FrankGrimes
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Posts posted by FrankGrimes
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Hi, Bargar -- Mr. and Mrs. Smith! Excellent!
Hey, Whistlin' Gypsy -- Welcome to the board. I liked your selections, but I particularly enjoyed reading your words about your selections. That was wonderful.
Hiya, CineMaven -- I've never been a costume drama lover so I've kind of stayed away from "The Ghost & Mrs. Muir."
Ohh, for goodness sake. Do you think I like costume dramas? It's Gene! She's lovely in the film, too.
Now, my favorite romance film is...
Uh-huh...
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Hey, Ollie -- Frank, I think the Dancing Girl stills get applause from both
sides of the aisle. The women love the costumes, the men love what's IN the
costumes. Or perhaps what's out of them!
I could be rather naughty in my reply to your words above, but I shall behave.
There's no scientific research for this, but the coffee-folks say if they ever want
to hear gasps then buzzes of excitement, all they have to do is put Lana Turner in
her white outfit with a coffee cup to her lips. Air is sucked out of the shop then
before getting rounds of applause. I have to admit - the three 10-foot versions of
this photo, cascading side by side, is quite a treat.
The Goddess (and others) has posted quite a few "air suckers" on this board since
I've been around. If she posted any of those photos on this thread, the coffee shop
would have to open up an oxygen bar.
A lot of oohs and ahhs over all of these, by the way. The sequential film clips
shut the crowd up, too, until they start reading along. I've seen people about ready
to hand over checks stop and pause while they finish some of those slideshows.
There are some real show-stoppers among these and the various Galleries.
I'm glad the patrons are enjoying your creative classic film endeavor. I think it's
fascinating.
If there's a waitress (employee) like "Stella" working at the coffee shop, let me know.
Fallen Angel
Sorry, no coffee here. I'm just in the mood for a pot of Grace.
Like a "thief" in the night.
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Demonic Di -- Psssst...FatherFrank...I have a deep, dark secret to confess: I don't like Gone with the Wind at all. Not even a teensy little bit. And I actually saw it on the big screen. I'm not a fan of Clark Gable, so that probably explains my aversion to the film. But don't let me sway you -- it's my sin!
Blasphemy! I wonder if I could get away with saying such a thing?
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Howdy, Lynn! -- I'm impressed! You didn't just list your favorite films, but you also provided some commentary for each. Very nice.
You haven't seen Four Sons or Pilgrimage yet? Miss G's review of Pilgrimage really caught my attention. It sounds like a film I'd like.
So what's your next five or ten? You don't have to write about them, I'm just curious what the next grouping consists of.
I've only seen six Ford films to date:
1. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
2. The Searchers
3. Rio Grande
4. Stagecoach
5. Mogambo
6. My Darling Clementine
I VERY MUCH like all six films. So far, so good with Ford and me.
Stagecoach
Rio Grande
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Hi, Dodgy Di -- I'm faltering now? I'm really in trouble if Lynn is dogging me and you're saying I'm "faltering."
For what it's worth...
No comment. Continue...
... I love Harvey. It's a eminently rewatchable movie, which makes it a must-have for my collection. I suspect you'd agree. Or are you afraid of pookas?
I have too many pookas to count, so I'm not afraid of them. I'm not afraid of the film, either. I'm PETRIFIED of films like Gone with the Wind, hence my avoidance.
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Thanks, Mickeeteeze. I like your choices.
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Hi, Lynn -- Uh-oh. Lest I forget? I suppose I better get that Wayne/Ford box.
Yes, you should. Along with the Ford/Wayne collection.
I may have bought it already if it were in my area. It's sold-out locally. I'm probably going to have to order it on-line. It's at a decent price right now.
Have you ever posted your top ten favorite Ford films? If you haven't, could you do so on the "Ford at Fox" thread? I'd love to see it.
Your wish is granted. See the Filmmakers Forum after you watch Harvey.
I didn't realize you wanted me to see Harvey this much.
After? Well, I'm considering buying the Harvey DVD later this week. I've been getting a DVD a week. I have been letting my heart guide me with each weekly purchase. It will be Valentine's Day when I get my next DVD. It just may be Harvey.
Hey, Mickeeteeze -- I just finally sat through "The Third Man". I did buy the Criterion disc with all the "bells and whistles".
Did you like it? I have the first Criterion disc of the film. I'd love to hear the Steven Soderbergh commentary that's on the new one. Soderbergh's commentary with John Boorman on the Point Blank DVD was highly informative and quite entertaining.
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Go watch Harvey.
Would that impress you? >>
Well, since you confused Clementine with Yellow Ribbon, more than you know.
Uh-oh. Lest I forget? I suppose I better get that Wayne/Ford box.
Have you ever posted your top ten favorite Ford films? If you haven't, could you do so on the "Ford at Fox" thread? I'd love to see it.
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That's FANTASTIC news, Dan! I will most certainly purchase Man of the West and I'm very interested to see Day of the Outlaw. Thanks for the encouraging update.
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I see that somebody is in a serious Preston Sturges mood. You better get that box set, Hollywood.
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That's a fascinating list, OrsonLubitsch. Of all the interesting film watchers on this board, your list is one I was very interested in. Thanks for posting it. Moonfleet and The Phenix City Story are two films I request at "Suggest at Movie."
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Hi, Defrosting Di -- FrostyFrank... Poor baby!
You're such a sympathetic woman. Your tender, caring love is ever present within your words.
Tonight sounds like the perfect night for you to watch Gone with the Wind. The burning of Atlanta ought to thaw you out some.
Why is it that I think you especially love the burning of Atlanta, Phils fan?
Di, pretty damned cold herself
You don't have to tell me that.
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Hi, Lynn! -- One of these days you will have to tell me what you thought of Yellow Ribbon.
I actually misspoke. I've seen My Darling Clementine and not She Wore a Yellow Ribbon. I was going to buy the single DVD for She Wore a Yellow Ribbon but I've decided to get the John Wayne/John Ford box set instead.
I saw that you watched Rio Grande and was very proud of you.
Why, thank you, dear.
Hopefully you did for you and not because you want to impress Miss Fordy Guns or her sidekick, Bronxie.
I couldn't impress Fordy Guns and Bronx Blossom even if I tried. Bronxie has cut off transmissions from my planet and Fordy is frightened to death by my poor taste.
HGWMV is wonderful. Very emotional. Might help with that frigid problem you have.
Are you sure a Gloria Grahame film wouldn't help me out even more?Go watch Harvey.
Would that impress you?
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"I'm frigid." - FrankGrimes
So THAT explains it.
Explains what? It is pretty damn frigid in Pennsylvania right now.
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Frank that is hysterical. And thanks for those photo's. Yes I for one can relate to them. LOL.
Thanks for doing that. Peace Robert
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Frankie,
Have you seen Harvey yet?
Uh-oh. No, I'm a Harvey virgin. I'm a Gone with the Wind virgin, a Crossing Delancey virgin, a My Man Godfrey virgin. I'm frigid. But to my credit, I have watched some John Ford films of late: Rio Grande and She Wore a Yellow Ribbon. Now if I can get myself to watch How Green Was My Valley.
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Hi, Delilah -- I'm sure Samson is doing just fine. It's not the hair it's the heart that matters most. Maybe Samson can get you some chocolates and the British Hitch box set.
CASABLANCA will be the film of choice.
It's a wise choice. Just so you know, "The Dude" isn't going to show up in Casablanca, although I'm sure you and your hubby would love it if he did.
Some of us guys can associate with this feeling:
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Louise Brooks is my choice:
The actress that comes the closest to Lulu for me is Anny Ondra:
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Hi, Dobbsy -- I just now saw that you directed your post towards me. You are correct about the scene from It's a Wonderful Life (my favorite scene in the film, by the way) and the "swing" scene in Baby Doll being similar but there is a major difference between the two, as well. The scene from It's a Wonderful Life is bursting with very deep love but the scene from Baby Doll is bursting with sex. "George" truly loves "Mary" but "Silva" is looking for sex with "Baby Doll." That's why I love the final lines to "Baby Doll." It speaks to love more so than sex. "Baby Doll" even looks older in the final scene. It's quite interesting to me.
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Hi, CCBaxter -- Wow Frank, those stills are great. I haven't seen The Wild Bunch yet, but love all the others. Some great endings to some great films.
The Wild Bunch is one of my favorite films and the ending is quite powerful and very emotional. It's a film about loyalty.
Hey, Sentimental Weenie -- Lovely, Frank.
Ohhh, why did you have to include the comma?
Oh fine. I guess I AM a sentimental weenie, because I thought of another weeper.
It surely looks to be the case. But that's okay, you exhibit fine taste most of the time. I've got two words for you: Orson Welles. That'll work.
I haven't seen any of the films you chose, although How Green Was My Valley and Goodbye, Mr. Chips are getting close for me.
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I really haven't seen nearly enough foreign-language films to make a legitimate list, but here are my favorites so far:
1. M
2. Nosferatu
3. Faust
4. Ossessione
5. Le Corbeau
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More from The Birds.
I had left off with Melanie (Tippi Hedren) getting struck by a gull and Mitch (Rod Taylor)
quickly reacting to comfort her. It was the first bird attack in the film.
Mitch decides to take Melanie to a nearby local restaurant, The Tides, where he will
seek medical help for her. Of course, the early appearance of the restaurant is another
example of Hitch foreshadowing, as the restaurant will come into play later in the film.
Mitch and Melanie are seen in the public's eye for the first time as a "couple."
Melanie sits down at a table while Mitch looks over her wound. The restaurant
owner, Deke (Lonny Chapman), stops over to ask if she is all right and what happened.
He asks a waitress to get some cotton and antiseptic for Melanie's wound. Deke then
starts to worry about how Melanie "cut herself," fearing she did so on his property and
that he may be sued. Mitch quickly tells Deke that she "cut herself" in a boat. This is
when Deke says, "well, you're the lawyer." This opens a "mystery" door for Melanie.
Melanie and Mitch will now enter "court." And what do the laywers do in a "court" room?
They question the witness, I mean, potential mate.
Melanie: So you're a lawyer.
Mitch: That's right. Of course, I usually defend people, Miss Daniels, but if I were
prosecuting --
Melanie: Do you practice here?
Mitch: Uh-uh. San Francisco. What are you doing up here?
Melanie: What kind of law?
Mitch (in a stern voice): Criminal.
Melanie: Is that why you want to see everyone behind bars?
Mitch: Oh, not everyone, Miss Daniels.
Melanie: Only violators and practical jokers.
Mitch: That's right.
Melanie (feeling the sting of the peroxide): Ow!
Mitch: Oh, sorry.
I like the "ow" because Melanie blurts after feeling the sting of the peroxide but she's
also feeling the sting of Mitch's verbal jab at her past indiscretions, her immaturity.
Melanie was able to get in a few questions in that round, but Mitch is really going to grill
her now.
Mitch: What are you doing up here?
Melanie: Didn't you see the lovebirds?
Mitch: Oh, you mean, you came all this way to bring me those birds?
Melanie: To bring your sister those birds. You said it was her birthday. Besides, I was
coming up anway.
Mitch: What for?
Melanie: To see a friend of mine. (She then feels another sting from the peroxide.) Careful.
Mitch: Oh, sorry. Uh... who's your friend?
Melanie: Annie Hayworth, the schoolteacher.
Mitch: Annie Hayworth. Well, small world.
Melanie: Yes.
Mitch: How do you know Annie?
Melanie: We went to school together -- college.
Mitch: Did you? Imagine that. How long are you staying up here?
Melanie: The weekend.
Mitch: Well, I think the bleeding's almost stopped. Why don't you hold that on (referring
to the bandage/cloth on Melanie's cut).
Every one of Melanie's answers are lies. She doesn't want Mitch to know the truth
about her love dash after him. Why? The game of love (courtship). Who wants to
let their intentions known right from the start? Where's the fun in that? Plus, Melanie
doesn't want to be seen as a "guy chaser." She's not one to drive such a distance for
a guy. Guys are supposed to chase after her.
Mitch then sits down at the table and is now looking into Melanie's eyes. It's time to
challenge Melanie.
Mitch: So you came up to see Annie, huh?
Melanie: Yes.
Mitch: I think you came up to see me.
Melanie: Now why would I want to see you of all people?
Mitch: I don't know, but you must've gone to a lot of trouble to find out who I was and
where I lived.
Melanie: Oh, it was no trouble at all. I simply called my father's newspaper. Besides,
I was coming up anyway, I've already told you that.
Mitch: You really like me, huh?
Melanie: I loathe you. You have no manners. You're arrogant and conceited... and I wrote
you a letter about it, in fact, but I tore it up.
Mitch: What did it say?
Melanie: None of your business. I can't say I like your seagulls much, either. I come
all the way up here to --
Mitch: But you were coming up anway, remember?
Mitch catches Melanie in one of her lies at the end of this conversation. He's very much
on to Melanie's "game," her game of love... and he really wants to play that game with her.
The next moment in the film is arguably the most important:
We are introduced to Mitch's mother, Lydia (Jessica Tandy). Lydia has been the only
true "love" of Mitch's life to date. She is the only woman who truly has any claim on
Mitch's heart. Yes, Mitch is a mama's boy in the strongest sense.
When Lydia reaches Mitch and Melanie's table, she stops right in the middle of the two
and turns her back on Melanie to face and speak to Mitch. Her position is a divisive
one. She's rejecting Melanie.
It's now time for Lydia to fire some questions at Mitch.
Lydia: Mitch? I thought I saw your car. What are you doing in town?
Mitch: I had to acknowledge a delivery.
Lydia: A what?
Mitch: Mother, I'd like you to meet Melanie Daniels. (Mitch then speaks to Melanie.) Miss Daniels, my mother.
Melanie: How do you do?
Lydia (speaking to Melanie): How do you do, Miss Daniels? (She then speaks to Mitch.) Acknowledge a what?
Mitch: A delivery. Miss Daniels brought us some birds from San Francisco.
Lydia: Oh.
Mitch: For Cathy for her birthday. Where is she?
Lydia: Across at Brinkmeyers'.
Mitch: As a matter of fact, Miss Daniels is staying up here for the weekend. So I've
already invited her for dinner tonight.
Mitch places both Melanie and his mother on the spot by saying he's invited her to
dinner. He has? He just did. Mitch is revelling in all the attention he is receiving from
these two ladies, but he's especially interested in Melanie's attention. He's captivated
by her.
Mitch's look to his mother is quite a mischievous one. He's testing her. He wants to
see how she reacts.
Have you noticed that Lydia looks very much like Melanie, especially her hairstyle?
Mitch (speaking to Melanie): Well, you did go to the trouble of bringing those birds.
Melanie: Oh, I couldn't possibly.
Lydia: You did say birds?
Mitch: Yes, lovebirds.
Lydia: Oh, I see.
Ohhh, I see.
Yes, Lydia sees just as Annie (Suzanne Pleshette) saw and just asMitch sees; Melanie isn't fooling anyone with her game of love. Still, Mitch is very
taken by Melanie's game. What guy wouldn't be? Lydia and Annie feel threatened
by Melanie's game, although each will handle it differently.
Doesn't this face say it all? Mitch is in control of the love game now, not Melanie.
Mitch: So we couldn't let you get away without thanking you in some small way.
And you haven't met Cathy, and you are staying the weekend.
Melanie: Well, yes but --
Mitch: You are, aren't you?
Melanie: Certainly, but --
Mitch: Well, then it's all settled. (He then speaks to Lydia.) What time is dinner, Mother?
Melanie: 7:00, the same as usual.
Mitch (speaking to Melanie): I'll pick you up. Where are you staying?
Melanie: With Annie, of course.
Mitch: Oh, of course. How stupid of me. A quarter of 7:00?
Melanie: Annie may have made other plans. I'll have to see. Besides, I can find my
own way.
Mitch: You're sure now? You won't hire a boat or anything?
Melanie: I'm sure.
Mitch: 7:00, then.
Melanie: Maybe.
Mitch: We'll be waiting for you. How's your head?
Melanie: Much better, thank you. (She speaks to Lydia.) A gull hit me, Mrs. Brenner,
that's all.
"We'll be waiting for you" is a critical line. This is the line that starts to let us know
what Melanie is facing. Mitch is not one person, he's three. If she wants to capture
Mitch's heart, she's gonna have to win over his sister and mother's hearts, too.
Mitch speaks the line but Hitch's camera remains fixed on Lydia. Yes, "we'll be
waiting for you, Melanie."
We next see Melanie at Annie's house. Can she make her lie to Mitch work?
I like the above shot because it shows us Melanie's mindset. She's so worried about
her appearance to others. It's a big, big Hitch wink to us the audience about the
Melanie of today. But will this be the Melanie of tomorrow?
Annie: Oh, hi. Did you find her all right?
Melanie: Yes, I did. I was wondering... uh, that sign there. Do you suppose I could
have the room for just a single night?
Annie: Well, I was planning on renting it for a longer time --
Annie sure was "planning" on renting that room for a longer time. The room is basically
Mitch's room. She's had her sign out front for him since they met.
Melanie: Oh, I would appreciate it. I've tried everywhere in town. They're all full.
Annie: Well, all right. Got your bags in the car?
Melanie shows her a paper bag.
Annie (chuckles): Well, it's utilitarian, I'll say that.
Melanie: Oh, I just picked up some things for the night at the general store. You see,
I hadn't planned on staying very long.
Annie: Yes, I know. Did something unexpected come up?
Melanie: Yes. May I use your phone? I'd like to call home.
Annie: I just put some coffee on the stove.
Once again, Annie understands Melanie. She's already lived what Melanie is about
to live. She knows all the feelings for Mitch that Melanie has inside of her and, more
importantly, all the potential trouble that lurks around the corner.
Annie could choose to be a bitter woman. There's absolutely no doubt she's carrying
one of the biggest torches in the world for Mitch and, deep down, she does feel very
threatened by Melanie. But Annie has decided not to reject Melanie. Instead, she
has chosen to help her. She rents "Mitch's" room to her, she allows her to use the
phone, and she let's her know there's coffee on the stove. Annie's home is Melanie's
home because she believes Mitch is in love with Melanie and she doesn't want to hurt
Mitch in any possible way.
I'm going to leave off here because the birds are gathering.
The storm is approaching but Mitch's two gals are standing together, side by side,
shoulder to shoulder.
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That was a very nice tribute to Montgomery Clift.
So are you a Monty fan, Bronxie? I'm a fan of his, but I haven't seen too many of his films yet. My favorites are A Place in the Sun and Red River.
The Misfits
Top 5 Hitchcock films
in Films and Filmmakers
Posted
Hi, Konway -- Thanks again for the kudos.
What I like about this post is you connected Melanie to all of the major characters especially Annie Hayworth and Lydia Brenner.
All the primary women in the film are connected to Mitch in a way.
Hola, Miss Goddess -- More interesting analysis of The Birds. Keep it up, you're doing a great job.
Gracias.
So you notice ladies hair-do's, too. I guess you visited Alfred's Salon.
Heya, CineRaven (
) -- What a wonderful read Frank. You have quite a way with plot analysis. I look forward to reading more. You really ought to be write a book of reviews. Seriously!
Thank you so very much. You are far too kind to me. You always have been. I do appreciate it greatly.
The pictures showing Suzanne Pleshette remind me of how gorgeous she was in a sexually experienced knowing way.
Suzanne reminds me of Ava Gardner at a later age. She has a wise, worldly aura.
By the way, don't birds...homing pidgeons carry letters??
Yes, they do, and I'm a dead duck unless I flap my wings.