LornaHansonForbes
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Posts posted by LornaHansonForbes
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I was happily surprised to see Michael Winner's The System (1964) with a young Ollie Reed on TCM a few weeks ago. They dug rather deep for that one.
I think I saw a bit of it. He was super foxy.
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I was reading Speedracer's post and her agreement with me about Gig, and yes, that's what ran through my mind, too - he may be a so-so actor, but he was certainly complex in real life!
The first time I saw Gig Young on screen was in the Twilight Episode episode "Walking Distance", arguably the best in the series. He did fantastically in that. Then when I saw him in film ("That Touch of Mink", "The Gay Sisters", "Desk Set"), I changed my mind.
The actor Albert Salmi, also a TZ alum, also shot his wife, am I correct? Not that I want to derail the thread to TZ - back to Gig Young (or whatever).
Not sure.
I know Gig Young mainly for being set dressing in OLD ACQUAINTANCE and TORCH SONG- that latter part is such a nothing role. He was pretty handsome though.
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I would love to see The Devils on TCM, but kind of understand why it hasn't (ever?) been shown.
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I dunno that it's the only one worth remembering....
"You gotta question? You ask the 8-ball!"
Oh no, I wouldn't say it's the only one worth remembering, it's just one of the few that I personally do.
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The story basically is this:
Picture it, 1900s Venice. (a young, Sicilian peasant girl, just off the boat with only a basket, a dream and a zabelloni recipe...Sorry, GOLDEN GIRLS moment.)
Gig Young is a composer with the surname of "Dubrok" who is engaged to wealthy English heiress, Eleanor Parker (who is still royally peeved at losing Christopher Plummer to that effin nun with that effin guitar.) Young and Parker become engaged. Also in town, Ida Lupino portrays a young widow with an infant son who is taken in by composer Errol Flynn ( he had a spot on the mantle just for her), who is also Young's older brother. Parker's parents meet Lupino who ends up mentioning that she lives with a composer by the last name of "Dubrok." Parker's parents mistakenly assume that Lupino lives with daughter Parker's fiance. They convince Parker to call off the engagement and the family then takes off to their ( offscreen, we gotta save something in the budget) home in the mountains.
Flynn, feeling bad for brother Young, decides to help him get Parker back. Widow Lupino (Ida's eeeeville younger sister), also a (dubbed) singer, agrees to follow the two brothers (uh-huh) on a journey through the mountains to find Parker. To fund their journey, the trio perform on streets and in small clubs for money. Errol plays the accordion! (Dear God.) He also wears lederhosen (which probably isn't historically accurate, but it's Errol Flynn in lederhosen!) (I can't add anything to this.) Anyway... while enroute to the mountain town where they believe that Parker is staying, Young hurts his foot (leave him behind Errol & Ida! He's not worth it) (and at this point, probably holding up shooting by showing up plastered every day, so it's cool). While out performing as a duo to earn money, Flynn and Lupino encounter the beautiful Parker, who Flynn obviously falls for ( natch. ). Neither Flynn nor Lupino are aware that the beautiful woman is in fact, Young's fiancee. Flynn continues courting Parker, while Lupino stays with Young until he's able to get back on his foot (can we add a scene where he has to get better in order to win a climactic a**-kicking contest to save an orphanage or something?)
While Young is laid up and while he's courting Parker, Flynn writes a piece of music he plans to use in a ballet ( seriously?). He tells Parker that her beauty inspired him while he composed this piece of music ( it's a little something I wrote called "Superfreak." ). Soon after, Lupino discovers Parker's identity and to avoid embarrassment and further misunderstandings ( why start now?) , she and Flynn marry and move to London. Flynn continues to work on his ballet (again, seriously?) . A while later, Parker and her family return to their home in London. Young follows and finds employment (as a professional a**-kicker, having won the tournament and saved the orphanage) . Their engagement is back on. Parker arranges for Flynn's now finished ballet to be staged and performed in a London theater ( off-off-off-off-off-off-Broadway ). There are some scenes with Flynn expressing frustration with the prima ballerina for not performing the ballet the way he intended ( "No, no, NO! I said Flap your arms and walk like a chicken!" ). She also makes some snotty remarks about Flynn's ballet that he does not appreciate ( but to be fair, a ballet performed entirely by accordians is a pretty bad idea ). Eventually, Flynn and the ballerina work out their differences ( uh huh) and the ballet debuts to great success (third time I know: but seriously? ).
Flynn is so wrapped up and involved with his successful ballet, that he neglects to take his wife and young step-son to the hospital when the young boy falls ill ( with trench foot). In probably one of the most cad moments in his onscreen film life (don't sell him short there, Speedy), Flynn and Parker pick up their relationship where they left off. They go to Parker's country estate for the weekend and fall deeper in love (oh right). While they're rendezvousing ( uh huh ) in the country, Lupino's baby dies. Devastated, Lupino disappears. When Flynn returns, he sees that Lupino has disappeared. Feeling intensely guilty ( really, wonder why? ), Flynn realizes that he really has feelings for Lupino after all ( because he is , apparently a complete and thorough hole of a human being...who also plays the accordian.)
Newly inspired by his love for Lupino, Flynn reworks his successful ballet ( even MORE accordians!) . After it is completed, Lupino returns to the theater to view the new ballet and is reunited with Flynn.
...and they lived happily ever after...and she knees him in the groin on stage in front of everyone in the audience to a standing ovation.
the end.
I wrote that from memory, ( I'm impressed ) although I admit that I looked up a couple things in ( the infallible always accurate wealth of solid information that is ) Wikipedia to make sure I was remembering correctly.
I agree that the movie was a little over the top at times ( yes, Dead Babies and Ballet and Ida Lupino does sound "a little" over the top )--especially Lupino in the beginning of the movie. She kind of tones it down as the movie progresses ( she was on the wagon first coupla' days of shooting, boy did she pick the wrong movie set to try drying out on! ). What saves the film are the strength of the three leads: Flynn, Lupino and Parker and the beautiful Erich Wolfgang Korngold score. What I also really liked about the film was the relationship between Flynn and Lupino. They were really good friends in real life and I think it shows in this film ( "Errol, it's Ida. Look, I don't care where you are or who you're with: you owe me big: remembuh? Good. Now, bring a coupla' shovels and some quicklime to m'place on Coldwatuh Canyon." )
The critics at the time (and recently, ( to a far less legitimate or noteworthy extent ) Leonard Maltin ( who gave three and a half stars to Corman's Little Shop of Horrors ) were very unkind to this film. Like is true with many Maltin reviews, this film is better than he says it is. (natch.) He only gave the film 1.5 out of 4 stars ( or in accurate terms of Maltin readings: "don't miss".) I'd probably give it 2.5-3 out of 4 stars.
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"I agree Gig Young is whatever. He's so boring."
But you do know about him in real life, yes?
To me, that is something that is always there when you watch him.
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And they really should've thanked Richard Harris, if not with a supporting role, then with a special note in the credits, because when it comes to guyliner, he was a trailblazer.
Do you guys remember when Kurt Russell used to wear eyeliner and tried to act like he didn't?
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Well, what was the channel?
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I'm definitely looking forward to BURNT OFFERINGS.
I love Karen Black.
Have you seen it before?
It's the only case I can think of where a pretty mediocre/bad movie rally pulls the **** together at the end and just blows your mind. The ending is just great. Like, if JAWS THE REVENGE had ended with the shark eating everyone except Michael Caine.
Again, the seventies, aren't you pretty much glad you missed them too?
ps- poor Karen Black. her passing was quite sad.
pss- I love Oliver Reed officially since seeing THE DEVILS.
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Guess Lorna didn't make it up. But she'd be fully capable of it !
Thank you, but I dunno....while I will claim "Christ on a cracker" as an LHF original, it's entirely possible someone has said it some time before me.
"Sweet Fancy Moses" though is pure genius. I'm not in that realm. Also genius was the term "full body dry-heave" to describe Elaine's dancing in that episode. It's one of the few episodes and quotes I remember from SEINFELD.
PS- the term was totally appropriate though to describe the level of jaw-dropping shock I took at viewing bing images, the wiki entry, and later the trailer for OLD DRACULA aka OLD DRAC aka VAMPIRA aka WHERE'S MY COCAINE? (1972[?])
The seventies man, the seventies. So utterly grateful I pretty much missed them.
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Interesting that you mention that the characters seem to be 'yelling all the time.' I find that a trait in American comedies in general and especially those that are on television. Is 'loud' supposed to be funny?
NO, WE'RE JUST DEAF FROM FIRING GUNS ALL THE TIME.
HUH?
YEAH, YOU CAN USE IT.
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oh, I don't think she's lazy at all. I think she's a perfectionist- obsessively so.
and, like Warren Beatty, nobody wants to give her the chance anymore because they know a project is going to be a long, soul crushing, arduous, extremely expensive and quite possibly money-losing prospect.
not. Worth. The headache.
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Mark your calendars for Monday, September 21 -- that is the night TCM has set aside to pay tribute to Omar Sharif. This replaces a Carole Landis marathon previously scheduled.
The new schedule for that night is:
DOCTOR ZHIVAGO (1965) at 8:00
FUNNY GIRL (1968) at 11:30
FUNNY LADY (1975) at 2:30
Curveball there with FUNNY LADY.
Can't work up too much enthusiasm for this list.
Sorry.
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There was a sequel too. Cant remember the title.........
Bring on the Empty Horses 2: The Legend of Curly's Gold
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LOL. I thought she had some sort of museum memorabilia in her basement too?
bing images: BARBRA STREISAND: MY PASSION FOR DESIGN.
Just do it.
The pics defy description.
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Not allowed to post images here, but seriously: go to BING IMAGES and type in "Barbra Streisand Underground Mall."
It's pictures of the Underground Mall she has in her home.
Yes.
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Or he is a liar whichever opinion you believe. Or it's context. Rex Reed was a longtime Streisand detractor
Rex Reed is also the worst.
With LA STREISAND, I just seperate the beauty from the beast. At the end of the day, her work in several films (but in particular What's Up Doc? ) is among the best done by any actress ever; and that is a fact.
However, I have heard firsthand anecdotes too, and I think in real life: she beast.
ps- if you get the chance DO CHECK OUT HER COFFEE TABLE BOOK DEDICATED TO HER "AND JAMES'" MALIBU ESTATE. It is INSANE. She is INSANE. I read it in the middle of my local Barnes and Noble laughing so hard, I got a lot of side eye from passers by; I totally didn't care, I was like "no, you have to read this: this is hilarious."
pss- She has an ice cream parlor and fully stocked candy shop in her basement. She is out of her G**D***ed mind.
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Lorna, who is Sweet Fancy Moses? I thought you were addressing a poster but can't find his/her post.
Btw, someone said Niven didn't retire, just worked until he dropped. Actually, actors of note had the choice of working when they pleased. Niven chose to do the occasional gig in his later years, but it didn't take up that much of his time.
I had the pleasure to work with one of Niven's children -- Jamie -- really nice guy. Executive with Sotheby's.
Not meaning to be all "dishy", but was that with the first wife? (the one who died in the accident.)
Seriously though, if there had been reality television at the time, Let's Follow David Niven Around the World would probably have been the greatest thing of all time. He really did have one hell of a life...
I just don't think it translates to all of his parts
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give the dogs & cats earplugs before turning TToNO on.
I can't really say as there's much I'm interested in checking out for David Niven month.,,,besides SEPERATE TABLES. (I think Niven is still on record as giving the shortest performance to ever win an Academy Award for Best Lead, I know there are conflicting accounts, but I want to say I read somewhere he is in the film for less than twenty minutes.)
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Lorna, who is Sweet Fancy Moses? I thought you were addressing a poster but can't find his/her post.
omigah! I wish there was a "Sweet Fancy Moses" posting here (If I ever get booted and have to re sign up, that'll be at the top of my list for poster rnames.)
No, "sweet fancy Moses" was an exclamation of surprise on discovering the plot to OLD DRACULA....I believe the first use of the term occured on SEINFELD, when George witnessed Elaine's bad dancing at an office party she took him to.
(it always comes back to SEINFELD.)
Thanks, that made my day.
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Sweet Fancy Moses, I just looked up OLD DRACULA (aka OLD DRAC aka VAMPIRA) on wiki.
The plot summary:
Plot
Count Dracula is an old vampire who, because of his advanced age, is forced to host tours of his castle to get new victims. In an attempt to revive his long-lost love, Vampira, Dracula sets out to collect blood from the bevy of Playboy Playmates living at his castle. However, one of the Playmates whose blood is drained is black, turning the revived Vampira into a black woman.
Dracula enthralls the hapless Marc to collect blood from three white women in hopes of restoring Vampira's original skin color. Dracula transfuses the blood into her but she is unchanged; however, her bite turns Dracula black. Marc and his love Angela race to destroy Dracula but are taken aback upon seeing Dracula's new skin tone. Their surprise gives the vampires time to slip away to catch a flight to Rio for Carnival.
CAN UNDERSTAND WHY THIS ONE WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE TRIBUTE!!!!!!
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OLD DRACULA with David Niven as, well, an old Dracula is supposed to be pretty awful.
I won't keep carping on it, since he has his fans, I just think it's a pretty dull choice for SOTM...with the rare exceptions of the occasional A MATTER OF LIFE OR DEATH or MURDER BY DEATH or BONJOUR TRISTESSE (all of which, I might add, are great not because of anything particularly notable he does in them) most of his films are mediocre to forgettable at best, and he pretty much always is playing "David Niven"- of course, every now and then, they needed a David Niven (ie THE PINK PANTHER) so it works out okay.
I think it's telling that one of the few times where he stepped out of the "David Niven" persona and gave what equates to being a successful performance is in WUTHERING HEIGHTS (a film I think is painfully overrated BTW) and that is by being as bland as is humanly possible.
...of course, in looking him up on imdb some time ago, I did come across this anecdote, which always stays in my mind when I see him:
At His funeral,the largest wreath was from the porters at Heathrow Airport. There was a card which read: "To the finest Gentlemen who ever walked these halls. He made a porter feel like a King".
So, you know, there is that.
(there are also several other anecdotes about him being a good friend and decent guy to many.)
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The one I want to see is Dementia-13 (1963)--Early horror film by Francis Ford Coppola, produced by Roger Corman--this one has some great scares in it.
it's also in the public domain, so if you miss it you can catch it in full on youtube or any number of bargain box DVDs.I've caught the opening of it, which is pretty atmospheric.
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BUrNT OFFERINGS is not so great.............Bette Davis does have a great scene.
come on: the ending is awesome though! and a total mindf....well you know.
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I Just Watched...
in General Discussions
Posted
I did indeed. Girl got away just in time. (I don't think it lasted more than a year or two.)