mrroberts

From Robinson's book, "All My Yesterdays" (title inspired by "All My Sons") ; Eddie's favorite of his own films was *Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet* . He was proud of the film, his own performance, and the serious of the subject matter. This gives some insight to the man (EGR) and his character. While he appreciated the entertainment value of films he also looked at filmmaking as a form of art, and he wanted to be part of that process. He treasured the opportunities to work in films that would be thought of as "art".

I believe the application of the death penalty (or having the sentence being put on hold) varies from state to state (would the state with 5 letters, starts with a "T" care?) . One sure way to avoid the death penalty in any state; have money.

Funny that I thought that Cody was eating an apple when he offed Parker (who earlier tried to kill Cody in prison). But as your picture plainly shows it was a chicken leg, my error. "Please don't rub me out boss, it'll never happen again, I swear!"

Some of those model kits that listed for as little as 99 cents to a buck and a half are now worth several hundred dollars (if in mint or near mint condition and of course unassembled). I built many a kit as a kid (no pro here) and still build one on occasion. I have several old unbuilt kits that are worth some money but I like the particular car so I hope to one day build them for myself. I have collected several Danbury Mint and Franklin Mint replica cars over the years. Some are potentially going to increase in value because both companies are on hard times and the model may never be produced in any form again. But I have always collected things based on whether I like the subject a lot, not on some speculation of a future profit. Edited by: mrroberts on Oct 2, 2013 12:24 PM

Cody's tantrum in the prison (hearing that Ma's dead) and the final moment atop the oil tank are the 2 most memorable scenes in the movie. But I also think about Cody's giving some air to his buddy, Parker, who's locked in the trunk. There's Cagney, causally munching on an apple, ready to drive off from the hideout, then he remembers Parker is still in the trunk of the other car. He walks over, asks Parker how he's doing? Parker (rather stupidly) says he needs some air, so Cagney "gives him some air". I know this is a deadly serious moment (Cody, the ruthless killer), but it comes off so very funny, to me anyway.

with my luck I'd end up with the complete "Gilligan's Island" series.

"Better to reign in Hell then to serve in Heaven" .... Wolf Larsen , The Sea Wolf . (Not that I agree with him, look at where it got him)

As I am following this thread (I am an old car buff as well as an old movie one) I am remembering a car for sale on ebay that I saw years ago. The car was a 1935 Plymouth coupe, with rumble seat, that had just been restored. The original owner was none other than Edward G Robinson and he apparently owned the car for many years. While he could afford just about any car being made he chose to buy this humble little "everyman's" car and personally drove around Hollywood making all of the usual stops. Years later the car was stored with a relative in a barn and then sat for many years. Only in the last 10 years or so was the car rediscovered and restored to like new condition. I wonder who ended up with this little Plymouth and where it is today. That's the kind of classic car I would like to own (because of the car and its history).

Mr Dobbs, not only is the presence of Rebecca gone but its probably good that the DeWinters are out of Manderley too. Mrs Danvers may have done them a favor in torching the place (I assume Max had adequate insurance on the mansion)

TomJH, your review of *The Strawberry Blonde* says just about all there is to this wonderful, very entertaining film. By his own words, this was one of Cagney's very favorite films. He enjoyed spoofing his tough guy image here. His own mother was present on the set as an "unofficial" consultant , she lived during that "90's" time period of course. The great Warners supporting actors cast is well represented here and all have their moments to shine. This was one of Cagney's last Warners films before going independent. I know he was very eager to leave Jack Warner's control but unfortunately he then lost the production assets that the studio had for him. So I look at this film and *Yankee Doodle Dandy* as the very peak of his career. He certainly had many great moments in the future but it was more of an up and down ride for the rest of his career. (And Olivia was a great partner for him , its a shame they didn't work together in a future film.) Edited by: mrroberts on Sep 30, 2013 1:48 PM

I would say that Hollywood film makers can play "fast and loose" with historical facts as long as the consequences are of little importance (like the many versions of "the gunfight at the O K corral"). But considering the seriousness of the subject manner involved in "Mississippi Burning" playing fast and loose is quite disgraceful. I don't care how "entertaining" the storyline or the acting is. It seems that the movie itself should be burned.

I firmly believe that the only reason they put sound (and dialogue) in the movies was so more people could run out and buy more popcorn and stuff.

For me the best single film for 1939 is *The Hunchback of Notre Dame* . So nicely filmed and a great cast , all performing very well. And Laughton is sensational , I really believe he should have gotten the best actor award. Another thing I like about 1939, the first two films featuring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce as Holmes and Watson.

Since we have so many Cagney admirers here, how about some comments about MY favorite Cagney film, *The Strawberry Blonde* . Any wanna be dentists out there?

The real problem with silent films is that if in the middle of the movie you have to run to the frige or nature calls (or both) you can be completely lost concerning the storyline when you return. At least with talkie films you turn up the volume while you're gone and can keep track with what's going on in the story Edited by: mrroberts on Sep 29, 2013 5:08 PM Edited by: mrroberts on Sep 29, 2013 5:09 PM

I'm no expert on collecting things for the investment potential, I buy something if I like it , and can afford it. A $50 item may give me more pleasure than something costing 10 times as much. I do try to have some idea what the going price is for the item. And with the internet access we have today any person should be able to do a little research and get a rough idea about how valuable an item may be. At least with that knowledge you can go into a pawn shop and bargain in a fair way. Of course they're not giving you market value, they are going to flip the item and make their profit. So it comes down to how eager you are to part with something you really don't want or need and how desperate you are for some hard cash. Put on your best poker face in those places when haggling over price. Edited by: mrroberts on Sep 28, 2013 9:36 PM

You have to be careful here. There is more than one movie titled *Glory* . The movie TCM has scheduled in December is the civil war movie (an excellent film too) but that's not the film our new member is looking for. The older film is a completely different story.

I would agree that McCrea has a much more easy going style as opposed to Wayne's . But there's no denying that Wayne was the bigger box office star. Yet I believe that Joel McCrea could have been a very good substitute for Wayne in most of his films. If McCrea had gotten some of those roles (Wayne's) McCrea would be more highly regarded today. The more I watch Joel McCrea the more I like him.

Muchos thanks, Senor Dobbs .

I recorded the Joel McCrea westerns from Friday morning and I am starting to watch them. Colorado Territory and Wichita were the two I was most interested in but will watch them all. McCrea just seems so natural in these movies, dare I say this, as good as the "Duke" as far as I'm concerned, and that's no knock on Mr Wayne either.

Thanks for the link Fred. If you try the one I gave and scan down through the left column you'll find a Whitney Portal Road entry and there they have some nice color photos of the road including the famous "Bogart's Curve" section.

That mountain road that Lucy and Desi drive on is Whitney Portal Road (the road Bogie races up in the end of *High Sierra* ) http://travelwithwhippets.blogspot.com/ --- I can't seem to get directly to the page, you have to go to past blogs list and then go down list to find Whitney Portal Road. Edited by: mrroberts on Sep 28, 2013 3:57 PM Edited by: mrroberts on Sep 28, 2013 4:01 PM

We Americans (US version) tend to dumb things down I recorded the McCrea movies this morning and I will watch them soon, I never got all of the JMc movies recorded back when TCM had him SOTM.

So I take it that there are no fans of "Gopher" or "Doc" out there?

"Mirage" was a great song by Tommy James and the Shondells. I must have bought all of their 45's. "Mirage" uses a reversed chord line from another Tommy James hit, "I Think We're Alone Now" .