mrroberts
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Posts posted by mrroberts
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Just wondering how all of you people out there are doing in this latest heat wave? Most of the U.S. is gripped in some brutal weather right now. Some have drought, some flooding, we are all pretty hot. We have the scary tornados, hurricane season is just starting. Where can one go and hide?
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I believe I would like to spend some time in the Brewster house (Arsenic and Old Lace). Cemetery is right outside, with Priscilla Lane living next door. Two kindly old aunties who are probably good cooks, but lousy wine makers. Cousin Teddy, we could discuss politics and world affairs. Friendly local cops, who keep the neighborhood safe? And best of all, the Panama Canal is right in the basement. Just make sure there is a good lock on the front door to keep unwanted relatives from barging in.
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I do acknowledge the status of *Citizen Kane*, but I am one of those who personally don't value it so highly. *How Green Was My Valley* won the award in 1941, and I think deservedly so.
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Not aware of Red's relationship with his writers, good or bad. Johnny Carson worked for Red for awhile, he often commented about that on The Tonight Show. Maybe Red didn't pay as well as Hope or Benny. Both of those guys had reputations of being very generous. (Hard to believe, Jack Benny, free with his money.)
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Finance, I looked at the wiki entry, it says the film got good reviews initially. Do you think critics of today undervalue the film? I am not always up on what the critics like or don't. If they don't highly regard this film, that says it all about them doesn't it? Ava Gardner's role in *Seven Days In May* sure isn't essential, or put another way, most any actress could have played her role. I don't intend that as a slam at her. Was she cast because of Burt Lancaster and Edmond O'Brien, who were all costars in *The Killers* ? Kirk Douglas would have really had the say about casting, it was his production and he brought Lancaster into the film.
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This was a great thread idea, and I've been racking my brain about it ever since. So here goes; Captain Queeg's (The Caine Mutiny) ball bearings, Mister Roberts' Palm Tree medal from the crew, The Pink Panther diamond (probably a fake), Jimmy Stewart's white 56 DeSoto (from Vertigo), a lock of Lee Remick's hair
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This film is a classic just on the basis of the cast and their individual performances. And the storyline is timeless, just like others of that era like *Twelve Angry Men* , *Inherit The Wind* , *Judgment At Nuremberg* , etc.
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I know that on these forums Red Skelton isn't everyones cup of tea . But I would like to think some of Red's humor is timeless. Kids today have to be aware that you don't necessarily have to be vulgar or obscene to be funny. Hopefully some will appreciate that.
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Misswonderly, who like me is a big fan of *Pickup On South Street* , will appreciate this alternative ending. --- When defeating the evil Commie spy, Skip McCoy gets seriously wounded in a gun battle. As he's lying there near death, girlfriend Candy kneels beside him and asks him if there's anything she can do. "I could sure drink a cold one", Skip says weakly. Candy gets a cold beer , pops the cap, goes back to Skip , and pours it all over his face. "Say hello to Moe" , Candy replies. Skip smiles and dies.
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Fred, I think the line was " I won't belong to any club that would have me as a member." I also like Groucho's line about going to a restaurant where you had to wear a tie. So he went in , wearing just a tie.
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The only thing that could have made this a better film is if Jack Lemmon had thrown a firecracker made of "Fulminated Mercury" under Fred Mac's bunk (desk).
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That's a very open ended question there. In terms of popularity, Clark Gable was right at the top for most of his career. I'm sure others were close, but no one surpassed him. Some people don't give him much credit as a skilled actor, I would disagree. I don't think anyone could have accomplished what he did without some skills or talent. There were better actors than Gable, although he was still quite good.
Edited by: mrroberts on Jul 17, 2011 1:51 PM
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I know its an often discussed (and debated) topic, but I think the whole "method acting" deal is way overrated. What did Clark Gable , or any other older actor, do before the method? Was their acting that shallow, without feeling or emotion? Just because they didn't go to some special school, instead they just learned or developed by doing it. If they weren't picking something up along the way, they wouldn't have lasted. I think the "method" people learned a lot more working with Gable then he learned working with them. I do think Marilyn was rather good in *The Misfits*, Eli Wallach was his usual very good self, Thelma Ritter her usual very good self. Monty Clift, as RO pointed out, was struggling personally at the time, but Clift was an extraordinary talent (I think better than Brando) and his performance still held up well. And John Huston , a great director, held it all together.
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1939 is generally acknowledged as a high point in motion pictures, there sure were a great number of notable films that year. I prefer to think of that pre war era (around 1938 to the beginning of WW2 , for the U S ) as the best period of movies. 1941 as a year stands out as a personal favorite . The Lady Eve, Meet John Doe, The Strawberry Blonde, High Sierra, The Maltese Falcon, The Sea Wolf, Shadow of The Thin Man, I could go on, and on.
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Kovacs, Ernie
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Ray Milland was in *Dial M For Murder* with John Williams
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Richard Deacon
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Mark, I always enjoy groovin' to your posts. You give an interesting heads up to some of the highlights of the coming week. You must be descended from some carnival barkers or you're a disciple of Elmer Gantry. TCM should give you a 15 min sneak preview segment each week. Keep up the groovin' good work.
Edited by: mrroberts on Jul 17, 2011 12:33 PM
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This is just my impression, I may be all wet, but I don't believe so. Comparing today vs 1939; a much smaller percent of today's population go to the movies, in 1939 movies were a major source of entertainment and people didn't have all the options we have today. But countering that fact, today many movie goers go multiple times to see the same picture. In 1939 I don't believe the typical person was so free with spending their money so casually, if they went to the movies often, they went and saw a different film each night. On special occasion if they really liked a movie they might go see it again one time, and that was it. How many people actually went to see *Titanic* in the theatre? But those who did went to see it many, many times. When *Gone With The Wind* was doing big box office in 1939, its because a lot of people went to see it. Maybe some went twice, and that was it. In the end, does it really matter? To the movie makers the only things that matters are the ticket sale numbers, period.
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Holy oversight Batman! I can't believe I didn't note that today was Barbara's birthday. And I call myself a fan. Barbara, a last second happy birthday to you, and I am a big fan. But for me, I can celebrate Barbara Stanwyck almost anyday. TCM has been great running her films (especially the early precode stuff) on a regular basis. I have dvd recorded a number of those films, so I can refer back at any time. So while I acknowledge your point, its not so bad, TCM will I'm sure make up for it in the future. They always have.
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Please revisit my original response. I certainly never derided the original poster or called his point of view stupid, or wrote anything even vaguely insulting. Quite the contrary, I only said he prefers to fill the screen even if it means losing some of the picture. I prefer to see the whole picture and will tolerate the "letterbox" look.
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At present I can not access any of the record of my previous posts. That I REALLY miss. I hope that feature will be restored.
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This sounds like the "great taste" vs "less filling" debate.
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The question is, do you want to see the entire image on your screen? The original post would rather fill his tv screen . He wants to see only 4 of the 7 brothers, I'd prefer to see all 7.
Favorite Happy (and Unhappy) Endings
in General Discussions
Posted
*Bridges At Toko Ri* is one of my favorite movies and certainly Holden is at his best here. Holden insisted on the ending being so blunt, in real life William Holden's brother was a pilot killed in WW2. The C/O in the film is the great Fredric March, he is only a supporting actor in the film, but who better to deliver that last line, "Where do we get such men?"
Edited by: mrroberts on Jul 20, 2011 10:39 AM