[The "What A Character" Series thread]

There isn't enough of her in  Miracle on 34th Street as far as I am concerned.

[The "What A Character" Series thread]

2 hours ago, lydecker said:

If someone would post this, I'd be forever in his/her debt.  I love TR!

How do I post a video from my desktop?

[The "What A Character" Series thread]

It was a woman but I don't her name. Her voice didn't sound familiar.

[The "What A Character" Series thread]

Hooray!  A new What a Character - Thelma Ritter!  Awesome segment. Thanks TCM!  She deserves it for sure.  Same goes for the great John Qualen! A really well done piece which I found very informative!

Another great addition to the roster - Eric Blore!!! TCM is doing a great a job with these.

WOW!  TCM is on a roll with these wonderful segments. 

Butterfly McQueen has now been added to the list. It's a wonderful tribute. I hope you can catch it sometime!

 

"What A Character" series

What A Character - Beulah Bondi
What A Character - Conrad Veidt
What A Character - Edna Mae Oliver
What A Character - Edward Brophy
What A Character - Eric Blore
What A Character - Eugene Pallette
What A Character - Eve Arden
What A Character - Frank McHugh
What A Character - Guy Kibbee
What A Character - Hattie McDaniel
What A Character - Butterfly Mcqueen
What A Character - Jessie Ralph
What A Character - John Qualen
What A Character - Marjorie Main
What A Character - Mary Wickes
What A Character - Mildred Natwick
What A Character - Rags Ragland
What A Character - SZ Sakall
What A Character - Thelma Ritter
What A Character - William Demarest
What A Character - William Frawley

[Our Members Tributes to Robert Osborne (1932-2017)]

2 hours ago, spence said:

You were a GP, can you fill us in on a bit more, -please

In what way?

[*Grapes of Wrath Question for the experts* ANSWERED!]

27 minutes ago, Dargo said:

So, has anyone figured out who that character actor is?

I started doing a little research myself yesterday in this regard, and for awhile thought it might be Arthur Aylesworth who's credited with playing a character simply named "father"...

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0043849/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t41

(...but now I'm not so sure that it is him)

You may be right. I just looked at the scene again. I thought I knew who Arthur Aylesworth was by his voice. I'm going to see if I can find other performances.

[*Grapes of Wrath Question for the experts* ANSWERED!]

Just now, sagebrush said:

John Ford was the master for making every actor and actress in his films important and memorable.

My favorite moment in TGOW is actually a little humorous and cute; it's the scene where the two Joad youngsters flush the toilets in the campground and then run when they think they broke them.

Yes and yes!

[Robert Osborne 63,000 introductions (according to Ben)]

13 minutes ago, TopBilled said:

I still feel the best segments were the ones where a friend of TCM would randomly show up to help Robert (or Ben) introduce a few movies.

I completely agree. It's always more interesting when folks exchange their thoughts and insights on a film.

[Robert Osborne 63,000 introductions (according to Ben)]

Just now, TopBilled said:

I have to ask the tough question...do you write brief descriptions, so you know how the wraparounds differed and what each segment focused on?

No. I'd lose what's left of my mind if I did that. Just saving them is enough for me.

I have noticed when comparing some of Osborne's Intros that while some of the scripts retained repetitive information they do differ enough to make them original.

[Robert Osborne 63,000 introductions (according to Ben)]

11 minutes ago, TopBilled said:

I wonder how many Ben has done so far? And how many Tiffany Vasquez did.

Not sure about them.

This will give you a very loose idea of my Intro hoarding...

Humphrey Bogart

Across The Pacific (1942) - Ben - Harris Spotlight Intro (2015-09).mpg
Across The Pacific (1942) - Ben - Harris Spotlight Wrap-Up (2015-09).mpg
Across The Pacific (1942) - Ben Intro (2017-05).mpg
Across The Pacific (1942) - Ben Intro (2018-05).mp4
Across The Pacific (1942) - Ben Wrap-Up (2017-05).mpg
Across The Pacific (1942) - Ben Wrap-Up (2018-05).mp4
Across The Pacific (1942) - Osborne Intro (2014-03) - Astor (SOTM).mpg
Across The Pacific (1942) - Osborne Wrap-Up (2014-03) - Astor (SOTM).mpg

Action in the North Atlantic (1943) - Ben Intro (2017-04).mpg
Action in the North Atlantic (1943) - Ben Intro.mpg
Action in the North Atlantic (1943) - Ben Wrap-Up (2017-04).mpg
Action in the North Atlantic (1943) - Ben Wrap-Up.mpg

African Queen, The (1951) - Alex Trebeck Intro (2014-10).mpg
African Queen, The (1951) - Alex Trebeck Wrap-Up (2014-10).mpg
African Queen, The (1951) - Ben Intro (2019-08).mp4
African Queen, The (1951) - Ben Wrap-Up (2019-08).mp4
African Queen, The (1951) - Billboard Style.mpg
African Queen, The (1951) - Essentials Intro.mpg
African Queen, The (1951) - Essentials Promo.mpg
African Queen, The (1951) - Essentials Wrap-Up.mpg
African Queen, The (1951) - Essentials, Jr Intro.mpg
African Queen, The (1951) - Essentials, Jr Promo.mpg
African Queen, The (1951) - Essentials, Jr Wrap-Up.mpg
African Queen, The (1951) - Intro.mpg
African Queen, The (1951) - Osborne - Trump Wrap-Up.mpg
African Queen, The (1951) - Osborne Intro - Bogart SOTM.mpg
African Queen, The (1951) - Osborne Intro - Hepburn.mpg
African Queen, The (1951) - Osborne Wrap-Up - Bogart SOTM.mpg
African Queen, The (1951) - Osborne Wrap-Up - Hepburn.mpg
African Queen, The (1951) - Wrap-Up.mpg

All Through The Night (1942) - Ben Intro (2012).mpg
All Through The Night (1942) - Ben Intro (2017-10).mp4
All Through The Night (1942) - Ben Wrap-Up (2012).mpg
All Through The Night (1942) - Ben Wrap-Up (2017-10).mp4
All Through The Night (1942) - Osborne - Lumenick Intro.mpg
All Through The Night (1942) - Osborne - Lumenick Wrap-Up.mpg
All Through The Night (1942) Osborne Intro.mpg
All Through The Night (1942) Osborne Wrap-Up.mpg

Amazing Doctor Clitterhouse, The (1938) - Osborne Intro - Gangsters.mpg
Amazing Doctor Clitterhouse, The (1938) - Osborne Wrap-Up - Gangsters.mpg
Amazing Dr Clitterhouse, The (1938) - Ben Intro - Robinson (SOTM) (2020-05) .mp4
Amazing Dr Clitterhouse, The (1938) - Ben Wrap-Up - Robinson (SOTM) (2020-05).mp4
Amazing Dr Clitterhouse, The (1938) - Osborne Intro (2016-01).mpg
Amazing Dr Clitterhouse, The (1938) - Osborne Intro.mpg
Amazing Dr Clitterhouse, The (1938) - Osborne Wrap-Up (2016-01).mpg
Amazing Dr Clitterhouse, The (1938) - Osborne Wrap-Up.mpg
Amazing Dr Clitterhouse, The (1938) - Trailer - TCM Presents Style.mp4

Angels With Dirty Faces (1938) - Osborne - FP 06 Intro.mpg
Angels With Dirty Faces (1938) - Osborne - FP 06 Wrap-Up.mpg
Angels With Dirty Faces (1938) - Osborne - Pantoliano Intro.mpg
Angels With Dirty Faces (1938) - Osborne - Pantoliano Wrap-Up.mpg
Angels With Dirty Faces (1938) - Osborne Intro - Bogart - SOM.mpg
Angels With Dirty Faces (1938) - Osborne Intro - Bogart as Gangster.mpg
Angels With Dirty Faces (1938) - Osborne Intro - Cagney.mpg
Angels With Dirty Faces (1938) - Osborne Intro - Death Row.mpg
Angels With Dirty Faces (1938) - Osborne Intro - Pool Halls.mpg
Angels With Dirty Faces (1938) - Osborne Wrap-Up - Bogart - SOM.mpg
Angels With Dirty Faces (1938) - Osborne Wrap-Up - Bogart as Gangster.mpg
Angels With Dirty Faces (1938) - Osborne Wrap-Up - Cagney.mpg
Angels With Dirty Faces (1938) - Osborne Wrap-Up - Death Row.mpg
Angels With Dirty Faces (1938) - Osborne Wrap-Up - Pool Halls.mpg

Barefoot Contessa, The (1954) - Ben Intro (2014-06).mpg
Barefoot Contessa, The (1954) - Ben Intro (2017-02).mpg
Barefoot Contessa, The (1954) - Ben Intro (2017-07).mp4
Barefoot Contessa, The (1954) - Ben Intro (2017-10).mp4
Barefoot Contessa, The (1954) - Ben Intro (2019-08).mp4
Barefoot Contessa, The (1954) - Ben Wrap-Up (2014-06).mpg
Barefoot Contessa, The (1954) - Ben Wrap-Up (2017-02).mpg
Barefoot Contessa, The (1954) - Ben Wrap-Up (2017-07).mp4
Barefoot Contessa, The (1954) - Ben Wrap-Up (2017-10).mp4
Barefoot Contessa, The (1954) - Ben Wrap-Up (2019-08).mp4
Barefoot Contessa, The (1954) - Osborne Intro - Bogart.mpg
Barefoot Contessa, The (1954) - Osborne Intro - Gardner.mpg
Barefoot Contessa, The (1954) - Osborne Wrap-Up - Bogart.mpg
Barefoot Contessa, The (1954) - Osborne Wrap-Up - Gardner.mpg

Battle Circus (1953)
Battle Circus (1953) - Osborne Intro (2014-05) - Allison (SOTM).mpg
Battle Circus (1953) - Osborne Wrap-Up (2014-05) - Allison (SOTM).mpg

Beat The Devil (1953) - Alex Trebeck Intro (2014-10).mpg
Beat The Devil (1953) - Alex Trebeck Wrap-Up (2014-10).mpg
Beat The Devil (1954) - Ben Intro.mpg
Beat The Devil (1954) - Ben Wrap-Up.mpg
Beat The Devil (1954) - Osborne Intro - Bogart SOTM.mpg
Beat The Devil (1954) - Osborne Intro - Jones.mpg
Beat The Devil (1954) - Osborne Intro.mpg
Beat The Devil (1954) - Osborne Wrap-Up - Bogart SOTM.mpg
Beat The Devil (1954) - Osborne Wrap-Up - Jones.mpg
Beat The Devil (1954) - Osborne Wrap-Up.mpg

Big Sleep, The (1946) - Bacall Memorial Intro (2014-09).mpg
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Bacall Memorial Wrap-Up (2014-09).mpg
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Baldwin - Letterman Intro (2017-06).mp4
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Baldwin - Letterman Wrap-Up (2017-06).mp4
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Ben Intro - Bacall (SOTM).mpg
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Ben Intro (2013-08).mpg
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Ben Intro (2014-11).mpg
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Ben Intro (2016-11).mpg
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Ben Intro (2018-08).mp4
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Ben Wrap-Up - Bacall (SOTM).mpg
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Ben Wrap-Up (2013-08).mpg
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Ben Wrap-Up (2014-11).mpg
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Ben Wrap-Up (2016-11).mpg
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Ben Wrap-Up (2018-08).mp4
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Bogdanovich Intro.mpg
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Bogdanovich Wrap-Up.mpg
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Douglas - Khouri Intro (2017-10).mp4
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Douglas - Khouri Wrap-Up (2017-10).mp4
Big Sleep, The (1946) - DVD Promo (2017).mp4
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Eddie Muller Intro.mpg
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Eddie Muller Wrap-Up.mpg
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Essentials Promo (2017) - b.mp4
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Essentials Promo (2017).mp4
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Karger Intro (2018-09).mp4
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Karger Intro (2019-11).mp4
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Karger Wrap-Up (2018-09).mp4
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Karger Wrap-Up (2019-11).mp4
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Malone - Norton Intro (2019-11).mp4
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Malone - Norton Wrap-Up (2019-11).mp4
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Malone Intro (2019-08).mp4
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Malone Wrap-Up (2019-08).mp4
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Muller Intro (2020-01).mp4
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Muller Wrap-Up (2020-01).mp4
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Osborne - Denby Intro.mpg
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Osborne - Denby Wrap-Up.mpg
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Osborne - Hefner Intro (04-07-05).mpg
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Osborne  Hefner Wrap-Up (04-07-05).mpg
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Osborne - Jabbar Intro.mpg
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Osborne - Jabbar Wrap-Up.mpg
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Osborne - Miller Intro.mpg
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Osborne - Miller Wrap-Up.mpg
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Osborne Intro (2012).mpg
Big Sleep, The (1946) - Osborne Wrap-Up (2012).mpg
Generic Osborne - Bacall Memorial Intro.mpg

Black Legion (1936) - Osborne Intro - Archie Mayo.mpg
Black Legion (1936) - Osborne Wrap-Up - Archie Mayo.mpg
Black Legion (1937) - Osborne Intro (2012).mpg
Black Legion (1937) - Osborne Wrap-Up (2012).mpg

As you can see my methods of cataloguing changed over the years.

[Robert Osborne 63,000 introductions (according to Ben)]

16 minutes ago, TopBilled said:

And you have recorded how many?

Hard to say. I imagine it's got to be several thousand going back to 2003 when I started sporadically recording them. At some point I started recording all of them. I have been more or less successful at that.

[Robert Osborne 63,000 introductions (according to Ben)]

20 minutes ago, TopBilled said:

Your argument's persuasive. I guess we'll never know for sure unless TCM verifies it at some point.

During his intro for LIFE WITH FATHER the actual number Ben mentioned was 63, 408. He emphasized the number by repeating it again. 

Seems to me at Robert's memorial during the TCM Festival Sean Cameron mentioned this as well though I can't remember the number he quoted at the time.

Not sure how they calculated that figure but if Ben said it in his intro I'm guessing that's the number they go by.

[Robert Osborne 63,000 introductions (according to Ben)]

3 hours ago, TopBilled said:

Sometimes he did special wraparounds, usually recorded with a black backdrop, when there was a 24-hour memorial tribute after someone important had died.

But I agree that 63,000 seems awfully high.

Consider this:

Robert Osborne was doing the job it now takes 5 people to do.

1)  4-5 wraparounds Monday through Friday (in the early days; if they played hour long films) At one point they cut back to an average of three films a night.

2) 8 wraparounds on Saturday

3) 9 wraparounds on Sunday

4)  4 morning wraparounds on holidays when airing on weekdays, IE 4th of July, Memorial Day, Christmas, etc.

5) There were at least 57 installments of the half hour program where Robert Introduced Short subjects

6) Intros for actor memorials that aired before the already filmed Intro

If the 63,000 includes the wrap-ups at the end I can't say but either way the number does not surprise me at all.

 

On 7/16/2020 at 12:15 AM, Davehat said:

and only ~100 of them available for viewing on TCM online (backlot). 

I have hundreds if not thousands saved for reference.

[*Grapes of Wrath Question for the experts* ANSWERED!]

9 hours ago, vidorisking said:

I’ve seen the film quite a few times but it wasn’t until tonight’s airing that I also noticed this man’s incredible performance. There are so many great actors who never got their big break and he appears to have followed suit.

Absolutely true. I was thinking this exact thing in the diner scene with the two truck drivers. Journeyman actors who could be counted on to deliver a single line to great affect. Hollywood is full of them hoping to be the next... (pick the actor of the era!)

[*Grapes of Wrath Question for the experts* ANSWERED!]

Soooo MANY great moments in this movie. Just moments really.

Jane Darwell's face framed in the glow of that mirror as she puts the earrings up to her ears is the most haunting of all. So much can be read in her face in that shot. Heartbreaking.

The scene in the diner with Russell Simpson and the kids.

Also love the dance toward the end where Henry Fonda dances with Jane Darwell.

As I write this I realize I could go on and on... Just a powerful film. My favorite John Ford picture.

 

[*Grapes of Wrath Question for the experts* ANSWERED!]

There's a wonderful camp scene where a father is talking about his two son dying from starvation. It's a terrific little performance. It's his only scene. I don't know who the actor is. I looked up the credits on IMDB hoping to find out.  Every time I see this scene I find it very moving. Another example of the quality of talent during the golden age of Hollywood.

Anyone know who this wonderful actor is???

Above was my original post.  Ray Faiola has identified the actor as Louis Mason. Thanks so much Ray. I knew someone on this board would have the cinematic expertise to figure out who he was.

I looked Louis Mason up on IMDB and saw that he had 91  credits ending with the 1954 version of A STAR IS BORN where he played a doorman. Mostly uncredited during his career he was used several times by John Ford starting with JUDGE PRIEST in 1934. He even worked with Wheeler and Woolsey in KENTUCKY KERNELS (1934).

BTW - Louis Mason's credit for THE GRAPES OF WRATH  is simply "Man in Camp"

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0556823/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

[Ben’s screwball intros to Noir Alley]

31 minutes ago, SadPanda said:

I don't get Ben's cake judging joke either.

You're not alone.  To paraphrase W. C. Fields... I don't get his funny.

[Legally prevented from airing on TCM]

1 hour ago, MovieCollectorOH said:

Demagnetize and clean those VCR heads before you play any of those one-of-a-kind tapes!

VCR SMART: Demagnetize VCR heads? Audio heads in a cassette tape deck require periodic demagnetization, but video heads do not. Never attempt to demagnetize the video heads in a VCR. Any type of demagnetizer used inside a VCR improperly can easily shatter the video heads, ruining the video drum assembly.

[Legally prevented from airing on TCM]

One production aside from a movie that has a surprising rights issue is Robert Osborne's Private Screenings with Rod Steiger from 2000.  I'm guessing there must be film clips that couldn't be shown beyond a certain period of time.

[Carl Reiner, Multifaceted Master of Comedy, Is Dead at 98]

18 hours ago, David Guercio said:

Cool.  Do you think it’s on YouTube?

You can find it here...

 

[Legally prevented from airing on TCM]

7 hours ago, TopBilled said:

APPLAUSE was issued on DVD in the early 2000s, but I am not sure if it's still being manufactured. Maybe they need to re-release it...or at least make it available for streaming somewhere.

Applause was issued by Kino but no longer seems to be available on their site.  It can be found on in secondary markets like eBay and Amazon.

[Legally prevented from airing on TCM]

4 hours ago, Allhallowsday said:

Has TCM shown that in the past?  With that cast, it looks like the type of movie I'd look at!

I am a big fan of Claude Rains. As I recall it's an enjoyable picture and Fay Bainter deserved her nomination. I haven't seen it in years myself. I should watch it again sometime this weekend.

[Legally prevented from airing on TCM]

3 hours ago, TopBilled said:

Well maybe you will start your own online archive making these available for educational purposes..?

It's my hope that I will do that very thing.  I also have hundreds of sit-com pilots I recorded on VHS from about 1985 to 1999 sitting in boxes waiting to be transferred. Unfortunately the quality of those recordings vary greatly as it was just for archival purposes and recorded at SLP speed, with and without cable reception!

[Legally prevented from airing on TCM]

16 minutes ago, TopBilled said:

On a related note, I notice someone occasionally uploads old TCM intros on YouTube, ones featuring Robert and some featuring Ben. But you probably have a lot more.

I have very few intros prior to 2003. That was still the VHS era for me. I didn't record a lot of movies then. So if I happen to have one or two it was from an old VHS tape. In 2003 I bought a SONY Vaio desktop computer that could record from cable.  Recording movies and intros was a breeze!

At first I started collecting intros for movies I liked and ones I thought were important. Wish I had recorded more of the early Essentials for example. Eventually around 2010 I started to record ALL the intros! They were recorded more for posterity.  Quality is good not perfect.  I have all of the Cartoon Alley intros and wrap-ups from this era.

With the advent of MP4 the recorded quality is now much better. I've missed a few here and there over the last decade. Not by choice though. Prime example, for what ever reason. I missed Eddie Muller's first intro for Noir Alley, THE MALTESE FALCON. I do have the wrap-up.

So, yeah, thousands. It's an unforgiving beast of a hobby and at least once a month I ask myself, "To what end?"

[Legally prevented from airing on TCM]

7 hours ago, TopBilled said:

My wish list. Please litigation gods, let these five films become available on home video and allowed to air on TCM:

3. WHITE BANNERS (1938)...a heartwarming story with a fine cast. Fay Bainter was nominated as Best Actress.

4. ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES (1938)...classic Cagney and classic O'Brien.

Both Angels with Dirty Faces and White Banners have definitely aired on TCM. Not sure how long ago.

I have several recorded intros for "Angels". It most likely last aired before 2013 as that's when I started dating the intros.  Prior to that I didn't. I don't have any intros for White Banners but I do have a recording of it.

Angels With Dirty Faces (1938) - Osborne - Fan Programmer 06 Intro
Angels With Dirty Faces (1938) - Osborne - Fan Programmer 06 Wrap-Up
Angels With Dirty Faces (1938) - Osborne - Pantoliano Intro
Angels With Dirty Faces (1938) - Osborne - Pantoliano Wrap-Up
Angels With Dirty Faces (1938) - Osborne Intro - Bogart - SOM
Angels With Dirty Faces (1938) - Osborne Intro - Bogart as Gangster
Angels With Dirty Faces (1938) - Osborne Intro - Cagney
Angels With Dirty Faces (1938) - Osborne Intro - Death Row
Angels With Dirty Faces (1938) - Osborne Intro - Pool Halls
Angels With Dirty Faces (1938) - Osborne Wrap-Up - Bogart - SOM
Angels With Dirty Faces (1938) - Osborne Wrap-Up - Bogart as Gangster
Angels With Dirty Faces (1938) - Osborne Wrap-Up - Cagney
Angels With Dirty Faces (1938) - Osborne Wrap-Up - Death Row
Angels With Dirty Faces (1938) - Osborne Wrap-Up - Pool Halls

"Angels" is available on WB DVD. It can be found on eBay for sure.

White Banners is unavailable at this time.