FrankGrimes

*Surprisingly for similar reasons as you.* So you find it too restrained and inward? You find it too British? I know you're not a big fan of the "British love." *But I do appreciate the film and admire its sensitivity.* So do I. *Which is probably what they were in danger of doing. I like that the movie shows how slippery those shoals are, once you start dreaming of someone else. It's a slow drift. Everything seems dreamy, until you come to the reality of what you're doing. It doesn't try to "glamorize" adultery, in fact, it's a warning to how easily anyone can slip away from their mate.* And that's where I find the film to be at its best. The "innocence" of it all and how quickly that innocence can create guilt with good people. It's clear to me that Laura (Celia Johnson) really didn't want to do what she gets caught up in. She knows her husband (Cyril Raymond) is a really nice guy who cares about her, it's just he isn't the same kind of guy as Alec (Trevor Howard). We can't just turn off our feelings, but we can't just follow them wherever they take us, either. *He could definitely do these kinds of roles in his sleep. They are fun and sweep one away into a world where it's all going to come out right just because he's there. :DI eat this stuff up.* This is where you turn into Sweet T! Horrible! *He also played Gene Tierney's bumbling and lovable Pop in Where the Sidewalk Ends.* Oh, yeah? I didn't know that was him. I like him in that flick. *That was my impression. The story is lacking in any real tension and the conflict felt forced, or shallow. Robert Ryan vs. John Wayne! That's not interesting to me. I felt they were wasted.* It's basically about two different viewpoints and how each comes to understand the other. I didn't like the turn Griff (Robert Ryan) makes at the end of the film. I thought that was too coldhearted.

Ciao, Spunky -- *I hate to ask what happened with Brief Encounter ? Be gentle with me.* I liked *Brief Encounter*, I just didn't like it a lot. I think it's because it's too restrained for me. It may be too inward for me. The emotions and feelings certainly fit the characters, especially Laura (Celia Johnson). She wasn't seeking what she found. I couldn't see her being able to live with herself in time if she continued on. *I am glad you liked Franchot Tone. I like him more and more lately. I never realized how good he was till he played that maniac in Phantom Lady.* I believe that was the first film I ever saw of his. I've seen him in two films in the past month or so and he was good in both, playing two different kinds of characters. In *The Lives of a Bengal Lancer*, he's a confident/arrogant officer who shows another side. In *Quality Street*, he's a much different kind of man, as his tone is much softer and quieter. *OMG! That Martin Scorsese interview is nuts! I cannot believe how close his experience was to mine. Whats even crazier is that you remembered his story and posted it for me. My book was this one:* I just re-watched the documentary last week, so it was fresh in my mind. I thought it was funny that you would mention a picture book, ala Marty. I love the pics of your book. I can see how that would completely fascinate you.

Good afternoon to you, Manhattan Blizzard -- *I liked it but I didn't love it.* *Why?* I've been asking myself why I didn't like *Brief Encounter* more than I did and I'm struggling to figure it out. The only thing I keep coming back to is that it's too restrained for my personal tastes. I don't find either person all that appealing to me, personally. I think the film is extremely well done, but the tone isn't my tone. *I thought they were funny. What didn't you like about Alec and Laura? Is it the Britishness?* I think there is a lot to the "Britishness." It's too understated for me. Why is it that the film doesn't rate so highly for you? *I think so. I think it's very probably had they married each other instead of who they did, they would run into the same scenario. It's not really who they're married to, it's the modern boredom, settling in, taking for granted.* I completely agree with that. It's marital malaise and that can happen to anyone with any spouse. You have one thing but you end up wanting something new and different. I feel *Brief Encounter* is the best film I have seen in terms of capturing marital malaise. I guess I'm not as big on that subject matter as I thought I may be. It's all done very tenderly. And since it's done that way, you start to forget that each is married. *I agree with Jackie's post that Lean does a good job of getting inside the characters' heads. And it's beautifully photographed.* She's certainly right about all of that. It's lovingly shot. The director cares deeply about his characters. *I really didn't expect you to like it much. The ending is very Hollywood, I agree. This is one of my favorites. I watch it whenever I'm in the mood for a good escape movie.* It's a good "escape" picture, without a doubt. Gable is really why I enjoyed it so much. I really liked his "Hank Lee." Gable really was the king of comfort. He's seemingly always at ease with his characterizations. *I absolutely love Alex D'Arcy's character, Rene. He makes me laugh so, he's such a gigolo.* He tries to be so manly and then he basically falls asleep. *Tom Tully, can you believe that's Rob's sweet old man playing the woman-hating bar owner, Tweedie?* Really?! I didn't know that at all. He was a tough one! *I thought Susan was excellent, too and I enjoy the scenes with the little old Chinese lady.* I like when she's soft and vulnerable. *So why didn't you like* *Flying Leathernecks so much?* I was wanting more from the story. I really liked seeing Wayne and Ryan sharing the screen. That's what I liked most about the film. It's a rather harsh film.

*so you liked* *soldier of fortune better than a Nick Ray film?! And with Robert Ryan?!* Shockingly, yes! I found *Soldier of Fortune* to be a good romp. Gable is once again at his charming best. He's definitely the draw. But I also liked Susan Hayward. She was soft and lovely, which is how I like her best. My only disappointment is the ending. That's too "happy ending" for me. But Gable is just so darn good. He makes it look easy.

*Ha! I'm afraid Rob's basically a good boy.* Yes, and you're a bad girl! *A movie address: 21b Baker Street?* That's 221! Yes, I do know that one since I've been watching Sherlock in the past week.

*They all are. And he's married to a knock out.* Just bring a pear. *I wouldn't remember the address that quickly. I'm not even sure I got the number right. It sounds right.* It came up in my Google search window. *The only other TV address I know is 623 E. 68th Street. It's the Ricardo's apartment building, smack in the East River.* I wouldn't have known that one. I only know 742 Evergreen Terrace, which is the Simpsons' address.

*As if I could.* He's a loyal, loving husband! *Did you have to look that up? * Yes, of course. And I've watched all but one season!

*I wish I could move to 148 Bonny Meadow Road!* Are you gonna steal Rob from Laura?!

Thanks, Andy. I've been trying to collect Fritz Lang and Gloria Grahame films while also looking to reel in all the films from this list: http://www.theyshootpictures.com/noir250noirs1.htm TCM has been helping me out a ton in acquiring these films.

*Why?! Soames is a sad, sad, character. He's like so many successful, educated men, actually. His possessions...and everything is a possession...hold more life in them than he does.* You're mixing your drinks, Champoozy! I was saying it's good that you don't like The Simpsons ! *I wouldn't say ideal but I admire her style and her ease and natural smile. She's confident without being boringly edgy and angry. She's a lot like Miss Kitty, come to think of it.* And she's your ideal! *I liked the show a lot. It's one of those shows that was such a hit but you never see anymore. I remember liking One Day at a Time, too, mostly because of Valerie Bertinelli, I thought she was so pretty and I wanted hair like hers...I still do!* The only things I liked about that show were Schneider (Pat Harrington, Jr.) and Valerie. *And The Long Gray Line. * I said good ones!

I originally posted a list like this about two years ago and TCM Programmer ended up showing quite a few that I really wanted to see. I'd like to thank him for that. I've been more than happy with the programming on TCM. 1. *You and Me* (1938) - Fritz Lang, Sylvia Sidney, George Raft; PAR 2. *Naked Alibi* (1954) - Jerry Hopper, Gloria Grahame, Sterling Hayden; UNI 3. *The Macomber Affair* (1947) - Zoltan Korda, Gregory Peck, Joan Bennett; UA 4. *The Good Die Young* (1954) - Lewis Gilbert, Gloria Grahame; UA 5. *Prisoners of the Casbah* (1953) - Richard Bare, Gloria Grahame; COL 6. *Ride Out for Revenge* (1957) - Bernard Girard, Gloria Grahame; UA 7. *Me and My Gal* (1932) - Raoul Walsh, Spencer Tracy, Joan Bennett; FOX 8. *Night Has a Thousand Eyes* (1948) - John Farrow, Edward G. Robinson, Gail Russell; PAR 9. *Ride the Pink Horse* (1947) - Robert Montgomery; UNI 10. *I Walk Alone* (1948) - Byron Haskin, Burt Lancaster, Lizabeth Scott, Kirk Douglas; PAR 11. *The Suspect* (1945) - Robert Siodmak, Charles Laughton, Ella Raines; UNI 12. *The Strange Affair of Uncle Harry* (1945) - Robert Siodmak, George Sanders, Ella Raines; UNI 13. *Pitfall* (1948) - Andre De Toth, Dick Powell, Lizabeth Scott; UA 14. *When Strangers Marry* (1944) - William Castle, Robert Mitchum, Kim Hunter; MON 15. *Dark City* (1950) - William Dieterle, Charlton Heston, Lizabeth Scott; PAR 16. *World for Ransom* (1954) - Robert Aldrich, Dan Duryea; ALL 17. *One Way Street* (1950) - Hugo Fregonese, James Mason, Dan Duryea; UNI 18. *Private Hell 36* (1954) - Don Siegel, Ida Lupino; REP 19. *Beyond the Forest* (1949) - King Vidor, Bette Davis, Joseph Cotten; WB 20. *The Accused* (1949) - William Dieterle, Loretta Young; PAR 21. *The Dark Mirror* (1946) - Robert Siodmak, Olivia de Havilland; UNI 22. *Cry of the City* (1948) - Robert Siodmak, Victor Mature, Richard Conte, Shelley Winters; FOX 23. *The Turning Point* (1952) - William Dieterle, William Holden, Alexis Smith; PAR 24. *Black Tuesday* (1955) - Hugo Fregonese, Edward G. Robinson; UA 25. *M* (1951) - Joseph Losey, David Wayne; COL 26. *Among the Living* (1941) - Stuart Heisler, Albert Dekker, Susan Hayward; PAR 27. *The Web* (1947) - Michael Gordon, Ella Raines; UNI 28. *Street of Chance* (1942) - Jack Hively, Burgess Meredith, Claire Trevor; PAR 29. *Guilty Bystander* (1950) - Joseph Lerner, Zachary Scott; FC 30. *I, the Jury* (1953) - Harry Essex, Preston Foster, John Alton; UA 31. *City that Never Sleeps* (1953) - John H. Auer, Gig Young; REP 32. *The Sleeping City* (1950) - George Sherman, Richard Conte, Coleen Gray; UNI 33. *Try and Get Me* (1950) - Cy Endfield, Lloyd Bridges; UA 34. *Southside 1-1000* (1950) - Boris Ingster, Don DeFore; ALL 35. *Suspense* (1946) - Frank Tuttle, Barry Sullivan; MON

*I don't like it.* That's a very good thing! *Because I'd love to look like her.* That's interesting. So she's kind of an ideal for you. *I'm not sure I'd like it except for the diner people. I never cared for Alice herself.* Linda Lavin could be on the irritating side, that's for sure. But I mostly like her. *The movies I like him a lot in are Compulsion and* *Sweet Smell of Success. And I love him in that Twilight Zone episode with Vera Miles. He was so sweet to her.* Those are some good ones!

*I was okay in suspense until he met with the town "boss".* That didn't move me like I wish it did. *Except that I am living in a haven of vice.* You need to move to a television town!

*Who's? Errol's in* *Cry Wolf? I didn't see much change. I prefer my Flynn roguish and laughing and fun, or mocking and sad as in some of his later characters, including* *The Sun Also Rises, a movie I like more than you.* No, no, no. *That Forsyte Woman*. *My history is very hazy about this period,but I believe Kefauver was prominently behind blowing the lid off of big league organized crime to the public on television in the early fifties and this movie of course takes from those issues. It seems he really knew how to use the media, at least for some apparently good aims for a change. Business and politics and even the police are depicted as very corrupt...not in the big city where you're used to seeing it, but as I said, in a small town.* I didn't know about any of that. I just didn't feel any of the danger and desperation after the start of the film. The outset did feature this. *I'm reminded of Barney's (Don Knotts) hysterical reactions whenever some petty crime was* *committed in Mayberry. He's swear the town was going to the dogs and that it was going to turn into a haven of vice. * He sounds like you!

*The only modern shows I've watched are "The Nanny", "Frasier", and "Inspector Morse". I've seen parts of others but nothing I cared for all that much.* The Simpsons is the last show I used to watch. That was about five years ago. *When I was little I liked Buddy better, but Jerry really breaks me up. I like his energy.* Jerry is okay, but I really like Buddy. He's hilarious. Buddy is on my list of next favorites. *I've enjoyed Angie and Earl Holliman's rapport.* She's number three! So you really like her! *I haven't seen the show since I was small, but I remember Flo very much.* I haven't watched the show for a good 20 years, at least. I wonder if I'd like it more or less today. Love the characters, though. *I think he's adorable. I had a crush on Officer Malloy when I was really little.* And you just watched your Marty with *The Captive City*. *Andy Griffith Show. I can't stand Mayberry R.F.D. And I only like the AGS with Don Knotts (the black and white episodes). The first season is remarkable.* I just meant that the feel of *The Dukes of Hazzard* is my kind of "Mayberry." I believe it works on that level. *I think Griffith was one of the most talented men in show business, and so unique. His "Sheriff Andy" reminds me a lot of a young Will Rogers.* I really can't say. Whenever I see the show, it mostly bores me, other than Don Knotts. I can see the comparison to Will Rogers. I most definitely prefer Will and his sparkle, though.

*He's almost as nutty in The Caine Mutiny, but about strawberries, not dames.* Strawberries? I would have never guessed. *I don't mean I found Flynn's "Soames" to be attractive, just fascinating. The idea of Errol Flynn is so fixed in people's minds, the devil-may-care rogue, and here is the opposite: repressed, moralistic, materialistic and a prig. Yet somewhere inside he shows there is a small glimpse of humanity.* Wow! That's very complex. Lots of characteristics that I don't like with the exception of repressed. *I agree, she looks great. She's also beautiful in Rope of Sand.* That's one I haven't seen. The cast is great. *You liked nothing about Captive City or was it the ending that ruined it? I really enjoyed it in spite of a rather disappointing finale.* I was very disappointed in the film. The best part of the film was the very beginning. That was good. After that, the film starts to slowly go downhill. I don't like "PSA" kind of films.

Hola, Miss G -- *She's a lovely woman, I should have had her on my list, too. And I would have included Lionel Stander as "Max" as well. I wouldn't mind having season one on DVD, too.* I watched the first episode after the pilot. It was quite silly, but Jonathan and Jennifer were smooching all over the place. *I actually visited a resort in Palm Springs that's featured in one of the episodes (I'm not sure what season). I thought it looked so cool so I looked it up and booked a trip there a few years ago. It was very "old Hollywood" in feel.* Only you! Weren't you out there about four years ago? I remember you taking such a trip. You mentioned something about needing to escape me. *I know, I had to think hard on the ladies after ten, whereas I could still keep going with the men (Kojak, Jim Rockford, etc).* I just haven't watched television shows since the early-90s. Many of my favorites are from my youth. Many are male-dominated shows because of that. All I watch today is sports and classic film. It's no surprise that The Dick Van Dyke Show tops your charts. Three's Company is that show for me. One thing that did surprise me is that you like Jerry more than Buddy. Police Woman has really made an impact on you! I would have never guessed that. I was a wee one when that show was on and I do remember being turned on by Angie. I'm very surprised to see we share quite a few favorites with the ladies. It's great to see "Flo" on your list. Alice was a fun show. I liked "Dingbat." "Vera!" I really wanted to include Mel (Vic Tayback) on my list. Lots of western characters on your male list. That doesn't surprise me. Who did surprise me was Martin Milner. I never knew you liked him. The Dukes of Hazzard is my "Mayberry."

Hiya, Rey -- Thanks for taking the time to suggest what films I may like from the 60s and then writing about why I'd like them. That was very good. *Growing up when I did back in the 1960s, I did not spend much time in any movie theaters. In fact I think I might have seen five movies my whole entire time during the sixties, that is saw a film in a theater. We went to the drive-in a lot in Charlottesville and Waynesboro, Virginia, but that was about it. The Swiss Family Robinson story is I think the only time during my young life that I ventured into a theater. In fact I remember distinctly seeing Sound of Music in a drive in and another western type of film at another drive in. But thats it. Most of my time was spent sitting in front of the television watching my favorite programs.* I had a very similar upbringing in regards to movies in the theater. I mostly remember seeing more movies at the drive-in versus the theater. I specifically remember seeing *Smokey and the Bandit* at the drive-in. I loved that film. Still do. *And the funny thing about that is that for about four years from 1st grade until mid 5th grade we lived in remote mountain areas of the Blue Ridge in Nelson County Virginia. We could only get one channel at the time and that was an ABC affiliate from Lynchburg, Virginia. So if you can remember the shows on ABC in the 60s that is what I watched. Shows like Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, The Rat Patrol, Felony Squad, The FBI, The Invaders, Batman (one of your faves!) Bewitched, That Girl!, The Guns of Will Sonnett, Judd, for the Defense, The Iron Horse, Land of the Giants, The Avengers, Mod Squad, It Takes a Thief, Here Comes the Brides, and so on. I also remember coming home in the afternoon from school and catching part of Dark Shadows, the gothic soap opera.* That's really cool! Again, lots of similarities. The show I always looked to watch as a kid was The Dukes of Hazzard. I was also big on the younger-geared shows, such as Diff'rent Strokes, Silver Spoons, and The Facts of Life. I also loved The White Shadow because it was about hoops. I was thrilled when we first got cable, because that meant I could watch cartoons after school. I loved Scooby Doo, Tom and Jerry, and Batman (live-action). *In the summer I would spend practically the whole summer at my aunt and uncles, or at least from June through mid-August. They had a motel at the base of the Shenandoah National Park called the Tuckahoe Motel. Thats where I spent my summer vacations from 1st grade through 4th grade. While there if we watched television I got to see shows that were on CBS and NBC. I distinctly remember watching Wild Wild West, Bonanza and this really wierd show called Star Trek. Shows I could never see at my home which was no more than twenty miles from where the motel was located. But because of the lack of tv towers in my area, we only received the local ABC channel.* Now that's an interesting way to spend your summers. Did you miss your friends? My best friend lived in my neighborhood, so that would have been tough for me. *Well, you hit it on the head. That is really the problem with the sixties. They sort of got caught in a vacuum between the old style Hollywood films and the new generation of films brought on by the European influences and the abolishment of the Hays Code.* For some reason, I also think of the decade as being rather "British." That's usually not a good thing with me. *Historical/Epic films* *These continued to flourish into the early to mid sixties. Films like Cleopatra, The Alamo, El Cid, Hawaii, Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago, How the West Was Won, The Longest Day, The Sand Pebbles, The Sound of Music, The Bible, all were featured. But after Hawaii in 1966, epics began to fall out of favor. Eventually the epic feature turned into the mini series event on television. This is where producers could hold down costs and still guarantee a ratings success.* And this is a genre that usually wears on me, but there are some epics that I do end up liking. *Psychological and horror films merged somewhat to create another genre beyond the typical horror film.* It's an interesting decade for horror. Like I mentioned earlier, the Hammer, Corman, and Castle films play a big part. Then there's the exploitative horror films that feature aging female stars. There's also the birth of giallo. Lots of hit and miss with me with all of that. I'd say *Rosemary's Baby* was the horror film of the decade that seemed to be a precursor of things to come. *Comedy films became much more intense in nature and another off-shoot of this genre became known as the black comedy like the great Dr. Strangelove.* I always think of Doris Day, Jerry Lewis, Jack Lemmon, Natalie Wood, and beach films as being representative of the comedies of the decade. *Spy films became even more expensive and a lot more fun, like the James Bond films.* The spy (Cold War) films make up a big segment of the 60s. This is where "film noir" left to go. And this is where I feel I will be able to find my favorite kind of films in the 60s, this side of westerns. I know I'll like Bond. *Then we have the off-shoot of the standard western called Spaghetti westerns.* I like the 60s westerns. It's a real nice mix of traditional and non-traditional. *And then the proliferation of sci-fi films not like the cheap sci-fi from the 50's. No, more like expensive films like 2001, Planet of the Apes, Fantastic Voyage.* Science fiction definitely found its footing by the 60s. I'm not that crazy about the genre. I prefer the cheesy stuff, actually. *Spartacus* *I know, its an epic, but the film has some truly fine acting in it along with an intelligent script from the great Dalton Trumbo.* It's Kubrick, and that means a lot to me. I'll eventually get to it. *The Grass is Greener* *Another comedy with Cary Grant as the lord of an english manor. A troubled marriage to Deborah Kerr who is thinking of having an affair with Robert Mitchum. Cute film with some genuinely funny bits.* I have the DVD and I do look forward to watching. I'll probably watch it soon, actually. The film seems to be a mixed-breed. *Sunrise at Campobello* *Wonderfully acted story of FDR and his wife Eleanor, just before and shortly after FDR was striken with Polio. This is a longer film, but very satisfying. Old-style movie making at its best. Wonderful performance by Ralph Bellamy as FDR and Greer Garson is great as well as Eleanor.* A Greer Garson film?! Are you trying to poison me?! I usually find historical films to be too dry. *Judgment at Nuremberg* *Not really a war film. Actually its a court room drama that tells the story of the trial of Nazi judges after the conclusion of WWII. Spencer Tracy anchors the film as one of the presiding American judges. Maximilian Schell won a Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of the German defense attorney. Richard Widmark is very good as the American prosecutor and is Marlene Dietrich as the widow of a German general whose home Tracy is staying at while he is presiding over the trial.* I'm curious about the film because of the stars, but I usually dread courtroom films, especially with war being the backdrop. *A Raisin in the Sun* *This is one of those social commentary films you might not like. But you should watch it. Actually if you can, get a copy of the book and read that first and then watch the film. Poitier is excellent in the lead as is Ruby Dee as his wife. A real eye opener at the time for white audiences.* I'm not that crazy about Poitier. He's too serious for me. *Lonely Are the Brave* *This is Kirk Douglas' favorite film role. Just a wonderful "little" modern day western. About a cowboy living his life as if he was still in the old west, with his code of ethics and having to try and coexist in the 20th century with automobiles and other modern sensibilities. Gena Rowland is beautiful in this film. Wonderful role for Walter Matthau.* It's on my DVD wish list. I may eventually get to it. *Ride the High Country* *This is one western that I think will find a spot on your list of favorites. Just one of the most beautifully told and photographed films of all times. Peckinpah before he turned to violence. Old western heroes, Joel McCrea and Randolph Scott in their swan songs.* I just watched two nights ago. It's fantastic. *Lawrence of Arabia* *I know, I know. An epic. Well if ever you were going to watch an epic this would be the one to watch. Make sure if you do watch it to see it in widescreen/letterbox for television. Just the photography, and the music alone should get you hooked. O'Toole's best performance on screen. Hawkins, Quayle, Quinn, Sharif all very good too.* The visuals may work for me but music hardly ever does unless it's edgy music. I hope to see it someday, but I'm a bit wary of it. *The Great Escape* *If you liked The Magnificent Seven, then you will like this film. Yes, I know it is a war film. Well, actually it is a prison escape film set during World War II. No battle scenes, just chase scenes and a lot of dialogue between the principles about how they plan on escaping. Really, very close to the actual tale of the escape. A big cast that made McQueen a star. Wonderful score by Elmer Bernstein.* My best friend has recommended the film to me a couple times. I'm pretty sure I'll like it. I tend to like McQueen with action films. *Hud* *Another smaller film that starred Newman and Patricia Neal. The story of the ongoing conflict between a son and his father and caught in the middle is the father's grandson who has to choose between his grandfather's way of life or the selfish life of the father's son played by Newman. Neal won her only Oscar for her portrayal as the sexy housekeeper. Melvyn Douglas won the first of two Supporting Oscars for his role as the father of Hud.* I've seen some of the film, and what I saw, I really liked. I'm sure this one would rate well with me. I like Newman and Martin Ritt is a good director. I'm guessing he would be one of my faves of the decade. *The Spy Who Came in from the Cold* is a film that interests me. *Becket* *Based on the play, this film concerns the interaction and stormy friendship between the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket and his English king, Henry II. An absorbing film, but if you don't like historical dramas, then you will get bored. Burton and O'Toole are great in this.* Yeah, historical dramas usually equates death with me. *The Train* *A war film with not too much in the way of typical WWII battle scenes. A German general is trying to ship off to Germany stolen French Art pieces and the French underground tries to stop him. Lancaster plays a French train engineer who will try like heck to stop the Germans.* This is a favorite of Jackie's, and that alone makes it interesting to me. *Repulsion* *You would probably like this one a lot. Its the story of a sexually repressed young woman who is left alone in her sister's apartment for several days who starts to exhibit mental deterioration and also strange behaviors including murder. This was directed by Roman Polanski and starred Catherine Deneuve.* Now I'm absolutely sure I'll like this one. My brother has the DVD and I had once borrowed it from him but never watched the film. This could be another precursor film. Polanski was on the pulse of things. *In Harm's Way* *Ok, I can hear you now. Yes, this is a war film, more like a soap opera than an actual war, blood and guts like film. It tells the story of a second generation US Navy captain who sees his cruiser torpedoed on December 7th and is removed from his command. While recuperating from a broken arm suffered in the attack on his ship, he meets and falls in love with nurse Maggie Haines (Neal, very sexy). Along the way he gets a promotion to admiral and leads another task force into harms way. An eclectic mixture of older Hollywood stars and up and coming stars.* It's a Preminger flick, and that means a lot to me. *Blowup* *You might like this one as well. The story of a hip London-based photographer who gets caught up in the swinging 60's and his accidental involvement with a murder. Michelangelo Antonioni's first english language film stars David Hemmings as the photographer and Vanessa Redgrave, and Sarah Miles.* Oh, I'm sure this one would go over well with me. I love DePalma's *Blow Out*. *A Man for All Seasons* *Sir Thomas More, the 16th century Lord Chancellor of England refuses to sign a letter asking the Pope to annul the King Henry VIII's marriage to catherine of Aragon and resigned rather than take an oath of Supremacy declaring the king the Supreme Head of the Church of England. Paul Schofield won the Best Acting Oscar for his portryal of More. In an almost cameo role playing the king is Robert Shaw.* This one seems worrisome. I see lords and kings and I get scared. *1967:* *In the Heat of the Night* *This is an odd film, since it's release was at the end of the civil rights movement. A murder takes place in a small Mississippi town and while the police chief tries to ascertain what happen, along comes a black police officer from Philadelphia who becomes part of the investigation. Along the way the two men come to respect the other's talents and by the end actually like one another. Steiger won his only Oscar for this role. Poitier fine once again.* Now this is a Poitier film I think I'd like. *Bullitt* *One of my very favorite McQueen movies. Here he plays San Francisco police detective Frank Bullitt who is given the assignment of protecting a high profile witness for a Senate subcommittee hearing to be held in San Fran by ambitious up and coming politico Walter Chalmers (Robert Vaughn). But something terribly goes wrong and we are soon trying to keep up with Bullitt as he gets involved with one of the greatest ever car chase scenes in the history of the movies.* Another precursor film. I'm almost positive I'd like it. I enjoy the chase films of the 70s. *Downhill Racer* *A skiing movie, who would have thought? Redford as a downhill skier trying to earn a spot on the US Olympic team, coached by a very stern Gene Hackman. Not a great film but if you are like me and don't ski, then the film is interesting to watch. Of course their is the obligatory love scenes.* I can't say Redford does much for me. *Marooned* *Three American astronauts are the first crew of an orbital space station. While returning to Earth their Apollo command module's engine fails to operate. Mission Control determines that they do not have the ability to return to the space station to await the arrival of another spacecraft so the crew becomes marooned in earth orbit. Eventually a rescue mission is attempted but is it too late? A very well made film released four months after Apollo 11 made it to the moon. Many sets were used in conjunction with Nasa, so the look of the film is realistic. Check it out.* That sounds good! *I don't think I have seen any recent 60's era films for the first time, although I could be wrong about that. I watch whatever comes on cable now. If there happens to be something that suits my interests, I will stop what I am doing and watch that. A few months ago I finally sat down and watched The Barbara Stanwyck Collection which includes the following films: Internes Can't Take Money, The Great Man's Lady, The Bride Wore Boots, The Lady Gambles, All I Desire, and There's Always Tomorrow. In the batters box I have Columbia Pictures Film Noir Classics II with the following films: Human Desire, The Brothers Rico, Nightfall, City of Fear and Pushover.* Ahhhhhh, you're watching my kind of films. I've watched all of those but *Brothers Rico*. I don't have that Stanwyck box set. So I guess you're watching 30s, 40s, and 50s films for the first time. I know that feeling.

*You loved it?? That's interesting. I have my own predilictions for movies I know are not first rate yet I prefer them to some that are.* I didn't love *Cry Wolf*, but I loved the entire mood of the film and the leads. I liked *Cry Wolf*. It's definitely a good film for any fan of Barbara to see. *At least with Bogie we got to see what kind of "art" he was interested in. * Ahhhhhh, Bogie. It was interesting to see him so crazed. *Ha! No worries, I'm not recommending you watch it. I saw it once and that was enough. Flynn kept me interested, his character is a puzzle. so much to despise about him, yet....* And you say guys only like women who are mean! *I'm not sure she would. I prefer Corinne in The Far Country, but I figured if this movie hit with you at all it was going to be because of her. She's very minxy.* When Corinne shows up, the film definitely picked up steam with me. She looks fantastic! *I thought this was interesting, about When Willie Comes Marching Home:* * Those back home can only make believe, and so paranoia steadily increases. The elder Kluggs (William Demarest) assumes the Germans would go to the trouble of spying on his kitchen. And the gruff MPs who show up clubbing and pounding their way into his home resemble the Nazis seen earlier. That scary suggestion culminates Ford’s satire...Ford presents the platitude that today we name “Middle America,” how those who live within this platitude are uncritically conditioned by it, how innocent they are, and how dangerous. Despite humor, the portrait is distinctly melancholic and would be overtly cynical, were the characters less affectionately drawn.* That's rather interesting. I would have never saw the film that way. *I also think it's interesting that the name Cluggs sounds so much like Cleggs (the sadistic father and sons in Wagon Master)* Hmmmm, then maybe the writer of the above opinion could be right. Maybe there is a "horrible" component to the Kluggs.

*All I want to do is enter my house justified" Peckinpah said that that line was one his father quoted and he remembered it from his childhood. He modeled Steve Judd after his own father. A man of conviction. integrity, defender of law and big enough to back it up....* That's a terrific anecdote, Fred! Thanks for sharing that.

*Good evening Sir Francis. As usual you are the master at finding screen caps to illustrate your points.* Thank you. That was very kind of you to say. *I like the McCrea line about entering his house justified. He is about doing the right thing, no matter the cost. I don't think he looks at what is coming as the end but he recognizes his age and his mortality and that it will one day come and wants peace for what he has done.* Right. He's very grateful for the chance the bank is giving him. It's not a high-paying job he's doing, but it's an important job. But where it's most important to him is with his self-respect. *To Scott's credit he finally is won back by McCrea and his honorable behavior. Even at the end of the film Scott promises to deliver the gold that he was, a short time ago, ready to steal. Maybe he has come to feel the same way.* Deep down, Gil is the same as Steve. It's probably their greatest link. *I don't recall anything specific about the wife's death. I had not noticed the headstone either but what a damning thing to say on a headstone. It couldn't be enough to just let it go. You'd think that her death would have been enough punishment for her if she had done what you suggest. It would be a good reason for him being like he is but even more hypocritical for him to impose the sins of the mother on the daughter. Never mind whether there was an incestuous relationship.* I'm not sure what it all means; it's very open for interpretation. But I know I was very taken by it. *I never got the impression that he tried anything. I didn't think about it until Wendy brought it up. I figured he was the model man and no one would measure up. After he hit her she did threaten to kill him. That was either one to many beatings or they usually led to more unsavory things. But it didn't cross my mind.* You do get an incestuous feeling about it all, but I tend to agree with you, that Joshua was looking to "protect" Elsa from men and her own feelings about the opposite sex. Again, this speaks to the extremes of parenting. "Nobody is good enough for my daughter." There are many parents who get caught in this situation. Is it best for the daughter or is it best for the parents? Can the two be different? We're all different, so what one may value as important, another may not. What one may consider worrisome, another may not. I mean, how many of us would allow our parents to choose our spouse for us? "I know who is best for you." In this instance, the father is right and then wrong. Heck did have bad intentions with Elsa (dad's right), but then he grew as a man (dad's wrong). Joshua isn't giving anyone the chance to be right or wrong, because he views himself to be nothing but right. That's where it gets dangerous. That's why the "black and white" worries me so. The doors shut quick with that thinking, and it's almost always one-sided. It can go any way with kids. Some kids follow in their parents' footsteps. What is taught is followed. Some kids look to rebel from their parents' teachings. They are seeking their own voice. Joshua's controlling nature pushes a sweet girl out of his house... and into danger.

*Oh wow! Love the caps from A Personal Journey.* Thanks. *I now wish I had that dvd. Was it expensive, Frank?* My brother wanted the DVD about six years ago and I got it for him as a present. Today, it's OOP. I just watched it again a few days ago. I've now seen many of the films featured in the doc, particularly the westerns.

A lovely evening to you, Denver! -- *Brief Encounter is a perfect film! It's emotional, probably the most true filming of how people think. It's written superbly, and directed superbly. It's a film I get completely lost inside. Celia Johnson plays every possible emotion under the sun, even boredom, exquisitely. The way the film is told in flashback and in memory, is just genius - the way we watch that opening scene is so different than the way we watch it again with meaning at the end. It's tragic, and beautiful, and small, and ends where it should. There isn't a thing about it not to like.* That's beautiful, Jackie. Any film that can move you in that way is doing something so wonderfully right. I thought the tenderness of the film to be its greatest strength. Everyone else seems so jarring when compared to Laura (Celia Johnson) and Alec (Trevor Howard). They are seemingly from "another world." They are definitely in their own world. In some ways, the film plays like a reflection of *Sunrise*. *Ride the High Country is well done, and again with the perfect ending. The ending raises it for me about 10 places.* I'm with you. The ending is a classic, particularly for the western genre. *Why was I so confident? cause they are the only ones on the list that I've seen! Except for the SH movies, which blend into each other for me, though certain scenes stand out. Their tone is what I like. I even like the war ones that no one else seems to like.* That's where I'm currently at. The first Universal film is a propaganda piece. It was too much for me, even though I just love Basil and Nigel. They're a fun watch. *Plus I like Henry Daniell, so any movie with him is going to rate high with me. He's the only actor capable of being Rathbone's arch nemesis.* I watched the fourth film last night and I thought Lionel Atwill was magnificent as "Moriarity." *Stumbled. I stumbled across everything as a kid. I was quite solitary. I had lots of friends, but I always liked my alone time.* You're still this way, are you not? *They didn't have cartoons 24/7.* Tell me about it. I think today's kids are losing out because of that. The lack of options often pushed you to watch different kinds of things. There's no more curiosity. *We just played all day or got bored.* My brother and I played outside a lot. We also had a swimming pool. But we did love our television, too. We watched cartoons and MTV, but we also liked the syndicated sitcoms from the 60s. *No one I knew watched anything like what I was watching.* That sounds like me today! Well, kind of. I also watch sports, which allows me to be social with many guys. *I fell for Gary Cooper right off, and there was this one station on TV that showed Bengal Lancer and Beau Geste often. I always felt with the more unknown films that I had discovered them - like I was an adventurer - Lewis or Clark, finding new and intriguing lands afar - at least new classic movies afar. I saw Bengal Lancer about as frequently as Prisoner of Shark Island - they were both adventure movies to me, a whole new world, and I loved those, since I lived in my imagination. Only certain children long for adventure like I did.* Now that's impressive! I would not have thought that of you. Although, it really does fit your personality. *I'd be afraid to watch them in order, I might find them going downhill. These are ones I watched as a kid a lot, so I am really fond of them.* I'm expecting them to take an upturn. *I think I just fell in love with black and white, and couldn't get enough. I had a picture book that I found first from the library, then got my own copy later. It was filled with photos from every movie made in each year, starting in 1927. I just loved looking at it, so I memorized the pictures in it. I started seeing the movies they were from on TV, or I would purposely look for those movies that had intriguing photos. I still look at the movies and those moments from the photos leap out at me every once in a while. I could probably tell you what scene was shown in that book for every movie in the 1930's or 40's.* Are you Martin Scorsese?!

*I don't attempt the impossible.* You're a smart woman! And I'm an idiot! *I was thinking that both families suffer because of the lack of a mother/wife.* I'm sure that's a huge factor with it all. *Interesting that Hester was 40 when she died. How did she die? I forget. Did he kill her?* I'm not sure it was ever told. I'm not sure her name is ever mentioned other than those written words. I'll have to re-watch Joshua's scenes.

*Eew! You are!* Don't you dare try to clean me up! *The Hammonds are like the Clantons and Cleggs.* Minus the father. Elsa is suffocated by her father while the Hammonds run wild without any kind of parental guidance. Again, the extremes are shown.