JarrodMcDonald

It needs to be shown more often. Roz Russell is very good in it, too. King Vidor directs. It's one of my favorite medical dramas. And A.J. Cronin's book, upon which it is based, is just great.

If you haven't read Zanuck's memos, it's worth the time. In some cases, he delayed major productions and massively re-edited them. They often became the classics we know and love today. He was not afraid to revise entire storylines in post-production if it improved the picture. He knew how to make a hit. A lot of producers are just guessing and they cave into the Michael Ciminos and Orson Welles of the business. Not Zanuck. He really kept his directors in check. And he knew how to use editing as a form of re-writing.

Donat is very good in THE CITADEL. He's a superb performer.

The chicken...no, the egg...wait, the chicken...the egg! I think the Stooges started first, on stage, before the movies. The B Boys were originally known as the Dead End Kids and started on stage, too.

I figured it was mostly scene extension(s). There's a great book, a collection of Zanuck's memos (like the Selznick book)...and it's clear that Zanuck did know how to edit his films. While Selznick and other producers were into vanity projects, Zanuck was always about the bottom line and crafting a story that would be most palatable to audiences...I think 'GENTLEMAN'S AGREEMENT' best exemplifies this...he picks a strong social message drama, but he makes sure the central focus is the love story and keeps it commercial. In the case of CLEMENTINE, he was probably cutting some of Ford's meandering, to keep it commercially viable. As it stands, the film is one of Ford's great (flawed) masterpieces.

Supposedly Tina Louise really disliked getting typecast as Ginger on GILLIGAN'S ISLAND. But the more I think about her in that role, and her abilities as a method actress, I think she really nailed the Monroe impersonation she did. She took Fox's big money making star and thoroughly spoofed it. She didn't even have to change her hair color to do it...we all got the joke...that's how good Tina was with her send-up of Marilyn.

Glad you're feeling better...now, get back to work, girl. LOL

I believe there's a six or seven minute difference with the director's cut. Are there new scenes, or just longer scenes of the ones we already have in the truncated version?

I haven't seen it, and I really need to watch it. She's a reliable, consistent actress and even when I don't like the characters she plays, I am still in awe of her considerable skill. Maybe it's a blessing that the film spent three years waiting for release. She would've been competing with Jodie for SILENCE OF THE LAMBS and may not have won in '91. I would say things worked out rather well!

Swamps, rain, alligators...sounds like a theme, must be spring. Did you see there's one day when HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE airs twice? They really do over-play Monroe and Grable. I guess those films are Fox's bread and butter. LOL

He does receive top billing over Orson Welles and Loretta Young in 1946's THE STRANGER (and that was clearly a supporting role).

It's definitely spring. Tomorrow is the first official day of the season...

Don't you just love the names of her characters? Phyllis Dietrichson and Thelma Jordon...they sound like bad seeds! I noticed EGR's billing in DOUBLE INDEMNITY. A lot of hoopla was made about him receiving third billing in 1948 on KEY LARGO, after Bogey and Bacall...but he had already taken third billing on this film from 1944...so what was the big deal?

The description for RANCHIPUR says it's a remake of THE RAINS CAME. I haven't seen either. Someone else (Jonas) commented on SWAMP WATER. I have special place in my heart for Jean Renoir's classic.

The months between December and March are the best...it's when we get all our winter visitors. The weather is wonderful now, but it's starting to heat up again. I know in April I will be running my air conditioner again. You run the a/c for about seven to eight months a year here.

Filed Under: *BARBARA STANWYCK NOIR* Today's Picks: *DOUBLE INDEMNITY (1944)* & *THE FILE ON THELMA JORDAN (1950)* Barbara Stanwyck made screen history as a femme fatale in Billy Wilder's Double Indemnity. The 1944 film noir is from a novella by James Cain and is based on a real-life crime involving a married woman who persuaded her lover to kill her husband. Stanwyck plays the dame that makes sure her husband has taken out a big insurance policy before the killing. Costar Fred MacMurray plays the insurance investigator. Babs returns in Robert Siodmak's The File on Thelma Jordon. This time she is a mysterious woman who happens to be the prime suspect in a murder. After she seduces an Assistant District Attorney (played by Wendell Corey), he helps cover up evidence that may incriminate her. She gets off, but her past is starting to catch up to her.

The one I am curious about is the B-horror film THE ALLIGATOR PEOPLE. And I love Tallu's great work in A ROYAL SCANDAL...never get tired of her.

For some reason, I really like AMC. I can't explain it. Nor do I want to. LOL

You don't want to visit when it's 120 degrees in July and August. Trust me, you don't. LOL

They're all great in this film. The wife is truly wicked and she's played with such delicious flair. The smaller roles are done well, too...the new teacher, the boys, the school's headmaster. It's sort of a reverse Mr. Chips.

The director's cut is 227 minutes, and it looks like that is the one TCM will run. Alec and Bob will discuss.

Glad you had the chance to see it. TCM is going to broadcast THE CARETAKERS on March 29. She plays a sadistic psychiatric nurse in that one. LOL It costars Robert Stack, Janis Paige and Herbert Marshall in a bit role. I haven't seen it yet...but I think it's a combination of melodrama and horror.

On March 20, TCM rolls out the acclaimed 1962 epic LAWRENCE OF ARABIA. It was directed by David Lean and is considered one of the cinema's most influential films. The film's score and cinematography are also very highly regarded. Peter O'Toole's lead performance is emotionally intense. O'Toole portrays Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Edward Lawrence, a British Army officer during the Arab Revolt of 1916?18. The film depicts his experiences in Arabia during World War I. Particular emphasis is placed on his attacks on Aqaba and Damascus and his involvement in the Arab National Council. Themes include personal struggles with violence in war, personal identity, and divided allegiance between the British army and comrades within the Arabian desert tribes. The film boasts a truly spectacular cast. O'Toole is joined by Omar Shariff; Alec Guinness; Anthony Quinn; Jose Ferrer; and Claude Rains. David Lean won the Oscar as Best Director, and of course, the film was a Best Picture winner. A made-for-television sequel starring Ralph Fiennes was produced in 1990, A DANGEROUS MAN: LAWRENCE AFTER ARABIA.

But I?m more concerned about the scenery, since I?ve traveled around in the West. I'm glad you said that. That is something I meant to address. I live in Arizona, and Joe MacDonald's cinematography on this film is perfect.

It's been years since I've seen SIXTEEN CANDLES and FERRIS. And I definitely want to check out HUSH...HUSH again.