JamesJazGuitar

Yes, I knew my MGM example was weak, that is because MGM is one of my least favorite studios because, related to this topic, I'm a fan of more male dominated type roles than so called 'women pictures' (with the exception of WB Davis films). Thus I only sited what I felt where the top of the crop (expect I should of listed Shearer since we all know why MGM featured her). But of course the actresses TP and you site did have films built around the talents of those stars by MGM.

Well of course she had to lie and Powell, and because of their former relationship, he was a sap. Typical noir story line. Edited by: jamesjazzguitar on Jan 23, 2013 4:25 PM

Spoiler Alert: You make a valid point about Powell believing she might be acting 'strange' because she wants him instead of her husband instead of the fact she has the loot and is thus one of the criminals Powell is trying to turn over to the police as a way to save her husband.

The May schedule will be posted around the same number of days it took after you asked Calvin to post the April schedule.

I agree that The Essentials has gone down hill but are you implying that "a slimy movie" cannot be an essential? Touch Of Evil is a slimy movie and to me it is also a great one. (with Lotita being a very good one, with wonderful performances by all).

I agree that there were less female stars that movies were built around than males stars especially for some studios like Warner Brothers. While rights to material would be purchased as vehicles for Bette Davis, the other actresses at WB were generally left backing up the male stars (until Crawford joined WB). This clearly impacted the careers of DeHavilland, Lupino, and Sheridan. For MGM films were built around Crawford and Garbo and than Garson. But do you think 'second tier' female stars (for lack of a better term), were not utilized as much as their male counterparts (Brett and Corey for example)? In those male-dominated action flick there were often juicy parts for other male actors, while the female role was often very secondary. E.g. Gunga Din, where any actress could of played the role given to Joan Fontaine.

I also really enjoyed Dracula's Daughter. First time I saw it was when TCM showed it a few months back. The only thing I didn't like was the very dump cop guarding the bodies. Yea, I know that horror movies often like to lighten things up with some humor, but this was too much over the top.

Well you're only allowed to like 2 out of 3!

I hate to sound like Goldilocks but I wish there was a thread about these fabulous faces that was 'just right'. The initial one started to focus on silent movie stars and I only know a handful of them. This thread is now focused on NON studio era actors. Most of the time I can guess who it is right off the bat, but I really don't care much for these actors to begin with. Thus my porridge is either too hot or too cold! But I'll survive.

Since you already know what a disclaimer would say, why are you being the so called whipping boy? I really don't think TCM needs to fear there are other whipping boys lurking in the universe just waiting for a chance to apply the whip.

Sorry I didn't see your prior post (until now), where you stated that Landers worked with A list stars. So what is a film where the director is an 'B' list director but the stars in the film are 'A' list stars? I agree this is getting too complicated! Best just to watch the movies and enjoy them.

Well the book Film Noir (Silver Ward), clearly mentions ATOE in the same breath as DI and OOTP. But they do say that ATOE was not well received when it was released but is now, maybe, too highly praised.

Well I see we have a lot in common when it relates to music. Stochelo's technique is just amazing. His cousin Jimmy isn't bad either! These guys learn to play that style of music since they are old enough to hold a guitar and it shows.

Well I support Kyle's approach as it relates to this topic but we can move on from that. Yes, I'm speculating as to why TCM showed Poitier movies instead of movies more associated with black history and or civil rights in general (like they had in the past). But of course so are you when you say: I have a gut feeling that the programmers were lazy with yesterday's selections. Thus I have a gut feeling the programming had something to do with Obama. But either way that doesn't explain why only Poitier movies. i.e. I can understand why only movies related to black history, but not limited to Poitier. Thus I believe we agree here; The choice of only Poitier is a strange one indeed.

This is a gas chamber right? So in the book one of the killer lives and gets the gas? If yes, I like the way the movie did it also.

Looks like a genie. i.e. Barbara Eden.

Scarlet Street? He is watching Dan Duryea get the gas for the killing that E.G. did?

I believe there is a major difference between 'B' movies and programmers. Take WB Cagney movies from the 30s. Many of these were programmers (rushed production, rehashing of standard plots), but the actors were 'A' list actors. Since Cagney was an "A" list star these movies were the "A" picture when two movies were shown for the price of one ticket. Also the rest of the 'crew' (director, musical personal, set and costume designers, etc.) were from the 'A' team. But 'B' movies have 'B' level talent (and not just the actors). Yea, 'B' movies can be programmers, but not every programmer is a 'B' movie.

Where you aware of how TCM handled MLK day in prior years? If you were, than when you made your initial posting it would of been useful to say that TCM had shown more diverse movies in prior years on MLK day and then to ask why did TCM go back to just showing movies about only one group as well as movies from only one actor associated with said one group? Anyhow, I wonder if TCM based their decision this year on the fact that Obama is being shorn in today. In fact did the Feds (i.e. whoever decides these things), pick today for the swearing in because it was MLK day or did it happen to be a coincidence? I assume the later. Either way today is a rather special day for the African American community than just MLK day. So maybe that explains TCM choices.

Tanya Roberts (former Bond Gal)?

Well as time marches on the odds are strong that people will even know LESS about the "black/African American actors/actresses from classic Hollywood films", just like they will know less about all actors/actresses from the Hollywood studio era. My guess is that this will be true in the African American community as well. For example, the majority of the African American community knows little to nothing about the African American jazz greats from the 30 - 60s. i.e. their knowledge is as limited as the community in general as it relates to all jazz greats from that era. A few (in all communities) will know Miles, Armstrong and a few others and that is about it.

Doesn't TCM do a tribute related to Black History month? I haven't checked the February schedule but I assume they would show some of the stars you mention. But yea, today's schedule does look more like Poiter day and while that is better than nothing, it is rather odd.

Yes, too great ladies that were some of the top actresses of the studio era. This is the correct forum and one can praise these ladies without knocking Donna Karan.

Note: Spoiler Alert: I agree with your take on Cry Danger. Nice solid crime drama. Sadly I read about the movie before I saw it for the first time the other night. Thus I knew the details and thus in the scenes between Fleming and Powell I could tell she was lying. This is similar to how I now view the scene between Bogie and Bergman in Casablanca when Bogie is planning their trip out of Paris. The clues that she knows her husband is alive and that she is going to ditch Bogie are easy to see NOW. Same thing with Cry Danger. This clearly reduced the impact of those scenes. So people that didn't know the ending; Did you buy what Fleming's character was selling? OR was it clear she was holding out on Powell (but maybe NOT to the degree as spelled out in the ending)?

Have you heard the Rosenbergs (there are many of them all related to some degree), or other Reinhart followers? I tend to listen to them now instead of Django because the sound quality of the recording is so much better. Many of Django's songs have been redone note for note. While that isn't very creative, again, the music sounds so much better than those 30 40 Django recordings. But Django is one of the top 5 most creative and influential musicians of the 20th century in my opinion. Also the Gypsy Kings don't play the Gypsy Jazz. i.e. no Django type music there, but another genre (mostly latin Spanish stuff). Very different style of music. Edited by: jamesjazzguitar on Jan 21, 2013 12:17 PM