CineMaven

No ma'am. I wouldn't kid a goddess. That was him right next to our Georgie.

That's right! And you'd better remember that. Up next for Meg, "Past, Present." That'll be next Monday. Be there or be square. Now...for something completely noir, Cagney at his Cagniest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVtZQKQFNpU&feature=player_embedded GAWI, baby. GAWI!!!

"Cummings is in it? That is too funny. I don't think I've seen him in a western before. Tell me he's playing a greenhorn. He can't be anything else." I thought of you when I went to the Film Forum yesterday to see Fritz Lang's "You and Me." Robert Cummings played one of the gangsters of George Raft's old gang. Cummings. Oh yeah...snarling and everything. Yeah!

Bonjour Monsieur Lafitte - "Usually one is now on the side of the law (Douglas) and the other if not still an outlaw, per se, is nevertheless a bit louche and involved in something shady (Quinn). I thought Douglas a little bland and Quinn better but not earthshaking. Susan Oliver?s character, as you point out, is pivotal and the most interesting. She is crisply made up (maquillage) but not floozy-like, her round face is almost like a little doll. But she has poise and a sharp manner and can take care of herself. Yes, she chooses to help Douglas, not because she is after him, but more for ethical reasons. Right or wrong is more important than this former attachment to the other. This story had a 310 to Yuma feel about it, in fact, it?s almost giving away too much to mention it. But, Last Train from Gun Hill is nowhere near the other (speaking of the original, of course)" A pirate riding the range? Interesting. I just wanted to make one little correction to your post. Blonde actress Susan Oliver ("Peyton Place" tv show - "Butterfield 8" - Eddie Fisher's girlfriend ) did not appear in the western "LAST TRAIN TO GUN HILL." Carolyn Jones ("The Addams Family") was the girl. Congrats on your foray into the world of DVDs. My collection of films (thousands strong) is made of VHS tapes. I have movies on tape that have probably not appeared on television since the 1980's. My DVD collection doesn't compare. "Last Train..." is one of my favorite movies. I enjoy films where two stars come together from different perspectives to clash in the middle. In this film Kirk Douglas is looking to get his wife's rapist and murderer. Anthony Quinn is looking to protect his son from capture. Both of those actors are among the most macho of actors from that era. It's one of those times "When An Irresistible Force Meets An Immovable Object." I sit back and watch with baited breath.

Hmmmmm...a list of my favorite westerns. It will be a pitiable exercise, but I want to be part of the fun so......

"What??? Hey Jackieeee...Ro....Tall T....do you see what I see? An Ella Raines character is one of his favorites????" - <<< Miss Goddess >>> Whaddya talkin' about? "Favorite Female Characters in Westerns 8. Arly Harolday (Ella Raines in Tall in the Saddle)" - <<< Frank Grimes >>> Okay...I must be drunk.

Is this something that would be up your and lzcutter's alley? http://www.tcm.com/movienews/index/?cid=375776

"...when I hear Robert Osborne's voice I immediately fall unconscious." Ah - ha!! Sooooooo, you'd add Robert's name to your list of voices, ey?

It occurred to me last night, after writing up this particular list, that most of my favorite actors have great voices. My liking of them is based on looks, yes, but not so much as I would have thought - it has everything to do with vocal quality... G'morning Action Jaxxxxon. I loved your list. I see many actors' names that I drool over. I agree with Miss G., I'd have to dive if one of those voices told me to. There's something about the human voice. That's perhaps why I'm not such a big silent film fan, though there are many Silents that I like. I would agree with you about modern actors. Their voices (for the most part) are not trained. Okay, you choose: Richard Burton or Adam Sandler. See what I mean. (Okay, poor case in point). Try this one on then: Zita Johann or Adam Sandler?? Aaaah, see what I mean. Besides the voices getting weaker, the "look" has gotten weaker. I know things are more naturalistic/realistic today. It's almost like seeing your friends make movies. Why, you could toss a feather into the pool of MGM, Paramount, 20th Century Fox in the 1930's & 1940's...and hit a bevy of beauties and handsome gents without really trying. Yes, there's no real studio system today that have lassoed a bunch of actors in one corral, but I daresay you'd be hard pressed to find a bevy of anything that isn't Botoxed. (Male or female). I'm wondering if the same goes for my favorite movies - do I like then more because of the way they sound than the way they look? That is a thought to ponder, Jackaaaaaaay. I've got to really think about HOW I watch movies. Well, let me go. I've got a fan letter to write to a cool cat. Nice list. Positive. Oooh, I loved what you said about Brian Keith and David Janssen though those are not two actors I'm attracted to. For that smoky, sexy, well-traveled voice..I think I'll follow Stuart Whitman. Anywhere. Keep your hipwaders handy.

It's here: http://forums.tcm.com/jive/tcm/thread.jspa?threadID=157528&tstart=0. Scroll down and see where I started...and work your way to others' good lists.

"I see what you mean, and I actually was able to watch her recently for the first time without wanting to rip out my fingernails. I know what she does is interesting, and maybe even good, but I don't have to like watching her." Yes you do. YES YOU HAVE TO LIKE WATCHING HER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nawwww, you don't have to like her. But what you DO have to do is tell us (over in the LISTS thread) what favorite actors and actresses voices you like. Now quick before I rip out my fingernails.

Ev?ning Miss G. -"Wonderful lists, CinemAva!! I'll have to pay attention to Wayne Morris and Clarence Muse because I can't picture/hear them.? Thanx! You might think Wayne Morris' voice slightly twang-y, but I just love the big galoot. He was a rascal in ?Brother Rat? but to hear that voice talking to Kirk Douglas in ?Paths of Glory? made me smile b?cuz it felt out of place in such a dark movie. Your descriptions made me smile b?cuz you made me hear those actors? voices. (And you?re sooo right about Darth Vader vs. snoozer Anakin Skywalker). I overlooked several actors you had on your list like Yul Brynner. But I was trying to be honest with myself by separating the sound of the voice over the accents. ?To give you an idea how important an actor's voice can be, I tried watching "Inception" this weekend and couldn't get past the fact that the much lauded Leonardo DeCaprio has the voice of a sixteen year old kid. I can't take anything he says seriously.? I hear you about Leo. He just still feels like a boy to me instead of a man. But I did like his accented voice in ?BLOOD DIAMOND.? I think he?s filling out like a grown man...but his voice may still have to catch up. I didn?t like the story of ?INCEPTION? but visually...Christopher Nolan made my jaw drop. ?...A VERY male cougar." Oh mama...is he ever EVER EVER!!!" Hey M & M - You mention voices, well my bride was beside herself over Sam Elliott doing some pregame "ramblings" over the Steelers and Packers. The fact that they showed him and his mustache only made her enjoy it more. Darn it I missed that. I fell asleep until after the third quarter of the game was underway. Katharine Ross is a lucky lucky gal! And I?m sure your wife is too. ?Orson Welles would make my list.? ? Darn it...I forgot him too. Great voice. that must've won him Rita's hand in marriage. Grimesy Me Boy - ?I guess a "Goofy" talker like me has no chance. :-) I need to talk like Richard Burton to seduce women? So that's my problem!? Your sense of humor surely reels in the girls.

Maven - I think that cinematography class or seminar sounds super! How exciting! I hope it helps you to elucidate your vision. I can't wait to see the results! Thanx man. Sound and lighting don't interest me...but they are key to filmmaking. Bronxie - As for Rita Tushingham - yes! I just hate her in Dr. Z. She drives me nuts, and I spend all my time wondering how two beautiful people like Omar and Julie could have had such a plain looking girl who looks nothing like either of them. First you say Julie Christie is helmet-haired and now you want her producing beautiful children. Holy Semolians! It sounds trite when I write it out, but when Chaplin plays it, all these wisps of differing emotion come out of her performance. And she is unlike any other actress I can think of. Very internal, as if smoke were seeping out of her pores every now and then. In fact, she would have been fantastic in "Summer and Smoke", rather than the very scary Fitzgerald. (I know you meant Geraldine Page). That was a wonderful description of Charlie's daughter. Why didn't her career take off? Did she want it? Was she too fey? Geraldine Page might be an acquired taste. I love her jittery-ness. Ha! She's competing with Pamela Tiffin? No contest. Page ("Sweet Bird of Youth") always seems Actress-y to me...like Kim Stanley...but I love 'em both for it. ...There is NOTHING like an eccentric Englishman to please me. Uh-ha! I'll let Victor Mature and Jack LaRue know how you feel. ????????

Thank you for Rudy's voice. It's not the voice in my head...but I am astounded to actually hear him speak. Thanx!

"Aunt Elaine, a dear, sweet, kind, and utterly unflappable woman, recounts the time one of the pythons got loose. She was in the shower and saw it slithering toward the bathroom. Without so much as a flicker of anxiety, she stepped out of the shower, naked, dripping wet, picked up the snake and plopped it back into its cage." WoW!!! And you're afraid of mutant frogs? You must be the black sheep of the family. "I saw parts of RYAN'S DAUGHTER for the first time. Oh...my....heavens. Sara Miles is like the gritty version of Julie Christie. She and Chris Jones on the forest floor, wow! Hauntingly beautiful cinematography, quite stunning actually...." I saw "RYAN'S DAUGHTER" when it was first released. The scope of it looked gigantic to me. The countryside, the crashing waves...and oh boy, the forest floor scene; but all wrapped in a simple love story of Romeo & Juliet, or the Sharks and the Jets. An Irish girl falling for a British soldier... with devastating consequences. (Trevor Howard didn't have nuthin' on ol' Quasimodo Mills. At least THAT was makeup). The cinematography was breath-taking. I'm going to a Cinematogra- phers seminar this Wednesday nite. Maybe I can learn how to make my own projects look stunning. "I loved the little village. I wanted to shrink myself down and live there. (like with all those Christmas villages -- wouldn't life be so relaxing?)" HECK NO! In that village, you'd have a train going around and around and around all times of the night...with cattle braying too. Now Willoughby...that's the place to go. ACK!! Bronxie...your weekend visits of incisive hilarity in this thread is starving me during the week. :-( Hey there Madhat - "Part of me has always fantasized a little about being stranded on a tropical Isle (no snakes please)...something like The Little Hut, only without Granger and Niven, just me and Ava and maybe Gloria Grahame. I would need my movies though. Well in the latter case maybe not." HA!! A lotta guys would want to be on that island. Funny, on my island I see Victor Mature and Woody Strode. ...And not a rescue ship in sight!

Great. Let me know where and when.

Yeah...that's how I was able to put down Rudolph Valentino's voice on "My Favorite Voices" list. I noticed that. Observant. **** I can't. My decrepit old shell-shocked vet of a husband is home. Raincheck? That's all I seem to get! Cash in those rainchecks. **** I don't have the schedule in front of me...but it is "You and Me" that I want to see. I'll let'cha know. But I don't want to spoil it for you. I'd love to know the "vibe" of the film. It certainly sounds like a "Sidney" kind of film. Sidney's not one of my favorites, so I have to really go in with an open mind. A "Sidney" kind of film (to me) sounds like a Depression area saga. Does Sylvia ever smile? She has a very distinct look. **** I'm not a big Glenn Ford fan (though I liked him in "The Big Heat" and "3:10 to Yuma") so I had to get passed him. Oh, that's right, I forgot you weren't that keen on Glenn. I can see why; Glenn isn't the "warmest" of actors. So what are your reasons? Do you always see him as "Johnny Farrell"? In general, I don't find Glenn Ford sexy, but he was an attractive man. The big heat of "GILDA" brought some sizzle to Glenn but then again any man standing next to Rita Hayworth gets his sizzle factor raised. **** Why my mind wandered away from Gloria is beyond me. I was just --watching-- looking at her instead of really --looking-- watching her. So here I'll have to go in there again. "Looking" versus "watching"... what an interesting delineation. That's excellent. I never thought about that. And I think most people do look at films versus watch them. I've turned into a "Peeping Tom." I made a mistake in my explanation. It feels more right to say: "I was just looking at her instead of really watching her." Peeping Tom? Let's say "voyeurs." It sounds fancy schmancier. **** I've got a ways to go with Gloria. I've seen just ten of her 39 films. 1. In a Lonely Place (1950) .... Laurel Gray 2. The Big Heat (1953) .... Debby Marsh 3. It's a Wonderful Life (1946) .... Violet Bick 4. Odds Against Tomorrow (1959) .... Helen 5. Human Desire (1954) .... Vicki Buckley 6. Macao (1952) .... Margie 7. The Glass Wall (1953) .... Maggie Summers 8. Crossfire (1947) .... Ginny Tremaine 9. Sudden Fear (1952) .... Irene Neves 10. The Bad and the Beautiful (1952)... Rosemary (I watched it just yesterday) Good start Grimesy. I think you've seen the meat of her career. These are the Gloria films I've seen: 1. "Blonde Fever" (1944) 2. "It Happened in Brooklyn" (1947) 3. "Crossfire" (1947) 4. "Song of the Thin Man" (1947) 5. "Merton of the Movies" (1947) 6. "A Woman's Secret" (1949) 7. "Roughshod" (1949) 8. "In A Lonely Place" (1950) 9. "The Greatest Show on Earth" (1952) 10. "Macao" (1952) 11. "Sudden Fear" (1952) 12. "The Bad and the Beautiful" (1952) 13. "The Glass Wall" (1953) 14. "The Big Heat" (1953) 15. "Human Desire" (1954) 16. "The Cobweb" (1955) 17. "Not As A Stranger" (1955) 18. "Oklahoma" (1955) 19. "Odds Against Tomorrow" (1955) 20. "The Outer Limits" (1964) tv show **** Stand by your man. It works both ways. ;-) So true. So very true!

"The gals have mentioned Desert Fury a few times on this board. I've yet to see it." Oh boy oh boy oh boy oh boy oh boy...if you EVER do see it, please let me know. Lizabeth Scott, Burt Lancaster, John Hodiak, Wendell Corey and the great Mary Astor.Oh boy oh boy oh boy oh boy!!!

I call 'em as I sees them...imagine them. You have one strong imagination. Yeah...that's how I was able to put down Rudolph Valentino's voice on "My Favorite Voices" list. **** Yes...so true. How many shadings of neediness can GLO-LO portray. I'll never forget Ginny's dance. It's one of the best dances you'll see in film. How about some spaghetti? I can't. My decrepit old shell-shocked vet of a husband is home. Raincheck? **** Okay. I'll have to get myself together before I see the next Lang double feature. It won't be a walk in the park. I see Sylvia Sidney in my future. The Lang/Sidney pic that remains a major curiosity of mine is You and Me. If you see that one, let me know what you think. The better-known Lang/Sidney flicks are quite interesting. I prefer You Only Live Once to Fury. I don't have the schedule in front of me...but it is "You and Me" that I want to see. I'll let'cha know. But I don't want to spoil it for you. In "Human Desire" it's really crystallized this story of Vicki and how she tries to get out of the trap of a bad marriage. This is my second time seeing it. Maybe I'll do a third and really focus on Gloria 'cuz Broderick was kind of freaking me out. Poor Broderick! He did play a great "hairy ape," that's for sure. But Gloria is who stood out to me in my second viewing. I think I have to see it a third time. I'm not a big Glenn Ford fan (though I liked him in "The Big Heat" and "3:10 to Yuma") so I had to get passed him. Why my mind wandered away from Gloria is beyond me. I was just watching her instead of really looking at her. So here I'll have to go in there again. **** One thing I noticed is that the Vet was welcomed home very nicely by everyone. Even his curmudgeon boss. I thought that was a nice message. Nice catch! I didn't even notice that. Gloria does that. **** Who do you think Lang used best, GLO-LO or Joanie? Or is that an apples and oranges question? It's close, but I'd say Joanie. I believe Lang helped to provide Joan Bennett with a "second" life. A much more important one as an actress, too. I've called "Kitty" the "Scarlett O'Hara of film noir" and I think Joanie played Vivien Leigh's "Myra Lester" (Waterloo Bridge) in Man Hunt. "I've called "Kitty" the "Scarlett O'Hara of film noir." WHEW!! High praise, Grimesy. You do know you're referring to "GONE WITH THE WIND" don't you?? Uh-oh... Having said that, Gloria was given the more heroic characters. She got to play tainted heroines. That's pretty darn good for an actress. And of the "Gloria" films that I've seen, only In a Lonely Place features a stronger, more developed character than Lang's two. Well said, and I agree. You probably told us this before, but help an old lady out...could you tell me the Gloria Grahame films you have seen? What's amazing is that Lang generally lacks interesting female characters in his films. Joan and Gloria are two that were given some strong roles. Is it any wonder why they are two of my very favorites? Good. If more directors would give women a role with meat on them...that'd go a long way for them. **** So THAT'S what it was...loyalty; a quality that is lost today. So true. So very true. :-) Stand by your man.

Roll out the barrel. And we'll have a barrel of fun...

I see our list criss-crosses each other many times.

They can read me a bedtime story. They can recite the Yellow Pages. It almost doesn't matter WHAT they say. It's just the mere sound of their voice. These voices are silky, sonorous and sexy. Some voices are like maple syrup slowly pouring down. With my eyes closed, I'd know their voices ANYwhere. Their voices are pleasing to my ear. CONFESSION: Okay okay. I have to admit with the men...some of the names on the Actors list are there in addition to their voice). In no particular order (other than alphabetical by first name), here is a list of... MY FAVORITE VOICES: ACTORS: 1. Bing Crosby 2. Boris Karloff 3. Cary Grant 4. Clarence Muse 4. Claude Rains 5. Dana Andrews 6. Errol Flynn 7. George Sanders 8. Gregory Peck 9. Gable 10. Henry Daniel 11. James Craig 12. James Earl Jones 13. James Mason 14. John Carradine 15. Paul Robeson 16. Randolph Scott 17. Richard Burton 18. Robert Mitchum 19. Robert Taylor 20. Rudolph Valentino 21. Sean Connery 22. Sterling Hayden 23. Vincent Price 24. Wayne Morris *** ACTRESSES 1. Alice Faye 2. Ann Harding 3. Ann Sheridan 4. Barbara Rush 4. Claire Trevor 5. Doris Day 6. Ella Raines 7. Eve Arden 8. Frieda Inescort 9. Gloria Grahame 10. Ingrid Bergman 11. Jennifer Jones 12. Kim Novak 13. Lauren Bacall 14. Linda Darnell 15. Lizabeth Scott 16. Margaret Lindsay 17. Mary Astor 18. Olivia deHavilland 19. Patricia Neal 20. Paulette Goddard 21. Priscilla Lane 22. Suzanne Pleshette 23. Teresa Wright 24. Tippi Hedren

Hola, CinemAva -- What?s cookin? good-looking? You've been over-served! Or is it under-served? I call 'em as I --sees-- them...imagine them. What can I say? We New Yorkers are a generous people. And we know a good thing when we see it. Now will somebody take all this snow away!!! Don't you send that snow here! I can't. It's all chunks of icebergs. I do find Gloria to be extremely needy in most of her roles and greedy in some others. What's great about Gloria is that she changes the tone with her characters. Her Ginny (Crossfire) is a different kind of needy than her Debby Marsh (The Big Heat). Yes...so true. How many shadings of neediness can GLO-LO portray. I'll never forget Ginny's dance. Did you notice the Glenn?s brother-in-law Army buddies scene? The little girl was in the room when one of the men?s guns was out on the table. I say again...?YIKES!!? Those were the days when kids could be kids! Uhhhmmm...I'm thinking more like tiddlywinks...marbles. ...I will say that German directors often see lots and lots of pain, hurt, and misery in the world. If there's a happy ending, there's a price that's paid for it. It's definitely not light and fluffy and everything is gonna be all right for all involved. No. Okay. I'll have to get myself together before I see the next Lang double feature. It won't be a walk in the park. I see Sylvia Sidney in my future. I watched Human Desire on DVD a few months ago and I ended up liking it more in my second viewing than my first. Why? Vicki (Gloria Grahame). Her story and end are rather similar to "Debby Marsh's," even "Jeff Bailey's." Lang actually have Gloria Grahame two films. That's impressive. In "Human Desire" it's really crystallized this story of Vicki and how she tries to get out of the trap of a bad marriage. This is my second time seeing it. Maybe I'll do a third and really focus on Gloria 'cuz Broderick was kind of freaking me out. One thing I noticed is that the Vet was welcomed home very nicely by everyone. Even his curmudgeon boss. I thought that was a nice message. Who do you think Lang used best, GLO-LO or Joanie? Or is that an apples and oranges question? Kitty is loyal to her "Prince." She'll do what he asks of her. But she's definitely a cruel one. And so darn entertaining! So THAT'S what it was...loyalty; a quality that is lost today. GO STEELERS!!!!

< Gulp! > Twelve at heart...your enthusiasm for these great old films. :-)

OOOoooooh, great big bear hugs. I know your Mom doesn't know me...but please do send my regards. T.