FrankGrimes

Hiya, Jackie F -- I have to agree with you, Isabel is a drip.... A drip? At least Ellen (Leave Her to Heaven) was all about loving a guy. Think about Lone Star- I think it is John Sayles best movie so far. I have't seen Lone Star yet, either. I bet you have a thing for Virginia Mayo too......You have a masochistic streak. I've only seen one Virginia Mayo film: The Proud Ones. Nope, I haven't seen White Heat yet. I do like Audrey Totter, though. Howdy, Lynn -- Well, Friendly Frankie, you better have some bourbon or whiskey around when those noir dames show up on your doorstep because they like to drink almost as much as they like to smoke. You do allow smoking in the house for them, don't you? They'll be very disappointed if you don't and I'm sure they would be good at doling out a punishment to you. You have a point there, Lynn. Maybe I'll try the punishment plan. Well, just as long as it's not Vera (Ann Savage in Detour).

Love that BronxGirl! -- Gloria actualy looks fairly attractive in that first photo, with those black gloves. She has a certain cat-like allure although she doesn't conform to conventional beauty.. "Conform to conventional beauty" are the key words. Guys and gals tend to view beautiful women differently. Guys don't always think in pure terms when it comes to beauty and my usage of the word "pure" does have multiple connotations. Gloria isn't a classical beauty along the lines of Vivien Leigh, Hedy Lamarr, and Elizabeth Taylor but she's gorgeous to me. I'm attracted to Gloria more than Viv, Hedy, and Liz. Of my favorites, I consider Grace Kelly and Gene Tierney to be the most beautiful but they don't always reach me sexually like Gloria does. Gloria just does it for me. Did you know that she's descended from royalty? I didn't know this. I pretty much view her as royalty. What are you, Woody Allen --- attracted to girls who play games and are emotional train wrecks?? That ain't good. I'm more on the compassionate side so I'm usually drawn to the passionate-types. Here's the catch, any girl without love in their heart ain't good. Those are the gals a guy needs to avoid at all costs. A highly-emotional girl who plays games AND is heartless is a no-no. That's a real femme fatale. My favorite Gene is Lucy, not Lucia. I like her plain and simple and a bit unsure. I like both, but I prefer Lucia because she comes to life as Lucia. She's happy as Lucia. I don't like her Laura character -- as Mark tells her, "For a lovely and attractive girl you sure surround yourself with a prize collection of dopes". She's too kind-hearted for her own good (as Bessie knows) but she's also pretty stupid. I mean, WHO IN HELL WOULD CONSIDER MARRYING SHELBY??? (except Judith) And if Mark looked like Wally Cox she'd NEVER be interested in him. So oily muscle is still the measure of a man with her. (along with his complete devotion) Laura is on the immature side. I think she's the type that becomes more attractive as she matures emotionally. She's basically misguided. Mark could be the guy that reaches her, but something tells me that he probably is not. I'm not sure he's dynamic enough. Carol Lombard, eh? I hear George Raft said she was the "sexiest broad" in the world with a mouth like a sailor. He caught her in her dressing room **** as a jaybird, powdering herself, and was completely unselfconscious as he was ogling her. I don't find Carole to be a classic beauty and she's not necessarily super sexy, but her personality reaches me sexually. It's her emotional energy combined with her unique beauty that generates the sparks with me. Double G over Crain? Mmmmm hmmmmmmmmmm! Now Joan and Constance are fine, but you know that's not the B family I'm talkin' about. Are you trying to strip me of all my manliness?

Hi there, Fordy Guns -- Lol...you get some points there for giving so much shelf space to a sappy hack director you don't like. And you get some points for calling Ford what he is, a sappy hack director. So how many F.W. Murnau films have you seen, Mrs. Sappy Hack Director? Laughing or taking extreme pleasure in? Not even laughing at but with I'm not buyin' that one. I'm not the one who likes violent scenes and psychos. Aren't you the gal who says she likes it when a guy fights in her honor or when two guys fight over you, Laurie? You love to present a sweet face to your adoring public but there's a hidden lover of psycho violence living inside of yourself. You can fool Butterscotch, but you can't fool me. Howdy, Bronx Blossom -- So were you attracted to Scarlett? Mmm hmmmmmm! I knew I would be, too. She's the perfect combo for you -- the cute girly-girl and the gritty tough broad. She's perfect for me because she's an emotional train wreck who plays games. Never a dull moment with that vixen. But you've got to keep her in line or she'll walk all over you. It's impossible to keep Scarlett in line. It's best you let her walk all over you. Well, it's best to let her believe she's walking all over you. You're fixated on Gloria, Mmmmm hmmmmmmmmm! but imo she's not EVEN PRETTY!! Hey! Gloria is a darling little angel full of sweetness. She's not Grace Kelly in terms of natural beauty, but I find her intoxicatingly alluring. I love her eyes, lips, and hair. I also love her Betty Rubble voice. It's a major turn-on for me. And of all the classic actresses I have met up with so far, Gloria is the one who speaks to me sexually the most. Claudia Cardinale is second on that list. Linda Darnell, Joan Bennett, and Carole Lombard (a wild cat!) are a few others who do the same for me. I once read that she put tissues behind her lips to pouf them out more. I'm not sure this enhanced her look. This is true. Gloria was very insecure about her upper lip being too thin, so she used tissue to give it a fuller look. She would actually do kissing scenes with the tissue and actors would sometimes get a mouthful. I could go for some tissue right about now. I actually love Gloria's thin upper lip because I fawn over her poutiness. You don't really want to be in a lonely place, do you?? I've been told this. Wouldn't you rather be enscounced at Gull Cottage with a sweet woman (okay, she's got a ghost fetish, but you can turn her around with your alive self) With Gene Tierney? Ahhh, yes. That would be very nice. I do love Lucia. If I had to pick one Gene character I'd want to be with, it would be Lucia. She's a doll. Wouldn't you rather have lovely Jeanne Crain in your arms instead of the hot-blooded but untrustworthy noir babes? I realize Linda Darnell is pretty nigh irresistible but these ladies are exhausting and they'll ultimately betray you. We're in CineMaven country with Jeannie Crain. Would I rather be with the "gal with the hoe" versus EBH? Yes. Ellen is a little too much for me. I actually like Ellen more than Isabel (The Razor's Edge), though. Noir babes vs. Crain? That depends on which ones. I'll take "Stella" (the pretty nigh irresistible Linda Darnell in Fallen Angel) over Crain. I'll take Double G over Crain. But, you are correct, I'd much rather be with a sweet girl than a bad girl. I prefer sweet girls who have a sneaky bad side. Sweet and sour. RANDOM HARVEST is a step in the right direction, but it's still not good enough, my friend. You need to spend some time with the Bennett family. But I have been spending time with the Bennett family. A lot of time.

Howdy, Lady Lynn! -- I'd stop worrying about your wounds as MissG (or is it BGirl) with the voodoo pins will be sure that you are always in pain. One has pins and one has pins AND claws. To get your mind off the pain, I suggest (rather than insist, because that just isn't polite) the following: Obsession You owe it to yourself to watch this one, esp. given how much you love Vertigo I have not seen Obsession and I am a De Palma fan. The Ford films- You can only put them off for so long before the other two ladies humiliate you into submission so I will wait patiently but you are missing some great movies by being so obstinate. "Obstinate." Now that's a word I have heard quite a few times from a sneaky girl in a skirt. I do own 16 Ford films on DVD now and that could go up to 22, so it's not like I'm totally obstinate. How Green Was My Valley is next, but I've got another valley to visit prior to that. Maybe I'll visit both. The Professionals Lee Marvin and Burt Lancaster and one of your faves, Claudia Cardinale plus you get to hear Burt say "Hello Baby" in that great way he has. The Professionals? Do you really think I'd like that film? The Professionals is a very enjoyable western. I call it the "A-Team" western. Point Blank Lee Marvin as a hit man with Angie Dickinson for you. She beats Lee with her purse. I love Point Blank. It's one of my favorite films from the 60s. I'm definitely a Lee Marvin fan. Many of us guys are. Many of us guys are bigger fans of Angie. Eight Men Out John Sayles takes on the Chicago Black Sox story. Why? Because modern movies can be good too. I've also seen this film, but it's been years and years since I last saw it. It's one of the best baseball films ever made and I'm pretty darn critical of such films since baseball is my favorite sport. Have you seen LA Confidential. You should. You'll love Kim Basinger. I have not seen L.A. Confidential yet. I'm pretty sure I'd like it, though. Really Frankie, there is nothing as good as spending an evening with a good film and a good drink. I'll go with watching a film with someone you deeply care about as an enjoyable evening. I'm someone who gets intoxicated on people versus drinks. Howdy, Fordy Guns! -- I'm starting to feel a lot like Peabody Oh my, I must admit I'm still laughing at that one! Hee! Laughing or taking extreme pleasure in? Let the deprogramming begin: "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife" That line must have been written by a single woman in search of a man in possession of a good fortune, because that's the only way it makes any kind of sense. The always sexy Claudia Cardinale in The Professionals

Hola, Sheriff Butterscotch -- his mr, hyde might go away more and more if he would watch more of those kinds of movies. he might even become sappy.....well thats probably an overstatement. watching films like A Clockwork Orange is ruining his perspective on the whole world. he thinks everyone has to be a murderer to lead a happy life. i mean he wants smithy to be a serial killer!! I'm actually starting to get A Clockwork Orange feeling with all this deprogramming going on. Smithy would be far more interesting of a character if he was Jack the Ripper. Paula's unconditional love would be pushed to the limit in such a setting. Now that's romance! Love that Bronxgirl! -- Wait, I'm reading that you say you HAVEN'T SEEN A VIVIEN LEIGH OR GREER GARSON MOVIE??? Are you just funnin', or is it true? I'm just funnin'. I strapped myself down and pinned my eyes open and watched Random Harvest and Gone with the Wind... ON THE SAME DAY. Ugh! I need to grab me some Gloria Grahame and find a lonely place where she can kiss me deadly. Have you seen the 1940 Greer Garson-Lawrence Olivier PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, and loved it? No, and I'm thinking it's going to be a mortal lock that I'm not going to love it. If you have and did, you are redeemable. I'm irredeemable! That's quite evident. And I was hurrying you to see CROSSING DELANCEY. You can't see Amy Irving and the Pickle Man until you've seen GWTW, P&P, A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE. I've seen the overcooked Gone with the Wind but I haven't seen the other two. "Blanche" looks to be my kind of dame, though. Bonjour, Miss Never Hungry Again ( ) -- Lol! He just keeps feeling nostalgiac for the "good ol' days" at the Bates Motel when people didn't bother him about missing persons. He feels he has to compensate for the loss of those halcyon times. Maybe, as you and Bronxie say, Mr and Mrs Darcy will lead him back on the right path. You seem to be a little tense. I think a nice, warm shower would do you a world of good. Don't resist, Frank! Can three beautiful women be wrong? Can any woman be right? :p The pickings are looking mighty slim in this group. Hey, Jackie F -- Oh, Frank, how can you resist such a beautiful picture? C'mon. Watch it. You can do it. Put aside "The Long Riders" "The Dirty Dozen" and "The Wild Bunch". Come have some tea.... ... and play with you forever and ever and ever. Redrum! Redrum! It's more like: Retuen! Retuen! I'm starting to feel a lot like Peabody

oh we do not. mr. dramatic king isnt he april? Yes he is. I think it's from watching too many films noir and movies like A Clockwork Orange. Now, if he'd just see more Greer Garson and Vivien Leigh movies, he'd calm down and get some perspective! More Greer and Viv? I've yet to see even one of their films. I guess that constitutes more. Plus, how would watching Greer and Viv cure me of my dramatics? That would seem to make me even worse. No, I think I need to scope more films noir and more films featuring psychotics and buckets of blood to cure me of my "dramatics."

Hola, Miss Bad Influence -- Butterscotch doesn't sniff tea! How shocking! She's a good girl. She was a good girl. She's since been poisoned. If I can just get her away from you and the other awful "A" girl, she may once again be good. Hi, Ex-Good Girl Greer -- i am wriggling my nose. wriggle wriggle! and KABOOM! Ohh, you're not a witch. You may not be a good girl anymore, but you're not a witch. me and april still love you. It's much too late for the sweet talk. I'm gonna look up "Kitty." I heard she's available.

Hiya, BronxBabe -- My pins are at the ready. I bet you just had them sharpened, too. By the way, if you ever run out of pins, there's a whole bunch stuck in a certain gal's hair around here. Just grab a handful. Hey there, Ma Mean Daisy -- Let's see, one side is sneaky, one is naughty, one is icy, one is dramatically funny, one likes electrical shock, one carries a garter gun, one carries a voodoo doll, one insists I watch Harvey, and one is very lively. Sybil is exceptionally crazy. thats quite a list you have there. im not so sure you can take care of them all. They seem to do a good job of taking care of me. I've got the bruises to prove it. Howdy, Lynn -- So, Frankie, have watched it yet? You'll feel much better after you do. I haven't watched Harvey yet. I've been too busy soaking my wounds. I may need to feel better after the past few days around here. I'm clearly in need of mental assistance if I'm posting Gone with the Wind caps. And for the record, there are other films I insist you should watch as well. Obsession and Ford films. What else? You're getting to be worse than the Goddess. I've been holding off and holding off on that Wayne/Ford box set yet you keep on pushing me and pushing me to my doom. I know one thing is probably for sure: She Wore a Yellow Ribbon cannot be any worse than Gone with the Wind. Talk about a CHORE.

Ciao, Finishing School Girl -- That's right! What do you think I have Tom around for? Decor? Goodness! What a little user you are! I hope Sweet T sees what kind of OLDER sestra she has. I've been trying and trying and trying to get that girl to smell the tea, but all she does is drink it. Maybe she'll soon realize that she's been getting sick ever since those Texas tea parties began. I wonder why. Hmmmmmmm... Hi there, Ramblin' Yellow Rose -- she's just the woman to call!! i dont think any spell is strong enough to contain frankie's personality, that is why i suggest using more than 1. heehee! More than one?! I like to see how that works. Go ahead, Samantha, wriggle your nose. okay metsie where are you, calling metsie!!!!! the voodoo doll always works, yes bronxie let us borrow it. I can behave for those two gals because they treat me well. You and the Goddess on the other hand...

Hi, ButtersickGreer -- oh april just put a spell on him and get it over with. heehee! i already told you i am sick, but not from april. How do you know the Goddess did not get you sick? I'm thinking she did. It surely wasn't me. You're not wearing your badge right now, are you? Hi, Miss Cauldron -- A thousand posts in one day? Only your Sybil can do that. Okay, so it takes you two days. A minor detail. You give me more credit than I deserve. Smartest thing you said all day. In the mean time maybe you can ask Metsie to whip up a potion and we can borrow Bronxie's voodoo doll if he still won't behave. Can't fight your own battles, Ranse? You're either hiding out in Monument Valley or runnin' to others for help. And stop posting photos of cats. You know I have a weakness for them.

four?five?six? goodness me, it never stops! a person would drop dead of being too cunfused for having that many sides. Let's see, one side is sneaky, one is naughty, one is icy, one is dramatically funny, one likes electrical shock, one carries a garter gun, one carries a voodoo doll, one insists I watch Harvey, and one is very lively. Sybil is exceptionally crazy.

Hola, Miss Former Texas -- What heart? - It's as big as Texas. And as cold as Manhattan. Congrats on 10,000 posts! This Count can't count. I just like to congratulate people a day in advance sometimes. Howdy, Miss Current Texas -- she's not lying frankie, her heart really is as big as Texas, even bigger!!! You must be coming down with something if you actually believe that. Ohhh, I get it now. You're in a trance. Stay away from that cauldron!

wow! three sides? that quite a handful frankie. Keep counting. I'm speaking to the sneaky side right now.

Hi, Ski Bunny -- its always the personality. a girl has two have two sides exactly like you. where's sybil? april have you seen her lately? i think frankie wants to see her? heehee! Two sides? This Count counts more than that. Good Snowy Afternoon, Mrs. Doniphon -- Are you sure he can't see them? He's always talking to them...oh no, maybe they've just replaced "Mother" in his mind.... I don't think Sybil is in my mind. She certainly exists around here. She's tough to keep up with, too.

What heart? Congrats on 10,000 posts!

From girl-to-woman. ...to-girl-to-woman-to-girl-to-woman-to girl... She's a doll!

Howdy, Miss Kitty -- You know you have a wonderful thread when you've converted Bronxie to watching and brilliantly analyzing westerns. Way to go, Pilmgrimess! By the way, I caught your little "exeCUTE." Yeah, I'm watching you. You bring up a point of interest to me that I'd like to ramble on, if I may. Go right ahead. It's your thread. I could be mistaken, but I don't think Ford was really one to employ irony as much as he may seem to. I used to think he did---especially in view of the whole "print the legend" thing. But, lately, situations in his films that appeared to be ironically presented, now seem less so. It gets more complicated than that. The guy said "print the legend"---but didn't Ford just present us with the truth---the facts? I'm still not sure which way to think on that one. Yes, you have it right. Ford tells us the truth and the truth changes our opinion of Ranse and Doniphon. We are basically playing the role of Hallie. That's why I believe watching The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is FAR MORE powerful after its initial viewing. Why? Because we know the truth at the beginning of the film. We understand Hallie's feelings right away and it hits you like a ton of bricks early. We don't feel this way in our initial viewing of the film because we must learn the truth. That's why watching his films has been a voyage of discovery---of the movies and of myself. So many of my first impressions have either altered or deepened. Back to the original thought, it's the relative lack of irony in his movies that makes them so dear to me. I believe irony distances you emotionally from something, it undercuts the power of direct emotional contact-- whereas Ford's films consistently pull me emotionally closer to what's happening on the screen. Which is also why I have difficulty discussing them without resorting to intense subjectivity. I've never become so personally attached to one director's works like his, it's as though a kindred spirit had made them so perhaps that's why I "feel" them more than simply "watch" them and yet they give my mind a great deal to ponder and wonder at. That was beautiful. I guess this Ford fella must be a great director if he can shut you up. Okay, I'm joking with you, Miss 9,000. Ford IS a great director because he reaches you emotionally and he does so by touch and feel, not by spoon. So why is it that you are unwilling to share your "intense subjectivity"? Intense subjectivity is far more compelling than any kind of objectivity. Do you fear some folks will say you are wrong, stubborn, foolish, and crazy? When I was a kid, it was the directors who were fairly saturated in irony who appealed to me: Hawks, Wilder, Huston to name the trinity. Lubitsch, too, and he and Hitch still hold rank. But Ford's movies are like old Ethan, they're out there, dwelling separate and apart from the others but near in my heart. Why do you think I tease you so much about Ford? Sappy Pappy is one of the most emotional directors I have come across thus far. His films have heart. Surprisingly, you've got taste, Blondle.

Howdy, Bronx Blossom! -- Please send my heartfelt wishes for a quick return to health to your mom, Barb. She's certainly a favorite of mine. You are lucky to have her close to you and she's even more fortunate to have you by her side. Y'all beautiful from where I sit. That was a powerful review of The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. I was blown away by it. You brought forth some brilliant observations and made many excellent points. You're a magnificently expressive writer and an especially keen viewer. You possess a uniquely wonderful eye. Not much gets by you. I'm completely in love with your ability to be serious one moment and playful the next. I believe both are needed to fully appreciate life, and you've got it down, girl. In the scenes where Wayne is blissfully unaware of the growing relationship between Hallie and Rance, Doniphon is the tough, self-assured, easy-going ruler of the roost in Shinbone, and he ambles around not in character it seems, but as the Duke, Wayne playing himself, clearly looking in his fifties, bemused at apparent ****-waist Stewart, but that's the smile of a proud lion of an actor showing up on the set as if he were a guest star in a vanity production of a friend, content to parody his vaulted screen persona. Then, after Tom knows the truth, Wayne then shifts into emotional gear and goes deep into his character's angst, miraculously becoming twenty years younger, actually looking like The Ringo Kid in STAGECOACH! The cinematography isn't attempting to "cover up" the aging Wayne as much as it's "opening up" the iconic timeless presence of Wayne as Ford's mythic cowboy. Brilliant! I loved your point about Doniphon taking his emotions more serious once he learns of the truth about Ranse and Hallie. Very true. Sadly for him, it's too late. But to his eternal credit, he chooses to continue to love Hallie over hating her. Now that's BRAVE. Painfully brave. In the case of Stewart, I at first was embarrassed by his portrayal -- all quivering "youthful" emotion and grit; despite the fact that he's from the East and is an intellectual, he's got plenty of moxie, defending Anna Lee and standing up to Liberty during the stagecoach robbery.(incomparable Lee Marvin), even though when he's being fed the Aquavit-and-coffee by Jeanette Nolan, he's hesitatingly drinking it like it was the foul brew he's forced to drink to get rid of Kim Novak's spell in BELL, BOOK AND CANDLE; he looks too vulnerable for his own good. Unlike Wayne, Stewart can't look twenty years younger but he ACTS as though he were 20 years old most of the time during the flashbacks, and his impassioned characterization harkens back to his own mythology as an actor, most especially in MR.SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON. Stewart as an actor always wears his emotions on his sleeve, so he's the perfect foil for the reserved and stoic Doniphon. (therefore, the laconic and reserved Henry Fonda wouldn't have been a good choice for Stoddard) Yet another outstanding observation and thought. Jimmy is definitely summoning Mr. Smith throughout his time in Shinbone. He's a very hopeful man whose naivete ultimately meets up with harsh reality. At times the movie reminded me of CITIZEN KANE -- you've got the power of the press, flashback sequences, myth vs. reality, an attempt to get at the truth of a legend, "nostalgic" black and white cinematography to enhance the stylization. Oooohhh, I like this one. I never thought of this, and I believe you to be very correct. There is a lot of Citizen Kane in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. What was that line from BRINGING UP BABY? I'm paraphrasing -- the love impulse is expressed through hostility, or aggression? I think Ford was the kind of person who in private could only express his emotions obliquely, and his characters on film seem to do the same. Hallie and Tom are both strong and seemingly invulnerable; you can tell they've had a contentious relationship since childhood. They're both so fond of each other but can't really express how they feel. You're on fire! You do get the sense that there is a lot of Ford in his films. I'm speaking of his own personal feelings and emotions toward love and humanity, especially relationships between men and women. The very best directors usually place their own heart and soul in their pictures. That's why their films tend to be deeper than most typical "let's shoot the script" directors. One of the biggest reasons why I seek out directors more so than actors or actresses is because of the personal touch of filmmaking. I also agree with you about Tom and Hallie both being headstrong and maybe "too comfortable" with each other. They are basically married and have been for quite some time. Everyone in town views them as a married couple, although they are not. I don't think it's Tom who is slow to marry Hallie; on the contrary, I think she's slow to come around to appreciate HIM. I think he just covers up when Peabody asks if Tom is going to get hitched; maybe to save face he tells him he doesn't want to be rushed. My first reaction to reading this was disagreement... but you may very well be right. Why? Because I believe it's Hallie who really is looking for something fresh and new, not Doniphon. Doniphon is content. He's very happy as things are. His life couldn't be any better. He's in control of his world. Conversely, I think Hallie longs for something different. Her life is stale and Ranse ends up being her breath of fresh air. He really does open her eyes, mind, and heart. Her world comes to life with Ranse. When I rewatch the film, I'm going to see if I can detect if Hallie is wanting or resisting marriage. My view of Doniphon would change if I believe Hallie is the one who is putting off marriage. Doniphon becomes all the more tragic and heroic if that is the case. If he's the one who put off marriage, then it's regret that overtakes him. I still believe this to be the case, but I'm gonna double-check my own feelings thanks to your astute thought. The opening is so poignant, Hallie's arthritic fingers slowly pointing to Tom's garden; her faint but unmistakable look of disgust at husband Rance as he's being the blowhard politician (you can tell they do not have a happy marriage, and she regrets not marrying Tom; her education came at a cost, to all of them) I still believe Hallie loves Ranse because of the look she gives him when he asks her if she wants to take up home in Shinbone. I just think Ranse fell victim to his own importance. He initially had Hallie on a pedestal but he eventually took her rightful spot. Frank, I see what you mean about Doniphon -- what self-sacrifice! As a "simple" love story, his actions could be viewed as idealized, or if the characters are all symbolic and the story an allegory about the passing of the West and the reluctant but necessary coming of the railroad, he's the old cowboy who must make way for civilization that the railroad represents. I'm not sure if Hallie representing a soon-to-be-progressive town in that analogy works for me. I believe Doniphon's love for Hallie is far more personal than any man's love for his town could ever be. I think Doniphon believed Hallie had made her decision and that he wasn't her choice. Now he could fight her decision or he could help her dreams come true. Keep in mind, Hallie doesn't like Doniphon's aggressive approach to everything. She prefers Ranse's peaceful approach. So, in an ironic twist, Doniphon lays down. He throws away his "gun." He takes Ranse's approach when it comes to defending Hallie and her happiness. He's peaceful. He's no longer carrying his gun. And he wouldn't for years. When Hallie left, his fight (heart) left with her. The sets are claustrophobic; most of the action takes places at night; no sweeping sunlit panoramas, no Monument Valley. Fire seems to play an important role though, Tom casually strikes many matches, in his anguish over losing Hallie he sets fire to the house addition, the stove is always lit to make the giant steaks for the hungry men at Peter's Place. light and shadow represent the illumination of truth against the shadows of myth and legend, but they can also be interchangeable; the shadows are the comfortable past, but the past influences the future, fire and light represent the march of civilization, but that light can be harsh and glaring, and sometimes blinds us to the true reality of imagination and legend. Now that's something to really visually chew on! I'm someone who looks for visual themes and I know Ford utilizes them quite often. I will most definitely have this in mind the next time I watch the film, which could be very soon again.

By the way, I don't mind if you see the videos of Theresa and I; I thought you said you didn't want to view them at all -- and that was that. That was that all right. Hmmm, one girl likes to roll her puppy dog eyes and dramatically sigh while another means bossy business. :x You're right, Kim, Theresa is mean. And so are you. I see that you two together are serious, serious trouble. Angie has officially ruined you both.

Geia sou, ChiO the Mann -- Frank-Someday-I'll-See-All-the-Movies-I-Need-to-See-Grimes Now I fully expect to get steamrolled by some of the impatient dames on the board, ahem, but I would not expect you to throw me under the bus. And you're a Cubs fan, dammit! No DEAD END or ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES or THE ROARING TWENTIES (!!!) or THE CAINE MUTINY? I haven't turned down gangster alley yet. That will happen in time. I'm more of a 40s/50s film guy right now because the directors that I like reside there and because the films tend to be more visually expressive. Just what exactly are you doing with your life? Who broke street date with my autobiography? I need names! Hola, Miss Pop Gun for Hire -- Hi Frank---I think you'll enjoy To Have and Have Not, Dark Passage and High Sierra. You'll probably love In a Lonely Place. Predictions! Okay, here's a bigger test for you: rank those films in order of which you think I'll like them. How well do you know my film tastes? You already know I prefer lonely places to warm shops. If I had to pick a favorite character Bogie played, I am surprised at myself by how much I gravitate to his Roy "Mad Dog" Earle in High Sierra. I never thought I'd like a guy called "Mad Dog". But something about his energy and presence in this particular part stands out from all the others. I didn't know kittens could like mad dogs. You really are messed up. I really like Bogie's characters, so it's very tough for me to pick my favorite. As of now, I'd say it's Dobbsy because it's a different kind of Bogie. He's out of control. Gloria is "interested," so I gotta sprint. Interested in what? Baby, I don't care. She's interested.

Hi, Bronxie! -- Frank, I posted my VALANCE thoughts on the Western thread. (probably should have put them on this one, but I'm getting more confused lately; I'm worried about my wedding) Get over there, pilgrim! I'll be there, pilgrim. I frequent both threads, although I'm not sure why. There's a lot of riffraff on each. Your posts are always thought-provoking and well-written. Let's not go overboard with Jackie F. Hey there, Thought-Provoking and Well-Written Jackie! -- Bronxgirl- I probably should have posted over there, anyway, instead of hogging the Ford at Fox box set thread! I have the excuse of still being a fairly new member and not knowing any better...... You can tell you are new since you are apologizing to one of the BIGGEST BOARD HOGS AROUND. If you had apologized to Miss G, I would have, like, totally passed out, ya know. Me? Please. I'm a very serious, focused board member who always stays on topic and only writes words of relevance. Now pardon me while I go post a YouTube link for The Buggles. I have been slowly working my way through the website, and haven't made it to some of the genre forums. I'm very familiar with this word "slowly." Or so I have been told... time and time and time again.

I know Gary Cooper said to the screenwriters, "Just make me the hero". I didn't know Cary Cooper did, too! Yes, Cary was all about being the heroic lead, and well he should have been. It's just those kind of roles rarely draw critical acclaim. They draw a bigger audience, though. I would also put Coop in the Gable, Grant, Wayne class. It's why I believe Coop doesn't garner the critical acclaim he deserves. Of the Coop films that I have seen, I enjoy the older, "darker," "contemplative" Coop the most. I'm speaking of his performances in High Noon, Man of the West, and They Came to Cordura. I believe those performances feature great depth, albeit a very subtle and nuanced depth. Of course, subtlety and nuance rarely receive notice. It's the powerfully-outward peformances that often draw the most attention and praise. Ironically, Cary Grant and Gary Cooper are on the opposite ends of the acting style spectrum. Grant relied on the spoken word and Coop relied on the unspoken word. They were both very good at facial expressions, though. They knew how to facially react to a situation. To me, that's the sign of a great actor. I am not sure about Gable's ability as an actor yet. In the three films that I have seen him in, I'd say his greatest strength is his screen presence. He's bigger than life. He's a "movie star." Those types RARELY get their critical due. And if I were to fashion a guess as to why you and many other women love Gable, it's because of his strong, male screen presence. He's very manly but surprisingly gentle, too. Have you seen him Father Goose? It's just a wee bit on the cutsie side but his character was often said to be his favorite because he was so ornery and scruffy. So "un-Cary"! I saw about half of Father Goose about five or so years ago. It was before I was really getting into the lighter classical fare. I wasn't into it then, but I believe I would be more open to it today. I liked Grant being a "who cares" type, but the cutesy kid stuff was something that I wasn't really drawn to then. I'm not sure if I would be now or not. I pretty much like Grant in most any kind of role, but my favorite Grant characters are his bitey smart alecks. I know you are stunned by this. I love Grant in Only Angels Have Wings, Notorious, His Girl Friday, Holiday, and Suspicion.

Well, I do have one but I am not particularly fond of it. And even I thought the thread has seen a fair amount of Mr. Cooper during the past month. And Heaven Can Wait is one of my favorite poster images. So today's selection was chosen to please me. I thought your choosing of Heaven Can Wait to be highly appropriate. Because if you had posted one more Cooper or Ford poster, the wait would have been over. Now am I speaking of you or me? I am certain that an opportunity to post Sergeant York will still come in the months ahead. I am more than certain. And I will have to endure even more chastising from Mr. Grimes. I am more than certain. Mr. Scratch

On which videos? The ones down below? Those are Gary videos How disappointing. I was hoping to see something attractive. By the way, I don't mind if you see the videos of Theresa and I; I thought you said you didn't want to view them at all -- and that was that. Goody-goodie gumdrops! I need some new material.