MyFavoriteFilms
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_My Top Female_
For a long time I really admired Barbara Stanwyck and still do...but I have decided that my favorite actress is actually *Claudette Colbert*. When I watch Colbert, I find her emotions and her level-headed approach to acting very accessible. I always feel like she's someone I have met in real life and I always feel good after 'convening' with her through the medium of film for 90 minutes or two hours. I am never disappointed with her. She's definitely my favorite. She's equally at ease in comedy and drama. She deserved more Oscars, besides the one she received for IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT. But my favorite Colbert performance is in MAID OF SALEM, a period piece in which she's a woman accused of witchcraft.
_My Top Male_
I think *Richard Burton* bursts on to the film scene almost like a seasoned veteran, and in some of those early roles he is very young, taking on very challenging material (example: MY COUSIN RACHEL and ALEXANDER THE GREAT). He is always up to the task. I also think he is more successful than Laurence Olivier and Fredric March in terms of selecting material outside the studio system (independent projects) but he still retains his commercial sensibilities within the Hollywood and British film industry (especially his work at Fox). When he embarks on projects with Elizabeth Taylor, they run the gamut of huge (CLEOPATRA) to small scale (MILKWOOD). But these are all memorable films.
I think he's superb in THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA and in films like WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? and BECKET. But what really impresses me is his fearlessness in the selection of roles. He did a standout episode on TV's Here's Lucy (a place you would not expect to find him exhibiting his talents) and I love his performance in STAIRCASE. In fact, I think STAIRCASE proves that he will take almost any kind of role, because he's such a deeply committed actor, intent on telling the story involving almost any kind of character. He puts his own real-life persona aside and completely dives into the role, unafraid of what fans or critics may think...and that endears him to me even more. His later work in telefilms and miniseries, such as ELLIS ISLAND is equally brilliant. He never gives a substandard performance, even when the material is not deserving of his participation. There are many more Burton films I have yet to see, and I look forward to watching them. But I don't know how I can admire him more than I already do.
_Favorite Child Star_
This is a tough category because so many talented kids come and go in Hollywood...their careers don't last long unless they transition to adult roles, but that seldom happens. I am going to pick one actor here, but I am also going to discuss an actress that I think deserves honorable mention.
I am selecting *Mickey Rooney*, because I think that even when he outgrows juvenile roles, he still has that impish childlike quality and that remains his trademark in films well into his advanced age. There's a timeless magical quality with this star. It's the energy, it's the drive to entertain the audience and it's the willingness to take parts that are downright silly and would ruin another performer's career but not his (BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S anyone?). Mickey Rooney is a legend and a Hollywood treasure.
I also need to mention *Jane Withers*. Recently, I watched her in BRIGHT EYES, an early Fox picture costarring Shirley Temple from 1934. It's clearly a vehicle for Temple, but Jane Withers steals it...and who else could ever take the spotlight from Shirley, or even try? Withers impressed critics (she received better reviews than Shirley) and the brass (Fox gave her a series of B-films that made a ton of money).
But it's that performance in BRIGHT EYES that just mesmerizes me...who else has that level of control and assured performance at such a young age. She plays the part of a psychopathic youngster so brilliantly, you are almost afraid of her...indeed, the best scenes are when Withers spanks her doll and threatens to slice off its arms and legs with a knife. It's shocking, it's strangely funny and it's a riveting performance, from an eight year old.
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Well, I think a lot of us are adult enough to handle it. LOL I didn't see the documentary, though I did reference it in my original post...now, I wish I had seen it!
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See, I was originally going to say six films, adding IMITATION OF LIFE and THE CROWDED SKY. LOL
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He had five wives and one husband...he was married longest to Betsy Drake.
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It's not Marjorie's birthday, but there are plenty of her films on tap today:
*JACKASS MAIL*...with Wallace Beery
*TISH*...with Aline MacMahon, ZaSu Pitts and Susan Peters
*WE WERE DANCING*...supposedly, she did not like working with Norma Shearer
*THE HARVEY GIRLS*...Marjorie is wonderful in this Technicolor treat
*BIG JACK*...Wallace Beery's final film, and the sixth one she made with him at MGM
*MA & PA KETTLE*...she achieved silver screen immortality in this series with Percy Kilbride
*MRS. O'MALLEY AND MR. MALONE*...with James Whitmore
*MR. IMPERIUM*...with Lana Turner and Ezio Pinza
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I guess it all adds to the legend and mystique of Cary Grant. LOL If she had a great sex life with one of the cinema's hottest men, then good for her! I'm sure a lot of people are jealous! LOL
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Yes, they could've done a sequel for ROOM FOR ONE MORE. It's just a really fun film. I like how Cary even gets down to the dog's level...he's truly an overgrown kid in this flick.
Another thing I like about it is that the pace is brisk and it moves along very nicely from episode to episode. For instance, there is one point when Drake tells the boy to leave and not take anything they have given him. Next thing you know he's on the street naked! She quickly catches up to him and takes care of the situation. Then, we're on to the next episode/vignette. Also, the scene where Cary goes to confront the boys' parents about the daughter's aborted date...that was not dragged out and handled quickly and efficiently. I thought it was wonderful.
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I agree about the female lead in THE BLACK ROSE. She was lacking something. I am not familiar with the rest of her filmography, so maybe she improved with experience and age. LOL
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I'm bringing this thread back, since it seems timely to talk turkey.
There's a web page I found called 'The 50 Worst Movies Ever.' You can start at number 50, and gobble your way to number one.
http://www.empireonline.com/features/50-worst-movies-ever/default.asp?film=50
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I know this is going to sound vague and is probably not my most inspired thread...but I have noticed that the more films I see (and great performances in those films), the more I seem to gravitate towards a few stars that consistently make me feel good and that I truly appreciate.
For purposes of this discussion, pick three.
*Top male:*
*Top female:*
*Favorite child actor:*
Then explain why. These would be actors that you would enjoy introducing to fans that are just converting to the world of classic film.
I will post my three once I have firmly decided. But I am more interested in reading what other people have to write and the reason they love, admire and appreciate a certain actor.
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> Also here we are another year in the books and still no *THE BIG PARADE* on DVD as long since promised. The same with *WINGS,* and I don't think TCM is running the Photoplay version in February either. Hope that I'm wrong, and that it is at least a new transfer from Paramount. Not the same old murky copy that TCM got stuck with a couple years ago.
I hope for your sake that it's an acceptable version. Or we can expect you to start a thread about it and raise some cane!
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I am sure you have reasons for feeling as passionately as you do about that. This is one of the areas where I usually feel alienated and discontent on this board. I don't like the hero worship of the hosts and now I can see it extends to the founders of the channel.
I am more interested in the films and the artists and technicians who made them. If they had not come here via TCM, I am sure they would've wound up in some other commercial format...let's face it, there's money to be made on these old movies.
In the Thanksgiving gratitude thread I started I did mention the things that I think TCM has been accomplishing. But I am not going to feel indebted to them. They are making money. Look at the myspace page of one of the hosts and you can see by reading his income that he doesn't get paid peanuts. LOL
I feel indebted to the original creators of these products. It is their work and their legacy and their families that I care about, not a format or station or channel that can come and go on the turn of a dime.
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I have to agree about ROOM FOR ONE MORE. I think it's a masterpiece, with a classic message about the care of foster children. Drake and Grant are perfect for these kinds of parent roles...because they have such grace and style, and to see them crowded by an assorted lot of kids with realistic problems is quite believable and funny.
I was surprised the picture was from Warners...it seems very much like something we would find from either Fox or MGM in the 50s.
The script was well-balanced...and I like how they made a point of showing how older children can be given a second chance at a family, and there was one kid representing girls and one kid representing boys in this situation. The three biological children really take a backseat in terms of the film, but they do contribute to the story. (I love the scene where they all cast ballots and write 'leave' but then they tell the illiterate boy they want him to 'stay.' LOL)
It was the right blend of realism and humor, it had a strong message and yet it was not heavy-handed. I think Drake's performance is definitely what anchors the film. Cary Grant is sort of like the biggest kid in the batch, but she is there to guide them all, make the right decisions and dole out the necessary amount of love and patience.
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Betsy Drake made eight films. She never received lower than fourth billing (and that was her debut, EVERY GIRL SHOULD BE MARRIED).
She did some interesting projects. THE SECOND WOMAN is a suspense thriller costarring Robert Young, with a plot reminiscent of Du Maurier's REBECCA.
The one that looks really interesting is her final film from the mid-60s for MGM called CLARENCE, THE CROSS-EYED LION...a family film about wildlife preservation in Africa. It served as the basis for the hit CBS series Daktari.
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Well, we do see characters shaving in movies, or eating meals or cleaning their homes. These actions are usually condensed.
My understanding of it is that we want characters (even those in frothy comedies or whacked-out horror pics) to have some semblance of humanity. We want to be able to relate to them in some way, so when they do a mundane activity on camera, we find some sort of connection to them and the routine of their lives.
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I just saw EARTHQUAKE on the Encore Action channel yesterday. So I am late to the house-tumbling party. LOL
But I have to say that I really loved it. You accept that it's going to be a bit campy when you watch it. But it was vastly entertaining, and in the way the filmmakers had intended. I thought the ending was brilliant and I read that Charlton Heston is responsible for the shocking demise of his character. The scene where Bujold watches him slip away was on a par with the Greek tragedy of Eurydices and Orpheus. The camera work was exceptional in those last shots.
One thing I have to say is that the original poster must've been glued to the screen the entire time. Someone who didn't like this film would not have paid attention to every character/actor and every plot detail.
And this thread would not be so hugely popular if the movie itself was not a monster hit (which it was and obviously still is in television syndication).
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I guess we have to ask ourselves if we want a truly fictional narrative or if we want (even the most mundane aspects of) real life up on the screen.
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Some great ideas from others.
1. About serials...I think after the Bowery Boys have run their course, a serial or two on Saturday mornings would be perfect.
2. I agree about Joel McCrea. If Encore Westerns did a SOTM, we know he'd get love and respect over there. LOL
3. I am going to add a new idea: I think more of the United Artists releases from the late 50s and 60s should screen on TCM. I am finding these great films on This TV...but it would be nice to have them on TCM sans commercials (not that I'm complaining too much).
4. Definitely need a female host on TCM.
5. I am for modern classics and 'future classics.' But I do think TCM needs to split off into more sister channels: like Encore does. There should be a channel that shows silent films exclusively; a channel that features precodes and pre-war era films; a channel with war and postwar titles (including film noir and womens pictures); a channel that covers the 60s, 70s and 80s (post-code); and recent hits and independent films from the 90s and 2000s.
6. I do think TCM needs to be rebranded as Time Warner Classics. We don't call CNN the Ted Turner News Channel. Turner's name should be removed from references to classic films...he did not own a studio, he did not run a studio, he did not produce any of these classics.
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I am glad you accidentally mentioned I WAS A MALE WAR BRIDE. It had been a long time since I'd seen it and I ordered it thru Netflix. I couldn't get over how good it was...Grant and Sheridan should've made a sequel with Hawks. There's a lot of action and Hawksian hijinks but it's really a character-driven piece and just so entertaining. I'd like to see it air on FMC or TCM.
Speaking of Ty Power, I had never seen THE BLACK ROSE before...and I was truly impressed by it. Great cast of British character actors, plus Orson Welles playing another one of his power **** roles. Excellent production values (in Technicolor).
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Thanks...I actually have Netflix sending me a copy of SUSAN SLADE. I will get it either today or tomorrow. I've read good reviews about it. It looks like Delmer Daves wrote, produced and directed again...and he reunites with Dorothy McGuire and Troy Donahue.
I wish TCM would air an evening of Troy Donahue's melodramas:
A SUMMER PLACE
PARRISH (probably my favorite of his)
SUSAN SLADE
ROME ADVENTURE
Wouldn't that be a fun evening?
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Good point about the post-1950 Warner Brothers films. I am also glad some of the titles you mentioned have been airing. Since they have shown A SUMMER PLACE, it would be nice if they aired SUSAN SLADE.
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> I really enjoyed the 2 films she made with her husband. I think her talent was above average. Her voice was lovely.
I agree. When they made the first film in 1948, they were dating. When they made the second film in 1952, they had been married for awhile.
Some background:
They married in December 1949. He had 'discovered' her on the London stage and got to know her better on an ocean voyage to the U.S. (she was an American citizen traveling home...in fact her grandfather built the famous Drake Hotel in Chicago which is now a historic landmark and still open for business). She had appeared on stage in New York several years earlier and had been signed by another studio but made no films. Cary Grant introduced her to his bosses at RKO (where he had a deal with Dore Schary). RKO signed her and she made EVERY GIRL SHOULD BE MARRIED almost immediately. Interestingly, when they wed over a year later, Schary had defected from RKO but the company's new owner, Howard Hughes, served as Cary Grant's best man during the ceremony.
PRETTY BABY, a film she made at Warners in the early 50s with Dennis Morgan, is scheduled on TCM on January 9, 2011.
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Interestingly, SOME LIKE IT HOT hasn't aired since the summer (TCM lost the rights to it for awhile). But I'm sure that it will be back and scheduled twice a month! But we do know it won't air again until at least March, since we have the schedules that far in advance and it's not listed.
The message boards have pluses and minuses. I still read plenty of things I don't like on these boards, but I find a lot I do like.
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I wanted to comment on these two...clearly, he was the big movie star, and he helped her break into movies (she was his real-life wife for many years).
Last night TCM aired EVERY GIRL SHOULD BE MARRIED and ROOM FOR ONE MORE. I had never really studied Betsy Drake's acting...and I thought she did rather well. Her voice and mannerism remind me a lot of an early Joanne Woodward.
Drake was known for her writing abilities...she tended to 'doctor' some of her husband's scripts, usually uncredited. And she is the one who found the story of ROOM FOR ONE MORE. She also had a hand in developing HOUSEBOAT. She was actually set to star in it, but then Sophia Loren took over.
Drake is also remembered for having survived a sunken watercraft. She was traveling between the United States and Europe when the ship she was on went down. Fortunately, she was rescued at sea. This was during her marriage to Grant. After their divorce, they remained good friends. She is 87 years old and has written a well-regarded book about children and spent many years after her motion picture career as a psychoanalyst. She never remarried and has appeared in a documentary about her life with her ex-husband.
Among her U.S. and British film credits: WILL SUCCESS SPOIL ROCK HUNTER?, PRETTY BABY, THE SECOND WOMAN and INTENT TO KILL.
Happy Thanksgiving!
in General Discussions
Posted
Happy Thanksgiving to you, too.
I think you should create a special screen name for next month, calling it Christmashamradio. LOL