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Post by diane on Feb 6, 2007 15:36:51 GMT -6
Last night I saw a western "Broadway to Cheyenne" (1932). Rex Bell (who was Clara Bow's husband and boyishly handsome) was the star. In this western he played "Breezy" - a detective who is shot in a gangland shooting in a nightclub. Gwen Lee was his date. ;D He goes West , to his father's ranch for a holiday and suddenly the same gangsters turn up, setting up a cowboy and ranchers protection agency. The gangsters tear around the town in a car shooting up cowboys, ranchers and the odd cow who just happen to get in their way with their tommy guns - it is hilarious  The beautiful Marceline Day is "the girl". SPOILER ALERT: After killing Breezy's dad they are captured and taken away by Gabby Hayes and his pals to be lynched as the crowd cheers. I will watch this again.   |
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Post by Midge on Feb 6, 2007 16:55:19 GMT -6
Last night I watched the subject of my last Movie Stills game, The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) starring Myrna Loy, Fredric March, Dana Andrews, Teresa Wright, Virginia Mayo and Harold Russell.
This well-made and absorbing drama tells the story of three returning WW II veterans and their difficulties in adjusting to civilian life. Fredric March plays a Al Stephenson, a middle-aged Army sergeant. He returns to his home and his old job as a bank loan officer, but nothing is the same. His wife (Myrna Loy) and two children have been doing very well without him and his children have grown into strangers. He feels uneasy at the bank, too, because his war experiences have completely changed his outlook on life. He copes with his anxieties by hitting the bottle -- hard.
Dana Andrews plays Fred Derry, a fighter pilot who comes home to find that there are no jobs for war heroes, even decorated ones. He can't get a job except as a drugstore clerk. His joyful reunion with his beautiful war bride turns to ashes when he finds that she loved him in his officer's uniform when he had lots of spending money, but not when he's a $35-a-week soda jerk in civilian clothes. To make matters worse he finds himself falling for Al Stephenson's daughter, Peggy (Teresa Wright).
Harold Russell, a real-life veteran, plays Homer Parrish, a young Navy man who has lost both his hands in an explosion. He now has hooks instead of hands, but he has learned to cope very well with his disability, even making jokes about it. But his family is unable to accept him, and their reunion is painfully awkward. His pretty young sweetheart, Wilma (Cathy O'Donnell), still loves him and wants to marry him, but he fears he's not worthy of her so he pushes her away.
I have seen this movie many times, but I never fail to be moved by it. The script is first-rate, and the acting is excellent all around. This film was a groundbreaking achievement in its time as it was the first to honestly address the real-life problems servicemen had in adjusting to civilian life. It deals frankly (for the time) with those problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder, alcoholism and physical handicaps. Its setting is the type of old-fashioned, wholesome 1940's middle class American town that seems to have vanished, so of course the setting is somewhat dated, yet the movie's themes are surprisingly fresh and relevant today.
Harold Russell (whose first acting role this was) received not one, but two Academy Awards for his performance as Homer. He won both Best Supporting Actor and a special award for serving as an inspiration to all veterans. He remains the only actor to have won two awards for the same role. Russell went on to become a prominent advocate for disability rights.
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Post by precoder on Feb 7, 2007 19:12:58 GMT -6
Outstanding review Midge. I've never seen this movie ... *hangs head in shame* ... I saw just a snippit on a William Wyler bio-video I have about the scene in the hallway when Fredric March first returns home to Myrna Loy. A sad weak spot for me is still the 1940s. So many greats from the fifties and sixties I've seen growing up, and my collection is chock full in the thirties. More recently I've taken a serious nose-dive into the silents with which I'm obsessed at the moment (lol) ... That leaves the forties: OMG, I've never seen "Humoresque", "Mildred Pierce", or even "The Bandwagon" ... *Stops there to refrain from further embarrassment* ... But this film too I need to see one day. What's great about this hobby is having so many classics to still look forward to ... Anyway, back to topic. Last night I watched: "The Mysterious Lady" 1928 to see Garbo spy. A perfect match of star and story. Greta Garbo, who wrapped her life in secrecy, plays an alluring Russian spy named Tania. Using seduction as her weapon, she steals vital Austrian documents, but she in turn proves no match for cupids arrows, and falls in love with the enemy agent that she duped earlier (Conrad Nagel). Tania kills her chief to make sure she can steal the papers back and then conceals the murder from an aide, by sitting in the dead man's lap and pretending to romance him ... This would not be Garbo's only rendezvous within the world of espionage. Four years later, she would go on to brilliantly portray Mata Hari ... The film is sort of a goat gland movie, (still not sure what that is) but the scoring sounds original to the film and there are some artificial sound effects and a very beautiful and memorable piano song as the theme during the romantic encounters with Conrad Nagel. The picture is sharp and color tinted but extremely spackly in places ... (7/10) ... See it sometime ... I'm glad we have this topic here now ... Thanks Diane ..  ... |
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Post by rmichaelpyle on Feb 8, 2007 5:37:02 GMT -6
The film is sort of a goat gland movie, (still not sure what that is) but the scoring sounds original to the film and there are some artificial sound effects and a very beautiful and memorable piano song as the theme during the romantic encounters with Conrad Nagel. The following is part of a blog that appeared elsewhere. It does a fine job of explaining what a "goat-gland" film is: "Pathé released the silent version of THE GODLESS GIRL in August 1928 to lackluster business. By early winter, the distributor recognized that silent films had little chance of finding an audience during the “all-talking” picture craze and withdrew the film. Pathé attempted to revitalize the movie by tacking on dialogue scenes, a process known as “goat gland.” Goat gland took its name from a surgical procedure developed around 1920 by quack doctor J.R. Brinkley, who implanted goat testes into humans as a way to cure maladies such as impotence, arteriosclerosis, and dementia. The talking scenes were shot by character actor Fritz Feld, without the supervision of DeMille, who had broken his contract with Pathé and signed with MGM." Obviously, if one "goat-glanded" a film, one - almost like a quack - used a methodology of tacking on for a quick cure. It's an interesting name from pop culture of its own day. |
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Post by diane on Feb 14, 2007 3:58:44 GMT -6
I totally agree with you Midge - I love that movie. For a long movie it is very
re-watchable . I just saw a movie that is almost very unwatchable!!!!
"Check and Double Check" - I loved the Duke Ellington interlude (I wished
there was more) and Sue Carol's cuteness but the rest - my goodness.
I didn't know much about black-face comics ( I have since looked it up)
- wouldn't that have been very demeaning to actual black actors of the time.
I should say the film was Amos and Andy's one feature (1930).
Most of the actors seemed quite chummy with them (in the film) - I wonder if
that would have been the case if Amos and Andy had actually been black?
Does that mean that everyone in the meeting would be black face comics as well?
(There was a meeting in the film of Amos and Andy's lodge.)
I'm sorry if I'm rambling - the film was part of a package of films I bought at a bargain
table. There is a huge selection everything from "Charade" (sublime) to "Spooks Go Wild (ridiculous).
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Post by Midge on Feb 14, 2007 4:18:10 GMT -6
Diane, I have heard of Check and Double Check but have never seen it. The actors in blackface were stars of the radio series "Amos and Andy," which was wildly popular at the time.
You're right, the times were such than it would have hurt the box office badly had blacks and whites been associating as equals. Movie studios had to cater to the sensitivities of the American South, where segregation was the law. For example, white musicals that featured a black performer, such as Lena Horne, were often edited so that the Southern theatre owners could snip out the "offending" segments. That's why Lena comes out of nowhere, stands next to a pillar, sings a song and then disappears from the movie.
When "Amos and Andy" became a television series in the 1950's, it featured an all-black cast. The show was truly funny and is fondly remembered by 1950's TV viewers (myself included). However, the reruns can't be shown on American television today because blacks consider the humor to be demeaning and racist.
Tonight, I am planning to watch The Bridges of Madison County, which is one of my favorite romantic movies. It's playing on TCM USA.
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Post by diane on Mar 14, 2007 15:32:55 GMT -6
"Bridges of Madison County" was one of my daughter's favourites. I even bought her the book.
I saw "Coal Miner's Daughter" last night. It was such an excellent film. Sissy Spacek was superb
as Loretta Lynn and she did all her own singing as well!!! Tommy Lee Jones was also very good
as her long suffering husband.
There were no villians in the story - Dooley was the driving force initially behind Loretta's career.
She had sang only to her family but Dooley bought her a guitar and arranged for her to have a
singing spot with a local honky tonk band. People liked the way she sang and she was on her way.
After teaming up with Patsy Cline she was at the top but being married at 13 and having 4
children before she was 20 took it's toll and she suffered a breakdown.
Her triumphant return at the end singing "Coal Miner's Daughter" was just wonderful.
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Post by diane on Mar 14, 2007 15:49:10 GMT -6
I just found your message Midge - I am so sorry I didn't respond earlier.
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Post by Midge on Mar 14, 2007 15:59:25 GMT -6
Hey, no problem, Diane! People come and go a lot on this board, so I know better than to take these things personally.
Coal Miner's Daughter is one of the best biopics ever made, in my opinion. One reason was the casting. Sissy Spacek was just perfect as Loretta. I don't care all that much for country music, but I just love this movie.
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Post by tclion on Mar 30, 2007 19:27:47 GMT -6
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Post by Midge on Mar 30, 2007 21:01:12 GMT -6
Well, let's see . . . I can't speak for Benji or Jeff, but tonight's episode finds Midge serving frozen chicken pizza for dinner accompanied by tossed salad and a glass of Pinot Noir. Afterward, she dons a pair of blue rubber gloves and washes the dishes. Then she cuddles up on the sofa to surf the Internet and watch an old sentimental favorite, Cheers for Miss Bishop. Meanwhile hubby is downstairs doing a load of laundry. Pretty exciting stuff, huh? I suspect this series will be canceled after one episode. |
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Post by Roger Thornhill on Mar 31, 2007 14:23:34 GMT -6
Let's see tonight I am watching the diner Staring "Benji" as Benji, "Midge" as Midge, and "Jeff" as Jeff. Hmmmmm I'm not sure that's the right sort of part for Jeff. :unsure: |
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Post by Midge on Mar 31, 2007 14:32:24 GMT -6
How about "Jeff" as Cary Grant? Would that suit you better, Mr. Thornhill? |
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Post by Roger Thornhill on Mar 31, 2007 14:59:19 GMT -6
"What a performance" no that's one part to which I could never aspire.
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Post by Midge on Mar 31, 2007 15:05:11 GMT -6
Jeff, you are much too modest. :  : |
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Post by Roger Thornhill on Mar 31, 2007 15:30:33 GMT -6
Jeff, you are much too modest. :  : That's because I have lots to be modest about. |
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Post by tclion on Apr 1, 2007 9:40:14 GMT -6
OH Jeff my dear Jeff I wonder if you would be willing to share some of your modestt?  We all could use just a little of it.... |
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liz
Regular Diner Patron
Posts: 53
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Post by liz on Apr 2, 2007 14:22:10 GMT -6
Jeff, you are much too modest. : : That's because I have lots to be modest about. You're a real gem,Jeff. Glad to know you. :angel: |
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Post by Roger Thornhill on Apr 2, 2007 14:48:54 GMT -6
Thanks Liz, in truth I can't take credit for that line about modesty. It's based on a remark made by Winston Churchill. Someone asked him what he thought of Clement Attlee (The leader of the Labour Party.) Ever droll, Churchill replied "He's a modest man with a lot to be modest about"
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Post by diane on Apr 11, 2007 15:29:26 GMT -6
I saw a very good film last night called "Nowhere to Hide".
It had David Janson in it - he played a man that was planning to give himself
a new life away from his cold and unfeeling wife (Stephanie Powers).
He devises a system to win at blackjack at the Casinos in Las Vegas.
Films with gambling themes I usually have no interest in but David
Janson played such a likable person - maybe his wife and her family
are so unfeeling. There is a scene where it comes out (I think) that they
had lost a child and the family is completely unsympathetic to his grief.
Anyway even if you are not keen on the movie - stay around for the end
- you will never guess the end.
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Post by Larry's 66 Diner on Apr 11, 2007 16:01:17 GMT -6
Diane, that movie sounds pretty intriguing to watch. Sounds like it's worth checking into!  :thumbsup: |
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Post by diane on Apr 24, 2007 1:34:18 GMT -6
I have just seen another - "Because of Wynn Dixie". It was a nice movie - I had
seen a preview and thought I would like it. You know sometimes you just feel
like watching a children's movie even though you are not a child and you have no
children around.
Th film is set in the sixties (by the cars and the clothes although someone mentions
selling the dog on ebay) in a little southern town. A little girl finds a dog in a local
food store and convinces her father (Jeff Daniels) a minister to let her look after the
dog while they try to find it's owners. The dog - a really funny looking dig - cute -
with a few of our own dog's characteristics like putting up it's paw in a begging way
and silently barking - our dog Bonnie does that. It has a different message as the
dog gives the little girl the confidence to go out and make friends which brings the
father out of the depression he was suffering since his wife left him. I"ll give it 3 out of 5.
Larry, maybe your little girl would like it?
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Post by Larry's 66 Diner on Apr 24, 2007 6:59:25 GMT -6
I have just seen another - "Because of Wynn Dixie". It was a nice movie - I had seen a preview and thought I would like it. You know sometimes you just feel like watching a children's movie even though you are not a child and you have no children around. That's something I just don't typically do — watch children's movies when there are no children around. TC does that, but it's extremely difficult for me to get into those movies when there are no kids around! ;D Th film is set in the sixties (by the cars and the clothes although someone mentions selling the dog on ebay) eBay in 1960?!?! Larry, maybe your little girl would like it? If you're addressing me and talking about the little girl I think you're talking about, you are referring to my next-door neighbor's girl (3 of them actually, plus a baby boy)! The girls often spend over 50% of their time here anyway, so I guess they could be counted as our "part-time" kids! ;D But they belong to Beanka and Chris (also members here at the Diner). : : |
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Post by diane on Apr 24, 2007 15:23:03 GMT -6
Larry I'm sorry I thought she was your little girl. "Part time kids" would be great -
you have them when their good and send them back when they are naughty.
That always annoys me about some films. They try to evoke a feeling of "I wish
I could be living where those folk live" - and then someone pulls out a cell phone
or mentions ebay . People walk down the street and you expect to see Andy Hardy
walking by (they are usually dressed for the era as well) and they go inside and their
house has all the mod cons. That particular part of Wynn Dixie irritated me because
there was nothing else in the movie to indicate it was set in modern day. If the cars
were not 60s cars -they were 70s cars and no later.
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liz
Regular Diner Patron
Posts: 53
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Post by liz on Apr 26, 2007 8:16:36 GMT -6
That's true about GRANDKIDS,diane. Spoil them,then send them home. After raising three kids, We deserve a break. :thumbsup: |
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Post by Larry's 66 Diner on Apr 26, 2007 8:26:26 GMT -6
That's true about GRANDKIDS,diane. Spoil them,then send them home. After raising three kids, We deserve a break. Okay, let's not get on the subject of spoiling, Guys!  People are already thinking that I spoil the heck out of Erica! :uhuh: I've been having an extremely difficult time with this :devilish: trying to convince everyone that I DO NOT spoil her! :angel: But if I were to spoil any child :unsure: ... notice I said " if", mind you :angel: ... Erica would likely be the one!!!! |
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Post by tclion on Apr 26, 2007 16:50:39 GMT -6
That's true about GRANDKIDS,diane. Spoil them,then send them home. After raising three kids, We deserve a break. Okay, let's not get on the subject of spoiling, Guys! People are already thinking that I spoil the heck out of Erica!  I've been having an extremely difficult time with this  trying to convince everyone that I DO NOT spoil her!  But if I were to spoil any child  ... notice I said " if", mind you ... Erica would likely be the one!!!! RIGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHTTTTTTTTTTTT. If she were any less spoiled by you she would be sitting in her new Toy's R Us store you bought just for her.. |
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Post by Midge on Apr 26, 2007 17:29:10 GMT -6
Oh, by the way, what are you watching tonight? We will probably look at our latest DVD, Roxie Hart. I tried to get through it once when it was on TCM. But somehow the movie just didn't grab me, and I couldn't even tell you why. We'll see if it's any better this time, especially now that I can't change the channel.  |
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Post by tclion on May 4, 2007 18:39:10 GMT -6
Oh, by the way, what are you watching tonight? We will probably look at our latest DVD, Roxie Hart. I tried to get through it once when it was on TCM. But somehow the movie just didn't grab me, and I couldn't even tell you why. We'll see if it's any better this time, especially now that I can't change the channel. Well right now I am watching Larry pace the floor while I am using the computer. You know checking in at the diner.... |
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Post by Midge on May 4, 2007 18:54:49 GMT -6
I'm sure Larry is very entertaining when he does that. Roxie Hart wasn't any better than I remembered -- I fell asleep in the middle -- but Al liked it. |
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:thumbsup: 
People are already thinking that I spoil the heck out of Erica! :uhuh: I've been having an extremely difficult time with this :devilish: trying to convince everyone that I DO NOT spoil her! :angel: 