sweetsmellofsuccess

Thanks for your comments on Doctor X. I just may check this one out tonight.

I watched the remake of The Killers last night. The '46 version gets the slight edge as the superior film. However, Don Siegel's version is really impressive. It's well-paced, gritty, violent, and has some terrific performances. Lee Marvin is a beast in this film, and I mean that as a compliment!! He was a much better actor than given credit for. "Lady, I haven't got the time." Message was edited by: sweetsmellofsuccess

TCM will honor Fay Wray's 100th birthday with an evening lineup of her films. I've only seen King Kong and The Most Dangerous Game. The latter is one I desperately want to check out again. Doctor X and Mystery of the Wax Museum also sound great, and I may check those out as well. Your thoughts on Fay Wray and other good films she made (besides King Kong, of course)?

This was a terrific interview with Norman Jewison. I especially enjoyed his comments on Steve McQueen, Edward G. Robinson, Sidney Poitier, and Denzel Washington. The only disappointment was no mention of Al Pacino while making And Justice For All. Other than that, it was another fine interview by Robert Osborne and TCM.

I was glad to read this response, tcmprogrammer. As much as I would like, and others as well, it apparently isn't easy as 1, 2, 3 to get certain films. Message was edited by: sweetsmellofsuccess

I watched some of Ice Station Zebra again yesterday. The film, from my watch, clocked in at 152 min (and TCM even aired Ben's intro a couple of minutes early). Perhaps the four minute difference could be the overture and intermission?

Since I hardly tape anything, it's never bothered me too much. I will add another film that will go over its slotted time. Ice Station Zebra, a very good action film, will air on Saturday evening at 5:30pm. The film is 152 minutes long but placed in a 150 minute time slot. If anyone is tapping this one may want to add a few minutes to their DVD recorders. Again, it doesn't bother me too much, but I can understand frustration for those who tape these films and miss the ending.

I just watched Friendly Persuasion for the first time. It's yet another wonderful film from William Wyler. Gary Cooper, Dorothy McGuire, and Anthony Perkins all give terrific performances. This is a warm, funny, tender, and moving film.

The Hill is a masterwork from Sidney Lumet. I hope I get to see it again today. Sean Connery is excellent here, certainly miles better than his Oscar win for The Untouchables. Another supreme Connery-Lumet collaboration is The Offence. I got my hands on a used VHS copy earlier this year. It's an intense drama, and Connery may be even better in The Offence.

I mentioned the close-up in The Cameraman earlier. Yes, it's a beautiful moment. That film also features some of Keaton's best acting, and really disproves Buster's nickname as The Great Stone Face. I'd say start with that film or Sherlock Jr. The General is a masterpiece, but not one of Keaton's funniest films. I think Buster decided to make the comedy secondary to the action and plot. I didn't get the chance to revisit Our Hospitality, but I'll probably check out a copy from my local library. There are a few other wonderful Keaton movies that didn't air yesterday. Seven Chances is a riot, and so are the short films The Goat, One Week, and Neighbors.

I just watched The Cameraman again. It's one of my favorite Keaton movies. It's very funny and very touching. My all-time favorite close-up is in this film. When we are in the office, Keaton's love interest looks up at him with those beautiful eyes and Buster gushes over her. That's a very memorable moment. Next- another Keaton masterpiece: Steamboat Bill, Jr. The cyclone sequence is supreme. Long live Buster!!

Coffy and Foxy Brown have aired on TCM Underground. Coffy is the better of the two, but Pam Grier was really great to watch in both films. I would like to see Slaughter and Three the Hard Way air on TCM Underground. I'm quite interested in these films.

I love Vera Miles in The Wrong Man. That was quite a performance!! However, I do often wonder how great she would have been in Vertigo. It could have made her a big star. Though I've only seen a handful of her films, I always enjoy seeing a Vera Miles performance. She's wonderful to watch.

I've just read what Killer of Sheep is about, and I would love to see it. I'm far behind on my blaxploitation movies, and thankfully Black Caesar is reairing in October. Across 110th Street, I hear, is a fine film. I'll be on the lookout for that one as well.

I don't disagree with you, Kyle. As far as TCM's schedule goes, I included specifically films featuring African-Americans or issues dealing with African-Americans because that is what is usually selected each year. I have no problems of their selections. However, a theme for a particular month dealing with issues for justice and equality would be a great idea.

I like Bright Road. It's a wonderful little movie. Another interesting film is Cooley High(1975). I guess one could call it a black version of American Graffiti. It's been several years since I last saw it, but it's a pretty good film. Message was edited by: sweetsmellofsuccess

The recent thread for Christmas films inspired me to suggest a few films TCM could air for their annual African-American film festival during Martin Luther King day in January. I don't know if the programmers have already created their schedule, but here are a few films I wouldn't mind seeing next year. There are a few I haven't seen, but have heard some interesting things about these films. Stormy Weather (1943) featuring Lena Horne. Intruder in the Dust (1949) featuring Juano Hernandez. Home of the Brave (1949) featuring James Edwards. Shadows (1959) featuring Ben Carruthers. *Sergeant Rutledge (1960) featuring Woody Strode. A Raisin in the Sun (1961) featuring Sidney Poitier. Nothing But a Man (1964) featuring Ivan Dixon. *The Learning Tree (1969) directed by Gordon Parks. *Lady Sings the Blues (1972) featuring Diana Ross. I think it would be cool if the festival was a 24 hour salute next year. *- haven't seen yet Anyone here would like to make any suggestions?

Ruth Roman!!

I agree!! Convicted, Scandal Sheet, Down Three Dark Streets, The Last of the Comanches, and The Last Posse have all been terrific films. I love The Fastest Gun Alive, and will rewatch most of it again shortly. I'm looking forward to seeing The Mob later tonight. It's nice to see a variety of Broderick Crawford. His performance in The Last Posse was much different than we are used to seeing him.

Thanks for your response. I may have to wait for the next showing on TCM, or spend a few bucks for the DVD. Message was edited by: sweetsmellofsuccess

I don't believe Bedtime for Bonzo was THAT bad. It's silly nonsense, sure, but the film wasn't the complete disaster I was expecting. Diana Lynn is awfully cute in this movie. She's always a delight in other films I've seen her in (The Major and the Minor, The Miracle of Morgan's Creek, and one of the few good things about Every Girl Should Be Married). Robert Osborne mentioned the studio wanted Cary Grant as the professor. Not even Grant could have turned this into comedy gold, but he fared well as the scientist in the underrated Monkey Business. Overall, the film was far from a masterpiece. Still, it could have been much worse.

Here in Atlanta, there was a thunderstorm and the power was knocked out all night!! The Chase was the film I was dying to see, but missed it. To the TCM programmers, is there a chance this film will air again in the future? Did anyone here see The Chase? Was it any good? I've heard mixed reviews on this film.

Someone posted a thread a couple of weeks ago. I'll include my list again here (and there are more than 31 names listed): Lillian Gish Harold Lloyd Lon Chaney Marion Davies Peter Lorre Robert Ryan Lawrence Tierney Lee Tracy William Powell Joan Blondell Dorothy McGuire Anne Baxter Eleanor Parker Sterling Hayden Sal Mineo Claude Rains Gloria Grahame Dick Powell Arthur Kennedy Richard Burton Joanne Woodward Jean Simmons Ben Johnson Warren Oates George Kennedy Melvyn Douglas James Mason Mickey Rooney Ann Sheridan Rod Taylor Walter Pidgeon Michael Caine Julie Christie Robert Redford Warren Beatty Donald Sutherland Gene Hackman Jack Nicholson

I'm very happy about the Rosalind Russell tribute as well. Roz instantly became one of my favorites after seeing her in His Girl Friday. There are several films this evening I want to see, especially My Sister Eileen and The Trouble With Angels.

An underrated gem. I looooove Olivia de Havilland in this movie. She and James Cagney had some wonderful chemistry here. I'm glad they had the chance to work together at least once in their marvelous careers. Rita Hayworth is stunning as always, and the supporting cast is a delight as always. George Tobias and Alan Hale rarely disappoint.