rohanaka
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Posts posted by rohanaka
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Alfred Hitchcock
Directed The Man Who Knew Too Much with
Jimmy Stewart who was also in
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance with
John Wayne who was in The Quiet Man with
Maureen O'Hara who was also in
Jamaica Inn..directed by
Alfred Hitchcock...who also directed
North by Northwest
With Cary Grant who was also in
The Philadelphia Story with
Jimmy Stewart who was in Rope
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock...who also directed
Psycho ...with
Anthony Perkins who was in
Friendly Persuasion with
Gary Cooper who was also in
High Noon with
Grace Kelly who was in
Rear Window ....
Directed by....Alfred Hitchcock.......
(somebody stop me, please....) PS...Pastman....this is fun :-)
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BEWARE: MORE INFORMING
Ha....I am going to inform on you for informing... :-)
Grey Guy..I just want have to ask you this...Why IN THE WORLD do you put off rambling SO LONG?????????????? You have a definite knack for this sort of thing. And the way you watch films so closely and pull out all the interesting little tidbits is just first rate.
I know what your problem is...and I imagine that you had this problem in school, too... I can read the 4th Grade Report Card now: "Frank Grimes is a very bright boy and an excellent student, yet he spends too much time talking in class and socializing, and his assignments are usually late...Needs Improvement" :-) Bottom line: Less Goofing...More Rambling!!!!
Don't get me wrong...the goofing is a lot of fun....but..... "you are not living up to your full potential here as a poster, young man"... (that was a paraphrase of the conversation that probably came AFTER the report card came home... right before the "YOUR GROUNDED" part I am sure!!) :-) Now lest you think I am being too critical...I mean this all as a compliment, sir... you have a good head on your shoulders when it comes to this stuff...so PLEASE keep using it....and more often!! OK....now that we have THAT out of the way...
(and PS...you and April (and almost everyone else....) are always at least 10 paces ahead of ME...I am usually just a tag along...but it is fun to run along beside you once in a while)
The Informer is most definitely a film noir. I was actually reminded of a film noir
called Edge of Doom, while watching The Informer.
Thanks for the link on that one....It does look like a very compelling story...I have never had much experience with that genre....but that looks like I might enjoy as well.
The wanted poster doesreach out and grab him before he makes any kind of decision. Fate has tagged him. So you are very right. The wanted poster also tags "Frankie" soon thereafter.
It's been a while now, so it is not fresh in my mind, but doesn't that nasty little piece of paper also make it to the pantleg of someone else later on (perhaps the IRA "boss"...or was it the police??) as if now that it has created havoc w/ the other two men....it will now use the third man to "cry out for justice"? I am not sure....I could be making that memory up in my mind...but even so...that was one rotten little piece of paper...what a trouble make. It must have been printed up in the Twilight Zone or something. (Beware of litter blowing in the wind!! ) :-)
But I tend to put a lot of time and effort into it; I care and think too
much.
Well it shows....again I will say...this is a strong suit for you...put it on more often! :-)
The Informer really plays like a mafia (mob) film more than anything else. Men
are asked to do deeds for the "family." If you turn your back on the family, you're
gonna get whacked.
Good point. Again, that is a "genre" I have little experience in...but I have seen the first two Godfathers....hated them, by the way...NO sympathy for any of them...(except maybe the wife...but I digress) Anyway...I do see a lot of parallels to a "mob" story. And maybe we're not supposed to sympathize...just observe.
The film is also a poverty film, so I'd be interested to see if there are any similarities to The Grapes of Wrath.
Maybe in the loosest sense... but not in a huge way.(at least not to me) There were common themes perhaps in the idea that money (or the lack thereof) can cause us to make choices we might not otherwise make. And the "community" idea of folks banding together out of a common sense of "desperation" or "hard luck" may be similar... Again...I did not notice anything "blatantly" similar...but others more qualified than I might be able to make a stronger case for comparison.
Again...you really do have a good grasp on this story. Keep up the good work. And PS...thanks for all these great screencaps....one of these days I may whine and cry and ask you to tell me more about how to do them myself...(do you need special software, etc?) Anyway...nicely done.
PS...April....I will look forward to hearing more from you too, after the "mulling" process. Hope some others who have yet to speak up might jump in here as well.
See, MOLO..I told you this was a film worth watching.:-)
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Well hello there Gyp...I mean Mr. Grey... :-)
It has really stuck with me. I'm liking it more and more
So..the big question...now that you've seen it... Is it an "official" Noir or not?? I remember discussing this way back when with April. I don't have a lot of practical Noir knowledge...but it is definitely (given my limited frame of reference) one I would see as at least leaning that direction...YOU would be one who would actually know what you were talking about in that regard, though... So??
"fate" and our own choices sometimes
working hand in hand.
I agree with that. Gypo made a decision with full knowledge of what may come of his
decision. But, in his mind and in his gut and in his heart, he was "trapped." He went with
his heart.
Now see...I am not so sure it was a "heart" choice entirely. But I do think that played a part in the decisions he made.
Way back A LONG time ago.... (when we were waiting and waiting and (did I mention we were waiting?) for you to ramble on yet another fine Ford film.... April and I had a long chat about this whole "fate vs choice" subject. Some of what we said went like this: (I had to look all this up because I knew I would not have it as fresh in my mind now as I did back then...)
Miss Goddess: about the "fatalism". In a way, I've come to think otherwise about the spiraling circumstances of this movie because it seems to me that Gypo's environment, working on such an irrational, non-reflective and simple type like him is what gets him into trouble. All the symbolism in the film---and it's LOADED with it---seems to indicate that all these things were fated but I am not sure. I think they can also be said to indicate how powerfully Gypo's environment was practically a minefield[ in which so many people like him could not avoid some kind of pitfall. I say this partly because so many of Pappy's films emphasize character and environment over fate and therefore this movie would really be a marked departure.
Rohanaka: ...there is a definite case for both fate and his own poor circumstances playing on his "weak" will. The "fate" aspect is really almost glaring when you think of that wanted poster that he once tore off the wall and wadded up getting carried back to him by the wind and wrapping itself around his pantleg...and the weak will aspect is seen in the fact that he can't withstand the temptation of it.He keeps picturing it over and over, and it is still tugging at the "pantleg of his heart" long after it has been cast off and carried away again by the wind. The concept of him being locked into his fate...and him being responsible for his own actions as a result of his own weakness is a very tight weave of two seperate yet complementary threads, and it is nearly impossible to unwind the one away from the other.
So... in the end I think it was a combination of fate and choice working hand in hand along w/ social pressures and even love for a woman...this guy had a lot going on... and a lot of strikes against him.
I've never seen him in such a role. I was impressed
I think Victor MacLaglen may have been one who sort of got locked in to playing certain types...but this film came before some of that...so maybe he had a chance to get out of that mold a before he ever got in it, so to speak.
Interesting story...but not one you can just watch and get up from... At least for
me, I had to really sort of "get over it" for a while after I saw it. "Bleak"....very
bleak. I wasn't entirely expecting that.
That's understandable. My reaction is usually the opposite of this with tragic
tales. I end up appreciating life all the more. It forces me to focus on what's really
important.
Wow....is that an "optimistic" Grey Guy??? Hmmmmm... See....I like looking at things the way you mention....but I am also one who can "enjoy" (if that is the right word) a good "bleak" moment. Sometimes it is good to let all those emotions sort of roll around and mix in...but only for a while...I would not like to live in "Bleak House".... but I can handle a little visit now and then.
I talked about music playing a role in The Informer in the "favorite music"
thread. The song, "The Rose of Tralee" is being sung by the street singer at the
beginning of the film.
WHAT!!!! Are you saying you like that MUSHY "romantic" stuff???? Get thee to the Pride and Prejudice thread!! Ha! Actually it is a very poignant aspect of the story. And the music sort of mingles with the atmosphere of the movie...sometimes it matches the mood...and sometimes it almost "contrasts" with it... Along w/ the "face" thing that I have mentioned in the past...I think Ford had a knack for knowing just the right song to place in certain scenes.
So....what ELSE ya got??? I think so far you have gotten a pretty good start...but I imagine you have more to say... What did you think of the scene with the police at Frankie's mom's house? That for me was almost harder to watch than any of it...the two women in the middle of all of it... Frankie trying to escape...and maybe take a few down before he went...but still worried about his mom... very, very intense...
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Mr. Grey!!! You made it before midnight!! (I was afraid your tomorrow wouldn't get here before....tomorrow!) :-) I am very interested in your topics of conversation so far...so I hope you will go a little further for us here..
She's a peach! She plays a HUGE role in the film and I wish
to talk about her.
Ramble on, my friend....again I am on the edge of my seat! :-)
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Hi April...
They have apparently adapted the stories on which THE QUIET MAN is based into a play,
That is way cool. :-) I imagine it will be different from the film, but I bet it will be very entertaining.
A wonderful script both sensitive and honest to its time frame...
If Ms. OHara (Herself) says it...I'm bettin' it's so! Maybe I will get lucky and on their way to New York they will take a detour and perform it here in KC too.
Thanks for sharing. PS...where in the world to you find all these interesting articles? :-)
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A little frog playing a banjo? Is it Kermit?
Who else?? Go over to the Favorites....and look in the Off Topic music thread...The Grey Guy was just trying to get on my good side. :-)
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Hello there Barb..... Sounds like YOU are fighting the GERM-ans. (that is what we call it around here whenever we have colds or the sniffles) :-) Hope you feel better soon. LOTS Of rest and plenty of Darjeeling.
And don't worry, you're NOT "easily entertained" -- I AM.
Because I know YOU wouldn't sit through ATOM AGE VAMPIRE.
Well...you've got me there!! :-) (THAT is a total crack up by the way.)
Re: Sgt York.... I agree there are aspects to the conversion scene(s) that seem a bit far fetched (the whole "get knocked off your mule" thing etc...) But I think I have always looked at the entire scenario...as a three part lesson in "twas blind but now I see" ( to borrow a line from a good old standard hymn)
For me the first part would be when Pastor Pyle tells him earlier on that sometimes faith comes quietly (like the dawn--if I recall correctly) and sometimes it comes all of a sudden (like a bolt of lightening) and of course at the beginning....Alvin is still resistant.
Then of course there is that whole "lightening" thing and he recalls the pastor's words (did you ever see The Color Purple...there is a song in there....Maybe God is Trying to Tell You Somethin') and then it all sort of makes sense to him. And the whole thing plays out finally in the part where he comes walking into the church service. I love the expressions on Coop's face....not sure of what he is doing...but not able to resist the call any longer... and then... he is "no longer blind" so to speak and has seen the light.
This sort of conversion may be a bit "stereotypical" in its portrayal.(as in typical backwoods "hick from the sticks" mindset) but "on your knees up front" is how a lot of folks come to faith...and this particular scene is a nice way of showing the "old timey" attitude toward that sort of event. Again... I do agree that the "lightening bolt" does make it seem more like a "tall tale" perhaps... but the entire process taken as a whole really worked for me. And I especially like the way his conversion was carried throughout the rest of the film for him. (he had the "usin' kind of faith")
As far as the battle scenes...especially when he sees there is no other option left but to start shooting....I did not get the same sense as you that he seemed to like it. But I did feel like once he started he was going to see it through to the bitter end if necessary..... and maybe that is what you took for "gung ho".... but I saw it as him just being determined. All in the perspective I guess.... different people see things differently, so we could both be right.
Pusher", I'm wondering if this is the first screen depiction of that oft-used war film staple, the American army urban-ethnic cross-section representative
Well...I don't know if he was the first...but he certainly was a good example of one... :-)
Now take it easy and go take a nap! You have got to keep your strength up for my big extreme home makeover deal...I am really counting on you!! :-)
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don't stop now!
Hi Texanna....glad you have enjoyed the youtubes....if I don't stop soon....I may go nuts. I haven't listened to some of this music in nearly 20 years... I am starting to feel like an old fogey just thinking about it. :-)
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how do yall like them?
Hiya Miss Butterscotch...I have to go find these to answer you (but are they going to make me cry?) :-) The only one I know for sure I am familiar with is the Celine song.
PS...we are taking the kidling out for dinner on her Bday...then this weeked she is going to have a "pizza/bowling party" with 3 of her little friends from scouts... the fun never ends around here. :-)
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"Black Water" was one I just couldn't listen to. I'm not familiar with much except their hits.
Black Water IS a bit...cajun sounding. But I love the vocals. All the ones I posted are on one of their greatest hits albums that I used to listen to A LOT. But it has been a very long time.
("Don't Give Up") on the Contemporary Christian album "Streams
Thanks for the tip, I will check it out. :-)
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But he never sported that look, did he?
Acutally...
(keeping in mind that "short" is a relative term...this length would look "long" for some)
one for you...
and one for me. :-)
In truth...I tend to prefer shorter hair myself. But some men can carry it off wearing a bit longer hair...what I HATE is long "stringy" hair...but he seemed to have made it through his "stringy" phase early on in his career. :-)
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I'd love to read more
You might be an audience of one... but tell you what...I will wait until Barb chimes in first. :-) Talk to you later.
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Some of the hair in that video will make the ladies jealous
It WAS the 80's :-)
since you brought up "The Doobie Brothers", Michael McDonald. Love him or hate him?
In a word....yes. :-)I don't think I had ever head the song you posted. But I haven't really followed him much. (did you know he was also w/ Steely Dan for a while? I didn't until I just googled him... they are another group I always enjoyed) From what I have heard of McDonald's solo stuff, I can usually take him or leave him (as a solo act)...but I did like some of his songs...probably favorite solo...Sweet Freedom.
Favorite Doobie that "features" his voice:
But my most favorite Doobies would have to be....(and these are just about in order of preference):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFXkvhEhIVQ&feature=related
PS...April..do you prefer the clean shaven or bearded Dan... I like him w/ short hair and the beard the best. :-)
Message was edited by: rohanaka..because I posted the wrong youtube the first time... :-)
Message was edited by: rohanaka
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It's a tough thing to put on film because it's an internal moment
That is one of the things I like best about this film...but will stop there for now...
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It was Mulligan!
Mulligan Shmulligan...tell me another one...
If it's 80s pop, I'm there
So THAT's where you have been spending all your time. No wonder it takes you so long to ramble....
Me: the 80's...
(to name a few) Dan Fogelberg, The Police, Sting, The Doobie Bros. Kansas, The Little River Band, The Eagles, Styx, Pink Floyd, The Alan Parson's Project, Chicago, Eric Clapton, CCR, The Dire Straights, and then....
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I am curious what you thought of his "conversion" scene and whether you thought it believable
and effective?
Well now I'm REALLY on the edge of my seat. :-)
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Rohanaka...just want to warn you, those tomorrows will stretch to tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow and
Hello Miss Maven. Yes....I have been left sitting on the edge of my seat so many times...well...let's just say that the edge of my seat just aint what it used to be. But..hope springs eternal. I guess I am just one of those cockeyed optimists....I just keep waiting and waiting.
PS...Grey Guy... the sun has come out..It's "tomorrow" :-)
Message was edited by: rohanaka
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I have rewatched The Man from Laramie and I have watched another western, too. I believe it's Chris' favorite western.
YOU have a lot of Rambling to catch up on, Buckaroo.
The Informer and The Man from Laramie at the same time? I'm innocent! I'm guilty of being a gentleman, that's all.
Innocent??? That is what our friend Gypo tried to pull off too...but that wanted poster just kept following him right on down the street...
I like how, with one hand, you smack me while waving to Molo with the other. You're not a modern multi-taskin' mom, are you?
No smacking...just an "innocent" question. :-) And yes.... my mulit-tasking has taken on levels unknown since I became a mom. But sooner or later...I am afraid I might get so confused with all my "tasks" I will put the kid outside and go tell the dog to brush his teeth. :-) Gotta keep an eye on all those little red foam balls I have juggling around me.
PS...Molo... don't misunderstand....The Informer is VERY worth watching...just don't expect to get up from it with a smile on your face. It is a "thinker" and it could even be somewhat depressing in places. But still a good film if you can bounce back from the bleak. :-)
Gotta hit the hay...Good night gentlemen. Ramble on! :-)
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Music plays a role in a forthcoming ramble...
THAT is going to keep me on the edge of my seat to be sure. I guess that little Ball Pein Beauty can stay out in the shed...at least for now... I will try to give you the benefit of the doubt. :-)
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Hello and howdy, my favorite Interior Decorator friend!
I see you watched Sergeant York... sorry it wasn't your cup o tea (from the sounds of it). I have always liked this film very much. It is my husband's all time favorite, and probably my second fave. But to each his own.
I agree. Pastor Pyle's eyebrows need a good trim. But this has always been one of my fave Brennan roles. He captures that "old timey" preacher persona really well. I agree that Coop was a bit "older" than you might have thought he ought to be...but it never got to me that much.
I guess I just like the story and the messages of faith that get woven into this film. And I am sort of an "old timey" folksy sort of person myself...(though we DO at least have indoor plumbing out here in Missouri) so I guess this sort of story just appeals to me. I think Alvin York the real person was an interesting individual too, and that is part of the appeal for me as well.
I liked Dickie Moore with the rifle ("Ma wants you")
That is one of my husband's (and my) favorite parts. We go around saying that from time to time...always followed by..."comin' George". In fact.... last year about this time we bought a minivan... and as is our habit we decided to give it a name... we hemmed and hawed about what the name ought to be..and then I had a stroke of genius... we call it "Al-van" after Sgt. York...and sometimes when we get ready to go out.. either my husband and I will turn to the other and say "Ma wants ya, Alvin"
What can I say...we are easily entertained. :-)
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And she watched YOUR movie, Sergeant York!
Yep, I saw that. She was next on my list...but I got distracted by a little frog playing the banjo over on another thread and I just hadn't gotten there yet... (Barb...we must talk!!)
I'm going to reply to you and Fordy Guns about The Informer tomorrow
Grey Guy...this isn't one of those "Laramie" promises is it???
PS....Hi Molo!.
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And this one's for you (and me
Aw Man!!!! Now you had to go and post that one....how am I supposed to be all "Peacemaker" with you when you go and do a thing like that!! What a sweet thing, I mean rotten thing to do!
Here I was trying to get tough and offer you a little "encouragement" to hurry up and ramble already...and now I am smiling instead! Oh!! And what's this...my foot is tapping??? You had to go and post that sweet little song... Just when I was about to go out to the shed for that trusty little "Ball Pein Beauty"... Aw man... :-)
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Well hello there Grey Guy.
I watched The Informer ....and what did you think of it??? I saw it back before the holidays for the first time myself. It is a very difficult movie to really "like" in a lot of ways. There is really very little there to feel sympathetic over. Except that everyone there is tragic in one way or another. And I agree with April....Victor Maclaglen did a fine piece of acting in this one.
On the whole, I think this film was a lesson in "fate" and our own choices sometimes working hand in hand. Interesting story...but not one you can just watch and get up from... At least for me, I had to really sort of "get over it" for a while after I saw it. "Bleak"....very bleak. I wasn't entirely expecting that.
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Hi Texanna.... You are getting a lot of good reccomendations here...some of them I have yet to see as well... Another one you might look into is The Westerner...a good old Gary Cooper film (with Walter Brennan) and I think it takes place in Texas too.
Movie Rambles
in Films and Filmmakers
Posted
Hello folks....If I may....a short ramble here for The Earl of Chicago....
This is one I might have passed by altogether if not for the recommendation of a friend who had seen it previously. I am glad it did not miss it. But it was a lot different than what I was expecting.
At first, I thought it was one of those stories that was going to be played for laughs...especially with the "stereotypical" portrayal of the gangsters...and the whole "fish out of water" concept. But while there were humorous moments mixed in here and there...it was a much different story than what I first imagined.
And didn't that Edmund Gwen just steal the show? But then again, doesn't he always. I think this is one of my new favorite roles for him, the more I think about it. The scene where he is talking to Montgomery's character (Silky) about "noblesse oblige" was probably one of my favorite parts. And there is the shadow of the window making a "fence" like pattern between him and "the Earl" as if they were being separated...I got to wondering at one point who was on the inside and who was on the outside of that imaginary fence...
(mini spoiler)
And the ending....OH.... as many of you know...I love a good cry. Wasn't that Edward Arnold such a...oh...I don't know... The truth is, I wanted to be angry at him...for what he was doing...but then again....Silky was a bad guy...he'd done a lot of "wrong"...so sooner or later it was bound to catch up to him. I guess in a way they both got what they deserved...I just kept wishing better for poor Silky... But alas...
I am glad I got the tip in time to watch this one, I think it was a nice surprise....and PS...I agree w/ some of what was said in another thread....there was a bit of "Bugs Bunny" in Silky...or maybe the other way around....I kept waiting for him to say something like..."so long Sammy, see ya in Miami..." oh well... maybe that is another movie :-)
And...PSS...Miss Maven....enjoy the "friendly skies"...you are a braver soul than I am....I don't think I would want to fly around like that too often...but I bet it is a lot of fun. Enjoy...but be sure to buckle up!! :-)