FrankGrimes
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Posts posted by FrankGrimes
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Hi, Erebus -- Nice to see you around.
I agree. I'm so happy for him that Lee Van Cleef had these films, because without them he would have been doomed to the status of proverbial "second outlaw on the left". In the trilogy he got the chance to prove himself so much more.
Ain't that the truth.
I don't know how he and Eastwood came to be elevated by the same films (perhaps someone here can say), but it's easy think that it was through Leone's eye for hidden talent. If so, it was quite an eye. Van Cleef could have made his own dark leading man from the days of his youth, the lack of which is film history's loss.
Lee's look, especially those eyes of his, just screams "villain." He does fit in Leone's west since his "heroes" were often men of no words. Their look spoke for them.
Hey, Arkadin -- Frank, got Dementia for Xmas, but haven't had a chance to watch yet. Some weekend I'll do a double bill review with you, if you''ll watch In a Lonely Place.
Talk about an interesting double feature. I'm finally getting close to In a Lonely Place.
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But what you really mean is "Thank God I haven't had to look at Gary Cooper again lately."
Am I right?
You know me too well.
But, in the sincerest tone I could ever possibly muster for you, I have enjoyed your batch of comedic posters.
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Hola, CineBaby! -- To be compared to FrankGrimes is quite flattering 'cuz he's just about the bee's knees in his knowledge about movies and eloquence and civility about expressing it.
You say the nicest things about me, T. I truly appreciate it, and I humbly thank you.
The truth of the matter is, you know far more about film than I ever will and you are much more eloquent. As for civility, let's just say you like to party.
By the way, I have read your words on The Letter. I hope you still feel like discussing your film with me, because my thoughts are finally a comin'. You're gonna get some A Place in the Sun talk with it, too.
Hi, Princess Ananka! -- You always start such interesting threads and I always show up to them so damn late. I suppose I should put on my wrap the century beforehand. That would save some time. Thanks for the compliment. It's extra special coming from someone with your kind of style and taste.
Here are some of my favorite "rotten to the cores."
Max Cady (Robert Mitchum) in Cape Fear
"Reverend" Harry Powell (Robert Mitchum) in The Night of the Hunter
Vera (Ann Savage) in Detour
"You hurt me."
Randall O'Connell (James Caan) in Lady in a Cage
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Good Evenin', Bronx Blossom -- Scottie, me boyo....a blanket is comin' your
way. Bronxgirl's mother's needles are clacking like crazy.
That's great to hear.
I've never been in Hallie's situation, but through Vera Miles strong performance I really
feel for her. I think she loves Tom deep down, ever since she met him when very young.
He's a part of her, like the town; he really is in her blood, and many times familiarity
breeds contempt.
I believe your final words are the strongest: familiarity breeds contempt. It seems as if
Hallie starts to show disdain for Tom and her town once Ranse opens her eyes and
mind to a bigger world, a world in which she dreams to be a part of.
I frankly don't think Rance was good enough for Hallie.
Tom was.
Complete agreement. The "good enough" I speak of is emotionally. Tom truly did have
Hallie first in his heart and he did have her on a pedestal. He just struggled to express
this to her at times.
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Oooohhh, that was terrific, JackieF! I haven't seen The Love Parade, but I wanted to read what you had wrote and I was really impressed with what you said and how you said it. That was excellent. You have a lovely writing style. I can't wait to read your next review on Lubitsch's musicals.
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Hiya, Bronxie Darlin' -- Well, Bronxgirl's mother won't be toolin' around in her
whiz-mobile for about a month; she's healing but recovery will take a few weeks. But
like I say she's tough and optimistic.
I hope your mom is on the dusty trail to recovery, Barb. I've been thinking of you and
her the past few days.
She's even knitting me a throw blanket (with her head down in the chair) Nothing will
stop her!
What a lady! I love her positivity and determination.
Did I miss you, FG? About as much as Shelly misses Telly when he goes off into
the mountains and meets his fate.
That much! I love you, too, dear.
Rance, Rance, Rance.....oy vay. That beautiful, very Ford visual of Hallie framed by
the kitchen door looking out into the night as Tom goes off "out of town" gives me pangs
of sorrow; it's as if she's already mourning the loss of her girlhood, her childhood, her
frustrated but oddly contentedly unsettled relationship with Tom. to make her choice
to go forward as a more fully rounded individual with Stoddard.
I love that shot. It's one of the best in a film rich with them. I do believe that scene
represents the break-up of Hallie and Tom. "Goodbye, Tom."
Doniphon uses his smirk and his casual humor as a defense mechanism. In reality,
he is a man who feels deeply, not only about Hallie, but of all life I believe. On the other
hand, Rance is all outward emotion but inside he's hard as steel. They are both tough in
their own ways, but Tom is the more appealing figure for me, as a human being and as
A MAN!
I agree that Tom does use his smirk as a defense mechanism. As you stated, he
doesn't know how to express his inner feelings, outwardly. He's awkward. I also
believe Tom is rather insecure and his feelings of insecurity end up being validated.
He worried he's not good enough for Hallie, that he cannot match what Ranse can
provide for Hallie. He was right. Doniphon is a very perceptive man. He understands
the territory and the territory includes Hallie.
Frankly, what it all boils down to is this, ladies: would you rather wake up every
morning to Tom or to Rance? (I know I say I usually prefer the nerd, but....)
I'd take Tom, and would convince him in EVERY way I could that education was
important for my well-being as a human being and a woman.
Cake and eat it too, eh? I have some questions for you. How much did Hallie really
love Tom before Ranse was dragged into town? If she was truly in love with Tom, could
she really have left him? Can a woman be truly in love with one man but also in love with
the ideals (brighter future/security) of another? I suppose the answer to the last question
is "yes" since many women do face that question; do they go with their heart or their
mind? But how deep was Tom in Hallie's heart?
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What's up, Arkadin -- Hey Frank, I personally agree and think it's his best film. I love Once Upon a Time in the West (1969), but that film borrows many ideas that were originally found here.
Once Upon a Time in the West is my favorite western of all time, and you're correct about Leone re-using many of his ideas from For a Few Dollars More in the film. What I absolutely love about Once Upon a Time in the West is that it's an homage western opera. Talk about unique.
The chimes have a lot of symbolism. It's interesting that every time Indio uses the watch, its only when he has the upper hand. The watch is an indicator of the life clock, and the chimes slow down like a dying heartbeat. Indio enjoys playing with people before he kills them--like a cat with a mouse. The last gunbattle is fantastic because at first Mortimer thinks his life is over and it all registers on his face. Then Mortimer's watch is used against Indio and he too clearly knows he's beaten.
Wonderful observations. I agree with everything you stated. The chimes do serve as the heartbeat of a foe. It's quite powerful. Those darn chimes just get me every single time. I'm mesmerized by them. Ennio Morricone's scores for Leone (and others) are breathtaking. They are powerfully specific. They add so much depth to character, which is truly amazing to me.
If you want to start a 20 page thread on this film--I'm game.
I'm gonna have to watch the film again if I'm to hang with you, my friend. But I will rewatch it. I really haven't spent enough time talking film with you. That's on me, not you. Have you checked out Dementia yet? I cannot recommend the film enough to you. It's in your wheelhouse.
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I also wanted to speak of my appreciation for Miriam Hopkins. She's an actress that really captivates me.
I'd also like to speak of my appreciation for your thread, Joe. As long as your wonderful thread continues, you will hear this from me. Thank you for the enlightenment. Here's to many more "Spotlights."
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Hey, Gery -- Boy, I just love those Connie pics you dug up. They are sensational. I really like the top one. You're pictorial postings continue to sizzle.
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I've liked your comedic poster turn of late, Kyle. I really enjoyed the poster for College.
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Hiya, PKTrekkieGirl -- You know, for a gal who doesn't have good taste in men, you're pretty darn sharp with the ladies.
My Personal Favorites
1. Grace Kelly
2. Gene Tierney
3. Gloria Grahame
4. Ava Gardner
5. Lana Turner
6. Rita Hayworth
7. Linda Darnell
8. Claudia Cardinale
9. Ingrid Bergman
10. Madeleine Carroll
Welcome to the board, Ava!
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Hey, Arkadin -- I enjoyed reading your wonderful write-up. It's nice to see someone singing the praises of For a Few Dollars More. A Fistful of Dollars and The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly generally garner more attention.
For a Few Dollars More is my favorite of Sergio Leone's "Dollars" trilogy. For me, it's the most entertaining of the three because of the dark chemistry between Clint Eastwood and Lee Van Cleef. I'm really drawn to each. I also like the film because it's really Van Cleef's story and I find this to be fascinating. And those chimes always suck me in. I can never get enough of the chimes.
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Hi, Chris! -- Thank you for the kind words. You added wonderfully to my
statement. I look forward to reading your commentary on "High Noon."
You're welcome and thank you.
except where I said "would would" instead of "why would." (darn.)
So you're a perfectionist, too? No need to worry. You are easily one of the most
eloquent of board members. I greatly respect your thoughts and opinions. I also
admire your kind and considerate approach to all things. My respect level for you
really went through the roof when I saw how you handled the political talk at SSO
a few months ago. Very classy. A calm voice is heard and I always hear you.
Anybody "seen" MissGoddess?
I didn't do it! Honest!
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Hi, Chris! -- What you said about marriage is quite right. As someone who has been married for almost 24 years it is about compromise and sacrifice. A marriage based on trading services is a marriage (if you can call it that) that cannot last. It is something to be worked on and not taken for granted. I love my wife and have enjoyed being married. If it was just about sex would would anyone bother.
Beautifully said.
I'm an idealistic fool who believes marriage should have love at its heart. A marriage centered around sex (lust) and money (greed) are bound to burn out. I believe one's mate must be able to make you feel everything, not just some things. They should be someone who builds you up, makes you feel stronger, not tears you down, makes you feel weaker. They are your reason for being and you are theirs.
By the way, your words are actually at the heart of my High Noon triangle thoughts. I hope to post those this weekend.
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I have nothing against sex, I have fond memories of it.
I burst out laughing after reading that line. That was priceless. Not as priceless as your fond memories, I am sure. But priceless, nonetheless.
I agree with your comment about "sex" in film, as well.
It's not about "learning," though. It's about what kind of feeling a filmmaker wishes to elicit from the viewer. I believe witnessing sex makes most American audiences (especially women) feel uncomfortable, which is counterintuitive to the moment. This is why a tasteful depiction of sex is often the best way to go. The warm sensuality of sex is what a director really needs to bring forth.
Interestingly, I wonder what Rhett not being "turned out" looked like. Rhett wasn't in a loving, gentle mood and Scarlett was a wild little pony who most definitely wanted to be tamed. One's imagination gallops. Fiddle-dee-dee, indeed.
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That's actually my favorite scene in Gone with the Wind, Dobbsy.
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_*Favorite*_
1. Barbara Stanwyck
2. James Stewart
3. Cary Grant
4. Gene Tierney
5. Robert Ryan
_*Least Favorite*_
1. Gary Cooper
2. Greer Garson
3. Clark Gable
4. Vivien Leigh
5. Frank Sinatra
You asked for it, ButterscotchGrace.
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Howdy, Mrs. Gable -- I seem to be drawing a blank! **Points the gun directly at Frankie and hears a click** Oh, wait, nevermind, the safety was on; heehee, ...my bad!
Your bad?! More like, YOU are bad! You seem to want me dead. A lot dead. I like you. Hurts, don't it?
Hmmm, I have a feeling this list is being recorded; I'll make it short...
Ronald Colman
Chico Marx
Charlie Chaplin
George Raft
Eddy G. Robinson
That is such an interesting collection of actors that I cannot rip you, even though I wish that I could. It's too bad liking Gary Cooper eliminates you from having any taste at all. But I've grown used to that with you and some others around here. I still don't see why y'all gals like a girl, I mean, guy who wears lipstick and eyeliner so much. Maybe you can relate to him that way. I just don't know.
For the record, only two are obsessions.
For the record, it used to be one but now it's two. Tomorrow three and next week ten. I ain't gonna beat around the bush no more. You're a hussy! There, I said it.
Hiya, ButterscotchGrace -- you mean you had the safety on when you shot the gun?! kim, kim!! oh darn, what ever will we do with frankie now? shall we drown him in the river? heehee!
Et tu?! I'd expect such behavior from the hussy, but not you. And here I brought you gardenias. Well, go ahead and drown me and get it over with. If the sweetest girl wants to put an end to me, what's there to live for?
Hola, Easter Bunny! --
My top 5:
1. Gary Cooper
2. Clark Gable
3. William Powell
4. Errol Flynn
5. Ronald Colman
Runner's up: Tyrone Power, Rudolph Valentino, Dana Andrews, Charlie Chaplin, Humphrey Bogart, Cary Grant, James Cagney, Gregory Peck, Franchot Tone.
I cannot believe Rudy doesn't make the top five. This is a sad, sad day. You cannot like Ronald Colman more than Valentino. That's impossible. And poor ol' Bogie. You've tossed your first love aside... and for much lesser men. Are you truly this shallow?
At least you know who the best actress around is. I'll give you that one.
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What's up, Game -- How can we overlook Dan the Man Duryea.
Duryea is easy to overlook since he rarely played the lead. He livens up any film for me, ala Thelma Ritter.
I like Robert Ryan in some movies, just that he wasnt the most attractive man on the screen
I'm a huge Ryan fan. I have been listing Stewart and Grant as my top two actors since I've been on this board, but, deep down, I believe Ryan is my favorite actor. Of all the portrayals I have seen of his, every one of them has possessed great emotional depth. They each had something inside and Ryan knew how to carefully bring this to the surface. His performances were often very complex. I also greatly admire that Ryan would play villains with such great nuance. His brand of evil was actually quite sympathetic and, at times, very likable, which is something I find so very intriguing.
Robert Mitchum - I am going to watch the Yazuka and Home From the Hill
I liked Macao but not to own... He reminds me of a sleepy eyed Joel Hodgson from MST3K!!
Mitch as Joel Hodgson? Now that's a new one.
I like Macao for its breeziness. Sleepy Mitch works with me, especially with Jane. Plus, I get to play games with Gloria Grahame. I have the Mitchum box but I haven't watched The Yakuza or Home from the Hill yet. I've got to get into the mood for both of them.
Hi, CineBabe -- FrankieG., how are ya.
So-so. You're helping me out, though.
Yes, Gable is among one of my favorite actors. Just a real man's man. Great films, Lombard. I love watching him. (Maybe not so much later in the 1950's,but definitely for the bulk of his career 30's-40's).
I know you like the man's man-types, but I was surprised to see Gable as your very favorite. I wasn't sure if you liked his kind of films.
No one was more dashing than he in "Gone With the Wind."
I'm with you on that one.
I have many more favorite actors, but I thought I'd better adhere to the rules of the posted question before my words got twisted up on me. Good reading you and again, thanxx for your contributions re: "Out of the Past." The screen caps were great.
You're welcome, girl.
I know I was being a little "naughty" & a bit salacious but hopefully not lewd.
I just thought you were being yourself, Lively Gal.
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Hey, Mickeeteeze -- Thank you. You're the one who made the brilliant observation.
Hola, CineMaven! -- Fred & Frank...thank you so much for giving my question some thought and research.
I'm going to push this one bit further before you guys get sick of me and send me to bed without supper.
I won't be getting sick of you anytime soon. Push away.
After the towel is thrown and the camera pans to the rainy stormy outdoors, it cuts back inside the room where Mitchum is closing the cabana door. I think they did not "do it" then becuz they would never make love while the door was open. I must say there dialogue after he closes the door was great foreplay.
You may be right.
I personally believe they have sex at that moment. I think the towel represents Jeff taking Kathy's clothes off. I believe he's so far gone with her that, baby, he doesn't care who (Whit) sees them having sex. He's caught in her web, so to speak. I'm not sure I would have stopped to shut a door if I was hot and heavy with Kathy. Let it rain!
I think Jeff closing the door and Kathy taking the needle off the record means they have finished the deed. They've sealed their fate.
And you've given me one of the inner secrets of men. When you guys whistle merrily the next morning (and whistle the movie's theme song in a jazzed up way), it means you've had a grand time the night before. Damn, no wonder those dwarves whistled while they worked.
Now that killed me! You gotta watch out for those dwarves. They've got a healthy appetite.
This is one of my favorite lines in film history:
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I tend to agree with that, and that's what my memory told me. Styalistically, that's when it should have happened, according to directing and editing norms of the era.
But the scene goes back inside the house. It's possible that the code people required them to re-cut this sequence because it was too obvious the original way.
Sometimes a filmmaker wants the audience to know sex has occurred and that there is a discussion to follow afterwards. A couple's words are much hotter after the act versus the next morning, where there has been time to cool off. Jeff and Kathy's flames were soaring at that point of the film. Kathy could say anything to Jeff at that point and he would have gone along with it. Baby, he didn't care. She had him. That's why included the last cap with, "love me?"
In "Hell's Angeles" there was no clue at all, just a sudden jump from the brother inside the girl's apartment to another scene of the brother inside the girl's apartment, but after the cut, the brother feels really guilty about "something". Horribly guilty. Well, only one thing would make him feel so guilty about betraying his own brother. But it's possible that in '34 the Code requried the "clue" scene to be removed or perhaps the older code would not allow it in that film.
I've never seen Hell's Angels, but what you describe would certainly qualify as a "look away."
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Hiya, CineBaby! -- I didn't know Clark Gable was your favorite actor. That comes as a surprise to me. I also didn't realize you were a Kirk Douglas fan.
Here's who's in my five right now:
1. Jimmy Stewart
2. Cary Grant
3. Robert Ryan
4. Robert Mitchum
5. Humphrey Bogart
I also like Henry Fonda, Edward G. Robinson, Boris Karloff, and Dan Duryea a great deal.
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Hey, Mickeeteeze -- "And the rain hammering away "made it" good to be in there! "
Three euphemism's all rolled into one! LOL Innuendo, anyone???
What's up, Dobbsy -- As usual, you've got it right. Like you stated, fades and dissolves are almost always the indicators of sex. If the camera moves away from where the action is, it's because the action is too hot for the camera (Code). The reason why I believe sex occurs when Jeff throws the towel on the light is because the light goes out, the wind blows the door open, and we are mysteriously taken outside the room. We've been removed from the room for a reason.
Another sign that sex has occurred is a man whistling up a storm while getting dressed the next day.
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Since there was no fade out or dissolve in that rainy scene with Mitchum & Greer that I referred to in "Out of the Past" what can we make of what happened?
The camera (we) looks away... sex.
Music begins.
Pins removed.
Music ends.
Favorite Directors And Your Favorites Movies Done By Them
in Your Favorites
Posted
Hi, ILoveRayMilland -- Welcome to the board!
Alfred Hitchcock
1. Psycho
2. Rear Window (favorite to watch)
3. Vertigo (will probably be #1)
Fritz Lang
1. M
2. Scarlet Street (favorite to watch)
3. The Testament of Dr. Mabuse
F.W. Murnau
1. Nosferatu
2. Faust
3. Sunrise
Anthony Mann
1. Raw Deal
2. Winchester '73
3. Man of the West
Otto Preminger
1. Fallen Angel
2. Anatomy of a Murder
3. Where the Sidewalk Ends
Nicholas Ray
1. They Live by Night
2. Johnny Guitar
3. On Dangerous Ground
Robert Wise
1. The Body Snatcher
2. The Set-Up
3. The Curse of the Cat People
Jacques Tourneur
1. Out of the Past
2. Cat People
3. The Leopard Man
John Huston
1. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
2. The Maltese Falcon
3. The Asphalt Jungle
Orson Welles
1. Citizen Kane
2. The Lady from Shanghai
3. Touch of Evil
Stanley Kubrick
1. The Shining
2. 2001: A Space Odyssey
3. The Killing
Howard Hawks
1. Only Angels Have Wings
2. His Girl Friday
3. The Big Sleep
Billy Wilder
1. Double Indemnity
2. The Apartment
3. Sunset Blvd.
Samuel Fuller
1. Pickup on South Street
2. Forty Guns
3. House of Bamboo
John Ford
1. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
2. The Searchers
3. Mogambo
Preston Sturges
1. Unfaithfully Yours
2. Christmas in July
3. The Lady Eve
Sergio Leone
1. Once Upon a Time in the West
2. For a Few Dollars More
3. A Fistful of Dollars
Henri-Georges Clouzot
1. Le Corbeau
2. The Wages of Fear
3. Jenny Lamour
James Whale
1. The Invisible Man
2. Frankenstein
3. Bride of Frankenstein
Sam Peckinpah
1. The Wild Bunch
2. The Getaway
3. Straw Dogs
Frank Capra
1. It's a Wonderful Life
2. Meet John Doe
3. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Joseph L. Mankiewicz
1. A Letter to Three Wives
2. Somewhere in the Night
3. The Ghost and Mrs. Muir