MissGoddess

> All right, here's how I liked them: > > > 1. Black Narcissus (MG 8/MO 4) > 2. Spawn of the North (MG 7) > 3. Grand Hotel (MG 15/MO 5) > 4. Strange Cargo (MG 11/MO 8) > 5. Lawman (MG 2) > 6. The River's Edge (MG 4) > 7. Backfire (MG 1) > 8. Armored Car Robbery (MG 3/MO 1) > 9. Terror by Night (MG 10/MO 3) > 10. The Pleasure Garden (MG 6) > 11. Dinner at Eight (MG 14/MO 9) > 12. A Night at the Opera (MG 13/MO 7) > 13. A Tale of Two Cities (MG 9) > 14. The Student Prince of Heidelberg (MG 14/MO 6) > 15. Dressed to Kill (MG 5/MO 2) > That is surprising! I never would have dreamed you'd like *Grand Hotel* at all, let alone that much...unless you just hated everything after the first two. I also like *Strange Cargo* the more I see it (I've only seen it twice). So that's two Joan Crawfords, as well. Two of her most interesting performances, I might add. I'm sorry you didn't like *A Tale of Two Cities* that much. I guess you enjoyed Kitty Packard more.

> And drinking! Can you imagine Hank with John? > And Georgie! > > > Why do you keep asking for tools when you don't know how to work!

> It's Henry Hathaway! > Oh that's right. Well, maybe no shennanigans, just a lot of yelling. > I'm sweet and loving! Crap! Those are hangable offenses at Rohanaka! > I understand there are no "substitutions" allowed at Rohangings in case you hope for a Mr. Carton to pay you a visit.

> Felix von Kitten is a priss! He's been ruined! > Not by me! What do you expect of a purebred. > > Talk about culture shock! > ha! It was a bizarre bit of casting. But I love that John Barrymore was being directed by Raoul Walsh. I can only imagine the shennanigans. > "Rohanaka"! That does sound like a horrible western town with unfair justice! "Rohangaka." > ha! I'd be careful how you talk in Rohanaka Town.

> He is! He's really sweet. > And they are both rather dapper. > *Three? Grand Hotel,* *Dinner at Eight and what else?* > > Spawn of the North. > Shame on me for forgetting! I was so surprised when he turned up in Alaska, lol. Poor John. He does pretty good, he doesn't sleepwalk through it like in *True Confession*. > > > I'll hold off on replying to this until I post my order. I was giving anyone else a chance to share their favorites and guess my preferences before posting. > Of course. I can wait. > *I liked them alot, particularly Burt and his implacability.* > > That's because you're a stubborn mule like he is! > I wish I could drag a few people off to Rohanaka...I mean the hangman.

> Your kitten is nothing like the Baron! > But he is such a "Felix". > I've never seen Lionel play such a character. It was quite a wonderful change. You know, I think three of the last four films I've seen featured John. He's good. > Three? *Grand Hotel*, *Dinner at Eight* and what else? What I respond to in GH is the self-mockery. It's often present in his mid and late career, but here it's more subtle, and more heartbreaking because he isn't really acting that. By this time he was sure he was just a well paid "****" who had sold out. On screen he gets to redeem himself. And he's Garbo's best leading man, the one most in tune with her. If this was your first look at her, you picked the wrong movie. She's playing a diva and most people think she's overacting when it's the character that is hysterical and melodramatic. She doesn't typically act that way in her other movies, she's much more internal. She didn't like the character and felt miscast, but Barrymore is the only actor she really respected. She said he was just about the only gentleman she'd worked with in Hollywood. > It's so violent! But it really is tough to top Burt and Robert. You're not going to find too many actors who are better. I liked them alot, particularly Burt and his implacability.

It's just where I'm at right now. A few years ago the movies would be reversed. And I love the Baron, I always liked him and his character the best out of that whole movie, though I do like the movie. I like it much better than *Dinner at Eight*. It moves me a lot more, emotionally. The Baron is so tragic. And I do love his scenes with his brother, Lionel. He's so kind to him. I really was impressed with the story and characters of the two lawmen in *Lawman*. Just now that's more my wavelength than parties and hotels.

how i think you might have liked them: 3. Armored Car Robbery 1. Backfire 8. Black Narcissus 14. Dinner at Eight 5. Dressed to Kill 15. Grand Hotel 2. Lawman 13. A Night at the Opera 6. The Pleasure Garden 4. The River's Edge 7. Spawn of the North 11. Strange Cargo 12. The Student Prince of Heidelberg 9. A Tale of Two Cities 10. Terror by Night Me: 14. Armored Car Robbery 9. Backfire 3. Black Narcissus 12. Dinner at Eight 8. Dressed to Kill 11. Grand Hotel 1. Lawman 13. A Night at the Opera The Pleasure Garden (never seen) 6. The River's Edge 2. Spawn of the North 10. Strange Cargo 4. The Student Prince of Heidelberg 5. A Tale of Two Cities 7. Terror by Night

Elizabeth looks so beautiful there. That was my favorite hairstyle on her, that longish bob.

> {quote:title=Bronxgirl48 wrote:}{quote}Ah!!! Enjoy! It's very atypical I think, for a Hitchcock episode, being more in a sci-fi vein. Adapted from a story by John Wyndham, who also more famously gave us the tale of The Midwich Cuckoos, upon which the movie THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS is based. > > Edited by: Bronxgirl48 on Jan 18, 2012 1:46 AMI thought the one with Angie was also very Twilight-Zonish, more than what I associate with Hitchcock but the two shows do kind of overlap in their story territory, I suppose. Goodness, that "Consider Her Ways" was terrifying...it almost seemed like a premonition of the world today, lol. "Where are all the men?"

I found it! I'll try to watch it tomorrow.

Hi Duchess! Oh yes...the Window episode...that is definitely one of the scariest ever. I still can't get over that twist ending....wow! I don't know if I've seen "Consider Her Ways"...I've seen only about five or six of the hour long shows. I look forward to catching the rest online or on Encore. I eat them up.

A delightfully creepy episode of "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour" aired tonight on Encore Mystery and I just found it is available to view at Hulu.com. It's called *Thanatos Palace Hotel* and stars Angie Dickinson. This is not your typical resort hotel...more like hotel of last resort.

wonderful! this was one of line-ups I was hoping for from TCM. what a night...and i'm so glad they are starting with my favorite, *The Reckless Moment*. i hope everyone tunes in.

> > Maybe they gave it to him because of his performance in Gatsby the year before, which is unfortunately lost. You might be right the first three years Oscars for acting were given for the performers' movies released in the qualifying period. Baxter's was the second Academy Award for an actor ever given. Chester Morris, Paul Muni, George Bancroft and Lewis Stone were his competitors, all for films I've never seen.

The only real charm about *In Old Arizona* is in the backdrop. There are scads of authentic cowboys used as extras (including, supposedly, Gary Cooper but I've never been able to spot him) and a certain dusty patina that their presence provides. However, there is no explanation why Warner Baxter won the Academy Award for his performance and the "Mexican" girl's performance really makes me wince.

> Then after that I have a few Raoul Walsh films to watch.... I don't know if In Old Arizona counts as a western.... Definitely, I'd say.

> I really didn't like WvsS, but I love Dinner at Eight. It's a drama though. > > I agree with MissG, I pretend Little Nicky doesn't exist. I prefer Asta's family troubles. Yes! Asta's their baby! He's so adorable. "He dragged me into every gin mill on the block!"

> > And then wipes the venom off! > > I like that it's rather demented. It takes a cruel person to do what Dr. Riordan (Robert Newton) does. The entire cat and mouse is tortorous. It's like showing someone Gary Cooper movies. > THat's two shots! You're really setting out the bait for butterscotch. Look out, I'm sure she's polishing her long, black gloves! Truthfully, that was one of the best kisses in all movies, to me. I wasn't expecting it in a movie like that. Hot! Robert Newton is a devil. I was tremendously impressed with his performance. I'd never seen him so controlled, it was quite mesmerizing. He was like a cobra and that poor Yank like a hypnotized rabbit at times. Did you like Sally? > You're definitely right about the seriousness of the film. It's a film where an event causes one to examine their life. It's interesting. > I sometimes wonder if I wouldn't like it better if the movie were told from Deborah's point of view. It's hard for me to really get into her character. > And I can't disagree with you about that. But for some reason, I found Jean to be alluring in *China Seas*, even though it's basically a take-off of *Red Dust*. > Jean's a real sport, she's so feminine (sexy) but she really rolls with the boys. She's a man's woman, that's for sure, and I really like her and Gable together. He had a lot of fun with her and it shows. > Loathe? That sounds like a great challenge! I'll watch it next. > Because it's so quintessentially 1930s. I adore Barrymore but it's a painful character to watch. He's playing a washed out "ham", one of so many that caricatured the man. It's almost an exercise in ****. I'm very fond of Madge Evans but she's doesn't have much to do here; Billie Burke and Marie Dressler are perfect and Lionel, though he has no scenes with his brother, is wonderful as always but the real fun is the "Bickersons" rough-housing between Jean and Beery. She's about as brass as you can get without cursing. She makes it seem like she's turning the air blue with curses! Really cute kid. I roll whenever she refers to Beery's flat-chested "ex". hahaha! > > And all of that really appeals to me. I usually don't like those who take social presentation so seriously. I'm hoping to get the other box set this year. I need to get it at the right price, though. > I hope you get it. *A Night at the Opera* does have a classic scene in the ship's cabin. I felt that way when they were repairing my tiny bathroom a month ago. > You need a "Candy Johnson"! > Every girl needs a Candy at least once in her life. > I liked how much Dave (Jimmy) loved Whitey (Jean Harlow). But it's hard to match Van's (Clark Gable) personality and position. > Sure is a shame he and Clark didn't have one scene together. Well, they'd have been more interesting together when Jimmy was older anyway.

> I didn't even know he produced it! I can't see this one being your kind of Coop film. You don't like when he's playing incompetent for laughs. > No, it's not the way I like him but I did like this movie more than I figured I would. It's cute and different, quirky. He sure does give Loretta one heck of a kiss! > Yes you do, Silly Goose! It's the one with the doggie and the tub. It's also known as "*The Hidden Room*." > That's how tired I am. The title didn't sound familiar, I kept thinking of the Italian movie. Yes, that was a nice surprise, I really liked it a lot. What did you like about it? > Why not? Because of Van? I can't see him being your kind of guy. I'd think the story would be to your liking. It's religious. > No, Van is alright. It's just the unremitting seriousness, I think. There's not a moment of lightness that I remember, though again, I have never watched it all the way. > I found the relationship between Bunny (Kate) and Sumner (Spence) to be wonderful. She thinks the worst of him at most every turn and he's so taken by her. > Yes, it is nice. I like Joan and her "Mexican Avenue bus". I think she also had the best line about how a woman knows she's seen her day when she's walking along and a man in a car circling the block is only looking for a parking place. > I have no idea. She was very alluring to me in *China Seas*. I liked that she called Gaskell (Clark Gable) "toots." > > > > > > > That's interesting. To me she's the same Jean she is in so many other movies and I can't see anything different from the others. I like her in all of them but you only liked her here. As Jackie does, I really find her terribly funny in *Dinner at Eight* but I think you might loathe that movie, even more than *Wife vs. Secretary*. > I greatly enjoyed Groucho and Margaret. But I really liked Groucho and Flo (Esther Muir). Groucho's zingers are so good. Such great writing. > Yes, they were a unique bunch, I'm glad you liked them and the humor. You will be in for a treat when you see *Duck Soup*, *Horsefeathers*, etc. They're totally out of control in those and it's such a fun ride. They upset every snob, politician, businessman, doyenne that crosses their path. Their anarchic humor strikes at the root of people taking themselves pompously and over-seriously. They aren't tough guys so they don't hit back with guns or fists, but with outrageous humor. > *I prefer After the Thin Man but this one has its moments.* > > You don't like the domesticity, right? > I think the worst possibly catastrophe for Nick and Nora was having a kid. Yuck!! However, I still enjoy all of the series and I just pretend "little Nick" doesn't exist. > Roz looked like "Myrna" in *China Seas* and I suppose she was acting like Mary Astor. She was good. > Again I agree with Jackie, she wasn't as interesting to me when she played "proper" types in those early days. > He's so darn boring in this one, which is hard to do with Gable. > Yes! They straight-jacketed him, it's awful. They made a "heel-lot" out of him, as Walter Brennan would say. Give me Candy Johnson any day. > Poor Jimmy. Once again, he's stuck playing the hapless sap. > He plays the same exact character in *Small Town Girl* and *Ziegfeld Girl*.

> *9. Along Came Jones* > > > A lot better than I ever expected it to be. I thought it would only be cute and nothing more to it, but Dan Duryea's presence changed that thinking. I liked the serious nature of the crooks. > Butterscotch will be delighted. Did you know this is the only movie Gary produced? > > *10. Obsession* > > > It's rather fascinating. The sickness of the story captivated me. It's almost like *Dial M for Murder* in how the spurned husband seeks revenge. And it makes us change sides because of his behavior. > I don't know this movie. Who's in it? When was it made? > > *11. The End of the Affair* > > > A very interesting film. Deborah Kerr is so darn good. I thought the film captured the feelings of an affair and then presented the morality of dealing with it in a strong way. > I've never been able to watch it all the way through. > > *12. Desk Set* > > > Very enjoyable! I liked it. It's my favorite of the Spence/Kate films that I've watched thus far. I love how quiet Spence is in the film and how paranoid all the girls are. Joan Blondell is wonderful. > That's a surprise. I think it's pretty good, very smart script. > > *13. China Seas* > > > This is the film that caused me to fall for Jean Harlow. She's sensational in the film. The story itself is flimsy and darn-near non-existent, but all I wanted to do was watch Jean. > What's so different about her here vs other movies? > > *14. A Day at the Races* > > > My very first Marx brothers film and I liked it. It took me a little to get used to their style and rhythm, but once I did, I enjoyed it. I even enjoyed the musical number. My favorite scene is the "dinner for two" scene. > > It's not their funniest (to me) but it has some really classic situations and moments. I guess I always find Groucho and Margaret Dumont hilarious. > *16. Me and My Gal* > > > Ahhhhhhhhhh, Joan. I can't get enough of Joan. The film was all right. I really like Spence in the 30s. > > I really enjoyed this one, and wish it would air on TCM. > *19. Lady of Burlesque* > > > Very fun! It's extremely breezy, but I didn't mind that one bit. Barbara Stanwyck just never disappoints, and I loved seeing her like this. It took me a little while to warm up to Michael O'Shea, but I got there. > I only saw it once a couple of years ago after reading about it for years and years. I think I expected more from it. I thought it was okay. > > *20. Another Thin Man* > > > Not bad. I liked it more than *After the Thin Man*. It's definitely on the "cute" side, but Myrna is always so cute to me. It's hard to top William Powell. He's really becoming a great favorite of mine. He's brilliant. > I prefer *After the Thin Man* but this one has its moments. > > *21. Rendezvous* > > > I don't believe I have ever seen Roz Russell in an earlier role. It seems like the studios were trying to make her out to be like Myrna. It was a little strange for me to see her playing a ditsy lass, but I liked her. I found her to be adorable. Powell is once again sharp. The story isn't the best, though. > > The story is pretty lame but I like Rosalind "breezy" vs. serious. > *25. The Gay Divorcee* > > > I'm not really going for the Rogers/Astaire stories, but I do like the two of them. My favorite musical number of theirs to date is in this film, but this is my least favorite film of theirs, so far. I've only seen three, though. > It's not my favorite either, it's a bit overlong. > > *27. Wife vs. Secretary* > > > Ugh! This was one of the worst "comedies" I have ever seen. It's a dreadful story. The final ten minutes of the film saves it. Again, it's Jean Harlow who saves the day. > ha! I knew you wouldn't like this one. I used to like it much more, now I'm not too keen on it. I decided I don't like Gable as a "straight arrow" business man. He's better as a slightly shady, con-man type. And yes, Jean's the best thing about it. I don't think the movie is really a comedy, in fact it was always mentioned as Jean's possible turning point into a serious actress, if she hadn't died so young. Then there's Jimmy playing one of many sincere young fellows who get ditched for the flashier guy.

sigh. Rod.

Rohanaka, have you seen The Big Country? I can't recollect if you have. Oh goodness, strike that, I must be more tired than I thought. You started this whole thread with that movie!! Edited by: MissGoddess on Jan 11, 2012 7:13 PM

I agree with Frank (ack!) you've written beautifully about this movie. And I too have to take a second look now at "Buck". It reminds me of what you observed about Liberty Valance. You always find the humanity in unlovable characters, I admire that.