MCannady1

Wish we had snow too! I finally saw I'll be Seeing You yesterday. It was very touching and I was moved by both Joseph Cotten and Ginger Rogers. Their characters were very realistic. 2 days till Christmas and it is my favorite time of year!

Remember the Night is beautiful and perfect! THat is a great description. I re-watched this great film a few weeks ago. I love the pathos and humor blended together and Fred MacMurray's wonderful performance as mildly serious to not too friendly, and then he is transformed by Barbara Stanwyck's character. He becomes sensitive and loving. BArbara gave a wonderful performance here as the tragic daughter of an angry and vengeful mother who seems to have lost all feelings. She too is transformed by Fred's ultimate kindness and his wonderful family who gave notable performances. Especially great was the wonderful Beulah Bondi as his mother. They had accepted her unconditionally and she felt moved to tell his mother about her troubles.

Ian, I really like your review of everything! They are so well done and perceptive, Especially noteworthy are A Christmas Carol reviews. (I don't care for the '35 version much either). My favorite too is the '51 Christmas Carol I will watch tonight. I too love the 40's version of Little Women. The beautiful scenes with the girls singing together and their camaraderie (most of the time) is very realistic. Though there is a little over the top of Allyson add O'Brien, in large part it is very atmospheric and fun to watch at Christmas time. Mary Astor is wonderful as Marmee. Icing on the cake is the sentimental music at the beginning which appears at the beginning of the 30's version as well. It is beautifully selected to evoke 19th century feelings.

Yes, I am touched by all of them and do feel Winona is underrated as an actress. She was really great in the 90's version. AND the performance of little Amy burning the manuscript was integral to the story. It touched my heart as well when she whispered her apology to Jo,

I love every version of Little Women too and love your reviews. Each version has something very special. I grew up watching the 40's one on TV, but later saw the 30's version which I liked too. The 70's version is pretty good, but their haircombs are kind of exaggerated. (This was a 1970 production I saw on TV when it first came out with Angela Down (who is British) as Jo). Katharine Hepburn is special in the 30's one. She really put her heart and soul into the film. I loved it. Both girls - June Allyson and Janet Leigh seemed miscast in the 40's one, but everything came together and it all worked out well. You are right about Amy's part in later versions.. Like in the book, Amy had revenged heself on Jo by burning her manuscript. Jo will never forgive her, but relents when she falls through the ice and nearly dies. The earlier versions omit this scene, but seeing it in the more recent version is great, because it was an important event in the book. Of all the Marmees I really liked Mary Astor in the 40's version. Spring Byinton was very good in the 30's one too. MY daughter and I watched the Winona Rider version last month and we both agree about Professor Bhaer. He was very sexy and had a magnetic personality. BUt I could also say that of Rossano Brazzi in the 40's version, as I am his fan from every film. He had a certain magnetic quality about him in other films like Three Coins in the Fountain. Yes, I liked Mary Wickes who was very special as Aunt March. She is great in every film. I started watching for her in films after enjoying her performance in The Man Who Came to Dinner. My daughter and I loved her in the animated Hunchback of Notre Dame in which she lent her distinctive voice. Yes, some people are miscast in these films, but in large part the acting is really superb.

Me too! I got into Fred and Ginger's movies a few years ago after seeing The Gay Divorcee. Yes, I love the strings too. Shall WE Dance is great too & Swingtime. THey were both so talented. Ginger looked lovely in everything and FRed very debonair and good-looking. THey were a very nice combo.

Hi, Thought I would mention briefly my favorite music. I grew up in the 50's and 60's and loved ROck and Roll as a kid. Today I collect the music of an earlier time in the 50's I never heard before. IT supplements my wonderful 60's collection. I just received a CD from a friend with mid-to late 50's music and the harmony in most of them are just lovely with great singing voices and background. I am geting to be a Doo **** girl! (I started listening to Radio music at the age of 8 in the 50's with my big sister. I had never heard these others. Many were wonderful. It is especially timely since I am home a lot unable to walk. I had a spinal operation nearly five years ago with childhood Scoliosis collapsing my spine. I have not been able to walk for 7 years and am lucky my hubby gets me to appointments, etc. I go to Physical Therapy and they stretch me out to help me stand, but it goes right back,. I was so active before, it is very hard.THe doctor says exercise will strengthe my spine but insurance won't let us go to more that a few in a year. Funny thing is watching The Buddy Holly Story (and I am a fan of Buddy and Ritchie) they make it sound in the movie that they were the first rock and rollers. No way! Not after hearing these great guys and girls. Too bad they faded out over time, but had great music. The Valentines, The Dubs, The Channels are all great guys and had lovely harmony in their songs. Sometimes I check out Oldies.com. They have great selections.

I love Harold Lloyd's humorous films and the stunts he did. I read he injured his hand during the filming of the one with him hanging off a building. He was a real perfectionist for realism. I like his son Norman in Saboteur and even One Step Beyond.

I like how Scrooge has Christmas past, and asked how long. The spirit said "No, your past". I love the quote you have mentioned. Yes, Alistair was really great in this film. "Are there no prisons, are there no workhouses?" rings in my ears too. "He'd better decrease the surplus population". I really like that Spirit too. There is a benevolence of mind there, and the second spirit is quite friendly. The third one is really scary about the future, but Scrooge catches on pretty quickly.

We had a family tradition of all getting in the car and going to a Christmas tree lot.. There we would find a lovely tree. My sister and I helped with the decorating when we growing up. As children we enjoyed watching Christmas films and yes, I love Holiday Affair too. I watch every year and then we have something that would appeal to our 24 year old daughter and older son. I had fun watching A Disney Channel Christmas 1983 again which I taped in the 1980's from the Disney Channel when it was a special station. I was very lucky because it was a complete version. A friend had bought Once Upon a Chritmas and it is cute too with Scrooge McDuck and the little guys from Duck Tales, but had only a couple of the cartoons from the other one. So this is a great special and has all the beloved Disney characters and snippets from the wonderfull Disney films. Wish I had taped more things from Disney, as they had cute cartoons that were take offs on Rock music of the 60's and 50's. These and other great holiday specials were available. Tapes were expensive in the 80;s.

I love to watch many versions of A Christmas Carol. I had seen some great reviews Ian Patrick had done on these. I do agree that the Alistair Sim version '51 is the best. Alistair gives us a wonderful, heartfelt Scrooge. A Christmas Carol '84 is a tradition for me with the great music in the background. Anyone who loves 19th century Christmas carols will love this one. The Snow Lay on the Ground, I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing, He is Born, etc. (Of course I love the traditionals too like Silent Night, but these are more rare to hear). George C. Scott is really a good Scrooge. A real treat is a CD I found recently called A Colonial Christmas and it has these beautiful songs. I also love to watch The Bishop's Wife. IT is a great movie with Cary Grant as an Angel and David Niven as the Bishop. I loved Loretta Young as the Bishop's wife. Icing on the cake is the performance of Monty Woolley as the curmudgeonly old friend and Gladys Cooper, the temperamental wealthy lady who cannot decide on donating a special church as a monument to her husband. Elsa Lanchester was touching as the maid, and little Debbie (played by Karolyn Grimes) is a real delight to see. Beyond Tomorrow '40 is another wonderful Christmas film. It has a great cast and features a wonderful combination of romance, pathos and the supernatural intertwined. Maria Ouspenskaya gives us a wonderful character of a housekeeper who had been a Russian countess. She now works for (and is a friend) of three wealthy men who are benevolent and generous. Jean Parker is great as the object of romance for Richard Carlson, and Helen Vinson as the other woman. Really heart-touching is the heavenly music that runs through the beginning with a great saying. Throughout the film we hear it here and there and in the grand finale it is especially lovely and heartwarming. Not to mention Richard Carlson's great singing too. Not to be missed! IT Happened on 5th Avenue and Miracle on 34th Street plus Christmas in Connecticut fills the bill also. I love the story in each and feel that the Christmas season is enhanced by all of them. THe mixture of romance, comedy and pathos in each are wonderful to see each year. Also, it is wonderful to see the great Gale Storm singing in IT Happened on 5th Avenue. With the family we will probably watch Home Alone 1 and 2. Tim Curry is a delight to see as the hotel manager attempting to outsmart Kevin in Home Alone 2. Though Kevin carried the pranks on the gangsters too far, the rest of the film has a certain pathos with Kevin gaining acceptance and friendships with adults and ultimately better understood by his family. However, Buzz is a very unlikeable big brother whom we know continues to torment Kevin. Also, the Uncle Frank character was great as the cheapskate uncle who picks on Kevin.

I was thinking that it is more atmospheric during the holidays to see these films, I just mentioned a tradition I have in my previous post and had forgotten IT's a wonderful Life and A Christmas Story, and The Lemon Drop Kid.. One of my sons gave me IT's a Wonderful Life DVD last year and it looks beautiful. A Christmas Story is fun to watch too. I wish the holidays were not over so fast. I love this time of year and it is fun to see snow (when you're a So. Cal. person). Regarding The Lemon Drop Kid '51- Bob Hope is always fun to watch, but here is a story with all the wonderful holiday elements and sentiments, plus a certain pathos and an undercurrent of gangsters; Lloyd Nolan and Fred Clark. To all this is added a beautiful rendition of Silver Bells by the lovely Marilyn Maxwell and Bob Hope.. Unforgettable is a hillarious scene which appears to be Bob Hope making passes at a mannequin in a store window (but is really stealing the woman's clothing to hide from gangsters). A policeman smilingly goes by and then stops as a crowd gathers around. Dressed as a woman he pretends to make a pass at gangster Lloyd Nolan. The film is further more appealing with the great Jane Darwell as his friend. OF course Bob has an angle, but starts an Old Dolls home for ladies. Not to be mised! enhanced by the wonderful Jane Darwell as the old friend on Broadway.

I love to watch many versions of A Christmas Carol. I had seen some great reviews Ian Patrick had done on these. I do agree that the Alistair Sim version '51 is the best. Alistair gives us a wonderful, heartfelt Scrooge. A Christmas Carol '84 is a tradition for me with the great music in the background. Anyone who loves 19th century Christmas carols will love this one. The Snow Lay on the Ground, I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing, He is Born, etc. (Of course I love the traditionals too like Silent Night, but these are more rare to hear). George C. Scott is really a good Scrooge. A real treat is a CD I found recently called A Colonial Christmas and it has these beautiful songs. I also love to watch The Bishop's Wife. IT is a great movie with Cary Grant as an Angel and David Niven as the Bishop. I loved Loretta Young as the Bishop's wife. Icing on the cake is the performance of Monty Woolley as the curmudgeonly old friend and Gladys Cooper, the temperamental wealthy lady who cannot decide on donating a special church as a monument to her husband. Elsa Lanchester was touching as the maid, and little Debbie (played by Karolyn Grimes) is a real delight to see. Beyond Tomorrow '40 is another wonderful Christmas film. It has a great cast and features a wonderful combination of romance, pathos and the supernatural intertwined. Maria Ouspenskaya gives us a wonderful character of a housekeeper who had been a Russian countess. She now works for (and is a friend) of three wealthy men who are benevolent and generous. Jean Parker is great as the object of romance for Richard Carlson, and Helen Vinson as the other woman. Really heart-touching is the heavenly music that runs through the beginning with a great saying. Throughout the film we hear it here and there and in the grand finale it is especially lovely and heartwarming. Not to mention Richard Carlson's great singing too. Not to be missed! IT Happened on 5th Avenue and Miracle on 34th Street plus Christmas in Connecticut fills the bill also. I love the story in each and feel that the Christmas season is enhanced by all of them. THe mixture of romance, comedy and pathos in each are wonderful to see each year. Also, it is wonderful to see the great Gale Storm singing in IT Happened on 5th Avenue. With the family we will probably watch Home Alone 1 and 2. Tim Curry is a delight to see as the hotel manager attempting to outsmart Kevin in Home Alone 2. Though Kevin carried the pranks on the gangsters too far, the rest of the film has a certain pathos with Kevin gaining acceptance and friendships with adults and ultimately better understood by his family. However, Buzz is a very unlikeable big brother whom we know continues to torment Kevin. Also, the Uncle Frank character was great as the cheapskate uncle who picks on Kevin.

I won't either! All that just anguishes me so badly. I wish I could prevent animal cruelty and worse. Glad you mentioned it.

I like Marion Davies a lot too and taped a lot from TCM. I love Going Hollywood and Quality Street, etc. Will try to catch this one.

THanks! Can't believe Christmas is coming so fast. I love the Alistair Sim Christmas Carol best too, but watch all of them. Going to check out your review on You Tube.

I love the humor and in this one and enjoy it every time I see it. It is perfect for a rainy night like tonight in So Cal.

I love this film too! Sentimental and well-acted. I had just seen it for the first time a couple of weeks ago.

I like this one too! THe stars are all very appealing.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Carole Landis films and appreciate all the wonderful information posted here. She was a very good and under-rated actress and I am glad that she is still being admired today. In addition to her acting and singing talent, there was a unique blend of kindness and sincerity in her roles. THe characters were often very likeable and I found myself identifying with them in Carole's roles. Even in the ones that weren't as admirable, we can see the motivation and relate. I can't forget the beautiful Vicki Lynn, the starlet that was murdered in I Wake Up Screaming, or the near-murder victim in Topper Returns. No matter what the role, this talented actress was up to it.

Have to agree that this one is pretty hard to understand at times. I watched with the idea that Hitchcock would have something special here. Well, it was interesting in some of suspenseful scenes. Early Hitchcock is moderately good, but of course his later endeavors are superb by comparison. I would give it a 5 or 6 as well. It seems that some of the old house movies are pretty good, though. Any one like The Old Dark House '30? I thought I would watch it again last night and it is pretty unique. A bunch of people stranded at an old house in a wild rainstorm are very interesting. Gloria Stuart, Melvyn Douglas, CHarles Laughton and even Boris Karloff adorn the cast. Ernest Thesiger has a good role as well. When I was real young I happened to see a 60's version of this film with the same title. Later I discovered this one - about 30 years later on AMC. Anyway, the remake in this case was not nearly so good as the original. Will not say more about the original as it is a good scary 30's film. I'll just say that the people that lived there seemed to be normal but eccentric, and the one person that is "sane" may be a hundred years old! Fun to watch on a wild and rainy night here in So. Cal.!

Gotta be joking! You never know when he's going to be tripping over that bench! He certainly was funny. Can't picture him as an abusive guy, but a lot of actors have a wide range. He just had his 90th birthday. Seems like only yesterday I used to watch the show as a kid. Rob Petrie would "visit" often in the 60's. "Oh, Rob" sounds very familiar. MTM was good as Laura too. We were just talking about Mary Poppins and how funny Dick was in that role as Bert.

Thanks! Yes, I will keep an eye out for Holiday. I have acquired a lot of her earlier movies like Condemned and Double Harness, etc. but have never seen that either. I heard a rumor that people can come and watch them but aren't allowed to copy them. Ann is wonderful in The Life of Vergie Winters, Gallant Lady, The Fountain, etc. Recently I watched her in It Happened on 5th Avenue, a very enjoyable Christmas film with Gale Storm. Even more than the Crown Jewels, these films tied up by legalities are really priceless. We will gradually see them coming into play but are forced to play a waiting game.

That is really funny, Lawrence! Fred MacMurray has me charmed too. Over the years I have loved many of his films. He did radiate a sincerity and kindness which appealed to many. When I watch Alice again I will remember! I recall my mother was very charmed by James Mason and Charles Boyer. IT reminds me of a funny story from my mother's college days in the 30's. THey had a Teaching School luncheon at Colombia University and invited several stars to it. Mom met Mickey Rooney, Bette Davis and Nelson Eddy who were filming nearby. There were two long tables in a fancy restaurant. The three stars were seated across the table from Mom. During the luncheon my mom had a hard time with her salad, which kept sliding off the plate. IT was served in a fancy style with hearts of lettuce. When she came to cut it with knife and fork, it sailed off the plate and right onto Nelson Eddy's! Well, he was most kind and gracious and laughingly helped her gather it up. She recalled Bette and Mickey laughing at the "school marm:" who was having trouble with her salad. They had been nice too and asked questions of the teachers in training. Of course, my mom was very nervous in the presence of these celebrities sitting across from her, She could hardly get a word or two across the table!

I just watched The Chase with Robert Cummings and Michele Morgan. Robert and Michele were both very good in their roles. Though Robert is best known for comedy, he could play a serious role effectively, as he had in Saboteur and The Lost Moment. Both are also excellent films. I had purchased THe Chase recently in a boxed set with another film, hoping to get a better copy. At the end of the film there is a narrative that explains why the film is very dark in spots; the sprockets were stuck in different scenes which cause the screen to be barely seen in parts. But they did recapture most of the footage. ALso, they were able to improve on the sound track quality. So this was certainly a good restoration. I guess it was impossible to brighten some of the footage, so for a few minutes it gets a little confusing. But after all, it is a night chase scene. Most of the darkness seems apropos of the story. I really love this film with Robert Cummings rescuing the lovely wife of a gangster he is employed by. Steve Cochran is outstanding in his role as the gangster and Peter Lorre is effectively chilly and dangerous as his friend and henchman. Here I will not say more, so others who haven't seen the film can enjoy it. It is another masterpiece from the Film Noir genre, from a novel by the great Cornell Woolrich "The Black Path of Fear". For those that have read the book, seeing the film will be a surprise - for their are some unique elements in the film that are not in the book. However, a great film is a great film. And this is very good, though confusing at times. IT is just that it is a separate entity from the book for a special reason.