LoveFilmNoir

> {quote:title=sewannie wrote:}{quote} > Rain moved out of western NC this morning so I should be good for MURDER HE SAYS. It was raining (heavily I suppose) during TENSION and knocked off the satellite signal 2/3 through. Oh dear! It still isn't raining here but I wouldn't mind if it rained here all afternoon and cleared up around 7pm! The rain isn't the problem with the satellite, it's the wind, once it's windy my dish goes bonkers.

Oh wow, I didn't get any of that from his daughter. I thought she communicated how helpful Marlene was if anything, and how mainly what had happened to her dad was a result of his own downward spiral.

Robert Ryan - Dartmouth College

It's supposed to rain tonight here on the east coast and I have satellite cable, I'm hoping it won't ruin this film for me.

Kevin McCarthy was in THE MISFITS with Clark Gable

Hilarious! And yes, her dogs were barking. She actually had me convinced that her poor feet hurt. It's uncanny how much feet is connected to noir.

> {quote:title=markbeckuaf wrote:}{quote} > I absolutely adore John Payne in KANSAS CITY CONFIDENTIAL!!! Wow, what a GREAT flick on so many levels! He's the tight, taut center of the film, but there are so many great characters in that flick! One of the all-time best! The film is currently on Amazon for $4 if you don't own it. The crispy clear MGM issue too. This film blew me away as it was the first non-Fox film I ever saw with him. Someone told me he is in the first episode of Season 5 of "Columbo" and that I'd really like it. I may check it out. The only thing I like about volume 5 is that it's more films in one set. Film noir usually falls at or under 90 minutes so it definitely is a better buy when there are more films in a box set. However, without any extras, I feel like the price should reflect that. I usually put what I want on a wish list and wait until a good sale. Between December 26th and through the beginning of February Amazon.com has MAJOR sales. It's worth it to keep a $100 to the side, you may walk away with 15+ DVDs. I remember that had several Warners films that come in the keepcase for $4.99-5.99 each. I was so busy and procrastinated that I missed out on films like OUT OF THE PAST, the BACALL/BOGIE films etc. I bet that won't happen again (and also, when Amazon has a sale it usually means so does DeepDiscount) The TCM Chan collection is the cheapest right now at $29.99. Volumes 1-5 are anywhere from $37-40 each. I will most likely wait until the holidays to make a purchase.

I thought I previously read that Esther Williams admit that she created a few fairy tales to hype her book up and this was one of them? Also, just playing devil's advocate, with all those props on the sets, isn't it possible (just for gags) for someone to dress up in the opposite sex's apparel? I've seen this before and of course females are never called "cross dressers" if they take a blazer and phony mustache from props and start galavanting around. However, if a man dons a skirt, wig and heels he is a cross dresser. I'm not saying Chandler or Dailey were or weren't but how do we know those recalling of events weren't taken out of context. Now I fear that a Dan Dailey biography will come out by Boze Hadleigh or Darwin Porter. Dan Dailey: The Man in the Lace Corset or something similarly ridiculous.

Harry, I have been googling this topic for the last hour and it is pretty interesting. The confusion lies in what the court chooses to define as "fair use". There are actual some cases still pending regarding fair use and some people arguing to get the definition more clear in the law. I read one opinion where a person said that fair use really should have more emphasis on someone making money off of the work or property of someone else vs. availability. So basically, I should be able to swap DVDs with my friends or record a movie when I want to, but it's when I start receiving money for it, then it's a problem. When you watch an NFL broadcast, there is an actual audio legal disclaimer at least once in each game broadcast about needing the written consent of the NFL to show clips of games, discuss outcomes etc. However, I don't hear one during before or after TCM films, I figure TCM's logo is basically saying "this movie was recorded off of Turner Classic Movies" if I were trying to sell it. I just have to say that the rights I think I have to my DVD-Rs comes from the cost I pay for cable. 90% of them I would have never have seen if not for recording. Time shifting enables me to get my money's worth where cable is concerned. I will say though that I think it would be hard to convince authorities that one wasn't doing illegal activities if there were more than a few recording devices in the house.

Thanks for explaining Harry. When I said gray area, I meant the copying for home viewing etc. TCM's films don't show any kind of disclaimer like this before or after its films, whereas newer films to do tend to have an FBI warning in the end credits. So what exactly is the law of fair use? If it's not legal for me to copy a film from a studio, why was the VHS machine as well as DVD ever sold to consumers?

> {quote:title=HarryLong wrote:}{quote} > *I find your discussions about women's gowns fascinating,do you know anything about Jeff Chandler?* > No one else got that? I did, but I thought that rumor wasn't true.

jamesjazzguitar, what you wrote reminds me of something. I have to say that sometimes I find that the conversation on who is forgotten vs who is remembered (where classic actors are involved) can be quite frustrating). Sometimes I wish that someone would walk the streets of Hollywood - yes Hollywood, the same place that screens some of these classic gems and hosts the classic film festival - with photos of classic stars asking people to identify them. Or name a movie and the year it came out and ask people to name as many cast members they can, or give someone the name of an actor and ask them to name any of their credits. Jay Leno does something similar for comedic purposes to show how every day folk lack basic knowledge of state capitals, number of stars on our country's flag, or who the Vice President is. The reason why I would love to see something like this is to really show that the renting, purchasing and watching of classic films really is a niche market and that outside of the legendary names like Marilyn Monroe, many people are clueless. I think an even bigger shocker may be that people over 40 may not know who some of these classic stars are, even when they were featured in the night time movie, yet be more in tune with current pop culture. James, great example used, I think Fred would be associated most with the Disney stuff and 'My Three Sons". And you are definitely right about Hitchcock. The way he has been branded is genius. From the outline of his profile, to the theme music of his TV series, even people unfamiliar with his work are familiar with him. That is branding genius at work.

> {quote:title=MyFavoriteFilms wrote:}{quote} > I haven't seen THE BENNY GOODMAN STORY yet, wish TCM would run it. Sounds like the costuming almost creates an anachronistic effect. I don't think it was difficult to wardrobe the always beautiful Donna Reed. > > Interestingly, the information at the official Dallas website says that when Donna took over the role of Miss Ellie from Barbara Bel Geddes for a season, there was a lot of viewer dissatisfaction expressed about the hair and clothing. Donna tried to upgrade the character and make her more chic, but fans preferred Bel Geddes' more earthy interpretation. I didn't think hair and fashion minded much to viewers until I remember the fan outcry when Keri Russell from TV's "Felicity" had cut her hair....people were actually sending letters and petitions to the network/production company - over hair! I have to be honest, I thought it was so silly and the idea of taking time out of your life to write a letter about a character's hair was just so stupid, but people did it. I always loved the wardrobe of Angela Lansbury on "Murder, She Wrote". Some really classy 80s and early 90s fashion for a middle aged woman. Even in today's sitcoms, women who play 40+ year olds seem to look like they were styled in Macy's Juniors department. I loved the length of Lansbury's skirts, the cut and fit of her blazers and blouses and how she accessorized. Overall very chic and age appropriate.

> {quote:title=randyishere wrote:}{quote} > You are so right. John Payne is very good in noir. You mentioned Lynn Bari: she is beautiful; i really like her. Zanuck did not like her though, from what i've read (maybe she was too headstrong?). Lastly, Linda is sooooo gorgeous in Fallen Angel and quite the smart-aleck toward Dana. I just love to watch Linda in noir, westerns, .... or just about anything. What a gem Linda is. randy, it's too bad for Fox that they had to see John Payne excel in film noir roles under other directors at other studios when some of the best film noir came out of Fox! I think they typecast Payne, Dailey and Ameche as simple male leads in romance comedies and musicals. Payne definitely proved he had the acting chops. I remember being blown away when I first saw him in *Kansas City Confidential*. It's a shame that those long term studio contracts were also handicaps for some (like the lovely Lynn Bari). Regarding Linda Darnell: I think she was GREAT in *Fallen Angel*. I also agree that I like her in other genres. I loved her in Fox films like *Chad Hanna* and *Blood and Sand*. I wish she was put in more glamorous roles and in the late 40s and throughout the 50s - for some reason I feel like I didn't see her in enough Technicolor-Cinemascope productions.

> {quote:title=finance wrote:}{quote} > Could you elaborate on your "Lynn Bari" comparison? Sure. Zanuck had much of Alice Faye's role cut down to play up Linda Darnell's character and give her more screen time. The end result of the editing had Alice Faye looking like a supporting player - something that Lynn Bari would have been in the film. I'm not slighting Bari's career but she was underused at Fox as being the second female behind the lead and whenever she was the "star", it was a B picture. Zanuck put not effort into promoting her and the end result is obviously her being somewhat "forgotten" today.

SEVEN BRIDES is still one film that I don't like and I admit I may be difficult to convert. Visually it's awful with the "outdoor" sound stage that looks so obvious and the sugary sweetness and cheesiness of everyone. I guess I could give it another go since I happen to be the type that will sit through a whole film if there is ham acting or a ridiculously contrived plot.

> {quote:title=Im4movies2 wrote:}{quote} > I have no trouble copying films with my dvd recorder. However I did experience problems copying from VHS tapes I made of TCM films previously before I got my dvd machine. After 15 minutes a red flag message warned me I am unable to record and it stopped the process. I fooled the machine by starting over a second time and was able to complete recording but it was frustrating. The VHS tapes must have picked up some signal. your story reminds me that Big Brother is watching!! (I see you too Big Brother!!)

MR6, thanks for posting that link. Hepburn's wardrobe was breathtaking and I do believe this was the best she looked in her career.

> {quote:title=MyFavoriteFilms wrote:}{quote} > In the summer, they did something like that for CAN-CAN. Yes and when I first saw the one for CAN-CAN I thought "How interesting....THIS movie gets the red carpet treatment when a movie featuring the major contract players of the 40s doesn't? give me a break!!" If you ask me, MOTHER WORE TIGHTS deserves the Fox Legacy treatment....and to be screened at 8pm on a Friday night sounds like quality family television in my book! Think about it Mr Rothman!!

> {quote:title=misswonderly wrote:}{quote} > No, people, this is not a thread about fundamentalist Christian movies. Nor is it intended to be a discussion around aspect ratio, "letterboxing", and pan and scan adaptation. > > This is about the experience you have when you are somehow persuaded to watch a film that you know you hate, the last time you saw it you hated it as much as ever, and yet...this time you like it ! Something has changed. You? Your perception of the formerly despised movie? Is it the mood you're in, you're feeling particularly mellow ( "damn, that wine was tasty"), and maybe next time you'll hate it again? > Yes, this is about CHANGING YOUR MIND. You've gone from disliking this flick to liking or even loving it. What was the film, and why did you experience a conversion about it? Love this thread topic. I remember starting a thread months back about unpopular opinions about classics. At the time, I wasn't too enthused with Betty Hutton. Now fast forward to October and I actually like her films, have some of her Capitol recordings on my iPod and appreciate her acting, yet sympathize (the same way I do with certain long term contract stars) with her and the roles she was given when she could have done so much more. Thanks to this message board and several poster's ability to intellectually dissect a film or an actor or director's career, I am more open minded when I approach a film or a star. Case in point, I didn't care for THE HARVEY GIRLS. I wasn't too big on Judy Garland, even though two performers I love - John Hodiak and Angela Lansbury are in it. I remember giving it 15 minutes to "captivate me" when Judy's character is on the train chatting with the other girls, and I wasn't impressed so I changed the channel. Then Lo and behold...I record the film and decide to watch it on a rainy day, and next thing you know I can't get those Johnny Mercer lyrics out of my head - and I actually enjoy the film! I'm hoping to apply the same technique to two genres I usually ignore since I'm "not interested" in them - horror and science fiction (but more science fiction)

> {quote:title=Arturo wrote:}{quote} > *I just watched FALLEN ANGEL today. It's available thru Netflix. If more people have a chance to see it on Encore, it would be fun to read the different impressions of the film. I really liked it.* > > It's been discussed here before, but I'm still surprised no one has commented on this. It's one of my favorite films from my favorite actress, Linda Darnell (although Dana Andrews and Alice Faye are not far behind as favorites). Arturo, please, let's discuss! I love this film, own it, and watched it endlessly on FMC before I had it. Linda Darnell is great as a femme fatale and I actually think the film was quite suspenseful. Poor Alice Faye. She definitely was not only underused, but she almost was like a "Lynn Bari" in this picture. I wish she had stayed in Hollywood, I think she had the dramatic chops to really succeed in drama and film nor. I actually could see her in the Lucille Ball character of THE DARK CORNER, another film I love (Stevens character, Bradford Galt, has a name that sticks with me). Not taking anything away from the lovely Lucille Ball - she proved she had the chops for film noir in this film and in LURED, but I could definitely see Faye in this role. Random thought: Fox should have put John Payne and Dan Dailey in some noirs. They had the range - especially John Payne.

> {quote:title=Jenetico wrote:}{quote} > *My ALL TIME favorite costume designer, gowns, dresses, suits, hats and so forth was Edith Head. She was way ahead of her time.* I wish Edith Head style was what was in today. I don't mean little aspects of her design like the sleeves or how a waist is designed in a dress, I mean the everyday wear. I have seen enough **** lines, thongs, bra straps, bra outlines through shirts, lumps and bumps in evening wear etc to last a life time. Fashion today is ridiculous....people look worse yet ironically, shape wear and "girdles" are shunned...when in fact they are very necessary!!

Mark, your summaries of the of the pre-codes/mysteries/noirs/gangster/b flicks coming up on the schedule are always so spot on. If TCM used your format in writing out the schedule, I doubt I'd leave the house! The schedule feels 3D when you analyze it! I'm looking forward to FIVE STAR FINAL (I absolutely love this film. I love the "morality" message that it sends without being preachy), HE RAN ALL THE WAY, TENSION (never seen this one!), THE MOB, and most important MURDER HE SAYS (so much buzz about this one!). Good stuff in the next couple of days!

HarryLong, I just did some googling and yes, it is illegal to make copies of films (lots of gray area though and big words) from cable and satellite programming. However, there are laws that say it is not illegal to purchase a copy yet it is illegal to sell one. Makes me wonder how these internet sites selling "rare" classics are still in business. I guess I did get lucky with either DirecTV or my Toshiba and I am willing to buy a "Veeblefetzer" if need be. talkietime, I would be nervous having 30 DVD recorders in my house! And yes, you are right about "fair use". No movie studio would ever waste their resources in prosecuting me for trying to record a film that is not on DVD if I am making a copy for my home use. Now if they have proof that I am selling it online etc, that is a different story.

Harry, I use a Toshiba DR410 DVD Recorder. I guarantee you it is nothing fancy and under $100. I am able to record anything from DirecTV and I have not bugged the recorder at all. I record from my DVR box to the DVD recorder. What was the purpose of VHS 20+ years ago and what is the purchase of DVD today if a person can't make personal copies of their favorite programs and movies? I don't think Robert Osborne's DVD plugs are a part of TCM blocking their recordings, I think the movie studios have paid to have a certain amount of advertisements to get the message out there that a particular movie or box set is now available. TCM knows how rare some of the films they show are. While they may speak to the studios and encourage them to release a few rare gems to DVD, I'm sure they are aware people will set their recorders to record a film that is aired once every blue moon.