MissGoddess
-
Posts
22,766 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
3
Posts posted by MissGoddess
-
-
Hi Ro!
Hello there, Sydney... Oh wait.. I mean Barsad..
HA!!!! I was trying to remember the name of that character for Grimes and there you have it! Perfect for him.
I actually have to sit down and watch it all the way through again soon; my last few viewings have been piecemeal because, as you and Grimes point out, I tend find the overall movie if not long, just not my kind of movie. I really, really have to be in the mood for historical movies.
But all other considerations about 1935's *A Tale of Two Cities* fall away beside Colman's character. I have always been very moved by it, more than by just about any other character in this type of film. I agree that the girl and her husband are rather cardboard, and in my opinion she never really emerges well enough for me to understand what it is about her that captures Sydney to such an enormous degree.
I loved Edna Mae, too...along with *Drums Along the Mohawk*, this is one of her most colorful roles. She's also delightful in *David Copperfield*, made around the same time.
Maybe if *ATTC* had a more creative director like Lean it would have fared better overall. And the idea of Lean directing Colman is very appealing.
Edited by: MissGoddess on Jan 20, 2012 2:39 AM
-
> Exactly. He wants to score with Flaemmchen (Joan Crawford), but then he falls for Gru (Greta Garbo), so he gracefully bows out with her. He tries to steal Gru's pearls, only to give them back. He thinks about stealing Kringelein's (Lionel Barrymore) wallet, but he hands it back to him. All the while, he has a "price on his head." His ultimate fate surprised me. That made the film's end a powerful one.
>
All the while he exhibits such a wonderful, self-mocking humor. The only time it vanishes is when he's with Gru. Everything changes for him, then.
> Me, either! But I'm definitely worried about watching her films because you said she's mostly inward and I greatly responded to her being outward.
>
Well, her moments with the Baron, her reactions, the scene on the phone, those are "typical Garbo" and what made her a star. I just mean the flitting excitedly around and exclaiming over everything, that's the character of a prima ballerina. In her other roles, she is dramatic but not so flamboyant. And like I said, there is always a scene where her emotions spill out, like the audience witnesses her own dawning awareness of the depth of her feelings (all her movies are about love, usually tragic).
If you were to watch *Ninotchka* next, you'd see the opposite of Gru. She's playing a Soviet official and so the point is she's cold and mechanical until love comes along, then she's transformed.
> It was a juicy role for him. He's basically the mirror of the Baron. Both are facing desperate situations and each handles it so differently. But the Baron makes a serious mistake.
>
GRAND SPOILER!
He didn't have a chance, he was almost fragile and broke like china under Beery's strength.
Seeing that little dog, looking lost at the end always breaks me up.
> It's certainly a somber film, but with a very uplifting message.
>
I agree. I found it a bit puzzling the first time I watched it. I wasn't sure who or what Ian Hunter was supposed to be or represent.
> Oh, yeah? I didn't think you were too keen on the film.
>
I liked it a lot the last time I watched, but some aspects are still strange to me. The religiosity.
>
> *Oh, no! I know who you will demand to drink the water!*
>
>
> *Of course!*
>
>
> Poor Molo!
>
Not Molo!
> I didn't care much for the story. I guess the power switch is interesting, but I wasn't moved by it that much.
>
Oh I didn't care for that either, I liked the journey of Carton's ascent from a man who'd given up on himself to redemption. It didn't happen overnight and I liked seeing the progression.
> Why did you think I wouldn't go for Kitty?
>
She's a rather heartless golddigger and since she only has a limited role in the ensemble, there's not much to it unless you just enjoy Jean being that way. I do. I like Kitty more than I like "Lil" in *Red-Headed Woman* though it's essentially the same character.
-
I love Molo's "Dinner at Eight Questionnaire"!
> They are all lonely in their ways and they each respond to genuine kindness. Well, all but Preysing (Wallace Beery). I love how money is an issue with all of them but Gru (Greta Garbo). She has all the money she could want but is miserable.
>
I like what you said about how the Baron starts out looking to gain something for himself (with increasing desperation) but at each opportunity he ends up helping someone else.
I still can't believe you actually said "I love Garbo". I never thought I'd read those words from you!
I have to give kudos to Beery for playing a heavy really well, with both a cravenness that is "small" and that overpowering physical menace that of course came easily. He was despicable. His arrogance toward everyone, particularly Kringelein, knew no bounds.
> *Gable's like I like him here...not that buttoned up type in Wife vs. Secretary, but surly and sarcastic. Wee!*
>
>
> That's how he usually is!
>
He's not always in such a bad mood, though, which he maintains for most of this movie. His charming side is in abeyance here. And that makes Joan increase her own spiritedness to match him.
>
> *It's Borzage's most unusual film and it's really too bad it's not better known or liked.*
>
>
> I find that to be shocking since it's Clark Gable and Joan Crawford, two of the greatest stars of all. And both are excellent in the film.
>
I think the subject matter turned audiences off who didn't want something so serious and depressing. And they wanted Joan in Adrian gowns, not a torn dress.
I'd like to see this one on the big screen.
> Oh, no! I know who you will demand to drink the water!
>
Of course!
> Ronald Colman is the entire film to me, yes. He's superb. But I wanted more from the film.
>
What about the story...it's one of the most interesting plots ever written, silly.
> There isn't much to Kitty.
>
I knew you wouldn't care as much for her character. I think she's funny screaming at Beery.
Edited by: MissGoddess on Jan 19, 2012 11:40 PM
-
La BronxaritaThe doctors were pretty scary, excellent casting...notice they were all lean and tall?...and did you notice all the helpers were..."little people"? Looks like you were assigned your "class" according to body type! That was a touch of grotesque, n'est ce pas?
Wouldbestar: Enjoy the shows! I received Season 5 (of the half hour series) last week and have been enjoying them immensely. So many stars. Here are two names I never thought to see associated with one another: Alfred Hitchcock and Burt Reynolds!
-
> There is no way I would have predicted myself to like the films as I did. No way at all.
>
I think you've surprised a great many of us!
> No, I really liked *Grand Hotel*. Loved the Baron (John Barrymore). My kind of guy, all the way. Loved Garbo. I loved how she hated her life until the Baron entered the picture, and from then on, she wanted to do it all. Perfect. Lionel Barrymore was also wonderful. I've never seen him play "mousey." He was good.
>
That's sweet. Yes, Lionel's "Mr Kringelein" (sp?) is endearing. You want him to enjoy his last fling, and he's so kind to Miss Flemschen (Joan). It's funny, all the protagonists are kind of suffering from need of something that one of the others is able to supply. (SPOILER) In the Baron's case, it doesn't quite work out.
> The heavy Christian theme didn't bother me with this one because I believe in the overall message. It's a rather exciting film with two explosive leads. I also loved Ian Hunter's "Cambreau." It's a harsh film with a lot of love. I liked that.
>
Hunter's character reminded me of "Smitty" in *The Long Voyage Home*, made the same year. A man with a secret.
Gable's like I like him here...not that buttoned up type in *Wife vs. Secretary*, but surly and sarcastic. Wee!
It's Borzage's most unusual film and it's really too bad it's not better known or liked.
Well, the three of us with Molo will make our own "Strange Cargo".
> I've yet to see a film where I didn't like Joan. Her "Julie" in *Strange Cargo* is easily my favorite of hers. She was very good in *Grand Hotel*, too.
>
That's good. Julie got her away from glamour girl stuff much as *Rain* did earlier. I can understand why she'd rate it high.
> *I'm sorry you didn't like A Tale of Two Cities that much.*
>
> I was surprised that I didn't, since I love such sacrifices. But the story was very dry to me. It's all about Sydney Carton (Ronald Colman), and that's about it.
>
But isn't his character wonderful, and Colman's performance of it? I admit the world is dry, it's just his character I focus on. His change and sacrifice, a big one.
> *I guess you enjoyed Kitty Packard more.
*>
> Oh, she was a pip. But she's still no match for "China Doll."
>
She's a little more heartless as Kitty. But let me see, if I could cast Richard Boone for my M.D., I might spend a lot of time inventing illnesses, too. -
> 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!"
She's a little more heartless as Kitty. But let me see, if I could cast Richard Boone for my M.D., I might spend a lot of time inventing illnesses, too. 
The Annual FrankGrimes Torture Thread
in Your Favorites
Posted
> And who do I like the very most in *Dinner at Eight* ? These two:
>
>
>
>
I don't even remember them!