CaveGirl

Wonderfully insightful review of "8 1/2", Miss Wonderly plus I learned how I should have spelled G-u-i-d-o as the phonetic "Gweedo" to avoid censoring. Glad you brought up Nino Rota as his contribution, as you say "enhances" the film. Thanks for your input which is always valuable.

Perfect matched set selection, DVDPheak! I have enjoyed all three films and the color in JOTS is fantastic!

She is rather annoying in the film, but reading about her real connection to Fellini does make one wonder of its veracity or importance to the plot. I have always wondered what Guilietta Masina thought of Fellini's use of his mistress in his films/ Thanks for your thoughts.

Thanks for the kind words, cinemaspeak! I love everything about the film, even the artwork for the number, "8 1/2" which is almost eye-catching and unique.

Thanks, Stephan for posting that explanation of "Asa Nisi Masa"! I had read the same information about the game and the word "animus" in a book on Fellini a long time ago, but felt it would only make my original post as long as the Magna Carta and we certainly don't want that. It is interesting though, and the cadence reminds me a bit of Klaatu Barada Nikto, or however that is spelled. Always enjoy your most literate posts.

Such a nice compliment but don't know if it is deserved. Thanks, Stephan! I could certainly say the same of you. Your posts are like gemlike short stories! Maybe we could take over Hollywood with our non-anomalous thoughts? Don't feel obligated to agree...haha!

Agreed, and speaking of hippies, I had an older relative who taught school at Antioch in Yellow Springs, Ohio, from the 1920's on until when Rod Serling was matriculating. This relative said that Yellow Springs had hippie type males as far back as the Roaring Twenties who had very long hair, wore sandals and beaded necklaces, and expounded upon themes that became the hippie movement by the time of the 1960's. He did not say they were at the college but that the environs there, which he says were into very artistic movements and crafts were actually just very common to the homegrown populace there, for some reason he did not understand. Not saying all the citizenry there were pre-hippie but he said a large contingent from the area were like Flower Children. He said they often were proponents of marijuana too, and dressed very casually and were as if from another planet, considering the time period. He said this type of counter culture movement existed there until the mid-1940's and then just seemed to disappear. He said the students who would come to the area from out of state, were always in shock when they would see these commune type folks hitting the downtown area, checking out bookstores with esoteric lore, and places that served natural foods with waiters who would read tarot cards, as one waited for their bean sprouts and mineral water. Another great isolated situation that is ripe for a movie retrospective.

I own it on dvd, but it has been eons since I watched. What I remember most is the camera showing ceilings as it moved through the buildings, which made me dizzy. Reminded me of the overhead looking shots from the view of the inside casket in Dreyer's "Vampyr". I think I am more visual than auditory so remember scenes more than the music. I dig the fact though that you remember this detail, Emily! Were the chords creepier than those in "Carnival of Souls" I wonder?

Do you really think you could handle Tandra Quinn, Nip? I guess you could use some of the moves you learned in "Hot Spell" though...

Stop!! Actually don't stop, because I love baby Jackie, young Jackie, teenage Jackie, drug dealer Jackie, Uncle Fester Jackie and all incarnations. That voice, that creaky, squeaky voice is so endearing, with his cute bald head. And he was one of the most adorable child stars of all time with the little newsboy cap, and poorboy sweater and cute cropped bowl haircut. Biggest star almost in the world for a while, which is why it is so wrong that his film legacy is being thwarted by not allowing his 1930-31 films to be shown on TCM. Thanks, I feel so much better getting that off my chest, Lawrence.

Thanks so much for your astute thoughts, Emily. I think maybe you have the right handle on LYAM. It could be a spoof on us all, trying to take the mysterious themes so seriously that debates are made over what is really happening in the film, and what went on between the two characters and maybe the joke is on all of us. I do like the cinematography though, and one starts feeling like they are living in some dream world while viewing it and one can go into some reverie and feel like they've awoken on another planet. I like that kind of feeling but it might irk other viewers. "Hiroshima, Mon Amour" is quite different, having the war story in the background, some very upsetting footage to absorb also of victims and the two cultures meeting up represented by the male and female leads. Can't say what you might think of it, but would love to hear your thoughts if you remember to watch it on September 02, but it is really on early morning of September 03, but you know how the TCM schedule is set up to only start listing a film for the day that starts around 6am I think. P.S. I'll have to watch LYAM again to pick up on the "organ music" which I'd forgotten!

Thanks so much for your thoughts as a Resnais fan, Bogie. "Night and Fog" is quite moving.

Hey, Lorna...if you liked "Onibaba" I'm wondering if you've seen and liked "Woman in the Dunes"? It is quite perverse. Of course that's why I liked it, but it would make a good companion piece to "Onibaba" I feel.

Truly a very unusual song and loved the video, Stephan! What is almost spooky about the early 2oth century nature boy movement is, when you look at a photo from like 1905 of someone like William Pester, who was called the Hermit of Palm Springs, it is impossible to not think it was taken like in the Laurel Canyon area of some people who might have known the Manson Gang or at least hung out with Crosby, Stills and Nash.

Now sure, they still show things like "The Kid" with Chaplin, but I have searched for years for his early 1930's films like "Tom Sawyer" or "Huckleberry Finn" and they seem to be in storage, or available only in Russia. Now I don't want to see the horrid Tommy Kelly version of TS and just can't figure out why this period of the Jackie Coogan's life in movies as a child actor is so difficult to access, on tv or on dvd. Just looked online and saw like one copy for sale in VHS and maybe one DVD, which might be bootleg but why are these two films inaccessible. A film friend said he had not seen them play on tv since around 1975. I found the following info about TS below online but don't know if it has any bearing on the state of things: "One of over 700 Paramount Productions, filmed between 1929 and 1949, which were sold to MCA/Universal in 1958 for television distribution, and have been owned and controlled by Universal ever since." I hate all the crappy versions of kids playing Tom Sawyer, that are icky sweet and have people like Eddie Hodges or some kid from "Family Affair" in the role. Only Jackie Coogan could do the role justice, so any assistance in finding out the reasons for the drought, will be appreciated. The films with him are such fun, and also star people like his buddy, Junior Durkin, Clara Blandick, the great bratty kid actor, Jackie Searl and others. Thanks for any help or knowledge of why these Coogan films seem to have been taken off the market.

Gee, no HMA? I never thought I'd have to say I'm glad I don't live in Canada.

I can tell you are a "book person" which are the kind of people I like best, Miss Wonderly. Your appreciation for holding the object in your hands, tangibly and being able to peruse the pages confirms this. Having to get online for everything, is a drag sometimes. I had a friend who bought a new tv, was looking for the instruction booklet and was told she had to access it online. She was totally ticked off, as well she should be. I don't think it is being "cranky" to be old school on things which perhaps were better in the old school days way. One does wonder if TCM takes any consideration into what viewers who pay for their service like best, and I still would be curious if polled, what the stats would say for or against having the printed version mailed to one's home as opposed to the online schedule.

You're not. I totally miss the mailed version too, though I have tried to get used to printing up my copy each month. Caveat emptor? I guess we weren't really "buying" the channel to view the movies, but in some way the powers that be decided to change formats without seeming to care about their subscribers and preferences, so one should beware the purveyors of the product. It's possible that the majority really prefer getting their schedules online though, since I've never seen a survey taken.

I assume you are talking about Tiki, since I would never be "snarky" online, swewhite. And I can't be "funny" since I have basically little sense of humor. Putting things in print online or on paper, can lead to being sued, so I am tres cautious. I even control any sarcastic comments I might make about our president that can be traced, since he might sue me and take all my money which I need to buy movies.

You say Zachary doesn't hit the spot for you, Miss W. but I know you have good taste, so I'm curious. Just who are your male heartthrobs amongst all the movie men you've viewed over the years. I think it tells a lot about someone, to know their likes. I probably like suave, shallow men being so shallow myself. You seem to be much more grounded and sane, so if you are willing to share some names I would be so thrilled. I promise not to ever tease you if you like someone like Groucho, or Lionel Atwill but I'm guessing it will be a guy more like Robert Ryan or maybe Sterling Hayden. Thanks ahead of time!

Being that TCM is showing his "Hiroshima, Mon Amour" on September 02, 2018 I am curious if Resnais has any admirers here? I first read of his work, in college and was desirous to see both the above film and of course, "Last Year at Marienbad". Working with people like Marguerite Duras and Alain Robbe-Grillet on films, and others in the Left Bank milieu, did make his work distinctive, with novel narrative constructions. Having enjoyed the interplay of Okada and Riva in HMA, I was not attuned to seeing Scarlett and Bill attempting perhaps a touch of the same chemistry in "Lost in Translation" and I was not disappointed. The essence of the counterbalance and dichotomy of destruction to love in HMA, brings to mind the theories of someone like Bataille, which is a bit disconcerting. Resnais and people like Agnes Varda, will be represented on the same day, with also Chris Marker, which makes sense. Resnais seemed compelled to bring art, music, and literature together in his films, like "Stavisky" with Jean-Paul Belmondo, but many of his films seem too obtuse and convoluted, with their mixing of time and space continuum issues to be roundly applauded by most film-goers. Oddly enough, something like his "Night and Fog" might be more viewed than his other films, even with its dour message and visuals. Any opinions on the importance of his works in film will be appreciated.

Thanks, Spence! It was fun to read this list of things. I recall some of the events like the one about Marilyn's dress, and also the Maltese Falcon statue and the Cowardly Lion suit. Enjoyed reading the details of your post!

Oh, gosh...I can dig some nice eyebrows like those of Treat Williams, but the ones you are referencing go way beyond attractive to maybe creepy, Lawrence.

Allene was truly memorable in "The Red House". Her conversations with "Pete" about his obsessive nature, were so heartfelt and I thought she had a lot of the qualities of someone like Teresa Wright, in her sweetness and innocence. Thanks for this note about her, cody.

John Ericson is still alive? Hmmm, I wonder if he is dating anyone. I always had a crush on him. I bet he's still cute at 92. Thanks for the research and for posting this list. Most appreciated!