RAMBLES Part II

[butterscotchgreer]

I watched them too, Jackaaaaaaaayy!

 

The first was Tight Spot, which had an excellent performance by Brian Keith as the police officer protecting Ginger, who is the only person who can put the finger on a mob boss and his operations. Where Ginger was OK, but not quite believable because of a put on low class accent, Keith just blew me away in this film, and actually played more authentically to my mind than Edward G. Robinson, who had little to do. Keith's character was fascinating, intense and ultimately pitiable. He completely stole the show. I felt for him more than anyone else in the movie

 

I feel kind of the same as you do with Ginger in Tight Spot. She is very whiny and her performance just seemed forced. Usually I love her more whimsical films. They just come more naturally to her, I think. One exception to that rule of mine, though, is Black Widow. This was the first serious role I had ever seen of Ginger's and about 5 minutes into seeing her, I was having the hardest time grasping her in that type of role. Poor grandmama just kept saying, "give it a chance." I had to watch it a second time without thinking about her light films, but I eventually ended up liking it. She's just so evil in it and it's scary how easily I believe it coming from her. Talk about polar opposites than what you're used to with her.

 

I was equally impressed with Keith's performance as you, Wendy! I thought he was simply wonderful! I kept wanting to give him a hug, because he has to deal with everything and make everything right, himself. I have to give him credit, because usually I don't truly focus on him. This time I did and he wowed me!

 

The second film that caught my eye was Storm Warning. I didn't see the whole thing, but the last 40 minutes were riveting, despite the very end being a tad unbelievable. Doris Day was excellent, she kind of took my eye off of Ginger though they were believable as sisters. Steve Cochran was brilliant - he was feral and dumb - a less street smart Stanley Kowalski. I liked Ginger here, because she wasn't putting anything on, and the scenes between her and Steve Cochran were brutal and scary. I liked seeing her yell at him, really yell. Not the ladylike Ginger or the put on Ginger, but a woman really getting in someone's face that she doesn't like. I don't know, I found myself wondering if she really hated Steve Cochran in real life, their scenes bristled.

 

I always have THE hardest time watching Storm Warning! It is such a different change of pace for both Doris and Ginger. I have mixed feelings on it, but I have to say that Ginger really shines with her talent, here, when you least expect it. That's the best part, especially in her scenes with Cochran.

 

Cochran is another person that has recently caught my eye. I caught The Deadly Companions with him and Keith and thought it was great, though it wasn't a huge part for Cochran. Maureen was gorgeous, as always, too! So that was a definite treat! I had never seen it before! Did you catch it while it was on?

 

Edited by: butterscotchgreer on Sep 26, 2013 2:53 PM

[rohanaka]

Thanks everybody for the b-day wishes.

 

And yes, Mr. Grey.. it IS the big 5-0! ha (there is way too much gray (I mean grey?) NO.. I mean GRAY hair to testify against me. ha.

 

PS: Jackie.. thanks for the lovely Duke pic and WOO HOO.. thanks for the cake too. Ha.. I think it has the perfect sentiment on it.. because life IS harder if you are stupid.. ha (and alas.. I am the poster child for that, I think If that quote were set to music.. it could be my theme song) HA!!

 

PS: Little T.. thanks for the pic of Duke and sweet Maureen. Now I have to say.. my heart belongs to my beloved QT.. but even so.. all I have to say is (to borrow from our dear Michaleaen.Oge Flynn. ha) what "A BEEAUTIFUL sentiment!"

 

Thanks again for the smiles, folks. Hope you are all having a happy day too.

[JackFavell]

Ha! I didn't mean that message on the cake ABOUT you! I just thought it was a really cool cake and I wanted to reciprocate! I hope you are having the best birthday, Ro. You are far from stupid. If anyone is the poster child for that cake, it's me.

[JackFavell]

>I watched them too, Jackaaaaaaaayy!

 

Woo hoo!

 

>I feel kind of the same as you do with Ginger in Tight Spot. She is very whiny and her performance just seemed forced. Usually I love her more whimsical films. They just come more naturally to her, I think. One exception to that rule of mine, though, is Black Widow. This was the first serious role I had ever seen of Ginger's and about 5 minutes into seeing her, I was having the hardest time grasping her in that type of role. Poor grandmama just kept saying, "give it a chance." I had to watch it a second time without thinking about her light films, but I eventually ended up liking it. She's just so evil in it and it's scary how easily I believe it coming from her. Talk about polar opposites than what you're used to with her.

 

I REALLY like Black Widow, it's one of those strange movies that is like a play, but works BECAUSE it's stagey. I think Ginger and Reginald Gardiner are kind of shocking in this film. They really are the ones who you never would suspect, and that makes it a really good thriller.

 

I like Ginger's lighter films better too, generally speaking. I don't know why actresses seem to think comedy is worthless. It's really hard to do it well.

 

>I was equally impressed with Keith's performance as you, Wendy! I thought he was simply wonderful! I kept wanting to give him a hug, because he has to deal with everything and make everything right, himself. I have to give him credit, because usually I don't truly focus on him. This time I did and he wowed me!

 

SPOILERS

 

I don't know if it was me, or the movie, I really thought he was a great guy, and then all of a sudden there's this scene where it becomes obvious he's not all he's cracked up to be, if you know what i mean. I was shocked that he was corrupted by the bad guys, but then his actions and feelings made sense. I didn't watch the whole movie, so I don't know if it was laid out at the beginning. Sometimes with those plot points, it's better to come in later in the film, where you have to make these connections yourself. I still liked him, and he was a hero in the end.

 

 

>I always have THE hardest time watching Storm Warning! It is such a different change of pace for both Doris and Ginger. I have mixed feelings on it, but I have to say that Ginger really shines with her talent, here, when you least expect it. That's the best part, especially in her scenes with Cochran.

 

It's a tough watch, that's for sure. The violence is really startling, but everyone is good at their roles and it's kind of spare. I like that.

 

>Cochran is another person that has recently caught my eye. I caught The Deadly Companions with him and Keith and thought it was great, though it wasn't a huge part for Cochran. Maureen was gorgeous, as always, too! So that was a definite treat! I had never seen it before! Did you catch it while it was on?

 

I've seen it before, and watched the ending that day it was on. Cochran is one of those actors who is best when he's walking a line between good and bad, when you aren't sure which side he'll come down on (always the bad, ha!). He's likable, in some weird way, even when he's a terrible, cheating, lying bad guy. Or maybe it's that he UNDERSTANDABLE, even when he's a villain, or a rapist or a klansman. He really gives these full performances.

[CineMaven]

[molo14]

So it is the big "FIVE - O" for you Rohanaka!!!

 

Well I'm sure you are just as spry as ever!

 

 

HA HA HA HA Ha Ha Ha ha ha!!!!

 

Oh I kid,

 

but seriously.

 

How about some nice birthday flowers.

 

 

and some samosas with a nice chutney

 

 

I hope you are having a wonderful birthday!!!

 

Your (I'll admit it just this once) slightly older kid brother,

 

Molo

 

(((Now I'm going back in hiding for just a few more days)))

[lavenderblue19]

I know I'm not a poster on this thread, but I've been reading all your posts for over 5 years, and I wish A Very Happy Birthday to Sue and Rohanaka and anyone I've forgotten to mention who had a Birthday this month.

 

Molo, I have always enjoyed your posts very much. I remember you posting quite a bit about our beautiful, sexy and talented Gloria and I have to say, I miss reading your posts. Wish you would post more often

[molo14]

Hi Lavenderblue,

 

What a nice thing to say. I really appreciate it. I do hope to post on a more regular basis around here. Hopefully very soon. Maybe the Gloria thread can be revived too! This board and the people here mean a great deal to me even though I haven't been posting very much lately.

[wouldbestar]

Rohanaka: That goes for me as well. I always read your posts as they're always informative. I hope you had a great birthday.

[lavenderblue19]

You're Welcome Molo and that's good news about you posting more often

 

Just to get the thread back to Birthdays, Happy Birthday To Everyone that has a birthday this month

[rohanaka]

THANKS again everyone. It's been a very nice way to end the evening.. getting to enjoy your birthday wishes.

 

Ha.. Miss Maven.. that Pappy.. what a sweetie. I'll take the flowers.. the cake.. and maybe he'll even throw in an autographed DVD collection of all his movies too!! Ha! (gee.. I am getting greedy in my old age)

 

Jackie.. we can be poster-children together.. ha. (as long as we still get to eat the cake)

 

MOLOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! So nice to see you around these parts, Madhat!! And I am honored that you came all the way out of hiding to bring me flowers and SAMOSAS!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Now GET busy.. that Grey Dude is passing you up these days watching all those movies. You've got some catching up to do.. (don't MAKE me break out the frozen rope!)

 

And Thanks to wouldbestar and Lavender too.. I appreciate your kindwords and wishes. I enjoy reading everyone's posts too.. it's always nice to check in and see what others have to say.

 

Thanks again all!!

 

Edited by: rohanaka on Sep 26, 2013 10:33 PM

[rohanaka]

PS Molo.. I meant to ask.. where DID you find that picture of me with my trusty sidearm. HA!! Looks just like me, doesn't it?? ha. (one MORE reason for you to get busy.. you may end up getting both barrels.. before I break out that rope)

[movieman1957]

I missed it. How could I.....

 

Ro:

 

I hope you had a lovely day. You certainly deserve it. Thanks and God bless.

[lzcutter]

Ro,

 

I am so sorry I missed your birthday! I hope it was a wonderful day filled with the things you cherish most, family, love and friendship!

 

Hope all your birthday wishes come true!

 

And these two send their best wishes, as well:

 

[rohanaka]

THANKS Ms. Cutter (and Duke and Maureen too!) for the lovely b-day wishes

 

And thanks Mr. Movieman.. no worries about missing it yesterday.. there's plenty of Jackie's cake and Molo's samosas left for everybody!!

 

Just wanted to say too.. that yes. God has been good to bless me with a very dear bunch of TCM family and friends.

 

Hope you all have a good weekend!!

[OllieTSB]

Saturday has some interesting film choices, I see. One of my favorites, CREATURE WITH THE ATOM BRAIN, featuring some of the earliest examples of political correctness AND CSI work. This film was made two years after the Kefauver Congressional Commission was blasted for identifying Italian Americans and Mafioso together (and vaguely portayed in GODFATHER), so this movie's Italian mobster villain is named "Buchanan" instead. Richard Denning is the sharp-eyed CSI tech who spies the radioactive handprint at one murder scene. And who'd a-thunk it - that the US Army could land a truck load of troopers on someone's front lawn to do battle with radio-controlled zombies on a few moment's notice? We are soooo lucky!

 

In the evening, we've got Stanley Baker, Sean Connery, David McCallum and a half dozen other Brit young turks in HELL DRIVERS. And then CURSE OF THE DEMON, where American Dana Andrews tells those Brits all about their own witches and warlocks. Don't take that piece of paper!

[Bronxgirl48]

Oh, no, ro, this is what one of our stupid Florida power outages hath wrought -- my best birthday wishes to you arriving late, consarn it! 50? A piece of cake! (er, take it from me...)

 

[Bronxgirl48]

At least he saved you a couple of slices:

 

[rohanaka]

THANKS my little twinnie, for the b-day wishes.. and thanks to Godzilla too.. for saving me some cake!! (hope those power outages are over soon for you, kid.. what a bummer that must be. Hope you and mom are doing a-ok!

 

PS Ollie.. Curse of the Demon... eeeeeekk! ha. I almost watched that a long while back.. almost!! (found it way too creepy, I must say)

[SansFin]

I wish to apologize to those whose birthdays I missed. I had hoped to create greetings wishing a happy birthday but searching for appropriate images on which to overlay greetings took much longer than usual and had many diversions into inappropriate images. I am sorry I could not dedicate more time to the task.

 

I do wish all had truly happy birthdays.

[Bronxgirl48]

Hope you had a simply brilliant natal day, ro!

 

Thank you, Mom sends her love. She's thriving at the assisted living facility, enjoying her private apartment with cable t.v. where it's always on TCM, of course! She's on board with Hitch today, and will be enjoying REBECCA soon. (me too) I'm slogging along in the delightful Florida heat and humidity, lol. And living with these blasted power outages is just a fact of life down here like the shrieking mating frogs, slithering alligators that show up at backyard barbeques, mutant lizards who have their own condo near senior citizen beauty parlors, crab-puppies who after that one time NEVER show up (I miss it!), creeping pythons that eat small children and dogs. Just another day in paradise.

[JackFavell]

Does anyone else find it weird that the year 1940 - 1941 produced the movie *Rebecca* , about a woman who has died, who we only find out about through other people's perceptions, AND *Citizen Kane* , a movie about a man who has just died, who we only find out about through other people's perceptions?

 

Maybe I'm slow to make this connection. It only just occurred to me that these two movies could be compared.

[Bronxgirl48]

Wendy, this is fascinating stuff! Off the top of my pointy little head, I'd say that the first Mrs. De Winter and Charles Foster Kane were both loathsomely charismatic, pathologically possessive egoists. The cinematography in the two films seem alike at times -- especially the Gothic openings and almost Expressionist interpretations of Manderley and Xanadu. The themes of perception and reality perhaps hitting a chord with audiences during the late thirties, right before the outbreak of the second world war?

 

Edited by: Bronxgirl48 on Sep 30, 2013 1:49 PM

[lzcutter]

OMG!!!!! Does this mean I missed Bronxie's birthday, too?

 

If so, that would never do!

 

What to do, what to do.......

 

She's calling to wish you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY for both of us:

 

 

 

 

And this guy stopped by, too:

 

[Bronxgirl48]

What's the story, morning glory, lol?

 

Thanks in advance, Lynn! I'm later on in October, but I say it's never too early for Rod Taylor without a shirt! (his beefcake was the best part of WORLD WITHOUT END) I'm going to hit an age milestone too, but, you just don't wanna know.....oy!

 

Edited by: Bronxgirl48 on Sep 29, 2013 10:30 PM