mrroberts

I've got it! Herbert Lom (Chief Inspector Dreyfus) in the Pink Panther films.

Misswonderly, if I remember correctly when the cops come to arrest Harry Powell the boy breaks down and cries out about the money and he throws the doll around and the money flies out. To the boy the money is the issue; his father stole the money and got in trouble, the kids had to hide the money even from their mother, Powell came along and wanted the money and was killing to get it. The poor kid was sick of the money and all of the trouble it caused. I guess money is the root of all evil. As for the little girl, in a way she was just like her mother. Powell seduces these women, including the little girl, and then even when he starts to show his true character they still submit to him. Look at how Shelley behaved on her wedding night right to the end of her life.

I would nominate Humphrey Bogart as "the definitive nervous breakdown performer" ie; Petrified Forest, Treasure of the Sierra Madre, In a Lonely Place, Caine Mutiny, Conflict, The Desperate Hours, etc. Edited by: mrroberts on Oct 14, 2011 3:20 PM

I have long found this film, *Night OF The Hunter* ( not AND, my bad) to be very fascinating and the discussion here just peaks my interest to watch it again soon. I know TCM gets beat up by some people for playing some films too often, but some films are good enough to be shown multiple times. I have also put the film on my list of future DVDs to buy, the commentary would be interesting to hear. I don't think his Harry Powell film character degrades my image of Robert Mitchum, it does show him to be a most capable actor who had more range then many give him credit for. --- I wonder why Laughton didn't do a cameo, ala Hitchcock?

I had to watch some of "Bwana Devil" this evening just to reconfirm my memories as to how awful this movie was. It was the first 3 D movie released and so I guess all of the film maker's attention was focused on showing spectacular shots of charging lions, natives throwing spears, etc. with 3 D effect. They say it looked very impressive on the big screen at the time, but as a movie its really , really awful. I don't know where to start; the plot, the dialogue, the acting, the cutting between actors footage (obviously all shot in So Calif on a lot) and some stock Africa location footage. Apparently the budget was tight on this, makes me almost think Ed Wood. The scene where the lions go into the railcar at night and kill everyone, actors wrestling with stuffed pillows (lions?). The final scene with Robert Stack and his constantly misfiring rifle. Sadly this was one of Nigel Bruce's final film appearances, I wish he could have missed this one. Edited by: mrroberts on Oct 13, 2011 9:08 PM

J Walter Puppybreath , Percy Dovetonsils --- Ernie Kovacs characters

I wouldn't consider *The Exorcist* to be even close to a real horror classic like *Frankenstein* 1931. Picking *The Sting* for the Oscar 73 was a no brainer.

I would also be interested in seeing this movie, if I ever did see it was a long, long time ago. I had to look it up, it doesn't jog the memory here. It looks like the movie can be downloaded for free on some site. Enter the title on the TCM suggest a movie page, its a Columbia picture so I believe it shouldn't be a big problem for them to get it for future broadcast.

A 23 year old dog? Does that make the Guinness book? --- I often feel a little bad about the culture (Music, movies, etc) that came along in my generation (high school and college in the 1970's). Music really went downhill as the 70's wore on, movies pushed the envelope with the nudity, language , and special effects stuff. I am definitely no prude, but many of the 70's movies put this stuff front and center at the expense of storyline, character development etc. So as time marches on and we look back we better see what was quality film making and what was ****.

ValX makes a good point here, just like when studying history we have to take into account the perspective of the time when we watch these old movies. I would also agree that neither Laughton or Mitchum intended any of the character's actions to be humorous. Some people behave in eccentric ways that make us laugh a little, but we remind ourselves how serious and sad the reality is (like watching a senile old person). Mitchum's preacher is a very sick minded man, if the results of his actions had no bad consequences we could probably have a laugh at them. Edited by: mrroberts on Oct 12, 2011 12:37 PM

*Johnny Guitar* is actually a very entertaining movie for me, it seems so over the top. Joan Crawford seems out of place in a western and yet she is so right for the character. Sterling Hayden is his usual stiff upper lip self, but few are better at it (as in Asphalt Jungle). He's like a heavy duty version of Joel McCrea, they should have been brothers in a picture. The usual supporting cast types are here (like Ward Bond). And I really enjoy watching Ernest Borgnine in his early film roles, he has that really tough angry guy role down (and such a nice guy in real life). FMC had *Emperor Of The North* on again last night, Ernie (badder then ever) and Lee Marvin, what a great movie that is.

Right now the Boomerang tv channel is showing The Munsters and The Addams Family starting at 7 pm est. I watched both as a very young kid in 1964/65. Even then I liked The Addams Family more, now as an adult its no contest, The Addams Family was a far superior show. Let the debate begin.

I have several antiques in my sock drawer.

Does the Invisible Man use "blank thread" to mend his invisible underwear? (Take that Steven Wright)

I can imagine that when this film came out most people, critics and the public, didn't know what to make of it. *Night And The Hunter* is a very unusual film, even today how do you classify it? What other film is there that compares to it? For a name star like Robert Mitchum it was quite a departure from the typical Mitchum film role. And it represents a fresh approach to film making from a first time director (Laughton) although he had his vast acting experience from film and the stage to work from. I am also guessing a man like Laughton was a long time film buff and had studied the many techniques of film makers. Its unfortunate that Laughton was too sensitive to the response to this film, he should have stuck to his principles and gave us a few more directing efforts. There could have been some more fascinating work. Its also unfortunate he didn't live long enough to see his one film get the appreciation it now gets.

Betsy Palmer (who was terrific in *Mister Roberts* ) was also terrific on the game shows.

In my reference to *Wild River* I make the assumption many people have seen the movie (I guess I shouldn't do that). When Lee Remick and Monty Clift (who have just met a little while ago) are in the house and it starts to rain, they start to "make out". When Lee's friend Walter (who wants to court her) comes up and sees Lee and Monty closing the blinds in the windows, the message is clear.

In the Thin Man movies William Powell (Nick Charles) is always running into some of his old "pals", usually guys he sent up the river. Guys like "Rainbow Benny", "Spider Webb", etc.

Generally speaking, people are usually influenced by a charismatic person, by his/her look ,their manner, their speaking, etc. Unfortunately we can also be conned by those who exploit that "talent" and the public always hears only what it wants to hear. Mitchum's preacher is talking to small town and rural people during the depression who are desperate for answers to their plight and leaders to show the way. Harry Powell is like the evil brother of Elmer Gantry.

In *The Caine Mutiny* does the typhoon segment qualify? In *Wild River*, Lee Remick is showing Monty Clift her house. It starts to rain and....

Smiler Grogan -- *Its A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World*

If you limit your viewing to just color pictures you're going to miss out on a lot of great films.

Carol Wayne (best known as Johnny Carson's Tea Time Movie matinee lady) was very intelligent. She always did very well on quiz shows.

Allnut, Charlie -- Humphrey Bogart in *The African Queen*

*Flight Commander* aka The Dawn Patrol 1930