-
Posts
154,044 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
376
Everything posted by TopBilled
-
They are doing a *retrospective for the 50th anniversary of Merchant Ivory films*. I am most excited about this! It will include quite a bit of the more well-known titles, plus some of the documentaries produced by Ismail Merchant and James Ivory. Good job, TCM! Good schedule!
-
This film has not been shown for ages. It will air in September on TCM as part of a tribute to the Library of Congress film archive. Other titles scheduled for the evening of September 28th include: BABY FACE, TWO HEADS ON A PILLOW, ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT, SPARROWS and BRITISH AGENT. Plus, there are two shorts featuring Will Rogers. Back to THE CONSTANT NYMPH, as per its wiki page: "The will of Margaret Kennedy stated that the film could be shown only at universities and museums after its original theatrical run ended.: The internet movie database offers: "...that the film has not been available because the script of the 1943 screen version was derived from both the novel by Margaret Kennedy and the play by Margaret Kennedy and Basil Dean, which are legally separate." The picture has been unavailable for exhibition for nearly seventy years. It received its first authorized public screening in decades as part of the 2011 TCM Classic Film Festival. And now it will air on TCM.
-
Y-e-s! THE STORY OF TEMPLE DRAKE on TCM in September
TopBilled posted a topic in General Discussions
It is one of Bob's picks on Sept. 14. THANK YOU. For more information about the film: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Story_of_Temple_Drake -
Cher is the guest programmer. She selected GYPSY, which seems appropriate. Her other selections: FOLLOW THE FLEET, THE BIG STREET, HOBSON'S CHOICE (that's an interesting one for her to choose), and LADY OF BURLESQUE (which is based on a story by Gypsy Rose Lee).
-
_Sept 6th/Sept 7th:_ STRANGE LOVE OF MARTHA IVERS I WALK ALONE OUT OF THE PAST MOURNING BECOMES ELECTRA A LETTER TO THREE WIVES ALONG THE GREAT DIVIDE THE JUGGLER THE STORY OF THREE LOVES ACT OF LOVE _Sept 13th/14th:_ ACE IN THE HOLE YOUNG MAN WITH A HORN THE BIG SKY THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL THE INDIAN FIGHTER TOP SECRET AFFAIR _Sept 20th/21st:_ LUST FOR LIFE PATHS OF GLORY LAST TRAIN FROM GUN HILL TOWN WITHOUT PITY THE DEVILS DISCIPLE TWO WEEKS IN ANOTHER TOWN THE HOOK _Sept 27th/28th:_ SPARTACUS LONELY ARE THE BRAVE SEVEN DAYS IN MAY THE WAY WEST THE HEROES OF TELEMARK CAST A GIANT SHADOW
-
We are getting slightly off-topic in a thread about Freddie Bartholomew, but I will add a few observations. I think LADIES IN LOVE is interesting because it is pretty much the end for Gaynor at Fox, a long-time reigning star there. She was definitely being crowded out by the talented newcomers. She would freelance a bit post-Fox, then return in the 50s to do BERNARDINE after a long absence away from films. Personally, I think Ameche is the best thing in LOVE IS NEWS. But I really do like Young and Power in it, too. As I said, it's my favorite Loretta Young film, with BEDTIME STORY, a Columbia release, not far behind. I think she preferred dramatic roles, but in my opinion her screwball comedies are best. MOTHER IS A FRESHMAN is another one I like. In GIRLS' DORMITORY, Ty actually has a scene or two before the dance business at the end. He is in a sequence where the boyfriend (more a friend) visits Simone on campus as she is about to graduate. However, it is clear she desires Herbert Marshall over him. This, incidentally, was Chatterton's last American film before heading to Great Britain where she had top billing in a few UK productions. She became very good friends with Constance Collier whom she met while doing GIRLS' DORMITORY.
-
Yes, it is not coming up. However, I just referenced the page for THE BISHOP MURDER CASE, which aired earlier today and it says the film is scheduled again for September 3. So somewhere the September information is available.
-
ADAM & EVELYNE is one of several that feature Jean and real-life husband Stewart Granger. The others are CAESAR AND CLEOPATRA, YOUNG BESS and FOOTSTEPS IN THE FOG. There is something about these two on screen together that is just very intriguing to watch.
-
> {quote:title=MissMichon wrote:}{quote} > I think you can buy Junior Army from lovingtheclassics.com. I'll have to check. Yes, they have it. And several other non-MGM hits that star Freddie.
-
Loretta Young shares top billing with Tyrone Power in the excellent screwball comedy LOVE IS NEWS. When looking up reviews of the film, I had read one reviewer say it was hard to tell which was one featured as the film's main beauty. Young really holds her own and does her best to steal the film back from Power. It's one of my favorites of hers. He does the remake with Tierney, THAT WONDERFUL URGE, which doesn't seem to work as well to me...probably because the comic foil, played by Don Ameche in the original, is pretty much written out of the plot. For an even earlier Tyrone Power Fox performance, pre-stardom, look at GIRLS' DORMITORY (on DVD). He has negligible screen time as the boyfriend of Simone Simon. Top billing actually goes to Herbert Marshall and Ruth Chatterton. It's a vehicle intended to launch Simone in American films.
-
Stars likely to receive tributes when passing
TopBilled replied to TopBilled's topic in General Discussions
> {quote:title=richardny4me wrote:}{quote} > Without a doubt Esther Williams and Jane Powell will receive tributes. > > Possibly Peter O'Toole as well. Agreed. These folks are worthy of tributes in the event of their passing. Debbie Reynolds is another ex-MGM contractee we could add to this list. -
Stars likely to receive tributes when passing
TopBilled replied to TopBilled's topic in General Discussions
> {quote:title=helenbaby wrote:}{quote} > Definitely Shirley Temple, although her tribute will probably consist of her teenage films. You're right...we would probably get one or two of her films as a child star at Fox, plus MR. BELVEDERE GOES TO COLLEGE, which she also did at Fox as a teen. Then, there would be the other pictures she made under contract with Selznick like SINCE YOU WENT AWAY, THE STORY OF SEA-BISCUIT and so forth. They would still have enough titles for a whole day of programming. In fact, I am surprised she has not had a SUTS tribute yet, unless there was one in the past and I missed it. -
"The Enchanted Cottage" (1945) TUESDAY
TopBilled replied to Ascotrudgeracer's topic in General Discussions
Thank you TikiSoo and MissW. I wanted to reiterate that I don't find McGuire homely, just fragile. Her fragility is put to good use in THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE where she is a mute targeted by a homicidal maniac; and in INVITATION where she plays Van Johnson's terminally ill spouse. As for THE ENCHANTED COTTAGE, thematically I am reminded of a later picture that covers a bit of the same ground yet differently. In LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, Olivia de Havilland clearly has a mentally **** daughter (Yvette Mimieux) but the boy (George Hamilton) who loves her does not see her limitations and considers her the most beautiful normal girl in the world. -
Happy 119th Birthday, Basil Rathbone!!!
TopBilled replied to PrincessAnankaLuvsKharis's topic in General Discussions
> {quote:title=MaryLyn2 wrote:}{quote} > I am getting to see Basil Rathbone movies I never saw before. I am so glad it is his birthday and TCM decided to celebrate it. I had been wanting to see THE LAST OF MRS. CHEYNEY for a long time. So glad I had the chance today. MGM remade it twice-- in the late 30s with Joan Crawford, William Powell and Robert Montgomery. Then, again in the early 50s with Greer Garson, Michael Wilding and Fernando Lamas. I would love to see all three versions back-to-back one evening on TCM. -
I just got around to watching UNCLE SILAS today, having DVR'd it. What a picture! I probably should've read up on it before watching it. I found some of it very shocking and not at all what I expected. I do agree with British reviewers who at the time said Katina over-chewed the scenery. But she's such a great campy actress that it works if you just go with it. Poor Jean almost doesn't stand a chance against her! I think Jean is perfectly cast. She's not angelic but still innocent enough that you pull for her.
-
Stars likely to receive tributes when passing
TopBilled replied to TopBilled's topic in General Discussions
Angela Lansbury will likely get a TCM tribute. And of the younger ones, I think TCM would definitely honor Liza and Barbra, but hopefully that will not be for a long time. -
"The Enchanted Cottage" (1945) TUESDAY
TopBilled replied to Ascotrudgeracer's topic in General Discussions
> {quote:title=kingrat wrote:}{quote} > I'm also a fan of *The Enchanted Cottage*. Some of you will be interested to know that the scriptwriter, DeWitt Bodeen, was gay, and that this film has resonated with gay viewers. William Mann's excellent *Behind the Screen* has more information about Bodeen. > > To me, it's one of the essential romantic films. Good post! If I could click *like* the way we can on Facebook, I would surely do so! -
I have heard of his films, yes. Not long ago I screened POWER OF THE PRESS for an organization where I volunteer. Lee Tracy has a lead role in that picture (alongside Guy Kibbee, Otto Kruger and Gloria Dickson). It's from either '42 or '43. It's on DVD, as part of a Columbia package on films by Sam Fuller. When we screened this film, I went in search of other work he had done during this time, because I too had thought his career ended in the mid-30s. Wrong. It did not. He kept right on working.
-
Stars likely to receive tributes when passing
TopBilled replied to TopBilled's topic in General Discussions
Yes, Olivia de Havilland would get an all-day tribute for sure. I happen to like her work from when she freelanced in Europe...LIBEL and LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA just really get me. Plus, I love her mid-60s work in LADY IN A CAGE and HUSH HUSH SWEET CHARLOTTE. She had several distinct phases in her career, and all were very successful periods for her. Kirk Douglas is another one who would get some sort of tribute. Some of his biggest hits were at Paramount and UA. -
"The Enchanted Cottage" (1945) TUESDAY
TopBilled replied to Ascotrudgeracer's topic in General Discussions
I like the title, too. It does make you want to see it, to find out what kind of story it will be. I agree that McGuire is not a plain-Jane type at all. In fact, her voice and delivery always seems fancy to me and exquisite (beautiful). Dressing her down as a dog does not work in this picture. What I really do like about ENCHANTED COTTAGE is that I think it takes full advantage of the possibilities of the cinematic artform. Cinema is visual and it is a form of magic. So when we see them a certain way, then realize that is not how the other characters see them, only how they see each other, we have been drawn into the magic. It is all based on the visual in this film, on appearance and perception/point-of-view. Plus, it is significant that Herbert Marshall's character is blind. We are blinded by the magic of these characters' lives-- especially potent because the reality is so utterly tragic. -
If you look at his filmography on the internet movie database, which includes his television work, it looks like he did not have a break. The only consequence is that he never worked for MGM again. But he freelanced steadily and not in supporting roles, but in lead parts. He worked consistently and with two starring television roles in the 50s, he was a pioneer in that field. As I originally posted, there is another actor whose career completely ended because of a similar incident...but that is because his situation was pre-meditated and directed against the all-powerful Harry Cohn. Back to Tracy, we would need to also look at his radio credits which I have a feeling were as extensive as his television credits.
-
Stars likely to receive tributes when passing
TopBilled replied to TopBilled's topic in General Discussions
> {quote:title=markfp2 wrote:}{quote} > Whether tributes are scheduled, films to be included are mainly decided by what titles TCM has "on the shelf" at that time. Even when it has certain titles under contract, for variety of reasons, those films may not be available on a moments notice. You're right, Mark. And of course, we do not want to hurry along the death of these actors, some of whom are still working today. I think some of it depends on the actual running time of the films selected and like you said, how available the titles are at the time the star passes away. I do think they would move heaven and earth to get KEY LARGO for Bacall and MARTY for Borgnine. Some of them are absolute must-haves. -
"The Enchanted Cottage" (1945) TUESDAY
TopBilled replied to Ascotrudgeracer's topic in General Discussions
It is definitely an effective film. It has a lot going for it, including not only the leads (Dorothy McGuire & Robert Young), but the excellent supporting cast (Herbert Marshall & Mildred Natwick). It seems like a hybrid genre film. Sometimes it is a war-time romance, and other times it is a horror/supernatural fantasy. Selznick's production values ripple through it. McGuire and Young had two years earlier filmed CLAUDIA, in '43. They would reunite the following year for its sequel, CLAUDIA AND DAVID, in '46. And much later, in the 70s, they would both appear in a television remake of Little Women. _Note_: June 14 (Tuesday) is Dorothy McGuire's birthday. -
This weekend Encore Westerns has pre-empted regular scheduling to show the best James Arness episodes of Gunsmoke in honor of the actor's passing. Over here at TCM, I think we can safely say that some actors will definitely get day-long or at least primetime tributes in the event they pass away. Here are the yeses and nos, at least the ones I think will be feted. Do you agree, or disagree...? _YES_ *Lauren Bacall*...we would definitely get some of her Bogart films, and DESIGNING WOMAN, which she has said was her favorite and is an MGM title. Other titles that TCM could probably get at a moment's notice would be MGM's THE COBWEB and WB's BLOOD ALLEY, costarring John Wayne. Maybe they would even air THE SHOOTIST. I doubt we would see some of her Universal pictures like WRITTEN ON THE WIND or anything she did at Fox. *Luise Rainer*...definitely a yes. Every year in January on her birthday we see most of her films (they were all done at MGM except the last one which was at Paramount and is called HOSTAGES). Plus, she did a recent interview with Osborne, so that would air again too, along with THE GREAT ZIEGFELD and THE GOOD EARTH. *Mickey Rooney*...yes, yes, yes. There would be a day-long tribute without a doubt. *Ernest Borgnine*...yes. We would definitely see MARTY in primetime. *Margaret O'Brien*...I would say yes, because 80% of her film career was at MGM, and they have access to those titles and they do show them regularly. *James Garner*...easily, yes. They have access to all his WB titles from the 50s and 60s. *Doris Day*...of course. That would be a day-long tribute. We would see all her early stuff from Warners, but probably none of her comedies with Rock Hudson, as they were done at Universal. _NO_ *Zsa Zsa Gabor*...TCM seldom airs John Huston's MOULIN ROUGE, and that is her most famous film. She does have other titles they air occasionally, but as in the case of Farley Granger, I don't see them doing a tribute. *Richard Chamberlain*...definitely a star. But as in the case of Zsa Zsa, we would probably get just a montage, not a scheduled tribute. *Deanna Durbin*...no. Most, if not all, her filmography would require dipping into the Universal catalogue. If TCM did honor her, they might show two of her films one evening, but they wouldn't need her death to do that. _MAYBE_ *Lizabeth Scott*...they would have to obtain titles from Paramount where she spent most of her career. The iconic film noir actress does deserve a tribute on TCM, though. And more than just THE STRANGE LOVE OF MARTHA IVERS. I would say DARK CITY is a must. *Sybil Jason*...they did show most of her WB titles a few years ago when she turned 80. However, these films have hardly been seen in the interim. She's not too well known today, but her movies are definitely entertaining. It's a possibility. *Dick Van Dyke*...possibly. However, MARY POPPINS would have to be one of them. I will add more as I think of them...
-
They were both in Zanuck's Technicolor musical STATE FAIR (1945). Twenty-two years had elapsed between projects. I don't know if they did any radio or television together in the interim, but it's nice to see this on-screen reunion from '67
