Swithin

I tend not to watch the intros/outros, but I watched part of Alicia Malone's comments related to Night of the Demon and Horror Hotel last night. I've never watched her comments before, and I'm afraid I wasn't impressed. She spouted the usual cliches about showing the monster in the former movie. Even if you've never heard those remarks, there are so many more interesting comments that can be made about that great film, and about Horror Hotel as well. Both movies lend themselves to discussions of folklore, mood, and technique. Very disappointing, but happy to see the films shown.

"Oh..You Never Know, Just Who You’re Gonna Meet, When Your Walking Down a Busy London Street." -- Dressed to Kill (1946) Next: Another song from any Sherlock Holmes movie

"Dis-Donc" by Marguerite Monnot from Irma la Douce (on B'way 1960/61; movie 1963). Song adapted to use without lyrics for the film. Here's the song from the Broadway show. It's played over the credits in the film version. Next: Another song with a French setting

When I was in grade school, they showed us a movie about Yaws in North Africa. That was pretty scary!

"Long Long Ago" -- Ah Wilderness! (1935) Next: Sung in pajamas or nightgown

Jack Carson was in Navy Blues (1941) with Jack Oakie.

On Svengoolie tomorrow, October 30, 2021: Excerpt from the Psychotronic Encyclopedia: "Don't miss. It's the worst. The evil but beautiful Princess Marcuzan and her bald effeminate dwarf assistant Nadir arrive in Puerto Rico to kidnip women to use in repopulating their dying planet. Meanwhile Frank, an American astronaut who is actually an android, crash-lands near the aliens. He becomes Frankenstein, a crazed killer with only half a face. While wild go-going girls are kidnapped from a poolside party, scientists track down Frank, and a rock combo plays hits like "That's the way it's got to be." The rewired Frank battles the horrible alien mutant Mull and rescues the kidnapped Earth girls. Lots of rock music, stock footage, and laughs. Filmed in Puerto Rico. The actors are mostly New Yorkers. " The only actor I've heard of is James Karen, who used to do the Pathmark Supermarket ads in New York.

Mary Woronov Next: Crone

I saw the film at Radio City Music Hall, with Coppola conducting his score. It was magnificent, with the triptych screen at the end. Of course much of Coppola's score was adapted from Berlioz and many other composers, as well as French folk music. Carl Davis's score, which I heard when I saw the film in London on television, also featured a combination of his own music and the classics, though I have a slight preference for Coppola's version.

Ratboy (1986) Next: "Monster" wanting to change

The Fox (1967) -- more Keir in the snow Women in Love (1969) -- more D.H. Lawrence and snow

Sometimes restorations of silent films feature new scores, which is generally a shame, although it may allow for a new copyright. I had been looking forward to watching Piccadilly (1929), but the new score was so awful I couldn't watch it. On the other hand, the Carmine Coppola score for Abel Gance's Napoleon is brilliant, an amalgam of classics and new scoring. I prefer it to the Carl Davis version. (I don't think Gance particularly liked the original score, by Arthur Honegger.)

The Devils is indeed an outrageous film. I haven't seen it since it came out, but that one scene of Vanessa's -- wow! I love Women in Love and some of the others, although a few of the more campy films don't quite reach the heights of campiness that I think he's going for. One of my favorite Ken Russell films is The Lair of the White Worm, (1988) with Hugh Grant, Amanda Donohoe, and Peter Capaldi.

No, not the 70s. I worked with Nanette much later.

I think it's wonderful that TCM showed those Japanese films, as opposed to the usual Ran, Rashamon, etc., that are readily available. The films that were shown are rarities. Also the Argentinian films of the other day. This kind of programming enhances TCM's output, makes it richer, and underscores TCM's uniqueness, in my opinion.

Requiem for a Dream (2000) Next: A movie that cheers you up

Paul Porcasi Next: Sensitive

I worked with Nanette once and had a couple of nice phone calls with her, when our project was completed. Lovely, talented woman! Here's a clip of Nanette on the Ed Sullivan show, singing two songs from her rich Broadway career. These two songs are from Love Life and High Button Shoes.

I didn't like The Devil Rides Out the first time I saw it, but it grew on me, and I liked it better the second time around. Not a great film, but one of those interesting cults- in-rural-England movies that I enjoy. The film has Dame Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies in a small role (she became a "Dame" at the age of 100)! She was nearly 80 when she made the film. In earlier days, she was Juliet to John Gielgud's Romeo on stage in London in 1924 and Lady Macbeth to Gielgud's Macbeth in 1942. She also premiered the role of Mary Tyrone in London, in 1958. It was nice to see a venerable lady playing a cult member, in old age. She lived to 101. Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies in The Devil Rides Out

"Ben Bolt" -- played over the opening and closing credits and sung by Marian Marsh in Svengali (1931) Next: Song from a movie directed by Archie Mayo

Jayne Mansfield was in Too Hot to Handle with Leo Genn.

Yes, The Man Who Came to Dinner is definitely a Christmas movie.

Regarding House of Frankenstein, it's a good film. Interesting story, well acted by a cast of real pros, and well shot. Some of the shots are quite arty! J. Carrol Naish as Daniel the hunchback is particularly good. (The hunchback in House of Dracula is Jane Adams). All these hunchbacks made me realize that I don't see hunchbacks around town any more. I used to see them occasionally, when I was younger. A neighbor of mine had a joke, which he oft repeated: "Lend me five bucks until my friend the hunchback straightens up." (Sorry.) Where have all the hunchbacks gone?

My mother used to watch an early 1950s sitcom called Meet Millie, which starred Elena Verdugo. I have vague memories of it. Transitioned from radio. Florence Halop, Marvin Kaplan, Elena Verdugo in Meet Millie, "A gay new comedy about the life and loves of a secretary in Manhattan."

Eugene Pallette was in The Lady Eve with Eric Blore.