The Annual FrankGrimes Torture Thread

[JackFavell]

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

 

There is a lyricism without being overthought. It was quite natural and there was often an elegant melancholy to them,

 

That was elegantly put, mr. movieman, sir! And very true. Nothing forced or phony about their prose. It's very intimate.

 

>Shelby Foote was my favorite historian on the program. He has a down to earth conversational quality that teaches without the sense of lecture. My brother was so impressed he bought Foot's Civil War collection. By contrast James MacPherson has an amazing incredibly detailed book on the war but while fine as a commentator he is no Shelby Foote.

 

MavPherson is the the first one I read, in college maybe or high school? But man he's dry. Foote is anything but dry.

 

I had no idea Shelby Foote was also in the Baseball documentary. I admit that one lost me after the first episode when it was on. Maybe I will give it a try if I can stream it. I also missed Jazz, which would have appealed to me, because I love jazz music, especially the early stuff.

[JackFavell]

> {quote:title=FrankGrimes wrote:}{quote}*You remind me of the teacher in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.*

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> I hope it's the good teacher! As a dreamer, I know how self-destructive it can be.

 

Of course I meant the good teacher!

 

> A hider can be anything. I'm on the shy side until I feel comfortable with someone. But I can be comfortable with someone and still not let them in.

 

Yes, and this is a problem. I can do that too. It depends on the person I'm with. If they are kind and willing to tolerate differences, then I can let them in, although if I'm depressed, I don't let anyone in, no matter what, not till after it's over. This is the exact wrong behavior! That's when you should reach out for help. But I don't. Maybe I should make a resolution to let Andrew in when I feel really deeply blue. I usually do but it's always on the upswing. I think if I had friends like you guys around here, I would be a more open person. The CT. mindset is very harsh, much much harsher and more driven than the midwest. It's also much more closed off and judgmental than I was used to when I was growing up. It's really not a fluke that all the classic movies set in CT. are about closed-mindedness.

 

> Age does that to is, does it not? We'd love to have our looks of the past, even if we didn't like them at the time. I feel we all possess some vanity. I'm very self-conscious.

 

I waver back and forth. Just when I feel good enough to not be too self conscious, something happens to make me aware of myself again, and not in a good way. In some ways I was more self conscious as a young person, and in some ways I was less.

 

Are you self conscious about your body or is it about your words or social interaction?

 

> And I'd probably love your mom because of all of that. I like beautiful women/pretty girls, but I don't like the ones who think of themselves as beautiful/pretty. Those are the tough ones to please.

 

My mom was a wonderful person. Always willing to listen to someone's problems. She was a quiet beauty with a lot of class. She had a lot of sorrow in her life, but she never ever complained. I don't know where I came from!

 

> Selfishness guarantees unkindness. Blanche's pride can be too much for me. I love that she's delicate and needs to be protected, but that pride is worrisome. I feel she values herself too much, even though I know so much of it is a charade.

 

Maybe that's my problem, I am selfish.

 

>I'm used to snippy!

 

You like being snipped at!

 

 

> And I've got a bad feeling about them!

 

That's funny. You really are a Jeff. It's great that a movie can play to both our personalities.

 

> Oh, yes... the real world. Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Once again, we are similar. I do like to gossip and want to analyze people, but I also love my escapes.

 

I think I've caught a little of that CT. closeness, keeping your cards to yourself kind of thing. But I still hate the close-minded intolerance. It's rare for someone around here not to show their prejudice in a conversation. This is why I tend to not reveal my extremely liberal self, although even a liberal person politically can be a terrible snob around here. I miss having an artistic pursuit. One good thing about most artists, they are rarely prejudiced, unless it's against normals. They have their own set of faults which are bad enough, but prejudice isn't one of them.

 

> Awesome questions! And guess again! I'm very similar to "Jeff" (James Stewart), negativity and all. I think just as he does with relationships. I focus on all the reasons why a relationship will never work. And just like "Jeff," I do this while being completely in love with the woman. You just know "Jeff" is crazy about Lisa Carol (Grace Kelly). But he's right, the two of them are very different. She doesn't care, though. Will she care in time? That's always the question. "Jeff" will always gripe and grumble. If Lisa Carol continues to beam and fuss over him, their relationship would be fine.

 

The grumbling and negativity is a cover for insecurity, a plea for love really.

 

> I'm going to watch this and eventually reply to your post in "Rambles." I'm a sucker for unrequited love.

 

Oh boy. It's still a movie from 1915, it's not subtle. Well, actually for the time period, it is.But not compared to what we see now. I hope you'll like the message. Even if you don't like it much, there will be things in it that are captivating. The milieu is really first rate, a very realistic background, as is usual for Walsh.

 

>

 

Oh I laughed hard at that! SO you are gaslighting us! It all becomes clear now....

 

 

> It just seems like the "rah rah" kind of war films are bland and treat us as brain-washed children. I get nothing out of that.

 

Yes, I guess that's what I dislike too, when the message is designed to make us blandly march in step. Never was a good goose stepper...I'm too weird. And that intolerance thing... I don't care if you are at war, there is something unseemly and horrible about racial hatred and ethnocentricity.

 

 

> I probably won't be getting to *Back to Bataan* for a month or so. I've got two more 50s flicks for Duke before I reach the 40s.

 

Whew! Off the hook. Thanks.

 

> Wow! You watched it all? That's impressive. I've been trying to get through Burns' "Baseball," but I just haven't found the needed momentum to get through it all. My focus has been on film.

 

 

Like I said, I missed the second or 3rd episode and never got back to this one. I always meant to watch it. Now I know Shelby's in it, maybe I can get into it. He's fine. I have a little crush, though he's gone now.

 

The Civil War doc is not as long as Baseball or Jazz, I think. And it goes very very quickly, it's so fascinating. I never felt like, "Oh cmon, just get on with it. In fact when it was over I was sad.

 

> I know of him because of "Baseball." He's very "southern."

 

He seems such a gentleman. Not too many of those left.

 

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Aww, I can hear his sly chuckle. He gets a sparkle in his eye. I like his humor.

 

> The opening of the film lets you know right away that you're in the world of "pre-code." Then I liked Sally's (Claudette Colbert) journey from there. It was until the last act that I just didn't go for the film anymore.

 

I agree, though I think that part was very well done. It just didn't appeal to me as much as the first part.

 

> It was rather "easy." But, ironically, it ends up being accurate because the "Code" really did behave like those in the film.

 

Ha1 That's true! Easy, that's what bothered me about it. some of it was too easy... a mite manipulative of the audience. Not that other precodes aren't, I just felt the strings a little too much in this one. Not to take away from it's merits, and CC's fine performance. And it did have Ricardo Cortez, who I love, especially in this kind of role.

 

 

> You are! You're someone who places a great deal of value on personal freedom and I feel you attach such a value with the loose women.

 

I do, and I place a high value on humanity. Everyone has thoughts and feelings, it doesn't matter where you come from or what you've done. even the most heinous criminal has a soul of some kind. The problems start when people look down their noses at or try to control or destroy someone else's beliefs. It spawns retaliation. So I totally believe in a very open society.

 

> He's one of the most stylish directors of all. And for him to combine such rich emotion with mesmerizing visuals makes his films works of art. I have great appreciation for him.

 

Me too. Do you think he just read these stories and saw how to film them in his mind's eye as he was reading? Or do you think he painstakingly worked out how to show emotion through fluidity? It's a question that I'd love to ask him. This is when I get totally frustrated with classic film. No one asks the directors or actors the questions I would have liked to ask. They still don't even today. An interview is all about "was your co-star a good kisser?" Ugh.

 

> That is weird!

 

Believe me I know! See, now you won't like me cause I'm a nerd at heart.

 

> I highly doubt that! And we men are stupid. We can love our wife but wish for the other thing from someone we don't care about. It can be a powerful urge.

 

That's true. Again, perhaps I'm too open minded for my own good. Of course, if this happened in real life, it would be a different story.

 

> I also loved the wife in "Le Masque."

 

She really was what the story was about, even though she was only in it at the end. She may have seemed old and haggard, with taking care of him, but she had a fine understanding. Sad that she got all the drudgery of marriage and none of the fun. But she didn't ask for more, and there's no greater love than that. She's the Charles of the marriage.

 

> The only other time I've seen Jean Servais is *The Longest Day*, and I can't remember him. *Rififi* is the film he's probably best known for. I've yet to watch it. I'm due to watch it, too. I'm a fan of Jules Dassin.

 

Ah that's where I know him from. I still haven't seen the whole movie. I think I recorded it sometime back. I like Dassin too. I like his black humor, and his style.

 

> Evidently they had the set built for the other story, which was to be "Paul's Mistress."

 

 

Oh I don't know that one. I'll have to look it up in my collection. I almost wish I didn't know that he was going to pick another... it makes you wish he'd been able to do it. What a loss for us.

 

> He flipped the switch on her. She went from being the center of his life to being the bane of his existence.

 

 

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There's an novelist named Milan Kundera who says that shared sleep is more important than sex.

 

> I do think life is about happiness. Where our failures start to mount is when we lose sight of real happiness in favor of the fleeting. What is real happiness? I feel it's spending time with those you love and care about. What do you with that time? That's where it gets tricky.

 

Maybe it's being open to the fullest extent with the ones you love.

[movieman1957]

I haven't seen "Baseball" or "Jazz." I have seen the one on the Brooklyn Bridge and "National Parks." I just recently started the WWII series. So far the stories are fascinating. I marvel at what seemingly ordinary people did. What becomes evident is that they were extraordinary people doing things in an awful time.

 

I can't imagine doing the things they did.

[JackFavell]

I've seen The Brooklyn Bridge, Frank Lloyd Wright, Jack Johnson, Empire of the Air and Lewis and Clark.

 

I can't imagine doing what they did either. It seems so completely of another time, a stronger generation.

[MissGoddess]

all the talk (and screencaps) of Shelby Foote sure makes me want to see those documentaries. I never saw any except "Civil War". I want to (well, maybe not "Baseball"). I can imagine Foote having been friends with Will Rogers if they'd been the same generation.

 

I guess the jig is up! Frank's caught on to our "gas-lighting" him about movies he's watched.

[MissGoddess]

> *Blond Cheat* sounds interesting. Well, just because Joan Fontaine being described as "playful" intrigues me. *Child Bride* is an exploitation film, hence its interest. I'm surprised to see *Five of a Kind* ranking as highly.

>

 

It's Imdb.com. They're a weird bunch and I don't always agree with their "rankings".

[JackFavell]

Ha! If we work together we can drive him nuts! Not that we don't already....

 

I could see Shelby Foote and Will being friends, I think they both share a love of those oddball characters who crop up in life every once in a while, and a sense of the absurdity of everyday life. I think we forget in our desire to be homogenous in our day and age, that there is particular charm in the folks who are products of their regions.

 

I tried watching the baseball one today, and despite a love of the game it was a bit slow moving for me. I want them to get on with it! And they keep talking about the game being leisurely, with moments of lightning speed...get on with the lightning please!

[hlywdkjk]

Just have to let everyone know that ButterScotchGreer was a "hit" on TCM last evening on TCM. Her videoblog of the Journey to Hollywood was a fun prelude to her being interviewed by Ben Mankeiwicz.

 

And she thoughtfully spoke of her friends from the Message Boards here who have been her Classic Film Companions since she was 16.

 

I hope everyone caught it.

[JackFavell]

I didn't know she was going to be on! I'[m so disappointed I missed it.

 

Hope you're having fun out there scotchie !! I know you are.

[MissGoddess]

I only found out about it yesterday through her Facebook page and set my DVR to record it (I was asleep when she came on---my DVR has been dodgy lately so I will be really MAD if it didn't work). I haven't had time to view it yet but will as soon as I get home.

 

I know she charmed Ben and hopefully the segment will air again in the coming days so stay tuned!

[JackFavell]

I only stayed up through the beginning of Bite the Bullet, I'm sorry to say. I just couldn't make it any longer. Wish I'd seen her! I'll keep a weather eye out for her in upcoming segments.

[FrankGrimes]

*Just have to let everyone know that ButterScotchGreer was a "hit" on TCM last evening on TCM.*

 

Did you say she hit everyone at TCM last evening? Oh, wait. No, that's Snippy.

 

*Her videoblog of the Journey to Hollywood was a fun prelude to her being interviewed by Ben Mankeiwicz.*

 

I was not expecting to see her interviewed by Ben! She did great! My favorite part was what she and then Ben said about her hug for him. Classic Ben. And classic Sweet T, too.

 

*And she thoughtfully spoke of her friends from the Message Boards here who have been her Classic Film Companions since she was 16.*

 

You must of boozed her up the moment she landed, Kylefornia!

 

*I hope everyone caught it.*

 

It really captured BitterSourGreer. Her pouting, her snobbery, her strangling, her annoying Greerness. I wonder if Ben will need a vacation just as Robert did after Miss G slapped him. Twice! You would think TCM would learn to avoid giving girls from Texas any airtime!

[MissGoddess]

oh brother! we would have to hear from the peanut gallery!

 

> It really captured BitterSourGreer. Her pouting, her snobbery, her strangling, her annoying Greerness. I wonder if Ben will need a vacation just as Robert did after Miss G slapped him. Twice! You would think TCM would learn to avoid giving girls from Texas any airtime!

>

 

don't let Sue-Sue hear that!

[FrankGrimes]

*oh brother! we would have to hear from the peanut gallery!*

 

Poor Jackie!

 

 

 

*don't let Sue-Sue hear that! *

 

I know! The channel will officially collapse if yet another Texan woman sits down with Robert and Ben! Or maybe she gives us hope for Texan women. They can't all be snobs, can they?

[MissGoddess]

> {quote:title=FrankGrimes wrote:}{quote}*oh brother! we would have to hear from the peanut gallery!*

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> Poor Jackie!

>

 

she knows i don't mean her or anyone else but you!

 

 

> I know! The channel will officially collapse if yet another Texan woman sits down with Robert and Ben! Or maybe she gives us hope for Texan women. They can't all be snobs, can they?

>

 

texans haven't forgotten how to use a rope, you know.

[JackFavell]

Hey now, some of us who live up north now still know how to string up a rope.... don't be dissing no Texicans!

[FrankGrimes]

*she knows i don't mean her or anyone else but you!*

 

How would she know such a thing?!

 

 

 

*texans haven't forgotten how to use a rope, you know.*

 

So that's what remember the Alamo means! Straight to the violence! Robert Osborne is probably having flashbacks of terror, right this minute!

[FrankGrimes]

*Hey now, some of us who live up north now still know how to string up a rope.... don't be dissing no Texicans!*

 

But if the women are looking to dress like Loretta Young, I say let the Mexicans have it!

[JackFavell]

You are really getting near Ox Bow aren't you?

[FrankGrimes]

*You are really getting near Ox Bow aren't you?*

 

Is that in Texas? I always thought that was in Missouri.

[JackFavell]

Close enough!

[rohanaka]

 

I always thought that was in Missouri

 

 

It IS in Missouri.. by way of Connecticut. In fact.. when it comes to rope swinging.. we can pretty much cover the entire continental United States if needbe. Nowhere to run to, Grey Dude.. nowhere to hide.

 

 

Meanwhile.. I TOTALLY missed out on seeing Baby T!!! But I bet she was terrific!! (All comments from the Grey Peanut Gallery notwithstanding)

 

 

[MissGoddess]

If you missed her interview with Ben, you can catch Miss Butterscotch on the Red Carpet (brilliant!) tonight in the segment airing just before TCM's 8:00 p.m. showing of *The Great Lie*.

 

I thought you _great_, ButterT, in your interview with Ben!!! In fact, you actually seem like you've been doing this all your life! I know your family must be so proud. I thought the video-log was charming and you really are a natural on camera. I think TCM has found a new "regular"....hmmm.???

 

Edited by: MissGoddess on Apr 26, 2013 6:11 PM

[hlywdkjk]

*"Meanwhile.. I TOTALLY missed out on seeing Baby T!"* - rohanaka

 

TCM, in their infinite wisdom, has posted BSG's / "BabyT's" appearance on TCM on the Classic Film Festival Website.

You can view it here -

http://filmfestival.tcm.com/about/video-gallery.php

Scroll down to Friday's Videos and select Theresa Madere.

 

"Enjoy!" -- all you "awesome Message Board friends" of ButterScotchGreer.

 

Edited by: hlywdkjk on Apr 26, 2013 3:17 PM

[hlywdkjk]

*"you can catch Miss Butterscotch on the Red Carpet (brilliant!) tonight..."* - MissG

 

Cool. I gotta get a look at this green ball gown.