mrroberts

I am generally liking the Carson interviews, I like seeing Johnny again and the interviews are in some cases a rare opportunity to see the actors as themselves. Its mostly casual conversation, Johnny sometimes gets in a deep insightful question. These interviews were never long and the guests were on to plug a new movie or a book release (Doris Day, Kirk Douglas). So they are what they are. But they do have a place here on TCM because of the people who are featured, this isn't TV invading TCM. As I have stated before I hope TCM can secure some tapes of other interview shows (like Phil Donahoe, Tom Snyder, etc).

I just recently discovered this channel on my cable system, I believe it just started operating . Called MOVIES ! , they are showing a wide range of films concentrating on the 50's, 60's, 70's, and 80"s (just my general observation, they are currently showing "Nevada Smith" ). They do have some commercials , nothing like AMC though, thank God. They also show a disclaimer at the start of a film that states that they do not edit out time from the film to show more commercials. So I assume that means NO editing, maybe some language or nudity is "blocked out " at the most. So except for the occasional commercial all is well. TCM will continue to be my first choice for viewing, but it is good that there are some alternatives out there, maybe they can source some pictures that TCM can't easily get. And for the whiners who can't stand that TCM doesn't program their personal favorites 24/7 , they can change the channel. Edited by: mrroberts on Jul 9, 2013 7:50 PM

You didn't recognize George Carlin, just my point. He was at the drive up stand throughout the movie.

I wonder how many people recognize George Carlin in this film (his pre hippie days).

What I can't understand is why "Airplane" didn't use the sock puppet bit from "Zero Hour".

I think its great that TCM has obtained the rights to air these Carson interviews. There are other talk show interviews from years past that may be tracked down , like from Phil Donahue, Merv Griffin, Tom Snyder, etc.

Its been a while since I put my passport to use. Guess I will have to soon make another trip north of the border (US border). And I have a few dollars (Canadian, left over from the last trip ) that I have to spend. Always enjoy going up to visit our great neighbours to the North, eh! Edited by: mrroberts on Jul 1, 2013 6:17 PM

I notice that my number one man William Powell has been getting quite a few votes here

A lot of people on these boards would say that a 20 year old film doesn't belong on TCM. Wait until Gettysburg has the 200th anniversary and the movie is 70 years old.

I just reviewed the Superman thread (so I wouldn't be repeating someone else's votes). It would seem very improbable that a big name star would have played "Batman" , but some relatively unknown actor (early 1940's) may have jumped at the chance. My first thought went to George Reeves (yeah the guy who later did tv's Superman). But then a more inspired choice, Jack Carson. Think of it, the guy had a great athletic build and he could have used his comedic persona to be Bruce Wayne. Nobody would have thought the rathereasy going , dim witted, clumsy millionaire could also be the dynamic Caped Crusader. Robin; I really come up blank on that one. Edward Arnold, definitely the Commish. My main man William Powell as Alfred the butler for sure. Batman/Bruce's girl could be just about anyone, I'll go with Rita Hayworth. Now the villains. Without question, my favorite bad guy, Richard Widmark, could be either the Joker or the Riddler (he was Frank Gorshin's inspiration for the TV character). For some reason I think Barbara Stanwyck would be an interesting Catwoman. Edited by: mrroberts on Jun 30, 2013 4:11 PM

Jack Webb cast ex wife Julie London in a starring role in Webb's tv series, *Emergency* .

I recently got possession of a DVD set of the *F Troop* series. I originally saw the show as a kid. Very politically incorrect today I guess but all done in fun. One of the many 60's "military series" comedies. A cross of John Ford cavalry and the Keystone cops. Great slapstick, lots of period guest stars, lots of stunt work (saloon fights, falling off horses, and the classic guy falling out of the watchtower after the cannon misfires and shoot the tower down. I've been watching a few of the shows on the odd nights. I also still catch the occasional WKRP In Cincinnati episode on Antenna TV, brings back "Bailey" memories .

As you may have noticed, I am a big Cagney fan, but I am glad the Robin Hood film came out the way it did. Errol Flynn was perfect for the role (if the movie had been made a little later Burt Lancaster would have been even more perfect). James Cagney was an actor with considerable range but his short stature would have hurt here. And Cagney wasn't "matinee idol" handsome either. Please don't misunderstand, Cagney would have been an interesting Robin, but the whole tone of the movie would have been different for me.

This film is definitely on my favorites list. I have it on DVD, and yet whenever I happen to see it on the tube (almost always on TCM), I can't tear my self away, I have to watch it to the end. This film is just "another" EGR film performance, which is to say it is terrific. Has this man ever done a performance that isn't terrific? All due respect to the 2 leads, who both were great in their roles, but I would say that Eddie would be the last one I would consider a substitute for. That being said I do believe that some other actor could have played Keyes well, but I am spoiled after seeing Eddie do it. When some people consider Robinson a supporting player in the film (if you measure out screen time), I don't. From the moment we meet his character and he defines himself his presence is always right there lurking behind Neff's every move. At any moment he may appear, like at Neff's apartment right after their office meeting with the boss. So Eddie is "there" even when he physically isn't there. A lot of that is the power of Robinson's performance. This man should have had a trophy room full of Oscars, or at least nominations.

I believe that TCM has shown several of these Fox films recently. You are right, these films all are good ones to catch so hopefully they will get shown again and maybe more often on TCM. Interesting that you mention The Bowery . That was a film I remember seeing many, many years ago on TV . In the 60's, and I guess it was pulled out of circulation for many years because of its very colorful, politically incorrect references and language. It is a very interesting film I think (Raoul Walsh directed) , and worth seeing, hopefully people will not condemn it just because of the language. Unfortunately that language was "acceptable" in the day (early 30's) , and brings up that topic in another thread about films being edited for viewing today. I bought a DVD of the film recently and it appears to be very much as originally released. --- Moontide is a very good noirish film, and don't forget that Claude Rains is also in it. I like Vicki a lot, mainly because it has Jean Peters AND Jeanne Crain in it. Edited by: mrroberts on Jun 20, 2013 11:42 PM

Its been quite awhile since I saw Manpower , so I can't speak to that scene (It is a good movie) . But this topic of "nail care" got me to thinking about a film comedy with Carole Lombard and Fred MacMurray ( *Hands Across The Table* ) where Carole plays a manicurist working in a high class hotel and they serve both women and men. And I am sure there are other film scenes where a man can get both a shoe shine and a nail cutting/filing. Edited by: mrroberts on Jun 20, 2013 11:23 PM

As jamesjazzguitar (JJG) just said, ultimately it is all about making money, giving the public what it wants, or what one thinks the public wants. That has always been the case since day one. I do believe that in the old days the studio bosses did try to elevate the product to raise public awareness of certain issues. In the 30's there were a lot of films that adapted classic literature stories to the screen. Films (even the pre code ones) did highlight many moral issues . Sometimes these films made some sacrifice in their box office sales totals but they also raised the stature of the studios , and their bosses. Today we don't have that influence, its all about chasing the buck, and going for the lowest common denominator. There are still some very good quality films being made today (which I consider a minor miracle), hopefully the public will always acknowledge those efforts and reward them accordingly.

This is like the question in sports, are the players more important than the coach (manager)? I don't believe any director can make up for bad performance by the actors. But good actors can overcome a bad director, to a degree. As long as the director is at least smart enough to let his actors have some freedom in their work. Obviously when everyone involved does their share the end results should be good. As in a film like *A Tree Grows In Brooklyn* , the result is a very, very good film.

On the Caine my friend Lt Keefer hid Captain Queeg's ball bearings, no wonder Queeg went crazy.

One time on the ship, I hid the Captain's nail clippers. He wouldn't let the crew have a liberty until someone returned them.

The Burns and Allen shows are still being shown on Antenna TV starting at 1 AM est.

I don't believe that anyone has mentioned the film Canadian Bacon. I particularly like Steven Wright's portrayal of a Mountie. Edited by: mrroberts on Jun 18, 2013 10:18 PM

I saw that Ken Murray short too. Very interesting stuff there.

I've seen this movie numerous times but I am only going by memory here. I am sure that Kirk goes to the morgue to identify the body (his wife's). Then he goes to a bar where he gets in a fight and gets arrested. Duke, of course, has to bail him out. That all must have happened in between the parts you describe and maybe thats a segment you are missing.

I generally don't go for these "soap opera" type of films, but the overacting in this one makes it kind of fun (refer to a recent thread concerning HAM actors). Whenever I see Robert Stack I think of his part in Airplane , even more than "Elliot Ness". And I enjoy watching Dorothy Malone being a good "bad girl". By the way, I believe Lauren Bacall was working on this film while Bogie was in his last days, or maybe it was right after he passed. Edited by: mrroberts on Jun 18, 2013 8:41 AM