FrankGrimes
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Posts posted by FrankGrimes
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*Oh, you're back. We thought surely the Comanches got you.
*You sent them after me!
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I need to get back in the flow! I think your words may have done so for me.
I'm glad you compared *Comanche Station* with *Desire Me*. And I liked your answer of it being more of an individual matter. When are we to get past something? Lots of people wish to tell others, "just move on." It may be that simple for some, for that's how they deal with the issue, by not dealing with the issue. Others deal with it too much, torturing themselves forever. Generally, you need somebody or something else to value in life before you can truly move on.
With Cody (Randolph Scott), I believe there is still hope. Like you said, I don't believe his wife was proven dead. He couldn't live with himself if he didn't search for her. Marise (Greer Garson) is holding out hope there's been a mistake. When Jean (Richard Hart) tells her he personally saw Paul (Robert Mitchum) die, that frees her. She can no longer tell herself he's coming home.
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I need to get back in the flow! I think your words may have done so for me.
I'm glad you compared *Comanche Station* with *Desire Me*. And I liked your answer of it being more of an individual matter. When are we to get past something? Lots of people wish to tell others, "just move on." It may be that simple for some, for that's how they deal with the issue, by not dealing with the issue. Others deal it with too much, torturing themselves forever. Generally, you need somebody or something else to value in life before you can truly move on.
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*What makes it sadder is many of her illusions cover her guilt over how she imagines she failed her first love.*
That's where it all stems from with Blanche. She's carrying the severe guilt of her past love. She cannot get past this. Any time another love interest comes along, she returns to her past love, and this prevents her from fully loving.
*I agree with that. Malden is almost ready to fall for it, but he possesses the age-old prejudice about a "fallen woman", and so he does her the worst unkindess of all.*
I love your usage of "unkindness." The unkindness of strangers. I'd say the kind of man Mitch (Karl Malden) is is what really makes Blanche's past tough to swallow. Mitch is a mama's boy who is pretty much virginal. He's looking for a "good" girl. But, you're right, even the guys who sleep around won't look to marry the woman who sleeps around. She's to be used and thrown away, never kept.
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*It is beautiful and heartbreakingly true. Everything seems to want to ruthlessly shove*
*you into the harsh light of reality: But is that reality or is it just the pain inside and its effects. Why are they more "real" than the need to make amends, that made her want to bring a little*
*beauty, poetry and romance in that harsh, brutish world. "Truth" is a grim*
*reaper and Blanche's fragile kingdom is crushed by a fist, Stanley, seeking the truth about her.*
It really is the clashing of two worlds. Blanche is delusional but her delusions are beautiful. She really is a lady but her fight with herself and society sents her spiraling downward. And, the bottom line is, she's lonely.
Conversely, Stanley and Stella are who they are. They are reality and they really don't care what others think of them. They lack the beauty of Blanche.
In many ways, Blanche represents the past and Stanley and Stella are the present.
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*What more?*
Yes!
And those words about soft and beauty are terrific. I love such dialogue.
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Only 50%, Blanche?
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And I owe you a reply for all of your wonderful Hitchcock words!
You really do "get" these Boetticher/Scott (and Kennedy) westerns. It's all about the emotional depth. That's where the majority of the action and energy in the films lives and breathes. And come to think of it, that should definitely suit you. Lots of good emotions to be found.
Good night, ma'am.
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*Yes, I think the basic plot is almost the same - Ride Lonesome is the only one I haven't been able to get through... I think because of Karen Steele.*
I didn't like the ending, even though it's full of angry emotion. I also don't like Pernell Roberts that much. He becomes overbearing to me.
*Claude Akins is one of those actors who always surprises me. I know he's good, but I forget how good. Somehow, he's always a trucker to me.
* Sheriff Lobo! He's chasing the truckers, Stacks!
*Every time I see him in a movie or a show, he's better than I think he'll be. I think he might even be able to give Richard Boone a run for his money, he's got that amiable villain thing down pat. I'd love to see those two in a movie together, wouldn't that just be great?*
Talk about two big egos! Boone's laugh would top Akins. I always think of Boone as being more evil than Akins, too.
*Akins was in a TV version of Bus Stop years ago, and he was just fantastic. I never forgot his performance.*
What?! Really?! Did he play the bus driver?
*SPOILERS STATION*
*This script by Burt Kennedy was as 'bare" as can be. I don't think there was less said in any film to get the basic point across. Nothing extraneous.*
I definitely agree with that. Cody (Randy) doesn't say much. "No, Ma'am."
*I liked the way it started, like many of the Boetticher films, with the assumptions of each character put out before the others, then each man is made clear, his soul is "bared". Mrs. Lowe thought Jeff Cody was just out for the 5,000 bucks. Never assume.... not in a Boetticher movie anyway. They are deceptively simple on the surface. I assumed that she and Jeff would get together. So did Claude Akins.*
And you used the word I was going to use in my previous post: deceptive. Boetticher's films seem simple, which makes them deceptive. There's so much depth with the characters. I figured Cody didn't do it for the money, but I loved hearing why he did it. And then when I saw Mrs. Lowe's (Nancy Gates) situation, I was really stunned. This proves your point, "don't assume." Cody and Mrs. Lowe were one in the same: loyal, dedicated spouses.
*Slowly, over time and along the ride, each character's real motivations are made clear. I really liked the young man in this one, who thinks he has to be hard to make it in the world. His speech about his father tore me up...especially the tag line, "Poor guy. He never did amount to anything."*
I also loved that Dobie loved Frank (Skip Homeier). He was a big-hearted kid who wanted to do right but who was too weak to stand up for himself. He was really taken by Cody's offer to trail along with him. Cody was lost and lonely and Dobie was seeking a father figure who cared about him. The two would have been good for each other.
*Akins' ending line really got me too, I hadn't expected it from him.... that tinge of regret... but knowing he couldn't change. The money had a hold of him. He had to play it out to the end anyway, even if he knew it would be fatal for him. "It's amazing what a man will do for money."*
Yes, it's rather "film noir." "Oh well, what the hey." Lane (Claude Akins) couldn't just ride off and leave all that money and his ego behind. He had to die trying.
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*CS is proof not every western needs to be non stop action.*
I guess that's always more about the viewer than the film. Some people need action to make it interesting, while others find the interactions of characters to be just as exciting as action or more so. I know I had to mature as a viewer before I could appreciate the interactions.
*I think the relationship between Scott and Akins walks a fine line. They really can't stand each other but there is a healthy respect for each other. They work together just enough to survive the trip but they are not going out of each other's way to make sure it all works out.*
It's a rather classic kind of western good guy versus bad guy. There is definitely some respect involved but also the acknowledgment of inferiority. The good guy knows the bad guy is going to make his move, it's just when. What I found really interesting in *Comanche Station* is that Cody (Randolph Scott) preempts Lane (Claude Akins) and tells him to get lost. This almost backfires on him. It would have if it wasn't for Dobie (Richard Rust).
*Akins was born to play bad guys. He's not quite as evil as Richard Boone or Dan Duryea but he is sinister. He often plays things with a smile and that makes him hard to peg. But he's always trouble.*
All three of those guys are seemingly always smiling. And I do love the smiling bad guy. I love such overconfidence.
*I'm afraid I don't recall much of the music. Usually it only catches me if it is extraordinarily good or pretty bad. It must have been okay to my ears but Wendy's comment about it is reason enough to watch it again and pay attention to the score.*
The good news is that Boetticher's westerns are really quick watches.
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Welcome to the board, Dan! That's a really interesting list of all-time favorites. You've got comedy, horror, Hitch, drama, fantasy, and film noir. Excellent mix.
My top ten is:
1. Scarlet Street
2. Cape Fear
3. Once Upon a Time in the West
4. M
5. Pickup on South Street
6. 12 Angry Men
7. Night and the City
8. Out of the Past
9. Psycho
10. Inherit the Wind
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*I watched Comanche Station today, like I said, I didn't want to miss another talk trying to catch up on Buchanan.... I'll always be behind that way.*
Wow! You're not wasting any time!
*I liked CS very much!*
Very good!
*I enjoyed the leisurely way Boetticher filmed it.... there's a lot of traveling in it - just riding, though there is always something different happening during each ride... a kind of feeling that deepens as they go on.*
That's a great observation and a good way of describing the film. It's very much a journey kind of film. It reminded me of *Ride Lonesome*, for this reason.
*The music by Bakaleinikoff was beautiful. I've always liked the music in the Boetticher westerns, but this one really stood out... maybe because there was so much time without talk.*
I must plead ignorance with this. I'll leave this up to Musicman. That's his specialty.
*I thought this was one of the tightest casts in the Scott/Boetticher films I've seen. No weak links. It made it very enjoyable.*
It really was a good, little cast. I liked the toughness of Nancy Gates. Claude Akins played the smiling villain very well. He usually does.
*What I especially loved about this one was the direction, just the beauty of the camera angles, and the circular beginning and end. Again, it was tight and perfect. Spare.*
It's very much "Boetticher." You always get the feeling his films are not just spare, but bare, as in the characters. -
*I won't forget. I just wanted to catch up before yet another conversation passed me by.*
Oh, you've got time. Watch whichever one you wish to first. I prefer *Buchanan Rides Alone* to *Comanche Station*. But there are two really good emotional twists in *Comanche Station* that makes the film for me.
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*Yeah but I got everything else completely upside down!*
Not really! You just missed on some that I think were hard to predict with me.
*Oh Lordy! A Star is Born and Flesh and the Devil at the bottom of the pile.....*
That made me laugh! I'm sure we'll discuss those films.*Desire Me ? Who ARE you?*
It's creepy! I knew Greer did a horror film ( *Random Harvest* ) and a gangster film ( *Pride and Prejudice* ), but I never knew she did a film noir. It's such an unsettling film. Very interesting emotions are at play.
*I'll meet you in Westerns for Comanche Station.*
That sounds good! And don't forget *Buchanan Rides Alone*.
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*One of my favorite gags in "ANIC" is when the cop asks Harpo if he's holding up the wall. Of course he is holding up the wall.*
I think that's the first joke of the film!
*The whole "packing the trunk scene" is fun and they keep the pace on it pretty well.*
All of the packing and unpacking was very well done. I loved when Groucho was the walking suit.
*Would like to hear more from you on this one.*
Like I said earlier, I think this film is Harpo's film, all the way. He's magnificent in *A Night in Casablanca*. I thought this was the most exciting of the Marx films that I've seen.
*"Warlock" is a surprise too. It's a unique story. (Maybe there's more to ramble on here too.)*
It's one of the most involved westerns that I have seen. So many different characters matter. So many different angles. It's extremely heavy.
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Thanks for posting the Groucho letter, Snippy. That was a great read. It was like one big routine. So many zingers.
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I thought you and Jackie did exceptionally well with your guesses this time, Fordy Guns. Especially when you consider it was 25 films and the messy mix of films. You both got at least six of my top ten right. That's really good! I'm impressed that you both predicted I'd like *The Passionate Friends*.
Here's how I liked them:
1. A Night in Casablanca (J-18, M-15)
2. Warlock (J-10, M-1)
3. The Passionate Friends (J-4, M-6)
4. A Streetcar Named Desire (J-3, M-8)
5. Picnic at Hanging Rock (J-1, M-10)
6. Desire Me (J-25, M-11)
7. The Long, Hot Summer (J-8, M-2)
8. Comanche Station (J-16, M-4)
9. Seven Sinners (J-15, M-9)
10. The Bribe (J-9, M-13)
11. The Ace of Hearts (J-13)
12. Party Girl (J-5, M-3)
13. Pat and Mike (J-17, M-7)
14. Secrets of a Soul (J-2)
15. Angels with Dirty Faces (J-11, M-12)
16. Life Begins at Forty (J-20, M-18)
17. Penelope (J-24, M-22)
18. Frisco Jenny (J-19, M-16)
19. Night Nurse (J-22, M-17)
20. The Winning of Barbara Worth (J-23, M-20
21. Before I Hang (J-14)
22. The Kiss Before the Mirror (J-7, M-5)
23. A Star Is Born (J-12, M-19)
24. Shall We Dance (J-21, M-21)
25. Flesh and the Devil (J-6, M-14)
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*That must have been the pill. That's not the word I was looking for. I must have been trying to think of two things at the same time. (I got some sleep but I can't say I feel any better.)*
Boy, you sound like someone else I know.
I'm glad you at least found some sleep. That's important.*I think there is more tension and, if you will, stress. I think it is a pretty powerful ending.*
We'll have to discuss the film further in "Western Rambles."
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*I have* *Shall We Dance so that must come out.*
I'm looking to watch all of the "Fred & Ginger" films, so I'm interested to see how everyone else likes their films.
*Comanche Station is not unlike Ride Lonesome. Just a liitle crazier.*
Why do you find it crazier?
*One of these days will have a vote for best Budd/Randolph pictures. Several are worthy.*
I've seen all but *Westbound*, I believe. And thank you for the offer to send it to me.
*Seven Sinners = love sick puppy, that's the word. He is sill a man and you would think might have out grown all this.*
I'm wondering if John Wayne the man was like this. Maybe Miss G can elaborate on this. I know I'm the lovesick puppy type of guy. Although, I do push back.
*My bride having drugged me with an ambien over an hour ago muar force me to retire for the night. Two weeks of insomnia make Chris a very tired boy. If this doesn't work I guess I'll come to Pennsylvania for movie night. It's no fun at my house.*
Wow. I cannot imagine not being able to sleep. That's something that comes easy to the lazy.
And I hope everything is all right at your house. It can be tough to watch movies others don't care to watch.Good night, Movieman. I hope you find some sleep.
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*I just watched a movie with a mirror aspect:*
Is that you?! What movie are you in?
*But really, he had no call to be so horrid to those poor kids.*
You would have drowned them in the milk! Or was that you boozing it up?
*I just bet you did, you and half the interns peeking in.*
Yes!
*Joan is a peach in Night Nurse.*
She seems to be a peach in most everything.
*More lurid, I'm sure.*
Yes, I agree with that.
*He seemed very sure of his persona, the one that was going to carry him well in his career. It really is like a movie-size "Columbo" episode!*
When he's around, it's like Columbo. When he's not around, it's a zany 60s film. The 60s have quite a few comedies, unlike the 50s.
*I think she had an unblocked access to her most deeply motivating emotions, kinds that you know a person has been dealing with from childhood through maturity and they've been twisted, dressed up. minimized and exaggerated. Wow, that Williams really knew the tangled insides of womens' emotions.*
I think Williams understood people. I feel he captures both sexes, very well.
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Look at you with the caps tonight! Awesome!
*Now I really should watch it again. I honestly don't remember the individual characters.*
There are some good "Whale" touches in the film. The opening sequence is sensational. The usage of the mirror is also wonderful.
*ha! Because they made him wear that outfit?
* Yes! That damn outfit! I would have slugged some women because of that, too!
*"They got me playing Stanwyck's blankety-blank chauffeur! I think I'll slug someone!"*
Now she's "wearing" some really nice "outfits" in the film.
And I like Joan's trunk!*I also remember green...didn't she wear a green dress at one point? The colors remind me of Hitchcock.*
Yeah, Hitch did use some vivid colors, especially red and green. But the look of *Party Girl* and Hitch is different.
*I actually didn't think of it until tonight.*
That happens to me quite a bit, too. It's discussions like these that get me to see things I wouldn't otherwise. And that's something I love.
*That makes sense. There are some funny lines and the supporting actors are all good. It's amazing to see Charles Bronson with Spencer Tracy and Kate Hepburn. He seems so much "later" than them.*
And Kate beats him up and calls him the "small one"! I bet he had a death wish for her! He really does look tiny in the film.
*I wondered that myself. I really have no idea. The only other movie I remember him in was on of the Sinatra "rat pack" films. I forget which. He always seemed to play "mugs".*
I think this is the first film I've seen Falk in. He was highly entertaining in *Penelope*. They gave him some great lines, but his delivery is superb.
*Oh yes. And they are interesting to compare, as both are Southern Belles, and both rather deluded creatures. They almost represent the South itself in its glory and demise.*
What makes "Scarlett" so impressive is that it was Viv's first American film and very early on in her career. For such a young actress to carry such a big film is hard to top. But to see the emotional depths she has to play with "Blanche" is remarkable. And what's great is she's playing a mature woman but with a young vision of herself. Lots of desperation. Amazing.
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A good evening to you, Music Man -- *Angels With Dirty Faces - Top notch gangster film. Cagney is great and the ending is terrific. Put this together with "The Public Enemy" and you have quite the double feature.*
This could lead to an interesting discussion.
*Comanche Station - Western with mind games and revenge. Not a lot of action but fine performances and interesting ending. As good as the other Boetticher/Scott westerns.*
And I'm sure this will be discussed, as well. It seems a little reminiscent of *Ride Lonesome*.
*A Night In Casablanca. Much better then the later MGM films but still short of the Paramounts. Has some fun moments. I'm sure it was done because Chico was out of money.*
And Chico doesn't play a huge role in this one. I thought it was really Harpo's film.
*Seven Sinners. The Divine Miss G and I disagree on this one. I don't care much for it as Wayne spends a lot of his time groveling at Miss Dietrich's feet. A fine cast to be sure but it's Wayne's attitude that brings me down on this one.*
The Duke is certainly secondary in this one. He's a lovesick puppy. But I'd say the rest of the players are all at the top of their games. But for those who seek Wayne being "Wayne," this certainly is not the film for you.
*Shall We Dance. Sometimes these musical's plots all run together and I can't remember which is which. They are all fun but even after watching it you could enjoy just running to the dance numbers.*
Must I?! I want story!
*Warlock. An odd but compelling western for me. The relationship between Fonda and Quinn (if I have the right movie) is interesting and disturbing at the same time. Widmark is pretty good as his conscience gets the better of him at times.*
You're right on it, it's very much odd but compelling.
*Thanks. Always love your lists. You certainly are broad minded.*
Well, at least in this world I may be seen as "broad-minded." And the double-meaning does apply.
But I really have y'all to thank for introducing me to these new worlds and films. It's true, you have to be open to doing this, but it also helps to have such wonderful guides. That makes it easy. -
*Oh! I haven't seen that one and it sounds really good! I wonder if it's in my "to watch" pile.*
It's rather slow-going until the end.
*What did you think of the movie?*
I'll save that for tomorrow.
*Doesn't it veer off into a court drama? I can't remember.*
Yes. Frank Morgan is a lawyer who tries to get his friend (Paul Lukas) off for his passion killing, all the while, he starts to suspect his wife (Nancy Carroll) is cheating on him.
*It takes some guts to even try that! :DThis was one of his meanest characters.*
Yes, on both accounts! I've never seen Gable that mean before. I think I know why he was so angry:
*I was surprised at how well I liked it, too. I like the look of the movie, the use of color was interesting.*
Yes, it's rather garish, awfully red.
*I liked Cyd and I even liked* *The Big Heat rip-off with the coffee pot.*
I also liked Cyd's performance. She's really tough but soft in the film.
*Isn't it? The protégé wants to go straight but the gang won't let him, or rather the "Papa" won't let him and feels betrayed by his 'son'.*
Yes, it's exactly that. I didn't catch this. It's a wonderful observation by you.
*It's okay, I do find Kate curiously subdued in this one. I don't care for her that way, I admit. I can't picture her so wrapped up in a guy like that boyfriend that she'd become all knotted up.*
I think it's all played to make a point more than anything else.
*If the bank has to come with a stick like that as my husband, I think I'll do without the bank. Peter is more fun.*
So did this vault Peter to Columbo or was he already playing detectives like this?
*I think so. I love Marlene's character.*
Oh, now we see why! You see yourself!
*The whole cast is great, but Vivien really is sublime and transcendent.*
Even though she carries *Gone with the Wind* for four hours, I believe "Blanche" is her best performance You won't find too many greater performances.
*ha! she's boring. they needed someone like Marlene to spice things up!*
Too overpowering!
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*No, it's a great mix.*
It's definitely a mix.
*I wonder if I've seen Before I Hang and just forgot. I watched several of Karloff's movies in the past year. Many of them seemed alike.*
You're right, some of these Karloffs run together. This one is about a serum that reverses aging. Karloff is the doctor/scientist. He's in prison for a "mercy killing." He killed a guy who wanted to try the serum versus deal with the pain of old age.
*SPOILER*
*So what do you think? Did he* *really show "yellow" or was it for the kids?*
I think he did it for the kids. It makes the film redemptive.
*I do! It's just I like the others more. However, I have only seen it once and that was a couple of years ago. It did linger with me. I liked the mood James Whale set.*
The beginning of the film is very moody and well done.
*He's deliciously naughty. I only wish he had more screen time. I may be one of the few who loves his villainous roles. He plays them with such hairy relish.*
He's really bad in this one. He slugs Barbara!
*What surprises you?*
That it placed as highly as it did for you.
*This movie reminds a little of an urban Man of the West. Maybe Lee J. Cobb is part of the reason.*
Very good! I like that! It really is the same.
*What can I say? Spence's accent grates on my noives.*
I don't believe the theme is to your liking, either.
*I know it's trash but I just find Natalie's character so adorable. Only I wished she'd gone off with Peter Falk.*
But what about your bank?! Falk is excellent.
*You bet, Doc.*
It's a fun film.
*I guess I tend to prefer some aspects of the later one. Jack Carson, James Mason and Judy's rendition of "The Man That Go Away", principally. The story just never really did anything for me. Even though, ironically, I left a small town and went to Hollywood with big dreams.
*But you weren't as sweet as Esther! You slapped every guy!
*Very, very tough. I think it contains one of the best performances by a screen actress in Viv's portrayal, but it's like torture to sit through.*
She's phenomenal.
*I do, I haven't seen it in ages. Gary and Ronald Colman are reason enough and it's a handsome looking western. I didn't like the girl, though.*
Poor Vilma! She's just as pretty as the pretty boys, Silly Goose.
And I love that you added the pics.
*
The Annual FrankGrimes Torture Thread
in Your Favorites
Posted
*They needed a new barber.
*
What?!
I know they wouldn't take you! You'd snip at them all day long!