misswonderly3

What did the type of television screen they were watching have to do with transfusions? :l

MyFavouriteFilms: We often disagree, and sometimes you make me mad ( I love that phrase -"you make me mad" ; it always sounds like little kids in grade 3, arguing over some game at recess -but sometimes you do), but I think your compiling a list of the threads that you've found the most interesting and/or controversial over the past year or so has a "community" feel to it, even if the community is just this website for these forums. (And I'm not just saying I liked it because a thread or two of mine was on it. Honestly.) No matter how annoyed I get with some of your opinions (no secret, that), I do have to respect your love for movies, and your constant attention to all things film-related.

"When you're slapped, you'll take it and like it." Humphrey Bogart, aka Sam Spade, to Peter Lorre , aka Cairo , from *The Maltese Falcon*.

You insult the honour of the Klingon people. If you continue in this fashion, I shall have to find my ( fill in Klingon word for sword) and prepare for battle. Klingons have always respected and revered Canadians, such a warrior like nation.

Ok, now that it's all over, I cannot resist: the narrator, whom everyone seems to think did an excellent job, as everyone knows was Christopher Plummer. What you may not know is...yes! Christopher Plummer is Canadian.

I respect Minnelli's work, but I don't really care for it. It always strikes me as "too rich", somehow. The very elements you and finance are talking about with regard to his productions values are the very things about his films that I don't like. His movies are like food that is too rich, almost oily. Does that make any sense? (probably not ) Edited by: misswonderly on Dec 14, 2010 5:10 PM

All right, let's try and get back to normal here. It is like deep winter in Ontario, the snow is 2 metres high, and it's cold. To cheer up, I thought the warm sound of Donovan might be helpful. Put on your most colourful raiment, preferably with large flowers and butterflies on it, clap your hands in the air, and groove to "There is a Mountain" : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aNaqUm26hY

Oh, Valentine, you think you're so McClever. Change of pace. I was wondering if a haiku might have more effect: Honest funny tall Decent simple yet smart man Yes Joel McCrea

Arturo, my friend, I was kidding. Of course I never thought that *It's a Wonderful Life* was any kind of sequel to *It's a Wonderful World*. I always think when I make silly statements like that, that people know I'm purposefully being playful -but maybe it's not as obvious as I think it is. Edited by: misswonderly on Dec 13, 2010 5:31 PM

ok, I actually do know that song, just didn't know that I knew it. Here it is: Yeah, kind of kinky. I didn't know these guys were gay (not that there's anything wrong with it ).

Uh - what's that? Never mind...can you pick up the song?

Never apologize for knowing more than one language - it can only ever be a good thing. (now, please don't expect me to translate that into francais -there'd be beaucoup d'erreurs.)

I thought you might be. Let's try this:

I'm afraid we have wandered far from Mickey Rooney and silent movies. Although some of the actresses under discussion were certainly in foreign language films. So "it's all good". (Does anyone else think that is one of those pleasant sounding but ultimately meaningless expressions? People, especially 18-25, use if for everything. Oh no, I've just revealed that I must be older than 25. Doesn't matter, "it's all good". )

finance, maybe it's something to do with living in Canada, but I have no idea what song you posted. When I clicked your link, I got one of those "Don't Even Think About Listening to This Song" messages.

cujas is the one speaking French. I'm just bumbling along , reaching in the dark recesses of my brain for recollections from my first year university French class. I can't believe I wrote a whole essay in that language ! Well, if you don't use it, you lose it. That's what Louis Jourdan said to Gigi. (do you believe moi ?) Edited by: misswonderly on Dec 13, 2010 4:07 PM

But -isn't she quite fair-haired in *Leave Her to Heaven*? And, while *Laura* is in black and white, Tierney's hair looks lighter rather than darker in that film. Doh, maybe not, what do I know about Gene Tierney's hair colour? Ok, I just checked. It's hard to tell in Laural her hair doesn't look exactly black, but neither does it seem blonde. Maybe kind of chestnut? Same in *Leave Her to Heaven* - kind of an auburnish brunette? Edited by: misswonderly on Dec 13, 2010 3:57 PM

cujas, cherie. Oui, mais il n'est pas beaucoup danser dans *Gigi* (or should it be "au" *Gigi*?) To me, a musical is all about song and dance, The songs have to be good. And there has to be some dancing, and not just some discreet waltzing or such. That's what 's so great about the best musicals: the exuberance of moving in sync with great music. some examples: Fred and Ginger in almost anything - the dancing is perfection, and look at the great songs they had -usually Irving Berlin, a master. *Oklahoma* : The songs from this were top of the charts for months. This is because the songs are really good; well-written, infectious, lively, beautifully melodic. And the dancing that accompanies these compositions do them full justice. *West Side Story*: again, delicious music, achingly beautiful melodies, (plus some pretty lively stuff as well), and dancing that is full of joie de vivre I' m tempted to go on, but I think more than three examples might be overkill. I saw *Gigi* not too long ago, and I can't even remember how the song "Gigi" goes. In fact, I have trouble remembering most of the songs from that film, except for "Thank Heaven for Little Girls", and that's only because of Maurice Chevalier's delivery. Ok, that duet he does with Hermione Gingold is kind of fun, but again, it works because of the two actors' performances, not the song itself. Sorry , I don't want to come across as all harsh and judgmental about this well-beloved musical, but compared to many others, it's just not all that great. I feel quite strongly about music, as you guys know. Not that that qualifies me as some kind of "expert", pas de tout; but I do pay a lot of attention to music, the structure of a song,etc. Also, just my gut reaction to it - does it move me, does it go through my head unbidden the day after I've seen the musical? etc. And, je regrette, but in the case of *Gigi*, non. Edited by: misswonderly on Dec 13, 2010 4:02 PM

So I caught *Shop Around the Corner* on the weekend. Hadn't seen it for awhile, and it's just as good as I remembered it. You can really feel the "chemistry" between James Stewart and Margaret Sullivan (now I know why, thanks to MFF - didn't know the two actors were close before ); especially in that final scene in the shop. I think this version is much better than the Judy Garland/Van Johnson one. I don't mind In the *Good Old Summertime*, but the songs are lame, and it lacks the charm of the earlier film. I really like the way they maintained the illusion that it all took place in Budapest, right down to the Hungarian price tags etc. And I always enjoy Frank Morgans' description of a delicious festive Hungarian meal, trying to get someone to spend Christmas Eve with him. I thought the older female shop assistant looked a little like Agnes Moorehead , but of course it wasn't. And if it were Agnes, she'd have been given more to do. Anyway, another thoroughly enjoyable earlyish performance from Jimmy Stewart. He's so good in this. One of my favourite scenes is the one in which Clara (Sullivan) is trying to get rid of Stewart, not realizing that he is her mystery date. She resorts to a pretty harsh insult ("You're nothing but a little clerk !" ). The look on Stewart's face -showing wounded pride, hurt, surprise, and also the futility of trying to converse further with the insulting Clara - all in one subtle expression - just wonderful. (there's that word again.)

Poinciana, that is fascinating stuff ! I can't imagine the lofty Joan Crawford kneeling to anyone ! I heard Carol Burnett on a favourite radio show of mine (here in Canada) about a year ago. She sounded very nice, polite, not egotistical at all, funny, and full of interesting anecdotes. i wish she'd told that one !

I kind of wondered about that...that picture of Vera Clouzot didn't look like the other pictures of Vera Clouzot available. I actually think Simone Simon is prettier - wouldn't you prefer a roll in the hay with her? Of course, you would be distracted by worrying whether she'd turn into a panther at some point. But then, you wouldn't be too safe with Vera either. She'd be plotting to drown you in the bathtub. Or something (it's been a while since I saw *Diabolique*.)

Ok, finance, response: Of course *Gigi* is not "the best musical ever" , not even top 10 in my book. It's all about the songs, fi. Big productions values, big stars, expensive sets and costumes, are all for naught if the songs don't stick in your head. And Gigi's songs, quite simply , don't. I am surprised, since Lerner and Loew usually produced pretty good stuff. But the *Gigi* score just isn't that great. It isn't rubbish, but neither is it worth a "best musical" rating, far from it. Plus, musicals should have dance as well as song. Ain't much gettin' down in *Gigi.* (I suspect you only said that, anyway, to get a response. It's all about "General Discussions", baby.)

Who knew James Mason could draw? (cats, anyway- they look pretty good to me.) Too bad the book's out of print, although I'm not surprised. A very specialized market, that would be. I like the idea that James Mason and his wife put together a book about cats like that.

finance, baby, that video was really interesting - a little mini-movie in itself. Eartha Kitt's version was the originial, and the best, but I kind of like Madonna's too; talkin' Santa Baby. Just in time to get that wish list in, here she is -Madonna, vamping like mad for that fur coat and light blue convertable:

She looks a little like a dark haired Gene Tierney. "Qu'est-ce que c'est, "hay" ?"