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Post by Matthew the Swordsman on Dec 10, 2017 2:29:07 GMT
What classics did you see last week? (Modern films are welcome too).
Warning: I watched 99 extremely short films last week, so my reply will be super long....
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Post by Matthew the Swordsman on Dec 10, 2017 2:30:26 GMT
During the week I watched three feature films from the 1910s.
I also watched 99 short films from the late 19th century, ranging from 1890 to 1899, and mostly running about 30 seconds. Many of these short films I watched on the YouTube channel of the Library of Congress. A large number of them are from 1897, making them 120 years old.
I also watched a single short film from 1900.
I also watched 13 TV episodes, ranging from 1965 to 2001, but particularly from the 1960s.
Feature Films:
The World and the Woman (1916, USA, 65 minutes) - 7.5/10. Unusual story of an ex-prostitute who becomes a faith healer. Starring Jeanne Eagels. Some people may be put off by the religious nature of the film, but it is well-made and entertaining. It's just amazing, in my opinion, that we can watch a film from over 100 years ago.
A Fool There Was (1915, USA, 67 minutes) - 7.5/10. Very downbeat film, best known for starring the popular actress Theda Bara. Very few of Theda's films survive, unfortunately.
Gretchen the Greenhorn (1916, USA, 58 minutes) - 7.5/10. Nice little story about a young Dutch woman who moves to the U.S. to live with her father. Lovely melting pot of different cultures, and good production values for a minor film from 1916.
Short Films:
Monkeyshines, No. 1 (1890, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7/10. Extremely blurry camera test.
Monkeyshines, No. 2 (1890, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. Very blurry camera test. Strangely very beautiful.
Dickson Greeting (1891, USA, a couple seconds) - 7.5/10. Wow! A Victorian man moving! Really cool! One of the first films to be shown to an audience, though not commercially.
Newark Athlete (1891, USA, 1 second!) - 6/10. Camera test.
Men Boxing (1891, USA, 2 seconds) - 7/10. Camera test...with men almost boxing.
Blacksmith Scene (1893, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. I love watching 19th century men moving.
The Barbershop (1894, USA approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. Simple film showing activity at a barber shop. WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT?
Edison Kinetoscopic Record of a Sneeze (1894, USA, a few seconds) - 7.5/10. This is a truly groundbreaking film: the first motion picture to feature a sneeze. Cinema and sneezing would never be the same again.
Athlete with Wand (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7.5/10. Another 19th century man moving. This time, he's moving with a pole. Amazing.
Carmencita (1894, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 9/10. First woman to appear in a commercially released film. She does a truly beautiful dance. A must see.
The Boxing Cats (Prof. Welton's) (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7/10. The world's first dumb comedy, featuring two boxing cats. Groundbreaking.
Caicedo (with Pole) (1894, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. A good record of a vaudeville balancing act. It's only 30 seconds and it is interesting, so check it out if you can.
Annabelle Butterfly Dance (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 8/10. Entertaining record of a vaudeville dancer. This film was a huge hit when originally released.
Cock Fight, No. 2 (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 6/10. Politically incorrect entertainment featuring cock fighting. Hilarity does not ensue. I give it 6 for historical value only.
Corbett and Courtney Before the Kinetograph (1894, USA, approx 40 seconds) - 8/10. A boxing match staged before the camera. Lively, thrilling, fun.
Sioux Ghost Dance (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7/10. Native Americans dance in the cramped film studio. Cute.
Buffalo Dance (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7/10. More Native Americans dancing just for you, the viewer.
Hadj Cheriff (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 8/10. Entertaining record of a lively vaudeville act.
Glenroy Bros., No. 2 (1894, USA, approx 40 seconds) - 7.5/10. Another record of a vaudeville act, depicting two comedic boxers. Fun nonsense.
Luis Martinetti, Contortionist (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7/10. Yes, another vaudeville act. This would get a higher rating, but the condition of the film is poor.
Bucking Broncho (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7.5/10. Real cowboys! A real horse! Real men in the background who look like something from a western film....and this was shot in 1894!! Wow!
Annie Oakley (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 8/10. This isn't an actress playing Annie Oakley. This is the REAL Annie Oakley, performing for the motion picture camera. Amazing.
Imperial Japanese Dance (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7.5/10. Three ladies do a dance for the camera. Lovely.
Chinese Laundry Scene (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 5/10. Stupid racist comedy.
Band Drill (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 6/10. Interesting that marching band costumes haven't changed that much in 123 years....
Fire Rescue Scene (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 8/10. Entertaining 20-second drama about firemen rescuing two people from a burning building. For its time, a good film.
Billy Edwards and the Unknown (1895, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7.5/10. Boxing match. Fun.
Dickson Experimental Sound Film (1894, USA, approx 17 seconds) - 9/10. First sound film in history, purely an experiment. Although the idea was there, it was not until the late-1920s that sound films became popular. In this film, William K.L. Dickson plays the violin.
Princess Ali (1895, USA, under 20 seconds) - 5/10. Boring dance film.
Annabelle Serpentine Dance (1895, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 8/10. Beautiful film of a woman dancing for the camera, with colour effects adding by hand tinting.
The Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots (1895, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7/10. Early period drama. Interesting.
Amy Muller (1896, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7/10. Yet another dancing film. Fun.
The Kiss (1896, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7.5/10. One of cinema's first romantic films, featuring a kiss. Cute.
Shooting the Chutes (1896, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7/10. A ride at Coney Island is shown.
Fatima's Coochee-Coochee Dance (1896, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. Notorious dancing film. Very controversial, some 19th century viewers thought it was obscene. Of course, I've seen more dirt in 1960s game shows.
Mess Call (1896, USA, approx 40 seconds) - 8/10. A bunch of soldiers being happy and smiling for the camera.
Edison Drawn by 'World' Artist (1896, USA, approx 90 seconds) - 8/10. Charming film in which an artist sketches a large picture of Thomas Edison. Cute.
Watermelon Contest (1896, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 1/10. Racist garbage.
Lone Fisherman (1896, USA, approx 40 seconds) - 7.5/10. Simple comedy involving a man falling into a stream. I really enjoyed seeing the horse-drawn vehicle in this film.
Interrupted Lover (1896, USA, 20 seconds) - 6/10. Poorly directed comedy. Could have been a lot better. Compares unfavourably with the other 1896 films I watched in terms of production values.
Feeding the Doves (1896, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7/10. Cute little film depicting doves and chickens being fed.
A Morning Bath (1896, USA, approx 20 seconds or something like that) - 6/10. African-American woman baths her baby.
The Burning Stable (1896, USA, under 20 seconds) - 7/10. Firemen at their job.
Mounted Police Charge (1896, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7.5/10. Just fun to see 19th century policemen. Fun.
Going to the Fire (1896, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 8/10. Nice glimpse at some 19th century firemen, and a good look at a street in 1896. Fun.
A Morning Alarm (1896, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 8/10. More firemen racing to the scene. Also interesting to see some buildings of the era.
Black Diamond Express, No. 1 (1897, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7.5/10. Footage of a train. Fun!
American Falls from Above, American Side (1896, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7/10. Pleasant footage of a waterfall.
The First Sleigh-Ride (1897, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 8/10. I love seeing the horse-drawn vehicles in this film.
The Morning Alarm (1896, USA, approx 1 minute) - 8/10. More firemen racing to the scene. Another fun look into 19th century life.
Fifth Avenue, New York (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. Well-dressed 19th century people, just walking by.
Mr. Edison at Work in His Chemical Laboratory (1897, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7.5/10. Thomas Edison does indeed appear in this film, but the "laboratory" is merely a studio set.
Return of Lifeboat (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. Just footage a lifeboat on a stormy sea. What more could you want?
Troop Ships for the Philippines (1898, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. Just footage of a military ship going by. What more could you want?
U.S. Troops Landing at Daiquiri, Cuba (1898, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7/10. Interesting, but poorly photographed.
Shooting Captured Insurgents (1898, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. War drama in which some people get shot by a firing squad. I see cinema's love of violence is nothing new.
The Burglar on the Roof (1898, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 8/10. Crime drama. A burglar gets caught.
Fireman Rescuing Men and Women (1899, USA, 1 minute) - 7.5/10. Does exactly what the title suggests.
A Wringing Good Joke (1899, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7.5/10. Fun comedy.
Buffalo Fire Department in Action (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. Really cool to see the horse drawn vehicles of the period.
Buffalo Stockyards (1897, USA, approx 1 minute) - 7/10. Interesting, to see men wearing hats, some buildings of the period, stuff like that.
Giant Coal Dumper (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. I love grim industrial scenes, so this was pretty cool to me.
Herald Square (1896, USA, approx 10 seconds) - 8/10. An entertaining glimpse into life in the late 19th century.
Passaic Falls, New Jersey (1896, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7/10. A waterfall and an arch bridge. What more could you want?
Police Patrol Wagon (1897, USA, approx 10 seconds) - 7/10. Some policemen go on a police wagon. Why not?
Seminary Girls (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. Enjoyably dumb comedy involving some naughty ladies engaging in a pillow fight.
Water Fall in the Catskills (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7/10. Just footage of a waterfall. What more could you want?
Sheep Run, Chicago Stockyards (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7/10. Sheep running. Cool.
Philadelphia Express, Jersey Central Railway (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. This is just footage of two trains going by. Honestly, WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT?
Free-for-All Race at Charter Oak Park (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7/10. Footage of harness racing. Cool.
Falls of Minnehaha (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7/10. Just footage of a waterfall. Relaxing.
Corner Madison and State Streets, Chicago (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. I love watching real Victorian people, in their real Victorian clothes, doing their Victorian thing.
Cattle Driven to Slaughter (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. Just footage of some cattle running towards something. Fun.
Armour's Electric Trolley (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. Another interesting look into the 19th century.
Sutro Baths, No. 2 (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. People going down a slide into a pool. Cool.
Sutro Baths, No. 1 (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. People go down a slide into a swimming pool. It's fun watching Victorian people having fun.
Surf at Monterey (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. Just footage of waves hitting the rocks at the beach. Fun!
Stanford University, California (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. Men wearing hats walking by. Fun!
S.S. 'Williamette' Leaving for Klondike (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7/10. Just footage of a ship. There's also some people in the foreground. Not bad.
S.S. 'Queen' Loading (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 6/10. Poorly photographed and dull.
S.S. 'Queen' Leaving Dock (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7/10. Just footage of a ship. Kinda cool.
S.S. 'Coptic' Sailing Away (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. Men with hats! Ladies with hats! A ship! Cool!
S.S. 'Coptic' in the Harbor (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. More men with hats! More ladies with hats! A ship! Cool!
S.S. 'Coptic' at Dock (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. Yet more men with hats! Yet more ladies with hats! A ship! Cool!
Lurline Baths (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. People going down a slide into a swimming pool. Cool.
Loading Baggage for Klondike (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. Nice slice of 19th century life.
Lick Observatory, Mt. Hamilton, Cal. (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. A view of a building, and a horse-drawn carriage comes along. Fun.
Leander Sisters (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. A fun look into a vaudeville dancing act. Fun.
Launch of Life Boat (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7/10. A lifeboat goes into the water. Fun.
Hotel Vendome, San Jose, Cal. (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. I love watching the horse-drawn vehicles in this film.
Hotel del Monte (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 9/10. More horse-drawn vehicles. Cool.
Horses Loading for Klondike (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7/10.
Fishing Smacks (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 6/10.
Fisherman's Wharf (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7/10. A nice look at a boat.
First Avenue, Seattle, Washington, No. 8 (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. Real 19th century street scene. Fabulous.
Cupid and Psyche (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. Two semi-talented dancers perform for the camera. Cool.
Capsize of Lifeboat (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. A boat is upside down. Some men put it up the right way. Cute.
Fast Mail, Northern Pacific Railroad (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. Just footage of a train going by. WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT?
Wash Day in Mexico (1898, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. Ever wanted to know how they washed clothes in late 19th century Mexico? Well, now you know!
Explosion of a Motor Car (1900, UK, approx 1 minute) - 7.5/10. A car goes BOOM! Hilarity ensues.
Television:
"Brian Henderson's Bandstand" - Episode telecast 5 February 1966 (Australia, 52 minutes) - 7.5/10. This episode consists of a concert by Peter Paul & Mary. Featuring lots of songs, and some dated humour.
"Brian Henderson's Bandstand" - Episode telecast 12 February 1966 (Australia, 45 minutes) - 7.5/10. Entertaining episode of this pop music show, with guests Graham Chapman (no, not the comedian), Ja-Ar, Helen Reddy (yes, THAT Helen Reddy) and Billy Thorpe. Additionally, Robyn Alvarez appears via archival clips. Unfortunately, the kinescope is in somewhat poor, incomplete condition.
"George & Mildred" - Episode titled "Baby Talk" (telecast 27 September 1976, UK, 24 minutes) - 7.5/10. Sitcom. This episode has a sentimental ending, which is very unusual for this series.
"Yu-Gi-Oh!" - Episode titled "The Gauntlet Is Thrown" (telecast 6 October 2001, Japan, 21 minutes) - 7.5/10. Anime about a spiky haired teenager who saves the world from evil....by playing card games.
"Punky Brewster" - Episode titled "Punky Finds a Home: Part 2" (telecast 23 September 1984, USA, 25 minutes) - 7.5/10. Beautifully dated sitcom/drama.
"Brian Henderson's Bandstand" - Episode telecast 2 April 1966 (Australia, 52 minutes) - 8/10. Truly varied selection of music in this episode, with guests Anne & Jimmy Murphy, Tony Barber, The Flanagans, The Groop, Sylvia Penzes, and Jeff St. John.
"The Dustbinmen" - Episode two (telecast 30 September 1969, UK, 25 minutes) - 7.5/10. Un-PC sitcom about four garbagemen. Oddly enough it's funny.
"Pardon the Expression" - Episode titled "The Headmistress" (telecast 9 June 1965, UK, 25 minutes) - 7.5/10. Sitcom set in a department store.
"The Rag Trade" - Episode titled "Stay in Strike" (telecast 11 September 1977, UK, 25 minutes) - 7.5/10. Funny sitcom about a clothing factory where the workers are constantly going on strike. Fun.
"Not on Your Nellie" - Episode titled "Something in the Night" (telecast 22 March 1974, UK, 25 minutes) - 7.5/10. Dated sitcom set in a pub. Fun.
"Parkin's Patch" - Episode titled "The Way Home" (telecast 8 November 1969, UK, 26 minutes) - 8/10. Interesting crime drama set in Yorkshire. Interestingly, this episode was directed by Michael Apted.
"Take a Letter Mr. Jones" - Episode titled "The Interview" (telecast 5 September 1981, UK, 25 minutes) - 7.5/10. Fluffy sitcom about a male secretary working for a female business executive. Not a particularly strong episode, but I enjoyed it, and anything with John Inman is worth seeing.
"Pardon the Expression" - Episode titled "The Trouble with Ada" (telecast 16 June 1965, UK, 25 minutes) - 7/10. Too much plot and not enough jokes.
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Post by wmcclain on Dec 10, 2017 2:42:01 GMT
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Post by Matthew the Swordsman on Dec 10, 2017 3:44:53 GMT
wmcclain That Summer Storm poster is amazing.
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Post by OldAussie on Dec 10, 2017 4:05:07 GMT
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Post by OldAussie on Dec 10, 2017 4:10:44 GMT
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Post by outrider127 on Dec 10, 2017 4:56:22 GMT
The Far Country(1954)--Good James Stewart western with great Alberta Canada scenery
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Post by claudius on Dec 10, 2017 10:55:45 GMT
JOURNEY BACK TO OZ (1974) Dorothy (voice of Liza Minelli) returns to the land of Oz, getting new friends (Paul Lynde’s Pumpkinhead and Herschel Bernardi’s Woodenhead), reuniting with old (Mickey Rooney’s Scarecrow, Larry Storch’s Tin Man and Milton Berle’s Lion) and facing new enemies (Ethel Merman’s Mombi) in an adaptation of THE MARVELOUS LAND OF OZ (without Tip/Ozma, Jinjur, the Powder of Life, etc.). This production by Filmation had something of a THIEF AND THE COBBLER-esque shelf- life. Filmation producers Hal Sutherland and Lou Schiemer kept putting the production (starting in the mid-1960s) on hold due to financial problems, always waiting for money to continue and finish it. It was not a success in theaters but found new life under the SFM Holiday Network program, which made the film a popular holiday broadcast since the late 1970s; one of those broadcasts, on November 29, 1981, had been recorded on VHS. This TV version added live-action sequences of Bill Cosby as the Wizard playing Greek chorus to the proceedings. Commercials in this broadcast includes a JC Penneys’ clothing promo (with a young Carey Lowell), several Ore Ida French Fries advertisements (one a Rich Little gallery of impersonations of John Wayne, Paul Lynde, Jimmy Durante, Boris Karloff, and Humphrey Bogart, the other concerning a live-action Lois Lane making fries for an animated Superman) and an SFM Holiday Network promo for EL CID (1961), which was my introduction to that movie.
THE BERENSTEIN BEARS' CHRISTMAS TREE (1979) The first animated adaptation of the Bear Family by Jan and Stan Berenstein, this Animated TV special (with songs by Elliott Lawrence) would lead to several other Holiday specials about Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day, Easter, and Baseball. A perennial since 2001, this viewing is via a Kids Klassics VHS.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL (1951) Much has been written about this classic adaptation of Charles Dickens’ novel starring Alistair Sims and Michael Hordern. A perennial since 1997 (although I have watched colorized versions since 1990), I am watching this from the VID Entertainment 60th anniversary DVD edition; the print uses its alternative title Scrooge.
SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN (1970) After handling Rudolph and Frosty, Rankin-Bass covers their first version of the story of Santa Claus. Romeo Muller gives a 1960s vibe in portraying Santa (voiced by Mickey Rooney in his first Santa for the studio) as a rebel against the establishment by Burgomeiester Meisterburger (Paul Frees, who would play Santa in several R-B specials). Viewed this special on Freeform, in its third edited incarnation from that channel (The first edit, broadcast on ABC Family in the turn of the century, removed several songs. The second edited form, broadcast in the mid-00s, restored all the songs but deleted a part out of each one, including the credits song. This new one, broadcast since 2009, has all the songs intact but snips out several scenes, such as Meisterburger torching a pile of toys before bereaved children).
A WINTER STRAW RIDE (1906) A Thomas Edison produced short of civilians enjoying a ride through the snowy neighborhood. Viewed on the A CHRISTMAS PAST Kino DVD.
THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS (1905) An Edison adaption of the Clement Moore poem. A CHRISTMAS PAST Kino DVD.
DARK SHADOWS (1967) Episodes 376-380. 50th Anniversary. Angelique sets up Josette with Jeremiah and turns Joshua into a cat. MPI Video DVD.
SCROOGE (1970) Albert Finney (who, if his recollections of playing Poirot are true, evidently liked playing a role that was an escape from his pretty boy image) heads a cast of British stage and TV actors in this Leslie Briscusse musical. Despite its trappings as a wholesome musical, my early recollections of it were anything but. 1980s TV broadcasts would add these commercial bumpers with an eerie music tone. Already being discomforted by the 1984 NBC Broadcast of MICKEY'S CHRISTMAS CAROL and its ‘grave from Hell’ sequence, and this film’s decision to add a skull-face to the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, this version left me wary to other adaptations with a ‘will they, won’t they’ anxiety of showing the Ghost’s face behind the hood. But I’ve grown to be more comforted by this version. I like the musical score, and although much has been written against it, this adaptation has led to a stage show, and the ‘Sing a Christmas Carol’ intro is part of Disney World’s Christmas Parade score. A perennial for 22 years, this film is viewed from the Paramount/CBS-Fox Video DVD.
ER “A Miracle Happens Here” (1995) Dr. Greene deals with problems of the past and present (his future as a doctor is jeopardized by his role in a delivery gone horribly wrong, and his marriage is now over), but regains optimism in helping a Holocaust survivor find her missing granddaughter. Meanwhile, Dr. Peter Benton involves himself in new surgical procedures and Carol Hathaway tries to get her ‘new’ house (in the context of having recently bought the ruin) ready for the holidays. Look closely for a young pre-NCIS Sean Murray (although much of his appearance ended up on the cutting room floor). Watched on the ER Season Two DVD by Warner.
A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS (1965) What can be said about this classic TV Christmas special that has not already been written? I viewed this on a Video Treasures/Hi-Tops Video VHS of an older TV edit that doesn’t include the restored-post-1990s scene of Linus sling-shooting a snowball with his blanket. This video print also freeze-frames the “A Charlie Brown Christmas The End” credit scene.
TENCHI MUYO: MANATSU NO EVE- MIDSUMMER'S EVE (1997). The second movie based on the TENCHI MUYO anime series, this production is a gestalt of the original OVA continuity while including Kiyone of the TV series continuity. An adolescent claims to be Tenchi’s daughter, causing much havoc (comedic and dramatic) to his space-girl harem. This is all part of a plan of a demon seeking to settle a score with Tenchi’s family. Christmas is celebrated at the beginning and end, as well as being a plot point for character motivation. This story shares similarities with the franchise’s second (notoriously infamous) TV series SHIN TENCHI MUYO (Known in America as TENCHI IN TOKYO) which also has its own rebooted continuity! Although the ending portrays a happy addition to the Tenchi gang, the story had been ignored by future stories. Pioneer DVD.
SIMPLE GIFTS: SIX TALES OF CHRISTMAS (1978). Broadcast on PBS (the video includes a 1970s caption of the station), Simple Gifts deals with six (actually seven) differently-animated tales involving the season, all involving- as host Colleen Dewhurst attests- gifts given, received, or unfulfilled (with the narrations of Jose Ferrer, Hermoine Gingold, and David Jones). The Maurice Sendak intro presents an impoverished and freezing child who transforms into a Christmas Tree to help fellow children in similar problems. The first tale is “A Memory of Christmas” based on Moss Hart’s autobiography Act One (itself a film starring George Hamilton). Portrayed as a series of photograph stills animated by dissolves, it tells the story of a father and son exploring the Christmas gift carts on the marketplace, unable to buy anything and even more unable to recognize the more important gift they could give to each other. The second tale is “Lost and Found” based on Fontaine Fox’s early-20th century comic strip Toonerville Trolley, dealing with a henpecked husband and father (voiced by Paul Dooley) and his role in Christmas. The third tale is the Seymour Chwast-drawn “The Great Frost” from Virgina Woolf’s Orlando, where the title character has a bittersweet romance with a feisty Russian visitor. Tale Four is the brief “My Christmas;” Charles B. Stackman illustrates the diary entry of 11-year-old Theodore Roosevelt’s Yuletide recollections in Rome, Italy. The fifth tale is James McMullan-illustrated “December 25, 1914: A Letter from the Western front by Captain Sir Edward Hulce” relating his experience of the Christmas Truce (with a bittersweet disclaimer). The sixth and final tale Is R.O. Beechman’s “No Room in the Inn,” about the Holy Family being shunned, accepted, patronized, and then shunned again by the Bethlehem residents. A perennial since 2009 (I first saw parts of this on PBS in December 1995), this viewing comes from a PBS Home Video VHS.
THE BOX OF DELIGHTS (1984) Episode 2 “Where Shall the ‘nighted Snowman go?” The serial continues as Kay Harker is temporarily transported to a Saxon camp. Before he is returned to his time, Harker is given the magical Box by Cole Hawling to protect it from the ‘wolves.’ When Hawling is scrobbled (kidnapped) by Abner Brown and his priest con artists, Kay learns more about this war of good and evil in an animated sequence.
MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 (1992) "Attack of the The Eye Creatures" [sic.] 25th Anniversary. I remembered this airing on St. Nicholas Eve, of the next morning receiving THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES (1939) and BABES IN TOYLAND (1961).
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE (1976) "Candice Bergen/Frank Zappa" Bergen reprises her role as host of the Christmas-themed episode, with Frank Zappa performing a rather elaborate (for SNL) music number. Sketches include Consumers report (Candice Bergen interviews shady toymaker Dan Akroyd and his dangerous toys like Johnny Switchblade and Bag of Glass), ending with a scene of the cast and crew ice-skating at Rockefellers square. Universal DVD.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL (1984) Much has been written about this classic TV production starring George C. Scott that I feel it unnecessary to write any more. A perennial since 1997. FoxVideo DVD.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL (1971) Produced by Chuck Jones but created by Richard Williams, some would call this animated short subject the definitive animated version of the Dickens’ tale. Narrated by Michael Redgrave, with Alistair Sims and Michael Hordern vocally reprising their roles from the 1951 version. Viewed on GEM DVD.
MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 (1994) “Santa Claus” Mike Nelson and the robots Crow T. Robot and Tom Servo are forced to watch a 1959 Mexican production of the Yuletide toymaker and his battle with Lucifer, emphasized by his minion Pitch. If you think that’s weird enough, include mechanized reindeers, a toy shop composed of children from stereotype-portrayed nationalities and a heavy religious slant. I never really warmed over to Mike Nelson when he replaced Joel Hodgson; I felt a decline in quality in the episodes under his era. But this entry is one of the few I liked.
THE STAR WARS HOLIDAY SPECIAL (1978) Much has been written about this trainwreck, putting the Star Wars universe into a TV musical variety special. Watched this via Rifftrax.
THE LAST: NARUTO THE MOVIE (2014). Japan often treats its Christmas as a romantic holiday, so many Anime shows set around December stress romance. As the Leaf village Konoha celebrates the Christmassy Rinne festival, they, as well as the Earth itself, are being threatened by collision from the Moon itself. The act is orchestrated by an empowered lord who intends to wipe-out civilization to save it. Famed ninja Naruto Uzumaki is sent to stop this catastrophe, little knowing this mission will change his life forever. The tenth film based on the popular Japanese manga series by Mihashi Kishimoto, THE LAST is a controversial film. Unlike its previous entries, disconnected from canon and continuity, this film is a canonical chapter dealing with the main character entering a romance (which will produce a character for a spinoff series). A relationship that has divided the series’ fanbase: those very happy with the fulfillment of their ship, and those very unhappy that their desired ship did not happen. Viz Media DVD
THE BOX OF DELIGHTS (1984) Episode 3 “In Darkest Cellars Underneath” Kay Harker learns more about Abner’s plans to get the Box of Delights with the help of his Sylvia Pouncer (played by Robert Stephen’s wife Patricia Quinn, the character is mentioned as Kay’s former governess, according to John Masefield’s THE MIDNIGHT FOLK). As the day goes by, people start missing, from Kay’s governess to his guest the feisty, air-gun-totting Mariah Jones. Kay has to use the Box’s magic to avoid going missing too.
NUTCRACKER THE MOTION PICTURE (1986) Tchaikovsky's ballet gets a full-length film treatment by Carroll Ballard, from Kent Stowell-Maurice Sendak’s stage production by the Pacific Northwest Ballet. This version deals with a WIZARD OF OZ- Freudian tones as Clara- between child and woman- deals with her unusual relationship with her godfather Drosselmeyer, who gives her a dream where she sees fantasy characters impersonated by people she knows (The Nutcracker Cavalier is personified by her father; fortunately Clara morphs into an adult woman for the romantic duet). A perennial since 2000 (although I had watched it before, usually in broadcast that includes segments by Tony Randall), this viewing is from an MGM on Demand DVD (replacing the Paramount Home Video VHS).
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE (1982) “Eddie Murphy.” This eight season Christmas episode (hosted by Eddie Murphy replacing Nick Nolte, much to the chagrin of several castmates) consists of “Merry Christmas Dammit!” (a Gumby Christmas special with Joe Piscopo’s Frank Sinatra and Gary Kroeger & Julia Louise Dreyfuss’ Donnie & Marie singing “Blue Christmas” before making out) and “A Christmas Message” (Julia Louise-Dreyfuss’ April May June tells the story of the Nativity before turning it into a rant about crying babies and deadbeat husbands). 35th Anniversary this month. This comes from the Starmaker’s THE BEST OF SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE HOSTED BY EDDIE MURPHY VHS, which deletes Lionel Richie’s appearances as well as several sketches.
RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER (1964) Viewed on CBS.
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE (1977) "Mary Kay Place/Willie Nelson" 40th Anniversary this weekend. Universal DVD.
DRAGON BALL SUPER (2016) "Goku's Energy is Out of Control! The Struggle to Look After Pan!" This is the second thing I VHS recorded this year (the first was a letterbox version of PRINCE OF PLAYERS on TCM). Cartoon Network broadcast.
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Post by morrisondylanfan on Dec 11, 2017 2:19:30 GMT
Hi all,this week I ticked off one of the main things that has been on my movie "wishlist" for over a year,I visited the oldest working cinema in the UK:  The Electric Cinema in Birmingham has been opened since 1909,and for any movie fans who visit the UK,this is definitely a place you should check out. Along with the Electric visit,I saw: Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool (2017) 8 (At the Electric) Walking down the cobbled streets of late 70's/early 80's Liverpool, director Paul McGuigan (former bass player with Oasis!) & cinematographer Urszula Pontikos grab handfuls of grit from the British New Wave/ Kitchen Sink works of the era, with dour browns covering the rising damp of the Turner household, and thick smog on the streets casting an earthy drama atmosphere. Going with Grahame back to Hollywood, McGuigan sharply contrasts the humble time in Liverpool with stylised glamour of excellent camera tricks that bring to life a dream factory version of Hollywood-complete with colourful overlaps and fade ins/fade outs,that keep Grahame's past of her name up on billboards flickering.The first non-Bond movie produced by Eon since 1963's Call Me Bwana, the screenplay by Matt Greenhalgh brilliantly keeps this adaptation of Peter Turner's book as far removed from 007 as possible. Greenhalgh gives the May-December romance between Turner and Grahame a passionate rawness, (cleverly expressed by events being played out twice,from Turner and Grahame's perspectives)where their moments of breezy romance can turn with ease into abrasive doubt. Reunited with a very good Julie Walters as his mum Bella, Jamie Bell gives an excellent performance as Peter Turner, lit by Bell taping into the Angry Young Man of the British New Wave, that Bell keeps from becoming overpowering,by neatly softening the edges of Turner's frustrations with a romantic warmth. Bringing the bad and the beautiful sides of the Hollywood icon to Liverpool, Annette Bening gives an incredible performance as Grahame, thanks to Bening crossing a feisty determination over how Grahame wants to live her life, with a delicate touch that makes the romance between her and Turner sparkle,in the place where film stars don't die. Travis (1997) 10 Going in a similar vein to Anna Procházková's fascinating 1971 Czech TV movie of Dracula, co-writer/(with Jirí Hanák) director Václav Postránecký & cinematographer Vladimír Opletal play within the limitations of a TV film budget via boiling up an incredibly eerie atmosphere, lit by tightly coiled shots scanning each room for a jump-scare shock. Mostly taking place in one (very large) room, Postránecký makes every inch of the place feel filled with mystery via elegant voice-overs uncovering the horrors of the house, that build up tension to each time Heartley goes outside to the fog covered grounds. Unofficially adapting Susan Hill's book The Woman in Black,the screenplay by Jirí Hanák and Václav Postránecký display the strength Hill's creation has in its flexibility for different interpretations,with the sight of a ghostly figure by the graves,the unidentified sound of steps around the house, and the enticing mystery of a locked room all brimming with the Gothic Horror roots of its origins. Taking the death of children curse of the book into an unsettling, optimistic direction, the writers superbly thread the ghostly haunting from the boy in black with creepy psychological drama,that becomes unveiled with each passing letter Heartley finds of Rebecca,as the boy in black stands by the grave awaiting the next unlucky soul. Gunpowder (2017) 6 Bringing three Game of Thrones cast members along to this bonfire night, director J Blakeson (who did the very good 2009 Thriller film The Disappearance of Alice Creed) & cinematographer Philipp Blaubach give the show some of GoT grit,with musk and layers of fog covering the screen as Catesby plans the attack. Moving away from the "class" the Costume Drama is usually known for, Blakeson unexpectedly drills into the Historical Horror genre,with Blakeson expanding on his past Thriller work with blistering,bloody stylisation nailing the horrors inflicted on the Catholics. Setting out the plan over the three eps, the scripts by co- writer/(with Ronan Bennett and Daniel West) lead actor Kit Harington (who is actually related to Catesby) never let the gunpowder get fired up,due to a focus on the melodrama state of Catesby,which causes any other interesting-looking character to largely be pushed to the side, and the political situation behind the attack to be left in muddy waters,that only spark during a tense escape/chase that stands as the set-piece of the series. Fighting against a hissing Mark Gatiss as Lord Robert Cecil, Harington gives a penny for the guy with a great performance as Catesby,with each murder Catesby witnesses,Harington uses the anger to light the fuse in his heart. Private Parts (1997) 8 Going between hosting his radio show in the morning and shooting this movie the rest of the day, Howard Stern actually gives a very good performance as himself! Re-enacting some of his most taboo- breaking moments, Stern captures the ruckus energy of each broadcast pushing the lines of decency in mainstream radio. Whilst it is all about him, Stern surprisingly does not shy away from really bringing out the neurotic side of the "character", with Stern's inability to handle extremely emotional moments, leading to snappy exchanges between Stern (who was originally going to be played by Jeff Goldblum) and his wife Alison, (played by the charming Mary McCormack.) with Paul Giamatti also biting everyone's arm off as irritated radio manager Kenny (talk about this being a challenging role for Giamatti!) Bringing Stern's show from the airwaves to the screen, director Betty Thomas & cinematographer Walt Lloyd give each broadcast a flight of fantasy atmosphere,where each sex act is heightened to the most fantastical level. Adapting Stern's book and radio show, the screenplay by Lee Blum and Michael Kalesniko criss-cross raunchy sex comedy set-pieces with a playfully quirky wit,that is hilariously undressed in Stern never finding a station where he fits in,and the private parts get exposed. Fifth Element (1997) 8 Going to space as the (at the time) most expensive European film ever made, director Luc Besson & cinematographer Thierry Arbogast take their Cinéma du look stylisation to a galactic level,with Besson leaving out any hint of darkness with a Pop Art vibrancy of Comic- Book coloured reds,yellows and blues giving the adventure a pristine shine. Planning the film since his teens,Besson (and costume designer Jean-Paul Gaultier-who personally checked the costumes of five hundred extras used in one scene!) lovingly pay attention to detail in every scene, from the unique appearance of each monstrous alien,to all the items in Dallas's run-down cab.Mixing three separate screenplays together to form one movie, the screenplay by Besson and Kamen rolls out a thrilling Sci-Fi adventure,where the threat of the world going dark keeps the live wires lit,as Dallas follows Leeloo's search across the galaxies. Whilst Ruby Rhod is a bit on the "loud" side, (played by a jiving Chris Tucker) the writers paint the five elements with a refreshing level of humour,that bubbles up from Leeloo's funny fish out of water experience.While stating that his feelings on the flick were "Oh no. I can't bear it." (he made it due to Besson helping to fund Nil by Mouth) Gary Oldman gives a wonderfully wacky performance as baddie Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg, (who uniquely,never comes face to face with the goodies)who Oldman turns into a loose cannon that can go off any moment. Creating an alien language with Besson (who she would later get married to) for the film, Milla Jovovich casts an otherworldly atmosphere on the movie in her great performance as Leeloo,thanks to Jovovich having to making Leeloo come out of her alien,fish out of water state,in order to complete the five elements. |
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plasma
Sophomore
@plasma
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Post by plasma on Dec 11, 2017 2:21:56 GMT
Only saw one classic film last week Run Silent Run Deep, which was pretty good. Gave it a 7.5 / 10.
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Post by mikef6 on Dec 11, 2017 2:55:19 GMT
The Cameraman / Edward Sedgwick (1928). By 1927, Buster Keaton’s movie career as actor, director, and producer having ups-and-downs, to put it mildly. Often the critical and box office opinions of his films were diametrically opposite. If a film, for example, The General, was a big hit with critics then its revenue would fail to match expenses – which is why Buster signed a contract with MGM. He needed the financial protection of an established studio. But he ran into trouble with management, including Head of Production Irving Thalburg, who wanted to squeeze Buster’s improvisational style into MGM’s straitjacket of formula comedy. His first picture for them was “The Cameraman.” Mostly, he was left alone to make his own film, resisting efforts for more of a plot (producers wanted his character to get mixed up with gangsters. Thalburg pulled the same “taming” technique a few years later when the Marx Brothers signed with him. The Marxes, however, managed better than Buster to work around and through the sometimes insipid and always formulistic stories they were given.) In this one, after being smitten by a young woman (Marceline Day), Buster’s street photographer (“Tintypes. Ten Cents) hears how much can be made as a newsreel cameraman. He spends his savings on a used movie camera and goes to work trying to get a scoop, but fails each time and gets kicked out of the news office where his would-be girlfriend works. This film gives the lie to a couple of Buster Keaton commonplaces: first, the Great Stone Face nickname. Sure, Buster is not an emotive actor, but he can express a lot with his eyes. His face is never “stone.” Second, the Chaplin was the one who gave us pathos while Keaton gave us physical comedy. One viewing of “The Cameraman” should put that cliché to rest. An essential knockabout comedy from the very end of the Silent era. Buster Keaton and Marceline Day on a date at a public pool  Dial “M” For Murder / Alfred Hitchcock (1954). Alfred Hitchcock was owing Warner Bros. a movie but had no project in development. He needed what he called a “run for cover” – something he could do quickly and easily to satisfy a contract. A popular Broadway mystery play by Frederick Knott was just the thing. Ray Milland, described (a little unfairly) on a Special Feature documentary as a “road show Cary Grant,” stars as Tony Windice, a former tennis champ who married Margot (Grace Kelly) for money and now plots her murder with an old school chum (Anthony Dawson). When things go wrong, Tony manages to frame Margot for a major crime. Leave it up to Inspector Hubbard (John Williams) to sort things out. Robert Cummings has the thankless role of Margot’s extramarital lover. He often takes heat for his performance but the role, as written, could have been played by just about anyone, as colorless as it is, especially when compared to the vividness of the other characters. Cummings does as well as just about anybody could with the part. To conclude: even whey Hitchcock is resting, he can still top most other movie product, including today’s. Hitch once blithely told a press conference the he could have phoned in “Dial M.” This was, of course, another of Hitchcock’s many put-ons. No one but Hitchcock, working at it, could have directed THIS Dial M For Murder. Picture on the right: Inspector Hubbard finds a clue. One of the very few obvious 3D shots that Hitchcock used in "Dial M."  Nae-Bu-Ja-Deul (Inside Men) / Min-ho Woo (2015). Constantly intriguing award-winning South Korean crime drama that hits a little close to home in the Good Ol’ U. S. of A. A young prosecutor, Woo (Seung-woo Cho, "Assassination"), a man without connections and therefore no prospects of advancement, is determined to bring down a crime syndicate that combines organized crime, police corruption, the news media, multi-national financial institutions, and corrupt politicians. South Korean leading man Byung-hun Lee (The Magnificent Seven, I Saw The Devil, Joint Security Area) plays Ahn, a mid-level functionary in the mob who gets above himself and has his hand sawed off as a consequence. He has his own plan for revenge but teams up with Woo to bring down the high level criminals. Also starring Yun-shik Baek (Save The Green Planet) in the major role of a newspaper columnist who may be playing both sides of the street. South Korea has one of the most interesting and creative film industries. Highly recommended. Walk With Me / Marc J. Francis & Max Pugh (2017). Thich Nhát Hanh is a Vietnamese Zen Buddhist teacher who was not allowed to return to his native country because of his peace efforts during the Vietnam War. He now heads a monastery and retreat facility named Plum Village in the south of France. We are told that much by the opening credits but there is no further narration for the remainder of the film. Instead, we learn by watching how the monastery is run and some things about the practices of the monks. We listen while Hanh speaks. The second half of the documentary is a trip to the United States for a speaking tour. We follow a couple of American monks as they visit their families. About a dozen times, we hear Benedict Cumberbatch read a short passage in voice over from one of Master Hanh’s books. And that is about it. It is a meditative documentary rather than an educational one. It is something in the vein of the film of a Christian monastery, also in France, called Die Große Stille (Into Great Silence) (2005) which is an immersive experience in the lives of the residents. Both of these great films take patience because nothing “happens” in a traditional movie way. You just have to allow yourself to let go and flow with the spirit of each film. It is nice to see a quiet movie. …Continuing a watch straight through the 10 seasons of Doctor Who: New Series in anticipation of next year’s introduction of the 13th Doctor. S. 5, Ep. 6 “The Vampires Of Venice” May 8, 2010. Amy’s fiancé Rory (Arthur Darvill) joins the TARDIS crew as they travel to Venice in the 16th century only to find the city ruled by an alien race of vampires. S.5, Ep. 7 “Amy’s Choice” May 15, 2010. The Doctor visits Amy and Rory five years after they left the TARDIS. Rory is a doctor himself and Amy is preggers. Then they fall asleep and wake up back in the TADRIS. Toby Jones guest stars as the Dream Lord who gives them a deadly game. One of those times is a dream and one reality. They will face a deadly peril in both. If they die in the dream, they will wake up and be all right, but if they die in reality…they are dead. Wonderful. I have watched this story many times. The Dream Lord’s retort to an insult from The Doctor is one of my favorite quotes: “If you had any more tawdry quirks you could open up a Tawdry Quirk shop. The madcap vehicle, the cockamamie hair, the clothes designed by a first year fashion student…I’m surprised you don’t have a little purple space dog just to ram home what an intergalactic wag you are.” S.5, Ep. 8 & 9 “The Hungry Earth” and “Cold Blood” May 22 & 29, 2010. The Silurians from the classic series are introduced. The underground experience should be edge-of-the-seat, but I am curiously ho-hum about this two-parter. Rory departs the show but to tell you how would be major spoilage. S.5, Ep. 10 “Vincent And The Doctor” June 5, 2010. The Doctor and Amy meet Vincent Van Gogh. Together they defeat an invisible alien that only Vincent, in his madness, can see. A fan favorite that often shows up on lists of favorite episodes, but, again, I am ho-hum for the third week in a row.
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Post by politicidal on Dec 11, 2017 15:42:25 GMT
War for the Planet of the Apes (2017) 8/10
Kiss of Death (1947) 6/10
Ace Eli and Rodger of the Skies (1973) 4/10
Brannigan (1975) 4/10
The Right Stuff (1983) 6/10
Bengazi (1955) 3/10
Berlin Express (1948) 6/10
Vixen: The Movie (2017) 7/10
Tutankhamen (2016) 7/10
The Wizard of Lies (2017) 6/10
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Post by Lebowskidoo 🦞 on Dec 12, 2017 14:06:42 GMT
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Post by Nalkarj on Dec 12, 2017 20:41:29 GMT
OK, tryin’ to remember what I did see… I saw Spider Man: Homecoming (2017), which was recommended to me largely because of Michael Keaton’s performance as a villain, and enjoyed it quite a bit…wrote some comments here.  __________________________________________ I finally got to see (thanks, TCM!) Lady on a Train, a whodunit (I certainly wouldn’t call it a “noir,” as I’ve seen it described) that I’ve wanted to see ever since Everson praised it in The Detective in Film (and I think it was recommended to me here, in the whodunits thread?) Lots of fun, and Deanna Durbin is as cute as a button. I guessed the murderer from the moment his name appeared in the credits, but that’s no real flaw: it’s fast-paced and entertaining, with some great set pieces (the Circus Club, recalling the West Indies Club in Another Thin Man). Oh, and it’s set at Christmastime! My one real criticisms were its underuse of the great Edward Everett Horton, funny (as always) and welcome though he is, and its doubtlessly-required-by-producers lulls for Miss Durbin to sing (her rendition of “Silent Night” is beautiful, but the other songs only serve to stop the film in its tracks). Ah, and the story was written by Saint creator Leslie Charteris (and borrowed wholesale [stolen?] by Agatha Christie for 4.50 from Paddington).  ___________________________________ I also got to see another picture I’ve long wanted to watch, James Whale’s The Great Garrick, which was also lots of fun (and also featured Edward Everett Horton, amusingly enough). The story and camerawork are pure Whale; if the picture is never quite as funny as it thinks it is, it remains an enjoyable farce, Olivia de Havilland delivering a very sweet and sympathetic performance. (The Great Garrick himself, Brian Aherne, comes across as a bit of a popinjay, making the viewer almost sympathize with the efforts of the Comédie-Française to ridicule him!) The whole thing also features Whale’s ability to handle an ensemble cast; there are frequent similarities with Bride of Frankenstein, Remember Last Night?, Show Boat, and Man in the Iron Mask, especially in managing to be always theatrical but never stagey. Very good indeed.  |
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Post by Doghouse6 on Dec 12, 2017 23:05:22 GMT
I finally got to see (thanks, TCM!) Lady on a Train, a whodunit (I certainly wouldn’t call it a “noir”) that I’ve wanted to see ever since Everson praised it in The Detective in Film (and I think it was recommended to me here, in the whodunits thread?) Lots of fun, and Deanna Durbin is as cute as a button. I guessed the murderer from the moment his name appeared in the credits, but that’s no real flaw: it’s fast-paced and entertaining, with some great set pieces (the Circus Club, recalling the West Indies Club in Another Thin Man). Oh, and it’s set at Christmastime! My one real criticisms were its underuse of the great Edward Everett Horton, funny (as always) though he is, and its doubtlessly-required-by-producers lulls for Miss Durbin to sing (her rendition of “Silent Night” is beautiful, but the other songs only serve to stop the film in its tracks). Ah, and the story was written by Saint creator Leslie Charteris (and borrowed wholesale [stolen?] by Agatha Christie for 4.50 from Paddington). - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - I also got to see another picture I’ve long wanted to watch, James Whale’s The Great Garrick, which was also lots of fun (and also featured Edward Everett Horton, amusingly enough). The story and camerawork are pure Whale; if the picture is never quite as funny as it thinks it is, it remains an enjoyable farce, Olivia de Havilland delivering a very sweet and sympathetic performance. (The Great Garrick himself, Brian Aherne, comes across as a bit of a popinjay, making the viewer almost sympathize with the efforts of the Comédie-Française to ridicule him!) The whole thing also features Whale’s ability to handle an ensemble cast; there are frequent similarities with Bride of Frankenstein, Remember Last Night?, Show Boat, and Man in the Iron Mask, especially in managing to be always theatrical but never stagey. Very good indeed. Would you believe I'd never seen a Deanna Durbin picture until this year? Lady On A Train was only the second (caught Can't Help Singing a few months back). I'm not sure what I was expecting; maybe something like a junior league Jeanette MacDonald. Instead, I was treated in both to a feisty, saucy and very appealing screen presence. I'm keeping LOAT on the DVR for the next time hubby's in the mood for a light whodunit. We, too, play the "casting game" when watching Perry Masons (from the '50s-'60s or '80s-'90s), Diagnosis Murders and the like (if Ronny Cox is in the cast, for instance, he's almost certain to be the guilty party), and keep an eye peeled as well for those benign-appearing characters played by lesser names who at first seem incidental to the plot ("He's serving no purpose, so it's gotta be him"). I found I didn't at all mind Durbin's performances of standards like "Night and Day" and "Give Me A Little Kiss," things I much prefer to the operetta tunes I suppose I'd anticipated. And the cast was quite well rounded out with reliables like Ralph Bellamy, Allen Jenkins, George Coulouris, Patricia Morison, Dan Duryea, Elizabeth Patterson, Samuel S. Hinds, William Frawley, Thurston Hall and the amiable David Bruce (one of those second-tier leading men like James Craig, Robert Paige or Turhan Bey who had their brief moments in the sun during the war years while bigger names were away in service). - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - I passed on The Great Garrick this time around. The last time TCM ran it, their broadcast dub looked like it had come from something mastered from a 10th-generation source, with audio so muffled, muddy and variable that I found it impossible to get through. Was it any better this time? They ran another James Whale that had always eluded me: One More River (1934), with stoic Diana Wynyard endeavoring to bear up under the psychological and physical abuses of sadistic estranged husband Colin Clive (in a sort of preview of his penultimate screen role in History Is Made At Night), along with wonderful players like Reginald Denny, C. Aubrey Smith, Henry Stephenson, Alan Mobray, Lionel Atwill, Jane Wyatt, E.E. Clive, Kathleen Howard and the estimable Mrs. Patrick Campbell (in one of her few screen appearances) and scripted by frequent Whale scenarist R.C. Sherriff from a James Galsworthy novel. Most noteworthy was the lengthy and climactic courtroom sequence enlivened by John Mescall's elegant, fluid and varied camerawork full of unexpected angles and movement that accentuated the otherwise static drama, and further facilitated by kinetic editing credited to Ted Kent. Full of great Whale touches and worthy viewing. |
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Post by Nalkarj on Dec 12, 2017 23:29:19 GMT
I didn’t take a look the last time Garrick was on, Doghouse6, so I don’t really have any reference point, but the audio was fine for me. Sorry I can’t be any more precise! I too had never seen a Deanna Durbin picture before, and I liked her just as much as you did. I’m not so sure how much I’d like her earlier musicals, but I’m going to have to check out Siodmak’s Christmas Holiday one of these days. I didn’t mean to give the impression that I disliked the songs, but I did dislike how the picture stopped in its tracks for them. Still, not a serious flaw. And it is indeed an excellent cast. I haven't seen One More River, though I’d like to—Whale’s one of my favorite directors, though it’s difficult to get to see what he did other than the horror pictures. I was delighted when TCM put on his Man in the Iron Mask several months ago; I think it’s my favorite adaptation of the story (also with some excellent Whale touches, especially when Philippe is being thrown in the dungeon—clear call-backs to Bride.) |
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Post by wmcclain on Dec 12, 2017 23:32:29 GMT
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Post by Doghouse6 on Dec 12, 2017 23:43:38 GMT
Many thanks, wmcclain. I just read up on it in your link and at IMDB, and it looks like tons of fun. I'll be on the lookout. |
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Post by Doghouse6 on Dec 13, 2017 0:35:37 GMT
I too had never seen a Deanna Durbin picture before, and I liked her just as much as you did. I’m not so sure how much I’d like her earlier musicals, but I’m going to have to check out Siodmak’s Christmas Holiday one of these days. Of the two I've now seen (and until I run down wmcclain's recommendation of It Started With Eve), I can say Can't Help Singing shows Durbin off to even better advantage. On its surface, not the sort of picture that would normally attract me, it turned out to be rather like an old west It Happened One Night, with Durbin as a senator's rebellious daughter who mounts a cross-country pursuit of the man she loves, but of whom Daddy disapproves, and which is filled out with traditional screwball elements like eccentric characters, fast-talking double-crosses and colorful players (Akim Tamiroff, Leonid Kinsky, Thomas Gomez, Ray Collins), along with the aforementioned David Bruce (who made three pictures with her) and Robert Paige. And some songs. Lush production values and sumptuous Technicolor photography of stunning locations in Utah and California make it a treat for the eye as well. |
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Post by Nalkarj on Dec 13, 2017 0:40:51 GMT
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