midnight08
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Posts posted by midnight08
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I'm glad to see that Jean Harlow is finally getting a birthday tribute on March 3.
She's usually cheated out of one due to the 31 days of Oscar ending on her birthday.
It's nice to see that TCM is also showing some of her earlier and more rare films.
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That's understandable, Maybe two in a row but all prime time long is too much Ma & Pa. Now Laurel & Hardy, The Marx Brothers or Abbott & Costello I could see.
It's all a matter of taste. I'm very happy to see four Ma and Pa Kettle films on the schedule. These are some of the
Universal films rarely shown on TCM (only once before to my knowledge many years ago).
As much as I like L & H, The Marx Bros and A & C they are all on TCM on a semi regular basis (well at least every
now and then). Ma and Pa Kettle movies are a welcome change.
It's too bad that TCM couldn't get "The Egg and I" to show beforehand. This was the movie that introduced Ma and Pa Kettle.
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Well, even before the code, there was some type of code. They just found ways around it. They couldn't go TOO far though. So people died, or saw the error of their ways in the end........
Not in "Red Headed Woman" with Jean Harlow. She got her French sugar daddy and her chauffeur in the end. LOL.
This was one movie where she surely did not see the error of her ways.
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Unfortunately for me I set my DVD timer recording for 2:45am for "The Black Pirate". This was the starting time stated in the "Now Playing" magazine. However it didn't start till 3am so I didn't get the entire movie.
In the future I need to remember to check the daily schedule before ever using my timer recording.
Did anyone else make this mistake?
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My personal feeling is that special salutes should be shown at times when the most people can see them all, especially since some of the films in each salute are usually very rare are rarely shown.
For example, I recorded CALL HER SAVAGE and THE BIG PARTY, both rare Clara Bow sound films, when TCM saluted her about 12 years ago. I don't think TCM has shown those two films since then. Luckily I had a DVD recorder back then that worked properly.
I also had a recorder that worked when TCM showed TRIUMPH OF THE WILL and OLYMPIA, and THE WIDOW FROM CHICAGO, and other very rare old films that TCM has never shown again. But we get NORTH BY NORTHWEST 70 times in 10 years. Why would TCM want to show this film so many times in prime time? And then show the rare "Golden Age" films at 2 AM when we are all asleep, then start making it difficult for some people to record them to DVD? Doesn't make much sense to me.
I agree that these rare films should be shown at times when most people can view them.
Fred, I remember when TCM ran their salute to Clara Bow. It was in 1999. They first showed the documentary "Discovering The It Girl"
which was making its premiere broadcast. Then they showed "Down To The Sea In Ships", "It" and "The Wild Party" (the one and only time TCM ever showed "The Wild Party"). They didn't show "Call Her Savage". In fact TCM didn't show "Call Her Savage" until about a year ago. I know because I had been waiting for TCM to show it since I first got the station in 1995. Instead of running this awesome pre code talkie of Clara's in prime time they ran it at 2:45am. There wasn't even an intro by Robert Osborne or Ben. What a shame!
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I think whoever wrote the intro to A Lady of Chance screwed up. It was The Trial of Mary Dugan which was the first part-soudy for Norma Shearer, not Lady as she/he has had Mr. Osborne say. A Lady of Chance was all silent. And it was The Last of Mrs. Cheyney which was the first all-soundy she made.
The thing I wonder is that Robert Osborne, with his encyclopedic knowledge of studio-era movies, didn't catch that error.
I recorded this movie and I just went thru it to listen to the intro by Robert Osborne.
He made an emphasis that this was Norma's first talkie (albeit part-talkie) with spoken dialogue although
none from Norma.
Who wrote this script for him? It was totally wrong. If there is emphasis placed on an element of the movie about
to being shown then it should have been researched for truth and accuracy.
I used to look forward to the intros by Osborne to obtain some interesting information and facts on the movies.
But now I know I have to take his information "with a grain of salt".
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I'm curious as to Norma's relationship with her two children. Was she a good or bad mother? How did she treat her kids, especially after Irving's death when she was a single mother? What was her relationship with her kids when they were teens and when they grew up? Whatever happened to them? Were they close to Norma in her later declining years? Was her second husband a loving stepfather to them?
The only thing I've ever heard was that she was indifferent toward her children
Does anyone know?
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im4cinema2: There's a good biography of Norma Shearer online, + recommended books, at wikipedia.org. Search for Norma Shearer. One book mentioned is "Complicated Women" by Mick LaSalle. Hope this helps.
The problem with biographies is finding one that's accurate. I've read bio's that are sugar-coated and others that are full of lurid details.
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The 1928 Shopworn Angel was silent. There was a small bit of dialogue added in the last reel along with
a song Nancy sang but this was one of the reels that had deteriorated so it no longer exists. The last two reels of the film are gone. But they did the best they could to summarize the last two reels thru
film stills and cue cards.
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1974.
Susan Hayward died on March 14, 1975 of brain cancer. Her last appearance was as a presenter at the
Academy Awards ceremony on April 2, 1974. At that time she was very thin, frail and weak and she was
wearing a wig.
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How any red-blooded American man can not be a fan of Marilyn's baffles me.
I recall in the 80's-90's attitude towards MM was less than flattering. Women's Lib was in full force and many women found her looks & persona detrimental to taking women seriously.
Men otoh, often cited her as "cloying", "baby-like" or "high maintenance" sort of super girly nightmare of a woman. I'm sure they would have felt differently, if ever given really the chance to actually take her on a date!
I often defended MM's talents back then, much as I have for other "dumb blondes" like Jayne Mansfield, whom I also find pretty entertaining. MM's talents went much farther than the easy exploitation image of Mansfield, Van Doren and more recently Madonna.
Marilyn sometimes PLAYED a dumb blonde, not unlike similarly talented Judy Holliday. Marilyn was truly talented as an actress, comedienne and overall entertainer. Plus, when she is on the screen, you just don't see anything else.
Star quality.
Unfortunately Marilyn was typecast as the dumb blonde. She fought for better roles and even took time out to attend the actors studio in NYC to improve her acting skills.
If anyone doubts her dramatic skills they need to see "River Of No Return" and "The Misfits". She was very troubled and problematic
during filming of "The Misfits" yet her sensitive portrayal in this film shines thru.
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I know I'm late in posting this but did anyone else attend Capitolfest 13 in August?
It was my first time and I wish I would have gone years earlier. They show RARE films, those that
you won't see anywhere else.
Nancy Carroll was the featured star. What a treat! I attended 3 of the 7 sessions and I really enjoyed them. I saw "The Shopworn Angel", "Follow Thru" and "Illusion" all with Nancy.
The 1928 version of "Shopworn" with Nancy and Gary Cooper is so much better than the 1938 remake. Sadly, the last 2 reels had deteriorated (the last reel had a small bit of dialogue and a song) so a summary with stills was substituted. The organist who played the accompaniment was fantastic.
"Follow Thru" was a real gem. It was in Technicolor and had been restored by UCLA in 2004.
The color was vibrant and absolutely breathtaking. UCLA did a wonderful restoration. The color was so vibrant that you could see the red freckles on Nancy Carroll's arms. When the film showed Nancy in her first close up the audience cheered and clapped. It was also awesome to see Thelma Todd in color,
especially considering that she has been dead for almost 80 years.
"Illusion" was another rare treat. I didn't even know that it was suitable for viewing as the IMD has it listed in UCLA's vaults but not listed for preservation.
The other films I saw were "Million Dollar Ransom", "Skinner Steps Out" and "Blue Jeans". The first two films were Universal rarities which I know Prince Saliano would have enjoyed.
Thanks to "TikiSoo" I got to meet one of the chief projectionists and a few other people connected to the theatre and festival.
For the first time they also had a dealers room selling all types of movie memorabilia including DVDS, posters, books, etc. There was a huge selection.
All in all it was very enjoyable and I plan to return for Capitolfest 14 next year.
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Don't miss it. This is one of TCM's golden times!
Imagine, a long lost film with a silent film superstar that's fully restored with original synchronized
score in prime time.
You can't beat that!
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I watched this movie mostly for the nostalgia. I remember watching it at least 2-3 times back in the 1980's with my Mom. She was a big fan of Barbara Parkins and Lee Grant from Peyton Place. My Mom actually liked this movie and so do I. It holds your attention as it's fast paced and riveting.
I thought Barbara Parkins was a beautiful woman. She had a genteel, refined, high class (but not snobbish) sophisticated quality about her. I wondered why she never became more famous. Did the bad reviews of this movie kill her career? I found her acting quite genuine and real.
I also liked Patty Duke. But I wondered if she might have been too "over the top". Her part required
a great range of emotions. She performed them quite well considering her young age. I believe she was either 20 or 21 at the time. You either applauded or loathed her interpretation of Neely O'Hara.
I tried to like Sharon Tate but honestly I found a lot of her acting to be stiff and too rehearsed. She didn't come across to me as "natural". I wanted to like her especially after her horrendous killing two years later but I couldn't get the feel for her. Maybe she was still trying to learn the trade.
It was also interesting to see the sexual scenes and sexual suggestions. If it wasn't for the older cars
and some of the styles I would have thought this movie would have been from the early to mid 1970's.
Perhaps this movie opened the doors for the sexual revolution in films.
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Two TCM premieres are appearing tomorrow evening Monday September 28.
They are "Why Be Good" and "Among The Missing".
For those who don't already know "Why Be Good" was once considered a lost film.
I was pleasantly surprised when it went on sale commercially. I immediately bought it and was
amazed at how pristine the picture quality was. Even though I already have it I'll be watching
it again tomorrow night. It stars Colleen Moore and Neil Hamilton. It's a silent with synchronized sound score. Don't miss this treat!
The other film I also bought on DVD. "Among The Missing" stars Richard Cromwell and Henrietta Crosman. Richard Cromwell reminds me of Leonardo DiCaprio. They look like twins. It's another good film which kept my attention and is worth watching.
Thanks TCM. We know you've gone thru budget cuts so it's nice to know we are still getting some
rare film premieres on your station.
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I know that this is Lucille Ball's thread but in an earlier post "Speedracer5" stated that Producer William Asher was Elizabeth Montgomery's second husband. Actually he was her third husband.
Her first husband was Fred Cammann and the marriage was very brief. Then she married actor Gig Young. After divorcing Young she married William Asher.
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I remember seeing this film on TV when I was a little boy. I remember how beautiful the color was
as it was shot outdoors in Technicolor and I remember it having a sad ending.
I wish TCM would be able to acquire the rights to show this film. I've had TCM since 1995 and in all these 20 years they've never shown it.
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Reading "Stephan55's" story brought back memories of an experience I had regarding "Gone With The Wind". I was still a kid and my mother wanted to take me to see it at one of the area theaters. The theater had a special showing and had the movie running for about 2-3 weeks. Well the day she took me they changed the marquee and they began showing "A Clockwork Orange". We were very disappointed (especially my Mom) but we decided to stay for the new movie anyway. Neither of us had any idea of what it was about. I remember feeling embarrassed watching a movie like this with my Mom and I could hear her whispering "Oh My" and "Oh My God" at many of the scenes. Finally she said "let's go" and told me not to tell my father what we just saw.
Then a few years later I believe it was CBS that broadcast it for the first time on TV. It was shown on two consecutive nights. I finally got to see it. I've seen it numerous times thru the past three decades and never tire of it.
I also agree with Fred that the documentary on the making of it is the best one I've ever seen. It held
my full attention for the entire running time. In addition to all the outtakes and screen tests I was
amazed at the genius of those guys involved with the special effects. Twelve Oaks looked so real yet it was only a glass painting! Considering this was 1939 they did an absolutely remarkable job on all the special effects and lighting.
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Even though I have the DVD I couldn't resist watching this version again tonight.
I definitely prefer this version to the 1940 version. Douglass Montgomery (or Kent Douglass as he was also known) did a very good job as the naïve inexperienced teen soldier boy. I believe this was one of his first film roles so naturally his acting may not have been up to par. But I think he was more appropriate and believable than Robert Taylor.
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It's also a novelty to see Bette Davis in only her third film role in the 1931 version. It was a very minor role and her screen time is short but at least we get a glimpse of what she was like when she began her film career. I believe she was called "the little brown wren" at that time.
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I like both versions but I prefer the 1931 version because of the grittiness. The MGM version is too
polished. I also think Douglass Montgomery was perfect as the inexperienced teen boy-soldier. Robert Taylor was too old and simply not suited for that part. He wasn't believable as the young soldier.
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YOU'RE BACK!!! Happy Days!!!
I hope you're doing ok. You have no idea how much we've all missed you Joe (Mongo).
We were getting very concerned and even worried about your well being.
How great to have you back with us again.
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Is there anyone on this forum who knows Joe? I would think with as popular as he is that someone here would know him (or know of him) enough that they might have his contact information.
After reading the last few posts I'm getting a bit worried about his well being. I thought he would be off the boards for a week or so while he was moving but it's been several weeks with no word whatsoever.
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I was wondering if there's any Shirley Temple movies from 1934-1940 where she's not an orphan or motherless or fatherless. It seems like all her movies had the same basic plot where she's orphaned
and either makes an old man happy or brings a couple together and they all live happily ever after.
The only movie I know of where she has both parents is "Baby Take A Bow".
Whatever Happened To The Deal With Universal?
in General Discussions
Posted
It was my understanding that a deal WAS made with Universal. At that time (which was probably 5-7 years ago) I remember reading that TCM made a deal with Universal to show its films along with its pre-1949 Paramount films. As "infinite1" mentioned, TCM
stated that it would begin showcasing these films once the deal with Columbia ran out.
I've waited for years to see this happen. At first there was a trickle of films (all pre-1949 Paramounts) which TCM started to show.
One of the first was "Christmas In July" with Dick Powell. But as time went on there was only an occasional film from the Universal vaults.
Some of the TCM forum members thought the reason for the long delay was the problem of getting the films in digital format. Time has gone by and nothing ever seemed to develop from this deal. Moreover, TCM has remained silent on this topic.
I do feel that TCM should let its viewers know what happened. It would be different if they never mentioned the deal but they did.
Many of us (including myself) only have cable to get TCM.