Movie Rambles

[rohanaka]

he could not carry out his "assignment" in executing someone else...and that was the first little ball of snow that set all his troubles to rolling.

 

April...it is not a "big moment" in the film...It's only mentioned in passing... but it does provide a glimpse into the reason behind some of the desperation he is feeling...he says something along the line that the British think he's w/ the Irish and now the Irish don't want him now either... so he is feeling very beaten down by the guilt in not carrying out his orders and by the "outcast" feeling he is now experiencing as a result.

 

All the symbolism in the film---and it's LOADEDwith it---seems to indicate that all these things were fated but I am not sure. I think they can also be said to indicate how powerfully Gypo's environment was practically a minefield[ in which so many people like him could not avoid some kind of pitfall.

 

Oh yeah....there is a definite case for both fate and his own poor circumstances playing on his "weak" will. The "fate" aspect is really almost glaring when you think of that wanted poster that he once tore off the wall and wadded up getting carried back to him by the wind and wrapping itself around his pantleg...and the weak will aspect is seen in the fact that he can't withstand the temptation of it.He keeps picturing it over and over, and it is still tugging at the "pantleg of his heart" long after it has been cast off and carried away again by the wind. The concept of him being locked into his fate...and him being responsible for his own actions as a result of his own weakness is a very tight weave of two seperate yet complementary threads, and it is nearly impossible to unwind the one away from the other.

[Film_Fatale]

Kathy,

I'm going to be watching *The Informer* fairly soon, I'll come back and re-read your posts and maybe do a little bit of ramblin' of my own.

 

To everyone, hope your Monday is going great for you! B-)

 

Yesterday was a really good day for catching up with the oldies, after watching *The Age of Believing* on TCM, we had a good time watching *Magical Mystery Tour* with The Beatles, which is from 1967 and shows it in every way you could possibly imagine. Is anyone here a fan of the Beatles? I seem to remember someone who was, but I can't remember who.

 

I also caught up with the marvelous 1939 Fox romance *The Rains Came*, but I've posted more about that in the "Winter Class" thread. Suffice it to say that it's worth looking for it on DVD, as TCM doesn't seem to get to show it much (if ever).

 

Also, thanks to the person who was kind enough to mention that FMC would be showing *Kipps* this morning. I've recorded it and hope to watch it just as soon as I get a chance.

 

Oh, last but not least.... some very nice screencaps from *The Horse Soldiers* will soon be making their way to a thread in the Westerns forum. Hee-haw! B-)

 

[movieman1957]

>we had a good time watching Magical Mystery Tour with The Beatles, which is from 1967 and shows it in every way you could possibly imagine. Is anyone here a fan of the Beatles? I seem to remember someone who was, but I can't remember who.

 

 

Count me among them. "MMT" is interesting only as a curiousity. However, I would mention that "I Am The Walrus" is a very interesting video to a great song.

 

Hardly anyone, Beatles included, thinks much of it. It seems to be a result of too much power, too much money and a bit of an ego.

[Film_Fatale]

*Hardly anyone, Beatles included, thinks much of it. It seems to be a result of too much power, too much money and a bit of an ego.*

 

Very true, Chris. The notes on the DVD also point to the fact that they no longer had Brian Epstein to guide them (he died in 1967). And apparently, it was also originally intended to be a theatrical feature, like *Help!* and *A Hard Day's Night* but was subsequently edited down to 50 minutes and shown on TV, from what I ready.

 

Have you seen *The Making of a Hard Day's Night* ? I understand that DVD is OOP.

 

[MissGoddess]

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

>

> Oh yeah....there is a definite case for both fate and his own poor circumstances playing on his "weak" will. The "fate" aspect is really almost glaring when you think of that wanted poster that he once tore off the wall and wadded up getting carried back to him by the wind and wrapping itself around his pantleg...and the weak will aspect is seen in the fact that he can't withstand the temptation of it.He keeps picturing it over and over, and it is still tugging at the "pantleg of his heart" long after it has been cast off and carried away again by the wind. The concept of him being locked into his fate...and him being responsible for his own actions as a result of his own weakness is a very tight weave of two seperate yet complementary threads, and it is nearly impossible to unwind the one away from the other.

 

 

How interesting. I wonder if that's really what the movie is all about. Is man a free agent?

Is he a pawn of "fate"? I think this is another example of how Ford loved to examine the

infinite paradoxes of man.

[coopsgirl]

I?m also one of the big Beatles fans here. Getting to go to Liverpool a few years ago when I was in England was so awesome; it makes me smile to think about it . I?ve also been inside Abbey Road Studios, just the lobby though b/c that?s as far as I could go. The security guard was nice though and he let me just stand in there for a minute. When I was out Christmas shopping last weekend I found a Beatles Monopoly game and I had to get it.

 

I like *MMT* but I think you have to be a pretty die hard fan to like that one - ha!

[Film_Fatale]

*I like MMT but I think you have to be a pretty die hard fan to like that one - ha!*

 

Maybe. I certainly enjoyed it - it's a great way to remember what the 60's were all about, at least in certain milieus.

 

Watching *The Making of a Hard Day's Night* was a great experience, not only for the footage of the movie itself, but also to hear Roger Ebert speak ever-so-enthusiastically about *A Hard Day's Night*:

 

[rohanaka]

I wonder if that's really what the movie is all about

 

I don't know. I was thinking how unlikely it was that Gypo had any clue what sort of night he was in for when he went out that evening. It's not like he woke up that morning and decided "tonight I will betray a friend and cash in big...then go berserk and get myself shot...etc...

 

But then again...maybe he did. (at least the part about turning in Frankie..I am sure he did not plan "going berserk" or any other unfortunate occurrences) One other thing that is mentioned in the conversation w/ Frankie (besides the failed execution) is that Gypo is the one who made the arrangement w/ Frankie's mother for his visit...she even gave him money for Frankie (which Gypo spent on himself instead, by his own admission) Did he already have a "plan" in his mind? Surely that wasn't the first time he'd seen those wanted posters.(Oh...and w/ regard to the "fate" angle...the Wanted Poster wraps itself around Frankie's pantleg too...a warning??) Maybe Gypo already had the thought at some point before the story started (and his girlfriend's comment about the 20pounds just pushed him over the edge) Maybe this was an idea he'd been nursing a while and if so...then maybe that would explain why he couldn't get it out of his mind when he finally did see Frankie at the pub. Of course....maybe I've also got too over-active an imagination...or maybe I've just been outside in the freezing cold too long today and I have a bad case of brain freeze and am way off base... (wouldn't be the first time.) :-)

 

Is man a free agent? Is he a pawn of "fate"?

 

Whoa...now we are definitely getting into that muddy territory...an age old question to be sure...but the simple answer would have to be "yes". (How's that for "double speak"? ) I don't want to go down any slippery slopes here as I DO tend to ramble sometimes and my soapbox still hasn't recovered from that cold night at the Oxbow...but will only say that it is an interesting concept trying to un-twine that tightly woven thread I mentioned. Because our circumstances really can affect a lot of our decisions...yet sometimes the situations we find ourselves in are a direct result of choices we make based upon our character. So...we are not as much a prisoner of fate as it may seem. I think the the situation could have been different had Gypo been a different man.... (PS...I should have prefaced all my remarks both this time....and previously w/ my infamous..."that's how I saw it anyway...others may have a different opinion". I am nothing if not opinionated.) :-)

 

Jack is right....this is a VERY Gray/Grey story. Oh...I feel mud creeping around by toesies already... but will leave it at that as I don't want to create another "Oxbow" ...we might not have enough rope...or worse yet....we just might. :-)

[MissGoddess]

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

>

> I don't know. I was thinking how unlikely it was that Gypo had any clue what sort of night he was in for when he went out that evening. It's not like he woke up that morning and decided "tonight I will betray a friend and cash in big...then go berserk and get myself shot...etc...

>

 

I don't think Gypo's capable of that kind of deviousness---the planning and scheming far ahead

kind. Giving in weakly to an opportunity---yes, but I don't think he could handle anything too

complicated

 

> But then again...maybe he did. (at least the part about turning in Frankie..I am sure he did not plan "going berserk" or any other unfortunate occurrences) One other thing that is mentioned in the conversation w/ Frankie (besides the failed execution) is that Gypo is the one who made the arrangement w/ Frankie's mother for his visit...she even gave him money for Frankie (which Gypo spent on himself instead, by his own admission) Did he already have a "plan" in his mind? Surely that wasn't the first time he'd seen those wanted posters.(Oh...and w/ regard to the "fate" angle...the Wanted Poster wraps itself around Frankie's pantleg too...a warning??)

 

The poster, it could be a symbol of his treachorousness, his guilt, he can't shake it off.

 

 

> Maybe Gypo already had the thought at some point before the story started (and his girlfriend's comment about the 20pounds just pushed him over the edge) Maybe this was an idea he'd been nursing a while and if so...then maybe that would explain why he couldn't get it out of his mind when he finally did see Frankie at the pub. Of course....maybe I've also got too over-active an imagination...or maybe I've just been outside in the freezing cold too long today and I have a bad case of brain freeze and am way off base... (wouldn't be the first time.) :-)

>

 

No I don't think you're off base at all. It might be that all these things became more pressure

mounting on him so that he was in a state of mind where he was so desperate to escape

(to America, once he sees the advertisement) that it was easy for him to succumb to his own

weakness and to base treachery. He might even have reasoned to himself Frankie, as his

close friend, was the one who got him into all this mess in the first place.

 

 

> Is man a free agent? Is he a pawn of "fate"?

>

> Whoa...now we are definitely getting into that muddy territory...an age old question to be sure...but the simple answer would have to be "yes". (How's that for "double speak"? ) I don't want to go down any slippery slopes here as I DO tend to ramble sometimes and my soapbox still hasn't recovered from that cold night at the Oxbow...but will only say that it is an interesting concept trying to un-twine that tightly woven thread I mentioned. Because our circumstances really can affect a lot of our decisions...yet sometimes the situations we find ourselves in are a direct result of choices we make based upon our character. So...we are not as much a prisoner of fate as it may seem. I think the the situation could have been different had Gypo been a different man.... (PS...I should have prefaced all my remarks both this time....and previously w/ my infamous..."that's how I saw it anyway...others may have a different opinion". I am nothing if not opinionated.) :-)

>

 

I think that's what makes The Informer a good movie to chew on with other people. It

tosses up deep ideas and the movie is about simple, struggling folk yet the IDEAS are quite

epic---I mean the whole human race is concerned with them.

 

And aren't the actors just all marvelous? I love their faces. This movie doesn't have much

dialogue at all, it's a good example of using a lot of silent movie technique---expressionistic

photography, mise-en-scene (that word again!) and, of course, people's faces and gestures

to tell a story.

 

 

> Jack is right....this is a VERY Gray/Grey story. Oh...I feel mud creeping around by toesies already... but will leave it at that as I don't want to create another "Oxbow" ...we might not have enough rope...or worse yet....we just might. :-)

 

I'm going blonde here---what happened with Oxbow? Did it get too heavy or something? I

don't think that's a bad thing. I'm sure Jackie will have more to say when she gets on

board, too. I really ought to watch it again for a refresher, maybe I will tonight or tomorrow

while I'm at home waiting for the dumb delivery people to come by.

 

FrankGrimes: are you going to watch this movie so you can participate here? I'm ASKING

you because you love all this murky, noirish, gray matter.

[Film_Fatale]

*I think that's what makes The Informer a good movie to chew on with other people. It*

*tosses up deep ideas and the movie is about simple, struggling folk yet the IDEAS are quite*

*epic---I mean the whole human race is concerned with them.*

 

It does sound like a movie that should stir up some good conversation. I hope other folks are able to watch it, as well. I'll be posting more about it soonish in the Ford at Fox thread. B-)

[rohanaka]

I'm going blonde here---what happened with Oxbow?

 

I am sure the it was likely forgettable for most folks..(at least my portion of it) but I had a wonderful time w/ the little Ramble Rumble that movie created a couple of months back w/ our friend Mr. Grey. :-)

 

I don't think Gypo's capable of that kind of deviousness---the planning and scheming far ahead

kind. Giving in weakly to an opportunity---yes, but I don't think he could handle anything too

complicated

 

Of course, you've pegged him perfectly...or is that "perfectly pegged him"....my grammar has gone way down hill over the years... :-)

 

He might even have reasoned to himself Frankie, as his

close friend, was the one who got him into all this mess in the first place

 

I can see that potential in him as well..good point.

 

And aren't the actors just all marvelous? I love their faces

 

Totally...I am sure I have discussed this on here before, but Ford had a knack for faces. And as far as the acting...MacLaglen's "lost hours" where he just comes unwound...he did a fabulous job of portraying that aspect of things...he was like a big giant spinning top....just teetering on the brink at any given moment....and then he'd spin off in a different direction....until eventually he "toppled over" when he spun out.

 

FrankGrimes: are you going to watch this movie so you can participate here

 

I'm only repeating that line in an attempt to wear him down and bring him out of hiding...he has a lot of catching up to do on yet another film as well... as I recall....

 

(I know you are lurking out there somewhere Grey Guy....you can't hide forever!!) :-)

[FrankGrimes]

Howdy, Manhattan Blizzard -- FrankGrimes: are you going to watch this movie so you can participate here? I'm ASKING you because you love all this murky, noirish, gray matter.

 

I'll watch it tonight or tomorrow night. Or maybe I'll watch No Country for Old Men.

 

Howdy, Quiet Gal -- I'm only repeating that line in an attempt to wear him down and bring him out of hiding...he has a lot of catching up to do on yet another film as well... as I recall....

 

I don't want to interrupt your discussion on The Informer. Keep it going.

 

(I know you are lurking out there somewhere Grey Guy....you can't hide forever!!)

 

Yes, I'm lurking. But I've been avoiding your words on The Informer since I've yet to watch it.

[MissGoddess]

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

> I'm going blonde here---what happened with Oxbow?

>

> I am sure the it was likely forgettable for most folks..(at least my portion of it) but I had a wonderful time w/ the little Ramble Rumble that movie created a couple of months back w/ our friend Mr. Grey. :-)

>

 

Oh that was all good, though! And you haven't seen me on my soapbox yet. Just steer

any conversation into modern social life and then stand back. I'm kidding---I would never

do that here, everyone would really think I was crazy then if they didn't already.

 

 

>

> I'm only repeating that line in an attempt to wear him down and bring him out of hiding...he has a lot of catching up to do on yet another film as well... as I recall....

>

> (I know you are lurking out there somewhere Grey Guy....you can't hide forever!!) :-)

 

Well he came out of his cave for a minute but only with another load of excuses.

[Film_Fatale]

I'm going to ramble a bit in here about silent movies, since not everyone who frequents this part of the boards looks at the Silent forum on a regular basis.

 

One of the very first silent movies I ever watched in a theater was *Sunrise*, which was accompanied by a live orchestra and shown in a beautiful hand-tinted print.

 

Much to my surprise, a friend of mine has mentioned that *Sunrise* is one of the silent features that will be shown in the next "Silent Movie Winter Event" that takes place in good ol' San Francisco in February.

 

The date is Feb. 14, 2009, and the movies scheduled to be shown are:

 

* *Our Hospitality*

* *A Kiss from Mary Pickford*

* *Sunrise*

* *The Cat and the Canary*

 

Anyone who enjoys silent movies and is within traveling distance of San Francisco's Castro Theater should consider getting tickets ASAP. B-)

 

http://www.silentfilm.org/event-home.html

 

Thank you everyone for letting me share this ramble.

[FrankGrimes]

Well he came out of his cave for a minute but only with another load of excuses.

 

to you, too! Okay, I'll interrupt your discussion to talk about 3 Bad Men... later.

 

[Film_Fatale]

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

> to you, too! Okay, I'll interrupt your discussion to talk about 3 Bad Men... later.

 

Frank/Scott:

I posted a few screencaps from *3 Bad Men* in this thread:

http://forums.tcm.com/jive/tcm/thread.jspa?threadID=138345&tstart=0

 

Hope you might enjoy that.

 

By the way, if you'll forgive me for asking, are you and April upset with me for some reason? I have very fond memories of meeting the two of you here in the forums and remember you two always being very friendly. For some reason, I get the kind of feeling that you two (and Barbara) are mad at me. If it is anything that I did, unintentionally, please let me know because I'd love to apologize, if I was at fault.

 

If I don't hear from you, I'll just assume you'd rather not talk about it. However, please rest assured that you will always have a friend in me. I'd give the shirt off my back to any fellow classic movie fan.

 

xoxo

FF B-)

[rohanaka]

Just steer any conversation into modern social life and then stand back.

 

Hmmm....there's possibilities w/ that...So April....what are your thoughts on the social aspects of the Informer (the community w/in the community etc...) and how would you compare those to modern day social themes....( HA! :-)

 

Ok...that was a lame attempt...(I am a poor "steerer") :-) And I think we BOTH could be on the same soapbox if we go too far w/ that topic... :-) They might never talk us down...

 

I would never do that here, everyone would really think I was crazy then

 

But then I wouldn't feel so lonely in the world of "crazy" :-)

 

Well he came out of his cave for a minute but only with another load of excuses

 

I am giving him the benefit of the doubt (but only for a little while longer) I am keeping my fingers crossed that he is just typing away preparing to WOW us w/ his post on 3 Bad Men....which reminds me...

 

Movieman??? I wonder if you got to that one as well this weekend...as I recall you were going to chime in too....and we need your wisdom as we are clearly getting a little goofy now as we are sitting here waiting for the Grey Guy...

[rohanaka]

Well he came out of his cave

 

HEY...you really ARE out there lurking!!! :-)

[MissGoddess]

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

> Just steer any conversation into modern social life and then stand back.

>

> Hmmm....there's possibilities w/ that...So April....what are your thoughts on the social aspects of the Informer (the community w/in the community etc...) and how would you compare those to modern day social themes....( HA! :-)

>

 

WELL!! To begin with....

 

Good try, Kathy, good try. Let me just say (I am so weak)...almost anything modern, socially

speaking, fares badly in my personal comparison charts. The "stork" most assuredly had a

wrong sense of direction when he plopped me in this day and age. See how I can't resist

even a mini-rant on this subject?

 

 

> Ok...that was a lame attempt...(I am a poor "steerer") :-) And I think we BOTH could be on the same soapbox if we go too far w/ that topic... :-) They might never talk us down...

>

> I would never do that here, everyone would really think I was crazy then+

>

> But then I wouldn't feel so lonely in the world of "crazy" :-)

>

 

Trust me, you would come away looking like the nurse and me the patient that's how

stubborn and unreasonable I am on my soapbox.

 

 

[FrankGrimes]

HEY...you really ARE out there lurking!!!

 

Uh-huh. Would you like me to take your trash out, Missy?

 

I am giving him the benefit of the doubt (but only for a little while longer) I am keeping my fingers crossed that he is just typing away preparing to WOW us w/ his post on 3 Bad Men

 

Don't expect any "wow" from me. You know how boring I am. I haven't even begun to compose my thoughts on 3 Bad Men. But I was speaking the truth, I didn't want to interrupt your "Informer" discussion with Miss G.

[rohanaka]

Would you like me to take your trash out

 

HA!..I had to sit here a while...but think I finally got that...(I don't work at that mall anymore....) But tomorrow is trash day.... (better wear a heavy coat though...it's about 7 degrees outside right now...it has been freezing cold like that all the ding dang day!!!

 

And PS...as I am sure you have figured out...I am about as boring as the day is long... so you have a long way to go still to catch up to that...

 

But I was speaking the truth, I didn't want to interrupt your "Informer" discussion with Miss G.

 

April....should we accept this as an X-cuse or not???

 

PSS...Grey Guy....your rambles are always worth waiting for...at least...when you behave yourself... :-)

[rohanaka]

The "stork" most assuredly had a wrong sense of direction when he plopped me in this day and age. See how I can't resist even a mini-rant on this subject?

 

HA!. I have always joked that I was born about a hundred years too late...but then...I go flip on a light switch or turn on the dishwasher...and that thought starts to fade... :-)

 

Trust me, you would come away looking like the nurse and me the patient that's how

stubborn and unreasonable I am on my soapbox.

 

HA!! We would make quite the pair. Of course...they would know we were "out of it" just by looking at our matching teeshirts... Most folks on the street likely haven't even heard of that film...Just going off the title and the scruffy-looking guys in the picture...they will think we belong to some strange "evil cowboy" cult. :-)

[FrankGrimes]

HA!..I had to sit here a while...but think I finally got that...(I don't work at that mall anymore....)

 

3 Mall Men. That movie is on side C of the DVD.

 

But tomorrow is trash day.... (better wear a heavy coat though...it's about 7 degrees outside right now...it has been freezing cold like that all the ding dang day!!!

 

7 degrees?! Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! That's almost as cold as a Manhattan Blizzard. It was 63 degrees here today, which tied our all-time high. Tomorrow? 32 degrees and a wintry mix. There's a chance we may get 3-4 inches of snow. I blame...

 

And PS...as I am sure you have figured out...I am about as boring as the day is long... so you have a long way to go still to catch up to that...

 

Don't look back.

 

PSS...Grey Guy....your rambles are always worth waiting for

 

Awwwww, thanks, Quiet Gal! I appreciate that. You ain't too shabby yourself, Rambly.

 

at least...when you behave yourself.

 

I always behave myself. I'm a gentleman.

 

 

[rohanaka]

3 Mall Men. That movie is on side C of the DVD

 

HA!!!!!! My favorite show!! (But how will I ever figure out which is the C side on a two sided disc??? I took me forever just to find the "B".

 

In truth....the 2 older men were brothers and were always very entertaining ...quite witty in fact...you never quite knew what was going to pop out of their mouths (the third guy was a bit quieter, but he could talk a lot once you got him started) So all in all, they would have made a great "side C".

 

It was 63 degrees here today, which tied our all-time high. Tomorrow? 32 degrees and a wintry mix. There's a chance we may get 3-4 inches of snow.

 

You probably have what we had Saturday...it was in the high 50's then...then yesterday afternoon the wind picked up to a ridiculous pace...and the temps started dropping like a rock....it was about 3 degrees early this morning when I left for work... and I don't think it got about 10 or 11 all day. We are supposed to get snow too late tonight or early tomorrow...but not quite that much in this area...1-3 inches maybe. Later this week we are supposed to get it again... so I guess it is winter time for sure...I like snow and all that....but single digit temps are for the....hmmm...penguins. (those are the only birds I could think of who might enjoy that) BLECH doesn't even begin to cover it.

 

I haven't gotten warm all day...I think my little cast iron space heater is calling my name!!!!

 

I always behave myself. I'm a gentleman

 

Well...

[MissGoddess]

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

>

> HA!! We would make quite the pair. Of course...they would know we were "out of it" just by looking at our matching teeshirts... Most folks on the street likely haven't even heard of that film...Just going off the title and the scruffy-looking guys in the picture...they will think we belong to some strange "evil cowboy" cult. :-)

 

 

I'm still laughing, oh my goodness yes, what a pair!

 

Not only would peeps comment on the "scruffy looking guys in the picture" but the

_old_ looking scruffy guys, ha!!