The Annual FrankGrimes Torture Thread

[MissGoddess]

> I believe that's the only time I have seen Benny except for clips. So you're just starting to get to know Benny? YouTube and Antenna are new dealies.

>

 

I discovered how much I liked his program probably a few years ago, with YouTube and I rented some DVDs of the show. He was a really special entertainer, the kind they don't make anymore. I think Cosby gets a lot of his trademark reactions from Jack. Almost every comic does.

 

 

> That's a really good one! I don't know if Robert Osborne would enjoy talking about the couples or not.

>

 

I bet he would. It would be something different. There's the movies that Lucy and Desi did. Robert knew Lucy. And Bette and Gary Merrill; he knew Bette.

[MissGoddess]

> {quote:title=movieman1957 wrote:}{quote}Hi April:

>

> I have seven podcasts I subscribe to (old radio comedy and classical music) and I sure don't have time. In the collections I haven't downloaded all of them yet. One night I hit sync by accident and now those download and I have over 300 on my computer and probably another 50 that would show up if I downloaded all of them. I doubt I'll live long enough to listen to them all.

 

lol! you could have radio show marathons for days...

 

have you ever listened to any of the western shows like "gunsmoke" when it had william conrad?

 

i even like listening to the commercials from those days.

[MissGoddess]

> {quote:title=SansFin wrote:}{quote}

> It did not end in the 1950s. I met Capuchin in 1972. I wore my best as did he on our first date. We watched *How To Steal a Million* and we both laughed in the same places and pressed against each other when they were in the closet. The next day we snuck out of our assignments and went to see *The Ex-Mrs. Bradford* at a little theatre he had found. The movie had been dubbed into Hindi and it had Arabic subtitles. We both knew the movie well and so we enjoyed it.

>

 

What a lovely memory, SansFin! Thank you for sharing that. I know it must have been wonderful. And what great movies to have seen on the big screen!

 

> I am sure the experience would not have been as rich or as significant for us if the movies had been deeply meaningful masterpieces.

 

You know, you are probably right.

[MissGoddess]

> {quote:title=JackFavell wrote:}{quote}MissG - I just realized from the photo you posted that I've seen *Tycoon* before. I must be losing it, I can't remember titles anymore. I enjoyed it very much, but maybe it's one of those that only works once, the first time you see it? It's definitely not a masterpiece... but likable.

happens to me all the time. only now i'm insisting that other people are forgetting titles, lol.

 

i know you're a fan of laraine day, which is why i posted the photo! she

was very sweet as john wayne's sheltered latina sweetheart.

 

[FrankGrimes]

*I discovered how much I liked his program probably a few years ago, with YouTube and I rented some DVDs of the show. He was a really special entertainer, the kind they don't make anymore. I think Cosby gets a lot of his trademark reactions from Jack. Almost every comic does.*

 

I had no idea. I know of Jack Benny as a legend, but I've never really seen his schtick. I can certainly believe his influence.

 

*I bet he would. It would be something different. There's the movies that Lucy and Desi did. Robert knew Lucy. And Bette and Gary Merrill; he knew Bette.*

 

Those are interesting choices. Any that are "off the beaten path"?

[movieman1957]

*have you ever listened to any of the western shows like "gunsmoke" when it had william conrad?*

 

Not too often. Years ago I got a collection of cassette tapes that had 20 or 25 hours of radio programs that had dramas and westerns and things but I didn't like those as much. I still have a tape player so if I ever get around to it I can go again.

 

Some of the Benny shows would work the Jello commercials right into the story. Burns and Allen did it on their TV show and at times were even more subtle about it. Now the cigarette commercials are among the most interesting. They all pushed good flavor but some (Phillip Morris particularly) touted that they were "less irritating" than other brands. Well. yippee!!

[MissGoddess]

> Those are interesting choices. Any that are "off the beaten path"?

 

i can't think of any offhand. maybe joel mcrea and frances dee in *four faces west*.

[FrankGrimes]

*i can't think of any offhand. maybe joel mcrea and frances dee in four faces west.*

 

That would qualify, for sure. That's not Bogie and Bacall.

[rohanaka]

 

how I liked the recent group of films

 

 

OH for Pizza sake.. ha. You really ARE a movie-watching machine!!! I am SO far behind NOW, I'll never catch up. (though I can 't even hope to comment on most of your last few lists.. I have seen even fewer on this one than I think I did on the last one... But am glad for the comments, screencaps and links.. that will be a fun read/watch.. when I do finally get to it) Of course by then, ha... you'll likely be 30 or 40 movies further down the road. (Mr. Movie Mania Man)

 

 

How I have liked John Wayne in the 50

 

 

Well.. I don't think we match up too well. I have seen most of these but would likely only remember about half of them well enough to rate.. But I would say we are pretty close at the beginning.. but then it goes all whacky if we try to match up to each other. ha. If it were my list (and of course we all know I DON"T make lists, ha.. but if I DID) I would have to flip one and two.. and then flip three and four too.. But first.. I would put Hondo in at number three.. so you'd have to flip four and five at the point.. because your 3 and 4 would move down to my 4 and 5) ha. And then move the rest down accordingly, ha.

 

 

OH.. except Island in the Sky would go way down.. probably where you have Hondo.. and maybe just above (or just below Wings of Eagles.. which would also go down. (Iknow April.. ha.. please forgive me) OH.. and move Blood Alley up.. way up, maybe under the Horse Soldiers. ha. (are you getting all this down??)

 

 

Don't think I have seen 8, 12, 16, or 17 (or if I have I don't remember them. And I KNOW I have not seen 13. (can't believe YOU did, ha)

 

 

OH.. and let me know what you think of 3 Faces West. I got to see it a while back when TCM showed it. I liked it pretty well.. though I can't say it was a huge fave. I did enjoy the story.. and it has some pretty good moments.. just getting to see John Wayne making bread was a treat.. ha. I had no idea he was so multifaceted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[FrankGrimes]

*OH for Pizza sake.. ha. You really ARE a movie-watching machine!!! :DI am SO far behind NOW, I'll never catch up. (though I can 't even hope to comment on most of your last few lists.. I have seen even fewer on this one than I think I did on the last one... But am glad for the comments, screencaps and links.. that will be a fun read/watch.. when I do finally get to it) Of course by then, ha... you'll likely be 30 or 40 movies further down the road. (Mr. Movie Mania Man) *

 

I actually haven't started the next group just yet. I haven't watched a "new" film all week. It's been a while since that has happened.

 

 

*Well.. I don't think we match up too well. I have seen most of these but would likely only remember about half of them well enough to rate.. But I would say we are pretty close at the beginning.. but then it goes all whacky if we try to match up to each other. ha. If it were my list (and of course we all know I DON"T make lists, ha.. but if I DID) I would have to flip one and two.. and then flip three and four too.. But first.. I would put Hondo in at number three.. so you'd have to flip four and five at the point.. because your 3 and 4 would move down to my 4 and 5) ha. And then move the rest down accordingly, ha.*

 

 

 

*OH.. except Island in the Sky would go way down.. probably where you have Hondo.. and maybe just above (or just below Wings of Eagles.. which would also go down. (Iknow April.. ha.. please forgive me) :)OH.. and move Blood Alley up.. way up, maybe under the Horse Soldiers. ha. (are you getting all this down??) *

 

 

 

< <strong>Don't think I have seen 8, 12, 16, or 17 (or if I have I don't remember them. And I KNOW I have not seen 13. (can't believe YOU did, ha)*

 

 

I own all of these films, silly! *The Conqueror* is in a collection.

 

 

You're right, your *Hondo* is my *Island in the Sky*. You love *Blood Alley* and Miss G loves *The Sea Chase*. I didn't like either of them. I'm sure I like *Legend of the Lost* more than most.

 

*OH.. and let me know what you think of 3 Faces West. I got to see it a while back when TCM showed it. I liked it pretty well.. though I can't say it was a huge fave. I did enjoy the story.. and it has some pretty good moments.. just getting to see John Wayne making bread was a treat.. ha. I had no idea he was so multifaceted. *

 

Does the woman tell him that it smells like he's been baking all day?

[FrankGrimes]

*I swear you saw Trouble Along the Way already....I remember a discussion of it.*

 

No, I haven't. Quiet Gal recommended it to me a little while ago, but I didn't get to it yet. Maybe you are thinking of *Without Reservations*, which I did watch and discuss. Movieman likes that one. I wasn't fond of it.

 

Now you're not going to keeping demanding I saw it like Snippy, are you?

 

*You should watch the ones movieman says are awful before you watch the war movies... then Back to Bataan and The Fighting Seabees will seem brilliant! *

 

You're probably right about that! War films usually have a decent shot with me because I always expect to not like them.

 

 

*I realized after reading your posts that I watched Devil at Four O'Clock just a little while ago. Sometimes a movie's title doesn't register with me. It's a tough film to sit through... I don't know why, but it's very slow moving in some ways. The plot is interesting, the actors are good and fit their roles well, the setting is good, so why doesn't it work? I think it's the pacing. It just gets deadly after a while. I loved the idea of the story.*

 

 

That's a good description of the film and its feel.

 

*Actually, Ricardo did the hand holding and Manners was the use and abuse one. It was a nice twist, giving Ricardo a wonderful exit, and Manners a little more intensity.*

 

Yes, you've got it.

 

 

*Frank, I liked Torch Singer, but didn't love it. It felt a bit forced, and the direction was stodgy. The idea that the mere mention of "torch singing' made everyone pale struck me as pretty funny. However, Claudette was sensational, I really liked Ricardo's sweetness under the caddish exterior, and there were a couple of really great lines in the script. Due to weak direction and those meh songs, it just didn't add up to much. But I'm glad I saw it. Colbert was really good. If you like her naughty, as she was in this one, you'll like her in Cleopatra more.*

 

Now that you mention your issues with *Torch Singer*, I understand how it could fall short with you. The happy ending also changes the feel of the film, too. The "mother" films you usually like the most have tougher endings.

 

 

 

 

 

*Frank, I also finally watched Le Plaisir.... and it was everything I'd hoped it would be. Its spectacular mise en scene made me dizzy. Sheer heaven to watch.*

 

 

I thought you, more than most anyone else, would go for that. All of the shots from the "outside" are just fantastic. Some of the dolly shots in the film are breathtaking, particularly in the final story. It's a film where the camera truly is a performer.

 

*My favorite was the Simone Simon story, but all were interesting.*

 

I figured that would be your favorite, but I thought you'd also like the other stories, too. I knew you'd appreciate the middle one.

 

*The mid section in the country was charming witty and sad.*

 

Precisely. It really captures so many feelings for these young ladies. There's a freedom with them all.

 

*I liked the way the entire crowd assembled in the church for the children caught Rosa's emotion.*

 

It's a lovely moment. To see these girls with "normal" feelings goes against the stereotype. The story is a much different kind of "*Stage Door*."

 

So what else struck you with the film?

[JackFavell]

> {quote:title=FrankGrimes wrote:}{quote}*I swear you saw Trouble Along the Way already....I remember a discussion of it.*

>

> No, I haven't. Quiet Gal recommended it to me a little while ago, but I didn't get to it yet. Maybe you are thinking of *Without Reservations*, which I did watch and discuss. Movieman likes that one. I wasn't fond of it.

 

Maybe it was movieman who saw it or Molo? I distinctly remember you watching it though.

 

> Now you're not going to keeping demanding I saw it like Snippy, are you?

 

Of course I am! I can't be wrong now can I?

 

 

> You're probably right about that! War films usually have a decent shot with me because I always expect to not like them.

 

They've been faring a lot better with me lately. Probably because I am running out of movies that interest me, or maybe I am just old enough to understand that war movies aren't always about war... like westerns they can delve into other situations, like racism or love or power. I'm actually reading the most interesting book right now about the Civil War, by Shelby Foote. He really captures the panache of all the different generals and commanders, their strengths and weaknesses. It's a pretty brilliant story of completely different individuals and what brings them down and what makes them stronger in battle than their opponent. It's not always brilliance or tactics that makes a man a leader, it can be something else, their spirit or fire, or often it's just a slow comfortable way of being with his men. It kind of reminds me sometimes of They Were Expendable, the war was a lot of sitting around waiting..

 

> Now that you mention your issues with *Torch Singer*, I understand how it could fall short with you. The happy ending also changes the feel of the film, too. The "mother" films you usually like the most have tougher endings.

 

I didn't mind the happy ending at all, it was done well. But for me the music and something about the initial concept didn't work. If she had been a prostitute it would have seemed less contrived. It felt like they were trying to do everything to keep her from looking like she was bad. Then suddenly she gets a job? So what if she's a torch singer? I know the times were different, but her numbers didn't seem racy enough to warrant the reaction they got. Also I think the direction was a little slow? maybe. I'm not sure. How did you like it?

 

> I thought you, more than most anyone else, would go for that. All of the shots from the "outside" are just fantastic. Some of the dolly shots in the film are breathtaking, particularly in the final story. It's a film where the camera truly is a performer.

 

Why me, in particular? I'm just curious. I've also recently read some de Maupassant stories. He's really brilliant at bringing out the true hypocritical nature of human beings, it's just the way we are. I swear, one of the stories I read was the basic idea of *Stagecoach* !

 

> I figured that would be your favorite, but I thought you'd also like the other stories, too. I knew you'd appreciate the middle one.

 

The middle one is really a masterpiece. There is so much in it, it makes you want to go back and watch it again right away. The way the girls bring life to the community, and pretty much any place they are.. they are the vitality that beauty and most of all openness can bring to a place. Their very real emotion and feelings and basic kindliness were contagious... the entire community actually benefited from their presence, no matter what community. I also liked the unspoken things between Rosa and the father, Gabin, that remained unspoken. Very nicely done.

 

> Precisely. It really captures so many feelings for these young ladies. There's a freedom with them all.

 

They don't even realize their effect on people, which is so radical.

 

> I liked the way the entire crowd assembled in the church for the children caught Rosa's emotion.

>

>

> *It's a lovely moment. To see these girls with "normal" feelings goes against the stereotype. The story is a much different kind of "*Stage Door*."*

 

 

That's very good, I never thought about that. To me it's the way Ophuls films emotion catching from one to another then all around the church, It's wonderful, I can't think of anyone else who could film something so ephemeral.

 

> So what else struck you with the film?

 

I was a bit confused by the first story. It didn't really seem to go anywhere, but then, does it have to? It's really just another riff on the theme of Pleasure. I loved the voice over by de Maupassant, who I thought was the artist friend in the last section of the film... was he? Or was the friend a different character altogether? I wasn't quite clear on that.

 

I guess what I liked best was the way that pleasure was portrayed as multifaceted - it is both fleeting and something more deeply meaningful to us than we realize. I wonder if Ophuls was making a statement about film-making itself through this movie? that the people who bring pleasure are important to society?There is also the hint that the seeking of pleasure can be dangerous to the soul, as in the first and last sections. What's your take on them? I'm especially curious about the last one, how does that relate to pleasure? Is pain a pleasure?

[JackFavell]

I love you guys talking about Jack Benny, for me he's the greatest of all. From what I've read, he was the kindest most generous man in comedy, if not show business. And yet, he got famous for being this stingy competitive jerk! I just adore him. He would give all the funny parts to his guests, and yet, all he had to do was turn and look at the camera, or pause if he was on radio, and you knew what he was thinking... so very funny. His shows are hilarious little anecdotes or allegories on human nature. I completely agree that most comedians use him as a jumping off place.

 

Another really obvious case of a comedian stealing from another through hero worship is Woody Allen, who stole Bob Hope's schtick and made it his own. Once I heard him talk about Hope with such reverence, how when he was starting out he emulated Hope in everything especially delivery, because he was shy. After I saw that interview, it was impossible not to see Hope all over Woody's work. even his inflections are the same!

[movieman1957]

Have you heard the story about what Benny did for Giselle McKenzie?

[Bronxgirl48]

>You didn't see the movie? As the title says, COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS. I once saw the first half and gave up, and I like the stars and the director. In other films.>

 

 

Ha! I feel the same way about THREE COINS IN THE FOUNTAIN.

[JackFavell]

No, I haven't.... please tell...you've got my interested piqued...

[movieman1957]

As I recall "Your Hit Parade" was looking for a new co host. Benny already had worked with her and thought she would be perfect for the show. He basically gave her a 30 minute showcase so they might see her. They did and hired her for that show.

[JackFavell]

That's a wonderful story! He was a sweet man. Thanks Chris, for adding that to the other things I've heard about Benny's kindness and generosity. That's what I'd like to emulate...

[JackFavell]

You guys didn't tell me that Ricardo Cortez directed Heaven with a Barbed Wire Fence! You pulled me in with Raymond Walburn, then sucker punched me with Ricardo...

[movieman1957]

*That's what I'd like to emulate.*

 

You do.

[JackFavell]

Awww. Thank you my friend. You choked me up again. :_| :x :x

 

[rohanaka]

Does the woman tell him that it smells like he's been baking all day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha.. SURE she does.. only she doesn't say she could "find him in the dark" because she is German..not "half-Indian"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh wait.. correction.. editing my post because she's Austrian, I think.. not German. ('cause you know.. accuracy matters. ha. I would not want an entire nation of people thinking I was impugning their sense of smell for the wrong reason.)

 

Edited by: rohanaka on Apr 13, 2013 9:41 PM

[MissGoddess]

what a nice story about Jack Benny, Chris!

 

i would like to see that woody allen interview where he talks about Bob. that sounds sweet. i loved it whenever bob and jack would guest on each other's shows. too much funny in one place!

 

[JackFavell]

Here's a part of it... I think it misses the part where he says how shy he was, and so he took on Hope's persona because at his first appearances, people told him his jokes were funny but he had no personality. They told him to get a particular persona and he'd have something. So he took Bob's.

 

 

 

I absolutely love it when other comedians guest star!

 

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CjcvG1jyUc

 

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsSfJ0B4tEI

 

There's a Burns and Allen show I have been dying to see again. I can't remember who the guest was, or even if they had a guest, but it was live, and one of the cast, I think the announcer friend, Harry Von Zell, walked completely around a wall that was supposed to be solid. This led to George going off script and ad libbing like crazy about it. It's probably the funniest show of theirs I've ever seen.

[movieman1957]

I thought I'd seen all the Burns and Allen there was to see. I don't remember that one. Some of theearly ones were done a theater stage and they made no attempt to hide it. At the end of the show George would walk out of the living room and onto the front part of the stage to say good bye. Later they had a more normal TV stage set.

 

Those shows were funny. I get some of their stuff on my itunes podcasts as well.