CaveGirl

"stand by impotently"? I did not remember any nudity in that film, so how could you tell, Nip? I've heard of a fly in the ointment causing problems, but not a "flaw". I did see a good Egyptian film about such things with Imhotep being impotent though, starring Boris Karloff.

Uh, unfortunately DGF, the first definition I found on Google was from the Urban Dictionary. I wonder if a descendant of the Marquis de Sade worked for Hostess?

I nominate Betty White to be a guest host on TCM. Now do I even care what particular thing she would host? Not at all. Betty White would be excellent doing anything on TCM and it is about time she was brought aboard. Who else would like to see her on TCM, in any context? I am bored with the current line-up of guest hosts and think the joint needs a shot of adrenalin and Betty definitely could provide it. If so, sign below on the [invisible] dotted line. I'd even contribute money to make Betty the Noir Host for the Summer. At least she has some credibility as a shady noirish vamp being that she did pose nude early in her career, which none of the male hosts can lay claim to, being that they are kind of boring and probably look terrible with their clothes off. Make my dream come true and let's get Betty on TCM asap!

How about Ben instead, not interviewing anyone? Or he could have Rose Nylund [sp?] from the Golden Girls on, and have Betty White to discuss the Legion of Decency stuff. Now that would be the best guest host that TCM ever contracted!

But think of it, Nip, Jerry has the French Legion of Honor and Steve Martin does not! This old article about the French and their love for Jerry's talents pretty much tells the tale of how he conquered the language barrier with his physical style: updated 3/16/2006 12:16:17 PM ET PARIS — France formalized its fascination with Jerry Lewis Thursday with a uniquely Gallic gift for his 80th birthday: a medal and induction into the Legion of Honor. Lewis received the honorary title of “Legion Commander” in a raucous ceremony in Paris — hamming it up for the cameras, winking, sticking out his tongue and making his trademark funny faces. True to form, the comedian turned what is generally a sober event — set in a gilded hall of the Ministry of Culture — into a virtual slapstick routine. Lewis, who bucked formality by wearing slippers to the ceremony, clowned around with Culture Minister Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres — yawning, checking his watch and even pretending to fall asleep during Donnedieu’s 20-minute-long speech in French. The crowd roared at Lewis’ antics, their laughter often drowning out Donnedieu’s lofty words. At one point, Lewis tried to snatch the prepared speech from the podium, but an affable Donnedieu persevered. “The longer my remarks last the better,” he told the audience, “so you can keep on enjoying Jerry Lewis’ comic talents.” When he finally took the microphone, Lewis apologized for not speaking French, but said that “even if the French people cannot hear my language, they have always heard my heart.” Ministry officials wheeled in a massive cake, and the audience sang “Happy Birthday,” delivered with a heavy French accent.He applauded the country’s sense of humor, saying he believed it “took France through all those difficult years, and will take it through difficult times now because the French are not afraid to laugh.” Lewis said he was flattered by his induction into the Legion of Honor, and said he had been “gloriously elevated” by the award. He was one of 37 foreigners to have received the title over the past three years. “The French people are the best in the world,” Lewis said.

AW, shucks, GPF! Considering that we don't even know if Hemmings saw a dead body at the park or if he got his airplane wing home from the antique shop, does it really matter that the Bergmanesque dance of death tennis squad really had a tennis ball. I wonder more if Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck ever got that speaker that they destroyed for the reverb effect? But thanks for your most elucidating thoughts!

Those older women/younger men movies always did get to you, didn't they, Dargo? Did this all start with your desires toward Margaret Dumont? Poor Phyllis, I can still remember her getting used by that Timothy. Never trust a guy with the last name Bottoms!

"Harper", eh? I've seen it but my mind has obiterated the ending so that's good for reviewing purposes. Thanks for contributing, TB!

Wow, good stuff, Lawrence and I've never seen that film. I shall look for it!

Uh, could it be an anti-French bias?

I wondered myself about that Laszlo thing, FL. Thanks for clearing it up. Your Sister Rose analogy to a college student boning up the night before is hilarious!

Watched the second installment of the Condemned file on TCM, with Sister Rose last night. She only commented on three of the films, and basically just restated the LOD position. Said they panned "M" for glorifying criminal activities which she disagreed with, called Jane Russell "multi-dimensional" and that Howard Hughes "augments certain physical characteristics of his star" [as if that was a bad thing] and that what the LOD called "grossly obscene scenes of great evil" was due to the "older gents" of the group "overreacting" perhaps and that films of the Golden Age often exploited women [gee, ya think so?] in competition with tv's affect on movie attendance. "And God Created Woman" was the last film, which the LOD said had an "atmosphere of sensuality" and was "an open violation of Christian morality". Now Sister Rose states that the LOD only was classifying films for their Catholic followers, but calling something an affront to all Christians shows that is not basically true. All in all, mostly empty prattle but what did show a lack of film knowledge in general was the fact that in introducing "M", Sister Rose stated that the cinematographer, Ernest Laszlo was known as a Painter of Light, when in actuality that was never a moniker for him, but rather for the noted Film Noir cinematographer, John Alton. Though Laszlo was very accomplished also, it was Alton who wrote the first book on lighting, called "Painting With Light" in the late 1940's and used the term "painting with light" exclusively to describe his vision, in films like T-Men, Raw Deal, The Big Combo, He Walked By Night, I, the Jury and in his AA film, An American in Paris. Methinks Sister Rose did NOT do her homework and instead of being the director of "Media Studies" she should have said "mediocre studies". I give her a B for enthusiasm and a Fail in Execution for not researching her subject matter.

"Ring Dings", eh? Are those a Hostess invention? I think you are just being nice. Obviously TCM did not want me in the club, boo hoo! Somebody in a movie said "ring-a-ding-ding" once. Was it that girl Jack Lemmon picked up in the bar in "The Apartment"?

Have you ever wondered if Pollyanna was eventually able to use her legs again after being paralyzed in the fall from the tree, or if Rhett ever came back or even if Viridiana ended up with Jorge, her sleazy uncle's son or even the maid, or more bizarrely both after she sat in on the card game? Such open-ended denouements do make me stop and think about what might happen next. I like being left in the dark when a movie ends, since having the fun of tying up all the strings gives one a part in the creative process seemingly. Besides the great "L'Avventura" name some movies which do not have conventional endings.

The relationship between the religion and the arts is amusing. If the Vatican removed any religious art which was done by non-heterosexual male artists during the Renaissance, there would be some mighty big holes in Saint Peter's basilica to refill both in painting and statuary. They could leave Raphael's section up in the entryway to the Sistine Chapel though but that ceiling would just have to come down!

I am currently reading a book about the Salem Witch Trials. I was looking for names in the lists of accused that might have been ancestors. Now don't get the wrong idea, because if witchcraft were a true talent and it was in my bloodstream, you can bet I would be demoting some of the guest hosts at TCM and replacing them pronto with my choices. Nevertheless, reading this book has made me realize how much I enjoy movies about witches and warlocks, and at the top of the list is of course "Rosemary's Baby" by Polanski. But even lesser films like John Moxey's great "City of the Dead" with Don Everly's ex-wife, Venetia Stevenson and of course the great Christopher Lee is a wonderful movie. If I promise not to press anyone here to death, in the coming months could you please give me some leads on other great films that dwell on witches, devil's marks, familiars, toads in the moonlight, henbane, eye of newt and other assorted spells and such.

Dargo, I thought it was Mia's sister that the Maharishi made a pass at? Of course it also could have been Jane Asher or Ringo's Maureen, or even Cynthia Lennon, and was Patti Boyd Harrison even there? I wonder if the Fool on the Hill was in attendance? And did Paul have shoes on when he crossed the street? Better go check all your old Sixteen Magazines!

Hmmm, I've seen that movie and know who Elissa Landi is, yet a dance scene escapes me. I will have to check it out, thanks, Fedya!

Beats me. I have been told I have a very high pain threshold from my dentist which might make me immune to such estimations of the level of soporific thoughts bandied about here. On the other hand, I do find all Steven Spielberg films extremely boring. I blame Miss Wonderly for not being here enough.

Thanks for your thoughts, Film Lover. You're probably just a much nicer person than I, but it is hard for me to be impressed with someone who purports to be a film aesthete, and thinks revealing that they are into Westerns and John Ford proves that. I mean I guess my movie friends knew who John Ford was when they were about twelve and also had seen "The Searchers" by then too. Not saying liking Ford is bad, but really in what context is Ford even needed during limited time available to discuss Legion of Decency ratings on films, none of which were Westerns anyway. To my jaded mind it seemed to be just one more attempt at deflection from the real topic. But as you say, it will be fun to see how week two goes, but I'm not holding my breath for any great or incisive revelations, from the good sister. Now if Sister Rose starts discussing infractions by Hollywood against Native Americans during her prologue to the Bardot film, I will really be guffawing. I wonder if Sister Rose even knows who Eddie Cochran is, and if she will chastize him for doing impressions of Kingfish from the "Amos and Andy" show in the song "Summertime Blues", instead of discussing the Vatican controversies and the Index? I do look forward to the next installment tonight which includes: 8:00 PM M (1951) When the police hunt for a child killer cramps their style, the criminal underworld tries to track him down. Dir: Joseph Losey Cast: David Wayne , Howard Da Silva , Luther Adler . BW-88 mins, 9:45 PM FRENCH LINE, THE (1954) A Texas heiress masquerades as a model in hopes of finding true love. Dir: Lloyd Bacon Cast: Jane Russell , Gilbert Roland , Arthur Hunnicutt . C-102 mins, CC, 11:45 PM AND GOD CREATED WOMAN (1956) A young woman loves one brother but marries the other. Dir: Roger Vadim Cast: Brigitte Bardot , Jean-Louis Trintignant , Curt Jurgens . C-91 mins, Letterbox Format 1:30 AM UNTAMED YOUTH (1957) When they're put in a small-town jail, two sisters fight to expose prison corruption. Dir: Howard W. Koch Cast: Mamie Van Doren , Lori Nelson , John Russell . BW-80 mins, CC, Letterbox Format 3:00 AM BREATHLESS (1960) A small-time hood hides out from the cops with his American girlfriend. Dir: Jean-Luc Godard Cast: Jean Seberg , Jean-Paul Belmondo , Liliane David .

Oh, yeah I remember that scene. Of course Joan had to push her way into his apartment and ruin that nice combo scene as usual! Thanks, James.

My favorite dance team is Yolanda and Veloz. They were not in that many films, so seeing them is very happenstance no matter how many old films you watch. But once you see them, you don't forget them. They have a different quality than Fred and Ginger and are more synchronized, almost as one unit with four legs. I like seeing dance teams other than the most famous ones. Even group style with three or more dancers doing a routine. If you know any ones you find sublime please post about them. Here is a clip of Yolanda and Veloz, if you've not experienced them:

Ya know I thought about Ringo when they showed that documentary about the Eagles, where Glenn Frey said since they had Don Henley he didn't want to let Felder sing any songs. Ringo was not much of a singer to be sure, but even the Beatles did let him occasionally sing something like a Carl Perkins' ditty, like "Matchbox" or something.

Shouldn't Pete Best be the fifth Beatle? Wait, actually Pete would be the fourth and Richard Starkey would be the fifth. I don't want to see any more Stones unless Peter Noone join the group.

It is my opinion that certain films can be improved by proper accompaniment of victuals and libation. For example, while watching Joanie in "Torch Song" I was drinking cognac and eating some pink Peeps, which made the whole film seem much more entertaining. I heartily concur with TCM that having some wine with certain films will add to their enjoyment, but foodstuffs too should be included. I would pair the film with edibles appropriate to the setting, for example a Hammer Film being originally shown often at drive-ins should have a coney dog or popcorn and a soda. More high toned fare might demand champagne, particularly if Joan Greenwood or Ralph Richardson is in it. Do you snack or not with TCM offerings or does it just depend on the time frame? I had leftover Chinese, Shrimp with Cashews Nuts and Vegetables the day "A Majority of One" was shown and it was yummy and ergo, so was the film!