mickeeteeze

I like Bowling for Columbine! Edited by: mickeeteeze on Nov 27, 2013 7:45 PM

"If that story is true, then the clocks were likely filmed after principal photography had been completed." That's why I'm sorry I didn't pay that much attention. I would have been looking for "complete shots", ie, scenes where the clock and actors are involved, doing more than "headshots" and "reaction shots". Were all the clock shots "cutaways"? Looks like I might have to get that DVD. I've just been putting it off. Maybe it's time!

"Someone went to a lot of trouble to synchronize all the clocks in the different scenes." Wow. I didn't really look, but it seems to me it must have been shot in sequence and at least closely edited as it was being made. That is definitely some trouble to go through.....setting hands before the start of scenes, etc.

"Strength, sexually intimidating ('you better measure up boy'), not so pretty in the conventional sense. I'm working towards being a writer/director. I'd hire her. But then again, I'm a woman." First of all, good luck in your project(s?). You certainly seem to have the personality for it. That's a compliment, and not a backhanded one either! Second, I'd pay big dough to get put in my place by Ms. Unger. Doesn't seem like a bad way to go at all!

"It is fascinating how he was very busy, and developing his craft on television, often with the "playhouse" type of productions. I appreciate his work yet I do not idolize him. It just seemed his death marked the start of a string of mourning for those who's time ended all too soon. Maybe that, and the date of 9/30/55 seem so significant to me. Does anybody else wonder "what if?" about this fine actor?" Yes, I very much wonder "what if" about this guy. Especially when I consider that "Giant" was, IMO, a definite character role. Seeing as how most of his work up to that point was TV Playhouse stuff, done while he was still training in NY, I'm not entirely sure we can really predict where he was going with his craft. I guess I'm like you....appreciate but not awestruck. Although the frozen in time image of Dean is definitely iconic. Don't get me wrong.....I love the three Hollywood films that he did. And he was certainly a powerful talent. I believe he was a bit "over the top" in the films, although I'm pretty sure that's what his directors wanted. It's common (and simplistic, IMO) to compare James Dean with Brando, Clift, Morrow, Newman, etc, because of the whole "method" perception. I think it's a bit overstated, but for the anniversaries sake, I'll indulge. Here, in a nutshell, is why I can never seem to get my head around the idea that it's a given that James Dean was an automatic for a brilliant career. I'll use Brando as the template; Imagine during the filming of, say, "On The Waterfront", as they are wrapping up, Marlon had died in a motorcycle accident. Morbid, I know, but since he's gone, I'll go there. At the time of death, "The Wild One" is just being released to theaters. Now, imagine 50 years go by, no "Candy", "Mutiny", "Morituri", "Nightcomers", "Appaloosa", "One-Eyed Jacks", and all the controversy that went with him. I guess I'm saying that it is just too short a snippet of a career for me to take a confident guess. Some people may think that, say, Paul Newman wasn't as explosive a presence as either young Brando or Dean, but look at the marvelous body of work that he went on to do. Dennis Hopper could be considered another of that "type" that got eaten up in Hollywood. In fact, not being alive at the time, I'm wondering how many "one hit wonders" of the NY Style of acting never made a career out of Hollywood. Now I'm pretty sure Dean would have lasted in Hollywood, he had the looks and the talent. While Brando had some kind of complete indifference to the Hollywood Game, it seems Jimmy had an outright contempt for it. Of course, Edward Albee professed that hatred is a much more agreeable emotion than indifference, and I kind of agree with that. Damn, the more questions I try to answer for myself here, the the more confused I get! I guess I put my "movie ramble" here! In any case, he shone brightly, did Mr. Dean Message was edited by: mickeeteeze BTW, much of Deans Television stuff can be had on DVD, or viewed at various "old time" movie and television web sites. A lot of transferred "kinescope", but viewable. Didn't mean to step on your post, CM. Believe me, it took me about a half hour to "brain ****" this!

"You know what's burned in my memory? "Whispers in the Dark." She yells at Annabella Sciorra in the office lobby. (To paraphrase)............." Totally. One of those rare actors/actresses that has that "something extra" that in no way, shape or form interferes with her ability to play "salt of the earth". For me, even her "not so goods" are completely watchable because, well, she's completely watchable.

Debra Kara Unger is extremely lovable. Extremely. Extremely....

Excellent overview Calvin. I agree 100% with everything you've said.

Yes, I believe he missed my point Wendy. I will say it's refreshing to see someone defend Brando/Dean, etc, on these boards, even if he missed my point. That sometimes falls as my job around here, and to be honest with you, I've grown tired of doing it. Anyway, to you Stephen, no I don't see Clooney or Pitt as important film figures like Brando and Dean, especially Brando. However I do see a "As Brando is to Dean, Clooney is to Pitt" type relationship, as pertains to roles. A very generalized statement, more about looks, than anything else. Thats all I was saying. I'm not dismissive of film actors today, maybe once upon a time I sort of was, but no more. People work within the confines of their situations. The state of film today, for better or for worse, "is what it is". The only guarantee about old films is they generally can't make new old films. The interesting thing about the Coens is they clearly are film buffs, and they are forever dropping little clues, or bits of business that show that.

"I believe there's a difference there becuz then ALL acting would be against the law. Should Fonda or Massey be arrested for portraying Lincoln? Or the actors who played the astronauts? Or should Greer Garson be arrested for having played Marie Curie?" Well, I don't know about arrested, but someone should have at least slapped William Bendix for playing Babe Ruth. House arrest.......a fine.......I dunno...... SOMETHING........

That's pretty cool, bro. I guess you glom up as many "trades" as possible, and put it all together? Nice work, very fascinating. History "nut" that I am, I immediately googled Alyce McCormick. Man, 28 and died of pneumonia. Some things have definitely changed for the better. Good luck on your blog!

".......do you think making "Guys and Dolls" was really all that risky, back when musicals were much more popular overall?...." Yes, I do. Brando loved music, but was no singer! Playing against Frank! Outside of (possibly?) some "Actors Studio" exercises, there is no evidence he had any notion at all what to expect or do.

"Kay Francis has already astounded me with her beauty and clothes sense and talent. I now look forward to being astounded bythe Pre-Code content." She was definitely "hot stuff", no doubt. The funny thing is, when I first got TCM on cable a couple of years ago, I was surprised at how little her films were shown. I had no idea the viewings were so rare. I hadn't ever seen most of these films either.

"I think that, like Orson Welles, Marlon Brando got to a point where he just did almost anything he felt like or anything he could get away with, without a care in the world for what people might think or if it ticked off the big-money people. Perhaps it is not a coincidence that both were very highly creative and more talented than most." Yes I agree, although I would say that even in some of his 50's leading roles, he showed signs of character role styled acting. "Sayonara" is pretty understated for leading man stuff. He did that turn in "Teahouse", and lets face it, him doing "Guys and Dolls" had to be one of the riskier moves a guy in his place could have made, at that time. It's an interesting topic anyway. Maybe I'll finally break down and get my "Brando" thread going in the "Favorites" section. :-)

Yeah. I think it definitely was a difference.