Arturo

I first remember Rosanna Schiaffino from a.movie shown rather frequently when I was a kid, in the 1970s, an Italian film known here as THE WITCH. It is based on Mexican novelist Carlos Fuentes' book, "Aura". I remember thinking, "Mama Mia!"

Oops, my bad. Guess I got my 1980s nighttime soaps mixed up. Don Murray was the guy in Knot's Landing. I probably thought that one first because Donna Mills made a.strong impression on me, although now that I think about it, Ana Alicia on FC did also.

Along with THE LUSTY MEN, I recommend the rest of this Thursday's Susan Hayward lineup. The films are mostly 20th Century Fox films, other than TLM, and are the films that cemented her as one.of the top stars of the 1950s. All have something worthwhile. I CAN GET IT FOR YOU WHOLESALE (1951): Susan rises from rags to riches in the rag trade. She partners with Dan Dailey (in a then rare dramatic role) and Sam Jaffe, to help her move from model to dress designer. Later, she wants to move into more haute couture, and uses George Sanders for this. Sanders, in a retread of his Addison Dewitt characterization (for which was then winning an Oscar), helps to deflate her inflated ambitions. An enjoyable film, with a typically gutsy performance from Susan. DAVID AND.BATHSHEBA (1951): Susan stars with Gregory Peck in this thoughful biblical epic. Her beauty tempts Peck's stoicism. Her role is subsidiary to his, but together they had the biggest grossing film in that year. THE PRESIDENT'S LADY (1953): Frontier tale of Hayward as the woman who becomes involved with Andrew Jackson, and who sullies hisi political.chances because of her past. Very good performance by Susan, with a young.pre-stardom Charlton Heston as Jackson. The only drawback is that it wasn't in technicolor. WITH A SONG IN MY HEART (1952): Susan won her third Oscar nomination with this colorful biopic, recounting the life of tragic torch singer Jane Froman. Froman chose her over other asiprants for the role, which included Anne Baxter, Jeanne Crain and Linda Darnell. She was supported by Rory Calhoun, David Wayne, and Thelma Ritter, once more nominated in the supporting category. Note: This role would be directly responsible for her getting I'LL CRY TOMORROW some three years later. And of course, THE LUSTY MEN, the Nicholas Ray modern western she did on loan to RKO. With Robert Mitchum (in the first of two costarring roles with Hayward) and Arthur Kennedy, this tale of the rodeo circuit is gritty and exciting. Btw, these films, along with almost all others in the Hayward canon, are far better than the ill-fated THE CONQUEROR.

Well, Lemmon had starred for Wilder the year before (and the year after DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES) in IRMA LA DOUCE,.so that couldn't have been it. Plus, KISS ME STUPID featured his wife Felicia Farr, so there would have been more bite to the guy not wanting Dino to sleep with his wife. I think his frenetic performance would have been much better than the too-frenetic performance of Ray Walston, and what I imagine would have Sellers' overly frenetic performance.

MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF ALLAH: Southern gentry in Savannah have to deal with a murder in the home of one the old money society families. The scion of the family, played by Kevin Spacey, admits to having killed an intruder, a male hustler. The mystery unravels, and he is forced to admit that he lived a downlow lifestyle, unbeknownst to his wife, and consorted with the gay underbelly of Savannah. Among his conquests was a black transexual nightclub performer, the Lady Chablis. His wife, played by Marlene Dietrich, miffed that he didn't find her androgynous enough, flees to North Africa, meets a former monk, played by John Cusack, and marries him. Together they make a fortune with his secret for an ancient liqueur, which he had learned in the monastery. Meanwhile, hubby No.1 fights the murder charge successfully, and as marriage equality is now the law of the land, marries the Lady Chablis. A happy ending all around.

This is the Robert Foxworth that was the second Brady dad, and a regular on Knot's Landing (I think), right?

On FMC (all times eastern): Tuesday, 9/8: 3:30 am: FROM THE TERRACE (1960)........................6 am: DAY-TIME WIFE (1939)........................7:15 am: THE SHOCKING MISS PILGRIM (1947).........................8:45 am: HOW GREEN WAS.MY VALLEY..........................10:50 am: MADISON AVENUE (1962).......................12:30 pm: FROM THE TERRACE (1960).............. Wednesday, 9/9: 1 am: TROUBLE MAN (1972)..............................6 am: ISLAND IN THE SKY (1938).............................7:10 am: THIS IS MY AFFAIR (1937)....................8;55 am: WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS (1950)...............................10:35 am: GANG WAR (1958).................................11:50 am: TWELVE HOURS TO KILL (1960)...........................1:15 pm: TROUBLE MAN (1972)................ Thursday, 9/10: 4 am: NO HIGHWAY IN THE SKY (1951)..............................6 am: TALES OF MANHATTAN (1942)............................ 8 am: WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS (1950).....................................9:40 am: TWELVE HOURS TO KILL (1960)..............................11:05 am: NO HIGHWAY IN THE SKY (1951)..........................................12:45 pm: SATAN NEVER SLEEPS (1962).......................

Linda Darnell WAS very young when she filmed DAYTIME WIFE; it wrapped filming in mid-October 1939, on her 16th birthday in fact. Fox was promoting her to be a couple years older. Linda does look a bit different in her first few pictures. I think she started to look more familiar when she wore her hair long, as in the costume pictures BRIGHAM YOUNG or THE MARK OF ZORRO (1940). Or maybe it's just that films like ZORRO or BLOOD AND SAND are relatively more available, so this is the more familiar image. I agree that FALLEN ANGEL is a very good noir, although a totally "guilt-free" pleasure to me, with Linda among the standouts. I also think Alice Faye is good, although she did not,.at.least.not in the released print. Several of her more dramatic scenes were apparently left on the cutting room floor, and felt that her role.emerged as.one dimensional. She was particularly hurt and incensed because she was hoping to move away from gaudy musicals into more dramatic fare, but when she saw an early showing, she left the studio in a rage.

I tried posting the following earlier, but I had no connection (bars) then. In the early hours of this Monday, Linda will be in two films: On FMC.@ 7:15 am est; also Tuesday, @ 6 am est: DAYTIME WIFE (1939), her second film, she plays Tyrone Power's young wife in this screwball comedy, and thinks he is playing on her. The first of four costarring roles with Power. On EncoreWesterns @ 1:45 am: TWO FLAGS WEST (1950). Linda is the female lead in this exciting western, costarring with Jeff.Chandler,.Cornel.Wilde and Joseph Cotton. Next.week, Tuesday 9/15 @ 6 am est, FMC will repeat BRIGHAM YOUNG (1940), Darnell's first western, and her second film with Power, in this epic telling of the Mormon Trek. But the day before, on Monday, 9/14, @ 3:30 am est, and.later @ 12:40 pm est, FMC will air Linda's most important film.at.the time, the botched epic FOREVER AMBER (1947). The long, troubled filming of the salacious bestseller has tainted the film as a critical and financial failure. However, it was a top grosser when it came out, and it has much to recommend it, including the cinematography, sets, costumes, score, and even the direction and some.of the performances. Costarring Cornel Wilde, Richard Greene.and George Sanders. It's been awhile since I have seen it listed on FMC, so I am excited about this. Now if only TCM can get a copy of this, and air it as.an integral part of a Darnell SOTM. Hey, if Susan Hayward can be chosen, there's no reason why Linda can't be also.

In Hayward's case, I don't think it was so much the "Oscar curse", where everything afterwards is downhill (which it was for the most part). Rather, she had finally achieved this, after four previous nominations, and no longer felt that drive. Plus she had married her secomd husband in 1956, and happily went into semi-retirement in rural Georgia. She wanted as little to do with Hollywood, taking the occasional film offer, but turning down many more; among the roles she turned down was the one played by Jean Simmons in ELMER GANTRY. She just no longer cared feeling fullfilled careerwise and personally.

Walter Wanger's guidance of Susan Hayward's career in the second half of the 40s, securing her such films.as.CANYON PASSAGE, SMASH UP and TULSA,.finally made Susan a star. At the end of the decade, Wanger's financial debacle with JOAN OF ARC led.him to sell her contract.to 20th Century Fox, where she would soon become one of the biggest stars of the 50s.

I totally agree. TCM should have switched those two time slots. SMASH UP is essential Hayward, and merits a prime time slot, whereas BEAU GESTE is an asterisk in the Hayward filmography. I believe she referred to her role in it as, "I wave to the men at the beginning of the film as they march off, and I wave to them at the end when they return", or something to that effect.

In both ADAM.HAD FOUR SONS, and AND NOW TOMORROW, as well as most of the movies she made in the firsf half of the 40s, mostly at Paramount under contract, Susan Hayward essayed this role, or a variation of it, the ****** second lead. She became quite adept at it, so much so that Paramount's leading ladies did not want to star in a film with her in support.

LLOYDS OF LONDON was the film that made Tyrone Power a star, and a matinee idol. He was only 22 years old, and looks callow, and as in the photo, foppish. But I guess it fits the period. Power got the part due to Darryl Zanuck. Ty had only had featured roles in two other Fox films earlier that year, but he had engendered a flurry of fan mail in these appearances. So that studio took a chance, and replaced the previously chosen Don Ameche, another rising star at Fox, and the rest is history. Except that the leading lady, Loretta Young, resenting the buildup of a new star, balked at her subsidiary role, and refused to do it. Madeleine Carroll was substituted.

On FMC (all times eastern): Friday, 9/4: 4 am: APRIL LOVE (1957).........................6 am: NO HIGHWAY IN THE SKY (1951)................................7:40 am: DREAMBOAT (1952)............................9:05 am: APRIL LOVE (1957)..............................10:50 am: THE BLUE ANGEL (1959)...............................12:45 pm: CAN-CAN.(1959).................... Saturday, 9/5: 3 am: BOBBIKINS (1959)..........................4:30 am: DREAMBOAT (1952)..............................6 am: ISLAND IN THE SKY (1938)...........................7:10 am: BOBBIKINS (1959)..................................8:40 am: THE BLUE ANGEL (1959).................................10:30 am: VAN-CAN (1959).........................12:45 pm: HOW TO STEAL A MILLION (1966)................. Sunday, 9/6: 3:30 am: HOW TO STEAL A MILLION (1966)....................... 6 am: PIN-UP GIRL (1944)..................7:25 am: JITTERBUGS (1943)...................................8:40 am: THE PRINSONER OF SHARK ISLAND (1936).............................10:15 am: 13 FIGHTING MEN (1960).........................11:30 am: THE LITTLE SHEPHERD OF KINGDOM COME (1961)..............................1:20 pm: THE LAST AMERICAN HERO (1973)............. Monday, 9/7: 4 am: THE LAST AMERICAN HERO (1973).........................6 am: JITTERBUGS (1943)........................7:15 am: DAY-TIME WIFE (1939)........................8:30 am: MOLLY AND ME (1945)...........................9:55 am: THE SHOCKING MISS PILGRIM (1946)..............................1:25 am: MADISON AVENUE (1962).............................1 pm: HOW GREEN WAS MY VALLEY (1951)....................

David Bowie mentions Garbo and Bardot in " Quicksand", from.1971's Hunky Dory album. More 70s glam-rock, courtesy of THE ROCKY HORROR (PICTURE) SHOW, where Tim Curry sings about "What ever happened to Fay Wray" on one of the songs,.I think the climactic ballad "I'm Going Home". Also, the opening number, "Science Fiction Double Feature" is a sci-fi film name-dropper supreme. I will try to recite the lyrics from memory: Michael Rennie was ill The day the earth stood still But he told us where we stand And Flash Gordon was there In silver underwear Claude Rains was the Invisible Man But then something went wrong For Fay Wray and King Kong They got caught in a celluloid jam And at a deadly pace, it came from outer space And this is how the message ran Science Fiction Double Feature Dr. X will build a creature See androids fighting, Brad.and Janet Ann Francis stars.on Forbidden Planet Oh oh oh oh oh oh, At the midnight double feature picture show. I knew Leo G. Carroll Went over a barrel When Tarantula took to the hills And it.got.really hot When I saw.Janette.Scott Fight a.triffid that spits poison.and kills Dana Andrews said prunes Gave him the runes And.passing them took lots of skills But when worlds collide Said George Pal to his bride I'm gonna give you some terrible thrills At the Science Fiction double feature Dr. X will build a creature See androids fighting, Brad and Janet Ann Francis stars.in.forbidden planet Oh oh oh oh oh oh At.the late night,.double.feature picture show I wanna.go To.the late.night double.feature picture show By RKO To the late night double feature picture show In the back row At.the late.night double feature picture show I loved that song, and the lips singing it lol. Sigh, double nostalgia.

On FMC (all times eastern): Tuesday, 9/1: 4 am: THE SHERIFF OF FRACTURED JAW (1958)..........................6 am: LLOYDS OF LONDON (1936)...........................8 am: BRIGHAM YOUNG (1940)..........................10 am: WHITE FEATHER (1955)........................11:45 am: SIERRA BARON (1958)..............................1:15 pm: THE SHERIFF OF FRACTURED JAW (1958)........... Wednesday, 9/2: 4 am: WHITE FEATHER (1955)..........................6 am THE PURPLE HEART (1944).................................7:45 am: THREE CAME HOME (1950)......................9:35 am: SEA WIFE (1957)............................11 am: IN LOVE AND WAR (1958)..................................1 pm: CALL ME MADAM (1953).............. Thursday, 9/3: 4 am: CALL ME MADAM (1953)..............................6 am: THREE CAME HOME (1950)..............................7:50 am: SEA WIFE (1957).......................9:15 am: IN LOVE AND WAR (1958)...............................11:05 am: NO HIGHWAY IN THE SKY (1951)...................................12:55 pm: MODESTY BLAISE (1966)...............

I agree with most of this. Yes, Joan looks her age, which makes her playing the character somewhat hard to believe. Her hair seems unbecoming, and probably contributed to her looking middle-aged. But that short style was popular in the late 40s/50s, and while we might see it as frumpy, it wasn't necessarily viewed that way. Otherwise,.I think Joan is effective in the role. She did seem to have a need every few films.to play a character that was still considered.sexy and desirable: DAISY KENYON, FR, TORCH SONG. However, I think a younger Warner contractee, such as Eleanor Parker, Patricia Neal, or Virginia Mayo, would have been more believable.

I too enjoy this comedy, and agree TCM should show more of Gracie Fields. I believe she was considered a national treasure in England. Btw, I think TCM.preceded this film.with another,.earlier, teaming.of Monty Woolley and Gracie Fields, HOLY MATRIMONY, an equally charming comedy made at Fox.a year or two earlier. PS........FMC shows these films occasionally, and I believe M&M will be on in the next few.days.jk

And FMC will show FIVE FINGERS on Saturday, 8/29 @ 9:30 am est, and Sunday, 8/30 @ 6 am. Both are great films, among Mason's best Hollywood films, imho.

On FMC (all times eastern): Friday, 8/28: 4 am: BIGGER THAN LIFE (1956)............................6 am: THE I DON'T CARE GIRL (1953).............................7:20 am: CLAUDIA AND DAVID (1946)............................8:40 am: HOW GREEN WAS MY VALLEY (1941)............................10:40 am: THE SONG OF BERNADETTE (1943).....................1:20 pm: BIGGER THAN LIFE (1956)................ Saturday, 8/29: 3:30 am: HOW GREEN WAS MY VALLEY (1941).................................6 am: BETWEEN HEAVEN AND HELL (1956).............................7:45 am: PRINCE OF PLAYERS (1955)............................9:30 am: FIVE FINGERS (1952).............................11:30 am: CIRCLE OF DECEPTION (1961)..................1:20 pm: THE QUILLER MEMORANDUM (1966)..................... Sunday, 8/30: 3 am: THE TERRORISTS (1975)........................ ..4:30 am: THE SECRET OF THE PURPLE REEF (1960)...............................6 am: FIVE FINGERS (1952)..........................7:50 am: CIRCLE OF DECEPTION (1962)..............................9:30 am: MODESTY BLAISE (1966)........................11:40 am: THE QUILLER MEMORANDUM (1966).............................1:30 pm: THE TERRORISTS (1975).............. Monday, 8/31: 3:30 am: MODESTY BLAISE (1966)...................6 am: DECLINE AND FALL......OF A BIRD WATCHER (1968).................................7:55 am: MOLLY AND ME (1945)...........................8:15 am: THE I DON'T CARE GIRL (1953)..............................10:35 am: PRINCE OF PLAYERS (1955)......................12:20 pm: THE SONG OF BERNADETTE (1943)............

BIGGER THAN LIFE will be on.twice tomorrow morning on FMC: 8/28 @ 4 am est and 1:20 pm.est.

Hard to believe Leslie Howard would think this. Maybe that was because of the source material, a runaway bestselling novel ghag couod be considered a "potboiler" by some.

I also thought that this didn't sound like Mason, but vaguely reminded me of reading something similar, but with Burton and Stewart Granger, who suspected him of sleeping with his wife Jean Simmons (possibly during the filming of THE ROBE in 1953).