mrroberts

*The Big Steal* is a big favorite of mine, I just find it a very entertaining film. The Mitchum situation (his "drug bust") had everything to do with the lightening up of this noir story. Has anyone read the story "The Road To Carmichael's", the basis for this film? It would be enlightening, I would like to read it myself. The car Jane and Bob are driving is a 1934 Buick, Patric Knowles is in a 1941 Ford, Bendix is in a late 40's Buick sedan (then a new car). Jane Greer was only 22 in *Out Of The Past*, she looks even a little younger. Just 2/3 years later, as you say in *The Big Steal*, Jane was pregnant during filming so that can explain her look a little, but I can't criticize her for that. The wardrobe people had to camouflage her condition, if you didn't know she was pregnant could you tell? Maybe I am just trying too hard, but in some shots her face looks a little fuller. They did shoot some scenes before Mitchum's jail time, 2 months later the balance. Jane's condition certainly changed some. As for her hair and costume, come on . She didn't have time to go buy outfits and get her hair styled. I think Jane looks mighty fine in this picture. --- I do agree, a remake that would more closely follow the original story could be good. But then it wouldn't be a remake of the Mitchum film either.

Three of my favorite movies from WB, and my favorites from each actor , all from 1941 (my favorite movie year). *High Sierra* , Bogart. *The Strawberry Blonde*, Cagney . *The Sea Wolf*, Edward G. Robinson.

WilliamP seems to have a problem accepting actors getting older and no longer able to project the same image that they did when young. I actually admire actors who can adapt as they age, guys like Cagney and Bogart did some of their best work when older, as long as the roles they were playing fit their age. Many people would say one of Bogie's best was *The Caine Mutiny*, I would agree (and he did get an Oscar nom.) But while his acting was right on, he was a little too old for the part, so we the audience have to give him a bit of a pass there. --- I can't begin to pick a favorite WB film, way too many to consider. Warners is far and away my favorite studio from the classic era.

Interesting that you mention Glenn Ford and Dana Andrews. I have always thought those two actors (both are very good actors) have a lot of similarity in appearance, personality etc. I don't think there is a Glenn Ford movie that Dana Andrews couldn't have done or the other way around. I can see casual viewers of old movies getting those two mixed up. Cliff Robertson is a little more of a stretch for me. Cliff doesn't have that stoic, tough guy personality like Andrews or Ford. Maybe its just the impression that I get from the roles they typically played. As viewers we all type cast actors to some degree.

I only thought of having Burt Lancaster play the Quinn role because it would have been great to to see Kirk and Burt as equal opponents, the intensity would have gone off the scale. They were opponents in *I Walk Alone* years earlier but it was a little more one sided (Lancaster clearly the aggressive one). And of course they meet again in *Seven Days In May* but Burt's character as superior officer again makes him the aggressor. Quinn is still an excellent choice for Kirk's friend turned opponent in *Last Train From Gun Hill*, interestingly Quinn plays a very similar character opposite Henry Fonda in *Warlock* (which is another great Western).

I also don't mean to overlook the presence of the wonderful Carolyn Jones in a supporting role in this film.

Part of another Kirk Douglas night, 12 midnight est, *Last Train From Gun Hill* is sort of a follow up to the hugely successful *Gunfight At The O K Corral* of a few years previous. Same director John Sturges, similar music score by Dimitri Tiomkin, some similar sets, etc. It's a really good film and shows Kirk Douglas' usual intense passionate character, he's a lawman determined to bring in a killer (the victim was Kirk's wife). Opposing Kirk is his best friend (Anthony Quinn) who happens to be the father of the killer. Quinn is his usual imposing character here, although it would really have been fascinating if Burt Lancaster had played the part. Especially so soon after the "O K Corral" film. Hope anyone who has never seen this film can catch it tonight.

Fredic March was in *Nothing Sacred* with Carole Lombard

Hey johnbabe, did you catch filmlovers' on going 1939 Hollywood's Greatest Year thread for Sept 18th? Mentions GG's birthday.

Isn't it in the beginning of *The Big Sleep* where Marlowe (Bogart) tells the old General what the going rate for detective work is, X dollars a day plus expenses , etc. And at the beginning of *The Maltese Falcon* Sam Spade gives a similar line to his new cilent (a certain "misswonderly"). As often as I have seen both films I sometimes get them a little crossed up, as I am sure many others do too. Edited by: mrroberts on Sep 20, 2011 9:48 AM

Elster, Gavin - played by Tom Helmore in *Vertigo*

(if we're skipping Q) --- *Remick* , *Lee*

O'Connell, Arthur

Cary Grant was in *Father Goose* with Leslie Caron

*The Wolf Man*

Since AMC runs so many commercials they probably have more money to outbid TCM for film rights to some films. So what do you propose we do to solve this? If we want TCM to show these films, how should they get the funds to do so? Some people complain about TCM showing certain films several times in a certain time period. But no one can say TCM repeats movies anywhere near the way AMC and others do. TCM continues to give us the greatest variety of films including the many obscure films we would never see otherwise. I applaud TCM for giving us the most for our money. Edited by: mrroberts on Sep 17, 2011 4:25 PM

Ireland, Jill

the *Paradine Case*

*I'll Take Sweden*

Mr Warmth, Don Rickles

I believe most any of the 50's/60's sitcom dads (way too numerous to mention) might fit the bill for your casting need.

*Criss Cross* is a very underrated noir in my opinion. I think it ranks up with the best, but doesn't seem to get the air time like the others, I can't remember when I saw it last.

I'm trying to work with you on this one, but I'm a little confused. In *Picnic* Cliff Robertson doesn't exactly bow out gracefully when he loses the girl to Holden. He calls the cops and tells them Holden stole the car. The next day he intends to go over to Kim Novak's house and force the issue of marriage on her. If Holden wasn't skipping town right away (and the girl also leaves town for a rendezvous), who knows what Cliffy might do next? He might go like Widmark in *Roadhouse*. -- The first guy I thought of to be a Cliff substitute was Robert Stack (good looking, often the second lead, etc). Of course in *Written On The Wind* Stack sure isn't a graceful guy though. My point is that the spurned lover almost always goes a little psycho and seeks revenge. Except for the already mentioned Ralph Bellamy, I'm at a loss here.

I guess I don't know enough Cliff Robertson movies, in his movies does he often lose the girl to another guy? So are we looking for a substitute for Cliff or just a "loser" guy?

Johnson, Van -- played by George Furth in *Blazing Saddles*