The Annual FrankGrimes Torture Thread

[Bronxgirl48]

>Hi Bronxie!! Wouldn't that be hilarious if he actually was playing Bridge at that time? Heehee! I could just picture it! I have not seen the 1990 version of Metropolitan? Is it super good!?>

 

 

 

 

Hey, Tea! I was reading up on Omar some time back, and found out he has degrees in mathematics and physics; maybe that's the reason he's such a whiz at bridge. I'm a stupe when it comes to that game; don't understand it at all! There are a lot of old (and not-so-old) movies that reference bridge -- in SUNSET BOULEVARD, Joe Gillis tries to get Norma's attention but she's in the middle of a good hand (I suppose) "Do you have to bother me now? I'm playing three no trump!" (not that I know what this means) And speaking of METROPOLITAN, the young elite Eastern Seaboard preppie crowd gets together in between their "after parties" to get some games going.

 

METROPOLITAN is the debut film of director Whit Stillman, who I'd never heard of before, but I instantly became a fan after seeing this movie. It's a deliciously, sly, quirky, witty, and poignant piece of social observation, with many memorable lines of dialogue. The film's main frame of reference is Jane Austen!

 

 

>Yay! I have some really good close ups of Tippi Hedron!>

 

Great! I'll bet she looks terrific.

 

 

>Yes!! I am a Deanna Durbin fan! I have most of her films and heard about it yesterday! They are all leaving me! Sooooo sad! Christmas Holiday was an interesting movie. I just saw it on youtube as well! Fancy that! Heehee! I'm interested in your opinion on it, once you see it. It's VERY...different. But sooo good at the same time!>

 

 

 

 

No sad songs for Deanna -- she had a wonderfully satisfying (and enviable!) private life living in a chateau in that French village with her family, and never looking back. She's still got a tremendous fan base.

I'm really looking forward to CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY and will report back here when I finally see it.

 

>I actually just interviewed a 90 (and a half) year old woman from England who came here in 1947. It's on a podcast with a few of my local friends. You can listen to it, if you wish, it is VERY fascinating with her recalling the war and everything! You might like it!

 

she also recalls her love of Deanna Durbin! She is the cutest, and most vivacious 90 year old i have ever met!>

 

 

Joan's a delight to listen to! I love the way the English used to say "the pictures". Very interesting to hear her personal stories; I enjoyed this very much, thanks.

[JamesJazGuitar]

Just got my weekly Time magazine and while they mention Durbin it is only about 15 words (e.g. George Jones gets multiple paragraphs and a picture).

 

I have to assume the main reason she is mostly forgotten (by the media general public) is that Durbin dropped out of the public spotlight over 60 years ago. When Shirley Temple dies I assume the media will give her a lot more attention. Note: While I know that Durbin is typically compared to Judy Garland more so than Temple, I only mention Temple because she had the type of fame that Durbin had as a young super star, and is still alive.

[FrankGrimes]

Bonjour, Jacqueline -- *Of course I meant the good teacher!*

 

You never know with me!

 

 

 

 

 

 

*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'm very similar to you with that. If I'm down, I rarely let people know. If I'm angry or frightened, I'll seek others. The one way to read my feelings is how chatty I am. If I'm talking a lot, I'm probably in a good mood and happy. If I'm less talkative, something is bothering me.

 

 

*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. *

 

 

There's a ton of self-importance found in the northeast. Lots of overvaluing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*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.*

 

 

I'd say most every woman is overly self-aware due to societal pressures. A woman is to look nice.

 

 

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

 

 

Most everything.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*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!*

 

 

She sounds very lovely. I like "quiet beauty." I tend to like chatty women... so long as what they are saying interests me. With a quiet woman, I'd attempt to bring her out of her shell.

 

 

*Maybe that's my problem, I am selfish.*

 

 

Without really knowing you, I'd say you're not selfish, only that you long to be selfish... sometimes. Dreamers fantasize about lives they wish they could lead... or so they think. There are lots of factors with dreamers. Lack of confidence, fear, self-hatred, repression, and laziness can all play a part with dreamers and their multitude of desires.

 

 

Do you see yourself as Blanche because you feel she is a delicate flower?

 

 

*You like being snipped at!*

 

 

That's all about who is doing the snipping.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

Absolutely!

 

 

*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. *

 

 

I completely agree with you. I do believe the artistic crowd tends to be much more open-minded and curious. But, as you mentioned, every circle is against something that is unlike them. As I often say, "we choose self." If we believe something, we believe it to be "right." Who thinks they have chosen wrong? We humans are terribly vain.

 

 

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

 

 

Completely. Jeff wants to be fussed over. He wants Lisa Carol to plead with him.

 

 

*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.*

 

 

I did watch your film. You can see where the gangster genre started.

 

 

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

 

 

No, no, no! Miss G had it right. Y'all are "Gaslighting" me!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*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.*

 

 

Again, this is where we are very similar. I don't like being told how to think and believe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*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 remember watching some of Ken Burns' "The Civil War" when it first aired. I thought it was very well done. Like you and Miss G, I also liked the reading of the letters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

I agree. At least not in this country. It's all about self.

 

 

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

 

 

You've got it. He says everything with a "sparkle in his eye." He liked real-life characters, as far as I can tell. He's a romantic, like you.

 

 

*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.*

 

 

And that's a great description of what we see in *Le Plaisir*, particularly "La Maison Tellier."

 

 

*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.*

 

 

The DVD interviews with actor Daniel Gelin, assistant director Tony Aboyantz, and set decorator Robert Christides helped to paint a picture of Max Ophuls as a director. They spoke of how he liked to spend hours talking away from the set and how he was very exacting with the look of a film. I'm not sure what drew him to the stories, though. Evidently, he was very faithful to them. Ophuls was a lover and I feel his films speak to this.

 

 

*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.*

 

 

Of course I was speaking of real life! I can't see you being okay with your husband visiting Maison Tellier.

 

 

*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.*

 

 

That's excellent! What you wrote is precisely how I took "Le Masque." I just loved the understanding love of the content wife. Her husband could not accept his aging and irrelevance in society. She didn't need society to be happy. She was happy in her little world. As you mentioned, this is where the story becomes similar to *Ryan's Daughter*.

 

 

*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.*

 

 

You are right, Dassin's best films do feature black humor and are usually quite stylish. I have liked the harshness of his worlds. He's similar to Samuel Fuller, in this regard.

 

 

*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.*

 

 

"Paul's Mistress" is more "masculine." A man kills himself after catching his woman in a lesbian affair. The death of the male ego.

 

 

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

 

 

I'd agree with that.

 

 

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

 

 

That's one of the most difficult things to do in life. Can we honestly accept hearing bad feelings about ourselves from the one we love?

[FrankGrimes]

Here's the latest group of films that I have watched:

 

Beat the Devil

The Bigamist

Blackboard Jungle

Chicago Calling

Easy Living

Fort Dobbs

The Great Dan Patch

Kiss and Make-Up

The Lady in Question

Lady in the Lake

Le Million

Macabre

The Man in the White Suit

A Matter of Life and Death

One Minute to Zero

Regeneration

The Renegade Ranger

Ring of Bright Water

The Strawberry Blonde

Three Came Home

Tight Spot

Trouble Along the Way

Underworld U.S.A.

The Undying Monster

The Wild One

 

So how do you (anyone else) like those films? Any guess on what ten films I liked most?

[JackFavell]

Oh my goodness, what a great list of movies! All are interesting, I wonder if it was a good set for you.

 

I am guessing you liked Beat the Devil and A Matter of Life and Death, I don't know if they would end up as top one and two, but I bet they would be high up.

 

Gosh, I love Beat the Devil.

 

Edited by: JackFavell on May 7, 2013 8:45 AM

[movieman1957]

13 seen for me.

 

There are some titles I don't know. Some of those that I liked from your list are -

 

*"Blackboard Jungle"*

*"Easy Living"* if we are talking about the Jean Arthur version. That one is one of my favorite comedies ever.

*"Lady In The Lake"* on the one hand is interesting for the point of view camera work but I think it becomes more of a distraction from the story than it should be.

*"The Man In The White Suit"* is another of those gentle English comedies that are so well done.

*"A Matter Of Life and Death."*

*"The Strawberry Blonde."* I like Cagney a lot here. I remember Alan Hale was fun too.

*"Three Came Home."*

 

Some of the others are okay but didn't do much for me.

[MissGoddess]

This is an eclectic list.

 

I'm guessing you liked:

1. Beat the Devil

2. Matter of Life and Death

3. Underworld USA

4. Tight Spot

5. The Man in the White Suit

6. Chicago Calling

7. Blackboard Jungle

8. Ring of Bright Water

9. The Bigamist

10. Lady in the Lake

11. Trouble Along the Way

 

 

These are my favorites:

1. *Ring of Bright Water* (lovely, sweet, sad---true story that I remember from my childhood)

2. *The Bigamist* (this is one of my favorites directed by Ida---I like her and Edmund even though the ending is what it is. I liked the location shooting on the bus, in the park, etc. Ida plays lonely girls so well).

3. *Chicago Calling*

4. *Beat the Devil* (so wonderfully off-beat, i can see it being appreciated more now than upon its release...jennifer jones was the surprise...i had no idea she could be so funny. i had not seen cluny brown yet).

5. *Tight Spot* (one of the few post WWII Ginger Rogers movies I enjoy---Brian Keith helps)

6. *Lady in the Lake* (a great novel but I don' t like the gimmick. I would have loved this had it been filmed normally. I admire Bob's pluck, though, doing it this way.)

7. *Fort Dobbs* (an entertaining little western, somewhat similar to Hondo starring Clint Walker, Brian Keith and Virginia Mayo. I like Mayo here much better than in Colorado Territory, even though that is the superior film.)

8. *A Matter of Life and Death* (I haven't seen it in a while but it's an unforgettable movie, beautifully conceived and executed. It's overall effect stays with me---thoughtful, makes you ponder---but individual scenes are disconnected in my mind so I really need to see it again to say anything worthwhile about it)

9. *One Minute to Zero* (a sort of sweet love story set during Korean War, not much else to it. I like Mitchum in these programmers.)

10. *Blackboard Jungle* (great performances by all, though I don't like JD stories as a rule)

11. *Three Came Home* (I love Sessue and his scenes with Claudette really elevate the story. It's interesting to compare to Bridge Over the River Kwai).

12. *The Lady in Question* (I was rather disappointed by this first pairing of Glenn Ford and Rita. It's okay, nothing great.)

13. *Macabre* (love the ladies' wardrobe in this William Castle thriller, lol)

14. *The Wild One* (i rewatched most of this the other night when it was on. i still think marlon looks like he would have been a gorgeous woman, lol. he looks carved out of marble. i like the ending, i think it was "cool". i can't stop thinking of how "the dick van dyke show" like to rib this movie).

15. *The Strawberry Blonde* (I'll be interested in the discussion; I never cared as much for this movie as I thought I would, which I think is a remake of a Gary Cooper movie (among other versions) called *One Sunday Afternoon*. I didn't like that version much, either, in spite of Gary. Something about the story doesn't click with me, I'm afraid. I know I don't like Olivia's character much, at least not in the beginning.)

 

I haven't seen the others or don't remember them well enough (Undying Monster is one I want to see, though---I had it confused with a 1950s sci-fi movie).

[JamesJazGuitar]

I'm also a fan of Beat The Devil but it appears to be a movie one either loves or hate. Offbeat, sometimes borderline camp, but a lot of fun. The film was made in Ravello Italy. I went there on my honeymoon (my wife was raised in Italy). We were touring the town and went to see one of the major sites, a villa. As we were walking around I said 'this place looks very familar', but I had never been there before (and either had she). I started to be her guide. As we got near that balcony I said 'I think there are statues and a great view of the coast'. I was right of course. I was kind of throw for a loop (plus being in such a place, on my honeymoon, etc... I was already at 10,000 feet!). It wasn't until we got back to our hotel that I remembered I had seen the place in Beat The Devil (the place Bogie says was his former villa).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[FrankGrimes]

That's an awesome story, James! What a lovely place to have a honeymoon.

[FrankGrimes]

*Oh my goodness, what a great list of movies! All are interesting, I wonder if it was a good set for you.*

 

It was definitely better than my last group of films. I liked a few of the films, for sure.

 

*I am guessing you liked Beat the Devil and A Matter of Life and Death, I don't know if they would end up as top one and two, but I bet they would be high up.*

 

Uh-oh!

 

*Gosh, I love Beat the Devil.*

 

UH-OH!

[FrankGrimes]

Hey, Movieman -- *13 seen for me.*

 

Over half. That's pretty good.

 

*"Easy Living" if we are talking about the Jean Arthur version. That one is one of my favorite comedies ever.*

 

Yes, that's the *Easy Living* that I watched. I chose to watch it because you mentioned it being one of your all-time favorites.

 

*"Lady In The Lake" on the one hand is interesting for the point of view camera work but I think it becomes more of a distraction from the story than it should be.*

 

I do agree, the forced point of view does become distracting.

 

*"The Man In The White Suit" is another of those gentle English comedies that are so well done.*

 

It's a good one.

 

*"The Strawberry Blonde." I like Cagney a lot here. I remember Alan Hale was fun too.*

 

They are wonderful as father and son.

 

[JackFavell]

> *I am guessing you liked Beat the Devil and A Matter of Life and Death, I don't know if they would end up as top one and two, but I bet they would be high up.*

>

> Uh-oh!

 

UH-OH!

 

> *Gosh, I love Beat the Devil.*

>

> UH-OH!

 

*UH-OH!!*

 

>"The Man In The White Suit" is another of those gentle English comedies that are so well done.

>

>It's a good one.

>

>"The Strawberry Blonde." I like Cagney a lot here. I remember Alan Hale was fun too.

>

>They are wonderful as father and son.

 

WHEW!

[FrankGrimes]

*This is an eclectic list.*

 

That's the people I'm hanging with!

 

*I'm guessing you liked:*

*1. Beat the Devil*

*2. Matter of Life and Death*

*3. Underworld USA*

*4. Tight Spot*

*5. The Man in the White Suit*

*6. Chicago Calling*

*7. Blackboard Jungle*

*8. Ring of Bright Water*

*9. The Bigamist*

*10. Lady in the Lake*

*11. Trouble Along the Way*

 

 

You did pretty good. You correctly guessed six of my top eleven.

 

 

Here's how I liked them:

 

 

1. Underworld U.S.A.

2. The Man in the White Suit

3. Fort Dobbs

4. Trouble Along the Way

5. Lady in the Lake

6. The Strawberry Blonde

7. Le Million

8. A Matter of Life and Death

9. Easy Living

10. Blackboard Jungle

11. Regeneration

12. Chicago Calling

13. The Wild One

14. The Undying Monster

15. Kiss and Make-Up

16. The Great Dan Patch

17. Macabre

18. The Bigamist

19. Tight Spot

20. Beat the Devil

21. Ring of Bright Water

22. Three Came Home

23. The Lady in Question

24. One Minute to Zero

25. The Renegade Ranger

 

 

*These are my favorites:*

 

 

*1. Ring of Bright Water (lovely, sweet, sad---true story that I remember from my childhood)*

 

 

I think it's absolutely wonderful that this film is your favorite of this group. It's really cute.

 

 

*2. The Bigamist (this is one of my favorites directed by Ida---I like her and Edmund even though the ending is what it is. I liked the location shooting on the bus, in the park, etc. Ida plays lonely girls so well).*

 

 

I couldn't believe a film directed by a woman was sympathetic to the bigamist! It's a very unique film just because of the subject matter.

 

 

*4. Beat the Devil (so wonderfully off-beat, i can see it being appreciated more now than upon its release...jennifer jones was the surprise...i had no idea she could be so funny. i had not seen cluny brown yet).*

 

 

Jennifer is who and what I liked most about the film.

 

 

*5. Tight Spot (one of the few post WWII Ginger Rogers movies I enjoy---Brian Keith helps)*

 

 

She was annoying me again!

 

 

*6. Lady in the Lake (a great novel but I don' t like the gimmick. I would have loved this had it been filmed normally. I admire Bob's pluck, though, doing it this way.)*

 

 

It's definitely a brave film, and a highly unique film. Was Robert Montgomery ever more cranky?

 

 

*7. Fort Dobbs (an entertaining little western, somewhat similar to Hondo starring Clint Walker, Brian Keith and Virginia Mayo. I like Mayo here much better than in Colorado Territory, even though that is the superior film.)*

 

 

I thought it was quite good. You're right, it's a film that is similar to *Hondo*. I like it better. Loved Clint Walker. And Virginia Mayo is a sweetie.

 

 

*8. A Matter of Life and Death (I haven't seen it in a while but it's an unforgettable movie, beautifully conceived and executed. It's overall effect stays with me---thoughtful, makes you ponder---but individual scenes are disconnected in my mind so I really need to see it again to say anything worthwhile about it)*

 

 

 

I agree with all you say. I can't say I "went for" the film, but it's beautifully crafted. It reminded me of *The Devil and Daniel Webster* and, believe it or not, a little bit of *Spellbound*. The final act is my favorite part of the film.

 

 

*9. One Minute to Zero (a sort of sweet love story set during Korean War, not much else to it. I like Mitchum in these programmers.)*

 

 

 

I was very disappointed in this one. The love story was rather minimal and the war scenes didn't do much for me. I thought Ann Blyth was lovely, though.

 

 

*10. Blackboard Jungle (great performances by all, though I don't like JD stories as a rule)*

 

 

It's over the top, but I still thought it was quite good.

 

 

*11. Three Came Home (I love Sessue and his scenes with Claudette really elevate the story. It's interesting to compare to Bridge Over the River Kwai).*

 

 

I found myself not caring for the characters. Colonel Suga (Sessue Hayakawa) was my favorite character in the film.

 

 

*12. The Lady in Question (I was rather disappointed by this first pairing of Glenn Ford and Rita. It's okay, nothing great.)*

 

 

It's a "strange bird" of a film. I actually think Jackie may like it because of the wonderful performance by Brian Aherne. It's his film, all the way.

 

 

*13. Macabre (love the ladies' wardrobe in this William Castle thriller, lol)*

 

 

What?! I don't even remember what the women were wearing!

 

 

*14. The Wild One (i rewatched most of this the other night when it was on. i still think marlon looks like he would have been a gorgeous woman, lol. he looks carved out of marble. i like the ending, i think it was "cool". i can't stop thinking of how "the dick van dyke show" like to rib this movie).*

 

 

He's certainly not my kind of woman! The film was another that was ahead of its time; very influential.

 

 

*15. The Strawberry Blonde (I'll be interested in the discussion; I never cared as much for this movie as I thought I would, which I think is a remake of a Gary Cooper movie (among other versions) called One Sunday Afternoon. I didn't like that version much, either, in spite of Gary. Something about the story doesn't click with me, I'm afraid. I know I don't like Olivia's character much, at least not in the beginning.)*

 

 

You're the focus of the film, Strawberry Blonde! How could you not like it?! I didn't know *One Sunday Afternoon* was a similar film. Are you in that one, too?

 

 

*I haven't seen the others or don't remember them well enough (Undying Monster is one I want to see, though---I had it confused with a 1950s sci-fi movie).*

 

 

I can't see you liking *The Undying Monster*. I didn't think it was all that good.

[FrankGrimes]

Your suggestions were good ones!

[JackFavell]

> I'm very similar to you with that. If I'm down, I rarely let people know. If I'm angry or frightened, I'll seek others. The one way to read my feelings is how chatty I am. If I'm talking a lot, I'm probably in a good mood and happy. If I'm less talkative, something is bothering me.

 

Are you sure you're not me?

 

> There's a ton of self-importance found in the northeast. Lots of overvaluing.

 

 

You really hit the nail on the head. That is a PERFECT description. I wonder if it's because it's a rich state or if there's some other factors? My favorite people around here have been fishermen and old railroad men, masons and farmers. If you went to breakfast downtown when I first moved here, they would all be hanging out at the local Bee Bee Dairy, which was a diner in the center of town. You'd go in for your cup of coffee and the old men would be holding court at the counter. It was wonderful. There just aren't characters like that anymore. They've all died or moved to retirement homes or something. Now it's nouveau riche who are more snooty than the old rich families, most of whom you'd never know had money from the way they dress and act. I understand that if you earned your money by working hard you have something to be proud of, you've paid your dues in stress when you work a high powered job. But the racism and the sexism and the hatred of middle class is very disturbing. It's a mine mine MINE attitude. A few are different from this model, but CT. is mostly like an exclusive club that they don't want you to join. And most of these people in the club are neither particularly intelligent, nor special in any other way except that they made a barrel of money. It really counts here. Eck! It's disgusting. Don't value the hard work, value the money. Don't bring your kids up to value anything but the almighty dollar, what they can HAVE. The kids are the worst because the parents let them act like little princes and princesses even when the behavior doesn't warrant it.

 

> Without really knowing you, I'd say you're not selfish, only that you long to be selfish... sometimes. Dreamers fantasize about lives they wish they could lead... or so they think. There are lots of factors with dreamers. Lack of confidence, fear, self-hatred, repression, and laziness can all play a part with dreamers and their multitude of desires.

 

But it's selfish to be a dreamer, just a bit don't you think? Like in Man in the White Suit. That's where I begin to feel doubt about myself. I know I should be happy with what I've got, and I should contribute more than just dreams. That's really where I feel like I've let people down.

 

> Do you see yourself as Blanche because you feel she is a delicate flower?

 

I really don't see myself as a delicate flower, not in the least! I tend toward the short and cute and seem anything but delicate. But on the inside, I'm sensitive, yes.

 

 

> I did watch your film. You can see where the gangster genre started.

 

 

Definitely. I believe that Francis Ford also worked in the crime drama, but from a different perspective, more serialized, and with more delineated good and evil... but of course it's hard to tell, since there are only about 3 of his movies around still today. I think they both had something to do with defining the "good bad man".

 

 

> I remember watching some of Ken Burns' "The Civil War" when it first aired. I thought it was very well done. Like you and Miss G, I also liked the reading of the letters.

 

I;m watching Baseball now. It is a bit of a slog at the beginning, the episodes are really long and the first couple of them are kind of pretentious. But at about the 3rd one, I really began to enjoy it, and some of the presenters speak so poetically about the game. I think Mario Cuomo was one of the most eloquent without being pretentious. I like the historical figures - Christy Mathewson, Shoeless Joe Jackson, Andrew "Rube" Foster, The Babe, Lou Gehrig (snif), Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, Jackie Robinson... They are all characters, and I love hearing about them. I like hearing about what the game thinks it is.. The reality vs. the myth, the legend.

 

> You've got it. He says everything with a "sparkle in his eye." He liked real-life characters, as far as I can tell. He's a romantic, like you.

 

Yes, I guess so. It's rare to see a man who is a romantic these days. You must know that.

 

> The DVD interviews with actor Daniel Gelin, assistant director Tony Aboyantz, and set decorator Robert Christides helped to paint a picture of Max Ophuls as a director. They spoke of how he liked to spend hours talking away from the set and how he was very exacting with the look of a film. I'm not sure what drew him to the stories, though. Evidently, he was very faithful to them. Ophuls was a lover and I feel his films speak to this.

 

You can tell he was faithful to the story and loved them. He's painstaking without being didactic or dull. He's a true artist.

 

> Of course I was speaking of real life! I can't see you being okay with your husband visiting Maison Tellier.

 

NO.

 

 

> You are right, Dassin's best films do feature black humor and are usually quite stylish. I have liked the harshness of his worlds. He's similar to Samuel Fuller, in this regard.

 

I haven't been able to get into Fuller's world yet. I'll try again.

 

> "Paul's Mistress" is more "masculine." A man kills himself after catching his woman in a lesbian affair. The death of the male ego.

 

Oh goodness, that sounds great! I'm sure the gals here at the Torture Thread would have liked that one much better.

 

My ranking of your recent films:

 

 

The Man in the White Suit

The Strawberry Blonde

Beat the Devil

Le Million

Regeneration

Easy Living

A Matter of Life and Death

Lady in the Lake

The Wild One

Ring of Bright Water

Trouble Along the Way

Chicago Calling

Three Came Home

Blackboard Jungle

 

I actually like all of these movies quite a bit, so even if a movie comes in low, it doesn't mean I didn't like the film. Blackboard Jungle for instance I used to hate, because this is the type of performance by Glenn Ford that I didn't like, he gets all puffed up and righteous, which I have always hated in him, much like my first feelings about the Duke. But It's grown on me over the years, and now I even like Ford in the movie. This one and The Wild One have a kind of good/evil righteousness going on that just twinges me a little. I can't put my finger on exactly what it is... just a feeling of preachiness that I dislike, but overall, I really enjoy the less moralistic shadings the actors bring to the story.

 

Chicago Calling was fascinating in that I really didn't like the movie itself much, but I loved the idea of it, and the execution by the actors, led by the incredible Dan Duryea. He's just so great.

 

Lady in the Lake has moved up quite a bit in the last showing I watched. I really like it a lot now, after years of thinking it just didn't work. It is alienating, the trick of the film, distancing, but man, the last time I watched about a month ago, it just floored me how good it was. I love the relationship between Montgomery and Totter.

 

I think the trick of A Matter of Life and Death is almost the same as that of Lady in the Lake. It puts you at arms length. I remember sobbing through this movie as a teen, but I found it a bit remote and almost too thoughtful this time. That doesn't mean I didn't shed a tear at the end. I love the idea of it. Just wish sometimes it was a simple space and time dimensional love story, like The Ghost and Mrs. Muir.

 

There are three versions of One Sunday Afternoon. The first in 1931, which I can't really get through easily, even WITH Gary Cooper and Roscoe Karns in it, who I love. Then there's The Strawberry Blonde. Walsh directed it AGAIN, as a musical, a few years after this one, titled One Sunday Afternoon which I've never seen.

 

I haven't seen these, or at least I don't remember them.

 

Fort Dobbs

The Great Dan Patch

Kiss and Make-Up

The Lady in Question

The Bigamist

Macabre

One Minute to Zero

The Renegade Ranger

Tight Spot

Underworld U.S.A.

The Undying Monster

[butterscotchgreer]

*April Dahlink!* I hope I am not interrupting the loverly conversing...

 

*Are you having a good Saturday morning?*

 

**Tight Spot (one of the few post WWII Ginger Rogers movies I enjoy---Brian Keith helps)

 

Have you seen *The First Traveling Saleswoman*? It was one of her post WII films from the late 50's. There are some really great supporting performances by a YOUNG and cute Clint Eastwood, James Arness, and the awesome Carol Channing. I LOVE this film! It's toooo cute and even kind of western-y...is that a word? heehee!

 

Edited by: butterscotchgreer on May 11, 2013 11:57 AM

[MissGoddess]

> {quote:title=FrankGrimes wrote:}{quote}*This is an eclectic list.*

>

> That's the people I'm hanging with!

>

 

Which is good because there is likely something for everyone to chat about.

 

> Here's how I liked them:

>

>

> 1. Underworld U.S.A.

> 2. The Man in the White Suit

> 3. Fort Dobbs

> 4. Trouble Along the Way

> 5. Lady in the Lake

> 6. The Strawberry Blonde

> 7. Le Million

> 8. A Matter of Life and Death

> 9. Easy Living

> 10. Blackboard Jungle

> 11. Regeneration

> 12. Chicago Calling

> 13. The Wild One

> 14. The Undying Monster

> 15. Kiss and Make-Up

> 16. The Great Dan Patch

> 17. Macabre

> 18. The Bigamist

> 19. Tight Spot

> 20. Beat the Devil

> 21. Ring of Bright Water

> 22. Three Came Home

> 23. The Lady in Question

> 24. One Minute to Zero

> 25. The Renegade Ranger

>

>

 

goodness! i'm thrilled for jackie that you liked her *man in the white suit* (i have to watch it again --- it's been too long). and i am astonished *trouble along the way* came in so high! is it because it's a sports theme? i thought it was just okay. i didn't like the milieu much. i did like seeing wayne with the little girl.

 

> *1. Ring of Bright Water (lovely, sweet, sad---true story that I remember from my childhood)*

>

>

> I think it's absolutely wonderful that this film is your favorite of this group. It's really cute.

>

 

it's such a sweet, sad story. poor little midge. i begged my parents for months to have an otter after seeing it.

 

> I couldn't believe a film directed by a woman was sympathetic to the bigamist! It's a very unique film just because of the subject matter.

>

 

it certainly was. i also recommend *the outrage*.

 

>

> Jennifer is who and what I liked most about the film.

>

 

was it too piquant for you?

 

>

> *5. Tight Spot (one of the few post WWII Ginger Rogers movies I enjoy---Brian Keith helps)*

>

>

> She was annoying me again!

>

 

she does play a broad---broadly. but it didn't bother me as much as when she plays hoity-toity types.

 

> It's definitely a brave film, and a highly unique film. Was Robert Montgomery ever more cranky?

>

 

No, he's a real pill in this. Almost too much so. But then, real private detectives are probably not charm boys like Cary Grant.

 

>

> *7. Fort Dobbs (an entertaining little western, somewhat similar to Hondo starring Clint Walker, Brian Keith and Virginia Mayo. I like Mayo here much better than in Colorado Territory, even though that is the superior film.)*

>

>

> I thought it was quite good. You're right, it's a film that is similar to *Hondo*. I like it better. Loved Clint Walker. And Virginia Mayo is a sweetie.

>

 

ha! Poor Hondo! I can't believe you liked Walker that much. The movie took me by surprise, I wasn't expecting anything from it and ended up enjoying it.

 

> I agree with all you say. I can't say I "went for" the film, but it's beautifully crafted. It reminded me of *The Devil and Daniel Webster* and, believe it or not, a little bit of *Spellbound*. The final act is my favorite part of the film.

>

 

How is it like *Spellbound* to you?

 

> It's a "strange bird" of a film. I actually think Jackie may like it because of the wonderful performance by Brian Aherne. It's his film, all the way.

>

 

I don't even remember Brian in it!

 

>

> *13. Macabre (love the ladies' wardrobe in this William Castle thriller, lol)*

>

>

> What?! I don't even remember what the women were wearing!

>

>

 

I wouldn't expect you to.

 

> You're the focus of the film, Strawberry Blonde! How could you not like it?! I didn't know *One Sunday Afternoon* was a similar film. Are you in that one, too?

>

 

it's the same story, as jackie pointed out.

 

> I can't see you liking *The Undying Monster*. I didn't think it was all that good.

>

 

i watched it over the week-end. it was rather flat. i was expecting more from a Fox film. it looked nice but there was never any real suspense and i was a bit lost at times about who was doing what. james ellison and the subject matter made me think it was an RKO-Lewton production. Too bad it wasn't!

 

since you now like clint, i suggest a much better "wolf man" movie that he did in the 70s: *scream of the wolf*. it's on youtube. he is SCARY in it. that is one wolf you don't want to mess with!

[MissGoddess]

bonjour, festival princess

 

> *Are you having a good Saturday morning?*

>

 

i can't remember back that far.

 

>

> Have you seen *The First Traveling Saleswoman*? It was one of her post WII films from the late 50's. There are some really great supporting performances by a YOUNG and cute Clint Eastwood, James Arness, and the awesome Carol Channing. I LOVE this film! It's toooo cute and even kind of western-y...is that a word? heehee!

>

 

i've never even heard of that one! i might like it because of big Jim and Clint, and since ClassicFlix refuses to send me Jim's *Gun the Man Down*, maybe I need to ask for this one instead.

[butterscotchgreer]

*bonjour, festival princess*

Bonjour!

How many cuppas have you had today?

*i can't remember back that far. *

Heehee! That made me laugh out loud!

*i've never even heard of that one! i might like it because of big Jim and Clint, and since ClassicFlix refuses to send me Jim's *Gun the Man Down*, maybe I need to ask for this one instead. *

Oh my goodness, I meant to say *The first Traveling Saleslady*, not "Saleswoman". Oopsey!!

It is THE CUTEST movie! She goes undercover as a barbed wire salesman, when in fact, she is selling corsetts. I LOVE IT!! Momma just loves it, because she is a strong female trying to make a point and really beating Arness along the way. The dialogue is very witty and easy to quote and it's one of my favorite parts that Carol Channing did. She even sings a little in it! You will love the dresses too!

It's also very A-Typical of Rogers, but it one of my top favorites of hers. The only weird thing about it is that her voice seems a lot higher than in her other earlier films. I don't know if that was on purpose of what, but it threw me off when i first saw it a long time ago at grandmama's house. Heck, it even threw off grandmama.

I find myself humming the theme song for it all the time when i wake up...it's very unnerving sometimes! heehee! Kind of like the theme to "Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines"

!http://img2.bdbphotos.com/images/orig/q/o/qoti653h67hl6hh6.jpg!

!http://www.seastwood.com/backup310/images/LafayetteEscadrille.gif!

!http://www.olditaly.net/locandine28x36/thefirst.jpg!

Edited by: butterscotchgreer on May 13, 2013 11:43 AM

[butterscotchgreer]

Okay, I just posted 3 pictures on my last post, but I can't see them. Did they show? I did the ! at the beginning and end. Am I doing anything wrong?

[MissGoddess]

i'm afraid i don't see any pictures...did you make sure there isn't any spaces at the beginning...sometimes if a line is indented (even one space), it makes everything disappear.

 

> How many cuppas have you had today?

>

 

two---but i could use something stronger than tea.

 

> Oh my goodness, I meant to say *The first Traveling Saleslady*, not "Saleswoman". Oopsey!!

>

> It is THE CUTEST movie! She goes undercover as a barbed wire salesman, when in fact, she is selling corsetts. I LOVE IT!! Momma just loves it, because she is a strong female trying to make a point and really beating Arness along the way. The dialogue is very witty and easy to quote and it's one of my favorite parts that Carol Channing did. She even sings a little in it! You will love the dresses too!

>

> It's also very A-Typical of Rogers, but it one of my top favorites of hers. The only weird thing about it is that her voice seems a lot higher than in her other earlier films. I don't know if that was on purpose of what, but it threw me off when i first saw it a long time ago at grandmama's house. Heck, it even threw off grandmama.

>

 

well....frankly if you tell me more about Jim or Clint it might be more appealing.

 

Edited by: MissGoddess on May 13, 2013 11:25 AM

[butterscotchgreer]

i'm afraid i don't see any pictures...did you make sure there isn't any spaces at the beginning...sometimes if a line is indented (even one space), it makes everything disappear.

Okay, i edited it again. If you still can't see them, I don't know what I am doing wrong. pixie sticks! Heehee! There are no spaces or indentions.

two---but i could use something stronger than tea.

How do you do that? I only had one cup of strong chai tea and I am already all over the ceiling! Goodness! I need to slow down just with that much.

well....frankly if you tell me more about Jim or Clint it might be more appealing.

Well, Jim tries to be charming, but he just puts his foot in his mouth the whole time. He is rather good looking in it, though. Not as good looking as Mr. Clint! WHEW-Y!!! He is soooo young and kind of gives off this innocence, even though he plays a "rough rider". I love how gentle and sweet his character is with a little toughness on the edges you can tell that's still there. Another A-Typical film, but for him this time.


I am trying to post pictures if i can get it right. Me and technology...oy vey! Heehee!

[MissGoddess]

> Okay, i edited it again. If you still can't see them, I don't know what I am doing wrong. pixie sticks! Heehee! There are no spaces or indentions.

>

 

no, sorry they still won't budge.

 

> How do you do that? I only had one cup of strong chai tea and I am already all over the ceiling! Goodness! I need to slow down just with that much.

>

 

i think i am a LOT tireder than you!

 

> Well, Jim tries to be charming, but he just puts his foot in his mouth the whole time. He is rather good looking in it, though. Not as good looking as Mr. Clint! WHEW-Y!!! He is soooo young and kind of gives off this innocence, even though he plays a "rough rider". I love how gentle and sweet his character is with a little toughness on the edges you can tell that's still there. Another A-Typical film, but for him this time.

>

 

what man doesn't put his foot in his mouth? Clint sounds like he's playing "Rowdy Yates", that works for me!

 

you can try just posting the links to the pictures and we can click on them.

[movieman1957]

*what man doesn't put his foot in his mouth?*

 

Hey! That might be a problem for Sir Francis but it is a rare thing for me.

 

Lady T:

 

You are always so bubbly that I can't imagine you needing anything to get going. You'd get on so well with The Bride and my lovely Maureen. I'd be overwhelmed if we were all together.

[butterscotchgreer]

*no, sorry they still won't budge.*

 

Oh man! Ill post the links. I wish I could get this right!

 

*I think I am a LOT tireder than you*

 

Maybe! I wake up very energetic in the mornings. I love the morning. I just love my chai tea. I can't live without it! Heehee! I crave that french tea you got me too. That was yummy stuff! I know you would really miss your tea too!

 

Oooohhhh tea party time! Would you like a krumpet?

 

*what man doesn't put his foot in his mouth? Clint sounds like he's playing "Rowdy Yates", that works for me!*

 

You make a very valid point there! Heehee! Frankie might get mad at that statement..YAY! Muwahahaha!

 

It is kind of like Rowdy Yates, but even cuter!

 

Ill just try posting the links. They are such adorable pictures

I think you will enjoy them!