movieman1957

I watched "Fort Massacre" this weekend. Unusual story of Cavalry troop having survived one battle trying to make it back to a fort while keeping their subsequent confrontations with the Indians to a minimum. Mostly without any luck. What is surprising is the character played by, of all people, Joel McCrea. He takes command by default. Long time dedicated sergeant whose family died as a result of an Indian incident. Determined to take out as many as they can while in the course of his duty. One of the few times McCrea has played someone you really won't like. Which is why the movie may not play better. Even with all that it is probably only average at best. Some good action scenes. Pretty good support from John Russell. It clocks in at about 80 minutes. I wouldn't run out looking for it but if you stumble on it you might give it a look.

>Isn't all fiction fantasy? Not always. I think it is a matter of degree. I don't agree that you can have what you want if you want it badly enough. How ultimately frustrating must their lives have truly been because they could not really have each other. I do agree that the story strives to find some way to be together when that is our heart's desire. Whether is satisfies, I guess, depends on your side of the story. Interesting film.

This morning it was "Peter Ibbetson." First thing is, can we say "melodrama?" Cooper and Harding were wonderful. (What a weird career for Harding. A handful of movies and then she is almost gone.) Love so grand and yet so fleeting. Everything is typically movie-like for the first 45 minutes or so. Then trouble comes. They continue their romance through dreams. They never age. They never give up. Maybe it is best watched as fantasy. In a dream so much can be done. Mr. Grimes was right about the spiritual part. At the very end Mary tells Peter about heaven. What it will be like and what we will be like. The hope of it is we will be reunited with those we love. We will be restored. It will be beautiful.

Kathy: A very nice writeup on "Ox Bow." I think your husband is mostly right but the one other thing is that the victim was their friend. A man who seemed to be well liked and respectable. This lights their rage and carries them away. The fact that they were unwilling to seek any kind of real justice, never mind that they couldn't wait to carry out their justice, adds to the tension of the work. The colonel does his best to have a proper hanging but it's all show. Those that follow him, in spirit, I think feel with his position comes the proper way of doing things. Fonda, with his best effort to persuade them from creating an injustice, never mind crime (thus the comparison to "12 Angry Men"), can only stand by to be a witness. It must seem heartbreaking to be so right and feel so helpless. The sad thing is there was no reason for handling the way they did.They couldn't wait. They were so right, so righteous. There was no way they could be wrong so why not be done with it now and do everyone a favor. They will have the undying gratitude of everyone for taking care of this ourselves. Well, the best laid plans..... Great cast in a well told compact story. I almost don't think of it as a western. It seems the only thing really western about it is the setting.

I watched "Design For Living" last night. (It was first on the disc.) This is a rare case of the movie picking up momentum as it went along. I thought the first half hour was kind of slow but when March gets his play picked up, well, the movie picked up. By the end I was enjoying it. I kept thinking Melvyn Douglas would have been better than March (if he had been around.) March handled the serious stuff better than the fluff but he was fine by the end. I don't have any problems with Hopkins though I can see what you mean about her style. Horton is a hoot no matter what he is in. Cooper was grand all along the way. Pleasant enough way to spend 90 minutes.

Kathy: I'll be happy to talk about "Ox Bow" when you get started. Comparisons to "12 Angry Men" at a basic level make sense. We can compare those too.

Sir Francis: I would recommend "Lost Patrol." It is relatively short clocking in at about 65 minutes. Fine work by McLaglen and I think a very unusual casting for Karloff. Interesting story of survival.

"Lost Patrol"?

I did see that. You were keeping it in the tube until you got to put it up just the way you wanted. I didn't even know there was a freebie for that. I've had some posters but never a good place to hang them.

No. I have taken up guitar several times but have been unable to get my fingers to tolerate the stress. One good thing is that with the keyboard I play in my church band I can play pretty near anything you can think of. At times I have the most fun because I play strings, organ, flute, cello and some others that no one else has the luxury to do.

"Silverado" is such a fun movie for a host of reasons. (It is one my daughters favorite movies. She's 18.) I always looked at it like they took all the major western plot lines and strung them into one film. The cast is first rate. My only reservation is Costner is a little too exhuberant. Major kudos to whoever had the idea to cast Linda Hunt. That was brilliant. It's more about her character and the way she fits in the movie. I'll go find your comments on HTWWW. (I enjoy that movie too.)

The one I have now I have had for over twenty years. My mother, who is a marvelous player, bought it didn't like the way it looked in her living room so she told me to come and get it. I've played since I was a kid. (You'd think I would be better than I am but I get by.)

I like several for different reasons but one of the best is "Pork Chop Hill." A top notch Korean War film that deals with the Americans trying to take a hill held by the Chinese. My other top two are "Bridge On The River Kwai" and "The Guns of Navarone."

Michaela: Having seen "Tombstone" and "Wyatt Earp" I would say that "Tombstone" is the better of the two. "Earp" is a lot longer and deals more with Wyatt's life before and after that period, especially before. Its length is probably the main drawback. There doesn't seem enough to fill it. The unfortunate thing for "Earp" was the timing. They are only a year apart and the main section of each movie covers the same ground. As far as the characterization goes it is probably a matter of preference. Kurt Russell plays his Wyatt much more passianately that Costner. That's not to say Costner isn't good, but it's the more silent determination. Dennis Quaid's "Doc" is as mannered as Kilmer's but differently so. I think if you are familiar with one the might have tendancy to compare how they each handle the same stories. That has its benefits.

Ladies and Gents: Sitting on my piano is the DVD "Design For Living" and "Peter Ibbetson." If I don't have a breakdown this weekend I plan on watching them. What kind of weekend am I in for?

How about Shirley MacLaine? I saw that "The Children's Hour" was on yesterday. She has had her legs in both sides.

Come to think of it April neither have I. I was thinking more literally. I'm not sure I've seen Patinkin sing in the movies.

This one doesn't go back very far but Mandy Patinkin from "The Princess Bride" has one of the most wonderful voices. I saw him in concert and he specializes in standards and even early 20th century pop music. Very passionate approach to his music. Burl Ives can go in both categories.

I was really surprised to see "Love Is A Many Splendored Thing" and "Friendly Persuasion." Looks like they pulled a few surprises.

Re: "Winchester '73." I didn't have any problem with the information coming later in the movie. THe thing that got my attention was their reactions to each other. It tells you right away that there is a history there. Giving you that much gives you a reason to invest in that realtionship. What could make two guys hate each other so much? Well, there's a darn good reason. When it finally comes out all hell breaks loose. I still like this one better than "Devil's Doorway" but "Doorway" is certainly worth repeated viewings.

Now that you mention it Raymond does remind one a little of Tierney. Maybe she was like too many other women in the late 40's or early 50's. Pleasant and good enough but they didn't jump off the screen. She did a good job but I imagine there were many who would have done as well. I don't remember Brynner playing an Indian. I guess the thing that struck me about Taylor was in playing an Indian the difference between his Indian-ness and the rest of his family seemed rather more than it might be. I would have liked to have had some more background on his character. How he came to be in the Union Army. I do think that they showed he got the Medal of Honor is enough to show what kind of man he is. Even having said that I think he did a fine job.

Kathy: "Ox Bow" is the better of the two. It is also much shorter. It comes in at about 73 minutes. It is a very serious western. No action to speak of but great drama. Fonda is terrific. Harry Morgan is good as well. Great film. "Santa Fe Trail" is enjoyable enough but runs more to the mainstream type western.

Constance's dress. "Enough" indeed. I looked through the movie and I can't find the scene for I'm thinking the actor. My mind must be failing me. I'll keep looking but I'm beginning to doubt myself.

April: I watched "Devil's Doorway" tonight. Good western. Pretty good story of Taylor trying to hold on to his land. (I'm sure I'm not telling you anything new.) Good photography, action, cast and music. I'd never seen this one before. (Imagine a new western for me.) On Robert Taylor (no relation ) I think he does a fine job but I don't completely buy him as an Indian. He just seems like Robert Taylor in dark makeup. It's an interesting, turned-on-its-head land war story. I like the way Taylor and Paula Raymond come together for business because they need each other more than their reservations about each can get in the way. Two people determined to get things done their way. The trouble is these situations don't often end well. I'm sure you've seen it as I seem to remember some comments some months back but I wonder if you might share them again. (And that goes for anyone else who has seen it.) Thanks Me

You sure know how to do some digging. I may get a chance tonight to find the two places. Thanks for the info.