Dargo

I think these are good points to bring up here, TB. During Dr. Goldman's intro and "extro" comments of HESTER STREET last night, I too got the sense he was "overgeneralizing" his comments in the manner in which you've just described. However, we must remember that he is only given but a few minutes in which to make whatever point or points he wishes to make during his appearances. I found HESTER STREET to be almost a universal tale of American assimilation and regardless the point that it's specifically about the Jewish experience during the turn of the 20th Century. And, I also think another aspect to this film in particular which might have been or easily could be overlooked was the "Rural vs Urban" issue. In this I mean I got the sense that Carol Kane's character was newly arrived from some smaller and homogeneous burg in eastern Europe, and thus locations in which the social structures are usually much more rigidly traditional, and whereas Steven Keats' character having lived in the large and diverse city of New York for a number of years had found he must break with his tradition in order to succeed in this sort of diverse environment. I think we still see this same social phenomenon at work today in a general sense, as could it not be said the smaller and more rural a location be, the more likelihood it is the people living there would be more inclined toward more rigidly traditional viewpoints, and regardless the location's predominant religion? (...I mean, hey, they don't call a particular region located in America's Midwest and that consists of smaller towns and cities "The Bible Belt" for NOTHIN', ya know!!!) LOL

LOL Good one, Andy! "SHANE! Come back, Shane!" (...yeah, I can see that...and MAYBE even him sayin' that last "f*** you" line I mentioned earlier!!!)

Anyone else around here other than me ever associate Tab Hunter with Troy Donahue? (...well, I used to anyway)

LOL Yeah, true. But ham, doncha think instead of that little emoticon there, the following YouTube clip might have better illustrated your point here???... (...I mean this IS a website about classic movies here, isn't it?!)

So, we have the dog now, but how about a frog, Tom? I'm talkin' about Laughton's iconic shot of the amphibian on the rock as we see those two children floating down the river in the rowboat while trying to escape Mitchum's evil clutches in another noteworthy film here... I'd say this might qualify as another one of those "throwaway little details that add to a film" too. (...at least this was what your thread topic first conjured up in my mind anyway)

Once again James, and even though I didn't time it with my watch, I would bet Cary has much more screen time than either Eggar or Hutton in this movie. And yes, while Grant's star power would have naturally made him receive top billing over these two relative newcomers, in the earlier version Coburn, who was a widely known and respected character actor, still didn't have the "star power" of either Jean Arthur or Joel McCrea. And so, even though we ARE talkin' about a "remake" of SORTS here, your point I believe would be a case of "apples and oranges" here.

Sorry James, but now it's my turn to question this comment of yours here. Who's name do you see at the top of this movie poster? And, seein' as how I just watched Cary's swan song just a few weeks ago on TCM and thus it's fresh in my mind, I also know Cary had MUCH more screen time than either the lovely Samantha OR the lanky and died much too soon Mr. Hutton.(and who always kind'a reminded me of a "next generation Jimmy Stewart", btw) And so yeah, Cary was "THE star"" in this movie, and even though he wasn't the "romantic lead" in it.

Now now, ND. First, the Hollywood filmmakers of today DO "believe" in something, and as I'm pretty sure I've mentioned to you previously a while back when then topic inevitably comes up around here..."MONEY"! Yep, that "most American" of concerns. Present day filmmakers in general, just as TikiSoo just pointed out, are seemingly finding it harder and harder to find financing for big budget movies which are more of a gamble to the financiers because the films are either not geared to one of the largest of the movie-going demographic, those "Millennials" who ARE part of "Real America" as you put it, but that it's also harder to get financing for films which don't have a "proven track record" such as sequels provide. Secondly, I also feel this situation has far LESS to do with any ideas of "right or wrong or good vs evil" but much MORE the idea that the last few generations of Americans have increasingly come from "broken homes" and/or where there is less and less communication taking place between the generation of parents and their children, and which I've always thought presents opportunities for parents to instill a love of history within their children. And when one HAS that love of history and yearning for knowledge of things in the past and before they came into the world, this also often helps develop within them an appreciation for movies which might present ideas expressed in a more thoughtful manner and less so involving non-stop action and outrageous special effects. Add to this the idea that young people today have far more and different electronic means in which to separate themselves from communicating with their parents, which of course ironically SEEMS counter-intuitive, and that parents now days seem quite okay with and well, I guess what I'm sayin' here once again is: STOP BLAMIN' HOLLYWOOD! THEY'RE ONLY GIVIN' WHAT THE IDIOTS IN "REAL" AMERICA NOW DAYS WILL PAY TO SEE!!!! LOL

Oh GEEZ! you're RIGHT!!! (...sorry Olivia over there in The City of Light...my mistake...I'm allowed one a day, ya know!)

Hmmmm...I dunno Speedy, but I'm havin' kind of a tough time here thinkin' which o' these movies somebody like say Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland, Fredric March and/or Spencer Tracy might've starred in IF they were still alive?!!! LOL (...saaaay, I wonder if March and Tracy could have headlined "Dumb and Dumber To"...naaaah, better leave THAT to Carrey and Daniels, huh!)

Ah! But THAT wasn't REALLY the original ending at all here, folks! Nope, ORIGINALLY there was ALSO an additional bit of footage after the whole "Bye, Shane" line. Uh-huh, about 10 seconds after little Brandon says 'Bye, Shane", he THEN yells out..."Not comin' back then, huh?! Well then, f*** you, Shane!" (...but wiser heads prevailed and THAT bit of footage was left on the cutting room floor!)

I highlighted the words "work ethic" here 'cause if ANYBODY in the world personifies a work ethic it's Carl Reiner! A guy who at 92 years of age is STILL writin' books that make the Best Sellers List and who's STILL makin' the talk show rounds and STILL seems as sharp as the proverbial tack. (...truly amazing, ain't it!)

I dunno about that Doc, but you probably know that the characters Sheldon and Leonard on "The Big Bang Theory" are an in-joke in homage to Danny Thomas' old producing partner. (...yep, the guy who many of us will always remember for that classic line: "Hey! Get me! I'm givin' out wings!")

Oh yeah, that's it "alright", ND. Uh-huh, all the Millenials out there who make up a sizable percentage of the present movie-going audience are suddenly looking for more sophisticated fare! (...uh-huh...yeah...sure...THAT'S the reason for this "alright"!!!) LOL

Ever consider the possibility that it was a descendant of Bonzo who fixed that spaceship? (...I mean he WAS the very first simian to ever go to college, now wasn't he?!)

Well Doc, seein' as how you used the phrase "clearly the subtext" in your reply, I suppose THAT would "code" for my being, as I said, "naive" then, eh?! LOL

Swithin, I have to wonder if Van Dyke was actually cast because of his "Gentile-ness", OR was it because Carl Reiner, who as you know wrote the pilot("Head of the Family") for himself to star in, really wasn't "lead material", be he Jewish or not? While it may sound "naive", I've always been of the mind that Reiner, while a very funny man, was always better suited to play supporting roles such as the large ego-ed Alan Brady character on this classic sitcom.

Yep, I also can not understand how Fredric March has seemed to have been somewhat forgotten as one of true greats of film actors, especially considering that not only was he once considered the equal of Spencer Tracy, a man who seems still well-known and admired, but also that March's acting style was very "naturalistic" and even "modern", and seldom called to mind the "stage-y" style of many of the other "respected" actors of their day such as Muni and Colman.

THAT was exactly who I also thought of as I read Sanders' letter, MissW, as Mitchum during interviews would also often voice a similar opinion about the "craft" or "art" of acting. He too always seemed to be of the mind that his profession was somewhat overrated and in the grand scheme of things wasn't anything of which to be all that "proud". (...and maybe the very reason he got on Bob Osborne's nerves, and who's very passion and career is dependent upon his love of acting, actors and film)

While I'll agree cody does not reference any films in his offering here, I'll ALSO say he makes a very valid historical point AND I do NOT see were he's insulted or "attacked" anyone on this board. (...well, UNLESS of course there happens to be a few "Christians" on these boards who ALSO happen to be antisemitic, and THEN I suppose I could see how what he said might "hit too close to home"!!!) LOL

Another woman in the Connie Gilchrist mode(often feisty and in-your-face) and who had many a small role in studio era films(some I believe with MGM) and who also would go on to make a good career in television would be... Kathleen Freeman. (...I was reminded of her yet again last night while watching "The Bad and The Beautiful", and in which she had a small role)

Yeah, but didn't you also allow Lt. Girard(no, not Lt. Gerard who was always hounding Dr. Kimble, I'm talkin' the head nurse who came to visit The Reluctant that one time) call you "Doug" TOO?

Then I suppose keeping in this vein of informality, you also wouldn't have minded them calling you "Doug" right back, eh Mr. R?!

Reminds me of this... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0h-xTGWyEM

Yeah, but do they still call Cuba, "Cue-ber", in Boston, and like a particular President who hailed from that area and who called that little island country that during a particular missile crisis???