FrankGrimes
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Posts posted by FrankGrimes
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*Wow, a Sherlock Holmes in third place, not bad.*
I really like *The Scarlet Claw*. As I mentioned before, it reminds me of *The Leopard Man*.
*I found The Phenix City Story on YouTube and figured I'd put it out here in case anyone else was interested. CinemAva I think would like it the most, if she hasn't seen it already.*
It's a hard-hitting film noir with a documentary feel. Since Lively Gal liked *T-Men*, I think she may like *The Phenix City Story*. I'd say Quiet Gal may like it some, as well. It's on the brutal side. It's a rather shocking film.
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*I'm just bumping this back up. Frank why don't you put the two lists together?*
All righty.
1. Earrings of Madame de...
2. The Phenix City Story
3. The Scarlet Claw
4. Contraband
5. The House of Fear
6. Invitation to a Gunfighter
7. Susan Slept Here
8. Great Expectations
9. Along Came Jones
10. Obsession
11. The End of the Affair
12. Desk Set
13. China Seas
14. A Day at the Races
15. The Last Sunset
16. Me and My Gal
17. The Woman in Green
18. The Pearl of Death
19. Lady of Burlesque
20. Another Thin Man
21. Rendezvous
22. Pursuit to Algiers
23. The Tattered Dress
24. Safe in Hell
25. The Gay Divorcee
26. Skyscraper Souls
27. Wife vs. Secretary
28. Plymouth Adventure
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That would be you! Complaining of a headache!
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*I think we've all felt that way reading your posts!
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*I know just how she feels.*
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*No, for goodness sake. It's a glorious character. So human yet great.*
Yeah, right! You want your man to suffer! Carton, Doniphon, Rhett...
*I guess that means yes!*
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*<swoon>! Sydney Carton...now there's a man. I have to get this DVD, I think. I'm in tears just thinking about him.*
What?! You just want a man to kill himself over you!
*Did you watch it yet?*
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*Not just different, better!*
Not necessarily. They fear they aren't as good as the other and that the one they love sees them as less, but that doesn't mean it's true.
*Is she so different from Francie Stevens?
* To start, no. But Francie comes around. She's just a wrongheaded mule, like someone I know.
*I can't really get into anyone else as Sherlock as much as I can Basil. He adds such a flair and is so dynamic.*
He seems to embody my image of Sherlock Holmes.
*The killer that has more compassion than the community.*
That's great! He certainly does.
*That's true, though you get the feeling that vested interests, business types are also under fire. That handmaiden of modern society, the middle man, as so perfectly illustrated by slimy Strother.
*Poor Strother! You're right, this is one of the first films where I saw the middle man being attacked so openly.
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*And your assignment, if you choose to accept it, is to watch an earlier movie with a similar scenario and Conrad Veidt as its leading man,* *Dark Journey (1937). I can't say the movie is nearly as good as the P&P film, it's not half as imaginatively shot or written, but it does have the advantage in its leading lady.
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*Hope you only meet good things in 2012, Frank. Felice anno nuovo, Frank! I wish you a sweet year.*
Awwwwwwwwwwwww! Thank you, Bronxie. That was very kind of you. May you have a very lovely 2012.
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What a magnificent way to ring in the new year, Lively Gal! That was excellent! Lots of my very favorites! Thank you!
May you and everyone else have a most wonderful 2012. So long as we're talking, I know I will.
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*It sure did, she was too funny and soooo mean. The scene where Susan watches Mark and Isabella's home movies was funny. Isabella does everything perfectly but I loved Virgil's comment to Susan: "Mark didn't go for her because of she was a good skier" or something like that.* *It's a familiar scenario in real life. There are always Isabellas to make the rest of us feel so insecure.*
It's a very familiar scene to reality, Isabella.
Both sexes start to feel less when we become jealous of another who is different than us and who has captured the attention of the one we love. I definitely liked that scene. I really do love seeing jealousy and insecurity.*Really? Ann has a really striking look that is quite unique. She has one of the most flawless complexions I have ever seen. And those Wedgwood blue eyes, wow, no wonder Mark was hypnotized. But she was kind of scary, too, ha! I laughed at how the policeman was drooling over her.*
Wedgwood eyes? Huh? Women like Isabella really are frightening. They often expect everything to be handed to them. Yuck! I prefer Susan.
*I first saw him as Errol Flynn's arch enemy so I only knew him as a baddie for the longest time. I love him as the good guy. I generally like it when I get to see actors who typically play villains have a chance to play good guys.*
He's been a joy to watch as Sherlock. He's brilliant. I only have one to watch.
*I did like their little exchanges. He wanted her to feel good about life and living.*
*The part of him that was a real gentleman came through.*
Right. He wasn't completely driven by anger and hate. He still possesses a compassion for humanity.
*I missed several parts...I've seen the very beginning and the very end and only parts of the middle. Unless Gloria has other scenes, her one appearance is so brief you could blink and miss her. I couldn't even say what her role was. She looked upset, though.*
I didn't expect much of a role for Gloria. Her screen time became less and less by the late-50s.
*He's actually not that different. Still a smart alec, the only real difference is who he points his gun at. That's the fascination for me of their characters. They are hired guns. How can we find anything to admire in such men? Yet they once were "Paladins", or knights, in stories but when people confront them in reality they aren't always so pleasant. They're mercenaries and sometimes, they operator for the enforcement of the communities' laws, but yet the communities do not welcome them or want them around after the dirty work is done.*
That all sounds good to me. Boone seems perfectly cast for such a character.
*I've seen several westerns lately, all made aroudn the same period (late sixties, early 70s) that take a closer look at what Ford and others (but mostly Ford) alluded to about the man of violence and his role in the old west and the attitudes of the "civilized" toward them. The Civil War seemed, like WWII, to provide a great platform for these stories. They recruit and make men killers of their "brothers" and then loathe them when the war is over. "That's all over, we have to join the civilized world now." Right. Like all the criminal intent in man dies when the a war is over.*
That's a very good point. The Civil War really is used in westerns as World War II is with dramas. It's all about the returning soldier. But the difference seems to be what side you fought on with the westerns. That's something far different with World War II.
INVITATION TO A GUNFIGHTER spoiler
*That was a good catch! I admit those words never registered with me, I puzzled over them. Now I understand. The marginalized man hated by the community suddenly is "hired" by that community to kill the man they hired to kill him. Amazing.*
It's as CineMaven perfectly described: "Sort of like, the enemy of my enemy is my friend."
But what's great about it in *Invitation to a Gunfighter* is that the backdrop is racially motivated. It becomes tribal.
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*You know, Valerie wasn't at all like what I anticipated and I liked her a lot. It's a spirited, daring character.*
I liked her, too. And I thought you would, as well. She was quite defiant to start. She wasn't going to be told what to do, even if it was best for her. Women!
*Frank's right, it reminds me of the Hitch films like The Lady Vanishes or* *The 39 Steps or even later films like the 007 series.*
It's very Hitchcockian, especially his 30s films. The urban underground always fascinates me.
*Contraband is more playful and fun and of course, the photography is so imaginative. I love all the fog scenes...fog is such a great scene-setter! "Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!"*
What did you think of Veidt?
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*It's very frank.*
Yes, it is very "me"!
*I can't say there all that many 50s comedies I like, but this is one of them.*
I know. There was a weird mix of comedies in the 50s.
*You're right! Virgil is even like Buddy in how he criticizes all the time.*
I believe the pilot for The Dick Van Dyke Show featured a "Virgil" character in it, who would become Buddy (Morey Amsterdam).
*Except I don't think Isabella really wanted to make a true change, just enough to get him back.*
They both wanted to win Mark over and thought they needed to become more like the other woman to do it. Isabella's approach had more of a mocking angle to it, though.
*I really like Ann Francis, she looked like a porcelein doll.*
That's a good way to describe her beauty. She reminded me of an emotional Veronica Lake.
*He's kind of like Basil Rathbone. They play their respective parts with relish. Warren even looks like a wolf, to me.
* He does! It's rather strange to see Basil playing a villain after watching him as Sherlock.*I really liked the bonnet lady. Poor thing, she probably hadn't had an admiring thing said to her in years, at least not since her husband died.*
I did like their little exchanges. He wanted her to feel good about life and living.*Yes, and the writers and producers, you'll see their names on feature film credits. I watched another like that the other day, with your girl, Gloria. It was called Ride Beyond Vengence and starred Chuck Connors. It's kind of similar to ITAGF in a way, now I think of it. Civilization's hypocrisy on full display.*
Oh, wow! I've always been rather curious about that film because of Gloria, of course. I didn't know what the film was about, though.
*Jules, by the way, is very, very close to Richard Boone's TV character, Paladin. The only real difference is their backgrounds/race. But they are so much alike in their attitude, their mockery, their intellgence and obvious superiority to most of the men around them.*
I can definitely see Richard Boone pulling that one off. He's very good at playing superior. I'm not sure I've ever seen him as a "good guy," though.
*I didn't get the forshadowing if it was there. I was not expecting him to do that, I thought it was out of jealousy but I guess there was the racism in it, too.*
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*Ha! That was funny when you consider it's wholesome, youthful Debbie Reynolds saying it.*
I believe this was my first "Debbie" film. She was wonderful. She had "spunky" down. When she told Isabella on Mark's (Dick Powell) phone that she was in his bed, I laughed out loud. My jaw dropped a few times in the film.
*That's a good description. If it weren't tastefully done, it could be a disaster. But it's got a great script and an excellent cast. Everyone clicks.*
It definitely screams "50s," but I usually like that feel. It's in the "*Seven Year Itch*" realm.
*I like the secretary, boy she hated Isabella (so did Virgil).*
Maude Snodgrass (Glenda Farrell) reminded me a lot of Sally (Rose Marie) from The Dick Van Dyke Show, all the way down to her final result. She was brilliant.
*I laughed when Mark (Powell) told Susan that "Isabella's a natural blonde. I know. She told me." Susan's expression was hilarious. Men are so naive!*
We are! I absolutely love watching female insecurity. It's on full display in the film. I like how both Susan and Isabella try to become more like the other.*She was, but he was a big, big noise in terms of money and power. Two very intoxicating "drugs" at work on a foolish young mind.*
She thinks she's doing him a big favor and he's purely looking to have her.
*And Warren is so delightfully wolfish.
*He was. He's very good at playing the "wolf." I didn't have a problem with him in the film. He played his part very well.
*First time I saw it, I was surprised by his reaction. I didn't see that coming, but she came right back again. Good girl!*
That's because you're one of the best multiple-slappers of all-time!
*How? I haven't seen Blazing Saddles in so long, I really don't recollect it at all.*
Jules is, basically, a black man. The lady with the bonnet reminds me of the elderly woman in *Blazing Saddles*. "Sorry about the 'up yours... .' "
*Yes, I feel that way about so many late 60s and 70s westerns. They all have a "tawny", grainy look to them and the towns all look alike.*
Definitely. And some of the directors of those westerns seem to have been inspired by the television westerns and/or actually directed some.
*"Down on your knees."* *I got the impression that he was made to crawl, or maybe his father was. It's like it was personal as well motivated by his feelings for Janice. He was finding his self-respect in a way, even if it cost him everything.*
That's a great point. It was all about humiliation. I'm darn sure he and his father were forced into such humiliation. It's definitely personal. You have that exactly right.
*What shocked me was Segal's turn at the end, I didn't see that coming.*
But it was predicted. He fell victim to racial allegiance.
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*I'm nothing like Isabella.*
I thought it was funny how Susan was so darn open to Isabella on the phone. Anne Francis was very good.*I'm glad it amused you. I didn't used to care for it when I first saw it, now it makes me laugh.*
It's both sweet and sexy. It's also a film that is really pushing the boundaries.
*She was tempted, like a lot of girls when they come to New York.*
I can see how one could get caught up in all of that. But she was very naive to the intentions of Dwight (Warren William).
*He was annoying, I was glad when she slapped him.*
That sounds like you!
*Yes, I'd agree with that too. All kinds of ideas and social ills, prejudices were attacked.*
Very much so. It seemed like Mel Brooks may have been inspired by the film for *Blazing Saddles*.
*That's what I told rohanaka. The cast is different and not at all typically "western". I'm okay with it, it works well this time.*
I was fine with the cast. The direction and production made the film feel like Gunsmoke.
*He reminds me a little of Rhett. I like those characters that mock the hypocrisies of people around them. He was two men, really, and a tragic figure.*
That was nicely said. Jules certainly doesn't pull his punches. He spells it out for people, literally and figuratively.
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*Did you enjoy "the baby face killer"? :DDick Powell is so funny. I like how the Oscar "narrates".*
I actually ended up really liking Susan (Debbie Reynolds). That surprised me. She was using your trick with the rolling pin! And you were also quite interesting in the film, Isabella.
*Ooh, now I must see it to be sure!*
And the Gary Cooper that Veidt reminds me of is the older Coop, so I think you'll like him.
*I really liked Anita Page's character and her story was the most interesting to me of all though there wasn't a whole lot to it.*
Me, too. That's the only part of the actual story that interested me. There was some great depth with her.
*Maureen is very sweet*.
And stubborn! She kicks almost as much as you!
*Why did you dislike it? Was it just because the story is thin or you don't like that whole setting and subject?*
Mainly because of the story. I didn't find the story to be interesting at all. It's rather dry. And then you toss in Norman Foster's annoying "Tom," and I'm going crazy.
*You may be right. The casting is really odd. It works extremely well in my eyes, but I don't think it's everyone's cuppa.*
Lots of social commentary to be found, which is what I liked. Some of it is on the heavy-handed side, which can be a turn-off for some.
*I just love Jules, and how Brynner portrays him, and the sadness of the character in back of all the bravado. He knows he's only allowed to live as freely and well as he does for all the worst reasons.*
He is the reason why the film is fascinating and good, to me. For others, he's going to be why they really don't go for the film. I like the many layers to Jules (Yul). He's compassionate yet also quite arrogant. He's interesting.
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*I'm astonished most of all that you seemed to like* *Susan Slept Here that much.*
Me, too! I really enjoyed it. *I will try to watch Contraband tomorrow, you and Jackie have made me very curious. I always like Veidt and I trust Powell & Pressburger.*
It's very Hitchcockian and Conrad Veidt reminded me of Gary Cooper, believe it or not. I think it's a good film. And I do think you'll like it.
*It's hilarious you put Skyscraper Souls at the bottom, it's such a quintessential 1930s film.*
I only liked Maureen O'Sullivan and Anita Page. The entire story of the film bored me and Norman Foster annoyed me. There just wasn't anything there for me.
*I'm guessing you really don't care for anything from #7 down and weren't too hot on any of them.*
Actually, I mostly liked all of the films with the exception of *Skyscraper Souls*.
*Finally someone has at least seen* *Invitation to a GF after all the times I've mentioned it! I don't even think movieman has seen it, which surprises me.*
It's a rather fascinating western; definitely not your traditional western. I don't believe Movieman would like it because it's unconventional.
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*Don't rush.*
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*You always do a pretty good job in guessing my tastes, I have to say.
I would have never guessed you liking *The Woman in Green* that much. In fact, I'm impressed by your having the three "Sherlocks" in the top half.
This is how I liked them:
1. Contraband (3)
2. The House of Fear (4)
3. Invitation to a Gunfighter (6)
4. Susan Slept Here (13)
5. Obsession (2)
6. The End of the Affair (1)
7. Desk Set (12)
8. China Seas (7)
9. The Woman in Green (5)
10. Lady of Burlesque (9)
11. Another Thin Man (8)
12. Rendezvous (14)
13. Pursuit to Algiers (10)
14. The Gay Divorcee (15)
15. Skyscraper Souls (11)
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*I thought Barbara was cute, she reminded me of Gloria Grahame in It's a Wonderful Life and Terry Moore in* *Peyton Place, the naughty small town blondes. We had one in our high school and she had the perfect name for her "role" in high school life: Bambi.
*I never knew your name was "Bambi," Bambi! How cool!
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*Lady of Burlesque*
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*You've watched 3 or 4 of my favorites, not even on purpose.*
Uh-oh. That spells trouble!
I actually did watch one of those films on purpose because it was one of your favorites. And I was told you liked another.
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*Good evening Sir Francis. Christmas was fine. I hope yours went well.*
Good evening to you, Movieman. I had a very nice Christmas. I'm now on the tired side.
*I have only seen four and none very recently. "Another Thin Man," "China Seas," "Desk Set," and "The Gay Divorcee" are the only ones on my list.*
So you haven't watched the "Sherlocks"?
*"Desk Set" is the best remembered of those and that is because a copy rests on my shelf. (Weren't we going to talk about that one or did we and it just not get very far?)*
You recommended that one to me when I was asking what Tracy & Hepburn to watch, and I just got around to watching it.
*Oh, should I assume that any of these great lists are first viewings?*
They are all first viewings. I wanted to watch 250 classic films this year and I'm at 242. I'm not sure I'll be able to watch eight films in five days.
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*Why?*
I think you'll like it.
*Is it on youtube because I don't have it.*
Why, it is!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBx5ALHy5OI&feature=bf_next&list=PLBC11695E4D5DBDE1&lf=results_main
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The Annual FrankGrimes Torture Thread
in Your Favorites
Posted
*What?????????? Great Expectations came in all the way at as high up as NUMBER EIGHT??? (and now.. this just in.. A T O T C is up at bat???)*
*Where is Frank Grimes and what have you DONE with him???
*
Thankfully, that guy was offed in 2011. Hello 2012!
*(meanwhile.. note to self.. call my 10th Grade Honor's English teacher and see if she still has a copy of the A+ book report (circa1979) that I turned in for that story.. maybe I can use THAT as a reference this time, since I haven't seen the MOVIE... gulp)*
What?! You?! I don't believe one bit of it! You must have been dreaming that. And tsk, tsk for not having seen the film. Shameful!
But I do owe you a reply yet, among others.