Saturday Evening Movie Thread 11-30-2019 [Hosted By: TheJamesMdison]

From Art House to the Multiplex

A few months back, I subjected you all to an evening about Ingmar Bergman, and I shall talk about his real quick again.

In 1994, Bergman was invited to the Goteborg Film Festival where he revealed his list of eleven favorite films. Some of these aren’t a great surprise. There’s a Chaplin (The Circus), a film by his mentor Victor Sjostrom (The Phantom Carriage), and, surprise, the king of art cinema included a work by Tarkovsky (Andrei Rublev). He also added a film by Billy Wilder, his 1950 film Sunset Blvd. about the silent actress yearning for a return to the silver screen that was never going to happen.

So, as a tangent from that previous discussion, let’s talk about one of America’s great popular filmmakers, Billy Wilder.

Billy Wilder

Billy Wilder was born in Poland to Austrian Jewish parents in the first decade of the 20th century. He moved to Germany where he studied journalism and got involved in screenwriting. Fleeing from Germany with the rise of Hitler, he came to America and became a citizen in 1939 while beginning work in Hollywood as a screenwriter writing such movies as Ninotchka starring Greta Garbo.

He liked to work with a writing partner and developed a working relationship with Charles Brackett with whom he co-wrote every movie from his first directorial effort The Major and the Minor to that favorite of Bergman, Sunset Blvd. in 1950. They broke off their partnership allowing Wilder to find I.A.L. Diamond by 1957 with whom he co-wrote everything from Love in the Afternoon to Wilder’s final film in 1981 Buddy Buddy.

Unlike some of his contemporaries like Alfred Hitchcock, Wilder not only received popular acknowledgements of his art, but he was also rewarded handsomely by the Academy over his career. He won six Oscars (and a special lifetime achievement Oscar), including three for a single movie (The Apartment).

However, like many of his contemporaries, the seismic changes that wrecked Hollywood’s old order in the 60s and 70s left Wilder behind. Funding became much harder, and even the man who made studios buckets of cash with Some Like It Hot ended up with a string of financial flops and minor successes that gave the money men pause. He even included a small soliloquy from William Holden’s character in Fedora about how Hollywood was then dominated by the young guys with beards (Scorsese, Lucas, de Palma, and Spielberg, in particular). His frustration became palpable in the movies themselves.

His final effort was an unfunny comedy titled Buddy Buddy starring the dynamic comedic pair of Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon that he first brought together in The Fortune Cookie, pulled together purely through Lemmon and Matthau’s star power. It was a sad end to a great career.

The Height of His Power

Wilder made several films that had an indelible effect on the world of popular cinema. Double Indemnity pretty much wholesale created film noir on its own. It owed certain elements to things that came before it (most notably John Huston’s The Maltese Falcon), but it’s combination of voiceover, venetian blind lighting scheme, and cynical look at the world and relationships created a model that Hollywood continues to ape to this very day.

However, it was the dual release of Some Like it Hot in 1959 and The Apartment in 1960 that represents the height of his creative output and popular appeal. Some Like It Hot made $40 million on a $3 million budget, and The Apartment made $25 million on a $3 million budget. Wilder was nominated for the big awards at the Oscars for Some Like it Hot, but he won Best Picture (as producer), Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay (along with I.A.L. Diamond) for The Apartment.

America loved Billy Wilder then. His next film, One, Two, Three was terribly timed as a manic Cold War comedy set in Berlin that was in the middle of production when the Berlin Wall started production. However, audiences still loved him so much that they even made his next film, the overlong Irma la Douce a smash hit, but his popularity quickly began to wane. However, for a time, Billy Wilder was one of the kings of Hollywood.

But, Why?

Right. Why talk about Billy Wilder? Is it because he won Oscars that I talk about him? Is it because Bergman liked one of his movies?

No, I choose to write about him this week because I love him as a filmmaker.

He was never a flashy director. He never let the visuals dominate the stories or feel like the point. The vast majority of his films are based on previous material and most of that was based on plays. Dialogue and character have the most prominence in his films, and he uses visuals purely as support to his characters. The long and dehumanizing office space in The Apartment is a great piece of artistry, but it's there to create a sense of the main characters isolation and general unimportance to the world around him.

His most common motif was about deception. The way I define it is to say that characters are always wearing masks. The only time this becomes close to literal is in a couple of his comedies (The Major and the Minor and Some Like It Hot) when characters have to change either their age or sex in order to get out of situations. He used this comedically but also dramatically. William Holden becomes another person in order to appease Norma Desmond in Sunset Blvd, giving up what he really wants in order to become her boy toy.

Billy Wilder had a fantastic balance of cynic and romantic within him, and I think he was at his best when he managed to balance them within the same picture (The Apartment) or he gave into one side or the other so completely (Ace in the Hole).

I love his ability to tell a story while pushing certain envelopes and getting great performances from his actors. I love his sense of irony that’s almost as present as his cynicism. I love how he can approach the same thing across different movies and come to almost completely different conclusions like the cynical self-interested man being the villain in Ace in the Hole but the hero in Stalag 17. I love his take on Hollywood as something that will ultimately kill you as in Sunset Blvd. I love his ability to make something almost dreamlike and purely innocent as Sabrina or The Emperor Waltz.

Wilder was one of those filmmakers who could seemingly make any kind of movie. He had a musical. He created film noir. He made sex comedies. He made buddy comedies. He made dramatic war pictures. He made romances. He was never pigeonholed into one genre or type of story, and he was very good at it. He also made Marilyn Monroe the sexiest she had ever been on screen.

Also, J.J. Sefton’s a bit of a fan, too, and I wanted to see if I could get him to comment on a Saturday Evening Movie Thread.

A Note

By my count, this is my 100th post on the movie thread. Ampersands for everyone! I’m buyin’!

Movies of Today

Opening in Theaters:
Knives Out
Queen & Slim

Next in my Netflix Queue:
True Crime

Movies I Saw This Fortnight:
The Irishman (Netflix Rating 5/5 | Quality Rating 4/4) Full Review "It leaves with such a complete sense of solemn loss and isolation that gets built up to exceedingly well over the course of its three and a half hours. I loved this film." [Netflix Instant]
Doctor Sleep (Netflix Rating 5/5 | Quality Rating 3.5/4) Full Review "While it may play more as a drama than a horror movie for most of its runtime, Doctor Sleep works really well." [Theater]
Stalag 17 (Netflix Rating 5/5 | Quality Rating 4/4) Full Review "It’s funny, scary, and tense in equal measure while feeling like a cohesive whole the entire time. It’s filled with great performances, looks fantastic, and is such a great entertainment from beginning to end." [Personal Collection]
The Seven Year Itch (Netflix Rating 4/5 | Quality Rating 3/4) Full Review "This is a fun and intelligently assembled bit of fluff from Billy Wilder. It’s solid entertainment filmed brightly and colorfully while stretching just beyond the original confines of its theatrical roots." ["Library"]
Some Like It Hot (Netflix Rating 5/5 | Quality Rating 4/4) Full Review "He uses it to great comedic effect, crafting one of Hollywood’s great comedies that feels as fresh in 2019 as it surely did in 1959." [Personal Collection]
The Apartment (Netflix Rating 5/5 | Quality Rating 4/4) Full Review "Everything about this movie seems to represent every narrative and filmmaking lesson Wilder ever learned in one perfect package. I adore this film." [Personal Collection]
One, Two, Three (Netflix Rating 5/5 | Quality Rating 4/4) Full Review "It’s not deep stuff and has little to say about the Cold War, but One, Two, Three is an engaging and highly entertaining madcap comedy that turns into a freight train of humor by the end." [Personal Collection]
Beauty and the Beast (2017) (Netflix Rating 2/5 | Quality Rating 1/4) Full Review "It doesn’t look as good, sound as good, and it doesn’t play as well. It’s a curious artistic failure." [Personal Collection]

Contact

Email any suggestions or questions to thejamesmadison.aos at symbol gmail dot com.

Follow me on Twitter.

I've also archived all the old posts here, by request.

I'll add new posts a week after they originally post at the HQ.

Posted by: OregonMuse at 07:58 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Evening Horde!

Posted by: Tonypete at November 30, 2019 07:59 PM (Y4EXg)

2 First

Posted by: Thanatopsis at beautiful Chancre del Diablo ranch at November 30, 2019 07:59 PM (TmB4S)

3 Need popcorn

Posted by: Skip at November 30, 2019 07:59 PM (ZCEU2)

4 Dammit

Posted by: Thanatopsis at beautiful Chancre del Diablo ranch at November 30, 2019 07:59 PM (TmB4S)

5 Rookie mistake, was reading where we were going

Posted by: Skip at November 30, 2019 08:00 PM (ZCEU2)

6 Early OT but willowed, breaking and mind blowing and if they made a movie no one would believe it.

Didja see this? One of the heroes who saved a girl from the London Bridge terrorist is a convicted murder who killed a disabled girl and is serving a life sentence at an "open prison" from which he got a day release.

https://bit.ly/34DAN4r

So a guy who should've been in prison stabbed and killed but was stopped from killing more by a guy who should've been in prison.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Tyrannosaur Wrangler at November 30, 2019 08:02 PM (+y/Ru)

7 For some reason last night, when I shoulda been heading to bed, we put on Lazer Team. Next thing we knew, we'd watched the whole thing. Still funny.

Posted by: mindful webworker's cell sux at November 30, 2019 08:02 PM (Dhcvl)

8 One, Two, Three is awsome

Posted by: Moon Moon Blutarski at November 30, 2019 08:03 PM (VNfwt)

9 Haven't watched much this week, the subtitled Das Boot was soon TCM, fantastic movie.
And as per yesterday have watched 2 episodes of 13 total Danger UXB. Saw some of those on its first run in England in 1979.

Posted by: Skip at November 30, 2019 08:04 PM (ZCEU2)

10 His next film, One, Two, Three was terribly timed as a manic Cold
War comedy set in Berlin that was in the middle of production when the
Berlin Wall started production.

I really liked that movie. Cagney was great in it

Posted by: TheQuietMan at November 30, 2019 08:06 PM (kXYFI)

11 Horrible record but high talent + interim coach == watch out, Gaytors

FSU is itching to be the spoiler.

Posted by: logprof at November 30, 2019 08:06 PM (xZjNZ)

12 I didn't know until a couple of days ago that Knives Out is by the same guy as Brick, Raim Johnson.

Posted by: logprof at November 30, 2019 08:07 PM (xZjNZ)

13 "One, Two, Three" is no "Prometheus"

Thankfully!

Posted by: Hands at November 30, 2019 08:10 PM (786Ro)

14

Heads up: Attack of the 50' Woman is running on MeTV (Svengoolie) now.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Rapscallion of a Poperin Pear at November 30, 2019 08:10 PM (f1Vqw)

15 Billy Wilder was great in Blazing Saddles.

Posted by: blaster at November 30, 2019 08:10 PM (ZfRYq)

16 He also added a film by Billy Wilder, his 1950 film Sunset Blvd. about the silent actress yearning for a return to the silver screen that was never going to happen.
William Holden becomes another person in order to appease Norma Desmond in Sunset Blvd, giving up what he really wants in order to become her boy toy.

That movie is great but disturbing on a number of levels. Most of it Norma living in her waxworks world and being so out of touch with reality

Posted by: TheQuietMan at November 30, 2019 08:11 PM (kXYFI)

17 Didja see this? One of the heroes who saved a girl from the London Bridge terrorist is a convicted murder who killed a disabled girl and is serving a life sentence at an "open prison" from which he got a day release.

So a guy who should've been in prison stabbed and killed but was stopped from killing more by a guy who should've been in prison.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks

----

Redemption - def. - the restoration of man from the bondage of sin to the liberty of the children of God.

A true display of this? I hope so.

Posted by: Tonypete at November 30, 2019 08:11 PM (Y4EXg)

18 Buddy Buddy may not have been Lemmon and Matthau's
best, but it was nonetheless a funny movie.

Posted by: Leonard Jones at November 30, 2019 08:11 PM (mxgwX)

19 I agree, James Cagney was a hoot in One, Two, Three. I wanted to slap the snot out of Horst Buchholz so I guess that means he did a good job, too.
Maybe I need to watch White Heat again.

Posted by: Bean Counteress of Rohan at November 30, 2019 08:11 PM (2+j2N)

20 Billy Wilder was Joan Wilder's older brother, right? Congrats, TJM.

Posted by: Eromero at November 30, 2019 08:12 PM (UUkQp)

21 The Brits will soon be pushing for common sense narwhal tusk control.

But in a movie. To keep it on topic.

Posted by: blaster at November 30, 2019 08:13 PM (ZfRYq)

22 I've liked every Wilder movie I've seen. I even liked Buddy Buddy.

Not as much as the others, but I thought it had some worthwhile bits in it. I saw it in the theater, and I can't remember much of it, but I had a good time watching it.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at November 30, 2019 08:13 PM (l9m7l)

23 Spartucus is on TCM later tonight. Not the fag senator. The movie.

Posted by: Moon Moon Blutarski at November 30, 2019 08:13 PM (VNfwt)

24 One, Two, Three is the one with Horst Bucholtz (from Magnificent Seven). Right?

Posted by: Notsothoreau at November 30, 2019 08:13 PM (Lqy/e)

25 I watched All Quiet on the Western Front. The one with Borgnine, Johnboy, and Donald Pleasance as the German teacher telling his entire class to be good Germans and enlist in the army. It wasn't too bad really. I was entertained.

Not going to see Midway. Asked my boys, 18 and 22, if they wanted to go and they said no, they heard it was inaccurate and the dialog stinks.

Posted by: freaked at November 30, 2019 08:14 PM (Tnijr)

26 Not going to see Midway. Asked my boys, 18 and 22, if they wanted to go and they said no, they heard it was inaccurate and the dialog stinks.
Posted by: freaked

For me, the worst thing is they cast a Brit as a main character. The Brit hasn't mastered the Yank accent. Irritated me.

Posted by: Moon Moon Blutarski at November 30, 2019 08:15 PM (VNfwt)

27
Saw "The Irishman" this week-

It's very good.

In a way, "The Irishman" works a lot of the same themes as "Silence"- the deepest betrayal of one's self in order to serve that which you should not.

And does a better job, this time around.

Maybe Scorsese's found his great late career theme.

Deliberately paced but never boring. Excellent acting all around. Esp. by Al Pacino as Jimmy Hoffa - he tamps down his Pacinoisms to give a really great portrait of a charismatic figure.

Check it out.

Posted by: naturalfake at November 30, 2019 08:16 PM (kauXV)

28 Quick reco.

How to be a Latin Lover.

Funny.

Salma Hayek but she remains way too clothed throughout.

Posted by: blaster at November 30, 2019 08:16 PM (ZfRYq)

29 Spartucus is on TCM later tonight. Not the fag senator. The movie.
Posted by: Moon Moon Blutarski at November 30, 2019 08:13 PM

Didn't the movie have one, too? Olivier?

Marcus Licinius Crassus : Do you eat oysters?
Antoninus : When I have them, master.
Marcus Licinius Crassus : Do you eat snails?
Antoninus : No, master.
Marcus Licinius Crassus : Do you consider the eating of oysters to be moral and the eating of snails to be immoral?
Antoninus : No, master.
Marcus Licinius Crassus : Of course not. It is all a matter of taste, isn't it?
Antoninus : Yes, master.
Marcus Licinius Crassus : And taste is not the same as appetite, and therefore not a question of morals.
Antoninus : It could be argued so, master.
Marcus Licinius Crassus : My robe, Antoninus. My taste includes both snails and oysters.

Posted by: Hands at November 30, 2019 08:17 PM (786Ro)

30 I was poking around on the Criterion Channel this afternoon and stumbled upon A Night to Remember, directed by Roy Ward Baker.

A retelling of the Titanic disaster, and British film at its finest. Definitely one I will watch again. Taut, understated, brilliant.

So much better than Cameron's version, which seems a little silly (imo), in contrast.

Posted by: lizabth at November 30, 2019 08:17 PM (L3Rsz)

31 You should watch the silent All Quiet on the Western Front. Doesn't look like the whole movie is on You Tube. Might be on archive.org

Posted by: Notsothoreau at November 30, 2019 08:18 PM (Lqy/e)

32
One, Two, Three is the one with Horst Bucholtz (from Magnificent Seven). Right?

Posted by: Notsothoreau at November 30, 2019 08:13 PM (Lqy/e)

Yes, there were a lot of lovely shots at the commies in that movie.

Posted by: TheQuietMan at November 30, 2019 08:19 PM (kXYFI)

33 OT, but too good to miss:

Latest from creepy Uncle Joe:

https://trib.al/kQXNjmm

No one could make up stuff like this.

Posted by: sock_rat_eez, we are being gaslighted 24/365 at November 30, 2019 08:19 PM (JwHjN)

34 I enjoyed "Some like it Hot" but I never felt it was some sort of comedic classic.

Posted by: Some rat in the swamp at November 30, 2019 08:19 PM (LOq4H)

35 "One, Two, Three" is a great comedy and one of the very few to truly pull off the whole situation gets crazier and crazier and more and more manic until it seems the whole screen will explode.

But, Wilder and Cagney bring it all in for a perfect landing.

I can't think of another actor which could come close to handling that role. Jimmy Cagney was a great American actor.

Posted by: naturalfake at November 30, 2019 08:20 PM (kauXV)

36 Flipping through Netflix they tag a movie about Carroll Shelby as "Forceful" and "Documentary "

That doesn't seem to go together

Posted by: blaster at November 30, 2019 08:20 PM (ZfRYq)

37 Tonight we added this gem to the Goofy Shit My Kid Says file.....
Me: we should watch a Christmas movie.
Girl spawn : Die Hard?

I blame hubbymayhem.

Posted by: madamemayhem (uppity wench) at November 30, 2019 08:20 PM (myjNJ)

38 I can't think of another actor which could come close to handling that role. Jimmy Cagney was a great American actor.
Posted by: naturalfake

Sitzenmachen!!

Posted by: Moon Moon Blutarski at November 30, 2019 08:21 PM (VNfwt)

39 I've seen the original All Quiet movie.

Posted by: freaked at November 30, 2019 08:21 PM (Tnijr)

40 Tonight we added this gem to the Goofy Shit My Kid Says file.....
Me: we should watch a Christmas movie.
Girl spawn : Die Hard?

I blame hubbymayhem.
Posted by: madamemayhem (uppity wench) at November 30, 2019 08:20 PM (myjNJ)

^^This kid gets it.^^

Posted by: DR.WTF at November 30, 2019 08:21 PM (aS1PU)

41 10 His next film, One, Two, Three was terribly timed as a manic Cold
War comedy set in Berlin that was in the middle of production when the
Berlin Wall started production.

I really liked that movie. Cagney was great in it
Posted by: TheQuietMan at November 30, 2019 08:06 PM (kXYFI)

I should check this out. This past month being the 30th anniversary of die Mauerfall, I have been obsessing over Berlin more than usual, and I have been obsessing over it ever since I dragged home an atlas bigger than me and politely asked my father to explain to me, a quite young boy, how a German city had these "zones of occupation" and what that was all about...

I had no idea about this movie or the circumstances surrounding it.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at November 30, 2019 08:22 PM (dJGLL)

42 Grimes got a new song out --
youtube.com/watch?v=CZe7cbC2Jp8

Posted by: boulder t'hobo at November 30, 2019 08:23 PM (ykYG2)

43 20 Billy Wilder was Joan Wilder's older brother, right? Congrats, TJM.
Posted by: Eromero at November 30, 2019 08:12 PM (UUkQp)

The Joan Wilder? The author?

Posted by: Juan and his little mule at November 30, 2019 08:23 PM (jp0Bv)

44 apparently there is a movie about FOX News' Roger Ailes and what a poon hound he was.

No word on the Matt Lauer : Serial Rapist movie.

Posted by: mikeyG at November 30, 2019 08:23 PM (rZgGg)

45 I've seen 2 version of All Quiet. One was a Mid 90's version. Main character was the main student in Dead Poet's Society. Other version was black and white but not silent.

Posted by: buzzion at November 30, 2019 08:23 PM (Z7lwY)

46 Can't stand Tom Ewell.

Not an actor and not particularly funny. Must've been a 50's thing.

He pretty much spoils "The Seven Year Itch" for me.

Feel the same way about Joe E Brown in "SLIH". I find his shtick tiresome.

Posted by: naturalfake at November 30, 2019 08:25 PM (kauXV)

47 Billy Wilder is a great director to focus on. In my estimation, Sunset Boulevard is his most powerful, most iconic movie. "I'm ready for my closeup, Mr. DeMille!!!" And "I am Big, it's the Pictures that got small!!!"

But I would have to say my personal favorite is The Fortune Cookie. Billy Wilder launched the partnership of Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau that lasted for 40 years, and just as you say, he made Marilyn Monroe sexier than she had ever been, Wilder also deserves credit for launching Walter Matthau's great career. Matthau had been around in small parts for a while, but he never came into his own as an actor and became a star until Wilder worked with him.

Posted by: Tom Servo at November 30, 2019 08:26 PM (V2Yro)

48 14Heads up: Attack of the 50' Woman is running on MeTV (Svengoolie) now.

Not for another three hours here on the Left Coast. Beers chilling in fridge already.

Posted by: Anonymous Guy in Ca at November 30, 2019 08:26 PM (RcMUX)

49 25 I watched All Quiet on the Western Front. The one with Borgnine, Johnboy, and Donald Pleasance as the German teacher telling his entire class to be good Germans and enlist in the army. It wasn't too bad really. I was entertained.

Not going to see Midway. Asked my boys, 18 and 22, if they wanted to go and they said no, they heard it was inaccurate and the dialog stinks.
Posted by: freaked at November 30, 2019 08:14 PM (Tnijr)

I was forewarned about Midway via Military Crimes in a review.

That version of All Quiet On The Western Front is one that I would consider as one of the most depressing movies I have ever seen. I saw it in my 9th grade history class.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at November 30, 2019 08:27 PM (dJGLL)

50 Feel the same way about Joe E Brown in "SLIH". I find his shtick tiresome.
Posted by: naturalfake

----

"Nobody's perfect."

Posted by: Tonypete at November 30, 2019 08:28 PM (Y4EXg)

51 the hardboiled voiceover opening of "double indemnity" is one of the great monologues.

wilder paid attention to his scripts, honing the dialogue which drives the whole thing.

Posted by: mjc at November 30, 2019 08:28 PM (Pg+x7)

52
I had no idea about this movie or the circumstances surrounding it.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at November 30, 2019 08:22 PM (dJGLL)

It's one of those movies were I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. There is some very good political humor of its time in the movie and I thought made the commies look bad

Posted by: TheQuietMan at November 30, 2019 08:29 PM (kXYFI)

53 saw trailer for the Ailes flick during the 38 minutes of ads and trailers and garbage before Midway, last week.

Only/first thought I had when seeing it - um, there's this Lauer guy, big household name [unlike Ailes], who, um .... well, his predator story is about 13,000 times as spectacular and horrendous as Ailes'. Oh - and the other guy, who kicked off the "me too" thing, and I think a few more alphabet network scandals, all much bigger than Ailes.

And I realized that 93% of the other people in the theater would treat this info as stunning revelation, having never heard a peep about it.

Posted by: rhomboid at November 30, 2019 08:30 PM (QDnY+)

54 "Dr Sleep" was very good.

And yeah, it's not a horror movie. More like a supernatural thriller, but well done.

Fortunately, they rewrote the plot from the lousy novel "Dr Sleep" and deemphasized the Mary Sue aspects.

Well-directed and edited. Excellent acting all around.
Nicely paced. You'll be able to see the ending coming practically from the beginning, but journey is still entertaining.

Check it out.

Check it out.

Posted by: naturalfake at November 30, 2019 08:31 PM (kauXV)

55 http://www.silentfilm.org/archive/
all-quiet-on-the-western-front

Thought I was misremembering it as a silent. They shot two versions of the 1930 film, with sound and without. The sound version is on archive.org

Posted by: Notsothoreau at November 30, 2019 08:31 PM (Lqy/e)

56
When Hollywood Wasn't So Self-Important And Full Of Bullshit...

A director was once asked what he wanted to "achieve" with his film. The director answered curtly that he wanted to achieve "a check."

Who was that director?

Posted by: Soothsayer at November 30, 2019 08:32 PM (93/8p)

57 Feel the same way about Joe E Brown in "SLIH". I find his shtick tiresome.
Posted by: naturalfake

----

"Nobody's perfect."
Posted by: Tonypete at November 30, 2019 08:28 PM (Y4EXg)

heh.

Posted by: naturalfake at November 30, 2019 08:32 PM (kauXV)

58 50 Feel the same way about Joe E Brown in "SLIH". I find his shtick tiresome.
Posted by: naturalfake
----
"Nobody's perfect."
Posted by: Tonypete at November 30, 2019 08:28 PM (Y4EXg)

Every generation has some actors that really appeal to that generation but not much to anyone else. Joe E. Brown did a brand of slapstick comedy that was really popular with audiences from 1930 - 1945. I think giving him a bit part in SLIH was a nod to all of his old fans.

Posted by: Tom Servo at November 30, 2019 08:32 PM (V2Yro)

59 Definitely the original had sound

Posted by: Skip at November 30, 2019 08:34 PM (ZCEU2)

60 Double Indemnity is a great movie. I absolutely hate everything else Billy Wilder ever did. Can't stand him.

Posted by: Moon howler at November 30, 2019 08:34 PM (V35Xz)

61 I liked Sabrina although it's an odd group of actors. Didn't know Wilder directed the Brando Bounty movie.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at November 30, 2019 08:35 PM (Lqy/e)

62

The author of All Quiet on the Western Front, Erich Maria Remarque wrote another book which was made into a movie "A Time to Love and a Time to Die" set in WWII about a soldier on the Eastern Front. It stared John Gavin. It was as depressing as hell from what I remember

Posted by: TheQuietMan at November 30, 2019 08:37 PM (kXYFI)

63 We could populate a whole thread discussing just one of Wilder's films. Double Indemnity: Where to begin? Watch the transformation of average 9 - 5 guy to killer. Wilder took a gamble, cast McMurray against type, and it worked.

Posted by: kallisto at November 30, 2019 08:37 PM (Px4PF)

64 Seven Year Itch is kind of tough to watch because it feels so much like a play, you're almost able to see the other audience members around you and the fact that the apartments have no fourth wall.

Wilder was good at making films that were just films, although both Sunset Boulevarde and Double Indemnity used a lot of lighting and angle tricks. Most of the time he just let the story tell its self.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 30, 2019 08:39 PM (KZzsI)

65 Dug deeper into IMDB. Wilder was a script consyltant on Bounty, not a director. Sounds like a movie where they pulled in everyone to work pn the script.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at November 30, 2019 08:39 PM (Lqy/e)

66 "The Fortune Cookie" established a comedic character for Matthau that he would play in movie after movie - conniving, greedy, willing to to anything for a buck, but *funny* in his willingness to go low to get what he wants. For those unfamiliar with it, Jack Lemmon has a minor injury, and Walter Matthau is his slimy lawyer who's going to make a huge pile of cash out of the Insurance Company by milking the injury for all he can. The plots to fool the Insurance inspectors get wackier and wackier.

Posted by: Tom Servo at November 30, 2019 08:40 PM (V2Yro)

67 Posted by: kallisto at November 30, 2019 08:37 PM (Px4

McMurray was a also a cad in The Apartment.

Posted by: Easy Andy at November 30, 2019 08:40 PM (2DOZq)

68 We could populate a whole thread discussing just one of Wilder's films. Double Indemnity: Where to begin? Watch the transformation of average 9 - 5 guy to killer. Wilder took a gamble, cast McMurray against type, and it worked.
Posted by: kallisto

Love that movie, but I'm a huge Barbara Stanwyck fan.

Posted by: Infidel at November 30, 2019 08:40 PM (O/X1S)

69 I enjoyed "Some like it Hot" but I never felt it was some sort of comedic classic.

That was my response too, it was fun but not nearly as hilarious as it was built up to be. I thought "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum" was a hell of a lot funnier.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 30, 2019 08:41 PM (KZzsI)

70 Also, in Sunset Boulevard, the man Wilder cast as "Max", the Director, was Erich von Stroheim, a very famous director of the 20's and early 30's.

Posted by: Tom Servo at November 30, 2019 08:42 PM (V2Yro)

71 If I recall indemnity was a chandler screenplay of a James m cain tale but sunset was a new product. Like chinatown

Posted by: Gaius martius at November 30, 2019 08:42 PM (hMlTh)

72 Whew! Finally got the wife's extended family out the door and cleaned up the house after TG2, pasta boogaloo.

Anyway, never cared at all for Jack Lemmon. His performances always insist upon themselves, and no, I don't meat that ironically. He's tiresome.

Posted by: pep at November 30, 2019 08:43 PM (T6t7i)

73 That was my response too, it was fun but not nearly as hilarious as it was built up to be. I thought "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum" was a hell of a lot funnier.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 30, 2019 08:41 PM (KZzsI)

IIRC, that was a long running Broadway play long before it was a film.

Posted by: Tom Servo at November 30, 2019 08:43 PM (V2Yro)

74 Congratulations on hitting 100! Really enjoy reading your posts each week. Thank you!

Posted by: Little Larry Sellers at November 30, 2019 08:43 PM (N3/ZI)

75 I had forgotten the last line of "Double Indemnity" was McMurray saying to Keys "I love you too."

Posted by: Tonypete at November 30, 2019 08:43 PM (Y4EXg)

76 the Director, was Erich von Stroheim, a very famous director of the 20's and early 30's.

He made some amazing, gripping, and monumental films, the kind of movies that changed how films were made. Largely forgotten now though. Very wierd personally.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 30, 2019 08:43 PM (KZzsI)

77 I've got to say that, although for Wilder the script was paramount (see what I did there?) I love the office set from The Apartment. It must be the forced perspective. That's one of the reasons I love the early Popeye cartoons as well.

Posted by: Pete in Texas at November 30, 2019 08:44 PM (XGuNY)

78 I've not seen any of Wilder's films. They mostly don't appeal to me based on description, except for maybe Double Indemnity or Stalag 17.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at November 30, 2019 08:45 PM (H5knJ)

79 Why even bother making movies anymore? The perfection of Escape From New York already exists, everything else is just...less.

Posted by: Farmer Bob at November 30, 2019 08:45 PM (87EdW)

80
Also, in Sunset Boulevard, the man Wilder cast as
"Max", the Director, was Erich von Stroheim, a very famous director of
the 20's and early 30's.

Posted by: Tom Servo at November 30, 2019 08:42 PM (V2Yro)

The Carol Burnett spoof of those characters was funny

Posted by: TheQuietMan at November 30, 2019 08:45 PM (kXYFI)

81 Yes stalag 17 was very good, I've heard of the othsrsz but no seen them completely.

Posted by: Gaius martius at November 30, 2019 08:45 PM (hMlTh)

82 Barbara Stanwyck as sociopath femme fatale. Wilder had a great eye for design and fashion trends. He had to know that blond wig was hideous and cheesy on Stanwyck. But it spoke to a critical component of McMurray's character that he'd get taken in by that wig and an ankle bracelet.

Posted by: kallisto at November 30, 2019 08:46 PM (Px4PF)

83 Casablanca
Sahara
Africa Queen
Key Largo
Caine Mutiny

Five of my top ten movies and I'm not particularly a Bogart fan. Could someone else had played his part and had been just as good?

Posted by: Easy Andy at November 30, 2019 08:46 PM (2DOZq)

84 Every generation has some actors that really appeal to that generation but not much to anyone else. Joe E. Brown did a brand of slapstick comedy that was really popular with audiences from 1930 - 1945. I think giving him a bit part in SLIH was a nod to all of his old fans.

Posted by: Tom Servo at November 30, 2019 08:32 PM (V2Yro)

Yeah, I get that.

Nathan Lane's shtick in things like "Mousehunt" and "The Producers"-

makes me laugh like a little girl.

It makes other people want to pull their eyes out of their sockets and stomp on them.

C'est la vie.

Posted by: naturalfake at November 30, 2019 08:47 PM (kauXV)

85 76 the Director, was Erich von Stroheim, a very famous director of the 20's and early 30's.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor

---

Was von Stroheim the model of the prototypical Prussian director/producer when showing a director in 40's/50's era films or were there simply many, many of which he was just one?

Posted by: Tonypete at November 30, 2019 08:47 PM (Y4EXg)

86

von Stroheim was the German officer in The Grand Illusion which is a great movie

Posted by: TheQuietMan at November 30, 2019 08:47 PM (kXYFI)

87 So I notice that FSU's quarterback is named "Chase Blackman" which also appears to be the Gator's defensive strategy. Coincidence?

Posted by: Farmer Bob at November 30, 2019 08:47 PM (87EdW)

88 Speaking of hitting 100 comments...

I will admit: really, I'm not much for movies. Never have been. BUT...I appreciate a good movie like anyone else. I for one will never forget seeing The Hunt For Red October in the "dollar-fifty" in October 1990, after having read the book the previous summer, and loving every second of it. Or, even better: going to see Pulp Fiction in March 1995 on a total lark, and, above all, the best reason of all (a girl, hot, liked me, but who turned out to be completely psycho)...but then, I was COMPLETELY blown away by what I saw.

So to see a thread like this which brings good discussion to this topic is refreshing. Because, above all, ever since ever, I have loved stories. And movies are stories by other means.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at November 30, 2019 08:48 PM (dJGLL)

89 For me, the worst thing is they cast a Brit as a main character. The Brit hasn't mastered the Yank accent. Irritated me.

Posted by: Moon Moon Blutarski

TBF, I think they've endured a lot more than we have. Right, Dick van Dyke?

Posted by: pep at November 30, 2019 08:48 PM (T6t7i)

90 Stalag 17 could have done without the Christmas dancing scene.

Posted by: Easy Andy at November 30, 2019 08:48 PM (2DOZq)

91 I read the screenplay before I saw the film on cm, i guess mcmurray didn't occur to me , or Robinson for those parts

Posted by: Gaius martius at November 30, 2019 08:48 PM (hMlTh)

92 Even as a kid, when I saw "Double Indemnity" I thought, "hmmmm that man want's to do naughty things with her, and will do anything to make it happen."

Posted by: Some rat in the swamp at November 30, 2019 08:49 PM (LOq4H)

93 He made some amazing, gripping, and monumental films, the kind of movies that changed how films were made. Largely forgotten now though. Very wierd personally.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 30, 2019 08:43 PM (KZzsI)

Another great film that von Stroheim starred in was Jean Renoir's "The Grand Illusion" a great WW1 film. It was almost lost because Hitler hated it and tried to destroy all copies of it, but one had been sent to Los Angeles. It's crime? One of the main characters is a soldier who fights bravely and is pretty much just like everyone else - and who was Jewish.

I don't think many Americans know much about Jean Renoir, but I believe he truly belongs on the short list of best directors ever.

Posted by: Tom Servo at November 30, 2019 08:49 PM (V2Yro)

94 I'd post sorry 9 times, but that'd be gauche.

Posted by: Farmer Bob at November 30, 2019 08:50 PM (87EdW)

95 milius wrote some of the best lines from red October, one of those infant terribles of Lucas and spielberg,

Posted by: Gaius martius at November 30, 2019 08:51 PM (hMlTh)

96 Stroheim was a good actor, yeah he was always interesting. And yeah I think he was the prototype for that kind of director, very tyrannical and eccentric and dressed strangely like a little general.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 30, 2019 08:51 PM (KZzsI)

97 I'd post sorry 9 times, but that'd be gauche.
Posted by: Farmer Bob

Nein! Nein! Nein!

Posted by: Erich Von Stroheim at November 30, 2019 08:52 PM (VNfwt)

98 I've yet to see The Apartment. Don't know a few of the Wilder works James memtioned. Got some catching up to do.

Posted by: kallisto at November 30, 2019 08:52 PM (Px4PF)

99 I did my freshman cruise aboard the Permit- it's the sub in drydock in Hunt. Movie crew had just left when I arrived, crew of Permit had tons of movie schwag.

Posted by: Farmer Bob at November 30, 2019 08:53 PM (87EdW)

100 King Rat > Stalag 17 > Great Escape

( they're all good)

Posted by: Easy Andy at November 30, 2019 08:53 PM (2DOZq)

101 Sorry, but zombie Joe aka dirty old finger chewer needs a shout out...

Posted by: Gbone at November 30, 2019 08:53 PM (Fcewk)

102 73 That was my response too, it was fun but not nearly as hilarious as it was built up to be. I thought "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum" was a hell of a lot funnier.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 30, 2019 08:41 PM (KZzsI)

IIRC, that was a long running Broadway play long before it was a film.
Posted by: Tom Servo

The film had lots of scantily clad women in it. Not sure about the Broadway play.

Posted by: Puddleglum at November 30, 2019 08:54 PM (yO1kt)

103 thinking about stalag 17 puts a smile on. i can't think of any movie that mixes drama and comedy, suspense, slapstick, cynicism, patriotism, etc. so effortlessly. especially liked william holden's character, j.j., sefton.

Posted by: mjc at November 30, 2019 08:54 PM (Pg+x7)

104 What mystifies me most about Stalag 17 is how anyone could have watched that movie and said "Hey! Let's make a funny TV sitcom out of that!!!"

Posted by: Tom Servo at November 30, 2019 08:54 PM (V2Yro)

105 Redemption - def. - the restoration of man from the bondage of sin to the liberty of the children of God.

A true display of this? I hope so.
Posted by: Tonypete at November 30, 2019 08:11 PM (Y4EXg)

Read the link. The family of the murdered girl is still calling the guy a scumbag, and say he should never have been let out on day parole. For that matter, if the muzzie scumbag had not been let out of prison early for a prior conviction, the stabbings would not have happened, either. maybe there is a message there.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at November 30, 2019 08:54 PM (/sgva)

106 The film had lots of scantily clad women in it. Not sure about the Broadway play.
Posted by: Puddleglum

He raped Thrace!
Her raped Thrace?!
Yes! And again and again!
He raped Thrace thrice?!

Posted by: Erich Von Stroheim at November 30, 2019 08:55 PM (VNfwt)

107 Delay for the shooting was so long the hatch warped and we couldn't leave the dock or submerge until new one was my made (for a sub decommissioned the next year).

Posted by: Farmer Bob at November 30, 2019 08:55 PM (87EdW)

108 What mystifies me most about Stalag 17 is how anyone could have watched that movie and said "Hey! Let's make a funny TV sitcom out of that!!!"

Yeah. I mean it had its humor at times but to see that and envision Hogan's Heroes is difficult to even conceive of. Drugs or not.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 30, 2019 08:55 PM (KZzsI)

109 Of Wilder's films, the ones that I recall having watched are "The Apartment", "Hollywood Boulevard", "Stalag 17" and "Double Indemnity" and I liked them in the same order (i.e., "The Apartment" least and so forth).

He's not a director whose work calls or compels me to watch more of his films. I'm not sure why, but there it is.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at November 30, 2019 08:57 PM (pNxlR)

110 Just watched Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

I don't think it is a comedy at all. It is quite sad, actually.

And someone above mentioned Mouse Hunt. That's a family favorite around here. Love the scene where Nathan Hunt comes back in the house to explain to his brother, without words!, how he was rocketed into the frozen pond outside. Awesome physical comedy in that movie.

Posted by: squeakywheel at November 30, 2019 08:57 PM (C+rDW)

111 What mystifies me most about Stalag 17 is how anyone
could have watched that movie and said "Hey! Let's make a funny TV
sitcom out of that!!!"

Posted by: Tom Servo

One of the "Bathroom Readers" has a pretty good backround on Hogans Heros.

Posted by: Some rat in the swamp at November 30, 2019 08:58 PM (LOq4H)

112 King Rat > Stalag 17 > Great Escape

( they're all good)
Posted by: Easy Andy at November 30, 2019 08:53 PM (2DOZq)

Yeah, "King Rat" is really great. One of my all-time favorite movies.

So many well-drawn characters and so much excellent acting. Lean and mean. Very well directed.

Best role George Segal ever played.

Posted by: naturalfake at November 30, 2019 08:58 PM (kauXV)

113 Did Wilder make MM sexier than ever - or did he just happen to catch her when she was in full flower, so to speak.

Posted by: kallisto at November 30, 2019 08:58 PM (Px4PF)

114 Oops. Nathan Lane, not Nathan Hunt.

That was weird.

Posted by: squeakywheel at November 30, 2019 08:59 PM (C+rDW)

115 90 maybe, but bet that happened many times in ever prison camp

Posted by: Skip at November 30, 2019 09:00 PM (ZCEU2)

116 I don't think it is a comedy at all. It is quite sad, actually.

It is sad but it also is really, really funny at the same time. Usually I do not enjoy comedy of error type films where misery after misery is heaped on someone just for laughs as they suffer, but for some reason this one worked.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 30, 2019 09:00 PM (KZzsI)

117 I don't think it is a comedy at all. It is quite sad, actually."

I guess it depends on how you relate to the line "I've never seen a man picked up by his testicles before!"

I think it is a great comedy that also has a whole lot of heart. And it's not sad; John Candy's character has sad circumstances that you find out about, but he's welcomed with new friendships by the end. It's quite heartwarming.

Posted by: Tom Servo at November 30, 2019 09:01 PM (V2Yro)

118 Wilder is one of my favorite directors. His films are all unique in their own way, and thus they stand alone. I first saw The Apartment in a college film class 35 years ago , but in the years since, I saw Sabrina and Some Like it Hot and never knew Wilder directed them. The one thing that stands out in all his movies is the snappy, fast paced dialogue.

Posted by: JoeF. at November 30, 2019 09:03 PM (o1fzk)

119 I think the suffering works in PT&A because Steve Martin's character actually grows and learns to lay back a bit because of the suffering, and he's a happier man for it.

Posted by: Tom Servo at November 30, 2019 09:03 PM (V2Yro)

120 Esp. by Al Pacino as Jimmy Hoffa - he tamps down his Pacinoisms to give a really great portrait of a charismatic figure.

I think Scorcese's real genius is the ability to get the absolute best out of his actors. 90% of DeNiro's reputation is because he's done so much Scorcese work. The guy even made Lorraine Bracco look talented.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 30, 2019 09:03 PM (KZzsI)

121 I liked Uncle Buck better than PT and A .

Posted by: Easy Andy at November 30, 2019 09:03 PM (2DOZq)

122 the worst part of Planes, Trains, and Automobiles is that when watching it now you know there can't be a sequel.

Posted by: boulder t'hobo at November 30, 2019 09:03 PM (ykYG2)

123 116 I don't think it is a comedy at all. It is quite sad, actually.

It is sad but it also is really, really funny at the same time. Usually I do not enjoy comedy of error type films where misery after misery is heaped on someone just for laughs as they suffer, but for some reason this one worked.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor

It had a lot of heart. A movie directed by the late John Hughes.

Posted by: Puddleglum at November 30, 2019 09:03 PM (yO1kt)

124
But it spoke to a critical component of McMurray's character that he'd get taken in by that wig and an ankle bracelet.
Posted by: kallisto at November 30, 2019 08:46 PM (Px4PF)

Stanwyck was smoking hot throughout that film, cheesy wig or not.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at November 30, 2019 09:04 PM (pNxlR)

125 Minor historical note. Billy Wilder was not born in Poland, he was born in the Austrian province of Galicia (which later became part of Poland). He would have been eight at the start of the First World War. His family moved to Vienna either at that time or shortly thereafter. Galicia was briefly overrun in 1914 by the Russians, who were terribly anti-Semitic, so the Wilders may have fled before they got there, or right after just in case they came back. So he was always Jewish, but never Polish.

Posted by: HTL at November 30, 2019 09:04 PM (s4eYP)

126 I miss John Candy.

Posted by: squeakywheel at November 30, 2019 09:05 PM (C+rDW)

127 122 the worst part of Planes, Trains, and Automobiles is that when watching it now you know there can't be a sequel.
Posted by: boulder t'hobo at November 30, 2019 09:03 PM (ykYG2)

And yet I would call that one of the BEST parts.

Posted by: Tom Servo at November 30, 2019 09:05 PM (V2Yro)

128 I don't think PT&A was sad either. Had a sad moment but the ending was lovely.

Posted by: Puddleglum at November 30, 2019 09:05 PM (yO1kt)

129 Uncle Buck had no character development. PT&A was all about Character Development.

The scene on the highway, where they burn their car? Comedy Gold, Jerry!!!

Posted by: Tom Servo at November 30, 2019 09:07 PM (V2Yro)

130 Will The Irishman be available on DVD soon? I don't have Netflix.
I don't have cable in fact.

Posted by: JoeF. at November 30, 2019 09:08 PM (o1fzk)

131 Posted by: Tom Servo at November 30, 2019 09:07 PM (V2Yro)

The whole point of Uncle Buck was character development .

Posted by: Easy Andy at November 30, 2019 09:08 PM (2DOZq)

132 John Candy should have been in more movies than he got in. A lot more.

Posted by: Tom Servo at November 30, 2019 09:10 PM (V2Yro)

133 Okay, I'll say it -- I enjoyed Rian Johnson's "Knives Out". The dialog was fast and funny and the actors were great.

There had been talk that it was a lefty slam against the right, but the characters giving mealy-mouthed liberal platitudes are a bunch of phony conniving money-hungry a-holes.

Posted by: Cardinal Eris (weapons: fear, surprise, ruthless efficiency, fanatical devotion to the Pope) at November 30, 2019 09:11 PM (Dc2NZ)

134 Stroheim was a good actor, yeah he was always interesting. And yeah I think he was the prototype for that kind of director, very tyrannical and eccentric and dressed strangely like a little general.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor

A role model.

Posted by: Eric von Swalheim und Cheesecutter at November 30, 2019 09:11 PM (QzkSJ)

135 I watched LA Confidential, Chinatown, Patriot, and Quigley Down Under after the grandkids left. Binge of some of my favorites. Mrs parker napped a lot.

Life is good, never forget that. We are blessed by DJT at the helm, winning is always wonderful, especially in euchre.

Posted by: parker at November 30, 2019 09:11 PM (+v/PS)

136

The thing about Hogan's Heroes was it was the same damn show every episode for 6 seasons. I mean if you saw one episode you saw them all.

Posted by: TheQuietMan at November 30, 2019 09:11 PM (kXYFI)

137 watched a buncha movies, even one in a movie theatre (Ford v Ferrari)

Posted by: vmom's in the kitchen at November 30, 2019 09:11 PM (G546f)

138
I miss John Candy.
Posted by: squeakywheel

Words to live by

https://youtu.be/pMo_XWtlfkE

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at November 30, 2019 09:12 PM (aKsyK)

139 John Candy was in the movies plenty.

Posted by: The Camera at November 30, 2019 09:12 PM (H5knJ)

140 I like the 2016 French movie Beauty and the Beast directed by Christophe Gans. It is closer to the original tale than the Disney live action movie. Even the black and White Jean Cocteau's is better than Disney's.

Posted by: Oggi at November 30, 2019 09:13 PM (Bk5Q+)

141 Posted by: parker at November 30, 2019 09:11 PM (+v/PS)

If you have a grandson you should have had him watch Quigley Down Under with you. It should be required viewing for all boys to learn about being a man.

Posted by: Easy Andy at November 30, 2019 09:14 PM (2DOZq)

142 136

The thing about Hogan's Heroes was it was the same damn show
every episode for 6 seasons. I mean if you saw one episode you saw them
all.

Posted by: TheQuietMan

So you're saying that HH's was hobbled by epistemic closure?

Posted by: pep at November 30, 2019 09:14 PM (T6t7i)

143 Might be my perception that John Candy was type cast into rolls.
I do find his movies funny

Posted by: Skip at November 30, 2019 09:14 PM (ZCEU2)

144 HHs, not HH's.

Posted by: pep at November 30, 2019 09:14 PM (T6t7i)

145
I'm still not getting the hate for "Midway" from you guys and gals.

It's like Hollywood actually, specifically made a movie for Morons and Ettes that they would love.

And all you can do is turn up your nose because it's a Hollywood movie and not a documentary that's 100% accurate!!!1111!!!!! YAAAARRRGH!

And then you bitch about not having good pro-American movies to go to.

Welp....hope that works out for you.

Posted by: naturalfake at November 30, 2019 09:15 PM (kauXV)

146 144
HHs, not HH's.

Posted by: pep

Actually, H's H. Sigh, I'm tired.

Posted by: pep at November 30, 2019 09:15 PM (T6t7i)

147 This week I watched The Wild Bunch, Paris, Texas, and the Seven Samurai again. I'd forgotten how really, really good The Wild Bunch was. Paris, Texas is quirky - I see why it gets Cult Classic status.

Posted by: Tom Servo at November 30, 2019 09:15 PM (V2Yro)

148 53 saw trailer for the Ailes flick during the 38 minutes of ads and trailers and garbage before Midway, last week.

Only/first thought I had when seeing it - um, there's this Lauer guy, big household name [unlike Ailes], who, um .... well, his predator story is about 13,000 times as spectacular and horrendous as Ailes'. Oh - and the other guy, who kicked off the "me too" thing, and I think a few more alphabet network scandals, all much bigger than Ailes.

And I realized that 93% of the other people in the theater would treat this info as stunning revelation, having never heard a peep about it.

Posted by: rhomboid at November 30, 2019 08:30 PM (QDnY+)
---
Why, I made that very point, loudly, during the previews!

A lot of folks agreed with me.

Also, why show this particular preview before "Midway"? Are they the target audience for a Fox hit job?

Posted by: Cardinal Eris (weapons: fear, surprise, ruthless efficiency, fanatical devotion to the Pope) at November 30, 2019 09:16 PM (Dc2NZ)

149 122 the worst part of Planes, Trains, and Automobiles is that when watching it now you know there can't be a sequel.
Posted by: boulder t'hobo at November 30, 2019 09:03 PM (ykYG2)

------------------------------------

But there will probably be a female reboot, likely with Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson.

Posted by: No One of Consequence at November 30, 2019 09:16 PM (CAJOC)

150 john hughes had a great movie career:

mr. mom
natl lampoon's vacation
16 candles
breakfast club
european vacation
weird science
pretty in pink
'ferris beuller
planes, trains
uncle buck
home alone
beethoven

from 1982-92, quite a run, as good a decade as any in film.

Posted by: mjc at November 30, 2019 09:16 PM (Pg+x7)

151 140 yeah,that is a good movie
set just pre - Revolution iirc

the reason Disney's live action Beaty & Beast failed is because Emma Watson stinks as Belle

Posted by: vmom's in the kitchen at November 30, 2019 09:17 PM (G546f)

152 The thing I never liked about Billy Wilder is that somebody breaks character at the end of the movie and it's jyst unnecessary and stupid.

I saw Knives Out and there's no more SJW nonsense than usual in a Hollywood movie -- except for one notable, grating scene in the middle which is a totally unnecessary yelling match about politics. Nothing advances the plit or character development, so it was probably thrown in to establish that he's a good little SJW who should continue to be bankrolled in the future. Other than that, not bad.

Posted by: Editor at November 30, 2019 09:17 PM (FdjhG)

153 but Candy was typecast into awesome roles.

"I'm sorry miss. That tail has a mind of its own!"

Posted by: boulder t'hobo at November 30, 2019 09:18 PM (ykYG2)

154 143 Might be my perception that John Candy was type cast into rolls.
I do find his movies funny
Posted by: Skip at November 30, 2019 09:14 PM (ZCEU2)

--------------------------------

He gave us the great "Moose out front shoulda told ya" line!

Posted by: No One of Consequence at November 30, 2019 09:18 PM (CAJOC)

155 john hughes had a great movie career:

mr. mom

Still the best reply at aos when you make a very minor error in your post and someone corrects you on it.

' 220 /221. Whatever it takes '

Posted by: Easy Andy at November 30, 2019 09:18 PM (2DOZq)

156 The Irishman was terrible outside of Pacino. Just boring af.

Posted by: PlasmaGoat at November 30, 2019 09:18 PM (aqwWL)

157 Even the black and White Jean Cocteau's is better than Disney's.
Posted by: Oggi at November 30, 2019 09:13 PM (Bk5Q+)

The Jean Cocteau version is a really entertaining, quirky version, especially remarkable considering when it was filmed.

Fun trivia - of all of the famous fairy tales, the one that is most clearly based on an actual documented true story is Beauty and the Beast. no joke.

Posted by: Tom Servo at November 30, 2019 09:19 PM (V2Yro)

158 I gotta say, I like, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, but it needs more F-words.

Posted by: Legendary Music Producer Bruce Dickinson at November 30, 2019 09:19 PM (87EdW)

159 141 I have 3 grandsons. They have all seen Quigley, and so have all 5 granddaughters. Teach your children and grandchildren well. ;-)

Posted by: parker at November 30, 2019 09:20 PM (+v/PS)

160 Love Billy Wilder's work, especially One, Two, Three! It's always been one of my favorites (easily in my top ten) for its blend of comedy, history, and visual settings. And Jimmy Cagney, though Red Buttons' imitation of Cagney is gold, not to mention all the background homages to Cagney's career ("Try the grapefruit" still cracks me up).
Wilder's history in the 1930s with the German Expressionist cinema and his early difficulties in Hollywood are typical of so many German film artists fleeing the Reich at that time, but for some reason just seem so much more tragic in Wilder's case to me. I'm thankful that he gave us such a rich history of films, but for him to have closed his career so far below his standards was disappointing.
Thank you, James!
Mattski

Posted by: Mattski at November 30, 2019 09:20 PM (u6VIU)

161 hey, I paid money and saw Midway in the theatre and totally recommended that morons watch it.

Posted by: boulder t'hobo at November 30, 2019 09:20 PM (ykYG2)

162 161 hey, I paid money and saw Midway in the theatre and totally recommended that morons watch it.
Posted by: boulder t'hobo at November 30, 2019 09:20 PM (ykYG2)

--------------------------------------

Because it's good, or because you don't want to be the only one paying good money to see it?

Posted by: No One of Consequence at November 30, 2019 09:21 PM (CAJOC)

163 158 I gotta say, I like, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, but it needs more F-words.

They met the F-word quota at the rental office.

Posted by: Puddleglum at November 30, 2019 09:21 PM (yO1kt)

164
John Candy was great in Uncle Buck and Planes, Trains and Automobiles. However, his best and touching piece of work was his Christmas "Street Beef with Johnny LaRue" from SCTV, particularly ifs second half where he had been abandoned by his crew and he embarked on a prolonged ramble of free association that was hilarious throughout.

Link: https://youtu.be/SvyFX9GE7F4

Several things stand out by way of background. It was filmed in Edmonton, AB and the night was horribly cold, as the squeaking snow underfoot indicated when John walked. His crane shot beef was a real thing as he had engaged for the services of one for the "Polynesia Town" sketch in an earlier episode and his producer went through the roof when the bill for it was presented to him.

I miss John Candy very much.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at November 30, 2019 09:22 PM (pNxlR)

165 Because it is good.

Posted by: boulder t'hobo at November 30, 2019 09:22 PM (ykYG2)

166 I plan to watch Midway, on dvd probably

Posted by: vmom's in the kitchen at November 30, 2019 09:23 PM (G546f)

167 I just feel like they should've really explored the studio space with F-words. I tell ya, I gotta fever, and the only prescription-more F word!

Posted by: Legendary Music Producer Bruce Dickinson at November 30, 2019 09:23 PM (87EdW)

168 Midway was made with Chinese money and it shows. The Japanese are not treated sympathetically.

Posted by: Moon Moon Blutarski at November 30, 2019 09:24 PM (VNfwt)

169 I have an elderly friend who was a Navy pilot in the Korean War and he saw Midway, told me last week it was pretty good except for the technical mistakes. I asked "like what?" and he said "well they show these guys going into a dive and the altimeter starts going down smoothly, I tell ya when you go into a dive that thing spins like a top!"

Posted by: Tom Servo at November 30, 2019 09:24 PM (V2Yro)

170

John Candy was great on SCTV and had a number of good characters on that show but one of the funniest things I ever saw was the parody of Battle of the Network Stars they did. It was Battle of PBS Stars with a boxing match between Candy as Julia Child and Martin Short as Mr. Rogers. It's as funny today as it was then

Posted by: TheQuietMan at November 30, 2019 09:24 PM (kXYFI)

171 John Candy was great on SCTV, but so was everyone else. So much talent on there.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 30, 2019 09:24 PM (KZzsI)

172 Saw the film with Tom Hanks playing Mr Rogers. It's really about the journalist who did a profile about Mr. Rogers, with lot of weird plot jumps. But Mr. Rogers was a great person even in this dumb movie. wait for it on cable.
Joker, however, should be seen immediately.

Posted by: vivi at November 30, 2019 09:25 PM (11H2y)

173

Sunset Boulevard - Willam Holden was a last minute casting for the role of Joe after Montgomery Clift dropped out 2 weeks before shooting was due to start.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at November 30, 2019 09:25 PM (aKsyK)

174 170

John Candy was great on SCTV and had a number of good characters on that show but one of the funniest things I ever saw was the parody of Battle of the Network Stars they did. It was Battle of PBS Stars with a boxing match between Candy as Julia Child and Martin Short as Mr. Rogers. It's as funny today as it was then
Posted by: TheQuietMan at November 30, 2019 09:24 PM (kXYFI)

------------------------------

I gotta know now... who won?

Posted by: No One of Consequence at November 30, 2019 09:25 PM (CAJOC)

175 I've watched so many documentaries on Midway or that included Midway that I really have no desire to see a Hollywood version.

Posted by: Easy Andy at November 30, 2019 09:26 PM (2DOZq)

176 I gotta know now... who won?

Mr Rogers got knocked down more times than a Weeble

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 30, 2019 09:27 PM (KZzsI)

177 John Candy was great on SCTV and had a number of good characters on that show
Posted by: TheQuietMan

"I'm Yosh Schmenge"
"And I'm Stan Schmenge"
"And we're the Happy Wanderers"

Posted by: Moon Moon Blutarski at November 30, 2019 09:27 PM (VNfwt)

178

Julia Child vs Mr. Rogers -
https://youtu.be/q-2JsACs1pw

The whole sketch - https://youtu.be/iFarsrDmt10

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at November 30, 2019 09:29 PM (aKsyK)

179 I remember a Johnny LaRue restaurant review at an Italian eatery that had the misfortune of suffering a mob hit during Johnny's show.

Posted by: Cardinal Eris (weapons: fear, surprise, ruthless efficiency, fanatical devotion to the Pope) at November 30, 2019 09:29 PM (Dc2NZ)

180 I gotta say, I like, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, but it needs more F-words.
Posted by: Legendary Music Producer Bruce Dickinson
-------
'Scarface Hitchikes Home for Christmas'?

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 30, 2019 09:29 PM (4bd7D)

181 Someone could do an SCTV type show today (if they could find the talent) but it would have to be about a streaming service or Youtube or something, to connect with modern audiences about all the crazy weird stuff that's out there to mock

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 30, 2019 09:30 PM (KZzsI)

182 I gotta know now... who won?

Posted by: No One of Consequence at November 30, 2019 09:25 PM (CAJOC)

Let's just say King Friday is involved

Posted by: TheQuietMan at November 30, 2019 09:31 PM (kXYFI)

183 I've been trying to make my top ten list of Comedies. Harder than I thought . Some movies that made me laugh hysterically when I first watched it can't hardly get a chuckle out of me years later.

Caddy Shack and Hollywood Knights are no brainers. Looking for the other eight.

Posted by: Easy Andy at November 30, 2019 09:32 PM (2DOZq)

184 *Narrows eyes*

I am big. It's the pictures that have gotten small.

Posted by: Regular joe at November 30, 2019 09:32 PM (6/uwW)

185
We watched "Mulholland Falls" and "Prisoners" last night.

MF definitely ranks behind "L.A. Confidential" and "Chinatown" in the lineup of post-WWII setting films about LA cops and detectives and Nick Nolte deserves most of the discredit for that, IMHO.

"Prisoners" was too long by at least an hour because the story got caught up in a gratuitous and overlong bout of torture porn carried out by three of the four parents on two missing girls whose kidnapping drove the story. Most definitely NOT recommended.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at November 30, 2019 09:33 PM (pNxlR)

186 They met the F-word quota at the rental office.

Want some f-bombs? Guaranteed to satisfy.

Posted by: The Big Lebowski at November 30, 2019 09:35 PM (EgshT)

187 TCM showed the British WWII spy thriller "Operation Crossbow", about Allies posing as Dutch and German technicians in order to infiltrate the Nazi's rocket research site at Peenemunde. It was actually pretty interesting and there was real tension because the good guys didn't always survive.

Also, I did not know that aviatrix Hannah Reitsch tested the V-1 Flying Bomb. Talk about huevos of steel.

Posted by: Cardinal Eris (weapons: fear, surprise, ruthless efficiency, fanatical devotion to the Pope) at November 30, 2019 09:36 PM (Dc2NZ)

188 Caddy Shack and Hollywood Knights are no brainers. Looking for the other eight.
Posted by: Easy Andy at November 30, 2019 09:32 PM (2DOZq

Well you gotta have Animal House.

And Holy Grail. And Airplane! And Spinal Tap.

Blazing Saddles, and Young Frankenstein.

after that I think it gets down to personal taste.

Posted by: Tom Servo at November 30, 2019 09:36 PM (V2Yro)

189 *Reads fortune cookie*

You can fool some of the people some of the time...

*crumples paper*

The Chinese. What do they know?

Posted by: Regular joe at November 30, 2019 09:37 PM (6/uwW)

190 I gotta say, I like, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, but it needs more F-words.
Posted by: Legendary Music Producer Bruce Dickinson
-------
'Scarface Hitchikes Home for Christmas'?

-
Replace Steve Martin with Samuel L. Jackson. "Thanksgiving, motherfucker, do you eat it?"

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Tyrannosaur Wrangler at November 30, 2019 09:37 PM (+y/Ru)

191 Dammit Joe *rips off wig* I'm a man.

Nobody's perfect.

Posted by: Regular joe at November 30, 2019 09:38 PM (6/uwW)

192
Posted by: Easy Andy at November 30, 2019 09:32 PM (2DOZq)

"Young Frankenstein" (credit here goes yo Peter Boyle as the monster) and "Blazing Saddles", the uncut and unexpurgated version.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at November 30, 2019 09:38 PM (pNxlR)

193 recently watched:
Ford v Ferrari
Il Primo Re (The First King)
Hobbs & Shaw
Angel Has Fallen

Posted by: vmom's in the kitchen at November 30, 2019 09:38 PM (G546f)

194 MF definitely ranks behind "L.A. Confidential" and "Chinatown" in the lineup of post-WWII setting films about LA cops and detectives and Nick Nolte deserves most of the discredit for that, IMHO.
Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM)

I know most people here hate the Thin Red Line, but Notle's performance in it was great, I thought. He's a career soldier in his first war and really wants to shine. He's manic and a bit psychotic. And he knows it.

Posted by: Moon Moon Blutarski at November 30, 2019 09:39 PM (VNfwt)

195 Caddy Shack and Hollywood Knights are no brainers. Looking for the other eight.

Lists like that are always really hard to do. PCU, Galaxy Quest, Blazing Saddles, Airplane, Spinal Tap, Fear of a Black Hat, Duck Soup, Ghostbusters, Office Space, Naked Gun, Funny Thing On The Way To The Forum, Dumb and Dumber, Tommy Boy, A Fish Called Wanda, Tropic Thunder, The Pink Panther, Super Troopers, Up In Smoke, South Park, Safty Last, Girl Shy, Steamboat Bill, jr, One Week, and A Night At The Opera would have to make my list

Problem is, I've forgotten some at least and like you said, sometimes stuff that killed first viewing really aren't that great the next time. And there are films like Billy Madison that are funny in parts but drag in others.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 30, 2019 09:39 PM (KZzsI)

196 Midway was made with Chinese money and it shows. The Japanese are not treated sympathetically.
Posted by: Moon Moon Blutarski at November 30, 2019 09:24 PM (VNfwt)

Probably, the only scene in that movie that I didn't like and didn't ring true was the inclusion of a Mao-lookalike just about shooting Doolittle and then becoming best pals when he hears Doolittle bombed Tokyo.

Yeah, friendly Mao Tse Tung...no thanks.

And the Japanese got. if not sympathetic treatment, an explanation for their side of things.

Basically, Yamamoto told the US guy, "Hey, we're going to be a modern industrial nation. Don't cut off the coal and resources we need."

I thought it was pretty even handed mostly though the US were unequivocally the good guys.

Posted by: naturalfake at November 30, 2019 09:39 PM (kauXV)

197 185: I liked Mulholland Falls. Nick Nolte was fine in it. I can't stand Melanie Griffith though. I did enjoy Jennifer Connelly's bewbs!

Posted by: Puddleglum at November 30, 2019 09:40 PM (yO1kt)

198 Princess Bride has got to fit in here somewhere.

Posted by: DR.WTF at November 30, 2019 09:41 PM (aS1PU)

199 I have an idea.

Samuel L Jackson. Those things from Tremors. (1-5).

Graboids on a Plane

It's gold, Jerry. Gold.

Posted by: blaster at November 30, 2019 09:41 PM (ZfRYq)

200 MF definitely ranks behind "L.A. Confidential" and "Chinatown" in the lineup of post-WWII setting films about LA cops and detectives

I agree, even Jennifer Connolly's spectacular chest can't raise it to the top. LA Confidential is magnificent, and Chinatown is an all-time great.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 30, 2019 09:42 PM (KZzsI)

201 OT: Daily Mail has a picture of the London Bridge stabber / narwhal target. Apparently, the GEICO cave man had fallen on hard times.

https://tinyurl.com/s6t7gxx

Posted by: pep at November 30, 2019 09:42 PM (T6t7i)

202 My top comedy list would include
Robin Hood: Men In Tights
Galaxy Quest

Posted by: vmom's in the kitchen at November 30, 2019 09:42 PM (G546f)

203 Scarface Hitchhikes Home for Christmas

I would watch this.

Posted by: boulder t'hobo at November 30, 2019 09:43 PM (ykYG2)

204 A bunch of films people often lump into comedies like Princess Bride and Raising Arizona I don't really see as a comedy. Yeah they are really funny but they aren't primarily a vehicle for laughs.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 30, 2019 09:44 PM (KZzsI)

205 Julia Child vs Mr. Rogers -

https://youtu.be/q-2JsACs1pw

The whole sketch - https://youtu.be/iFarsrDmt10

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at November 30, 2019 09:29 PM (aKsyK)

Joe Flaherty did a really good William F. Buckley impersonation. That was a great show and had so many memorable sketches

Posted by: TheQuietMan at November 30, 2019 09:44 PM (kXYFI)

206 Another film often mis labeled as a comedy: The General by Buster Keaton. One of my favorite films of all time and really funny, but... its not a comedy, its a drama with a lot of humor and stunts in it.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 30, 2019 09:44 PM (KZzsI)

207 Princess Bride is an adventure movie, not a comedy

Posted by: vmom's in the kitchen at November 30, 2019 09:44 PM (G546f)

208 I'm out
Have good evening all

Posted by: Skip at November 30, 2019 09:44 PM (ZCEU2)

209 "Allegro non troppo" is available on the tube thing. In Italian.

Bruno Bozzetto 1976.

Posted by: klaftern at November 30, 2019 09:46 PM (RuIsu)

210 198
Princess Bride has got to fit in here somewhere.

Posted by: DR.WTF

I hate loving movies by dirt bags.

Posted by: Some rat in the swamp at November 30, 2019 09:46 PM (LOq4H)

211 OT: Daily Mail has a picture of the London Bridge stabber / narwhal target. Apparently, the GEICO cave man had fallen on hard times.

https://tinyurl.com/s6t7gxx

-
Full moon? 'Cause he's got a wolfman like look.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Tyrannosaur Wrangler at November 30, 2019 09:47 PM (+y/Ru)

212 okay I thought of three more .

Animal House ( okay I was reminded of this no brainer)

Night Shift

Used Cars

Posted by: Easy Andy at November 30, 2019 09:48 PM (2DOZq)

213 It's probably late in the thread and I just got here... I'm an invertebrate Chandler fan. I like "Double Indemnity" because it gives us a chance to see Chandler on the big screen. (He even makes a cameo).

I'm not sure if Billy Wilder was one of the people he satirized in _The LIttle Sister_. I really don't remember.

Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain, In Accordance With The Prophecy at November 30, 2019 09:51 PM (Clxcy)

214 Also making my list though I realize it's probably not even a top fifty for most is Major Payne. It's one of those movies I watch every time I come across it.

Posted by: Easy Andy at November 30, 2019 09:51 PM (2DOZq)

215 A New Leaf
Simon or Fire Sale
Used Cars
Strangelove

Posted by: Moon Moon Blutarski at November 30, 2019 09:52 PM (VNfwt)

216
OT: Daily Mail has a picture of the London Bridge stabber / narwhal target. Apparently, the GEICO cave man had fallen on hard times.

https://tinyurl.com/s6t7gxx

-
Full moon? 'Cause he's got a wolfman like look.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Tyrannosaur Wrangler

Check out that idiotic tweet by the murder victim's father.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at November 30, 2019 09:53 PM (aKsyK)

217 "It's a Mad, Mad...

Posted by: Some rat in the swamp at November 30, 2019 09:53 PM (LOq4H)

218 207 Princess Bride is an adventure movie, not a comedy
Posted by: vmom's in the kitchen at November 30, 2019 09:44 PM (G546f)

------------------------------

Definitely needed more f-bombs

Posted by: No One of Consequence at November 30, 2019 09:53 PM (CAJOC)

219 Flaherty is really talented and funny and its sad he doesn't get more work. At least Eugene Levy gets fairly steady work these days. Those guys killed as newscasters

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 30, 2019 09:54 PM (KZzsI)

220 I think it is a great comedy that also has a whole lot of heart. And it's not sad; John Candy's character has sad circumstances that you find out about, but he's welcomed with new friendships by the end. It's quite heartwarming.
Posted by: Tom Servo at November 30, 2019 09:01 PM (V2Yro)

Totally agree Tom. It's one of my favorites. I also love Uncle Buck. I was a huge John Candy fan.

Posted by: Jewells45 at November 30, 2019 09:54 PM (dUJdY)

221

Candy, Flaherty and Levy were in Going Berserk, a rather odd comedy.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at November 30, 2019 09:55 PM (aKsyK)

222 One of the many things I like about Princess Bride is that Andre the Giant was allowed to play a character that was much like the real life Andre.

Posted by: Tom Servo at November 30, 2019 09:57 PM (V2Yro)

223 I saw "Midway" this past week, despite the bad review in Military Enquirer, I mean Military Times.
It got the overall story pretty correct, though there were things that would put off the "rivet counters," such as the Japanese planes carrying the wrong types of bombs. Yeah, it was bone-headed to show the Devastator torpedo bombers carrying two bombs AND a torpedo.
What pissed me off was how they portrayed AM1 Bruno Gaido's pilot, ENS Frank O'Flaherty, after they were shot down and captured by the Japanese.

Posted by: butch at November 30, 2019 09:58 PM (hXu8T)

224 Kudos. 2 of my all time favorite movies, stalag 17 and William Holden at his best. Some like it hot ang the duo of Jack Lemon and Tony Curtis carried the day. A little Marilyn Monroe to add spice. I introduced my oldest daughter to these films when she was in her early teens and she fell in love with them.

Posted by: morigu at November 30, 2019 10:00 PM (Avv1K)

225 222 One of the many things I like about Princess Bride is that Andre the Giant was allowed to play a character that was much like the real life Andre.
Posted by: Tom Servo at November 30, 2019 09:57 PM (V2Yro)

--------------------------------

I'm sure I've mentioned it before, but if you haven't yet, you should read "As You Wish", Cary Elwes book on the Princess Bride. There are a bunch of great stories about Andre the Giant in it. My favorite is when he passed out on the floor of the hotel lobby, and they couldn't wake or move him, so they basically roped him off while he slept.

Posted by: No One of Consequence at November 30, 2019 10:01 PM (CAJOC)

226 Tony Curtis always was hard for me to watch. I know he was a completely manly man who had all the ladies and was not in any way fay. But that dude acted as gay as possible for a not gay man. His voice, his mannerisms, even his clothing, hair, and makeup set off my gaydar like Operation Market Garden. Seeing him play a guy in drag just causes all kinds of discomfort signals

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 30, 2019 10:02 PM (KZzsI)

227 Oh, and ONT is NOOD!

Posted by: No One of Consequence at November 30, 2019 10:02 PM (CAJOC)

228 I do like the Mandalorian With No Name tho'

Posted by: boulder t'hobo at November 30, 2019 10:03 PM (ykYG2)

229
Tony Curtis always was hard for me to watch. I know he was a completely
manly man who had all the ladies and was not in any way fay. But that
dude acted as gay as possible for a not gay man. His voice, his
mannerisms, even his clothing, hair, and makeup set off my gaydar like
Operation Market Garden. Seeing him play a guy in drag just causes all
kinds of discomfort signals

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 30, 2019 10:02 PM (KZzsI)

I believe Curtis was the only person that Roger Moore ever stated that he did not like working with. On their TV show the Persuaders, Curtis smoked pot the entire time and was beyond difficult to work with. They were supposed to to a second season and Roger Moore said, 'With Tony Curtis, not on your life.'

Posted by: TheQuietMan at November 30, 2019 10:07 PM (kXYFI)

230
Yeah. I mean it had its humor at times but to see that and envision Hogan's Heroes is difficult to even conceive of. Drugs or not.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 30, 2019 08:55 PM (KZzsI)

Do not underestimate the power of Peruvian Marching Powder.

Posted by: Headless Body of Agnew at November 30, 2019 10:10 PM (e1mEI)

231 I don't watch many movies -- no tv -- but there are some I like. In no particular order, and not all comedies, though most have some humor:

Airplane
Blazing Saddles
Spaceballs
The Tremors series
Robin Hood: Men in Tights
Dragnet (the movie)
Princess Bride
Big Trouble in Little China

Posted by: Empire1 at November 30, 2019 10:19 PM (OhJgL)

232 Don't forget your goat leggings!

Posted by: Texican ette at November 30, 2019 10:41 PM (8DT82)

233 How about Steve Martin in The Jerk?

Posted by: don_in_central_jersey at November 30, 2019 10:54 PM (UPDS7)

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Posted by: quest bars cheap at November 30, 2019 11:07 PM (U4AVx)

235 I love "One, Two, Three" and "A Foreign Affair," both of which give Wilder the opportunity to demonstrate his contempt for the Germany that murdered his family.
Consider this, however - Wilder's best films are full of brilliant dialogue, complete with an understanding of slang and the nuances of accents and speech patterns. Yet, both Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond were foreigners to whom English was their 2nd, or 3rd, language.

Posted by: Darwin Akbar at December 01, 2019 12:03 AM (/HPTN)

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Posted by: Laura Morris at December 01, 2019 02:25 AM (WlAeo)

238 One Wilder movie you didn't mention, but is one of my favorites: "The Spirit of St Louis", with Jimmy Stewart (who flew B-24s during WWII) as Charles Lindbergh. It has some terrific flying sequences with a rebuilt "Spirit", and Stewart is excellent, as always.

One thing that amazes me about Wilder's career is that no two of his movies are exactly alike. He did all the genres - adventure, screwball comedy, noir, drama, romance, melodrama - and was brilliant in each. The fact that he was a fine writer as well as director certainly helped, back in the days when a movie was more than just a concatenation of explosions.

Posted by: Brown Line at December 01, 2019 12:23 PM (S6ArX)

239 "A few months back, I subjected you all to an evening about Ingmar Bergman, and I shall talk about his real quick again."

Wherein I must post this again:

https://youtu.be/GhBny671ZwE

Posted by: Shanks for the memory at December 01, 2019 12:33 PM (TdCQk)

240 Went to the theater and watched Ford vs. Ferrari. I got there early (mistake but it had been a while) and during the onslaught of IQ lowering ads and previews, I saw only one that looked OK. It's for the new Bond film, called King's Man.

Posted by: goodluckduck at December 01, 2019 02:26 PM (V8zw+)

241 Yeah, the hate for Midway here is baffling. I went to see while telling my wife, "It's going to be so bad it is going to make me cry." It is pretty solid on the history. Yes, the action scenes are heavily Hollywoodized with incorrect air combat. However, it does generally convey what happened with the combat. I give it a B.

Posted by: WOPR at December 01, 2019 06:11 PM (J70i0)

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