Movie Rambles

[rohanaka]

Well.. I have been enjoying our chat about Hatari.... and..

 

Oh. Wait... my phone is ringing. Just a minute.

 

Hello? What? Publisher's Clearing House? HUH?? I won an all expenses paid ocean cruise?????

 

FORGET IT!! I just watched *Abandon Ship!* on TCM and I wouldn't get on an ocean liner now even if you PAID ME!!! HA!!

 

Oh my golly me!!!! I only caught the last half of this film... I'd like to see it again so I can watch the beginning as well and find out what all I missed. (And PS... someday.. I hope to see the Alfred Hitchcock film Lifeboat because I would like to compare the two stories here...) But I came in sometime after the ship had already gone down and they had already "abandoned ship" and were in the lifeboat. And OH my goodness... what a moment to walk in on.

 

Imagine poor Tyrone Power having to face the choice of whether to try and save SOME..... or just hope that by pulling together you could somehow manage to beat the odds and/or let the sea decide.

 

I thought there were some REALLY good performances in this portion of the story for sure. The "crisis" aspect was very well played out in a variety of ways (panic, quiet resolve, self sacrifice, duty, selfishness) and I found all the characters and their reactions to be very believable. Especially Lloyd Nolan and the charcters of McKinley and Cookie... but also the women on board (that Mrs. Knudsen.... WHAT a class act.)

 

*Mini Spoiler Ahead:*

 

This movie ends w/ a narration that says it was all based on a true story and that the officer in charge was placed on trial and convicted of murder for the choices he made and then asks if the viewer found him "guilty or innocent".

 

Now it is VERY easy for me sitting here in the warm, safe, DRY comfort of my cushy little couch to look at the "right or wrong" of things.... but wow. In all fairness, the "choices" he was faced with in this story were not so cut and dried. I am not willing to step off (into the water... ha) and say they were "gray" areas of right and wrong.. per se. But I am glad the choosing of what should and should not happen was not left up to me.

 

And when the people started getting "selected" to go over the side... oh wow. I gasped... I yelled.... I cried. The kidling walked in from playing in the other room and said, 'MAMA!! Don't cry... do you need a hug?"

 

And bless her little heart.... I was glad she was there.. because at that moment... I DID!!! :-)

[HollywoodGolightly]

Kathy,

I recorded Abandon Ship, you'd be more than welcome to have a VHS copy if you like.

 

As for Hatari! - great news!!! I checked out the library catalog, and put a hold on a copy of it, so I should be able to pick it up soon!!

 

Something tells me I am going to really ENJOY it!!!!!

[rohanaka]

Thanks for the offer but I have a strict policy to not give out that sort of info online.

 

I am glad you found a copy of Hatari. Enjoy.

[HollywoodGolightly]

I promise, after I watch Abandon Ship I will ramble about it a bit more. It seems a bit like Lifeboat, which I watched in college but haven't seen since then. Maybe I'll watch them together!

[molo14]

Ro,.... Ro Ro, (your boat) Ha! Haaaa! Haaaaa!

 

Oh...I kill myself sometimes...ah!

 

Anyway.

 

Now about *Abandon Ship*, also know to some as *Seven Waves Away*. This is an old favorite of mine.

 

Honestly, I am sorry you missed the beginning because this doesn't come around too often. It's a Fox film so maybe they play it over on thier channel.

 

*some spoilers ahead!!!*

 

The movie basically starts with the ship sinking so you didn't miss anything there. It's been a long time since I saw it but I did record it today. I seem to remember that Ty is taken aboard the lifeboat after being adrift himself. It's a decision a number of it's passengers would soon regret. I know he had to make tough decisions, but it is hard to like his character or any character like that, who has to make those kind of choices. The film is supposed to provoke that reaction. This sort of thing has been the topic of college Ethics classes for many, many years.

 

I remember him casting off the 18 year old sailor. Who seems fit enough. I didn't like that. I thought it was purely arbitrary, and if the guy hadn't been where he was at that particular time he might not have been chosen. The scene of the young man and the old lady cast adrift together was so sad. This is a tough film that doesn't go for an easy out and keeps you glued to the screen. It's pretty intense stuff. Power does a nice job in one of his final roles.

 

I would have to watch it again to comment in more detail but those are the lasting impressions it made on me.

 

*Lifeboat* seems rather sedate by comparison. It is a different kind of film. It's bleak too, but their is a lot more time to examine character and relationship dynamics. Plus Tyrone Power didn't have to deal with Tallulah Bankhead.

[HollywoodGolightly]

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

> Ro,.... Ro Ro, (your boat) Ha! Haaaa! Haaaaa!

>

 

LOL!

 

> Honestly, I am sorry you missed the beginning because this doesn't come around too often. It's a Fox film so maybe they play it over on thier channel.

>

 

Larry,

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts about Abandon Ship. However it isn't a Fox film, it's from Columbia Pictures:

 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050091/companycredits

[rohanaka]

Ro,.... Ro Ro, (your boat) Ha! Haaaa! Haaaaa!

Oh...I kill myself sometimes...ah!

 

HA! Well now it is a murder/suicide... because you got me TOO!!! ha.

 

Thanks for the input on the early scenes... I cheated and read the synopsis in the TCM data base so I DID get at least a few of the gaps filled in .

 

I was one of those "college ethics" class kids (only it wasn't ethics... I can't remember WHAT class it was) and we had to sit around picking and choosing who was going and who was staying based on our "assigned" roles we had picked out of a hat. (I can't recall WHO I was or who I picked or did not pick.... ha... maybe it is just as well.)

 

remember him casting off the 18 year old sailor. Who seems fit enough. I didn't like that. I thought it was purely arbitrary, and if the guy hadn't been where he was at that particular time he might not have been chosen

 

That was a surprise to me too... except he DID give the kid a "duty" to go stay w/ one of the other passengers that had been cast off... but I think the kid was too young and scared to see the "honor" in that sort of thing.

 

I think Power did a great job of handling the various emotional aspects of his choices and also the end result when they all more or less "turned on him" once they realized they were about to be rescued.

 

A very thought provoking story for sure.

[MissGoddess]

Wow, I caught the FIRST 15 minutes or so of this movie and had to leave, lol! I have

always avoided it because I had assumed it was a war movie, ha! How idiotic---I was

totally GLUED to the screen and had it not already started, I would have recorded it.

I'll get it next time, for sure. Hopefully TCM has it "leased" for a while and will replay it

eventually.

 

I, too, immediately thought of LIFEBOAT, which is really one of my favorite Hitchcock

pictures. I love any movie about a disparate group of people thrown together, and

la Talullah was wonderful in it. So was the whole cast.

[molo14]

*However it isn't a Fox film, it's from Columbia Pictures*

 

My mistake. I just fired my fact checker!

[MissGoddess]

Wendy, was it you who said you like Red Buttons? I thought he

was so cute in Hatari!, and if I may backtrack a minute, here's

a cute moment from the film:

 

 

 

And I like this scene as well...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So when a man is mean to you it means he likes you???

 

I think some of us are in trouble.

[HollywoodGolightly]

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

> *However it isn't a Fox film, it's from Columbia Pictures*

>

> My mistake. I just fired my fact checker!

 

Ah, no worries.

 

If you're looking for a new fact checker, I hear there's some pretty sharp gals in the boards.

[molo14]

*That was a surprise to me too... except he DID give the kid a "duty" to go stay w/ one of the other passengers that had been cast off... but I think the kid was too young and scared to see the "honor" in that sort of thing.*

 

I don't remember the "duty" part.I will have to go back and look at it again. Why pick an eighteen year old for something like that??

 

*I think Power did a great job of handling the various emotional aspects of his choices and also the end result when they all more or less "turned on him" once they realized they were about to be rescued.*

 

This is actually one of my favorite Tyrone Power roles, even though I didn't like his character.

[molo14]

*I, too, immediately thought of LIFEBOAT, which is really one of my favorite Hitchcock*

*pictures. I love any movie about a disparate group of people thrown together,*

 

I am very similar to you in that. I am always intrigued by those types of stories.

 

*la Talullah was wonderful in it. So was the whole cast.*

 

I think we talked about Talullah in *Lifeboat* before. She gives the film an extra bit of spice.

 

*Wendy, was it you who said you like Red Buttons? I thought he*

*was so cute in Hatari!, and if I may backtrack a minute, here's*

*a cute moment from the film:*

 

April I haven't seen *Hatari* yet but I think I have it. That second sequence is very "Hawksian", isn't it?

[JackFavell]

MissG,

 

Thanks so much for the Red Buttons caps! I do love him because he always plays sweet, super nice guys, who never get the girl and are constantly telling the lead guy (who's always significantly bigger than he is) to shape up. I am always gonna go for the second lead, the guy who loses.

 

Those caps reminded me of just why I like the movie so much. It's really goofy and funny and I love the interplay between the guys. That second scene is VERY Hawksian. I also like how messed up all the men become when they are confronted by these two wonderful looking women. It may be the most female of Hawks' movies that I have seen.

 

Now how stupid am I? I watched everything BUT *Abandon Ship*.... and I cried all day. Marie Antoinette, then The Long Gray Line. I had to leave the room after that... I just couldn't take anymore emotional upheaval.... I would have probably committed suicide if what you guys say about AS is accurate.

[HollywoodGolightly]

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

> Now how stupid am I? I watched everything BUT *Abandon Ship*.... and I cried all day. Marie Antoinette, then The Long Gray Line. I had to leave the room after that... I just couldn't take anymore emotional upheaval.... I would have probably committed suicide if what you guys say about AS is accurate.

 

Wendy,

May I offer you some tissues?

 

I am recording Abandon Ship to DVD-R right now, so it's in the background and even though my eyes are on the computer, I am still feelin' a bit sea sick myself. So that's just what it does to me through my peripheral vision.

 

But this really is a movie I _must_ watch together with Lifeboat.

[MissGoddess]

I am very similar to you in that. I am always intrigued by those types of stories.

 

I actually have a very interesting idea for a movie based on a somewhat similar scenario,

only not at sea.

 

Have you seen the John Farrow movies, *Five Came Back* and Back from Eternity? They're

good ones, too---I like the earlier one best, though I LOVE Robert Ryan in the remake.

 

Then there's the Arch Oboler movie, Five; talk about a situation where you don't have

much choice who you end up with!

 

I think we talked about Talullah in *Lifeboat* before. She gives the film an extra bit of spice.

 

Ha! I'll say...dahling.

 

April I haven't seen *Hatari* yet but I think I have it. That second sequence is very "Hawksian", isn't it?

 

It's a fun movie, Larry, so when you find it and watch it, let us know what you think. No

"ramble" really dies.

 

Here's another that's very "Hawksie":

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here is spelled out the dynamic that I think is key to many Hawks "love stories":

 

 

 

[MissGoddess]

HATARI! HATARI!

 

POSSIBLE SPOILER!

 

Thanks so much for the Red Buttons caps! I do love him because he always plays sweet, super nice guys, who never get the girl and are constantly telling the lead guy (who's always significantly bigger than he is) to shape up. I am always gonna go for the second lead, the guy who loses.

 

You are most welcome, Miss Favell. I threw in another quick one. And I like that in

this movie, Red does get the girl---and a very pretty one, too.

 

Those caps reminded me of just why I like the movie so much. It's really goofy and funny and I love the interplay between the guys. That second scene is VERY Hawksian. I also like how messed up all the men become when they are confronted by these two wonderful looking women. It may be the most female of Hawks' movies that I have seen.

 

I never thought about that but I think you're right! We have not one, but two girls and

guess what---one of them, the youngest, is the Boss! I think Brandy has the best

job EVER. She gets to live in a beautiful country, surrounded by animals, which I love,

and to boss a crew of fun, competent and attractive men. Not bad!

 

[CineMaven]

MissGoddess...can you tell me the name of the actress in your screencap with Red Buttons? Thanx.

[rohanaka]

Hiya April....

 

This has turned out to be an interesting chat.. First talking about a lighthearted comedy and then a HEAVY thoughtprovoking suspenseful drama and then back to the comedy again!! No wonder I've been feeling like I am on an emotional rollercoaster today!!! .. It is like being on opposites ends of the spectrum all at the same time... ha.

 

First: The "weightier" subjects:

 

*RE: Abandon Ship!* I caught the FIRST 15 minutes or so of this movie and had to leave, lol! I have always avoided it because I had assumed it was a war movie,

 

The title IS a bit misleading isnt' it!! But... OH! I hope you get to watch it sometime soon. I hope TCM will show it again as well. I want to see what I missed at the beginning. But I also would like to get it on tape.

 

PS. MOLO: (SPOILER) The 18 year old... wasn't PUT in the water to help the woman passenger.... He was already in the water and I think there were still just too many people for him to be allowed back in... so he was unfortunate enough to just be the last of the " too many" But since he was not going to be allowed back in the boat.. I think Holmes (Power) was just trying to "give him a purpose" for staying in the water... and a "stronger" person (in terms of maturity level) would have taken that and ran with it... but the kid was too young to see it as anything but just the end of his life. So he ignored the suggestion and panicked instead. .

 

PS Wendy: it WAS a gut wrencher for sure... be sure you have PLENTY of Kleenex and someone to HUG when it gets too intense. I am still so relieved just thinking about how the kidling came and rescued me from the emotional mayhem at just the right moment.. Otherwise I might still be crying myself!! ha). :-)

 

And now... the lighter side...

 

*RE: HATARI!*

 

April... WAY fun screencaps. I thought Red Butttons was hilarious in this movie. And it WAS fun to see him get the girl (usually the "comedy sidekick" doesn't get that... but the way way it ended up playing out added to the humor of the story so it worked really well)

 

Brandy has the best job EVER. She gets to live in a beautiful country, surrounded by animals, which I love, and to boss a crew of fun, competent and attractive men. Not bad!

 

NOT BAD AT ALL!! I say...if you have to be the only girl in a group full of guys like that... be the boss!! ha. :-)

[OllieTSB]

(duplicate posting - odd)

[OllieTSB]

I have a good copy of *ABANDON SHIP*, by the way. But I can't get over Tyrone Power and his thing with getting stabbed. Boy. Does he EVER learn? If yer gonna jilt a lady, don't leave a knife layin' around on the table! And keep the gun loaded - who are ya? Barney Fife with a bullet in yer pocket?!!

 

Then, he gets better apparently, but he still ends up in the drink! Well... it's no more than he deserves. Dumpin' Marlene Dietrich for Ruta "I've Seen London And She Ain't No London" Lee?!! C'mon, Tyrone! Most guys woulda done ya in, too!

 

No wonder that, when he gets better, he's joined the merchant marines and can only think of rowin' to Africa. Jeepers. The boatload of people are probably lucky he didn't head for the Falklands.

[MissGoddess]

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

> MissGoddess...can you tell me the name of the actress in your screencap with Red Buttons? Thanx.

 

Hi Mave! It's Elsa Martinelli, and Italian actress.

 

[DownGoesFrazier]

What movie is this from? I know the two of them were together in "Hatari!", but this doesn't appear to be it.

[MissGoddess]

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

> What movie is this from? I know the two of them were together in "Hatari!", but this doesn't appear to be it.

 

Hi finance! If you're referring to the screencaps, yes, that _is_ a scene from Hatari!

 

The black-and-white collage is made up of publicity photos.

[CineMaven]

Miss Goddess, that isn't Elsa Martinelli sitting next to Red Buttons in bed, is it??