Any Gary Cooper Fans?

[FrankGrimes]

Mrs. Coop -- Nice to see you around. I'm glad you haven't run for the hills... yet. I'm currently reading the recent comments that were posted on *Cloak and Dagger* because I just finished watching the film. I'll be posting my thoughts soon. I thought I'd say hello to you first, though.

 

You know what Coop film is up next, don't you? Uh-huh. Maybe I can convince that Mysty girl to watch it in its entirety, too. She's a tough one to move, though.

 

It is a deadly mix, Mr. Grimes...to those who don't know what they're doing. You seem to be wise; so I'm sure you'll have no difficulty in handling the two brilliantly and might I add...cautiously?

 

The so-called "wise" ones are the ones who crumble in the end. Too smart (read dumb) for their own good.

 

Congrats to you and the rest of the Coop Clique for the 5,000 posts. I think you, Dan, and I contributed about 500 of those posts on Friday night.

[FrankGrimes]

Coop's Blouse Girl -- Great stuff about Man of the West, Frank.

 

Well thank you, Sugarbr... I mean, CG.

 

Judging by Gary's actions toward Julie's character as you pointed out it's clear he wanted her but I don't think anything ever happened between them. Although you could also look at it like they did sleep together but him being a little standoffish towards her is his way of not leading her on any further. I still don't think there was anything between them but I see how you could see it both ways.

 

That's an interesting take. I never thought about the "standoffish" angle. I actually believe Link only "wanted" Billie in a loving, caring way and not in an impulsive sexual way. The thing is, the situation would have gotten carried away even if he had tightly embraced her in a comforting manner. He knew this.

 

Thank you very much for the article on Mann and *Man of the West*.

 

There was another paragraph that discussed women in Mann's westerns and how they either fell into the virgin or **** model. They didn't mention Billie from MotW however (at least I didn't see it) and even though I haven't seen any other of Mann's films, I'm willing to bet she's one of the most interesting of his female characters. I think she falls somewhere inbetween the virgin/**** type. She's not completely virtuous as she is a saloon singer who doesn't exactly seem a stranger to men, but she's also very embarassed when she has to take her clothes off in front of Dock's gang. The auther also pointed out that usually the virgin types were there to basically get the "hero" to save them and the whores were there to tempt them. Again Billie fits both these bills to a tee. Link defends her honor in the fight against Coaley and also is tempted by her flirtations.

 

I disagree with the author's thoughts of Mann's films featuring a virgin/**** model. I've only seen that in a couple of his films. I think that's a simplistic view. Mann's films are much more complex and deeper than that. And your point about Billie being somewhere in the middle is correct. She's clearly uncomfortable and embarrassed to disrobe in front of men. Hardly the act of a ****. She's not a virgin, either. The virgin/**** model just doesn't work for me.

 

I forgot to mention that after Dock Tobin leaves the barn, Billie breaks down and cries. Link does not lie next to her and physically comfort her. He just places two blankets over her. The camera then fades to black. So the last vision we see of Billie in the barn at night is of her bawling. I just don't see Link taking advantage of her when she's in such an emotionally unstable state.

 

Link sees many of his old qualities in Billie. He also senses many of his new qualities in Billie, too. He knows she can be reached, but is she ready to turn the page on her "lost ways" like he did? Can she afford to? It's all she knows. Plus, who's gonna help lift her up, boost her self-esteem? Link is the kind of man who can do this for her, but he's leaving. Will there be another Link? That's what worries Billie about the future. She feels like there will never be a Link for her. Many women... and men worry about this.

 

Link: We're a lot alike.

 

By the way, I loved your recent crop of Coop photos. The Coop with a dog pic is terrific.

 

Miss Champoo -- I couldn't stop laughing at the Some Came Running quotes, I mean the last one by Dean Martin's "Bama". I know he's being mean but he just has me rolling every time I see him in that movie.

 

Didn't you just say you didn't like those mean characters? Why you sneaky little devil. I'm starting to wonder about you, Irena.

 

I like "Bama", too. He makes me love "Ginnie" and respect "Dave" all the more. It's a nice little writing technique, Miss Aspiring Screenwriter.

 

By the way, I've read the book it's based on---what an interminable read that was---and apparently Martha Hyer's character "Gwen" had had a relationship that turned her sour but she was much more sexual, though repressed, than Hyer came across. In fact, one scene in the book showed her to possess a rather perverse sense of humor. At least in the movie her character is easier to understand. In the book she's almost too complicated, I can't put a finger on what makes her tick and so in the end, I just found her too annoying. And Ginnie seems to be combination of a couple of characters. The ending, as you may know, is not the same as the book's.

 

I've never read the book, so I have no idea what the book ending is. It's show and tell time.

 

"Gwen" surely comes off as a woman who has been hurt by love in the past... badly hurt. She's afraid to give all of herself to anyone because of the fear of being hurt all over again. She's so very guarded and protective. This is a big reason why I loved the "silhouette" kissing scene. You could feel her release. All of her defenses were down. The thing is, she would eventually have a serious guilt trip over this feeling of vulnerability, so she raised the gate to the castle. This caused poor "Dave" to lose it. Why could she be so very receptive to his love one minute and then shun it the very next? Talk about an emotional rollercoaster.

 

ButterBlush -- I hope you did well on your chem exam. You better not have had you head in the Cooper Clouds.

[FrankGrimes]

I finally got around to watching *Cloak and Dagger*. It's the 23rd Fritz Lang film that I have seen and my first impression of the film is that it's rather ordinary. Having said that, I also believe it to be the most romantic Lang film I have seen.

 

What I liked the most about *Cloak and Dagger* was the relationship between Alvah (Coop) and Gina (Lilli Palmer). I really ate up the interplay between the two of them. I found myself wanting a "Gina" of my own. She was an unsure spitfire who longed for love; you just had to crack her tough shell. This kind of woman has become a little cliche in film today, but I'm still a sucker for her.

 

The spy aspects of the film fell flat to me. I just didn't care that much about Coop's overall mission. It seemed secondary to me once Palmer entered the picture.

 

There were two scenes without Palmer that did captivate me, though. The first was when Coop cornered Ann Dawson (Marjorie Hoshelle) in her room, forcing her hand. I thought Coop was excellent in that scene. Very smooth. Hoshelle was quite striking, too. The other scene that I was fond of was when the maid executed Dr. Katerin Loder (Helen Thimig). She shot her four times! That was harsh.

 

As I was watching *Cloak and Dagger*, I started to realize a couple of things. First off, I think Hitchcock "borrowed" some scenes for his own spy film, *Torn Curtain*. One scene in particular is the one where the truck stalls at a checkpoint. Hitch definitely took that one from Lang. The other thing that I noticed was that my favorite contemporary comedy, Top Secret!, was a parody of *Cloak and Dagger*. I never knew this. The ending of the film is completely parodied in Top Secret!. Even some of the dialogue is lifted. I was very surprised to see this.

 

Hi, John -- Now, later in October, Meir and I are going to natter about spy thrillers,

from Mata Hari up through this great Bourne trilogy. Be a good chance

for me to get in some good words about Cloak & Dagger, which as you

know from our e-mails, I think a very underrated film, even with the

final reel deleted.

 

You quoted here on this thread from Glenn Erickson's good piece on his

DVD Savant page about the butchering by WB. He left out the line which

really led to the whole reel being cut. This line really frightened the government

and led to the government demanding the final reel be cut:

 

"Peace? There's no peace. It's year one of the Atomic Age

and God have mercy on us all! ... if we think we can wage

other wars without destroying ourselves."

 

Cooper's character, Jesper, says this after they've come out of the

cave and realize that the group has escaped with the atomic bomb

secrets. The U.S. had believed -- stupidly, naively -- that it could keep

the A-Bomb to itself. Cooper's line here was predicting just the

opposite. And, as it turns out, the truth.

 

I didn't know of the final reel being deleted. I think *Cloak and Dagger* lacks the kick of a strong spy film. It's on the soft, romantic side. If Jesper would have said the quote you provided, it probably would have helped me like the film more. A stronger statement on the Atomic Age would have made a bigger impact on me. There is one interchange between Jesper and Colonel Walsh (James Flavin) that had some bite, though:

 

Jesper: Clem, this is the first time I was ever sorry I'm a scientist.

 

Walsh: Why?

 

Jesper: Look... in a few years maybe, we'll be able to break up the atomic structure of this apple. When we do that, it will become a bomb. The energy in this one little apple could pulverize this university, this whole town. Its fine hospital, its libraries, its wonderful medical school, to say nothing of all the people in it. But... we still wouldn't be able to make one little apple. We're running ahead of ourselves. Society isn't ready for atomic energy. I'm scared stiff. For the first time, thousands allied scientists are working together to make, what, a bomb! But who is willing to finance science before the war to wipe tuberculosis. And when are we going to be given a billion dollars to wipe-out cancer? I tell you, we can do it in one year!

 

Walsh: But if anybody is going to develop the atom bomb, you want it to be us, not the Nazis.

 

Jesper: Not much choice in that.

 

It's still a very good film. Better than Lang's other WW II thrillers --

Ministry Of Fear (based on a terrific Graham Greene novel) and Man Hunt

(also based on a much better novel, Rogue Male) -- even though the

auteurist Lang crowd believes the opposite. I especially like how

Jesper screws up, he's an amateur, and isn't some superman hero.

I think the Bourne trilogy is magnificent, but Cooper's hero is the

exact antithesis of Jason Bourne.

 

You're right, this Langian likes *Ministry of Fear* a little more than *Cloak and Dagger*. Why? The overall look and feel of the two films. I don't think *Ministry of Fear* is a tight film either, but it draws me in more. It's far more mysterious. The reason why *Cloak and Dagger* is going to stick with me is the romance. *Man Hunt* is a Lang film I haven't seen yet.

 

I'll post some more of my favorite lines from *Cloak and Dagger* if I get the time.

 

This love note got a chuckle out of me:

 

"Thanks for saving me from 'Fritz.' "

 

Priceless.

 

I also want to post at least one of my favorite lines from "Gina":

 

"I want you to like me. I want you to be gentle. I want you to think I'm a girl in a white dress whose never been kissed before."

 

Now that melted this guy's heart.

 

I just love "pre-war Gina" and how Coop "handles" her. Very sexy.

 

The fight scene with Coop and Luigi later in the film is also very strong. Extremely well staged and directed. It's the best scene in the film for sure.

[coopsgirl]

It's been years since I've seen *Top Secret* so I didn't realize the connection to *Cloak and Dagger*. I'll have to watch that one again. It came with a two dvd pack I bought when I got the first *Naked Gun* movie (man I love that old Police Squad stuff!) but I haven't watched *Top Secret* yet.

 

I definitely like the romantic angle of *Cloak and Dagger* more than the spy stuff too. I thought the spy stuff was pretty good though but I've never been much into spy films so I really have nothing to compare it too. My fave parts are with Gary and Lili Palmer in her apartment. She's still being very cold to him and he's just trying to fit into his new world. He's very sweet to her and it does eventually get to her as she reverts back to pre-war Gina in a later scene. They had great chemistry together. I've never seen her in anything else but I thought she did a good job in this one.

 

One thing I would have changed about the film is in the beginning when the guy is trying to recruit Gary to be a spy. His character agrees to it too quickly. If they had told him first about the kidnapped scientist (Loder) I think it would have been more believable b/c of the affection he has for her. I mean, if somebody shows up at my cubicle and wants me to put my life in danger as a spy, a profession I know nothing about, it would take some serious convincing - ha!

 

Here are some pics from *C & D*.

 

 

 

 

I don't know if you've seen *For Whom the Bell Tolls* yet but the guy who played Polda in *Cloak and Dagger* plays Gary's sidekick Anselmo in *FWTBT*. It took me a while to realize that when I was watch C & D. I kept thinking I know that guy from somewhere. Thank goodness for IMDB.com! If you haven't seen it yet I would watch some others of his first, especially the box set with *Peter Ibbetson* as those are all wonderful films. *FWTBT* is pretty good but it's not one of my faves as far as plot goes. Gary, Ingrid, and Katrina Paxinou (who won a best supporting actress oscar for it) are good but the story drags quite a bit. For me that one is pure eye candy as Gary is absolutely, drop dead gorgeous in it. Miss G calls it his "beauty movie" and that is a very apt description. Here are some pics from that one too.

 

 

 

 

 

[MissGoddess]

Oooh, I'm a flame of burning desire! You posted pictures from *For Whom the Bell Tolls* ! I'm melting.

 

The movie can be a bore but his Robert Jordan is EVERYTHING a man should be (such a glorious cliche!). Inside and out. No wonder Ingrid's "Maria" seems to go all to pieces every time she shares the same atmosphere---she practically vibrates with emotion (Ingrid really did fall for him so it's not acting). I have to give "Pappa" credit for designing the perfect part for him. Too bad the direction is a bit stolid and makes the whole thing drag on.

 

Frank --- Glad you finally watched C&D. This was Lilli Palmer's first Hollywood movie, and what an introduction, co-starring with Gary Cooper. I haven't read her autobiography, Change Lobsters and Dance, which is supposed to be one of the best ever written by an actress. I want to know what she had to say about Coop. I think he is very good with her.

[coopsgirl]

*FWTBT* is definitely not a bad film but it could have been a little better put together. It's funny though b/c I can't really put my finger on what should have been changed exactly. One scene I know I would have cut is Pilar's flashback scene, it was too long and unecessary. The movie itself was also far too long. I feel bad for even saying that b/c it's Gary in color and he's just beautiful but still it was too long. Around two hours should have been plenty.

 

Definitely the best scenes are between Gary and Ingrid. The sexual tension between the two (onscreen and off) is absolutely palpable. I was just floored when I read in the Last Hero book that Swindell thought they were great in FWTBT but had no chemistry in Saratoga Trunk. They filmed Trunk right after FWTBT when their affair was still going full force and I think they have even more chemistry in Saratoga Trunk so I'm not sure what movie he was watching. Like we've talked about before, I'm not sure how some of the looks they give each other in that one made it past the censors b/c it's clear what they're thinking .

 

 

 

Here's another one of Gary as Robert Jordan - what a man!

 

[MissGoddess]

>>>Swindell thought they were great in FWTBT but had no chemistry in Saratoga Trunk. They filmed Trunk right after FWTBT when their affair was still going full force and I think they have even more chemistry in Saratoga Trunk so I'm not sure what movie he was watching. Like we've talked about before, I'm not sure how some of the looks they give each other in that one made it past the censors b/c it's clear what they're thinking <<<

 

Yes, what was Swindell smoking...I mean thinking, when he wrote that? ST is basically a lot of foreplay between Coop and Ingrid with a story wrapped around it and a few bizarre characters thrown in for good measure. Was it you---or Kimmy---or someone else who did that YouTube clip of the scenes from Saratoga Trunk? I posted that in another classic movies forum and everyone thought it was one of the sexiest things they'd ever seen!

 

[CoopsGal]

I contributed about 500 of those posts on Friday night.

 

 

Well then, a congratulations is in order for you as well! 500 posts, that's quite a lot for someone who was just "passing by."

 

 

By now, I'm guessing you probably know more about Gary than you'd care to -- or even thought possible! But it does save on buying a whole bookstore of biographies on him, then sifting out some of the junk. *cough* Jeffrey Meyers *cough, cough*.

 

 

We're thrilled (noired) to have you here with us, Mr. Grimes, and your contribution to this thread is most impressive. Cheers for another 500 more!

[coopsgirl]

*ST is basically a lot of foreplay between Coop and Ingrid with a story wrapped around it*

 

Couldn't have described it better myself!! Now I'm gonna go and set that pic as my desktop. Not gonna get a lot of work done today .

[CoopsGal]

Yes, what was Swindell smoking...I mean thinking, when he wrote that?

 

 

Same thing Jeffrey Meyers was smoking when he wrote his book.

 

 

...It must be an author thing.

 

 

Was it you---or Kimmy---or someone else who did that YouTube clip of the scenes from Saratoga Trunk? I posted that in another classic movies forum and everyone thought it was one of the sexiest things they'd ever seen!

 

 

That was Angie! The YouTube Queen of Gary videos!

 

 

Angie, you're incredible with those videos, sis; lemme' tell ya'. I've got family members lined up on the floor after they finish gawking at those videos of yours...

[coopsgirl]

Thanks! I do love making those videos. I've got another that I just finished using clips from *Ball of Fire* set to Jerry Lee Lewis' song Great Balls of Fire. I just haven't had a chance to put it on youtube yet b/c internet at home has been kinda spotty and it keeps cutting me off before its finished uploading. I'll try it again this afternoon.

[MissGoddess]

John---I finally got to the DVDSavant article on Man of the West---very interesting and additional proof that this movie begs for a dvd release.

 

Because of Gary Cooper's accumulated screen image as utterly moral, gentle, and decent, I think 1958 audiences had a hard time accepting that he could ever have been a murderous cutthroat, let alone worry that he might not overcome his little 'outlaw' problem.

 

In Unforgiven, I had a hard time picturing Eastwood's character as having once been good. I couldn't quite picture cold-blooded, cynical Clint settled down as the good husband and solid father that he seems to have become.

 

Ha haaaaa!!! I was rolling at the last bit about Clint---I totally agree, Hugh Beaumont he was NOT---ever!

 

And from the comments below the article (yours?) I see that there were additional love scenes between Link and Billie which were deleted, because Julie London didn't come off too well in them. I believe you mentioned that before, perhaps there is where the more clear inference they slept together lay.

[butterscotchgreer]

heehee! angie that "saucy" pic from cowboy and the lady is great!! but that cigarette is not merle oberon. heehee!

 

i love the melody jones pic too, theres a surprise.

 

its quite tru ya know sis, you are the queen of making gary vids on youtube. post that ball of fire one, i casnt wait to watch it!!!!

 

no frankie, i didnt think of gary while takingthat test, trust me, i was to busy trying to rembmer acid formulas. yuck!!! heehee!

[butterscotchgreer]

i wish they would release the Man from the West too!! i want them to release:

 

angie i visited the icon site, now where did you say that one show was with robert osborne talking about gary's acting?

[coopsgirl]

You should be able to find the old shows along the right side if you scroll down. There's an option to download and an option that says show overview. I normally pick the overview and then it opens up a new window and the show will start. However, Robert's show doesn't have that option so you'll have to download it.

[butterscotchgreer]

thanks sis! i found it, and downloaded it which is practically a miracle to download anything on this computer, but it worked. yay!

[FrankGrimes]

I'm gonna try to post a few of the screen caps that struck me from *Cloak and Dagger*. I apologize for the lack of clarity.

 

I'll respond to your words about *Cloak and Dagger* later on Coop's Girl and Miss G. Maybe I can coax you into taking a gander at Top Secret!, CG. If you like Police Squad! and *The Naked Gun* -- I love them -- you'll probably be okay with Top Secret!. Well, as long as you don't get upset over the parody of *Cloak and Dagger*. And, Val Kilmer is playing Elvis, not Gary Cooper in the lead role. So no need to worry about the film spoofing Coop.

 

Ingrid looks very much alive in the photo Miss G posted. She's beaming.

 

I also want to comment on the cut love scenes from *Man of the West* later on. That's quite a revelation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[MissGoddess]

I think I speak for all the ladies here Frank, when I say you picked some CHOICE screen-caps to share!!! I've added all of them to my Coop photobucket, which already has over 500 images!!

[butterscotchgreer]

hey frankie, funny you should mention Top Secret! my parents were just watching that last night and i just had to sit with them. i grew up with that movie and it is too hilarious!! he shouldve played gary instead though. heehee!

 

that scene where gary is holding her hand while she is in bed is one of my fav scenes!!! how did you know. heehee! i love those screen caps and dont wait too long to post some from Cloak and Dagger!!!

[FrankGrimes]

Miss G(ary) -- I'm glad you enjoyed the screen caps from *Cloak and Dagger*. It's about time I did something for you and the other photo posters on this board since you guys have spoiled me rotten, especially you.

 

Butterscotchkins -- Didn't I warn you about me and my noirness? But here you are, still speaking to me. Well, it's a good thing, too. I'm mostly bark... but not always.

 

hey frankie, funny you should mention Top Secret! my parents were just watching that last night and i just had to sit with them. i grew up with that movie and it is too hilarious!! he shouldve played gary instead though. heehee!

 

More fans of Top Secret!. Maybe I'm a human being after all. I know, "let's not get carried away here."

 

that scene where gary is holding her hand while she is in bed is one of my fav scenes!!! how did you know. heehee! i love those screen caps and dont wait too long to post some from Cloak and Dagger!!!

 

The "hand-holding" reveal is one of my favorite moments in the film. Very gentlemanly. I liked it a lot. Fritz Lang doesn't always present such romanticism in his films, but this one is loaded with it. I'll see if any other images from the film move me like the ones I posted. I want to post the lines that moved me, too. Love the dialogue between Jesper and Gina, especially Gina's words.

 

Jesper: There's a lot of energy in an apple.

 

Of course, earlier in the film, Jesper's reference to the apple is atomic. So what could a man and a woman eating apples together represent?

 

 

In the photo above, the following dialogue is going on:

 

Jesper: Did you come here with a boy?

 

Gina: Yeah.

 

Jesper: One you liked?

 

Gina: He was in the picture with me, he played the cello.

 

So did you notice Coop's eyes? He's very curious to hear her answers. Very curious. Ohh, he's hooked. As was I.

 

One of my favorite lines from this scene is this:

 

Jesper: Maybe after the war, I might come back. And I'd bring you here... but the music would be different.

[coopsgirl]

I LOVE that screencap of Gary with the apple Frank!!! I don't know what it is but I love watching that man eat apples (I know, I'm weird - ha!). There's a scene in *Morocco* where he's very slowly taking a big bite out of an apple and I swear it makes me go weak all over everytime I see it and kinda puts me in a trance. Here's a link to a website that has that clip. Just scroll down to the M's and click on Morocco if you're interested.

 

http://www.doctormacro.info/Film%20Clips.htm

[FrankGrimes]

Coop's Snooky-Lumps -- It's been years since I've seen Top Secret so I didn't realize the connection to Cloak and Dagger. I'll have to watch that one again. It came with a two dvd pack I bought when I got the first Naked Gun movie (man I love that old Police Squad stuff!) but I haven't watched Top Secret yet.

 

I'm sorry that I didn't catch that you had seen Top Secret! before. I thought you never had seen it. *Cloak and Dagger* is spoofed hard. I can see why ZAZ spoofed the film, too. The same dialogue that I love is the same dialogue others find corny. Plus, the score at the end of the film is so very over the top that it's almost comical. Hitchcock's *Spellbound* runs into the same problems. Modern, younger viewers find the film to be laugh-out-loud funny due to its Freudianisms and odd dialogue. I'm someone who loves *Spellbound* for the very reasons why others mock the film.

 

I LOVE that screencap of Gary with the apple Frank!!! I don't know what it is but I love watching that man eat apples (I know, I'm weird - ha!). There's a scene in Morocco where he's very slowly taking a big bite out of an apple and I swear it makes me go weak all over everytime I see it and kinda puts me in a trance. Here's a link to a website that has that clip. Just scroll down to the M's and click on Morocco if you're interested.

 

I'm glad you liked it, CG. I've enjoyed all of the photos you've posted on the board, especially a certain pic with "Sugarbritches." And yes, you are weird. I mean, who in this world or any other world likes MST3K, baseball, and ZAZ? I can't think of anyone and I've asked everyone. Trust me.

 

I tried clicking on the *Morocco* link you provided but I was having trouble accessing the site. I will try the link later on.

 

My fave parts are with Gary and Lili Palmer in her apartment. She's still being very cold to him and he's just trying to fit into his new world. He's very sweet to her and it does eventually get to her as she reverts back to pre-war Gina in a later scene. They had great chemistry together. I've never seen her in anything else but I thought she did a good job in this one.

 

The heart of the film is Coop and Palmer's relationship. I loved every moment they spent together. Jesper's approach to Gina is exactly how a man should play that situation in real life, so I found it to be quite appealing. What am I talking about? Gina was a volcano, wanting to erupt. Jesper was wise enough to sense this, so he let her erupt. Smooth. Cooper is the kind of actor who can pull this smooth stuff off, too. I'm wondering if Coop was playing Coop when he was with Gina. I got that sense.

 

One thing I would have changed about the film is in the beginning when the guy is trying to recruit Gary to be a spy. His character agrees to it too quickly. If they had told him first about the kidnapped scientist (Loder) I think it would have been more believable b/c of the affection he has for her. I mean, if somebody shows up at my cubicle and wants me to put my life in danger as a spy, a profession I know nothing about, it would take some serious convincing - ha!

 

Oooh, a challenge. What if you were alive in the 40s and the government asked you to help them save Gary Cooper? Are you game? I'm sure you'd still be hesitant, but could you be talked into it? By the way, I'd be nervous about entering the dangerous world of espionage myself. I just hope Miss G doesn't tell me that Gene Tierney needs saving. Let's just keep that one between you and me.

 

I don't know if you've seen For Whom the Bell Tolls yet but the guy who played Polda in Cloak and Dagger plays Gary's sidekick Anselmo in FWTBT. It took me a while to realize that when I was watch C & D. I kept thinking I know that guy from somewhere. Thank goodness for IMDB.com! If you haven't seen it yet I would watch some others of his first, especially the box set with Peter Ibbetson as those are all wonderful films. FWTBT is pretty good but it's not one of my faves as far as plot goes. Gary, Ingrid, and Katrina Paxinou (who won a best supporting actress oscar for it) are good but the story drags quite a bit.

 

I've never seen *For Whom the Bell Tolls*. *Cloak and Dagger* is only the 7th Coop film I have seen. This may not fly in Coop Country, but I'm gonna be honest, I'm attacking Coop's films from a different angle. I'm not watching his films just for him. Owwwww! Please, put the wet noodles away. I'm picking Coop films that I think may appeal to me for different reasons. Ingrid Bergman is the reason why I'd want to see *For Whom the Bell Tolls*. Owwwww! No, not 40 whacks. I beg of you!

 

For me that one is pure eye candy as Gary is absolutely, drop dead gorgeous in it. Miss G calls it his "beauty movie" and that is a very apt description. Here are some pics from that one too.

 

The one photo does show Coop like I haven't seen him before; he's sporting wavy hair. A very nice look for him.

 

Miss G -- Glad you finally watched C&D. This was Lilli Palmer's first Hollywood movie, and what an introduction, co-starring with Gary Cooper. I haven't read her autobiography, Change Lobsters and Dance, which is supposed to be one of the best ever written by an actress. I want to know what she had to say about Coop. I think he is very good with her.

 

I did not know it was Palmer's first Hollywood film. That is quite an entrance. I was very much into the chemistry between her and Gary. I thought she was playfully sweet in the scene where she brings him a razor.

 

ST is basically a lot of foreplay between Coop and Ingrid with a story wrapped around it and a few bizarre characters thrown in for good measure.

 

You and Coop's Girl are playing the role of sirens for me with *Saratoga Trunk*. Oh, why thoust tease this poor noir sap? Don't you know I have zero defenses for such things? More please.

 

Mrs. Flattery -- We're thrilled (noired) to have you here with us, Mr. Grimes, and your contribution to this thread is most impressive. Cheers for another 500 more!

 

I'm blushing right up over my ears. So when are you gonna venture over to that dangerous noir forum, Mrs. Goody-Goody Gumdrops? You better be careful.

[MissGoddess]

I love the frame you chose---it really captured a funny, sweet look on Gary's face from that scene in *Cloak and Dagger* .

 

>>>Of course, earlier in the film, Jesper's reference to the apple is atomic. So what could a man and a woman eating apples together represent? <<<

 

Trouble, trouble! Trouble on the double is what it can mean, just ask poor 'ol Adam!

[coopsgirl]

Maybe this weekend I'll get around to watching *Top Secret* again. It has been so long since I've seen it that I don't remember anything about that one. I'm sure I'll enjoy it though now having seen *Cloak and Dagger*. I love spoof movies. I have all the old *Police Squad* episodes on DVD (there were only 8 which was such a shame) and it doesn't matter how many times I watch 'em, they crack me up every time. I got my dad's weird sense of humor I guess. I bet your not surprised either that my fave part of the first *Naked Gun* movie is the baseball game at the end. Especially when 'Enrico Pallazzo' is frisking the catcher. OOOH how I'd love to be an umpire - ha!

 

I guess it's okay that you aren't watching Gary's movies just b/c he's in them. Maybe someday you'll get to that point when you become a full fledged cult member, uh I mean 'fan'. After seeing the first few of his back when he was Star of the Month last year I was blown away by how great the movies were and how wonderful he was in them. I saw *Meet John Doe*, *Ball of Fire*, and *Cowboy and Lady* back to back to back and thought 'man these are great I gotta see more'. I couldn't wait for his day to roll around again the next week so I went out and bought the box set with Sgt. York and a few single movies too. There were a lot of actors and actresses that I liked at that point but I really only liked some of their movies so it really made an impression on me that I was really loving every movie of his that I saw. I think *Dallas* was his first western that I watched and I was surprised that I genuinely enjoyed the movie b/c I have never liked westerns (still don't unless it's a Gary western). Never been a real big fan of war movies either. There are some I like but overall it's not a genre that I watch a lot but Gary's war movies are great. Long story short I guess what I'm trying to say is I'm still kind of amazed at how much I like all the different genres of films he made. I think it's b/c he was just such a great actor and he picked good roles.

 

*What if you were alive in the 40s and the government asked you to help them save Gary Cooper? Are you game? I'm sure you'd still be hesitant, but could you be talked into it?*

 

I'm definitely game and I would not hesitate!! It genuinely bothers me to see him get hurt onscreen especially if I know it was him really doing a stunt and it did actually hurt him, so if he was in trouble it's Angie to the rescue!! Like Barney Fife, I'm little but I'm wirey - ha!

 

It's funny b/c the other girls here feel the same way about not liking to see him get hurt and I've read where lots of other actresses and just women in general who knew him said the same thing, that he just kinda brought out the motherly feeling in them, like they wanted to take care of him. Roberta Haynes, who co-starred with him in *Return to Paradise* took care of him when he got real sick on the island with his ulcers. She said there were other people there who could have taken care of him but she said she wanted to do it. She also said they didn't have an affair so again I guess it was just the motherly feeling of not wanting to see such a nice guy in any kind of bad situation.

 

There was another woman too (I can't remember her name, sorry) who was the wife of an actor who was throwing a party and Gary was there (early-mid 30s I think). Rocky was in New York visiting her mom and she wanted Gary to go the party and kind of report back to her what everybody was wearing and all the party gossip and stuff like that. So the woman notices him sitting by himself off in a corner avoiding the guests I suppose b/c he didn't particularly want to be there and she felt sorry for him and spent the rest of the party just sitting next to him. It was cute b/c she said that all women loved him, some in a romatic way and some in a motherly way. That also jives with what John posted a while back about never finding any evidence about women disliking him. I don't see how you could though, man or woman, b/c he absolutely oozes likeability.

 

Message was edited by: coopsgirl

[coopsgirl]

Okay for some reason part of my last post isn't showing up even though I've tried to edit it. Here's the part that didn't show.

 

It's funny b/c the other girls here feel the same way about not liking to see him get hurt and I've read where lots of other actresses and just women in general who knew him said the same thing, that he just kinda brought out the motherly feeling in them, like they wanted to take care of him. Roberta Haynes, who co-starred with him in *Return to Paradise* took care of him when he got real sick on the island with his ulcers. She said there were other people there who could have taken care of him but she said she wanted to do it. She also said they didn't have an affair so again I guess it was just the motherly feeling of not wanting to see such a nice guy in any kind of bad situation.

 

Message was edited by: coopsgirl