lolmsted23
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Posts posted by lolmsted23
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I read Marilyn Monroe's bio by Donald Spoto three times in a row and Katharine Hepburn's ME twice. I would read Barry Paris' bio of Garbo again.
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Mary, I ordered that book from E R Hamilton too, but haven't read it yet but I can't wait!
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coffeedan, you've made my day with that good news. Can't wait, not only to watch all those goodies, but to discuss them with everyone in May!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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Too true!
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Well, Mongo, looks like we're going to disagree on this one--I still think Garbo deserved the Oscar for that one.
But, like you, I'm pretty sure she would have shrugged it off and not shown up. She thought awards were pretty silly. -
Mark, point taken. However, I don't think anyone said that Hepburn's Oscars were well-deserved. Right now I'm reading a book called BEHIND THE OSCAR and over and over again, stories are told of how many of our finest actors have been overlooked to later be given an apologetic Honorary Oscar. Take Greta Garbo, my personal favorite. She was nominated 4 times and never won. True, she was up against some amazing talent for some of those, but the fact that Luise Rainer won in '37 for The Good Earth over Garbo in her finest performance in Camille (especially since she had just won the year before!) is atrocious. Then the Academy decides to award her in '54 long after she'd been out of the business--not that it made any difference to Garbo--but it's one of the MANY examples of politics taking over. Ooh! And how about Cary Grant! That one will always be a mystery to me.
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orson, call me crazy, but I'm having a hard time figuring out how you come up with the fact that Hepburn was an egomaniac and that Bette Davis has been unjustly ignored? I've read a lot about Hepburn and about Classic Hollywood in general and never got the impression that she was out to boost her own importance or re-write history. Now, I don't really want to get into a heated debate about something this trivial and I can understand how her acting STYLE may seem dated and get on your nerves, but where is the support of her unsubstanciated self promotion? Remember, Hepburn was labeled "box office poison" for a period of time, so she was not always believed to be la creme de la creme. And as for her multiple Oscars, never once did she appear at the awards banquet to accept one of them--not a common characteristic of an egomaniac. And it wasn't because she thought she was "above" the awards like, say George C Scott. She just didn't invest that much in awards. She did however, present an Honorary Oscar one year to a close friend of hers. By no means am I suggesting that you take another look at her films, nor am I trying to convince you that you should enjoy her for her work alone, because I respect that her actual ACTING bugs you. I'm just asking how you support the idea that she is simply out to feed her own ego?
I, do, however agree with you that Davis was important driving force for women in entertainment. I love Meryl Streep's "ode" to Davis that TCM airs--how she paved the way for many actress who followed and how unafraid she was to take so many unglamorous parts. And Davis was the first female president of the Academy (although she resigned after a very short time), but still quite impressive! Anyway, orson, I look forward to more discussions with you. You present your ideas well and intelligently. BTW, were you part of the boards before the crazy new format? If so, what was your name?
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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.
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Thank you Mongo! Although I can respect everyone's opinion about Hepburn, I don't think it's fair to make comparisons between her and Davis, or anyone else for that matter. I mean, whoever said that Kate was better than Bette? They're just different and both deserve respect. Kate was good in the roles she was given, as was Bette--that's why they got those parts!
Well, that was my two cents. -
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).
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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?
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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.
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I think Edward Norton would be a good choice. They have a similar look and that guy can play any role.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
But, like you, I'm pretty sure she would have shrugged it off and not shown up. She thought awards were pretty silly.
They ruined "Laugh, Clown, Laugh"!!!
in General Discussions
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Shara, I'm with you, the older the better. I know that there's a lot of great movies from the sixties to now, but I tend to lose interest after about '65, which is odd, because that's around when the code was finally lifted! I just love the glamor and glitz of Hollywood's Golden Age. You mentioned the Dead End Kids. TCM showed three of the movies one night back in January--did you catch 'em? As for movie "series", I love the Thin Man movies, but who doesn't? Favorite actors include the typical: Gable, Grant, Brando. But also Wallace Beery, John Gilbert (swoon!), Cagney, Jack Lemmon, and Chaplin. Actresses: The list includes almost every actress but my tops are Garbo, Ingrid Bergman, Norma Shearer, Irene Dunne, and Greer Garson. I also never miss a movie with Marilyn, Ava, Natalie Wood, Kate Hepburn, Bette Davis, and Joan Crawford.