tcmviewer Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 I was very upset when I read the Variety article in another thread indicating that TCM is planning on showing Russ Meyer skin flicks. Showing dirty movies is not and should not be TCM's mission. Please reconsider this decision. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cineypoo Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 Well, that certainly makes alot of sense. They`ll run Russ Meyer manure but ignore K. Gordon Murray`s mexican horror gems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crispycomment Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 I completely agree! These are NOT classic movies. For goodness sake, can't there be just ONE truly family-friendly channel on TV? (No, the Family channel *isn't* actually) I thought that TCM had come to rescue us from the crass crap of reality TV, stupid soaps and trashy movies. I was overjoyed to think there was finally an alternative to all this... and I admired TCM for providing a valuable service - quality entertainment and films with historical value... for movie buffs (and future movie buffs) of *all* ages.. And now it looks like TCM will be "dumbing down" to appeal to the lowest common denominator - joining those with the mindset that sex and violence sells. If TCM are truly hoping to attract the "youth market" as that article stated (and boy am I sick of everyone being so youth-obsessed) well, how about the *really* young viewers? This will only alienate kids.. and their parents... and anyone with good taste, really. Turner Classic Movies should be classy. Some of you may think, "oh it's only a midnight showing in a weekly series"... but it's the beginning of the end, in my opinion. This is how it starts. A gradual introduction of something that doesn't fit in with the current lineup. To minimize the potential outcry. In time, once we're all "used to" the idea, I bet they'll start mixing these films in the regular lineup. And I wouldn't be surprised if the whole tone and purpose of TCM changes as more and more classic movies are cut to make room for the trashy ones - especially if the skin flicks really do bring in more subscribers and make them more money. I don't want to see this happen. I hope enough people protest while the plan's still in the early stages...before it's too late. Maybe the threat of losing their current subscribers, will change their minds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spencerl964 Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 For what it's worth I just gotta' throw"My Fedora" into this in agreement! I am absolutely against TCM not airing R rated cinema like:"R. Bull"/ "GoodFellas" & hopefully 1 day both *"Schindler's List" & it's companion piece by *Spielberg "Pvt. Ryan" These are superb motion pictures though. & should be aired after 10pm-(just in my humble & at present 75% working brain.) These other flix are quite a different matter though entirely I reckon' I better go & "Stuff My Shirt" now Message was edited by: myidolspencer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveK Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 Did the article say which Russ Meyer movies TCM might show? Any scheduled dates? I appreciate possible angst about the genre. I have some misgivings myself, and would agree TCM should run his films late in the evening. But, Meyer's films are comedies and I understand classics in their own right (I don't think I've seen any of them yet). It's possible that TCM plans a series as a tribute to Mr. Meyer, who passed away last year at the age of 82. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cineypoo Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 Well, I am not really against TCM showing Russ Meyer flicks. I will watch them, especially since TCM will show them uncut. I just think that K. Gordon Murray`s imported horror gems will be as good if not better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ktrek Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 Does anyone know how to contact TCM directly? Address? Telephone numbers? The more people who complain the less likely they are to actually go through with this deal. Kevin Do you like to discuss classic films? Why not join The Golden Age Of Hollywood Message Board? http://www.goldenageofhollywood.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lzcutter Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 I think the possibility of Russ Meyer's films appealing to a large number of viewers under the age of 40 is probably pretty slim. They are a snapshot in time (for lack of a better description) of American culture 40 years ago then so called "dirty movies" that would have today's younger generation salivating on the sofa. There is probably more to offer those viewers on an episode of "The O.C." than Russ Meyer movies. As for ruining TCM by running them, I have always thought that one of the purposes of TCM was to make available films that people don't necessarily get the chance to see on a regular basis. Whether it's black and white classics, silents, cartoons, film noir, foreign films, Russ Meyer or experimental films, TCM, at least, offers them up. They may not all be my cup of tea or your cup of tea, but at least TCM offers a diverse palate of goodies and the last time I checked, we all had the opportunity to vote with our remote as to whether or not we watch it. As for why does everything have to appeal to younger people? By reading the boards, one would get the feeling that the majority of TCM's audience is at least 45 and older. If TCM doesn't find younger viewers to take our place as we age, who will be watching the channel when we are too old, too infirmed or dead? At least they are trying to widen their appeal (with Underground, The Outsiders and running films made in the last 20 years periodically) and perhaps by doing so, interest new viewers in classic films. It could all be the beginnings of the slippery slope to destruction that so many of us worry about, or it could be a successful meld between lovers of the classics and the younger audience discovering the gems. But either way, if they only appeal to us of a certain age and older then they are doomed to lose their current audience base because death, like taxes, is one of the few known things ultimately going to happen to us. Message was edited by: lzcutter Message was edited by: lzcutter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crispycomment Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 > As for ruining TCM by running them, I have always > thought that one of the purposes of TCM was to make > available films that people don't necessarily get > the chance to see on a regular basis. I could've sworn I saw a commercial a few years back, for some retro channel, a pay channel, advertising Russ Meyer movies and the like. So it's not like they aren't available to those who are interested in seeing them. I don't see why TCM have to run skin flicks and blaxploitation movies. *Those* are precisely the kind of trendy "cool" old movies that *other* channels are likely to run, in my opinion, because they fit in with TV's general sex-and-violence-YAY! philosophy. I'd rather see TCM stay unique, as it is now, and run the movies that nobody else will. > By reading the boards, one would get the > feeling that the majority of TCM's audience is at > least 45 and older. Maybe younger people are watching, but can't be bothered to post in the forum... who knows? I'm 27, for the record. And I probably wouldn't have registered to post here if I didn't have some complaints to express - too intimidated by all you old-timers. > If TCM doesn't find younger > viewers to take our place as we age, who will be > watching the channel when we are too old, too > infirmed or dead? Well.. how about all those younger viewers, when they get older? Sure, we'll die, but I don't think these movies will die with us. The next generation will age, after all! (And I do believe some kids/teens will discover older films on their own, and fall in love with them - hey it happened to me!) People's tastes often change as they become more mature... kids tend to go through fads, right? I think it's safe to say that lots of young folks will come to appreciate classic cinema when they "grow up". Especially if TV runs more old movies ...this is why I'm excited about TCM becoming more available and widespread. I know lots of people passively watch whatever's put in front of them, so... if you put more classics on TV... Call me naive, but I firmly believe that people out there only need exposure to these films and they *will* get hooked! > There is probably more to > offer those viewers on an episode of "The O.C." than > Russ Meyer movies. But TCM *is* hoping to attract younger viewers this way - and if what you say is true, and they can't compete with The O.C... well then why even bother adding skin flicks to the lineup? I don't know if The O.C. is "worse" than Russ Meyer movies - I suppose they can get away with more today, so maybe it's true. (But what's the point of comparing different types of garbage... however you look at it, it all STINKS!) But sure, the movies might be considered tame by today's standards - since society's standards are getting lower and lower, and practically anything goes now. I'm not saying there should be censorship, but I do think it's becoming nearly impossible these days to *avoid* trashy things if we don't want to see them. Just turn the channel? That's easy to say, but what channel should I turn to? I was hoping to turn to TCM, y'see. Trash is dominating television these days. Why can't we have one safe haven from that sort of thing? Why can't TCM be *better* than that? It *is* better...for now. And I don't want to see that change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveK Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 So much of this is in the eye of the beholder. I'm sure plenty of parents and other people in the 1920s-1950s also thought more than a few of the films from those years, that we now are calling "classics," were trashy, or immoral, or whatever. My father swore he never would take my brothers and me to another movie at the theater after he took us to Goldfinger and was shocked. But he did keep taking us (but not often enough), including, eventually, Cabaret. Go figure. Frankly, I think the much greater public concern should be with suggested censorship of film. I really don't think TCM running some 40-year old spoof films is something to get up in arms about, and it isn't going to change TCM's basic programming. Unless the proposal is to perpetually limit TCM's presentations to movies from 1959 and before, it seems that starting in on the 1960s makes sense, and the Russ Meyer films apparently are part of the mix. If the films offend you, don't watch them. Learn how to control your own TV so that any children in your home don't watch presentations that offend you, and pay attention to who your kids are seeing outside your home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
useralx1172 Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 > > By reading the boards, one would get the > > feeling that the majority of TCM's audience is at > > least 45 and older. > > Maybe younger people are watching, but can't be > bothered to post in the forum... who knows? I'm 27, > for the record. I don't know what the average age of the TCM audience is, but last Sunday I was changing my cable provider and the technician expressed mild surprise that I was interested exclusively in TCM and FMC. He said that in his experience TCM fans were much older folks. And I am 40, so that gives you an idea As far as the brouhaha over the skin flicks of yesteryear go, I doubt they would attract those who are looking for sex in their movies any more than vintage 1960s no-stars Italian SF would attract the special effects crowd I am yet to see a Meyer movie, but supposedly they have all kinds of other, non-sexual outre stuff in them, so they may be worth a look see for their oddity value. Not a big deal either way, I gather. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crispycomment Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 FYI, there are no children in my home. But that doesn't mean I can't be concerned for children and people in general. I don't like trashy, exploitative films like the Meyer movies, and I don't think they have any artistic merit. However, I'm not trying to stop other people from watching them. Do whatever you want, of course. But I think it's unfortunate when kids stumble across something like this unknowingly. Depending on your timezone, it won't be airing at midnight *everywhere* ...some kids will still be awake. It's not as simple as saying, "turn the channel" or "monitor what your kids watch". I guess I'm in the minority in believing that TCM should have higher standards as to which movies they air...which movies they deem "classic". I hope these new additions don't take away much airtime from other, higher quality films. And I still think it's a shame we can't even have one channel out there that's safe viewing for the entire family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonstrucker Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 This is my first post here, so if I may weigh in with my thoughts. I'm 20 years old and in college, I love film of all kinds of film. Silents, hollywood classics, foreign movies going back to the 20s, even trash and underground movies. I want to experience the entire tapestry of film history. So I applaud the decision by TCM to air the friday night cult and underground movies, I think it can prove to be a real fun experience for movie fans. I don't think it would ruin TCM's reputation, I think it can act as a gateway for younger viewers to more classic movies which would be a very good thing. I watched a documentary on IFC this summer about the Z channel in LA in the 80s. They would air everything, classics, foreign and cult movies, had I been able to experience that it would have been a godsend. So if TCM became a little more like that, I wouldn't mind. I think a balance can be reached between classics and more programming geared towards younger viewers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deeanddaisy666 Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 How funny. Let's all hear again how TCM ISN'T turning into AMC. Yeah, right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nsallieharding Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 It's funny how people are obsessed with AMC when they are not even on the radar anymore( they compete with TNT, FX, TBS and WGN). Compare TCM with IFC and FMC and than that will have more to do with the price of tea in China. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lux0786 Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 TCM fans are “obsessed” with AMC because the latter was once just like TCM but transmogrified into something entirely different. AMC represents a road not to be taken. TCM fans are understandably haunted by the possibility. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vallo13 Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 I agree lux0786, I don't think TCM is turning to soft porn just to attract younger audiences. and if they are, that would be sad. What's next "Robert Osbournes Wet T-Shirt Contest" There maybe trying something new but hopefully they don't "jump the shark" vallo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
useralx1172 Posted November 18, 2005 Share Posted November 18, 2005 > I'm 20 years old and in college, I love film of all > kinds of film. Silents, hollywood classics, foreign > movies going back to the 20s, even trash and > underground movies. I want to experience the entire > tapestry of film history. Enjoy while you can -- I was the same way when I was 20, I even went back to school after college taking film history classes just because I loved it so much. Unfortunately, the spongelike ability and, even more importantly, desire to absorb new things does diminish with age That was the biggest surprise of my mid-thirties, I never thought it would happen to me... > So I applaud the decision > by TCM to air the friday night cult and underground > movies, I think it can prove to be a real fun experience for movie fans. I doubt many TCM regulars would be interested in the outer fringes of the underground. Troma or early Greenaway on TCM? I think not On the other hand, TCM already shows a wide variety of genre movies that are not exactly "classic" in any but the cult sense of the word, from occasional "C" westerns to Edgar G. Ulmer to "The Blob". The latest SF/horror schlock extravanganza was even more "non-classic" yet hardly caused a ripple. If TCM were to throw in occasional cult favorites like the 1960 "The Little Shop of Horrors" (or other cheesy Corman quickies) or the odd Republic serial (hey, there is an idea!) into the mix, I doubt it would be terribly controversial. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackpickford1 Posted November 18, 2005 Share Posted November 18, 2005 I think it is great if TCM is going to show Russ Meye because I have not seen many of them. I hope Herschell Gordon Lewis, John Waters, Doris Wishman, and Andy Milligan films are next. My family says I'm only the person in the world who could watch somebody like Clara Bow and then watch a film like "2000 Maniacs." I think it is great if TCM is spreading into some controversial waters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nsallieharding Posted November 19, 2005 Share Posted November 19, 2005 IFC is showing John Waters movies all December long with their Cult classics special for Fall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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