MissGoddess

[ obr]I like this picture, for one:[/nobr] [ obr][/nobr]

Gee, if anyone knows about this one I'd like to see it too!

Hi Dan---thanks for your post. I have to say I feel the same way about the kind of heroes actors portray, meaning that I prefer them to be able to conquer the evil with the good, at least by the end of the picture. Though I love the look and acting in many films noir, the ones that are more nihilistic in tone tend to turn me off, and they have heavily influenced who filmmakers see the "hero" today. Unfortunately, it's been so long since I saw Casanova Brown that I wouldn't know what to say in a review except along general lines, but I'll look into what Amazon is posting about his other films. I agree that Cooper, more than any other star, remained consistent to the heroic mold throughout his career. He was smart to do that and I for one am grateful. If I could recommend anyone else's films of the thirties and forties, I'd recommend Spencer Tracy, who very rarely played out and out villains. His characters were more thoughtful than action oriented, but he never gave a bad performance and seemed to be such a positive force for justice in many of them. Or if you want something more lighthearted, William Powell also never gave a bad performance and had an inimitable grace to his style, quite unmatched by any except Cary Grant (another not too shabby performer whose comedies are pure joy to watch, especially The Awful Truth and My Favorite Wife, both with Irene Dunne). Ciao, Miss G

[ obr]I have a ball here too, and I'm glad you all have put up with my being such a "board hog" sometimes! [/nobr] [ obr][/nobr]

I like Basil, too. He always delivered a first rater performance. His work in Garbo's ANNA KARENINNA is to me on par with Sir Ralph Richardson's in the later version with Vivien Leigh. I wish I had taped those Lone Wolf movies. They sound like they're a lot of fun.

Thanks---I think I've seen The Big Combo but would like to again, as well as the others. I like Conte in House of Strangers, Call Northside 777, Whirlpool, They Came to Codura, Somewhere in the Night (he surprised me in this one!) and The Blue Gardenia. I even liked him in the "Tony Rome" movies. Miss G

Mrs. C those are some hot, hot posters and pictures!! I especially love the Blowin' Wild poster---that's a 10-Alarm if I ever saw one! The captions on The Cowboy and The Lady are funny: "I'm only a cowboy and don't know much about women..." Right, Gary, right! Miss g

> > I am particularly interested in Monsieur > Beauclaire, and you might imagine... I'm curious > as to how it compares with the Valentino version. > > Is it a spoof? Or is it seriously a remake of the > Valentino silent? As you might imagine, it's a comic take on the story, with Bob playing a barber who falls afoul of the king, landing in all kinds of hot water. It's actually very funny and though I have not seen the silent version, I imagine it bears no resemblance!

Hi ya, BHF---I'm so sorry to hear about your computer! And I hope you can get a new one soon because we'll miss your posts. Take care & bon weekend to you too!

> I'm still a bit cool on Faye myself, but you just > never know who you'll end up liking, I always > say! > > I agree with that, and sometimes when you finally > find out you can enjoy them after all, it feels so > wonderful! I had a big turnaround like that over Margaret Sullavan. There was a time I simply couldn't stand her. Then I saw Three Comrades and I revised my opinion.

> MissG - thanks very much for the suggestions. I will > keep an eye out for those films. I might even have > one or two in my boxes of burned DVDs that I've never > watched. > I hope you enjoy them!

Different posters mentioned Richard Conte as a classic film-noir actor and in searching for a photo of him I came across a still, with Colleen Gray, from The Sleeping City. Has anyone seen this movie and can comment on it? It's the first I've heard of it. [nobr] [nobr][nobr] [nobr] [nobr] [nobr] Message was edited by: MissGoddess

Thanks, Dewey. And Cinemascope, thanks for that tip about imdb.com; I never thought of looking at what genres they list a movie under. Miss G

I agree about The Facts of Life. I didn't mention any of his later films just because I thought Pktrekgirl might enjoy seeing his earlier work first, and then, could venture into the later films for comparison. I also like Bachelor in Paradise tremendously, though many find it a poor film. But I always thought he and Lana had such chemistry, funny and sexy, together. I wish they had done more films as a pair. Miss G

Yes, Stoney----My Favorite Brunette is the one where he's a baby photographer who gets unwittingly caught up in all kinds of dark shenannigans! Great film which badly needs restoration. Miss G

> Thank you for your positive look on it, and you're > absolutely right, I absolutely want to properly > appreciate all performers from the Golden Era. > > I'll be watching more Bing and Alice Faye movies in > the near future because their appeal apparently > continues to elude me slightly, I must sheepishly > confess I'm still a bit cool on Faye myself, but you just never know who you'll end up liking, I always say!

I recorded it when it first aired and dern it! if the cable didn't go haywire at exactly the climactic moment, right as the police are literally about to burst into the snipers room! But what happens next? I'm dying to know....does he get shot? Do they find he committed suicide? Does he get dragged off to jail??

PK & CS: I felt the same way about Bing in the beginning, I mean that I was a bit puzzled at his appeal. However, I don't know if it was because I became so enamoured of Sinatra that I decided to check out other similar entertainers, or if I just began to fall in love with his voice, but my admiration for his talents has definitely expanded. In fact, I still have that book which came out recently about his early year on my "must read" list. But his movies were an acquired taste---which I have acquired! Miss G

> > But anyway, I really came in here for advice. What > are the best NON-Bing Crosby Bob Hope films? > > I'd really like to give them a try. > > Thanks for any advice. Hi Pktrekgirl! I think the ones that keep popping up on "best of" or "Favorite" lists include the following (and I certainly recommend them as being among his funniest and sunniest ): The Ghostbreakers The Lemon Drop Kid My Favorite Brunette The Princes and the Pirate Monsieur Beaucaire The Paleface Fancy Pants (especially if you like Lucy, too) And for something a little more straigtforward, but still very entertaining, try The Seven Little Foys. Bobhopefan1940 will doubtless have others to add but I think you can't go wrong with any of these! Happy you to have so much laughter to look foward to! Miss G

I myself have yet to see all of Zoba in one sitting, but it is certainly proof that Anthony Quinn was not just actor, but a force of nature. I love Greece and many aspects of Greek life (especially their emphasis on family and conviviality). I think you won't be disappointed.

[nobr]Another unforgettable Cagney film ending is ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES. What an actor![nobr] [nobr][nobr]

Actually, I'm going to scour TCM's whole schedule this month (something I'm generall lax about doing) because they have been showing some real gems lately and I want them recorded in case they disappear for a long time.

Yes it is and that reminds me: I must go out and buy blank vhs tapes, pronto!

Everyone: Since I'm very fuzzy-headed about what movies are "noir" and which ones aren't, can you tell me if ON DANGEROUS GROUND is considered a film noir? I absolutley love this movie to death but to my thinking it is a drama. Your the experts, so what do you think? [nobr]Thanks, [nobr] [nobr][nobr] [nobr][nobr]

I actually got to see Laura at The Museum of Modern Art here in NYC, and it was fabulous to have an audience (full house!) to share the laughter over Waldo's outrageousness. I wish I could go to see these things more often, since New York does have more revivals and retrospectives than most cities. The Film Forum in downtown Manhattan is another great venue; the ticket prices are about on par, even a little less, than current-run ticket prices and sometimes you get to see a double-feature! Or some star might show up to open and close the films with remarks (the most recent showing of a rare John Cromwell pre-code had his son, actor James Cromwell speaking. Unfortunately, I got sick and couldn't go). There's nothing like seeing these movies on a big screen. For me, it's like seeing them for the first time. Miss G