Stephen444

One of my favorite scenes is Mrs Potts's description of Hal toward the end of the movie. Talking to Flo she talks about how she had gotten so use to the smell of Geraniums, Mommas medicine then he came in and he clomped around the house like he was still outdoors. There was a man in the house and it felt good. Sorry ladies I know it's a 50s sexist remark but we are all different and this is the way alot of men are. We do clomp around and we break things and make messes but we also fix stuff.

Good points about Holden's age and comparing how James Dean would have played the part. I understand that they had to construct a special moving platform for Holden because of his dancing problems and they had to let him drink to get him through this scene.

Sorry to hear that you found the words of William Inge to be of little interest. I would suggest that you try watching it again. There is much substance to be experienced in this film.

Don't see Martin Milner's name in the credits. He would have been 19 in 1950. I also have the the Moonglow theme which I listen to frequently but it's not the original version. Thanks for the info. The F3 epitomizes the late 40s/early 50s. Very sexy. Not like the bland box engines today. I would say that it is one of Novak's and Holden's best performances although I read an account of the making of this film that indicated that Kim Novak was isolated from other cast members. I don't think they got along very well including Holden.

Ok, here's another suggestion for the part of Eve. Janet Leigh. She was 23 in 1950 and she would have provided both the innocence and forceful energy needed for this character.

This is one of my favorite movies. Watching it makes me almost nostalgic for the 50s. it does what any superior film does, it transcends it's time.

I would not say Anne Baxter is perfect. I would agree that she is adequate but definitely not a perfect Eve Harrington. Possibly the reason that you can't come up with another Eve is because it was the 50s. This was the era of Doris Day, big fin cars and high balls. If it gives you any solace I too cannot come up with a solid alternative. I keep coming up with someone like Elizabeth Taylor, but then she was only 18 in 1950. Probably too young although she looked mature for her age and she definitely reeked of star charisma.

Watching Mickey talk about Judy I wondered whether there was a romantic connection between them. My wife says that Louis B Mayer didn't want them to be together romantically because of their career's.

Nancy Olson, Barbara Bel Geddes, Jean Crane, Joan Collins, June Haver are all possibilities but thinking about it more this morning I think the clear choice for the part of Eve would have been a young Bette Davis or Joan Crawford. Who else in 1950 could have equaled their talents for this role? Message was edited by: Stephen444

"Anne Baxter would have been 27 in 1950.... hardly too old to play Eve" Not too old but I think there is a reference in the dialogue to Eve actually being 24, which was Marilyn's age in 1950.

"Now as far as Marilyn, what if instead of playing Miss Casswell she played Phoebe instead..now hold on..Marilyn was only 23 when she made this, so was Barbara Bates, Marilyn, with the right wardrobe had the vulnerability and innocence to be convincing as the high school fan who worshiped Eve, now the reason why...Marilyn woud have had that last triple mirror shot all to herself.. what a sight to behold, everytime there is a tribute to her, show this great triple mirror shot of her for posterity..BRAVO" I think that's a great thought. After listening to everyone's comments Marilyn probably wouldn't have been right for the part of Eve but it's interesting to plug different thoughts into other casting concepts. Don't know about June Haver. Not familiar with her.

"You miss the point of Eve's character entirely. She's a schemer, through and through, willing to step over, and/or torpedo anyone who gets in her way. The very essence of Marilyn's screen persona is the guileless victim; she couldn't be further from what the script and story demanded that Eve be. Monroe couldn't have even begun to play such a character; she was an actress of severely limited range, and just trying it wouldve exposed her as the one-note wonder she was, and ruined her career." I think you have a point about the scheming element of the character in this movie but I wouldn't characterize MM as having a limited range. How can you say that she was limited after her performance in the Misfits? She was a product of her time. The Hollywood of the 50's and 60s wanted sex pots not real character development. I think her opportunities were limited throughout her career. She had to marry a playwright to get a good part!

good point.

Ava, you sound like my wife. She won't buy my idea either. Another selection could have been Elizabeth Taylor. I'm talking about real killer contrast to Bette. I read that Anne Baxter was originally cast because she resembled Claudette Colbert, who was originally suppose to play Bette's part.

How about the real up and coming starlet in 1950, Marilyn Monroe. When she appears in this movie in her minor role as a not very intelligent chorus girl she lights up the scene. What a contrast to Bette Davis. I think Anne Baxter was a little too old for the role and doesn't produce the strong contrast in age and beauty that Marilyn has.

The Women - George Cukor One of my favorite pieces of film is the fashion show in this film. I mean this is the late 30s and these women still look glamorous. I think it's one of the most effective examples of Art Deco as it relates to women's fashion.

The Women - George Cukor Three Sisters - Woody Allen Three Women - Robert Altman What others?? I can't think of another film that is limited to a cast of only women as in "The Women" Message was edited by: Stephen444

"James Dean has been honored in the past by TCM and all three of his films have run on the channel." Yes, but with an emphasis on "Giant" (I guess because it takes place in Texas) and to a lesser extent "Rebel Without A Cause" I can't remember the last time tcm showed his most poetic film, "East of Eden".

The Forum ID is "General Discussion". I don't see why we can't discuss movies from all periods. I am a student of history. The older I get the more my experiences fit into a discussion of the past but I don't feel that you fully appreciate classic films when you don't discuss contemporary films. It's all about creativity or not being creative and this has always been an issue regardless of the time that the film was made.

Tuesday Weld as Bonnie Parker in Bonnie & Clyde. I think that she was the first choice for the role but was ill at the time and couldn't do it. It could have been a break through role for her. Too bad.

I think it is relevant on this forum to talk about films and filmakers that we find interesting. Some of M. Night's movies are certainly worth discussing. It is certainly worth note that his recent films have been so disappointing in comparison to Sixth Sense etc.

I definitely do not agree with your assessment of Unbreakable as one of his worst films. I would put it right up there with Sixth Sense and The Village.This is a fascinating story of a believable real life super hero. I must admit that I didn't think that much of it the first time that I saw it but like The Village and Sixth Sense it becomes more interesting with numerous viewings. I haven't seen Wide Awake.

This is the information age not the creative one. Would someone explain what this movie was trying to say? The sad thing is that of all the movies currently being featured at the cineplex where I saw this The Happening was probably the most interesting offering AND IT WAS NOT INTERESTING. No one can dispute M. Night's abilities in The Sixth Sense, The Village and Unbreakable. These were well written and had a point of view that made you see the world differently. My wife also liked "Signs" but I didn't find that as interesting. I will continue to follow his career but not necessarily pay to see his movies.

I have heard John Waters remark that the only film that he couldn't sit through was "Forest Gump". I wholeheartedly agree.

I saw an interview with Katherine Hepburn in which she says that one of Spence's biggest acting disappointments was his part in Jekyll and Hyde. He wanted to play the part without makeup and play up the psychological changes that take place as a result of mind altering substances on Dr. Jekyll's psyche. Of course the studio bean counting execs wanted a more conventional, predictable monster movie. Maybe this is one reason for Spence's drinking. He certainly could have brought much personal experience from his year's of out of control drinking binges to the part.