movieman1957

I never quite bought Bel Geddes as a match for Mitchum. She just doesn't seem quite right. While tom boy maybe the right word for her it also implies an immaturity born of age. Nothing wrong with it as much as Mitchum might be inclined toward a stronger older woman. Oh, and the sister, stuck up is exactly it. BTW, "I Remember Mama" is a lovely film. It being Carolann's favorite may not be a selling point but if you have any interest in good family type films and Irene Dunne then at least one viewing is in order.

Thank you Ollie. That is a wonderful thing to know.

Thank you (and to MissG.) My bride knows how much all of you mean to me so when I know you all are ready to talk about something she knows it is worthwhile. The best part is that when she really likes one she wants to know what everyone thinks about it.

>I don't think he EVER expected her to do what she did at the end either.. by then he was so caught up in his own game.. that it never entered his mind she was not "his" all the way. Yes. I think you are quite right. By then he had it all sowed up. She surprised us. Carolann and I both about the same time said she crossed him up. Audible gasps.

... or the most helpless. She just couldn't stop herself. But she survived.

This is not what I meant when I mentioned being tied up in bed.

Watched "Fort Defiance." Liked it much more than "Ft. Bowie." A good cast with some exciting action helped make this one more enjoyable for me. I hope all of you get to check it out.

If I may interrupt - Seeing your post reminded me that when I was in radio for just a little bit we would find the "bathroom songs." "American Pie" was near the top of the list. Of course a lot depended on what format your station played. "Hey Jude" was good as was "Taxi" by Harry Chapin. Just in case. Favorite Don McLean song (This is the second version that was slower and sweeter than the "B" side of "Vincent.") Best alternate version of "Vincent."

She has seen some. She didn't much care for "Double Indemnity" but liked "Laura" a lot. She watched one with me called "A Killer Is Loose." (I think we talked some about it.) She heard Joseph Cotten was in it and wanted to see it. She liked that one as well. "On Dangerous Ground" was good. Though I can't say that it was among her favorite but "Clash By Night" was a hit with her. I'm going to try and get "Gun Crazy" and have her watch that. Since it is one of ChiO's faves (and a certain at my festival) she can get a head start. No list like Sir Francis but she is very willing to watch old films and when I mention that the gang is interested in watching something she is usually up for it. She's a good sport, bless her.

*Do you think Webb ever really loved her and wanted the baby?* I think for a split second he did. As soon as he realized the timing was all wrong that was the end of it. I couldn't make out whether he was crying because he was going to be a father or he realized he couldn't be because of the timing. There were several points where you couldn't figure whether he was playing or serious. BTW, my bride loved it.

What happens when lonely miserable policeman meets lonely miserable wife? "The Prowler." Two schizophrenic unhappy people having an affair cannot end well. Webb gives me the willies right from the start. He's cool, creepy, condescending from the first scene. He sizes everything up right away. Here is a woman alone in the middle of the night. She is pretty, vulnerable and scared. A nice target for a bit of fun. (I was struck that after the initial meeting Webb is right back in her house as if for a party.) He uses their background to his advantage. I don't think he was thinking so far ahead initially to get at her money as much as thinking there could be more to this than sex. The fact that her husband works nights makes it all the easier. It all goes crazy from there. The games begin. He seems obsessed with her. Then she seems obsessed with him. Finally, they are obsessed with each other before it all breaks loose. On the one hand I was disappointed they showed Susan's husband when Webb "meets" him. It does put a face on him but that is only important in the sense of "What is she doing with that old man?" It certainly gives you the reason in one shot of why she is so unhappy. I don't think she would ever have agreed to handle it this way but I think she lies. at the inquest, not so much because she still loves Webb as much as she knows anything else she is in trouble. The whole thing comes out and she winds up implicated too. One thing that was interesting to think about was after Webb breaks it off is whether he really wants it to end or whether he has her so hooked playing this game he just hooks her even more. She is so desperate when she comes to his place. He plays it well. After he falls on his bed and throws the paper up in the light I am convinced it is all a game. The ending was a surprise. I wouldn't have thought they would go where they did because it is somewhat rustic for her. I really thought at one point he was going to kill her. He decided it all wasn't going to work out so just shoot her. Who would find her? I did find Webb's climbing that hill a bit odd. Going up instead of around just seemed odd unless it was just a metaphor for his life. It didn't work either. There is more. The whole baby situation and other aspects but you've, I am sure, had enough for now.

*Robert Schumann's Piano Concerto*. Lovely score with a slow movement that leans toward Mozart in style. *Berlioz's Grand Funeral Symphony.* A rarely played work that was written for a military band, if memory serves correctly, for the reburial of some fallen French heroes from the war with Russia. I have an old LP of it but listened to it on the Naxos server*. It was performed by the "President's Own Marine Band.' This is a tighter recording than my old one and it has a bonus of a choral accompaniment near the end of the work. * A link through my county library takes me to Naxos (a classical recording label) where I can listen to a great deal of music.

I still like his work with Capra best. "You Can't Take It With You" is fun for his enthusiasm in fireworks. But most of all I love his conversation at the dinner table with Stewart in "It's A Wonderful Life." The subtle sense of hurt he shows when Jimmy can't stand the thought of being couped up in an office trying to figure how to save 5 cents on a length of pipe is very touching. He instantly forgives him and talks to Kimmy with a great deal of love and wisdom. He's terrific. Yes, he is showing up everywhere.

I guess I liked it better than most but there is a lot going on. Maybe too many subplots. I like Ford's character and the way he handles himself and the strategy he uses to get back at Robinson. A good deal of action and the word violent seems appropriate as there are some brutal looking scenes. There may have been more to the feud to be explored and it was settled pretty quickly and easily once everything came to light. Some of the secondary characters might have been eased out to make things a little more taut but I enjoyed it though.

If things weren't bad enough I now find out I managed to miss your birthday. If I ever knew I have forgotten. (There are probably posts from last year.) So until that day when a road trip brings me to your door with a bag of M&Ms and a dinner on me then all I can do is wish a wonderful birthday week and the hope you can have fun and relax. God Bless. BB

> Michelle Carey very nearly ruins it, It is about having the young people in the movie, I think. Not only is she not that good one might make an argument that she is unnecessary to the movie. Short of a tight shirt and killing Asner to complete the family's revenge there isn't much there. But that is just me.

Netflix may not be killing DVD sales but I think they are hurting more than helping. I do have Netflix and I love it. There are so many things I am able to watch there that I'd have to mortgage the house if I wanted to see them otherwise. It's a cost effective way to see a wide variety of things. If I like something well enough I can buy it and usually from Amazon. I love repeat viewings too. If I can stream them anytime buying almost makes even less sense. I still have those films ready anytime I want them. I bet more and more will be made available and may even take over mailings some day. Box sets from "The Blue Planet" to a noir collection to "Foyle's War" are inexpensive to watch now so that I don't have to shell out $50-$100 depending on what I'm watching. I haven't bought anything from the studio archives but $20 is a little much if you're going to collect.

Character actors are the flavor to a film. They can be the most eccentric or the most natural of people in a film. They are often the most down to earth.

Arnold's owner, Fred Ziffel, was played by Hank Patterson. I have seen a lot of him lately. He did almost as many "Gunsmoke" episodes (33) as he did "Green Acres" (46.) He always looked older than time. He also spent time running through "HGWT" and "Cheyenne." That explains why I have seen a lot of him lately.

I wonder if somewhere along the way the writers for "Babe" thought that it worked with Arnold so why not another pig. (I loved "Babe" but hated the sequel.)

Forgive my being late to the party. Being featured on TCM and 10,000 posts makes you at the head of the class with class. (You have company with another fine young lady.) Congratulations!

If there is anything about it in "El Dorado" it is early and dispatched quickly. I'll just have to remember to record "Blood On The Moon." I saw it about a year ago but if I am to ramble with the Queen I have to be on my game. Hopefully, the rest of the Royal family will be on board.

For your consideration. On Monday the 27th TCM is highlighting "Range Wars." A night of westerns that will show, starting at 8pm ET, "The Westerner" with Gary Cooper, "El Dorado" with John Wayne, "The Violent Men" and "Heaven With A Gun" with Glenn Ford and finally "Blood On The Moon" with Robert Mitchum. Not that we have to wait until next week to have a "ramble" but I thought I'd put it out there in case anyone feels any of these are worth discussing. We have talked about "El Dorado" but I know some people around her are fond of Cooper. If you have any thoughts maybe we can coordinate one of them.

I saw the film a long time ago. I don't remember much except that I also think Hepburn was great at "playing.' Probably the best. Tracey: If you have any interest in the Schumanns you might, in addition to what you can find on them, check out a biography on Johannes Brahms. He was a very important part of their life.

I always liked him. He seems patient and kind. Was pleasantly surprised to find him with the small part as the sheriff in "The Trail of The Lonesome Pine." He is turning up a lot lately for me.