FrankGrimes

Howdy, Arly -- *"The time to make up your mind about people is.... never."* I've made up my mind about you! *Will you rank those in order of preference?* Sure! I'll include the "contemporary" flicks. 1. Blazing Saddles 2. Airplane! 3. A Christmas Story 4. His Girl Friday 5. Paper Moon 6. Mr. and Mrs. Smith 7. The More the Merrier 8. It Happened One Night 9. Harvey 10. The Awful Truth 11. My Man Godfrey 12. The Lady Eve 13. The Philadelphia Story 14. Trouble in Paradise 15. This Is Spinal Tap 16. Twentieth Century 17. Midnight 18. The Talk of the Town 19. To Be or Not To Be 20. The Miracle at Morgan's Creek 21. Ball of Fire 22. It Happened Tomorrow 23. O Brother, Where Art Thou? 24. The Palm Beach Story 25. The Good Fairy 26. Nothing Sacred *It's a great list, by the way, all but one are leaning toward greatness in my book. How did you pick the ones you've watched? Was it recommendations, or reading about them?* I'd say the reason behind all of them is that I started to collect DVDs and most of the greats are on DVD. Of all those classic comedies, the only ones I don't have on DVD are *The More the Merrier* and *Nothing Sacred*. How I came to watch them was mostly Snippy and her suggesting I watch certain titles. But others have pushed me to viewings too, such as *Harvey*. *What was your first?* Probably *Airplane!* and then *A Christmas Story*. Of the classics on the list, it was *Mr. and Mrs. Smith*. I believe *The Palm Beach Story* may have been next because I was into Preston Sturges fairly early on. Most of them I have seen for the very first time in the past two years. Have I ever told you that I'm very new to all of this? When did you start watching classic film? Was it comedies that interested you from the start? *Did it spur you on to find more classic comedies?* No, not really. I'd say *Cary Grant* is someone who spurred me on to other comedies. The one Cary Grant DVD box set is one of my very favorite in my collection. It's loaded with great comedies. *That a woman should turn a blind eye to her husband or father having affairs? NO..* *I think it's a theme of personal tolerance, in the end. It's a story of reverse-tolerance. That one must judge someone (if you judge people at all) based on their heart and soul, not on their wealth or lack of it. Tracy wanted to think that George was a grand guy because he had to lift himself up by the bootstraps. but he was even more of a snob and jerk once he got position and wealth.* I forgot about that. George (John Howard) had no humility and he was seriously insecure. Inferiority complex. You know, I completely forget why Tracy (Kate) doesn't wish to be with C.K. (Cary Grant) anymore. Was it how he treated her? I'm probably going to watch *High Society* very soon, so maybe that will serve as somewhat of a refresher for me. I loved Ruth Hussey in *The Philadelphia Story*. *The thing that bothers me is the whole thing with the father's affair.... I understand that forgiveness is the question.... if you can't let go of people's faults, and truly love them, then you aren't much of a person. However, they really sugar coat the infidelity in this movie. It's the one thing I can't quite go with wholeheartedly.* Geez, I really need to watch it again! I remember the father and his infidelity and the forgiveness, but I don't recall the entire context.

*Me either. Some of it is funny but I would have enjoyed it more if they had stayed in the original time setting.* That's exactly how I feel about it. The director took dynamite to his own film. That's really the joke.

*Aaaaah, the age difference. I see. I did do "Porky's" back then. And the comedies that I howl at today are pretty masculine-driven. Still...I missed a lot.* Yeah, today's comedies are mostly masculine-driven. They are quite raunchy. There is a "cartoon" factor involved with many of the comedies of the 80s. It's childish more than immature. I doubt that would appeal to you. *J.J. makes you...??? Ohhhkay.* Yes! Some of his zingers make me laugh. He's basically the male version of "Margo." I'm guessing you laugh at Margo's zingers. I really don't laugh too much with *All About Eve*, but I do find Margo to be humorous. It all boils down to who is dishing and who is receiving (the viewer). *But tell me you wouldn't be that (DeNiro in "Cape Fear") guy in the movie theatre laughing out loud like a crazy guy, wouldja?* I would laugh out loud, but not that obnoxiously. I remember laughing at the "wood chipper" scene in *Fargo* in the theater. *As for "Blazing Saddles" when they went to the Hollywood studio, it seemed to kick the movie into a different gear, for me; energized it a different way.* My reaction was similar to Movieman's. It was jarring. Brooks blew up the film, at that point. That's pretty much the joke. And, like Movieman, I do laugh at moments during the end. It's just the over-the-top concept isn't something I like. Everything before that just kills me. *Now if I am to be honest...in "THE AWFUL TRUTH" everything seems to get deflated when they wind up at Aunt Patsy's place at the end of the movie. It's like we're coming down off a roller coaster ride. But as I was watching the film the other night...I really truly listened carefully to their dialogue and they distilled the entire plot in their exchange. That was clever.* Oh, I'm the same with that. When I first watched *The Awful Truth*, my overall feeling about the film was lowered because of the end. I thought it was a let down to a great film. The next time I watched it, I liked it. I loved how the two of them were starting to return to each other. *If and when you do, you'll write about it, won't you? I'd be curious about "Woman of the Year."* Oh, certainly. But I need the box set to go on sale. I'm guessing that won't happen until Christmastime. *You don't watch live?* No, never. *1500 films, ey? That would be a very very small portion of my entire collection on tape.* Wow! So you can pretty much pull out a film that someone is discussing and watch it. That's why I love having a "library." I don't want to be a slave to a television schedule. "The schedule tells me I can only watch this." *"All About Eve" is not on my list? Whaddya talkin' about? Let me see...* *"ALL ABOUT EVE" IS NOT ON MY LIST!!!!!!!!!!!!! Holy smokes. See, now THAT is a baaaaad omission!!!!* I just wasn't sure how you categorized *All About Eve*. Some people can take Margo seriously while others will find her hilarious. It depends on where you are coming from. *I still love "A Letter to Three Wives." I'll just move everything else down one spot.* I love that film, too. It's a mix of comedy and drama, for me. I like the drama more than the comedy. Although I adore Thelma.

*so many comedies have been made but not all of them really make me laugh. i think you are exploring the main ones now, which is why there's so many in common.* But it also means you like the main ones. *i almost had a couple but they were more fun than funny to me.* This is very true. That's a great way of putting it, "fun." *I'd say mine was 30s then 60s.* The 60s before the 40s? That's surprising. The early-40s are loaded with good comedies. I always think of the 60s as breezy sex comedies or teen romps. *The kind of comedy found in the 50s seemed more domesticated, which isn't my style.* So who are the biggest comedians and comediennes of the 50s? They seem to be on television. Marilyn would be one of them. *I agree that the best of them were in the 30s. They were witty and saucy without being crass, zany without being dumb.* It's funny how each of us can make one zany not dumb and another dumb.

Bon soir! *Oh my goodness, I guess I didn't laugh much in the 80's because looking at your list...I have only seen five of the movies. What the heck was I doing back then.* Well, keep in mind that I was 9-18 in the 80s and many of my favorites were aimed at teens or are quite masculine. Having said that, I'm still surprised you have seen so little from my list. I only have a few obscure ones on the list. And I will say that I don't think you'd like the vast majority from my list. You won't find much sophistication and dialogue-driven films on my list. *Chaos and zaniness, in general, don't tickle my funny bone. That being said, the final minutes of "Blazing Saddles" which was totally insane, was very funny; pie fights...water ballets...cattle in the lobby of Grauman's Chinese...Hedley Lamarr trying to get in with a fake student pass...Oh man that was great! If I had to choose, I prefer humorous dialogue. Let me close my eyes and listen to the crafty bon mots of "Stage Door" The Women."* I find that to be very interesting. To be honest, I'm not as fond of the ending of *Blazing Saddles* as you are and I like chaos and slapstick. But I also love biting dialogue. Heck, J.J. Hunsecker makes me laugh. *Okay. So, are you a teetotaling, leisure suit wearing sports rebel?* I'm a goody two shoes sports rebel in a t-shirt, shorts/jeans, and sneakers. I'm a boy. *Luckily Harlow's sex appeal (or lack thereof) figures very little in the wild shenanigans of "Bombshell." It's fast-paced and she's so put upon. I won't say anymore to sell it. I hope it won't be a waste of time for you.* I never find watching a classic film to be a waste of time. At the very least, I love the knowledge. I want to see what I haven't seen. *Ha! "I didn't get a harumph outta that guy!"* Harumph! Harumph! *It can be difficult to keep an open mind when one delves into this world of classic films when you've heard so much beforehand about this or that film. It poisons the well. Hang your hat on the battle-of-the-sexes aspect of things.* I will. I'm also banking on my liking Spence and Kate. *Helen Broderick is great...she is Broderick Crawford's mother. Blondell will have her day in the TCM sun on 8/24. You can get a chance there to discover her reassess her.* I may be one of the few people on this board who never watches TCM "live." I only record it to watch at a later date. Thanks to TCM, I do have 1500 films on tape. *I think "All About Eve" is the epitome of a sophisticated comedy with some serious thrown in. When TCM had a free screening of the movie at our Ziegfeld Theatre, the theatre was packed. And I was laughing my head off.* That's what I figured. That's why I was surprised it wasn't on your list.

It's interesting that you share ten favorite comedies with Movieman and nine with me. That's quite a lot. And, actually, if I include *My Man Godfrey*, *Cluny Brown*, and *Holiday* on my list and take away the bottom three, we would share eleven faves. I'm surprised that I'm the one with a Marilyn pic on my list. My favorite comedy breakdown by decade is: 30s - 13 40s - 12 50s - 2 60s - 3 I do think of the 30s as the decade for comedy. I also find the 50s to be lacking in comedies.

*Jim's speech on "cowardice" and the Americans vs the Europeans is one of the most brilliant things I have ever listened to in a movie.* Wow! I would have not guessed that with you. *But he makes me laugh the hardest when he realizes they've post-poned the invasion (which he thought he safely missed) because the moon was too bright. hahahahaah!* I loved the Hershey bar bit between he and Emily.

*It's heavy but so funny. Paddy Chayevsky was very good.* And the lead is a coward! My kind of guy! *I view it as a screwball comedy. It really makes me laugh, hard. You would hate it.* I'd probably like the free-thinking character, but I'm not sure about the film as a whole. *I actually haven't seen it in forever, but it's a Carl Reiner-inspired comedy from the sixties. Dick Van Dyke plays a painter in Paris who literally starves in a garret until his con-man pal, James Garner (who else?) convinces him to fake his death and suddenly his paintings become priceless. Garner pushes his friend to keep turning out paintings that he suddenly "discovers" and sells for outrageous money. I like the pairing of DVD and Jim. It's an expansion of the "Dick Van Dyke Show" episode, October Eve.* Thanks to you, I've become a Dick Van Dyke fan. I may like that film. I'm kind of missing DVD.

*I think the appeal is that I can't be in that league so I enjoy those that are. I love to try and make people laugh so the broadness (if that works) appeals to me.* It's taken me a little time to get used to screwball comedy. Since I was coming from an 80s comedic mindset, the 30s and 40s were a little jarring. Now that I've become accustomed to that kind of comedy, it's easier for me to enjoy. *That is the dilemma for some. Harpo is child like with a mischievous personality. Some find endearing while others have a problem with him being child like. Chico is a different man. I think people love him or, at best, dismiss him. He is a con man with a soft center. He also can be subtle but that is rare. As I explained to CineMaven their own musical interludes are not to be missed.* A "mischievous child" and a "soft con man"? Oh heck, I'll probably love the Marx brothers. I might have to take the plunge once a sale comes along. *Now I have to get "Big Brown Eyes." I saw it years ago but it didn't make the impression on me that it did you. Time to reevaluate.* I'm such a big Joan Bennett fan, so that's probably why I came away loving it. She's on fire in *Big Brown Eyes*. She's funnier than Cary Grant, which is saying something.

Hi, Bill -- I really like your top four comedies. Those are great. I also loved seeing *Used Cars* on the list. Nice!

Nicely done, Miss Krausheimer! *I think Grimes will probably like Woman of the Year. The little Greek boy, that whole issue really brings out the emotions in the movie like nothing else. It's my favorite of all their movies, along with* *Desk Set and* *Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. I think David Wayne is the funny in* *Adam's Rib. I've never warmed to* *Pat and Mike, maybe because I'm not into sports too much. * I'm most curious to see *Pat and Mike* because I'm all about sports. I'm also curious to see *Desk Set* and *Adam's Rib*. I'll probably get the box set. I'm just looking for a sale. I had no idea you liked *The Americanization of Emily* that much! I like that one, too. *Auntie Mame* ? You? Really? What's *The Art of Love* ?

Hey there, Movieman -- *At least not consciously.* Yeah, I didn't figure it was by choice. I just thought it was interesting that some of your very favorites look to have the female as the primary focus of the comedy. *I very much enjoy the give and take in the couples in these movies. Screwball and romantic comedy are not that far apart in my world.* They are for some, but for others, they are worlds apart. Some people struggle with the unnatural of screwball. It's too much. *I think funny women are sexy. This may be why I am not all that fond of Bette Davis and Joan Crawford.* Funny women are sexy? Now that is really interesting! I can't say that I find the same. Funny women hardly ever elicit a sexual reaction from me. I guess the closest for me would be Carole Lombard. Her craziness turns me on. But someone like Jean Arthur is mostly sweet and cute to me. *If I were going to include the Marxes and Keaton, etc several of my titles get bumped.* That's understandable. I know they are great favorites of yours, especially the Marx brothers. I've yet to see a Marx brothers film, but I'm looking forward to watching them. I know I'll love Groucho. I'm just not sure about the others. *I hope you find some of my list enjoyable. I'll tell you that "Vivacious Lady" and "Easy Living" and "Theodora Goes Wild" were "finds" for me. I didn't know anything about them when I watched them. No one suggested them or raved about them. I enjoyed the stars and just sort of came upon them so that made them all the more enjoyable as I had no notion of what I was about to see.* That's terrific! That's how I felt about *Big Brown Eyes*. It's one of the few films I have watched that nobody had said a thing about before I watched it. And I really liked it. I know Sweet T is a fan of *Theodora Goes Wild*. I have the DVD, too.

Ciao, Lively Gal -- *I'd have to imdb the 80's just to jog my memory about the era. I saw Eddie Murphy a lot.* Eddie was mostly great in the 80s. My favorite 80s comedies: 1. Top Secret! 2. Better Off Dead 3. The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! 4. Strange Brew 5. Caddyshack 6. Running Scared (action film, but I love the comedy the most) 7. One Crazy Summer 8. Fletch 9. Airplane! 10. National Lampoon's Vacation 11. A Christmas Story 12. Spies Like Us (again, an action/adventure film that I laugh a lot during) 13. Big Trouble in Little China (action, love its humor) 14. Ferris Bueller's Day Off 15. A Fish Called Wanda 16. Monty Python's The Meaning of Life 17. Super Fuzz 18. Raising Arizona 19. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 20. Hollywood Shuffle 21. I'm Gonna Git You Sucka 22. The Cannonball Run 23. Pee Wee's Big Adventure 24. Summer Rental 25. Hysterical *You're so right about the personal-ness and subjectivity of comedy. I'm not such a fan of screwball or slapstick comedy.* I didn't know you weren't as big a fan of screwball. I can see you not liking slapstick. Do you not find chaos and zany to be funny? Do you prefer humorous dialogue to the physical? *That's why the Silent Film giants hardly get a ripple out of me, or why I don't have bonafide classics like "My Man Godfrey" or* *"You Can't Take It With You" on my list though I respect them.* I've yet to give the silent comedians a full run. From what I've seen of Buster Keaton, I really like him. I have also liked what I've seen of Harold Lloyd. *I love a lot of today's comedies, but I won't name them less I ruin my reputation as a serious cine-maven. (What am I talking about...I sullied that long ago!)* Let them be known! *Is it that you don't like to follow the crowd? Is it that you enjoy standing out alone? Is it that you don't like to like what is popular?* With some things, absolutely. I tend to be very wary of mass popularity. But when it comes to watching movies, I like what I like. If I think the most popular film of all is funny, I'll say it. But when it comes to something like alcohol or dressing a certain way, you're going to find a rebel with me. *I love Sturges' wit and cleverness and commentary on Society (Lubitsch and Wilder as well). The comedies on my list are more accessible to me, they make me laugh easier without having to do a lot of brain work... other than just laugh. (My* *skelton in my closet is that I'm a lazy maven).* I find *Sullivan's Travels* to be more about message than comedy. I really didn't like *The Palm Beach Story* the first time I saw it. It fared better with me the second time. *The Miracle at Morgan's Creek* has some funny situations and wisecracks. That's what draws me to it. I'm big on Diana Lynn in that pic. *Christmas in July* just makes me laugh. I love the "cartoon character" played by Raymond Walburn. He's like Yosemite Sam. And I love *Unfaithfully Yours* for the male paranoia. I love the entire idea of a mind running wild. *I'm afraid the comedies on my list will be gristle for the mill once you're done with them. The serious films that you listed you laugh at, and the way you filter and process things are so different from any one else's posts I read. You have a very unique way of looking at things.* *But I do hope you'll like "BOMBSHELL." If you like Harlow, you should enjoy her in this. The poor dear is so put upon by her family and her studio and her manipulatively irascible press agent played by Lee Tracy. Harlow and Tracy make a great team. And you'll forget all about her sex appeal and see her in all her comic glory. Naaaaah, no one forgets Harlow's sex appeal. I'll be curious to read what you think of it.* I'm one of the very few who doesn't find Jean Harlow to be sexy. She just doesn't do much for me. I did like her in *Red-Headed Woman* and *The Public Enemy*. And from what I saw of her in *China Seas*, I liked. Maybe I'll come around to her. I know *Bombshell* is a big one and I'd like to see it. And seeing you list it so high has piqued my interest. *I spent many an afternoon in movie theatres in the 70's with thousands of New Yorkers watching the Kings... Mel Brooks and Woody Allen. Mel is burlesque and Woody is cerebral. "BLAZING SADDLES" is genius b'cuz Mel respected the western genre in his send-up. It was the funniest movie I've ever seen. (I still see Slim Pickens jumping into Harvey Korman's arms for consoling. And that fourth wall break at the end of the movie...untouchable!)* Mel is definitely burlesque. He's really crass and honest. I love the "I'm sorry about the 'up yours.'" *I enjoyed Kate and Spence. They're a little more work for me to do. I don't know if you'd like any of their fare. Jackaaaaaay and Miss Goddess know your tastes better 'n I do. They might be able to speak to that. But I kind of think you'd like the battle of the sexes Kate and Spence dish out. I'd go with their first film together:* *"WOMAN OF THE YEAR." Chemistry, evenly matched...and their first. He makes her into a real woman. You'd find Kate mouthy and snippy. She's not the spoiled girl-woman I think I've read you like. She's a grown-up with a lot of humanity to grow into. You might like the lesson Spencer Tracy gives her.* Well, I can tell you that I have some real reservations with Tracy & Hepburn. I really hope I like their films. But I wonder. I do love the battle of the sexes. That will almost always work with me. *EVE ARDEN.....("Mildred Pierce" "My Dream Is Yours")* *LUCILLE BALL.....("Stage Door" "Best Foot Forward")* *CECIL CUNNINGHAM.....("The Awful Truth")* *THELMA RITTER.....("All About Eve" "Rear Window")* *JOAN BLONDELL.....(Anything in the 1930's) (I see Moira's Morlocks will do a feature on the great Blondell).* *LEE PATRICK.....(Anything in the 1940's)* *HELEN BRODERICK.....("Swingtime") Comedy's best friend.They don't make 'em like these gals anymore.* I've never heard of Helen Broderick. Thelma is one of my all-time favorite actresses. I list her with the stars. That's how much I love her. I usually like Joan, but I really haven't seen much of her work. I love Cecil in *The Awful Truth*. She has my favorite line in the film. I like *Stage Door* quite a bit. But I love Ginger the most in that one. I haven't seen much of Eve. I believe just *Stage Door* and *Anatomy of a Murder*. I like her in both. *Who do you think are funnier...men or women?* Me, personally? Men. But that's purely a preference. I don't think either gender is simply funnier. It really is about our personal preferences. There are some films where I find the woman to be the funnier of the two sexes. Kitty (Joan Bennett) in *Scarlet Street* is a riot to me. I find Scarlett to be funny in *Gone with the Wind*. Do you personally view *All About Eve* as a comedy or a drama? Do you laugh at it... a lot?

Hiya, Musicman -- I like your list. Jean Arthur and Irene Dunne. You also have some Kate flicks. Carole Lombard has the biggest female presence on my list, with four films. Jean is next, with three films. Looking at your favorites, it looks like you prefer your comedy coming from a female. Cary Grant has six films. And that makes sense since he is my favorite comedic actor. Did either of you or CineMaven have a Spence/Kate film? I've yet to see any. What I haven't seen on your list: 1. Vivacious Lady (I'm going to watch it soon) 2. Easy Living 6. My Favorite Wife 8. Theodora Goes Wild 15. Born Yesterday 16. A Hard Day's Night 17. Life With Father 18. Without Reservations 20. The Devil and Miss Jones 21. Ninotchka 23. The Party 24. Help! *Young Frankenstein* is my favorite Mel Brooks film. I kept it off my list only because it's from the 70s. *Blazing Saddles* is my second favorite Brooks film.

Hola, CinemAva -- *Screwball, romantic, farcical, black, sophisticated, anarchic. Comedies. I love to laugh.* I mostly liked comedies when I was growing up. I'm a huge fan of 80s comedies. Those are my favorites. It's been hit or miss with me in the classic film world and it's rare that a comedy ranks highly on my overall list. In the 80s, comedies dominate my list. *I see many films on your list that I just full out laugh at. Some on your list I might not laugh at, but I smile heartily throughout. I see some films on your list that I know I'm supposed to like as a classic film buff (it's my own sense of guilt) but I just can't in good conscience say I laugh at.* Comedy is often very personal. I have found that I laugh at lots of stuff most people do not. Their sense of humor tends to be more serious than mine, more literal. I like slapstick more than most, though. I think it's because the literalists find it to be too absurd. *Years ago I worked at a video store (sheer and utter VHS Heaven which should give you a ghastly hint at how long ago that was...) and the Manager asked me if I liked Preston Sturges. I said I didn't really. He asked me what films of his had I seen. < Gulp! > I hadn't seen any, (but why would that stop me not from liking his work). The Manager jumped from behind the counter, went into an aisle, pulled out a film, popped in "The Miracle at Morgan's Creek" on the store's tv, and told me to watch it. He said I would not have to deal with a single solitary customer; he'd take all comers but to watch this movie.* How cool! I like the raciness of *The Miracle at Morgan's Creek*. *I did and came out of there with a profound respect for Preston Sturges' genius. You won't see his films on my list...but I just wanted you to know that I know, he is a genius and I admire his work.* I'm a Sturges fan, but his biggest films don't make me laugh like his less-heralded ones. *It's funny about "The Odd Couple." When my sister and I saw it at Radio City Music Hall, we laughed so hard, that we literally were in pain when we left the movies. Now if I see it, I can really smile at it instead of laugh. So I kind of have it on my list for the memory of the laughs it gave me when I was a teenager.* It's so brash. I just love the clash of personalities. On your favorites list, I've yet to see: Bombshell Pillow Talk (I'll probably watch it soon) The Women Bye Bye Birdie The Out of Towners Easy to Wed George Washington Slept Here Keep 'Em Flying Ride 'Em Cowboy Three On A Couch Please Don't Eat the Daisies I'm gonna have to watch *Bombshell* soon since you list is early on your favorites list. I didn't include *Blazing Saddles* on my list because it's from the 70s. That's one of my all-time favorites. I'm a Mel Brooks fan.

Good evening, Cowboy Chris -- *We hardly talked about it. I agree that Fonda is very fatherly much against his own better judgement. But he knows what the end result will be if he doesn't help and I don't think deep down he can live with it.* Morgan (Henry Fonda) is being a father to two boys. The older "son" is in way over his head and his good intentions and trust in others doing the lawful thing is going to get himself killed. "Dad" likes that his "boy" is wanting to do things the right way and is willing to do so himself, but he knows he can't let him go of him completely. The younger "son" is quite similar. He is also unaware of the real danger that surrounds him. "Dad" needs to look out for him, too. *I especially likes the way he continues to live with Palmer and her son despite the town's reactions. Maybe for a small part - because of it. Though he is not a man to make his decisions on what anyone thinks.* You're right. I think Morgan hates being told what he cannot do, even though he is quite respectful of the authority of others. Nona (Betsy Palmer) and Kip (Michael Ray) are what Morgan lost. *I enjoyed the instruction time. It is the mechanics of it but also the thinking behind it. Fonda keeps having to drag Perkins back to reality and that this is not as simple as it seems.* That's an excellent point. There's teaching someone how to do something with the physical but there's also the mental side of it, as well. *I can't speak for other Perkins' roles but I think he is properly youthful here. He means well and wants to be tough, but isn't, but also finally realizes that there is way too much to learn.* He comes off as a boy without a father. He really wants to learn, to be taught. *Parts of the story are simplistic but the triangle of Fonda, Perkins and Brand give that area of the film a depth of tension that brings up the rest of it.* I never really feared Bogardus (Neville Brand) or even the McGaffeys. They seemed to be only components to the real story of a man regaining himself and a family. For me, this makes it a very interesting and good western. It really isn't about the villains in this one. *Fonda can't bury what is right or what is real in his heart. He is wounded but he doesn't let it overcome him.* Very nicely said. He needs Ben (Anthony Perkins), Kip, and Nona just as much as they need him. And isn't that how it's supposed to be?

*Frank, when you get a chance (and if you're so inclined) would you give me a list of your favorite comedies? Thanx.* I'm always inclined! My favorite comedies for straight-up laughs (pre-70s): 1. His Girl Friday 2. Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein 3. Unfaithfully Yours 4. Batman 5. The Smiling Lieutenant 6. Mr. and Mrs. Smith 7. The More the Merrier 8. Christmas in July 9. The Thin Man 10. It Happened One Night 11. The Awful Truth 12. Indiscreet 13. The Man Who Came to Dinner 14. Libeled Lady 15. The Odd Couple 16. Dr. Strangelove 17. Love Before Breakfast 18. You Can't Take It with You 19. Big Brown Eyes 20. My Favorite Blonde 21. The Lady Eve 22. The Philadelphia Story 23. Bringing Up Baby 24. Trouble in Paradise 25. The Whole Town's Talking 26. Twentieth Century 27. Midnight 28. The Seven Year Itch 29. To Be or Not to Be 30. The Miracle of Morgan's Creek I also find these films funny but there is more to them than the laughs with me (pre-70s) 1. Scarlet Street (Kitty) 2. Cape Fear (Max Cady's twinkle-eyed taunts) 3. Inherit the Wind (Hornbeck) 4. The Body Snatcher (Cabman Gray) 5. Destry Rides Again 6. Clash by Night (hilarious dialogue) 7. Gilda (I laugh out loud at the banter) 8. Charade 9. Cluny Brown (I know it's a comedy, but I enjoy other aspects just as much as the comedy) 10. Tall in the Saddle (Arly) 11. The World of Suzie Wong (Suzie is adorable) 12. The Old Dark House (a dark comedy but I also love the atmosphere) 13. Holiday (Another comedy, but I like the message more so than the straight laughs) 14. Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (kills me) 15. My Man Godfrey (Again, a comedy, but I like the heart and message more than the comedy) I almost always find something funny in Hitch's films, too. What are your favorite comedies, Lively Gal?

*Very funny.* I'm hiding my grief! *Too bad!* Yes you are, Your Highness! *I feel the same about Doris, though I don't remember her fit.* I love her glare and her "ooooooh!," but when she goes off on a tantrum that takes up the entire final scene, that wears on me. She does that more in *Lover Come Back* than in this one. *This movie was more about him and Randall than her character.* Definitely. And they are sensational. *I loved Clint Walker and how insecure Rock acted even though he was trying to fix them up.* Clint would make most guys feel insecure! I always like when Rock tosses the "Cary Grant" line out there. *Tony is so funny.* He really is. He's the perfect third wheel. *Like CineMaven said, these movies can really cheer you if you're feeling blue.* I can see how. But I still prefer the Stooges.

*I also love Jennifer's dresses. * Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! I can definitely see that being your style. They are very "you." *Ha!! Really?? I didn't think so. I like him. I liked his persistence.* That's because you like jerks! *She had. Didn't she say something like "I'm happily dead"? but the fact she impulsively adopts an orphan shows she has these needs she's repressing.* You have a good memory! She uses the word "safely." Love can be dangerous. She's protecting herself. *I love her friend, the English doctor.* Yes, he was very soothing. *Oh, it gets me every time. I think it's strings. Strings just floor me. They go straight for the heart.* I don't have a heart, so I'm "safe." *Oh no, I mean the movie's style. Star-crossed lovers, mushy music, even the nod to Now, Voyager with the cigarettes. And the fact that the entire movie is a love story. Not pretending to be about something else. It's unabashedly a love story, and that is very old-fashioned.* Oh, I understand now. You are right about that. The focus of the story is purely their love. A film like *Now, Voyager* is deeper. And I didn't like the nod. *I agree about that scene, it's devastating. The look on Grant's face, I just go to pieces.* I love the ending with the painting. *Thank you for those caps. Yes, it's the best scene, and says it all. It's usually better to show rather than use dialogue, but it's well written.* I agree, it's better to show than say. But sometimes words stick. *What about Send Me No Flowers?* It was pretty good. I do enjoy the Hudson/Day/Randall connection. They really are fun. Just as with *Lover Come Back*, I wasn't big on the ending. I'm not that crazy on Doris throwing a prolonged fit. I like her short outbursts more. Rock is so very good at being serious in comedy. My favorite line is this: I also loved this:

*There is a stiltedness there, for sure. It may be because Jones despised Holden so much.* It's Holden. I can't see how a woman like Suyin would fall for him. Yet, in *The World of Suzie Wong*, I think he's great. He just seems like a jerk in *Love is a Many-Splendored Thing*. *It doesn't bother me, I guess I like what you said, it's about the nature of love and bringing down barriers, finding new hope.* Yes. It's about the kind of love you share and how it can come to mean so much even if it's not what others believe it must be. They have something together. Suyin especially feels this. And she places her heart in danger by accepting this love. That's the danger of it all. Still, she is reborn after dying with her husband years ago. She had buried herself in her job. *I also am a sucker for the theme music.* Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo! *It's an old fashioned love story, and I love that about it.* What makes it old-fashioned? The Chinese world that Suyin lives in? The superstitions? This does make it old-fashioned, to me. *It moves me more than An Affair to Remember, I must say.* I can believe that. What gets me with *An Affair to Remember* is that the one lover hides the painful truth from the other out of fear but also respect. Just the shot of the wheelchair crashes me. There's nothing that powerful in *Love is a Many-Splendored Thing*. *I read the book by Han Suyin, it's based on a her true story, though "Mark" was an Englishman. I like the idealism and the fact hou don't always see a woman caring so much for ideals, not just the ambition of her job. She's very rigid about them.* I think it's because she's buried herself in them. *My favorite scene is in, I think it's Macao, where they go away together and she's locked the door until he came back to her. Then they watch the funeral, and she talks about how love has transformed her senses. It's very beautiful to me.* I can't believe you're a romantic. Those lines stuck with me, as well. I find them to be very true. Love can make you more aware of everything around you. Life becomes more important. Of course, that scene represents the entire film.

*And what about Love Is a Many Splendored Thing? I can't believe you have that movie in your collection. That's sappier than An Affair to Remember!* And it's not as good. I didn't like the relationship between Mark (William Holden) and Suyin (Jennifer Jones). It never felt close enough for my tastes. But I did like how love is being defined by the film. That's what kept me going.

*Not from a bus boy.* Yes, Your Highness.

*No one's pushing me to Miami Beach!* You need a good kick in the rear!

*Yes, well, you guys always go for the crazy, mean beauties. * Yes, Your Highness.

*Yes, he was totally unselfish.* He's the most unselfish character I've seen. I really liked him. *She appreciated him and it's like she thought he was so pure.* And isn't that how it sometimes goes? One girl can really appreciate a guy but the girl the guy likes doesn't. *They were kind of like Fred and Ethel once they married.* Very good! *You'll probably like Blast of Silence.* I'm sure of it.