GarboManiac

I was always disappointed Ethel didn't do another film in the thirties. But, from what I read, she was so disgusted with Hollywood, she went straight back to New York after Rasputin and the Empress. Thank goodness she finally returned, and we have the legacy of film on her that we do!!

1941

Hey, mongo, I love that movie, too! Lancaster, Scott, Hodiack, Corey and Mary Astor! I have it on tape. Crazy about Scott!

Was it Witness for the Prosecution? Dietrich played two parts in that film. But, the guy didn't come on till the end to say, don't tell anyone the ending. That was '58. Oh, sorry, Vallo. Didn't realize you got it! Didn't think I was correct anyway.

Hey, Judith, isn't it funny how HOLLYWOOD is gone! I said something in my class about Kate and Leopold (cause a couple older students were talking about Meg Ryan), and one of my younger students looked up and asked, "Is that an OLD movie?" I almost split my sides! I said, "NO! That is a NEW movie!" And, she just stared at me. Ha! Garbo in The Single Standard is an OLD movie! A picture of Brad and Angelina sitting together like that might be reminiscent of old Hollywood, but it would still have a trashy edge. They just don't do class like they did in the early days of cinema! And, you are right. It is the stars that make the picture. I always argue against films from the seventies and eighties cause the stars are all gone! Oh, yes, there were a few of them left around still doing films, and I would consider THOSE to be included in any period range due to the particular star (like Lillian Gish who acted until the 90's I think), which would include all of his/her particular films in an anthology. But, for the most part Hollywood was gone after the Sixties. I remember not even enjoying Audrey or Liz in Seventies and Eighties movies, well occasionally. But, Garbo and Asther, wow! And, combine that with youth, black and white, and the greatest photographers in the world, you've got something!

You know that is an interesting thought, but she WAS asked to do the Paradine Case and flatly refused with, "No mothers, and no murderesses." Or, something very close to that. The no mothers referred to I Remember Mama. She refused to do that, too. Garbo was all about love, romance, mystery, passion, suffering for love, and, even, dying for it. As she grew older she would never have expanded her range. She would have always insisted on being in her comfort zone, that being what she felt was best for her and her audience. I am sure that is one of the reasons she eventually never made a comeback. She criticized her own face in the mirror saying that she was getting old. She knew she couldn't keep playing the ingenue and color might have made her look older, as well. She could have done Magnificent Obsession, or A Farewell to Arms or some such love story where age didn't really matter, but I wonder what color would have done to the illusion? So, IMHO, I don't think she would have ever done anything for Hitchcock. Marnie might have been an exception cause it was essentially about love, but she would have had to be a little crazy, too. I don't know if she would have gone for that. Anyway, funny Hitchcock didn't say she was asked to do The Paradine Case. That is one of the reasons Valli was touted as the "new" Garbo. Now, isn't that silly. I have never even be remotely interested in Valli. Every time I have tried to watch her in some film, I end up turning it off. She just wasn't a big enough draw for me. As I think about it, it might be psychological. Hailing her as the "new" Garbo was, to me, just ridiculous. So, naturally I just never found her to be all that!

Judith, I never saw the Ernest show! Don't know how I missed it. But, I did watch Ed Grimly. Ha! I had forgotten about him. And, I loved Second City! I think you're right, they are guilty pleasures. I would tell anyone if it came up, but I don't know how often I would bring it up. But, that's probably an age/memory thing more than anything else! Ha!

Well, Jon, in the case of Pee Wee, I might just say go ahead and tape them. Then spend your money on some classic movie boxed set. I don't know how important Pee Wee is to our culture since he was REMOVED for unseemly behavior!

Ok, later! And, thanks for the comments, CB!

This next one is one of my all time favorites. This pic (above) was taken between scenes on the set of The Single Standard. She is just sitting there listening to someone talk (while she and Nils Asther get their picture taken). Gosh, she just looks incredible. I always think, what if I were walking by and looked over and saw her? I would probably walk right into a tree!

Loved Pee Wee, too! Always watched his show on Saturday mornings! I miss that actually. You know in the old days the studio would have covered that up and paid off the police. And, we would still have Pee Wee with us, well he is pretty old now, but his career would have taken a different turn, and who knows he may have had a sitcom by now!

Good Morning. I am going to start the day off with a shot of Garbo from A Woman of Affairs, 1929 (above).

I don't know where he is, but you are right! I have just been having too much fun. I am off now. Have fun on the forum! Later.

Thanks, ken. I had read somewhere that he was supposed to direct Laura or something like that. Well, he is brilliant, and a WARM director, as opposed to a cold one. There is a difference, you know.

Yes, but you really have to see her. She is like both of them in the sense that she is a lady, even when she isn't! But, she certainly had her own style. I wish she had made more movies! Another one that people forget is The General Died At Dawn with Gary Cooper.

Really! But, my guess is that she is really Austrian!! Nobody could look like that and be IRISH!

Well, actually she was a drama queen. Her most famous roles are The 39 Steps directed by Hitchcock, The Prisoner of Zenda with Ronald Coleman, and Lloyds of London with Tyrone Power. She did have a terrific wit, but was mostly subdued and genteel, very refined! She was the British "grand lady" of the movies. But, now I find out she was Irish. Which is funny cause Maureen's big break came in London as well!

One of my all time favorite directors, along with Lubitsch and Von Sternberg, is Rouben Mamoulian! He was just incredible as far as I am concerned. His film credits include Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931), The Song of Songs (1933), Becky Sharp (1935), Golden Boy (1939), The Mark of Zorro (1940), Blood and Sand (1941), and Silk Stockings (1957).

I just can't believe she is really O'Carroll! But, then again, I can!

Well, it is hard to say. Her beauty is certainly a combination of both, and her dancing talent could be Irish or Spanish! Ha! Man, what a combo!