Pia
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Posts posted by Pia
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''I'LL retire to Bedlam' !! Help!
I knew that my views on Finney and Stewart would not be popular, and I have no wish to offend. Perhaps if I'd never seen the Sim version.....
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"Norma Rae"
nw: telegram
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Face, there are so many lines in this film that are so memorable, aren't there, and you named some good ones - including one of my favorites, "I'll retire to Bedlam". As a child I only knew that Bedlam - whatever it was - was something quite nasty, just by the way his voice dripped disdain! Marley's speeches, "Mankind was my 'busi-ness, their common welfare was my busi-ness" (probably not exact) was unforgettably freaky and of course, the undertaker's resigned, "I always know", . The cheeky little boy Scrooge convinces to go to the butcher's and have the goose sent. is adorable, "The one as big as me?" And Scrooge is so perfect as he asides, "Enchanting boy, remarkable boy!"
And the best lines, of course, ARE Scrooge's, especially the whole "I don't know anything, I never did know anything...", and to Bob the next day, "...Which leaves me no alternative.....But to RAISE YOUR SALARY!" But my favorite is his line to Fred's wife, "Can you forgive a pig-headed old fool with no eyes to see with, no ears to hear with, all these years?" And the actress is so lovely as she kisses his cheeks and accepts his apology.
Oh, how I want to see this again - right NOW!
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Again, I feel a British actor is whats best here - although for Americans, Barrymore would have tackled the accent issue with his own pefect manner of speech. Robards, a wonderful actor - but again, it would be about the accent.
An older Richard Burton? Connery? Why not? Donald Duck's uncle played him - and HE was a Scot! Or even David MaCallum.
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Good question! Excellent, in fact. And last year was the first year that I recall that this was the case. (I have it on VHS - home recorded from several years back, probably the one FOX used to run, with Patrick McGoohan as 'host'), trouble is, we've moved and can't find 2 boxes of videos!
Actually, someone began a thread in early December, asking, who is everyones' favorite Scrooge - informally, Alastair Sim won by a landslide - as well he should! That version, from 1951, for me, is the ONLY version. I watched a little of the Finney version lasdt night, and why fFnney saw fit to play him as a maniacal half-wit is beyond me. It was nearly as bad a performance, imho, as the Patrick Stewart. And since both men are fine actors, it is really inexplicable.
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Please forgive 'aside' - Extremely fitting that my film I had in mind, 'Frequency' would be answered by 'hamradio'!
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'The Birdcage"
nw: matricide
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Shelly Duval was in "Three Women", with JANIS PAIGE
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I shall have to type very fast,( and for a typer as slow as I am - I don't even warrant being termed a 'typIST - thats asking the impossible!) as the Finney version repeats shortly and I have never seen it, and would like to.
THAT said, and I will certainly view it without prejudice - I adore Finney - EXCEPT when he attempts to play admittedly cool characters who are a). far older than his actual age at the time, and b.) physically less attraciive character roles.. I refer to his embarassingly silly (imho) portrayal of Hercule Poirot, in 'Murder on the Orient Express' - about 5 years AFTER this appearance as Scrooge. - also an older and far and away NOT the handsome thirty-something I believe Finney himself was at the time. So.. we shall see, bit I do look forward to it.
As for Scott, I am sorry, I am a bit of a purist and feel that such an essentially English story should feature English actors,( with genuine accents.) I can hardly think of a single American actor who does a decent English accent, and I include Scott in this, although he is one of the very best American actors we have had. I had to turn off the Patrick Stewart version the other night, as I guess the verdict (allowing still for Finney) is that I am a "Scrooge' purist, as well.
Alastair Sim - no 's' at the end - was, is, and shall EVER be Ebenezer Scrooge to me. I grew up with this version - it was REQUIRED Christmas Eve viewing in our house (my parents both knew every line, now my 5 siblings and I do, and the tradition is continuing as half of us are now parents ourselves). Sim is also joined in this incomperable film by an amazing troop of English actors, and while I do not know their names, those who know this version well, I think, will agree that Jacob Marley is delightfully terrifying, dotty Mrs. Dilber, utterly deserving of the kiss Ebeneezer bestows upon her on the staircase, the Cratchit family perfect to a man (or a Tiny Tim), Fred and his wife, the picture of grace and Victorian youthfulness. And with the lovely aire, 'Barbara Allen' being sung inside, it is the quiet moment when, after the metamorphosed Scrooge arrives at his nephew's home on Christmas night, his timidity is dispelled by the sweet, encouraging nod of the maid, and he is then able to complete his re-birth into Life. (Thats the one that always gets to me)
ABC Family has rerun several of the half hour and hour Christmas specials from the 60's & 70's, generally airing them between 7 and 9pm, including 'Mickey's Christmas Carol.' .
Is there a reason TCM - or FOX, which used to - won't show this beautiful version, from 1951?
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Wow, - it sounds like a good one! The" I'm the only one who knows who the monster is and nobody believes me', is a common and very effective theme. And 'Night of the Hunter, which you mentioned, uses it to a great extent, its used somewhat in "Needful Things" - except its the sheriff who knows, not an innocent child.
You say you were four. Was there an adult or older child watching with you you could ask? (Although you've no doubt covered that ground) I wish I could help you, it is frustrating to try and find out somethat like that. I have a similar problem, concerning a fantastic book I read in the mid 90's, that I have been dying to reread, which I could SWEAR was called, "MINE", and I could SWEAR was written by Richard North Patterson. Except that Patterson never wrote a book by that title - and neither has anyone else. Frustrating indeed!
I hope someone here can help you out! Best of luck identifying your film.
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Absinthe - 'Eurotrip' nw: Northern Lights
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Rachel Ward was in 'Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid', with Steve Martin
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I don't offhand, sorry, but theres a movie that I THINK has the VO narrator at the beginning, (not sure about the sax, but I know where you're coming from with this!) I any case, its the one where the mother of a baby gets out of bed to see to him and says something in VO like, 'I know that there are 7 o'clock babies and there are 8 o'clock babies, why do YOU have to be a 6 o'clock baby' wish I could recall the name. And then there is another film - and they show quite a few moments from it in the B&W, TCM ''Up All Night' piece, that ends with the coffee shop scene - that I am pretty sure has a narration, as well
I sure hope others post responses that are far more helpful and informative. So sorry, I couldn't have been more helpful to you.
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"Oh good grief! - ?
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In answer to your question I will say, when the newbie didn't know there was a two-word limit. Plus, and while I know it isn't really germaine, I was thinking specifically of the 'Dirty Harry' movie where Clint is being chased by the remote control CAR - just plain remote control wouldn't have been enough, I didn't think, to let anyone actually guess the film I had in mind. But I am sorry for the breech in the rules.
razor - 'Castaway'
nw: barbeque
Sorry, didn't see Rainingviolets post
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Samuel L. Jackson was in "The Long Kiss Goodnight" with Tom Amandeus
Message was edited by: Pia
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fixin, I haven't watched the TCM Rmembers in a couple of days, b ut I thought I DID see Estelle Getty. Did I dream her? Now I have to watch the youtube link!
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"The Client" (?)
nw: remote control car
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Oh! Thank you for posting that, you are so very welcome - I am so glad you enjoyed them! Being the eldest, I have heard my mother tell these two anecdotes many, many times.- usually together, so thats why I included the one about her waiting on Joanne, Nell, etc. Originally, my thought was just to offer the Paul Neman 'story' in honor of his recent passing and everyone who loves TCM knowing that he would, in fact, most likely round out the piece.
I am such a fan of Hollywood from its beginnings, and although I can't remember ever not knowing who Paul Newman was, and as handsome as he was when he was younger, I somehow feel an affinity for his character Sully, in 'Nobody's Fool'.. I could watch that film again and again.
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Jeff Bridges was in 'The Fisher King", with Amanda Plummer
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Boris Karloff was in 'Targets' with Peter Bogdonavitch (who also wrote and directed - I THINK)
Message was edited by: Pia
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Cleopatra
(I think your 'Spy' Came In From the Cold)
NW - Mass transit
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I just saw it (the early bird catching worms? No - I have a 10 month old!!). And to echo another poster, I also knew Paul Newman would be last, but I was still reacting to Van Johnson - the news of his passing I had somehow missed.
Personal anecdotes here;
My parents both grew up in tony Fairfield County, CT, and as a teen, their HS crowd used to go to Westport after school, which I suppose was a lot more 'hip' & exciting than their own smaller town. One very late afternoon near Christmas, in the boutique section of a turn of the century-style "emporium" called, "Ye Olde Ice Cream Parlor", my mom was crouched in front of a case of 'hippie' jewelry. As she stood to go, and went to turn, she realized someone was standing directly behind her, quite close - she figured whoever it was hadn't noticed her. She turned and faced a man's sweater. Slowly, her gaze lifted - and stopped at what she says really were the most incredible blue eyes ever! Of course, it was Paul Newman. "O- Hi" she said. He glanced down at her (he was TALL!) "Hi".he said to her - but didn't move. "Sorry". said my mom, and as Newman stepped aside, she says she mumbled, "Thank you, Mr. Newman" To which he replied, "Yup . She's not sure why she thanked him - maybe for letting a 15-year old girl have a really cool story to tell for YEARS after. Probably, cause here I am, second generation! Not the most amazing 'I met a star' story ever, but ...Paul Newman, come on!.
Then, several years later, my mom was waitressing there, in the restuarant section. On a Sunday in early spring, the lunch shift was slow starting and she was working by herself on the floor. A woman and several children sat down at her largest table - and right away my mom saw that it was Joanne Woodward with her kids. (no Paul that time) She took thier orders, and turned them into the kitchen. But just at that moment, my mother received a phonecall from an uncle saying that her much adored grandfather had just died, having suffered a herart attack in church. Trying very hard not to cry, mom still had to serve the Newmans their food. Joanne Woodward noticed that their previously cheery waitress was now subdued and shaky and asked my mom if everything was all right. Well,that did it, I guess because my mom broke down a little & quietly stated what had happened. Joanne was super sweet & very sympathetic. Not only did she leave my mom a 50 dollar bill as a tip (on what was then, in 1970, probably a $20.00 check) but on their way out, she told the boss what a wonderful, pretty waitress they had had!
Thanks for letting me share my own nostalgia..
Joe Henry, as in 2005, I believe, has had yet another of his haunting and beautiful songs chosen as the' TCM Rmembers 'them, and even though I was already familiar with the song, the entire piece did not fail to move me, as ever.
Pia
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I have to disagree with you on Meeker's Hammer being thoroughly rotten "scum", in Kiss Me Deadly. At least he is trying to find out why Cloris was so scared - and who wanted to hurt her - and why. Like any good detective - even when not being compensated - he is like a dog with a bone, trying to get to the core of the mystery. He won't leave the beach house until he finds Velma and can save her, yes?
And come on - could he truly be all bad if good-hearted Nick, the mechanic, calls him a friend?
PS. I'll watch that film again and again, just to hear that box's ungodly howling!
TCM Remembers 2008/Deaths of 2008
in General Discussions
Posted
kim, happy to see that you gave yackety a clue, even tho he says he won't be listening to our responses - HAH, we know he's hanging onto every word( he's yackety, all right, and yet, I'll always think of him as 'Mr. Whine, and not fondly).
I just tried to really listen - as he so clearly didn't - to Joe Henry's lyrics, and just from that, the song to me seems actually Life-affirming, although we humans are imperfect - as our most precious memories may also be - God not only loves and accepts us as we are,( "God only knows. that we mean well - its only that we don't know how"), he allows us the ultimate gift of coming FULLY to the knowledge of all that Life is, as we are leaving it ("The best of life is beautiful, when its seen in full retreat"). which, for me, relates wonderfully well, to these 'final' glimpses of these talented, beautiful beings. Henry's final lyrics is something also hopeful, "I'll try to be your light in love and pray that its enough for now, pray that its enough for now........:", as it speaks to me as a kind of an oath or promise of aspiring to excellence, of trying to be the best one can be, trying to give well, to love and live well. These people certainly shared themselves, their talents, shared their art, and tried, I am sure, to give well. and to live well, too.
I loved this song (and also the Joe Henry song, "Flesh and Blood', that TCM Remembers featured in 2005) before I saw this year's piece, and feel it was just as well-chosen. It is the mood of the song, as well as the lyrics, that companion so perfectly with the fleeting faces of these wonderful, gifted people we will miss.
Message was edited by: Pia