rohanaka

won't attempt to go into as much detail as the rest of you guys about They Were Expendable, so I'll mostly just show screencaps of a scene I love Oh sure April... I have purposely been avoiding commenting on THIS aspect of the film simply because all the OTHER stuff we have all been bringing up about it has already made me so "whooshy" eyed. :-) I think you brought out one of the most endearing parts of the film here... and you are right about making the comparisons to Rio Grande. Mini-spoiler: The "unresolved" love story in this really is an "untraditional" take on that sort of detail in a war film... usually they either get together... or break up... OR one of them is killed... This one really leaves things the way I imagine a LOT of war time romances may have been... I know it was mentioned earlier too (maybe by Jackie) and it really is a very touching part of the whole story... DID they ever find one another again? Were they ever reunited?? When the Duke gets up and starts to leave that airplane (and Montgomery calls him back) you know just what he is thinking... Very emotional. AGHH... I need to invest in Kleenex stock if I am going to keep up w/ all these emotional ramblings. Ha . Ramblers Behaving Badly I would probably have to be the "poster child" for that.

Here... no need to wreck your own boxes... some of the ones in this arsenal look like they may have already seen some "action" Ha. :-)

I just do a little angry dance. It must be very silly looking. Once I got mad and spent some time deciding to break dish in the sink (because I didn't want to make a mess), but then I had to clean it up after, so it wasn't very satisfying in the long run. There is nothing more sobering than having to clean up after yourself My sister again!!! Ha. I did not see your post until after I had made mine!! (if we had only met sooner, you could have taught me your angry dance and card board boxes the world over would have been spared!)

It's one of my worst defects and I try not to do it when others are around, but it isn't always easy Oh my sister... Way back a gazillion years ago when I was a shoe store manager... I used to get what I jokingly referred to as "retail stress syndrome" Ha. And on particularly "stressful" days, I would go back to my stockroom (all alone) and if I was really "agitated"... the shoe boxes would fly!! Ha. It was self-defeating because after I did my big toss... (usually straight up in the air like a salad) I always had to pick them back up and repackage them, thus creating more work (and stress) for myself. But I STILL could not resist the temptation sometimes. ONE TIME I was so angry at a less than cordial customer, that after they left (though I had been the very essence of cool calm and collected on the salesfloor) I threw a box so hard at the stockroom wall that I actually BUSTED it! Ha. Fortunately the shoes were not damaged... but the BOX... uh.. well... The box had to be replaced... after that... I learned to do my "box tossing" a little less vigorously and stuck to the "salad toss" manuever instead. Ha. :-) Girls will be ...GALS :-)

Hiya Chris... you are right about both themes being there in these films... (though I haven't seen Pork Chop Hill, but I am sure you are right!)

I loved the little dig at the Naval brass in the beginning of the film. April, I had forgotten about that part at the beginning... (and forgive me because since I was TOO lazy to put in a tape when I watched this... my memory is already starting to fade) but somewhere along the line.. as a result of the same sort of mindset by the "higher ups" they get put on a detail that seems less than "glorious" to them... and the Duke gets so mad that after he and Montgomery have a little chat about it, he acts like a little kid and kicks stuff out of his way... and Montgomery yells at him (in a very "fatherly" tone) "Does that help?" and the Duke says "yes" and storms out... and then Montgomery then proceeds to see for himself and starts kicking stuff around too... but you can tell by his expression he wanted to shout back at Duke... "No it doesn't!" Ha. Men will be boys. :-) PS... just a passing comment (because we haven't brought up enough different movie title comparisons here) :-) but the whole "wanting to get into the thick of it' mindset these guys had really put me in mind of the film "Glory"... the men of the 54th just feeling like they were left marking time doing "busy" work until they could be taken seriously...

Why anyone would want to say anything hurtful about you or RO is beyond me. You are both sweeties Well, my sister, I feel certain you are right about MR. RO... But as for me... Well that is nice of you to say...but you just don't know me as well as I do. :-) I can think of a list a mile long of the peolpe who might want to say things... and probably an even longer list of the things they might want to say... Ha. I am sure that I am a work in progress. :-) Message was edited by: rohanaka

I hope to reply to your words, later tonight. Whoo Hoo!! Wendy... this is putting me on the edge of my seat, now... Yeah, I know, "promises, promises." PS... Wendy... I have some rope...

think every year that the first day of school is really harder for us than it is for her...... Again... I am saying... "sigh and sob!!" :-) (pass the Kleenex, if you please)

Hello there Coopsgirl! I was HOPING you would show up and fill in some "Gary" details for me! :-) I love hearing lesser known details like the whole "coulda been Ingrid" and "Gary almost sang" stuff... It just makes the film even more fun. I have to agree w/ Jack... as much as I like Ingrid Bergman as an actress... I think I would have a hard time picturing her in this role.... Ms. McGuire just did a perfect job for me... and maybe if I had never seen HER performance, I could imagine someone else in the part... but not now after viewing this film several times... she is Eliza for me... PS... OH... the "woodchopping" scene... Ha! (But honestly... It's his FACIAL expressions that get me more than anything... always have.. He can go from "boyishly cute... to dark and brooding.... and everything else in between all with a smile, a glance, and movement of the brow... he just seemed to have that way about him.

The point about the parent/child relationship is ever so true. I have a 21 year old and an 18 year old and certain things are beyond my control. As you pointed out I may not be their director anymore but I will always be their father. That carries long term responsibilites no matter how old we get. And how's the YUCK factor???? I have older stepsons (one is married now and has kids of his own) but they were still "boys" when the QT and I got married..so I already have a LITTLE experience in "letting" go... but not on the same level... Does it get even a little less "yucky" to think of as they get older??????? :-)

Hey there, Chris! Shenandoah" echos this film in that, try as they may to avoid it, the war still finds the family. However unintended they may be they become more than caught in it as soon they become part of it. Their gentle life is no longer gentle. Perkins wants to go partly as he is called to do it but I think mostly for the adventure. I think he envies Maddie's beau if only for the imagined excitement. You must be reading my mind! (Ha... i know.. short book... but at least there's lots of pictures. ha.) I was thinking as I was watching about some of the conversation we had way back in the summer over Shenandoah. (I need to watch that one again sometime) And I think you are right about Perkins' character maybe looking for adventure.. but I also think this was one of those "early adult" moments... where he needed to take what he'd been taught about things in life and do a compare/contrast w/ the situation around him to make his first real "grown up" decision... I liked how he comes down the stairs and the mom says "But I thought you prayed about it" and he says something like... "I did pray" w/ the implication being he had worked THIS decision out with his OWN faith... despite the faith and beliefs his parents had planted in him earlier on. And ultimately.. that is what all people of a certain age end up having to do... eventually. ( I like Coop's comment... when his wife tells him to do something about it... "I'm his father, not his conscience".) Sooner or later... even with great respect and love... a child may have to go against his parent's wishes or plans for them... and the parent will have to step back and let them do it.. As a mom... to that I can only say YUCK!! But as a daughter... I am grateful that (at just the right time) my parents reached that point in life when I needed them to and became (and still are) my "supporters" but not really my "directors" any more... An adult kid eventually has to learn to do and think for themself in life... even if the parents may not always agree. (oh... did I mention that as a mom I say... YUCK! to that! ) ha. :-) But having said all that... I like how Cooper's character went looking for Perkins when the horse came back w/out him... and I liked how he stood there in front of his "gun closet" even if only just a moment.. thinking and taking in all that carrying that gun with him COULD possibly mean for him and anyone else who might get in his way.. and as a result...he was prepared for the situation when he had to make the choice... It was a very inspiring moment.

I see we have a few rambles that can be replied to now. I wanted to watch They Were Expendable for the very first time last night but... Ramble on, "Lousy Guy"...

THANKS for the photo Miss Goddess!!!

spending the night in the barn sequence. HA! I had forgotten about that scene until I watched it again the other day.. TOO funny... I loved how his friend kept noticing all the "stuff" first the pocket watch... the flower... the hay on Coop's shirt.. VERY funny.. And wasn't that young Anthony Perkins just so doggone CUTE??? One nice thing about this film is that while watching it... (if only for that short little while) I had NO problem getting rid of that OTHER mental image I have of him most of the time... (you know where he wears the dress and runs around slicing and dicing eveybody in sight!! AAAHH) ha. :-)

Lousy "Rafter Rattler".

Hello there, folks.... just a brief little ramble here about a "sort of " western.... I got to watch Friendly Persuasion the other day. I had to tape it, as I was not able to be home when it was on... but I thoroughly enjoyed getting to see it again... It had been YEARS since I last saw this one. I really like this film a lot and have always found this to be among my most favorite for Gary Cooper... but watching it this time I noticed that the story is sort of a "contradiction" in more than one respect... First... it is a "folksy" family sort of story... all about Quakers living out their days in peace and w/ some good natured, old fashioned fun thrown in just to make it interesting... I love the way they tease one another... and the way they respect one another as well. And I also enjoy the way they relate to those who are of a different faith and mindset than they are... never judging.. just living out their lives as they feel led. (and finding acceptance from MANY... though there are some who clearly do NOT understand or accept them) And then it is also a "love" story in a lot of different ways as well.. the love between the dad and the mom... between the parents and their kids.. between the daughter and the young Civil War soldier... there's a lot of love, going on there, man. :-) And this is also a "war" film... the war is all around them... and eventually... they all more or less find themselves smack dab in the middle of it... each one having to struggle w/ the best way to respond given' the faith that is so deeply rooted and intertwined in their lives and their character... (There is even a racial aspect to this story where their farm hand also decides he needs to take a stand) And I have to say... they ALL work things out exactly like you would expect them to in the end... So... there is a lot going on in this one.. and this is why I say there is a bit of "contradiction" in the story line... because if I have one "criticism", it would be that when the film is finally over... I sort of felt like it was a bit rushed... each aspect of the story had more or less had "played itself out" and there was no real clear direction as to what the best way to end it should be... but I think I liked the way it all sort of got "wrapped up" in the end... There were a lot of enjoyable moments in this film.. I really liked the way they "enjoyed" their faith instead of feeling "bound by it" and yet... they clearly chose to be bound by the way they had decided to make it such a part of their everyday lives. I especially loved the "thees" and "thou's"... very endearing. My favorite line in the whole movie is when the mother "forbids" the father to bring the new organ into the house (because they do not hold to having musical instruments) and he says... "When thee asks or suggests I'm like putty in thee's hands.. but when thee forbids... thee is barking up the wrong tree." Ha. Very funny. And I also love the running gag w/ the "horse racing" ... the kidling watched this film with me and she started cheering first.... "Come on Red Rover.... come on! Oh no! Prince is the winner" and then later in the film... she started cheering again... then she stopped herself... "MOM... that is NOT Red Rover!!! WHY did he want to race with THAT horse." too cute... ha. The scene where the "rebs" come and raid the farm is well done too... she REALLY lets him have it when they start going after that goose... ("Mama whacked a Reb? Well by sugar that's news") ha. And then entire portion of the story where they are all at the carnival was VERY entertaining as well (but again there is that "contradiction" aspect.. yet it all works together nicely.. You've got comedy, romance, drama, action... even music... all thrown into the mix... and still... it all fits into the story just right) My favorite scene... the bit w/ Mrs. Hudspeth and her darling daughters... HA!!! "Hey MA!!! It's MEN!!!) Marjorie Main is such a CRACK UP!! ( when she is sitting there in her rocking chair sobbing her eyes out while everybody is singing... and Gary Cooper notices her nod to the photo of her dearly departed husband... and he points upward (to heaven) and she shakes her head and points down... and then they both look over at the fire... The look on Coop's face is priceless.) All in all... a very enjoyable film...I am glad I managed to get this one on tape... Now I won't have to wait so long to see it again. Message was edited by: rohanaka

It didn't work so well for Lucy: HA! Welcome to my world..

Welcome back to plain old Rambles Thanks Wendy.

Hiya Wendy! GREAT faces, kid. Nicely done... you picked just the right moments w/ just the right faces. (PS... I LOVED "Dad" on the front porch w/ the old shotgun... Ford just couldn't quite get away from the "Western" themes sometimes... Ha.) never knew your dad served in Vietnam. Now I see a little better where you are coming from. He must have been a brave and honorable man to go back. I have the nothing but the greatest respect for both my parents... especially for this particular time in our family's life... My dad was in the military for 20 years and served his country well... and I am always going to be coming from THAT sort of viewpoint when it comes to anything having anything to do these sorts of subjects. But for some reason... seeing the Duke looking so much like I remember my dad looking at the time.. it really struck a chord in me. And for my mom... the longer I am a parent... I have come to appreciate and respect her more and more ...because it is a lot like what Chris said about "waiting"... The first time my dad was in Vietnam, I was a baby and my mom was pregnant w/ my first brother... she had him while my dad was away... I can't even begin to imagine what that was like (for both of them). By the second time my dad was called over... we had the second boy in our family (and he was a new born...) so my mom ( who would have been about 24) had 3 little kids... a newborn, a toddler, and the oldest one was barely 4... AND my dad was away at war. I can't even begin to imagine HOW she did it.. I remember we stayed in this little house in this tiny town way north of KC where my grandparents lived. So we were close by to them. and I am sure that helped... But still... day to day... ever day... just getting up to take care of the 3 or us and manage the house all by herself... and all the while WONDERING where was my dad? what was he going through? when (or if) would he come home? I love them both more than I can ever say... and again... this is very emotional... But I am glad to have the chance to say it. I have spoken to them both of these things before over the years... but I am glad to be able to share a little of it here as well because not everyone may have had this sort of experience... and I want folks to know how MUCH our men and women in uniform (and their families) really DO have to deal w/... just by being gone from their families(not to mention the stress of the duties they are called to perform) God bless them all. Thanks, folks, for indulging me a bit.

The brain-dead moment that bothered me was when she pulled that gun on him. Is she really so over-the-top that she has lost her mind? Hiya Chris.... I think that was one of the "dopiest" moments in the whole film.... but the only thing I could chalk it up to was that Bonnie really seemed to have an "impulsive" side to her nature... And also... when it comes right down to it... sometimes (especially early on in a relationship) "True Love" CAN make you "brain-dead!!" once in a while! :-) Ha.

OH my gosh, my golly BARB!! I love this!! A "prequel" and a "sequel"... all at the same time!! This is a great idea!! And I think you have a lot of GREAT insight into their characters here... VERY creative and well thought out! Only ONE thing I could add... After the kids... come the grandchildren on their knee... you know.. "Vera, Chuck, and Dave" :-) Ha. (that song started running through my mind when I was reading their "futures". :-) Nicely done, Miss B! :-)

Make sure the server is secure. It should read "https" in your browser window instead of "http" and you should be fine. I don't like using credit cards online for a number of reasons but if you are on a reputable site you shouldn't have any problems. Thank you, my friend, for the expert advice!! (but you DO realize you are talking to the Empress Supreme of all things Technophobic"... Ha) I will try the good old fashioned "cash and carry" thing first... and THEN if I can't find it.... I may have to start whining enough to see if The QT and I want to take the plunge and see about online shopping!! (it's a new world for us...but not so "brave" ha.) :-) PS. haven't participated in a good discussion of a Western since Lynn's summer school class Hey!! Feel free to mosey on back down here to the wild side of town anytime!

Paramount is re-releasing The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance finally WITH EXTRAS including a commentary by Peter Bogdanovich that incorporates some of his interviews with the director, John Ford. Needless to say, I've already pre-ordered mine!! Oh my golly!! I can't believe this is the first time I have gotten down here into this thread in DAYS... and when I did... look who's here!! YAY! AND bringing such "whoo hoo" news to boot!! :-) Would you believe (of course you would.... I am so pathetic) I only have a VERY old homemade copy VHS copy of this film... loaded w/ commercials....from like 16 years ago. Sometimes when I watch this movie I will let the commercials play just for fun... funny what a little time does to "subject" matter in these things... If i recall there is only like ONE internet commercial on the whole tape, and it was for some guy surfing the net w/ this super cool "new" thing called AOL! :-) And Sprint was still doing their "pin drop" long distance commercials... WHEN was the last time you saw any sort of "long distance" commercial for your regular telephone??? But I digress... ha. I will have to see what I can do to get a copy of this DVD... it sounds terrific. Maybe I can find it out shopping... or if not I might have to finally give in to the temptation to finally shop online... But Technophobia is such a debilitating condition sometimes... ha. How do you pay "cash" on the internet... I don't even have a debit card!! Ha.. Maybe I can just hold my check book up to the computer screen! Ha. (did I mention I am so pathetic?)

I was told I could chime in on "Only Angels Have Wings" when I got to watch it. Well that was tonight. WOO HOO! I think it is a brotherhood. It is not unlike what you might find in a group of soldiers. Hiya Chris... and as I believe I once said... it is never too late for a good ramble! I am glad you got to get in on this one... and I think your comment on the brotherhood bond being like that of soldiers fits into some of what we've been saying on They Were Expendable... both of these films had similar "family" themes in that respect... she comes to fall in love with Grant and for my money a little too quickly but this is the movies. Grant and the boys are all business. Women are to be had as time allows. Ah.... love... :-) You men and your mushy love talk on here! HA! I agree... she falls pretty fast. And I may be "outta whack" in my thinking on this... (it would not be the first time) but maybe at first she is not so much "in love" with him as she is intrigued by the possibility of loving him...and him loving her too... (and that is why she stays) . But then soon enough she does come to "love" him (at least as much as anyone can love someone they barely know) as she observes him and gets to see what really makes him tick under that big white hat... At one point she asks the Kid... "you love him too?" So obviously, by this point there is a form of "love" for him in her heart.. but I would not call it a "deep abiding love of her mind" just yet... Because that sort of love is a choice and it comes as people grow and get to know more and more about each other... Certainly there is the "romance" aspect of love going on.... and that CAN often happen quickly for some... and it is where they both seem to finally end up by the end of the story. And maybe by the time they have gotten that far... there is hope that the deeper aspects of love will be possible for them later on down the road.