[JANE GREER NIGHT SATURDAY!]

She's in a few of the Anthony Mann pics airing today. In some of them, she's credited with her given name, Bettejane Greer.

[Studios Greenlight 80s Classics for Remake]

In the 50s, RKO tried to revive the SAINT series. So this is nothin' new. If the studio still owns the rights to a franchise, then they really can't be faulted for trying to squeeze more money from it with a reboot. Again, this is the nature of the business.

[Tom & Julia Reunite; Helen Reddy Back on Screen]

Someone likes Helen and gave her a movie job. Why not? She's a legend.

[TWO O'CLOCK COURAGE]

Jason Robards Sr. (billed as just Jason Robards) was under contract in the mid-to-late 40s at RKO. He also appears in the studio's co-production with David Selznick, MR. BLANDINGS BUILDS HIS DREAM HOUSE.

 

Jason Robards Jr. (billed as Jr. at the beginning of his film career to differentiate him from his father) did not debut in films until 1959's THE JOURNEY.

[Why I boycott T.C.M.'s Race and Minorties in film. festival]

we have the god given right to be offended as well as offend back.

 

Sorry you feel that way. Fortunately, you are in the minority with those views.

[This is w-h-y I love TCM]

THE UNSUSPECTED airs at least once a year. It's a good chance to catch a performance by Constance Bennett whose output slowed considerably in the late 40s and 50s.

[Tom & Julia Reunite; Helen Reddy Back on Screen]

LARRY CROWNE is a labor of love for *Tom Hanks*. It's a chance for him to once again pick up the reigns as director (his debut effort was THAT THING YOU DO! In 1996). It's a chance for him to reunite with costar *Julia Roberts* (they previously paired for CHARLIE WILSON'S WAR). And it's a chance for him to appear in a project with his wife *Rita Wilson* who has a small role. Oh, and did I mention that Tom produced and co-wrote the screenplay with *Nia Vardalos*...?

 

The film had an advance screening in Europe earlier this month, and as it goes into widescreen release here in the United States, it promises to be one of the summer's hit romantic movies. Though the still-vibrant stars are over 40, the rest of the cast is much younger and the film should appeal to a cross-section of age ranges.

 

The look of the picture seems interesting. Tom and cinematographer *Philippe Rousselot* have decided to film scenes in sepia tone. Therefore, the story, while fresh and original, has a decidedly retro look and feel to it.

 

I think the story of LARRY CROWNE will resonate with viewers. Tom plays a man who has been laid off from his job, because he does not have a college degree. As a result he goes back to school and meets a professor (Roberts) that changes his life. He changes her life, too.

 

In other news, songstress *Helen Reddy* is back on screen. Quite a few years have passed since her starring role in Disney's classic PETE'S DRAGON, but Reddy has remained active, mostly on stage in musical productions. The newest project is THE PERFECT HOST, a psychological thriller starring *David Hyde Pierce*, in which she has an important supporting role. The film was a hit at Sundance and other festivals. Magnolia Pictures is distributing.

[Ginger Rogers at 100: What are your favorite Ginger films?]

It's a formulaic screwball comedy for the era in which it was produced, but I thought it had some clever moments and good performances.

 

I think RKO at this point was trying to sell her in non-musicals. FIFTH AVENUE GIRL was a hit, and she had several screwball comedies at RKO that went over like gangbusters (TOM, DICK AND HARRY; BACHELOR MOTHER, etc.).

 

I think that those dramatic roles right around the corner probably eclipse her work in FIFTH AVE...those juicy parts in KITTY FOYLE and PRIMROSE PATH.

[Ginger Rogers at 100: What are your favorite Ginger films?]

Thanks for the heads up on TWIST OF FATE. It's a British-French production, and I have not seen it. It featured the film debut of her then-husband *Jacques Bergerac*, who went on to marry *Dorothy Malone*.

[Studios Greenlight 80s Classics for Remake]

They are thinking about the bottom line. It would be just as easy to buy stage properties, but most Tony-winning productions do not have the kind of large built-in audience that GHOSTBUSTERS has. That's the reality of the business.

[Liz Taylor's frequent lunch companion at MGM]

They probably gave Pasternak a towel after he was done, or else sprayed him off with a garden hose!

[Raintree County on DVD]

I recorded a copy from TCM after I noticed that the version of the DVD that is available on Netflix is heavily edited. Someone has taken a two-and-a-half hour masterpiece and tried to chop it down to 90 minutes. Disgraceful. I hope that any new releases have all the original footage restored.

[This is w-h-y I love TCM]

I can relate. My birthday is August 12 and that happens to be a SUTS tribute for *Claudette Colbert.* I am a huge fan of hers, and I consider this a great gift!

[This is w-h-y I love TCM]

Despite a demanding radio schedule in the 40s (she was a frequently sought after guest and had several of her own series), she managed to make quite a few films as lead actress. Of course, she was eventually coaxed into television in '52, where she had what can be called her greatest success in I Married Joan with *Jim Backus.*

 

The mimed construction sequence in BEAUTIFUL BUT BROKE is brilliant. She was considered one of the top female clowns of her generation who came to Hollywood by way of vaudeville. Her handling of props is often cited as among the best in comedy. And like *Andy Devine*, with whom she costarred in THE TRAVELING SALESWOMAN, she had one of those unique voices that just made her sound even funnier.

 

I would so love to see her get a special evening showcase on TCM and a SUTS tribute.

[This is w-h-y I love TCM]

Thank you TCM for the two *Joan Davis* films this week...BEAUTIFUL BUT BROKE and KANSAS CITY KITTY.

 

This is what TCM does best, giving us classic films that are not yet commercially available and deserve an audience. Some of Joan's films air on FMC, the ones where she is in a supporting role providing quick comic relieft. But these two Columbia titles from the 40s show her in a lead role, where she's hilarious and great.

 

More, more, more...! And more *Jane Frazee*, too!

["Castle In The Air"]

These two comments were posted on the TCM database page for the Frankie Laine film:

 

_RAINBOW ROUND MY SHOULDER / CASTLE IN THE AIR_

 

Anthony Cooper

8/31/09

 

As a long time fan of Frankie Laine, I have waited years to see Rainbow Round My Shoulder on TV. I now know that it was shown at 11.15an on 5/11/2009. Unfortunately not with it's normal title so the schedule was missed. Can we please have the movie on again soon as I'm sure many other fans of Frankie would love to see the film again

 

_Incorrect Movie Showing_

 

Nicole Taylor

5/11/09

 

RE: Castle In The Air (1952)(British) The above was not shown on 05/11/2009 at 11:15 AM as scheduled. Instead the RENAMED "Rainbow 'round My Shoulder"(1952)a musical one was shown. The error was due to the new name: "Castle In The Air" (1952) therefore the British one was not. Please check your records due to the name duplication. Thank you, from a faithful viewer. PS But it was a nice surprise with the musical with Frankie Lane.

[Elmer Gantry Tonite]

She looks great in THE HAPPY ENDING. So does Shirley Jones. It's a gorgeous film, with gorgeous ladies (including the very hot Tina Louise) and the always sexy John Forsythe.

[Liz Taylor's frequent lunch companion at MGM]

There is a way to enlarge the text on your computer screen.

 

At e-how, there are instructions that should help. It says to use the control key, but I have a Mac, and I have to use the command key.

 

http://www.ehow.com/how_4714459_enlarge-screen-text-quickly.html

[Liz Taylor's frequent lunch companion at MGM]

Thanks for the comments. Knowing L.B. Mayer, he probably had his mother teach his wife how to cook...so I am sure both women made the dish.

 

I did not know that about Pasternak (I have not yet read the Williams book). Sounds like he was a master showman!

 

[Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?]

Sounds like success spoiled Tony Randall. LOL

[Studios Greenlight 80s Classics for Remake]

I don't think they have run out of ideas. They are making production decisions that minimize risk in adverse economic times. They want projects where audiences will respond favorably, and they think that these familiar stories are the answer.

[Ginger Rogers at 100: What are your favorite Ginger films?]

I am glad you mentioned those. STAR OF MIDNIGHT should be shown more often. FIFTH AVENUE GIRL is a great RKO title, around the time she parted ways with Fred. It has a great performance by the underrated Verree Teasdale (wife of Adolphe Menjou) and a turn by Tim Holt as a spoiled playboy that no doubt helped him snag the lead role in Orson Welles' THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS.

[Ginger Rogers at 100: What are your favorite Ginger films?]

Yes, RAFTER ROMANCE is great...to think it hadn't been shown in decades until TCM helped rescue it....unbelievable!

 

The remake, LIVING ON LOVE, is also charming but not as good.

[Ginger Rogers at 100: What are your favorite Ginger films?]

Yes, she's excellent as the mistress in that picture. She's basically playing a fictional version of Marion Davies and Warren William is doing a variation on Hearst.

[So many films and too few true classics!]

I think that will just invite more argument. The original poster may provide a definition or set of criteria, but many will disagree with it.

 

The thread is an opinion thread, and either you agree with the poster's views or you don't and that's all there is to it. It's a relatively flat topic without much dimension to it.