Ralph

Thanks, Eric. I'll look into www.talkinbroadway.com.

Does anyone know if there are similar sites on the internet where people discuss theatre or books? I've looked at many Broadway sites and the ibdb but can find no discussion groups. Same with books - doesn't anyone read and enjoy discussing books? Thanks for any help you can give me. Ralph

Jaguar Jack - Montgomery Clift is NOT underappreciated - if you took a poll of film critics as to the best screen actors of all time, his name would appear near the top of the list, probably in the top two (the other being Marlon Brando). I do agree that he is not idolized by the general public as are James Dean and Marilyn Monroe - probably because Clift did not die as young or tragically (or in mysterious circumstances) as did the other two. But in the acting community, Clift is still considered one of the very best - ever. Clift had a brief career on Broadway (notably with the Lunts) before he was discovered by Hollywood. He was a star from his first film and remained so until the day he died, although (like Monroe) he was self-destructing long before his life actually ended. Patricia Bosworth's biography is considered the definitive biography of Montgomery Clift. Thanks for bringing his name up, though. I think he was number one. Ralph

Tracey - I got rid of mt credit cards years ago - would you please tell me what PayPal is? I saw something for sale on the internet once and they took PayPal - I didn't know what it was. Also, do you know who this "Susan" is who Deborah mentions - is it someone with a website? Thanks a lot - Ralph

Rudy Vallee - The Palm Beach Story.

Hedy Lamar is the Star of the Month here in Laos - no Joan Fontaine at all! Why?

Yes, and the Fontaine book is terrible - a mishmash from cover to cover. Plus the fact of $29.95 for a 132 page book with lots of familiar pictures - that's obscene! And I'm sorry, but I won't be buying your new book on the "fabulous" Marjorie Main - also way overpriced at $45 for a 200 page biography. Marjorie Main was many things, and a wonderful actress - but "fabulous?" I don't think so. As they say on these boards,"IMHO" of course.

Helenbaby - you really are HelenWheels, aren't you? But you (and Mongo) are absolutely right - TCM is the best.

Right on, Mongo!

Hi Smithus - I've been away for a few days and just found your material on Katharine Hepburn - thanks for your help. I knew I had the ladies mixed up - and we haven't even mentioned Laura Harding. I tend to be a little skeptical (no, a lot skeptical) of autobiographies; they are too often just self-serving and ego-stroking. I remember reading Bette Davis and Tallulah Bankhead autobiographies years ago and enjoying them a lot - only to find that neither had written hers (and there was very little truth in either book). Still, they were fun to read and not to be taken too seriously. But for the whole story, I'd much rather read a good biography anytime. So I got a good laugh when last month I picked up an old paperback copy (in Thailand!) of "Me" by Ms. Hepburn - of course it was called "Me;" I don't think there was really anyone else in her world. But I enjoyed it; she was a good actress with a gargantuan ego and personality. I just never put much credence in what she said (I know I am in the minority here - many people think she could walk on water). Have you seen the recently published biography, "Katharine Hepburn: An Untold Story?" Certainly, it's a diferent take on the woman - and not for her fans. But there lots of biographies out there by people who idolized her. Again, thanks for the information. Ralph

I'm sure you've said this to each other around the office: "No matter what we do (or don't do), somebody is always going to **** about it." True!! To paraphrase: You can please some of the people all the time, you can please all the people some of the time, but you can't please all the people all the time. Keep up the good work - TCM is much appreciated by most of us.

Joan McCracken - another name from the past. Wonderful dancer and comedienne. Did lots of broadway and television in the late forties and early fifties. Originated the role of Dixie Evans on Broadway in "The Big Knife," the role which Shelley Winters later played in the movie. Also in "Hollywood Canteen." Married to Bob Fosse and Jack Dunphy (yes, the same Jack Dunphy who was Truman Capote's partner for years). Died far too young from lifelong diabetes.

A guess: Rudy Vallee (My Time is Your Time, theme song)????

Goofygirl - Have you seen "Craig's Wife" with Rosalind Russell (1936)? "Harriet Craig," 1950, is a re-make. The 1936 version was directed by probably the best female director ever, Dorothy Arzner. I'd like to see both versions right now - both strong leading ladies! Good luck on your search. Now there's a good topic: Best Female Director . . . . maybe it's already been done. Ralph

Spencer Tracy to Ernest Borgnine in "Bad Day at Black Rock."

Hi Moviebuff - You're probably thinking of "Harlow," starring Carroll Baker as Harlow, Angela Lansbury as Mama, and Peter Lawford as the impotent husband (Paul Bern). Released in 1965 when Carroll Baker was being touted as the next Marilyn Monroe (she made several "blond sex-bomb" movies, none of which really worked). Just to show you how imaginative Hollywood is (and was), there was another movie also named "Harlow" released in 1965 starring Carol Lynley as Harlow, Ginger Rogers as Mama and Hurd Hatfield (chewing up the scenery) as Paul Bern. Neither movie did well at the box-office. Ralph

Hi Sam - I'm in Laos and have the same problem - I never know what's on until it's over. But it's the same with HBO, Cinemax and the others - no advance warning so I just have to keep my eyes open. Fortunately, TCM repeats often so if I miss it the first time I can usually catch it later. Good luck on trying to find information on Asian schedules; I wrote to TCM but got no answer. Ralph

The Rookie.

Home on the Range???? (I'm guessing).

Hi Gigi - Welcome! You're right - The African Queen DVD's for sale at Amazon are imports - isn't that stupid? One of the most popular movies of all time . . . . And thanks a lot for your referral to thesmokinggun.com (re: my Hepburn questions). I had never heard of thesmokinggun before - fascinating. Thanks a lot and, again, welcome to the boards. Ralph

Thanks Mongo - I still don't know the name of Ms Hepburn's last companion, but I think I have my ladies mixed up - I believe Phyllis died and was replaced by another ex-actress. As for Constance Collier (I knew she fit in here somewhere), she employed Phyllis Wilbourn until she died in 1955; Phyllis then went to work for Ms Hepburn. But there is no mention of a companion in Ms Hepburn's will - just $200,000 to her housekeeper. Thanks again. Ralph

Kirk Douglas in Detective Story - with the beautiful Eleanor Parker.

Hi St. Johns - You are NOT the only Merman fan here - I join you. She was tops but a lot of people didn't get her. I would love to see some of her best musicals (she didn't make many). They did just show It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World in which she was funny for the first half hour - but the director (Kubrick??) had her screeching through the entire movie - tiresome. But I would like to see Call Me Madam and No Business Like Show Business - I can't remember what else. Too bad she never did Gypsy or Annie Get Your Gun, huh. Anyway, there's a new book coming out soon: Ethel Merman - Broadway's Biggest Star. I have it on order at Amazon. Good luck, Ralph I used to have her disco album but I lost it in a flood - probably a collector's item by now. Have you heard her Live in Las Vegas album?

Hi Mongo - I've been away for a while and have just been catching up on your HAPPY BIRTHDAY thread; came across the name of Fritz Feld - who could ever forget him? I never knew that he had been married to Virginia Christine for over 50 years. Is this the Virginia Christine who had a couple of memorable scenes with Katharine Hepburn in Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? And isn't this the same lady who did the Folger's Coffee commercials for a long time? Or have I got my Virginia's mixed up? Here's somthing I've been wondering about for a while: Katharine Hepburn always had a female companion to help look after her - even before she became older and frailer. One died and she was replaced by another - I think they were both ex-actresses - why am I thinking of Constance Collier - was she the first lady (the one who died)? The last one was named Phyllis Wilbourn - I think she survived Katharine. I happen to be one of those who thinks Ms. Hepburn was not a very nice lady - excellent but mannered actress, but I think her qualities as a human being left a lot to be desired (just my opinion - many others think she was 100% wonderful). Question: who did Ms. Hepburn remember in her will? I know there's a book out there having to do with the last will and testament of famous people, but I've never seen it. Do you have any information on this subject? As usual, thanks Mongo. Ralph

They all played Julius Caesar.