FrankGrimes

Howdy, Denver -- *Granger never did float my boat.* I like his energy but he seems to lack any kind of depth. I've only seen two of his films, though. *Grace just stands around putting her hands in her very well designed pockets.* That's correct. She throws her little tantrum, which I always like, but that's about it. Not much heat in this one. *I longed for more moments with Paul Douglas, who is a great favorite of mine.* He's a pleasure. I like his sense of humor, his anger, and his companionship. He wears "comfy." *I guess warmth in actors really is my bottom line.... If an actor has warmth, I'm with them all the way. This is why I actually find myself liking Lamby. http://s312.photobucket.com/albums/ll360/tippy99/Actors%20and%20Actresses/?action=view&current=icon_eek-2.gif* *OOPS! I shouldn't have said that!* You think Lamby is warm? That's shocking! Even I think she's mostly cold. I guess her vulnerability does make her warm. *That's why I thought you would hate CAT.* I guess I should have said I like certain kinds of films about family. I'm not big on the Italian "business" ones. *Hey, I have that video...I'm gonna have to watch it and make a detailed comparison to Nina Petrovna.* That would be a first! "The Wonderful Lies of Emmet Otter." *The entire story to me was so beautiful - she was such a child really, she had no one to play with, to be herself with. And then through her simple, impulsive act, she finds her perfect mate - they are so sympatico, you can't believe anyone would want to tear them apart. Both she and Michael are children, or child-like really. Their love makes them so.* I always think the initial stages of love are child-like. It's when we turn love into mature love that it gets complicated and much more difficult to maintain. We adults like to make everything so damn serious. It's very much a classic kind of love story in that she has all the "fine" things in life as a mistress but she "only" has love with Michael. When you're young, love is enough. As you age, you need "things" to replace the love. Or do we? *That's right! I see it! Yes, two people, all alone in the world together, warm, safe, and in love. cocooned in the soft darkness. It's beautiful....* Somebody is a romantic. *You want her to, but it would be ruined if she did. The look on Peck's face at the end .... well... it's beautiful. Sadder, wiser, changed, horribly disappointed .... but glad to have had his moments with her. It's so complex, I love it.* Wonderfully said! The Princess is purely a money grab for Joe (Gregory Peck) until he starts to see her in a more meaningful light. Money (selfish), love (unselfish). Geez, I've been watching quite a few films with this theme, of late. *How so? What about you is Brick-ish? The athlete turned thinker? The part of him that can't stand "mendacity"? The man longing for TRUE love and affection, who hates pretense and intolerance?* The guy who hates the valuing of money (possessions) over love. Nothing is as valuable as love, to me. I know many people like to say this, but hardly anyone really believes it or practices it. We've fooled ourselves into thinking differently. My being around kids in the last decade has awakened me to what matters most. I can see it in action. I'm a part of it. I'm still an athlete and I've always been a thinker (over-thinker). I can't stand mendacity, yes. I'm honest to a fault. And when I lie, I kill myself over it. I do hate pretense (show). *I've always loved Maggie...and Liz is just great. I played the role in college and it was deep... very difficult to get to the heart of.* Wow! I'm trying to imagine you as Maggie. Liz is terrific as "Maggie the Cat." *I thought only actors loved Tennessee Williams. There's so much to peel away, layers upon layers upon layers, maybe not as much fun to watch as to perform.* I completely agree. I absolutely love the depth of Williams. He presents humans in a very raw and honest way. There's a beautiful reality to Williams. I think of him as southern Shakespeare. *Judith Anderson is BRILLIANT. The movie is worth seeing for her alone, but then there aree other really great perofrmances too. But she is on all cylinders - this is what Tennessee WIlliams is all about - she's pitch perfect. I could only drfeam of doing an acting job like that.* I have never seen Judith like this. The scene with her and the cake is heartwrenching. She's such a loyal wife yet she hurts because she wants to be truly loved by her husband. Once again, Brick has Big Daddy pegged. *I can't bear sister woman! I know she gives a great performance, but I still have too much Maggie in me to like her.* By the end of the film, she's the comedy for me. I love that she throws all the sports stuff at Brick. I love how she devalues Brick. Before the end, it was Big Daddy who made me laugh the most. *Fascinating! I've been selfish in my perception of this movie. I thought it was about the girl, but you're right, it's about Brick.* It's all about what we leave behind and where the true value lies. Williams is saying the time we spend with each other, especially family, has far greater value than money, land, and possessions. I completely agree. *I don't think that's true. I think Maggie deeply loves Brick, but they have to live in the real world, and she wants what is best for HIM.* I disagree. She's got an eye on self and she tells Brick this. But I do believe Maggie loves Brick and she'd handle being poor to be with him. *And if that means competing in the dirt for Big Daddy's estate and affections, well.... Maggie can get down there in the mud for him.... she'll skirmish and tackle. Brick can't and won't.* Brick has real emotions going through him, not the phony ones that involve money. Brick gets down in the mud for his emotions and his love of his father. He puts his "money" where his mouth is. It's sad to see people get in the mud for money. I admire someone who will get in the mud for love. *She's a typical woman - practical.* Women are practical? When did this happen?! *She wants Brick to live with her, not in some dream world that bars her out.* Definitely. This is why I think she'd choose Brick over money. *But in the long run, she knows he needs Big Daddy, but won't fight for his time and birthright.* I don't think Brick needs Big Daddy, really. Well, other than his love. He's always wanted his love. I don't believe he needs his money, land, and possessions. He can make do on his own, I'm sure of it. Would he live some fancy lifestyle? No. But he would be all right. Geez, *House of Strangers* is somewhat similar to this.

*In other words, what I said was right, you do judge Maggie (as Brick does) for wanting what's right and natural.* There's nothing natural about money. Love is natural. *You really do hate money!* No, it's not money that I hate. I hate the valuing of money above love. I'm with Brick. So many of us have our priorities out of whack. We have convinced ourselves of some stupid things. *Why don't you hate Brick for living off of his father's money without even working for it like Goober does?* He wasn't until his crash. He was doing his own thing until the suicide. Now he's wallowing. And if he takes the inheritance, he'll always be living off his father, so I don't understand that logic. He should turn it all down and do his own thing by what you're saying. *Goober does work hard, you know.* Yes he does. He knows money. That's his love and ambition in life. We see how he values his kids. He's just like Big Daddy, not like his grandpa. *Brick wouldn't know what that is. He just takes like a spoiled brat who doesn't think where the milk's coming from.* Brick is aimless, yes. He wasn't happy broadcasting games because it reminded him of his past glory, a glory he'll never be able to recapture again. Many athletes struggle with this. It's like beauty with many women. *I agree she kisses up to BD, but I also think she genuinely likes him. She even says so.* I agree. I think she does like Big Daddy and I think he likes her, too. *I think maybe she and Big Mamma are the only two who accept him as he is without judgement. All the others either judge him as bad, like Brick does, or pretend to love him while secretly despisitng him and feeling superior. Maybe it's because of the way Elizabeth plays her, I just don't sense any malice in her toward anyone except maybe Sister Woman, and that's more reactive than anything. Brick's a pill.* Maggie is an in-law, so it's different. Big Daddy is Brick's father. There is a connection from birth with the two, just like Big Daddy and his father.

Hola, Snippy -- *He's just as mixed in his character's motives as Maggie, and no better than her, though MrGrimes you seem to infer that he is and that she's the selfish one. You see this in black-and-white terms and are forgetting your grey. You just never like it when a woman wants a secure life, even if she's wanting it for both of them. And she does want it for BOTH herself and Brick, she doesn't like seeing him waste himself away when he has a pretty easy opportunity to make something of himself, or start off somewhere else if that's what he prefers. The only option he's offering them is to drink himself to oblivion and to heck with her, his wife. Some noble character. Spare me!* No, no, no! He's just as selfish as Maggie. More so, actually. It's just there are two kinds of selfish at play. Maggie's selfishness is being driven by money. There's "security" and then there's money. She knows there's a lot of money and land to be had. She's no better than Gooper and Sister Woman. Her and Sister Woman are fairly similar in that each defends their man but with an eye on themselves. Brick's selfishness is based on his wallowing in his self-pity. He can't get past his guilt and the only way he can handle his guilt is by drinking and by making Maggie feel as miserable as he does. That's very selfish. But their selfishness are for much different reasons. One is money and the other guilt and self-pity. Do I think one is better than the other? With me, yes. I admire someone who is killing themselves over guilt more so than someone chasing someone else's money with a phoniness of caring. "Just sign the card!" Brick cares about his father in the most real of ways. And he proves it by standing up to him while everyone else kisses his rear. Would they go to any kind of trouble if they weren't getting anything monetary back in return? If Big Daddy was a hobo tramp like his father, would they kiss his rear? It's not the person people value in this world, it's the money. *It's easy for someone like Brick, who's been terribly spoiled by the way---I think his mother probably doted on him WAY too much even as Big Daddy did---since Jack obviously resents his brother for being the favorite---it's easy for him to throw away what he's NEVER lived without. He needs a good kick in the rear and Maggie gives it to him. Good for her.* All of the athletic glory that Brick achieved gained him respect and admiration. Gooper couldn't match that. But I think there's more to it. I think Big Daddy respects Brick for not kissing his rear. He has a mind of his own. He has depth. There's no way Gooper could have a heart-to-heart conversation with Big Daddy without it being colored in some way.

Thank you, CinemAva. I owe you something, by the way.

*Let's see... first of all.. I am NO Paul Newman fan (to speak of) and I am not much on Liz either (I know.. WHO do I think I am calling myself a classic movie fan?? ha) I won't deny their talent.. it is just my personal take on most of the films I have seen with them in it.* I'm pretty much a Paul Newman fan. I think I have liked him in most everything I've seen him in. I like his seriousness. "Brick" is now my favorite character of his. But I also love his "Fast Eddie" and "John Russell" ( *Hombre* ). Such powerful characters. *I liked HER a lot more as a child than I did when she got older (for the most part) but I think if I HAD to pick a favorite role for her (as an adult) this one would be it.. if I HAD to pick, ha..* As I just mentioned to Jackie, I'm starting to realize I like Liz when she's mouthy. I have really liked her in *Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?*, *Cat on a Hot Tin Roof*, *Giant*, and *The Taming of the Shrew*. *(but GEE, she needed to put something OVER that slip, for crying out loud. ha. I mean, come on.. if you are going to stand around and rant and rave.. put some clothes on first.. ha.. and yes.. I know. I am REALLY likely in the minority on that one too, ha) :-)* No! The slip is magnificent! I think it really works for the scene, too. She's doing all she can to excite Brick but it's not working. There are some reasons for that. *Which brings me to the OTHER big reason I struggle (to not hate) this movie sometimes.. all that "ranting and raving" at one another. OH my golly.. the way they dissect each other and rip each other to shreds.. without ever raising a hand. And then there is all that time they spend spouting and spouting abuot how MISERABLE their lives are.. ha OH for pity's sake. It drives me up the wall, ha. The Peacemaker in me just wanted to tell them to snap out of it and get OVER themselves, ha.* *(I doubt I would last 30 seconds as a character in a Tennessee Williams play.. ha. I would get too disgusted w/ all that idle, self-absorbed "spouting" and start pulling out my ROPE and stringing a few of them up by their heels, ha)* What?! You like to run at the mouth! *As for the "love".. ha.. well.. I do confess..despite all the "stuff" I just told you I hate..ha.. I LOVE the in depth look into these characters mindsets and even almost their very souls. It is VERY intriguing to watch the way they all sort of "unfold" before your eyes (by the end of the movie.. you almost know their DNA you have gotten such a close look at who they all REALLY are inside) but oh.. the trip getting there.. did I mention it was like watching a train wreck??? ha.* I know what you're saying. I didn't like the beginning of the film. It was driving me nuts. But then the real story starts to emerge and it really moved me. It's a great father/son film.

*You say you like Grace Kelly. She came in number 9.* I like Lamby but she isn't given much to do in *Green Fire*. Paul Douglas is the most interesting character. He's great. Stewart Granger feels so doggone empty. The story is rather ordinary. *You say you like dark films with conflict. House of Strangers came in at 7.* I'm not that big on these kind of "family" films. The best part of the film is Susan Hayward. She puts on a serious show. She's fantastic. And Susan is an actress that runs hot and cold with me. But she's on fire in this one. *You say you don't like musicals. Pal Joey - number 5.* The film is quite sexual, so that helps. The musicals I have liked have been rather sexual, quite "masculine." Ahhhhh, Kim Novak. I also like Ol' Blue Eyes' singing. He's great. *You say you don't like romance. Roman Holiday at number 3!!!!* I plead the Fifth! *It IS like Morocco, isn't it? I felt that. She never hesitated to choose Lederer, she never doubted once she left.* You're right, she was all in. She was very happy. *And it is SO very Ophuls - that's brilliant...the fluid camera, the emotional tone of the film, with emotion hidden in plain sight. I wish I'd thought of that!* You just explained it better than I ever could. *It's a darker version of the O. Henry Christmas story , the one where the girl cuts off her hair to give the boy a watch chain, and he buys her a comb with the money from his sold watch.* I'm not familiar with that story. Although, *Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas* follows the same storyline, so I'm sure it's taken from the story you speak of. *Michael just wants to buy her some decent shoes, the best he can do. And Nina just wants to protect him, to save him from destruction.* And that sets up the ending that I loved. So beautiful. *That opening pan, from the chiming clock, where you follow from the scented bath, with the maid throwing the salts in, into the room, to the fluffy silken bed, the perfectly set breakfast tray, and then out the french doors onto the balcony, all in one shot! Breathtaking.* Very good! That's perfectly described. It's quite a stunning shot, especially to open the film. It really does set the scene. But the scene I was most moved by was when Nina (Brigitte Helm) and Michael (Francis Lederer) both have their heads to each side of the door. It's such a loving scene. It's similar to *Cat People*. *On second view, the thing that really amazed me was that at the end of that shot, you actually not only see Nina framed by the balcony and the doors, but actual moving people on the street below, passing along, busy with their lives. NowTHAT is incredible film-making, and the great thing is, the whole movie follows through on that initial promise.* Nice catch! I did notice the "life goes on." *You'll make me weep. The film has a sort of inevitable story... you know what will happen but it doesn't in the least mar your enjoyment or appreciation.* I actually didn't expect that ending. And the final touch was the cherry on the top. *Those last few shots - one at the gate outside when she leaves his car to go into the palace....and then at the end when Peck is walking slowly out of the press interview.... Wyler just drags them out forever....purposefully. You and Peck really expect that she will come running back to him.... but ..... well...you know. It's the reason I like Peck in this movie. I can't think of another movie in which the man is left full of love, so completely changed, waiting like that. Except for The Third Man . And I can see Peck is choked up. I think he really was. Heartbreaking.* That's an excellent comparison. I didn't think of that one. I wouldn't have enjoyed the film nearly as much if the Princess (Audrey) ran to him. *I thought you would hate it. I thought you would think of it as overblown, trashy, and well....like Ro said. And you SAY you don't like Elizabeth Taylor.... * I like Tennessee Williams' brand of trash. But I will say, I didn't like the film at all for the first half hour or so. It was annoying the heck out of me. But once Brick (Paul Newman) and Big Daddy (Burl Ives) started to spend time with each other, I fell for the film. I was in tears. I'm very much a "Brick." Well, a straight one, that is. Both *Cat on a Hot Tin Roof* and *Roman Holiday* made me cry. I'm learning that I like Liz's big mouth. When she's spittin', I like her. *On the plus side, it's got incredibly great performances by Jack Carson, Burl Ives, and Judith Anderson.* I wasn't big on Jack Carson, but I thought Burl Ives and Judith Anderson were amazing. I've never seen a more emotional performance from Judith. She was at her very best. And Burl is hard to top. He has a real screen presence. And "Sister Woman" (Madeleine Sherwood) was killing me with her "Brick" barbs at the end of the film. I love lines such as "the Punch Bowl" and her saying, "Maybe he'll cheer Big Daddy up by kicking a couple of field goals." Hilarious! *And it's about a woman who will do anything to get her man back, and to protect his interests, so I guess I should have known you'd like it. * I didn't see the film that way. I saw it as Brick saying life is about the impact we make on people and how we treat them, how we spend our time with them, how we can love them. Big Daddy was all about building an "Empire." He felt that by just providing a good life for his family that was "love." Brick wants to smash all the loveless possessions. Maggie (Liz) was mostly looking out for herself. She wanted a piece of Big Daddy's Empire. Brick could care less. He just wanted his father's love. The film speaks of real love versus superficial love.

Hiya, Little Red Buick -- *I am never going to pay attention to what you SAY you like again. * What do you mean?! *I should have gone with my first list before I changed my mind.* Trust yourself! *I am so glad you liked Nina Petrovna!* I loved it! It's now #12 on my favorite silents list and #145 on my all-time classic list. The film reminded me of *Morocco*, but directed by Max Ophuls or Douglas Sirk instead Josef von Sternberg. Brigitte Helm (*Metropolis*) seemed to be Marlene before Marlene. The "door" scene at the beginning is one of the most beautiful I've seen. Loved the ending. *Roman Holiday is such unabashed fairy tale, I thought you would hate it.* The ending is what makes the film for me. Without that ending, I wouldn't have cared about it so much. But that ending is powerful. I just love the entire idea of the memories (photos). It's beautiful. *I am truly surprised at your reaction to CAT.* Really? Why? Heya, Burnt Toast Maker -- *HA! Well.. I have NO answer for you on that.. ha. And here I was so sure you two would be PERFECT for each other!! You know... A woman who only thinks what you IMAGINE she is thinking..(ha) * I know better! *(and ps.. I can't say it is my "fave" Duke role either.. but I did not see him as "doofy" the way you did.. oh well.* It reminded me of *Donovan's Reef* and *McLintock!*. Those kind of films just don't play well with me because of their "goofy." *And I bet you liked it for all the reasons I STRUGGLE with when I have seen it in the past. I have a sort of "love/hate" thing with this movie... ha. It is like watching a train wreck.. I WANT to turn it off.. and yet.. I just keep watching. ha.* What's the love and what's the hate with *Cat on a Hot Tin Roof* ?

*I'm just happy that both Frank and Natalie landed in the middle and not the bottom. Funny how you got to see them in two separate movies, but in the same batch, this time.* Yes, Natalie wasn't sticking poor Frank in the back! Horrible! I liked both *Pal Joey* and *Love with the Proper Stranger*. Nat is cute when she's cooking dinner. I can't say I was crazy about Steve McQueen, though.

Hey there, Quiet Gal -- *A) I am LOUSY at pegging you.* But I enjoy that! * You already know.. or can guess that I have only seen a handful of the films you listed.* That's the reason why I don't ask you. It's really difficult to know if a person is gonna like a film or not if you haven't seen it yet. *And. C) you probably just don't GIVE a flying fig what I think, anyway HA. (oh, I will choose C!!)* Never! *And PS: I THINK you would like COHTR* See, you were right! *but OH of course I am most curious to see HOW you have rated my beloved Blood Alley. OH the suspense... OH the intrigue. ha.. I honestly have NO idea what you will say about it. I can see how you MIGHT say you loved it.. and then again.. I can see you saying "meh" too.. (because did I mention how LOUSY I am at pegging you?? ha) But you at least HAVE to tell me that you liked "Baby"... she IS the PERFECT woman, after all) * Sigh. I thought it was too goofy. I'm not that fond of the "goofy" Duke. I liked Lauren Bacall. But all the Chinese stuff drove me nuts. I probably would have enjoyed the film more if it were done seriously. And "Baby" drove me nuts, too!

Ooops! I'll fix it.

Ciao, Jackie -- *I'm gonna be guessing all over the place here, partly because I haven't seen some of these, but also because I have a feeling you will actually like some of the ones that you shouldn't, according to your voiced opinions before. * *1.* *The Talk of the Town (4)* *2.* *The Wonderful Lies of Nina Petrovna (1)* *3.* *House of Strangers (7)* *4.* *Love with the Proper Stranger (6)* *5.* *Green Fire (9)* *6.* *Blood Alley (10)* *7.* *Roman Holiday (3)* *8.* *Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (2)* *9.* *The Mating Season (8)* *10.* *Pal Joey (5)* Not too bad. My rankings are in parentheses. You've got good taste. Well, sometimes. *I'm really torn about Pal Joey - I think you will like the darker side to the hero, and it has Kim, but I defer to MissG, realizing it is a musical I placed it at the bottom.* I ended up liking it for its stars. In fact, all three are favorites of mine. *I also had* *Roman Holiday much higher, probably due to the fact that I love the movie, but I changed my mind. This is a movie I HATED when I first saw it. Now, well let me say.... I really really LOVE Gregory Peck in this movie (except for the extremely creepy way he tries to take the little girl's camera). He and Audrey are so sensitive and in tune with one another here, plus it's WYler. I can't help but love the movie.* You love *Roman Holiday* AND Gregory Peck?! And he's nothing but Gregory Peck! I give up! Women! *Me? I'd take the Italian barber, he's adorable. * Horrible!

I'm gonna give you the challenge of ranking how I liked the last ten films I watched, Spunky. I know you probably haven't seen them all, though. Three of the films have made my top 250 of all time. Here they are: Blood Alley Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Green Fire House of Strangers Love with the Proper Stranger The Mating Season Pal Joey Roman Holiday The Talk of the Town The Wonderful Lies of Nina Petrovna Of the titles Miss G knew I was watching, she predicted I'd like them like this: 1. The Talk of the Town 2. The Mating Season 3. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof 4. House of Strangers 5. Roman Holiday 6. Love with the Proper Stranger 7. Green Fire 8. Pal Joey

*I'd be very curious to see a one or two line blurb from you about some of your favorite films in your next 123.* Do you mean the entire list or the films on your list? *The Birds* -- The film has slowly risen for me because I came to understand it's about a woman who is hoping and trying to be accepted by her potential mother-in-law. I love how Melanie (Tippi Hedren) changes who she is because she has found something real and meaningful to her. *Laura* -- I enjoy the mixing of film noir and mystery. The film noir is provided by the moody obsession of Mark McPherson (Dana Andrews) and the equally moody direction (Otto Preminger) and cinematography (Joseph LaShelle). This is also the first time I saw Gene Tierney, and I fell for her just as Mark does. *Leave Her to Heaven* -- I love how this film plays as a serene nightmare. The most memorable moment from the film matches the entire vibe of the film, perfectly. The idea of the beautiful monster is found here. I like that a lot. *The Ox-Bow Incident* -- Like 12 Angry Men and Inherit the Wind, this film matches my worldview, for the most part. The idea of certain and swift majority justice seems to be always pushed by some sort of ego, arrogance, and a feeling of superiority and self-righteousness. I tend to favor the minority because I always feel the majority cannot see or refuses to see the other side. I'm not one to join a crowd. *Angel Face* -- This is another quiet, beautiful monster story, ala Leave Her to Heaven. I think Jean Simmons is brilliant in the lead. Robert Mitchum is always the perfect film noir fool. *Born to Kill* -- I'm very taken by how frightening this film noir is. This is another "monster" story, but this Tierney (Lawrence) is intense and horrifying. The beginning of this film really sets the stage. Laury Palmer (Isabel Jewell) ( Twin Peaks , anyone?) provides us with "be careful what you wish for." Claire Trevor is film noir. *A Letter to Three Wives* -- I love Joseph L. Mankiewicz's understanding of woman and he paints some interesting canvases of woman in this film. The mix of wanting, demanding, pitching, and, most of all, insecurity (paranoia) is wonderful. I also liked seeing the different kinds of relationships and how love comes to mean something different with each. *Tall in the Saddle* -- A western mystery that's fun? It's really fun. "Rocklin" is my second favorite John Wayne character and Ella Raines makes the perfect childish counterpart. I tend to love childish women in movies. *Detour* -- I have to be in the mood for this one because it's very unsettling. Once again, this is a "monster" film in film noir. Vera (Ann Savage) is one of the greatest "monsters" of film noir. This plays into the male fear of a woman holding a man captive... physically. Mental and emotional is one thing, but physical? *Pandora and the Flying Dutchman* -- I love the sheer mysticism and romance of this film. It's a very raw and "naked" film about love. You can't find a better actress to portray that than Ava Gardner. *Murder, My Sweet* -- Like most detective films, this plays more like a mystery flick than film noir. Dick Powell makes such a great "Philip Marlowe." He's one of the best wise-crackers around, and I'm not sure how many people give him the credit he deserves. Powell is a huge reason why I like this film. I also love Claire Trevor's performance. She's very sexy in this one. It's a very entertaining film. *A Place in the Sun* -- Romeo and Juliet with a very dark underbelly. I love the commentary this film makes about self-confidence and lackthereof and how so many of us can find ourselves trapped by it. Does anyone play the unwanted woman any better than Shelley Winters? *The Awful Truth* -- A maniacally jealous Cary Grant equals tons of laughs for me. You won't see Grant much crazier than he is in this film. He's fantastic. And Irene Dunne easily keeps pace with him, which is saying a lot. I love that they hate to love each other that much. Aunt Patsy (Cecil Cunningham) is wonderful.

Okay, I just finished looking over your list, CinemAva. I like it. I like quite a few on your list. In fact, twenty of the films on your list of 123 can be found in my top 123 films. Those are: 8. Out of the Past 9. Psycho 16. In a Lonely Place 17. Cat People 19. The Manchurian Candidate 26. His Girl Friday 28. Casablanca 30. Notorious (it made your list!) 37. Fallen Angel (impressive) 49. On Dangerous Ground 57. Double Indemnity 76. Shadow of a Doubt 81. Gilda 82. Johnny Guitar 84. The Mummy 94. Sweet Smell of Success 97. Nightmare Alley 100. The Maltese Falcon 103. The Killers 109. Frankenstein No surprise, our connection is film noir, Hitch, and horror. Actually, the surprise is horror. I didn't know you liked horror films that much. I've seen 65 of the 123 films on your list. That actually makes me feel good. Some films are in my next 123 films, such as: The Birds Laura Leave Her to Heaven The Ox-Bow Incident Angel Face Born to Kill A Letter to Three Wives Tall in the Saddle Detour Pandora and the Flying Dutchman Murder, My Sweet A Place in the Sun The Awful Truth

Where's The Letter?! Now I'm gonna look over your favorites, Lively Gal.

Hiya, Madhat -- *Man of the World is the only one in that collection that I have left as well. I'll be interested in hearing your thoughts on that one.* I'm gonna try to watch it in the coming weeks. I'm curious to see Powell and Lombard prior to *My Man Godfrey*. Quite a few years before, actually. *We basically like the same characters. It's just a matter of degree. I included Mary Magiz and Julie Eden, who you haven't seen yet. You included Doris Worthington and she didn't quite make my list. We both have Helen Barlett at number three. We're farthest apart on Kay Colby and I like Irene Bullock a little more than you do I guess. It was hard for me to do the list because I really do like all them for various reasons.* I'm with you, I pretty much like most every Carole performance and character. Even if the movie isn't the best, Carole's presence raises its value for me. *Well I would hope so, but just the act of dating someone means changing your life around. I may have gone past that point by now. You never know though. I will never say never. * Tell me about it. I struggle with change with everything. I need a lot of kicks to the rear. *I'm just the opposite. I will go through phases though, but there is a time and a place for everything with me. "Classic rock", well I liked most of it when it was still new. I grew up on it, and the same with new wave and other stuff from the eighties. That music literally takes me back in time. I like sixties Motown. I also like country music, not the current stuff, but the real thing. George Jones, Hank Williams, Patsy Cline and so on. I even groove to the original Carter Family. I can get into classical and bluegrass. I love the song books. I've even been known to party down with southern rock on occassion. When Lynyrd Skynyrd's plane went down my high school went into official mourning, and I was devastated. Such was the environment from which I sprang.* *I also like folk music, heck, I think Joni Mitchell was a beautiful poet. I loved The Velvet Underground,with and without Nico, T. Rex and early Bowie, Alice Cooper, Rush, and I was raised on the Beatles and the Stones. It's all a matter of mood to me. I just have never been able to embrace rap. I guess that came too late for me. * Wow, you weren't kidding about your liking many different kinds of music! I'm always impressed by people who can actually like a variety of music. I have a certain kind of sound that I respond to, which drastically limits my range. *I was well into DC by the time Super Friends first came on. I remember being disappointed because I just wanted a straight Justice League show with all the members included. I was a big fan of the Legion of Super Heroes from the time I was really little. I liked Teen Titans too. Also Green Arrow, Green Lantern and Flash comics. Superman and Batman too. With Marvel, I was a big fan of The Avengers which is one of the least hyped of their series today. Also I liked Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four.* *Early on as a kid I started collecting the older ones. From the sixties and even the fifties. Now they are all in a time warp for me. I don't pay attention to the new films or even the new comics. That has all passed me by. I still have my collection intact though.* Very impressive! You're an old-school diehard. I like it. Strange enough, what I like the very most in the Marvel universe are The Avengers. My favorite superheroes: {font:Arial}1. Batman{font} {font:Arial}2. Aquaman{font} {font:Arial}3. Green Arrow{font} {font:Arial}4. Green Lantern5. Sub-Mariner (Prince Namor){font} {font:Arial}6. Vision{font} {font:Arial}7. Hawkeye{font} {font:Arial}8. Superman{font} 9. Wonder Woman 10. Spider-Man 11. Hawkgirl 12. Robin 13. Hawkman 14. The Atom 15. The Human Torch 16. The Flash 17. The Beast 18. Doctor Fate 19. Iron Man 20. The Mighty Thor 21. Red Tornado 22. Shazam 23. Scarlet Witch 24. Wonder Man 25. Wasp

Good evening, Madhat -- *Yes, I wanted to watch Love Before Breakfast first, which I did.* Very good! *While I did like the film, I didn't rank it high on my list because I really couldn't stand Preston Foster's character, particularly at first, and it sort of set me off. Grant or Gable would have been better suited to the role. What I did like was Carole's performance. I thought she was really good in this and I liked the back and forth between the two of them, especially when she was getting the better of him. Did you like his character in the film?* If I remember correctly, I did like Preston Foster. But it's definitely Carole's emotional tornado that I liked most about the film. She gives Miss G a run in that one. *It basically comes in three parts. The "he tries to win her over and she won't have it" part, the "he gives up and she does a turn around" part. Then the "she's back to being angy at him" part.* Women! There's no "she does a turn around" part with me. They're always angry at me. *So anyway here is my ranked list of Carole films that I've seen.* Nicely done! You've seen quite a few Carole flicks. So it's definitely *In Name Only* and *The Gay Bride* that I should see next. Although, I'm gonna watch *Man of the World* first because it's the last one in the Carole collection that I need to see. It stars William Powell. *The only real turkey in the bunch is Made for Each Other, and I know a number of people who would argue with that assestment.* I didn't like that one at all, so we're in complete agreement. *My top ten Carole Lombard film performances:* *1. Irene Bulluck in* *My Man Godfrey* *2. Maria Tura in* *To Be or Not to Be* *3. Helen Barlett in* *True Confession* *4. Ann in* *Mr. and Mrs. Smith* *5. Hazel Flagg in* *Nothing Sacred* *6. Maggie Majis in* *The Gay Bride* *7. Mildred Plotka aka Lily Garland in* *Twentieth Century* *8. Wanda Nash aka Princess Olga in* *The Princess Comes Across* *9. Julie Eden in* *In Name Only* *10. A Tie Kay Colby in* *Love Before Breakfast and Regi Allen in* *Hands Across the Table.* Awesome! You're on a roll! My favorite Carole performances would be: 1. Ann Krausheimer Smith in *Mr. and Mrs. Smith* 2. Kay Colby in *Love Before Breakfast* 3. Helen Bartlett in *True Confession* 4. Lily Garland in *Twentieth Century* 5. Maria Tura in *To Be or Not to Be* 6. Wanda Nash/Princess Olga in *The Princess Comes Across* 7. Irene Bullock in *My Man Godfrey* 8. Hazel Flagg in *Nothing Sacred* 9. Doris Worthington in *We're Not Dressing* 10. Regi Allen in *Hands Across the Table* *Ha! I'm sure there are plenty of woman lining up to date you. Look how you charm all the ladies on this board.* Not even close! *I gave up dating a while back. I'm too set in my ways now to change for anyone now.* Maybe someone will accept you as you are. *My musical choices are quite long and varied. A list of those would really be impossible! I was into most everything back in the eighties too.* Like everything, I'm very limited in my likes. I just like rap and 80s music with some 70s music tossed in there, such as disco. *Yes they do! She was a big Marlene Dietrich fan and she had a crush on Glenn Ford of all people.* I'd get along with her, then. I'm a fan of both Marlene and Glenn Ford. I'm drawn to Glenn in film noir and westerns. He's really good in those two worlds. *I'm not so sure about that. Jackie might actually be on to something. The question is will you take that leap Frank? * Maybe. It will be a little while, though. *A lot of people, particularly back then, thought Marvel was cooler than DC but I grew up more on DC characters and I really liked them both.* Most guys younger than myself like Marvel. It's almost a lock. I came to like DC because of the Super Friends cartoon. *I am getting more and more like that. I always record the movies I want ot see because I want to wacth them in peace, and that can only be late at night. I usually have it on in the background a lot but I turn it off when I'm recording something.* I usually have sports or music in the background while I'm on the Internet. If I want to watch something, I'll go with a DVD or what I've recorded off of TCM. *I can definitely understand that. I like her Irene more with each viewing. There's just something that really appeals to me in that character and the whole film is just wonderful.* I'm in the minority with this one. I like the other performers more than Carole in *My Man Godfrey*.

*Hey you have terrible taste in candy.* I see! We're night and day with our candies. I wouldn't touch your stash! *What is opera fudge? Why is it different from regular fudge?* Opera fudge is a butter cream. It's not really fudge. http://www.wertzcandy.com/opera.asp *I like anything nutty (don't speak), chewy or crunchy. Sours (don't!), and I also like candy with coconut and black licorice scotty dogs.* Sour and nutty? Yeah, that's you! I don't like coconut and I only like peanuts in the nut world. I'm not that big on sour, either.

*Are you wearing RED?!!!* No, Marnie! I'm a "blue" guy. I'm soothing. *No, I was trying to be soothing. You probably have never experienced that and didn't recognize it.* Marnie was, too! After she shot her horse! Poor, Movieman! Dr. Chumley speaks for many guys. No names equals no commitment. Favorite Candy: 1. Opera Fudge 2. Fudge 3. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups 4. Peppermint Patties 5. Gummi Bears 6. Sugar Babies 7. Skittles 8. Salt Water Taffy 9. Twix 10. Junior Mints 11. Raisinets 12. Chocolate/Strawberry Licorice 13. Kit Kat 14. Snickers 15. M&Ms 16. Hershey Chocolate Bar 17. Mr. Goodbar 18. Baby Ruth 19. Goobers 20. Whoppers

*There there....there there......* Oh, no! She's Marnie!

*I probably should also have a column indicating genre and another column with a listing of actors as well. Maybe even writers and the whole ball of wax.* The performers are the toughest for me. I started being strict about it, but then I started to add more and more character actors. *I thought for sure you would have had more silents in your collection by now.* My brother is the one with the silents. I'm now looking to buy some of the silents he owns. I still have to get some of Fritz Lang's silents. *I know that you are a huge fan of film noirs and you like the western genre as well. We have had this conversation before that even though you started out watching many films from the 1980's that once you became aware of this message board and the influence of those who write here, your involvement with classic films began to grow.* I was just starting to get into classic film right before I joined the board. I had seen most of Hitchcock and quite a few films noir, but I was lacking in most every other area. I joined this board to basically talk Hitch and film noir. That was my initial goal. I would have never guessed I'd end up watching John Ford, Gary Cooper, John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe, Ava Gardner, Vivien Leigh, Greer Garson, Clark Gable, Ernst Lubitsch, etc. *I too have a lot of films in my collection that I have not seen (this is sort of an off-shoot of another conversation about the Greatest Films lists I just made). But many of my favorite films are not yet available on DVD.* I'm pretty much a collector, but with limitations. I like owning the movies so I can watch them when I feel like it.

*My excel list includes Title, Genre, Year, Director, and Principal stars (Or whoever I'm most interested in the cast).* You do the same as I do, except the only genres I label are film noir and westerns. I also include the ratings for each film from Leonard Maltin and Video Hound. I also mark which DVDs I've yet to watch. *It would be interesting to add writers. Hmmmm.* I agree. I'd like to add writers and cinematographers.

Hey there, Doctor J -- *It's the tea Frankie!* Poisoned! *I wonder if continued consumption will make you tap dance on your own or even watch the graceful Fred Astaire.* I'm much too shy to dance, Shy Girl. *I never thought I would hear a possible attempt on your part to watch a musical. I'm shocked! Now I'll need therapy. haha* That was funny! I'm long past therapy being a help! I've yet to see a musical with dancing, so I'm worried. *It's nice to hear you appreciate the smooth Maurice Chevalier and his wonderful French accent.* I like him, Fifi! Oui, oui! *Good going Miss G!* It's usually bad going with her! Ciao, Spunky -- *YESSSS! But I won't say why. You'll have to watch it first to find out why I think you will.* Awful! It would be a major upset if I like Fred Astaire or any kind of musical with dancing. *That is, if I can remember after my recent "lobotomy". * You were dangerous before, but now I'm absolutely terrified! I should have left you talk about Harvey as much as you wanted. Oh, well. How do, Quiet Gal -- *Not yet... that is not on the "schedule of torture" for another few weeks or so.. ha. (you didn't know we had a "schedule" did you???) * I always thought the schedule was the daily calendar. *I've since watched The Sea Chase.* *And the verdict on that one is_______________.* I wasn't too fond of it. I usually like the Duke at sea, but this one just didn't do much for me. Lana Turner has been missing with me. *In the meantime.. get to crackin' on Blood Alley, buster. I am interested in your thoughts on it. It is not your "typical" Duke role. Not sure where you are going to come down on it all together (I am not nearly so good at pegging your opinions on some movies as Miss G) but I think you will at least like it SOMEwhat.* I may watch that next. Or I may not!

Hey, FXReyman -- My current DVD breakdown goes as follows: 1910s - 10 films 1920s - 27 1930s - 196 1940s - 289 1950s - 259 1960s - 87 1970s - 34 1980s - 28 1990s - 6 2000s - 2 That's 938 films. I haven't watched 451 of them. I've seen some of those films, I just haven't watched the DVD of those films. 180 of those films are film noir, while 144 are westerns. So just over a third of the films I have on DVD are films noir/westerns.

*Well.. I DO understand that.. ha. (you do remember you are talking to the queen of "thrifty" ha.. (sounds ever so much better than.. "tightwad" ha.)* I'm a sales hawk with DVDs. I set a price that I'll buy. About threes ago, I remember telling an acquiantance of mine that I won't be getting box sets from performers such as Clark Gable. I've been poisoned. *I think Miss G has you pegged though. I don't expect rave reviews overall on this one from you* She has me pegged with her skillet! Reading the tea leaves, I also see my take being exactly how Snippy says. *Not SO, my DEAR friend. ha. Only the hat pin is for a "rear flank" sort of maneuver.. ha. The scissors are always used for the frontal assault, don't you know. Right upside the noggin' just like Vance used to do.. ha. * Make it the rear flank! Make it the rear flank! *WHAT?? I thought you had seen that one. Oh GOOD golly.. It has been such a long time since I blabbed.. I mean "Rambled" on that one, I plum forgot you were still MIA on it. Good gravy.. I must be slipping in my old age!! Ha. (A Peacemaker's work is never done) sigh...* *By ALL means.. you should watch that one. (BABY is waiting for you!!) Hop to it, Mister!! Don't MAKE me break open the freezer for a ROPE!!)* ** I didn't get that box set until earlier this year. I got it for *Tall in the Saddle*. I've since watched *The Sea Chase*.