MissGoddess

I'd like to see some more handsome men pictured as well---equal time for the ladies!

50 more minutes of *Souls at Sea* would be even better because I LOVED that movie when I finally saw it for the first time a few weeks ago. It's interesting that you pointed out the scenes on the slave ship were the ones deleted because that incident is actually what I felt needed expanding upon---it seemed like the movie was building up to something and suddenly we were back on dry land. Still, it's a rolicking good movie and as a relatively new Frances Dee fan, a pleasant romance. I don't think Raft in any way stole the show from Gary, but I do find myself liking him more than I do in most of his other movies. However, every time I see him I am embarrassed to admit I cannot get Carole Lombard's (extremely personal) comment out of my head! Thank you for that link---I am going to "bookmark" it. Oh, and John, I missed the "wanted posters" in Man of the West---that throws a completely different light on what Link's future may have become. Message was edited by: MissGoddess

For those who are fans of movie serials, it appears deepdiscount is having a "buy one--get one free" sale of Critic's Choice titles: http://www.deepdiscount.com/DVD---Buy-1-Get-1-Free-Critics--Choice_stcVVcatId492045VVviewcat.htm?promoCode=BUYONEGETONE

That is another good point. In what little I've read about his career, he did seem in later years to become even more conscious of going after what would be commercial, especially corresponce I've read revealing his seeking potential "hit songs" for his soundtracks rather than musical scoring used strictly to serve the story. I found that a bit disappointing, but then again why shouldn't he want to make a lot of money. As long as he'd be able to come back and do a more personal film now and then, which is what I have always hoped. I didn't add that *Psycho* is my least favorite Hitchcock film, in spite of my admiration for certain technical aspects. As for *Marnie* and *The Birds* I suppose you and I strongly disagree---but from *Torn Curtain* on I do admittedly lose interest. To cut him some slack, he was an old man by that time---everyone runs out of gas and directing is in many ways a young man's game. Wasn't Alma also ill? She was integral to his work, it appears. Most all of the greats lost steam toward the end of their lives and I don't hold it against them.

Thanks for the tip, Mike, as I'm a budding screenwriter myself I want to check out that book, "Talking Pictures".

>>>There are only a dozen or so basic stories in the world, if one traces them back to Aristotle, and it's the treatment of those stories that makes them worthwhile or not (and copyrightable or not). <<< That's so true! I never mind the same material being used, it's what the creator does with it that counts.

>>>How true. Hitchcock understood that completely; and his early film showed it. His final two are evidence that he figured it was easier to join them than to beat them. Too bad. <<< I've noticed that, too, and it's why I have a problem watching his later films (along with his use of largely unappealing actors in the main roles). I can't help but be optimistic, though, that if he had gone on for many more years he would have done an about-face and gone back to "less is more". He took big chances with *Psycho* at a time when he could have just continued with bigger and bigger budget films, and he also liked to do whatever was least expected of him. So a reversal to a more subtle, even a more romantic movie might not have been out of the question. Of course, that's mere speculation on my part.

Thank you, Miss Gulch, I'm very glad you enjoyed the articles. I thought they were interesting. I'm not familiar with either writer at TIME, but wouldn't mind reading more.

>>>in watching the documentary on the making of this film, it is said that Hitch paid particular attention to colors. Has anyone else ever noticed the color scheme here<<< I do notice it very distinctly. Red and Green were two colors Hitch seemed particularly fond of using in his movies. I don't know enough about symbolism to comment on what they mean, I'm sure others here know more about that. But I have noticed that Hitch seemed to find something romantic or positive about the color green, particularly soft, spring or celedon greens. And he usually has his blonde leading lady wear a stylish grey suit. I want a grey suit like that, it looks smashing on fair ladies. I didn't notice the switch in colors of the seat cushions--good call!

By the way, the cat never got in the pool in Cat People. So when you find yourself in the same situation, you'll know that the safest place to be is actually in the pool. But why is it that I sense a strong attachment to Irena with you? Could it be you who is doing the scaring at the pool? Kittens become cats... cats with claws, perhaps? And I'm curious about the "duckie", too. I only like mine, a l'orange. When Ollie goes to the pet store to exchange the kitten for a birdy, the pet store owner calls the bird Ollie has selected, "ducky little angel." Irena smiles (licks her chops) at the choice through the window. I think she was thinking to herself, "I only like mine, a l'orange." Why, Miss Irena, you look as if you've swallowed a canary. <<< Ha ha ha!! Touche, Franklin. Now be fair, Irena deserved a chance to get back at Alice and all she did was say a few friendly words and the silly woman got all upset. My, my, such a lot of fuss about nothing. You know, I always kept my sympathies loyally on Sylvester's side whenever that annoying Tweetie Bird was on the scene. And to be fair, Irena looked so very sad when she saw her little pet expire with fright. Of course, she showed she understood the concept of recycling long before it became fashionable when she tossed it to her friend at the zoo. Nothing was wasted. By the way, wasn't that cat the most beautiful creature? Is there anything in the animal kingdom half so entrancing as the black panther? I hate that they were sometimes depicted as representing evil. I've always been fascinated by them, they're my favorite animal. You can tell alot about a person by what their favorite animal is.

>>> I hope that you've had a chance to see Broken Arrow (1950) and The Hanging Tree (1959). Both films catch that "Davesian" quality of disparate people finding themselves in close quarters and, out of an instinct for survival and, sometimes ultimately, respect, compassion and love, discovering that the world is a far more complex place than the characters knew by the final reel. <<< Interesting points, Moira. I was trying to put my finger on what I like about Daves' films. I also like that, although they can be stylish (Dark Passage), his movies are mostly filmed in a meditative way that lets character and story come forth. I'm always for that. *Kings Go Forth* deserves more respect, too, for its depiction of very complex characters and sensitive handling of racial prejudice. Sinatra gives one of his most sympathetic and tender performances, and Tony Curtis his most duplicitous. That there are still SO many more Tony Curtis' than Sinatras out here today makes this film still resonant (I'm speaking of their characters---not the actors themselves).

Hi CM---If I remember correctly, Bacall's character is drawn to Bogart's because something similar happened to her own father.

Hi Mike! I have been on record as saying that for years *To Have and Have Not* was my favorite Bogie/Bacall pairing, but lately *Dark Passage* has been muzzling its way in for first place. I find there is a "mood" prevelant throughout this picture that is quite hypnotic, lulling me into another time and place. I love movies that do that. It's very romantic and yet has a perverse, dark humor in it (like Dave's western, *The Hanging Tree* does). I really want to get that Bogie/Bacall box set but it seems hard to find or very expensive. I'm also looking more closely at the director since several of his other titles are among my favorites, including *Kings Go Forth* with Sinatra.

Everyone should love Lucy, she gives the gift of laughter. If I am blue, switching on that show is a guaranteed mood lifter. I marvel every time, no matter how often I see her show, what an incredible comedic talent she was (Desi also hired great writers).

More great pix, GM! I love the combination of light/dark of Hedy and Lana together. It's so striking. I watched an episode of the classic TV show "Family Affair" this weekend and it had the little girl ("Buffy") making friends with another little girl who like making up play-names. She called herself "Lana" and gave Buffy the nick-name "Ava". I thought it so hilarious, these two little infants calling themselves after the two most glamorous sex-symbols in Hollywood.

"The irony is, many women want the indecent proposals to come from the guys who don't offer them." *Ha! Smart man* . "I believe Sam fed off Link's nobility. I've often found that people will feed off of the kindness of others. Not everyone, but many. Sam only cared about himself at first, but Link's willingness to stand up for him and Billie made a big impression on him. It only takes one person to change a person." *That is so true---and why the so-called "Golden Rule" is the one to live by, as best we can. Sam was the sort of person who mostly "doesn't count" in the general scheme, in life or in movies. Except Anthony Mann's movies. And Ford's. And Lubitsch's* . *You noticed (and John, too) so many things I never picked up on. It gives me good reason (as if I needed any) to watch MotW yet again* . P.S. So you're a Cowboy (NFL) fan? Might it interest you to know I almost had one for a step-dad. Yep. My mom dated one. I never remember his name---I can ask her again, but he was cute and she had his picture hanging up in our house for a while after they stopped seeing eachother. I tease her to this day for letting him get away because he was crazy for her.

So much good stuff here to respond to! *John* Don't kill me but I'm the only one so far who has not listened to any of those mouth-watering radio shows on ICONS. It's been driving me crazy too, reading about all the wonderful things being discussed and not getting to enjoy it because my laptop at home doesn't have sufficient speaker capability. But guess what? This blonde just discovered that by plugging in my earphones I can listen to anything I want, clearly and beautifully!! I know, I know---it's so obvious how could I have only just thought of it---because I am totally computer-illiterate and so are most of the men I know and could have asked. Anyway, next weekend, hopefully, if I have the time, I'm going right away to the ICONS website and listen to as many shows as are available. I hope you guys make keep them available for a while. I also want to chirp up and say I'm glad that is sounds like you and Mr. Bogie and others really speak out and say what you think on the shows (this, relating to the 3:10 to Yuma subject)---I admire that. Regarding that statement by Coop's character in *Cloak and Dagger* that was deleted----I wish so much they hadn't done that. It actually would have, by that one simple, direct comment, have added so much more depth to his character and kept it from ending like a more typical propaganda film. That said, I still think it's highly underrated. But 50 minutes edited! My mind reels at all that lost, precious Gary Cooper footage! It's funny, they save everything now and show it as "extras" on dvds---deleted scenes, bloopers, etc. Now that so much is not worth saving. But all that lost footage from a time when the quality was very high....it makes me nostalgiac. John! You say Link and Billie slept together? When? In the barn? Really? I know she was trying hard to get him to (I mean, there she is in peril for her life and she loses no opportunity to show her pretty unmentionables to a handsome stranger---hee!) but I didn't think they actually did. And you have a more bleak take on the ending than I got from it. I hadn't thought of his being still a wanted man at the end and perhaps facing...gulp! Hanging! I took it as a rather happy ending in one sense, that he had saved his "new life" from being destroyed by the past and sorrowful in that he may actually have found a deeper love in Billie. Now I have to watch this movie all over again because I missed every one of your points.

****As Pat Neal told me once, GC was the first man she'd met who actually listened to her, whose eyes weren't roving over her shoulder, who maintained eye contact as she spoke and as he spoke, who laughed and chuckled when she said something vaguely humorous.**** *That would make any woman fall like a ton of bricks. That is a powerful charisma.*

I'm going to watch Shadow of A Doubt now too! It was all these Hitch films on AMC that inspired me. Nitey nite everyone.

Neat questions raised by you, Bronxie, and Thistledown! For now at least, I'll leave the others to be answered by other more knowledgeable posters and will just take this one: *Why is Scottie so obsessed with Madeline? It seems to take him about 5 seconds to look at her at the restaurant for the first time and fall in love* That's the start of what I find so romantic about this movie. Here is a man that really didn't want to come out of retirement to take on Gavin Elster's job, but totally changes his mind over a pretty face. I think it's simply her bewitching beauty that hits him, and that's enough for most men to start with. The more he follows her after that first glimpse, the more he becomes fascinated. But to begin with, I think it's just her beauty he is taken by (and I like a guy like that, hee!)

>>>The vision of the tower, the staircase, and the confusion about who was real and who wasn't still creates an anxiety about the difficulties of the adult world that still perplex me from time to time, even though I've viewed this movie several times since then. <<< That's deep. "Anxiety" is a good adjective for much of the feeling this movie seems to generate, and Scottie's character in particular. >>>I think Vertigo is a cinematic question mark about the paths our lives might take, and with a doppelganger, that scenario is always a given.<<< That's even deeper. I was hoping for responses like this, because I love to find new things to carry into my next viewing of this movie.

Theresa, don't forget Ronnie-baby Colman---he was a very sweet and gentlemanly person, too. In fact, it fascinates me that Benita Hume, after his death, could marry someone as completely opposite to Ronald as George Sanders! I know I sound like I have blinkers on but i just think people in general in Hollywood (and elsewhere) back then were nicer all around. Being kind and decent counted and you soon heard about it if you weren't. Not like now, when everyone is so "free" to be mean because they have to "express themselves". Sheesh!

LOL! Well, John, at least it doesn't make you feel like this: