CineMaven

WHEW! Tough crowd. I guess you can call me a c0cKeYed sentimentalist but I thoroughly enjoyed last night's foray into the Television western. Right now, I've got to go into the breech...the womb of Mother Nature now and face a snowy winter's day here in NYC. But when I come back later..I'd like to let you know how I felt about the documentary. More...more...more??? I found it a tasty little meal. But remember...I'm no western gourmand like the rest of you. Gimme a PB & J, sarsaparilla on the side. And don' be stingeeee baby!

HA!!!!!!!!!! Well there were no pumpkins, 'cuz he ate 'em, silly!

very true...and he did get anne bancroft in "THE PUMPKIN EATER" too.

"She's a kitten with a whip!" Really? Let me ask her. Virna...HEY VIRNA...do you look like Ann-Margret? "You never saw it? I think you might like it, with a huge suspension of disbelief, which I know you're good at. It's an indispensable quality for us classic movie watchers. Anyway, I really go for Peter Finch. Once again, gravitating to the guy who doesn't get the girl." I've seen some of it many many years ago. Angie, right? I suspend my disbelief at the drop of a hat for the classics. Peter not getting the girl. Yeah. I really enjoyed him "NETWORK." He didn't get the girl in that one either.

Miss G.: "Try watching some of them with him in that bathing suit without the robe, one night." Virna Favell: "I don't think that bathing suit would fit him." OMG!!!!! THAT line KILLED ME! Just killer!! Dang, you're quick!!! Naw, he didn't see Virna in me - he was back pedalling, trying to be nice, and not get caught ogling another woman, even in a movie. Even as a brunette, she looks nothing like me. Awwwww poor guy. Can you blame him? She was a dream boat...and very strong. Just remember, classic film is full of beauties like Rita, Ava, Lana, Marilyn, Joan, Lena, Grace, Kim, Jean, Gene and the rest of the bombshells. If you want him into classic films...you may have to allow some ogling. At least we have Jack LaRue and his little bathrobe scene in "...MISS BLANDISH." "The Sins of Rachel Cade"??? I WANT ME SOME ERROL JOHN!! (...And Roger Moore).

We can always watch the state of the United States later...but at eight o'clock on WNET (channel 13 in NYC) will be showing: "PIONEERS OF TELEVISION" The topic is westerns, that emblem of American identity - from Fess Parker's portrayal of Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett to James Arness's depiction of Marshal Matt Dillon in "Gunsmoke." James Garner talks about playing a card shark in "Maverick," and Linda Evans recalls the strong female characters she and Barbara Stanwyck created in "The Big Valley." Hmmm...I don't remember Linda Evans being very strong as Audra Barkley...but the program, as a whole, sounds interesting.

Heeeeeyyyyyyyy VIRNA!!! Glad you had control of the remote and checked it out. I kept waiting for Virna to turn bombshell...but she stayed true to being a serious part of this team. There was something about Errol John that had gravitas...I'll have to look for him. The skeleton near the periscope took me for a loop...and what it meant for him to go down with the ship. LEFFtenant...it's the little things that trip us up in life, isn't it. Glad he got it in the belly. And as much as we've talked about Sinatra in the Tony Curtis/Natalie Wood movie...something about him here got me. Like he doesn't have to be the centre of attention. Which makes him the centre of attention. Shooby **** doo!

Well...two of those guys don't look convincing in a cowboy suit!

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/23/movies/23dargis.html?_r=2 F.Y.I. Get past the ad and read a great article.

I've always loved the way he moves. Like a big cat." A-HA! Flixie...grown up!!! I see, now. (Oh, I'd add Denzel. He has a lovely stride!) I really don't even know whose walk I like amongst women. Might I presumptuously suggest Tippi Hedren in "MARNIE" and Kim Novak's in "VERTIGO" for starters? Actually she glides like a dream. And let's not leave out Lana.

"p.s. did your mom keep your costume?" HA!!! < ( spit take ) > and < ( spit take! ) > My mother always told me to clean my room or else she'd do it. Well in 1967 she did the big clean and my Playbills , obits on Vivien and Tracy were gone with the wind. Nope, no costume. But it's okay...it wouldn't fit anyway. You looked good on the boat there with Frankie and Tony, btw.

Great! Maybe we can compare and contrast Helen and Ella. Naaaah, what am I talking about. Who needs to make this an assignment. I just want to see 'em both...the light and the dark of noir. Oh goody!!

Brilliant comparison CinemAva...I think we all can learn at your feet. That's kind of you to say. Size 7.5 if you please. Imagine, going from dashing, high flying leading man (in his really early "salad" days) to wiping the rings off the bar. I can certainly imagine that. I starred in my third grade class play "HORTON HATCHES THE EGG" as Maisie Bird, to appearing on Turner Classic Movies as a fan guest programmer talking about Bette Davis. Where's the justice?

Oh, what a maroon. He had to go and spoil it, didn't he? Him who didn't know his LEWtenants from his LEFFtenants. Yeah, I guess he was a maroon, wasn't he. But didn't you think he cut quite a nice figure in his double-breasted blazer and his jovial racially-tinged remarks ("spaghetti-eater" "caramel-colored lush" were my uhmm... favorites?) Never having seen the film before, why did I know that lefften- ant would be his downfall. They didn?t even get one bag o? money. Really?! REALLY? It turned bad for them. Franciosa bought it which?ll make many in some quarters happy. Hahaha...your bete noire is showing. The German bought it too as he turns wacky in the end. Funny, I thought they would make it. I was hoping they would. You mean he turned Nazi in the end, as they always do in these movies, ha! "It's instinct". Wow! Yeah, that's actually what I meant but I was trying to be cinematically p.c. It was a motley crew as you say, and again I was pretty impressed with the script and tightness and the drama. I've yet to encounter a movie scripted by Serling that wasn't pretty decent, I must say. What a talent. Serling, Chayefsky...masters at construction of a story. I learn at their feet. Glad you enjoyed the cruise, CinemAva! Thanxx for having me aboard, ma'am. P.S. I have to add it was a little sad seeing Reginald Denny reduced to a nameless barkeep. I got the impression maybe they felt for the guy and gave him this part for the dough? Or maybe he was a pal and they wanted him to be able to stay current on his actor's guild insurance. You have to look after your own. THAT WAS REGGIE?! Oh boy. You make a good point. I think of Bogie in "IN A LONELY PLACE" when he helped his Shakespearean thespian pal. His way of saying "Barranca."

THE QUEEN IS SPOILED, THE QUEEN IS SPOILED. LONG LIVE THE SPOILED SPOILED QUEEN. AND I MEAN, SHE'S REALLY REALLY SPOILED HERE: "I want my life to be whipped cream and silk sheets...." You said a mouthful, Virna!!! I had a tiny bit of a tough time believing Frankie as Diver Dan...but that aside, he gives another one of his natural performances. I certainly believed his friendship with Linc. This is a long link, but click here: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.wearysloth.com/Gallery/ActorsJ/38372.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.aveleyman.com/FilmCredit.aspx%3FFilmID%3D305&h=240&w=320&sz=54&tbnid=0KfRwT_zl2Co9M:&tbnh=89&tbnw=118&prev=/images%3Fq%3DErrol%2BJohn&zoom=1&q=Errol+John&usg=__gNS-3Fc-tSEasOQ3rPZwE1wDpaA=&sa=X&ei=xBE-TdzTMsT7lwes3_D7Bg&ved=0CD4Q9QEwCA but here is a photo of Errol John...actor, playwright...he was excellent in this. Very real and believable. He's not like a "token" anything in this. He's just one of the motley crue. I am officially now putting Sinatra in the category of a Walter Huston and Spencer Tracy. He?s a man who says his lines as though the words emanated from him. He?s really one of the most natural actors coming outta Hollywood. And here is in heartbreak; longing for a girl who belongs to another. Well Virna comes around, and Frankie gets her. Virna?s a beautiful woman... Sinatra: "You always look this good in the morning?? Virna: "You'll have time to compare. There?ll be thousands of mornings." but don't let that fool you. She?s got the money to back this operation. But she?s not just ?the girl? in this. She?s an integral part of the operation. She chooses who she?ll be with, she?s not doing a sex pot thing here. You take her seriously. And she puts elbow grease into this scheme as well. She's swabbing and painting the deck with the rest of the guys. My my they are putting attention to detail in getting this sub ready for the assault. They really think the five of them can pull it off? Oh wow what a wild turn of events. Franciosa goes down the route of Sam Jaffe in that other famous heist movie. He lets a shiny little bauble be his downfall. They didn?t even get one bag o? money. Really?! REALLY? It turned bad for them. Franciosa bought it which?ll make many in some quarters happy. The German bought it too as he turns wacky in the end. Funny, I thought they would make it. I was hoping they would. I almost thought this was an exercise in futility since they didn't even bag one bag o' cash. But it's really an exercise in attention to detail...and a bit of a character study of each person. Glad I saw it, and again...Sinatra's easy way with dialogue puts him on a different level in my mind now.

"There's a list for you: "Who Walks Well?". Heck if I know." Oh you know...you know. "Who? Madame Bovary? I just shut off my recorder!" Saaay, cut it back on. I'm not quite buying Frankie as diver dan...but I'm hooked to see where this is going.

Thank you for posting that. The dance was great. I hope you're watching "Assault On A Queen." Virna Lisi is quite the incentive. "She walks well," it's said. Remember, this is a Miss G. recommendation.

HA!! "She walks well." What are we in for???

HEY LAAAAAAAAADY!!!! I'm appreciating his "charms" lately and you're right...there is something Orbach-esque about him in the shot you posted. Thanx for the picture. Look at those eyes.

I'm not sure there's a theme...but I see a rumblin' ramblin' good time with Helen Walker, Ava Gardner and the great Ella Raines in the midst of "Lucky Jordan" "Phantom Lady" & "The Snows of Kiliman-jaro." Thank you for the heads up ma'am.

I haven't seen this film since I was a little girl watching this with my father when it was shown on channnnnel 2 with limited commercial interruption on the Schaeffer Award Theatre. Maria Schell's eyes were amazing. Let me put that on my calendar as well.

Why I see ol' Robert Strauss ain't nuthin' but a big old "bear." Veddy in-ter-est-ing! Great movie. Holden sure does have some classics under his belt. Under his belt. And speaking of Victor Mature....... ;-)

"I could kick myself for not seeing our Jack - I'm amazed I didn't recognize those hooded eyes. I wonder if he had his shirt off?" Nah...those Spanish buccaneers were pretty armored up. Even Miss G. wouldn't be able to get to her Gilbertito without a blazing hot can opener... Darn it...I should have kept it on for company...but I just didn't feel in the mood to watch Flynn swash his buckle...or Brenda's buckle. Should have watched it for the great Robson. Let me see if I can make it back home in time to see Ol' Blue Eyes assault a queen. Not very gentlemanly...but who can blame him when he's lost Ava. I'm in the freezing temperatures of the frozen asphalt tundra known as the Big Apple. Miss G., think of all the carfare you're saving by walking to work. I am trying the mind-over-matter thing. I have the Beach Boys on my iPOD as I walk around lower Manhattan. I've been asking for Rhonda to help me, but she just keeps waxing on about the charms of California Girls, which is not doing me a bit of good. Well, hopefully my new North Face cap will help keep me warm. I hope there's that hot cocoa on that Queen's ship. B-r-r-r-r-r-r!

Yeah man...that would be me...your low-brow cyber-friend, keepin' it real!! Bruce Davison???!!! ACK!!! He always always creeped me out until I saw him in "LONGTIME COMPANION." Go figure! All my items are in storage, but I do indeed still have the poster of Ron Perlman (now in "Season of the Witch") and Linda Hamilton (great neck). The tremulous longing and romance of the whole show was palpable to me. I never missed an episode. You're not a New Yorker, but maybe someone out there remembers the train poster with Ken Wahl from his crime tv show. He was handsome like Tyrone Power & Victor Mature rolled into one. (No talent though, but great looks). The poster had a big close-up of Wahl with the caption: "IF LOOKS COULD KILL." I had to choose on the train that day between lust and romance. I opted for romance. That always gets me into trouble. My Barranca is at the ready if need be.

great point.