film lover 293

"Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" (1912)--Although it's not listed in James Cruze's credits (he directed 1923's "The Covered Wagon", and many other films) he is listed as starring in this twelve minute film. A 1996 restoration done by Blackhawk and several others, on "Inter-Pathe" channel on YouTube, film is a interesting antique that sacrifices much of the plot to a short running time. When the potion/formula is drunk, it looks like Cruze is making a wine spritzer and then chugging it. Makeup changes are effective. Are at least two copies on YT; film is worth the twelve minutes to watch it. See the film while it is available to see. From the credits: "Wurlitzer organ courtesy of Uncle Milt's Pizza".

GregoryPeckfan--About the soundtrack, No. The versions of "The Lodger" (1926) I have seen were either totally silent or had an instrumental only score; the one I remember best was heavy on the pipe organ and piano. The best restoration of TL I've seen was done by Lobster and The British Film Institute (BFI). Edit: The version of TL I saw on "CiNENET"s YT channel is heavy on the violins (ala Psycho) and sound track uses a full orchestra (I Think). Also, the character Daisy has a music-hall song near the end; that would account for 1900-1920 style lyrics. If you were talking about a rock music soundtrack, I don't know of one. Also, on the afore-mentioned channel--Hitchcock's other silents ("Downhill", "Easy Virtue" both 1927, and others) are available to watch.

222characteractor--Find a post by MovieCollectorOH, and click on the link in the bottom left. MCOH has some comprehensive statistical work done, and his statistics of movies shown on TCM might answer your question. I can't answer your question, but MCOH might be able to or steer you to someone who Can answer your question.

"Prehistoric Women" (1967)--According to the trailer, a "Seven-Arts, Hammer, 20th Century Fox production. Starring Martine Beswick(?), film mixes skimpy fur outfits with the Cult of Kali & the legends of the Amazons. "The Vengeance of She" (1968)--The trailer looks like fun, with pith helmets and an unknown star (at least to me). Both available on YouTube.

"Lord Love A Duck" ( the print I saw was dated 1965)--Scattershot satire of Southern California scores more misses than hits, but Roddy McDowall & Tuesday Weld are excellent. McDowall's character is senior class valedictorian who is too smart. His flickering expressions and throwaway lines are to be watched for (if I say more, I'll spoil the film). Weld is a high school senior who wants to be part of the "in" crowd. The hits include drive-in churches, hypocritical faculty, & "Beach Blanket Bingo" (1965) ripoffs. Look for Harvey Korman and Ruth Gordon in supporting roles. Film gets 7.5/10 stars on the strength of the performances of McDowall & Weld.

Are differing pronunciations: pronouncenames.com on YouTube pronounces "Cap-you-seen-uh. yahoo answers says the proper pronunciation is "Cap-oo-seen", and that the word is French for "nasturtium" (sp?). Both say British and American pronunciations differ. This from the U.S.; what's the Canadian/British answer?

We stay in the loony sci-fi genre with the newly discovered: "Zardoz gets Rexed"--Dorothy Lamour, wearing a pink sarong, as one brunette who doesn't say much meets Sean Connery (wearing only what appears to be a red diaper) who grunts and does double take after double take in disbelief at the films' plot twists. The Forbidden Zone belongs to The Immortals, who take an instant dislike to Kim Hunter and Roddy McDowall after capturing them, and dispose of them by forcing them to jump into a volcano about to erupt. Sean, Dorothy, and Sir Rex are captured by The Immortal Women on horseback; they take a fancy to Sir Rex and Sean after hooking them up to their Neon green 25 foot high talking Zardoz, which measures their potency: Zardoz explodes and spills green goop on the formerly Bored female spectators. The volcano finally erupts immediately afterward, which awakens everyone (audience included). Dorothy, Sir Rex, and Sean get the Heck out of The Forbidden Zone before it is covered in molten lava. Sir Rex discovers a cavern by the sea, which contains Johnny Depps'...(film abruptly ends here).

GregoryPeckfan--In the States, "The Lodger" (1926) has multiple copies on YouTube; also, Vimeo.com used to have at least one good copy (I first saw TL on V)--hopefully you can find TL on one of these sites.

Favorite British-produced Hitchcock films: 1.) "The Lodger" (1926) 2.) "The Lady Vanishes" (1938) 3.) "Young and Innocent (TCM title "The Girl Was Young") (1937) 4.) "Murder!" (1930) 5.) "Blackmail" (1929)

All times E.S.T.: 8:15 a.m. "Mutiny On The Bounty" (1935)--Fine swashbuckler with Clark Gable & Charles Laughton at odds. Worth the watch. 3:33 p.m. "Of Pups and Puzzles" (1941)--Best Short Film of 1941. Sounds interesting. 6:00 p.m. "Desperate Journey" (1942)--This is the one where Ronald Reagan talks German so well he convinces the Nazis he's one of them. Have not seen, but am looking forward to it.

Winners have an asterisk by their name; ties have two asterisks by their names: Best Actor: Fredric March in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde** Peter Lorre in M** John Barrymore in Svengali Edward G. Robinson in Little Caesar Rudolf Forster as Mackie Messer ("Mack the Knife" in English) in The Threepenny Opera Groucho Marx in Monkey Business ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Best Actress: Miriam Hopkins in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde* Irene Dunne in Cimarron Marion Davies in Five and Ten Barbara Stanwyck in Night Nurse Greta Garbo in Susan Lennox: Her Fall and Rise. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Best Supporting Actor: Boris Karloff in Frankenstein* Harpo Marx in Monkey Business Chico Marx in Monkey Business Clark Gable in Night Nurse Jean Hersholt in Susan Lennox: Her Fall and Rise ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Best Supporting Actress: Rose Hobart in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Lotte Lenya in The Threepenny Opera* Joan Blondell in Night Nurse Carmel Myers in Svengali Miriam Hopkins in The Smiling Lieutenant

I saw four films this past week. "It's Always Fair Weather" (1955) is notable for the cynicism coated screenplay that has a semi-sweet outcome. Dolores Gray is memorable as a talk show hostess who oozes insincerity, constantly diets to keep her figure, and finally tells her boss where to go. Cyd Charisse had a perfect part as a corporate type who rattles off statistics at the drop of a hat and views other people as "inconveniences". Gene Kelly, Dan Dailey, & Michael Kidd also star in this delight. "The Threepenny Opera" (1931) is a German film made just before the Nazis rise to power. German Expressionism and Post WW I cynicism mix for one cynical musical, with a score by Kurt Weill. I saw this on a 2006 Criterion restoration, which has one problem: the translator/subtitler mixed up their "r"s & "n"s, so the viewer has to do some quick re-translating. I found this just annoying; other than this problem, restoration is flawless, as far as I can tell. Film is wonderful! "The Letter" (1940) & (1929)--1940 version has a controlled, calculating Bette Davis measuring and thinking out every move she makes in the film. Director Wyler does one of his best directing jobs here, making the Production Codes' insistence on obvious punishment watchable & not letting it derail his film. The 1929 Jeanne Eagels version is less subtle, but Eagels is more successful in showing a woman on the verge of falling apart. She is a wonder to behold (that's a compliment), and when her husband shows his claws, she matches him in anger. The lack of music in the film just heightens the tension, IMO. 1929 film is Fantastic; 1940 film is very good. All four films are Must-sees, IMHO.

Two films: "Where Love Has Gone" (1964)--a rather awful painting of Bette Davis gets it during the film;I don't know if it still exists, but a photographed copy with water damage(?) is on sale at ebay for $21.50 plus shipping. "The Sandpiper" (1965)--Elizabeth Taylor plays a mother who paints for a living. I remember the paintings as being bad, but art.com is selling a print of at least one for $20.00.

"The Cook, the Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover" (1989). "Sabrina" (1954).

CaveGirl--Yes, I watched both versions of "The Letter". Bette Davis' performance is more subtle, but she definitely lets the viewer see what she's thinking and why. Gale Sondergaard is wonderful as the Eurasian mistress. This was the eighth time I saw Davis' version. I saw the Eagels 1929 version for the first time right after the 1940 version. Eagels was a wonder to see; she definitely seemed like a woman on the edge of a breakdown. Her courtroom scene was a sight to see, as she mixed lies with feigned embarrassment and past memories. The end, where husband and wife show their claws, is perfect. Too bad Eagels didn't win Best Actress--she certainly deserved the award. The absence of music in the film just heightened the tension, IMHO. Davis' performance is calculating and excellent, but Eagels captured the essence of a woman falling apart. I prefer the Eagels version, because there's no moralizing to get in the storys' way. Director Wyler did his best to get around it, but it still bogs down the story.

GregoryPeckfan--my favorite piece of music he composed was "Storm Cloud Cantata" for the 1956 remake of "The Man Who Knew Too Much: the music and especially the lyrics help the suspense along immeasurably, IMHO; hope you can get the link in Canada.

GregoryPeckfan--sorry to be late replying: yes, I was thinking of Bruce Dern in "Family Plot" (1976); thanks for the correction. Now, about Charles Laughton in "The Paradine Case" (1947); Yes he hammed it up, but he also helped secure Ethel Barrymore a Best Supporting Actress nomination. She had only two or three scenes, but she painted a vivid and pitiable picture of a mentally abused wife in maybe ten minutes of film. With the miles of film that was shot, Barrymore probably had scenes cut from the film. I prefer to think Laughton overacted to get Barrymore a Academy Award nomination, instead of overacting without purpose. Besides Ethel Barrymore, other favorite female performances in Hitchcock films: Ingrid Bergman in "Notorious" (1946) and "Under Capricorn" (1949). Grace Kelly in "To Catch a Thief" (1955) & "Rear Window" (1954). Tippi Hedren in "The Birds" (1963) & "Marnie" (1964)--Hedren gave graceful performances in both films under stressful circumstances. Nova Pilbeam in "Young and Innocent" (TCM title is "The Girl Was Young") (1937).

Favorite male performances & stars (most) not mentioned, chronologically (more or less): Ivor Novello in "The Lodger" (1926). Herbert Marshall in "Murder!" (1930) & "Foreign Correspondent" (1940)--FC is favorite performance. Robert Cummings in "Saboteur" (1942)--an actor usually cast in comedies, Universal forced his casting, and Cummings turned out to be very good. Gregory Peck in "The Paradine Case" (1947)--Underestimated film and performances. Charles Laughton in "The Paradine Case" (1947)--Overacted with a Reason--more tomorrow. James Stewart in "Rear Window" (1954) & "The Man Who Knew Too Much"(1956)--Favorite JS performance. Peter Fonda in "Family Plot" (1976)--Lightweight film was Hitchcocks' last; Peter Fonda was a fine comedian/actor for FP, IMHO. Favorite film is "Notorious" (1946).

MissWonderly3--Current "in the know" talk has Paris Hilton playing Eve Kendall, with Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan as her understudies.

"The Letter" (1940) & (1929)--the order they were shown in today. The 1940 William Wyler version is very good, despite the Codes' preoccupation with murder, and morality, and obvious punishment. It's still a marvel to me of how much of the subtext of the film was successfully filmed; the obsessive needlework, Davis' eyes that show the flickering expressions of her true emotions behind the "socially acceptable" talk. Sondergaard as the Eurasian mistress is also a wonder; her eyes radiate contempt and fury for Mrs. Crosbie. The camerawork is outstanding. The 1940 version makes me wonder if it's melodrama or film noir--maybe both. In the 1929 version, Eagels is a wonder to behold, whether barely suppressing her emotions through her needlework, mixing lies & past memories on the witness stand, confronting her husband after the trial. She dominates the proceedings, despite looking ill during part of the film. The film has no musical score, which worked for me as a way of upping the tension of the film. Film stops at perfect ending line. Both versions are damn good, & more than worth seeing--the 1929 version is showing a bit of wear. Both versions get highest recommendation, 1929 version especially because it was a Paramount film--don't know when TCM will air it again.

The operatic version of "North By Northwest" is set to debut on Broadway in 2017. The tryout is to debut on TCM in late 2016; at present, NBN lasts six hours (without intermission).

TCM will be showing the Hitchcock musical "Waltzes From Vienna" (1933) in 2017; and, since it is only half as long as the beloved "North By Northwest" (1959), TCM will show WFV one hundred forty times in a row, to catch up with NBN.

GregoryPeckfan, here's my list: Alfred Hitchcock--Amazing noirish camerawork in "Rope" (1948), "Strangers on a Train" (1951), and "I Confess" (1953), to name just three. Robert Siodmak--"Christmas Holiday" (1944), "The Killers" (1946), & "The Spiral Staircase" (1946) among others. Jules Dassin--"Brute Force" (1947), "The Naked City" (1948), "Night and the City" (1950). Robert Wise--"Born to Kill" (1947), "Blood on the Moon" (1948), "The Set-Up" (1949). Jacques Tourneur--"Experiment Perilous" (1944), "Out of the Past" (1947), "Berlin Express" (1948). Billy Wilder--"Ace in the Hole" (1951), "Double Indemnity" (1944), "Sunset Boulevard" (1950).

Three titles nobody has mentioned: May 9th--The Bat Whispers (1930)--mystery/horror film Maltin gives a measly one and one half stars--I'll take my chances and watch--was remade as 1959's "The Bat", starring Vincent Price. May 26th/27: At 5:00 a.m. E.S.T.--"A Matter of Time" (1976)--Vincente Minnelli's last film, a musical starring his daughter Liza & Ingrid Bergman. Film was ruined in the editing room by AIP. I've read Pauline Kaels' devastating review, which raked AIP over the coals, and even she said Liza Minnelli was in "smooth, supple voice" for the Gershwin and Porter(?) standards in the film. Am looking forward to finally seeing this film, whatever its' quality. "The Abominable Doctor Phibes" (1971)--Vincent Price takes revenge on the doctors who failed to save his wifes' life. AIP at its'/their best.

Lydecker--find speedracer5's "April schedule is up" thread, go to it, click on last link, which was for three days: you'll find beginning of May schedule. Then update the URL in your browser as needed. The dates in May needed are 06,13,20, & 27. Hope this makes sense.