SansFin Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 I find that Gary Merrill has nothing worth looking at from the neck up at the best of times. His face always seems like a blob to me. Unshavenliness is a slight advantage as it hides his pasty skin. I truly wish *Another Man's Poison* had been a pairing of Bette Davis and Humphrey Bogart. I love the movie as it is for only her performance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lzcutter Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 Hey Barb, Don't mean to change the subject- I like Gary plenty and I think in various movies you can see how much Bette loved him, it's written all over her face- but it is Ann-Magrock's birthday today: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronxgirl48 Posted April 28, 2012 Author Share Posted April 28, 2012 Top of the evening to you, Miss G. PBS pledge drives are good for insomnia, as well as any of the chortling, hyperbolic male jewelry designers on ShopNBC, particularly Chuck Clemency. I find his manic energy strangely lulling. "Ladies! Woo-woo-woo, get this diamond right now!" You can also try QVC, where the mantra 24/7 is "when it's gone, it's gone!" (but items always mysteriously seem to return) Just keep repeating "when it's gone, it's gone...when it's gone, it's gone...when it's...zzzzzzzz". Haven't seen Gary in THE WONDERFUL COUNTRY. I think he's terrific as Bill Sampson in ALL ABOUT EVE, especially the "what is theatre?" speech to Baxter. A good actor, very serious about his profession I feel, I just wouldn't want to be involved with him romantically for some reason. He's got a lived-in, craggy face, which usually I wouldn't mind in a man, but I want Gary smooth, like Dustin Hoffman in TOOTSIE. Mom loves the villa! Although of course she's not above putting in her two cents worth of opinions. "Wouldn't just one poster of the French Riviera be enough?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronxgirl48 Posted April 28, 2012 Author Share Posted April 28, 2012 What's the story, morning glory? Happy Birthday, Kim McAfee! I'll bet Ann is still looking good. I've actually liked what little I've seen of Gary's work (I remember him in a very moving Twilight Zone episode about the Civil War) Bette certainly can't keep her eyes off him in ALL ABOUT EVE. Too bad that marriage fell apart. They shared common New England roots. Edited by: Bronxgirl48 on Apr 28, 2012 10:38 PM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronxgirl48 Posted April 28, 2012 Author Share Posted April 28, 2012 I like Bogie as the Irish stable hand in DARK VICTORY. Maybe he could have played the vet living next door to Bette in ANOTHER MAN'S POISON, lol. Edited by: Bronxgirl48 on Apr 28, 2012 7:16 PM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueSueApplegate Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 Bronxie, I think those QVC Gem and Jewelry episodes are filmed in Miltown...... And Lynn, I am raising a flute to Ann in celebration of her personal anniversary. (You would want mebbe me to use a piano yet?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronxgirl48 Posted April 28, 2012 Author Share Posted April 28, 2012 Hi, SueSue! There's no place like my villa...there's no place like my villa...now if only I could afford a gilt-edged chandelier for the boudoir, lol. Your generous best wishes warm my heart, and back at you from Mrs. Valentino-Eddy-Lugosi-Cortez-Denning-Bellamy-Brynner-Taylor-Todd, et. al. How are things in your own Bedford Falls? Except for the mortifying popcorn ceiling, (I need wooden beams! beams! beams!) my living room is coming together in airy mid-century modern French Riviera style -- Picasso, Matisse and Van Gogh prints, vintage-art travel posters, tropical palms, sunflowers -- punctuated with more earthy/ornate 18th and 17th century Provencal touches like bronze and red goblets, country wreaths, woven baskets. The bathroom is Italian inspired; I shelled out 40 clams for a classic Tuscan shower curtain. My toothbrush holder is in the shape of a Pompeiian urn, lol. The bedroom is somewhat feminine, sophisticated-beachy, very BONJOUR TRISTESSE. It's I hope retro Cote D'Azur-chic and sunny, with varying shades of Mediterranean blue. The kitchen is subtle French Country (i.e., no rooster designs) with a touch of Parisian elegance in the curvy and charming bistro table with two graceful chairs. I'm still working on the patio. Now all I need are 35 acres....more or less. Edited by: Bronxgirl48 on Apr 29, 2012 12:09 AM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronxgirl48 Posted April 29, 2012 Author Share Posted April 29, 2012 LOL! I do, however, perk up when they showcase Italian Vicenza Gold. Host Antonella gets so excited, I worry she's got nothing left for her husband at day's end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackFavell Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 I like hairy Gary too, especially his voice. I think he was terrifically underrated. He just isn't one to scream out, look at me! so people probably didn't see him as the thoughtful actor he was. Somehow, I liked him all fuzzy and a bit more rugged looking. I know when I first saw him, I thought he was a stiff, wooden actor, but I quickly changed my opinion of him. I just love his line readings, he's very savvy without seeming intellectual. There's something tired and worn about him that I find appealing, though now I can't get the idea of Bogie out of my mind for Another Man's Poison. I know that Emlyn was annoying, but I thought he played it as if he knew he was annoying, and that the whole thing was just a joke...well you know. I just enjoyed the whole thing immensely, it was a fun watch, even when you knew exactly what would happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueSueApplegate Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 Jackie, Gary always seemed like he had a few of the answers, especially the ones about what to do with a demanding, bossy femme fatale like our Bette. Bronxie, I just feel like I had a whirlwind tour of 19 episodes of House Hunters International. I definitely feel a lack of art direction in my abode. My toothbrush holder is...well...just a toothbrush holder that came attached to the backsplash. Beachy Bonjour Tristesse? Peachy.... I just adore your "Cannes" do attitude towards the indoor decor... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronxgirl48 Posted April 29, 2012 Author Share Posted April 29, 2012 SueSue, check out "Bringing Tuscany Home", by Frances Under The Tuscan Sun Mayes, from the library. You'll need a drool cup! I'm getting so many decorating ideas and laid-back Mediterranean "lifestyle" tips (although I'm always brought back depressingly to Florida life whenever I go shopping at our local Publix supermarket, home of the Rude Northern Transplant Lethal Shopping Cart) As if this woman's life wasn't enviable enough, she's got a husband who can cook up the regional Italian specialties like a storm. I don't mind our lizards because I'm sure they are running around Nice, Cannes, St. Tropez, and Lake Como. Plus we've got the palm trees down here with the relentless sun, so I can at least have the illusion I'm on the French or Italian Riviera. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronxgirl48 Posted April 29, 2012 Author Share Posted April 29, 2012 Gary looked like the type of man in real life who wouldn't take crap from anybody, particularly a force of nature like Bette Davis, lol. Then I remember reading when I was younger something about physical altercations in their union, which kind of turned me against him, but (not to excuse his alleged behavior) I guess Bette was enough to drive anyone a little mad, ha! Who wore the pants in that relationship? Maybe it wasn't Gary after all, and he was more vulnerable than I thought. I love his "radio" voice, and line readings also, which always sound portentuously ironic. On screen he seems rather cynical, someone who desperately wants to believe in the goodness of man (and woman) but just can't. I don't think I've ever seen him without a cigarette dangling from his mouth, which added to the world-weary image in my mind. I know what you mean about Emlyn being in on the "joke" with his character (like, say, John Williams in DIAL M FOR MURDER) -- after all, he was an immensely talented playwright as well as actor, so I'll probably have to refresh my brain and see it again on YouTube. Edited by: Bronxgirl48 on Apr 29, 2012 12:18 AM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronxgirl48 Posted April 29, 2012 Author Share Posted April 29, 2012 MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY is playing in the background. Gad, is there ever a sea-faring tale set in that era that doesn't include whippings and decaying food?? Edited by: Bronxgirl48 on Apr 29, 2012 12:02 AM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueSueApplegate Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 The Little Mermaid? Sue Sue is signing off now.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackFavell Posted May 5, 2012 Share Posted May 5, 2012 I have that book, Bringing Tuscany Home! There are a few others I constantly refer back to, because they have a more timeless feel than some of the other books on the topic. Somehow the french books I've found are far better than the Italian home books: French Country at Home by Kathy Passero (My favorite, since it really digs into the real and absolutement French Mas style) Great Country French Style by Meredith Books (starting to look out of date) New French Country a Source Book by Linda Dannenberg (another total examination of the real thing) In the past, I also liked Charles Faudree's French Country Signature. Only this one by Faudree, an Okie, is worth looking at. His other books simply take off on weird tangents or don't give a full room overview. At one time, he was the best of what I call Texas-French Country designers. I also have a couple old books by Linda Dannenberg about the different regions of France, which are great resources. Edited by: JackFavell on May 5, 2012 12:31 PM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueSueApplegate Posted May 5, 2012 Share Posted May 5, 2012 Those sound great, Jackie. Right now I am working on *A Year in the World* by Frances Mayes. When I need a break from essays that always begin with "In today's modern society" I indulge in a bit of House Hunter's International, or a scenic film like *River of No Return* with the Canadian Rockies as the scenic landscape. I'm watching and grading right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackFavell Posted May 5, 2012 Share Posted May 5, 2012 I definitely do HHI. I also read Carol Drinkwater's (the first Helen from All Creatures Great and Small) books about *The Olive Farm*... which she bought as a falling apart old place, and renovated bit by bit and is still probably in the process. She doesn't make you think it's easy, or that you can do it all in a matter of months. Drinkwater is a free spirit and writes very well about living the life you want, acting jobs, creating something out of nothing, and the values she prizes. I was very surprised by the books, they're good. When I need some outdoorsy inspiration, I watch westerns with wide panoramic views, or gardens of the world dvd's, or classic movies with great scenery that you can soak up like the sun, like Summertime or Bonjour Tristesse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronxgirl48 Posted May 7, 2012 Author Share Posted May 7, 2012 Ah, you've got Bringing Tuscany Home! Do you also have Bella Tuscany and In Tuscany? Oooh, Jackie I haven't read those French decorating books you mention, and I want to! Right now I'm enjoying Jocelyne Sibuet's A French Country Home, which is divided into regions: The Alps, Provence, and Mediterranean. The Provencal living room she shows is to die for -- just what I adore, that appealing blend of modernity with the more classical, rustic (yet still sophisticated) elements. I'm not crazy about Betty Lou Phillip's The French Connection and French Impressions; her texts are a bit pretentious, also, she includes photos of children's rooms in both that are inexplicably ugly. Mom stayed up way past her bedtime last night watching CAMILLE (she loves Garbo), WATERLOO BRIDGE ("Vivien Leigh is so adorable!") She agrees with RO that Robert Taylor is underrated. Don't mention WRITTEN ON THE WIND to her, though, lol. "What a lousy movie! Robert Stack is just as bad overacting as he is when being a block of wood" Edited by: Bronxgirl48 on May 6, 2012 11:37 PM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronxgirl48 Posted May 7, 2012 Author Share Posted May 7, 2012 I'm impatiently waiting for HARRY AND TONTO to be over so I can catch Gil, Shep, Queenie, Nicky, and Mrs. DePass at the Zodiac Club. I also recommend Veranda magazine. It's Southern-based, with an emphasis on luxurious European design, particularly French and Italian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronxgirl48 Posted May 7, 2012 Author Share Posted May 7, 2012 I've seen more French home design books than Italian at the library. I started out decorating my bathroom in the same Cote D'Azur style as my living room, bathroom, and kitchen, but it somehow turned out Tuscan/Roman, more "masculine", if you will, yet I really like it. I'm a big fan of mid-century modern. I love those Rat Pack era homes in California -- specifically Palm Springs and Santa Barbara. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SansFin Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 > {quote:title=Bronxgirl48 wrote:}{quote} > I'm impatiently waiting for HARRY AND TONTO to be over so I can catch Gil, Shep, Queenie, Nicky, and Mrs. DePass at the Zodiac Club. I love the movie! There are many wicked little moments all through it and Shep is such a lovable buffoon. Philippe Clay singing Le noy? assassin? paroles was an inspired choice for the type of entertainment a "Zodiac Club" might offer. Elsa Lanchester's cackle as Merle runs from the nightclub is absolutely perfect! I laugh each time Shep tries to explain about Gillian powers to his ex-fiance: Merle: A witch? Shep: Yes! Merle: Shep, you just never learned to spell. It is obvious that not all the cats have four feet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronxgirl48 Posted May 7, 2012 Author Share Posted May 7, 2012 Elsa's cackles are so unearthly! I also love George Duning's score. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackFavell Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 No I don't have those books, I kind of grew away from the Tuscany/Provence style, and am working on making my decorating a little more sleek. It's still pretty comfortable and french inspired, but I've cleared out some of the heavy furniture and adopted a more Scandinavian look. The California country types have the right idea, they stole from the simple Gustavians whom I love but the benches and chairs look so uncomfortable. So the Californians took the best, the whites and blues and yellows and creams, and they also stole the plain simplicity - then opted for subdued, white slipcovered overstuffed furniture that still has good lines. That's what I'm attracted to now. It's all expensive though. Betty Lou Phillips drives me insane! She is the one who I started dubbing "Texas French" because she's so faky about her french country. There is ALWAYS a leopard skin somewhere, and her rooms look very kitschy to me. Ack! Hey Happy belated Birthday to Rudy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronxgirl48 Posted May 8, 2012 Author Share Posted May 8, 2012 Rudy says "Grazie!" Here he is with some Taurean symbols: See you later this evening to discuss decor! A tornado is heading our way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronxgirl48 Posted May 8, 2012 Author Share Posted May 8, 2012 Rudy says "Grazie!" Here he is with some Taurean symbols: See you later this evening to discuss decor! A tornado is heading our way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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