lolmsted23

Shara and moviejoe, have no fear--I think there are a lot of us young uns around (I'm 26 and have been on the boards since I was 23 I think). To answer Shara's question, I taped "Laugh Clown Laugh" but unfortunately my tape was bad and the music warbles a lot (although from what I've read, it wasn't that great anyway). But also, throughout much of my tape, there are static lines that disrupt the film. I would have been more than happy to send you a copy had it turned out alright, but I think you'd be better off waiting for someone's good copy or for TCM to air it again.

sharain, the print of LOVE that TCM showed is from a live screening at UCLA. Unfortunately, in order hear to beautiful soundtrack that was performed, we have to put up with laughter (at especially inappropriate moments, as you pointed out), coughing, and creeky chairs.

Thank you Mongo for defending our beloved patypancake. As much as she (and most people on these boards) adores old movies and stars, I doubt she takes pleasure in the demise of these people. Like moviejoe said, because we love them so much, we want to know more about them, their successes as well as their tragedies. And as you pointed out, it's more that we SYMPATHIZE with these stars. I know that when I read about the hard times and the deaths of my favorites, I get really emotional. For example, I read Donald Spoto's bio of Marilyn Monroe THREE times and when it came to the point of her death, I cried everytime.

Alix, I was torn between 1932 and 1933--gotta love those Pre-Codes! Don't forget Scarface, Downstairs(ooh John Gilbert!), Rain, I Am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang, The Champ, Shanghai Express, and Red Headed Woman from '32--what a great year for movies!

These aren't necessarily ideas for "relatives", but look alikes that I noticed: I know Faye Dunaway played Joan Crawford in that horrible movie, but if they ever made one of when Joanie was younger, I think Jennifer Beals would be a good choice. Also, to me James Spader sometimes resembles Robert Montgomery.

Too true!

Well, I just watched that fabulous Garbo silent, "Love" again this past Sunday and retaped it onto a better tape. I've watched this one about a million times and it still gets me. I really do think it is the most romantic movie ever, especially because of the wonderful new score that was added to it. The emotion that the music brings sets off all those sparks between Gilbert and Garbo. John Gilbert is truly one of the most handsome men EVER to grace the silver screen--with that electric smile and sparkling eyes! When they are reunited at the end (in the American release) I want to clap along with the live audience. What a treasure this movie is.

Moviejoe, have you read Donald Spoto's bio of Monroe. The final chapter gives the author's belief of what happened the night of her death. He offers evidence to back up his beliefs and dispells a lot of the rumors that have followed for the past 40 years--including that the Kennedys were involved in her death. You may want to check it out. It is the most credible bio I've read of Marilyn (or, in fact, of any other star).

Recently, I went to 2 used book sales and picked up a a few I can't wait to read for a total of 13 dollars: Maria Riva's bio of her mum, Dietrich; a memoir by Garson Kanin including little anecdotes about some of our favorite stars, an Ingrid Bergman bio and autobio, A Charlie Chaplin bio, and a couple others I can't even think of right now! Right now I'm at the end of Behind the Oscar which has been really informative and my completion of it comes just in time for Oscar season this year. I can't decide what's next though: Vivien, Brando, Gable, Grant, or the last of my Garbos. Hmmm...any suggestions?

Mongo, I thoroughly enjoyed Gere's performance in CHICAGO and was so shocked to see he didn't receive a nomination. It seems to me that he's never gotten the respect from the Hollywood that he deserves. However, I have to remind myself that with the Golden Globes, there are more nominees for best actor because of the two categories for Comedy and Drama and for the Oscars, that list is cut in half and this year all the best actor nominees are from Dramas. My pick for that category this year is going to have to go to Daniel Day Lewis for Gangs of NY. He was truly the star of that film.

I think Edward Norton would be a good choice. They have a similar look and that guy can play any role.

Oooh, Moira, that comment about Colbert's neck being too short has me LOL! I love that lady, and as you said, her speaking voice was divine, but I always thought she resembled a Campbell's kid (from the soup lables) Anyway, as for Eve Arden, I have to admit, one of my favorit of her perfomances is in Grease. That was my first exposure to her when I was about 9. About two years ago, I saw her in a little movie called One Touch Venus with Ava Gardner and Robert Walker and she was the only thing in that made the movie worth watching (besides Ava's gorgeous face). I think she even sings in the movie.

Ok, this one may be a little weird because one of them isn't an actress, but does anyone else think that Emily Robison from the Dixie Chicks (the pregnant one) looks like Norma Shearer? I swear sometimes I think she's a clone. Another one I noticed recently was how much Victor McLaglen and Wallace Beery remind me of eachother.

Mark, you beat me to it, I was going to post about Ingrid Bergman! This is a woman who could play anything. She was pure and beautiful but also very sexy. I could listen to her talk for hours. These days, I get so excited when I see her daughter in something. It's almost like watching her all over again.

Dan, you have me LOL over here! I'll join you in starting TCM2 with all the nickles I get from people who are afraid of TCM becoming like AMC--how many different discussions have been started on that subject?? Anyway, thanks for setting everyone straight.

movie joe, I know what you mean about those ladies being thrust into the biz. Ava Gardner wrote in her autobiography that she never wanted to be an actress and that she knew she wasn't good, but after she was brought to Hollywood at the age of 18 she didn't know what else to do with her life. I think I remember reading that she was planning on becoming a secretary when she was discovered. She made enough money to live well and that was good enough for her.

Moira, I do know what you mean about beautiful people being wooden and stiff and just downright BAD! I wasn't defending them, I was defending my beloved Norma Shearer because I think she's an exceptionally fine actress--just my opinion. Anyway, my next part is in response to Sandy. I know exactly what you mean about Ava Gardner. She wasn't a GREAT actress, but she was pretty good in some parts. And it's not just her beauty that attracts me, it's her sincerity and something in her that I connect with (very much like Marilyn, another fave of mine) One actress whom I never seemed to catch on to because I felt she lacked that sincerity is Lana Turner. Actually, I don't even find her attractive OR talented. I don't HATE her per se, I'm just indifferent toward her and she's one I would choose to fall under this topic.

I don't know, I think I have to disagree with the assessment of Norma Shearer as a "not good/not bad" actress--after all, that's what these boards are for, right? Anyway, I always considered Shearer to be realistically subtle and the best "crier" on screen. And although I LOVE Hepburn and Davis, I think many people would agree with me that they were often a little over-the-top (but that was the style in the 30's and 40's). However, the only movie I thought Shearer was over-the-top in was Idiot's Delight and that's because the character was supposed to be. I mean, watch her in Marie Antoinette and then in The Divorcee and A Free Soul--her diversity is amazing and you never see HER, you see the character. The same cannot be said about Davis or Hepburn (they themselves had such powerful presense that they overpowered any role they took--not that it's bad, it's just different) Recently at the Golden Globes someone who won the award said that he always found it odd that they gave awards for "the best" in the arts. I have to agree. Most of the time, there is no better, or best, just different and it's all subjective. However, I DO agree that there are a share of just plain BAD actors and actress, especially today. Oh, I don't know what I'm trying to say...never mind

Ok, here's a couple I thought of over the weekend: Bert Lahr and Joe E Brown Burt Lancaster and Dan Dailey Doris Day and Vera Ellen

Jeryson! I mean, Patypancake! You're giving me a heart attack over here! I can't believe they're discontinuing the sale of even the VHS copies of classics. I can't really understand why they wouldn't make DVD's of these movies, but it makes more sense than not producing them AT ALL! Another thing that I don't understand is that I picked up a copy of Snows of Kilamangaro (SP?) last year on DVD for $7. I thought they only produced copies of classics on DVD because they were in demand. Now, I can't imagine that this movie would be in more demand than say, Hitchcock or Chaplin movies--just to name a small few. What's the deal?

Oh, and another one I just thought of since Victor Mature is being mentioned--he always resembled Armand Assante and they even talked alike!

Moviejoe, I always thought Ava Gardner and Liv Tyler looked more like "mother/daughter" but good observation!

March is usually devoted to Oscar winning movies. Since the awards weren't established until 1927, not many silents were actually nominated or granted Academy Awards. That's why no silents.

Well, as everyone knows by now, I'm a huge Garbo fan and would love to see ANY and ALL of her movies on DVD. What would be really great is to see scenes that were cut from Mata Hari, Susan Lennox, etc.

Alix, I'm glad you agree...I thought I might be crazy!