movieman1957

My goodness. What a great read. The one thing that struck me about the funeral was how bright the flag was compared to the sunset and the surrounding area. It seems to point out his sacrifice more boldly.

Luz certainly looked out for him when Jordan wanted to get rid of him. Maybe he was seen as a threat to the business but certainly one to Leslie. I don't get the sense that Luz may have given him anymore than a sense that he is entitled to something more than the land. When they try to buy his measly 600 acres Jett thinks they're up to something so that embeds his hatred more. Mostly I think it is self inflicted but that is just my sense of it.

First, you are not butting in. I'm glad you're here. I must have missed that part of Sir Francis' post. Sorry about that. I agree with you though. I thought Jett lost all sense of who he was. I think he actually becomes worse than all the things he hated about the Benedicts. He's a drunk, a racist, a dirty old man and pathetic since he still pines for Leslie. Too much money can ruin you. Like anything else it has to be handled with care and discretion. He does neither.

So where does Jett figure in all this?

Good point about the changing of the house. I looked at it as just a way to mark the new "era" we were moving to but it not is a more modern look it does have a woman's touch. A nativity scene never occurred to me. That is interesting. Edited by: movieman1957 on Nov 1, 2010 8:12 PM

I have an old cassette recording of Szell of Mahler's 4th. My mind went dead on who recorded the 8th. You are right about the 8th being a very moving piece. I always just take the choir as if it were another instrument. I remember seeing a TV presentation of it years ago and they had musicians and singers spread out all over the cathedral or hall (I don't remember which) but the size of it complimented the beauty of it well. I think the last movement of the 9th is what I don't find that appealing. I haven't listened to it in some time but I remember it struck me as repetitive and I don't think I cared much for the theme. I just never went back to it. I do have a tape (copied) of "Song of The Earth." That is different from the 7th? It has been some time since I listened to it. I was on a completist kick on the major composers (with limits on certain composers i.e. Mozart and Haydn - too many) some time ago but that didn't mean I listened to them faithfully. This year, I think, is the 100th anniversary of his death so there should be some to listen to around your radio dial.

I mostly agree with you. "Giant" is everything you say but it is like some westerns in that is some parts of their lives time is passing them by. It becomes a question of how much they want to keep up. The family is very traditional. Ranching and no oil. The first born will run the ranch, whether he wants to or not. Women have no place in the political discussions of the day and only slightly in the business end of things. Only gradually do they change and are dragged kicking and screaming into the modern open minded society. By family I mean Rock Hudson's character Jordan "Bick" Benedict. It is the other family members that effect the change. And it is "Bick" who does change along the way even if reluctantly. Leslie (Elizabeth Taylor) is not a woman to be trifled with or dismissed. She has the chance to make some things happen. She will assert herself. Jordy (Dennis Hopper) brings the social consciousness of things to the family by marrying a Mexican girl. They say they love her but do they? Eventually, it is enough to fight for, literally. The last shot, which you show pictures of the babies, struck me more by what was behind them. A lamb and a calf were standing behind each one as if another representation of something with the babies. The big and small? Different businesses coming together? Not sure.

Mahler is tough for some people to get into. I think a lot of them it is the length of his work. Some of my group didn't want to do the concerts this year because it was heavy on Mahler. When I go on a long trip I'll usually take along Mahler's 8th. It's big and maybe close to 1 1/2 hours so a trip is the perfect time for it. I am not so much a fan of his 9th but the 4th is lovely and I like the 5th and 6th as well. Wonderful music but I often have to be in the right frame of mind for it. If I don't have time to listen to it all I won't start it.

Thanks for commenting. It's nice to have an official explanation. (Hadn't thought of the Fair Use clause but access is important.) I hope you'll share more as things warrant.

I still have a 4:3 tv. Almost everything, but not true in every case, made after 1953 was made in some form of widescreen/letterbox format. On my old tv I get the black bars at the top and bottom of the screen when they show a widescreen film. Under normal circumstances you should still get the widescreen set up on your screen. I couldn't guess a percentage but if you look at the TCM schedule here or if you get a "Now Playing" magazine it will indicate when they show a widescreen film.

TCM HD is not a true HD channel. It might be the equivalent of a machine that says it can "upconvert" DVDs to HD. (Any number of comments have already relayed this info.) Having said that is is TCM's policy to show every movie in its original aspect ratio. So, any movie that was shot in some widescreen format will be shown on TCM in that same format. There are times when the film supplied to them is not in the ratio TCM requested but it is always their intent to do so. If widescreen airings are what really matter then you are already getting them in the standard definition broadcast. It then becomes to what degree they fill out your screen.

I think James Best's finest scene comes at the beginning. When he thinks he has Brigade caught in a trap but really is in a standoff he really shows his frustration well. I love it when he yells to the gang to stop and his voice trails off from yelling at them to berating them and himself in a low tone and doesn't even finish the sentence. He is kind of on the shallow side. Brigade gets him here. Boone suckers him in the scene with the rifle. I think he fancies himself clever but really is anything but clever. As far as Pernell Roberts is concerned he sore of strikes me like Richard Boone in "The Tall T." He is clearly not evil like "Frank" but he is well spoken, wants similar things (if he can get them) and a self confidence that rivals Scott's. We can get through the rest of the Scott/Boetticher films along the way. (Just put them at the end of the line.) BTW, thank you.

TCM doesn't own anything. Everything they show must be leased. Even from its own parent company there is nothing coming for free or sitting in the back room. Even the original library of MGM, RKO and pre1949 WB pictures now have to be leased.

Wow. Thank you. Here I was afraid I didn't really have anything to add. I wanted to get in as I was feeling left behind. All my fault but wanted to be in on it. Glad it made you think about it differently.

HI everyone. I thought I'd chime in before this all gets away. It will probably be a little scattered but here goes. For me part of the beauty of *Ride Lonesome* is the way Boone and Brigade play off of each other. They are "friends" but don't quite trust each other. They have different agendas for different reasons but they play it that they know at some point they will cross. There is a deep respect here. It is certainly deeper than what is had in *The Tall T.* These two have a past and it means something. That is evident when they meet each other at the depot. The intrigue with Billy is what gives it some drama. Who will win? Billy is the pawn but for a completely different reason than we assume. Boone is suspicious but he can't quite put his finger on it. This adds another level to their relationship. They look out for each other. Partly from respect and partly because it suits their purposes. They question each others motives. They know each other and can't quite buy the idea of what they both want to do. For Boone going strait is easier than the life he has lived. April mentioned the relationship between Boone and Whit being like that in "The Far Country." I can see it. Two friends who have been through some stuff. Both looking for a change and comfortable enough with each other to live casually for some time. Coburn is fine in the part. It is early and looks to be his first film. Did Sturges see something that lead to "The Magnificent Seven"? When we, through Frank, figure out Brigade's take on this is does tend to change the direction of how we look at him. It is not strictly money and we now see him as justified rather than it being a job. It gives it a new level. Brigade's attitude when they reach the tree changes. There is some connection. (Just wondering - the tree does resemble a cross. Any chance it has to do with his, April's word, exorcism?) The whole thing is done at a leisurely pace. They can't even get the horses to run fast enough. Plenty of talking but that is how we learn about their issues. Having watched it again Steele does seem completely superfluous. Billy uses her to get at the others but that is about it. I found the ending quite interesting. Everyone gets what they want. Brigade purges his demons and his past. He gets justice and revenge and a new start. No past has been more "buried" and more poignantly than Brigade's. Could it be a little too wrapped up? Maybe but why not?

117. This is the second time this week I forgot to set the brake.

Wow! You think Osborne is biased because he didn't mention the actor's name? That is one of the reasons TCM has a database. People can go find out about him. I didn't see it so I don't know but just having a 1922 silent German picture can be a ratings challenge. Good for TCM for showing it at all. Maybe that is the part to be thrilled about. (Your post was a little difficult to understand.)

>let us know when you get to the bravados. Got there. (Even if it wasn't directed to me.)

Let It Be and Beatles For Sale. The clarity is amazing. Obvious separation in the channels on Beatles For Sale. The harmonies sound clear and better than ever. You can almost hear the contact on the acoustic guitar strings. Like the others there is more to find than you may have known. Let It Be is not my favorite Beatles album but songs like "I've Got A Feeling" and "Get Back" sound more lively. The strings in "I, Me, Mine" are more noticeable. For how wonderful it is having a car stereo and an ipod (which is holding on for now) to listen to them on your regular stereo with a good pair of speakers should be revisited now and again. It's quite different.

Maybe "Fighting Man of The Plains." http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041362/

Not long ago it was westerns that people though were being played too much. I really can't stand horror movies but I know that is what people like in October. It will run its course.

Both great films. It is really a chance to see a different side of Guiness if all anyone knows is "Kwai" and "Zhivago." I recently watched "Last Holiday" and it was lovely to see it again after close to 30 years.

It looks like he is threatening her with a carrot. Anyway, many happy returns of the day to the birthday girl. Happy Birthday!! (And to think I almost missed it.)

This was the first film I found Robert Montgomery directed. I initially watched it for Cagney. I thought he gave one of those "quietly effective" performances. Quite a contrast to soon to follow "One, Two, Three."

I can always count on you for something lovely to learn about or be reminded of.