I Just Watched...

[LawrenceA]

CARLIN AT CARNEGIE - (9/10) - The third HBO special for George Carlin, performed at the famed Carnegie Hall, features some his best material from before his act turned more political (which I loved even more, but that's a whole other animal). There's lots of genius wordplay and some of the greatest use of foul language I've ever heard. This special marked the final recorded performance of his infamous "Seven Dirty Words" bit. One of the absolute best performances of one of the two or three greatest stand-up comedians of all time. Highly recommended. Sensitive ears need not apply.

 

 

Rewatch. Source: DVD

[cigarjoe]

 

Four men rob a bank in Saint-Jean-de-Monts, along the coast. A detective (Alain Delon) tries to catch the team responsible for the robbery, and foil a drug smuggling operation and also hold on to his girlfriend (Catherine Deneuve), whom he shares with a nightclub owner (Richard Crenna), his friend and a prime suspect in the robbery. 7/10

[sapphiere]

I will start off by saying that I am a fan of Leonardo DiCaprio, and my fingers are crossed that he will win that Academy Award for THE REVENANT 2015 which was Leo`s fifth acting nomination. Last night I watched his first nominated role for WHAT`S EATING GILBERT GRAPE 1993. Gilbert is played by Johnny Depp who is the head of a dysfunctional family. Gilbert has an older brother who left home many years ago, two younger sisters, and his **** brother Arnie, Leonardo. The father commit suicide in the house many years ago, and the mother never leaves home. The mother weighs 500 lbs., and she is ashamed to be seen. The older does the cooking, and Gilbert works as a clerk and delivery boy in the local supermarket. Arnie has the mentality of a five year old, and he is a handful. While the mother sits on the couch watching TV, the other children look after Arnie especially Gilbert. He takes him to work with him, and tries to keep him out of mischief. But sometimes Arnie gets away, and he loves to climb the towns water tower. The police are called, and Gilbert calls out to Arnie on a bullhorn to come down. A married lady with two young sons (Mary Steenbergen) requests a delivery, and Gilbert delivers her groceries to her home. The woman is hot to trot, and she is ready for a fling with Gilbert. Her husband comes home, and Gilbert makes a quick retreat. Every year a caravan of Airstream campers pass through town, and Gilbert and Arnie look forward to seeing them go by. A camper carrying a grandmother and her granddaughter (Juliet Lewis) breaks down. They are stuck on the outskirts of town for awhile. Gilbert and Becky (Juliet) strike up a friendship, and Becky is very nice to Arnie too. Arnie is having a 18th birthday party, and he wants Becky to come. Gilbert is reluctant to invite her, because he doesn`t want her to see his mother. Gilbert`s mother is a loving person, and she is ashamed of how she looks. Arnie`s mother only left the house once to go to the police station. Arnie climbed the water tower again getting away from Gilbert. Deborah Cates who plays Mrs. Grape demands that the police realease Arnie. Ms. Cates who was a unknown actress, is excellent in the part. Arnie`s sister has made him a birthday cake, but the cake is ruined when Arnie runs through the kitchen and knocks the cake onto the floor. Gilbert buys a cake at the competing big box supermarket. While everyone is distracted, Arnie sneaks into the kitchen and starts eating the frosting. Gilbert is so angry that he takes Arnie to the bathtub and throws him into the tub clothes and all. Arnie keeps screaming, and Gilbert hits him again and again. Gilbert runs out of the house, and he sees Becky. He is ashamed and sorry. Arnie also goes to see Becky, and he asks her to come to his birthday party. He tells Gilbert that he is not mad, and Gilbert invites Becky to come. Gilbert introduces Becky to his mother. Mrs. Grape says "I always didn`t look this way", and Becky says the same thing back to her. With the party finished, Mrs. Grape slowly walks upstairs the first time since her husband died. Later Arnie goes up to see his mother in her bedroom. She doesn`t respond to his questions. Arnie becomes distraught, and the rest of the family hears his screams and come into the bedroom. Mrs. Grape has passed away, and the children do not want her humiliated by her removal with a crane. They gather all their possessions on the front lawn, and Gilbert lights a match to the house. Mrs. Grape will not be seen by the townfolk. The whole cast is uniformally good, and Johnny Depp should also have been nominated. Leonardo did win the NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW AWARD for best supporting actor. Lasse Hallstrom  directed his second American film from a script by Peter Hedges from his novel.

[LawrenceA]

CAT PEOPLE - (7/10) - The remake of the 1942 horror-noir classic doesn't measure up to the original, but has plenty of interesting touches to make it worthwhile. Nastassia Kinski stars as an exotic-looking but blankly-expressive young woman, raised in Europe by a foster family, that travels to New Orleans to see her mysterious older brother (a suitably crazy-eyed Malcolm McDowell). Soon after she is introduced to her brother and his strange live-in servant Female (Ruby Dee), he disappears, and when she goes looking for him, she is drawn to the local zoo, and specifically a vicious, recently-acquired black panther. She soon gets a job at the zoo, and begins a tentative romance with a zookeeper (John Heard), but things turn more bizarre and deadly than she could have imagined. I won't say anymore, as the bizarre revelations about what's really going are part of the film's perverse appeal. Other cast members include a very beautiful Annette O'Toole, Ed Begley Jr., Scott Paulin, Frankie Faison, and John Larroquette.

 

There is some very effective, atmospheric cinematography, and the opening shot of red sand dunes, blasted by high winds, slowly revealing bleached bones is very nice. Paul Schrader directed, and a lot of the film has the early-80's gloss of his earlier AMERICAN GIGOLO. The effects are well-done, but there are only a couple of gory scenes. The film is more interested in mood than shocks.

 

The last aspect to mention, and the most effective, is the music. The score by Giorgio Moroder is brooding and hypnotic, with a repeated motif that draws the viewer deeper into the film. The same motif drives the opening of the theme song, heard most clearly during the closing credits, with lyrics and vocals by David Bowie. I've always felt the opening portion was of one Bowie's better songs of the period, and it was used to great, if incongruous, effect in 2009's INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS. I guess Bowie's death still lingers with me, because when the first few words of the vocals drifted out of the speakers, I got a little misty-eyed.

 

 

Rewatch.  Source: Blu Ray, a terrific HD master from Scream Factory.

[MCannady1]

CAT PEOPLE - (7/10) - The remake of the 1942 horror-noir classic doesn't measure up to the original, but has plenty of interesting touches to make it worthwhile. Nastassia Kinski stars as an exotic-looking but blankly-expressive young woman, raised in Europe by a foster family, that travels to New Orleans to see her mysterious older brother (a suitably crazy-eyed Malcolm McDowell). Soon after she is introduced to her brother and his strange live-in servant Female (Ruby Dee), he disappears, and when she goes looking for him, she is drawn to the local zoo, and specifically a vicious, recently-acquired black panther. She soon gets a job at the zoo, and begins a tentative romance with a zookeeper (John Heard), but things turn more bizarre and deadly than she could have imagined. I won't say anymore, as the bizarre revelations about what's really going are part of the film's perverse appeal. Other cast members include a very beautiful Annette O'Toole, Ed Begley Jr., Scott Paulin, Frankie Faison, and John Larroquette.

 

There is some very effective, atmospheric cinematography, and the opening shot of red sand dunes, blasted by high winds, slowly revealing bleached bones is very nice. Paul Schrader directed, and a lot of the film has the early-80's gloss of his earlier AMERICAN GIGOLO. The effects are well-done, but there are only a couple of gory scenes. The film is more interested in mood than shocks.

 

The last aspect to mention, and the most effective, is the music. The score by Giorgio Moroder is brooding and hypnotic, with a repeated motif that draws the viewer deeper into the film. The same motif drives the opening of the theme song, heard most clearly during the closing credits, with lyrics and vocals by David Bowie. I've always felt the opening portion was of one Bowie's better songs of the period, and it was used to great, if incongruous, effect in 2009's INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS. I guess Bowie's death still lingers with me, because when the first few words of the vocals drifted out of the speakers, I got a little misty-eyed.

 

 

Rewatch.  Source: Blu Ray, a terrific HD master from Scream Factory.

I had not seen this version, but my daughter had.  Funny thing happened when I was watching Cat People '42 a few weeks ago.  MY daughter was enchanted with it.  (Bear in mind that she had seen the newer one).  She was so taken with Kent Smith, the "patient" husband of Irena, that she actually sat down and watched it.

 

She does think the other one is worth watching, so I will do that too -  I too am sad about David Bowie.  We have lost too many celebrities already this year!

[MCannady1]

Last night I re-watched some British films I had ordered a few  (smile) years ago from Video Yesteryear.  Sadly, they have been out of business for about 15 years.  (I still wonder what happened to those wonderful VHS tapes - 1000's of them went to a warehouse, the manager explained when I called).  IF I had them now I would have them all transferred to DVD. But I managed to order several.  At $15 a tape, I chose a few.

 

Well, last night was a Michael Redgrave night.  I watched a really cute film called "Jeanie" with the cute Scottish girl, Barbara Mullen.  For anyone who has not seen her in films of the 40's and 50's, she had an elfin "fey" charm as it was described in an article I had read.  I think she is best

known for her pivotal role in Thunder Rock with Michael Redgrave.

 

Jeanie is a cute film with Barbara as a charming Scottish girl who is over-worked by her tyrannical father who leaves all of his money to her.  She had been at his beck and call for several years and could not leave the house to get a real job.  Her sisters had escaped and married.

 

Anyway, naive and sweet, the 26 year old girl goes to Austria after hearing THe BLue Danube Waltz.  SHe is charmed by the sights, but can't speak other languages.  Michael Redgrave happens to be a passenger on the train she meets and he does translations for her.  Soon they are going out to dinner and he tells her he is displaying his newest invention in Austria and other countries; ; a washer (like today's) and dryer!  Remembering all the wash and clotheslines at home, she is intrigued.  (Of course, today's women would tend to have the sentiment after Garfield's own heart - "Oh, gee".I guess they did not have them earlier).

 

Another man (Albert Lieven) is charming and thinking she mas money, starts to move in on the friendship.  The same thing happens when a flakey girl (Kay Hammond) tries to attract Michael's character.  Both predictably experience jealousy and anger.

 

Jeanie goes home to Scotland to the meager cottage and feeling very depressed, finds a man on her doorstep.  IT is Michael and he has retrieved her dog she had lost in Austria.   He offers her a better job than the one she is now working at as the sole servant in a dominant woman's house.  She starts working at his laundry establishment, but soon finds something more to the job....

 

Interesting to observe that Michael was the husband of Rachel Kempson (30's and 40's actress and known for "The Captive Heart" she and Michael starred in).  Their daughters were Vanessa and Lynn).  Though I like the daughters who are sadly not with us either, I prefer Michael and Rachel's films.

 

 

 

 

[LawrenceA]

 

Interesting to observe that Michael was the husband of Rachel Kempson (30's and 40's actress and known for "The Captive Heart" she and Michael starred in).  Their daughters were Vanessa and Lynn).  Though I like the daughters who are sadly not with us either, I prefer Michael and Rachel's films.

Vanessa Redgrave is still alive and kicking. She and Lynn also had an actor brother, Corin Redgrave, who is deceased. Vanessa had two daughters with director Tony Richardson: Joely Richardson who is an actress and still active, and Natasha Richardson, who tragically died young, and was an actress and wife of Liam Neeson.

[LawrenceA]

CLASS OF 1984 - (6/10) - Over-the-top cult favorite about a young idealistic music teacher (Perry King) who transfers to a tough inner-city school wracked by drugs and rampant violence. His good intentions are constantly thwarted by a particularly vicious gang of punk-fashioned white kids led by a sneering Vincent Van Patten. It becomes a tug-of-war between the teacher and the gang, with things escalating to hysterical heights. Violent and more than a little stupid, the film is never boring, at least. Also with Roddy McDowell as a burnt out veteran teacher and Michael J. Fox (before the J.) as a victimized student.

 

Oh, and there's a truly horrendous theme song by Alice Cooper.

 

"Life is pain! Pain is everything! And you...you're gonna learn!"

 

 

First time watched. Source: TCM Underground.

[misswonderly3]

I will start off by saying that I am a fan of Leonardo DiCaprio, and my fingers are crossed that he will win that Academy Award for THE REVENANT 2015 which was Leo`s fifth acting nomination. Last night I watched his first nominated role for WHAT`S EATING GILBERT GRAPE 1993. Gilbert is played by Johnny Depp who is the head of a dysfunctional family. Gilbert has an older brother who left home many years ago, two younger sisters, and his **** brother Arnie, Leonardo. The father commit suicide in the house many years ago, and the mother never leaves home. The mother weighs 500 lbs., and she is ashamed to be seen. The older does the cooking, and Gilbert works as a clerk and delivery boy in the local supermarket. Arnie has the mentality of a five year old, and he is a handful. While the mother sits on the couch watching TV, the other children look after Arnie especially Gilbert. He takes him to work with him, and tries to keep him out of mischief. But sometimes Arnie gets away, and he loves to climb the towns water tower. The police are called, and Gilbert calls out to Arnie on a bullhorn to come down. A married lady with two young sons (Mary Steenbergen) requests a delivery, and Gilbert delivers her groceries to her home. The woman is hot to trot, and she is ready for a fling with Gilbert. Her husband comes home, and Gilbert makes a quick retreat. Every year a caravan of Airstream campers pass through town, and Gilbert and Arnie look forward to seeing them go by. A camper carrying a grandmother and her granddaughter (Juliet Lewis) breaks down. They are stuck on the outskirts of town for awhile. Gilbert and Becky (Juliet) strike up a friendship, and Becky is very nice to Arnie too. Arnie is having a 18th birthday party, and he wants Becky to come. Gilbert is reluctant to invite her, because he doesn`t want her to see his mother. Gilbert`s mother is a loving person, and she is ashamed of how she looks. Arnie`s mother only left the house once to go to the police station. Arnie climbed the water tower again getting away from Gilbert. Deborah Cates who plays Mrs. Grape demands that the police realease Arnie. Ms. Cates who was a unknown actress, is excellent in the part. Arnie`s sister has made him a birthday cake, but the cake is ruined when Arnie runs through the kitchen and knocks the cake onto the floor. Gilbert buys a cake at the competing big box supermarket. While everyone is distracted, Arnie sneaks into the kitchen and starts eating the frosting. Gilbert is so angry that he takes Arnie to the bathtub and throws him into the tub clothes and all. Arnie keeps screaming, and Gilbert hits him again and again. Gilbert runs out of the house, and he sees Becky. He is ashamed and sorry. Arnie also goes to see Becky, and he asks her to come to his birthday party. He tells Gilbert that he is not mad, and Gilbert invites Becky to come. Gilbert introduces Becky to his mother. Mrs. Grape says "I always didn`t look this way", and Becky says the same thing back to her. With the party finished, Mrs. Grape slowly walks upstairs the first time since her husband died. Later Arnie goes up to see his mother in her bedroom. She doesn`t respond to his questions. Arnie becomes distraught, and the rest of the family hears his screams and come into the bedroom. Mrs. Grape has passed away, and the children do not want her humiliated by her removal with a crane. They gather all their possessions on the front lawn, and Gilbert lights a match to the house. Mrs. Grape will not be seen by the townfolk. The whole cast is uniformally good, and Johnny Depp should also have been nominated. Leonardo did win the NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW AWARD for best supporting actor. Lasse Hallstrom  directed his second American film from a script by Peter Hedges from his novel.

 

sapphiere, I saw Gilbert Grape when it first came out. I quite enjoyed it, and it is now worth viewing if only to catch these two now very famous stars, pretty much at the peak of their abilities, so early in their careers.

The astoundingly fat mother is a sad and strange part of the story.

 

Just a suggestion: A large block of unbroken text is difficult to read,  and hard on the eyes. You are not the only one to do this; in fact, the summaries of films on the TCM database are the same, long large passages of text with no paragraphing.

I do not know why this seems to be becoming more common, and when I first noticed it on the TCM database, I was very surprised to see it. To me it's just good writing and good manners to break up your text a bit. Much more accessible in every way.

 

Sorry, I don't want to sound like an OC English teacher, wagging my finger at you and telling you what to do. But please, if it's all the same to you, try not to write a long unbroken block  of text like that, it's a bit discouraging to try and read.

[LawrenceA]

COME BACK TO THE 5 & DIME, JIMMY DEAN, JIMMY DEAN - (7/10) - Set-bound independent film deals with a small assortment of characters who assemble at the small title store in a nowhere, dusty Texas town. Some work at the store, and some have moved out of town, but they are reuniting on the 20th anniversary of James Dean's death. It seems GIANT was filmed nearby 20 years earlier, and one of their own even appeared as an extra in the film. Some have moved on since then, others haven't. And some have changed completely. I won't go further into the developments, as learning who is who and what is what is part of the film's journey.

 

Robert Altman directed this, both on the stage and then on film, and it's more interesting than I expected. I've never been a fan of Sandy Dennis or Karen Black, and so I've never gone out of my way to see this. I am, however, a fan of Robert Altman, and was happy to finally see one of the remaining few of his films I haven't seen. Altman has always been known for his great rapport with his actresses, and that quality serves him and his cast admirably in this. These are interesting, fully-fleshed out women, and the voices are very genuine. Sandy Dennis plays a variation of her usual emotionally fragile screen persona, but Altman manages to rein in her histrionic tendencies. Karen Black is much better than usual, in an unusual, but subtle performance. Cher famously made her first serious foray into dramatic acting here, and she's tough and terrific. A young and fiery Kathy Bates is also memorable. Stage veteran Sudie Bond rounds out the main cast.

 

Without spoiling any plot reveals, I must comment on how progressive Altman's films were, especially in this decade of his Hollywood banishment. After the spectacular commercial and critical failure of POPEYE in 1980, Altman concentrated on independently produced, small films, usual based on stage works. In films like this one and the later STREAMERS he discusses social issues that would have been taboo in most mainstream films at the time, unless serving as an object of mockery. It's yet another reason to respect Robert Altman, another facet of his complicated character.

 

First time watched.   Source: TCM

[JamesJazGuitar]

Screaming Mimi;  Columbia 1958:  This film stars Anita Ekberg,  Phil Carey,  and Gypsy Rose Lee (in a minor role).   

 

It is a light noir\crime film.    It has it moments and it was worth seeing.    Ekberg was very sexy in this film and her outfits were clearly designed to show off her figure.   She plays a dancer and the two dance numbers,  while very similar,  were well worth seeing.      

 

What I loved most about the film was the music.  Gypsy Rose Lee's character owns a nightclub where Ekberg dances and the band at this club is the Red Norvo Trio.   Red was one of the best vibe players ever and the trio is shown a lot in the film as well as providing very hip background music.   Sadly the film was made after Tal Farlow (my second favorite guitar player),  left the band but the other guitar play was fine.    The Red Norvo Trio was one of the best jazz bands during the 50s. I saw a Trio reunion concert at Donte's in Hollywood in the late 70s that included Tal.  One of the best shows ever.

 

As for the film,  Red even gets some lines in the film.    Didn't know he ever worked as an actor.  (but Sinatra did make a live album with him in the 70s).

 

 

[GregoryPeckfan]

COME BACK TO THE 5 & DIME, JIMMY DEAN, JIMMY DEAN - (7/10) - Set-bound independent film deals with a small assortment of characters who assemble at the small title store in a nowhere, dusty Texas town. Some work at the store, and some have moved out of town, but they are reuniting on the 20th anniversary of James Dean's death. It seems GIANT was filmed nearby 20 years earlier, and one of their own even appeared as an extra in the film. Some have moved on since then, others haven't. And some have changed completely. I won't go further into the developments, as learning who is who and what is what is part of the film's journey.

 

Robert Altman directed this, both on the stage and then on film, and it's more interesting than I expected. I've never been a fan of Sandy Dennis or Karen Black, and so I've never gone out of my way to see this. I am, however, a fan of Robert Altman, and was happy to finally see one of the remaining few of his films I haven't seen. Altman has always been known for his great rapport with his actresses, and that quality serves him and his cast admirably in this. These are interesting, fully-fleshed out women, and the voices are very genuine. Sandy Dennis plays a variation of her usual emotionally fragile screen persona, but Altman manages to rein in her histrionic tendencies. Karen Black is much better than usual, in an unusual, but subtle performance. Cher famously made her first serious foray into dramatic acting here, and she's tough and terrific. A young and fiery Kathy Bates is also memorable. Stage veteran Sudie Bond rounds out the main cast.

 

Without spoiling any plot reveals, I must comment on how progressive Altman's films were, especially in this decade of his Hollywood banishment. After the spectacular commercial and critical failure of POPEYE in 1980, Altman concentrated on independently produced, small films, usual based on stage works. In films like this one and the later STREAMERS he discusses social issues that would have been taboo in most mainstream films at the time, unless serving as an object of mockery. It's yet another reason to respect Robert Altman, another facet of his complicated character.

 

First time watched.   Source: TCM

I saw this earlier this year for the first time on TCM too.  I am always fascinated about the places where movies are filmed on location and Giant is my favourite of James Deans movies.  It is easy to see when watching the movie that it is a movie based upon a play with one set, but that doesn't detract from the movie.  Even though the introduction warned about flashbacks, I wasn't aware just how quickly the movie would go between the present day of the story and two decades before.  That meant I was confused for the first 15 minutes or so.  Then I realized what was happening and stopped worrying about what time frame it was at any given moment.

 

I am a fan of Altman too and am slowly getting through some of the titles of his I knew about less.

 

I enjoyed the movie, but I do not know I would go out of my way to see it again.  But if it aired on TCM again, I would probably watch it again.

[scsu1975]

Dr. Pyckle and Mr. Pride (1925)

 

Stan Laurel spoofs Barrymore's classic version. The title cards tell us that the "y" in "Pyckle" is pronounced as in "dill."

 

After Stan undergoes his transformation, he terrorizes the populace with adolescent tricks. He shoots spitballs at a couple of kids, puts Chinese handcuffs on another guy, and causes one woman to faint by blowing a party favor at her.

 

 

A rather silly but entertaining 20 minutes.  A remarkably clear print can be found on youtube.

[MCannady1]

How's this for a rainy night in So. Cal.  I was in the mood for a spooky haunted house type

story., so wanted to see The Old Dark House '32 again.  What a great cast!  And super

acting too!   I had seen it around Halloween again.

 

I love this story of an assortment of people stranded at a scary house during a major thunderstorm and flash flood.  IT is great to see Boris Karloff, Charles Laughton, Melvyn Doluglas and Gloria Stuart (to name a few) within one film.  And we have some notable BRitish actors;  namely, Ernest Thesiger, and John Dudgeon.

 

Eva Moore who plays the lady of the house, is Jill Esmond's mother.  Me with my 30's film interests had read that Jill was the first wife of Lawrence Olivier.  SHe was actually quite beautiful and a good actress,  I had seen her as the desperate defendant for murder  in

Ladies of the Jury.  It turned out to be a fun comedy with Edna Mae Oliver constantly interrupting the proceedings in the courtroom.

 

THere is one more intriguing component to this film; or I should say to the cast.  I was intrigued by John Dudgeon's performance (portraying a bedridden102 year old man)  who informs his

unexpected guests that he is the only "normal" one there.   THen he proceeds to cackle loudly and explains that his oldest son is not normal and is locked up in the house.

 

In looking up John, I discovered he was in other films, but listed as Elspeth Dudgeon.  I had figured that Elspeth could have been his wife or sister, but it seems he enjoyed playing members of the opposite sex,  Hence, the feminine Christian name.  He is listed in the cast of

Now Voyager, but darned if I can find him!.  

 

Another interesting factor is that I recently saw a BLondie film a friend had sent me a copy of.  It was Blondie Takes a VAcation.  Elspeth is listed there, but the lady is clearly Gertrude Hoffman, the charming elderly neighbor on My Little Margie!  As Alice in Wonderland would say,

Curiouser and Curiouser!  (WHen I was a kid I read the book Alice in Wonderland and did not pay any attention to that statement, though Alice encountered a lot of interesting things.  At the age of 7 I had already figured out the pretend was really pretend. Also, I recall seeing the '33 film on TV.

 

Today, though, I start to fully comprehend the statement in all respects.  It is a diverse world today with a varied lot of people.  This held true in the 30's and always in the world of cinema, as well.

[MCannady1]

Dr. Pyckle and Mr. Pride (1925)

 

Stan Laurel spoofs Barrymore's classic version. The title cards tell us that the "y" in "Pyckle" is pronounced as in "dill."

 

After Stan undergoes his transformation, he terrorizes the populace with adolescent tricks. He shoots spitballs at a couple of kids, puts Chinese handcuffs on another guy, and causes one woman to faint by blowing a party favor at her.

 

 

A rather silly but entertaining 20 minutes.  A remarkably clear print can be found on youtube.

Sounds really fun!  Got to catch it.  I like Silents too.  Laurel and Hardy were really hilarious.

[LawrenceA]

DEAD MEN DON'T WEAR PLAID - (7/10) - Steve Martin and Carl Reiner re-teamed after the success of THE JERK to make this unique B & W parody/homage of film noir of the 1940's. Martin plays a private eye who is hired by a damsel in distress (a stunning Rachel Ward) to investigate the mysterious death of her scientist father. The real hook of the film, though, is that much of it is made by splicing in old footage from the 1940 film noirs themselves. Martin interacts with Humphrey Bogart (as Marlowe), Burt Lancaster, Alan Ladd, Cary Grant, Ava Gardner, Bette Davis, and many, many more. Most of the time this makes for some good fun, with quite a few laugh-out-loud moments. Reni Santoni and Carl Reiner himself also show up in the new footage. This will be of particular interest to fans of noir and classic films in general (although I have read some stodgy viewers felt the use of old footage was a sacrilege).

 

 

Rewatch.  Source: DVD. 

[sapphiere]

sapphiere, I saw Gilbert Grape when it first came out. I quite enjoyed it, and it is now worth viewing if only to catch these two now very famous stars, pretty much at the peak of their abilities, so early in their careers.

The astoundingly fat mother is a sad and strange part of the story.

 

Just a suggestion: A large block of unbroken text is difficult to read,  and hard on the eyes. You are not the only one to do this; in fact, the summaries of films on the TCM database are the same, long large passages of text with no paragraphing.

I do not know why this seems to be becoming more common, and when I first noticed it on the TCM database, I was very surprised to see it. To me it's just good writing and good manners to break up your text a bit. Much more accessible in every way.

 

Sorry, I don't want to sound like an OC English teacher, wagging my finger at you and telling you what to do. But please, if it's all the same to you, try not to write a long unbroken block  of text like that, it's a bit discouraging to try and read.

I understand your critique, and I agree with you. A few years ago my desktop computer broke, and now I have a reconditioned laptop.Maybe I am a knucklehead, but everytime I try to split my writing into paragraphs, the laptop won`t let me. When my son comes to visit, I will ask him if I am doing something wrong. I know that a change in thought should be split into a paragraph. Otherwise my replies will have to be short and sweet. WEGG was so good, I had many thoughts on the film. Sorry

[Bogie56]

William Marshall was pretty good as Blacula (1972) and Vonetta McGee and Denise Nicholas were sexy enough but the film itself was rather poor.  I suppose it was of its time.  I'm glad I've finally seen it nonetheless.

 

They Have Changed Their Face (1971) is one of those pseudo Italian politicos masquerading as a genre picture.  This time Adolfo Celi of Thunderball fame plays the Count Nosferatu who is the head of a large corporation that sucks the life-blood (money) from the unsuspecting masses via corrupt capitalism.

It needed a Bernie Sanders as Van Helsing.

[Casablanca100views]

sapphiere, I saw Gilbert Grape when it first came out. I quite enjoyed it, and it is now worth viewing if only to catch these two now very famous stars, pretty much at the peak of their abilities, so early in their careers.

The astoundingly fat mother is a sad and strange part of the story.

 

Just a suggestion: A large block of unbroken text is difficult to read,  and hard on the eyes. You are not the only one to do this; in fact, the summaries of films on the TCM database are the same, long large passages of text with no paragraphing.

I do not know why this seems to be becoming more common, and when I first noticed it on the TCM database, I was very surprised to see it. To me it's just good writing and good manners to break up your text a bit. Much more accessible in every way.

 

Sorry, I don't want to sound like an OC English teacher, wagging my finger at you and telling you what to do. But please, if it's all the same to you, try not to write a long unbroken block  of text like that, it's a bit discouraging to try and read.

 

It can be difficult, to be sure.  But when I first saw the post, I knew I wanted to read it. What will get me through it is to highlight a whole sentence a few lines in, usually where a paragraph break will occur.  That is enough definition for me to not lose track of the lines and where I'm at in reading them. Hope this helps. WEGG is worth the watch too.  Thanks for the reminder sapphiere, and thanks for the explanation on why you can't paragraph your sentences.  

 

Namaste,

Charlotte

[scsu1975]

Sounds really fun!  Got to catch it.  I like Silents too.  Laurel and Hardy were really hilarious.

I forgot to mention that Pete the Dog (or "Our Gang" fame) also appears. When he sops up some of Dr. Pyckle's potion, he grows a Moe Howard fright wig.

[scsu1975]

William Marshall was pretty good as Blacula (1972) and Vonetta McGee and Denise Nicholas were sexy enough but the film itself was rather poor.  I suppose it was of its time.  I'm glad I've finally seen it nonetheless.

 

Try the sequel, Scream, Blacula, Scream. There is one priceless scene where two "ruffians" accost Marshall on the street, demanding his "bread," or else they will "kick his a**." His response is hysterical.

[LawrenceA]

Try the sequel, Scream, Blacula, Scream. There is one priceless scene where two "ruffians" accost Marshall on the street, demanding his "bread," or else they will "kick his a**." His response is hysterical.

 plus, the sequel co-stars Pam Grier...'nuff said!

[scsu1975]

 plus, the sequel co-stars Pam Grier...'nuff said!

and ... that red-headed stunner Barbara Rhoades

[LornaHansonForbes]

 plus, the sequel co-stars Pam Grier...'nuff said!

 

actually, she's not really given enough to do and it's a surprisingly passive role.

 

my favorite moment in any of the BLACULA films is in the first, when he "levitates across the room" (i strongly believe roller skates were involved) and attacks a female victim.

 

i just spent, like, five minutes looking for it, but could not find. anyone who can, please post here.

 

it is some funny ****.

[LornaHansonForbes]

 

This limited edition, suitable for framing print, entitled MOMAWALDE, is included in the 2 DVD Criterion Collection edition of BLACULA and SCREAM, BLACULA SCREAM....(NOT REALLY)

 

PS- like, what do you do if you have a great couple of dates with someone, and you come over to their place for the first time and THIS is hanging on the wall? Esp. over the bed.