bagladymimi

I am 64 years old and I have been watching Claude Rains for as long as I can remember. I think it was the Invisible Man where I first saw him because I watched all the "horror" films as a child. But I vividly remember seeing him in "Notorious" and all the movies with Bette Davis. He is probably my favorite dramatic character actor. You can always count on him for an outstanding performance. I hope any of you who are interested will watch his full body of work. I can guarantee that you will enjoy all of his movies.

I love the biography you provide with your "CANDIDS." Thank you so much for this extra treat! Mimi

I can't tell you how much I miss you. I use your updates as part of my daily routine. I am sorry that you are having problems with this - not only because I miss the candids, but because I know how frustrating fooling with this stuff can be. Can't wait until you get back with us. Mimi

Joe, I know that is a young Cameron Mitchell, but it looks more like a young Robert Sterling to me. Thanks, Mimi

I agree with Fred, has to be Imitation of Life with Susan Kohner as the white-skinned daughter ashamed of black mother, Juanita Moore. The white mother and daughter are Lana Turner and Sandra Dee respectively.

Thanks Miss Goddess, I have seen Dawn Patrol and you are right, they all give great performances. I like all three actors and Basil Rathbone is one of my favorite character actors. The movies look really good for tomorrow. I, too am particularly interested in Fingers At The Window. I have never seen it, but I love Lew Ayers and Loraine Day as well as Rathbone. Hope everyone enjoys it and thanks for the "heads up."

I, too find some of Hitchcock's so called "small films" really interesting. I also see similarities in a lot of Hitch's pictures. He was an outstanding director with a special touch that you could see in a lot of his films. The way he builds the tension in Stage Fright, Marnie, Dial M For Murder, Strangers On A Train, Suspicion, etc. makes me sit on the edge of my seat every time I watch them. His camera shots, particularly close-ups of the actors, make the films. You really get to study the character by looking at the faces - can almost see what they are thinking. However, in my opinion, I do not see any similarity in any of Hitchcock's films and any Dracula movie. First of all, with the possible exception of Psycho, I do not think they are in the same class. As far as I am concerned Dracula is a horror movie. I remember as a child in the 50's watching Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, and The Wolfman on late night television. I also don't see these movies as character studies whereas obviously, Hitchcock's movies are. This is not to disparage anyone else's opinions. because no one's opinions are stupid or silly. The mere fact that we are even discussing these matters proves that point. Even though I don't agree with the Dracula comparison, I still find it interesting that the comparison is made. And I enjoy reading your thoughts and opinions.

Was John Drew Barrymore the father or grandfather of Drew Barrymore?

I believe Fred in right - sounds like "Same Time Next Year" to me too.

Thanks Joe. Walker seems much bigger than 4" heighth difference - maybe it was the angle from which the picture was taken.

I saw it in 1974 when it came out and thought it was terrible. It seems to me that The Poseidon Adventure was the first big disaster movie. After that there were several other movies depicting different disasters, but none ever measured up to Poseidon in my opinion. I probably have forgotten some good movies but Earthquake, in my opinion, is not one of them.

My comment is that I always thought Errol Flynn was a big man, but look how small he looks next to Clint Walker. I am assuming that Walker is a very big guy! Also, look how old Flynn looks in this picture. Alcohol certainly took its toll on him - what a shame.

Bravo Bunny, bravo!

I totally agree - especially in one Perry Mason appearance. He was downright handsome!

One of the things that I really liked about watching these Hitchcock productions was all the different stars who worked in them. You really get a wide variety of movie and TV personalities. And from what I have read, the actors loved working in them and gave top-notch performances. What a treat to watch!

I totally agree with stjohnrv regarding Edward Herrman and Jane Alexander. Although I too thought Bellamy did a good job. I think Jane Alexander was a more believable Elenore. That being said, these were 2 totally different productions. Because HBO's was filmed in the 80's (?), the circumstances regarding the relationship between Franklin and Elenore was explained with a frankness that could not have been done when Sunrise At Campbobello was made. In fact, their whole life together seemed fully explored by HBO. It was really well done and tastefully done. I also agree with you about Roosevelt and Churchill. But I also consider Teddy Roosevelt fascinating. I truly believe that he is the best President that this country has ever had. And I don't know that I have ever seen an indepth movie about Teddy R. There was one starring Brian Keith, but there just wasn't enough of it - I would like to have seen more about his life. I have read a lot about all these men and am reading now "Hero" about T E Lawrence (Lawrence Of Arabia). He is another one of my heroes. But that is a whole other story!

Hi SueSue, Eve Arden wrote a great autobiography of her acting career called "Three Phases Of Eve." It is so easy to read and you feel as though she is speaking to you directly. And it is just full of interesting and amusing tidbits about all the movies she did, as well as the theatre work she did with her husband, Brooks. Also, she talks about the travels that she and her family experienced. It is a "treasure" as far as I am concerned. I would highly recommend it, if you can find a copy. Mimi

Hey Fred, I think that the actress' name is Geraldine Brooks. She did a lot of television - mainly supporting roles, very good actress. Mimi

I really think that Lawrence Of Arabia is one of the best movies ever made. I too, saw it in the movie theatre when it came out - it was absolutely breathtaking. The cinematography is stunning. And O'Toole is amazing. He did a wonderful job. The story is true and it is so unbelievable that anyone would do what Lawrence actually did do. I know the movie is long but it is so worth the effort. I loved this interview with O'Toole but it should have been two hours instead of one. There were so many movies that were not even mentioned. Perhaps O'Toole would only agree to a one hour interview - guess we are lucky that we got even an hour!

You are so right, Jack - and I love her laugh. I hope she knows how much she is loved. There will never be another Doris Day - she was one of a kind. I can't wait until April to watch her movies.

Walter Brennan always looked old, no matter how young he was. So did Charles Lane, who like Will Wright played supporting parts all of his life.

I am not defending this version - I never thought it was all that good of a film. But, are you saying it didn't work because Redford was wrong for the role because you never get over the fact that it is Redford in the role? You are probably right. How do you know the DiCapprio won't do the same thing? Or maybe, it would be better to have a totally unknown star in the film. But the studios would argue that if you don't have a stellar cast, no one will go to see the movie. However, look at The Girl With The Dragon Tatoo - that is doing well with a relative unknown. Who ever heard of John Hamm before Bad Men? Sounds like I am trying to convince myself, doesn't it? Quite frankly and I know that I am going to outrage some people, I don't like the story. I am 64 years old and have been "Gatsby"ed to death. There are many other books that I consider the great American novel - I just don't see it in this story. I hope DiCapprio works in the role. I won't know because I won't even see it.

I totally agree with you. Bette just wasn't the type to do the stay-at-home-mom thing. And, if he was directing movies when she wasn't working - well, wouldn't you be just a little interested in who his new leading ladies were going to be? I can't see it working at all. I think that's why none of her marriages lasted - she was too strong, she had to be in control. As much as I loved her on screen, I can't imagine what it must have been like to live with her! Edited by: bagladymimi on Mar 23, 2012 11:25 PM

Actually, Merle Oberon had major skin problems. According to a biography that I read about her, she was in an automobile accident in 1937 that "scarred her for life." Then in 1940 she had developed a type of skin poisoning (like sun poisoning) to a make-up she was using and even further damage was done when she had an alergic reaction to a sulfa drug. She had a type of dermabrasion, but it really did little to help. Her skin was actually left uneven and pitted. Her beautiful complexion in the movies was actually due to skilled cinematographers and lighting technitions. In 1945 she divorced Alexander Korda and married cinematographer Lucien Ballard, who created a special camera light to eliminate her facial scars. This light became know as the "Obie" and was widely used because it was so flattering to any of the stars that used it. I have to say that I thought she looked beautiful in Hotel, and because I had read all that she went through, I was looking for flaws and I could detect none. I cannot believe lighting could do that good of a job. She was very self conscious of her skin and yet I never saw her in any role in which she didn't look ravishing - a beauty that you can't forget.

She looks so different without those harsh eyebrows!