Barbra Striesand and The Supremes.) I also love Peggy Lee's "Happy Holidays" and Donny Hathaway's "This Christmas." And we can't forget the food! I'm an egg nog junkie! One thing that I really miss is my Aunt Lila's divinity. She used to give me my own (large) tin filled with divinity. Haven't had any that comes close to her's yet...

The interview made me realize I've never seen "Summertime" in it's entirety. I don't know why I always forget about that movie...especially since it resulted in her lifelong eye infection. I hope TCM shows it soon...I'd also love to see her in the '73 TV movie version of "The Glass Menagerie." I can hear her saying... "You are the only young man that I know of who ignores the fact that the future becomes the present, the present becomes the past, and the past turns into everlasting regret if you don't plan for it."

I enjoyed part 2 much better. She was much more relaxed...and cagey. I think she represented herself as woman who spent her life enjoying it... with strong convictions...accepting her limitations...and praising those who strive to "do the right thing." I'm glad that she didn't waste her time with negative comments about her industry. I did find it curious that she said she was never part of Hollywood circles and never went out (except to George Cukor's house.) According to the movie, "The Aviator-"she partied with Howard Hughes quite a bit...I still can't see those two together...

Great news...for those who are as into vintage Hallowe'en as I am. I found a Disney cartoon (with Donald Duck) called "Trick Or Treat." It's on You Tube. It was just what I was looking for. Check it out...

This is all so sudden...Oh, well, at least I will not have to get a messy divorce from my current domestic partner. I'm confident that Robert O would be proud to officiate...do you think Rob Zombie knows "the wedding march?"

I love you, pintorini! I wish you would write a "crappy" book...I know it would be brilliant. And then they would make a "crappy" movie out of it and you could be guest programmer of the month!! Mucho kisses and hugs...

And you don't think that's homophobic? Shame on you! I guess the only thing left to say is...we're here, we're queer-get used to it! Bet ya saw that one coming, didn't ya...

Wow! You people have really gone off the deep end with this thread. It has to be one of the most insensitive and downright hateful ones yet! And, I might add, homophobic. Why the concern over recent guest programmers' sexual orientations? They aren't on TCM to "recruit homosexuals." Augusten Burroughs had a tragic life and made the best of it by becoming a published writer...in a few funny and critically acclaimed memoirs...And for this he must die? I thought his movie picks were wonderful! How can you deny "Written On The Wind" and "Nashville" classic status. As classic movie fans, I'm surprised so many of you hate Woody Allen. He is one contemporary director who's movies are as close to classic films as you can get...quirky characters spewing lots of dialogue with classic jazz playing on the soundtrack...and the classic architecture of NYC...and no car chases or gratuitous sex/violence...most actors would love to do a Woody Allen movie...even working for scale. Like Ronee Blakley sang (as Barbara Jean) in "Nashville-" "It's that careless disrespect, I can't take no more, baby..."

I totally agree...TCM is "comfort TV." My TV is on that channel the majority of the time...if I'm not watching, I enjoy hearing the dialogue and music. The other channel I tune into a lot is HGTV. I love to see decent people who take pride in their home and community. (And get home/garden ideas.) That channel makes me feel "warm and fuzzy inside" too.

"Metropolis" "M" "The Blue Angel" "La Dolce Vita" "Fellini Satyricon" "Farewell My Concubine" "The Tin Drum" "Diva" "Beautiful Thing" "All About My Mother"

It was fascinating to see a legendary "star of stage and screen" exhibit such vulnerability and insecurity...and OCD-like behavior-needing a coffee table for her foot was, obviously, a crutch. She seemed distracted (did she hear the siren?) and anxious (making a quick exit.) The whole interview was strange and I can't wait for part 2. I love Katherine Hepburn...And that carpet was ugly!

Mrsl, "Beetlejuice" is a great choice, but I can't have two Tim Burton movies...And Vallo, "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" is a must every Halloween. As a matter of fact, I received the Hallmark Peanuts' pumpkin patch set for my birthday. I saw that "Monster House" is coming out (on DVD) October 24. That goes on the list...

I wish TCM would show more Shirley Temple teen-age movies. I love "The Bachelor And The Bobby-Soxer." "I'll Be Seeing You" would be great for the Christmas season. Mrsl, did you ever see "My Bodyguard" from 1980? It's one of my favorite teen-age movies. It's a time-less comedy/drama about being the new kid in school and dealing with the "bully." The cast includes the fabulous Ruth Gordon and (a teen-age) Joan Cusack. "Mean Creek" (from '04) is another good one about dealing with the "bully" (in a "Deliverance" vein.) The characters are quite realistic rural teen-agers...and the cast is made up of acting phenoms. Another recent movie I liked is "Brick." It's an homage to film noir -set in a contemporary California high school. One thing that bugs me about some teen-age movies is casting (obvious) adults in teen-age roles...

My favorite movies are "To Kill A Mockingbird" and "The Wizard Of Oz." I've seen them over 50 times...and counting. I still get "goose bumps" with every viewing.

Thanks, Vallo...but I have that. I was looking more for a movie (from '30's-early '70's) set during Halloween that showcases decorations and costumes...a great Halloween party scene would be terrific. I'm looking for a movie (with great vintage appeal) to watch Halloween night. I have a couple of other movies lined up..."Tim Burton's Corpse Bride" and "Monster Mash: The Movie." I'm looking for some classic "fluff."

This is how I see it-Robert O is in the formal living room tickling the ivories...Ben M is in the den banging on the bongos. Variety is a good thing. Ben, if you read this, pay no attention to the naysayers. I think you're doing a great job. I look forward to seeing you on the weekends. PS-You're not really that big of a Chevy Chase fan, are you?

I think we may be the only two who are thrilled that "Grey Gardens" is being shown. (I'm beginning to think that my request had influence. I would LOVE to see more documentaries. (After all, they are "movies," too.) I agree that this current "reality" trend is formulaic junk-too staged- with little to no substance. I love foreign movies too...TCM has an impressive collection. "Vampyr" is on this week. I used to be a PBS junkie, but my local PBS station is quite "conservative-"most of the good stuff is blocked. I was surprised, and thrilled, they had "Andy Warhol-A Documentary" recently. Did you see it? I'm anxious to see Michael Apted's "49 Up." TCM could do a marathon of that series of compelling docs. His "Coal Miner's Daughter" is shown enough. (Not that there's anything wrong with that.)

I LOVE halloween...including vintage Hallowe'en stuff. Can anyone suggest a movie (available on DVD or VHS) that, prominently, displays vintage decorations, costumes, etc.?

I've come to the conclusion that OW and company were just trying to live up to other Albert Zugsmith productions...and they did a damn fine job.

A "Shakespearean looney," huh? That is fascinating. OW was pretty twisted... I also thought that Weaver was being coached by Perkins. It also seems like maybe the whole cast was sampling some of that "mar-i-juana." Thanks, Mr. Burley-I'll try to catch that snippet.

I'm fascinated and awed by actors. I'm also curious about character development. A recent example would be Johnny Depp's (Oscar worthy) performance in "Charlie And The Chocolate Factory" as the child-like, eccentric Willy Wonka. I read a review that described his character as the offsping of Dracula and Liberace... Another performance that "annoys" yet captivates me is Dennis Weaver's in "Touch Of Evil." What do you suppose was his "motivation" for that character?

I missed the premiere of "underground." (I have "Plan Nine From Outer Space" and "The Bride Of The Monster" on VHS...My favorite Ed Wood movie is "Glen Or Glenda." Now that is an "underground" classic!) I will be taping next week's double feature. I love Russ Meyer movies! They are hip, provocative, fast- paced thrill rides filled with beautiful people. "Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!" and "Mudhoney" are classics from his black and white period. Honestly, I'm quite surprised at the movies TCM is showing lately...but pleased (I don't get IFC or SUNDANCE.) "You really should be AM and FM. You one-band broads are a drag!"

Entertainment Weekly reviewed "The Beales Of Grey Gardens" a few issues ago. It will be released on DVD in December...on Amazon.com for $14.99 (Now that's more like it!) Check it out on IMDB...

I couldn't be more thrilled that this mesmerizing documentary and "cult classic" is coming to TCM...I've suggested it before, but never thought they would actually show it. (I didn't want to shell out $40 for it...I'm cheap...I hate to pay more than $20 for one movie.) I can still remember a National Enquirer with a story and (Diane Arbus-like) photos of Jackie O's eccentric aunt and cousin. I wish I'd saved it. I saw the movie later and fell in love with Big Edie and Little Edie. There is a sequel (with unused, extra footage) that recently came out-"The Beales Of Grey Gardens." It was adapted into a musical-which is moving to Broadway this month.

While I think Orson Welles is a masterful filmmaker-I'm always put off by his pompous acting...couldn't even finish "F For Fake." I did, however, enjoy him in "Touch Of Evil." And I still can't figure out why Tatum O'Neal received an Oscar for "Paper Moon-" especially with the wonderful Madeline Kahn nominated for the same movie. As a kid growing up in the '70's, I used to envy Tatum-Oscar winning child actress-partying at Studio 54...she was always in my favortie movie magazines (at that time)-Rona Barrett's Hollywood/Rona Barrett's Gossip.