film lover 293
-
Posts
6,310 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
4
Posts posted by film lover 293
-
-
Lawrence--You"re correct. In "The Pirate" he impersonated a sailor. The dramatic film I was thinking of was "Crest of the Wave" (1954). So I should have said quintet.
Your thread, Lawrence.
-
DGF--Look at non-musicals and episodic films also.
-
"The Night Monster" (1942)--Starring Bela Lugosi, Lionel Atwill,,and Irene Hervey, directed by Ford Beebe.
Fast moving, convoluted, supernatural mystery has echoes of "Rebecca" (1940), "Angel Street" (1940), "Dracula" (1931), and others.
As we're introduced to Ingston Manor, we see the housekeeper (Doris Lloyd) scrubbing at a bloodstain; then Margaret Ingston (Fay Helm) comes down the staircase, wails about how the place "reeks of blood", and how she is not crazy. She then tells the housekeeper she is having a psychiatrist (Irene Hervey) come there to prove her sanity. The housekeeper tells Margaret her brother is having His doctors examine her that night. The film goes from there.
Fast moving film gives none of the actors time or material to develop a characterization, and the viewer doesn't get a chance to think about the gaping holes in the plot (the film loses track of one character).
Plot heavy movie moves so fast I didn't notice the plot holes--until the movie was over. A fun watch, though. 2.5/4.
-
1
-
-
This dancer/singer made a quartet of films where he played a sailor. Name him and the four films.
-
You're right--and in close to record time, LOL.
Your thread, Lawrence.
-
This musical is about stopping Hannibal's invasion of ancient Rome. Name the film, two of its' stars, and the studio that released it.
-
Spencer Tracy for "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?" (1967)
Peter Finch for "Network" (1976)
-
KATHERINE--KATHRYN GRAYSON in KISS ME KATE
-
KISS OF THE VAMPIRE
-
This film marked important transitions for its' three female stars. One "officially" grew up, and the studio noted the fact by having her wear a hot pink evening gown. For the the two other stars, this marked the end of their contract/s with the studio. Please name the film, the three stars, and the studio.
-
"Popeye" (1980)?
-
Thurs,, Sept 1st/2nd; Three Sturges films where politics and politicians get punctured; All times E.S.T.
9:45 p.m. "Sullivan's Travels" (1941)--Pompousness and political correctness are just two targets.
1:15 a.m. "Hail The Conquering Hero" (1944)--Arguably Preston Sturges' best film.
3:15 a.m. "The Great McGinty" (1940)--All political parties are targets.
-
4
-
-
Rambo: First Blood?
-
(1) Double Trouble?
(2) King Creole?
-
"Dial M For Murder?
-
CONSPIRATOR
-
"It's Always Fair Weather" (1955), Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse?
-
The Masque of the Red Death
-
Heart Trouble? (1928)
-
"Young Bess" (1953)--Starring Jean Simmons, Stewart Granger, Deborah Kerr, and Charles Laughton.
Good cast elevates a standard period piece about the girlhood of Elizabeth I. Film is told in flashback by her former governess Mrs. Ashley (Kay Walsh), just before Bess' Coronation ceremony. Film follows Bess from birth to her falling in love with another womans husband through Court politics and treachery.
Charles Laughton is good, if somewhat hammy, as King Henry VIII. His deathbed scene takes forever.
Deborah Kerr is ok as the rather frail Katharine Parr; she looks too healthy and pretty to be ill. Apparently, she's afflicted with a dread disease that leaves her looking lovely, with perfect make-up, not a hair out of place and in soft focus, while it kills.
Stewart Granger's Thomas Seymour is appropriately heroic and apparently gifted with second sight.
Simmons is very good in the title role. Her voice has the commanding tones of one accustomed to being obeyed, and she convincingly ages from around ten to her early 20's. She is the best part of the film.
Director George Sidney uses a subtle and effective trick to get the viewer on Simmons' side. In her scenes, the furniture is immense (in one scene, she sits in a chair that is twice her size), suggesting that Bess is dwarfed by the events taking place around her.
Film received deserved Oscar nominations for Best Art Direction and Costumes.
"Young Bess" is a good showcase for Simmons' acting talents. 3/4.
-
5
-
-
"Guys And Dolls" (1955)--Starring Jean Simmons, Marlon Brando, Frank Sinatra, and Vivian Blaine.
I'm especially hard on the movie because I saw Guys And Dolls (GaD) done on the stage, and very well sung, in a touring production.
Film is fine acting and singing showcase for Simmons and Blaine; the two male stars are problematic.
Brando is the most obviously miscast. He had a tight, very light tenor, and at least one song for his character ("I've Never Been in Love Before") is missing from the movie, probably because he didn't have the range. He barely gets through "Luck Be A Lady"; while he does manage a moderate crescendo at the songs' end, he looks like he's gasping for breath and the camera cuts away from him abruptly. He's an acceptable Non-singing romantic lead, but not dubbing him was a mistake.
Sinatras' problem was harder for me to pin down. His singing sounds Fine. What's wrong is the Type of singing. The number "Adelaide" is supposed to be comic, and the backups perform it as a comic number. Sinatra almost oozes crooning charm while singing; the screen result is one long "What the ****" moment**. In his "Sue Me" duet with Blaine, he sings going for romance, Blaine sings for laughs; they sing at cross purposes. The song works, but not as well as it could have.
Blaine was in the Broadway show, and her numbers "Adelaide's Lament" and "Take Back Your Mink" are highlights. She is a definite asset to the film.
Simmons has an untrained voice. But her voice is strong and on key. In her duets with Brando, she drowns his voice out without trying. Simmons is a pleasant surprise, and she handles her songs well, especially "If I Were a Bell".
Stubby Kaye is a standout. His solo "Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat" and the first rendition of the title song he does with Sinatra are the highlights of the film.
The look of the film is a problem. Sometimes it looks like a filmed stage play, and sometimes the stylized look of Times Square works.
"Guys and Dolls" is ok Runyonesque fluff, but it could have been much better. 2.5/4.
**Edit--ottocensor starred out my original wording.
-
2
-
-
Wed., August 31st--Dean Martin day. Two of the better films--All times E.S.T.:
8:00 p.m. "Bells Are Ringing" (1960)--Dean is fine support to Judy Holliday
10:15 p.m. "Ocean's Eleven" (1960)--Lightweight caper film.
-
"I'm Through With Love"--Sung by Goldie Hawn in "Everyone Says I Love You" (1996).
Next--a Rodgers & Hart standard.
-
Thanks, Lawrence--Open thread.
I Just Watched...
in General Discussions
Posted
Janet0312--Bela Lugosi--his character may have survived the film, or maybe the audience was supposed to think his character perished, but he's not shown among the survivors at the end. His character goes into a room about ten minutes before the end, and isn't heard from again.