neptuneslawyer
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Posts posted by neptuneslawyer
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"Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" is such an exhilirating and wholesomely fun musical. Even the title, itself, captures the movies' essence splendidly: it is melodic, mischevious, and romantic. I do find it interesting that whenever people discuss this movie (be it here in the forum or in some other venue) they are always quick to dispense praise on the 2 leads (Keel and Powell) and on the brothers (with Tamblyn & Rall typically being the faves) however, nobody ever seems to mention the brides! I guess that is understandable since they do not become prominent until the last quarter or so of the movie, however, there were at least a couple of promising budding starlets among the brides, most notably Ruta Lee (who did a game show involving an oversized pinball machine in the early 70s) and Julie Newmar (the original "CatWoman" on the Batman TV series in the 60s). Also, some years later (in the late 70s to be precise) an effort was made to adapt "Seven Brides" to the Broadway stage. The splendid Gene DePaul/Johnny Mercer score was retained with some new material added. I am not sure if it ever made it all the way to Broadway or not, but I did see a pre-Broadway touring production in Houston that starred none other than the original movie leads, Jane Powell and Howard Keel. Needless to say both of them were a little "long in the tooth" to be playing youthful pioneers at this stage in their careers. Nonetheless, they still maintained their vocal chops, and were not too distracting to watch - provided that you squinted.
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Thank you so much Jackpickford for all the good info. you have recently furnished me re: Norma Talmadge. I am going to order the two Norma Talmadge movies from the website, and I will certainly tell you what I think about them once I see them. I am actually quite curious as I have yet to see a Norma Talmdadge movie!
NeptunesLawyer
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Thanks coffeedan and jackpickford for the words of warning re: The Anita Loos Talmadge bio. I will proceed with caution!
NeptunesLawyer
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Here is a syllogism I learned in college logic 101:
"Nobody Dislikes gorgeous beautiful brunettes."
"Hedy Lamarr is/was a gorgeous beautiful brunette"
THEREFORE, "Nobody dislikes Hedy Lamarr!"
NeptunesLawyer
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Thank you JackPickford for furnishing me with the Norma Talmadge website. I am going to be busier than usual this week, however, I most definitely intend to spend some quality time at the site (checking out all the related links, etc.) by next weekend.
By the way, while we're on the topic of Norma Talmadge, I have a neighbor who just recently loaned me a book entitled The Talmadge Sisters, authored by the legendary Anita Loos and published in 1978. The book is rather brief - fewer than 150 pages, plus some appendices - so I will probably get around to reading it in one or two sittings sometime within the next week or two. Are you (or anyone else) familiar with this book?
NepturnesLawyer
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I am definitely going to like this topic, as it will allow us to rave (and maybe also rant?!) about some of our faves - complete with wild abandon, I am sure! Often when I have a new friend, or someone new I am dating or whatever, I soon get around to showing them one or more of my all-time fave classic movies - the ones I would consider "raves." Near the top of any such list would have to be several of the early 30s/Paramount W.C. Fields' movies, particularly It's A Gift. For me, this is probably the funniest "laugh-out-loud until it hurts" movie I have ever seen. What is so amazing is that, having seen it so many times, one might think that the humor would be less fresh or inventive to me by now. Not so! The characterizations are indelibly so human, and the routines so cleverly staged, nay choreographed, that repeated viewings only reinforce my appreciation of this ticklish little gem of a movie. Favorite scenes: a) the picnic in the park and the exploding feather pillow;
the telephone call (wrong number) from the maternity hospital late at night; c) W.C.'s frustrated efforts to catch a few zzzzzs on the back porch early one morning. I could go on and on but this raving is now beginning to make me cough!NeptunesLawyer
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I would really really like to see some Norma Talmadge movies, although I am of the impression that most of them are considered lost. I would also appreciate anyone with info. on Norma Talmadge's available and extant movies. Approximately how many are know or believed to be existing? Where could one go to locate them and view them. How is the quality, etc....
Thanks,
NeptunesLawyer
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The movie that Crawford made with Harry Langdon is titled Tramp, Tramp, Tramp. Joan plays the lovely young object of Harry's affection. In order to impress her he enters a cross-country foot race. This scenario allows for a number of comical moments that rival some of the best of Keaton or Lloyd from the same era. Joan's role does not require much. It is essentially your standard ingenue role that was a fixture in most comedies of that time. It is, however, interesting to see Joan in one of her earliest movies, particularly as her physical appearance is considerably softer (and less striking) than what it would soon (and more famously) become following her MGM makeover. Tramp, Tramp, Tramp is readily available on a Harry Langdon DVD from Kino Video. I tound it a year ago at a local Borders Books, and I still see it at other stores from time to time. For Langdon fans this is a must-have DVD, as it also contains, in addition to Tramp, Langdon's other 2 "classic" silent features, The Strong Man and Long Pants.
NeptunesLawyer
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It would also be fantastic to see some of the Ramon Novarro silents besides Student Prince or Ben-Hur. Not that those two are not enjoyable. They just seem to be about the only Novarro silents that are readily available or occasionally shown. I would especially like to see Across to Singapore (which also features Joan Crawford), The Midshipman, or the partially silent The Pagan.
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Sandy:
I am rummaging through my clutter in an effort to locate the issue of Classic Images magazine featuring the blurb promoting The Red Mill. If/when I can locate the magazine I will promptly notify you. In the meantime, all I can recall is that the issue was from a few months ago - September or October maybe - and it featured a short article announcing an upcoming film festival at one of the cities in Ohio (but not Columbus or Cincinnati). The festival is/was scheduled to run for a few days and the emphasis was on silent movies with The Red Mill being the main attraction. That is about all I can now recall. Maybe you can find out some more. Meanwhile, I will continue to search for more info. Hopefully, the festival has not yet come and gone!
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Good morning patypancake:
Thanks for the info on John Bunny and Flora Finch. Your description was vivid. They must have, indeed, made a peculiar looking pair. I am going to do some research of my own in an effort to try to locate some footage or (complete movies, if possible) of these two. Now that should be a challenge!
Now, on to Marion Davies! I finished reading the Guiles biography of Davies approximately 6 months ago. It was certainly one of the very best screen bios I have ever read - most compelling! I am in agreement with you 100% regarding the sparse availability of her movies. The only ones I have seen to date are Show People, Polly of the Circus, and Going Hollywood. The ones I am most eager to see are The Patsy, Tillie the Toiler, The Floradora Girl, and Blondie of the Follies. A few months Classic Images magazine revealed that the feature attraction at an upcoming film festival in Ohio was going to be an extant restored version of Davies' The Red Mill. Had the festival not been set for sometime during the wintery months I just might have been goofy enough to make a trip from the warm Texas climate to the colder Ohio climate in order to catch this movie! Well, maybe next time!
Take care. I will look forward to your next interesting post on the silents!
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Hiya Patypancake.
I really enjoyed your last post. Your familiarity with the silent stars must be formidable inasmuch as you reference the obscure (and nearly forgotten) John Bunny. Btw, do you happen to know how much (if any) of Bunny's work is known to survive? I have never seen a John Bunny film, but I first learned of him some years ago via a book I was reading titled Classics of the Silent Screen (authored by Joe Franklin).
Franklin's book contained an essay on Bunny, and there were some stills from a couple of his movies (including a somber "comedy" called Bunny Attempts Suicide, or something similar.) Also, are you familiar with an actress named Flora Finch? I seem to recall reading that she co-starred with Bunny in a number of movies but, again, I know next nothing about these movies.
Finally, on a different topic, I am curious to know your opinion on Marion Davies.
Neptuneslawyer
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Hey Paty: Good to know that there is another Langdon fan on board! And it is especially and pleasantly surprising to hear how much you enjoy Mable Normand too! On the topic of Mabel, you really should locate the excellent book by Jeannine Basinger that came out a few years ago titled "Silent Stars." The book consists of essays/analyses of approximately 12 or so silent screen stars who (per Basinger) are deserving of greater appreciation or fresher assessment. One of the essays is on the career of Mabel Normand, and it is quite obvious that Ms. Basinger considers Mabel an original comic genius. If you admire Mabel you will truly enjoy this thoughtful essay.
By the way, are you familiar with the Jerry Herman Broadway musical of the early 70s - "Mack and Mabel"? Set during the Sennett days, it starred Bernadette Peters as Mabel.
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Actually, in late 1946 there was a brief effort by Fox to lure Fred Astaire to that studio in order to co-star him with Betty Grable in "Mother Wore Tights." However, he declined, as he had already announced that he would be retiring following "Blue Skies." Of course, he came back two years later for "Easter Parade," and resumed his career etc.
With the collapse of the Astaire plans for "Mother Wore Tights," the studio turned instead to Dan Dailey. He and Grable teamed so well together in "Tights" that they were reteamed 3 subsequent times - "When My Baby Smiles at Me," "My Blue Heaven," and "Call Me Mister" - all Fox musicals, although the latter was an adaptation of a Broadway show.
Travis
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I too have the "Broadway Melody of 1940" DVD and concur with your comments regarding Ann Miller and her narration. It is thus with considerable sadness and surprise to hear that Ann Miller died earlier today. Apparently she had lung cancer. I had not even heard anything about her being ill and, in fact, I recall that she was still giving interviews, working on documentary projects, etc. as recently as late 2003.
Travis
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ESP indeed! Another gorgeous musical that will hopefully make its way to DVD one day is "Yolanda and the Thief."
Travis
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Well Antarct, I have also seen most of the Hedy movies you mention, and I agree with your assessments. "Dishonored Lady" is the one I have seen most recently, and I really got a kick out of it. Beauty wise, I believe Hedy was at her most extraordinary in "Algiers," "Ziegfeld Girl," and "Comrade X." Performance wise, I enjoy her most in "Experiment Perilous" (serious) and "White Cargo" (campy). I have never seen "I Take this Woman," but am certainly curious about it, as it has a reputation for being one of the most dreadful flops of the 1940s. Have you seen it and, if so, is it as bad as its reputation suggests? I would also like to see "Lady of the Tropics," mainly for purposes of seeing Lamarr and Robert Taylor together.
Travis
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Yeah, I've started leafing through the book just this evening. What an extraordinary beauty! I have seen pictures (and a handful of movies) of Hedy many times over the years, but every time I see a pic I still gape as if I am viewing her stunning image for the first time. By the way, do you have a fave Hedy movie or performance - or do you consider them all lamarrvelous?!
Travis
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I am so pleased to hear about the upcoming DVD releases for "For Me and My Gal" and "Meet Me in St. Louis." Any word on when "The Pirate" or "Easter Parade" will be released on DVD? I presume that these releases may not be imminent as the Judy musicals (and most of the golden era musicals in general)as there appears to be significant intervals of time between releases. For instance, by the time of the April releases of "St. Louis" and "FMAMG" it will have been nearly two years since the last Judy MGM musical DVD release, that release being "The Harvey Girls."
Travis
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I purchased a copy of the "Films of Hedy Lamarr" at a vintage book store in Houston this past week. I have not had a chance to sit down with it yet, however, I will certainly do so within the next couple of days.
Travis
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Kimbo:
I agree with you regarding Herbert Marshall, as I stated somewhat at length in my intro post. I also somewhat agree with you regarding Gregory Peck. I actually find Peck to be a consummate actor, however, his screen persona is {usually} so wooden and unanimated as to make it difficult to approach and embrace him warmly as a performer. I can instantly think of at least a dozen or more actors not nearly as competent an actor as Peck who, nonetheless, surpass him in charisma, ethos, and personality. Regarding Van Johnson, I must definitely be in the minority, as I have always found him easy to take and rather pleasant, if hardly electrifying. More on him later.
Travis
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I agree with 4 of your 5 assessments (i.e. Ford, Chandler, Brent, and Mature). However, I would not include Robert Montgomery, as I always found him to be a nicely polished light comedian ("Forsaking All Others," "Private Lives," "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," etc.) while also occasionally turning out an interesting dramatic performance (re: "Night Must Fall" "Lady in the Lake," etc.).
The actor I would add to this list of least likeable stars would have to be Herbert Marshall. He is singularly unattractive, which would not be a bad thing, except for the fact that studios often cast him in roles where he is inexplicably the object of attraction of such exciting or glamorous stars as Garbo, Davis, Crawford etc. Unbelievable!. For instance, in the remake of "When Ladies Meet," it is Herbert Marshall over whom both Joan Crawford and Greer Garson fawn, while the exceptionally handsome Robert Taylor is left on the sidelines. Go figure! For me, Herbert Marshall is usually a whiny simp, which is why I so enjoy the climatic scene in "The Little Foxes," when Bette Davis refuses to bring him his medicine thereby contributing to his quick and imminent death!
On a related note, a buddy of mine recently pointed out that Herbert Marshall and Fay Bainter look so much alike that could have been "separated at birth!" I had never thought about it before, but I had to agree. Compare any pic of Herbert Marshall's face from say the early 40s with one of Fay Bainter from the same period and see if you do not agree!
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Among the silent clowns, I have recently started paying closer attention to Harry Langdon. Langdon made a few dozen short subjects, and a dozen or so features. His three noteworthy features are "Tramp Tramp Tramp," "The Strong Man," and "Long Pants." All three of these features are available on an excellent Kino DVD release.
the telephone call (wrong number) from the maternity hospital late at night; c) W.C.'s frustrated efforts to catch a few zzzzzs on the back porch early one morning. I could go on and on but this raving is now beginning to make me cough!
You gotta see this one!
in Your Favorites
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"Funny Face" is probably one of the wittiest and most thoroughly urbane musicals to come out of the 1950s. However, lest you think that these qualities render it stiff and aloof, let me assure you that the entrancing playing of that marvelous nymphette, Audrey Hepburn, adds just the right amount of romance to make the heart swell. I have always thought Audrey was at her best when paired with an older debonair co-star such as Cary Grant, Gary Cooper, or (as in "Funny Face") Fred Astaire. Their dance duets are not of the caliber of, say, Fred & Ginger or Fred & Cyd or Fred & Rita, but they are satisfying nonetheless. The gorgeous cinematography contributes immensely to their numbers together. This musical was made and distributed by Paramount Studios, but in most of the major artistic respects it bears the hallmark of MGM. After all, star Astaire, supporting actress Kay Thompson, producer Roger Edens, and director Stanley Donen were all important contributors to the Freed Unit musicals at MGM. In short, if you enjoy Astaire, Hepburn, and/or MGM musicals, you are likely to enjoy "Funny Face."