TomJH

For those of us not in love with Paul Muni (at least his later work), maybe we should be grateful for the roles that he was up for but didn't get, or turned down. I didn't know that he had been offered the lead in The Sea Wolf but am I ever glad it went, instead, to Edward G. Robinson, who's perfect in the role. Another could-have-been-ruined-by-Muni-ham film was High Sierra. Instead it put Bogie on the road to stardom. To be fair, though, when Muni did play a gangster role few years later in Angel on my Shoulder (actually a dual part as gangster and respectable judge) he was very good. There were, mercifully, no signs of the ripe overacting that had ruined his performance in A Song to Remember the year before. I sometimes wonder if the reason Cornel Wilde got an Oscar nomination for his rather limited Chopin performance in that same film was because his acting was a relief compared to the mugging Muni trying to steal every scene.

There have been a number of posters on this thread who have pointed out their perception of the lack of sex appeal in a number of character actors or actresses. Is there no one here, though, who will admit that there are a few of those unconventional types that really crank their engine? How about Walter Brennan as "Stumpy" in Rio Bravo, for example? Is there no one here (presumably a lady but I don't want to speak for the gents either) whose heart skips a beat when they see that wide toothless smile? Or when you hear that high pitched cackle that Brennan produced, is there not someone who wants to rub up against him? Just a little? Sure, he wasn't cast in a lot of Muscle Beach Party movies but isn't that part of his charm? At least for somebody out there? There are a lot more Brennans in this world than there are Gables or Mitchums. 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! Dag dabit, isn't there somebody who will love me?

*clore wrote:There's something about Muni's kind of "ham" that I find distracting* To me it's more than distracting. Muni's ham, such as in A Song to Remember, is downright irritating. There's fun "ham" and there's serious I'm-giving-the-dramatic-performance-of-a-lifetime "ham". Watching Basil Rathbone, for example, in Captain Blood (with that outrageiously overdone verr French ac-cent) is a hoot. He's a fun ham, in my opinion. I love watching Rathbone overdo it (another would be Claude Rains' villainy in Anthony Adverse when he at one point bursts into high pitched hysterical laughter while looking square at the camera). Muni, though, was a serious ham. There's no sense of an actor saying to the audience, "Have fun with me, this performance is a lark." When I watch Muni chew up the scenery in Hudson's Bay or A Song to Remember I want to push a pie in his face. Sorry but Muni can bring out the Moe Howard in me. Some of Muni's later film performances date quite badly in my opinion (though not in Angel on my Shoulder or Last Angry Man). His later ham "acting" makes me squirm as I watch him in a manner that Cagney, Garfield or Flynn's acting all seems quite modern in comparison. At least to me. I've never seen a performance from any of those three actors that makes me roll my eyes the way some of Muni's work does. (Again I'm excluding early performances that Muni gave from this appraisal. He IS having fun as Scarface (and the audience with him) and he is remarkably real, honest and touching in I Am A Fugitive). Muni and Garfield were both Method actors. With Muni I see those acting wheels turning in many of his performances (Pasteur, Zola) and I groan a bit in reaction. With Garfield I NEVER see an actor plying his trade so much as I see my perception of a real person responding on screen to his environment. Garfield was soooooo natural as a performer. Muni was too, in I Am a Fugitive, but he lost that naturalness along the way, in my opinion. I have to say that of Warners major male stars of the '30s and '40s, most of them I love (Cagney, Flynn, Bogie, Edward G., Garfield). Paul Muni is the noteworthy exception, though it's undeniable from his earlier screen work that he was very talented. The problem is that after a while he was very aware of that great talent and it affected the quality of his work.

I agree with you, Lori. Who talks about Paul Muni today, outside of a few people on this thread? And that's the irony. In the late '30s Muni and Bette Davis were the prestige stars of Warner Brothers, the ones expected to bring in the Oscar nominations for their studio. Cagney's tough guy films and Flynn adventures were just regarded as a way for the studio to make money. While Cagney was regarded as a good actor, Flynn never had much respect at the studio as a performer (still doesn't in many quarters today, though some acknowledge he was underrated as a talent). But it was Muni got got an Oscar for Pasteur, and two more nominations for Zola and Juarez. Personally I find his biographical performances as Pasteur and Zola to be rather "busy.". You see the wheels turning, you see Muni saying with his every gesture in those films, "I am a GREAT actor, and now I am going to prove it." To me, someone like Cagney or Garfield or yes, the much underrated Flynn at his best, are much more natural reactors on screen. None of those three could be accused of "ham," the way that Muni increasingly was in some of his later work (Hudson's Bay or, ouch, Song to Remember-Muni is unbearable in that last film). Cagney, Garfield and Flynn are personality stars who enjoy more popularity today than Muni, an actor who submerged himself in a characterization and had no identifiable screen persona like the others. While he had the admiration of the critics for that, most of whom regarded him as superior to the other three performers (heck, Flynn was particularly dismissed as an actor even his his prime years by the critics), fans today respond to him less than the other "personality" stars. Having said that, I think Muni was brilliant in his early years before his great press seemed to go to his head. I thought him incredible in both Scarface and I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang. Today, however, he's a Warners star who is a semi-forgotten figure, while Cagney lives as an immortal, as does Flynn, if only because of Robin Hood. Garfield's name may have a much deserved resurgence in time. There are certainly those working at it (hello, Lori), but I really don't hear many people saying, "HEY, PAUL MUNI WAS A GREAT ACTOR. HOW COME NO ONE TALKS ABOUT HIM ANY MORE?" I think it's because no one cares.

Feyda, I hope I don't sound like a prude but, missing word or not, this is a thread about whether some stars are sexless or not. Out of the blue you make the statement that because one actor's character was a priest in a particular film he was also probably a pervert. I'm not a Catholic but I think that's one heck of a broad generalization. And totally unfair.

Fedya, that comment about Crosby fondling little boys. Is that an attempt an humour? I find the comment bizarre, to say the least, and in questionable taste. Crosby was already well established as a box office sensation long before he played a priest. To have lasted as long as he did as a movie box office king required more than a little appeal to women. Some readers on this thread may question why but I think that the record breaking achievements of his career, both as a singer and film star, speak for themselves. He wouldn't have lasted as long as he did winning the hearts of leading ladies in his films if women in the audience questioned the credibility, I think. I like Crosby though I wouldn't call myself a giant fan. But he did have that laid back, self deprecating charm when he was a young man, which can be viewed as very attractive to the opposite sex.

I completely disagree with anyone who says that Bing Crosby was not physically atrractive (that means sex appeal, doesn't it?) to women. No one could be as sensationally popular as he was selling records (with that great crooner voice, of his, which, I'm sure adds to the sex appeal for the distaff side) as Bing. This man was the NUMBER ONE box office star of the 1940's!!! No one is going to attain that kind of status without having thoroughly appealed to the ladies. I can remember my mother telling me how as a young girl she had a MAJOR crush on Bing Crosby in the '30s. I'm sure she wasn't unique in that. Take a look at that skinny little rake Sinatra when he was a bobby sox sensation in the '40s, and became a threat to Crosby. He was considered very hot to the young girls then, no matter how inconceivable that may be to some today. So when, MacCauley, you say that Bing Crosby was sexless, okay, that's in your eyes. Be very aware, however, that millions of young girls and women in the '30s and '40s seemed to be quite crazy about Der Bingle. Cary Grant or Errol Flynn he might not have been physically. Whatever, Crosby still had "It" for the ladies.

SansFin, are you sure? I have never had a problem recording films off any channel, though I do not have the Disney channel. In the past, I successfully recorded a few dozen films off the Fox Movie Channel but that was up until about three years ago.

*TB wrote:I always thought TCM's number one priority was not to sell, but to screen the movies* Showing movies still is TCM's No. 1 priority. If it wasn't, I would have dropped them some time ago. But seeing some of the films available on DVD between movies can be viewed as an added bonus, as well. If others choose to obsess over the fact that there's a greater emphasis upon sales than there was before, well, enjoy yourselves. But broadcasting the films that TCM does show is the reason we all tune in. Anyone know of who stopped watching TCM because of the ads?

For me, one of the positives about the DVD promotions between the films is that it informs me of a lot of the stuff that is available.

Very little of Maria Montez is available for viewing. The only two of the six film series of sand-and-sex adventures she made with Jon Hall that TCM has shown are the same two that are available on DVD, Arabian Nights and Ali Baba and the 40 Theives. Is it really that difficult for TCM to secure access from Universal to the other four films they made, all of which, I suspect, were regularly shown on AMC once upon a time: White Savage (1942), Cobra Woman (1943), Gypsy Wildcat (1944) and Sudan (1945). These films are all entertaining hokum, with silly screenplays, fun character supporting casts (with the likes of Douglass Dumbrille and Leo Carrillo in Gypsy Wildcat, for example, not to mention such stalwarts as Sabu and the recently diseased Turban Bey in others) and eye popping Technicolor. These aimable WWII escapist adentures do not deserve to be forgotten, and I keep hoping that TCM might dig a little to have a tribute to those Montez-Hall films but with more than just their two films currently available on DVD. 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! Cobra Woman - No one has seen true camp until the get to see Maria do her "dance" to King Cobra!

musicalnovelty, it might help to clear up the gender issues for some if you simply changed your name to musicalnovelHE. Heck, it almost sounds the same.

musicalnovelty, I just zipped through my recordings of Assignment and Back Pay but there are no commercials. Thank God! I'm on Shaw Direct in Canada. If that outrage continues for you, perhaps you have another service provider that you can turn to (money permitting, of course), assuming that they aren't doing the same thing. Good luck.

fxreyman, thanks for the warning. I've got my boxing gloves on in case you're right. I'm afraid they might hamper me on the keyboard, though.

I'm amazed by the rancour that this thread is stirring up. I'm even more amazed by the apparent indignation experienced by those so resentful that TCM is, indeed, becoming more commercial. As I see it: 1. The promotions or ads are all movie-related. There are no Tide or Macdonalds commercials on TCM. That should be of some solace to the sales haters. 2. The ads and promotions are done BETWEEN films. Nor are there any promotions running along the bottom of the screen as a film plays. This part is CRUCIAL for me. 3. The programming itself is unaffected by the channel's increase in DVD and book or whatever sales. At least it's unaffected as far as I can tell. What we lose out on are some shorts which is unfortunate but, overall, a small price to pay. 4. The additional revenue from these sales may well provide TCM with additional funds in order to do restorations of some films, or assist them in clearing up some rights issues for others. In other words, TCM viewers may actually get to see some films that they might not be able to if there were no sales. Therefore, 5. Just what is the problem then? Why all the screaming about sales on TCM when those sales help to keep the channel providing a service that we all love. (To assume that this is the beginning of a slippery slope towards AMC is a very large assumption and more than a bit of good old fashioned fear mongering). Finally, 6. We've got it great with TCM now, even if the TCM of years ago probably was better. As long as these sales help the channel to prosper, I'm more than fine with it.

Mongo, I love your daily photos. However, no offense, but I think you just shortened Anna Sten's life by 40 years.

*Lori wrote: The boards got kind of "nasty" there for awhile and maybe he just left because he didn't want to deal with all the "drama" that was occurring here.* I thought of that, too, Lori. The MovieProfessor was always a gentleman in his postings and never got personal. If he's left the board for that reason, it's a lot better than because something serious may have happened to him.

Hey Lori, I also sent the MovieProfessor a PM a couple of months ago without a reply. Maybe he just didn't like my PM, which is his right. Still, I hope he's okay.

I have only seen advertisements for the film on television, but I was struck by how high Daniel Day Lewis' voice sounded as Lincoln. I realize, of course, that none of us know what the real Abe Lincoln's voice was like, and perhaps I'm influenced in my perception of what I imagine it was like by the baritone sounds of Raymond Massey when he played the role. Would anyone know if there are any written descriptions of how high or deep or somewhere in beween the real Lincoln's voice was? And to those who loved Day-Lewis' performance, did you have any thoughts at all about the sound of his voice, as well?

By any chance would anyone know what has happened to the Movie Professor? I miss his in-depth postings, along with the obvious love for his subjects that he has. I certainly hope that all is well with him. Movie Professor, if you're reading this, and you have decided to not post as much or (shudder) any more, I respect your decision and wish you well. It is, however, a loss for these message boards. Maybe I should just be grateful for the information that you did impart to us. Being the greedy type, however, pardon me if I paraphrase Oliver Twist by saying that I want more.

James, I haven't seen We're No Angels in years and, like yourself, look forward to seeing it again. I recall it as a film that has its moments but is, overall, a disappointment considering the talent involved.

A concern I have is that if TCM cut out all its promotions then the programming really might be affected. In an attempt to make up for lost revenue then they might turn AMC on us and start cutting up their film presentations with commercials. Again, this is a fear on my part but I will also acknowledge that this is mere speculation. But say TCM did cut out all its promotions in between their films, as TopBilled would like. Just how else would they compensate for the lost sales other than pulling an AMC. That's why I feel that we should be grateful for the DVD sales and promotions we see since it actually helps to protect the programming from eventually getting butchered by commercials. If some posters can speculate one way, I can speculate another.

*lydecker wrote: What is really disturbing and it is a trend on this thread as well as most threads is that if anyone* *dares to criticize anything about TCM the immediate response is: "Well. If you don't like TCM,* *then switch the channel."* I don't recall anyone on this thread even implying that statement. Certainly not myself. What I resent is a poster asserting a statement, such as the marketing department has taken over TCM at the expense of programming, without being able to offer anything real proof to support it. A person can ask the original poster of the thread for proof of that statement without, I would hope, being accused of trying to "crucify" someone who "dares" to criticize the channel. I also resent someone who resorts to a shoddy debating tactic in an attempt to nullify someone who questions her statement by saying that that person's opinion is somehow "less worthy" (I'm paraphrasing TopBilled here but I think this is the gest of it) than her own because that person hasn't had access to the channel as long as she has. There is no question is my mind that TCM does have marketing very much on its mind. I see NOTHING wrong with that as long as it does not compromise the quality of the programming. So far neither you nor TopBilled have done anything but make speculative statements without any evidence to support it. If you can provide some sort of evidence, then fine, I commend you do doing so, and may, indeed, agree with you. Until then, however, I'm afraid that it is all just talk.

TB, again, a non-answer.

That's okay, TB. Your non-response only confirms my impression that the original posting for this thread over TCM's commercialism was an exercise in complaining for its own sake. I, along with a number of other readers on this thread, have simply asked the question: what is so wrong with a channel that provides movie buffs with a wonderful service from, in turn, making some sales off the products that they are showing? Exactly WHAT has TCM done that is so offensive? I also asked what evidence you have to support your assertion that marketing (clearly important to the station, no doubt, and I don't question why) has come at the price of programming. How are TCM viewers worse off than before, as far as the actual films or number of films shown are concerned?