Ascotrudgeracer

It was ridiculed widely, but it's delicious because: 1) Technicolor never looked so brilliant. 2) Connie Haines is electric belting out "Let's Choo Choo Choo to Idaho" in a train club car, opening number. 3) Amanda Blake and Roger Moore(!) supporting. Thursday night, May 12, 11:45 eastern. From 1950, MGM

Many (even experts) get them confused; for good reasons. "Woman" came first (1944) followed a year later by "Scarlet." Both starring E.G. Robinson and Joan Bennett, both directed by Fritz Lang and both excellent "quicksand noir."

It just ended. "Scarlet Street" (1945) and Joan Bennett's slavish devotion to her abusive pimp (Dan Duryea) still makes me squirm. Fritz Lang really made Edward G. Robinson a wimp (dressing him in an apron, groveling at Bennett's feet while painting her nails) and THAT'S disturbing.

"Freaks" (1932) Perhaps the very definition of disturbing. "Can a full-grown woman love a midget???" The Human Torso rolling and lighting a cigarette...no arms or legs!!!

"...I wish I had not seen that." And this always means content. The thought you can't get out of your head.

"10 Rillington Place" (1971) Richard Attenborough as a true life British serial killer. John Hurt in maybe his finest performance as the husband/patsy. Judy Geeson, incredible.

I'll think of others, but "Sophie's Choice" has to be right up there at the top. As if Streep's high school drama club Polish accent wasn't bad enough...how that downer ever was greenlighted I'll never understand. Probably made a ton of $$$. I realize Hitler's minions were sadists, but why nothing from Hollywood about Stalin murdering 50 million (including 10 million Jews) or Mao Tse Tung killing 70 million of his own people by purposely starving them to death?

If you don't blink, you will see Whiskey A-Go-Go. Barney's Beanery...loved that place; food was deadly.

You will see Santa Monica Blvd., Fountain and the Sunset Strip as it was in '69...and other interesting parts of City of Angels B4 it became gridlocked. Signs and storefronts the world has forgotten.

That's what I'm talking about. Most people hate it...which makes it irresistible. If you haven't seen it, give it a chance. The film mimics how most people spend the day; just wasting time and being self-absorbed with personal problems. No computers for time-wasting in '69.

Anouk Aimee, Gary Lockwood, Jacques Demy (director) and Los Angeles bathed in that exquisite '60's smog! This gem has created some heat on this board in past years; you either love it or hate it, but YOU have to see it! Many think it's tedious, boring, but I find it impossible to ignore. The dialogue is different from anything you've ever heard. "Model Shop" may remind you of "Targets" although the subject matter is completely different. 3:45am, eastern, early Saturday. I nominate it for cult status. Edited by: Ascotrudgeracer on May 10, 2011 5:22 PM

When I see Garbo onscreen, I see nothing but the finest support system any studio ever gave an actress. There's nothing to her that I can see. Maybe if she had been challenged with other roles... Then there's the matter of that accent...

George Sanders and Lucille Ball trying to steal scenes in a noir's noir. 6:15 pm eastern.

Ball's problem early on was that the studios didn't know what to do with her. She kind of floundered between noir, musicals, costume dramas...then came comedy and the rest...is...HERstory!

...how about George Sanders and Lucy in the same movie? Direction: Douglas Sirk. Monday, May 09 ... 6:15 pm eastern.

Looking at a director who made great films for everyone from Goebbels to Zugsmith; his real life more interesting than most film characters. I don't consider him "a director of women movies." But that is how Sirk was tagged. His "Hitler's Madman" is florid; "Written on the Wind" remains breathtaking. Douglas Sirk...a perfect director.

A prime example of a film that could not be made today. Remake would be a disaster.

...her bit in "Sunset Blvd." Or Manny Robinson (son of E. G.) as the birthday cake machine gunner in "Some Like it Hot."

I feel this board should have received more recognition at the recent Hollywood film festival. Maybe it was; I wasn't there. But people who post on this site...well, it's not all screed, venting and hubris. Tons of work goes into this activity.

It always seems to work...with spectacular results! Fred Astaire in a dramatic triumph in "On the Beach." Gene Kelly as a cynical newshound from the era of Yellow Journalism in "Inherit the Wind" was compelling, nearly perfect in a tricky role.

It's a big mistake -- when you bother to think about it -- to cast physically insignificant guys like Joe Pesci as men everybody is afraid of; even men twice bigger! I know: "It's because Joe is CRAZY!" Football lineman-size brutes are crazier than Pesci. And why was anyone afraid of Fonzie? Ralph Mouth could have pounded Fonzie; Potsie could have wasted Fonzie.

Yvette Vickers, 82, may have been dead (and alone) for a year. Hollywood Babylon material.

You are correct! This film did not fit on TCM. Makes no sense.

Walter Brennan and Clifton Webb recently outed on this board for racial issues...who else had the reputation? Don't all have to be White, either.

Use your skills and influence to get to the bottom of this issue!