Movie Rambles

[movieman1957]

I have and like it very much. My daughter even likes it. We have our own copy. I would enjoy a discussion very much.

[Film_Fatale]

Have you seen it many times, Chris? B-)

[movieman1957]

Several. We haven't watched it in a couple of months though. It's a fine film and Fonda and Perkins are quite good together.

 

(Sorry for the edit but it didn't come out right.)

[FrankGrimes]

Hey, Grahame's Guy -- After our discussion in the noir thread (which I'm still pondering by the way) I'm curious as to whether or not you have seen Come And Get It and what you thought of it if you did.

 

I taped Come and Get It, but I didn't get to watch it. It must be a pretty darn good movie if it made such a great impression on both you and Miss G.

[Film_Fatale]

Several. We haven't watched it in a couple of months though. It's a fine film and Fonda and Perkins are quite good together.

 

That's awesome! I'm sure we could get an interesting discussion going after Wednesday's showing! I love any Western with Fonda in it. :x

[Film_Fatale]

I taped Come and Get It, but I didn't get to watch it. It must be a pretty darn good movie if it made such a great impression on both you and Miss G.

 

Well if you watch it and like it, maybe you could post some screencaps for us.

[JackFavell]

I also would love a discussion of *The Tin Star*. It's one of the westerns I actually like..... I saw it a long time ago, and just sort of fell for it's tight, strong direction, and I can't think of two people mre suited to their roles than Fonda and Perkins. Mann is probably my second favorite western director.

 

Let me know if you are rambling about it here, or over in westerns......

 

Saw the last half of *Payment Deferred*. It was rather dull going as I came in, but I realize now that it was showing Laughton's tender relationship with his wife. I absolutely loved the ending. Laughton's last scene with the doctor was AMAZING! This is why Laughton was considered one of the best actors of his time. His scenes from then on were so moving, I was in tears for the rest of the movie.

 

Maureen O'Sullivan is one of my very favorites. She brings a fresh energy, and a really good-natured feeling to every role. So I was surprised at the few scenes I saw her in in this movie. She was spoiled and seemed rather hard, then did a quick turn-around at the end. I really didn't see enough here to make any comments, but I don't think I have ever seen her give a bad performance. She can make a small role come completely alive. Her voice is wonderfully clipped, but never phony. Of course she is wonderful as Jane in the Tarzan movies, but I am especially amazed at her performances as Dora in David Copperfield, Henrietta in Barrett's of Wimpole Street, and as Jane in Pride and Prejudice. These are roles that I think most actresses have trouble with, because they are badly defined characters. They are simply a means to an end- a way to show off the main character, or get that character to where they should have been all along. But she gives them all such a life of their own! Her Henrietta is such a perfect depiction of a younger, outspoken sister (I admit that I identify with that strongly) that I stop even thinking about Norma Shearer when O'Sullivan is on the screen. Dora is shown in all her imperfections- a girl who never had to grow up, and who relied on her looks all her short life. Maureen makes you love Dora anyway, with all her faults. I always wonder whether she would have become a good wife to David had she lived? Or was it just the spectre of death that made her see her own flaws at the end? And her Jane Bennet- well, it is perfection. She is the only actress I've seen play this role who really fits the description of Jane given in the book- Beautiful, quiet, and modest.

 

Well, I didn't mean to digress into a list of the many attributes of Maureen O'Sullivan! I meant to talk about Mr. Laughton and his talent. I will mention that I tried desperately to stay up for The Canterville Ghost, a movie I remember liking tremendously as a young girl. I dropped off about the time the ghost first appeared. I will have to rent this one, and watch it with my daughter, I think (though I may lop off the beginning, for my daughter's sake. The walling up scene was a bit gruesome even for me).

 

So far, I have enjoyed all the Laughton films very much. But my favorites are the ones in which he imbues his character with a wistful yet down to earth quality- Rembrandt, and Payment Deferred. Then again, he's so great at blustery comedies, I just can't make up my mind.

[Film_Fatale]

Top o'the mornin' to ya, Jackie! B-)

 

I can tell already that *The Tin Star* is going to get a good discussion going - whether here or in the Western Rambles thread.

 

This is why Laughton was considered one of the best actors of his time. His scenes from then on were so moving, I was in tears for the rest of the movie.

 

He really elevated *The Private Life of Henry VIII*, a movie that I think would have been deadly dull without him. I haven't caught up with my recording of *Payment Deferred* - so many movies, so little time! I hope I'll watch it soon.

[JackFavell]

Good morning, Miss Fatale!

 

so many movies, so little time! groan! I hear ya! I keep watching TCM instead of watching my Netflix movies! I shhould watch them today, but I have to make lasagne, and vacuum, do laundry and wrap some presents for my daughter's birthday! Then she has parent's night at ballet tonight, so that blows the whole day, for movies anyway........

 

Re: *Payment Deferred* - I hope I didn't give anything away.... I wish I had taped it. Monday is our night to watch sitcoms, so I usually come in at about 9:00 on TCM. Normally I check the schedule first, but yet again, I didn't. I don't have any more room on my hard drive anyway. My only hope is that they show it again someday, so I can see the beginning. I definitely saw a little Hitchcock in this one.

 

I wasn't crazy about Henry VIII either, other than Laughton, Donat and Lanchester....

 

Message was edited by: JackFavell

[Film_Fatale]

Guten morgen, Fraulein Jackie! Wie gehts? B-)

 

I hear ya! I keep watching TCM instead of watching my Netflix movies!

 

I've just downgraded my suscription to 4 movies at a time, because I need more time to watch stuff from TCM and my own collection.

 

I wasn't crazy about Henry VIII either, other than Laughton, Donat and Lanchester....

 

Maybe part of the reason that I've enjoyed British 30's movies so much is that I set my expectations so low for the longest time for anything that wasn't directed by Hitchcock. I actually got a kick out of *Henry VIII* and *The Ghoul*, too, even if some aren't crazy about it.

[MissGoddess]

For anyone interested, I've written my "piece" about *The Wings of Eagles* in the Ford at Fox

thread, to keep the Ford films all in one place.

[Film_Fatale]

To Kathy and everyone else interested in *The Grapes of Wrath* - I thought this might interest you:

 

http://video.nytimes.com/video/2008/11/17/movies/1194832268537/critics-picks-the-grapes-of-wrath.html?8dpc

[rohanaka]

Hi April--

 

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.

 

I bet you?ve got a good collection going. I agree..it would be a good way to dissect a film and really get into the meat of it.

 

The Tin Star ... If Mr Grimes willwatch it maybe we can get up a discussion in your Western Rambles. I am sure Chris has seen it, too.

 

I will make an extra effort to catch it. It really looked interesting from the promo they showed last night. Seems like several folks are interested...should be a good chat.

 

Payment Deferred Wasn't it a nice little thriller?

 

That is a great way to describe it?.and I DID think of Hitchcock several times?.also a touch of Edgar Allen Poe (I kept waiting for the thump thump sound of a ?tell tale heart? at any minute)

 

Jack--I hope you can watch this all the way through sometime....the ending will be even more emotional w/ everything in context.

 

I love how Maureen O'Sullivan looks in the early 1930s.

 

I?ve never really followed her films too much?but she does tend to ?bloom? in this one (especially toward the end)

 

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

 

I agree. Now it is all about skin?as in who can show the most of it. Stars that were around back when this one was made just seemed to take on a different persona?even the risqu? was not so ?in your face?

 

I also watched The Old Dark House last night?it was creepy and hilarious all at the same time. That was one whacko family to be sure?and then of course you had Boris Karloff w/ the ghastly looking close-ups?I am sure back then that was enough to creep out the average 12year old kid and send them diving under the covers late at night.?scary movies didn?t? have to be so graphic to scare you back in the day Nowadays Karloff would have to rip somebody?s head off or blow everybody up to smithereens just to get folks to even raise an eyebrow The entire cast was very entertaining, and I think I may have found a soft spot in my heart for Melvyn Douglas I never knew I had before?what a sweetie. But PS?was Raymond Massey ever quite so dashing as he was in this one? I got a whole new take on him as well.

 

PSS--FF--interesting article on TGOW

[MissGoddess]

Howdy, Kathy---I love *The Old Dark House* though I missed last night's showing. It's true, you

could get scared back then just by getting to use your own imagination!

[JackFavell]

The Old Dark House should have been called "The old dark print". I feel guilty but could not watch it because of how bad the contrast was.....

 

FF- I am glad you posted that clip from The Grapes of Wrath. It made me remember how much the movie inspired me as a kid- how much it still inspires me. I have never been moved by any film, before or since, quite so much. Watching it, I realize again how important it is to help the underdog, the person with no voice....

[Film_Fatale]

PSS--FF--interesting article on TGOW

 

Glad you enjoyed it too, Kathy. Although it's not so much an article as a video review.

[Film_Fatale]

Howdy, Kathy---I love The Old Dark House though I missed last night's showing. It's true, you

could get scared back then just by getting to use your own imagination!

 

I hear the print wasn't all that great...

[rohanaka]

The Old Dark House

 

The whole family could have belonged on a Dr. Phil show or something....I didn't know whether to look away in horror or laugh...or even cry at some or their "issues".

 

It was a poor picture quality..but it sort of worked for me.

 

PS..FF--GOW "clip"...yeah should have called it that..I was in a hurry as I typed. :-)

[Film_Fatale]

*PS..FF--GOW "clip"...yeah should have called it that..I was in a hurry as I typed. :-)*

 

No biggie. Any news from the library yet? B-)

[molo14]

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

 

> 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.

 

Hi, MissG,

 

That never even occurred to me. It's an interesting idea but I don't know. It would certainly give me a different perspective. It's a plausible argument.

>

> 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.

 

Her initial entry into the film left me a little unsure of her. I have seen the film before so I was anticipating her arrival. I concentrated on every little nuance and eventually began to be taken in by the way she talked and moved. She is frankly, a little disconcerting at first. It reminded me of when I first saw Gloria Grahame in *Odds Against Tomorrow.* It's a strange comparision but at first I was asking myself "what is she doing?" but then it started to have a charm all its own. It became kind of entrancing. I appreciate what you're saying about "Hawksian women" and I agree with you about her motivations but it was also something about the way she moved and spoke that attracted me to her because it seemed a little off kilter. I don't know why, it's just a quirk I have. That "off" quality mellows as she gets more involved with Barney and Walter and then disappears in the young Lotta. It seems part of it was a means for Farmer to separate her dual characters. I think we both agree that her manner was somewhat affected by her need to survive in a man's world. Would you say that is the curse of all "Hawksian women?"

[MissGoddess]

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

>

> Hi, MissG,

>

 

>

> Her initial entry into the film left me a little unsure of her. I have seen the film before so I was anticipating her arrival. I concentrated on every little nuance and eventually began to be taken in by the way she talked and moved. She is frankly, a little disconcerting at first. It reminded me of when I first saw Gloria Grahame in *Odds Against Tomorrow.* It's a strange comparision but at first I was asking myself "what is she doing?" but then it started to have a charm all its own. It became kind of entrancing. I appreciate what you're saying about "Hawksian women" and I agree with you about her motivations but it was also something about the way she moved and spoke that attracted me to her because it seemed a little off kilter. I don't know why, it's just a quirk I have. That "off" quality mellows as she gets more involved with Barney and Walter and then disappears in the young Lotta. It seems part of it was a means for Farmer to separate her dual characters. I think we both agree that her manner was somewhat affected by her need to survive in a man's world. Would you say that is the curse of all "Hawksian women?"

 

 

Well done, Molo! You described those scenes and her manner perfectly. I think Hawks saw

a unique, off-beat quality to Frances Farmer herself, and encouraged its appearance in the elder

"Lotta". As to your last query, that's very interesting. I just always believed Hawks when he

said he wrote and directed female characters the way he liked them. He liked women to behave

like that, independent and kind of insolent in an almost masculine way at first, and ultimately

feminine in their responses. Which may also explain his ultimate end in bachelorhood.

[Film_Fatale]

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.

 

To be perfectly honest, it did occur to me briefly. As it was, it already seemed almost incestous in some bizarre way for him to be so attracted to the daughter of his best friend and his old flame. It would have been even worse if he'd been the father of the girl, however I think if there was any actual possibility of it he'd probably have felt the urge to ask the elder Lotta.

 

Of course, there's also the fact that even if that had been what happened in the original novel, they couldn't possibly have shown that in the movie due to the Code.

[Film_Fatale]

As to your last query, that's very interesting. I just always believed Hawks when he

said he wrote and directed female characters the way he liked them. He liked women to behave

like that, independent and kind of insolent in an almost masculine way at first, and ultimately

feminine in their responses. Which may also explain his ultimate end in bachelorhood.

 

That makes sense to me. B-)

[molo14]

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

> The Old Dark House should have been called "The old dark print". I feel guilty but could not watch it because of how bad the contrast was.....

>

 

Hi Jackie,

 

I know that TCM has shown a better print of this film. I didn't bother watching after about a minute. I've seen it before and it's a good, creepy movie with some very funny parts. I recorded this to DVDr a few months ago when it aired so I will have to check on the quality. I know I've seen a better print aired on TCM though.

 

I did watch *Payment Deferred* and Maureen O'Sullivan's character goes through changes as the story progresses. It was a bit creaky at times but the story kept me involved. Laughton is very interesting to watch. He seemed to put so much into his character that I felt as frustrated and drained as he did.

 

*Possible Spoiler*

 

The part with Milland in the beginning, well I didn't think Ray's character was all that nice anyway.

[molo14]

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

> Well done, Molo! You described those scenes and her manner perfectly. I think Hawks saw

> a unique, off-beat quality to Frances Farmer herself, and encouraged its appearance in the elder

> "Lotta". As to your last query, that's very interesting. I just always believed Hawks when he

> said he wrote and directed female characters the way he liked them. He liked women to behave

> like that, independent and kind of insolent in an almost masculine way at first, and ultimately

> feminine in their responses. Which may also explain his ultimate end in bachelorhood.

 

That's a good point about Hawks and Farmer. I have to love those tough Hawks' gals like Slim and Feathers. I'm not sure how Susan Vance fits in though. As for that last comment: *Ouch!*

 

Off topic.

 

Has anyone else noticed that this is like the only thread on the board that has more replies than views? I didn't know that was even possible.

 

And yes The Dick Van Dyke Show is great. It's such a smart comedy with lots of good characters. I often watch an episode if my late movie runs short and I'm not tired enough to sleep.