mrroberts
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Posts posted by mrroberts
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In my life I have probably watched *White Heat* over a dozen times beginning to end, and seen countless scenes from the film in promos, etc. Cagney gives an incredible performance here, but at no time do I have an ounce of sympathy for Jarrett, and I am sure Cagney doesn't want us to. Jarrett is a total psycho, a cold blooded killer who must be stopped, either locked up for good or killed. When G Man Fallon goes undercover and makes "friends" with Jarrett, Fallon sees close up just how evil this guy is. So I can understand his resolve to put this fiend down for good. When Jarrett finally dies (in his blaze of glory) we the audience feel only relief that this man is dead and gone. --- For those who may not know this, when Cagney did his fits of crazy rage, he said he remembered his own childhood and his own father's spells (he had a severe problem with alcoholism). I guess that may make Cagney a "method actor".
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Again I say, the choice of Anthony Quinn opposite Kirk Douglas in "Last Train" was a very good one. I only suggest Burt Lancaster as an alternative choice because I would love to see the intense showdown gunfight between Burt and Kirk. As for Burt playing a convincing dark character, dare I mention *Sweet Smell Of Success* ?
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*Sherlock Holmes in Washington*
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Yeah, but Glenn Ford never played a villain on *Batman* - tv series.
Edited by: mrroberts on Sep 22, 2011 5:01 PM
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You are right, and I don't really consider *The Big Steal* to be a noir, although you can see where the storyline hints at a noir. The story is really very simple. The army payroll is stolen and Mitchum is the fall guy. Mitchum is chasing the guy who stole it from him, and Mitchum in return is being chased by his own superior officer who is convinced that Mitchum is the thief. To say anymore is to give the ending away to those who haven't seen the movie. The girl gets involved because she is also a victim of the real thief. As you say, no actress (or their agents or studios) wanted to work with Mitchum on this because of the potential bad publicity. Jane Greer volunteered out of loyalty to Mitchum and it also helped get her out of Howard Hughes' dog house. As I said on another thread sometime ago, this whole back story about Mitchum and the making of *The Big Steal* could be used to make a movie.
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I think we have discussed this before, I haven't seen every film that either of these guys have ever made. My general impressions of Glenn Ford just aren't of him in comedy, I probably have watched *Experiment In Terror* too many times. I don't know if Dana Andrews ever did anything in a comedy. Many of these guys did do early TV appearances, maybe something there. Like many serious actors Dana might have done well in a comedic role, just never had the chance. Andrews and Ford should have both been in *Airplane*, Andrews (who was in *Zero Hour*, the original Airplane) would have been a natural connection to the eariler film.
Edited by: mrroberts on Sep 22, 2011 11:18 AM
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*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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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I also don't mean to overlook the presence of the wonderful Carolyn Jones in a supporting role in this film.
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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.
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Fredic March was in *Nothing Sacred* with Carole Lombard
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Hey johnbabe, did you catch filmlovers' on going 1939 Hollywood's Greatest Year thread for Sept 18th? Mentions GG's birthday.
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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
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Elster, Gavin - played by Tom Helmore in *Vertigo*
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(if we're skipping Q) --- *Remick* , *Lee*
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Hey I have no problem with acknowledging Greta's birthday, she would be 106 today (whose going to buy all of the candles, and then blow them all out?) I had an Aunt who would also be 106 years old right now (born in March). TCM has tributed Garbo in the past and I am sure will do so again in the future. By the way today is also a birthday for Jack Warden (one of the best character actors ever), Frankie Avalon (who gave us all of those fun beach movies with Annette) , and Robert Blake (wonder what he's up to these days???).
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O'Connell, Arthur
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Cary Grant was in *Father Goose* with Leslie Caron
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*The Wolf Man*
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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
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Ireland, Jill
Recently watched Noir
in Film Noir--Gangster
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The poster guy did a nice job here, that probably sold some tickets.