ChristineHoard

No, he sure wasn't and I think that was the last time he went without it.

You think that was bad? At first I thought it had something to do with elevators! But back to the real Otis - he was great and his wonderful Monterrey Pop performance introduced him to even more fans, like me. His premature passing was so sad and one can't help but think "what if?". Stax produced some great music.

Two things about Clark Gable in GTTW: he wasn't going to ditch his moustache regardless of history and he wasn't going to attempt a Southern accent.

I'm a patient woman. Don't rush - just wanted to make sure you hadn't given up or forgotten now that you got our appetites whetted. Looking forward to it.

The pancake-flipping scene is my favorite from Christmas in Connecticut. Oops - getting ahead of the review; sorry.

TopBilled, when are you going to pick up on the Soap Hunks & Babes Topic?

I think "Wanda" made the Registry for several reasons, rayban. It is of social/historical value because there weren't a lot of low-budget films by women in this time period (1970) and not many films dealing with women in these dead-end circumstances such as the character of Wanda. I don't find it repulsive, but it is a downer and certainly not to everyone's taste. I think it's important and merits being included in the Registry. The Registry should include independent, low budget, off-the-beaten-path types of movies as well as the classics. There are/were women like Wanda and their stories are worth telling.

I've seen some of tonight's movies and I am so glad they've been chosen for the National Film Registry. Ace in the Hole is one of Billy Wilder's best and Kirk Douglas is just terrific (Happy 101st, dude). Not a big hit when released but it has grown in appreciation over the years. I like that a small, independent production like Wanda and Barbara Loden is getting recognition. You don't always need a big budget, overpaid "stars" and gimmickry to make a fine movie. He Who Gets Slapped is entertaining with a great cast and about the only time you'll see that much of Norma's legs. Norma is really starting to come into her own as an actress here. John and Lon are two seasoned pros who always deliver.

He may not be romantic in Johnny Eager but I think he is romantic in other roles like Martha Ivers and Possessed. While Robert Taylor and Lana Turner have good chemistry in Johnny Eager (and maybe in real life, too, from what I've read), Van Heflin is the reason to watch and he does steal every scene he's in. Robert and Lana don't have the acting chops Van does but they're great eye candy.

I love those pre-code horrors, LawrenceA. They are so outrageous and entertaining and they pack a lot of punch in under-90 minutes.

You're right now that I think of it. It looks like Mel is singing directly to Mickey.

Oh yeah, he was cute (not great looking like Cary Grant or Robert Taylor) and certainly charming.

Coming on shortly is the precode Maltese Falcon from 1931. Horror fans, fans of kinky sex movies and fans of the weird in general may want to check out Private Parts on the TCM Underground tonight. It's directed by Paul Bartel (of Eating Raoul fame). I saw it in the late 1970s-early1980s and haven't seen it since so I am looking forward to seeing this one again. Recommended. It's Fay Bainter during prime time tonight but where the heck is White Banners? All in all, it looks like a good day/night on TCM.

I caught some of Words and Music. I loved the "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue" number; Vera Ellen was sensational and Gene Kelly was, well, Gene Kelly. Next time it's on I'll record the whole thing - for the music numbers because the basic storyline seemed blah. If there was any gay code re Lorenz Hart, I sure missed it. But, heh, it's an MGM musical biography so who needs the truth? We've got great songs and dancing! The funny thing is in the movie Hart's love life stinks because of his height (?!) but in real life Mickey Rooney had wives galore and, according to a bio of Norma Shearer I read several years ago, was quite the *****man (I think their relationship was post-Irving).

Good idea about the mini-series. Limited series are popular now. A two hour movie can't do justice to the book which I liked a lot. The awesome cast is the best thing about the movie.

I agree that the Oscar films should be shown in prime time and leave the rest of the schedule for Black History Month tributes and birthday celebrations - both of which get short shrift due to almost every hour devoted to Oscar nominated movies.

Yes, The Big Parade should have been on the list regardless of what criteria they used.

I wonder what the criteria was. I'm surprised BEN HUR wasn't higher. Still, an interesting list.

The song "Shanghai Lil" is in my brain now and won't get out. Thanks, Jimmy and Ruby.

I haven't forgotten him, either. I think he's great. Very good looking and very talented. I love him in The Best Years of Our Lives, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Executive Suite, Seven Days in May, A Star is Born, Nothing Sacred, Smilin' Through, Trouble in Paradise and more. I've never seen The Royal Family of Broadway but I'd love to. Classic movie fans who aren't familiar with him should check him out. If younger film critics don't appreciate him, that's their loss.

I just love the "Shanghai Lil" number from Footlight Parade. It's one of my favorites but I think that's due more to Jimmy Cagney than Ruby Keeler. Ruby's charms fit that era but she couldn't transcend the evolution of films into the 1940's unlike Dick Powell. I agree movies need the "girl next door" types. Not every actress can be a Bette Davis powerhouse or Rita Hayworth love goddess.

Why don't GordonCole and Princess care for Paul Newman as an actor? He wasn't great in everything but he was excellent in a lot of movies. I agree with Dargo that Paul was GREAT in THE VERDICT and should have won an Oscar.

I hope you get to check it out. Yes, his movies are disturbing and that's what makes them so good. He's one of my favorites from that era.

It's not recent but I saw it this weekend for the first time: David Cronenberg's Rabid. This is early Cronenberg in his "body horror" phase and it's pretty entertaining with a fair amount of gore. It stars porn actress Marilyn Chambers with plenty of topless scenes. She has experimental skin graft surgery after a motorcycle accident and the results aren't pleasant. I've seen just about all of Cronenberg's horror movies but I had never seen this one which was on one of the premium cable stations. Recommended.

Welcome, Carl!