[List your TOP TEN classic films of all time!]

Here it goes....

 

Gone With the Wind

All About Eve

Arsenic and Old Lace

The Odd Couple

Cat Ballou

The Devil is a Woman

A Foreign Affair

A Streetcar Named Desire

Sunset Boulevard

Dark Victory

[Marlene Dietrich]

Hi everyone! Yes, I have the ABC's and I love it!! (Tracey, I got a decent copy from Amazon for under $5.) I quote her views on Extravagance when my shoe purchases are criticized! Has anyone ever attempted any of the recipes? I chuckled at her utter disregard for electric ranges. As I do not have a gas range, I felt any attempts at her culinary concoctions would be futile.

 

Thank you for the ridiculous eyebrow observation. LOL! They resembled the golden arches for a while didn't they?

 

I love the Lady is Willing! Total fluff, yes, but when else do we get to see her try to wiggle her nose? I love her scenes with the little baby! My other little favorite is Golden Earrings. The images of her gobbling up fish stew with her bare hands is priceless. Johnny - I have to admit that when I first saw her as the haus-frau in Dishonored, I did not realize it was her for a good ten minutes!! "Count Ten!" That is my favorite scene!

[Marlene Dietrich]

Tracey,

 

I haven't seen Monte Carlo either! I have also read that it was not so good, but I want to see it regardless. You will have to let me know what you think of Dishonored when you see it. It has some great moments in it. Can't wait to hear your gloating in a few weeks!!!

 

Jen

[Astaire or Kelly?]

Gene, Gene, Gene!!!

 

Astaire was an amazing dancer without question, but I prefer Kelly's style. Not bad to look at either!

[Judy Garland - All By Myself]

I sat down to watch this documentary out of curiousity. I must say I was not a huge Garland fan and because of its late start time, I did not expect to stay awake for the whole thing. Well, I was so moved by her story and her overwhelming talent that there were no zzz's for me. I am so upset with myself for not recording it. The clips from her TV show brought me to tears and I can now call myself a Judy Garland fan.

[Marlene Dietrich]

Hi Kylen! I love the Scarlett Empress!! Even though I think she has never look more beautiful, I find my attention often moves to the wonderful scenery! Those frightening chairs, statues and huge doors are amazing! How could you enjoy your meal with those things looking down at you??? The movie has a little bit of everything doesn't it? A dramatic historical story, filled with sensual interactions, mixed with a little comedy all played against ominous backgrounds. I giggle every time she says, "Lover? What is a lover?" Puhlease! That is something she knew quite a bit about!

 

Perhaps I am in the minority, but I think she did a great job with the whole innocent part of the role. Well, the part in stable where she swings in a circle with that silly wide eyed look on her face is just....well, silly. However, there is a scene towards the end that I think is worse. Catherine, her creepy husband and his mistress are all in a room trying to establish dominance. As Marlene is looking the mistress up and down, she brings her hand to her chin and starts tapping her finger. It just bugs me. It seems so unnatural and unnecessary. She could do more with that glare of hers than any words or gesture could.

[Marlene Dietrich]

Woo Hoo!!! You are so lucky!!!! I sooo want one of those for that very reason!! Where do you get one of those I wonder??? I can not tell you how upset I was when I saw all of her movies are released in France. Even one I have never seen, Martin Roumagnac. Have you seen that one?

 

I am so happy for you!!! Please fill me in on the experience once you get some of the dvd's.

[Marlene Dietrich Documentary]

Hi Tracey and Melanie! As Marlene is also my hero, I just had to chime in. I wanted to say that I totally agree with your take on Maria's book Tracey. I have read it two times and think she was pretty good at keeping her bitter feelings to a minimum most of the time. Towards the end I start to cringe a little, but the stories are classic. I love the one about "the child" imitating her parents taking shots of vodka with dinner...(remember that one?) Melanie, you should absolutely read the book. I bought it from Amazon for under $10.

 

I also totally agree with Tracey. A Foreign Affair is a must see and probably my favorite. I think Tracy and I have chatted about our love for this before???

 

A couple of other tidbits. You might want to grab a copy of the documentary Marlene. Maximilian Schell of Nuremberg interviews her from her Paris apartment even though she refuses to allow any video footage to be shown.

 

Lastly, a small box set of her movies is being released on dvd in April!!! Finally! Still upset that Foreign Affair and Shanghai Express are not included, but perhaps they will be coming soon. All of her movies including the above two gems were just released in France so there is hope!!!

 

Tracey- Garden of Allah was pretty bad! LOL

[Foreign Affair Playing this Month!!!]

I just had to share the news with all of you that also love this movie. It is playing quite a few times this month on....cough, cough, the Sundance channel. Enjoy!!

 

"I see you do not believe in wearing lipstick. And what a curious way to do your hair....or rather not to do it."

[What do you quote?]

Oh, these are great!!! Chandler, your Jane quote had me roaring!!! Same to you Eddie, my sis and I have an odd habit of hunching our backs, squinting ours eyes while squawking, "Give us the eyeeee!" Should I have admitted to that??

 

Lux, glad to see you finally had the pleasure of watching Sunset Blvd. There are so many great moments in that one. I love the "Words, Words, Words!!" bit and my daughter's favorite, "I am big! It's the pictures that got small!"

[What do you quote?]

Sorry if this is been asked before, but I thought it might be interesting. I have a habit of quoting my favorite lines from movies from time to time and was hoping some of you might share your experiences.

 

Just recently I was at a bridal shower lunch and this girl was going and on with her torrid history of every ailment/tragedy in the book and some new ones! You couldn't get a word in without her interjecting something negative that had happened to her. Well, call me bad but I just had to turn my head to the woman next to me and say the great Birdie line from All About Eve, "Gee, everything but the dogs biting at her rear end." (Forgive me if I don't have that exactly right) It got a good laugh from the gal I said it to and it made the rest of the meal much more enjoyable.

 

So.....anyone else???

[Today's Audience]

Hello! I am new and mostly a lurker, but I had to reply to this. I am 32 and grew up watching the classics and have spent my whole life feeling out of touch with everyone else. Still do, but I decided to take some action and educate. I have had quite a few get togethers where I supply drinks, eats and what I consider an essential watch. I tell them there will be a question contest at the end which applies to their competitive side. It has always been a blast even if they will never again watch anything earlier than the 80's on their own accord. I just can't have someone I know miss the experience of Casablanca, Sunset Boulevard or Gone With the Wind. I should take it as a good sign as they keep coming back and don't fall asleep.

 

On an added note, my seven year old daughter knows who Audrey Hepburn, Bette Davis, Cary Grant, Jack Lemmon, Joan Crawford and (my personal fav) Marlene Dietrich are. She can also quote Sunset Blvd. It's all in the selection. Children can't help but laugh at the "Charge!!" and Grant performance in Arsenic and Old Lace. Or the silly morocco dance of Lemmon in Some Like it Hot. And who can resist the charm and Grace of Miss Hepburn???

 

I honestly believe most people have a misconception of classics and are pleasantly surprised to see the originality, witty dialogue and overall class of these films we love. Madge, thank you for the post and making me feel not so alone in my thinking!

[Films that SHOULD Be Remade]

None really come to mind. I am quite annoyed with the lack of originality in films today. Almost every movie is either a remake, regurgitation of an old plot or an old TV show.

 

Even movies that had really silly special effects should be left alone as I find that part of their charm. Yet, I am conflicted as I really enjoyed the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory remake and I must admit I want to see the new King Kong. Perhaps remakes should be reserved for only "action" movies.

 

Finally I have to say that I am disgusted that someone had the audacity to even consider remaking Casablanca or Breakfast at Tiffany's!!!!! What?!?!?!?

 

 

[SEEN ANY GOOD MOVIES LATELY?]

Same here classicmovies! I loved Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and will too be buying the DVD. Granted I am a little bias as I love both Mr. Depp and Burton, but I really believe Johnny's Wonka made more sense than Wilder's. Someone who has spent most of their lives locked up in an enormous candy making factory would be like a creepy big kid. I loved the Oompa Loompa too and the dance numbers were hilarious!

[Scene It]

Shaina-I know completely what you mean! I think classic movie fans are few and far between everywhere! My friends and family would be sweet enough to play with me once or twice, but you are right...What's the fun if there is no challenge? I might get one if the price goes down.

[IDEAS FOR FUTURE DVD BOX SETS]

I would love to have a Dietrich collection...please!!! Especially from the Sternberg era and some extra doc footage would be nice too. I do not like to admit what I paid for VHS copies of Devil is a Woman, Shanghai Express, Blonde Venus and Dishonored!! Oh, A Foreign Affair should find its way to DVD too!!!