MissGoddess
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Posts posted by MissGoddess
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I do know the feeling! I'm watching movies now that were mentioned three weeks ago.
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> {quote:title=JackFavell wrote:}{quote}Oh man, I love Jan Sterling. Another blonde I forgot to write on my list.
If you haven't seen *The High and the Mighty*, it's worth it just to see her story. I like her more and more. She was different.
Did you post your favorite blondes somewhere and I overlooked it? By teh way, I completely agree about Lesley Parrish. She almost made my list. I love her look and she was so sweet in *The Manchurian Candidate*. Sort of the girl next door meets Marilyn Monroe.
I read a little on her, I forget why, she wrote some stuff that was posted on an internet site. She got into kind of new agey things and all that. She was rather interesting. I think she's still around.
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> Hi MissG:
>
Hi, MM!
> I remember thinking the same thing when I watched it last. Not much went on. The passengers weren't all that interesting and it seemed to take a long time to get anywhere.
>
Yes, it took a while to "take off" and then it wasn't that exciting.
> It is sort of a previous "Airport" but apart from watching it for benefit of Wayne I didn't find it all that good.
I heard he didn't want to appear in it, just produce it, but I think the money people wanted him to guarantee some box office. It isn't much of a part for him. What I did like was the story about Jan Sterling. This is actually the movie that made me take notice of her as an actress who was more than just a bottle blonde, or film noir denizen. I thought she got the best role by far, and if what I remember correctly about the background, they predicted she'd get nominated...she was, wasn't she? For the only time? Or am I thinking of Claire... Anyway, she should have. I was actually very touched by her story. I kind of wish they'd made a whole movie about that instead the main story.
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> This is true. But the dynamics were flipped. The men feel Benson will look out for them while Montana has to look out for his C.O..
>
You're right. I have to say it's an interesting movie in Anthony Mann's career. I can't think of another film quite like it.
> *It's always run down by people who've seen it.*
>
> It is? I never knew that.
>
*The Devil is a Woman* seemed to mark Von Sternberg's end in Hollywood.
> She's a tormentor. I don't think you'll hate her, though.
>
I'm sure I won't.
> That's correct. And they are all looking out for each other. They are especially interested in helping Dooley (John Wayne). James Arness was given a pretty good part, too. And, oddly enough, I've run into "Doc" (Milburn Stone) in a couple of films, of late.
>
I just rewatched *Island in the Sky* and it was better even than the last time. I loved all the insights into the men's lives...and how this sets up Dooley nicely and his position, because he is the only one who's private life we are given no glimpse into, even as his men are in the dark, until the very last scenes. It's so that, just as he says to himself in the voice-over after the crash, he "can't be human" in order that he can keep the others "up" when they give in and act human.
ISLAND IN SKY SPOILERS
I wept for Lovatt, who was too hard headed to listen. I wept when they were found and they spelled out Lovatt's fate with the branches. I love that his death meant somethng in the movie, it wasn't just thrown in for "action" puposes and then forgotten as in SO, SO many films. Nothing bothers me more than when someone gets killed in a movie and immediately after everyone's making jokes.
Jim Arness was hilarious, I forgot he was a Carolina boy. And I feel like him when I have to wake up in the morning.
> *I remember htinking how much better it was than the much talked about The High and the Mighty, which is rather a disappointment.*
>
> Maybe I'll watch that next.
>
Good!
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Let's see if it shows up when I post it:
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> But I never associate soldiers with disobedience and rebellion. Montana wanted no part of what Benson was doing.
>
I've seen it in several war movies. You even saw it in *Flying Leathernecks*. That's usually the more interesting conflict than the actual battles.
> I believe Robert Osborne spoke of Ryan being in the Marines as an instructor and Ray in the Navy as a frogman.
>
There you go. Your memory is better than mine. Ha, Ray looks like a "frogman".
> He is. But I didn't find him to be hateful. He had it easy with his platoon, though. They all seemed to be in awe of him. Montana wasn't.
I liked him here very much. He made you feel secure. I can understand why his men respected him so much. Ray felt that way about his C.O.
> Marlene's wardrobe and look are nothing like those in *The Devil Is a Woman*. All of this points to you not giving a hoot about the film. And I don't believe you would.
>
It's always run down by people who've seen it. I am still curious to watch it. Marlene seems very arch in it. I like her mysterious.
> *He's the star of one of Bronxie's favorites, Murders in the Zoo.*
>
>
> I'd probably like him in that.
>
It's a strange rather fascinating little thriller.
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> And it's rather remarkable when you consider how many guys are in the film.
>
I guess the idea is these are regular guys, like anyone else. The real heroes are just every day fellows.
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> I was surprised by how much I liked the "search" side of the film. It was rather engrossing. The "survival" side brought a different kind of feeling.
>
>
> I'm really glad you suggested the film, because I thought it was superb. I wasn't expecting such a film.
>
Goodness, that's praise indeed! Now I really have to watch it again.
I remember htinking how much better it was than the much talked about *The High and the Mighty*, which is rather a disappointment.
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> {quote:title=butterscotchgreer wrote:}{quote}its not working for me. oh no! what am i doing wrong?
Are you sure you don't have a space in front of the exclamation point? If you accidentally "indent" a paragraph with a space, sometimes it won't show up. If that isn't the problem, you might want to post a message about this down in Tech Issues. The new moderator is pretty quick about replying.
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No, I still can't see it. Looks like it could be a message board issue.
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ButterT, just put an exclamation point at the beginning and end of the picture URL. That's all you need to do to post pictures here.
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No! I can't see the picture.
Frank must be blocking it.
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> {quote:title=butterscotchgreer wrote:}{quote}
> okay so I haven't upset frankie in a while and i feel like i'm losing my touch.
>
Yes please help! I've been forced to deal with him on my own lately!
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> That's right. I thought Montana (Aldo Ray) was the heart of the film, but he was also quite selfish. It's a fascinating mix for a character. Benson (Robert Ryan) was hellbent on completing his goal. At what price? Interestingly, what they did cost lives but also saved some.
>
Ray seemed very realistic. Well, he was a soldier in real life before he came to movies, a Marine I think, but I'm not sure. I wonder if he was annoyed at having to go through it all again for a camera.
At least he got paid better.Robert Ryan is so wonderfully myopic.
> *I'm more than usually out of my depth with war movies! Maybe movieman can suggest something!*
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> I think it's more than a war movie thing.
>
Thanks!
> She's wearing a veil!
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That's one crazy looking outfit. I much prefer the superb simplicity of her wardrobe in *Morocco* or the sensual clothes she wore in *Shanghai Express*.
> *He was also in Doctor X.*
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> I do remember him from that. He's very good in that film.
>
He's the star of one of Bronxie's favorites, *Murders in the Zoo*.
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> *Give me his number, quick! Oh, right. No phone line to the grave.*
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> That depends upon what you believe!
>
So you think.
> I was floored by how big a role he got and how terrific he did with it. I just loved how the film splits into two parts (the lost and the searchers). And both get about equal time. It thought it was really well done.
>
That's what I take away most from *Island in the Sky*, how we got to look into the lives of the men. They weren't just names or functionaries, we got to know them personally. That was a nice difference in an adventure story.
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> He did. But his level of respect never matches "son." Montana liked being called "son" by the Colonel.
>
I was so touched by that, especially coming from Aldo Ray. He can be so abrasive yet he's good at showing a soft human side. Beside him sometimes Ryan's character could seem machine-like.
> *I remember having a theory about it but I forgot!*
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> What good does that do us now?!
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I'm more than usually out of my depth with war movies! Maybe movieman can suggest something!
>
Yes! It takes place during a Spanish carnival, so there's a lot of von Sternberg decadence.>
Oh, I bet.
I don't like her hair in those caps.
> Oh! Yeah, I remember him. I'd probably think he was funnier after seeing him in *The Devil Is a Woman*.
>
He was also in *Doctor X.*
> Yeah, I'd probably love it. *The Devil Is a Woman* features the **** you hate. Don Pasqual (Lionel Atwill) pretty much gives away everything to be with Concha (Marlene). So he's your kind of guy in that he just tosses money around like nobody's business. It's just Concha doesn't care about him.
>
Give me his number, quick! Oh, right. No phone line to the grave.
> *So you liked another John Wayne movie?*
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> Yes! I really liked it!
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There must be something wrong with the universe.
> *I wonder if rohanaka has seen Island in the Sky.*
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> I'm not sure. I think she'd like it. The supporting cast is tremendous. Andy Devine is wonderful.
>
Oh, yes, I do remember how good he was here. He seldom got a chance to play a character like that which had some depth. I'll try to re-watch it tomorrow evening.
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> Yes, I believe so. The Colonel called Montana "son." Benson never treated him with such respect. He didn't value him.
>
But you just said he did respect him.
> There seems to be something behind the silence of the Colonel, but I can't put my finger on it.
I remember having a theory about it but I forgot!
> No, not really. It's just Marlene's "Concha" is acting very childish. She stamps her feet a lot. But there's absolutely nothing funny about how "Pasqualito" (Lionel Atwill) is reacting and feeling.
>
They're playing Spaniards?!
> I'm ashamed to say, I can't remember him. Who did he play?
>
The really hammy actor always declaiming whenever he had the floor. He was even hammier than Jack.
> Maybe I'll watch it coming up. I only have the English version. Why can't you watch it?
>
The German one is said to be much better. Exercises in **** don't interest me, and this is the mother of all of them.
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> I've only seen her in "straight" roles until this one. I couldn't believe how different she was.
>
It's a mark of how good an actress she really is. She can be quiet or sparkle. How many actresses can do that so flawlessly?
So you liked another John Wayne movie? I wonder if rohanaka has seen *Island in the Sky*.
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> I don't think so. I don't believe Montana ever wanted to do what Benson wanted him to do. He was all about the Colonel (Robert Keith). Now I do believe Benson definitely respected Montana.
>
Were the Colonel and Benson all that different?
> That's right. I'm very curious as to why the Colonel was to remain voiceless. I thought that was a brilliant decision. The Colonel didn't agree with Montana, but he did view him as a son. It was all so fascinating to me.
>
I'd have to watch it again, but I thought the Colonel's silence very affecting. Why Anthony Mann chose to show him so, I don't know.
> I agree. It's a terrific looking film. I also loved how Mann showed the North Koreans dying with photos of their loved ones. Boy, did that ever hit home.
>
Yes, that I remember now you mention it. Very sad.
>
But Marlene is quite charming. She throws little tantrums during the film that are pretty funny. She's not shown in a hateful light.>
Is it a comedy?
> Lionel Atwill is superb in the film. He's mostly a "stone face." He's almost exactly like Erich von Stroheim.
>
I like Lionel Atwill more and more. He was terrific in *To Be or Not to Be*.
> I've yet to see that one. It could very well be the same.
>
I can't believe you haven't seen *The Blue Angel*...that's amazing. I thought I'd read how you loved it. It's your kind of movie. I can't watch it.
> I don't believe I've ever seen her in a comedy until now. It was great to see such range from her. She keeps rising up my list. She's good. I'm drawn to her.
>
Jean did a couple of them, but I didn't care for them like this one. She was mostly "straight" in the others, here she is a classic screwball and she does it so deftly I would swear she had always played such characters. I maintain comedy is almost impossible if you don't have the right personality, and she always seems rather serious in her other roles. She seemed to lose all her inhibitions with "Mrs. Dorrance". "Eeew." Quite amusing to see her *Angel Face* co-star drive off with her.
> *I even like the silly routine with her shoes and the glass.*
>
>
> I liked that, as well. When she showed up, the entire film "woke up," to me. I started to like Cary when she was with him.
>
She brightens everything up. A real mad cap.
> All of it seemed too strange to me. But I thought Cary's logic was correct. He needed her to make the call, not him. I liked how he said he didn't want to be married to a "housekeeper" for the rest of his life.
>
Yes, the dialogue was very clever. The British are so good at being reasonable when everything is crashing apart. I particularly liked his point about how this man (Mitchum) would never think of stealing his silver but calmly endeavors to steal his wife.
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Thank you, MM. I guess Jean Arthur is your favorite Blonde?
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t-mave, thank you but my post is nothing compared to your original one, and it helped me with my own selections. I'm sorry about the formatting being all wonky, but I had to go ahead and post it as-is because I have been working on it off and on since you began. I just fixed the messed up Veronica picture.
Re: Isabel Jewell...she's always attracted my attention in her comic bit parts but then I began to notice her dramatic turns...and boy, were they dramatic, I could hardly believe it was the same girl. I had to include her since she really lit up quite a few first rate films in her brief screen time. And she's one of the funniest of the "dumb blondes" if I can use that expression.
it was fun, though, because I did want to at least try to find pictures that represent what I respond to from all these lovely blondessimes, to quote L'Oreal.
Edited by: MissGoddess on Nov 3, 2011 1:02 PM
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I was surprised to see Joan Fontaine and Ginger Rogers on your list.
Favorite Blonde Actresses (along with favorite role)
1. *Carole Lombard* ("Irene Bullock" in My Man Godfrey)
2. *Marilyn Monroe* ("Roslyn Taber" in The Misfits)
3. *Angie Dickinson* ("Feathers" in Rio Bravo, 'Pepper' in "Police Woman") 
4. *Lana Turner* ("Liz" in Johnny Eager)
5. *Marlene Dietrich* ("Amy Jolly" in Morocco)
6. *Kim Novak* ("Gillian" in Bell, Book and Candle)
7. *Grace Kelly* ("Francie" in To Catch a Thief)
8. *Lee Remick* ("Eula" in The Long, Hot Summer, "Karen", in The Detective)
9. *Veronica Lake* ("Ellen" in This Gun For Hire)10. *Brigitte Bardot* ("Ursula" in The Night Heaven Fell)
11. *Doris Day* ("Erica" in Teacher's Pet, "Carol Templeton" in Lover, Come Back!)
12. *Julie Christie* ("Diana Scott" in Darling)
12. *Inger Stevens* (The World, The Flesh and The Devil; "The Twilight Zone")13. *Dorothy Malone* ("Marylee Hadley" in Written on the Wind)
14. *Carroll Baker* (Sylvia)
15. *Jean Harlow* ("Vantine" in Red Dust)16. *Ingrid Bergman* ("Ann Kalman" in Indiscreet)
17. *Tippi Hedren* (The Birds)18. *Gloria Grahame* (The Big Heat)
19. *Catherine Deneuve* (Mississippi Mermaid)
20. *Elizabeth Montgomery* (Johnny Cool, "Bewitched")
21. *Sandra Dee* (If A Man Answers)
22. *Hope Lang* (Wild in the Country)
23. *Claire Trevor* (Stagecoach)
24. *Ann Southern* (Maisie Was a Lady, Sylvia)
25. *Yvette Mimieux* (A Light in the Piazza)
26. *Vera Miles* (The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance)
27. *Jean Seberg* (Bonjour, Tristesse)
28. *Joan Blondell* (Blond Crazy)
29. *Isabel Jewel* (Tale of Two Cities and Counsellor at Law)30. *Constance Bennett* (Bed of Roses, Merrily We Live)
Edited by: MissGoddess on Nov 3, 2011 12:34 PM
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> I agree. I definitely loved the battle between Lieutenant Benson (Robert Ryan) and Montana (Aldo Ray). I just loved Ray's performance and his character. Do you think Montana respected Benson?
He seemed to hate him at first but didn't he end up changing toward him? I don't remember the end too well.
> I found that to be absolutely fascinating. I'm trying to make sense of it all. It seemed like Montana didn't want to fight for cause or country, but he would do so for his "father."
>
Yes, I imagine that might have been true quite often. The soldiers who had no illusions, were not "professional soldiers" but just guys who wanted out.
> That was one of the biggest reasons why I really liked the film. The entire mood of the film was dark. I just ate that up.
>
I thought Mann made use of varying terrains, all of them potentially hazardous. The woods, the rocky mountains, the tall grasses...and you hardly ever saw the "enemy".
> Uh-huh, it's von Sternberg. I don't believe you'd like it. Marlene uses and abuses Lionel Atwill throughout. There's nothing romantic about the film.
>
Really? I guess that's why we have that title.
I didn't even know who the main actor was. It sounds a bit like *The Blue Angel*.> No, I wouldn't say I was bored. I'm usually okay with talky if what is going on interests me.
>
It was too British.
> Jean is what I liked the very most with the film. She's a blast! I thought Cary to be mostly funny, although I wasn't into his character or the setting.
>
I'm glad you liked Jean. It was a revelation for me when I started watching all her other movies and realized that she wasn't a comedienne. This is the first of her films I remember seeing and knowing who she was. "Pink, please and burn the Angostura". I've always wanted to order that cocktail. I even like the silly routine with her shoes and the glass.
> She's you, Champoozy! I thought Deborah was spot on, as usual. It's just her character didn't interest me.
>
I don't like what she does. Cary is too nice.
I also like all the English vs. American swipes.
> I really like *Indiscreet*, mainly because of how angry Ingrid gets and how oblivious Cary is.
>
It's less restrained.
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> *Chris will be delighted you put Men in War at number one.*
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> You seem to like it, too. What do you like about it?
>
I was impressed with the way the two actors played off each other. There was a lot of antagonism between Ryan and Ray but it seemed to give way to respect, and not in a corny way. I also loved Ray's devotion to his C.O. The constant wariness of being attacked or ambushed was also really well done because I was worn out by the end.
> I believe *The Great Flamarion* was inspired by it. It felt like the reverse of *Morocco*.
>
I wish I had it to watch. It's Von Sternberg, right?
>
>
It felt like a polite version of *Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?*. So why do you love it?>
Goodness, you come up with the wildest movie comparisons. I assume you were bored by all the talkiness. I like it because I find Cary extremely funny, especially with his Butler, "Sellars", and I think Jean is great as a screwball type. She makes me laugh. I wish she and Cary had paired off. She's much more fun than Deborah. She's also smarter about men. Keep in mind, I love talky comedies. This movie, *Indiscreet*, the Mankiewicz films...
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> {quote:title=FrankGrimes wrote:}{quote}You were pretty close with every title but a couple. You do a nice job in guessing my tastes.
>
> 1. Men in War (2/4)
> 2. Island in the Sky (6/7)
> 3. The Black Swan (4/6)
> 4. They Gave Him a Gun (3/2)
> 5. Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon (10/9)
> 6. The Devil Is a Woman (7)
> 7. Sherlock Holmes in Washington (9/8)
> 8. The Grass Is Greener (1/1)
> 9. The Call of the Wild (5/3)
> 10. Count the Hours (8/5)
>
>
I was wrong on all of them for goodness sake. Chris will be delighted you put *Men in War* at number one.
> *I haven't seen The Devil is a Woman,*
>
>
> Really? That surprises me.
>
If I did, it was so long ago I don't remember it.
>
> I didn't know you liked *The Grass Is Greener* that much.
>
It's one of my favorite comedies from the period. Though Deborah's character annoys me at times and Mitchum looks often quite bored.
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4. The Black Swan
5. The Call of the Wild
8. Count the Hours
7. The Devil is a Woman
1. The Grass is Greener
6. Island in the Sky
2. Men in War
10. Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon
9. Sherlock Holmes in Washington
3. They Gave Him a Gun
This was hard, you are hard to predict and I imagine could feel either way about any of these. I'm kind of going by how you feel about the leads. I haven't seen *The Devil is a Woman*, so I'm really guessing there based solely on your liking for the star.
Leaving out *The Devil is a Woman*, my ranking would be:
1. The Grass is Greener
2. They Gave Him a Gun
3. The Call of the Wild
4. Men in War
5. Count the Hours
6. The Black Swan
7. Island in the Sky
8. Sherlock Holmes in Washington
9. Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon
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What a collection! Thank you for posting that because I'd have forgotten about some of those stars...a couple of them have me guessing who they are but you must have _every_ blonde actress from the classic era there! Nice work.
At least he got paid better.
The Annual FrankGrimes Torture Thread
in Your Favorites
Posted
*Coopsgirl's* favorite scene from *Lives of a Benal Lancer*
> *Boy, I have no recollection of any of that. I'll try to rewatch it soon. Jackie will be delighted you liked Tone so much.*
>
>
> He's fantastic in *The Lives of a Bengal Lancer*. He's very quick and smooth; wonderful delivery.
>
>
I recently re-watched *The Lives of a Bengal Lancer*, and I agree about Tone and that this movie is better than *Beau Geste*. It's kind of neat how directors Wellman and Hathaway have crossed my path lately, and I now think that they most resemble each other except Hathaway was perhaps less passionate, though he could be just as sensitive and was perhaps the better action director. TLBL could have benefited by some trimming just as BG, but its story was much more involving. It reminded me a little of *Rio Grande*, which you may have already mentioned. I laughed at all the "Mother Machree/MacGregor" sing songing by Tone.
If you like Tone this way you have alot to look forward to. I'd say this was his standard role, he plays it like this in literally countless movies. The second banana to another leading man, but holding his own and often with the best lines. He's very funny in *The Three Loves of Nancy*, at least I think that's what it's called. He competes with Robert Montgomery for Janet Gaynor's affections, only Bob thinks he only wants to get rid of her because she's cramping his playboy style. It's a cute comedy.
But back to Lancer, what else did you like about it?