rohanaka

Thanks for the link, young'un. I will check it out later. PS... re: Chevalier.. Maybe he was a cowboy on his off days. ha. I can't see it as a career choice for him though. Somehow "Thank Heaven For Little Girls" just would not have sounded the same being sung off of the back of a horse.

He DOES look protective. And determined... very straightforward too. It is a strong looking face. (maybe not "beautiful" but it draws you in just the same) I am liking it. And PS: Little darlin' NO need to apolgize... It is a "magnificent" obsession. ha Keep 'em coming. It really is something to get a glimpse of the past like this. (And I only WISH I could see a movie marquee with those sorts of advertisements for whats playing inside around HERE. Wow what a fun afternoon THOSE folks were going to have) Oh.. and PS: William S. Hart... and Maurice Chevalier???? ha. Now that was a combination I never thought I'd see. ha.

HA! I love it.. "His very hair bristles... " ha. I also like what it says down beside the picture of him.. "he is a ready and talented smiler" ha. (as we all got to see in the movie!! ha)

Hiya Jackie!!! I had my pre-conceived notions too Well at least you were smart enough to know it was a Noir.. ha. I was avoiding it because I thought I did not want her "hair' in my face. HA!! I figured it was just going to be "Hi, I'm Gilda.. watch me toss my hair" and not much more.ha. Live and learn. I can see Bogie in every aspect of the movie except as someone's hired man. It thrills me thinking of him in this role, but I like how evenly matched Ford and Rita are. They are perfect foils for one another I think Bogie could have done a really good job. Funny how he had a knack for playing both "the hired man" AND somebody who was his own boss too. He was able to carry off both personas really well so I can see him doing a good job w/ this movie (since BOTH of those aspects were involved w/ Johnny.. first he was "hired" and then he was the boss) . But I am glad it ended up as it did. I just think this was such a great role for Ford that now I don't think I could see anyone else in it. (I am such a "stick in the mud" sometimes, ha) adored Rita because she was not typical noir femme fatale - she was like a little girl inside, and THAT makes the film so totally worthwhile and different for me. When she admits she was just playing the game to hurt Johnny, I really feel her truth. This is what makes her a sensational character - that she COULD put all that "ooomph" on so successfully, she could appear SO dangerous, but that it was really an act. That is a great way to describe her. There was a LOT more to her than I ever realized at the beginning (especially because of the way I had discounted EVERYTHING about this movie before I ever saw it.) When she showed up in the story I did as the Grey Guy said I would and literaly ROLLED my eyes at her.. ha. But then it did not take long before I got over it. The more I watched, the deeper I looked at WHO Gilda was and not so much how she tried to appear. It was a good job by Hayworth showing the viewer her "real self" quite plainly as she was trying so hard to HIDE it from all the other characters in the story. I still get amazed by things like that in a movie.

Thanks for the info on Hart, Ms Favell. It is probably one of those things where I have heard his name mentioned and seen images of him from time to time.. and THAT is what I am remembering about him (rather than actually seeing his films) I am glad to reap the benefit of your study of him. He is an interesting person and someone who really seemed to get the "western" mold set for others that followed after him. And THANKS for the pictures too. I am starting to rethink my comment to Miss G yesterday about how he wasn't "purty" ha. That top one and the one near the end (where he is standing there w/ his hands on his waist sort of tucked in the top of the waistband) are great pics of him. And did you read the poems on that one article you posted? I really had to squint a lot, but they were obviously written by people who were true fans. (I liked the acrostic one a lot) Thanks for sharing all this here. It is a fine piece of film history and a real treat, too.

I hate to think what your little peacemaker would do should she ever come across a town like Hell's Hinges! Those bad guys wouldn't have stood a chance! Oh my goodness me. She does not like it when she sees bad behavior in anyone. ha. When we go to the store, if she sees another little kid standing up in a shopping cart she will let out one of my favorite "mom lines" that I used to use on her when she was that age: "Look what that little kid is doing! They need to sit down right now or they are going to either get hurt or in trouble! Maybe both" ha. What is even funnier is that a lot of times when she says it.. ha.. the little kid will actually sit down!! Those Hell's Hinges folks would not have known WHAT hit them. ha.

Hello there Miss Cinemafan! Thanks for the great pics! (especially that first one!) I love that dress Rita is wearing in the second pic too. (I think it was my favorite for her wardrobe in that movie, to be truthful) I did not realize that was not Rita singing.. I love hanging out here.. I learn new stuff all the time. :-) (and wow. your friend had SOME connections there. They can say they knew her "when".)

HELLOOOOOOOOOO there, Mr. Grey... Where I came from (outer space), there is no way I expected to be where I'm at today. Ha.. so you DO admit it..ha. How are things on the home planet?? ha. But no kidding... I can give a gazillion examples of things I NEVER thought I would like or have an opinion on..... that ended up being totally the opposite now. Go figure. Was your preconceived notion about Gilda being a sexpot kind of film what turned you off? I can already feel your eyes rolling a million times. HA! More like a million and ONE. ha. Yes... I had little patience for her flirty little head toss (every time I saw it in film clips it was totally out of context (with regard to what the movie really was about) and so I just figured... Rita is gorgeous and flirting... seen it... blah blah... moving on. ha. It really was a pre-conceived notion though. There is WAY more to the story and I have to say I am glad for that opening shot w/ Glen Ford. It might have taken me a LOT longer to find this movie if I had not held back from that channel button on the remote control last night. (and what's more.. if I had even KNOWN Gilda was coming on.. I might have avoided it all together and not even got my first accidental glimpse of it the way I did. (did I mention I was stubborn?) GEE you'd THINK I'd get better about reading those synopsis thingies on the database, ha. When I "pre-conceive" I go all out! Ha. Ohh, you'd find The Misfits to be very interesting. I think Marilyn would bother you, but the story would really interest you. You also get Thelma Ritter. She's a doll. Marilyn AND Thelma too??? Well now I HAVE to see it. ha. I am going to try to make a point of it sometime. I think I would like it, based only on some of the things I remember getting said about it on here in the past. Her follow up is great, too Oh golly.. well now you have to post the cap for what she said for me to refresh my memory..ha. I do not remember. (I am an old woman and it was LATE, ha) I think you should go "Gilda" for QT HA!!! If I did, he'd likely look at me and say WHO are you and what have you done with my WIFE?? ha. (fortunately for ME, he is not much of a "bombshell" kinda guy either, HA!) However... just for fun... once in a while I DO go "Mary Kate" on him. HA! (but that is play fighting.. it gives him a chance to say "Let me go get my stick to beat the lovely lady" HA!!!!)

HI there, Ms Favell, > {quote:title=JackFavell wrote:}{quote} > Wow! I was expecting MissG to like the film, but Ro, you really made my day! I guess I should have known you would like the story. Happy to oblige, little lady! ha. It really was a very fine film so THANK you again for posting that link. > SPOILERS SPOILERS > I had a hard time not giving the story away to you guys because to me, anyway, it was so memorable, with very strong sections. I wanted to say that I thought the young man who played the parson was a very good actor - I wanted to just kick him (and their mother)..... but he was so innocent in some ways, you couldn't help but feel sorry for him. I think you are right. He was very well played. And sadly, very realistic too. I think there are a lot of people who may go into the ministry like he did (for some reason other than the only one that counts) and rarely does it end well when that happens. Along w/ him and his mother.. I also blame the church leaders who just "shipped" him off out there to the west.. out of sight out of mind. They clearly made a choice of convenience rather than doing what was best for the Parson OR the people they sent him to. > I especially wanted him to have a chance to redeem himself, but I think the movie would have been less powerful, and more predictable if he had. As much as I wanted it, I have seen a hundred westerns where the weak man stands up at the end - this one was moving and very strong because it let the chips fall where they may. What a tragic end he had to his story. Nothing is sadder than a life wasted and an unrepentant heart at the end of things. I think it would have been as you say.. very predictable if he had a change of heart at the end. (more heartwarming perhaps too) But I agree... it made a much more moving and stronger statement to see him die in his "sin" like that. Very disturbing. > I wanted to talk about Hart's laughter at the beginning, too! He was so rough and so much a part of the town, one of the guys, and yet there was still something likeable about him. I especially loved his expressions when he was confronted by the sister..... so confused, he struggled so much with his situation, but never once thought "The guys are gonna think I'm a sissy if I help her out". I liked the simple strength he had, not going with the crowd. He really never did, they just sort of latched onto him as the one to go to when they needed something taken care of. And he never seemed to know any better than to oblige them. He was the diametric opposite of the brother. Exactly. Each of them was his "own man" in a way.. doing what they thought they wanted. But not in any way similar, but rather completley opposite. The Parson followed after his own way... in secret. I liked the scene where he is headed off to Dolly's in the dead of night... out in the wide open space and totally exposed with ALL heaven looking on. But he was totally oblivious to THAT. All he worried about was who on earth might see him (so he waited til dark to play it safe) He had no fear who might see him from above. Hart's character was right up front with himself and his actions. Even before he had his change of heart... he made no pretense to satisfy anyone other than himself. He was his own man and he did not worry who was looking when he made his choices. > I couldn't wait to talk about the ending - the fire and the way he dealt with the townsmen. I found it such a bleak indictment of their cruelty. I was so shocked when he trapped them in the corner, I SO wasn't expecting that, and yet, part of me wanted to see them scared and freaked out. I am glad he let them go in the end. I still can't get over how that whole scene played out. It really was a nail biter. > The way that fire was filmed was INCREDIBLE. It really was a holocaust and they didn't gloss over it - they let it burn and burn, making you really see what destruction it caused. Hell's Hinges died the way it lived, in a fiery furnace caused by the hate and stupidity of it's members. OH my golly did that thing ever burn bright. The flashes of light as one part of the place lit up after another.. and the way the flame traveled up that wire to the support beams above. OH wow, that was something. > It left me pretty quiet, probably because I was not expecting such a grim, raw ending. But the fact that they made it just this way really impressed me. I felt it was a true classic western, gritty, and serious. It didn't compromise. So much destruction happened, but you feel clean at the end. It did end differently from what I expected. But the way it turned out was really very good, I thought. (again, I am such a sucker for repentance movies, ha) > I loved Hart's characterization and his craggy face. He was a full, deep human being with flaws, but the girl brought out his innate goodness in the end. Sheesh! I am SO glad he got the girl! I would have been heartbroken if he hadn't! OH golly. I thought for sure either he or SHE (gasp.. the thought of it) was going to get killed in that fire. (I had visions of her in the doorway to that saloon trying to stop him and the whole thing coming down on at least ONE of them) UGH.. I am SO glad I was wrong about THAT. > I really loved the film. I have to say the same. A VERY new addition to my favorites list for sure. Edited by: rohanaka on Jun 10, 2010 8:11 PM

This is priceless. I have tried to argue with seven year old logic before and it beats me every time. In fact, three year old logic could be me, lol. Ha.. well I HAVE seen you arguing w/ the Shadow Man a lot lately.. ha. But I wouldn't say HE won. ha. I swear that kid of mine.. she is NEVER boring. At my age, ha, there are days when I wonder if she is keeping me young or making me old before my time. Train her right, and soon we can recruit her for our next Grey/Gray/Grimes hunting party! Oh good gravy.. she has picked up on my "black and white" ways for sure. ha. She is going to definitely carry on the legacy. ha. PS: Mr Dobbs... I have always said that movies are nothing, if not subjective and defining them is more or less up to the person doing the watching (generally speaking) I imagine somewhere in the universe is a little book with all the hard and fast definitions for what makes any certain movie fit into any certain genre.. but let's hope NOBODY ever finds it. ha. :-)

Well GEE, Mr. Dobbs, if you need to get technical about it, you might be right. Wow.. I always knew she was smart. ha. Now I know who I can send her to talk to later when she is learning algebra.

Oh golly, Bronxie, we need to get your mom and my kid their own show! ha. .. ha. We were just sitting on the couch watching Judy Garland and Gene Kelly in The Pirate and she totally cracked me up... The Kidling: Hey, It's Judy Garland. Me: Yep, It's her birthday so they are showing a lot of her movies today. The Kidling: I did not know Judy Garland was in a movie like this. Me: Yeah, she was in a lot of musicals. The Kidling: This isn't a musical. Me: Yes it is. They are singing and dancing all over the place. That is a musical. The Kidling: Oh. Well how come she was in The Wizard of Oz? That wasn't a musical. Me: Are you kidding? Did they stop talking and start singing a lot? The Kidling: yes. Me: Did they dance around all over the place? The Kidling: yes. Me: Then it was a musical. The Kidling: No. It was a story about Dorothy going to the Emerald City to meet the Wizard of Oz. Me: with music and dancing. The Kidling: Right. What can I say.. she's seven! ha. I am going to make a classic movie fan out of her yet. She really gets into the stories too, just like her old mom. ha. She did NOT want to see Gene Kelly hang. She kept saying, "He IS going to get away, isn't he?" ha. I just kept saying, "Watch and find out". It was driving her nuts. ha. But then when it was all over, all she could say was, "So, WHEN are they going to hang the MAYOR?" HA!! A "Peacemaker" after my own heart!

Oh my golly, Miss Applegate... what a fun read. (Oh me, I have not been this "green" with envy since the big 15 yr anniversary fan programmer thing, ha) Glad to hear all the exciting tales! Thanks very much. (looking forward to more!)

Hey there little Missy, I really liked the repentance theme, too, and the depth of the film. It's definitely a more "thoughtful", adult type movie as opposed to one that's trying to appeal to the peanut gallery (though there's plenty of rough, tough shootin' up action to keep everyone happy). Spoiler Alert: It really was a nice blend of both, wasn't it? I liked that Hart's repentence was a gradual thing too. He still had some "learnin'" to do about turning the other cheek, ha. But BOY the way he cleared out that town.. especially the part where he backed those folks up into the corner (before letting them go) I think HE put the fear of God into them more than any Bible lesson could have at that moment, for sure. OH me. That was about as intense a scene in any western I can recall. I was literaly on the edge of my seat. Did you notice the great composition of that one shot where the "good" folks were walking along that ridge in the desert? Very beautiful. And the way William Hart was framed in the doorway of the burning church, that was exceptional, too That was beautiful. The desert portions of the movie were very striking. And the way they had him standing in that doorway too., I agree. Exceptional was the RIGHT word for it. What a shot. But in truth there were a LOT of really amazing images in this film. (not just visually, but even poetically beautiful ones too) When the sister is praying in the church (and Hart is outside walking away) and they show the images of her on the rocky beach w/ the waves.. clinging to the cross) over top of the images of her in the church praying while "all hell" is breaking loose. It was like a mirror image of her soul to me. Oh wow. What a very poetic, and extremely moving picture of faith. I was just bowled over. Oh man did I love it when he turns around an walks back in there. (gulp.. I am getting all wooshy eyed again, ha) really can't get over how young Hart looked and I can see why he became such a humongous star and influence on the genre. He is very charismatic and has quite a strong "presence". He's no matinee idol pretty boy, either. It's a homely face, but strong and shows much character. You don't forget him, easily. You know, I have seen him in some films, I am sure.. but really he has never stood out much for me. I can't recall a single one (much to my embarassment) I recognize his name and face, more than I do his career. I haven't discovered NEARLY as much about him as an actor as I should (to enjoy westerns as I do) I am going to start seeking him out more. Because I do know he had quite an influence on the early days of western movies. I need to learn more about him. And PS: you are so right, ha. He was not "purty" but I LIKE the way he used his faces and expressions. The smile and laughter that you all have mentioned being so much of a surpise.. to me was PERFECTLY done... SO evil in it's intent. It showed how MUCH he enjoyed his "sin" so to speak.. and how he relished the thought of even MORE of it. And that to me makes the scenes where he repents and turns around all the more compelling. Edited by: rohanaka on Jun 10, 2010 2:30 PM

Hello there Shadow Dude: We're actually similar with this because it's how I've been with John Wayne movies Oh well... yes I guess it is similar. But I think my issues (with avoiding noir) were just me being stubborn. ha. But YOU not liking John Wayne for so long.. what planet DID you say you were from anyway????? HA!!! (glad to see you've come to your senses... at least on THAT anyway!) All kidding aside, kiddo, isn't it funny how time and perspective can change the way we view certain things. No... not everything. (lest we end up in another one of those Black/White/Grey spectacles, ha.) But when it comes to subjective stuff like movies.. a lot of time it just takes time and a bit of a change of perspective for us.... and things we NEVER thought we'd enjoy often become favorites. Live and learn. I can't see you going for the bombsell, love goddess kind of perfomers and films. You don't seem like a "Marilyn Monroe" kind of gal. Well.. you do have me pegged pretty well (as much as it pains me to admit it, ha) I am not much of a "bombshell" person. BUT when it all fits w/ the story so well (as Rita's character did) I am not so put off. And re: Miss Monroe.... I can take her (in some movies) and not so much (in others) I think there was a lot more to her as an actress (than that bombshell thing) and sometimes she was actually given a chance to show it. (The film I am most interested in seeing her in is the one that you and Miss G have discussed a lot... the one w/ Mr. Gable) And Gilda actually shows this, yet she's also hurting She really combined both of these aspects in her character really well. She was terribly fragile and yet she did her best to hide it behind that hard outer exterior. If you ACT like you don't care what happens... it is easier not to SHOW how much you care what is happening. But it was there, just below the surface.. all that hurt. It was a good role for Hayworth. I'm a Glenn Ford fan. His brand of "fuming," as you wonderfully put it, is what I like about him. I also like his voice and his look. He's a guy's guy, to me. He really fits film noir and westerns, two of my favorites I have never really thought about him as a favorite. But you know it is not because I shouldn't think of him that way. A lot of his films are ones that I REALLY enjoy. (and I like him for his comedy as well as his tough guy roles too) He does have a great voice... especially for films like this one. I can see why he has been in so many popular films. PS: Ha.. the insect line.. TOO funny. (and yet so mean, ha) I loved the look on his face in your second cap! ha. PS: Miss G.. re: Rita's hands.. LOVELY. (If she was not PLAYING that guitar, by the way, it sure did LOOK like she was)

Hiya Mr. Movieman! What do you two (or anyone else) think about the famous song and "dance" Rita does? Well, I bet you a bag of M&M's the Grey Dude really liked it! (ha.. for "obvious" reasons) I can't say I DISLIKED it. I thought her singing was good enough. But I have to agree with you that the dancing was not "great". I think I liked her guitar version of Put the Blame on Mame better (early on in the story) even without the slinky dress and the gloves getting pulled off.. to me that was the more 'sultry" and alluring version. But it could be that is because... (oh golly I HATE admitting it, ha) the Grey Dude did peg me right.. I am not much into the whole "bombshell" thing. Don't let him know I said that.. HA. (Oh, but I guess I will have to 'fess up to it w/ him sooner or later when I answer his post! ha) You two are right (now see I can say he is right when he agrees with YOU,ha) about Ford and his "slow burn" I think it is one of his better qualities as an actor. I enjoy a lot of his films and that does always seem to work well for him in a lot of them.

Oh good golly, Ms Favell... THANK YOU so much for posting this link to a TRULY amazing film. (ha.. Miss Goddess I did not realize you and I were watching at the same time.. ha. I would have asked you to pass the popcorn!) PS. Mr Movieman... hope you get to finish watching... I would really like to hear what you think of it all. Now there are two ways (at least) to watch this movie.. one is from a "film history" perspective. It is a GREAT find and a truly wonderful example of an innovative story (and one that is not so "formulaic" in many respects. There was way more to the characters and to the themes in this film than many of the standard "shoot em up" cowboy movies that often are so common. But there is also a lot of "common" aspects it shares too (in terms of the morality lessons, etc) But wowsa. The OTHER way to watch this film was more "personal" to me. I really just sat back and got into the story and really was moved by all the emotion that went along with it. (and that to me is the best way to watch any movie) OH how I love those "repentance" themes. And wow... even the judgment themes (that I admit are pretty heavy handed at times) are very emotional. And the themes of faith and the comparisons between the brother's FALSE faith and the sister's TRUE and living faith (and the effect it had on the people around them) just totally blew me away. I could say a lot more about it all... but will stop for now. I do want to mention the music though. I read in the article that was printed along side the movie that the music was new. And the person who was doing the writing is the one who made the soundtrack. It was a mixture of sources that he pulled from to make up the entire thing and the hymns that he used... I wonder if some are aware of the words to the songs that he was using in certain scenes (as the tunes were playing, the words to some of these hymns were fitting SO well for me with what was happening in the story... it was a very emotional aspect of it all for me. I really liked it a lot. Two that stand out in my mind were played during the "come to Jesus" moment that Hart's character had during the church service. (where the brother's preaching left him flat.. but when the sister got up to speak.. he saw the light) The two songs that were played then.. the words to those hymns were just really so right (for the moment in the story) I loved that a lot. (mini spoiler) Oh, and the two prayers that Hart's character prayed.. I LOVED that. The first time he prays he is praying for her (as in: God I want you to give me HER) and the second time he prays.. he is praying FOR her (as in: God.. please make her happy) OH ME. (and then God answers one prayer by also answering the other.. oh wow.. I LOVED that) Anyway.. thank you again SO very much Jackie for sharing this great find here. It was truly a treat. (PS: Miss G... the church burning scenes.. I did recall 3 Bad Men as well... great catch)

Hello MY DEAR Grey Friend, We all need a good shakin', once in a while Oh yeah, but that one was a TOOTH loosener! ha. I was so "jarred" by the shaking, I may need to call the dentist after that! ha. You know, you usually seem to like film noir I know. It is starting to dawn on me how much good stuff I have missed by not really THINKING about how much I was missing, ha. (I am starting to come around, slowly but surely.) ha. And, for the record, I was very worried entering my first viewing of Gilda, which was fairly recently. I thought it was going to be a soft "female" film noir. It's not that. Is it a hardcore "masculine" film noir? No. But it's not fluff. About the only thing fluffy with this movie was Rita's hair. ha. (that hair tossing shot that EVERYONE knows her for.. that I am ashamed to admit is part of the reason I think I avoided this movie.. I don't know why, but it never made me all that interested in finding out WHO she was flirting with and WHY she was tossing her hair. ha. And I am usually so "nosey" too, ha. Go figure. ha. But back to the non-fluffiness... when I said it has a dark mood.. I think I meant "brooding". The way that Johnny fumes and fumes, and steams, and fumes some more watching her. (The way he more or less HATES his job (with regard to the position it places him in with her) and yet the way he is GOING to protect his boss because he LIKES his job, all at the same time) Some moments you can fairly see the smoke bubbling up out of his ears, ha. It really was a good role for Ford, I thought. Our beloved Mr. O said (at the end of the movie) that Bogie was originally the one in mind for that role, I bet he would have done a good job (as I am now keeping a MUCH more open mind about HIM too) but I think I like that Ford was a bit more "fresh faced" looking (and still yet so hard) I don't think HB could have carried that off as well. I usually find sarcasm and bitey dialogue exchanges (especially between man and woman) to be hilarious. Gilda is full of this. The way Johnny (Glenn Ford) and Gilda (Rita Hayworth) go at each other kills me They really had a good chemistry together, I thought. It reminds of the comedies l like, such as His Girl Friday and The Awful Truth Maybe in a much more "sophisticated" and steamy way. They did get some good cracks in on each other. (My new favorite movie line is when he tells her that her "husband is showing" ha) the only thing "catchy" about me is sickness OH you said it! The Shiftless Flu.. ha. I may never recover from the shock of all that GREY hitting me so unexpectedly!! ha. You like sharp objects, Vance! You bet.. those scissors make a nice "whishing" sound as they fly through the air!! HA! (And then when they hit the target... it is more like Uncle Pio says.. Pffft!)

I liked the way she and Bob snuggled together on the ride home when he didn't remember winning a pig, ha! That was because he got majorly spiffed on that supposedly harmless apple cider, which was the funniest scene in the entire movie. That is just about the point I came in at.. so thanks for putting that scene into context for me. ha. I liked the next part too, where she is pestering him (flirting) as he is typing... it was very romantic. And then... it all sort of started to go "south" for me with them, ha. Mom: "You're never too old to stay in shape. He used to be handsome, but he certainly slipped Ha... words of wisdom from Mother Bronxie... ha. I love it!!

This is all so wrong. Its some sort of topsy turvey messed up alternate universe or something!! ha. It's a world gone MAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I did like this film WAY more than I was expecting to. I don't know why, but for whatever reason I have spent the better part of my life more or less ignoring it. When it came on tonight, I almost turned the channel. (I am such a DOPE, sometimes about my pre-conceived notions, ha) But the beginning shot w/ Johnny down on the ground like that (shooting dice) was a really good hook. I remember thinking, wow... he has NOWHERE to go but up, ha. (and I did not even know anything about him at that moment, other than that shot) And I find the film to be hilarious and rather loving. You know.. I think I would say humorously sarcastic, rather than hilarious, but I found the sarcasm (in Johnny and in Uncle Pio especially) to be very entertaining. The mood of the story really was rather dark, but it had a enough of the lighter touches to it, that it was not oppressive. I liked that. It reminded me of Notorious, in an odd way. I might not have thought of that on my own, but now that you have said it, I can really see that too. (oh golly... first we are switching places w/ the happy ending thing.. and now we are agreeing.... YIKES... (did I mention it is a world gone mad????) I'm always to blame! Put the blame on Grimes.... ha. Not quite so "catchy" a tune... and yet so very appropriate!! You gals only look to scrape, slap, kick, stab, strangle, and hang ONLY just the very beginning of what you deserve, most of the time. Just wait.. I am adding that "evil cane" to my arsenal now too. The hat pin is too light weight for those moments when I really want to get your attention. Edited by: rohanaka on Jun 10, 2010 1:35 AM

Whew... I am glad to see you gals saying this about Bette. I came in about half way through this movie this afternoon and was REALLY ashamed of myself for feeling so bad about Ms Davis. ( I as sure I was going to get hit on the top of the head or something by Miss Maven, ha) But you both have said it right... starchy.. very "un" real. Especially for her. She was almost like she was playing a "parody" of herself or something... I don't know. But oh that sweet Bobby. TOO fun. And you know I always struggle to see a resemblance between him and Elizabeth.. but I caught it today in the most pleasant way. You know how she could get that "sparkle-ish" expression in her eyes (a sort of lit up twinkle, almost) when she was having fun playing a mischievous prank on someone (like Mrs Kravitz for instance) Well she got THAT look from her daddy. I saw him "sparkling" a couple of different times (especially near the end of the film) it was the same look I remembered in her. FINALLY ha. Can't wait to hear mom's review. She is a pistol! Hope the check up goes well and she is fit as a fiddle! Edited by: rohanaka on Jun 10, 2010 12:56 AM

HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, Doctor.. I need to be sedated. Better yet... make me comatose. The Grey one is never going to let me live THIS down. (hangs head in shame and sobs uncontrollably) (ps.. thanks for calling me a "young woman, by the way!!)

cough... sputter... gasp.. cough... Excuse me while I blow a little dust off of this thread.... OH me.... that *Gilda* !! (hooray for Uncle Pio) But even so... WHAT kind of ending was THAT????? MINI SPOILER ALERT: For whatever reason I did NOT expect her to make it, and I thought for SURE she was going to "buy" it in the end. (maybe jumping in front of that evil cane to save Johnny or something) I was actually disappointed that it DIDN'T happen! I can't believe I wanted to see her go down at the end... and not even for the reason you might think. I actually was pulling for her to NOT be a low-life and ended up getting my wish... hooray. I did not like her at first... but I finally started to see behind her "mask" so to speak... and then I was much more on her side. I should be jumping for JOY that she and Johnny walked away togehter, scott free. OH ME. I can't believe I was so happy for them both, and still I felt let down all at the same time. I guess I just thought it would have been a stronger ending if it had been a "tragedy") Surely this is not ME saying that... I must have a virus or something... UGH.... I may have hung around that GREY person too long... :p HOW did something like THIS happen??????????? HA. I will never live it down. What next?? I am going to suddenly start craving sawdust and saurkraut??? OH good golly I have the Shifless Flu. Everything is getting shadowy... I am starting to see Grey Spots before my eyes.... MEDIC!!!!!!!! Edited by: rohanaka on Jun 10, 2010 12:30 AM

Howdy do, Miss G: I think we're definitely supposed to pull for Jerry (Paul Douglas) because he's so unselfish and a real "innocent". He basically would do anything Mae (Barbara Stanwyck) wanted and she returned this generosity with an affair with his best friend (funny how it often happens that way). Now THAT is what is standing out the most in my memory of this movie. I really do recall how much more compassion I felt for him than I did for her. I have seen him referred to in some of the comments here as a "big lug" and that is what I am remembering too. Someone who was just too good for his own good, maybe. (but again.. it's been so long since I saw it all, I am not sure if I am totally remembering him correctly) Whereas I don't like seeing how Mae behaves in the second half of the movie, it's the first half, her arrival and her declared failures and desires, this is what I do understand and identify with. And this is what I totally do not have any recollection for at all. I just remember her as "the cheating wife" but do not recall the details of what led up to her cheating and what led up to the end of the film as well. I truly do need to go back and watch this film again someday. Because you have rated her so highly (among your faves) that tells me there may be way more (in terms of layers) to who she really was and I am likely not remembering enough about her and her situation to get a full picture of her character. (Ha... I TRUST your evaluations in situations like this... Now if it were say.. that GREY person telling me stuff... well... there is no accounting for HIS wrong-headedness sometimes.. HA, so you never know!) I will make an effort to seek this film out again as soon as I can. Miss Nightingale of the Message Boards HA!!! Again I say not by a long shot, little darlin'. But it is sweet of you to say. :-)

Hey there Miss Goddess, Oh gee... after you asked me if I had I seen this film, I said no. But now having taken a quick peek at this thread I realize that I HAVE seen this movie afterall!! I just did not remember the title of it. Golly it was a long time ago. (at least six years or more and I say that because I remember watching it when the kidling was a baby..ha. and she was fast asleep on my shoulder at the time.. and I was too engrossed in the movie to get up and put her to bed!! I think my arm kept falling asleep... ha) Anyway... I don't remember enough of the details to do more than just make a brief comment that I remember finding Stanwyck very unlikable (and not sympathetic) for MOST of the movie.. but can't recall if the ending cured me of that feeling or not. (I THINK she came off better by the end of it all, but can't quite say for sure) I do recall that all the conflict made for quite a story. I think I also remember worrying that the husband was going to do something terrible and kept pulling for him not to... but I might be wrong about that. I will go through and read some more of the comments here a bit more deeply and perhaps that will jog my memory a bit more) And also will try to find this one at the library or at the least keep an eye out for it. I would like to see it again. Hope you folks carry on w/ the discussion. It's making for a very interesting read! :-)