rohanaka

HEY! Miss G.... looks like a few more fellas showed up to say hello! First, Gary stopped by. (woo hoo!) And then John T stopped by too, just to chat for a while. (PS: Dean is still thinking about showing up, but he said he wanted to clean up a bit first) OH, and Hondo is taking the scenic route, but he says he'll see you later too. Then THESE two showed up and said they wanted to drop by for a visit, and well... they were BOTH just so doggone cute that I had to let them come along. But then right after that, THIS lady turned up looking for her husband's pants... I told her there must be some sort of mistake. (HA!) Last but not least, Frank Grimes showed up. But don't worry. I took care of him, but GOOD! Edited by: rohanaka on Jun 14, 2011 1:36 AM Edited by: rohanaka on Jun 14, 2011 1:41 AM

Calleia as Brian Donlevy HA!! For a minute there I thought it WAS Donlevy (until I read your post, ha) In truth, I don't think I have ever heard his name before but I have seen his face many times. (and maybe I just always thought he was SOMEONE ELSE! ha) And "yikes" is right.. I totally see that whole "Paul Muni" thing going on. ha. That last one sort of reminds me of George O'Brien.. at least THIS version of him.. ha

(Gasp.. has it REALLY been since DECEMBER?? Well, we can't be having that... ) Hellllllllllllo Miss G!!!! :-) Some of the boys just dropped by with me to say HI!!

he is looking like Paul Giamatti Good gravy.. he DOES look like him there...

Hiya Mr. Movieman.. I had no idea about the "Mad Max" connection.. now that IS hard to believe. (And I don't know why exactly.. but we have always avoided "Happy Feet" for some reason. I guess the kidling never paid it much attention. so neither did I) Christmas means carnage. HA!! OH that crazy "Ferdie" ha. I love that bit. And that line is a favorite quote around here by the way.. ha.. every year from the QT as we sit down to the Christmas table.. (gulp) It is usually just as we are about to enjoy a lovely meal that includes.. (dare I say it) the LOVELY spiral cut HAM that he gets every year as part of his Christmas bonus!! EEK!! Don't tell the little pig.. ha. Christmas means carnage indeed! Edited by: rohanaka on Jun 9, 2011 7:18 PM

that way he looks out for you instead of thinking you should look out for yourself It is always good to have someone who cares for you like that. But I like that he didn't "patronize" her and then ignore what she was saying. He may have still viewed her as that "little girl" but he still let her make her own decision too. I liked that. (PS: I will start looking for a "judge" for you right away, little missy! You deserve the best) :-) I bet "Judge" Roy Bean would have! Ha.. he'd have either hung them or hired them.. depending on what mood he was in, I think. ha. Olivia seemed to specialize in sweet, spirited types, not destined for hard core "actress" roles She did "do" that very well, especially the "sweet". Oh my golly was there ever a more gentle yet strong woman than Melanie? But I am glad she got to branch out and stretch her wings. She was able to break out of the mold and pursue some reallly fine roles. I think that is refreshing because so many actresses (at least back then) did not always get that chance. He does need a session (or two) at the Puppy Palace Or ten or twelve, HA. Everyone has said so, I've just always resisted most modern kids/family movies. I'm sure I would like it once I finally get around to watching. Is he cuter than Wilbur? Well, I do know what you mean about "modern" kids movies. We are pretty selective around here because I do not in any way like films for the kidling that are filled with rudeness, selfishness, or disrespectful attitudes and behavior. (so it can be a challenge sometimes finding a movie for her.. because most kids movies now days are not only filled with those attitudes.. but they celebrate them, even.. but OH don't get me started. As for Charlotte's Web, well.. it pains me to confess.. ha. but I have always (for some unknown, unexplained reason) shied away from CW.. (i know.. shame on ME) so I have no comparison for you on Wilbur (sigh) But I absolutely LOVE that little Babe. He is kindhearted, non-judgemental, loyal to a fault.. and cute as a bug's ear. I can't recommend this movie to you enough. It truly is something very special. Here is a clip: And PS:.. after my "soap box' moment, up a few lines ago.. do NOT be put off by the use of "butt head". It is NOT the way he normally talks.. and is very appropriately (and singularly) used at that moment, ha. He was protecting the sheep and had to go all PEACEMAKER on some "rogue" dogs.. ha. Oh.. but PPS.. ha.. sorry to have to break it to you.. the "CAT" is less than nice in this one. ha. But maybe you can overlook that part, ha) Oh, and one more PS.. ha..aside from the sweet pig, the mice singing and introducing each "chapter" of the story are just about my favorite "bit". Too funny. :-) Edited by: rohanaka on Jun 9, 2011 12:44 PM

why they left out the Giant Claw's head That's easy... Because.. the claws were so GIANT they couldn't fit the head into the picture! ha. (Ok, I admit it was lame.. but it was just SITTING there waiting for me.. ha) :-) (Fun posters there, Mr. In Hollywood. Thanks!) Edited by: rohanaka on Jun 9, 2011 11:45 AM

Ha... Jackie, after seeing that clip that Bronxie posted, I am thinking that naming an old green station wagon after him was something of a disservice, ha. :-) I SHOULD have picked a name better suited for that car, (like "Uncle Jed" or something.. ha) and saved Rudy's hallowed name for that day when I FINALLY got my dream car... a silver 1984 Mercury Cougar. ha. (at least that was my dream car when I was in my 20's anyway! ha.. but alas, that day never came as my budget did not allow, so that is how I ended up with "Baby".. he was an '83 Ford Escort instead, ha)

Helllloooooooo Little Darlin', :-) have you ever seen The Sundowners Hmmm.... The name sounds familiar.. and even the two stars (Mitchum and Kerr) together sound familiar. But it is not ringing any bells (for a story). . And PS.. I can't ever say that either of those two were faves of mine.. but I do like them in some films.. so I imagine if it is a good story (and I trust you on that.. because you have NEVER led me astray, ha) I am sure I would like it just fine. I will have to look it up. I even thought he was going to start talking at the barn fire...he certainly tried, poor little thing. David Ladd had a very appealing presence and seemed to project the vulnerability I sometimes see in his father. I was sure he was going to "blurt" it out a couple of different times, but I guess they had to get to the end for the "big finish" ha. And "appealing" is the perfect way to describe him. Just a really sweet little kid. He did seem to have this "little boy" lost thing going on.. sort of all in his own little world. I am with you about the part where he went running around looking for Lance. OH my golly was that ever heartwrenching to watch. You could just hear him crying out (even silently) "Lance, here boy!" every where he went.. sniff, sob.. ha.. (oh golly.. I am so pathetic, ha) I liked the judge, too, and his heart-to-heart chat with Linett, ha. I like that she knew how to get around him (even if it meant putting up with him "doting" on her a bit) They way he led her out of that door at the end, I almost expected him to give her a lollipop, ha, because despite her appearance I think he still thought of her as a that "sweet little girl" she likely had been when she was growing up, instead of the hard working, determined and self-sufficient (if a bit dusty and gritty) woman she had become. I might list them like this I have not seen Hold Back the Dawn (or The Dark Mirror) and I do confess, I am a little fuzzy in Cpt Blood (I can't really recall much of the details for that one but I do believe I have seen it some time ago) but you have a good listing of some of her really good performances here. (OH me, the Snake Pit.. how intense was THAT???? yikes, ha) But she really was SOMETHING in it, wasn't she?) I didn't even notice Sam's state of cleanliness Sam was UTTERLY filthy. ha. The must have rolled him around in the dirt for DAYS before they shot that movie. OH my gosh. ha. That dog is so dirty.. I can almost SMELL him everytime I watch that movie. (But still.. I love that dog.. poor pup. Good gravy.. that has to be the most dangerous occupation in Hollywood. JohnWayne's dog. HA. You KNOW he is going to bite the dust before the movie is over.. ha) I still have not seen Babe Oh my golly, missy. Make a point of seeing it the next time you want to just smile.. ha. It is SUCH a sweet movie. (and FUNNY even too) We love it. (even the QT too) And I have to tell you.. the world would be a MUCH nice place if everyone was a little more like "the PIG" ha.

welcome to Rudyland Ha.... It's LOVELY here this time of year. :-) you named your car Rudy???? Yes indeedy. It has been a lifelong "habit' of mine to name all our vehicles. ha. And fortunately the QT has fallen into that habit over the years too, so we have named all our various vehicles. (Even the riding lawn mower.. ha. What can I say.. we like everything to have a name, ha.) Only a few of the names have been classic film stars though. Mostly we have just picked names that fit the type of car, or the color, etc.. We have had "Baby" (because it was a "baby blue" little hatch back) We had Ming... because it was a Dodge.. DYNASTY. ha. We even had an "Olga" and a "Gunther". But it all goes back to"Rudy"... ha. He was my first love, ha. OH, and PS: both of the cars we drive now ARE named after classic film characters. The car I drive is a van.. and we named it "Al-van" York (after Gary Cooper's character in Sgt York.) But (Miss B.. you are going to love this, ha) Would you believe my HUSBAND'S car (a very old, and worn out, small SUV) is named after... (drum roll please) "LEROY", the poor little "crispy" handyman who met a tragic end at the hands of our sweet little RHODA?????????? ha. (And NO I am NOT making all this up! ha) . We've had that car for almost 10 years now and we have called it "LeRoy" ever since we owned it. He is a fave character for both me and the QT and if memory serves, the QT chose the name because we had JUST watched The Bad Seed for the "umpteenth" time the night before we went car shopping, ha... so it was a good choice. (Ah, poor, poor LeRoy, ha. We love to imitate him saying those lines about "stick blood hounds" and "a little blue chair for little boys, and a little pink chair for little gals") "Please name your Gran Torino for me, and you can discuss it 30 years later on the TCM Message Boards. I would be so grateful" Ha.. well I am happy to know that all my "blabbage" paid off for him, lo these many decades later. ha. Did you know that Valentino loved cars, cared for them tenderly as he did his horses and garden, and DROVE LIKE A MANIAC BECAUSE HE WAS NEAR-SIGHTED LIKE MR. MAGOO? Can you imagine driving around with Rudy in one of his fancy Italian automobiles (he also had a a simple touring car and a truck) as he asks you, "What's that up ahead, I can't see a thing" and then he plows right into a tree. TOPPER. Then you're George and Marion EEK. ha. I don't know if I could handle that. ha. It MIGHT be fun to be able to disappear when I wanted to now and then, though. But I could NEVER fit into those "chic" outfits that Marion got to wear. I tend to shop more in the "Jane Darwell Collection" ha. And besides, when it comes to "fender benders" (or as I like to call it my "square orange juice container in a round cup holder" incident. ugh) we have had quite enough action around here already. Alas.. It was stop and go traffic.. and well.. the guy in front of me stopped.. and I did not. Blech. (lousy OJ) At least we were NOT going all that fast so the damage was not TOO great.. but poor "Al-Van" has a less than "pristine" looking front bumper now.. (did I mention.. alas.. ha) Have you had any visitations we should know about? Nope.. dullsville around here, kiddo. Nothing to report. PS, Miss Maven.. OH me.. a TCM CRUISE??? Now THAT would be a dream come true for SURE. I have not had a vacation in so many years, I am TOO embarassed to say how MANY years it has been.. but lets just say.. it was.. a WHOLE other century entirely since I went anywhere more exciting than Walmart.. (Hey ladies.. did I mention.. ALAS???) :-) Nix that retirement stuff. We're all going to spend our golden years in a sexy villa by the sea in Provence or on the Italian Riviera Oh me.. I WAS looking forward to all that tapioca... and I am not too much of a "Riviera" type.. but Miss Maven DID say there would be gelato.. so hmmmm.. OH wait.. as I recall at one time we were all going to own our own "castle" in Ireland.. or was it Scotland?? Tell you what.. I will go w/ the castle idea, but will drop by to see you now and then when I feel the urge for a bit of "Riviera" life (and a gelato, ha) and you gals come by and see me anytime you like for a "Spot O' Tea" and it can be the best of both worlds, ha... (Miss B, I will even hire you your own "kilted" butler in honor of your visit) ro, meet Rooooooody Now, I do love my QT and I am not usually one to go all "weak in the knees" over movie stars, ha... but may I just say again.. OH ME! (PS: I am not as fond of the "sideburn" look on him, but the bit where he goes into the car and pulls down the shade has definitley got to be my favorite. Oh me, indeed! ha.) Edited by: rohanaka on Jun 9, 2011 1:21 AM

Wow.. Ms Bronxie, I don't have anything to really add on Mr. Rudy, but I will say that between Miss G's thread and your mom thread here.. I am getting QUITE the education on all things Valentino. Which is a GOOD thing because... Did I ever tell you that my my first car was a 1975 Ford Gran Torino Station wagon (dark green with wood panel) that I nicknamed "Rudy" for Mr. Valentino? (And PS: NO, I am NOT kidding, ha) I sort of inherited it from my folks when I gradutated high school They bought it used (to have as a"family" car) my junior year of high school. But after I graduated, it sort of "unoffically" became "mine". But truthfully, I think my folks just let me take it over because I had gotten a job and started college,(but stayed at home) and I just think they didn't want to drive me around all over the place anymore, ha. (GOOD gravy I about drove the wheels off that car. Ha.I went everywhere in that thing) So I really do think that is why they gave it up to me. ha. If it was MY car.. they were off the hook, and I could drive myself around... OH, and also drive all my dopey little BROTHERS around too.. come to think of it..ha. Wowsa.. How brilliant was THAT? Oh, gee, I just realized my parents were GENIUSES. ha. And I only just now figured it out, ha. Duh... what a sad commentary on ME after 30 years, ha. (Oh is the kidling ever going to get off easy.. alas HER mom is NO genius. But I digress, ha) At any rate, when I took over my "new" set of "wheels", ha, I decided it needed a name so I chose "Rudy", but alas, to my embarassment.. it wasn't because I knew anything about Valentino as an actor. I don't think I have ever even seen any of his films, (gasp. I know...) But go easy on me.. I was 17 and I just liked the name Rudy.. ha. OH good gravy Did I mention that was 30 YEARS AGO?? Now I feel O-L-D. Oh my golly.. now not only am I "not a genius", I am also ready for the retirement home too.. Hey.. maybe they will show Rudy reruns there and I can finally catch up with you gals. I can watch all his movies while I am relaxing with a nice bowl of tapioca... Edited by: rohanaka on Jun 8, 2011 1:04 PM

Mr. Reyman.. I see you have been quite the busy bee lately. I never cease to be amazed by your (and several other folk's) ability to so specifically narrow down your choices and make such complete lists as the ones that you post here (and in other threads too) I bow to all of you for your list making prowess.

Howdy Little Missy... The Proud Rebel has never aired on TCM to my knowledge, but I hope tcmprogrammr may be able to snare it one day. I think it's a terrific candidate for "Essentials, jr Absolutely.. I think that would be a great choice. It really is a fine story, even if a "lesser known" one. I hope the powers that be give it a look see sometime and keep it in mind, even if not for EJ. It would also make a great combo for a "programming" theme night w/ something like The Red Pony and Friendly Persuasion even. (Or even better.... put this film with maybe Hondo and Shane.) They could call it "Westerns with a Cute Kid as a Major Character Night". ha. Ok.. THAT was a lame title.. maybe they could come up something better for the theme, ha. But it would still make a nice group of movies to watch together. (And THAT folks is the reason this is as CLOSE to the Programming Challenge as you will EVER see me get, ha.) :-) *More REBEL Spoilage* I like that the father learns as much and softens even as Linnet does. David finds his voice at the end, but he never lost himself, it's the grownups who really change the most I think you have it pegged just right. David was just happy to be with his dad and his dog. (and eventually Linnet too) The part where the boys were teasing him was just awful. Did you notice how all those towns folk just stood by and watched.. and the dad just drove away in the wagon with all those awful boys riding along behind and never looked back. OH my golly did I want to go all "Peacemaker" for sure. ha) And you are right. I think Davey WANTED to speak (when he knew he NEEDED to) but I don't think it was something that he dwelled on the way his dad did. I wonder if he'd have found his voice eventually, over time anyway. (without having to have that surgery.. and then waiting for a huge "shocking' moment to blurt out a warning to his dad) Of course it was much more "dramatic" a moment for him to find it that way than say maybe a year later when Linnet was just sitting on the porch with him wondering, "should I make Apple or Cherry pie for dessert" ha. I am sure it woudl not be as dramatic to have him suddenly blurt out "Cherry" than it was for him to yell 'Johnny" at that critical moment in the story, ha... but I still wonder what would have happened if they had just been able to let nature take it's course and given him a stable loving home (in one place.. with a mother figure to love again over time) It would have changed the entire movie, but I am sure it still would have made for a "heartwarming" story.. but not nearly so dramatic (I imagine that is why I don't get paid the big bucks to write the stories, ha.. and am only left to wonder the "what ifs" later on.) ha. As it is.. I am glad for the way it turned out, because OH me, those rotten "sheep" bad guys NEEDED to be dealt with.. but I like that the one "bad" guy brother saw the "light" at the end too. (I was SURE he was going down.. but I am glad he did not) You brought up Hondo, and that was an excellent comparison to the scenes I only recalled the Hondo scene by the way they were having this whole conversation while she was just so easily "working" along uninterrupted as they talked. (because that is what he does through that whole bit w/ Mrs. Lowe too.. only it is a much different conversation) But it was similar to me because you could tell that unhitching those horses was just something like second nature to Linnet and she knew how to do it without even thinking about what she was doing. It was very "natural" for her character. To me, it just said a lot about who she was without having to use words to explain her actions.. I liked that. And how about that pup Ha.. he did sort of remind you of "Sam" in Hondo.. only he was MUCH cleaner. (Oh me.. that dog was FILTHY, ha) But if you REAlLY want to know what dog he reminded me of the most.. ha... it was either "Fly" or "Rex" from the kids movie "Babe" ha. The kidling watched a bit of TPR with me on Sunday and when it got to the part where Lance started working with the sheep, we both looked at each other and said, "Away to me, Pig" ha. That is one of our "code" quotes from Babe, anytime we see a sheep dog. (That one.. and also, "That'll do, Pig" ha.) Anyway.. it really was a fine dog.. and BOY oh boy, did he stick by his Davey. I loved that whole "A boy and his dog" part of the story. Linnet is one of my favorite roles for Olivia, I feel she is very comfortable and real and it's amazing that this refined, English lady could plays such a character and make her so convincing! That's quite an actress I think this would rate maybe just behind The Heiress for me.. and then maybe Melanie would come in at #3 after this one.. but whatever order you want to put it all in.. she is quite a versatile actress. And truly able to take on the characteristics of a role quite well. She was almost unrecognizable at the beginning of this film to be sure. I like her and Ladd together, the relationship looks so believable. Both can be stubborn, but she's wise enough to see what he can't, that the three of them need each other I agree. I like how they gradually (even without saying it) just come to belong to one another. But he is much slower to give in than she is. (I really like it when he asks her to take David for the surgery and offers to stay at the farm himself. Of course he did it in part because he did not want to have to explain about Lance.. but it also said a LOT about the trust he had in her to turn David over to her for that.. and then he said something like.. "You'll come back.. I might not". THAT was very telling too. He WANTED to be able to be with her as a family.. and yet he was honest enough to admit he was not strong enough yet to hold things together without staying where SHE would come back to him. That said a lot too. By the way, didn't you think it a nice looking movie, too? Did you notice some of the scenes on the farm, filmed at what looked like either dawn or sunset? I seldom relate striking outdoor scenes with Mike Curtiz, but the man was so incredibly versatile, and this movie seems to have struck a slightly warmer, more relaxed and natural chord from the normally more formal and "studio stylized" director It is beautiful in places like the ones you mentioned for sure. And also very "simple" in the sets and clothes as well. Not all "ornate" and "fine', even when they are all "cleaned up". The pic that you posted of them standing and looking on at the burned out barn is very striking (and really was a stand out moment in the movie for sure) It is almost stark, yet tragic and beautiful all at the same time. Edited by: rohanaka on Jun 7, 2011 12:30 AM

Hiya Miss G.. (cough, sputter, sputter, ha) Excuse me while a blow a little dust off this thread. I am having to be a "reader" only on the DAS ramble going on in Westerns (sigh.. ha) and did not want to interrupt the chat you folks have going on there.. but then I remembered THIS thread... and it is a good thing.. because all that reading has me in a "western mood" so I decided to re-watch a new fave of mine (that I received this Spring, thanks to a friend of mine) THE PROUD REBEL... and after I did... well, I thought I should pop in here and drop a comment in YOUR thread because if you are collecting names for "Women of the West you have to add Olivia de Havilland as Linnet for sure. Mini-spoiler: She was no "petite prairie flower" to be certain but a hard working (and somewhat hard) woman instead. And I don't mean "hard hearted" just not "soft".She was certainly NOT afraid of a hard days work.. and she was woman who knew that to get along in the west you had to be able to do more than just "embroider neatly" ;-) (I really like the scene where she is unhitching the horses from the wagon and explaining all the work that Ladd's character was going to need to do to pay off his debt to her at the same time. It almost reminded me of the Duke when he was making horseshoes while talking to Mrs. Lowe in Hondo.. minus the "You baked bread today" conversation, though.. ha) But it showed how capable and determined she was to stand on her own two feet and that she was not one to sit around and "let" a man do all the heavy lifting just for her. But all that hard work had made her harder than I think she really was, and I loved how the longer she was around Davey.. and John too, the more she found herself again... as the movie went along. I think the traits you see in her by the end of the movie were present in her all along.. she just had hidden them behind all that grit and dust for so long (working the farm all alone) that it took a while for them to return. But by the end she was a nice mix of strength and determination.. and femininity. But when I say feminine, I do NOT mean "foo foo", ha. Because she was anything but that. But instead I I guess I mean that by the end.. she was no longer so "work worn" but "womanly" again. It was a good story.. and a nice character for Olivia too. I am glad to have had the chance to watch it a second time. (OH, and ps.. I only just discovered.. I did not know the little boy was Ladd's son in real life.. what a cutie he was.. )

Ghidorah Hello, my little "Twinnie". Didn't we look just STUNNING last night?? ha. The kidling and I had a "slumber party" last night and we stayed up late just to celebrate the multi-monster event. ha. Here's an official entry for your "mom" thread from the kidling: We had just settled her into her sleeping bag on the floor as Ghidorah was coming on, and I went in the kitchen for a soda and a few late night snacks (because, after all.. what's a slumber party without snacks? ha) and when I came back I asked her how the movie was going... ME: "So how's the movie so far?" KIDLING: (in a very "serious" eight year old way) "It's great.. but I think TCM is having trouble with their sound." ME (totally clueless) "Why do you say that?" KIDLING: "Because every time they talk.. their words and their mouths don't match up. I think the film is out of whack" HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Silly me.. When I told her we were going to watch an old monster movie.. I had neglected to tell her the part about how it was originally filmed in.. JAPANESE! After I explained it to her.. then I told her the opposite was also true about how sometimes they will take English speaking movies and they would do Japanese (or whatever) voice overs for the people in Japan (or wherever) Then we had fun doing our impression of what the Japanese version of our favorite John Wayne movie lines would sound like.. ha. We spent the next five minutes giggling over THAT and then moved on to rolling our eyes over how "doofy" the guy in the Godzilla suit looked as he was jumping up and down. And then we spent the REST of the movie cutting up and doing our impressions of the princess saying "I am a martian". ha. It was the best fun I have had watching a movie in a LONG while.. and I think she had even more fun that I did (what can I say.. we are easily entertained) :-) At any rate.. I was not sure she would make it all the way to the end since she was staying up quite late (from her normal bedtime) but the movie was over just before midnight.. and about three minutes later.. she was sawing logs... so she held out JUST long enough for all the fun. Ah, summer..

Decision at Sundown... sorry for getting so carried away, but I do love this movie Wowsa.. I can tell. What a fine piece of wrting, little youngun, and PS: ha.. I did NOT heed your warnings as I did (FINALLY) go through your ramble, though I have yet to see the movie, but I could just see that it was worth reading and did not want to wait. I have not gotten a chance to read more from others, but this is a film that I can already tell I need to put on my "wanna see" list for sure. (Oh, and PS: Thanks everybody else, for what looks to be a fun read. I will look forward to reading what you have to say, for sure. I will try to check into DAS as soon as I can, Ms Favell.. and if I don't make it in time for this ramble, I will still look forward to the film, I am sure. (due in no small part to your truly fine ramblin', missy)

keep rohanaka from reading up on the USS Dorado Gulp.. will have to check on that one another time.. I just got finished watching the PBS special on War Letters and am a total mess. So I will have to recover from that first. PS: Mr. In Hollywood.. these images from today are among the best this year so far! I really like the one that shows the two eras (1778/1943) together. I have seen others like that before (maybe even in this thread, I can't recall for sure) but I don't think it was WWII. I think the one I am remembering most was from the first World War (but my memory may be failing me at my advanced age). At any rate.. it is a truly fine looking poster. Thanks again.

"That one is superb." - JackFavell Gasp.. yeah.. what she said. Great selection!. (also like.. The White Cliffs of Dover.. beautiful)

hope ration stamps don't start you sobbing Ha.. I am trying to keep it together. Admittedly, most of this year's selections are not quite as emotion packed, but you still have some really great selections. I think I still like all the Rockwell ones and the lady with the letter best, but I also really like the last several too. The ration one that says "To speed our boys home" and the "Vacation at home" are terrific. And I am also leaning toward the sailor thanking the workers as among my faves now too. Because these all really are what this was all about.. just as your title says... "EVERY man woman and child". They all worked together and I truly believe that is what made us able to succeed as much as anything.. so maybe I am not overcome by waterworks, but the gratitude and admiration are still there, because if you think about it.. you really have to admire the folks who adopted this "everything for our troops" mindset and sacrificed here at home on behalf of our men and women overseas. It wasn't easy for them I am sure. I wonder if we would see that again, if it came down to it in the here and now. We are often just so selfish as a nation sometimes. Though surely there are some who may not be this way, it is sad to see how we have grown so demanding (for our own wants and wishes) and called it "assertiveness" just to make ourselves feel better about it. We have little concept now days for the sorts of struggles these folks must have made to help our men and women in uniform. I'd like to think we would all be able rise to the occassion again, should the need arise, but boy, I hate to confess, this would be a time I'd have to see it to believe it. I'm partial to the "Freedom Of Religion" image - mostly for the added line of "Each according to the dictates of his own conscience." because that conditional description is too often disregarded in America today. Religion was a personal and private matter. I wish it was that way again It is a great poster. I like it a lot too. And you are right that the words expressed in the caption are often disregarded these days. To me it is a valuable right that I hold very dear, which makes it especially important above all else, to show respect to people of other faiths, even when we disagree. And so often that goes out the window (sadly) when a subject like this comes up. I think everyone should be allowed to express their faith... so long as it is done with respect for those who may disagree. But it is that whole "respect for other opinions" thing that most folks have a problem with (again.. quite sadly) and that is when things can get out of hand. Oh good gravy.. enough of my "soapboxing". (sorry for the "blabbage") Back to the POSTERS!! Because I am just glad to have the chance to view all these images together. You really have a knack for putting this stuff into a very nice package and presenting it all. Hats off to you, sir. :-)

Jackie, you are so right. I still recall the very first time I watched it (and that is saying a LOT because it was LOOONG time ago and I am an OLD woman, ha) but I remember just being on the edge of my seat at times wanting to see how it was all going to resolve itself. It is sort of like a roller coaster at times with all the "ups and downs".. SO intense at moments you almost wish you could get off... but by the end of it all you are glad you stayed on for the ride. One thing I will bring up again is how I always find something new about this film that I did not notice before. I likely have seen this film at least 8 or 9 times over the years (maybe even more like 10 or 11 times) and it took me several viewings over several years time before I ever once noticed the significance of the caskets floating on the water (at the very beginning of the movie, it is the opening scene) and THIS: (In case you can't make out the detail, it is the little suitcase that held what was left of his entire life as a child... very profound)

Hello friend Molo, (nice to be gabbing with you again, sir. It's been a while) *Empire of the Spoilers* ahead: Remember when he returns home to find his abandoned house being ransacked and the Chinese servant slaps him hard, like she had been wanting to do that for a long time? I do! It is likely the one time (at least up until the story really progresses) where anyone had ever finally given him what he deserved. And the look on his face was utter shock. It never entered his mind that the servants in that house were even on the planet for any reason other than to serve him (or his parents). And if you think about it.. his folks likely felt that way too.. when Jamie is out by the pool on his bike (with the toy airplane he had set on fire) the poor girl was chasing him around all over the place trying to put out the fire.. and all the dad had to say was "Jamie, get off the grass". Can't interrupt dad's golf practice you know... OH the idle rich. ha. His obsession with that little toy plane plays a part in him becoming separated from his parents He is a typical kid.. with his toy. It never enters his mind that at that specific moment (when he drops it as they are fleeing) the ONLY thing that matters is to obey his mother and hang onto her hand. What a horrible lesson to have to learn the hard way. When they are separated you immediately feel the pain and shock of the mother. It's one of those scenes where you just think to yourself, What if that was my child? What would I do? What could I do? Oh me, talk about a moment. You can see the utter panic and total fear in both of their faces. I think both you and Jackie mention the words "emotionally draining" in your posts it is moments like this one that make me think that DRAINING is a good word for this movie in some respects. At the very least it is very stressful at times as you go along with all the various moments to see the human emotion on full display in the lives of all these characters. Bales does a good job with the part, it's a difficult role for a child to play, since he is at the center of the whole epic story I have to say it is among the finest performances of a child actor I have ever seen. (and PS: YES.. Jackie.. it is really him. Ha. I only found that out myself just a year or so ago from something I read on here. I never thought to look at the credits before.. or at least put two and two together, ha) And I really just can't say enough about how well he is able carry it all off. It would be a challenge for anyone of any age.. and yet he does it beautifully. Not only does he play a role that is filled with all sorts of emotion and changes in the character's situation and circumstance.. but he also ages.. about 4 years right before our eyes. I don't know what his actual age was when he made the film.. but I imagine he is somewhere in the middle (between the 10 or 11 year old and the 15 year old boy he plays) Amazing. I have not seen all of his roles as an adult (in fact I can only think of one or two that I have seen) but it truly is a stand out performance. I also have to mention Miranda Richardson as Mrs. Victor. She is another important character in Jim's life. A substitute mother, but she has to deal as best she can to get through the ordeal herself. There is both the coldness of a fellow victim and the touch of the human warmth she keeps on hold down inside her THANK you for bringing her up. I wanted to post more in my opening ramble but it was already so long I just finally narrowed my focus to the main characters.. but really she (and the doctor) both did a fine job as well. (and Joe Pantoliano too.. That is one of the first roles I can ever recall for him... poor Frank) Mrs. Victor really was a pathetic excuse for a human being for a lot of the story.. so "above" her circumstances.. and wanting her husband to "tell them who we are" so they could get a better situation. She really gets brought down by it all for sure and you are right.... by the end she is the ONLY mother he has for those years in that camp.. and truly he is the only child she has. And I think she really does care for him the best she knows how (but oh that scene where he returns back to their barracks (after his breakdown on the roof) and she helps him put his stuff away.. it is eerie.. and pathetic all at the same time) You and Jackie both mention how "surreal" things are off and on throughout the film... and that is a great way to describe it. The parts where the opulence is played against the utter despair happen several times.. like on the way to the party where they are all in their costumes and traveling through the streets filled with desperate people who are just one notch away from a riot at any moment. VERY bizarre. And of course the scene you mention where they find all the "loot" out in the open field. There they are... surrounded by MILLIONS of dollars of wealth and excess, and they are all starving to death and wasting away. Surreal is the right word for sure. I may be a little fuzzy on the details but it one of those films in which some of the images are forever etched in my memory Well, ha.. even in your fuzziness you still have it all spot on, sir. Thanks for your comments! I am glad to have found at least a couple of folk who have seen this film. For all its "emotional drainage" it truly is a fine story and well worth watching Edited by: rohanaka on May 29, 2011 2:26 PM

I hope you will enjoy the choices I've made for 2011. I DO!!! And I really like the theme this year too! ( I think WWII especially can be considered a time that completely changed the face and the mindset too, of the American workforce forever) What a great idea for a collection. I like the Crop Corps a lot but I REALLY like the one with the wife holding the letters.. "Longing won't bring him back sooner... " Oh me, very emotional. I also like the Rockwell ones. (especially the mom and dad tucking their kids in bed. Oh.. and read on to find out WHY I like THAT one so much) It might actually be a "kleenex-free" year for you NOT... ha.You forget who you are talking to.. the woman who "sniffles" at the drop of a hat.. But truly.. I have to say, though I really enjoy all the pics you have posted so far, I LIKE all the "emotional" images best..so I can live w/ a tear or two. It's a small price to pay indeed) So having said that, lest you doubt my "cry-ability" with the pics you have started with so far, ha.. go check out Miss G's Movie Rambles thread and see what your Rockwell pic of the mom and dad started for me today.. ha. I have cried at least THREE times since I saw your post... and I blame you. (but I mean that in a good way) :-) Thanks again for putting this together. I really think it is an excellent way to honor the occassion and I appreciate your hard work.

Hello, my Ramblin' friends, I hope you will excuse the interruption, but I am beside myself, and I just need to blab for a moment or two (or ten or twenty, ha) Miss G, with your permission, I'd like to make some comments on a movie that has always been a personal favorite of mine since I first saw it way back in the late 1980's. And folks I apologize in advance if this gets a bit wordy, but it is NOT all my fault, ha, because Mr "In Hollywood" posted a copy of this print by Norman Rockwell in his Memorial Day thread today And I have to say that this poster always brings the film I am speaking of to mind for me (as this image is used repeatedly throughout the movie) so if I may, I'd just like to share some thoughts on Empire of The Sun. I know that this movie may or may not fall under the heading of "classic" depending on what sort of definition one may use to determine such things, but to me, it fits very well. It is certainly not a NEW movie, even though it was filmed in the more modern era (I believe it was released about 1987) by a very prominent modern filmmaker (Steven Spielberg) Now say what you want about Mr. Spielberg, but I have to admit I enjoy many of his films very much. And no matter what some may think, I imagine most would agree he knows how to spin a yarn VERY well, and this film is NO exception. In fact, I think despite some of his more commercial successes, Empire of the Sun is likely my most favorite film for him. It will be hard for me to talk about this film without SPOILERS, so read on at your own peril, but may I just say that this film has always been one that truly stands out for me. I find something new about it every time I see it. Not only is the story gripping, not to mention heart (and gut) wrenching with thought provoking and complex characters, but this film is BEAUTIFULLY photographed with some amazing images and the music is very compelling and quite beautiful as well. (in fact, since I only have a VHS copy of this movie, I was not able to make screen caps the way I would have liked, but I was able to gather some images from some "googling" around to share with you. (so I hope you will forgive if they are not all the same size or exactly as clear as I would like) but I just had to give you some pics to look at as I gab, this film is that beautiful) (But, PS: don't just take my word for it.. along w/ this ramble, I hope you will also check out the youtube trailer I found.. it not only has some GREAT shots from the film, but you can also hear Suo Gan, the Welsh lullaby song that is the main musical theme used throughout the movie) The story centers around a young British boy, Jaime Graham (played by a very young Christian Bale) And I must confess, when you first meet Jaime, he is a VERY spoiled, very egocentric, very wealthy, "brat" of privilege and luxury. He becomes separated from his parents when Japan invades Shanghai at the start of WWII and he is taken to a prison camp where he spends the next several years of his life, until the war is over. OH my golly is this ever an amazing tale. At first I find myself TOTALLY wanting to spank the little bratty boy he starts out as when the story first begins. But the minute he is pushed into the crowd of people and gets separated from his folks, that pulls out all the stops for me. The whole story and his entire character take on a completely different focus. Take a look at some of the shots from the crowd scene.. (Look for the little bit of red in the very middle.. that is Jaime and his mom) It is gut wrenching every time I watch as their hands break apart and she is carried away by a sea of people. He climbs up on top of something in the street and is crying and screaming for her as she is carried off. OH good gravy... talk about emotional. After he is stranded in the middle of a war with NO place to go, he meets up with a character named "Basie" who is played MASTERFULLY by John Malkovich. (this has to be my all time favorite role for Malkovich, by the way) Basie is a survivor and I won't really tell you whether he is a 'good guy" or a "bad guy". In some ways, I must confess he is likely both, (In fact, Mr. Grey, I think this character would be right up your alley) But in truth, though I lean more toward "he's a bad guy" if I had to truly judge him, the fact of the matter is, he is JUST what Jamie (or "Jim" as Basie begins to call him) needs to survive. And most likely if he had NOT met Basie, Jim would not have lasted the war. He teaches the boy tricks of the trade on how to get things to trade with others and how to act around authority figures to both stay out of trouble but also to get what you want from them as well. He gives Jim a level of confidence and courage (to stay alive) that he likely would not have possessed on his own. But he also uses the boy throughout the story and turns his back on him more than once (even more than a couple of times) the minute he becomes inconvenient or no longer necessary. Again, I will leave him open to interpretation for others to say if he is a 'good or bad" guy.. but he certainly is amazing. My favorite exchange between Basie and Jim comes toward the end of the film, where Basie asks him something like, "Didn't I teach you anything?" and Jim responds back with "You taught me people will do anything for a potato" That is one of my all time favorite movie lines EVER and the QT and I use it from time to time whenever we see other films or news headlines when people are put in a "disaster situation " and end up behaving poorly. I think basically, it really is true.. when it comes down to survival of the fittest, I think most folks really WILL do anything for a "potato". At any rate.. to me, that is the BEST line in the whole film and a great commentary on human nature. One thing to keep in mind about Jamie's character is his love of ALL things having to do with "aviation" Very early in the movie, you get a sense that this is his "passion" and he is never far away from some sort of toy airplane or glider. Several times in the story he comments on his respect for the Japanese and their "Zero" airplanes and their mastery of fight in flight. Even after he is taken to their prison camp, he truly respects them and has NO concept for the fact that these pilots are supposed to be his "enemy" Never having been to Great Britain, his "British" citizenship is some nebulous title that he wears with little thought. He says several times "I'm British" but he has not concept for loyalty to his country or crown. When it comes to the Japanese, he really isn't cheering for them so much as he just likes airplanes and in his mind, Japan's air force is the best, so he admires them for it. One of my favorite scenes is when he "hugs" the Japanese plane and then turns and salutes the pilots, with little thought or worry for the implication that others may give to his "worship" of the "enmies" flying heroes.) And I have to say that this is about as "honest" a kid reaction to something as you can get. It is a very very well played and is a truly beautiful moment in the story. Notice how the faces of the pilot (and even really the markings on the plane) are not defined.. he is not aligning himself with the Empire, just giving credit where he feels credit is due. Later in the film (toward the end of the war) he gets his first glimpse of a NEW hero to worship, as the Americans arrive and he sees his first P-51 jet fly into the camp. It is almost as if he is reborn. He is beside himself with excitement and completely goes off the deep end for moment and loses his entire sense of reason (and safety) as he stays on a rooftop and jumps for joy at the sight of the aircraft as it is flying by, dropping bombs everywhere (not because he is excited about the prospect of being rescued, but just because he is in awe of the aircraft and pilot) He is rescued by the doctor (who is also among my favorite characters in this film) from the top of the building (as bombs are going off all around him). And as he is brought down to reality, it is a great moment in the story but also truly a sad and pathetic moment for his character as you get a true sense of how confused and completely out of touch with reality the boy's life has been for so many years. He can't remember his parent's faces but he has a mental image of them (from the Norman Rockwell print) He has no allegiance to his own country Great Britain (because he has never even been there) but now has to accept (perhaps for the first time) that Japan really has been his enemy all this time and kept him prisoner in a labor camp. It sends him over the edge and he more or less goes a bit "mad" for a time. Eventually, after the end of the war and the final scenes at the prison camp are all played out, Jim is taken with a group of children who are all waiting to be reunited with their families. It is an emotional scene with the group of kids on one side of the room and the mothers and fathers all on the other. Notice how he is like a "ghost" of his former self after four + years in the prison camp. As his mother sees him, he is not really certain it is her. He touches her hand, her lips (to see if they are the right shade of red he remembers) her hair. He smells her.. it IS her. And then he is at peace... Oh my goodness me.. as a mother I can tell you that now (even MORE than I did way back in the 80's when I first saw this film) that those images are heartwrenching for me. The song he sang (with his little choir boy voice) is playing softly and there are no words spoken from the minute his mother sees him... just overwhelming emotion. Now I have to say.. I think that Empire of the Sun may be among the most overlooked films of our time. I know that many times I have mentioned it in passing to people (here online and elsewhere) and few people have ever told me that they had seen it. I hope that if you have NOT seen this film, you will seek it out sometime. It is truly a very compelling and moving story and very worth watching. THANKS for letting me share all this with you folks, and thanks putting up with this LONG gab session. I am sorry to have been so long winded, but I guess it has just been so long since I was able to get in here and really 'blab" a bit, I let myself get out of control, ha. (but again.. at least a PART of the blame has to go to Mr. In Hollywood as he got me started to thinking on this film today. But for me, I will add a word of THANKS because I am glad he did though.. It has been several years since I last saw this film and it was a VERY good walk down memory lane to take it out and see it all again) Ok folks.. enough of my blabbage.. now back to... um... what WERE you folks talking about anyway? Yikes.. I gabbed so long, I think plum forgot. (wouldn't be the first time I took a chat off track.. Did I mention "sorry for the interruption" folks?) Edited by: rohanaka on May 29, 2011 1:39 AM Edited by: rohanaka on May 29, 2011 2:15 AM

Updating the Memorial Day Auxiliary Gallery for 2011 A hearty and sincere "WOO HOO" to you, Mr. In Hollywood. :-) This is turning into a favorite annual tradition for me. I can see you are already getting off to a grand start this year. Thank you for all your extra efforts

Hiya Ms. Cutter.. it is a great spot. I caught it last weekend and truly enjoyed it. What a nice way to spotlight the Duke..... and really, I liked it as much for just getting to hear the personal memories and perspectives from Mr.Carey as I did for all the great pics and stories about the Duke. Thanks for bringing it up here. And here's hoping that one of these days TCM is able to talk Dobe into sitting down with Robert O as a guest programmer Wouldn't that be something if they could work that out. From your keyboard to the TCM execs (and Mr. Carey's) eyes, little missy. (hey.. I typed that once about Blood Alley and the TCM programmer's eyes.. ha.. and it WORKED, ha, so I thought it was worth a shot!) :-)