Ralph
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Posts posted by Ralph
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Once again, Miss Scarlett, you're right! Remember Paul Fix? I guess the closest he came to becoming a star was when he was on Chuck Connors' "The Rifleman" TV series. Incidentally, Paul Fix's birth name was Paul Fix Morrison - and of course, John Wayne was born Marion Morrison. Coincidence?
Today's Trivia 101:
What movie is this from and who says it:
"Tonight he joins fellow best actor nominee Paul Newman for "Coot," Clint Eastwood for "Codger," Michael Douglas for "Primary Urges," and Steven Segal for "Snowball in Hell."
That's funny stuff!!!
Ralph
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Hi Fred -
Any Bette Davis movie is automatically a favorite of mine - even her turkeys are more interesting than most other actresses. And I think the AFI was nuts to name Hepburn #1 star of all time - Davis should have that honor. Only my opinion, but I'll defend it to the death. And I've often wondered why, if they thought Hepburn was #1, why did the AFI choose Davis as the first actress to be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award (I think that's what it's called).
Anyway, how do we know that the dragon lady is not punished for her deed ("The Letter")? And how do we know that the killer gets off scott-free in Hellman's "Watch on the Rhine?" As I recall, both movies end after these incidents and we never know what happens to the killers. Am I wrong?
Ralph
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Hi feaito - No, it's not him!
And Miss Scarlett, it's not Gabby Hayes either.
A reliable character actor, not as well known to the general public as Ward Bond or Gabby Hayes, but in lots of movies we've all seen - and in more John Wayne movies than any other actor.
Ralph
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Scarlett - you're right, it was Jayne Mansfield (and she obviously thought more of herself than you). She really wasn't a bad actress, just not very bright in some of her career choices. She was probably happy as a lark doing what she was doing - and her night club routine was still packing them in. Her daughter Mariska is on a TV series right now, I think. And she's never said a bad word about either of her parents.
Gramdc - if you liked "Educating Rita" (I liked it a lot - both Michael Caine and Julie Walters are terrific) - I think you will like "Shirley Valentine" just as well - if you can find it (I think it's on VHS in the States). When "Shirley Valentine" was on Broadway, it was a one person show, with Shirley speaking directly to the audience. They opened it up (they had to!!) for the movie and added Tom Conti and a cast of real characters, and it still works very well - and Shirley still speaks directly to the audience (the movie audience this time).
There's another good one with Julie Walters and Brenda Blethyn and Kris Kristofferson - an odd combination, huh? It's a very good movie - and I forget the name of it. Someone wins the lottery and they go to Las Vegas for a fling and meet Kris Kristofferson. Scarlett will know the name of that, right? I forget. Anyway, I think you'd like it.
Today's Trivia 101:
What actor appeared with John Wayne in more movies than any other actor? No, it's not him!
Ralph
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Right, Scarlett - it's the lovely Pauline Collins (feaito!) in a terrific movie, "Shirley Valentine," from the play by Willy Russell (he also wrote another of my favorites, "Educating Rita"). Gramdc, if you get a chance to see either one, I think you'll enjoy them. Good movies - well written, well acted and well made. I don't know about "Rita," but it's a shame "Shirley Valentine" isn't yet on DVD in the States - it is in other parts of the world.
Today's Trivia 101:
"Stars were made to suffer, and I am a star!" Who said that? Not someone you would think of right away.
Ralph
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Helenwheels -
You were much nicer in your other incarnations. And you know as well as I do that Lonesome Rhodes was based on Arthur Godfrey - long before Rush's time.
Listen to me - I'm older than you (I'm 55); respect your elders!
Nice to see you make it back here once in a while.
Ralph
(a happy poster on his way over to IMDB boards to see what they're saying today about Brokeback Mountain - are they still at it)?
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Hi Stoneyburke -
Sorry I took so long. I really wasn't parodying AMC or inferring that Anime is crap. To me, an actor, AMC has always been "All My Children." I've never seen the AMC channel (or many of the others mentioned on these boards), so I can't compare it to TCM. As for Anime, we don't get it on TCM over here - I don't know why, probably too sophisticated for the Asians - so I have no idea what it is.
According to many on this thread, I will be among the few watching (and looking forward to) the Academy Awards next month. Too bad - we won't be able to discuss them here, will we? But that won't stop some people from commenting, will it?. In spite of Jon Stewart, I'll be there with my nachos and milk-duds and hot-buttered popcorn (and a big diet Pepsi)! I can hardly wait.
Aren't these threads getting pretty? Unreadable, but sure flowery!
"I think it's spinach and I say to hell with it"
Ralph
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O.K., everyone. Here's the clue which will give you the answer:
Trivia 101 Clue #4:
Man and woman on boat....making love....waves dashing against boat....music swells....she looks right into the camera and asks, "Where did that orchestra come from?"
Who is she and what is the name of the actress?
Ralph
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Hi Bogey -
I agree with you: "Jeremiah Johnson," "My Fair Lady," "As Good as it Gets" - terrific movies all. Again and again.
Somebody else on this thread mentioned "All About Eve" - my #1 favorite movie of all time. Literate, witty, with an accurate portrayal of the Broadway theatrical scene and some stunning performances. And, as so many really good actors and actresses will be the first to admit, it all begins with the word. And wonderful words they are, by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. I have a book called "More About All About Eve," which is basically just a long conversation with Mankiewicz followed by the complete script for "All About Eve." It's one of those rare books that I go back and re-read every year (another is "The Season" by William Goldman).
"The Searchers" is #2 on my list of all time favorites, followed by "Gone With the Wind," "The Sand Pebbles," and "Arthur" (I have enjoyed "Some Like It Hot" over the years, but "Arthur" really made me laugh out loud - and often. Dudley Moore and John Gielgud were just terrific - and Liza was pretty good, too). Is "Arthur" even on the AFI's list of best comedies?
And for those of you who haven't read "All This and Heaven Too," don't go to Amazon; go to your local library - it probably needs all the support you can give it. Libraries - fascinating places with some real gems just waiting for you, and you don't even have to bring your credit card!
If you get a chance to see "Kundun" or "Seven Years In Tibet" or "Little Buddha" or "The Razor's Edge" or "The Last Emperor" (nine academy awards, I think; too long, but gorgeous), I'd like to know what you think of them.
Thanks for listening. Have a great day -
Ralph
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Hi Rickspade -
I liked her a lot, too. She always grabbed your attention when she was on-screen, no matter who she was playing opposite. "King's Row" has always been one of my favorites. She's one of those actresses who, if she's in a movie, I'll always give it a look.
But . . . she did go the Broadway route. As so many actresses do, when work got scarce in her later years (especially after "Woman and the Hunter"), she moved to New York and appeared on Broadway and toured for a long time (as I recall, she toured with her then-husband, Scott McKay, for quite a while - I can't remember in what. Whatever happened to him - she was married to him when she died). And then, just as TV was reviving interest in Miss Sheridan, she died at 51 - far too young.
I know we all miss her, but she's never too far away, thanks to TCM and DVD's.
I think she's appreciating this thread right now, surprised and happy to know she's not forgotten (although she'd probably never admit it).
Ralph
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Well, Gramdc and Vallo - I am happy to say you are both wrong! I didn't want to come back here this morning 'cause I thought somebody would have answered it and I would have to come up with a new question. Especially after that last clue!!!
O.K., here's Clue #3 (I hope this doesn't offend anyone):
"Why can't you name a girl ****? Plenty of guys walking around named Dick!"
Ralph
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Hi gramdc -
No, it's not Julie Harris, although you had me worried there for a minute. "Member of the Wedding" fits most of the clues, but Miss Harris did not win a Tony for that role - she wasn't even nominated - although she was nominated for an Oscar when she did the movie. She does hold the record of "most Tony's ever won by an actress," though. Also, as with the movie I'm looking for, "Member of the Wedding" has not yet been released on DVD in the U.S.
Here's Trivia 101 clue #2:
HAPPY FEBRUARY 14TH!!!
Ralph
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Good for you, Scarlett - Gloria Grahame is correct. Her marriage to the son lasted a lot longer than the marriage to the father.
New Trivia 101:
She won a Tony for this role on Broadway, was nominated for an Oscar and a Golden Globe for the movie - and it has never been released on DVD in the U.S. A shame, 'cause it's a terrific movie.
Name the actress and the movie.
Ralph
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Fred -
Imagine the disappointment! When I saw a thread called "The End is Near," I quite naturally assumed it had to do with Jon Stewart emceeing the Academy Awards. And shucks, it turns out to be just another debate on the merits or shortcomings of TCM. While I am as concerned as anyone as to the future of TCM, this surely pales when faced with the upcoming Oscar ceremonies and Jon Stewart's participation. This may well be the end of civilization as we know it!
Where is the outrage here? Where are the voices clamoring in the wilderness? Who is responsible for this? Doesn't anybody care - am I out on this limb all by myself - again?
Has Jon Stewart ever been to Hollywood? On a Universal Tour? Did he buy a Map of the Stars homes? Eat at Chasen's? Sing-along at the Hollywood Bowl?
Every one of us can think of someone who would be a much better host than Mr. Stewart. He (and his 27 back-up writers) will come up with a few smarmy semitic jokes, a snide "Brokeback Mountain" reference, and probably a juvenile mention of some Danish newspaper cartoons - with an acerbic aside to President Bush. All in good fun, of course. Nothing new, nothing too edgy, let's not push that envelope too far. Certainly nothing Billy or Steve or Whoopi hasn't done before. I know, I'm reviewing the show before it's even aired - I'm in my Jean Dixon mode right now ("Predictions-R-Us"). I've seen Jon Stewart's schtick on CNN a couple of times - he's on Saturday nights over here (and they just cancelled Diplomatic License) - go figure. Still looking for that yuppie demographic, yes?
Where are you Liz - don't you give a damn? Mongo, Larry, Feaito, Vallo - attention must be paid! Helenwheels - have you gone over to the other side? DOSFAN - what's the story?
And you Fred - you have an opinion on everything. Why haven't you brought this up before. For shame!!!
Do you think I am over-reacting - maybe just a little? Well, forewarned is forearmed and don't say I didn't warn you. There's another thread on here called something like "I Knew I Should Have Hit The Eject Button When . . .". Miss Dixon and I predict it will be when Jon Stewart makes his initial appearance.
Hooray for Hollywood!
Ralph
(who has too much time on his hands and needs to get a life)
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Hi Rusty -
Thanks for reminding me of "The Razor's Edge." It should have been on my list! I like both versions - Bill Murray took some hits for even attempting the role, but I thought he came off very well. But I really do like the old version better - 'cause it's Tyrone and Anne and Clifton in black and white. I wish I had a copy now; I'd put it in and watch it. However, even better, I do have the Maugham novel - he's the one who got me interested in this part of the world. "The Razor's Edge" is a terrific book and movie which raises a lot of questions while providing few answers.
As for Harrer (the subject of "Seven Years in Tibet"), it seems I remember a documentary on his life prior to the Brad Pitt movie coming out, don't I?
Unfortunately, I did not see the documentary about the search for the real Shangri-la; we don't get PBS here. Maybe it will show on the Discovery or History Channel someday . . .
Thanks for the response.
Ralph
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feaito, I thought that one was difficult! Not for you, huh? Are you a Coward fan, as I am. He really could do it all, couldn't he - and do it well?
Well, that will teach me not to suggest what is difficult and what isn't.
Today's Trivia 101:
This oscar winner's fourth husband was her second husband's son (her ex-stepson).
Ralph
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Hi Bogey -
Interesting thread. "Continually reaching for the same few over and over again;" I can sure relate to that.
Whenever I go to the shelf for a movie, I find it hard to get past anything to do with Tibet or the Dalai Lama or Buddhism. I don't know why, I'm not a Buddhist, but I love these movies. Kundun. Seven Years in Tibet. Little Buddha. And the first one of course, Lost Horizon. I also include The Last Emperor, which has nothing to do with Tibet or Buddhism, but I love movies about mysterious China and the Forbidden City. For some reason, I just go back to these movies again and again. I don't think it's the eastern (or Buddhist) philosophy - I just think it's a feeling which these old movies evoke in me; something about them which I can relate to. Someone else mentioned maybe a yearning for a simpler, less complex time. Maybe that's it - I'm not sure.
Meanwhile, the newer ones sit on the shelf.
You never even mentioned Thelma Ritter - for shame!!
Welcome, Bogey. Nice to have you with us.
Ralph
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Thanks for the info, Chris. Interesting - I wish I could just order up a movie.
Was Ward Bond ever in a John Ford movie in which John Wayne did not appear?
Ralph
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Gramdc, nice to hear from you. I've been wondering where you were; I thought you'd know that last one about Scaramouche.
Anyway, you're right once again. Mama Rose in "Gypsy."
New Trivia 101: (I think this one is more difficult - but I've been wrong before.
Who said the following and who is he talking about:
"He pretends not to hate me but he does. And it's because I'm queer and he's queer, but unlike him, I don't pretend not to be."
Good luck to all -
Ralph
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Thanks in large part to John Wayne.
Can you tell me, please - what is TCM on Demand?
Thanks, Ralph
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Thanks stoneyburke -
I went over to wikipedia and read the article you referenced. I now know more than I did before.
Also, all the postings since your reply have been helpful and thought-provoking.
Again, it seems to be a case of "whatever you think it is" for some of the people on these boards. Same as "classic." Same as "geniuis." No criteria, just whatever you think. So if I think that "Leave Her to Heaven" is film noir, "Hobson's Choice" is a classic, and that Jack Warner was a genius - does that make it so?
I cannot - and will not - believe this. There must be rules/guidelines/expectations. There is black and there is white. Everything is not a shade of grey. There is true and there is false. Good and bad. Shame and honor. It's just too easy to join the "anything goes" school than to really use your brain and come up with an answer (and "whatever you think it is" is not an answer).
If there are no answers, why ask the questions?
When did I get the authority to decide what is a classic? Or what is film noir? Or who is a genius? What are my credentials? Simply that I am alive and breathing? Is that enough? I think not.
There are too many people on these boards who throw around words like "classic" and "genius" and pretentious phrases such as "film noir" who haven't the slightest idea what they are talking about. Can we talk about the auteur theory?
"On the Waterfront?" Elia Kazan would get a reak kick out of knowing that he had directed a film noir! He also did "Pinky," "East of Eden," "The Arrangement," "Viva Zapata," "Streetcar Named Desire," "Baby Doll," and many more film noir classics. The man was a genius!
Well! I'm glad I got that off my chest. I feel much better now, doctor. Thanks for your time.
Ralph
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feaito -
I didn't even know they made a silent version. But I remember seeing the technicolor swashbuckler when I was just a kid - and thought that Eleanor Parker was the most gorgeous thing I had ever seen (except for maybe Maureen O'Hara - didn't someone say that technicolor was invented for Maureen O'Hara)?
Miss Scarlett - nope, none of those you mentioned.
This is an easy one - as soon as you know the answer, you'll say, "Oh, of course."
Ralph
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Hi feaito -
You're right - it's "Scaramouche," starring the lovely Stewart Granger and the even lovelier Eleanor Parker (and Janet Leigh and Mel Ferrer and Nina Foch).
Scaramouche, who was "born with a smile on his face and a sense that the world was mad."
Whew - I'm glad that one is over. I was starting to bore everyone to death.
Here's a new Trivia 101 question:
"Our whole family shouts. It comes from us livin' so close to the railroad tracks."
What character says that? In what movie?
Ralph
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Can someone please explain to me, just what is film noir? What is the best definition you have heard? Or is it like the term classic (at another post) which just seems to be "a classic is whatever you think it is." Some say that a classic must be a certain age and others say it may have been made yesterday. Anyway, the definition of "classic" seems to be up for grabs - on these boards anyway.
So, what is film noir?
I don't see how some of the films mentioned on this thread could be considered film noir (whatever the definition). Leave Her to Heaven? Mildred Pierce? Sunset Boulevard? Film noir? These are all mainstream films with huge studio productions, major stars and major budgets. How do they fall into the film noir category?
Or is it (here we go again), film noir is whatever you think is film noir? If I think Harold and Maude is film noir, does that make it so? How about Don't Bother to Knock? Or Seconds (with Rock Hudson)?
Thanks - I'd really like to know.
Ralph
actor/actress
in Information, Please!
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Coffeedan -
Is that true - Bond and Ford worked together long before Wayne came into the picture?
Ward Bond certainly appeared in a lot of movies; more than 30 in 1935 alone. But many of his appearances were fleeting; if you blinked you'd miss him. If you appear in enough movies, some of them are bound to be hits. Do you remember an old character actress named Norma Varden? She appeared in dozens of movies (some good, some bad) and even had a few lines in some of them. And she always played the same woman - a haughty, society grande dame (I think she was in Hitchcock's "Witness for the Prosecution").
I remember Bond as a gruff, larger-than-life actor who mostly played the same character in all his films - gruff, larger than life men. I certainly haven't seen everything he did, but he always seemed the same to me. Even in his very popular TV series, "Wagon Train," he played a gruff old curmudgeon. Is there a sensitive portrayal by Ward Bond that I have missed? A role that he doesn't bluster his way through?
Thanks for listening -
Ralph