MissGoddess

> So I guess it's the entire restraint of it all that keeps me away, even though all of that restaint makes it a lovely tale. > She starts to feel "unseemly" emotions. > I'm with ya. I do prefer the visceral, too. We're shallow! I think your previous observation that Laura reasons out her emotions does make the feeling much less visceral with *Brief Encounter*. > I guess it makes us understand her thinking but it also undercuts reacting emotionally...and that may be the point. People should think before they act in such situations, but they seldom do and movies even seldomer show people thinking! > I completely agree. Kim Novak isn't your typical middle-aged housewife who feels stuck. Celia's portrayal feels much more real. > Absolutely more real, more relatable. > > I thought Kim's husband and Fred Jesson were similar in that each trusted their wife and each was kind of caught up in what they were doing. Complete trust can sometimes be taken as uncaring. > Well, he (Kim's husband) moved away every time his wife wanted to be intimate so there was something wrong with him in that area. Unless he was behaving that way because he knew about her previous affair(s). > She's a big reason! I was actually moved by the ending in that one, too. It's funny how movies can make you support adultery. Manipulative is right. > You really have to look out or a movie can make you end up thinking almost anything is justifiable! They can be sneaky. And sad to say, it's amazing how much infidelity there is in classic movies. I mean, it seems like they're all about cheating! If not married couples, then someone always ends up leaving someone they're engaged to. > Griff started off the film questioning the tactics of Kirby (John Wayne). Then he finds himself in Kirby's shoes and he starts to understand why Kirby did what he did and follows suit. There's no questioning of it, it's an agreement. The machine is greater than its people parts is the answer. > I figured it was something like that. It was kind of standard war fare, not my thing. Did you watch *Men in War* yet? That's a non-standard one I like.

> Why do you find it depressive? Do you wish them to be together? I do agree, I do find the tone to be mostly depressing. I'm reacting to her, mostly. > No, I don't wish them to be together. Mostly it's Celia's tone. I don't think she smiles in the entire movie. I find her a super serious woman, not really sad because she has nothing to be sad about. She's sensitive, but not terribly emotional. She reasons out her feelings, which I admire, but I can't relate. My brain goes on fire if I meet a man that interests me. Of course, it hasn't happened in years so maybe my pilot light is out. > So why do I like *Strangers When We Meet* more? > If I were to analyze why I like it more, I'd have to start with the fact that in SWWM, there is much more that is visceral (okay, superficial) going on. Kirk Douglas is about as far as you can get from British repression, except maybe Anthony Franciosa. Plus, we can react to Kim as to a beautiful, sensual woman. A dream. In my case, I'd like to look like her and know I was stopping traffic lights all over suburbia. Celia Johnson is a more down to earth, realistic example of a suburban housewife, especially at that time and place. But I can't relate to Celia and I can relate to Kim even if I'm not remotely pretty like Kim. Kim had a crazy relationship with her mother, I can relate to that. She married what she thought was a real "catch", any woman can relate to that. She meets a dynamic guy who makes her feel attractive, that's a dream. This movie takes the same subject, but gives it an admittedly "Hollywood" treatment. The deck is stacked because no one really believes that two super stars are going to resist each other to the end. That's cheap. So the ultimate reason I like SWWM more is I have cheap tastes. I'm so easy to manipulate. I hate adultery and anything that tries to make it "okay" and this movie does on some level. It demonizes the mates and that's the part I don't like about SWWM. Though Barbara Rush comes off okay, Kim's husband is basically screwed up sexually and that's all we ever know about him. We never get his point of view of anything like we do Barbara's. And you know the reason you like SWWM more is Kim Novak! > > She turns in a beautiful performance. There's nothing flashy about her performance yet it's quite spectacular. > It is a good performance, yes. > FLYING LEATHERNECKS SPOILED > > Griff (Robert Ryan) basically commands his brother-in-law to his death. > Well, he probably felt it was his "duty". Does the movie question the rightness of that act or suggest that we should question it? I can't remember.

> So you find it too restrained and inward? You find it too British? I know you're not a big fan of the "British love." > It's restrained and somewhat depressive in tone (to me). I prefer the tone of *The Happy Friends*, though I'm not a fan of Ann Todd. > And that's where I find the film to be at its best. The "innocence" of it all and how quickly that innocence can create guilt with good people. It's clear to me that Laura (Celia Johnson) really didn't want to do what she gets caught up in. She knows her husband (Cyril Raymond) is a really nice guy who cares about her, it's just he isn't the same kind of guy as Alec (Trevor Howard). We can't just turn off our feelings, but we can't just follow them wherever they take us, either. > > It's remarkable how all that is captured, mostly visually. We follow Celia's mind and how it works. > > This is where you turn into Sweet T! Horrible! > > It's basically about two different viewpoints and how each comes to understand the other. I didn't like the turn Griff (Robert Ryan) makes at the end of the film. I thought that was too coldhearted. > I don't remember the end.

> > I've been asking myself why I didn't like *Brief Encounter* more than I did and I'm struggling to figure it out. The only thing I keep coming back to is that it's too restrained for my personal tastes. I don't find either person all that appealing to me, personally. I think the film is extremely well done, but the tone isn't my tone. > I understand that. I have similar reactions to films, I'm sure we all do. > Why is it that the film doesn't rate so highly for you? > Surprisingly for similar reasons as you. But I do appreciate the film and admire its sensitivity. It's pure Lean and the template really for so many of his best films that focus on tortured romance. > I completely agree with that. It's marital malaise and that can happen to anyone with any spouse. You have one thing but you end up wanting something new and different. I feel *Brief Encounter* is the best film I have seen in terms of capturing marital malaise. I guess I'm not as big on that subject matter as I thought I may be. It's all done very tenderly. And since it's done that way, you start to forget that each is married. > Which is probably what they were in danger of doing. I like that the movie shows how slippery those shoals are, once you start dreaming of someone else. It's a slow drift. Everything seems dreamy, until you come to the reality of what you're doing. It doesn't try to "glamorize" adultery, in fact, it's a warning to how easily anyone can slip away from their mate. > > She's certainly right about all of that. It's lovingly shot. The director cares deeply about his characters. > Definitely, Lean was a passionate director. What an eye he had! I think he was born with a light reader in his head. > It's a good "escape" picture, without a doubt. Gable is really why I enjoyed it so much. I really liked his "Hank Lee." Gable really was the king of comfort. He's seemingly always at ease with his characterizations. > He could definitely do these kinds of roles in his sleep. They are fun and sweep one away into a world where it's all going to come out right just because he's there. I eat this stuff up. > He tries to be so manly and then he basically falls asleep. > Ha! He'd much rather be scoping his next rich lady victim to pay his champagne bill. > > Really?! I didn't know that at all. He was a tough one! > He also played Gene Tierney's bumbling and lovable Pop in *Where the Sidewalk Ends*. > > I like when she's soft and vulnerable. Me, too. > *So why didn't you like* *Flying Leathernecks so much?* > > > I was wanting more from the story. I really liked seeing Wayne and Ryan sharing the screen. That's what I liked most about the film. It's a rather harsh film. > That was my impression. The story is lacking in any real tension and the conflict felt forced, or shallow. Robert Ryan vs. John Wayne! That's not interesting to me. I felt they were wasted.

I know...two words you don't often hear in a sentence: "Otto" and "doll." Poor Sammy Hinds! Have you been unfaithful? I can't watch movies like *The Devil Doll* or that ghastly Karen Black movie where she's trapped with the tiny African native...it just splits my spleen seeing tiny mean little people running around with sharp instruments...now I know how Gulliver felt.

> {quote:title=JackFavell wrote:}{quote}I like forgetting things, it makes everything seem new. > Oh my goodness, that is going to be my new personal motto. Brilliant!!!

Why are people suddenly scarier when they're shrunk to six inches tall?

I know exactly the feelings you had as you pored over the book, Jackie. I simply lived in the library during the "dark days" of 'tweenhood. I now believe the book I looked at was a library book, because no one I knew would have ever bought me such a thing. The first classic-movie related gift I ever received was a poster from my best friend, it was Clark Gable as "Candy" in ***** Tonk*. I still think it's one of the handsomest images I ever saw. He's leaning against the bar, with that unmistakable, taunting smirk on his face. No wonder none of the high school boys had a chance with me. :x (Well, almost none of them) I'm watching *The Uninvited*, too! Even though I don't like ghost movies, I love this one. It's a real mood piece, and the actors are wonderful. How they manage to convince me it's the west coast of England when it's evidently a set is beyond me. It's the magic of movies.

What a wonderful story, Fred, thank you for posting that.

I love that book already...I can see why it captivated you, it's packed with great pictures!

How do, Ro! > {quote:title=rohanaka wrote:}{quote}I wish I could move to 148 Bonny Meadow Road! > > Just make sure you stay away from 1313 Mockingbird Lane! Ha!! Right now I'd take 1313 Mockingbird Lane if it isn't S-N-O-W-I-N-G there!!!!!!!!!!

*I liked it but I didn't love it.* Why? *I actually loved the little relationship between Albert (Stanley Holloway) and Myrtle (Albert Godby) more than the one between Alec (Trevor Howard) and Laura (Celia Johnson).* I thought they were funny. What didn't you like about Alec and Laura? Is it the Britishness? *I do believe David Lean (and Noel Coward) captures the entire idea of an "innocent" love affair. There's nothing lascivious about Alec and Laura. They are just feeling unfulfilled in their life, despite having a lot in their life. It's the kind of attention the other offers that is different than what they currently have.* I think so. I think it's very probably had they married each other instead of who they did, they would run into the same scenario. It's not really who they're married to, it's the modern boredom, settling in, taking for granted. I agree with Jackie's post that Lean does a good job of getting inside the characters' heads. And it's beautifully photographed. *Shockingly, yes! I found *Soldier of Fortune *to be a good romp. Gable is once again at his charming best. He's definitely the draw. But I also liked Susan Hayward. She was soft and lovely, which is how I like her best. My only disappointment is the ending. That's too "happy ending" for me. But Gable is just so darn good. He makes it look easy.* I really didn't expect you to like it much. The ending is very Hollywood, I agree. This is one of my favorites. I watch it whenever I'm in the mood for a good escape movie. I absolutely love Alex D'Arcy's character, Rene. He makes me laugh so, he's such a gigolo. Tom Tully, can you believe that's Rob's sweet old man playing the woman-hating bar owner, Tweedie? I liked the movie so much, a few years ago I got the book and I really enjoyed it. It's slightly different of course, but the movie captures the characters very well. I thought Susan was excellent, too and I enjoy the scenes with the little old Chinese lady. So why didn't you like *Flying Leathernecks* so much?

so you liked *soldier of fortune* better than a Nick Ray film?! And with Robert Ryan?!

I was close!

> {quote:title=FrankGrimes wrote:}{quote}*They all are. And he's married to a knock out.* > > Just bring a pear. > Ha! I'm afraid Rob's basically a good boy. > It came up in my Google search window. > > > I wouldn't have known that one. I only know 742 Evergreen Terrace, which is the Simpsons' address. > A movie address: 21b Baker Street?

> {quote:title=FrankGrimes wrote:}{quote}*As if I could.* > > He's a loyal, loving husband! > They all are. And he's married to a knock out. > *Did you have to look that up? * > > Yes, of course. And I've watched all but one season! I wouldn't remember the address that quickly. I'm not even sure I got the number right. It sounds right. The only other TV address I know is 623 E. 68th Street. It's the Ricardo's apartment building, smack in the East River.

> {quote:title=FrankGrimes wrote:}{quote}*I wish I could move to 148 Bonny Meadow Road!* > > Are you gonna steal Rob from Laura?! As if I could. Did you have to look that up?

> You're mixing your drinks, Champoozy! I was saying it's good that you don't like The Simpsons ! > Ha! I goofed that up. Well, I still say I'm right about Soames.

> {quote:title=FrankGrimes wrote:}{quote}*I don't like it.* > > That's a very good thing! > Why?! Soames is a sad, sad, character. He's like so many successful, educated men, actually. His possessions...and everything is a possession...hold more life in them than he does. > That's interesting. So she's kind of an ideal for you. > I wouldn't say ideal but I admire her style and her ease and natural smile. She's confident without being boringly edgy and angry. She's a lot like Miss Kitty, come to think of it. > Linda Lavin could be on the irritating side, that's for sure. But I mostly like her. > I liked the show a lot. It's one of those shows that was such a hit but you never see anymore. I remember liking One Day at a Time, too, mostly because of Valerie Bertinelli, I thought she was so pretty and I wanted hair like hers...I still do! > *The movies I like him a lot in are Compulsion and* *Sweet Smell of Success. And I love him in that Twilight Zone episode with Vera Miles. He was so sweet to her.* > > Those are some good ones! > And The Long Gray Line.

> You need to move to a television town! > I wish I could move to 148 Bonny Meadow Road!

> No, no, no. *That Forsyte Woman*. > No, I don't like how his character is at the end, but that's the story. > I didn't know about any of that. I just didn't feel any of the danger and desperation after the start of the film. The outset did feature this. > I was okay in suspense until he met with the town "boss". > > He sounds like you! > Except that I am living in a haven of vice.

> So you like his turn at the end? > Who's? Errol's in Cry Wolf? I didn't see much change. I prefer my Flynn roguish and laughing and fun, or mocking and sad as in some of his later characters, including *The Sun Also Rises*, a movie I like more than you. > *They don't bother me as long as what goes on entertains, and I liked it. I think it must have been somewhat daring for the time.* > > How so? > My history is very hazy about this period,but I believe Kefauver was prominently behind blowing the lid off of big league organized crime to the public on television in the early fifties and this movie of course takes from those issues. It seems he really knew how to use the media, at least for some apparently good aims for a change. Business and politics and even the police are depicted as very corrupt...not in the big city where you're used to seeing it, but as I said, in a small town. I'm reminded of Barney's (Don Knotts) hysterical reactions whenever some petty crime was committed in Mayberry. He's swear the town was going to the dogs and that it was going to turn into a haven of vice.

> > Wow! That's very complex. Lots of characteristics that I don't like with the exception of repressed. > I don't like any of them. > *I agree, she looks great. She's also beautiful in Rope of Sand.* > > That's one I haven't seen. The cast is great. > It's a sort of homage to *Casablanca*. > I was very disappointed in the film. The best part of the film was the very beginning. That was good. After that, the film starts to slowly go downhill. I don't like "PSA" kind of films. > They don't bother me as long as what goes on entertains, and I liked it. I think it must have been somewhat daring for the time.

> Ahhhhhh, Bogie. It was interesting to see him so crazed. > He's almost as nutty in *The Caine Mutiny*, but about strawberries, not dames. > > And you say guys only like women who are mean! > I don't mean I found Flynn's "Soames" to be attractive, just fascinating. The idea of Errol Flynn is so fixed in people's minds, the devil-may-care rogue, and here is the opposite: repressed, moralistic, materialistic and a prig. Yet somewhere inside he shows there is a small glimpse of humanity. > When Corinne shows up, the film definitely picked up steam with me. She looks fantastic! > I agree, she looks great. She's also beautiful in *Rope of Sand*. You liked nothing about *Captive City* or was it the ending that ruined it? I really enjoyed it in spite of a rather disappointing finale.

> > I just haven't watched television shows since the early-90s. Many of my favorites are from my youth. Many are male-dominated shows because of that. All I watch today is sports and classic film. > The only modern shows I've watched are "The Nanny", "Frasier", and "Inspector Morse". I've seen parts of others but nothing I cared for all that much. > > It's no surprise that The Dick Van Dyke Show tops your charts. Three's Company is that show for me. One thing that did surprise me is that you like Jerry more than Buddy. > When I was little I liked Buddy better, but Jerry really breaks me up. I like his energy. > Police Woman has really made an impact on you! I would have never guessed that. I was a wee one when that show was on and I do remember being turned on by Angie. > I've enjoyed Angie and Earl Holliman's rapport. > > I'm very surprised to see we share quite a few favorites with the ladies. It's great to see "Flo" on your list. Alice was a fun show. I liked "Dingbat." "Vera!" I really wanted to include Mel (Vic Tayback) on my list. > > I haven't seen the show since I was small, but I remember Flo very much. > Lots of western characters on your male list. That doesn't surprise me. Who did surprise me was Martin Milner. I never knew you liked him. > I think he's adorable. I had a crush on Officer Malloy when I was really little. > > The Dukes of Hazzard is my "Mayberry." > Andy Griffith Show. I can't stand Mayberry R.F.D. And I only like the AGS with Don Knotts (the black and white episodes). The first season is remarkable. I think Griffith was one of the most talented men in show business, and so unique. His "Sheriff Andy" reminds me a lot of a young Will Rogers.