FrankGrimes

Hi, Jackie F! -- Swooning here, too, Frank, and this time it's not for Ford.... My heart was trembling as I walked to the computer. I took you out of my email and read you, right there...... Dear Friend.... Me? Dear friend? Aw shucks, thanks. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your words on The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. I happen to agree with everything you said, too. That's a bad sign for you. I must agree with you, that Tom represents the working man and Ranse is the planner. I would go a step further and say that Tom is the past- the cowboy, the cattleman and the horseman, but Ranse is the future- the way America is today, with each man just owning a bit of land in a community, doing their little job. I guess this is pretty obvious, but I don't think anyone has said it yet! You're correct. Doniphon's way is the past and Ranse's way is the present. The Doniphons of the world were "dead." Well, I should say that the power the Doniphons possessed had died. There will always be Doniphons but they won't command the power and respect as they did in the past. They are now to be used by the Ranses and even the Hallies of the world. At least Hallie came to realize the importance of Doniphon and what he had done for her and Ranse. Her eyes and heart were finally opened. It was just too damn late. I agree with your asessment of Hallie's love for Ranse- it just makes sense that she loved him more. She spent all that time waiting for Donophon and although he was there for her physically, I mean, by doing little things for her and protecting her, he was lacking emotionally. In the one way that counted the most (marriage), he was not there for her. She must have thought he didn't love her enough to marry her. And I think she continued to think that after she left Shinbone. But as time went on, she began to find out how much he did love her, more than he ever showed. Regret, as you said. That was wonderfully expressed, and I'm in agreement with you. Hallie would have jumped at a proposal from Doniphon, but he never took that final step. Why? Was he afraid to commit to Hallie? I think so. Did he not feel the need to do so since he was basically her man anyways? I believe so. The bottom line is that he took his standing in her life and heart for granted. HE left her get away. DONIPHON is to blame in the end, and he knows this. Did Doniphon then do things for Hallie in the hopes she would recognize his love for her and return to him? I think that was a motivating factor, but I do believe he wanted to see her happy no matter what. But he surely wishes he could have it to do all over again. There's no doubt about it. Hallie only saw the "wrong" in Doniphon when Ranse showed up. She thought his way was the wrong way. Yet, she always turned to him when in dire need. Again, she was basically using him. Tom was trapped in Shinbone as much as Hallie was, but by his reputation as "the Man". He (and the whole town) just assumed that any woman would wait for him to get done doing whatever it was that he was doing, and that then she would come running. But when Hallie leaves, NO, wait, it's when he shoots Liberty, his whole image of himself is changed (as is the town's) and he can no longer be "the Man". He has found his emotion, but with catastrophic results. It is too late. With one shot, Tom's whole reason for being becomes outmoded, obsolete. It almost wouldn't have mattered if Hallie left or stayed at that point. Now I'm swooning. Excellent points! Doniphon is basically killing himself when he shoots Valance. The interesting thing about Doniphon being trapped is that I don't believe he ever thought of it as a "trap," although you are very correct in what you say. Doniphon was very comfortable in Shinbone. HE was Shinbone. But, as you stated, that changed with one pull of the trigger. I believe Hallie's eyes, mind, and heart were opened by Ranse and the possibility of seeing and experiencing a bigger world were in reach. So I do believe she felt Shinbone to be a trap. However, she comes full circle later on in her life, like many people do. She misses "home." She misses the warmth that Shinbone provided her. Ranse, on the other hand is all emotion, all thoughtfulness. He just can't act. He hasn't even made a "home" for Hallie. Ranse figures out that he must act, or he will lose Hallie forever. This hopeful sign is as close to a happy ending as we get. Yet again, I agree with you. Ranse did all he could to show Hallie a better way of life when he was in Shinbone but he most likely lost "sight" of what made Hallie fall in love with him in the first place while climbing the political ladder. Ranse finally looks into Hallie's eyes and see's her heart. Is it too late? I don't think so. I think Hallie would be very receptive to the new old Ranse by her side. She hasn't gone cold on Ranse, she just needed to be warmed up again. I see you picked my favorite shot from Ox-Bow Incident, the one where Morgan's hat blocks most of his face.... I also love the framing of that shot. Hey, Sweet T! -- You're the one with the badge, not me. heehee! well then im gonna have to arrest you frankie. im sorry to do this to you, but its the best thing for ya darlin'. no really it is......feel the love! heehee! Now where did you put those handcuffs of yours? no i think you will like it just as much as the Searchers and Rio Grande. it is a good movie, just has a different style.its a different kind of movie. Oooh, I like it when folks predict if I'm gonna like a film or not. Some are pretty good at it and others are horrible. I won't name names. thank you frankie, coming form you that means a lot. heehee! this is one of the reasons i love the movie so much. heehee! actually when i first saw this i thought the beginning was a bit boring, but that was when i was littler. heehee! Maureen O'Hara makes Rio Grande for me. The second she shows up, the film really takes bloom. I adore "Kathleen." Debbie's been through a lot. Where's your heart? where's my heart? you just ripped it out, remember? maybe thats why. heehee! no i do feel a litle for debbie, but she just wasnt my favorite. Did I rip your heart out? I'm sorry. How careless of me. I'll put it back. I don't want you to all of sudden become heartless like... Hallie attacks Ranse's "manhood" with the word "apron." He's no Doniphon. Despite her insult, this look by Hallie tells you how interested she really is in Ranse. She knows he's different. He's different than Doniphon. How so? Ranse is going to put Hallie first, which is something Doniphon never did. Doniphon was always first and Hallie was second. Ranse truly cares about Hallie, her happiness, and her self-worth. Ironically, Ranse becomes more like Doniphon as he climbs the political ladder. It's only at the end that Ranse is once again ready to put Hallie back on the pedestal where she belongs. I just love the following shot of Hallie. She is so very happy and full of life. She's glowing. Ranse really helps bring the best out of Hallie. He's making her a better woman, and she absolutely loves him for it. If a man brings the best out of his woman and a woman brings the best out of her man, you have something very, very special. As you can see in the above caps, it would be big news if Doniphon were to marry. He's the **** of the walk... and he knows it. He's the one calling the shots... right?

Hiya, Kimmy Kurtains -- oh dont worry ang, i am. he stole all the devil's food cake! i should! heehee! Even the devil's a-fearin' fer his innocence Are you talking about yourself again? kim, are you really gonna upload that Candyman video? oh my goodness! I certainly am not, dang blammit; it's evil...I already burned it. See what happens when you get with bad "A" girls. I hope you have learned your lesson. Now it's up to Sweet T to follow your lead.

Hey there, Ma Daisy! -- too bad, youre a sweetie pie even if you dont want to be one, but then your sybil side jumps out and all the sudden mr hyde comes out to play. heehee! not on this earth would i wish for Smithy to have killed anyone. if hitchcock would have directed it, he would have had the knife, thus most likely killing Paula and the whole thing falling apart into shambles!! how excrutiatingly painful that would be to actually have to watch that! Hitch would have had Smithy as a wrongly-accused man on the run with Paula by his side. That's exciting and romantic altogether. Hitch wouldn't have had Smithy as a murderer. Maybe Fritz Lang would have, though. Hey, Coop killed a man in cold blood in Cloak and Dagger. That's exactly what Smithy should have done, too. Random Harvest is getting better and better. a mother? oh frankie, did you actually read what you just posted on the screencaps? Paula said she was after Smithy from the start and she never left him out of her sight. right when he proposed she said this. does that sound like a mortherly comment to you? heehee! Yes! Many women look to "mother" their man and Paula was doing so with Smithy. She knew he needed help and comfort and she wanted to provide this for him. There are some women who would have never stopped to care for Smithy. There's one on this board. She wears slippers. i couldnt really keep up with the connection between Eugenie rose and Ben in Manchurian Candidate. i could never really picture jant leigh with frankie siantra i guess. heehee! Uh-oh. Maybe slippers girl would stop after all. Eugenie sees that Ben is hurting on the train. He needs her and she wants to help him. She's drawn to his pain, like a mother would be to her child. She gives him her phone number and address. A serious sign of trust. Later on, Ben calls Eugenie at his lowest point, which is a sign of his trust and love. Eugenie emotionally responds to such a call. She feels wanted and needed. I posted the caps for this on some blondle's thread about love stories or something mushy that I don't go for. well that obviously wasnt the case now was it frankie? nope. but he did fall in love with Paula beforehand, so Kitty just COULDNT take Paula's place. it ust wouldnt be right! Okay, you're right about this one. If Hitchcock would have directed the film, "Smithy" could have been a real psycho and you would have loved the film even more. What if "Smithy" was say, Jack the Ripper? Talk about a random harvest! i already told you what would happen if hitchcock would have directed it. jack the ripper.......i think you just "ripped" my heart out frankie. heehee! Ooohh, I like that! Smithy could go around ripping the hearts out of women but he ends running into Paula and, for some reason, he can't force himself to rip her heart out. It's a horror romance! thats my fault. i always end up watching the best movies at nightime right before i fall asleep and i usually cry to them. (sighs) i gotta stop doing that huh? but im not going to watch a horror film and fall asleep to something like that. oh! the nightmares i would have, talk about being a scaredy cat. holy joe! You could hide under the sheets while watching a horror film before bed. It's perfect! You should try it this weekend. loverly screen caps! i can just see it all going on inside my head right now. goodness i still say that proposal scene is one of the most romantic scenes ever! i do like that Kitty scene. i almost wanna feel sorry for her, b/c you can see it in her face that she is really hurt by this, but she knows it wont work..........but Smithy belongs with Paula! heehee! Did you watch the deleted scene in the DVD extras? Smithy and Paula actually enter the house again together but Paula trips over the step and bangs her head and now SHE cannot remember who Smithy is. There was going to be a sequel. I don't know why they decided to cut that scene out. It's kind of important.

Hiya, Extra Sweet Theresa! -- yes i can just see it now, frankie doing the john travolta disco move. heehee! what a sight!! You can tell by the way I use my walk... no time to talk. Hmmmm. I'm a thief and a wienie, and you only wish me to serve you. Ahhh, love is in the air. i know, cant you just feel the love? im feelin' it, i dunno about you. Guys just love it when they are called a thief and a wienie and are ordered to serve spiked cauldron tea. My heart is so full of love. yes i know frankie, do you like Tears for Fears' "everybody wants to rule the world"? i keep wanting to call it the popcorn song, b/c i have been watching it at the end of the movie, Real Genius since i can remember. you know, with all the popcorn shooting out of that house? its so funny! anyway, i love all Tears for Fears songs!! Are you kidding me? Of course! I love Roland Orzabal's voice. how about ELO? Yes, Poofy Polka Dots. You know that I do, too. One of the first songs I ever liked was by ELO. And I still love the song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTjy_LW8DGM&feature=related Hi, Jackie! -- I have no taste at all. I like to think I am eclectic, but really I just like everything...I would do better to tell what I DON'T like... Eclecticism is a sign of taste. And all you really need to do is be around me and your tastes will really look marvelous.

Frank: you are simply divine! Your beautifully done pix of me and my better half, Kharis, have touched our ancient hearts. We have all those marvelous pix you've sent to us all framed on our mantle in the tomb, beneath a simmering pot of tanna leaves. Kharis is especially fond of our honeymoon in that muddy bog. It took me forever to get that mud out of my Vera West white silk gown. You're very welcome, my dear, Princess Ananka. You look ravishing as always.

Hiya, J-Girl -- You're right about that! I also like the dress but I would want more coverage on the top. lol Ohh, come on. Live it a little. Less is more! Hey, Super Sweet T(ease) -- oh yes! i have to have more coverage at the top, funny you should say that. i was just figuring out i would make one like it, and i was picturing short sleeves with it. how cute that would be! You picture wrong. The original should do just fine.

Hi, Miss Betty Idol -- Since I?m so besotted with ??The Ghost and Mrs. Muir?? it was impossible to forget Rex Harrison in ??Unfaithfully Yours??. I must confess I had a hard time keeping up with Sir Rex. His voice alone could match the Niagara Falls. No wonder Frank said it must be a tall order to give the man a run for his money. Ahhh, you just hit on my favorite Rex Harrison film. Unfaithfully Yours is also my favorite Preston Sturges film and, I completely agree with Randy, Linda Darnell is stunning in the picture. Unfaithfully Yours is definitely not your typical Sturges comedy, but I love it because it's very dark. I couldn?t help feeling that Linda was a bit in over her head next to Harrison?s roaring performance. I swear he never jumps off the merry-go-round and there?s a scene in which he verbally tears his brother-in-law to pieces. According to the commentators on the DVD, Rex really had a problem with Linda. He viewed her as an amateur actress not worthy of his talents. I think Linda is absolutely adorable in the film. Preston Sturges ought to have had a magic wand. You need a streak of genius to cook up all those fake scenarios in which Rex?s character plots to get rid of his allegedly unfaithful wife, make your skin crawl while the murderous fantasies play out and then have you burst out laughing when you get to see clumsy Rex struggling to put the perfect crime into practice. If that wasn?t enough the ending is sheer riot. No other man can turn otherwise saccharine and sappy lines into something worldly like Rex Harrison. That was beautifully expressed. I most definitely agree with you. Any thoughts on Linda, apart that she has a figure to die for and black looks knock-out on her? Damn. I was going to say she was gorgeous in the film. Actually, what I really like about Linda's performance is that it proved to me she could play a sweet, lovable girl, which is the exact opposite of the two other performances that I love of hers: A Letter to Three Wives and Fallen Angel.

Hi, Snake Pliskin -- Welcome to the board. Mostly I'd really like to know if anyone could suggest any small action packed or fun westerns or 1930-1950 movies. I like The Professionals and The Wild Bunch for action-packed westerns. Forty Guns is a stylish western. I'm into film noir, so that would be my suggestion for the 30s-50s films. Out of the Past, Pickup on South Street, The Night of the Hunter, Scarlet Street, Gun Crazy, The Asphalt Jungle, Double Indemnity, The Killing, Criss Cross, Touch of Evil, Detour, and Raw Deal are some of my faves. I'd also suggest Val Lewton's psychological horror films from the 40s: Cat People, The Body Snatcher, The Seventh Victim, The Leopard Man, etc. Also old or new artsy films are nice. Dementia, Carnival of Souls, Un Chien Andalou, and The Fall of the House of Usher are a few of my favorites. You may find a film like Lady in the Cage to be interesting. As for modern-day filmmakers, I like the Coen Brothers the most. P.T. Anderson is also pretty interesting. This is a site that I find to be very useful for film exploration: http://www.theyshootpictures.com/

Good Evening, Lynn! -- Wow! You sure know how to make a girl swoon. Thank you, darlin'. But you know darn well it's not me. Don't ever try that line of "I don't know anything about movies, Miss Lynn" on me again! I didn't believe it after your wonderful dissertation on Vertigo and I don't believe it after your very thoughtful critiques of The Searchers and Liberty Valance. I'm telling you the truth. Now, i beg you, please go watch Harvey, more Ford films and be sure to watch Ox-Bow Incident tomorrow if you missed it in December. You're begging me now? Well, I don't want you to beg. That's not what a Ford woman would do. I'll try to get to some films this week. I'll see what's in my heart. The The Ox-Bow Incident is a favorite of mine. I'm a fan of the weenie Fonda because I believe he often represents the conscience of humanity. He's not a strong man nor a flashy man but he's a man with a mind and a heart. He's true. This is what attracts me to Fonda. Miss G calls him a "cerebral" actor, and I agree with that. But I do believe Fonda lets you in emotionally, too. The interesting thing about Fonda's character in The Ox-Bow Incident is that he wasn't all that pure. He was "on the fence" for a good part of the film. He eventually comes around, though. I love it when you talk movies. Thank ya kindly, ma'am. You know that the feeling is more than mutual. By the way, I especially like your willingness to defend films of all eras. Your mind is definitely open. That's a very good thing. FYI, when it comes to film discussion, I often need to be drawn out. You and Jackie did that today. So please, keep on talking Ford films and I may end up getting dragged along. That is, if I have seen the film(s) you are discussing. Doniphon never rebuilt his home or heart. It remained as it was... all those years. But the cactus roses bloomed every year, just as his love for Hallie did. Doniphon not only lost his love, he also lost his dignity (gun/strength). He was no longer needed in the new Shinbone. He had truly become a forgotten man (fallen giant) to all but those who were close to him when he mattered. Hallie was one of the closest to Doniphon, but her and Ranse abandoned him. This is what will haunt Hallie for the rest of her days, which in turn will haunt Ranse. Here's a line that Fonda can read:

Hi, Jackie F! -- Excellent comments. I really enjoy reading the opinions of others and yours are always so pleasing to the eye... and brain. You are right about Tom Donophon's dark side. The scene where he gets drunk and burns his cabin down is probably my favorite Wayne scene in any movie. There is a hatred, a disregard for his own and anyone else's life that is really scary. He truly frightens me when I watch it, and it's very clear to me why Hallie chose Rance (though I believe she comes to regret that decision - we don't know how deeply). I actually see the scene differently. I think Doniphon is severely depressed and he burns down his house because of it. His world has officially turned dark without Hallie. The only hate in him at that moment is for that of himself. He's killing himself. I think it's a very strong, emotional scene. I remember being shocked a few years ago watching The Oregon Trail because I suddenly realized what made Wayne a star- his body was so lithe and lanky, and the way he moved was beautiful. All these parts moving every which way, but somehow coming together. Pardon me for being blunt this way, but it just hit me like a ton of bricks! He really uses his body to great effect in the MWSLV scene. His shoulders give you more information than most actors could with their entire face. The only time we see Wayne weak and beaten- and his back is to the camera and he's in the dark (literally). That's a terrific observation. I believe Wayne's gait (and sometimes swagger) tells us a lot about his characters. Body language is the unspoken language that talks to all of us in some fashion or another. Wayne's body language is certainly "heard" by many women. The Searchers is weird. I really, really like it- it's better every time I see it, but I could not get into it until I hit middle age. I had to be a little seasoned to understand the movie at all. I've seen it all the way through twice now, so forgive me if I make wrong assumptions! It is a movie to watch many times to really comprehend it fully. The Searchers was one of the first westerns I bought on DVD. My purchase was prompted by those in the western "know." I had never seen the film before, but I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. After my initial viewing, I thought to myself, "best western ever... really?" What bothered me at first was that I felt the film was too jarring and that it had an uneven feeling. I didn't like the "squaw" comedy and such. It felt out of place to me. But after repeat viewings, my appreciation for the film has most definitely grown and I now enjoy the "unevenness." The Searchers is a western quilt to me, and I like it as such. I think the only real likable character in it is Martin Pawley. I think this is very deliberate on Ford's part. I believe there are quite a few likable characters in the film, but Martin is the most important of the group. Does Hallie love Tom? I believe so, but I do believe she loved Ranse more. Or does she love the memory of Tom as he might have been? No, I think she loves Doniphon as she remembered him to be. Sadly, it took the truth and his death for her to realize just how much she loved him. What made Hallie change her mind over the years? I say she regrets how she treated Doniphon, especially after learning what he did for her and Ranse. I also believe Lynn is correct in saying Hallie has had enough of the Washington BS, she wants to return "home." Might it have been the lie that Rance didn't tell, but accepted the consequences of? I'm sure she was bothered by that fact. Would she love Rance even to this day if he had told everyone that Tom Donophon killed Liberty? She better have because when she calls out for Doniphon it's to protect RANSE. She fears for Ranse's life, so she turns to the person who she knows could help her and her man, Ranse. She was using Doniphon in this way. I believe this is where a lot of her regret lies. Hiya, Lynn, Dear! -- Wonderful posts! I just love reading your Fordian thoughts. I've been in Scarlett's brandy because I'm actually talking about some Ford films. I agree! In the beginning of the film, there is the possibility that Ethan will be a good and likable character. After all, Martha has loved him silently for all these years and he has returned to home and hearth after all these years. But with the massacre of his family and the kidnapping of Little Debbie, something in Ethan snaps. It was likely there buried deep for a long time but could have been brought up to the surface and or close to the surface with his service in the War. He has that haunted look when he arrives at the homestead of a man who has seen far too much killing (and probably participated in too much of it as well) which comes rushing back to him when he finds Martha's remains. I definitely agree with you. Ethan is a dark, mysterious man. What's his story? Well, as the film progresses, we learn he's run afoul of the law and is a wanted man, and I'm speaking a wanted man by different parties. He's the kind of man who cannot settle down because he'll probably be killed if he did. Gotta keep moving. The fact that Ethan is unlikable, I think, is one reason why some folks have a hard time with this movie. We are so used to Wayne being likable, even Dunston in Red River is not as ruthless, dark nor as dogged as Ethan is. I believe this to be so. I find this to be the same with Jimmy Stewart. The "dark" Stewart is rarely liked by women and some guys. Of course, I love the "dark" Stewart and Wayne. SPOILER ALERT FOR LIBERTY VALANCE I also agree with you about Hallie coming to regret not marrying the man who really did shoot Liberty Valance. I'm not sure about this myself. I believe Hallie loved Ranse more. I think she regrets not sharing more of her love and appreciation to Doniphon when she could have. I do believe she regrets not spending more time at "home," too. I think that Hallie did love Ranse but I think she was also in love with the idea of life beyond Shinbone. It matters not to Tom that Hallie doesn't know how to read but it matters to Hallie. As much as she loves Pete and his wife, I think the young girl in Hallie dreams of a different, perhaps better life. Ranse Stoddard arrives and with it the possibility of learning not only to read but of the world outside her small community. I'm with you, Lynn! Hallie dreams of a better place and she feels as if that place is outside of Shinbone. She will eventually come to realize just how much of her heart still resides in Shinbone. She wants to return "home." Ranse makes a big point of telling everyone "Nobody fights my battles" but in the end, someone else does. And Ranse, caught up in the moment, allows the lie to perpetrate when he accepts the nomination as the man who shot Liberty Valance. Ranse was actually following Doniphon's command, too. To me, Ranse represents the "planners of society" and Doniphon represents the labor that makes those plans come to fruition. One cannot succeed without the other but it's the Ranses of the world who reap all the benefits in the end. Doniphon is the working class guy who will never get his due. Usually, the biggest pride and joy a working class guy has is his wife and children. Doniphon dies without such pride and joy. He's truly a "poor" man. He's broke... heartbroken. Part of me thinks that Hallie knew from the moment she sent Pompei to get "Mr. Tom" that Donaphin would step in. She likely thought that Donaphin would step in and fight Ranse's battle for him. Did she know he would do it from the shadows? Hallie was always turning to Doniphon because she knew he was a strong man of action and that he was fearless. Hallie was using him, although I do believe she was blind to this, hence her feelings of deep regret at the end. She's hurting pretty good, but she's not hurting anywhere near as much as Doniphon was. The other part of me thinks she did not initially know, but as she and Ranse move on their lives, she must have heard via letters and trips back to Shinbone of how Tom's life spiraled out of control. There were probably whispers (there always are) that Ranse hadn't done the actually shooting. When she did find out, it put some distance between her and Ranse. No longer was he was he stand-up guy who got lucky with a shot. He was the guy who helped (along with her) to destroy someone who had once meant a great deal to her. I definitely agree with this. She dreamed of having a better life but that better life did not provide her with the love and security she was dreaming of in Shinbone. She likely felt way out of her element not only in the social circles of Washington DC but at the Court of St. James as well. She was after all, just an orphan girl from Shinbone. This is something I'm not sure about. I believe through time, she started to long for "home." I think as Ranse moved higher up the ladder and become more full of himself (he is quite the blowhard when we meet at the top of the movie talking with the newspaper men), Hallie began to wish for that simpler life that she had disdained so long ago. I believe this to be true. Many of us wish to live a certain life. We think we know what's best for us, what's in our heart. Sometimes we are right and sometimes we are wrong. I think the feeling of home and real love is something many of us take for granted. I think she came to understand that she might have been happier marrying Tom but it was too late to change any of that. As she grew more distant from Ranse (surprisingly, there is no mention of their children- did they have any?), the past, as it often does, begins to take on a rosier shade. I think she also came to understand the role that Ranse played in Tom's downfall but she would always have to live with the reminder that she was one that sent for "Mr Tom" and put the play in motion. It wasn't Ranse who was responsible for Doniphon's downfall, it was Hallie's. She broke his heart. I don't blame Hallie for this, though. She truly did love Ranse. She made her decision. Doniphon was left to live with that decision and he struggled to do so. The power of woman. FORD GETS THIS, by the way. By the time she arrives in Shinbone, she loves both men very much. Only at the end, when Ranse talks of retiring and giving up his public life, does she begin to warm up to him again. Definitely. Ranse is finally paying Hallie the kind of attention he paid her when she first fell in love with him. Tragically, it took Doniphon's death to get him to wake his tail up. But a part of her will always love the man who shot Liberty Valance. More than ever now. Cactus Rose.

Hi, Jeff! -- With respect all you people, I am still waiting for someone in this very lengthy thread, anyone, to watch FOUR SONS, and to hear their comments? What the devil is taking so long??? I've heard those words before but not for Four Sons, but for many other films and, ummm, reviews. We had a nice thread going on the film, in the Silent's portion of this Forum, but nothing whatsoever here, except, a bunch of people saying that "they haven't gotten around to it yet", week, after week since December!!!! I don't have the film, so I'm actually cleared of any wrongdoing on this one. It looks like your heat should be directed at a certain blonde with an Irish treasure chest that's getting rather dusty.

Hi, Belle Maven -- Question for you Frank...I take it from skimmingly perusing through this thread, that you have NOT seen the epic masterpiece: "Gone With the Wind"?? Uhhhhhhhhh.... It's coming on tonite. (Guess today is epic Monday on TCM with a slew of two plus hour films screened today). Why not make a commitment to sitting down and giving "Gone With the Wind" your undivided attention. You could kill two birds with one stone tonight: (1.)you could finally be seeing this classic film and (2.) you could get some harpies off your back. Two plus hours? More like two plus, plus hours. Oy vey! (Ladies...ladies, I'm JOKING about the 'harpies'!!) I know you're just trying to make Frank a fully informed man. Fooly. Howdy, Sheriff Greer -- bronxie, dont you listen to poor ol' frankie over here.....he's just trying to get you. it almost worked on me.....okay so he did catch me, but you still have a chance bronxie, run for your life, run! heehee! You're the one with the badge, not me. while i do like She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, it isnt as dramatic in the sense that Rio Grande or even The Searchers is. What you speak of She Wore a Yellow Ribbon is why I have a feeling I won't like it as much as The Searchers or Rio Grande, but we will see. Rio Grande is such a wonderful film full of love that has to....well be found again between maureen o'hara and john wayne, and it is practically their son and the war that brings them back together. they cant help but fight and argue throughout most of the movie, yet when the Duke gets injured at the end, maureen shows her love and eevotion by walking beside him, holding his hand. then they both kno they love has been regained and they are emotionally well again. Very nicely said. The bond of love is very strong. (sighs) i have to say that i agreer with you on that i really didnt care for Vera Miles in The Searchers. she was such a pain to deal with and caused an awful lot of strain. Et tu? There's just no love for my darling Laurie Jorgensen. Well, that emotional gal has a place in my heart. Debbie, i dont really have an opinion on. i could never really make up my mind to whether i could like her character or not. Debbie's been through a lot. Where's your heart? Hola, Mrs. Doniphon -- The best we can hope for is that he will become "informed". He's already "full". Uh-huh. Do you think I care if you know I like my Brandy on the quiet? What do you think the cologne is for? Hey, Lynn -- I've always thought that Nathan Brittles and the way he mourns his wife in Yellow Ribbon is the character Kirby Yorke would be become later in life when he lost his beloved Kathleen. Though the movies were never meant to be sequels to one another, if you watch them: Fort Apache, Rio Grande and then Yellow Ribbon you can almost see the thread that really does tie them together thematically. I will keep this in mind when I watch them. As for The Searchers, well, they are two very different movies. Wayne gave us (and Pappy) a glimpse of how dark a character he could be in Red River and The Searchers certainly takes it to a whole new level. There are traces of that darkness in Tom Donaphin as well in Liberty Valance I believe "Doniphon" was just as scared and inadequate as "Ranse" but on a different level. Ranse wasn't a tough guy. He wasn't "real world" smart. Sure, he could pick up a gun and fight but he would most likely get killed doing so. He would have been a dead man if it wasn't for Doniphon. Oh, sure, Ranse would have died a brave man, but he still would have been dead. Doniphon wasn't "book" smart. He was an uneducated fella and he couldn't pretend to be a smart man even if he tried. There's no way he could become Ranse. That would be outside his nature, just as Ranse being a tough guy was outside his. Doniphon had the rule of the roost before Ranse came to town. He was the "man." More importantly, he was Hallie's man. Doniphon didn't feel the need to marry Hallie because everyone in town knew he was sweet on her. They basically were married, just not by law. Well, Ranse showed Hallie a different kind of man. He helped improve Hallie. He made her a better woman in terms of self-worth. Ranse also took the time to help her family and the community. Hallie greatly admired Ranse. He was kind, considerate, gentle, and he did offer her a safe, promising future of good not bad. What's so impressive about Doniphon is that his love for Hallie was unconditional. Even though he realized he was never going to be her man, he still cared about her and her happiness above all else, including his own happiness. He sacrificed his heart for hers. I don't think Hallie truly appreciated what he did for her until time had passed; before it was too late. To me, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is a film about regret above else. Doniphon is the first to regret and his is the strongest of them all. He had the chance to marry Hallie many times over but he kept putting it off and putting it off. He took Hallie for granted. His regret destroys him. Hallie is in deep regret when the film ends. She knows what Doniphon did. She understands that he sacrificed his happiness for hers and it's tearing her up inside because she never took the time to say "thank you" to him. She took him for granted. I believe Ranse's regret is twofold. I do believe he regrets not thanking Doniphon for saving his life and making him a better man. But I believe Ranse's greatest regret is that he has taken Hallie for granted all these years. He now sees how deeply affected she is by Doniphon's death and the unconditional love he BRAVELY gave her. Ranse hasn't done this for Hallie. He's become self-centered. The good news for Ranse is that he still has time to make things good for Hallie again and he's gonna take that step FOR HER, just as Doniphon did. The big problem Ranse faces is that Hallie's love for Doniphon is strong and it will never leave her now that she knows the truth. So even if he does all the right things, he will never have all of her heart ever again. I think the shooting of Valance is important because it's a proxy scene. Valance is the man who is shot and killed by Doniphon, but Doniphon is actually shooting and killing himself. Ranse's life is the one that is actually saved, but it's Hallie's life that Doniphon is truly saving. It's all proxy. Doniphon sacrifices it all for Hallie. Doniphon's heart and future are set afire by himself. A life without Hallie is a dark one. What I find important in the following line is the word "home." Ransom wants to run away, to go home, and we just witnessed in a previous scene that Doniphon burned his home down. Doniphon no longer has a home or a "home." It's all lost for him. Yet, he's still gonna fight... for Hallie. I love the following moment because it shows Doniphon tossing his cigarette away. He's just tossed his own happiness and heart away and he's very well aware of it.

Hiya, Jackie! -- I love the Beatles, George is my favorite, I love everything George ever did, George is numero uno for you, eh? I like your style. I love the Beach Boys and the Monkees, and Peter Gabriel, including his early Genesis stuff. There are very few other bands that I like enough to listen to every song they ever made. The Band, maybe. I've always been a singles over album kinda of music listener. This speaks to my "poppiness." I'm a "mix tapes" kind of guy. I prefer variety. I guess this is why I lack focus. I drift all over the place, be it film, music, whatever. Eighties pop, eh, Frank? That was excellent! I actually liked the song and I loved the video. Thanks! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj8a8IY60hU Hi, Mickeeteeze! -- Brandy....by "Looking Glass". I got it a few years ago on "The Very Brady Christmas" soundtrack! It was the only place I could find it!. I'm sorry, but that just killed me... and not softly. Too funny. Bonjour, Missy G! -- I love "Arthur's Theme"---poor Dudley Moore. He was so talented. I also like Dudley Moore. I love the Monkees, too. My favorite song is "I'm a Believer". That's my second favorite of theirs. Yes, their two biggest singles are my favorites. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VUqgZ-kl-Q http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI7gzXz1cHo Butterscotchy knows my 70s tastes. I need dance music to move me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8XVJx5bjrI I've always been attracted to soul music (of all eras) and this guy is one of the greatest ever:

Howdy, Boca Cowgirl, Ma'am -- That's perfect what you said about the inner and outer man, Clift and Wayne respectively, in RED RIVER. As a guy, I tend to gravitate to the inner man more but I know many women prefer the outer man. That's all right, I tend to like the crazy girls over the composed ones. Put THE HEIRESS next on your Monty list; you won't be sorry. Really? That's the Monty film you believe would float my boat? Joanne Dru is not one of my favorite actresses, and truthfully I can't STAND her as Tess. And I just saw SHE WORE A YELLOW RIBBON today and she was even WORSE. She can't hold a candle to Coleen Gray in looks and acting ability. Joanne isn't a dynamic actress, that's for sure. Her "Tess" was very one-dimensional and on the predictable side, although I still liked her for some reason. I did like her little show and tell for the Duke. Now that's acting!

Hiya, Sweet T -- that costume place on congress was so fun!! i took that one picture of ang in that hat and we almost got into trouble, b/c of it. im a troublemaker. ang, kim, april, save me!! heehee! You are asking the "A" girls to save you? Are you crazy? You need to be saved from them! You are in a mess of trouble, T. I was really hoping the Minny girl could come to your rescue, but now I'm not so sure. im wearing my poofy polka dot skit in that pic by the way frankie, but you cant see it too well, Ohhh, I see it. It's very "arresting." I also see your puppy dog eyes, too. and im not ready to throw a chop! thats just........kim dont worry im not gonna say it. heehee! i have to....mean! if you dont behave frankie, then ill give you the chop. I'm always on my best behavior, so there's no need to chop me. i had my badge on my green purse yesterday at the hockey game and kurtis(one of my fav players) goes, "so whats that for? you arent going to arrest me are you?" it was so funny!! i told him about the movie. he was laughing too. You should have arrested him. Hi, Coopsy's Clara -- I prefer the other photos.

Howdy, Bronx Blossom! -- Why, where are you going?? I'm not going anywhere. You are the one who has left town with this Ford film watching that you are doing. It's over for you. You've been poisoned, just like Debbie. And Vera Miles is a pain in the arse. Hey! I LOVE Laurie Jorgensen. Every girl should have a little Laurie in them. But then again, I love girls whose emotions run very high. Laurie is to the emotional extreme. She loves hard, she hates hard, she cries quick, she angers quick. Ohhhh, how I adore that girl's emotional range. OMG -- FRANK! IT'S ON YOUTUBE!!! THE WHOLE FILM!!! (TMWSLV) I'll watch it tomorrow afternoon and get back to you on it! I'm so excited! Night-night! Wow! You are genuinely excited. I love it! The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is my favorite Ford film so far and it's going to be tough to top. I tend to like psychological, emotional films and this one has both elements, as does The Searchers. I want to feel a film, not just watch one. It's all about the senses with me. That's why I don't think I'm gonna like Ford because it's quite clear to me he doesn't understand human emotions all that well. By the way, I did read your words on She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, but I cannot comment on it since I have never seen the film. I have seen The Searchers, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, and Rio Grande, though. If I get the Wayne/Ford box set, then I'll be able to participate in your discussion. Well, that is, if I actually take the time to write about it.

Well, my aborted viewings of THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE was years ago, as I wasn't into westerns and Ford as I am now. I will remember you so very fondly, Bronxie.

Hiya, Keltic Ken -- Frank, I have been crying everyday since January 20,2001 ! I thought you were headed that way. Dry your eyes, Scarlett. Tomorrow is soon today. Not soon enough, I know. A Pleasant Good Evenin', Katie -- More talk about a movie you have not seen: Scarlett O'Hara is a very wise Irish American lassie. She is a philospher par excellence...no thinking for today, leave thinking for tomorrow and everything will work out well. Such deep, philosophical plumbings by the heroine moves GWTW from the "epic film noir" into the realm of "art house cinema". Art house noir? Now that sounds like a very interesting film. Maybe I should watch it... and then not talk about it. Here's the Goddess in action: Nice thinkin', Missy G.

Hi, Keltic Ken -- Fort Apache is at the top for you, eh? Very interesting. And you are definitely the first person I know who likes The Long Grey Line that much. I always cry when watching The Long Grey Line ! You? Actually, I believe you because you wouldn't lie about such a thing. You're not a crocodile tears-type like some others 'rounds here. Howdy, Fordy Guns -- And just because you said what you said I'll talk, talk, talk about all those movies you've never seen. Can't you "think" of my feelings for a change? I don't want my first viewings of Ford and Cooper films and Gone with the Wind to be spoiled. Please, I beg of you. Refrain! It always manages to make me fall apart in tears, I'm not sure how or why. Croc! Ha ha!! If you mean I don't "think" as a rule, you're right! I don't know if you were being insulting by that remark, but I'm not going to think about it. I'll think about it tomorrow. Insulting? Me? Never! I would never, ever think of doing such a thing, especially to you.

Hey, Ken -- What are your top ten Ford films overall?

Hola, Lady of the Night -- Look who's asking for "thoughts"! I thought you'd get a kick out of that one. I also thought you'd kick back even harder, too. I "think" people who see movies and don't talk about them should not be asking people who do see movies and do talk about them, to talk about them! You should definitely place the word "think" in quotes when it comes to yourself. These people "who see movies but don't talk about them" sound very interesting to me. You'll have to introduce me to one of them. Anyway, since you say you have not seen My Darling Clemintine or The Grapes of Wrath and you also say you don't like to read anything beforehand about movie you haven't seen, I just don't have it in my heart to spoil anything for you. Now, if you say you really HAVE seen these movies then maybe I'll think about it. Did you say you have a heart? Really? I think I'm gonna have to take a survey on that one. You're depriving everyone of your Fordian big screen experience today. Tsk, tsk, shame and double shame. I've never seen My Darling Clementine ( ) or The Grapes of Wrath. And since you don't want to talk about films I haven't seen, I've got more I wish you'd keep quiet on. GONE WITH THE WIND, ALL Gary Cooper films, ALL John Ford films (except Mogambo), and ALL Clark Gable films. So, if you could, pretty please, not speak of those films on this board. You know, for my sake.

travelled cross-country (Astoria, Queens) to see The Grapes of Wrath and My Darling Clementine Thoughts...

Thanks for the Charlie's Angels pics, Mrs. C. I've never seen those before. If that's the law then I'm definitely a lawbreaker. Arrest me! I need to go to jail. Grace Kelly who? Those are some mighty fine photos of some mighty fine gals! Wow! Love the badges and those poses! Y'all too cute. Let's see. One gal has an up-to-no-good, mischievous smile (serious troublemaker), one gal has sneaky puppy dog eyes (sneaky troublemaker), and one gal's dress says "goody-goodie gumdrops" but her look says "I'll sock ya" (secret troublemaker). By the way, are y'all pointing to the window to show us where the curtains need to be hung? And is there a reason why the shrimpy one is an attack position? It looks as if she is ready to throw a chop.

Howdy, Fordy Guns! -- Yes, you would probably find The Last Sunset a "great, not good" movie. Quite a harem you have in your corral, Mr Grimes. Which one is your favorite? If I could combine all four, I'd have a very interesting girl. What I like about Amy Fowler Kane (Grace Kelly in High Noon) is her beauty. She's absolutely sweet and adorable looking in that bonnet. She's a little angel. I also like her childishness. What I like about Eleanor Stone (Gene Tierney in The Return of Frank James) is her youthful naivete and pure heart. Since she's so young, she has a very sunny outlook on life. She's very cute. What I like about Maria Grant (Claudia Cardinale in The Professionals) is her fiery, romantic spirit. She's a highly passionate woman who will fight for what she believes in. There's no quit in her. What I like about Jill McBain (Claudia Cardinale in Once Upon a Time in the West) is that she's a woman who is very much alive. She's a former "working girl" who wants to be loved because she's ready to love back. Her eyes have seen so much bad in life yet they remain hopeful, especially when it comes to love. I'm not sexually attracted to Amy or Eleanor but I certainly am to Maria and Jill. Who would I choose: 1. Jill McBain -- She's a very warm woman with a beautiful heart. She's golden. 2. Maria Grant -- I don't like overly fiery girls, but I do love her romanticism. 3. Eleanor Stone -- She's definitely warm, but she may be too much of a pushover, and I like girls who will speak up more. 4. Amy Fowler Kane -- Her shoulders are too cold for me. Jill McBain! Excellent pics, by the way. Howdy, Bronx Blossom! -- I've got some lasagna left, want some? Here, I'll push it through the computer....(I made a helleva lot) Wait....here comes the garlic-pesto bread too....Got it? Good. Save it for dinner romorrow. Sure, I'll take some! Now if I can get you to make me some chicken corn soup, I'll be set. Unfortunately my girlfriend and I ate up the whole chocolate cake. (I'm lonely without Duane) Devouring an entire chocolate cake with your girlfriend is a sure sign of you missing your Duanie. You don't think he's out dancin' with Miss Torso, do you? I better ask Marty if he saw Duane at the dance hall last night. Nothing wicked in NYC except the real estate. A new kind of wicked has moved in since you were away. Yes, it's twue, er, I mean, it's true, I am a STAR, the greatest STAR....everyone has to wear sunglasses lol. Thanks, Babs. So are you ready for your close-up? I'm a smart woman; I always guess the final answer in Jeopardy. Oh, that's not what you meant. I don't really know what a smart woman is vis a vis men. If one is too suspicious and untrusting, it's almost a self-fulfilling prophecy that Mr. Wrong will come along, as much as if one is too trusting. This naturally applies to all human beans. That's good advice when it comes to "too suspicious and untrusting." You better know your man. Where's Duanie again? What's a smart woman vis-a-vis men? That's easy. A smart woman is one who never gets rid of her voodoo doll. Needles are needed. The best women know just exactly where and when to use those needles. That's the tricky part. THE LAST SUNSET isn't campy or bizarre as JOHNNY GUITAR. So maybe you won't be interested. I'm sure The Last Sunset isn't on the level of Johnny Guitar, but you sure did hit all the high notes with me with The Last Sunset. What is nicely done?

What have you done with my friend, Kyle, you monster? There's no way a man of Kyle's impeccable taste and brilliance would ever, ever post this many Gary Cooper and John Ford posters, and I know damn well he wouldn't stoop so low enough to post a Gone with the Wind poster. This is not Kyle. Something is aMISS Greatly. Your alien spacecraft is hidden somewhere around here, and I intend to find it and expose you and the wicked scheme in which you were hatched. Paranoia? You're damn right.