MissGoddess

OB was on just the other night. I've seen it in bits, but I am not a fan of war movies (except those with strong love stories tied to them). However, it was hilarious to read how the British, because of this film, seemed to hold Errol personally responsible for making them look like they did nothing in that arena of war. Miss G

That's funny because I just can't get into spaghetti westerns, but if you liked The Shakiest Gun in the West, you might also like Support Your Local Sheriff and James Stewart's Destry Rides Again. TMWSLV is a very dark movie, and a great one. I confess I always cry at the ending. Miss G

I used to be ambivalent about westerns but in the past several years I've become a real fan of them, especially John Ford's and Gary Cooper's. The west is a wonderful "platform", if you will, for allegories and the scaled-down story of good vs. evil. I don't watch them for "historical education"---I leave that to historians and books or documentaries (boring). I hope you'll come to like them more, because it is a unique genre. I like that in the mythical "old west" the heroes get to be individualists in a freer way than they can in contemporary urban settings. Have you ever seen Angel and The Bad Man? It's a John Wayne movie, but for those who aren't fans of either JW or westerns I think it's an adorable and entertaining western. Miss G

Hi filmlover: RE: the Columbia Screen Legends box sets---I haven't been able to find those online anywhere...are those OOP? Because getting to a Costco is a bit of hike for me.

How intriguing...was he making himself up like Lincoln because he was campaigning to play the part? Was this specifically for Ford's movie or for another project? I wish they had a picture of him made up like Abe! I love Abe and think that my favorite actor would have been perfect to play him. His role in PETER IBBETSON is not a prince but it is a fairytale/fantasy. I guess the closest he came is as the "Awkward Knight". I think he would have been wonderful as Quentin Durward, my favorite of the knights-in-shining-armour (Robert Taylor played the role). I always think of his western heroes as "prairie princes". Miss G

Interesting info on DISTANT DRUMS! I do look forward to getting it---I see Lion's Gate has put out a dvd of it so I have hopes it is a decent print. I've just placed a rather massive dvd order with deepdiscount.com. I hope I don't go bankrupt! I love trivia like that about the wild lines and Sheb Wooley. I think I even know what that classic "scream" sounds like, it's been used so often! I don't know how much more I can wait for The Hanging Tree---every time you describe a scene for it I practically see stars I'm so anxious to see it! Think I'll put a rush on that dvd player order. Miss G

Cigarjoe's suggestion of HOW THE WEST WAS WON is a good one; the movie covers a lot of territory in western history, so you might want to put that on your list.

LOL! I don't think it's "blasphemy" at all, Malkat, though I don't agree. He was an actor and not a god so anyone can think as they please, that's what make these discussions interesting! I do think he was a marvelous and supremely underrated actor. His persona and showmanship deceive many into thinking he's playing the same guy over and over but he does play against type from time to time and in True Grit he presents us with a really marvelous character. However, I totally understand why some just don't "cotten" to him. He's one of those love 'em or hate 'em types that seem to elicit strong opinions. I usually love that type.

> I think many of us are a special breed. > I agree! Nice thread. I think for myself I must give the credit to my father. Practically the only happy memories I have of he and I are when he took me to the movies, usually to a scary movie (I used to like those). He also liked watching the Abbott & Costello movies when they came on TV, as well as the Three Stooges (my Mom put a stop to that, though, lol!). While I can't really say any of those are my favorites anymore, I did get my first taste of cinema from those times and I am grateful because it led me into a world which I still prefer to "reality" at times, lol! When my Mom watched Gone With the Wind with me on TV, that opened the floodgates to my full fledged passion for classic cinema. I went so far as to drive from Texas to Hollywood to pursue my movie dreams, so a lot has unfolded since those days watching Bud and Lou argue over "Who's on first?" > From there, I would hang around the projection booth, > occasionally tear tickets at the door when the > doorman was occupied, etc. > That memory of yours instantly made me think of CINEMA PARADISO. Have you seen it, Filmlove?

When I got to work I saw the note in my calendar: Record "Left Hand of God" today!! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! I keep doing this. I really enjoyed this rather off-beat film and it's singular teaming of Bogie and Gene. Tell me what you think of the ending. Miss G

PKtrekgirl---I just learned that DISTANT DRUMS is a remake of Errol's OBJECTIVE BURMA!, replacing the Japanese with Native Americans. Did you know that? Now I really want to see this!

I have most of these simply on VHS recorded from TCM, but am slowly replacing them with the best quality dvds I can find. RE: Bhowani, am I totally wrong or was it mentioned as a possibility for release in the next year or two, in "Upcoming Releases"? I thought something was posted a while back about Ava Gardner movies. This movie is hardly ever mentioned when discussing either Cukor or Ava, and yet it's certainly one of their most unusual and daring works. Those who think of Cukor only in terms of smart romantic comedies and glamorous dramas should see this film. Miss G

I do like Cagney and will watch out for it!

Everyone: What are some film roles, or characters/historical figures you would like to have seen him play? I know it may sound off-the-wall but I have always thought he would have been just as effective as Hank Fonda in YOUNG MR. LINCOLN, perhaps more so because he had that unique sweetness which people say characterized Lincoln. Henry's voice was more like Abe's, though. And as much as I deeply admire Alan Ladd's work in SHANE, I can't help but be enthused by the idea of Cooper in it. Anyone else have their own ideas?

You just reminded me I have to look for DISTANT DRUMS---I've never seen that one either. MAN OF THE WEST is a fascinating film and probably his most graphically violent. However, the extreme tenderness in his behavior toward Julie London's character (a very good, underrated actress, by the way) is beautiful to behold. What I find particularly exceptional about that aspect of his performance is it is about the only instance of such gentleness in virtually all of Mann's films. And I bet your boots that is entirely because of Gary and who he was as an actor. Miss G

I can't wait to see this new dvd---it literally will be like seeing it for the first time. And I really want it to add to my collection of my favorite Ava movies (BAREFOOT CONTESSA, SNOWS, PANDORA & THE FLYING DUTCHMAN, RIDE, VAQUERO!, THE HUCKSTERS, TEXAS, BHOWANI JUNCTION, THE SUN ALSO RISES and MOGAMBO). Miss G

I would have happily volunteered to be his WATER GIRL.

Hi Angie----Ayn Rand's philosophy is the basis of The Fountainhead, and she used the story simply to convey her ideas, which is why it is so creaky. I don't believe in the absolute selfishness theory either, but in spite of its flaws I do admire Vidor's vigorous and expressionistic style of direction. And I have always liked "serious" Gary most of all in the body of his work, over his comedies---he is so potent and charismatic when he gets slightly stern that I really go kookoo over it! Lol!! That bedroom scene and the one in the quarry you mentioned are my two favorites. It would be interesting to see what Stanwyck might have done with it, though she was really too old to play a virgin. However, it was she who campaigned for this movie and it was one of the big disappointments of her career when she lost the part to Pat. Interestingly, and I'm sure you recall it from reading his bio, Gary enigmatically commented that it was only after seeing his performance of the courtroom scene that he realized what he should have done differently with the part of Roark. I have always been burning with curiosity just exactly what it was he would have changed. It's also of interest that he was secure enough in himself to play men whose ideals and values were not necessarily his own---though he was too decent to play rats. For which I am profoundly grateful. Miss G

That is so cool, Coopsgirl! I love looking at those gorgeous old fan magazines (and other periodicals of the day). The hand-tinted photos and illustrations were so beautifully executed. I may just order one myself! Thanks so much for posting that link. Miss G

> Gary Cooper would have been great in it but I wonder > if he was really eager to spend months in the desert > shooting this movie! You never know, he was mad for nature and I think the vastness and beauty of that part of the world would have enthralled him. However, realistically, he might have been too old for the part at that point in time. Miss G

The "snooze"?? Lol! But thanks for the clarification on Herrmann.

I really can understand the appeal of Lawrence---it's a magnificently crafted film and all the cast are first rate actors (and I love Omar Sharif), but the lack of a love story truthfully bores me. Now, I just wonder if I'd feel the same if Gary Cooper had played T.E. Miss G

I don't think I've seen CAPTAINS OF THE CLOUDS but DIVE BOMBER is excellent. Miss G

Ben: I have never seen Hurry, Sundown, but will add it to my "list". Cinemascope: What did you think of Whirlpool?

It's a coincidence to find this thread when only last night a friend, watching the Gene Kelly movies last night with me, asked why did the colors look so much better back then than today---when everything is supposed to be better than ever in filmmaking? I learned a little about it in my brief film studies but only remembered there was a cost consideration. I've learned a lot more in this thread today. Miss G