deeanddaisy666
-
Posts
2,855 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Never
Posts posted by deeanddaisy666
-
-
I know of current movie review sites, such as 'Cranky Critic', where I can usually find reviews that agree with my jaded view of current offerings.
However, does anyone here know of an online movie review site for the Golden Oldies from the 1930s and 1940s? I have a Film Guide that I constantly refer to, but I would like one that is online, if possible.
Is there such an animal?
Thanks!
-
tcmprogrammer, thank you! I echo ML's sentiments on how nice it is to have you here to communicate with us.
And brackenhe, I have a feeling you are correct. Come to think of it, it's only since I've had to resort to dial up (isn't it annoying, moviejoe?) that I've had problems.
At any rate, thank you every one for the comments.
-
classicsfan, I too enjoy Cary Lite above his serious performances. The movie 'People Will Talk' comes to mind as one that made me uncomfortable, yet I valued his performance.
I love him in the 'Awful Truth', 'Favorite Wife' type of movies, and from there the broader slapstick of 'Arsenic and Old Lace'. I also admired him in the Hitchcock movies. He constantly amazes me with his ability to make it ALL look so easy. James Cagney is another actor with this ability, imo.
I did not realize that he had a moral ethic in his choice of roles, as outlined in the TCM special the other night, and that he turned down a role with Judy Garland due to her personal demons. Interesting.
I also miss him.
-
"And it's all the more odd that more people here don't find that wrong."
harlowkeatongirl, you must have missed my post where I said you were MORE than wise NOT to give out your personal information to this person. He seemed to me to be 'playing' you. However, I applaud TCM moderators for allowing this to play itself out, unlike the dictators and censors at TWoP, since the posters here saw through gagman and called him out on his 'game' with you.
That said, on to discussing wonderful old movies and the greats such as Harlow, Keaton, and Lloyd.
Oh, and welcome back!!!
-
tcmprogrammer, since this is an Information thread, can I ask you a question? Are there any plans to make this site more user friendly in terms of updating the log in? The site doesn't allow opening new windows without logging in anew, and yes I've set all my 'cookie' settings properly. This is the only site that causes an error.
And, if one opens a thread first without logging in, there is a loop that occurs if login is then attempted that I for one cannot get out of until I shut down the window and start again. I'm not sure which system other boards use to maintain their message capability, but it appears that this one is one of the more difficult to maneuver.
Any plans on updating? Thank you.
-
As a matter of fact, I was just recently marvelling at Norma Shearer's Adrian gowns in 'Last of Mrs. Cheyney' and 'Strangers May Kiss'. She was gorgeous, the dresses were gorgeous, what a treat.
But my hands down favorite is still Orry Kelly. His designs, imo, were pure poetry.
-
As far as I can tell, and I may be wrong, gagman made an offer of Lloyd material to someone who is not enamored of Lloyd in an effort to elicit personal information from her. She wisely declined.
A marketing scam on the part of TCM? Hardly. Just the usual bantering and 'playing' that sometimes goes on via these message boards and which other boards (specifically Television Without Pity) censor in their attempt at controlling people's minds. TCM is nicely hands-off, apparently, when it comes to freedom of speech. I applaud them for that.
That said, every poster should look out for him/her self when it comes to something that doesn't sound right. You found out, inhonorofpop, that all was not well with this offer.
By the way, good for your grandfather, and sorry that he is no longer on this earth, that he passed on his love of classics to you.
-
Well, I'll have to start by saying I think he was THE most gorgeous man from that era. I hope what I read about his relationship with Randolph Scott was malicious gossip...not that there's anything wrong with it. But whether his persona was manufactured or not, whether he dabbled in LSD for fun or medicinal purposes, he was one of the most beautiful, talented men in the history of Hollywood. He segued from comedy to drama without breaking a sweat, which can not be said for many other actors of that or any other era.
My favorite of his movies?
Topper, although he's in competition with that gorgeous Cord.
The strong female lead movies, In Name Only, The Awful Truth, and My Favorite Wife. Wonderful movies.
His Girl Friday and Arsenic and Old Lace, for their manic pace and his supremely delightful physicality.
Mr. Lucky, for "**** for tat" and "bottle and stopper"...delightful.
Penny Serenade, which I cannot watch without crying, no matter how many times I see it.
The Bishop's Wife, only because Loretta Young was possibly more beautiful than he in this movie.
All his Hitch movies, but especially North by Northwest...especially with the volume turned up really loud. Loved his 'mother' in this movie.
All of the biggies, of course, Holiday, Bringing Up Baby, etc.
The last 'recent' one I liked him in was Charade, I didn't like his last two. And bless his heart, unlike some other actors, he knew when to bow out gracefully.
He was an amazing actor, we'll never see his equal again, and I hope he knew how wonderful he was while he was alive.
-
Mr. Blanding's house, which he built for a pittance!
Laura's apartment in the film by the same name...especially if Dana Andrews came to visit.
Any of those spacious apartment from the early 1930 movies with venetian blinds and gauzy criss cross curtains and huge kitchens and baths and striped couches in a shiny fabric whose name escapes me...sigh...those places were gorgeous.
-
moviejoe79, Cablevision the monopoly finally deigned to carry TCM here in Westchester almost 10 years into its (TCMs) existence. How very big of their megalomaniacal self. Better late than never? I suppose.
Meanwhile, if you have a chance, do please watch 'Strangers May Kiss' on TCM, from 1931, with Norma Shearer, Robert Montgomery and if my ears didn't deceive me, Ray Milland without a credit.
It had it all...infidelity, suicide by a woman (natch) because of a dastardly husband (natch), a feminist woman, a progressive man, unmarried sex, crackerjack dialogue, to-die-for Adrian gowns,and an ending which I haven't seen yet because I am savoring every minute of this glorious Pre-Hays movie. I do hope Norma isn't made to pay for a liberated attitude which would make Carrie Bradshaw winge into her Manolo Blahnicks. I'll be very disappointed if she is.
IMdb calls the liberal moral "laughable"....I disagree, I think today's movies (and all movies since the hypocritical little idiot Hays) are priggish and grammar schoolian compared to the sophistication and adult intelligence of this movie.
Catch it if you can. By the way, Norma Shearer was drop dead gorgeous.
How far we have NOT come since 1931. Thank you TCM.
-
Point well taken, bansi. My choice of language was not very professional.
I'll try to do better in the future.
-
A few thoughts on all of the fracas of the past few notes.
I have recently been a victim of some very foul censorship on the Television Without Pity board, which is apparently moderated by very frustrated little dictators. This was due, in small part, to my vocally challenging the 'rules' and in my stance on animal abuse, perceived or real, in the entertainment industry.
Therefore, I would like to say a few words on behalf of Mr. Bertucelli, keeping in mind that I am a new member here. I hope my words are seen in the spirit of free speech.
I have looked up Mr. Bertucelli on the link given at authorhouse.com, and could not get the site to work. I then went on to Google and Amazon and indeed, his book 'Why Me?' intrigues me.
He is, obviously, an author (why was this doubted?), and has said that he has had a career in the entertainment industry. I envy him for that, I can think of no more cutthroat enterprise than to have survived than the entertainment industry, but it is one that I personally admire and fantasize about having worked for. I myself work for a corporation which is intent upon squeezing the life out of older employees.
Also, Mr. Bertucelli apparently worked with Sydney Pollack? I have made no mystery of the fact that I think Mr. Pollack is gorgeous, aside from the fact that his works are exemplary. I know, that is neither here nor there.
More to the point, IF Mr. Bertucelli feels compelled to say that he hates, loathes, despises silent films, why in the blue blazes isn't he allowed to? He is obviously a film aficionado, IF he despises this one aspect of the film industry......so.....what?
I despise Chaplin. Does that make me an idiot? Perhaps it does. But I adore just about every other aspect of films, with the exception of silent films, about which I am only mildly interested, and Chaplin, who makes my skin crawl (along with Michael Medved). I have been welcomed here, nonetheless, and feel as if this site is not subject to the despicable censorship that Television Without Pity is.
However, you can all tell me to leave, after this post, if you wish. My point is that Mr. Bertucelli has not come here to disparage films in general, from what I have seen he has some good points to make. In fact, in searching his past posts, I have come across one with which I could NOT agree more heartily. He said that he loathes and despises (I am paraphrasing) Jim Carrey and Robin Williams. In the annals of film, I can NOT think of two more odious, over paid, under talented hacks than Carrey and Williams.
So, for that, I am herewith giving support to Mr. Bertucelli, and for the idea that free speech does still exist on the Internet, TWoP notwithstanding.
Finally, I do NOT agree with you, Mr. Bertucelli, as I said previously, that silent films, or ANY film or ANY book, should be "burned". The very idea, especially to one who used to be a librarian, is horrific. I would much rather see animal and child abusers burned, but that is another topic and one for which I was banned from TWoP.
Thank you, one and all, for listening.
-
Interesting, classicsfan, thanks.
It seemed to work just now. So a person CAN'T stay logged in here? I thought if the cookies were set on the browser, that it applied to log ins at all sites? Guess not.
At any rate, I'll keep doing as you suggested. Thanks again.
-
Thanks feaito for the backstory! Very interesting, your experiences....I was hit by the nuns here in the States when I was in grammar school, I imagine individualistic thinking is never appreciated....and your eclectic tastes. Mine are as well, from Pink Floyd to Tom Waits to Bach.
spencer, you mentioned Medved...the man makes my skin crawl. I can picture him running a brainwashing camp for impressionable people.
I also liked Dorian and Clooney, the visits to the old movie theaters was a nice touch on AMC's part before their descent into movie hell. The guy after Clooney wasn't bad either, before they recruited for the job in junior high.
By the way, can I ask a question here? I have to constantly log into this forum, and have done the 'cookies' thing on my computer, which has XP. I come to the forum, log in, and then get a "Community Forums Error". I THEN have to start all over at the url, now logged in, and am finally able to post. Does anyone else have this problem? Is there anywhere I can go with this issue? Thanks so much.
-
Wow, feaito, you sound as addicted to old films as I am! Perhaps more, I won't buy when I can tape, and I too have close to 200 b/w films. I won't even watch color films unless it's the 'Wizard of Oz' or another proven film, such as a Hitchcock.
Have you SEEN 'The Last of Mrs. Cheyney'?? It's not great, but the dialogue is Oscar Wilde-ian delicious. I'm in love with Basil Rathbone all over again.
Speaking of which, Sidney Pollack is a breathing person whom I think is gorgeous, but that's neither here nor there.
'Smash Up'? I think I've missed that, I had to go to my files to find out it was 'Impact' that I was thinking of, have you seen 'Impact'? Great stuff, just great.
There isn't enough I can say about the old b/w films of the 1930s and 1940s, bless TCM's little heart and curse AMC to hell. I admire you for the effort you have to put into getting the films you want on tape, I just have to depend on my faulty memory and dubious skills at programming my VCR. No, I won't have any part of DVDs, thank you very much.
South America, eh? How cool. British school? Did you see all the British biscuits that A&E and our PBS stations used to broadcast, i.e., Cracker, Dalziel & Pascoe, Poirot, Miss Marple, Morse, etc., before they too became mercenary little horrors?
See, tcmprogrammer, what effect your station is having on the world! So by all means, tell TPTB not to be weasels and insert commercials. Thank you.
-
Thank you, tcmprogrammer, for coming here to allay our fears. Those of us who've enjoyed A&E, BRAVO, and AMC were sickened by the moronic change in programming at those stations. At the time they dumbed down their stations, they supposedly did so to appeal to the 18-34 year old market. In reading the message boards at those sites, it was obvious that many in this age bracket do not prefer the new programming, and like the old movies or the mysteries from Britain. True, there are some people out there who LIKE the 'Underwear' show that was a recent highlight on A&E, but age has nothing to do with bad taste.
At any rate, PLEASE communicate to the executives who make the money decisions to think twice before changing the format of TCM. TCM is one of the last bastions for those who appreciate the quality of old films.
-
Well, as a newbie here, I'm not sure what the issues are re silent films, and I of course value them for their historical significance, but couldn't it be said that not all silents are good, just as all talkies are not good? No, I wouldn't advocate burning any film any more than I would advocate burning any book, but I know that I no longer have the patience to sit through 'Intolerance', as I once did. I still delight in Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd silent films, but I hate Charlie Chaplin to pieces.
Again, just my two cents, and Leo, don't know your backstory or your history on these forums...which are still unbelievably difficult for me to log into and navigate...but since I have a big mouth, I just wanted to share a possibly unpopular opinion.
And yes, AMC is the current hell for movie lovers, a place where Rainbow media should rot in for bastardizing the station. Anyone remember 'Remember WENN'? What Rainbow did is on a par with Teddy boy colorizing b/w films. Notice where Teddy's colorized films went? Exactly.
-
leobertucelli, you said:
--Don't know how U all feel, but if TCM ever gets commercials I for one am out of here!!!Leo (again)
I'm outta there ahead of you, Leo. I sat through the dumbing down of: A&E, TNN, BRAVO, and AMC. And yes, AMC did it via a stealth method, first bringing in Nick Clooney to host with Bob Dorian, and then some young-ish guy who is now on the E! channel, I believe. I'm not sure of the timeline, but slowly the black and white movies gave way to recent nuggets of redoubtable quality, imo, and thereafter a young guy came in to host. Eventually, it was 'All New All The Time' replete with commercials.
I ONLY just got TCM, courtesy of the expletive deleted Cablevision, and have been taping like mad, in anticipation of TCM doing an 'AMC'. I haven't seen this Ben guy yet, but from the sound of it, they're trying to 'yout' up the audience, and at the same time dumb down the station. It doesn't bode well.
Ah well, doesn't surprise me, and they can color me gone at the first sign of 'insert commercial here'. It will probably begin with the glorious black and white movies being relegated to the graveyard shift, that's how AMC did it. Hmmmm, or has it started already?
-
Still confused on how this board works, I don't find it easily maneuverable. E.G., this note from March is above the notes from May. I always have to sign in. It is difficult to find the last post.
No matter, harlowkeatongirl, I agree. I just found out...can't remember how exactly...that TCM had a message board, and am quite happy to do so.
Buster Keaton and Jean Harlow are two big favorites of mine, for personal reasons that I can't explain. Charlie Chaplin annoys the beejeezus out of me, while I consider Keaton and Harold Lloyd to be brilliant. Keaton's timing was extraordinary, as was Lloyd's. Have you paid close attention to Lloyd, harlowkeatongirl? I wager you would like him if you did. Even one of his last performance, 'Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum' was enjoyable. The man was a genius, highly underrated when held next to Chaplin, imo.
I also consider Harlow in the same vein. Highly underrated, cut short in her prime, and very talented. It was simply a crime that she was struck down as early as she was, but she has given audiences glimpses into a talent that would have only grown, exponentially, had she been given medical attention and been allowed to live, by the powers that be. What a shame.
-
Yikes, yesterday was not my day for reading comprehension! I do remember 'Blithe Spirit' with Margaret as the medium....but somehow my brain read 'Ghost and Mrs. Muir'. And yes, your sentence did refer to Maggie's 'Marple' movies...do you remember the one where Joan Hickson was part of the cast? And you knew Maggie was married to Stringer Davis, also in the movies?
Another favorite of mine in the 'fantasy' BS genre is 'Stairway to Heaven' with David Niven. I may recommend this one to TCM, I don't think I've seen it there yet. That music, those sets, that acting...loved it.
-
classicsfan, and everyone, I don't mean to monopolize, so tell me to shut up at any time if you wish. I have not seen those Marie Dressler films, I hope TCM shows them. Her doubletake and line to Jean Harlow in 'Dinner At Eight'....what a beauty, what a loss, Jean Harlow....was priceless.
But feaito, on Edna May Oliver!!!???? I am in awe of the woman, I can NOT get enough of her as Hildegard Withers with James Gleason as Oscar Piper in the series of movies they did. Wonderful, simply wonderful. Ahead of their time, in that she was a feminist, he was respectful of her, and their nuances bring tears to my eyes, they are that wonderful. Meanwhile, the very, very first I saw of her was a caricature in a Bugs Bunny cartoon!! And she did Miss Marple movies??????? Joan Hickson is my all time favorite television Miss Marple and I only know of Margaret Rutherford in films. Please TCM show some EMO Marple movies!
And 'Blithe Spirit'?....sigh....was Gene Tierney gorgeous or what? And that leads to 'Laura' and Dana Andrews and "dames".....and Clifton Webb....somebody stop me!
By the way, 'Stairway to Heaven' is another wonderful movie, and has nothing to do with any of the aforementioned!
Obviously, I am overjoyed to find this site, and thus will run off at the mouth for awhile. Please excuse me.
-
Hmmm, no I don't recall 'Portrait of Jennie', nor the two Phyllis Calvert mentions. I have to put them on *my* list!
Ditto to the Cortez and first Powell suggestion. I loved Carole Lombard in 'My Man Godfrey' and of course William Powell could act via a raised eyebrow.
My list of favored female actresses is almost as long as the male, but stranger, lol. Marie Dressler, Margaret Rutherford, Dame May Whitty and Edna May Oliver are among my picks. Funny, I guess I don't go for pretty in either gender.
By the way, I hope it doesn't happen again, but is there a setting I am missing on this site that is causing my multiple posts? I am mortified, but there doesn't seem to be a delete key. Am I missing something? Thanks.
-
Thanks bansi4 and feaito. Sorry for the double post, don't see a way to delete one!
Glad to see someone else loves 'Dodsworth' as much as I. There are certain films...like 'On Borrowed Time'...that have taken up residence in my brain, and I welcome their company. There are others, like 'Maltese Falcon' and 'Third Man', which I love gutturally but to this day don't comprehend.
I love 'Murder My Sweet' and any movie with Orry Kelly designs in it. I loved the fact that the 'stars' of the 1930s and 1940s would make a certain number of movies each year, just to fulfill their contract, and that some of these are the dearest films to me now. I love that the 'Wizard of Oz' was just a job to the cast (if I read correctly in my handbook) but is one of my all time favorites, even if it is one of the few color films that I like.
I adore movies from those two decades. With very few exceptions, I don't LIKE the 'star' system of today, where a Jim Carrey can get $26 million dollars for what is laughingly called a film. Similarly, Tom Cruise can get paid an equal amount for something that is no more than a 'star' vehicle.
I adore Cary Grant, Claude Rains, Edward G. Robinson, Paul Muni, Humphrey Bogart, John Garfield, Warren William, Lionel Barrymore, John Barrymore, Warner Oland, Sidney Toler, Ricardo Cortez, Harold Lloyd, Buster Keaton, William Powell, David Niven, John Mills, Dick Powell, and too many more to name. I dislike Gary Cooper, John Wayne and Clark Gable.
I thank you for calling me a 'film buff'. I consider myself a fanatic and not well enough educated on films. Hopefully, when I retire, I can pursue the study of film in more detail. I consider the history of movies, its work ethic, the studio system, the professionalism of past actors vs the current lazy star system in the U.S. (I believe the UK still has a decent training system although it too is getting lazy) to be of major import to anyone in the industry.
I probably have too much to say, and thank you for listening to me until I run out of stuff to post!!!!
-
Thanks bansi4 and feaito. Sorry for the double post, don't see a way to delete one!
Glad to see someone else loves 'Dodsworth' as much as I. There are certain films...like 'On Borrowed Time'...that have taken up residence in my brain, and I welcome their company. There are others, like 'Maltese Falcon' and 'Third Man', which I love gutturally but to this day don't comprehend.
I love 'Murder My Sweet' and any movie with Orry Kelly designs in it. I loved the fact that the 'stars' of the 1930s and 1940s would make a certain number of movies each year, just to fulfill their contract, and that some of these are the dearest films to me now. I love that the 'Wizard of Oz' was just a job to the cast (if I read correctly in my handbook) but is one of my all time favorites, even if it is one of the few color films that I like.
I adore movies from those two decades. With very few exceptions, I don't LIKE the 'star' system of today, where a Jim Carrey can get $26 million dollars for what is laughingly called a film. Similarly, Tom Cruise can get paid an equal amount for something that is no more than a 'star' vehicle.
I adore Cary Grant, Claude Rains, Edward G. Robinson, Paul Muni, Humphrey Bogart, John Garfield, Warren William, Lionel Barrymore, John Barrymore, Warner Oland, Sidney Toler, Ricardo Cortez, Harold Lloyd, Buster Keaton, William Powell, David Niven, John Mills, Dick Powell, and too many more to name. I dislike Gary Cooper, John Wayne and Clark Gable.
I thank you for calling me a 'film buff'. I consider myself a fanatic and not well enough educated on films. Hopefully, when I retire, I can pursue the study of film in more detail. I consider the history of movies, its work ethic, the studio system, the professionalism of past actors vs the current lazy star system in the U.S. (I believe the UK still has a decent training system although it too is getting lazy) to be of major import to anyone in the industry.
I probably have too much to say, and thank you for listening to me until I run out of stuff to post!!!!
CARY GRANT & The hypocrisy of the ACADEMY & AFI!!!
in General Discussions
Posted
Good point, ML, Joan Crawford and Bing Crosby come to mind, if one can believe all the stories. I'm sure the human beings in Hollyweird are no more dysfunctional than the rest of humanity, their problems are just exacerbated by the media and the plethora of money. Then again, one is wont to think "poor little rich girl/guy" when it comes to them.
But yes, it seems Grant was a planner when it came to family (although who really knows?), so he made a conscious effort to delay fatherhood. Then again, he was according to that special on TCM, a man of principle when it came to drugs and Judy Garland...um, hello, pot calling kettle black, LSD is okay when it is prescribed?
Interesting, how humans justify their own actions, isn't it?
Meanwhile, some link on 'John' Orry Kelly brought me to a site that said the openly gay Orry Kelly lived not ONLY with a hermaphrodite...not that there's anything wrong with that...but also lived briefly with a very young Cary Grant.
Then again, I guess Hollyweird is ALL about hypocrisy. Never mind, I LOVE the 1930s and 1940s Hollywood, so blinders back on.