flickerknickers

The most grotesque Vietnam War movie to ever be made would have to be 1978's "Coming Home." This story of problems facing Vietnam vets starred one of America's most treacherous traitors of them all: Hanoi Jane Fonda. This role rightly outraged veterans everywhere and many Americans. Director Hal Ashby later admitted that the whole movie was cast in a daze of marijuana smoke and at the time it was considered hilarious to star one of the most hated women in America to portray an ardent, all-American housewife. Even today, television images of Fonda giggling, mugging and literally dancing with the enemy during the war and actually encouraging the enemy "to force our boys to see the light" can make even the most radical anti-war protestor squirm in disbelief. The left-leaning Academy Awards that year gave Fonda a Best Actress Award. She threw a hissy fit at the ceremony when "The Dear Hunter" won Best Picture because she felt "Coming Home" was the most honest of the two Vietnam movies. She said this with a straight face. For her treachery and hypocrisy, she became a multi-millionaire and even more of an air-headed personality. I remember a college professor at the time telling us that if he had a daughter, he'd want her to be like Jane Fonda. I spoke up and said that if such a nightmare ever occurred, I'd help kick his **** out of the country. He kicked mine out of his classroom. And we've still got "Coming HOme" on DVD to remind us of an era when lunacy ruled the movies.

"Auntie Mame" is being remade as a vehicle for Queen Latifah. The producers thought it hip to redo this upteenth remake with a black cast. Can Hollywood EVER come up with any new ideas for musicals anymore? We've had "Auntie Mame" with Roz Russell, "Mame," with Lucille Ball, "Mame", the TV special, "Auntie Mame, "the TV special. Besides "Footloose," plans are being made to now remake "Flashdance", "A Chorus Line" and "West Side Story." Pu-leeeze, give us all a break! There HAS to be some original ideas floating around! I'm getting so sick of nothing but remakes, sequels, comic book characters.

I still adore AMC's Bob Dorian who vanished off the radar a few years ago. Bob Obsborne is okay but he always seemed slightly nervous and "tight" and not very spontaneous. I would suggest having a group of rotating hosts and hostesses, perhaps having some of the really young film buffs--but, this might not seem possible. When I met with a group of bright-eyed young kids at New York's Film School last spring, I was in shock over what they DIDN't know about film history. The names Bette Davis, Michael Curtiz, King Vidor, Clara barely registered. One film major actually asked me if Bette Davis was the Mrs. Olson character from the Folger Coffee ads! As for Gloria Swanson, they all asked: "Uh, Gloria who?" But--they knew every frame of THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT (1999)and PULP FICTION (1996).

Ha, slappy, you're tooo much! great observation.

With the death of Rand Brooks, we've lost one of the very few remaining people involved with GWTW--and who probably had tons of great stories to tell. That's why I'm so dissed that the current GWTW DVD out has absolutely NOTHING extra--except for some puny trailer. Brooks and Olivia DeHavilland, Ann Rutheford, etc. would have made terrif interviews for an up-to-date documentary on the making of a legend. Here's my theory about the Charles Hamilton character: his personnae always suggested a man who cared nothing for marriage--and I always thought that if this were real life, he would have run off with Ashley Wilkes--whose personnae was based on a real life gay buddy of Margaret Mitchell. Mitchell once wondered to a friend why this certain hunk never wanted to have any "fun" romantically--until her girl pal spelled out the birds and bees.

I wish and wish that either cable or movies would do a fair and honest bio on that handsome, fighting Irishman known as Joe McCarthy. I've known Irish guys like him--charming and handsome as hell, and I used to go with one but neither he nor his handsome brothers or any other Irishman I've met can hold their drink. But, getting back to Joe, I understand the fans and family of communist spy Alger Hiss are financing a valentine movie about their beloved. Of course, Whittaker Chambers and Tail Gunner Joe will be the big, fat mean guys and Hiss will once more be the martyred victim of "McCarthyrism." I saw a color picture of Joe taken back in those heady days of the late 40s and he was Hollywood handsome! His wife was a real beauty, too! We need another fighting Irishman in politics these days! Where'd they all go?

The Kevin Bacon musical, "Footloose", will definitely be remade early 2004 starring Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake. Also in the works is casting the remake of "Viva La Vegas." They're trying to get Elvis' very own, Lisa-Marie Presley, to reprise the Ann-Margaret Role and some hunky, country-western singer--still uncast--in la Presley's role. As you can see, Hollywood no longer makes original entertainment. They cannibalize their own, of dig around old TV series and comic books. And to put the sulky, pouting, non-musical Lisa Marie into a star role doesn't make my music loving eyes and ears perk up any.

Eeeek! My current boyfriend admits he ain't the real Scarface which I kind of figured out. I'll try to forgive him since it was such a shocker. I just wish 'Tail Gunner' Joe (McCarthy) was around to help me keep things straight. Anybody have any thoughts about the much maligned and highly demonized Joe McCarthy? I would simply loved to have worked for this guy back in the late 40s and 50s. This guy is a real American hero!

oh, my dear Nedlato, I thought you'd never ask! I can't do it right away--I'm going with a Noo Yawk Citee kind of a guy named Scarface. A real knock-around kind of guy, ya know? The possessive type. But let's remember what Bette Davis said to Paul Henreid in some l942 movie: "Oh, let's don't ask for the moon--we have the stars!"

"Topper Returns" and "Hold That Ghost" are two wonderful comedies from the early 40s that have strong followings. I watch these two goodies whenever I need a mood booster. They both have that magical quality of being timeless. Especially in "Topper" which featuers a fantastic cast of great B actors--and those double-takes of Patsy Kelly and Rochester's fabulous comedic timing.

Technicolor was so fantastic in great movies like "Leave Her to Heaven," "Adventures of Robin Hood, "GWTW." I think about the ugliest color used in an epic was "Ben Hur" in 1959 and "The Ten Commandments," 1957. In the DVD's of these movies, the color looks like somebody used Crayola crayons. The lighting was horrible. The hues were flat and pasty.

Oh, boy, do I love to give my suggestions for movie faves. For horror films, you might want to consider some of Universal's great shockers--like "Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman", "The Black Cat" (1934), "Mummy's Ghost" or "The Mummy," (1932). For musicals, I love your ideas about "Moon Over Miami". You might consider "Born to Dance" (1938-MGM), Deanna Durbin's "His Butler's Sister" (1942), Jeannette McDonald-Nelson Eddy's "Maytime", Grace Moore in "One NIght of Love" (1933)or Judy Garland/Fred Astaire "Easter Parade" (1947). For great drama, you can't beat Bette Davis in her legendary performances in "Dark Victory" (1939), "Now, voyager", "In This Our life" (1943)and her controversial "Beyond the Forest" (1949) where she spits out her immortal line: "Whatta dump.". Garbo is always a stunner in her great movies like "Grand hotel", "Mata Hara." You might want to consider a silent movie or two. You can't go wrong with Cecil B. DeMilles "The Cheat" (1914). This tale of a society woman who murders an Oriental sadist moves along at hurricane pace and has stunning performances by Fannie Ward and Sessue Hayakawa. Whew! Hope some of these ideas helped you out.

All the movies and books about the "Hollywood Ten" were written and produced by liberal leftists who made it appear that these poor creatures were butchered and destroyed. While they may have lost their posh, cushy jobs in the film colony, the majority of these communists did not suffer and those who went over to Europe have since admitted what a great time they had. Ann Coulter's book, TREASON,makes a brilliant and acidic observation regarding Sean Penn. In a $60,000 ad he placed in the NYTimes, he mentions the tragedy of his father, a screenwriter, during the HUAC hearings, and how Mr. Penn lost his job. Coulter points out that the only hardship he endured was having to fire the family's cook.

Nedlato, I second your choice of SUN VALLEY SERENADE-not only for Sonja Henie but also because I love that opening sequence when Lynn Bari is singing and John Payne's group takes over the radio studio and they instantly go into "Why does..." (can't think of the title). A second feature would be ORCHESTRA WIVES--which in a way is a sequel since it also stars the Glen Miller Band and the Modernaires. I like this one even better because it features Betty Hutton's much more talented and dynamic sister--Marion--as the blonde bombshell who steals the show when she joins the group in "I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo." AMC played these two goodies quite often during their golden days.

You're right, nedlato, and I stand corrected. Speaking of Joe McCarthy, Ann Coulter throws a new light on him in her new nonfiction book, "Treason," which has made me rethink my position on the "communist scare" of the late 40s and early 50s. It wasn't as black and white as we were taught in school and McCarthy may have well been a real American hero.

Ben and Jen, alias, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez. They make me gag. Even worse is Demi ("I like'em young") Moore, alias Gimme Moore, and Ashton whatsishisname. These two alliances reek to high heaven of pure publicity. If there's a camera around, these two couples instantly lock lips.

This has been a major wish of so many of us movie addicts: to see more Clara Bow's Paramount goodies, along with the others you mention. As to the Universal flicks, I've noticed that last Halloween, TCM somehow managed to lease all those horror classics--Frankenstein, Dracula, etc.--and now and then, a Mae West comedy. It'd be great if TCM could show those fantastic Universal musicals from the forties starring Deanna Durbin, along with the Maria Montez-Jon Hall Arabian fantasies like "Cobra Woman", "White Savage," etc. I would do anything to see Republic's 40s musicals--and their legendary serials like "G-Men vs. the Black Dragon," "King of the Texas Rangers," "Captain Marvel," etc.

I've always loved the Universal musicals of the 40s. The studio did a fabulous job on the Deanna Durbin movies, backing her up with the best character actors in Hollywood. Just look at "His Butler's Sister"--one of the greatest of HOllywood musicals--and be dazzled. And her "Nice Girl?" from l941 is equally good in a small town way. Also, 20th Century Fox turned out some ravishing cinematic delights with Betty Grable. Her "Moon Over Miami" and "Coney Island" rank with Hollywood's best. They were brassy, snappy and good God, that brilliant, hallucinogic use of Technicolor knocks you out of your seat!

I've brought several Lil' Rascal DVD collections for about $5.00 each. Usually 3-4 episodes are included and one of these has that great "Kid from Borneo" that has already been mentioned here. As you can tell by the price, these are no-frills discs but at least the picture quality is much, much better than the tape collections. i brought the fabulous TOPPER RETURNS on DVD last month and it looks sooooo damned good! I've watched it several times just in the last two weeks and never ever tire of this wonderful concoction of high comedy and chills, created by an out-of-this-world cast--especially Rochester, Billie Burke, Roland Young, etc. This just in: one of the theaters here in NYC is showing the restored, Technicolor extravaganza known as "Adventures of Robin Hood" in September! This is the original l937/38 Warner Brothers goodie with a restored, pristine print. This unusual showing is to coincide with the DVD release of this scrumptious classic. Now, once again, if they would only do the same to GONE WITH THE WIND!

Ha! Nedlato, you're hysterical! you hit the nail on the head about "Chariots of Fire." Talk about boringggggg! And that hideous musical score! For some reason, I thought it would be about flying saucers--you know "Chariots of the Gods"? And when I finally caught it on the tube, I was floored to see it was nothing but a "run, run, run" flick!

Thaellar, your query regarding Republic Serials instantly grabbed my attention since I'm a Republic Serial addict. I've made this suggestion many times on these boards about TCM devoting a whole week or maybe weekend showing the cream of Republic's stellar serials. At the top of my list would be the fabulous l943 classic, "G-Men Vs. the Black Dragon" starring All-American hero Rod Cameron and the feisty, voluptuous Constance Worth. I would hope that on this dream bill we would be able to see other serial greats--like "Spy Smasher", "Daredevils of the Red Circle" and "King of the Texas Rangers." These are just a few of my favorites. I'm waiting for all these serial delights to be put on DVD. Now wouldn't that be a fantastic Christmas present to find under the tree?

I still think THE ENGLISH PATIENT and GHANDI are the two most overrated bores ever put up on the screen. Their very mention puts me into a slumber. If someone had just sat down and EDITED these two flops, it would have made the experiences more favorable. Especially PATIENT that did feature beautiful camera and lighting work. They just went on and on and on--exactly like HEAVENS GATE and HOWARD THE DUCK. Also, nearly everything that Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy will send me running from the telly--except for Hepburn's early performances in "Morning Glory," "Bill of Divorcement" and later "Suddenly, Last Summer."

More great DVD news for addicts of old Universal thrillers. The entire Basil Rathbone "Sherlock Holmes" mysteries are now available on disc, with extras, commentaries, etc! The first one I'm buying is "The Voice of Terror" from l941 since it has a knock-out performacne by Queen of Screams--Evelyn Ankers. She plays the prostitute, Kitty, who gives an unforgettable speech to a pub full of low-lifes about the need to be patriotic and fight the enemy. You can buy the entire collection--or at least four of them--for about $60. Or, each movie is about $14.95. Two other goodies are "Spider Woman" with the marvelous Gale Sondergarde and her strange, jumping little brat--and "Pearl of Death" which also stars Evelyn Ankers who portrays four different characters. Mmmmm, good. I'm stockpiling my faves now for the cold weather coming down the turnpike--and in the Blackout Capital of the World--New York City--we can hardly wait.

To change the topic drastically from John Gilbert to Al Jolson, I was just re-watching Mr. Hambone himself--Jolson--last night in my video tape of "The Singing Fool" from l929. This is one silent screen legend who does not translate well today. He was simply unbearable to watch as he hammed it up and sang and rolled his eyes and crooned "Sonny Boy" to his baby boy. I know that each generation has their favorites and those 50 years from now will wonder what we saw in Madonna and Snoop Doggy Dawg. But Jolson also had that intensely irritating habit of screaming, "Waita minute! Waita Minute! Waita Minute! everytime his audience interrupted his singing to applaude. Jolson makes me think of Coleen Moore. The few movies I've seen of her's are soooo excrutiating. She resembles an animated doll with that tiny, thin mouth, those huge eyes and that weird grin. And she was even bigger than Garbo and Clara Bow at one time!

Yes, yes, definitely a restored "The Black Cat" on DVD, along with perhaps a second feature--"The Raven," both from l934-35. In fact, I've heard that there was a double-feature video around with these two classics on it. I also love "Black CAt" for the same reasons you gave-the stunning art deco settings, the unforgettable musical score, the costumes, the story, etc. It's all like a surreal nightmare. I do hope Universal will someday SOON put "Night Monster" and "The Mad Ghoul" out as a double-feature disc. These two cult classics are definitely worth a new look and both are worthy of their increasing cult status.