wouldbestar

One of our dailies prints a weekly chart, Critics’ Call, showing how a dozen papers and entertainment magazine critics rate current films. The code rates them a star for “Don’t miss, a black box for “Don’t hurry” and an X for “Don’t bother. Between June and August only about six films got anything close to across the board stars; the vast majority got box and X or total X rankings. These included expected hits as well as those just dumped on the summer market to make a buck. I’ve never seen things this bad. I was very disappointed that Jersey Boys turned out so badly and from their descriptions very few of the others seemed worth the money. I hope I don’t live to see the industry fade away.

I heard it as well. Very faintly but it came through. This was the first time I had and it did put a softer ending to the story. It was also the first time I really saw how Chris/Ben Johnson progressed from bully to sensible after he sees Torrey killed by Wilson for no good reason. It was tough rooting against good old Ben and I'm glad his character got out alive and wiser. I'm also curious about what Marian's wedding dress was made of. It was definitely not white but looked at times like silver or pale pink. Was it satin? It did grab your attention. It's one of the most realistic Westerns ever made. No fancy town but a bunch of ramshackle buildings just slapped together, dirt streets and the plainest of costumes. The characters sweated and looked like they worked hard in less than pristine conditions. You felt as if you were there. That's what makes it such a great movie.

From The Glass Key "These guys are voting a reform ticket?" "Why not? Most of them went to reform school."

Primos: I didn't leave out Cry in the Night but got my titles mixed up. In that first scene when he's looking at the couple from the bushes he looked so creepy I nearly went into shock then almost couldn't watch any more. That's what inspired my post after seeing his roles grow get more perverse as the week went on. TopBilled: Thank you fore the title; I looked everywhere for it. In the 80s I was given a long gone box of old and bootlegged movies on VHS cassettes by a former SO and this was one. I still prefer it to that other version of the story that cost 100 times more. I'll try to find it on YouTube or Hulu. Our light went out during Mother Wore Tights and stayed out until just before eight. I was really into that one and hope it gets run again soon so I can see the end. While she was pretty in Down Argentine Way at 24 she seemed to really bloom as she neared 30. I came away with a real respect for her as an all-around performer and understand why she was such a big star. I wish she had let herself be developed into a dramatic actress-it might have worked-but it's nice to see someone comfortable in her own skin and niche that she was. Almost everything you'd want to see Alan Ladd in is on today. I taped The Man in the Net - because of one of his co-stars - and am waiting for The Deep Six. I'll tape the overnighters and watch tomorrow between cooking. What a way to end SUTS! P.S. If you have GetTV there are two of his war movies on Friday evening, All the Young Men and The Paratrooper.

This got posted on a Star of the Month thread rather than this one. Hopefully it will do some good here. Back to the original topic: After the movies I've seen this week one actor worthy of a SUITS day next year is Raymond Burr. His body of film work before Perry Mason and Ironside will provide plenty of candidates for a tribute and show just how talented an actor he really was. In addition to what we saw this week - Station West, Pitfall, and Cry in the Night - there is A Place in the Sun, Rear Window, The Naked Jungle, A Man Alone and of course Godzilla. He played Marc Antony to Rhonda Fleming's Cleopatra in one movie that ran rings around Richard Burton's try; I can't remember the title of the film but it was made in the early 1950s. Even a film I saw on GetTV that was so bad I can't remember the title was watchable for his role as the villain. The defense rests.

First, I'm sorry if my last post started a firestorm; that was not my intention. As I stated I hope this retrospective would help blast through some of the inane ideas held by those who should know better. As for TDVDS I've heard some of the stories about how the show was cast but not that Johnny Carson was a candidate for "Rob". As for the "subtext" situations I've not seen the stole episode but will start looking at the show more closely if I start seeing them again. Carl Reiner fit the stereotype of a Jewish male so well that you couldn't help but think of Alan Brady as one and I always thought the Halperns were as well. The thing is that it shouldn't have mattered where anybody-people or characters-worshiped but how well written, acted and funny the show was. Mary Tyler Moore ran into a similar situation when she was preparing her show. Mary Richards was originally a divorcee but CBS insisted she be a single woman with a broken romance. They didn't think the public would accept her divorced even though she had been in real life as were plenty of viewers. What kind of mushrooms do you folks out there put in you red sauce or salads?

jamesjazzguitar: Oops! That's what I get for letting my enthusiasm get the better of me and not comprehending the thread. Thanks for setting me straight; I'll get this to the right thread. You are correct about a SOTM designation but I still claim he should get a SUTS day next year.

Back to the original topic: After the movies I've seen this week one actor worthy of a SUITS day next year is Raymond Burr. His body of film work before Perry Mason and Ironside will provide plenty of candidates for a tribute and show just how talented an actor he really was. In addition to what we saw this week - Station West, Pitfall, and Cry of the City - there is A Place in the Sun, Rear Window, The Naked Jungle, A Man Alone and of course Godzilla. He played Marc Antony to Rhonda Fleming's Cleopatra that ran rings around Richard Burton's try; I can't remember the title of the film but it was made in the early 1950s. Even a film I saw on GetTV that was so bad I can't remember the title was watchable for his role as the villain. The defense rests.

I thought this had already been done and I had missed it. I will definitely be watching as I find it interesting that so many moguls and early performers were Jewish but also seemed afraid to be so openly for fear of rejection from the predominately Christian Gentile audiences. A "Christian" pastor once stated that Jewish people were the unhappiest ones he knew then tried to tie that to our faith. It didn't work for me because nearly all of the comedians on the radio or TV were Jewish and seemed no different from the rest of us. Hopefully this series will help debunk some of such nonsense.

Can't stop gazing at those photos of the young Michael Rennie and Jim Davis. Rennie had that elegant, deep and very British voice while Davis's raspy Missouri twang was just tailor made for his many Western roles. With each one you knew who was speaking without looking. You can't do that with most of today's actors.

We've been discussing this channel on other threads for a few months. It does only show Columbia movies from the late 40s and 50s plus their 60s TV series. I love it despite the commercials; I've discovered unheard of little gems and seen old favorites again. I stumbled on it my chance this spring and it's my go-to channel if I'm interested in what TCM has on at the time. Glad you've joined the party.

I'll second that idea of "Mr. Roberts" for an interview with David McCallum. In fact Robert Vaughn would also be an interesting subject for one as well. Since Arlene Dahl is a SUTS subject this year. get Polly Bergen or her to talk about how their film and TV careers lead to their business ventures. As with James Garner, what a great way this was to remember Ernie. Thanks, TCM!

primosprimos: Did you catch Madame X last night? I liked your Mr. William in this even if he was so unforgiving at first in the film. He played a character with depth rather than just firing off one-liners as The Lone Wolf and Perry Mason did. I admit it, he could act.

Dreary my foot! Introducing us to lesser known but talented stars of the classic era is what SUTS should be about as well as not often seen works of those we most revere. This month has been far from a waste for me. I got to see Gladys George's Madame X last night. I've always liked Lana Turner's version but this one really rose above that one. The story line in 37's was more believable and the trial scenes were among the best ever filmed. John Boles, as "Madame's" son, was riveting and along with Gladys made you forget it was a movie. Even Warren William showed real emotion as the unforgiving husband who warms up too late. Gladys fixed it so I'll be hard pressed to think of Lana in the role after this. As for Henry Daniell as the blackmailer he is my favorite classic movie villain. I can recognize that deep, rich, imperious and so menacing voice no matter what the makeup. He was also the traitorous "Lord Wolfingham" in The Sea Hawk, the cruel orphanage director in Jane Eyre and the evil High Priest in The Egyptian. In the 50's and 60's he turned to TV appearing in so many Thriller episodes over two years he could have camped out on the set. He should be as well known as the other such actors like Basil Rathbone. I'm not that fond of Dick Powell's musicals but enjoyed Station West - a film noir disguised as a Western and of course from RKO - and will catch some of the dramas later on. This is one SUTS I'll not soon forget.

I just saw this announcement on the BBC. They knew what a talent they had before those of us here discovered him as "Roger" in The Great Escape. What I remember him best for is 10 Rillington Place where he played a man who kills his neighbors, a mother and child, and lets the husband an father hang for the crimes. It was based on fact and Sir Richard is just chillingly evil as the man. It shows his versatility as an actor. Thank you, England.

One day with "The Lone Wolf/Michael Lanyard" was enough for me. I know a certain lady on the Boards loves Warren William but he leaves me cold. Gerald Mohr was okay as Lanyard but the stories were predictable and had almost so sense of reality. They came across as rehashes of "The Falcon" or other such series. At least I had the chance to find out for myself. GetTV is becoming my "go to station" when TCM's films are not my cup of tea. I've always thought I'd have wanted to work at Fox had I been around in the 40s or 50s because of their many thought- provoking stories but from the wide range of films we are seeing from Columbia at that time that might not have been a bad place to be either, Cohn or no Cohn. Commercials or not, this station is a real find.

I got a kick out of Millionaires in Prison if only to see what Truman Bradley did before Science Fiction Theater. Also most of these films are rarely seen and giving us an idea of what going to the movies was like in the 30s is fun. I'm watching as many of the rest as I can. The short on Edward Demytryk that just ran was appreciated as well. I now know why he was both respected and vilified. Thanks, TCM.

Feyda: I just read the article you posted. I had no idea his body of directing was that large and varied. I really remember him more as an actor from 50s movies and TV shows. He left quite a legacy.

Wow! So far we've seen Alexis Smith, Herbert Marshall and now Thelma Ritter get their well-deserved days. These are not usual suspects and that's made the whole thing interesting. All I know about Lee Tracy is that he got an Oscar nomination in the 60s. I look forward to "continuing education". We also have Gladys George, Edmond O'Brien and Arlene Dahl coming up plus Betty Grable, Joseph Cotton and Alan Ladd. Folks, this why SUTS is still a worthwhile idea. Thelma is a STAR even if she never played leading roles. To me a star is someone who if you know he/she is in the cast you buy a ticket or tune in because you know that's at least one good performance. That's Thelma!

She also went by her real name, Arlene Sax. Nobody else looked like her. I recognized her in the Star Trek photo as the "Twenty-Two" nurse and stew. While the photo says Martel, I'm certain this was one of her roles where she was billed as Sax.

Flashback: I love Steel Magnolias and think Truvy and Spud were the most realistic of the couples in the film. They seemed to just miss connecting all through the film until this moment. Spud was the stereotypical Southern male; he loved his wife but his code of manliness made him keep it inside. Truvy now knew his true feelings-he loved her as she did him-and could roll with rest of their life together. Sam and Dolly both nailed their roles. Doesn't the end-Sammy going to his child's birth in a rabbit suit-remind you of I Love Lucy's Ricky being at Little Ricky's birth in a witch doctor's getup? This whole film is full of tearful scenes funny and sad; it makes me wish I'd lived there.

Old School: Robert Paige who I saw in Split Second earlier this weeks. Until a few years ago I only knew him from hosting Schlitz Playhouse in the early 50's and playing the TV producer in Bye Bye Birdie. I've since seen about four other of his films, including the one where he was Deanna Durbin's leading man, but he's just too bland for me. Today: George Clooney. I admire his love of live TV and attempts to bring it back and his willingness to stand up for his political beliefs even though I disagree with many of them. That charming boy/man image he tries to project most of the time doesn't work for me. Incidentally, after all those nice girls we saw Alexis Smith play her role as the selfish, conniving and unfaithful wife in Split Second was real proof she could act. What was unbelievable was that she'd leave Richard Egan for Paige. Then I remembered she'd also played Clayton's vicious and unhinged sister who tried to kill "Miss Ellie" on Dallas rather than see them marry. She deserved her day.

Mongo: I thought you should know that Chuck Connors left us about twenty years ago. The fellow in the photo is Mannix man Michael "Touch" Connors. Hopefully, he won't call the Sons of Armenia down on you; I've always admired his devotion to his ethnic roots.

Mongo, now we've lost Ed Nelson, one fine actor and even better human being. When will it end? Yes, this is a photo hint.

This is too much. I admired her as a woman and an actress. She seemed fearless and resourcful yet womanly and proud to be female. The class extended to her family. I never met Stephen but his wife Susan was a very sweet lady and that curly-haired little boy who raced his peddle car in my driveway was a real charmer. There was nothing snobbish about them; in fact I didn't know who they were until after they had moved away. My condolences to them for a real loss but do they ever have a heritage to be proud of.