[Lew Ayres on TCM today!]

Talking about Lew Ayres (and ignoring most of the prior comments which have nothing to do with him)

I'd like to see some of the Universal and Fox movies with Ayres. But I know that TCM wouldn't go that route.

[Observing Elvis' 80th]

I liked Elvis's early movies from "Love Me Tender" to "Blue Hawaii". All his future movies were basically the same formula and became downright silly. But this wasn't Elvis's fault; he wanted better roles to prove himself as an actor but he had to abide by his contract with the producers of those silly movies.

They were making money on them so they had no need to change them. Thank goodness we have his movies such as "Flaming Star" where he proved his acting ability in a dramatic role.

 

It's unfortunate that TCM has scheduled all his silly formula movies from the mid and late 1960's

to celebrate his 80th birthday.

[Donna Douglas (1932-2015)]

I liked Donna Douglas. She was such a nice person. She was beautiful and had a great shape but never flaunted it. She was perfect as Elly May. Whenever I saw her on the show with the various animals (from possums and raccoons to bears and a hippo) I could see the bond she had with them. She was a great lover of animals. May she rest in peace.

I also loved her spunk. She had a lot of spirit. The Bradley sisters were pretty but they were boring next to Elly May. They were very one dimensional.

[*CANDIDS* 2]

Oh yes, thank you so much for all your time and effort in starting this thread and maintaining it with all your wonderful photos and daily birthday reminders. I love the candids" thread more than any other thread on the boards. It's refreshing to come to it after reading the bickering and bantering between

posters on the "general discussion" and other threads.

[Pugsley's Gone]

     I agree. With all the grim news about the Vietnam War people wanted escapism. It's just like during the depression when people went to the movies to see the Warner Bros. musicals and Fred and Ginger dancing on those expensive sets. People needed an escape mechanism from the real world.

 

By the way, I don't think all those 60's shows mentioned have lost their humor. I still laugh whenever

I watch the Beverly Hillbillies and Bewitched. There is some humor that's timeless.

 

Just imagine 50 years from now. What will the people think of the stupid, ridiculous and inane reality

shows of today which have saturated all the channels?

[Doesn't Cary Grant rate a thread?]

I really don't know much about Cary Grant as a person. I know he was married 5 times. None of these marriages lasted longer than 4-5 years. I know he has a daughter that speaks well of him. But I don't remember ever hearing about his private life and his personality. Was he a nice guy? Was he a likeable guy? Who did he hang around with (other than Randolph Scott)? Did any of his co-stars have anything to say about him, good or bad? Was he a generous guy or was he a tight wad?

I imagine there are probably bios on him but you never know how much is fact and how much is fiction in these bios (especially after the subject is deceased).

[Doesn't Cary Grant rate a thread?]

I had hoped that, since Cary Grant had been SOTM before and with the enormous array of films he made that at least one of his films scheduled for this month would have been a TCM premiere. It's very disappointing that TCM is showing films which have all been shown before. There are several Paramount films with Grant which have never been shown on TCM so one would think they'd at least premiere one of them.

[2015 TCM WISH LIST]

I agree with PrinceSaliano. TV movies, especially from the 1980's are for another channel. If TCM

starts saturating their schedule with TV movies then they'll be even less interested in obtaining classic,

pre code and film noir films from Universal, Paramount and Fox among others.

[RARE 1930s UNIVERSALS - Part II]

What about "Wake Up And Dream" (1934)?  Crooner Russ Columbo had signed with Universal and this was his first starring film. Sadly he was killed in a freak accident just as the film had its premiere.

[FORGOTTEN COLUMBIAS]

I would love to see Tol'able David (1930) with Richard Cromwell. I had read that his family had given a pristine copy of this film to either UCLA or Library Of Congress. In any case it's out there and I wish TCM would acquire it for viewing.

 

[Who has the best voice...?]

There are many misconceptions about silent film stars Clara Bow and John Gilbert that their voices led to their demise in talkies.

A great book to read on Clara would be her bio "Runnin Wild" by David Stenn.

When talkies arrived Clara was immediately rushed into her first talking picture with no formal diction lessons given. Her voice and Brooklyn accent actually fit her personna. However B.P. Schulberg

from Paramount put her in mediocre films knowing that as long as Clara starred in them they'll make money. And Clara never fought for better film roles.

Then Clara received bad publicity from the secretary that she had fired. The secretary's revelations about Clara's private personal life was scandalous news which hit all the papers. This bad publicity led to her mental breakdown. She reached a settlement with Paramount to cancel her contract.

She recovered and married Rex Bell who was instrumental in her recovery. She received film offers

from several studios but decided on Fox because she didn't want a long term contract and Fox

offered her the best deal. She made two movies for Fox. Call Her Savage was a success and she received rave reviews. Hoopla was released a year later. Although it was a good picture it didn't make any waves and Clara was tired of making films. She wanted to settle down to the quiet of Nevada

where Rex had a huge ranch away from Hollywood and raise a family. And she did.

Anyone who thinks that Clara's voice was her downfall needs to watch "Call Her Savage".

In a similar fashion those people who think John Gilbert's voice led to his demise should watch "Downstairs".

[Who has the best voice...?]

Harpo Marx.

[Who has the best voice...?]

I have to disagree on speedracer5's comments about Clara Bow. He/she stated that Clara Bow was one of those silent stars who couldn't make it in talkies due to her voice. There's no truth to this statement.

There are many reasons for why Clara quit films and none of them were due to her voice.

[2015 TCM WISH LIST]

2015 will be the centennial anniversary for 20th Century Fox. Fox Studios began in 1915 with William Fox as head. My wish for TCM in 2015 would be to celebrate this milestone with numerous movies from

the Fox vaults (pre 1936 movies). What a rare treat this would be!

[February Schedule Is Up]

Personally I find Oscar month to be boring. I already have taped whatever Oscar-nominated movies

I enjoy. I'll use that month for catching up on my taped movies.

However I do understand the need to bring a wider audience to TCM by showing Oscar nominated movies for one month each year.

[This makes me a little sad]

This thread really tugged at me. When my family first got cable in the mid to later 1980's there was American Movie Classics (the real thing, commercial free old movies not shown on TV in decades if at all). Then came TNT and even though they had commercials they started showing all these old MGM and Warner Bros films. Finally TCM in 1994. My cable provider didn't offer it till a year later and I got it as soon as it was available.

 

Ever since I was a child I had a love for older movies. Once we got cable I would watch all these great old movies with my parents. They were from the depression era so as they watched they'd relay all kinds of nice stories about those times. It seemed like those movies took them back and they would relive their memories of days gone by. It was great quality time.

Then they both passed away. I had a good friend that also loved old movies so we'd get together, buy

some goodies and snacks and sit and watch TCM. He also passed away. So for all these years I sit

and watch these movies alone. None of my family members or friends have the slightest interest in these movies. They would rather watch something recent with lots of action such as bombings, explosions and violence. For me, there's too much of this in the real world. I want to watch these older movies to escape to a different time and era. It's a wonderful escape to watch the fantastic dancing of Astaire and Rogers on those gorgeous sets. It's a dream world. It's just sad that I don't know anyone who has the same interest and enthusiasm. Many of my family and friends don't even know who I'm talking about if I mention Jimmy Cagney or Betty Grable. Nor do they care. They might know the name Joan Crawford from "Mommie Dearest" or they might have heard the name Harlow but they don't know anything about them.

 

I am thankful for this forum as it shows that there are many other people interested in these films and stars. I know I'm not alone even if they don't live near me.

[JANUARY SCHEDULE IS UP]

"Arnie13" asked why The Cocoanuts Marx Bros. film is never shown and "Hibi" replied because it's a Paramount Film. But TCM shows the other 4 Marx Bros. Paramount films with no problem.

 

This thread came up a few years ago. There were two different  times TCM had a Marx Bros. marathon and the only film left out was the Cocoanuts. Some viewers thought it was because it wasn't restored as the others were. Other posters thought it wasn't included because it was stagey and creaky (as it was made in 1929). Nevertheless it should be shown. I'm sure most viewers would like to see the 4 Marx Bros. in their first film.

 

TCM has shown it before but it's been several years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Call Her Savage premieres late tonight on TCM]

For those of you who can't stay up to watch this pre code gem get your DVR's ready.

Clara Bow stars in one of the best pre codes ever made. It was her triumphant return to the

screen after her nervous breakdown and after leaving Paramount.

I've loved this movie from the first time I saw it at a pre code revival in New York 25 years ago.

Clara really showed her acting ability in this one. I know it's been shown several times on

the Fox Movie channel but most of us don't receive that channel.

It's premiering late tonight on TCM. I'm happy TCM got it although it deserves a primetime showing.

I hope it's the restored version which was shown at the TCM festival a few years ago.

It's a rarity just to be able to see Clara on TCM.

 

[Pre-Code Fridays]

"Primosprimos" stated that Joan Blondell and Barbara Stanwyck were outstanding when very young. Well what do you mean by very young? Blondell was 24 when she made her first movie in 1930 and Stanwyck was 23 when she made "Ladies Of Leisure" which put her on the map. They were both older than Harlow who made a smash in Red Headed Woman and Red Dust at the age of 21.

Both Blondell and Stanwyck didn't make their marks as what some may be considered "outstanding" till they were 25-26 which was already the tail end of Jean's life and career.

 

In the American Film Institute's list of 25 greatest screen actresses of all time Barbara is #11 and Jean is #22. Barbara's career goes from 1929 to the 1980's which encompasses over 50 years. Jean had seven short years. Barbara was unique in the 1930's in that she was one of the first actresses to not have an exclusive contract with one studio. She could take whatever meaty roles were offered to her from any studio. Jean was under exclusive contract with MGM from the time she was 21 till she died. Jean wasn't a fighter and took whatever roles were given to her at MGM. Some of her roles were hand me downs from Joan Crawford who refused. Jean didn't refuse. She took the roles and did the best of her ability.

I'm not knocking Barbara. In fact I like her too as she could handle any role. But it's unfair to compare her to Jean. Personally I've never been a favorite of Joan Blondell. She was ok but her smart aleck, street wise,  gum chewing antics got to be a little tired by the end of the 1930's. I know this wasn't her fault as Warner Brothers kept putting her in these roles which is probably why she left them in 1939.

She also had a long career strarting in 1930 and going right up until the time she died in 1979.

[Pre-Code Fridays]

I'm a huge fan of Jean Harlow  and have been since I was a child. I realize that the posters on this board are only expressing their opinion but I find some of the comments about Harlow very unfair.

 

One poster mentioned her having trouble with her dramatic scenes in her early movies. Well for pity sake she was only 20-21 at the time and still learning her trade. Remember that this poor girl died at 26.

Marilyn Monroe still hadn't made her mark at 26. Jean didn't even have much of a chance at drama because the public wanted her in comedy. If you want to see some dramatic Harlow watch her in Suzy or Wife Versus Secretary. She's wonderful. Even in these two movies she's the ripe old age of 25.

 

Another poster claims she's no Ann Harding or Evelyn Brent. Of course not! She's Harlow! She was unique; the original platinum blonde with a heart of gold. She wasn't attempting to imitate Ann or Evelyn.

How many people today know Ann Harding or Evelyn Brent? When you mention the name Harlow or Garbo you don't even have to mention their first names. They're icons.

As far as Jean paling in comparison to Una Merkel and May Robson I strongly disagree. Why would someone even compare Jean (in her early 20's) to May Robson (in her mid seventies)? In Dinner At Eight (when she was 22) she outshone Marie Dressler, the Barrymore brothers and Wallace Beery.

If anyone disagrees with this then go back to the original reviews of the movie from 1933. The public loved and adored her.

 

 I know that many posters will tell me that it's her early death which made her an icon (which I also disagree with). But it also robbed her of the chance to expand her horizons and acting ability. At the time of her death she was already assigned to several movies to further enhance her comic and dramatic

abilities.

 

[*CANDIDS* 2]

Guessing who those gams belong to is a tough one.  Supposedly it's a glamorous actress from both the 1930's and 1940's. In the photo the auto is showing a 1930 license plate. So it's someone who I assume was famous back in 1930. Hmmmm.

I'll take a wild guess; Joan Crawford?

[September 2014 highlights-- what are you looking forward to on TCM?]

I'm looking forward to the Pre Code Fridays; especially on Friday 9/26 when TCM premieres

"Call Her Savage" with Clara Bow. This is one of the best pre-codes ever.  I'm hoping it's the recently restored version that was shown at TCM's film festival a few years ago. I just wish that this pre code gem was being shown in prime time hours, not at 2am. It deserves a prime time slot on the schedule.

Now if only TCM could get "Hoopla" Clara's last talkie.

 

[The overlooked MGM contract players]

I've often wondered what happened to Phillips Holmes. He was a Paramount star who signed on to MGM in the early 1930's. He had some good movies at Paramount including "An American Tragedy", "Devil's Holiday" and "Broken Lullaby". He was a handsome guy who was a forerunner of Montgomery Clift; troubled, brooding and sensitive.

MGM put him in "Dinner At Eight" but he had only two or three lines and less than 5 minutes airtime

in a 100 minute movie. In "Stage Mother" he also had about 5 minutes total of air time. After a few more

roles with limited airtime he was dropped.

Did MGM not know what to do with him? Was he troublesome? I would have thought he had great potential.

[*CANDIDS* 2]

That's Harriet Hilliard (better known as Harriet Nelson) with Lucy and Ginger.

This must have been during the filming of "Follow The Fleet" in 1936.

[Jean Harlow- The Original Blond Bombshell]

I absolutely LOVE Jean Harlow and I have since I was a kid and read an article about her along

with other sex symbols who died young. I saw her photo and thought she was absolutely beautiful.

For several years I was only able to see her in "Public Enemy" which was probably her worst performance. Once I began viewing her MGM films I realized why she was so popular.

 

I think there are several reasons why Jean is an icon. She died young and she was at the height of her fame when she died. She was an "original"; the sexy, brassy platinum blonde with a heart of gold.

Her performances in such movies as Bombshell, Dinner At Eight, Red Headed Woman and Red Dust

are classic. In "Dinner At Eight" she stole the show away from such popular seasoned actors such as Marie Dressler and the Barrymore brothers. When the production code was enforced she was able

to change and soften her image. One of the best examples of the "softer" Harlow was in "Wife Versus Secretary". She radiates a soft gentle natural beauty and shows how effective she can act in dramatic scenes. Another example of her effective dramatic ability was in "Suzy". She could play the range from comedy to drama very effectively.

She also had "star quality"; she stood out in photos not just because of her hair but because she had that certain something. There have been several blondes since Jean who tried to emulate her but

no one will equal the original "Harlow".

I'm very happy that most of her films were made at MGM and are available for viewing. I would love if TCM could obtain a few of her early lesser known films just to be able to see her at the start of her career. TCM has shown "Hell's Angels" which sky-rocketed her to stardom but I would also enjoy seeing her in Iron Man with Lew Ayres, The Saturday Night Kid with Clara Bow and Goldie which is her rarest film.