FrankGrimes
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Posts posted by FrankGrimes
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You're ruining the mood!
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Except on this board!
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*It's incredible what you can find on the net if you have the patience to dig deep enough.*
I was told those pics were destroyed!
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They're awesome! Somebody has some real classic film taste!
What's amazing is the one pic has been my screensaver since 2007.
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Wow! I'm thoroughly impressed! How did you do all that?! I'm also turned on, Troublemaker! Thank you!
I liked the "11 K in 11/11." That was great!
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*You also get the sense that Ava is going to put up a fight before she goes down for the count. She has a kind of gallantry that one doesn't see too often in women, particularly when they are about to lose it all. That puts her in league with Garbo, yes, and Dietrich and Margaret Sullaven, I might add.*
Margaret Sullavan? Hmmm, that's interesting. I never knew. You're right about Ava. She won't roll over easily.
*Vivien, being the most childlike and vulnerable is the one that leaves you feeling the worst because most anyone could have stepped in and saved her simply by being unselfish with her.*
Except Scarlett!
**Streetcar*? Oh, I thought you had an abnormal aversion to the little forms of public transportation.*
You weren't supposed to let everyone know that, Blanche!
*Quite a few "wild Bills" in the pipeline!*
*THese are the kind of collections that simply shriek that is someone who REALLY knows movies who buys them...if only I had the right kind of shelf space for my selection. A selection I wouldn't mine sharing with a few trustworthy people if we got together our selections we could have quite a littie little lending library of movies, maybe we could figure some way to ear the money to build the kind of storage space where they'll be accessible yet dry and well preserved.To keep mailing costs down, the Lending Library will cover enough to buy stamp for one or two discs out at a time. And more, the recipient should pay the return postage.*
Huh? What? Isn't that called Netflix?
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*Though her characters often end tragically, there's nothing self-conscious about her style that "signals" tragic woman. I think both Garbo and Vivien had a lingering tinge of doom to their psyche's that they projected in every character. Ava's eyes ususally were laughing or flirting or taunting, whether with animal spirits or to cover her hurt.*
Ooooohhh, that's excellent! You're right, I never think of "doom" with Ava. Ava plays "otherwordly" so very well. She's of the earth, but also mystical.
*The only time Garbo really playfully tries to hide her pain is as Camille, hence it being one of her finest performances. Vivien tries to hide it as Blanche but she fails utterly, hence it being one of her finest performances.*
I keep putting off watching that film because of you.
*Oh, I thought it was in the upcoming Wellman set?*
I now see. *Safe in Hell* is an upcoming Archive release for January. Two other Wellman films are being released through Archives, too. They are from the 50s, though. "Forbidden Hollywood: Volume Three" features six Wellman pre-codes.
*Now it's coming back to me. I remember that about the guy...what a louse.*
You remember me!
*I thought she was very real, believably worn and that she'd experienced, well, hell. Good actress. I don't think I've seen her in anything else that I recall.*
I never heard of her before. She was very good. It's definitely her film.
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*Ha, you're right, that could describe several of her movies one way or another!*
That's what I thought. I'll eventually find my way to Garbo.
*To me, she was the queen of tragic cinema, and Vivien Leigh its princess.*
What about Ava?!
*I'd like to have the William Wellman box set its in, I think it's one of the more interesting sets of "pre-codes" around.*
I don't think it's on DVD just yet. Maybe it's Warner Archives or a TCM exclusive.
*And it's neat that Wellman himself is getting known for not just G.I. Joe and* *The Ox-Bow Incident, sterling films as they are. He really did a LOT of "women's pictures". He cut his teeth on them as a director.*
*Safe in Hell* is clearly a "woman's picture." It's a very good one, too. I'm surprised by Wellman being a director of such films. I'm impressed.
*I had no thought of that in my mind, either. Wow. What is the statement? Can we quote you?
* SAFE IN HELL IS SPOILED
Woman is seen as just a sexual object by almost every man in the film and the one good man doesn't think well enough of her to stay by her side. He's in love with the sea (his job). So the woman's answer to man's attempt to force her into unwanted sexual submission is to choose death. If the one good man she loved actually loved her equally, she'd fight to live. But he didn't care about her to that level.
*I'll say. Sort of a choice between the frying pan or the fire. What did you think of the actress, Dorothy MacKail (sp?)*
I liked her. She had a great fight to her. I liked how she played explosive and "I don't give a darn" while also projecting longing and disappointment.
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*Now I'll really have to look again. I never thought of Garbo. When you said "Garbo ending" I could only think of* *Queen Christina and I was sure I didn't remember anything like that in* *Safe in Hell.
* I've only seen the very end of one Garbo film and I thought it had her being led off to her doom.
*I think Safe in Hell Jackie knows and admires a lot, I'm sure she could comment better than I can on this one.*
I hope she does. I can see why this is her kind of film. It definitely screams "Jackie."
*I remember the girl making a sacrifice of some sort,*
Big time. She makes a loud statement. The film is very much a statement film.
*but I really need to watch it to refresh my memory of all but the "tone" of the film.*
The tone is very good. You get a real sense of a woman being trapped in an ugly world.
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*It was interesting that it took place in Canada, too. This is one of the most atmospheric of their films since* *The Hound of the Baskervilles. I agree it's one of their very best.*
It's really good. As you say, the atmosphere is one of the best in the series. It's basically the closest I've seen to *The Hound of the Baskervilles*, my favorite to date.
*I can't remember the ending too well. You've got to admit it's a unique story.*
I haven't seen a film similar to it. Although, this is how I always picture some Garbo flicks being. But I'm guessing the Garbo films are nowhere near as harsh as *Safe in Hell*.
The ending is martyrdom. Very "Joan of Arc." It's just the cause is woman, not country.
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THE SCARLET CLAW AND THE LEOPARD MAN SPOILED IN THE MOORS
*In what way did it remind you of TLM?*
A beast is being accused of murders when it's a serial killer. I liked the instrument of death, too.
*Why didn't you like it? I thought it was a very interesting film. Rather harsh. It left a rather vivid impression. It's not a pretty film, that's for sure.*
I didn't dislike it, really. It's definitely a very harsh film. I liked the message behind it, although I didn't go for the "Garbo" ending. I just didn't find the meat of the film to be all that entertaining. I loved the opening and the message, the very most. It's definitely a Woman film. It's very strong and quite good on that level.
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*None of these films are among my "favorites". I really like the ones on top and I don't dislike any of them. They're just middling to me for the most part, compared to my real favorites. And there's quite a few of them I have only seen once and I believe my appreciation would grow if I saw them again and read some discussion on them.*
Yeah, I can't see you loving any of these films. They don't seem to be all the way "you."
*I am surprised to see a Holmes film rank so high, unless it's because you really aren't that crazy about any of these movies.*
No! I really liked it! It reminded me of *The Leopard Man*. It's my second favorite Sherlock, so far.
*I took a gambled on Safe in Hell that it would rank either way high or at the bottom.*
So you thought there wasn't going to be middle ground for me with the film. That ended up being accurate.
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*You have better taste than I gave you credit for.*
What?! I need to frame that! Can you certify this for me and present it to Miss G?
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So what's the secret? Or can't you tell?
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I thought it was really interesting to see how you and Jackie differed on your personal favorites from the group. I was more surprised by your ranking. I would have never guessed *Plymouth Adventure* was at the top.
Here's how I liked them:
1. Earrings of Madame de... (2 - MG, 5 - JF)
2. The Phenix City Story (3 - MG, 1 - JF)
3. The Scarlet Claw (10 - MG, 7 - JF)
4. Great Expectations (4 - MG, 8 - JF)
5. Along Came Jones (6 - MG, 9 - JF)
6. A Day at the Races (9 - MG, 10 - JF)
7. The Last Sunset (5 - MG)
8. Me and My Gal (7 - MG, 4 - JF)
9. The Pearl of Death (8 - MG)
10. The Tattered Dress (11 - MG, 2 - JF)
11. Safe in Hell (1 - MG, 3 - JF)
12. Wife vs. Secretary (13 - MG, 6 - JF)
13. Plymouth Adventure (12 - MG, 11 - JF)
I believe this is the closest you have ever come to knowing how I'd like the films, Miss G. That was really impressive! You were only way off with *The Scarlet Claw* and *Safe in Hell*. Everything else was right on.
Jackie, if I were guessing myself before watching these films, I would have guessed as you did. Your list almost mirrors my "gut feeling" before seeing the flicks.
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If you can, how would you (and Miss G) rank that list of films in terms of how you liked them?
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Bronxie and Movieman, here is the link to the *Giant* discussion from last November:
http://forums.tcm.com/thread.jspa?threadID=149374&start=1785&tstart=0
If you wish to go to the next page, the page may show up as blank. To correct this, delete the "comma" from the second number in the address line and hit "enter/return."
And Movieman, my recall wasn't the best. I thought this discussion happened earlier this year, in the spring. I had to check my private messages with Snippy to figure out when it really happened. So I cheated.
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I'm certainly not looking to interrupt any discussions. Quite the opposite. I'm hoping to continue with them.
But I'd also like to post the most recent films I have watched. If anyone would like to guess how I liked them or post how they like them, please do.
Along Came Jones
A Day at the Races
Earrings of Madame de...
Great Expectations
The Last Sunset
Me and My Gal
The Pearl of Death
The Phenix City Story
Plymouth Adventure
Safe in Hell
The Scarlet Claw
The Tattered Dress
Wife vs. Secretary
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Good evening, Piecemaker -- *Hello "boy" (ha... ok.. I am NO Estella)
* No, but I know someone who is!*What?? YOU???? I thought you were the NICE guy?? (didn't I read that somewhere???)
*That's me being nice!
*Not usually.. but I think he thought it did.*
Those who are doing such things always do!
*So while I DO believe it is usually wrong to try and "micromanage" people you love or care about into doing the right thing or doing what is best for them (even if they won't choose it for themselves) Sometimes.. it is not always wrong to keep them from hurting themselves (by guiding their behavior)*
So long as you are okay with them doing the same with you.
*If you live on a busy street and the cars are speeding by at 45 mph.. and you have a kid who likes to play ball.. it is NOT wrong to tell them where they can and can't play ball.. even an older kid.. if they won't figure it out for themselves. They SHOULD be able to look at the cars.. see how big and fast they are.. and do the math and see that the back yard is safer than the front. But dadgum.. the FRONT yard has the side walk.. and the ball just BOUNCES better out front. So what's the harm in having a little fun? And the next thing you know.. despite your warning... they WANT to play where it is dangerous.*
But kids are different than adults. A parent is needed to guide a child. A parent is to instill good qualities in their child; to teach them right and wrong. Adults are no longer children, even if they act like them.
*OH... here's a more "grown up" version : it's like the seatbelt and child car seat laws. Good gravy.. ANYBODY with half a brain knows it is RIGHT (and smart) and SAFE to wear a seatbelt..OR to put your baby (toddler.. small young child) in a carseat.. now. But HOW many little kids (and their grown up parents too) have died on the highway over the years getting us to the point that the government felt the NEED to make such a law..*
I'm all for the creation of laws to protect the citizens. They are definitely pouring glue on our heads. But the Law is not one person acting alone with their beliefs being the driving force.
*Sometimes it is not wrong to make people do the right thing... if they won't choose to do if for themselves. (not always.. but sometimes) But.. I agree with your basic point because it IS all in the perspective as to how vital the "thing' is that you are wanting to make someone else do.. and I don't know that the Glueman's reasoning fitst w/ this argument.*
I agree. There are times when you need to prevent someone from hurting themselves. But the "Glue Man" painted all the young women with a guilty brush, thinking all of them were out to do bad. How would he know? Some would be. Maybe even most. But all? And how would he feel if someone was judging him? There is always going to be someone who disapproves of one's way of life. "He's not enough, he's too much."
The "Glue Man" judged Alison before he ever knew her. Then he got to know her. He wouldn't have dumped his glue on her if he had known her. When someone is nameless and faceless to you, they mean less. One of the hardest things to do in this world is to treat the nameless and faceless as someone you know. We are right and everyone else is wrong... unless they agree with us.
*But the reasons that are given in the film.. I'm not sure that THOSE would be convincing enough to justify someone to start breaking out the glue.. ha. And yet.. it DID make for quite a story didn't it???
*Oh, I think the "Glue Man" is fascinating. A vigilante out for "good." He's his own "Robin Hood."
*I just talked w/ a coworker today who is in her twenties.. and married just six months. And she told me how STRESSED OUT and upset she has been lately because of the family get togethers over the Thanksgiving holiday and the need for her to cook for her husband's family. She has NEVER cooked (more than just microwave food) to speak of.. and so she was a nervous wreck. I felt sad for her because I thought.. gee.. nobody ever taught her how to read a recipe or mix a few ingredients together and call it supper.*
It could be more than that. She may have never shown any interest in learning. Like anything, the more you do it, the more comfortable you'll become.
*I hope that someday the kidling will be able to tell a different (and less stressful) story someday about how she fixed food for her husband's family for the first time. (but holidays and family gatherings aside.. it is just another fun way I have found to hang out w/ the kid and get to help her grow up and I am grateful to my own mom for setting that example by teaching me when i was young)*
Very good! It's definitely a good bonding experience for mother and daughter. Of course, some moms don't wish to be bothered in the kitchen.
*Ok.. how bad did you hate THIS one??
*I can't say yet!
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Ciao, Bronxie -- *Good Saturday to you, Master Grimes. Loving all your discussions on A CANTERBURY TALE. I saw it once years ago, and its charming, picturesque, haunting spirituality crept up on me (sort of like The Glue Man, lol) and I've never quite been able to forget it, although I do need to see it again.*
Such perfect words to describe the film. You always apply the right words. You have quite the knack.
*I remember that Sheila Sim resembled Ingrid Bergman in one of those naturalistic Rossellini movies, and Eric Portman's mother reminded me of Julian Karswell's in CURSE OF THE DEMON, ha! And of course I always love haughty, sharp-tongued (but unexpectedly vulnerable) Dennis Price).*
I liked how the three "strangers" seemed to be very child-like. They possessed an innocence to them, particularly Alison (Sheila Sim) and Bob (John Sweet).
*I'm looking for discussions of the movie but am going crazy trying to find them. I think you all talked about it in Rambles. I want to refresh my memory of what was said before giving my two cents worth.*
I believe we discussed that film in late-October/early-November of 2010. As you know, the search doesn't allow us to access that part of the thread. Strange. Rohanaka and Miss G talked about *Giant* very recently on this thread, though.
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Once again, you have done a superb job of ranking your favorites, Rey. Wonderfully done. The write-ups were very good. I also liked your quick comments about each year. Great stuff.
I'm going to wait until you finish the decade before I post my favorites for each year. Unlike the 60s, the 40s is a decade I've seen a lot of films from. I've seen close to 250.
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*And a contract to mass produce them!*
They would sell like hotcakes! You alone need a million dunkings!
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*Well, let me break out the hat pin then, and you'll forget all about those cheeks.. and start crying over the other ones.
* That's usually what happens!*Ha.. I knew that would get you.*
It did! Such sensationalism! But I like the provocation. I like to get you going with that, too.
*Mostly I was kidding (truly) but there was a little bit of an anti-woman slant (from the glueman's perspective) but you'd only see it if you were LOOKING for it. Because honestly I don't think he or the movie really were anti-woman. ha. (I just like to give you grief) ha.*
*But I liked the line in the train car where the girl asks the glueman if he'd never thought of asking the girls to his lectures (instead of using glue to stop them from going out w/ the soldiers) He COULD have asked BOTH the women and the men.. but he never thought of it..*
*And when he told her no.. I Iiked her answer.. "Pity" (very British...ha) but she was right. It was a pity. Because he really did seem to commit his crime for the "greater good" as it were. He COULD have thought of a better way to do that, had he not had at least some sort of "pre-conceived: notion that the women might not care about his lecture topic as much as the men.*
But that was the point! The Glue Man was handing down his own judgments. He was definitely anti-woman but I don't believe the film is. In fact, it's the opposite for shining the light on the Glue Man and his playing "God."
*Burnt!! No way.. we are good cooks. (at least we haven't killed anyone yet, ha)*
Gulp. I must avoid your picnics!
*It's getting fun now that she is getting older. We started her making her own "cookbook" over the summer and she is learning to fix all sorts of things (and writing down all the steps in her little book) Too cute.*
I think that's wonderful. It's great to see a mother teaching her daughter how to cook in today's world. Too many rely on the microwave or fast food to do it all.
*What?????????????????????????????????? How could this be??? There are no green beans in saur kraut!*
I love ham and green beans! But I need them cooked in the pot with the potatoes. That makes them nice and mushy. Pennsylvania Dutch.*Yes, it is on page 97 of the "Foods Women Must Like" handbook. (you didn't know there was a handbook, did you??)
*I know it well! I think all the women in my family make casseroles. Yuck!
*Ick.. mushy beans. (though I do confess, if I am fixing fresh green beans from the garden.. I love to let them cook down (way down) with bacon and onion and let them simmer a good long while.. oh baby, that's good eating.*
Onions?! Awful!
*There's no hotdogs in Saw Dust either..*
Yes there are! They go well together!
*what ARE you doing expanding your food horizons this way. Next thing you'll be telling me you actually LIKE ______________________ (oh it is just so impossible you would start liking real food, I can't even fill in the blank... )
*You've got me right! I can't think of a "new" food that I like.
*Great.. you can stay for supper and I will fix you some left over green bean casserole!!
* I'm not going to be the first to go!
*Actually.. sad but true.. He DOES work a lot.. too much in fact (this is his overtime season, poor fella) But I still manage to pester him w/ my blabbing as often as I can.. ha. Don't want him to get TOO used to the peace and quiet. :-)*
The poor man has no chance.
*Well, let me know when you DO see it as I am SURE you will be dying to tell me just how much you hated it (again... ha)
*I've got not-so-great expectations!
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*I can't speak for the other gals.*
Don't worry, they are doing quite fine without your help! My cheeks are sore!
*but I was just responding to the ANTI- woman sentiment that runs RAMPANT (and glue-laden) in that movie.*
Anti-woman?! Hey, that is me! Where in the world do you see the anti-woman?!
*No way! Never! it was quite delightful as a matter of fact. (along w/ all the trimmings) The kidling even helped w/ the dressing and pies and cranberries this year (oh.. and I let her sprinklle the french-fried onions on the green bean cassarole too)*
That poor girl! She's going to grow up thinking burnt is delightful! But I do like the mommy/daughter teamwork. That's fantastic.
*Oh wait.. look who I am talking to.. just a minute, let me translate...*
*Umm.. a Green Bean is a vegetable, Grey Dude.. people eat them... and they are delicious...* **
I like green beans! But not casseroles! Yuck! Must all women like casseroles?! I want plain ol' beans! And they better be mushy! None of this crunchy stuff! By the way, I had a hot dog for dinner.
*I refuse to listen to such talk.. I bet she prepared a DELISH feast for the whole Sweet T fam.*
She did! And now she is in the Big House for poisoning them!
*Ha.. I WOULD argue with that.. but alas.. there is likely WAY too much evidence against me. I imagine there are days when he might even think, "Who can wait for Christmas, I will just go out back and build one on my own!" HA!*
That's great! Tell him I'll be over to help.
*Poor guy.. how DOES he put up with me??*
He must work and sleep a LOT.
*Tick tock, tick tock!!!*
I've watched ten new films! Who is to say one is not... ?
The Annual FrankGrimes Torture Thread
in Your Favorites
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Good evening, Lively Gal -- I greatly enjoy all of our (Rambles) discussions on the board. I love it when I'm shown different sides of a film and you are easily one of the best on this board at doing this. Keep at it.
*Funny, I thought this film would rank higher with you; tough, hard-hitting. Ha! That just shows to go ya how much I know about your film tastes.*
For some reason, the films of the 30s just don't register with me nearly as much as the 40s and 50s. But I'll keep watching them, hoping I'll find some that do.
*To be honest, I don't care so much about how you rank them...but more about what your thoughts are about the films you've watched. (I'll ask you about the others in a minute).*
That's understandable. Lists can be great snapshots, but they don't provide depth.
*The "Garbo" ending...what didn't you like about it? I thought it made the most sense in fitting with the plot and the loudest statement in fitting in the universe of being Woman. It worked for me. Why didn't it work for you?*
Oh, I think it works for the kind of film it is. It really is the right ending for it. It's just not my kind of film.
*HA! You didn't go for the Garbo ending...and the meat of the film wasn't all that entertaining for you. But you did like the movie. Ohhkay.*
I liked the atmosphere and Dorothy, primarily. I also think the film epitomizes "pre-code."
*The meat of the film, for me, was where all the juice and nuance was. We got the bookends (the bread) of what the plot was. Everything in the middle added to the flavor of such a bitter sandwich Wild Bill presents to us. (Why am I thinking of Dagwood Bumstead and his mile-high sandwiches? Not now, T. not now).*
You have it right. The middle of the film was all about presenting the oddball characters that now make up Gilda's (Dorothy Mackaill) world. That's the "soup." Those characters didn't do much for me though, other than Leonie (Nina May McKinney) and Newcastle (Clarence Muse).
*In fact, from what I can glean of your tastes, I'd say stay away...stay far far away from GARBO films. You will not like them. Not to be sexist, but they're more for women's tastes and the perspective of that universe.*
Despite that, I'm curious. I do like romance. I just don't know if I'll like Garbo's kind of romance. As you say, I feel Garbo will me more "female" and I'll be looking for a "Marlene" kind of love, which is aimed at men.
*The word "martyr" hints at a different connotation for me.*
Do you mean religious? I was using the word in regards to "cause."
*But I will say Dorothy's self-sacrificial gesture is very powerful to me a la Bette Davis. She was true to herself, even if it meant death.*
I'd say *Safe in Hell* is a "Bette Davis" kind of film, at least Bette in the 40s. Although, I think Bette would kill rather than sacrifice herself.
It's kind of a "I Spit on Your Grave" film.
SPOILED SAFE IN HELL
*I see it just a tad differently, re: "the one good man." Her choice of death was specific to the prospect of being in the police chief's clutches. I think she wanted to live and was happy when her lover came back for her.*
But I believe she finally comes to realize Carl (Donald Cook) is only going to show up when he wants and then he'll leave when he wants, so there is no reason for her to fight through it. She was holding out hope that he would be her savior.
*I suspect Sailor Boy will be devastated to know she died.*
At first, but then he'll be off to his real love, the sea.
*Sailor Boy (aka one good man aka the wooden actor Donald Cook) loved her enough to hide her; put her on ice...in Hell. When the storm blew over, he came back to get her. I would say if Sailor Boy* *"really" loved her, he'd have married her from the get-go. I can't explain it for the life of me, but somehow back then, if you married a girl, she was protected. (I don't get how marrying a girl and going away protects her from those streetcars named desire.*
I think there is more to it than just being married. They can be married and he'll still act the same. Gilda is basically a neglected "wife" as it is. He told her to lock herself in her room and stay away from the bad men while he is free to sail the seas. She's to be a kept woman for him. So she is "safe in hell." She ends up choosing to be safe in another Hell.
The two kinds of men that are presented in the film are both highly selfish and definitely real kind of men. What's a woman to do? The man who loves her only does so when it's convenient for him. Meanwhile, the other men are seeking one thing from her.
The film is very much pro-woman. It's a good one, too.
*Men Live To Work and Women Live to Love*
I completely agree with that. Boys are often interested in activities more than anything. Girls are interested in boys. That's not to say boys are not interested in girls and girls are not interested in activities. But the strongest focus for boys is activities and for girls it's boys. I also think men talk about events and women talk about people. We're just wired differently. A lot of it is natural and some of it is cultural.
*(This is such a generalization, but I can't think of another framework to express the difference in genders. Again, this is only my opinion). In the framework of her universe, MacKaill’s only choice was to protect her sanctity; even as a prostitute, the man she chooses is her choice. And she just didn't want that police chief...under any circumstances.*
There was no way she was going to allow the General to get his way with her. I like that. She had pinned her hopes on Carl. She trusted him to do right by her. He was mostly interested in himself, though.
*On the face of it from my 21st century vantage point "SAFE IN HELL" looks pretty bleak. But on second thought, I think it ends triumphantly...and on her terms.*
"Triumphant" is a very good word for the film. "Defiant" is another I'd choose.