daneldorado

Yeah, I googled it too, and got the same clueless replies. The movie in question is, indeed, "Sin City" (2005). But what is the significance of AIW610? Please note, in the Trivia section of the "Sin City" page on IMDb, we read that both Jessica Alba and Jaime King drive cars with the license plate LEV311. Then we are told that this is in reference to Lynn E. Varley, whose birthday is March 11. Also, we read that the car driven by The Yellow Bastard (Nick Stahl) bears the license plate TYB069... the first three letters, of course, indicating the character's "name." But when Clive Owen jumps into his red Cadillac convertible to chase down the bad guys, we are treated to a nice, clear view of the front license plate, and it reads: AIW610. What does it mean? We're still wondering. You're up at bat, Judith. Dan N. http://www.silentfilmguide.com

"Wedding Crashers?" Nope, not "Wedding Crashers." The issue of the license plate -- AIW610 -- is curious to me, because I don't know what, if anything, it signifies. Hear me out. On the IMDb page for the film in question, we see detailed explanations of WHY certain other plate numbers were used in the movie... but there's no mention of this one. And yet, the plate number is shown sharp and clear in the foreground, as if we are EXPECTED to take notice of it. If any of you Sherlocks come up with the correct answer, I wish you'd explain to me the significance of AIW610. Because, knowing a litle something about this film maker's work, I'm sure it was not simply an accidental bunch of numbers. Cheers, Dan N. http://www.silentfilmguide.com

Yesterday I posted this question: "What 21st century hit film features a convertible with the license plate AIW610?" I got to worrying that maybe I didn't supply enough clues. So here are some more: The convertible is a Cadillac, and it's red. Dan N. http://www.silentfilmguide.com

No replies since December 9, so here goes.... What 21st century hit film features a convertible with the license plate AIW610? Dan N.

Here's one you should all be familiar with: "If you'll take the advice of a very old butler, sir... you should take the next boat train to Paris, and there you shall fall in love with the very first girl you see." Who said that, and in what movie? Dan N. http://www.silentfilmguide.com

I'm still studying the TCM schedules avidly, hoping to find and record more pre-code films. Turner seems to be showing more of them now. But the BEST pre-code I've seen, to date -- and one of my TOP TEN favorite films of all time -- is still the magical 42ND STREET (1933). This film has never been considered "lost," and it's been revived dozens of times, both on TV and in retrospective theaters. But after viewing some of these pre-codes that are just now seeing the light of day, e.g., BABY FACE (1933), RED-HEADED WOMAN (1932), and KIKI (1931), I still give my vote to 42ND STREET. As everybody knows, it's a "backstage" musical. But it has a strong story -- imitated many times since then, for sure, but new in its day -- and there's an underlying element of impending doom, since the Warner Baxter character is driving himself into an early grave by mounting this musical show against his doctor's advice. Set against this dire background are the wisecracking "dames," all chorus hopefuls, Ginger Rogers, Toby Wing, Una Merkel, and Ruby Keeler among them. And the star of the show-to-be, played by Bebe Daniels, is not evil but doesn't want much to do with the lesser players. Throw in a couple of romantic triangles, Dick Powell's singing, and the show-within-the-show's eventual success, and you've got the formula for an all-time classic film. Nobody mentions it much, but in 42ND STREET Ruby Keeler gets kissed by three different men -- Dick Powell, Warner Baxter, and Clarence Nordstrom. The miracle is that she didn't also get bussed by George Brent, who in the story certainly wanted to kiss her, but decided at the last minute to be a gentleman and pass. And of course, there are the wonderful, magical Busby Berkeley dance routines. My son Mike is a computer graphics artist, one of those guys who creates eye-popping visual effects in movies, TV shows, and commercials; and I love to show him my DVD of 42ND STREET, especially the "I'm Young and Healthy" number, and point out that every one of the special effects in that number was created right in the camera, with no computer in sight. In all, a quite excellent film. I'll keep checking retro screenings and the TCM schedule, looking for more pre-codes; but I doubt I'll find one better, or more durable, than 42ND STREET. Dan N. http://www.silentfilmguide.com

"I think it is a 39 and a half foot pole. Sandy K" And I think... You are RIGHT!!! Your turn now, Sandy. Dan N.

"When Thurl Ravenscroft sings "You're a Mean One, Mister Grinch," how long is the pole he wouldn't touch the Grinch with? Dan N. http://www.silentfilmguide.com" Did no one understand the question? It has to do with the Christmas classic cartoon, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." I'll leave it up till midnight, unless someone answers it correctly before then. Merry Merry! Dan N.

"You are Charles Bukowski." Indeed I am! See what I mean, about the genius-IQ of folks on this board? Two clues, and MM comes up with the right answer. You guys are Mensa material. Charles Bukowski last appeared in BARFLY (1987), in a small, uncredited role. But he wrote the screenplay and was, in fact, the main character, played by Mickey Rourke. Bukowski wrote the screenplays for 20 films. Merry Christmas everyone! Dan N. http://www.silentfilmguide.com

"In the spirit of the holidays, how about one more clue?" Of course! The last movie I appeared in was written by me... and I was also the lead character, although we didn't use my actual name. I was portrayed by a younger man. As for me, I played a suppporting role. Merry Christmas! Dan N. http://www.silentfilmguide.com

When Thurl Ravenscroft sings "You're a Mean One, Mister Grinch," how long is the pole he wouldn't touch the Grinch with? Dan N. http://www.silentfilmguide.com

"Harold Pinter?" Nope. Impressive choice, for Pinter is indeed a Renaissance man. But I fail to find that he was ever called "America's Greatest Poet" by people who were, themselves, literary greats. Here's another clue: The last film that I appeared in was written by me. Dan N. http://www.silentfilmguide.com

I got lucky with the Harriet Hoctor thing. But I must tell you, I am absolutely in awe at the expertise of some of you on this board. Time after time, I'll see a trivia question posted that I'll think: Aw, NOBODY is going to guess that! And time after time, I am proved wrong. You guys are great! Which is my little way of explaining WHY, for this trivia question, I am going to withhold all but the barest clues. If I gave you any more than this, you'd come up with the answer in a heartbeat. Do you know me? I only appeared in a few films, but I was the writer of many movies. Giants of literature have called me "America's Greatest Poet." Who am I? Dan N. http://www.silentfilmguide.com

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946)... Donna Reed and James Stewart sing it together. Merry Christmas everybody! Dan N.

MY FAVORITE WIFE (1940) Dan N. http://www.silentfilmguide.com

You are: Harriet Hoctor. HH danced with Fred Astaire in "Shall We Dance" (1937). She had previously appeared on Broadway in "Simple Simon" (1930) with Ruth Etting, and in "Show Girl" (1929) with Ruby Keeler. HH also appeared in THE GREAT ZIEGFELD (1936), which won the Oscar as Best Picture. Dan N.

"> You are Sterling Holloway. No, but you are in the right casting call." Are you Ann Doran? Dan N.

"Mary Pickford briefly appeared in only 3 films that I can think of that contained scenes with the Two-Strip Technicolor process. She didn't receive credit or billing for any of them. They are "The Gaucho" and "The Black Pirate", and MGMs original "Ben Hur" : all silent films." See? Told you this would be easy. BTW, she was also in the MGM Technicolor short, STAR NIGHT AT THE COCOANUT GROVE (1934)... apparently it was her only Technicolor talkie. Take it away, PF! Dan N.

"More - let's have some more!! Message was edited by: Judith, who wants to guess one with the rest of the troops. jdb1 " Here's one that should be no trouble to "the troops." Name two films in which Mary Pickford appears in Technicolor. I'm not talking about b&w films which were later colorized, and I'm not talking about productions made for television. Mary Pickford appeared in (at least) two Technicolor films. Name them. Dan N.

Well, Judith says: "He bore a resemblance to a very (in)famous actor, which attracted his first wife to him." I suspect the "(in)famous" actor she's talking about is John Wilkes Booth. And, if you look at the pictures of Booth available on the Net, there IS a sorta-kinda resemblance between him and John Emery. Tallulah, born and bred in Alabama, may have been attracted to Booth as a "hero" of the South. Dan N.

It sure sounds to me like Buddy Ebsen and James Stewart. They were both tall. Stewart was both a supporting player and a star. Ebsen was ALWAYS a supporting player until he got into television, which made him the star of "The Beverly Hillbillies" and later "Barnaby Jones." They both appeared with Judy Garland, a renowned and popular star. Stewart in "Ziegfeld Girl" (1941), Ebsen in "Broadway Melody of 1938" (1937). Their common bond? Neither were singers, but both were compelled to sing in the movies. Also, they were both Republicans, in an industry dominated by Democrats. Dan N.

"> How about John Emery? Hmmm. I looked at him, but as it appeared to be the only marriage that either he or Tallulah had, I discounted him. I have her autobiography around here somewhere, but haven't bothered to look for it." Well, his profile fits. And TB's website shows that John Emery married Tamara Geva after his divorce from Tallulah. Dan N.

Dagnabbit, ziggy... you are RIGHT! I just ran my VHS print of PROFESSIONAL SWEETHEART, and sonofagun! It's a Super-VHS copy I picked up from AMC, maybe 10 years ago. AMC was then a no-commercial movie station. Good print, too. Some really funny gags in this one. Early on, when radio star Glory Eden (Ginger Rogers) is clamoring to have a MAN, the "idea men" around her try to come up with ideas. Her producer (Gregory Ratoff) nixes them, saying: "No, no... You're trying to give her second-hand men. What she wants is somebody brand-new. You know... a whatchacallit... a VIRGIN!!" (Of course, Ratoff pronounces it "WER-chin!") Man, I've seen a lot worse films than this one make it to DVD. Why don't the rights holders release it, so that new generations can enjoy PROFESSIONAL SWEETHEART? Dan N.

"You are Morgan Freeman, who played God in 'Bruce Almighty.'" You are right, as usual. What happened, Mose... are you and I the only players left here? Dan N.

Okay, here's a new one for you. An Air Force veteran, I acted on stage before I began in films. On stage, one of my best roles was in a production of "Hello Dolly." I share a significant statistic with singer/actress Alanis Morissette and the late comedic actor George Burns. If you know what honor they share, you pretty much know who I am. Who am I? Dan N.