CineMaven

MISS GODDESS writes: "hey everyone, one of my favorite lesser westerns (not exactly a "b" western, but definitely not a biggie) is on TCM this coming Tuesday at 8 a.m. EST. Vengeance Valley stars Burt Lancaster and Robert Walker in a sort of western "Cain and Abel" tale. It's nothing specta- cular, but I've always liked it (I have the DVD) because I like burt when he's "low key" and I really like ann francis in this. lots of familiar if not well known western regulars pop up in the supporting cast. joann dru co-stars with her husband, john ireland. walker's character is kind of like strangers on a train only a little less psychotic. i hope everyone tunes in and enjoys it." --- VENGEANCE IS SPOILED...AND SO IS THE VALLEY BURT LANCASTER plays Owen Daybright, the Rugged brother and ROBERT WALKER plays Lee Strobie, the Weasly Wastrel brother in Richard Thorpe?s oater "VENGEANCE VALLEY.? Ultimately, this is a tale about what happens when you spare the rod and spoil the child. The movie is narrated by the soft and gentle twang of Carleton Carpenter. I?m not sure why this device was used but it doesn?t hurt anything. He was such a gentle presence riding shotgun for the ruggedly handsome Owen (Lancaster). Owen?s stalwart, honest, quick to fight for the justice of things. Yeah, you can tell he loves his brother?s wife. But you also know he won?t do anything about it. I was disturbed to see Robert Walker in this. A western? WHAT?! He?s a dude. I see him in dou- ble breasted jackets and fedora, not on a horse wearing a ten-gallon hat. Private Hargrove in the West? Get outta here! That put me off my feed. In fact, I believed Carleton Carpenter way more and Carpenter?s usually yabba dabba yabba dabba goofy. But I?ve been wrong before. And am wrong this time. I found Walker good in the part of Lee Strobie, the rich young man who?s never taken responsibility for, or faced up to not one of many wrong things he has done. Walker is perfect for the sneakily snaky son; the quiet whispery timbre of his voice...the sidelong glances. Perfect. There?s one scene that encapsulates the marked difference between the two brothers. When Lee?s thrown from a bronc he was busting, he strikes the horse with a whip. Owen grabs the whip from him telling him that?s not the right way. Lee gets back on the horse and breaks him into an easy gait. See, he?s learned his lesson. But no, he smacks the horse with the back of his hand. That one gesture of his was so unfair and showed how weak of character he was. It didn?t sink into that thick skull how doing something the right way would give him a sense of accomplishment. The owner and father figure of the ranch Arch Strobie (Ray Collins) has spared the rod. He's given his son everything, forgiven his debts and dalliances; has a real affection for his daughter-in-law and for his foster son Owen. (Ha! Check out the name: Daybright). Yes, you've seen this dynamic before: (see "Written on the Wind"). So here (in the West) again we have the single parent who loves the child he picked more than the child he made. And what?s the beef? Lee has fathered a child with pretty (Ida Lupino protegee) SALLY FORREST as Lily. She was interesting because of her approach to being an unwed mother. There was no moralizing or shame attached to this. Pretty progressive thinking. It was refreshing to see and rather startling for 1951 and whatever nineteenth century year that portrayed.. Oh, one caveat. The doctor refused to deliver the baby. The perfect storm of events comes when Lily?s ornery brothers get wind of their ?illegitimate? newest family member. Somebody?s got some 'splaining and marrying to do. Her brothers are ornerily played by Hugh O?Brian and John Ireland (?Red River? ?All the King?s Men?). Now what they?re trying to do is honorable ( finding the man responsible). It doesn?t seem to dawn on them that Sis is just plain fine the way tings are now. She?s prepared to raise her child as a single parent. The bro-thers? motive seems to have morphed into a vendetta against the priviledged brothers. Nice rough fight scene between Lancaster and Ireland in a shed. Even Carpenter gets to take a swing. JAONNE DRU plays Walker?s character?s knowing wife Jen. She?s got the gravitas of a grown woman who knows what?s up; pretty independent too as is Lily who doesn't want her brothers around. No love lost there. Jen realizes she?s made a marital mistake marrying Lee... she is definitely open to the unspoken confessions of Owen...she plays mid-wife to poor Lily...and also locks her door against Lee?s conjugal advances. (ASIDE: I found Dru to be Tierney-esque in looks and bearing. I wonder why after "Red River" & "All The King's Men" she didn't have a bigger career). So we've got all these forces about to converge in the metaphoric valley of vengeance. Straight-shooter Owen, sly Lee, my favorite bad guy Ted DeCorsia thrown into the mix (nice fight scene here too), two ornery scoundrels and a real woman waiting back at the ranch for the victor. I learned a lot about ranching. I loved the Sheriff and the Cook. Understated, good horse sense. I liked how the Sheriff put those Baxson boys on the train; quiet confidence. If you know Westerns you'll know how it all plays out. But it was nice watching it unfold. Sadly...not an Anne Francis in sight. < Sigh! > :-( But there was Burt in jeans...and shirtless. :x Thanx for the suggestion, Miss G.

You're so excited? Well I tell ya, I'm ECSTATIC about the "MOGULS AND MOVIE STARS" documentary TCM is airing. Checking out the 1903 classic: "The Great Train Robbery" and this film is better than "Avatar."

I'm not really sure Jayo, but the "MOGULS AND MOVIE STARS" documentary you mentioned in your original post is probably going to be a great hit with TCM fans. "The Great Train Robbery" is on now. 1903 film. That's amazing.

Yup, I enjoyed the firefighter film.

Hey Kid, tonite's first part of the "Moguls and Movie Stars" was great did you check it out. I'm lovin' the story of the firefighters. 1903. Unbelievable.

Did you ever see the exhibit? Did you watch tonite's documentary?

Just watched Part I of the documentary. Wonderful.

I watched Part I: "Peepshow Pioneers" of the seven-part documentary "Moguls and Movie Stars." Wonderful, fascinating to see motion picture history laid out. Just one thing, my understanding is Florence Lawrence was the first movie star, not Mary Pickford. I'm looking forward to the rest of the documentary. It was great to see the grand children of the great moguls. http://www.suite101.com/content/florence-lawrence-first-movie-star-a111999 I'm also enjoying the films of these inventors shown after the documentary. Some are over one hundred years old. Unbelievable! TCM...you rock and rule!

I saw "Young Frankenstein" at the Sutton Theatre on East 57th Street, when it first came out. I clearly remember that scene. How the audience howled! That and "Blazing Saddles" and Woody Allen's movies of the 70's... < sigh! > It was a great time to laugh at the movies. Now to get scared. I'm going to see "PSYCHO" at the Film Forum now. Fiftieth anniversary.

Yep. It's official, alrighty. Trick or Treat.

I have on Great Performances in the background. Pierre Boulez conducts the Chicago Symphony Orchestra playing Gustav Mahler's 7th Symphony. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Parts of it make me think of the music in "Leave Her to Heaven."

Breno Mello sounds like some intoxicating brew, doesn't it? I haven't seen 'BLACK ORPHEUS' in some time, but I'm sure he is. Girl, trust me...he is. Whenever I watch 'DRACULA'S DAUGHTER', I want the Countess to have Sandor quickly dispatch the obnoxious Marguerite Churchill. Somehow I never thought Otto would have really minded since she pestered him so much. You handed me a laugh with this, b'cuz I agree wholeheartedly. Yeeech. He'd have had a better time with the Countess...cultured, sophisticated. There were some of these heroines in those movies that were so innocuous to me that they have me rolling my eyes. Big eyes and tight curls. Meh!

Just simply and beautifully written, Jackaaaaaaay. :-)

I don't think TCM has plans for Chicago. Is there any way you could travel to the city the exhibit will be in? What is the next city after us here in New York?

I'm hoping TCM considers your suggestion.

I loved their oprettas.

Oh man, I'm so glad to read that you made it to the exhibit. Ahhh yes, those shirts. That might have been an easier get than MM's red hot jacket. I am really glad you made it out, Miss G.

Hello. I was wondering if there was any word yet to our questions and suggestions about sub-stantive changes to TCM's Message Board Code of Conduct? Have your supervisors given you any word yet? Have you initiated any discussion with them about the state of affairs here on the Board?

<< (( Spit take! )) >> Oh Mikey...Mikey. LOL! No spell check, poor grammar, few punctuation marks, literally saying you hate the host & saying it on a public message board. It'd be swell if the Moderators checked for your IP address; but not just yet. Your posts are kind of a hoot. If only you weren't...well, you know. But listen, please keep 'em coming. After all you are entitled to your opinion. And we're entitled to ours. Oh you!! What a kidder!!!

I loved the tale! You know me so well, though we've only met in Atlanta. You build my gallows high, Hollywood. "...p.s. were there any give-aways or freebies?" - << (( MissGoddess )) >> Alas, there were no freebies, other than the NOW PLAYING guide...and the e-mail address of the cute young man with a beard. I said it before and I'll say it again Miss G., "Leona get outta that bed!!!" Pssst!!! BTW, the jacket would go great with your Lana Turner earrings, Sis!

I SAW IT!! I went to see the "MOGULS and MOVIE STARS" exhibition yesterday morning here in NYC and I enjoyed it. The exhibit is inside Grand Central Terminal's Vanderbilt Hall (for those of you who know the layout). There were hoardes of tourists walking around the terminal, taking pictures of the great clock...snapping fotos of each other on the beautiful staircases, but they weren't in- side the exhibit. (Goody!) They don't know what they were missing, but all the better for me. I was able to roam uninhibited by a bunch of people. The exhibit was kind of small I have to say, five/six panels. But boy oh boy, were they packed with tons of information. There were guides there, but no one was being escorted around the exhibit. The guides were there I guess, to chat people up about movies. But I was so intent about reading the information and looking at the videos on the screen that no one really bothered me. One of the guides (a young man) did come up to talk to me about the exhibit, and we went off on a riff about movies in general (he had made it a point to see EVERY film on AFI's 100 list and really enjoyed Chaplin). Then we went off on a tangent and talked about our own desire to work in films and make a career out of it. He & I even exchanged our personal info to keep in touch. With the exhibit, there was a panel on the invention of motion picture and the nickelodeons, another panel about the moguls and their rise to power. Still another panel talked of fan magazines and had an interactive screen with questions anyone of you could answer correctly. (7 out of 7 correct, thankyouverymuch!) I guess my favorite panel was "Leading Men/Leading Ladies" with pictures galore (and mini-biographies) of the classic stars you know including Doris Day, Gable, Coop, Elizabeth Taylor, Bette & Joan, Henry Fonda, Mickey & Judy and many others. Marilyn Monroe's red jacket from "Niagara" looked great. (Psst! I know a certain someone it would look PERFECT on!) Seeing the clips from TCM's upcoming documentary and looking at all the movie star pictures made me feel like I wanted to treat myself to some glamor, so after the exhibit I went upstairs to Cipriani's for a cocktail and appetizer. When I first walked into the exhibit, I expected to walk into seeing giant billboard size photos. But no, everything is contained on those panels. It's a lot to read. But hey, it's about movies. And who doesn't like to read about movies. (I love to). Is it worth a visit? Ha! Silly question. Yes it is. It won't be information you don't already know...but there it is, all laid out for you to digest in one fell swoop. What a glorious history the motion pictures has had. Thank you TCM for continuing to laud classic films! :x

No ma'am, the vampire's name wasn't Alucard, but Armand Tesla. I know the movie you're talking about but I don't remember the name of it.

Kay Walsh left me thunderstruck in ?Cast A Dark Shadow.? Jack Favell writes: - I REALLY want to see that photo of Bela! I have a fondness for The Poor Apache. Can we hire Jack LaRue to perform a dance for us, do you suppose? Bronxgirl writes: - I can see Jack much too clearly with a knife between his teeth, throwing us around during that dance. I can see LaRue throwing us around with the music, but he doesn?t have to throw me around. I?d go willingly. Since Miss G. claims Gable as her (Rhett) Butler, who's left? Wait a sec. Actually my search for a butler for our Provence trip is over. I just saw a smidgen of ?Black Orpheus? this morning. I want Breno Mello to bring me my robe, my tea, my champagne and whatever else butlers do. Turhan's got sort of a baby face, which doesn't do anything for me romantically. What was that spooky movie (about spiritualism) he was in with Lynn Bari? I actually found him sort of attractive and even dashing there, and he gave an interesting performance. Awww I like his pudgy baby face. I want squeeze it and give him baby kisses. I?ve seen the movie you?re talking about. ?The Amazing Dr. X.? I looked it up for you here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040829/. I liked Cathy O?Donnell in it. An ingenue role...nothing to it, but I liked it. I?ve always liked Lynn Bari but I guess Hollywood had too many smart-mouthed brunettes. I loved Turhan Bey?s slicked back Brylcremed hair and those almond-shaped eyes. Could he have been Gene Tierney?s brother?? Another Bronxie review. Hold on to your hats: Matt Willis makes such a cheruby-looking werewolf, He's positively jolly at times, but very creepy. Does Dracula, er, I mean Armand Tesla, give a hang that poor Andreas is schlepping around town bringing back fresh laundry and other staples for him? (and is there an Acolyte Cleaners that specializes in these services?) The first time I saw him, he?s carrying a package. I was wondering, ?Did he go to the store with that Wolfman look? Nobody stopped him?? I never understood why Lady Jane's son seems to speak with what sounds like a Dutch accent. Maybe she adopted him. Naaah, he?s her kid. They?re European. They travel around a lot. You know Europe...its countries are all bunched up together. I loved the sound Bela made when they drove the stake into his heart. I loved the way Andreas clutched his chest when they drove that stake into Tesla. It looked like he really felt the connection. Bela has real sinister power in this role. When he introduces himself in a charming, "European", and fatherly way to Nina at the party, it's quite frightening because we've been shown events that ocurred 23 years earlier, and understand why Tesla is so solicitous. You know, for the first time in the Dracula mythology it really felt unseemly when the burst of smoke enters the child?s room and his shadow looms over her. Yuck!!! Very uncomfortable seeing it be a child. (There's a recent movie out now called "Let Me In" about a young girl who is a vampire). Did you notice that the script rips off Universal's DRACULA'S DAUGHTER in the scene with the young woman at the hospital? It's practically a duplicate of the one with Nan Grey in DD. Yes, I did. Aaaaah one of my favorites in the Dracula oeuvre. Now here?s a gal with some power. I love the distaff side of plot devices. ("His Girl Friday"). Gloria Holden was very compelling. It was disconcerting seeing her years later in a cocktail lounge with Gable, Menjou and Ava in ?The Hucksters.? Yes that scene was a rip-off, but then again I think this happens every time to a girl who?s bitten by a vampire. Not telling...and then dropping dead. I love Prof. Saunders? halting way of speaking I totally lerve it. It?s like he doesn?t fully open his mouth when he speaks. Remember just before they go out to stake Tesla he says to Frieda: ?I tell you not a soul will ever believe us but we know this monster exists. Menace. Deadly. Horrible. We must destroy it.? It?s funny when the Inspector talks to Frieda about Dracula he tells her Prof. Saunders died in a plane crash as though she wouldn?t know that. (I know...he?s talking to the audience). I feel so sorry for Andreas as he faces Evil again. "Your fate is to be what you are, as my fate is to be what I am...your master!" Poor guy. He doesn?t stand a chance. Who would? Now he?s gotta go shopping again. Look how gleeful he is when he tells Dracula that he?s dispatched of the two scientists ? They?re bodies are lying in the channel...with rocks about their feet. Hee hee hee hee hee!? He?s losing my sympathy. Also caught another of my favorite Universals on YouTube, one of their most underrated, Siodmak's SON OF DRACULA. Okay, Lon Chaney, Jr. wouldn't have been my first choice as a vampire, but what Lon lacks in aristocratic presence (unfortunately he's almost comically off-base trying to be "sophisticated") he more than makes up for with brute, feral strength. I haven?t seen ?SON OF...? in years. I must give it another look. I remember not really caring for it as a kid. But I?m a grown-up now (or so says my Social Security card). I remember Allbritton in the movies as a blonde. No? (She was married to Charles Kuralt. How'd he get her?) And again, your words elevate this film, greatly. Hold on...and my Sammy?s in it?I?ll try to watch this tonite. So would this make Gloria Holden and Lon Chaney Jr. Brother and sister? I?m trying to picture Lon?s bulky girth taking flight as a vampire. I don?t see him gettin? off the ground.

I got a copy! I was testing my timer record, and it seems to have reset itself to the right time! Woo-hoo! I can now record things in the middle of the night now without being awake to press the button!" Any chance you'll record "Return of the Vampire" at 3:00am??

FRITZ LANG AT NYC's FILM FORUM - JANUARY 20 - FEBRUARY 10, 2011 http://www.filmforum.org/pdf/ff2_cal89_FINAL_B&W.pdf