CaveGirl
-
Posts
6,085 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
12
Posts posted by CaveGirl
-
-
On 5/17/2018 at 2:16 PM, spence said:
Despite his dynamic on stage performances, ELVIS was fairly shy in person
You are so right about E, as the Memphis Mafia used to call him, Spence. I think without his mother's continual praise of him he would never have recorded his little disc at the Sam Phillips' Sun studios as a present for Gladys, and without it, and Sam's idea to find a white boy who sounded black for recording purposes of the time, Elvis would have continued being a truck driver with long sideburns that he patterned after Rudolph Valentino! Thanks, Spence!
-
12 hours ago, NickAndNora34 said:
Carole Landis springs to mind. It is unfortunate that her death came about so prematurely. I think my favorite thing I've seen of hers is the obscure 1946 comedy, "It Shouldn't Happen to a Dog" (also starring Allyn Joslyn, a somewhat underrated performer). Landis and Josyln were very well matched in this movie, I thought. I don't remember who it was who said this (it might have been TopBilled), but I seem to remember a comment saying that Landis might have made a good transition to television. Something I found interesting.
I always think of that police photo of Carole Landis after her suicide. So sad and thanks for your thoughts on her film with Joslyn, an actor I always enjoyed in comedies.
-
1
-
-
17 hours ago, DawnM74 said:
I loved Ross Alexander too! Part of me thinks he would have had a long, prosperous career had he not committed suicide. But because he was gay, the other part of me thinks he would have been miserable & either drank/drugged himself into an early grave or committed suicide anyway.
I so agree with you, Dawn. Very astute observation and thanks for posting!
-
1
-
-
Probably not her type. She liked the Patrick O'Neal type. Sorry, Bette!
-
1
-
-
2 minutes ago, FilmSnob said:
I sometimes wish we could go back to the conservative old days of flapper girls in the 1920s.
No you don't cuz then we'd just be talking about Clara Bow meeting up with the entire UCLA football team and you know where that would end. Those flappers as drawn by John Held Junior were pretty loose girls and once they cropped and marcelled their hair, there was no stopping them with the bathtub gin drunk out of their shoes or their dancing like Joan Crawford, and you know she was in some of those blue movies also.
-
1
-
1
-
-
44 minutes ago, TopBilled said:
The Italian film was the third of three that Cotten and Davis did together (the earlier ones were BEYOND THE FOREST and HUSH HUSH SWEET CHARLOTTE).
Wow, I've never seen or even heard of that movie, TB. But I like Alberto Sordi from watching him in "The White Sheik" and "I Vitelloni" so with Davis and Cotten too, I might dig it. Thanks for the triumvirate of films starring both, of which I've seen both.
-
Thanks, GGG! I don't think I've ever seen this film "Pittsburgh" but it has a good cast with Paul Fix and Nestor so I will look for it. Glad to see there are fellow non-travellers with the crowd!
-
1
-
-
4 minutes ago, Vautrin said:
Yep. Mank and Muller are subtly but still pretty obviously trolling for the little 'uns. Just because
they use adult language fools nobody. Mank even has that little pop up thing for the movie club.
Right. Soon they'll be co-hosting Little Rascals festivals at midnight in their basements. Parents,
get on YT and watch some of those old 1950s shorts about the weird guy riding around or sitting
on a park bench. Nothing much has changed, they've just moved from the park bench to
the TV studio. Sad. (In an emergency a quick application of black shoe polish will hide
that grey. Just sayin')
What with the capture of the Golden State serial killer, Mank and Muller might want to cool it, since they now can find you by locating your relatives online with a DNA sample.
Now the names Mank and Muller do sound a bit like the monikers for the Hillside Strangler team of Bianchi and Buono, but I digress. I think Mank probably has just been programmed in this ritualistic con, and would rather go eat at that Russo's restaurant, or whatever his name is, that they used to tout on the channel. Muller, on the other hand, does a bit resemble John Wayne Gacy, so if he starts wearing a clown uniform on the wine ads, look out. I will admit his purple prose writing style would attract teen girls who enjoy Harlequin Romance novels so he might have an in with them.
Thanks for acknowledging the scatalogical content hidden behind the boring exteriors of the participants in the wine ads, of Muller and Company.
-
1
-
1
-
-
16 hours ago, TopBilled said:
Wednesday May 16, 2018
Joseph Cotten on FilmStruck
THE THIRD MAN with Orson Welles
THE MAN WITH A CLOAK with Barbara Stanwyck
LO SCOPONE SCIENTIFICO with Bette Davis
Thanks for these tips, TB! I had never seen this Bette film so was intriqued. And just read an entire book on a favorite of mine, Edgar Allan Poe and the Cotten film is of interest, though I must say by the end of the Poe biography, as much as I revere him and his brain and writings I have to say he was a most annoying character, always asking for money and denigrating others and starting fights. Oh well...poor boy, maybe the absinthe got to him.
-
1
-
-
Before starting this discussion, let's go back to the source and without any deconstructionist tendencies deal with the official definition of what "propaganda" is:
"prop·a·gan·danoun1. derogatory information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view."he was charged with distributing enemy propaganda"synonyms: information, promotion, advertising, publicity, spin"
Now admittedly, one man's meat is another man's propaganda so this still might be difficult to ascertain, but hopefully we are talking about blatant themes based on biased or not proven information, meant to influence the viewers.
It may be that in Nazi Germany, Hollywood films which they mostly banned were looked on as the propaganda, which is why they were supplanted by Nazi films that possibly excoriated Western values in content.
I possibly own a few films which might fit the bill, like Leni Riefenstahl's "Triumph of the Will" from the 1930's. One of the most famous propaganda films is possibly "Jud Suss" from 1940 which I have no idea if it is available for viewing even now.
Some might say a film which is politically charged or there to present a specific view of the state of things, like the Polish film, "Ashes and Diamonds" by Wajda but I'm not sure it qualifies.
Though TOTW is indubitably a propaganda film, it also is a film with much to admire that separates it from the propaganda. Kind of like admiring the construction of a guillotine but not its mission to behead. Name films which are propaganda but still films worth viewing and ones which are only propaganda in essence.
I am impervious to propaganda of any kind, therefore would be willing to watch any and all films of purported propaganda with no fear of coming under their influence. -
8 hours ago, Philip1749 said:
I am FAR from a "prude" when it comes to the topic of human sexuality. In fact, quite the opposite. My objection to such terms as "sexual freedom" is due to the fact that I am quite attuned to code words and terminology, and what it usually portends in contemporary society. The term "sexual freedom" is often code language for blending pornographic content into the mainstream film media...a practice that had mushroomed by the 1980's. I recall for example, the late Katherine Hepburn commenting in a television interview that such films today are "filth"...her terminology, not mine. One outstanding example of this would be the film FATAL ATTRACTION (1987), starring Michael Douglas and Glenn Close. If I wanted to see the pornographic content of that film in a mainstream motion picture, I could simply watch a porn film instead. I don't need to spend $20 at a motion picture theater to see it. In addition, I had no objection to the Tarzan character in the Tarzan films wearing simply a loin cloth, nor would I object to his female companion wearing a "bikini" rather than a dress. If anyone thought that was what I was talking about, then they misunderstood my point.
I am becoming extremely confused. If one is to use a person as a bailiwick to add veracity to a claim, one wonders exactly how Katharine Hepburn would be the logical choice, to discuss morality. In my world, it is of little interest to me whether she was or was not having that well discussed affair with good old Spencer, but if so, then to some who would be offended by the film "Fatal Attraction" it would seem they might also be offended by Katharine Hepburn and her blatant disregard of marital standards. Now again, I have no problem with her, but if I am to defend a strict moral guideline in film attitudes, she would hardly be my choice as a leading lady. One would be much more well instructed to pick someone like Lillian Gish to discuss "filth" in movies, since she might have been impressed with D.W. Griffith but was not having any illicit liaisons with him to my knowledge. By the way, in discussing the "pornographic" content of the film "Fatal Attraction" are you referring to visual content or situational. And by the way, such storylines are contained in so-called religious works like the Bible as cautionary tales and from before the Renaissance, artists were depicting sexual content that you might deem "pornographic" in church altarpieces, to teach the heathens what NOT to do, as in Hieronymous Bosch's triptychs. This is common practice for much religious iconography so the lines are a bit blurred in my opinion as to what constitutes "filth" in practice. Have you come to formulate your standards of what is acceptable as not being "pornographic" by your own learning gleaned from many sources, or do you feel this is following a precept of a group that you adhere to as being your guiding sole source?
-
1
-
-
Where will this docu-series be presented, if you don't mind me asking?
-
Enjoyed your sharing of knowledge, Speedracer. My favorite Disney animation is in the film "Sleeping Beauty" because as an artist I totally admire the hard edged line taken to depict the characters, which is so beautifully done. Most animated films would use cutesy rounded detail for female subjects but not this film. I am going to assume that this is due to the unique style of drawing of Eyvind Earle and the possible interplay of making things appear a bit to look like works from the time of medieval tapestries. The amazing detail and pastel color work on the backgrounds is gorgeous too, and I think McLaren Stewart had a hand in that. The people in the film look incredibly sophisticated in detail, that is usually lacking in a typical animated feature. Great topic choice!
-
1
-
-
Oh, yes...perfect example in "Blade Runner". Watching the original version is a bit disorienting but since I've read a lot of Philip K. Dick's books I could figure it out. Haven't seen the later versions. Love Terence Malick and wow, did not realize the added minutes to that film. I wonder if there are differing versions of things like "Badlands"? Thanks, Lawrence for the sage comments.
-
Admittedly the many differing length versions of the 1973 Robin Hardy directed film, "The Wicker Man" did not all come out simultaneously. The 88 minute version was released in the UK after some criticism was given at the film being a bit long. I think Roger Corman was involved in this revamping process possibly. I've seen the 88 minute version and though good on its own merits after seeing the 99 minute version which was released in the early 2000's, in the wooden box presentation, I can say it was highly improved.
Supposedly the original 102 or 103 minute film, could be lost forever but there was also a Final Cut version that tried to combine elements of both of the above, with the best quality for sound and picture, being sought. Whichever version one sees, the tale by Anthony Shaffer about the disappearance of a child named Rowan on Summersisle, under the auspices of Christopher Lee's rule, is a mesmerizing film. Also starring Edward Woodward as one of the most repressed men extant, with Diane Cilento and Britt Eklund, the film is still a winner.
Can you think of other films with such a muddled history of differing release versions in time or sequences? -
On 5/9/2018 at 5:31 PM, Vautrin said:
Bingo. TCM is just one more institution trying to corrupt innocent minds
with thoughts of sex and other naughty things. It's right there in just
about everything they do. Take the "Wine Club." You don't really think
it's all about paring a certain wine with a certain movie. Wake up. It's
really about getting people so blotto that they lose their inhibitions and
can't wait to get it on. They're rolling around on the couch before the
opening credits are over. TCM=Transgressing Chaste Minds. Parents
beware.
Yeah, you've got their number, Vautrin! Note how often Ben M. keeps repeating the mantra about how he's not surprised anymore about the young ages of some of the TCM fans!!! I guess not, since the programming of the Trangressing Chaste Minds hypnotic trance mode is daily supplying new addicts.
My bet is that if one slowed down those horrid wine commercials with Muller, there are a bunch of subliminals with images of penile objects suspended in the glass reflections of the wine bottles in close-up shots, doing many obscene things. Also just like Chanel did in that famous tv ad, the images overlap in ways that make objects appear to be animated and part of the homunculus in flagrante delicto. I think it's not much of a reach to figure out that the neck of a wine bottle is similar to what inspired the lyrics of the song, "Chantilly Lace" with its long necked goose tidbits. All these supposedly married wine couples on the ads [probably swingers] trying to find recruits for their product too, by making the wine for the film "Beach Blanket Bingo" appear innocent and how they coupled it with food, like a Pasta Primavera is an obvious seductive technique. If one is trying to get innocent teens to indulge in wine though, I think Muller may have to touch up his greying sideburns, because the Danny Thomas look never is attractive to young females or males for that matter.-
3
-
-
On 5/9/2018 at 4:48 PM, Dargo said:
Yep, CG. I too think Alicia Malone is a very attractive woman, and from just catching her wraparounds the few times that I have since she's joined the TCM fold, I've also liked her overall presentation and her good use of inflection. Now, her Aussie accent might be a sight bit "distracting", but overall I've found her an improvement over the young Tiffany.
(...oh, and to answer your second question here, no...my better half doesn't look much like Alicia at all...in fact, I've always thought my wife looked a little like a combination of Joan Bennett and Betty Rubble)
Uh, I'm hoping beyond hope that you don't look like a combination of Joan's dada, Richard Bennett and Barney Rubble. That would make you appear to be a twin for Allan Melvin, from the old Bilko show and wasn't he a friend of Archie Bunker too?
Yikes! A tall Barney Rubble is a bit scary...-
1
-
-
On 5/9/2018 at 4:43 PM, cigarjoe said:
You wanna go back to the Puritans?, they would be part of what I think you are reffering to, those with original social attitudes. Or could go back to the Native Americans, they had a bit more liberal attitude, and they were the Natives, you could say it all when to hell when those illeagal aliens hit the shores......
Speaking of Native Americans, I remember reading a book once purporting the theory that many white women kidnapped by them, did not want to return to their repressive white hubbies, and were happier living with their captor men, who gave them more freedom in general and perhaps sexual freedom.
-
3
-
-
16 hours ago, jamesjazzguitar said:
Below is what I posted in another thread that was created by Spence on the exact same topic:
First, I'm not going to list 'greatest' actors or actresses because I don't have enough knowledge of the acting profession to do so (but hey, ask me about the greatest guitar players and you will get a list that can't be questioned, ha ha).
So here are my favorite actors and actresses. Clearly favorites since some like Errol Flynn or Alan Ladd are not as solid as actors as Spencer Tracy (hey I know that much), but they are the lead in some of my favorite films.
Leslie Howard
Humphrey Bogart
Cary Grant
Robert Mitchum
William Powell
James Cagney
Gary Cooper
Errol Flynn
Alan Ladd
John Garfield
Bette Davis
Barbara Stanwyck
Olivia DeHavilland
Jean Arthur
Carol Lombard
Audrey Hepburn
Katherine Hepburn
Rosalind Russell
Myrna Loy
Joan Crawford
Okay, so "greatest guitar player' might be Django Reinhardt or Jimi Hendrix?
Remember, Django was operating under that disability of having fused fingers from the fire... -
4 hours ago, TopBilled said:
I'd forgotten about MILLION DOLLAR BABY.
I've tried to forget about it; how did you do it?
-
1
-
-
16 hours ago, Dargo said:
Btw, I'd say one of my favorite films with a sports theme would be Angels in the Outfield.
(...yep, even us agnostics like a good baseball movie now and then)
I thought your favorite sports movie was "Son of Flubber", Dargo.
-
17 hours ago, jamesjazzguitar said:
Hey, that is funny. I guess it can be classified in many different ways, but to me it is still more of a love story and a biography then it is a sports \ baseball movie. (because the game of baseball is NOT the focus of the film like Moneyball, Bull Durham, or even Bang the Drum Solely).
You made a new movie, with "Bang the Drum Soley"! Which is okay because I love that movie, and of course I also even love the song, "Bang the Drum Slowly" which I researched once and it was based on an English folk song about a soldier, who was not shot, but had syphilis, which is why he is "wrapped in white linen" which doesn't sound much like a cowboy song does it? DeNiro gives his most winning performance of all time in that film, since he is so un-DeNiro like. A totally beautiful piece of acting by all in the movie for sure. Thanks for mentioning it, James.
-
17 hours ago, TopBilled said:
My favorite sports movies:
1. THE PRIDE OF THE YANKEES (1942)
2. ROLLERBALL (1975)
3. THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME (1932)
4. ROCKY (1976)
5. MAN'S FAVORITE SPORT? (1964)I also love The White Shadow television series starring Ken Howard.
Whoa, whoa, whoa!!! "The Most Dangerous Game" is a "sports" movie?
To who, Count Zarkoff?
Oops, that should be Count Zaroff! I got my Counts confused. -
18 hours ago, TopBilled said:
I'm with you on this one, Spence. I thought BULL DURHAM was awful the first time I saw it as a teen and I still think it's awful.
I'd pick something like THE PRIDE OF THE YANKEES as the best sports movie of all time.
TB, don't you think "Hoosiers" should be up there and on the list?
Also maybe "The Great White Hope" about Jack Johnson.-
1
-
Elusive Stars
in General Discussions
Posted
That is an excellent choice being that her movie career just died out after her great performance in said film. Love that number and I'd totally forgotten about her. I wonder if she purposely left films and if it had anything to do with her divorce from Fosse? Thanks for a really good example of an aborted movie career after a sensational start.