RAMBLES Part II

[rohanaka]

Pardon the interruption ..

 

Just wanted to jump in and say I am so happy.. woo hoo!! I FINALLY got to see Dragonwyck... (I have missed it the last couple of times it was on. And can't say it is the BEST movie I ever watched but I DID enjoy it a lot.. and wowsa... was the lovely Gene just so terribly lovely!!

 

And OH me oh MY... that Vincent Price.. what a LOONEY!!!!. (I think this is now one of my more favorite roles for him.. not all "horror-ific" and yet still just downright scary by the end of it all.. or creepy at the very least for sure!!) YIKES!

 

Ok... thanks for letting me get that in here....

 

Now back to the submarine races.... (or... is it Danny Glover's presidential race (???) ... what is that all about??? I must have been asleep when that was announced!!) yikes!!!

 

Ha.. look at me... two uses of the word "yikes" in a single post.. gee... that must be a record for me!! ha. (yikes some more!!)

[OllieTSB]

Roha, you'll hafta see *2012* (the John Cusack CGI film) to laugh the hardest at these profundities. Don't worry, it should be on about 8 channels, 23 times a month, soon enough. Yawn. It's a film that makes "commercials" wonderfully pleasant. Or the remote's OFF button.

 

*Dragonwyck*, yes, gives me a chance to always remember how incredibly beautiful Gene is. As do all of these films. And like you, it's one of my favorite Vincent Price roles. I kind of like the HIS KIND OF WOMAN wild role of his, but it's also one of those films that home-video existed long enough while Vincent was active and would have been so interesting in a commentary role. I'd love to have heard his discussions of *Dragonwyck*, especially.

 

I need to think about voice-characters of classic films vs voice-characters of contemporary times. Ronald Colman, Cary Grant, Vincent Price, Jimmy Stewart, Cagney, Edward G, Bogart, Laughton. Peter Lorre. Durante, certainly. Some incredibly distinctive voices. I wonder if the pre-eminence of radio kept distinctively-voiced actors at a necessarily higher profile in those decades more than today's TV world? TOY STORY rattles some celebrity voices. Well, two.

 

But Vincent Price's voice - his sinister tones along with his looks - sticks in my mind for *Dragonwyck*.

[MissGoddess]

Hi Ro! So glad you got to see DRAGONWYCK...I like it better with each viewing. Frankly, I found Spring Byington's subversive housekeeper scarier than Vincent Price! I never understood her unprovoked malice toward Gene, and she couched it in that sugary sweet demeanor. Yikes, indeed!!

[rohanaka]

I found Spring Byington's subversive housekeeper scarier than Vincent Price! I never understood her unprovoked malice toward Gene, and she couched it in that sugary sweet demeanor. Yikes, indeed!!

 

Ha.. she was less than "Spring-like" wasn't she??? Oh me... way creepy. (PS: did I miss something?? WHAT happened to the daughter??? After the mom died... and Gene comes back to live there as the new wife??? I don't recall them saying they shipped the kid off anywhere (like to finishing school or something?) But gee... I never heard anything more about her again after that. (maybe I was too groggy from sleep deprivation and missed it, ha)

 

PS: Ollie.. thanks for the confirmation about Danny's presidency.. I wasn't sure WHAT that was all about ha.

 

I have made an effort to avoid that 2012 thing so far (I remember rolling my eyes at it when it came out last year) But who knows... I might give it a try sometime just to see all the cool mayhem and destruction movie magic stuff... (But gee... I am still trying to shake that whole Danny as president thing.. ha.)

 

need to think about voice-characters of classic films vs voice-characters of contemporary times. Ronald Colman, Cary Grant, Vincent Price, Jimmy Stewart, Cagney, Edward G, Bogart, Laughton. Peter Lorre. Durante, certainly. Some incredibly distinctive voices

 

What.. no James Mason???????????????

 

Edited by: rohanaka on Aug 15, 2010 3:01 PM

[MissGoddess]

>

> Ha.. she was less than "Spring-like" wasn't she??? Oh me... way creepy. (PS: did I miss something?? WHAT happened to the daughter??? After the mom died... and Gene comes back to live there as the new wife??? I don't recall them saying they shipped the kid off anywhere (like to finishing school or something?) But gee... I never heard anything more about her again after that. (maybe I was too groggy from sleep deprivation and missed it, ha)

>

 

That was a real goof-up about the daughter, I think. I suspect some scenes were edited out which would have explained her fate. I think we're to assume she got shipped off to boarding school, but it certainly was confusing how they never explain her disappearance.

 

By the way, I posted something for you in my TV Shows thread.

[movieman1957]

Carolann watched "Leave Her To Heaven" with me last night. She often talked to Gene. She was properly stunned at the lake scene. And then at the top of the stairs she said "She's not going to..." as her voice trailed off. Overall she liked it. Who knew Gene could be so nasty.

 

BTW, what place would let the DA with such a history with those involved prosecute that case? Oh yeah, it's the movies.

[OllieTSB]

Oooh, yes, James Mason. And I bet we've left out far more than we've even started to mention. Hans Conreid. Conrad Veidt. And we haven't even started on the women! (Gracie Allen, Eve Arden, Polly Moran & Marie Dressler, Una O'Connor... Polly's distinctive voice, spending over half of her films in Silents!)

 

Spring Byington is a favorite actress of mine - she's another with a great distinctive voice. Hardly ever changed in all her career, with that DRAGONWYCK as one huge difference.

 

I wonder - what other films were outside of her normal character in films? She's got so many that I don't recognize and haven't seen.

[CineMaven]

(Don?t forget Una Merkel?s voice, Ollie). BTW, I?d say Spring Byington as Marmee in ?Little Women? was a film outside her normal screen persona. She?s not fluttery at all in this film.

(If only someone would clip the wings of Billie Burke)...

 

?Fire Island, eh? Listen - if I see ONE news report about radioactive monsters from prehistoric times rising up, I'll know it's ALL BECAUSE OF YOU. Teeny weeny itsy bitsy... darned beauties - they're always stirrin' up things!?

 

HA!!! I spared the eyesight of man, woman and beast alike, by covering up from head-to-toe. (Nah, I had a bathing suit on, but nobody died...and nobody got hurt). But 150% proof alcohol will knock the radioactivity out of any monster from the deep that was in the bay this weekend. Now if you really want to help an old Maven out (besides sending me the hair of the dog that bit me), how ?bout hooking me up with ?Where The Sidewalk Ends??? The last thing I saw before walking to the beach showed Dana in a might pretty pickle: a dissolve from night-to-day, tons of cigarette butts in Dana?s ashtray and his hair all mussed up. Yeah, ?Where the Sidewalk Ends? please. Dana makes a great bad guy. (Not as cruel as Robbie Ryan in ?On Dangerous Ground? but I certainly believed he could be sadistic).

 

?I have made an effort to avoid that ?2012? thing so far (I remember rolling my eyes at it when it came out last year) But who knows... I might give it a try sometime just to see all

the cool mayhem and destruction movie magic stuff... (But gee... I am still trying to shake that whole Danny as president thing.. ha.)? - << Rohanaka >>

 

Hi there Ro. The mayhem and destruction was quite a roller coaster ride. See it for that and believe NOTHING ELSE!!! I?ll take Danny Glover over Tiny Lister as President. (Whose Tiny?

Girl, you don?t even wanna know). As for voices...they really don?t even make voices the way

they used to, do they?

 

?Carolann watched ?Leave Her To Heaven? with me last night...?

 

Movieman, was this the first time your wife had seen ?Leave Her to Heaven?? Did you catch ?The Shanghai Gesture??

[CineMaven]

By the by, if any of you gals are interested, Woody Strode will appear in Monday night's screening of "THE LAST VOYAGE" at 11:30pm starring Robert Stack and Dorothy Malone.

 

"An ocean liner starts sinking after an engine explosion and the passengers struggle to rescue each other before the ship goes under."

 

If I'm not mistaken, his shirt might have to come off in this film to save Dorothy Malone. Well it's hot on a sinking ship. I'm just sayin'.

[JackFavell]

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

> By the by, if any of you gals are interested, Woody Strode will appear in Monday night's screening of "THE LAST VOYAGE" at 11:30pm starring Robert Stack and Dorothy Malone.

>

> "An ocean liner starts sinking after an engine explosion and the passengers struggle to rescue each other before the ship goes under."

>

> If I'm not mistaken, his shirt might have to come off in this film to save Dorothy Malone. Well it's hot on a sinking ship. I'm just sayin'.

 

Well well well... I guess I will be watching *The Last Voyage*.... I better get out my swimsuit....it's gonna be a hot night....

[OllieTSB]

Tiny Lister! Excellent - I don't think FIFTH ELEMENT qualifies for even a guilty-pleasure for me - and Prez Tiny, Brion James and Ian Holm keep me watching, time after time. If only for a few scenes.

 

We got off onto these tangential prez performances with Henry "Will He Won't He" Fonda's idea in FAIL SAFE. Personally, I'm happy that he wasn't president this weekend. "OK, let's try a swap - Moscow for, say, Fire Island?" naw... probably not...

 

I, of course, am happy. I've got all these voodoo dolls here. And so many pins!

 

WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS, absolutely. What about THE RACKET? Mitchum vs Robbie Not-The-Robot Ryan AND the incredibly sinister William Conrad. Ray Collins, too.

[molo14]

I remember watching *The Last Voyage* a few years back. I love movies set on ships and all the better if the ship is sinking, but I remember this as a bit tedious. It's main interest for me was that they actually went out and sunk the famous Ille De France for the movie. At least they partially sunk it, and generally tore up the ship during the filmmaking. I understand the French Line was not pleased. I'm not sure how the filmmakers got a hold of the ship in the first place. I think it was on it's way to the scrap yard anyway.

 

Watch the film for Woody, I'll watch for Dorothy Malone. Also, George Saunders plays the captain.

[JackFavell]

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

> George Saunders plays the captain.

 

Oooh, now I am definitely watching!

[molo14]

*I need to think about voice-characters of classic films vs voice-characters of contemporary times.*

 

Boris Karloff and Greer Garson come to mind, picking one from each gender. They also both did voice work in animated projects in the sixties.

[ValentineXavier]

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

> Tiny Lister! Excellent - I don't think FIFTH ELEMENT qualifies for even a guilty-pleasure for me - and Prez Tiny, Brion James and Ian Holm keep me watching, time after time. If only for a few scenes.

>

 

*The Fifth Element* is worth watching for Chris Tucker's performance alone. It's stunning, hard to believe he could keep up that rapid-fire monologue.

[movieman1957]

It was my bride's first time for "Leave Her To Heaven." She did enjoy it. I saw "Shanghai Gesture" earlier in they ear. Weird, I think, is a good description for it. We talked about it in this thread if I recall correctly. I think Sir Francis really liked it. I didn't care for it so much but was glad I saw it. It is pretty hard to describe. You just have to see it.

[CineMaven]

I remember that ramble on "The Shanghai Gesture" Movieman. Yup, it must be seen

to be believed (and you still might not believe it after you've seen it). It was one of the

great Rambles on this Message Board, along with the one on Double G's "IN A LONELY

PLACE." I'm glad she enjoyed "...HEAVEN." I think it's Tierney's best work. (But don't dis-

count Poppi...)

;-)

 

?What about THE RACKET? Mitchum vs Robbie Not-The-Robot Ryan AND the incredibly sinister William Conrad. Ray Collins, too.? - < OLLIE T >

 

Why not. Throw that in the mix too, man. Mitchum - Ryan...and my girl Lizabeth Scott is in it

too. It?s a win-win situation all ?round if you ask me. Ehhh, but who?s askin?.

 

?I remember watching 'The Last Voyage' a few years back. I love movies set on ships and all the better if the ship is sinking, but I remember this as a bit tedious...Watch the film for Woody, I'll watch for Dorothy Malone. Also, George Saunders plays the captain.? - < MOLO >

 

Sinking ships Mo?? Wow! I forgot about George Sanders. As for Dorothy Malone...aaaaah, back together again with her ?Tarnished Angel? ?Written on the Wind? costar, Robert Stack. Yeah, she?s got nuthin? to do but be tugged on by Woody Strode. It?s a win-win situation all ?round if you ask me. But ehhh, who?s askin?.

[OllieTSB]

THE RACKET, aye aye!

 

I just hate seeing all these femmes write so knowledgeably, so expertly about THE LETTER, LEAVE HER TO HEAVEN, etc. I mean, between teen boy fantasies and old codgers thinkin' we can get away with something, these femmes really have us pegged WAY too easily. Kinda gives new meaning to "Duck, you sucker!" and "Look before you leap into really cold water with her in the boat with a paddle."

 

It's almost as if I can hear someone coyly yelling, "Sorry - the tide's carrying me away. Don't worry - the Fire Island beach is big - they'll find you someday soon!" Boy. Where's Harryhausen when a fella really needs him?!! Even Woody did his best to take care of his pal.

[MissGoddess]

[JackFavell]

[CineMaven]

I dare not compete with a man on a horse, or a beautiful girl in a gorgeous gown. Or a beautiful gown on a gorgeous horse. (My poor imitation of Groucho Marx). So let me send you my simple CONGRATULATIONS on your landmark 5,000 posts. Can see your love of films and love for the Message Board!! Here's to many more posts from you Movieman.

 

:-) ;-)

[Bronxgirl48]

Just finished watching THE LAST VOYAGE. Oh, yes, Woody is shirtless and in superb form, but, not just window dressing. He's crucial to the plot, and gives a good performance.

 

So this was a treat, I'd never seen it before -- the prototype for all the modern disaster flicks yet to come, but infinitely classier. Bob Stack (sigh) and Dorothy Malone together again! Only in a more stable domestic situation, but saddled with the most OBNOXIOUS daughter you've ever seen. "Oh, Mommy, I want to live on this ship forever and ever!" That could be arranged, kid. "Introducing Tammy Marihugh". I immediately wanted to Outroduce her. You could practically hear the stage mother on the set shouting directions: "More anguish, Tammy! More screams and hysteria, louder, louder, LOUDER! Imagine if Daddy and I were dead! I didn't want to tell you this, but we're actually DYING AS I SPEAK, SO SCREAM, TAMMY, SCREAM FOR YOUR LIFE!"

 

Whew. George Sanders is the icy, inflexible Captain, convinced his vessel is sink-proof: "The men who built this ship were not idiots!" "Captain, there's a woman trapped in her cabin!" -- Sanders: "Oh, shut up!" Dottie, Bob, and the wee horror are sailing from California to Japan, because he's got a job transfer. George strolls up and makes small talk with Malone: "Tokyo is not like Sacramento". He's just filled with charm. Then there's engineer Edmond O'Brien, who has a personal connection with the Titanic, and sees through the Captain's

stubborn streak. O'Brien doesn't want history repeating itself and lets George know it, in no uncertain terms. I don't know why Sanders took this part. He looks bored, but then again, it's in keeping with the character. Maybe he had to write a check for some of Zsa Zsa's new baubles, I don't know.

 

Malone gets trapped beneath a steel girder and Stack desperately tries to free her, but the ship is in danger, the water is rising, and there's not much time. Tick...tick...tick...Will she survive? What I like about THE LAST VOYAGE is that it, uh, dives right into the story. No extraneous love interests, no stupid comedy relief, nothing to distract from the perilous situation at hand. Overall, I enjoyed it!

 

Edited by: Bronxgirl48 on Aug 17, 2010 2:53 AM

[molo14]

Did someone mention Groucho Marx?

 

Congratulations on 5000 posts Movieman!

 

 

Now where have I seen that picture before?

[molo14]

So you liked *The Last Voyage* huh?

 

I don't know, it just didn't click for me. The daughter WAS horrid. I just thought the whole "I'm trapped" thing was too drawn out. Maybe I just prefer Dorothy more mobile when disaster strikes. I must ponder this. I think George was just tired by 1960. Great write up as usual Bronxie.

[molo14]

*Sinking ships Mo??*

 

Yeah, I like films set on ships and trains. I also like disaster films, so if the ship is sinking I get a twofer.

Sometimes it just doesn't work out though and I get *The Last Voyage*. Maybe I was just tired and distracted when I watched it though.