movieman1957

>no silly, we were trying to tell YOU the facts. heehee! (and a slightly embarassed smile came to his face.)

A little variation on Beethoven's "Moonlight" Sonata.. That's great. I can get through the first movement but that is all. One important thing is that he is the only one I know that can play from THAT sitting position.

The basics of the scene seem to suggest the same thing that comes in "Rio Grande." O'Hara is the guest of honor with a group of men and even a short serenade later.

The only movie I know with Mr. Williams is "I'd Rather Be RIch" from 1964. I've seen it but it has been a long time. OK little romantic comedy.

Wendy: I had no idea you were a fan. "Fra Diavolo" also goes by its English translation "The Devil's Brother." "Them That Hills" and "**** For Tat" were the only films they made that one was a planned dequel for the other. What is too bad that except for "Big Business" not many of their silents get much exposure. In May TCM is showing "The Laurel and Hardy Murder Case." *Oh just watch all of them...... .* I agree completely.

Really? Just the facts, ma'am.

*PS... just a passing comment (because we haven't brought up enough different movie title comparisons here) but the whole "wanting to get into the thick of it' mindset these guys had really put me in mind of the film "Glory"... the men of the 54th just feeling like they were left marking time doing "busy" work until they could be taken seriously...* This is not an uncommon theme in war movies. *The Longest Day* and others about D-Day have plenty of themes about guys who can't wait to get into things but when they do.... The other theme is the pointless battles that cost lives to no end. See *Pork Chop Hill* for a good example of that theme.

*oh dont say that! you are probably a great piano player* I'm ok for what I do but I don't have the gift to play anything classical. Darn it.

I watched *The Great Moment* and it was not what I expected. It's not bad but it sure is different. It is essentially a straight biography of the dentist who, perfected would be more the right word, anestesia. A young dentist tired of hearing his patients screaming is determined to find a way to do his job painlessly for his patients. Through a process of experiments and stumbling he finds what he needs to find. He then goes on to make it work for regular medical surgery. The drama is interrupted with occasional bits of humor and there are some good lines in it but there could have been more exploration, I thought, of the things that lead to his early death. Patent fights and government involvement. The lead is well payed by Joel McCrea and there is the usual Sturges cast. It's different. Don't think you're getting another "Palm Beach Story" but it is ok for something different.

Lamarr has a wealth of charms herself.

Wendy: A long time ago on the first day of kindergarten for my son he couldn't wait. He was up, packed and ready to go. He was disappointed to find he went to the afternoon class. His great grandmother who took care of him while we worked (there is a love story for the ages) got all dressed up to meet him at school. It was a wonderful day. My wife was a mess as her little boy was growing up but my son didn't care he wanted to get to school. Chris

Gee, who would play me? If in an old movie I'll have Hedy Lamarr play my bride.

I lived at home until I got married. I was so inconspicuous (read dull) I wonder if they knew I was there. At the point when I got engaged there seemed little point to move so we could save some money and were able to put some things together for when we moved out after we were married. It must have been ok. My father and I have worked together for 21 years. It's been great.

I had never heard the story about Bergman. That would have made an interesting take on that character. How gracious of both of them to do what they did out of concern for the other. Dream on!

>I liked how he comes down the stairs and the mom says "But I thought you prayed about it" and he says something like... "I did pray" w/ the implication being he had worked THIS decision out with his OWN faith... despite the faith and beliefs his parents had planted in him earlier on. This comment made me think of something that happened in a church I used to go to where a decision was made and even if you prayed about it then you couldn't have listened for an answer if your decision disagrees with theirs. That may be a little more harsh than McGuire's point but I think she is asking "How could you have prayed about it and still come up with your decision?" The point about the parent/child relationship is ever so true. I have a 21 year old and an 18 year old and certain things are beyond my control. As you pointed out I may not be their director anymore but I will always be their father. That carries long term responsibilites no matter how old we get.

It's a joke! It's not policy as much as a way to be able to get some work done. A general discussion on their well-being is not out of the question but we can't spend 45 minutes listening about their most recent doctor visit. The phones ring, other people come in and it can create a disruption.

Ladies, what a lovely movie to ramble on. I taped it and watched part of it but didn't see it all yet. It is a film I have enjoyed before. Kathy, you are right about the love in the story which I think helps set the contrast of the family when the war catches up with them. They are clearly a family that loves each other and I think generally has a good time at it all. I especially love the way the film deals with the marriage. They have been married a long time but they still are fond of each other. They even fight nicely. We are also reminded in the most gentle way that they are married adults who still desire each other. That is an important part of the relationship. They may be older but there is still plenty of fire. I've always loved the scene over the organ. I can't imagine a life without music and she tries so hard to be true to her faith but I think they were not always Quakers and they see the value in music, at least what it played earlier in their life. Once she relents the idea of hiding it from the others becomes work for them. "Shenandoah" echos this film in that, try as they may to avoid it, the war still finds the family. However unintended they may be they become more than caught in it as soon they become part of it. Their gentle life is no longer gentle. Perkins wants to go partly as he is called to do it but I think mostly for the adventure. I think he envies Maddie's beau if only for the imagined excitement. Cooper is gentle and strong and must carry the film. That he does. I don't think anyone else fit the part so well. Whether flirting with his wife, getting after the duck, joking about dancing and finally deciding how to deal with the rebel soldier it is all note perfect. The gentleness of the beginning belies the drama to come. A first rate film for everyone parent and kidling.

In my office we have an unwritten rule that you don't ask how someone is doing when they are over a certain age. This is because they are likely to tell you every ailment they have and then might well start listing their spouses malalies. This can take up quite a bit of time. Invariably they also work in the phrase "fixed income" which generates additional time complaining.

Hi Anita: I'm fair. Though not yet an AARP member I know you can get midlevel restaurant discounts and sometimes movie theater discounts but there is nothing good to see. So I stay home with my bride, maybe have friends over and watch things I've recorded from TCM. It's not that we are that old it is just your idea of fun changes.

Let me burst your bubble. AARP starts sending stuff out when you are 49 and a half. I was in no hurry. I have different issues then the over 65 crowd. If they want to give coupons for things that's a different story. So far I am not a member. Not feeling like 64, yet - Chris

The photos are a good size and they are well chosen. Many have the sense of waiting to go or someone to return or for news. Waiting seems to he the hardest thing to do. It makes your mind run wild with possibilities and fear. I wonder if the actual doing of something changes the thought of it or even the fear.

Ha! I love the great and wonderful "Os." At least you got to the Emerald City. The rest of us mere mortals will have to be content with dreaming.

Pardon the interruption but I was told I could chime in on "Only Angels Have Wings" when I got to watch it. Well that was tonight. "Same planet, different worlds" might be a header for Grant and Arthur. Two people from different walks of life overcome things to find a common ground in love. I had forgotten how good everyone is and how that helps make this film so good. Read the plot line and it doesn't sound all that interesting but stick around. Someone mentioned the flyers are like family. I think it goes deeper. I think it is a brotherhood. It is not unlike what you might find in a group of soldiers. We can fight and call each other names but there better not be anyone else doing it. That is kind of where the trouble with Jean starts. She is accepted as a friend until tragedy hits. She can't understand how they deal with things and that is when she is in the way. After realizing herself why they are the way they are she comes to fall in love with Grant and for my money a little too quickly but this is the movies. Grant and the boys are all business. Women are to be had as time allows. It is a tight group so when MacPherson shows up it is hard enough for him. The fact that he and Kid have a past is going to make it harder on him to be accepted. This is one group you don't want to be excluded from. Grant doesn't help matters as he will give him the dirty jobs because he doesn't if he is lost. He soon discovers MacPherson is a good pilot. It is a matter of time before everyone else figures it out. Gradually he works his way in to the group and in the end he becomes one. It is a solid fast moving drama. Everyone is very good. Save for a few cheeky shots done with models some of the airplane footage is quite good. (One thing to point out I found interesting was early on when Jean is playing the piano she is quite good at faking her playing. She looks as though she had some training as she is on the beat all the time.) Good solid sets with plenty of Hawks action and humor thrown in. Now back to "They Were Expendable."

The importance of WWII and how it all ended cannot be understated. The magnitude of the loss of life is almost beyond comprehension. Think that the Russians lost almost 20,000,000 people. Just the Russians! And remember it was on a full two years before the US even got involved. It is a topice well worth studying to anyone even interested in current global affairs.

Great post on "They Were Expendable." It's been awhile but I do remember that Montgomery was wonderfully understated. He had a real concern for his men. He kept his cool at all times. The film shows the frustration of trying to make a mark for their work and dedication to that type of boat. Also, the pain at the loss of a friend or the locals loss of family and then the damage from the Japanese air attack. One interesting thing you mentioned about the people behind the scenes who play an important role as well in fighting the war. This thought has less to do with the movie than the war itself. The logistical nightmare that WWII was must have been almost overwhelming. The thought of supplying everything from airplanes to chocolate, from ammunition to bandages, from maps to mail carries a task too large too comprehend yet it was done. This was crucial to winning. Cutting off the enemies ability to the same would be as crucial. With all ot that the emotional load still is on those that ride those boats and fly planes and storm beaches. It is an amazing thing they do.