CaveGirl

Peter Falk in "The Price of Tomatoes" with Inger Stevens and since the wonderful Burgess Meredith "Time Enough at Last" episode has been mentioned I shall say the TZ episode with James Daly, called...uh, what is it called? I'm sure it will come back to me or someone here. The one where...oh, wait I think it is called "A Trip to Willoughby"? Very sad but very moving also. So many TZ episodes had great performances. The one with uh, Mantell what is his name? "Small Man in a 6-Dollar Room" or something like that. Oh, Joe Mantell! Always loved him as the friend of Ernest Borgnine in "Marty" and of course he is the one who says to Jack Nicholson in "Chinatown" at the end when Faye gets shot through the grisly eyeball..."Jake, it's Chinatown" or something like that which sums up the whole movie to be sure. Great topic!

Really, James? The line has now become immortalized? Another great line by Oscar Levant as I recall was that he knew Doris Day BEFORE she was a virgin. Or that should be a v_rg_n, in case certain words are no-no's here.

Re, what Lavender Blue has been commenting on... My beef is people who say they want to see a good movie, and then when they find out it is in black and white are revolted. What is the big deal? Would they spit on a daguerreotype of Lincoln as not being valuable, just because it is not in color? I just don't get it. They'd rather watch some claptrap in color, that is endlessly boring, and with a friend of James Franco in it, than a really good old film. I said it that way because I actually like James Franco and think he was great as James Dean but could do without some of his film entourage. Great posts, Lavender!

Sapphiere, I've seen "The Strange Woman" and all the others you mention and they are all fab. Ulmer films are some of the most innovative and evocative of all films. I'm so glad he had that affair with some bigwig's wife, which relegated him to the B's where he could really shine.

Really? Sanders blackballed because he got bored with life? I think any man who was married to both Zsa Zsa Gabor and one of her sisters [Magda?] deserves a giant tribute both on tv and possibly at the Academy Awards just for putting up with them, and also Mama Jolie as mother-in-law. I vote yes, for Sanders as SOTM. Don't tell Diane Werts what we are doing or she might out us all in her highly sensitive blog!

I was taught long ago in American Literature class that life imitates art, just witness how people began to view landscapes in the form of paintings by Turner, or try to dress like the portrait of Madame X by John Singer Sargent or in the recent incident of dentist versus Cecil the Lion, which is certainly similar to an upcoming TCM film, "Tarzan's Hidden Jungle" [1955] whose synopsis reads "Hunters drive animals out of a sanctuary so they can shoot them". But more commonly in Hollywood and abroad, art imitates life. There are many such examples of this kind of lurid fare, when thinly disguised biopics are created with some minor subterfuges to avoid possible lawsuits. One of my favorites is Sirk's "Written on the Wind" which is ostensibly based on the misadventures of Reynolds family tobacco heir, Zachary Reynolds who was wed to torch singer, Libby Holman. Another fave is "Smash Up: The Story of a Woman" which Bing Crosby tried desperately to be suppressed as it laid bare the trials of his wife, Dixie Lee and personal details that belied his wholesome image. There are other films with small pastiches of real people, like the manipulating actress who worked her way into actress Elizabeth Bergner's life and was immortalized as Eve in "All About Eve" and of course there is always W.R. Hearst and his Rosebud, but I'll let you tell me ones you are aware of for me to catch, as the roman a clef style has always been something I enjoy reading or watching. Carry on!

Dargo, Dargo, Dargo! Or should I call you Tommy James? Now debating the mental skills of the male animal to their distaff halves is a fruitless task. We have great candidates on both sides as I see from the examples herein. I once met an Australian sailor [no offense to everyone else who lives there] whose name was Sydney or Sidney Orr. I said "Wow, what an appropriate name" and he said "Why is that?" Needless to say I did not explain. I also know a guy who was eating a salad with green olives in it, and said "Why aren't there those little red things inside the olives" as he thought that pimientos grow in the olive apparently. I could go on and on, but I shall desist. I dated a guy who was not too bright, but owned his own company and was just as much a hunk as Tiny Yokum, but since I'm not into waterbeds the relationship drowned in a sea of vapidity. I like dumb men in movies, as they are fun and usually quite cute like Nat Pendleton or Guinn "Big Boy" Williams, but I don't like them as much proselytizing on any subject or on movie topics online or on tv or even in political debates.

After posting my remarks concerning Diane Werts review of TCM's schedule, I decided to do a little reviewing of Diane Werts herself for my own edification. I found that she had worked at Newsday, surely the highest echelon of in-print services for movie reviewing of the highest calibre, and later took a buyout after I believe 22 years at Newsday, in the year 2008. I think it said she now freelances for them and others, like the online service named TVWW [TV Worth Watching] as opposed to TVNWW. She also was a former president for a Television Critics association. I also found, amongst other of her most revealing movie and tv reviews, her most adulatory review of the relevance of the group the Monkees to our viewing culture, wherein she extolled the virtues of the Pre-Fab Four to amazing heights, seeing them as the prescient trend setters for not only early music videos, but bringing back silent movie cutting techniques to the forefront of cinematography. Now I will admit I did always admire Mickey Dolenz acting talents in things like "Circus Boy" but was glad to hear of the group's greater significance in film and tv history. I simply had no idea, the Monkees were so relevant but I do applaud Ms. Werts for taking the time in print to educate and elucidate such hidden talents for the unwashed masses as we. Stupid me had thought it was first Ozzie Nelson who came up with the idea of putting dear little Ricky on camera, to sing standards like "It's Late" and "Travelling Man" accompanied by great music talents like James Burton, but I was wrong apparently. Of course there were also the music videos of the late 1920's and 1930's called the Soundies, which displayed the likes of Paul Whiteman and orchestra, even with Bix Beiderbecke on board, but since Ms. Werts does not approve of older films without stars in them being shown on tv channels, she probably is not aware of such instances of early music videos...alas. I stand corrected as to her street credibility to inform TCM as to what should be shown in their monthly schedules.

May I suggest that Diane Werts go to her local and mostly defunct Blockbuster store or perhaps to AMC to find the perennial old, hoary chestnuts that are overshown on tv continually and line the shelves of the store to the exclusion of a bit more obscure films. Anyone who really loves movies would appreciate the diversity that TCM has shown by scheduling films with Adolph Menjou, a film stalwart who was also the Beau Brummel of his time and made many films work, Mae Clarke who faced both the Frankenstein monster AND Jimmy Cagney in face-offs and survived and Monty Wooley who as a friend of Cole Porter and the inspiration for "The Man Who Came to Dinner" is also a film heavyweight, albeit as a character actor. I also love Virginia Bruce, but would not expect Ms. Werts to understand why the supports of a building are needed for things like the Eiffel Tower to survive intact. No great Hollywood film would survive as great without the likes of the incidental folk who are behind the stars. What would "The Maltese Falcon' be, even with Bogart as good as he is, without Greenstreet and Lorre??? Repeating endlessly ad infinitum the same fabulously popular films with big stars, like "The Sound of Music", "The Searchers", "Lawrence of Arabia" all films I love, does disservice to educating folks on other films of virtue that have been overlooked gems. I commend TCM for not bowing to the caterwauling of those who want the same meal served to them day after day after day. Go outside one's comfort zone and find other things to like than the same kind of ice cream as a daily treat I say. Bravo, TCM for not being the average fare on tv!

Regarding the original topic of this post by Stephan 55, concerning Ben Mankiewicz. I think Ben is just a fabulous host, as is Robert Osborne. To me they work well off each other as yin and yang variants. One is smooth and sophisticated and courtly and the other is fun, and offbeat and insouciant. But both are great hosts in their own way with much background knowledge of films and Hollywood besides what could just be found by a person who thinks they are film historians by reading old books on the subject. I would miss either host if they left and I hope they never do. And I agree with Dargo that Madeleine Stowe was one of the most knowledgeable and insightful co-hosts on a previous TCM interview. Bring her back...please, for another go!

I am certainly not the designated welcoming committee head here, Ann but let me extend my most warm regards. I think it shall be super to hear opinions and ideas from someone from outside the US of A, and anyone who loves musical theatre and films is a friend of mine. Thanks for joining up!

No, to paraphrase Shakespeare's line...in Hollywood they would NOT smell as sweet. Despite her immense dancing skills, I have trouble believing Hollywood would have at first believed that Tula Finklea would have made it big onscreen, though as the sensuously sounding Cyd Charisse she went far in the annals of film musicals. And though it is quite high-toned sounding, Spangler Arlington Brugh [or was it Arlington Spangler Brugh?] would have taken up too much space on a marquee opposite Greta Garbo in "Camille" which is why it was changed to the more temperate Robert Taylor probably. Please entertain me with your favorites, as I'm a bit bored today, just like George Sanders was on the day he wrote his suicide note. Have no fear, I shall not off myself as it would make too many folks happy methinks.

As for Rudy and women, too bad Pola Negri is not here to say. I think it was all the jealous male reporters that started all the pink powder puff insults to poor Rudy; you know how catty jealous men can be. And Natasha Rambova and Jean Acker might have been just a bit nasty for mercenary reasons also.

I will say to defend Steve Martin a bit, that he did say that he didn't deserve the AFI award, and used the Jack Benny line about that Jack did not deserve an award, but also didn't deserve having arthritis, which was a cute rejoinder.

I'm not allowed to watch any appearances on television of Donny and Marie, as I am diabetic. Okay, I lied and stole that line from Oscar Levant talking about Doris Day movies. Mea culpa.

Oh, wow! Haven't thought about "I Bury the Living" for eons. Richard Boone is so young in it. I love how putting the black tipped pins on the cemetery plot spaces, instead of the white ones will consign the holder to a death sentence. Great cult classic and sorry to hear of the death of Bikel.

As for this concern: "I don't understand why Yvonne de Carlo fell in love with such a stupid guy." Why the surprise? In real life many women likes stupid guys. I could give examples germane to the topic but I will refrain at this time.

I set my alarm an hour early so I could see this milestone, which I hadn't seen for awhile. Well, have to admit...Rudolph Valentino has still got it! Sure he has a few amusing mannerisms like the eyeball rolling, or the flaring of the nostrils but he still looks amazing in the outfits and had the grace of a dancer as he moved around. Personally I enjoy SOTS more, as I like Vilman Banky better than Agnes Ayres [wonder if she was related to Lew?] but why quibble. An elderly relative of mine who is now deceased said that when she was a teenager she attended a dancing exhibition by Valentino in her hometown. He did some of the sequences from TFHOTA film, and also sang. She gave me her program and also a metal candy box which had Valentino on the front. I sure would have liked to have been there to see that, but since it would make me about 105 years old at least, maybe not. I found it funny how they deftly explain that Valentino is not really Arab but was left orphaned by his parents and raised in the desert as an adoptee, as perhaps this romance would otherwise be too exotic for American audiences at the time. I'm sure the Woman in Black definitely would endorse this film too!

Hey, Dargo! Isn't it amusing how some people think that the "Nazareth" of the song is about folks looking for an inn and a manger, when it is really just about travelling to Pennsylvania to visit a guitar factory? Martins Forever!

Missed your excellent suggestion, Film Lover about: "Entertaining Mr. Sloane"--(1970)--Peter McEnery tries to figure out if seducing Beryl Reid or her brother is most advantageous to him--a corpse also figures into the plot. Superb black comedy--not for all tastes. Haven't seen Peter McEnery since I saw him in "The Moon Spinners" with Hayley Mills. I shall look for it!

Thanks, Film Lover I shall look for the Mamie Van Doren epic! Agree, Vautrin which is why I abhor intended camp like Killer Tomato films. John, is that film starring Trans Gender...I mean, Trans Genner? Just a little pun to add some levity to the subject. I actually think Caitlyn is much more attractive than her adopted progeny.

No, dear fellow lover of Errol [in Like Flynn] Flynn! You are confusing her with Shelley Winters, who said they would put rubber bands under her chin and then put a wig on her, for a temporary facelift. Didn't you ever notice that Lucy's eyebrows just kept getting higher and higher? Thanks for your idea though...

It's bad enough when a station cuts a movie to pieces, but what is worse is when there are different release versions to actually buy and unless you know the exact running time, you might get the expurgated version. I found this out sadly when I bought a copy on dvd of "The Wicker Man" from 1973.This incredible film with Edward Woodward and the great Christopher Lee is often chopped up, with no noting of such on copies in print. I finally got the longer version which is way more fascinating. I also own the original "Peeping Tom" and now think I will watch TCM's copy intensely to see if certain scenes are abridged. Cutting up Dickens is just a travesty! Next time they will probably cut the scene of Mrs, Favisham [Havisham?] in her wedding gown and hoarder's room with wedding cake.

Haven't some believed that Sean Astin was the love child of Patty Duke and Desi Arnaz, Junior? There does seem to be some resemblance. But then there was also a rumor that John Kerr was the illegitimate son of Franchot Tone too. Never mind.

Nothing more fun than watching an old movie and thinking that someone's nose or other feature looks a bit different than what one has been used to. Now imagine my disappointment, after watching "Grease" and finding out that Edd Byrnes, the youthful star of 77 Sunset Strip and other teen classics, had not only had a name change but a nose change! And there were even photos on the Net from the Confidential days. Another guy who looked a heck of a lot more attractive, after surgery was Alex Cord. I wonder if that was what made Joanne Pettet marry him. We all know that Danny Thomas, Jimmy Durante and Tiny Tim never had nose jobs though Mrs, Calabash might have preferred one, but I think that even someone as lovely as Rhonda Fleming had one, as she looked a bit different in that film where she played a nymphomaniac. Marilyn surely had one, as they removed a bump or something and it looked really different in that recent TCM showing of the chorus girl movie. I used to think Peter O'Toole had one or maybe Morgan Fairchild but I have come to believe some people actually do just have chiseled noses like that. Hollywood is full of horrid facelifts like those of Mary Pickford or Lucy, but occasionally even the men get them and ruin their looks like Jack Lemmon. Why, Jack why??? Probably the most infamous nose job in Hollywood history is that of noted Mercury Theatre alumnus, Everett Sloane. You see his real nose in Citizen Kane, but later he had most of that rather cute proboscis trimmed down and never looked the same again. On top of that, he always looked angry and it was said among the cognescenti that he could never look in the mirror again and I think he later committed suicide. Yes, a bad nose job is a grievous thing, but which are your favorites?