Movie Rambles

[rohanaka]

Miss B and Miss G.... WHAT a good story... I really enjoyed THE GOOD FAIRY

 

This is now one of my favorite roles for Frank Morgan... (maybe just below The Shop Around the Corner) and I would say it IS now my favorite for Ms. Sullaven (maybe just above TSATC) :-)

 

What a fun tale... All three men.. wanting to take care of her (but each in his own way)... I LOVED the way Reginald Owen more or less takes her under his wing... He was quite the "mother hen". ha.

 

And wasn't that HERBERT MARSHALL just so doggone dashing?? (after he shaved the beard, of course..Ha) And he was so endearing too... I LOVED when he first finds out he is going to be earning a big salary and he's making plans to buy his office equipment... and then he gets all excited... and says something like... "I'm going to go buy myself a pencil sharpener with different sized holes"!! Ha. TOO Sweet. (and PS.. I actually got almost that excited over buying one of those last fall, myself ... Ha. It's the simple things in life!) :-)

[Catwoman915]

I'm with you Bronxgirl give me Donat anytime.

[JackFavell]

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

> Miss B and Miss G.... WHAT a good story... I really enjoyed THE GOOD FAIRY

>

> This is now one of my favorite roles for Frank Morgan... (maybe just below The Shop Around the Corner) and I would say it IS now my favorite for Ms. Sullaven (maybe just above TSATC) :-)

>

> What a fun tale... All three men.. wanting to take care of her (but each in his own way)... I LOVED the way Reginald Owen more or less takes her under his wing... He was quite the "mother hen". ha.

 

I LOVED Reginald Owen, Kathy! I just thought he was hysterical from the minute I saw him....and he actually made me stop watching Frank Morgan, which is simply amazing!

 

I loved Morgan too, especially his very endearing and stuttery proposal.... what a sweet guy. I wasn't sure he was going to be that nice at the beginning.

 

> And wasn't that HERBERT MARSHALL just so doggone dashing?? (after he shaved the beard, of course..Ha) And he was so endearing too... I LOVED when he first finds out he is going to be earning a big salary and he's making plans to buy his office equipment... and then he gets all excited... and says something like... "I'm going to go buy myself a pencil sharpener with different sized holes"!! Ha. TOO Sweet. (and PS.. I actually got almost that excited over buying one of those last fall, myself ... Ha. It's the simple things in life!) :-)

 

We bought an old fashioned pencil sharpener like that when school started. I was tired of the new battery operated ones that don't work after a while, and the little tiny ones that fall apart. It is pink, but otherwise just the same as the one in the movie! Ah, the simple life is right.

 

I loved Marshall's combination of sweetness and stuffiness beyond his years. I find myself today thinking of Ronald Colman in The Whole Town's Talking..... except Marshall was a little more youthful and goofy. I loved that whole first scene in which he is talking to himself about what he will do with the money - and then he puts his hand up to his mouth as if to shush himself up. It made me laugh out loud.

 

This movie made me guffaw loudly several times, and I felt bad because I almost woke up the rest of my family.... I too loved the movie within the movie, and the transitions from scene to scene.

 

Margaret Sullivan was never more charming or beautiful. She really fit the character so well here. I love the scene in which she is telling the children the fairy story (Wampa wampa, Wumpa wumpa, Eenie meenie minie mo; Sweet and faithful Rosalinda, Take me where I want to GO), and then falls off of the ladder..... Wyler filmed it just right, giving us a little shot of what Alan Hale sees as he walks into the kitchen - a look up Sullivan's skirts as she is swinging on the chandelier!

 

The cast is one of the best I've ever seen in a movie, right down to Cesar Romero as the cad on the street! Eric Blore was hysterical as Dr. Metz, and even more funny when we see Marshall's awed reaction to the mere mention of his name. And Luis Alberni (did he always play barbers?) was charming as the barber who helps Marshall decide that he doesn't want to look like .... a barber!

 

From what I've read, others have compared this movie to Lubitsch, and rightly so. But I think Wyler gives him a run for his money in this little gem. I think he did an excellent job of pacing and choreographing the lovely little Molnar farce.

 

The only thing I didn't like was the abrupt ending - I wish it would have gone on just a little longer. This movie was like dry champagne, frothy and tasty on the tongue, but evaporating way too soon.

[moviefan1951]

> I'm with you Bronxgirl give me Donat anytime.

 

That's the spirit, Catwoman! I can't get enough Donat, either.

[Bronxgirl48]

"STAY!"

 

"GO!"

 

"STAY!"

 

"GO!"

 

 

 

 

Be back later this evening, girls, to gush about THE GOOD FAIRY.

(and did you all notice that this is about the third or fourth pre-OZ Frank Morgan film that strangely references it? He did one where he talks about balloons, (and not the 1940 THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER, where Pepe tells Mrs. M. that her husband is in a balloon with two blondes) but a 30's movie) another where his name starts with 'Oz', and in THE GOOD FAIRY he talks about a wizard....)

 

 

 

 

Luisa

[Bronxgirl48]

> {quote:title=molo14 wrote:}{quote}

> *I'm looking forward to THE GOOD FAIRY tonight. Haven't seen it in ages. Shall we ramble about it tomorrow?*

>

> Hi Barb,

>

> I recorded it. I will try to watch it in the next couple of days. I've been so busy with my pooka that I've fallen way behind here. I'll catch up eventually. By golly!!

 

I've got to run out now and buy a pencil sharpener! (when you see the film you'll understand)

[rohanaka]

I LOVED Reginald Owen, Kathy! I just thought he was hysterical from the minute I saw him....and he actually made me stop watching Frank Morgan, which is simply amazing

 

When he first meets her in the theater... I thought at first he'd be just a "passing jerk" sort of character and that would be the end of him... but then we she meets him again on the street... I loved the way he goes from being "annoyed" by her to helping her... And the scenes at the party w/ him giving her all those little hand signals and gestures were hilarious.... I loved how he would not give Morgan any quarter in that dining room.. he was a man on a mission.

 

I loved Morgan too, especially his very endearing and stuttery proposal.... what a sweet guy. I wasn't sure he was going to be that nice at the beginning.

 

I wasn't either... I figured he'd be as "lecherous" as he first seemed... but I just don't think his heart was in it.. ha. I LOVED how he tells her he wants him to darn his socks and then starts talking about all the many kids he wants them to have... too sweet... I almost wished for a (brief) moment she HAD ended up w/ him... (But I got over it... Dr. Max was way too endearing.)

 

PS... Bronxgirl... STAY.. GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO!!! I can think of a few people I could have that conversation with... ha. (I would be the one saying GO... just to clarify that.) ha. :-)

[Bronxgirl48]

Hey, guys, THE GOOD FAIRY was as bouyant and delightfully offbeat as I remember when I first saw it as a teen. (the other two Sullavan films I was familiar with at that time were THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER and the depressing CRY HAVOC, which I still cannot watch to this day, it makes me unbearably sad)

 

I agree with Miss G. that it's hard to think of Margaret as a naive waif, but darned if she doesn't pull that character off for me, although her Luisa in some odd way (I know, VERY odd) reminded me of Sally Bowles from CABARET: adventurous, optimistic, feeding off of and living in their glittery fantasy worlds of romance and riches as exemplified by the dream-life of movies; consciously and unconsciously manipulating the men they come in contact with.

Of course, brash Sally boldly and unashamedly uses her sexuality to get what she wants while sweet Luisa is apparently unaware of the effect she has on the opposite sex.

 

Wendy, you really hit the nail on the head when you compared Herbert Marshall as Dr. Sporum to the "sweetness and stuffiness" of Ronald Colman in THE TALK OF THE TOWN. You're exactly right!

 

Kathy, I loved Reginald Owen in this movie -- I don't believe I've ever seen him in a part so fulsome and funny. He is as affected by that awful "stay-go" weepie as Lu is, and he is quick to tell her that she's the sort of girl who deserves the finer things in life (although how does he think she's going to get them? By landing a rich husband instead of being a mistress?)

 

Frank Morgan as Konrad was his warmly sputtering and bumbling self, although at times I felt there was just too much of his character, and not enough of Marshall. I wanted more of Max's and Luisa's budding romance.

 

The shot of the multiple Luisas in their "genuine foxine" stole was brilliantly done by Wyler. The usherettes line up in formation to show people their way in the dark towards illusion, and Luisa sees her mirrored movie-star image also lined up, but it's still an illusion.

 

Message was edited by: Bronxgirl48

[Bronxgirl48]

So did anyone see I MARRIED A MONSTER FROM OUTER SPACE?

 

Was this an allegory about marriage?

 

Pipe the MARTY-type guys who hang around the bar with Tom Tryon and bemoan the fact that he's getting married, and that they either are, or are soon to be, hitched themselves.

 

Whattya want to do tonight, monster?

 

In one bizarrely touching scene, an alien is interrupted in his soulful stare towards a doll in a store window, by an importuning "bad" girl.

Instead of taking her up on the offer like any red-blooded creature would do (especially one whose race needs to mate with human females for their very survival) he dispatches typical puritannical movie justice, then goes back to watching the plastic "baby". Sniff, sob.

 

Keep that Kleenex by your side, because one of them discovers love.

 

It's enough to break your heart.

 

Message was edited by: Bronxgirl48

[patful]

Comments so nice, you made them twice! ;-)

[Bronxgirl48]

See below.

[calypsogal]

Not twice, but two times as awesome!

 

[rohanaka]

Hello Luisa!!! :-) I loved your comments on TGF!! And you are right about how well Margaret is able to pull of the naive waif persona... I think she is one of the most genuinely kind, yet fanciful characters I can remember in a long time.

 

The shot of the multiple Luisas in their "genuine foxine" stole was brilliantly done by Wyler. The usherettes line up in formation to show people their way in the dark towards illusion, and Luisa sees her mirrored movie-star image also lined up, but it's still an illusion

 

That's a terrific way of saying it. And I LOVED that shot in the mirrors... it was so "grown up" and yet totally "kidlike" all at the same time... not to mention, simply GORGEOUS.

 

And PS.. I've never seen the "I Married A Monster" movie... but if you asked my husband... he'd likely tell you the TITLE must have been borrowed from someone's autobiography... HIS. ha.

[molo14]

*So did anyone see I MARRIED A MONSTER FROM OUTER SPACE?*

 

Hi Barb,

 

As I watched I thought "I bet Bronxie is watching this".

 

*In one bizarrely touching scene, an alien is interrupted in his soulful stare towards a doll in a store window, by an importuning "bad" girl.*

*Instead of taking her up on the offer like any red-blooded creature would do (especially one whose race needs to mate with human females for their very survival) he dispatches typical puritannical movie justice, then goes back to watching the plastic "baby". Sniff, sob.*

 

Was her name Francine? I felt really bad for her. She had to be one of the most frustrated "bad girls" I remember seeing in a film. There she was flaunting it and yet no takers! In fact all the men were very dismissive of her. I thought she was pretty hot! I probably shed a tear myself when she was zapped. Now why did they want to go and do that for?

 

These aliens were rather high minded in their morals. Remember the stalking lech? He wasn't up to their standards so hey let's just "off em" sopranos style.

 

*Was this an allegory about marriage?*

 

Yes I think so. I thought Gloria and "monster" Tryon were very mature in their discussions.

 

*Monster Tryon:* Aren't you afraid to be telling me all this

 

*Gloria:* Yes

 

It was a good movie.

 

*It's enough to break your heart.*

 

Wasn't it though? I felt emotionally torn at the ending.

[Bronxgirl48]

I don't know why I even mentioned Sally Bowles (and I was going to include Holly Golightly in there as well) but I probably was picking up

something in Margaret Sullavan herself, some kind of attention-seeking party girl persona, and I glommed it onto Ms. Ginglebusher. Bad call on my part.

 

I love how Preston Sturge's vervy Yankee screwball sensibility and dry intelligence blend perfectly with Molnar's sophisticated Hungarian charm,

and both served up with Wyler's own deft but down-to-earth "touch".

 

My mother actually sat through I MARRIED A MONSTER FROM OUTER SPACE and declared it "stupid".

 

I asked her why she didn't just shut it off. Her answer: "Well, I wanted to see just how stupid it could get".

[rohanaka]

Bad call on my part.

 

No, I bet not... I meant to mention in my post that I had never seen Cabaret (and I have also never seen Breakfast at Tiffany's) But YOU do know your movie references, so I imagine there is a ring of truth in your comparisons...

 

My mother actually sat through I MARRIED A MONSTER FROM OUTER SPACE and declared it "stupid".

 

So is that an official entry for the "MOM'S MOVIE REVIEW" magazine??? ha.

 

I asked her why she didn't just shut it off. Her answer: "Well, I wanted to see just how stupid it could get".

 

HA!! She is a total crackup! And I know how she feels.... I have often found myself watching... or sometimes reading... and said the very same thing. Occasionally something will be SO ridiculous that I can't believe I am still interested... like looking at a "12 clown car pileup" almost... but you can't shut it off, because you just have to see what comes next) Ha.

[Bronxgirl48]

> {quote:title=molo14 wrote:}{quote}

> *So did anyone see I MARRIED A MONSTER FROM OUTER SPACE?*

>

> Hi Barb,

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hey, Larry!

>

> As I watched I thought "I bet Bronxie is watching this".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wild horses couldn't have kept me away. (why is it always "wild horses", though? Couldn't the phrase be, "wild alligators"?

 

 

 

>

> *In one bizarrely touching scene, an alien is interrupted in his soulful stare towards a doll in a store window, by an importuning "bad" girl.*

> *Instead of taking her up on the offer like any red-blooded creature would do (especially one whose race needs to mate with human females for their very survival) he dispatches typical puritannical movie justice, then goes back to watching the plastic "baby". Sniff, sob.*

>

> Was her name Francine? I felt really bad for her. She had to be one of the most frustrated "bad girls" I remember seeing in a film. There she was flaunting it and yet no takers! In fact all the men were very dismissive of her. I thought she was pretty hot! I probably shed a tear myself when she was zapped. Now why did they want to go and do that for?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yeah, I think it was Francine. She probably had a social disease or something, that's why the guys stayed away. Maybe the alien picked up on that (so to speak)

>

> These aliens were rather high minded in their morals. Remember the stalking lech? He wasn't up to their standards so hey let's just "off em" sopranos style.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I like that, "the stalking lech". Sounds like the old guy in my laundry room.

 

>

> *Was this an allegory about marriage?*

>

> Yes I think so. I thought Gloria and "monster" Tryon were very mature in their discussions.

>

> *Monster Tryon:* Aren't you afraid to be telling me all this

>

> *Gloria:* Yes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think Marlon Brando and Eva Marie Saint should have played those parts, don't you?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

>

> It was a good movie.

>

> *It's enough to break your heart.*

>

> Wasn't it though? I felt emotionally torn at the ending.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I haven't felt such heartache since BRIDE OF THE MONSTER.

[molo14]

Hey there again Barb!

 

*(why is it always "wild horses", though? Couldn't the phrase be, "wild alligators"?*

 

Look, I ponder too much as it is.

 

*Yeah, I think it was Francine. She probably had a social disease or something, that's why the guys stayed away. Maybe the alien picked up on that (so to speak)*

 

Oh of course! Geez! I'm so naive! Left on my own, I'd probably wind up being a bit player in an Eddie Robinson biopic.

 

*I like that, "the stalking lech". Sounds like the old guy in my laundry room.*

 

Is he still around?? I remember the stories!

 

*I think Marlon Brando and Eva Marie Saint should have played those parts, don't you?*

 

For some reason I was thinking Claude Rains and Loretta Young but maybe you're right.

[Bronxgirl48]

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

> Bad call on my part.

>

> No, I bet not... I meant to mention in my post that I had never seen Cabaret (and I have also never seen Breakfast at Tiffany's) But YOU do know your movie references, so I imagine there is a ring of truth in your comparisons...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I know enough movie references for my comparisons at times to be utterly ridiculous.

 

And this is one of those times.

>

> My mother actually sat through I MARRIED A MONSTER FROM OUTER SPACE and declared it "stupid".

>

> So is that an official entry for the "MOM'S MOVIE REVIEW" magazine??? ha.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can quote her.

>

> I asked her why she didn't just shut it off. Her answer: "Well, I wanted to see just how stupid it could get".

>

> HA!! She is a total crackup! And I know how she feels.... I have often found myself watching... or sometimes reading... and said the very same thing. Occasionally something will be SO ridiculous that I can't believe I am still interested... like looking at a "12 clown car pileup" almost... but you can't shut it off, because you just have to see what comes next) Ha.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She thought the gunk coming out of the aliens when they died looked "like applesauce".

 

I couldn't eat my Motts after that.

[Bronxgirl48]

> {quote:title=molo14 wrote:}{quote}

> Hey there again Barb!

>

> *(why is it always "wild horses", though? Couldn't the phrase be, "wild alligators"?*

>

> Look, I ponder too much as it is.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Me, too, but sometimes my brain gets SO STARVED....

>

> *Yeah, I think it was Francine. She probably had a social disease or something, that's why the guys stayed away. Maybe the alien picked up on that (so to speak)*

>

> Oh of course! Geez! I'm so naive! Left on my own, I'd probably wind up being a bit player in an Eddie Robinson biopic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OMG, LOL, I was thinking of Dr. Erlich too!

>

> *I like that, "the stalking lech". Sounds like the old guy in my laundry room.*

>

> Is he still around?? I remember the stories!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh, he's still here. Last week he offered to take me to McDonald's for french fries.

 

I told him I wanted a Whopper, and if he got my meaning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

>

> *I think Marlon Brando and Eva Marie Saint should have played those parts, don't you?*

>

> For some reason I was thinking Claude Rains and Loretta Young but maybe you're right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Invisible Man Meets The Farmer's Daughter?

 

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[Bronxgirl48]

"Brad" and "Janet" from I MARRIED A MONSTER FROM OUTER SPACE.

 

[Bronxgirl48]

Everybody, please don't miss or fail to record TUNES OF GLORY this afternoon.

 

It is without doubt Alec Guinness's and John Mill's finest performances,

and they thought so too. Although Dennis Price almost steals it from under them!

 

 

moirafinnie has a thread on this wonderful and unexpectedly poignant film.

 

 

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[moviefan1951]

> Everybody, please don't miss or fail to record TUNES OF GLORY tomorrow.

 

Ah, a truly GREAT motion picture, with two of the greatest British actors of all time. B-)

[rohanaka]

TUNES OF GLORY

 

Woo Hoo, Ms B!! I still remember our chat!! and I never got around to watching this one on youtube... Now I can get it on tape!! thanks for the tip!!

[moviefan1951]

 

Did someone mention those lovely kilts? :x

 

Message was edited by: moviefan1951