therealfuster
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Posts posted by therealfuster
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way back in the recesses of my film trivia mind, I remember reading that supposedly Monroe wanted to change her image and was dead set on playing Grushenka, from the Dostoevsky book, "The Brothers Karamazov".
Now this would be a far cry from Lorelei Lee, or Sugar in "Some Like It Hot" and though I find the thought of it a bit odd, I would have liked to see what she would have done with the role.
During my sordid Russian literature days in GED class, I read a lot of Dostoevsky and his very dour nature does not seem that which would attract Monroe, but I can see why she might find the part appealing, as it is in diametric opposition to most roles she was chosen for onscreen.
In the film, which was not the best translation of the book, the part was played by Maria Schell who lent her very tranquil and serene presence to the part.
I agree with you about "Suddenly Last Summer" in which Liz is electrifying!
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I must have been in Potterville, instead of Bedford Falls, because I thought you had expired, but maybe you faked your own death as that guy did in "Eddie and the Cruisers".
Mr. Leisen, you are one of my favorite directors, having done things like "Kitty", "The Mating Season" and the much more famous films that all know.
But of all your films, my personal favorite is "No Man of Her Own" which is one of the greatest movies I have ever seen. Stanwyck is amazing, and along with her nasty boyfriend Lyle Bettger, really makes the film suspenseful and the movie also has the great Jane Cowl, but I guess you know that.
Congrats on making one of the most superior versions of a Cornell Woolrich tale, committed to the screen and don't be a stranger, even though you are well over a hundred years old now!
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I'd like to visit the Beast's castle in Cocteau's film, and walk down that corridor with the arms holding the candelabra type things, and then enter the main room which has the living fireplace side personages whose eyes move, and the self filling wine bottle on the table.
The bedroom with the mirror which can take you to any other place to view, is also nice, as is the beautiful white horse in the stable. It would be nice to be able to walk through the bedroom doorway, and have invisible hands dress one in the fine robes and pearl jewelry. Plus the whole grounds of the Beast's castle setting would be quite beautiful to wander around, just like Beauty liked to do.
My sister in law always wants to see "White Christmas" because she says she loves that Inn that Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney are staying in, and likes the early American furnishings.
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Osmondfan is a true fan of his idols, and I have enjoyed reading his posts.
Any star with such a devoted fan who toots their horn for them in absentia, is a lucky one indeed.
I hope he [i think it's a "he" and if not forgive me, Osmondfan] stays true to his favorites and does not let anyone else tell him what to like, if that's what makes him happy.
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so you can cover me when all the Cruise fans may show up.
But opinions, like the best movies, always are strong and not wishy washy...so I'm glad I said it.
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quite nice and is in Dayton Memorial Park if you did not know, which is off Dixie Drive in Harrison Township in Dayton and Agnes is in a beautiful mausoleum type crypt that looks like a small churchlike structure. This is an easy place to find, if you come off I-75, near Vandalia and the airport exits and just swing down to the Dixie Drive area heading south towards downtown Dayton.
Agnes used to come give lessons to young students of drama in the city, and was very kind and giving during all her visits in the 1970's.
Dayton Memorial Park is in very nice rural setting, even though quite close to activities and traffic and the cemetery bears the distinction of having a witch buried there, said with most jocularity by those in the know.
I was there recently, and enjoyed walking through the place, as it is quite lovely and much befitting of a resting place for the wonderful Miss Moorehead.
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the grave of Agnes Moorehead?
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to avoid any Tom Cruise films since I saw "Legend" which I did like.
Oh, I did make exceptions for Kubrick and that "Magnolia" film in which I did like the performance of Cruise, just like I liked him in "Risky Business" originally.
I just hope and pray daily, that Cruise will not ruin any more Philip K. Dick tales, like he did in "Minority Report".
If one has not read Dick's original story, I'm sure they were well pleased with Tom's version as directed by Spielberg.
If they have read Dick's story, and see how the whole brilliant premise was upended by the need to subvert the more pivotal, older man character's importance in the story, and alter his connection to Cruise's character, so that Cruise could be the main focus, instead of being a peripheral character in the book...then they will understand the displeasure of the Dick fans with this film.
Just like you don't take a book like "Gone With the Wind" and convert aspects of Rhett's character to fit Scarlet's mealy mouthed husband, Frank so that some star can have a bigger role...neither should one do it to other great books.
A great actor would care more about the movie being great, than his part being bigger.
That's my take, and I'm sticking by it. Any who are offended, have my permission to be so with my good graces and approbation. What I see is not a team player, and team players are on winning teams, just like good movies are made by people willing to take a lesser role to make a great film. A great actor like Jack Lemmon would step back, if he knew that it was for the film's betterment. A great director does not mess with classic works, for his own invention.
I'm sure Tom won't lose sleep over my not being in his fan club, so I feel free to say the above.
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be writing down any and all awful soundtracks for the list from this time forward.
That was so interesting about Clint using the Jamal tracks in "TBOMC" which I've seen but did not realize or even note the song credits so thanks for sharing.
I do have a very bad habit of wanting to read all the credits of songs at the end of a film, if they use old rather obscure stuff, as in "Paper Moon" which had tracks by early bluegrass people like the Blue Sky Boys. The fun thing is then trying to find other cd's by people one has heard of only in a movie, which can prove exasperating. Imagine trying to order cd's by the Blue Sky Boys from the 1920's at Borders! Surprisingly one can often find some really odd stuff though still in print.
Clint, being a big jazz fan [which was apparent in how well he directed "Bird" that bio, of Charlie Parker] really seems to know his musical subject matter and take care with what he chooses for his soundtracks.
I agree that Brackenhe was dead on about the significance of choosing Simon and Garfunkel songs for the soundtrack of "The Graduate". Some of the scenes like with Ben looking through the fish tank accompanied with the S&G tracks are imbedded in the mind. And the film resonates with late 1960's issues, that were essential to the college age students of the day.
I just think that you hit on a marvelous issue in films with this idea, which is not discussed, and is quite fascinating...of the mode of the time on film in music, et cetera often being more artifice than reality.
You could apply your basic principle, concerning anything which is of a style or mode, expressed in film, of which the filmmaker seems to only have a smattering of knowledge and expand this into a thesis. This could go back as far as films like "Reefer Madness" with its simplistic views of some illegal substances, to films like, "The Fly" where the scientific talk about "cat atoms" seems not so well grounded. Or...one could get into issues about clothing, or decor, and investigate how if one only took their knowledge from movies, that they would think all young women in the 1920's were flappers wearing beaded cloche hats, all rich homes in the 1930's were decorated in all white Art Deco decor, and all young people in the late 1960's were hippies or flower children, since that is how the periods are often portrayed on film in retrospect.
Again...great topic choice, Gypsy!
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Lux, your comments on Guinness and his writing, remind me of that great interview he did, which was shown on PBS.
As I recall, when asked if he had even been in therapy like so many of his American compatriots in the acting profession, Guinness adamantly said that he would never consider therapy, because he did not want to ruin that inner psyche that caused him to be an actor and be inventive and creative. I've seen this sentiment of his expressed both on film and in written up interviews with Guinness and find it elucidating.
Afraid of killing the goose that laid the golden egg, in essence and to my mind, the thought patterns of a very wise and intelligent man!
I shall look for the book you recommend, Lux as it sounds wonderful.
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looked beautiful in that film last nite!
I kept looking at Granger and thinking that now he reminds me of George Hamilton, though he never did in my past viewings of the film. Your comments on her hair cutting scene are right on!
Speaking of other films you might want to avoid, due to animal cruelty, don't see...the newly minted dvd release of Bresson's "Au Hasard, Balthazar" where the donkey's mistreatment might send you over the edge, or "Mondo Cane" what with the beheadings, the force feeding of ducks, and other things...or definitely not the original "Faces of Death" with that poor little monkey scene.
Though it may have been fake, it was still upsetting.
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for your newly revised film, would be Chastity Bono.
I have a pretty good feeling that the Osmonds might not want her in their film though...
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but do you print out the whole monthly schedule?
I was kicking myself for missing some things when I first got TCM, and then I started printing out the schedule [pardon the obsessive-compulsive nature of this advice!] and at the end of the previous month, marking each day's films for the next month, that I wanted to see...in highlighter, so I would not forget them.
If it was really something special, that I might have to end it all if I missed a film...I would even put arrows a few days before on the schedule, as a head's up. I leave it on my coffee table as the Holy Grail, and refer to it every day. TCM viewing is more important than attending to food, friends or drink you know.
Now I don't miss much, and I feel much more content. There is nothing worse than waking up the next morning, and realizing that TCM showed the only copy ever found of "London After Midnight" in a one time showing...
I'm sorry that you and Warren are not psychically connected!
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that painting in "An Affair to Remember" and the original, was an integral part of the story and it was well done.
I love Deborah Kerr! There is no one like her now.
I hope they don't decide to remake "Black Narcissus", as I may have to scream. I guess it's safe though...they don't make many nun stories now.
That mad nun who wore the red dress in the film, was so great too. She is interviewed on the dvd of the film, and her comments are really interesting.
Thanks for the painting additions to the thread!
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have you seen that film of Peter Sellers, called "Being There"?
I think it was so good, but it never seems to be shown anymore.
Sorry...I have no more Osmond info to impart!
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that they used some parts of the Portugese Bend Nature Preserve in California. This is within the city of Rancho Palos Verdes, and has large acreage which is near the Pacific Ocean..
I think the filmmakers altered the area that they shot in, so it is not so recognizable now, but there may be some remaining palm trees.
Don't take my word for this, it's just what I remember hearing when I went to a reshowing of this film IAMMMMW last year at a theatre locally, which was showing classic comedies and Cinerama.
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to what you are saying.
I too have been buying up those Ultralounge cd's, and my favorites are Mondo Exotica, Ultra Lounge Sampler[with the leopard cover!] , Ultra Lounge:Vegas Baby [with the real roulette wheel on the cover] and my ultra favorite, the Ultra Lounge Tiki Sampler!
I also love the double cd set, "The Exotic Sounds of Martin Denny" which is unbelievable and my favorite on there is "Swamp Fire". I've decided to go all out and even decorate my home in a Tiki mood.
I just checked on Borders and I see what you mean about that Les Baxter cd. There were used copies selling for 140 bucks!
How cool that now you can identify lounge music on Swinging Sixties movies! One could have a talent much less enjoyable. I still want to get Space Capades, Bongo Land, Crime Scene, Organs in Orbit, Cha Cha D'Amour, and Rhapsodesia..so I envy you.
I recently ordered a Carmen Cavallaro greatest hits album from Borders, because it showcases his song, "Voodoo Moon" which he played in a film which was not so long ago aired on TCM, "Hollywood Canteen". I'd heard of him before of course and my family even had some of his 78's, but I had not had the good fortune to actually see film of him playing. The man is sensational, and it must be true that Liberace stole his act from Carmen.
Recently I've gotten into buying up some Yma Sumac cd's but that is another story altogether.
Good luck on finding the Les Baxter cd, and if you find two, give me a ring please.
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I mean, "Hear, Hear!!"
See how confused you have made me with these Osmond posts?
What's wrong with "negatives"? Without negatives there would be no positives.
Without negatives, there would be no positive color stills from the Donny and Marie show.
Without darkness, there is no light. Without rain there is no sunshine or roses, paper or otherwise.
When TCM shows "Coconuts" [sp?] please inform me so I can watch, as it has been a long time and I would enjoy seeing it on a triple bill with "Head" and "200 Motels".
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As I recall, Van was in a serious car accident in the early 1940's. I think he has a metal plate that had to be put in his head even.
I've seen him talk about this on tv, and on a TCM interview, and I believe he was signed on for the role in "A Guy Named Joe" and due to his injuries and recuperating time, they were going to replace him, but Spencer Tracy asked them to wait for him to recover.
I believe that was what Van said on one of those in between movie interviews on TCM.
Usually in his films, he covered up the scars with makeup, but they are still discernible sometimes...but in "The Caine Mutiny" you are right, the serious forehead scars look like they were left uncovered on purpose.
The only other thing I noticed in the film, which I watched also, was that Van did not have his trademark red socks on in any of the scenes!
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Tomorrow afternoon on Thursday, June 09, 2005, TCM is showing a triptych of great Guinness films, which include:
2:30 pm
Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)
Alec Guinness plays eight parts in this hilarious Ealing film, and it showcases the British sensibilities about murder, as being good grist for humor. Also starring are the adorable Joan Greenwood, with the classic throaty voice and Dennis Price and Valerie Hobson [bride to Frankenstein and wife to John Profumo, the British politician taken down by call girls Mandy Rice-Davies and Christine Keeler]. This film is classic Guinness, with him hiding behind other personas, even a woman!
4:30 pm
Lavender Hill Mob, The (1951)
Another example of the dry humor of the Ealing Studio, with Alec Guinness, as a mild mannered bank clerk out to rob his own bank with Stanley Holloway. Memorable also for a small bit part by a very young Audrey Hepburn.
6:00 pm
Ladykillers, The (1955)
Forget the Hanks' movie, this is the real deal!
Guinness is the brains, behind a gang pretending to be musicians, who move into a little old lady's house, to plan their next job but learn that Mrs. Wilberforce is more than they bargained for. Katie Johnson as the sweet defenseless landlady is incomparable and this comedy was directed by Alexander Mackendrick, of "The Sweet Smell of Success" fame.
Hopefully on the next Alec Guinness nite, TCM might show "The Man in the White Suit" or "The Horse's Mouth" which are also rollickingly funny films.
Enjoy!
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I just watched the film last nite called "The Hitch-Hiker" which I picked up at Best Buy in a package called "Classic Film Noir" which came out this year.
Disc 1 on this 3-disc collection contains "Too Late For Tears", "The Man Who Cheated Himself", and "The Stranger".
Disc 2 contains "The Strange Love of Martha Ivers", "The Hitch-Hiker", and "Quicksand".
Disc 3 contains "Detour", "The Scar", and "D.O.A.".
I'd seen "The Hitch-Hiker" on tv, but owning it on dvd is great, though all these films could do with some restoration possibly. I think this film has been shown on TCM in the past, but if you've not caught it, pick up the boxed set which is most reasonably priced. By the way, unlike the phrase "Are you going my way?" reminiscent of Barry Fitzgerald and co-star, this ain't no Bing Crosby movie!
The Hitch-Hiker [1953], an unremmitting thriller from RKO Radio Pictures, was adapted from Daniel Mainwarings original story, though he was not given credit in the film, where the Screenplay is credited to Ida Lupino and Collier Young. Starring William Talman as escaped convict Emmett Myers, Edmond O'Brien as wannabe fisherman Ray Collins and accompanied by road partner Frank Lovejoy as Gil Bowen, this cautionary tale of the dangers of picking up hitchhikers, evolves into a relentless tale of noirish isolation and fate as purveyed by talented director Ida Lupino. From the opening shot, just showing the feet and legs of the hitchhiker entering the Dodge convertible, and speeding off into the distance this exciting and terror provoking highway to hysteria never slows down.
When fate steps in [spoilers ahead!] and takes a seat in the auto of Collins and Bowen, by changing their itinerary from going to the Chocolate Mountains of Arizona, to instead taking a trip down memory lane in San Felipe and Mexicali..the dreaded die is cast. Emmett Myers is the personification of everything you do not want in your back passenger seat..what with his snarly grin, antisocial demeanor and paralysed right eye. As Myers says the first night they sleep outside, while holding Collins and Bowen at gunpoint and explaining the hopelessness of escaping his sight, "I got an eye that won't close..." And the close-up shot of Myers with one eye open and one closed, looking like some luciferous lizard in human form, will stay with you for many a moon.
Adding to the sense of senseless isolation are the uninviting and uninhabited desert and Mexican locales, which are beautifully filmed by the great cinematographer Nicholas Musuraca. Coincidentally..this is one film where the Mexican people [whether of police rank or villager] are treated uniformly with respect. Hoping to get to the Mexican village of San Rosalia is Myers' desired destination and there are many terror filled side trips, that make this journey of predestination, one no one should miss.
Take a ride on the wild side...and erase the image of prosecutor Hamilton Burger from the "Perry Mason" series, from your mind's passenger rolls forever!
Deep focus....Nicholas Musuraca was born in 1890 [according to some sources]. He began his association with films as the chauffeur to J. Stuart Blackton* in 1918 and with other duties at Vitagraph, before becoming a cinematographer in the 1920's. Musuraca worked on numerous silents and early sound Westerns before becoming one of RKO's top men in the late 1930's, where he worked till 1954. His credits include Cracked Nuts, Golden Boy, A Bill of Divorcement, Stranger on the Third Floor, Cat People, The Seventh Victim, Curse of the Cat People, Spiral Staircase, Bedlam, The Locket, Out of the Past, Blood on the Moon, Born to Be Bad, Clash by Night, and The Blue Gardenia.
*James Stuart Blackton was a British born illustrator/journalist for the New York World whose drawings were animated by Edison for his Kinetograph camera. Blackton later established the Vitagraph Company where he acted, directed, produced and animated, and pioneered the single frame shot, the close shot [before Griffith in 1908], and to whom he was second in being the most innovative person in films. Blackton lost his fortune in the crash of 1929, and worked on government projects and then for the Anglo-American Film Company till his death in 1941.
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no answer for your question...sadly.
But if you loved this movie like I did, then you would also love the Ann Margret tv movie called "Who Will Love My Children" based on a true story.
Ann is married to Frederic Forrest in the film, finds out she has a terminal illness, and decides that her hubby would not be able to take care of her large brood...so decides to find homes for all of the children, before she dies.
Ann was so great in this, and it is a major tear jerker...but honestly without trying to be. In the tv Emmy awards for that year, Ann was up against Barbara Stanwyck, who won for "The Thorn Birds". Stanwyck accepted her award, and said basically something to the effect that...one of the finest performances she had ever seen was Ann-Marget in "Who Will Love My Children".
When has one seen one performer praise another's performance, while they are accepting the award they won over the other? Very rarely if ever. Ann-Margret was brought to tears by this magnanimous gesture by Stanwyck, and you shall be brought to tears by the film, if you've not seen it already.
Good luck with finding the info on "All Mine to Give"!
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I would have to go with "The 7th Voyage of Sinbad" as scenes from it still reverberate in my mind...like the little princess in her own miniature chambers, the genie in the bottle, the cyclops, and the Hydra. What a great adventure movie!
I also like "The Three Worlds of Gulliver"' but any Harryhausen is worth watching.
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What a great question, Erzbet and there are so many good answers already, all of which I would like to own also.
So I'll go with some different ones and pick...Moira Shearer's red shoes in "The Red Shoes", the mirror that Barbara Bates looks into in "All About Eve" at the end of the film, that yellow hot rod driven by Paul Le Mat in "American Graffiti", the snow globe, not from CK but the one that Rhoda Penmark had in "The Bad Seed" that she got from pushing her the old neighbor down the steps to her death, and Vampira's fab dress and wig from "Plan Nine From Outer Space".
Trivia Question? 06/06/05
in Games and Trivia
Posted
that Rock was named by some publicity or talent agent, who also named Tab Hunter.
Sorry I cannot remember the guy's name.
Hence the takeoff of both names, in the parody name of the Broadway and movie hit, "Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?" which made fun of such plastic image types in the celebrity world.