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Post by dirtypillows on Sept 16, 2020 22:32:29 GMT
Oh, the places you find things! This, a late series entry of the original "Columbo", Make Me a Perfect Murder with Trish Van Devere as the hard-boiled, cold-blooded (seemingly) tv executive who murders the affable, easy-going (and eminently charmed) Lawrence Luckinbill specifically because of gender disparity. Her character, Kay (my mom's name!), plays the game, works like "an ox" (her words) and almost- though not quite- sacrifices her femininity in order to succeed in a man's world. She works three times as hard as any man.
The problem with this somewhat familiar character is that they are almost always highly unlikable. And Kay is no exception. She does not even attempt to hide her contempt for her male colleagues. (Patrick o neal is the worst).
But - and this is a testament to the quality of this stellar show - the character shown to have another side where she can have sympathy for her alcoholic and somewhat pitiful best friend (played hilariously by Lanie Kazan) and relate nicely to the likable, non-threatening black projectionist. She is hard and cold with her professional peers because she pretty much has to be. But her other, perhaps more genuine, self is revealed to be softer and more understanding. And the characterization just flows. Van Devere is both unsympathetic as well as sympathetic and the latter trait finally wins out. I never saw it done so well in a movie, but it was almost impossible not to feel something for Kay. She has way more depth than Faye Dunaway's character from "Network" the year before. And to think Lawrence Luckinbill was my very first gay crush!!!
All this wrapped up in a compelling murder mystery.
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Post by dirtypillows on Sept 18, 2020 3:57:03 GMT
Oh, the places you find things! This, a late series entry of the original "Columbo", Make Me a Perfect Murder with Trish Van Devere as the hard-boiled, cold-blooded (seemingly) tv executive who murders the affable, easy-going (and eminently charmed) Lawrence Luckinbill specifically because of gender disparity. Her character, Kay (my mom's name!), plays the game, works like "an ox" (her words) and almost- though not quite- sacrifices her femininity in order to succeed in a man's world. She works three times as hard as any man. The problem with this somewhat familiar character is that they are almost always highly unlikable. And Kay is no exception. She does not even attempt to hide her contempt for her male colleagues. (Patrick o neal is the worst). But - and this is a testament to the quality of this stellar show - the character shown to have another side where she can have sympathy for her alcoholic and somewhat pitiful best friend (played hilariously by Lanie Kazan) and relate nicely to the likable, non-threatening black projectionist. She is hard and cold with her professional peers because she pretty much has to be. But her other, perhaps more genuine, self is revealed to be softer and more understanding. And the characterization just flows. Van Devere is both unsympathetic as well as sympathetic and the latter trait finally wins out. I never saw it done so well in a movie, but it was almost impossible not to feel something for Kay. She has way more depth than Faye Dunaway's character from "Network" the year before. And to think Lawrence Luckinbill was my very first gay crush!!!All this wrapped up in a compelling murder mystery. I fell for him big time the first time I saw Boys In The Band on t.v in the early to mid 80's. Now I prefer Donald. I am not familiar with Columbo, but you often sing its praises and I am very intrigued. I recall when it was on t.v. but never watched it and never had an interest in detective shows. My favorite changed to Donald, too. He had the best personality of the bunch and an attractive, distinct face. He also had hidden depth and he was obviously a good friend to the bitter Michael. I do feel sorry for Michael at the end when he has his meltdown. I also love Emory. He is super camp, but he also has kindness in him. And he can be very, very funny. I don't think I could date him because he is so effeminate, but he probably had the most handsome face. Larry is very sexy. |
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Post by moonchild on Sept 20, 2020 3:31:18 GMT
dirtypillows Now I want to give it a watch. Trish is a very feminine woman It's like old times with the 3 of us here 
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Post by dirtypillows on Sept 20, 2020 3:35:43 GMT
dirtypillows Now I want to give it a watch. Trish is a very feminine woman It's like old times with the 3 of us here awww... it is! I agree with that. I find it very comforting. |
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Post by dirtypillows on Oct 1, 2020 0:06:21 GMT
My favorite changed to Donald, too. He had the best personality of the bunch and an attractive, distinct face. He also had hidden depth and he was obviously a good friend to the bitter Michael. I do feel sorry for Michael at the end when he has his meltdown. I also love Emory. He is super camp, but he also has kindness in him. And he can be very, very funny. I don't think I could date him because he is so effeminate, but he probably had the most handsome face. Larry is very sexy. There is a remake currently on Netflix. Watched about 10mins of it last night. Looks like pretty much a scene for scene remake and set in late 60’s. Matt Bomer is Donald. Will watch rest over weekend. That sounds fun. I don't have a Netflix account, but maybe I'll have to renew it next month. |
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Post by moonchild on Oct 1, 2020 0:11:49 GMT
dirtypillows Did you ever watch, When They See Us on Netflix? It's real good
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Post by TheOriginalPinky on Oct 2, 2020 15:09:01 GMT
I recall that episode. My family were rabid Columbo viewers on NBC as part of the NBC Mystery movie rotation. Lot's of good stuff back then. Don't forget, this was the high point of the Women's Movement, and actually, not much has changed. Women STILL have to work harder and be more unforgiving in comparable male roles, particularly in the hierarchy of the corporate world.
Van Devere was married to George C. Scott (her second husband) until his death. They both star in The Changeling (1980) which is a very effective, understated, credible ghost story. She lives in my area.
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Post by dirtypillows on Oct 2, 2020 16:30:37 GMT
I recall that episode. My family were rabid Columbo viewers on NBC as part of the NBC Mystery movie rotation. Lot's of good stuff back then. Don't forget, this was the high point of the Women's Movement, and actually, not much has changed. Women STILL have to work harder and be more unforgiving in comparable male roles, particularly in the hierarchy of the corporate world. Van Devere was married to George C. Scott (her second husband) until his death. They both star in The Changeling (1980) which is a very effective, understated, credible ghost story. She lives in my area. I like "The Changeling" very much. I agree that it is underrated. It is genuinely creepy and disturbing. That's cool that TVD lives in the same area as you. Have you ever seen her? (I'm such a gawker!) I think if I were female, I would not feel the need or desire to compete with a man. If I were a woman and lucky enough to not have to work, I think I'd be quite happy to do home cooked meals, give the vacuum a whirl and give expert blow jobs. I would enjoy having a man take care of me and would be grateful and satisfied. At least this is how I think I'd feel! |
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Post by TheOriginalPinky on Oct 2, 2020 16:42:49 GMT
I recall that episode. My family were rabid Columbo viewers on NBC as part of the NBC Mystery movie rotation. Lot's of good stuff back then. Don't forget, this was the high point of the Women's Movement, and actually, not much has changed. Women STILL have to work harder and be more unforgiving in comparable male roles, particularly in the hierarchy of the corporate world. Van Devere was married to George C. Scott (her second husband) until his death. They both star in The Changeling (1980) which is a very effective, understated, credible ghost story. She lives in my area. I like "The Changeling" very much. I agree that it is underrated. It is genuinely creepy and disturbing. That's cool that TVD lives in the same area as you. Have you ever seen her? (I'm such a gawker!) I think if I were female, I would not feel the need or desire to compete with a man. If I were a woman and lucky enough to not have to work, I think I'd be quite happy to do home cooked meals, give the vacuum a whirl and give expert blow jobs. I would enjoy having a man take care of me and would be grateful and satisfied. At least this is how I think I'd feel! There is a woman I know who is the wife of a wealthy man. She does't work, she has a full-time domestic who does all the cleaning, laundry, shopping, errands, cooking - just about everything. She's not particularly social and is not fond of other women. They have an adult son. They belong to three country clubs. I think I'd need some external stimulation if I didn't have to work. I was unemployed for 18 months back in 2012, and it drove me nuts! I hooked up with some friends who were also home due to the economy. We did some nice things. But I like the structure of having somewhere to go each day.
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