Mr. Gorman

1 thing O.J. Simpson did in "The Towering Inferno": He saved Jennifer Jones' cat. Remember?

film lover 293: Greetings. Since you have recently watched the 1978 movie MOMENT BY MOMENT and lived to tell about it may I recommend another 1978-release film that -- like "Moment By Moment" -- has never been legally released to any homevideo medium. It is the movie director John G. Avildsen made after ROCKY. SLOW DANCING THE BIG CITY starring Paul Sorvino, Anne Ditchburn, Nicolas Coster, Anita Dangler. I saw and taped this movie from Cinemax back in 2004 (I wrote the date I recorded it on the videocassette label for some reason) as I knew it had never been released on VHS or DVD by that time. It still hasn't and it's 2017. No Blu-Ray, either. Wikipedia says it's because of music rights/clearance issues. So be it. Paul Sorvino plays a Jimmy Breslin-like columnist named 'Lew Friedlander' and Anne Ditchburn is the ballerina he meets who has just received some bad news about her future in dance. I've watched that tape a few times over the years and I kinda like the movie. Looks like it was filmed mostly on location in New York City.

I've heard that 'urban legend' before, Nipkow, and I don't believe it. David Janssen's ears are large like Clark Gable's but they are not shaped alike at all. When I've heard that 'urban legend' referenced it's always been because both men had large ears. As if no other actors had large ears . . . yet their ears look completely different. Look at pictures of both men. As for their voices, both Janssen and Gable were long-time smokers (drinkers, too) and over time cigs are known to deepen the voices of heavy smokers and will usually make one's voice scratchy-sounding. I would never mistake Janssen's voice for Gable or vice versa. (I would, however, mistake Joel McCrea's voice for Rex Allen's like I did the other night when the Disney films were airing). Want to hear some deep voices while still fairly young due to heavy smoking and drinking? Great! Listen to Richard Boone (June 18, 1917 - January 10, 1981) in HOMBRE (1967). Listen to Redd Foxx (Dec. 9, 1922 - Oct. 11, 1991) in "Sanford & Son" (1972-77). → Boone was 49 when 'Hombre' was filmed and Foxx had just turned 49 when "Sanford & Son" premiered in January 1972 so neither were old at all but both *were* heavy smokers and drinkers and sounded older. I mention this because David Janssen only lived to be 48 and his voice was getting hoarsey as he aged from the cigs and booze. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ALSO, if anyone reading wants to listen to HEAVY breathing due to cigarettes go to YouTube and watch the Allen Stewart interview of 65-year-old Redd Foxx in a New Orleans nightclub in early 1988. It's only a 5-minute interview. Redd talks about why he's on tour (to find the best black comic in America) and then his new record label and the various artists who were supposed to be recorded on it. Someone duly noted in the 'Comment' section under the clip "He be breathing like an angry gorilla!". Amazing Redd even lived to see age 68 from all the cigarettes, marijuana, cocaine, booze and his eating habits. He'd talk about 'soul food' in his nightclub act.

Among the first 4 movies I ever collected on video back in the late 1980s when I was a teenager and decided I wanted to own movies on tape and not just rent them one of them was a Western. A Western Comedy, to be precise. I have that tape some 28 years later; it still works. Waterhole #3 (1967) on Paramount Home Video, their 75th anniversary logo (1912-87) is on the video box. (The other 3 movies I started out my collection with were "The End", "Advise and Consent", "Hail"). I don't have a favorite all-time Western, but there are ♦plenty♦ of them I like and have since bought on tape or disc over the intervening 2+ decades. But the first was WATERHOLE #3 with James Coburn.

NIPKOW, may can I name a cult-y comedy where the main character drives a 1964 Ford Falcon? JOE DON BAKER drives a white '64 Falcon with a red interior in the wacky 1981 comedy 'WACKO' directed by Greydon Clark. The first time I saw 'WACKO' (courtesy of a Vestron Video VHS back in the '90s) I was very surprised to see Joe Don tooling around town in a humble Falcon, model year 1964. 1st car I ever owned was a 1964 Ford Falcon 2-door Standard Series sedan. I wax very nostalgic about them.

Speaking of voices . . . If I didn't know it was REX ALLEN narrating a couple of those Disney movies last night I'd have *sworn* it was JOEL McCREA. I just watched McCREA in "Ride the High Country" the other day on TCM and he and Rex Allen sound very similar to me.

'spence', the 1963 release 4 FOR TEXAS was a Western comedy starring Frank and Dino. Sinatra also made a movie in the late '40s called 'THE KISSING BANDIT'. I think it was a Western, but I could be full of bull as I'm not 100% sure!

I bought this 1982-release Warner clamshell of THE YOUNG PHILADELPHIANS (1959) from eBay on March 7th. → I'd never seen this movie until I watched it twice on TCM and I liked it enough to want to own it. It's one of those "A NIGHT AT THE MOVIES" releases Warner put out way back when. Besides the movie, a Bugs Bunny cartoon is featured ("People Are Bunny") along with news reels of what was going on at the time. I'm always on the prowl for collectible video goodies (when my budget allows!). THE DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES (1962) was released under the "Night At The Movies" heading by Warner Home Video as well. Fun stuff! I'm glad to have it.

The 2nd movie I remember seeing in a theater was the 1979 comedy THE VILLAIN with Kirk Douglas at the Cinema 70 theater in the Palm Coast Plaza. In West Palm Beach, FL. Or maybe the 'Palm Coast Plaza was actually in Lake Worth . . . shucks! Who remembers?

I reckon the title was a play on words of the more serious-minded Gregory Peck film from 1956 called "The Man In The Grey Flannel Suit". I'd never seen "The Horse In The Grey Flannel Suit" until I caught it on BYU, but I don't think it was a made-for-Tv movie. Sometimes it appears that Disney aired some of their movies on U.S. television, but released them theatrically in Europe. The Leonard Maltin Guide says SAMMY THE WAY OUT SEAL (1962) was released theatrically in Europe, but was shown in 2 parts on American television.

DAVID JANSSEN (1931-1980) could have a SUTS Day. I think he deserves a SUTS Day. There's no shortage of films to pick from, either, as Janssen was a workaholic.

Searching through my memory banks I recall another Disney film that aired on BYU. It starred Diane Baker and (I think) Dean Jones. A 1968 release and Fred Clark co-starred. Clark didn't make it out of 1968 alive. "The Horse In The Grey Flannel Suit". Diane Baker was the horse trainer and Dean Jones was an advertising executive. I noted the titles I couldn't recall: "In Search Of The Castaways" and "Treasure of Matecumbe". Thanks for the info.

Fred and Vera spar over a basket of fried chicken. I remember this scene. NO CHICKEN!

Perhaps a better title for this thread would be "What Is The First Movie You Remember Watching?". The first movie I recollect seeing in the theater was STAR WARS (1977) when I was 4. I always remembered the scene where Luke Skywalker returned to his home to find smoke billowing out of the house and the cooked bodies of his aunt and uncle. The earliest made-for-television movie I recall watching circa 1983 when I was 10 or so . . . well, actually there were 2 of them I saw about the same time. Can't remember which one I saw first on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, but the two tele-films were JARRETT (1973) with Glenn Ford hot on the trail of Biblical scrolls and CRIME CLUB (1973) with Lloyd Bridges and Victor Buono. Glenn Ford was an insurance investigator after some stolen Biblical scrolls and runs up against urbane villain Anthony Quayle and his gang of campy henchman. This TVM has never been released on any homevideo format, but I managed to find a copy someone taped from television many moons ago. My nostalgic 'fix' was satiated. And the copy is quite watchable. I've not run across a copy of CRIME CLUB, but there's probably a copy of it out there somewhere . . . I think JARRETT and CRIME CLUB were busted pilots.

Due to his extensive amount of voice work, TIM CURRY (1946- ) has amassed over 200 credits in his 'Filmography'.

EDGAR BUCHANAN (1903-1979) and JOHN CARRADINE (1906-1988) have over 100 credits.

I reckon approx. 5 years ago the BYU Network (Ch. 374 on DirecTv) leased a package of Disney films to air. FOLLOW ME, BOYS! (1966) was one of them. It aired several times on BYU. I don't know if the Brigham Young Network still has the rights to air Disney films, but I did catch "Follow Me, Boys" along with a goodly number of other Disney films on BYU. I suspect the channel leased them for a couple of years as there were Disney flicks on frequently for a sustained period of time. I watched a bunch of them. My thought at the time was that BYU didn't lease Disney's 'A' package of movies. MARY POPPINS (1964) didn't air. THE LOVE BUG (1969) wasn't shown. FREAKY FRIDAY (1977) with Barbara Harris and Jodie Foster was a no-go. And *none* of Disney's well-regarded animated features were shown. Seemed to me like BYU leased Disney's second-tier package of films. Most of them shown were pretty good or at least watchable. This goes back a few years but besides "Follow Me, Boys!" I recall seeing these on Brigham Young U.'s channel: Ugly Dachshund, The (1966) (An annoying movie yet it actually grew on me. Now I actually kinda like it. Yet I still haven't figured out why . . . ). Blackbeard's Ghost (1968) Shaggy Dog, The (1959-b&w) Shaggy D.A., The (1976) Cat From Outer Space, The (1979) That Darn Cat (1965) Absent Minded Professor, The (1961) Son of Flubber (1963) Almost Angels (1962) Miracle of the White Stallions (1963) Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971) Hot Lead & Cold Feet (1978) Wild Country, The (1971) Snowball Express, The (1972) Apple Dumpling Gang, The (1975) No Deposit, No Return (1976) Those Calloways (1964) Brian Keith, Vera Miles Parent Trap, The (1960) Biscuit Eater, The (1972) Happiest Millionaire, The (1967) Good cast! BYU aired the 'Long Version'; there's 3 cuts of this movie, possibly four. Stars Fred MacMurray, Greer Garson, Tommy Steele, Lesley Ann Warren, Geraldine Page, John Davidson, Hermione Baddeley. Pete's Dragon (1977) Watch out for that *horrible* song "Brazzle Dazzle Day" if you watch this. Ugh! Barefoot Executive, The (1971) Now You See Him, Now You Don't (1972) Computer Wore Tennis Shoes, The (1969) Strongest Man In The World, The (1975) Kurt Russell disappears in the middle of the picture for about 20 minutes if memory serves. Joe Flynn's last physical appearance in a film. (He did voice work for THE RESCUERS, which was not released 'til 1977, just before he drowned in his swimming pool on July 19, 1974 at 49). . . . and the one with Maurice Chevalier from 1962 whose title escapes me + the 1981 movie 'NIGHT CROSSING' with John Hurt and Beau Bridges and the 1976 release which starred Joan Hackett. The title of that one escapes me, too, but I watched it so I know they showed it. → Some of Disney's real dreck didn't air on BYU. "Superdad" and "The Devil and Max Devlin" didn't air, for instance. I like "Superdad", but it's not one of Disney's better efforts. There is a dude named 'Torch' prominently featured, though! When JOE FLYNN appeared on Match Game '74 in January of 1974 he briefly talked about 'Superdad' going in to general release. I think Joe knew it wasn't going to be a hit. NOTE: If TCM airs "The Apple Dumpling Gang" it's NOT a Disney Treasure from the vault. It's not very good at all. I found much more amusement with "The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again" (1979). 'TopBilled' once told me he liked "Miracle of the White Stallions", but I honestly cannot recommend it to anyone. I found very little entertainment value in it despite the good cast. More *THINGS* It's possible BYU could've aired the 1974 Disney movie "The Island at the Top of the World" that starred future 'Good Morning America' host David Hartman. I keep thinking BYU showed it, but I do not recall for sure. When TCM had JANE WYMAN as their 'Star of the Month' I don't think Turner Classic showed the movie Wyman made for Disney released in 1962 "BON VOYAGE!" that also starred Fred MacMurray.

I think JOHN WAYNE has the record of *starring* in the most movies all-time. He started piling up his starring credit list in 1930 with "The Big Trail" and subsequently featuring in all those '30s "B"-pictures, 95% of which were "B"-Westerns. Wayne's 1937 quickie "California Straight Ahead" looks interesting enough. It's in the Leonard Maltin Classic Video Guide and read the lil' review on it. Does not appear to be available on homevideo in any format, however. Bummer! Seems like most all of Wayne's '30s low-budgeters have been made available on some homevideo format or other, but not that one.

More actors who have over 100 credits: SHATNER, William (1931- ). Over 200 credits. ROONEY, Mickey, 93 (1920-2014). Never stopped working. McDOWALL, Roddy, 70 (1928-1998) Busy. THOMPSON, Marshall, 66 (1925-1992) He started out in films very young and amassed bunches of credits by age 35. I looked up KIRK DOUGLAS on the IMDb and noted he didn't have 100 credits. He was close, but no cigar. HONOURABLE MENTION: DAVID JANSSEN had 98 credits according to the IMDb. He died Feb. 13, 1980 at age 48 just after starting to film the TVM "Damien: The Leper Priest" (he was replaced by Ken Howard). I think it's a certainty had Janssen died, say, five years later on Feb. 13, 1985 he'd have had 110-115 credits by then given the pace with which he was working. He was a workaholic, to be sure. SAMMY DAVIS Jr. and 'The Godfather of Soul' JAMES BROWN also were workaholics. Sammy once said he just couldn't sit still.

I can think of a few actors offhand who appeared frequently. Sometimes they received a screen credit, but darn sure not always. No matter, they racked up over 100 credits whether billed or not. HELTON, Percy, 77 (1894-1971). I watched 'RIDE THE HIGH COUNTRY' the other day and there was Percy as the bank owner who hired Joel McCrea. Unbilled. He was a nightclub owner in 'JAILHOUSE ROCK', which I also watched on TCM recently. Again unbilled. But easily noticeable. FLAVIN, James, 69 (1906-1976) KIBBEE, Guy, 74 (1882-1956) RAINEY, Ford, 96 (1908-2005) LANE, Charles, 102 (1905-2007) WOODS, Harry, 79 (1889-1968) Appeared in a lot of "B"-Westerns where an actor can rack up the credits in a hurry! BEST, Willie (1913 or 1916 - 1962). I believe he racked up over 100 credits before his death in '62. HANKIN, Larry, 76 (b. 1940) The biggest part I've seen him in so far was as 'Charley Butts' in ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ (1979) where he was a prisoner in the next cell wanting to escape with Clint Eastwood. He got some good lines in the 1980 Tv movie "The Great American Traffic Jam" where he played 'Sill' (part of Lisa Hartman's band). With KIRK DOUGLAS turning 100 back in December I wonder if he has 100+ credits? I reckon I'll go to the IMDb and have a look.

I bought a few more tapes that arrived Saturday: Sole Survivor (1985) on Vestron Video (on the cheap!) C.O.D. (1981) on Vestron Video (a Chuck Vincent film; not on DVD). Bottom Line, The (1976-French) on Astral Video, my favorite label. It's Canadian. Dubbed into English. This movie is probably on DVD in France under its original French title. ALSO, how did all of those discs get damaged, O speedracer? That's a lot of damaged discs that needed replacing.

I don't have a favorite #1 Western, but there's plenty of them I like. I've never seen UNFORGIVEN, THE LONG RIDERS or THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE as of yet. I like PALE RIDER quite a bit. I'm also very fond of the 1967 Western "EL DORADO". I like it better than "RIO BRAVO". Arthur Hunnicutt is fine in the role Walter Brennan played in the '59 film. Has anyone else here seen the 1972 western THE CULPEPPER CATTLE CO.? It's worth a watch. GUN HAWK (1963) was an interesting Western with a nutty ending. A color film. SHOOTOUT IN A ONE-DOG TOWN (1974-Tvm) was a decent made-for-television Western. Good cast, too! Runs 75 minutes. With a title like that one might think it's a tongue-in-cheek Western. I did at first, but it's not. It's played straight without a laugh in its gunsight.

film lover 293: As long as you're tormenting yourself watching all those Godzilla & Company movies you may as well watch the 1976 movie A*P*E directed by Paul Leder (whose daughter Mimi became a movie director, btw). I've got a movie on VHS I've not watched yet called 'QUEEN KONG'. It's also on DVD. You might wanna check it out for your viewing dis-pleasure. It's a 1976 British comedy take-off.

I figured to watch 13 West Street (1962) early this morning. I've never seen it so I'll give it a go. As noted below this is 'Late-Career Ladd', though he was only 48 when it was released. Alan Ladd only made one more movie, The Carpetbaggers (1964). A trivial thought: ALAN LADD and STEVE McQUEEN both played 'Nevada Smith' and both died at age 50.

I watched the indie WWII movie the other night THE QUICK AND THE DEAD (1963). I rather enjoyed it. I'd never heard of it before and decided to give it a watch despite not having planned to do so beforehand. I noted in Ben's intro he mentioned there was lots of action for such a low budget. I concur; the movie kept me interested throughout. THE QUICK AND THE DEAD reminded me of the 1962 war movie HELL IS FOR HEROES. I think they'd make a nice double-bill. It seems 'THE QUICK AND THE DEAD' is not listed in Leonard Maltin's Classic Movie Guide as I endeavoured to look it up once the movie ended and it wasn't there.