Swithin

Absolutely memorable. Haunting, deeply moving.

*The Light that Failed* is sort of on YouTube in installments, but that's no way to watch it. It's a somber, beautiful movie, with my favorite opening of all time; and also, in the midst of all the somber-ness, one of the funniest lines in any movie, ever, in a conversation between Walter Huston and Dudley Digges.

Speaking of Ronald Colman, if I had one film to pick that I would like to see on TCM, it is *The Light that Failed*. I don't think it's ever been on, and it's one of my favorite movies.

Every other station seems to show Mel Brooks films, I don't need to turn to TCM to see them. The only rarity among Brooks films seems to be my favorite, The Twelve Chairs. Brooks is very much in the public eye, partly because of his continuing work, his theater work, etc. He's well enough covered, IMHO, so that TCM doesn't have to take up space/time with his films. And we could get into the "classic" argument again, but I think the major point is that TCM doesn't need to show films that are readily -- if not constantly -- available on other stations.

Father Xavier -- Henry O'Neill in *Anthony Adverse* (1936)

Two charmers on your list: Six of a Kind; and Miss Susie Slagle's. Many more to ad -- of course one can't be sure what has never been shown -- but There's Magic in Music aka The Hard-Boiled Canary is one I'd like to see.

My favorite Richard Deacon role is in The Young Philadelphians. But I still don't understand how Paul Newman would have resolved the case if Deacon hadn't needed a glass of water on the witness stand!

The Honorable Chief Minister of Delhi, India, is Sheila Dikshit. (It's pronounced Dixit). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheila_Dikshit

It's not just East European names. Anglo-Saxon names were changed over the years, perhaps a little earlier than the East European names. Many of the Anglo-Saxon names we know now were changed from more unusual names -- more like names you'd find in Dickens.

Yes, I agree. I still think (much as I hate to pat myself on the back) that I gave the best example of a star whose religion got in the way of her career. I repeat this for the THIRD time: *Dolores Hart*. Though it's interesting that, now that her order is in financial difficulty, she is (as she should) using her stardom of old to raise funds for the order. So this may also be an example of her acting career/fame helping her religion.

Yes, you are quite right, and it is good to point that out.

There was great fear, particularly after the time of the Rosenbergs. A few years earlier, Katharine Hepburn read a speech in support of Presidential candidate Henry Wallace. Edward G. Robinson was to have read it, but the great Kate that it would be safer for her to do it, because he was a Jewish immigrant, and she had ancestors who came over on the Mayflower. After the event, she wrote that she couldn't believe that, without overt planning, she had worn a PINK dress! She was mildly scolded for her actions; had anyone else read it, they would have been dealt with much more sharply.

I haven't been following this thread, since my comment about Dolores Hart, whose religion definitely got in the way of her career. But I did look in today. Since the subject has drifted to the blacklisting situation, I do want to point out that I had the great pleasure to know *Kim Hunter*, who was blacklisted (and not Jewish). She really felt betrayed by the zeal with which Kazan (who directed her in Streetcar, on stage and screen) embraced the whole McCarthyist evil, particularly since Kazan had a great career as a theater director, and didn't really need Hollywood for work.

Thanks for reminding me about *Carry On, Cowboy* ! That's one I haven't seen. Sounds promising -- it has Sid James, Joan Sims, Kenneth Williams, and, most promising sounding, based on their roles, Charles Hawtrey and Bernard Bresslaw. I once saw Bresslaw on stage, as Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream. If I had to compare him to an American actor, it would be to B.S. Pully (Big Jule in Guys and Dolls ).

There's been a lot of fresh material on TCM in the last year. I could give many examples, but I'll just mention the four Carry On films that were shown. So great to see them! And in October, TCM will be showing my favorite House of Usher -- the obscure 1949 UK version, which I much prefer to the Corman stodgy version. Plenty more examples of "new" material, too, enough to make me keep my mouth shut when NBNW is shown!

I can't think of any more hints, I guess it's just too obscure: *Voodoo Woman* (1957), with Marla English as the evil woman from Pittsburgh who becomes a monster. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ11h2T0tCE Thread open.

MovieGal, I totally agree with you and with your choice for the inaugural celebrant! Is there anyone who personifies the greatness of classic films as well as *Beulah Bondi* ? I would particularly like to see The Trail of the Lonesome Pine, one of Ms. Bondi's many films in which she truly excels. And the diversity of films that could be shown! She even made a horror film with Karloff and Lugosi: The Invisible Ray.

And I admit that I would like to see Banjo on My Knee more for Helen Westley than for BS!

Fascinating, Eugenia! My degree is in History of Religions. I expressed it in my work as a performing arts producer, producing many performances of Bharata natyam, Odissi, Kathak, dance, etc. Also worked on lectures/panels on the tradition, including one with Akram Khan and contemporary choreographers. Presented many musical performances, including one featuring Yesudas and another on the music of the Jewish communities of India. Also worked with Yash Raj films on a couple of projects. I hope you continue to enjoy your trip!

A difference of course, Fi, is that Bette Davis is one of very few actresses who deserve to be Queen of these boards! I do like BS and her films -- just think the adulation is excessive. As blond Brooklynites go, I prefer Joan Blondell or Mae West. Didn't know Eugenia was in India, where did you go Eugenia? Alot of my studies focused on Indian culture, and I was planning a trip overland to India many years ago, but decided to stay in Edinburgh instead. I had a professor who chanted beautifully in Sanskrit. I've produced many performances/lectures related to Indian music and dance, as well as a festival with Ismail Merchant.

I like Barbara Stanwyck, and I love many of her movies, but amidst all the worship of the woman on the TCM board, I just have to say what I've said before: She is perhaps the most overrated actress in the history of Hollywood, at least on these boards, where she is queen. She's ok, many of her films are great, but that's it, IMHO.

I'm not sure this has been covered here yet. *Baby Peggy* appeared this Wednesday at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC, introducing a new documentary and a series of her films. A friend of mine went and found it very enjoyable.

Vincent Nolte -- Donald Woods in Anthony Adverse (1936)

*Tess Slesinger,* Academy Award-nominated screenwriter of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, died of cancer at 39. She wrote several films and had a short but productive career as novelist as well.

Religion got in the way of *Dolores Hart's* career.