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Post by outrider127 on Apr 2, 2017 17:05:35 GMT
If they ask : What part do you like best ? Everything between when they show the Title and when we see "The End" works for me. OldAussie The best part for me was Dana Andrews in the cockpit of the junked plane, incredible music score for that scene, helping to make it one of the greatest scenes in movie history
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Post by outrider127 on Apr 2, 2017 17:09:44 GMT
One of my all-time favorite movies. I love everything about it. I have seen it many times and being a sloppy sentimentalist each and every time Homer steps out the cab onto the front lawn of his home I burst into tears. It is like breathing. I can't stop it. Hugo Friedhofer's music score is magnificent. As much as I love TBYOOL I have a small problem with it. Fredric & Myrna's son just disappears.
I get it about Homer's homecoming. And Wilma running out to meet him. And his dilemma. Heartbreaking. What's amazing about the film (and even that scene) is the emotional stamina of everyone, despite their difficulties; I think, again, because of all they've endured because of the war. And I also love Friedhofer's score. The music and the sound effects in the scene where Andrews sits in the nose of the bomber contribute so much to the powerful emotional construction of that scene. The brilliance of the film is that everything is designed; nothing is left to chance, and a great director, fresh out of the war himself as a major who flew in battles, was dedicated to capturing with detailed direction the essence of the experience of soldiers and their counterparts on the homefront. I'm sure he was proud of what he accomplished. As for your question about the son -- I have to say it's a great question that for whatever reason I never thought of before. ?? The bomber scene is unforgettable
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Post by snsurone on Apr 2, 2017 18:25:37 GMT
Quite a number of Hollywood stars participated in the war effort. Some, like Clark Gable and Tyrone Power were actually in combat. Their services changed them noticeably; this wasn't the insulated world of movies: there were REAL bombs and REAL bullets. And when men fell, they didn't get up when a director yelled, "Cut!" When these stars returned, they looked far older than they did when they enlisted, which I take as a sign of PTSD. As anyone who has ever been in active deployment can attest, war can age a man greatly. I believe this was depicted very well in TBYOOL, especially in the scene where Al looks in the mirror while holding a photo of himself in his younger years. Arguably, the best scene in the movie! Thanks for adding these names and great stories, snsurone. There are so many from Hollywood who served there country during that time, many names we probably don't know or remember. But I do know that Jimmy Stewart is another one who I know flew in combat, which made the tenor of his performances after his return from the war - from The Best Years of Your Lives forward - very different. Actually, even Capra, though he wasn't in combat, produced and directed a series of films, "Why We Fight." Everybody who could took part, I'm sure. Great post, spidey, but please: it's "their" and not "there". I don't like to come on as a grammar policewoman, but I believe that a poster as intelligent as you are should be acquainted with proper usage.
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Post by mattgarth on Apr 2, 2017 18:29:36 GMT
Surprisingly enough, director Wyler did not like that Oscar-winning score. Go figure.
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Post by mattgarth on Apr 2, 2017 19:14:57 GMT
Many years back (too many to count) I attended a day-long tribute to actor Fredric March. Several of his films were screened throughout the day, with BEST YEARS the grand finale. In attendance were Harold Russell and Teresa Wright -- with her then husband, playwright Robert Anderson, giving the closing address.
At the formal dinner to close the program, I was lucky enough to be seated next to Mr. Russell. He shared with me a couple of tales about the filming:
1) Before principal shooting began, Producer Sam Goldwyn hired an acting teacher to help non-professional Russell. The teacher lasted only one day. When director Wyler found out about it, he dismissed her. He wanted Russell to be just as he was, natural without any acting tricks.
2) At the wedding ceremony scene, Russell flubbed and stumbled over the vows. He finished the scene, apologized, and was ready to do it again. But 40-take Willy would have none of it, saying that Homer was a nervous bridegroom and the flub was natural. It remained in the picture.
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Post by hi224 on Apr 2, 2017 19:18:44 GMT
I like it but prefer Notorious.
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Post by snsurone on Apr 2, 2017 19:37:55 GMT
Many years back (too many to count) I attended a day-long tribute to actor Fredric March. Several of his films were screened throughout the day, with BEST YEARS the grand finale. In attendance were Harold Russell and Teresa Wright -- with her then husband, playwright Robert Anderson, giving the closing address. At the formal dinner to close the program, I was lucky enough to be seated next to Mr. Russell. He shared with me a couple of tales about the filming: 1) Before principal shooting began, Producer Sam Goldwyn hired an acting teacher to help non-professional Russell. The teacher lasted only one day. When director Wyler found out about it, he dismissed her. He wanted Russell to be just as he was, natural without any acting tricks. 2) At the wedding ceremony scene, Russell flubbed and stumbled over the vows. He finished the scene, apologized, and was ready to do it again. But 40-take Willy would have none of it, saying that Homer was a nervous bridegroom and the flub was natural. It remained in the picture. One reason why Willy Wyler is my favorite director.
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Post by marshamae on Apr 2, 2017 20:26:15 GMT
Sorry
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Post by BATouttaheck on Apr 2, 2017 22:38:14 GMT
"At the wedding ceremony scene, Russell flubbed and stumbled over the vows. He finished the scene, apologized, and was ready to do it again. But 40-take Willy would have none of it, saying that Homer was a nervous bridegroom and the flub was natural. It remained in the picture. " Prompted by this thread I just re-watched the film and noted the small flub during the ceremony. Heck, If Princess Diana could mix up the names, why not Homer ? Great touch to leave it in. mattgarth
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Post by marshamae on Apr 3, 2017 2:30:39 GMT
This reminds me of Lenny Montana playing Luca Brazzi completely overcome at the idea of acting with Brando. There's a shot establishing him practicing his thanks to Don Corleone, then when he have his thanks to Brando he flubbed it up. That's the take that was used because Coppola thought it was an interesting way to show the Don's immense personal force, that even the dreaded Brazzi was awed in his presence.
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Post by BATouttaheck on Apr 3, 2017 3:15:49 GMT
I noticed that in the closing credits Fredric March is listed as Frederic March. In theaters I used to be the last one still seated and watching the credits roll. I still tend to watch them at home.
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Post by mattgarth on Apr 3, 2017 8:17:59 GMT
I always stay through the credits also, Bat -- it's a small way of honoring the unseen professionals who helped make the viewing experience so enjoyable.
They are getting longer, however. The closing credits for BEAUTY AND THE BEAST last week ran almost as long as the picture!
Years ago in my misspent youth that habit once came close to causing a public donnybrook to rival the Duke and McLaglen in QUIET MAN, however. At the film's end, the guy in front of me stood up and proceeded to start chattering away with his companion. I very politely requested that he step aside. He looked down at me with disdain and said:'Why? Those are just credits.'
Trying to keep some semblance of self-control, I responded: 'Yes, they are -- credits that I'm trying to read.'
'C'mon, nobody reads credits any more.' 'I do'. 'Then you're a g.d. idiot!' 'And you're a f-ing a-hole! Now get out of the way!'
Luckily his companion, my date, and a burly usher got between us and tempers managed to cool down.
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Post by BATouttaheck on Apr 3, 2017 11:41:54 GMT
mattgarthCan picture the altercation. It's funny for you now I bet. I haven't been to a theater in ages. I wonder if they still have "ushers" or just the ticker taker and the popcorn people. I saw a photo of Carol Burnette at her job as a usher (complete with the little hat). I always thought that it would be the most wonderful job to ush at a movie or even better, a live theater. None of which has anything to do with TBYOOL other than the nostalgia factor. (Sorry, OP) Some of the older films don't even have credits at the end. Now, an extra bag of popcorn could be eaten during them (if you could afford it.) I like the credits that have little treats for the folks who do stay to read them.
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Post by london777 on Apr 3, 2017 13:13:07 GMT
Good story, mattgarth. A similar incident changed my life.
As a very young man I took my girlfriend to the Academy Cinema in London. It was a classy joint showing a lot of Continental classics and had a strict no smoking policy (unusual at the time).
Two males seated in front of us were giggling and cuddling. Then they lit a cigarette and passed it between them. I politely asked them to stub it out. No response and more furtive giggling. By now my enjoyment of whatever pretentious existentialist classic I was watching was ruined. Finally, in exasperation, I leaned forward and whipped the cigarette out of his mouth. Not being a smoker, I did not realize it was stuck to his lip so I took a bit of skin with it. Howls of pain and rage, but they then left the cinema. Being a wimp and coward I could not settle to the movie again as I had visions of them ambushing me as we left, but no problem.
We walked to my nearby room where my girlfriend was so impressed by my machismo that she allowed me to take her cherry. After numerous barren dates this was her last chance to put out. Two years later I did the honorable thing and married her.
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Post by marshamae on Apr 3, 2017 14:05:00 GMT
Matt Matt, when will you learn to stop acting like John Wayne in public?
My favorite usher story is Al Pacino, who was given a job in one of tge big Manhattan movie palaces back when they wore uniforms and , yes a little hat. Pacino was kind of a skid row usher , shirt tail out , shoes run over , hat crooked, lurching to a seat and growling " here ya go" . I laugh every time I think of it.
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Post by mattgarth on Apr 3, 2017 14:11:05 GMT
Hey, Marsha -- at least I didn't call that jerk 'Pilgrim'!
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