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Movie Rambles

MissGoddess

By MissGoddess,
in Films and Filmmakers

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Film_Fatale Advanced Member

Film_Fatale

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Tonight's scheduled lineup of Charles Laughton movies also includes the wonderful, charming *The Canterville Ghost*, probably one of the most endearing movies Laughton was ever in. I've never seen the contemporary remake, so I can't really compare it to other versions, but it really charmed the socks off of me. B-)

 

18846423.jpg

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Film_Fatale Advanced Member

Film_Fatale

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And for those who're going to be staying up much later (or who might want to record it), I strongly recommend the Laurence Olivier version of *Hamlet*. Way better than the one with Mel Gibson, and totally unrivaled imho by any other adaptation except perhaps Kenneth Branagh's 4-hour extravaganza.

 

olivier_hamlet3.jpg

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rohanaka Advanced Member

rohanaka

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Hi April...I am wanting to see Wings of Eagles now more than when you talked about it this summer (I think it was in the Ford thread) I may have already requested it from the library...I gave them a list a half mile long...but will check again w/ them to be sure it's been ordered. I am also hoping some of your "contagious" disease will rub off on me and I can figure out this whole screen cap thing someday. I don't know the first thing about it, but it looks like A) a lot of work and B) a lot of fun. :-)

 

Hiya Grey Guy!! Hey...I saw another Fonda "mob justice" film getting advertised for I think it was Wednesday...The Tin Star...am going to have to check that out and see for sure...I may have turned into a Fonda junkie...I want you to know...I blame you.

 

PS...caught Payment Deferred tonight....VERY good story by the way. What a great ending...I figured out the "twist" just before it became apparant what had happened. But up til then I was thinking it would go a much different direction. That Laughton was quite a talent...I never really appreciated him that much until recently.

 

(PS--FF it was Maureen OSullivan, not OHara--but I am sure that was just an oversight)

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Film_Fatale Advanced Member

Film_Fatale

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Hiya Grey Guy!! Hey...I saw another Fonda "mob justice" film getting advertised for I think it was Wednesday...The Tin Star...am going to have to check that out and see for sure...I may have turned into a Fonda junkie...I want you to know...I blame you.

 

I can think of worst things than being a Henry Fonda junkie... at any rate I hope to watch that movie too! B-)

 

PS...caught Payment Deferred tonight....VERY good story by the way. What a great ending...I figured out the "twist" just before it became apparant what had happened. But up til then I was thinking it would go a much different direction. That Laughton was quite a talent...I never really appreciated him that much until recently.

 

I am recording on a dvd-r but won't get around to watching it immediately. Got a ton of Netflix movies I need to watch.

 

(PS--FF it was Maureen OSullivan, not OHara--but I am sure that was just an oversight)

 

Silly me, how can I get my Maureens confused? I'll fix that typo. ;)

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molo14 Advanced Member

molo14

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Another sappy ramble from me. *Possible spoilers*.

 

I watched *Come and Get it* last night and it was even better than I remembered. I liked it from the start with those logging shots credited to Richard Rosson. Those shots kind of grab your attention and say this is a "big movie" to me anyway. I can feel the hand of Hawks but it is interesting that the movie has a sentimental theme that doesn't get bogged down in it's own melancholy but leaves me sadder than any other Hawks film I've ever seen. The recurring tune of Aura Lee has a lot to do with that. It's introduction by Farmer is a highlight for me. As the older Lotta she has a way of speaking and moving that I find really intriguing. Her initial, almost blowzy rendition of the song and the subsequent scenes in the bar including that crazy bar fight were very entertaining. The way the tune recurs in the score, kind of a like a memory that won't go away, is very effective.

 

Brennan was good, accent and all, his rather simple outlook contrasted well with Arnold's drive and complexity. I also liked Mady Christians as Karie. I like Joel McCrea but I didn't pay much attention to him here. I thought Farmer did a good job of separating the two characters. Young Lotta is less interesting to me but nicely played by Farmer. I like her approach to Arnold's attention. She's sensible and real in her outlook and her plans. She's willing to work but she's not going to let an opportunity pass her by. She is not moved toward any one extreme in her character and she comes off more real to me. I also thought Farmer had a unique look. I would like to see more of her films.

 

Edward Arnold has always been a favorite of mine and I think he gives his character a certain humanity that shines through his negative actions. It's notable because despite his behavior I don't think I've ever felt for one his characters the way I do here. This is really his film. He built himself up and made all the right decisions in choosing his path to success but life still leaves him regretful. Every path can not be taken, hard choices have to be made. Those choices are final and as much as he might have let himself dream of second chances he finally realizes what's done is done. He can't fool himself any longer. Young Lotta makes that very clear to him. That final scene is very moving.

 

This film has a quiet power that builds up and stays with you long after it ends. Much like the tune of Aura Lee. calling mournfully from the distant past.

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FrankGrimes Advanced Member

FrankGrimes

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Howdy, Quiet Gal! -- Hey...I saw another Fonda "mob justice" film getting advertised for I think it was Wednesday...The Tin Star...am going to have to check that out and see for sure

 

I have The Tin Star on tape but I've yet to watch it. I really need to because it's directed by one of my favorites, Anthony Mann.

 

I may have turned into a Fonda junkie...I want you to know...I blame you.

 

I'm usually blamed for much worse, so I'll take that blame. I need to get to The Grapes of Wrath and Drums Along the Mohawk. I wonder which one I'd like more.

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Film_Fatale Advanced Member

Film_Fatale

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I have The Tin Star on tape but I've yet to watch it. I really need to because it's directed by one of my favorites, Anthony Mann.

 

Let's all watch it this Wednesday so we can chat about it! B-)

 

I need to get to The Grapes of Wrath and Drums Along the Mohawk. I wonder which one I'd like more.

 

I'd like to think you'd like *Grapes of Wrath* better, but I'm afraid you'll let us all down and express a preference for *Drums Along the Mohawk*. ;)

 

J/K - they are both good. B-)

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Film_Fatale Advanced Member

Film_Fatale

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(also posted in Horror forum)

 

Finally got around to watching *The Ghoul*, which I'd been meaning to do since way way back. But at any rate, I think it's a pretty neat horror film, especially when you consider that it's made by this British team that was probably trying to come up with something at least as special as Universal's horror movies from the early 30's. The storyline seems initially perhaps needlessly complicated, and some might be a bit disappointed that nothing "supernatural" really happens for the first 50 minutes or so of the movie. But, after that, the last half-hour is pretty darn entertaining, and there's even a few attempts at quirky humour (at least that's how it comes across today).

 

Karloff does fine, considering the relatively limited screen time, and if you watch it on DVD you'll find that the print is in very good condition indeed. B-)

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MissGoddess Advanced Member

MissGoddess

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_Molo_ what a wonderful review of COME AND GET IT. You picked up on nuances that I did

not grasp but I bet I do on my subsequent viewings (I plan to watch this movie again soon). It's

funny because I usually do notice things like that, the sadness you spoke of, the ghost-like

"memory" quality of Aura Lee. My first look at this film had me simply focused on the

characterizations and the story.

 

I agree about the good work Frances did at creating two distinct people in her Mother/Daughter

characters. Now, POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD, does anyone think that young Lotta could

possibly have been Barney's child? I realize that the rest of the movie does not support this

hair-brained theory of mine, but it's the first thing that lodged in my head when I learned that

Lotta had a child.

 

The elder Lotta scenes felt the most "Hawksian" and her character was the most typical of

the women in his films. Which is why I almost didn't take to her at first. Her way of speaking

and moving, which you also noted Molo, seemed so false. Then I came to appreciate it as a

defense---she's eeking out a rough living and has to protect herself by putting on the tough act.

Later, after she and Barney and Walter Brennan pal around you see her softer, more vulnerable

side and the contrast makes it all the more touching.

 

A great film I can't wait to see again!

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MissGoddess Advanced Member

MissGoddess

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

> Hi April...I am wanting to see Wings of Eagles now more than when you talked about it this summer (I think it was in the Ford thread) I may have already requested it from the library...I gave them a list a half mile long...but will check again w/ them to be sure it's been ordered. I am also hoping some of your "contagious" disease will rub off on me and I can figure out this whole screen cap thing someday. I don't know the first thing about it, but it looks like A) a lot of work and B) a lot of fun. :-)

>

 

Howdy, Kathy!

 

Making screencaps is a bit tedious, but I've built up enough practice with it that I can do it

fairly quickly. I love it because I learn SO MUCH MORE about a film than just sitting and

watching. Sitting and watching is of course number one, but afterward, if it's a film I want

to "dissect", nothing beats this method. I never learned as much in the film classes I took

at University.

 

 

> Hiya Grey Guy!! Hey...I saw another Fonda "mob justice" film getting advertised for I think it was Wednesday...The Tin Star...am going to have to check that out and see for sure...I may have turned into a Fonda junkie...I want you to know...I blame you.

>

 

*The Tin Star* is very good, Kathy, and I'm happy to get it recorded myself. If Mr Grimes will

watch it maybe we can get up a discussion in your Western Rambles. I am sure Chris has

seen it, too.

 

> PS...caught Payment Deferred tonight....VERY good story by the way. What a great ending...I figured out the "twist" just before it became apparant what had happened. But up til then I was thinking it would go a much different direction. That Laughton was quite a talent...I never really appreciated him that much until recently.

>

 

Wasn't it a nice little thriller? I saw it ages ago and never got it out of my mind, though I had

confused it for years with other Laughton films. Did anyone else think of Hitchcock? I kept

saying to myself the director, someone named Mendes, appeared to have been competition

for the young Alfred, but I know of no other work by him.

 

I love how *Maureen O'Sullivan* looks in the early 1930s. She is such flower face. A bonnie

Irish rose. She has just about the most beautiful smile in films. I've always liked her, especially

at this time when her looks were blooming.

 

Stars shone so much brighter back then, and it wasn't all just "ballyhoo".

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Film_Fatale Advanced Member

Film_Fatale

Posted
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Making screencaps is a bit tedious, but I've built up enough practice with it that I can do it

fairly quickly. I love it because I learn SO MUCH MORE about a film than just sitting and

watching. Sitting and watching is of course number one, but afterward, if it's a film I want

to "dissect", nothing beats this method. I never learned as much in the film classes I took

at University.

 

It also makes threads a lot more fun! B-)

 

 

The Tin Star is very good, Kathy, and I'm happy to get it recorded myself. If Mr Grimes will

watch it maybe we can get up a discussion in your Western Rambles. I am sure Chris has

seen it, too.

 

A discussion about *The Tin Star* sounds like a great idea!! :D

 

I love how Maureen O'Sullivan looks in the early 1930s. She is such flower face. A bonnie

Irish rose. She has just about the most beautiful smile in films. I've always liked her, especially

at this time when her looks were blooming.

 

Agree completely, she looked absolutely beautiful! :x

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