wouldbestar

Thank you for all the WWI posters. I?m certain that most of us have never seen them. The reason that our side won both wars is because of the willingness of our people to pitch in and sacrifice where needed to help our soldiers and those of our allies. Our civilian parents and grandparents must have felt they had a real stake in the outcome and were fighting as hard on the home front as the soldiers were in battle. We all had it on 09/11 and I believe that if needed we would have it again. You made this day memorable and I appreciate it.

I too love this film as it speaks to veterans of all wars not just WWII. As in No Down Payment we see that Delayed Stress Syndrome did not begin with Viet Nam; it just wasn?t recognized as a definable problem before then. That photo of the sailor kissing the girl in the white dress and post-war prosperity is not the whole story. This movie fills in the blanks. The beautiful and majestic theme tells us tells us even before we hear a word of dialogue that this is an important movie. We like these three men and their families at first then see the cracks in the seemingly idyllic lifestyles. Each one has pluses and minuses that help and hinder their readjustment. Homer?s problem is obvious; getting people to look past his handicap when he can?t yet do it himself. Al?s drinking shows a man trying to drown memories of what he?s witnessed while at the same time fighting the bank he works for on behalf of soldiers he knows can make recovery work. Fred seems to be the most normal of the trio even though I agree with some critics that Dana Andrews was way too old to play him. I think from pre-war working as a soda jerk he wouldn?t have been more than 25 and probably younger. Statistics show his situation was one faced by many who went into ?quickie? wartime marriages; in 1946 there were more marriages than at any time in history as well as more divorces. Homer?s inability to deal with his injuries on the inside as well as he has outside, Al?s drinking, and Fred?s dealing with a floundering future weren?t just 1946; this was Korea and Viet Nam as well. I think the Nam veterans had it worst as they got spat on rather than thanked but from this movie but now I know this older generation had it tough as well. I have to single out Roman Bohnen?s reading of Fred?s citation as one of the most moving scenes in movie history. The increasingly dramatic theme leading into Fred?s tour of the junked planes and the reaction of Gladys George?s Hortense is heartbreaking beyond words. Also, I don?t see how anybody could keep tears from their eyes when Homer puts the ring on Wilma?s had with his hooks at their wedding. You know they will not turn out like Fred and Marie. I know some religious leaders had a problem with Peggy?s open pursuit of married Fred for a time but by then we strongly suspect-with reason-that Marie has been unfaithful. She leaves him not the other way around. By biding her time Peggy wins out with honor. I was glad to hear that one of the film?s Oscars went to the composer whose mane I don?t want to insult by misspelling. The first time I saw it hearing that theme above the opening credits told me this was something special. I was right. Everyone from Sam Goldwyn to the actors to William Wyler have something to be proud of.

CBogle: The beginning was the best part. I learned so much about places I'd never been or heard of and this added to my enjoyment to being American. Paul Winfield's commentary was often hilarious which was odd when most of the stories dealt with murder. The sad part was how the crimes often either changed the area not for the better or worse, not at all. It dealt with violence but not gore. I liked it, too.

To Have and Have Not. I always loved how Marie did not just stand by while Steve did all the heroics but joined in and pulled her weight romantically and action-wise. She was much younger than he-as were Bogey and Bacall in real life-but she held her own and got her man. Her understanding of why Steve/Harry helped a drunken old man made us root for her too. Maybe she got more to do in the subsequent films they made together but this one still shines for me. I never learned to whistle either but who cares?

Big or little screen-for me it doesn't matter. For me, this is still the greatest movie ever made. The setting is so realistic, the actors look like working class dockworkers, the acting brilliant, and the story still rings true. I know all about the political baggage it has but I'm talking about the finished product on the screen. Father Barry's monologues over Dugan's body have stayed with me ever since I first heard them and I've drawn from them whenever I've felt the need to speak my mind in a controversial situation. I think the ending was fine when Friendly was left behind with nothing to look forward to but the "hot seat" while Terry leads the men back to work. I doubt even Friendly's men could have beat the rap for killing terry in front of all those workers. This is one movie I have on CD so I can watch whenever I need to muster courage. Only A Man for All Seasons and Becket come close.

Primosprimos: You have a point. I do realize that there are a hundred or more people who lose their jobs when a series gets canceled as well as the actors losing a venue to work their craft. With the soap operas also biting the dust I can see this becoming a real concern. I can remember when nearly all live TV came out of New York; when I saw Marian Seldes on Law and Order I remembered her from all those "Golden Age" dramas of my childhood. In regards to the L&O franchise they seemed to have a stock company that could appear on any given show at the drop of a hat as villain, victim, or suspect. Jay O. Sanders comes to mind. As with the fifties, you often found their names on the Tony nominations list. I take it those jobs paid the rent and let the actors practice their craft while waiting for their Broadway break. That being said, Izcutter was right about it seeming like autopilot. I cheered like crazy when the show won its Emmy ten years ago but for a long time it?s just been a shadow of that time. If ,as she says, scripted shows are on the way back those displaced folks might soon find themselves working on programs worthy of their talent that they can take pride in being part of. I?m sure Ms. Seldes still has some great roles left for us to see her shine in.

Remember that song "Everybody Wants to be a Cat"? After seeing the usually short haired and smoky blonde Kim Novak as a long haired redhead in Picnic they must want to join our club too. I thought the soft blonde red looked natural and suited her complexion and eyes well. She didn't look as hard as she often does but made a convincing 20 year old. I didn't like the movie all that much but stayed with it because of her.

My grandfather always had two "mattresses" as I called them with bananas as a bedtime snack. I always wanted to try it but he wouldn't share.

Izcutter: I don't care who picked it as long as somebody did. They made chicken salad out of chicken manure. If it wasn't the most original story the actors made it pop and kept you interested up to the end. The Ladd-Lake blonde on blonde combination was perfect and the supporting cast was just right in their roles. I'm sure somebody was upset at Buzz calling the jazz music "monkey" but this was the mid 1940's and there were probably worse names used than that. Things that would not be tolerated today show us that we have made some progress in combating racism. I want to see this again and will definately advise anyone wanting to see a good mystery movie to do so as well. Woman, you know a good movie when you see it.

Regarding Scott Brady: He's also The Dancing Kid in Johnny Guitar which I suspect is his best role. In the seventies, he had a running role in Police Story as bar owner Vinnie.

I saw this movie when it came out in 1960 and saw it as an indictment of prejudice. The Indians were the discriminated in the story but it could have applied to Blacks who were just starting to make headway for equality in the South and Southern Mid-West. I saw Rachel as a beautiful, loving girl who was the same the day after people knew who she was as before. She didn't change, their perception of her did. They let their hatred for the people whose land they had taken and were just fighting back blind them to this fact. For a time, even a man she had loved and been loved by as brother and sister turned on her before he came to his senses. Audrey Hepburn's performance was her usual excellent self. With her long. dark, straight hair and brown eyes, I had no trouble at the time believing she was a Native American. Are they not like other races with variations of skin pigmentation? Did all tribes or nations have the same head shape or figures? I find that hard to believe. Lastly, isn't it also discrimination if only Indian actors can play Indians? Arn't there actors with some Indian ancestry who have played white people in films? As a white woman am I supposed to be upset by that? I'm not; I understand it's acting.

There is a God! Law and Order will not have a 21st season and be able to claim it's the longest running show in history. It will still have to "share" the title with Gunsmoke. Too bad it didn't happen last year. I'm curious as to how many episodes each show actually made. I'll bet Gunsmoke wins that one as the seasons ran longer in the 50's and 60's opposed to the standard 22 we have now. In my book, the gang from the Long Branch still comes out of top.

Thank you, Jack, for these little gems. I just posted my feeling on Ernie in the Favorite Ads thread. If I'd only been older. He was a fine man and I'm glad he had a woman like Edie Adams at his side on and off work. The thing about those clips-as long as we have them those two will never really die.

When they were married Robert Goulet and Carol Lawrence did one of these ads too. I know there were other but I can't remember who they were. Never tried the product. The Lonesome Rhodes ads reminded me of Arthur Godfrey and Garry Moore/Durward Kirby doing the commercials on thier shows. Durward could have talked me into Ivory Liquid but I'd have run from anything Godfrey pushed on principle. Ernie Kovacs could have sold me the moon and had I been a few years older and past puberty himself as well. Edited by: wouldbestar on May 14, 2010 10:49 PM

Who is Fritz Field? How long was he married to our dear "Mrs, Olsen"? I've seen her in a Universal horror movie and she was quite beautiful in her youth. From the movie I take it that her accent was for real. I remember her from the original Invasion of the Body Snatchers which is the only one that counts.

If you like Hurd Hatfield, he's also in King of Kings as Pilate. I am straight but don't care what he is or was. I find myself wondering how difficult it is for an actor to do sexual scenes with those of the opposite sex when they are attuned to their own. I really appreciate it when they are able to be so believable in their roles.

I think I mentioned Science Fiction Theater in this thread or another and how much of the fiction is today's fact. Host Truman Bradley shows up in small parts on some TCM movies. John Newlan, who hosted One Step Beyond was on Loretta Young's show a lot. Scsu1975: A local station in Lakeland has a spin-off station, THIS, that runs old movies and many ZIV shows. Highway Patrol is on in the mornings. Just found it this week-end. This morning?s show had Clint Eastwood as a good-guy motorcycle rider. Sea Hunt comes on afterwards. I guess even my dreary old burg has some perks.

No but I got the same feeling watching Jake kill his friend in The Sand Pebbles or in some films where somebody gives another a weapon knowing the person will use it to commit suicide. And there's that classic "last bullet for the woman" scene. I am one and certainly wouldn't want to have to face "the fate worse than death" but I was taught reverence for life and only God can take what he gives. I can see both points and I guess that's why I'm conflicted.

Izcutter: It?s so nice to find us agreeing on a great piece of art again. It was on too late for me to watch and work today but I?ve never missed it when I have the chance. It is beautiful, breathtaking, heartbreaking, and the fiddle-sounding version of the theme gives it a real frontier flavor. I love it even if I find the shooting of Duncan disturbing. I know why Nathaniel does it but I wonder whether it is morally right. A great movie makes you think. Great acting, direction, writing, cinematography, music, costumes, color, and characters you care about. What more can you ask for?

I can only imagine what this talented and beautiful woman endured simply because she was born Black. That she persevered and won out is something everybody can draw hope and inspiration from. I hope she is finding the peace in another life denied her for so long in this one. RIP, Lady.

Cheyenne and Sugarfoot alternated on Tuesdays until Clint Walker became part of the 1960's strike and walked off the show. They "replaced" him with Ty Hardin as Bronco Layne. When Walker came back they kept all three for a while as The Cheyenne Show but by 1961 Sugarfoot and Bronco were gone. Maverick was never part of the mix. It ran on Sunday nights for five years. There was an episode in season four where Tom Brewster aka Sugarfoot has finally become a lawyer and gets one of them as his first client. That might be where the confusion lies. I wish Encore would run Lawman. I know it seemed like a Gunsmoke copy but I seem to remember liking it. Peggie Castle's Lilly was sassier than Kitty and she had real screen chemistry with John Russell. Peter Brown's Johnny was a more dimensional character thatn Chester. Maybe they will.

Fred: I saw this for the first time last week and liked it. There was a similarity to Rebecca in the beginning but it was the aristocracy that came out as fools in the film. First, Jennifer's snobby in-laws rate her as not good enough for their heir, then they don't want modern influences even though they increase production and profits. The farmers are like the rest of us, they fumble the machinery at first but get the hang of it and better themselves. Finally, all of them stand up to the Nazis and burn the wheat and the family home rather than let them get it while the husband joins the fight. I see very few films about Poland's role in the war and this portrays them as able to learn and courageous. It was a two-star film but not a total waste. I usually stand with you FredC but not this time. I'm glad I tuned in.

Holly, I tried but it was on too late. I finally have a gig with the census Bureau and have to actually sleep at night for a while. Still want to see it and decide for myself if I like it. Maybe next time.

Yes, and Lee Patterson, who went on to be a soap star in the 70's and 80's before dying in obscurity a few years ago.

Thank you for the pictures. I'd love to be able to go to one of those festivals. Alex Cord starred in the only "spaghetti Western" I can stand to watch; A Minute to Pray, a Second to Die from the mid-60's. Robert Ryan and Arthur Kennedy were in it as well. It had a real and original plot, and in the hands of people who saw the genre as something besides how many characters you could shoot in 90 minutes, it could have been a four-star gem. He deserved better than this and the Stagecoach remake. As to Clint Walker and Cheyenne, I've been able to see all the episodes and am impressed with the writing and that the Indians, Chinese, and Mexicans had their stories told as well as us white folks. Cattle drives were shown as long on work and short on pay well before Rawhide. I liked it as a kid; I respect it as a really good piece of work as an adult. Unlike another famous Western show that supposedly grew out of it, the show just ended as good as it started rather than being just a bad caricature of what it had once been. I enjoyed listening to Peter Brown on Encore talk about his love of horses and actually riding one to and from work while on Lawman. Would have loved to see that. He also spoke about his friendship with Walker who mentored him and got him to use an authentic gunbelt and firearm which he did all through Lawman and Laredo. I remember Robert Fuller on talk shows as well as the dramas during his TV career and found him funny and likeable. I started watching Walker, Texas Ranger when I found out he did one as well as R. G. Armstrong, L. Q. Jones, and Stuart Whitman. If it was god enough for these old timers that was enough for me. For the record, that voice of Armstrong's could talk me into anything and that's scary.