JackFavell

Well. Well. I was just reduced to tears by MissG's heartwrenching "Brother" screen-caps, and then just as I recover my equilibrium, I am slammed from behind by Frank's set of tear inducing caps..... I was bookended.... Frank -Thank you, from the bottom of my heart for posting my favorite scenes - the one where Mike is looking down saying goodbye to Spade..... I am crying again just writing that..... and then Bull's hand on the heart brotherly touch ....... oh.... mush.....here I go again....I love Ford because instead of a trite hand on the shoulder he reaches right for the heart.....it tells so much. And the way you show Mike and Spade, looking toward one another in their final hour.... MissG - you posted the most beautiful and moving pictures in the whole movie. The excitement as Bull realizes his sister is near, then the horrible realization that she is dying....clutching her to his heart. And the most expressive of all, as he hides his head in his hands..... You are so right. That's what a movie should be, silent or sound..... Whstlin' Gypsy- THANK YOU so much! I wonder about that young fellow....It's so tempting to believe that it is our Tom. He is the spitting image of our man, except that I noticed older Tom's ears are pointed on the top. It's how I recognized him in some other pictures. However, the hair, eyebrows, and nose all seem to be exact matches..... Oh, I hope we can find out... Chris- It's interesting that you pointed out the cross, as I had noticed it too. But my take on it had an added touch..... I saw it as Millie's redemption as well... the cross is looming over her and the parson... she is protected by it in death... we KNOW she will be in heaven because of her sacrifice..... Bronxie- I hope your mom has recovered from her "corn".... and you have recovered from the duck sauce gravy..... Wish her a Merry Christmas from me, though she will likely wonder who the heck I am.... Goddess- J. Farrell and some of the boys decided to get a shindig together in honor of your 16,000 post.... BTW, I think a Millie can transform herself into a Lee - I am trying like heck to do so for my daughter, so she grows up with a strong sense of herself........ My favorite movie angel....

Oh GOLLY! That is a beauty, Jeff! I feel a little weak in the knees..... Happy Holidays! and Thanks.

Ro- I know that Ford later (as in the 30's and 40's) employed about five writers that he really relied upon - each for different things. One of them was James Warner Bellah, who wrote some of the stories that inspired Ford in the first place. Bellah had some great ideas (mainly the idea of a hero who must disobey commands in order to win the day), but, according to Scott Eyman, he was also rather bigoted and thought the confederacy should have won the Civil War. The other writers were mainly script writers. They would take novels and short stories and work up treatments of them for Ford to look at. Sometimes Ford would play these writers (including Bellah) off of each other - one submitting a treatment, another tightening it, or suggesting alternate approaches to the story. In this way, I think Ford guided and cajoled the story out of them in the way that HE wanted. But I think Goddess is right- Ford definitely carried the germ of a story around, working it in his head to the point where he had what he thought was a workable scenario.... Goddess- correct me if I am wrong here- I have only read one book about Ford. So if this is not an accurate picture, please let me know.....

> > As for the comparison, the only really solid one, and it's an obvious one, is the > characters and what prompts them to sacrifice themselves (this time, a baby). > But I have to say, the relationships just don't resonate to the same degree as > with our three "fuzzballs". I love Wayne, Carey and Armendariz and they are > good together, but I think the earlier trio seem somehow more believable that > they were "brothers", compadres, for years and years before we encounter them. > I feel the love more strongly, throughout the earlier film. I actually see more > similarity to the 3 Bad Men in, say, the lads in the cavalry pictures (Victor > MacLaglen, Ward Bond, and Pedro Armendariz in Fort Apache for instance). This is very interesting stuff. I haven't ever seen 3 Godfathers. But I agree that Ford seems to have reworked these brotherIy, soldier of fortune relationships....... Again, this is a reason I love Pappy..... but right now I have to go make some spaghetti, or I will have some REALLY cranky family members to deal with.... no brotherly love happening without food on the table......

bathing with Gary Cooper OK. You just convinced me......

> {quote:title=rohanaka wrote:}{quote} > I may have to take over the basement bathroom and convert it into a dvd room..... > > Oh!! Just think of it...a place to watch movies...w/ indoor plumbing too!! Put in a little mini fridge and a microwave...and you'd never have to hit the pause button again!!! :-) That's a great idea, Kath! I wish I had thought of it. I don't know if there's room for a screen.... it's an awesome thought. I could lay there in the tub with some bubble bath, hit the remote and soak till I'm wrinkled.....

I would love to hear some more ramblings from you, too, Goddess. You are the reason a lot of us even know the name of this movie... I can't thank you enough for mentioning it in the first place.....

I missed your post, Kathy! I hope you are all thawed out now, and not worrying about Pharoah anymore.... I hate to tell you that I completely missed any mistake you might have made there .... *But I am glad to be here and it is fun to get to know all of you like this. You are some of the nicest folks I've (n)ever met!! :-)* I certainly feel just the same.... especially at this time of year... I am glad I got to know you guys and can "talk shop" with you. Andrew just said to me this morning, " Oh. Good. A movie in color. Finally." And I thought, I've finally pushed him over the edge with my old movies.... but Alice watched "A Christmas Carol" last night, then decided she wanted to watch "Scrooge" as well, so that makes me happy. Poor Andrew needed a break today, though..... I, of course, will wait till one o'clock tonight and watch Ben Hur on the sly....

*If you DO get the set, be sure to come here as soon as you can and let us know. * Oh I'll be on here posting screen caps and annoying everyone with in depth discussions of Wee Willie Winkie: Is Shirley Temple the perfect Ford star?..... or some such drivel..... *I just didn't have that kind of shelf space for it.* That, of course is the other problem....I may have to take over the basement bathroom and convert it into a dvd room..... I remember how excited I was when dvd's came out. I thought I would finally be able to store all of my movies in the TV armoire..... Ha!

I know, but the cheap side of me would rather buy the whole set than spend 17.99 per movie, a little at a time. I'm caught! I can't afford the whole thing, but I'm too ornery to shell out that much cash for only one of the set.... How stupid is that?

Wow, Jeff! That lobby card is GORGEOUS! I will certainly be taping Ben Hur tonight. I thought it was a beautiful and moving film the first time I saw it. I will try to stay up too. (Even if it isn't a DeMille picture... )

Oh, man, I simply have to have my own copy of this movie now..... I am in dire need ....I am hoping that maybe my dad might get me the Ford box set.... probably not, but last year he got me the complete Upstairs, Downstairs, and it was a TOTAL surprise......I certainly talked enough about Ford this year. We haven't really exchanged gifts for a few years so I can't even dare to hope....

I agree, Bronxie, those are the best caps! I love the thought process going on there. I love the downward look, the pat of the horse as he reaches for his thoughts. I notice that Lee with the baby is framed by another wagon wheel. BTW, The folks over at the Silent Film Gallery found a couple more pics of Tom for us, and they are still looking for more.... http://forums.tcm.com/jive/tcm/thread.jspa?threadID=131223 I think my favorite scene, from the distance of a few months, is the one in which the boys decide to save the day by sacrificing themselves - I think there is a sequence of looks between them but I'm not positive. I'm pretty sure J Farrell MacDonald has a nice one making his decision....

Thanks, Jeff! I know it's a bit difficult, Santschi died in 1931, and he was sometimes the star, sometimes the villain, and sometimes just one of the bit players..... but we appreciate all the trouble you guys are going to for us!

I completely agree with your comparison to Kay Francis. Both she and Gilbert hold your attention and your eye even when the material is not what it could be....

Oh my gosh, thanks for the pics and links, metsie! I am so grateful. I'll let the gals over on the rambles thread know about these! He does have astonishing eyes.... We all are so in awe of his performance in John Ford's 3 Bad Men (a wonderful silent movie from 1926, for anyone who's interested, BTW.). He is the best thing in a movie FULL of great things.... Thanks again. If I can ever do anything for you, let me know.....

Great comparison to L.A. Confidential, MissG. I hadn't thought of it at all, but what makes me love that movie are all those little Fordian touches - everyone has a deep backstory making them do what they do.... and no punches are pulled. The heroes are no saints, and both have questionable motives. I also liked the double hero scenario....

Wow!

Good one, Miles.

Hi, ChristineinGa- I know how you feel! That's why it is so nice to come here to the boards, so we can chat about our favorite stars...... I am so glad to have the opportunity to talk to people who actually know what I am talking about!

No cigarette? That's funny....

Thanks!

Oh, I love Beaker! And Dr. Bunsen Honeydew had no eyes, just glasses.....

I simply love the way Claudette Colbert wears her clothes... she had such an incredible figure.... Thanks!