Stephen444
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Posts posted by Stephen444
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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.
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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.
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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
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"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".
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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I have heard John Waters remark that the only film that he couldn't sit through was "Forest Gump". I wholeheartedly agree.
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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.
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I don't know how Judy Garland became the focus of the comments here. My point is that there are many films out there that we never see or see enough. What we do get is an abundance of obscure titles ( ex. silent films) and far too many conventional ones (ex.John Wayne).
I'm not trashing obscure or conventional subjects but show us something a little off center. You want a cowboy movie...how about "MaCabe & Mrs. Miller or "Buffalo Bill and the Indians". Both of these happen to be Robert Altman films but I'm sure there are other titles and directors that can be added to this list.
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"As this month's theme is not exactly my preferences I think it is great that they aired the silent movies they did last week. I can't imagine where else anyone would get a chance to view them."
I'm all for preservation and experiencing the history of film and history through film. Unfortunately I must admit that I cannot sit through a silent film. Maybe because I'm from the first TV generation. Perhaps if I had gone to see a silent film in a theater when I was in college I would feel differently but as it is when I see those captions and no sound I run for the hills. I have the same reaction that Howard Hughes had when sound was developed. Just shoot the film over again with sound.
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B o o r r i n g I guess I should be more receptive to obscure themes like Asian detectives and silent films but I can't fake it..it's not what I want to see and I'm sure it's not what others are looking for. And of course you have the other extreme featuring never ending offerings of John Wayne etc. etc.
All I'm saying is I am not bothering to watch many of the current offerings in prime time on tcm. I prefer tapes and dvds.
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My suggestion is to play Charlie Chan movies during the day and feature Judy Garland during prime time. In other words switch the order of what they did today on tcm.
On many nights I cringe at the offerings in prime time. I don't know about everyone else but I think the prime time programming at tcm leaves much to be desired.
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Yes, I would agree that this is an excellent film. Not because it is patriotic. That is one part of the movie and I think you do feel uplifted and proud of our country watching it but there are so many other human dramas at work here. I think the human aspects far outweigh love of country.
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You will find that "Rosemary's Baby" follows the book almost to the point of the book being a screenplay for the movie. I enjoyed both.
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"By the early 1970s, most of the studios had changed ownership and were under the care and handling of such corporations as Gulf-Western (Paramount), Kinney (WBros), etc."
Yes, and we know how creative corporations can be. That's why when they mention films on the TV networks and even Public Broadcasting all they can dwell on is how much a movie earned in a week.
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I'm not familiar with that author but I have a book by Lorraine B. Diehl from American Heritage Press, 1985. The title is "The Late Great Pennsylvania Station". It's a fascinating book. I would love to see someone make a documentary on the history of the building and it's eventual demise. It's worth studying the failures of preservation along with the successful efforts.
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It's Pennsylvania Station that is portrayed in the movie. The historic Grand Central was in part preserved thorugh the efforts of Jackie Kennedy. No such luck for Pennsylvania Station.
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Yes, the sets are remarkable recreations. I think some shots are of the actual station in New York although I'm not sure. Recreation or not it is modeled after the original Pennsylvania Station which looked to be awe inspiring and worthy as a gateway to a great American city rather then the hole in the ground that it is today.
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I have always enjoyed this movie. I missed it today since it was scheduled during the day but I have seen it several times. I agree that Minelli knows how to make a powerful romantic movie. I guess you could say that he specializes in romance (chick) movies but his films are more substantive then sentimentality.
There are numerous poignant elements in this movie. Judy Garland and Robert Walker were to die before their time. The death of Pennsylvania Station in New York as it existed in 1945. The beautiful architecture was demolished in the early 60s leaving only the underground part of the station. The romance of separation caused by the war. I think all of these elements, and more, combined to make this a powerful romantic story.
It's interesting to compare Robert Walker in this movie to the similar part that he played in "Since You Went Away" 1944 along with his then current wife Jennifer Jones. I think that he responded with a better performance in The Clock then in this movie. Perhaps because he and Jennifer were separating when they made that movie.
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Liz Taylor, most beautiful and most talented Actress.
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Let's get serious. One of my favorite (scariest) films from the 50s was "Invasion of the Body Snatchers". I still find this film disturbing. No camp sensibility here. The emergence of bland technological suburban America is effectively expressed in this film....The vague feeling that someone you know not being the person you have known...people becoming robotic in their actions...no feelings...hey we are describing a contemporary America that began in the 50s and has continued to evolve. Seed pods, cloning...these things are too much alike to be joked about....Their here!
I do like some things about the 50s. I listen to a lot of 50s music in the car (it calms me down).
All About Eve...who else could have played Eve Harrington??
in General Discussions
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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.