movieman1957

I didn't think it was that far down the page but if anyone else along with Tracey missed it then here is a bump for all.

Why have it all? Ben! Ben! Ben! That is all we hear. I think they should do one day for Oliver Hardy and then the next day for Stan Laurel.

Every now and then you get one film where they cheat. In Strode's case I guess you could say that is the case with "Once Upon A Time In The West." No doubt Sir Francis will be happy but Mr. Strode is making little more than a cameo.

Now I can't get images to show up here even though they show up in the preview screen. Most notably Woody Strode played Pompey in "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" and one of the slaves in "Spartacus." Google his name and click on images. or http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0834754/ Edited by: movieman1957 on May 24, 2010 11:56 PM

You have a very interesting story. You went about your movie life almost the opposite of what I did. That may also have as much to do with the difference in our ages and what was available when I first came to the movies. When I was younger I loved sports too. Maybe because TV was more rare for sporting events it was more fun watching but anymore I don't find I am nearly as interested as I used to be. Some of it may be the lack of stability of team rosters. When I was a kid it was before free agency became what it is now. You had a "team" for several years and you knew who was going to be there. This was primarily true in baseball. When the Colts left Baltimore that took a lot of the wind out of the area. The Bullets went to DC so the Orioles became the thing. Once upon a time they used to have a pretty good club. I used to enjoy watching tennis and golf but I guess I got old and when I got to be older than the players it was a totally different sensation then when I was looking up to them. I'll watch something now and then but not like I used to. Thanks for sharing.

Yeah. Yeah. Thank you MissG.

*Howdy, Cowboy Chris -- Sometimes I think being older changes your perspective on a film.* *Is it just a film?* Excellent point my friend. *Keep in mind, I had never seen a Wayne film until about eight years ago.* Now that surprises me. How long have you been a movie fan? I watched Wayne from the outset of my movie history. In addition to the westerns I had also seen things like "The Quiet Man" and "The Long Voyage Home," "The High and Mighty" (before it went into the rights troubles) early on . Later, though not much later I even saw "Jet Pilot." (The only thing to recommend there is Janet Leigh in some nice fitting clothes.)

Sometimes I think being older changes your perspective on a film. I saw this movie a long time ago. I remember not enjoying it all that much. I do remember how beautiful the film looked but the overall story didn't do anything for me. Jump forward to March or April this year and with watching and an earlier discussion with MissG there is a new appreciation for it beyond the beauty of it. There was a deeper meaning and back story to it that I must just not have picked up when I was younger. As for Wayne one's perception may have as much to do with what their early exposure is to him. I think someone else mentioned that if you discovered Wayne with his late 60's and early 70's films you are going to have a different impression than if you learned about him with "Stagecoach" and "Ft. Apache."

I know there are some people who are working hard on their schedules. Many thanks to those who have put up a schedule. There is some good work here. For those who might be tempted to join in please do. It is work but it is a lot of fun and maybe you can have the thrill of someone saying they liked your schedule more than any other. I have won so you never know.... You have up until June 10.

I checked my old "Now Playing" guide and "Cheaper By The Dozen" was scheduled in March 2009. TCM has always had a national broadcast. They talked about doing a split coast broadcast. (Pacific would also have an 8pm start) but they have never had an intentional separate listing depending on time zone. (There is a post from lzcutter somewhere in here as I recall.) Unless you live in Canada where rights issues often force them to broadcast something different than the US. (Although the March listing appears to include a Canadian broadcast.) Edited by: movieman1957 on May 21, 2010 11:36 PM

If only Claudette hadn't cried her way through so much of the movie. And I really like her. Someday we are going to have to a Ford/Fonda - Ford/Wayne discussion on the differences and similarities, if any, on the films.

I caught Marie Windsor in a Joel McCrea/Shelley Winters film called "Frenchie." She didn't have a very big part but she did have a fight scene with Winters. It is a loose remake, IMO and I think MissG, of "Destry Rides Again" told more from her side this time. Her imdb list looks like she had several years as a film actress but a long time in television.

Thanks so much for sharing those. I spent the evening watching "PDQ Bach in Houston: We Have A Problem." I haven't laughed that hard in some time. My wife and 19 year old daughter (who tried not to laugh but couldn't help herself) loved it too. It was funny. It was musical. Enjoyed his "Schleptet." His oratorio "The Seasonings." And the funniest title "The Fugue Meshugga." The orchestra and vocalists seemed to enjoy themselves. I am sure this kind of program must be an acquired for taste but if you can find the humor in classical music check him out. Courtesy of Peter Schickele. Professor of Southern North Dakota at Hoople.

*Audrey* I wanted to wait until you posted your comments to thank you for playing. It looks like a great schedule. It is funny because I used Joel McCrea as my SOTM way back in Challenge 3. (Sept. 06) Whatever it was it was some time ago. So that is great. ************ Also thanks to *Kingrat* for his schedule. Another great week. And thanks for being a good sport about the correction. So gang, we are about two weeks in. We have some wonderful schedules and plenty of time to finish one if you want to join in the fun. You'll be surprised at what you learn about movies and maybe even yourself. Everything is open until June 10. Edited by: movieman1957 on May 19, 2010 11:07 PM. I found the right challenge.

Libra. October 16.

>Yet underneath it all...so much grace. That is a word I wouldn't have thought of but it so right. He takes grief from a lot of people in the film. When Ron lets him have it for ordering him around JB sees that he is wrong and is sorry for it. When Harry Morgan gives him a balling out the best he will do is be sarcastic to him. When Bacall let's him have it "Damn you for the pain you have brought to this house" or something close he is really hurt. Not because she said it but because she felt it. He is sorry. He doesn't even give Carradine too much grief when he was going to guarantee two mourners at JB's funeral. Sometime when you're up to it we should have a ramble on it. I think just because it is a 70s film that it doesn't get the respect it deserves.

>Hepburn is unafraid. Or...I should say, whatever she feared, I believe she tackled head on. Well said. It seems she was that way in her own life which I am sure she put into her characters. She clearly forged ahead with her characters no matter how nervous or reserved they may have seemed. 1957? I missed most of it but the last couple of months must have been ok.

I am not a huge fan but I do like her work. You listed one of the more wonderful lines in all her films. I love what she does in "The Lion In Winter." Not all of her parts were meant to be all that appealing. "Summertime" does not show her as a glamorous woman. She is not supposed to be. In "The Philadelphia Story " she is mostly a pain in the neck. It is hard to like her. I do like her work with Tracy and Grant. It seems she was a different kind of character when she worked with Tracy. Other favorites include "Holiday," "State Of The Union," "Desk Set" and her part in "Rooster Cogburn."

I will buy them if they are a good enough price. ("Cracker" and "Prime Suspect.") Frankly, everything I mentioned I have watched from Netflix. "House of Cards" I watched on the computer on nights before I had to be at band practice. It can be very quiet at the office after everyone else went home. Stuff like "Danger UXB" and "The Jewel In The Crown" were quite long. More like our traditional television seasons than the rest that might run 3 to 6 or so in a British season.

Wayne had his tender moments too. In "The Quiet Man" after they fight and have gone for the day they come back to the house and there is a fire to warm them. O'Hara sits on Wayne's lap and without either speaking a word he pulls her arm around him. He doesn't show much emotion in his face but that act says a great deal about the way he feels. In "The Wings Of Eagles" it is a similar situation when he sits in his chair and O'Hara walks over and kisses him on top of his head. There is very little reaction but I recall a small change in his eyes. He has that uncomfortable moment in "Rio Grande" where the singers perform for O'Hara and his expression switches between embarrassment and sadness. He doesn't want her to think he has overplayed his hand but sad when she wishes she had. A good many scenes in "The Shootist" also carry a tender side in the scene with Sheree North (until he finds her real reason for coming) and often with Bacall.

I have recently watched "House of Cards" and was mesmerized throughout all three editions. I asked myself how could someone so evil be so charming. But it works. My "Masterpiece" days go back to the late 70s. "Danger UXB" which I also watched again about two years ago and "The Jewel In The Crown" sold me on the marvels of British television. Having enjoyed things like "Moll Flanders" and various one-off productions through the years their mysteries have me enthralled now. Having a liberal dose of "Morse," "Foyle," "Midsomer Murders" and now "Wire In The Blood" it is a seemingly endless supply of first rate television.

This is good. Keep them coming.

Thanks. I'll check him out.

Here is a link for our local paper's critic on "North By Northwest." NO. 56. (And a bunch of other movies if interested.) http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/bal-sragow-favorites-pg,0,7196776.photogallery SIr Francis: "Once Upon A Time In The West" is #59. Edited by: movieman1957 on May 17, 2010 1:48 PM

I think you are right about Cooper. He was probably too old for the part. I am not sure he would have pulled off the deeper elements you describe either. Fonda might have pulled it off but he doesn't match Carey the way you put that Wayne does. Has Main's character been blind her whole life? I don't remember. If so, doesn't it seem a bit odd that she would recognize something like their resemblance so quickly? It's a lovely scene. Main is wonderfully understated but she comes around pretty quickly. (I know, there I am being too picky. It's that kind of a day.)