I Just Watched...

[NickAndNora34]

BLIND (2017) Score: 2/5 

Starring: Alec Baldwin, Demi Moore, Dylan McDermott. 

McDermott is a very wealthy businessman who gets thrown in jail for what I can only assume was insider trading/white collar crime (I wasn't paying attention to whatever it was he was supposed to have done), and Moore plays his neglected wife. It is very evident that their relationship is founded only on convenience, not love. Moore is court ordered to fulfill community service hours at a community for the blind. There, she meets Baldwin, a renowned author/professor who became blind after getting into a car accident (his wife died from the accident) 5 years ago. Long story short: Moore gets assigned to read/spend time with Baldwin, and... you can only assume what happens next. Neglected wife meets intelligent & charming man, who is a tad bit self-centered, their personalities clash, and ba-da-bing, ba-da-boom, things happen. 

[Fedya]

8 hours ago, Sepiatone said:

Was supposed to be "m a s o c h i s m", which isn't really a profanity, so I don't understand the obliteration.

Bee Dee Ess and Em, with your word being the censored Em.  I'm guessing that if I use the normal acronym, Otto will censor it.

[LawrenceA]

Young at Heart (1954) - Color musical remake of Four Daughters, from Warner Brothers and director Gordon Douglas. Music professor Gregory Tuttle (Robert Keith) has a full house: his spinster sister Jessie (Ethel Barrymore), and his three grown daughters, Laurie (Doris Day), Amy (Elisabeth Fraser), and Fran (Dorothy Malone). Each daughter begins pairing off with potential marriage partners: Fran with boisterous Bob Neary (Alan Hale Jr.), Amy with affable plumber Ernie Nichols (Lonny Chapman), and Laurie with aspiring songwriter Alex Burke (Gig Young). However, Laurie's plans with Alex are upended when she meets Alex's brooding songsmith pal Barney Sloan (Frank Sinatra). Also featuring Frank Ferguson, Marjorie Bennett, and Tito Vuolo.

I'm a fan of the original Four Daughters, and was a bit surprised to learn this was a remake when I began watching it. The most noticeable difference would be the omission of the fourth daughter, but there are other changes as well, most regrettably the ending. Given the time and the stars involved it shouldn't have been too surprising. There are several good songs performed, including the title track, as well as "Someone to Watch Over Me" and "One for My Baby (and One More for the Road)". Sinatra's performance is good (although not a match for John Garfield's in the original), and I could see several of Frank's later-career, tough-guy mannerisms coming to the fore. Ethel Barrymore was reportedly weak during filming, and she looks feeble, while still appearing to enjoy herself and her scenes with Sinatra.      (6/10)

Source: Olive/Paramount DVD.

[rosebette]

20 hours ago, LawrenceA said:

There's No Business Like Show Business (1954) - CinemaScope musical from 20th Century Fox and director Walter Lang. The movie follows the lives and loves of the Donahues, a family of vaudeville performers: father Terrance (Dan Dailey), mother Molly (Ethel Merman), elder son Tim (Donald O'Connor), daughter Katy (Mitzi Gaynor), and younger son Steve (Johnnie Ray). They persevere through changing tastes, the stock market crash, and the start of WW2. Tim falls for co-star Vicky (Marilyn Monroe), while Katy finds romance with writer Charles (Hugh O'Brian), and Steve pursues a different calling. Also featuring Richard Eastham, Frank McHugh, Rhys Williams, Lee Patrick, Eve Miller, Robin Raymond, John Doucette, Gavin Gordon, Lyle Talbot, Henry Slate, and George Chakiris. 

The threadbare story merely serves to connect a series of elaborate musical numbers designed to make the best of the new widescreen CinemaScope format. Director Lang and choreographer Robert Alton turn in some excellent work, and Donald O'Connor reportedly called this his favorite of his films (over Singin' in the Rain?!?). I watched this for Monroe, who doesn't impress much here. She supposedly didn't want to appear in this, but did so in order to win the lead in The Seven Year Itch. This was one of Fox's most expensive productions to date, and despite selling a lot of tickets, it ended up being a money-loser. It earned Oscar nominations for (inexplicably) Best Story (Lamar Trotti), Best Score (Alfred & Lionel Newman), and Best Color Costumes (Charles Le Maire, Miles White, Travilla).    (6/10)

Source: Fox DVD.

This movie got a nomination for best story?  It's a compilation of show-biz cliches, and the latter portion where the O'Connor character turns to drink is really soggy.  Johnny Ray inspires nausea throughout.  I wonder whether musicals with bright, witty scripts like The Bandwagon, Singin in the Rain, or It's Always Fair Weather ever got a nomination.  However, if Satan makes a deal with me so I can have Mitzi Gaynor's body, I'll take it.  

[rosebette]

Three on a Match (1932) -- Another argument for movies under three hours.  In 63 minutes, this one takes us through 3 girls' lives.  Ann Dvorak is a standout as the bored socialite who goes to ruin.  Joan Blondell, as usual, is a charmer, and a young Bette Davis is being groomed for cheesecake, as she's the one who gets the obligatory lingerie scene and bathing suit shots.  She was actually pretty cute!  Warren William is in one of the few roles in which he doesn't play a scoundrel, but he has great chemistry with Joan and the little boy.  Some surprises here -- Humphrey Bogart and Edward Arnold in early roles.

 

[LawrenceA]

4 minutes ago, rosebette said:

Three on a Match (1932) -- Another argument for movies under three hours.  In 63 minutes, this one takes us through 3 girls' lives.  Ann Dvorak is a standout as the bored socialite who goes to ruin.  Joan Blondell, as usual, is a charmer, and a young Bette Davis is being groomed for cheesecake, as she's the one who gets the obligatory lingerie scene and bathing suit shots.  She was actually pretty cute!  Warren William is in one of the few roles in which he doesn't play a scoundrel, but he has great chemistry with Joan and the little boy.  Some surprises here -- Humphrey Bogart and Edward Arnold in early roles.

 

Ann Dvorak, Joan Blondell and Bette Davis circa 1932...there's a triple date I'd like to go on!

[rosebette]

I also watched Footlight Parade, which I had seen many times before.  The great thing is that I just had cataract surgery earlier today, and I could read the Roman numeral date under the title (as well James Cagney's eyeliner and mascara) without my glasses!  That movie is such kitschy fun.  Who could believe that a traveling prologue group could put on "By the Waterfall"?  I love "Shanghai Lil," even though it's not politically correct.  Cagney is just the best, but it's a terrific number overall, from the visits to the opium den, the tap dance on the bar, the marching sailors, and the ridiculous animation booklet (which nobody on stage would be able to see).  BTW, John Garfield shows up briefly during that number in a barfight.

[JamesJazGuitar]

 

1 hour ago, rosebette said:

Three on a Match (1932) -- Another argument for movies under three hours.  In 63 minutes, this one takes us through 3 girls' lives.  Ann Dvorak is a standout as the bored socialite who goes to ruin.  Joan Blondell, as usual, is a charmer, and a young Bette Davis is being groomed for cheesecake, as she's the one who gets the obligatory lingerie scene and bathing suit shots.  She was actually pretty cute!  Warren William is in one of the few roles in which he doesn't play a scoundrel, but he has great chemistry with Joan and the little boy.  Some surprises here -- Humphrey Bogart and Edward Arnold in early roles.

 

Great example of the early Warner Bros studio system at work;  But the real reason for my reply was to post this publicity picture of Joan for the film (which was banned). 

 

[laffite]

...

[Fedya]

1 hour ago, rosebette said:

Johnny Ray inspires nausea throughout.

I would have said ennui, not nausea.

[TomJH]

2 hours ago, rosebette said:

I also watched Footlight Parade, which I had seen many times before.  The great thing is that I just had cataract surgery earlier today, and I could read the Roman numeral date under the title (as well James Cagney's eyeliner and mascara) without my glasses!  That movie is such kitschy fun.  Who could believe that a traveling prologue group could put on "By the Waterfall"?  I love "Shanghai Lil," even though it's not politically correct.  Cagney is just the best, but it's a terrific number overall, from the visits to the opium den, the tap dance on the bar, the marching sailors, and the ridiculous animation booklet (which nobody on stage would be able to see).  BTW, John Garfield shows up briefly during that number in a barfight.

This is the face of an unknown actor whom some have said is a young John Garfield in this film. I think that a closer examination here tells you that while there is a resemblance it is not Garfield.

My favourite line of dialogue in the film:

"Outside Countess. As long as they have sidewalks, you've got a job!"

Anyone spot a young John Wayne is this film?

[LawrenceA]

Alias John Preston (1955) - British psychological drama from British Lion and director David MacDonald. Christopher Lee stars as John Preston, a rather intense man who has just moved back to England after spending the better part of a decade in Europe. He immediately sets out to establish himself in town by buying up an old factory and putting it back into operation. He also falls in love with Sally (Betta St. John), who urges him to get counseling from psychiatric specialist Dr. Peter Walton (Alexander Knox), as John is prone to bouts of aggression and ill temperament. The results of these sessions between John and Dr. Walton lead to unexpected revelations. Also featuring Sandra Dorne, Patrick Holt, John Stuart, Bill Fraser, Gabrielle Gay, Peter Grant, Betty Ann Davies, and John Longden.

This low-budget obscurity is worth checking out for fans of Lee, who gets one of his biggest pre-horror stardom roles as the troubled title character. The movie is clunky and the script a little muddled, but Lee is in fine form, and Betta St. John is appealing as the romantic interest. Knox is all one-note uptight professionalism, but it's what the script called for. Some sources and advertising materials try to pass this off as horror due to Lee's presence, but it's not.    (6/10)

Source: Amazon video.

[Bethluvsfilms]

I watched THE SEA HAWK tonight, and as I remembered it is still quite a good film.

Nothing against Brenda Marshall, but why wasn't Olivia cast in this movie? This seemed like the type of role that fit right into her usual repertoire with Errol Flynn.

It's kind of hard to think of Errol without Olivia, even though I know this isn't the only film they didn't appear in together.

[speedracer5]

12 minutes ago, Bethluvsfilms said:

I watched THE SEA HAWK tonight, and as I remembered it is still quite a good film.

Nothing against Brenda Marshall, but why wasn't Olivia cast in this movie? This seemed like the type of role that fit right into her usual repertoire with Errol Flynn.

It's kind of hard to think of Errol without Olivia, even though I know this isn't the only film they didn't appear in together.

I think Olivia was supposed to be in this film, but she was tired of starring in action films with Flynn and was tired of playing second fiddle to him.  She had already signed onto another project when this film was being cast.

I understand Olivia's position... but I would be Flynn's "second fiddle" any day of the week!

Brenda Marshall had a very pretty face, but I've always found her on the bland side.  I wish they had cast an actress that was a little sassier. Flora Robson's Queen Elizabeth I was fantastic, better than Bette Davis'.  I also loved Flynn's pet monkey. 

[Bethluvsfilms]

5 minutes ago, speedracer5 said:

Flora Robson's Queen Elizabeth I was fantastic, better than Bette Davis'.  I also loved Flynn's pet monkey. 

Flora Robson made a great Queen Elizabeth, but I still adore Bette Davis' take on the role. But I think my personal favorite interpretation of the legendary Queen Tudor has to be Glenda Jackson in MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS.

Too bad we can't have a séance and ask the real Elizabeth Tudor who she felt best portrayed her onscreen!

[speedracer5]

8 minutes ago, Bethluvsfilms said:

Flora Robson made a great Queen Elizabeth, but I still adore Bette Davis' take on the role. But I think my personal favorite interpretation of the legendary Queen Tudor has to be Glenda Jackson in MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS.

Too bad we can't have a séance and ask the real Elizabeth Tudor who she felt best portrayed her onscreen!

I do like Bette's portrayal of Elizabeth I as well, though she's a wee bit fidgety for my tastes.  But otherwise she's excellent--except for when she sends Errol to the guillotine! 

[Bethluvsfilms]

13 minutes ago, speedracer5 said:

I do like Bette's portrayal of Elizabeth I as well, though she's a wee bit fidgety for my tastes.  But otherwise she's excellent--except for when she sends Errol to the guillotine! 

I know! Poor Errol!

It's hard for me to watch any film where I know he won't make it in the end (fortunately more often than not he usually pulled through). 

[Sepiatone]

7 hours ago, speedracer5 said:

I think Olivia was supposed to be in this film, but she was tired of starring in action films with Flynn and was tired of playing second fiddle to him.  She had already signed onto another project when this film was being cast.

I understand Olivia's position... but I would be Flynn's "second fiddle" any day of the week!

Brenda Marshall had a very pretty face, but I've always found her on the bland side.  I wish they had cast an actress that was a little sassier. Flora Robson's Queen Elizabeth I was fantastic, better than Bette Davis'.  I also loved Flynn's pet monkey. 

Olivia may have been the better actress, but Brenda might have been better on the "casting couch".  I wasn't there, so I'm guessing.... 

Sepiatone

[TomJH]

I think Flynn gives a fine performance in Elizabeth and Essex. I particularly like him in the latter portions of the film, above all, the highly dramatic scene in which the Queen has him arrested. Critics in 1939 jeered his performance. He was considered a pretty boy lightweight besides the Queen of Warner Brothers in Dramatic Arts.

Flynn wrote in My Wicked Wicked Ways about the conflicts he had with Bette Davis during the making of the film, and how he stood up to her after she slapped him across the face during dress rehearsal, stating that he was ready to physically retaliate in kind if she did it to him again. Davis, at the peak of her power on the lot as a recent Academy Award winner before whom many bowed, definitely tried to bully Flynn. He was a big star in his own right, of course, but he didn't enjoy her prestige, certainly not with studio executives or the critics. When Jack Warner looked at Flynn he thought "Box Office." When he looked at Bette Davis he thought "Box Office and Oscar prestige for the studio." There was a difference there when it came to respect.

Flynn spends more pages in his autobiography writing about this film and this incident than he does any other film in his career. Not Robin Hood, not Captain Blood or any of his other big hits gets as much space in his book as Elizabeth and Essex, a film he disliked making. It goes to show the emotional impact that this conflict with Davis had upon the actor, especially since his book was written two decades later. All that time passed and he must have still been feeling the emotional scars from that encounter to a degree.

[Sepiatone]

20 hours ago, LawrenceA said:

Well, obviously Marilyn is the bigger star, and while she was talented in her own way, her enduring fame is partially based on her early death, the mysterious aura around it, and her connection to various powerful men. She became a tragic figure, and her death was nearly as symbolic as JFK's death in signalling an end of an era. 

Winters was a working actress. Sure she started out playing romantic parts, but she was almost always still very earthy. I confess to disliking her when I was younger, often just seeing her as a desperate ham who was either drunk or totally out of control with her histrionic style. That summation has changed over the years, especially after seeing more of her earlier work, and I respect her more, although I still wouldn't count her among my favorites. Off screen she was a great character, full of fun anecdotes, and the subject of many herself. 

You couldn't have been THAT much younger... all thinking in terms of actors/actresses being "hams" and in terms like "histrionic". 

But, my wife too, could NEVER stand Shelly, but I always kind of liked her.  Mostly because she never seemed to mind doing those roles that were considered "age appropriate", and not whining about her vanishing youth,  and also her "confession" to her long struggle with weight control and finally just giving up and dealing with her plus size.  

Sepiatone

[LornaHansonForbes]

1 hour ago, Sepiatone said:

You couldn't have been THAT much younger... all thinking in terms of actors/actresses being "hams" and in terms like "histrionic". 

But, my wife too, could NEVER stand Shelly, but I always kind of liked her.  Mostly because she never seemed to mind doing those roles that were considered "age appropriate", and not whining about her vanishing youth,  and also her "confession" to her long struggle with weight control and finally just giving up and dealing with her plus size.  

Sepiatone

ALFIE is a good one to watch for anyone looking for a different side of SHELLEY WINTERS.

[rosebette]

11 hours ago, TomJH said:

This is the face of an unknown actor whom some have said is a young John Garfield in this film. I think that a closer examination here tells you that while there is a resemblance it is not Garfield.

My favourite line of dialogue in the film:

"Outside Countess. As long as they have sidewalks, you've got a job!"

Anyone spot a young John Wayne is this film?

One of my favorite lines of all time.  How to call someone a ***** without actually using the word!  Wasn't John Wayne already making cheapie Westerns for Monogram or some other Grade C Studio by this time?  Anyway, I didn't spot him.  

[rosebette]

13 hours ago, Fedya said:

I would have said ennui, not nausea.

No, I find him actually vomit-inducing, as well as the whole saccharine plotline about his vocation to the priesthood.

[TomJH]

Just now, rosebette said:

One of my favorite lines of all time.  How to call someone a ***** without actually using the word!  Wasn't John Wayne already making cheapie Westerns for Monogram or some other Grade C Studio by this time?  Anyway, I didn't spot him.  

Wayne appears on the big screen in one of those "B" westerns at one of the movie theatres Cagney goes to in the film.

[rosebette]

10 hours ago, Bethluvsfilms said:

Flora Robson made a great Queen Elizabeth, but I still adore Bette Davis' take on the role. But I think my personal favorite interpretation of the legendary Queen Tudor has to be Glenda Jackson in MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS.

Too bad we can't have a séance and ask the real Elizabeth Tudor who she felt best portrayed her onscreen!

If Essex looked like Errol Flynn, maybe she wouldn't have been the Virgin Queen!