Ellaisgood

IZ It has been a while but I wanted to thank you for recommending "Sin in Soft Focus". I love having people over and their eyes immediately go to Clara Bow on the cover. As disturbing as the photo is, my favorite is from the lost movie "Human Wreckage". 1923....I never would have even guessed. Thanks

Julie Andrews?

My condolences to the family. Thank you for giving the Hole in the Wall Gang a place by Lake George where my friends daughter just returned from. For her "summer vacation" (which is free to all children... kids transported from the 5 buroughs...with no parents included) she is with other children whose dreams come true. Sleep well...you left this planet a better place. You accomplished the good works we all should strive for.

Wow...he looks so great and I'm sure RO wants to retire some day.Maybe he could wean us and lessen his evenings so when IT happens...we (or atleast me) do need CPR I agree with same agish person. MOST importantly the match should be with brains and associations. I prefer a man impeccably dressed (like RO). But someone mentioned Angela Lansbury and the FACTS that she could add before and after movies about personal associatons (I think are so important!!!RO knows so many and how to read personalities) the studio system that she worked in, her positive anecdotes, and of course being a TV producer and in your 50'60's surley adds weight to the TCM purpose. CLOONEY would look like a substitute clone. NO BAD Peirce...hot....debonair....film historian? Mel Brooks, Reiners, Rob Marshall, Nathan Land I must admit as did the treadling below....Woody

How do you know it was woman who started the thread? Prince,Prince,Prince Just kidding! I actually took a week away from the boards to get my thoughts together. When I bartended years ago, my Professor of Mixology (I know your jealous of my training) said never engage or avoid if asked questions about 1, marriage 2. money 3. politics I am literally and figuratively surrounded with and by politics 24/7. I started to watch tcm and then use the message boards because of it.

Prince, I should have clarified a point. It was not on any TCM related venue that there was any anti-war speech making. My point was that both BM (ha-ha) and Fields have IN THE PAST clearly verbalized their own political views. BM has a show that has been mentioned below and he has the RIGHT and the Privilege (thanks to certain people who protect this right) to say what he wants. Fields used her "celebrity" to vent anti-war sentiments at an awards ceremony....also her Right and Privilege. Although tacky and unfortunate to awaiting actors on a special night produced for their art acheivement...she most certainly could say her beliefs. I was glad to hear that the forum of GP resists this and celebrates these performers and their choice of movies. Even if they sat silent and chose all movies that I may find out of TCM's realm of decorum, too stinking bad for me. Although I am sure RO would have classed the session up. Do I think that now to get even we should have GP's that are prone to ultra concervatism? Gosh no...how boring either way. For the next 4 months...I was trying to explain that the GP's just delight in their art. Have you ever heard that you never get a second chance at a first impression? Most Hollywood has views that are not like mine...who cares? The world will go on. But sorry...I'm human. If GP Smith for example, has just over to some country telling a despot that he's a great man...you could not get me to turn on TCM even if RO promises to do the show nude. I don't care what movies the "we only care about movies forum" he's chosen. TCM is all I watch...no news, no crazy debates. I just made a suggestion for TCM to do what they do best...stick with the making and love of movies and perhaps try to choose an artist,,,athelete...comedian etc that will enlighten us about their love of acting. Tacey Ullman, Tim Roth, Trebek...etc I actually learned from them.

Along the lineof his charity work....he attended a college in Ohio called Kenyon. At the time it was all boys. Very nice and small and this year is one of the 10 most expensive schools in the country. His family owned a sporting goods store(2)? and so he is known in Cleveland for that reason as the stores were famous. Both my brothers went to Kenyon (now co-ed) and the theater and dance buildings that he(Paul) has had built are amazing. Of course I did not get accepted and went to a nearby default school and was a dancer. We used the wrestling room. I remember the dance building as if were yesterday. These buildings are for minors...not majors(don't know now...its been 20 yrs). Kenyon is not Julliard. The very scope/modernity/ and meditative setting of the art buildings in the woods still makes me think of just ONE act of kindness done years ago. So, it did not surprise me when mom read that Mr. Newman pledged $50.000.000.00 worth of scholarship money. So along with his many "hole in the wall gang" camps (some are ski resorts remade for special needs equipment) that NO CHILDREN PAY FOR no matter the background, and the gosh knows what else he does anonymously....I just hope with smokes and booze he is getting enough painkillers to never feel mortal pain again. Paul, I wish you could stay...but I have a feeling you did everything in your power to relieve the suffering of others. You have got to be drained. AND please don't waste away. I'm sure you dream of seeing your son again. Better be in racing form!

Izcutter...I purposely did not watch Bill Maher's night. I hope he was polite to R.O. and I do not know what political, if any, snipes he took, I agree with whomever the Guest Programmer is, the moral baggage is left behind. I just didn't trust him not to throw shots at what is my husband's life...his dedication...and to oathes he has taken, Again...I will not watch Sally Field for the same reasons. My choice...Her Emmy speech had nothing to do with her art and I suspect the same cheap shots on her GP night as I did with Mr. Maher. It does seem "odd" to me that both GPs in a row spew anti-war diatribe. It would be nice if for the next 4 months the GP was one of character and realized how lucky they are to sit in front of RO. Some one whose passionate political beliefs do mix with their art.I would like to watch movies again. so I am replying to your message in hopes of future GPs that want to concentrate on their art for an evening. I beleive that this the next four months

Thanks for article as well! I unfortunately watched "The Party" for the wrong reason I had just seen a Dominick Dunne on court TV and one of the few movies Claudine made in the U.S. was "The Party". She had that incident in Aspen....killed or accidently killed her boyfriend in the 70's. I remembered that Peter Sellers was the star. By chance it was shown (not this time on TCM) and I could not take my eyes off Sellers. The silent movement of the gathering was hypnotoc. Sellers had always been a favorite and his trying to fit in the crowd/join in was funny yet uncomfortable. I have been the odd-ball out so many times at functions I was telling him what to do via the TV. It is a film that should not be remade. It is magic and its on film. Blake caught it. I love Steve Martin but he didn't even come close to the Sellers "it" in the Panther remake. I thought him arrogant for even thinking he could emulate Sellers. My favorite movie "Being There " has an ending that I prefer to Sellers truly leaving us with. The mystery of his personality and genius for comedy simply strolled away.....again magically. There is no remake....let it go. The 3 pages that Sellers received for "The Party" clearly describes how a unique and once in life time comedian can create a 2 hour laugh storm. Blake knew it and this became "The Party" in full. Let's not try to turn Seller's humor and talent into something you buy at Wal-Mart.

Blazing Saddles nw=meat

Wow...this heaven for an insomniac. Can't get to my books as its 4:40 a.m. and I'll catch heck if I wake someone up. Izcutter...help with idiot answers I give. Psychopathic-Robert Mitchum in Night of the Hunter Narcissistic-Bette Davis' Mom in Now, Voyager (I know Izcutter saying the actresses name the moment its read), or Constance Bennet in a 1933 film as an American married to an Englishman with Title but no pounds. Machiavellian-Tyrone Powers in Witness for the Prosecution

Great idea Thelma! The variety shows of the 40's and 50's AND the commercials/sponsors of the hour are "Classic" T.V. I would love to see Charlie McCarthy, Red Buttons, Jack Benny and even the cigarette commercials, soap, and newest Chevrolets. Nat King Cole..etc T.V. Land shows the same shows they pawned on us every Sunday when we had 3 channels. They all have a plot. Good guy wins and Beaver learns his lesson. I don't remember any variety or the mention of the Such and Such Hour. This would be completely different if I am following your view Thelma. Like when people had 1 T.V. and watching these shows was a fix for skits, big stars and great music. A real treat.

Good point. There should not only be more pre-codes in general but if a pre-code is a part of an actors total make-up of work...not showing it is a poor decision and seems to be disingenuous creative editing. Pre-codes have been discovered and thus are a part of film history. For shame TCM. When you choose to focus/honor an actor...do it with truth so we (the audience) will learn about the life of someone we admire. Please don't leave something so germaine to the future work of the artist...like a pre-code... out. These actors were all green during this time....surely the movies they made then is relavent to the whole. I dislike convenient history. It is a cop out as well as dishonorable and weak. Filmmaking is a part of our history. Please keep this form of art honest.

Too all...sorry for giving all the credit to Snorky...just looked at the whole gallery esp pg 17. Also learned that many of the pcs were off the web. Even so...you fans HAVE to collect some items....still the question from above. That is, How do you do it? Ebay? Luck? family attics? and this is of course not the thread for this question or for TCM message board at all...so in 20 words or less, how can you tell it the photo/poster is original? Your new worshipper...and a member of the letter writers for more showings of pre-codes....Thanks

Snorky....how do I go about purchasing some of these photo's/movie posters? Do you own these? None of my business....sorry. I would like to know how to become a collector like you. I would love to be surrounded in my home by this era.

I am on it as well. I may add that it would be great if they were not shown at 4 a.m. as well. I realize that during the day is inappropriate...but some of us do still do not have TEVO and my kids jam up our DVR with other items (and erase at will). I love listening to R.O. introduce them and appreciate his expansive knowledge. Not at 4. in the morning. We need to see more of this genre. Not necessarily because we may see a booby or two...but I personally watch these in awe because of what I was told by my grandma of the then strict moral"ladylike" behavior and what bold acting by both sexes was really being documented. This is the history of film at its best. Movies were now talkies and Hollywod could have really "hypnotized" the audience with entertaining but an underlying moral movie. Now I know that the biz and the actors were uninhibited, already "over" the technology of sound and ready to let this art evolve faster. What a willingness to change at worp speed. Let us see what has not been edited. What really was. I do not get to experience complete austerity very often. I want to see a cake before anyone licked the edge of frosting off.

Izcutter...your are the best! Thanks for heads up on The Wet Parade! So much to learn about this enigmatic and delicious period of film. I feel silly for knowing nothing about the films mentioned (by you I believe) on the other thread. I'll learn....Last weeks films rattled me so much that I have to know all there is to know about these little gems. So it was Beatrice. The photos I have seen of her have been drop-dead gorgeous. dark lipstick and the bob that could have been cut with a razor. total 20's package. Hey..she morphed into her role so well that I thought the actress was a relative of Bea Arthur. She was a pro!

Izcutter.....Just ordered Sins in Soft Focus. Thanks! Have you seen the original Baby Face? Is there any way I could find it? Barbara just blows me away...I'm trying to imagine her character with extra rage and determination sprinkled on it! You know...when ever you see her in anything...she is right on point. Intense and never short changes us. I know absolutely nothing about the art of acting...but I know that when I see her in anything...I will cry, laugh, or even be scared. Her mastering of the emotions and how to ration them out to us is unsettling. It's like I am dependent on her until the credits roll.

There is a seperate thread discussing the March Vanity Fair's pictoral tribute to Hitchcock. What does this have to do with Joan Crawford? In the same mag...$4.95...there just happens to be an excerpt from the new biography on Ms. Crawford. "Not the Girl Nexdoor" by Charlotte Chandler (pg. 24 of "Now Playing" and all over the website and mentioned below) Just give it a read. With few exceptions, I admire or dislike an artist because of their talent. Like I mentioned...I have certain actors that you could not pay me to watch. That's Cool. No one's mind has to be changed but it seems fair that since Ms. Crawford could not defend herself when these accusations were made...there is an author whose interviews span years including George Cukor (on the charity that the elder two kids' money went after her death), Myrna Loy, BETTE DAVIS was appalled, Van Johnson, Mr. Fairbanks, and the surviving twin, Cathy. Thanks

Okay...think back to the summer '07 series on Gay and Lesbians in the Movies. The silent film/actress I am looking for was presented on the second night of the series. The Very Basics Traveling theater group on train with wanna-be actress ? Actress hired as a maid/cook and pines for the stage Wackiness ensues and the wanna-be is thrust into leading roles. male and female Funniest woman I have ever seen. A real goofball like Lucille Ball. I really do not believe it is Beatrice Lillie....plus...the atress I am looking for wasn't as um..hmmm...how should I say...not as sophisticated with he looks. I could be wrong about Beatrice Lillie but I need one of you film-in-ators to help. Thanks in advance for whatever you can do

Thelma...and Ava Just a note on how that historic relevance is working if you read my message 4 or 5 down. My son saw 4 performanes of Ms. Crawford's yesterday. Her ability to tell a character's story by way of morphing into them captured his attention for 6 hours. He's 16...not an easy task. But she did it...she beat basketball and MTV. I'm glad. I'm glad that connections were being made between a 16 year old and to the VERY different pieces shown. And for the record...that's all we did. We watched her movies. No other element of Ms.Crawford's legacy needed to be addressed.

I am a Pre-Code newbie. A little ashamed of myself for not giving Hollywood the chance (in my own brain) to be so brutal and raw and uncomfortable. LOVE IT. I did watch the Gays/Precode era doc this summer. I knew of the term "pre-code" and vaguely understood that some naughtiness in the 30's was censored. MY GOD what have i been missing. I have read all of the comments on this thread and will be ordering the Forbidden VOLS. 1 and 2 overnight. I know need to watch everthing pre-code that I can. 3 ON A MATCH...are you kidding me? Ann Dvorak-strung out (and she rocked that part)hungry-dirty child asking for food...a woman choosing her addiction/and boyfriend over the GOD GIVEN DUTY TO NUTURE...it was almost too much. I've never been so spellbound and amazed. It was the best 64 minutes that have messed with my head in a while. Then Baby Face and Female and Night Nurse. The slapping, the drug use, the animal sex that the women initiated, rage, sweaty, ready to claw anger that was unloaded on the weak.... What a treasure trove. I agree that TMC has done us a favor by getting these pieces backout (I am a film buff in training, so if these pre-code movies have always been in Blockbuster, I apologize. The performances are what gets me. What else has Ann Dvorak done?...she was right on as a user. Barbara in "Ladies..." the end spittle-flying love/rage scene, the sexual tension between the puritanical denial of urges and the blatent promescuity of Joan is so tense throughout Rain you can feel the humidity. Please TCM....these need to be given some more air time...this stuff is Hollywood unplugged. All fans/viewers should be given the privilege to see all the stages that film has gone through. Especially for your viewers that are new to the art of cinema or to the folks that watch TCM because their wives made them.....just to keep reminding us of us.

De Palma and Thelma and the young talent in San Fransisco, and to whoever keeps Ms Crawford's work illuminated forever. Our new generation needs you. And yes, the Ava's and the threadlings on the fence about her personal life...they will unfortunatley have to hear the hanger stories and alleged abuses of all kinds. My 16 year old son watched every movie today with Ms Crawford in it. (AND as far as I know, he's not gay...wouldn't care if he is) So for 8ish hours Ms. Crawford was on his mind.In Front of him. Soaking into his brain. (okay he did text a little bit) Of the many activities/sports he could have chosen to do, he walked by the TV during "The Women" and watched "old boring movies" with mom. Her PERFORMANCES have that "watch me...you will undoubtably see some VERY weird s*** and I'll be playing both defense and offense" quality to them. He was amazed at how the women in said movie still behave the same way in his school as they did "way back". How Ms.Crawford could morph into her many characters so every 2 hours was llike flying somewhere new, and he was especially confused/intriqued by the complex Crawford/Garfield relationship. I said nothing. Even in this day and age with varying partnerships between men and women and his ignorance of sexual inequlity....the boxing match between C/G must be haunting his dreams...even as I write this. Happy Birthday Ms. Crawford...thank you for your historical imprint on film. Thank you for today with my son. And thank you for not being a perfect person (except on film). You leave a legacy that with hard work, not dwelling on and using your childhood as an excuse for professional stasis, and for taking a lot of blows for me as a woman so I do not have to. PS Oh yeah... I went to Law School as did my Grandfather, Father, and both brothers. I thought I knew some stuff. CLEARLY I missed the day when they discussed that a person MUST leave their possessions and or money to their children or s**** will hit the fan. I must have been terribly deceived by my family!!!! I did not know this! I have never been given the slightest idea that I shall have some kind of debt paid to me for what life handed me. Gosh...I always thought that what was bequeathed to you, if anything, from a loved one, is a gift or priviledge...not an automatic make-up-for-the-past settlement. Are there such settlements? Or...does it take the "wronged" to do something for free. Forgive.

I apologize for the message I contributed yesterday. It was from the heart and I believe and stand by my statements. However, from now on if there is a discussion about a subject that I cannot share any thoughts from an objective standpoint....I will simply respond to a different topic. Since I am new on the message board scene...I would much rather absorb my fellow classic movie enthusiasts' knowledge than spew personal business.

Wow...not trying to be repetitive...but Some Like It Hot was my fix and I have been addicted since. I was 14 or 15 and must have been grounded because I had to watch TV with my parents. I laughed so hard! The sexual innuendos are as funny as Lemmon and Curtis walking in heels. I still cannot watch the train compartment scene when Marylin wants to help warm Curtis/Daphne up without hitting "pause" several times. Perhaps the epiphany that "old movies" could be just as funny or funnier than Beverly Hills Cop started me on a quest that has lasted for years...and still keeps going. Anything that Eve Arden is in and I'm there. Love the smart **** in her. Bette, Joan, Cary, Greta, Myrna and Powell...what story tellers. Most of all...I think my love of classics has broadened my scope of what it is to entertain...the importance of it (during the Depression), the truth in it and the fantasy. What a great history lesson!