tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8491397194259005985.post2909536294031430122..comments2024-03-07T09:18:49.166-08:00Comments on What the...?!: 'His Girl Friday' Open ThreadJames Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06715293983358801138noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8491397194259005985.post-1470174115384317022010-06-29T02:41:59.627-07:002010-06-29T02:41:59.627-07:00If there ever was a time to shout "Bother thi...If there ever was a time to shout "Bother this!"<br />it was then. No drinks or invitations required.Darrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11277966379512526469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8491397194259005985.post-46656618654066394062010-06-29T02:37:57.698-07:002010-06-29T02:37:57.698-07:00Mrs. Bennet and her infamous "poor" nerv...Mrs. Bennet and her infamous "poor" nerves would certainly NOT have countenanced a farmyard intrusion into her domestic domain. Revisionist history is not confined to the strickly political realm. When Director Joe Wright proclaimed that he was being true to Jane Austen's spirit and the spirit of her stories, I knew to expect the exact opposite. A tale of society and marriage and a complex class structure that is unknown to most viewers gets reduced to a tale of haves and have-nots and romantic comedy. Too bad a glass slipper wasn't added as well. <br /><br />On a related note, If the BBC keeps fooling around with Agatha Christie stories, she will soon become the premier champion of gay rights. And viewers will only have to look for breeders to solve the who-done-it parts. The Left turns more than Mrs. Bennet's home to squalor. It is one way to keep mysteries fresh, however:Different murders with each new version.<br />I'm sure Ms. Christie wouldn't mind at all. ;-)Darrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11277966379512526469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8491397194259005985.post-72627594430093597602010-06-28T21:11:07.067-07:002010-06-28T21:11:07.067-07:00Well, to be fair, we're pretty good friends, a...Well, to be fair, we're pretty good friends, and all she did was glance at the people around us, and stare at me meaningfully. And in my own defense, the filmmaker decided to have livestock <i>wandering through the Bennet house</i>.<br /><br />And we <i>had</i> had girlie drinks at lunch.cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13245395774915274363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8491397194259005985.post-89807702076285113772010-06-28T18:38:07.697-07:002010-06-28T18:38:07.697-07:00I'm sure it does. It is generally understood ...I'm sure it does. It is generally understood among the more stuffy and less gracious among us that productions are not intended as audience participation events.<br /><br />Of course, here at <b>What the...?!</b>, audience participation is coin of the realm. Your participation is highly regarded and enjoyed!James Nicholashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06715293983358801138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8491397194259005985.post-35648583257952617832010-06-28T17:57:08.234-07:002010-06-28T17:57:08.234-07:00Well, we follow more than one tv show at a time......Well, we follow more than one tv show at a time...<br /><br />But I think I've decided not to watch a production based on a book while the book is really fresh in my mind -- I get too nit-picky about the changes, and don't enjoy the show as much. Of course sometimes the liberties taken are so egregious it could have been ten years since you last read the book, and you're still going "Give me a break!" in the theater. (No matter how warranted, it still disconcerts the sister-in-law.)cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13245395774915274363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8491397194259005985.post-61714162779967052962010-06-28T17:39:04.291-07:002010-06-28T17:39:04.291-07:00There are so many books I want to read. They surro...There are so many books I want to read. They surround me and tantalize me, and I end up with too many oars in the water. I am about half way through <i>Persuasion</i>, but I am reformed and committed to keep at one work at a time. I continue to enjoy <i>Jane Eyre</i>, and am moving forward with chances stolen here and there at the end of the day in an evening coffee shop (it's great fun!). <i>Persuasion</i> I have not forgotten, and will return to soon... <br /><br />...but not until I do right by Miss Eyre.James Nicholashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06715293983358801138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8491397194259005985.post-314912945039932752010-06-28T16:54:35.265-07:002010-06-28T16:54:35.265-07:00Are you reading Persuasion, also?Are you reading <i>Persuasion</i>, also?cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13245395774915274363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8491397194259005985.post-30379233288896031272010-06-28T16:21:03.352-07:002010-06-28T16:21:03.352-07:00Yes, I have seen the 1995 version, and I loved Cia...Yes, I have seen the 1995 version, and I loved Ciarán Hinds in it. He really was perfect as Captain Frederick Wentworth, and I enjoyed how Amanda Root's character starts out rather gray, the key event missed, shoved off to the side and generally overlooked as unimportant, but over the course of the story it becomes clear that she is a woman of considerable substance, who is much valued and sought after still, and the change is reflected in her appearance, as vibrance and vitality are infused into her. Yes, that was excellent, though somewhat odd in its treatment of some scenes, such as when Captain Wentworth finally takes Anne's hand and they walk off, while a circus act (!) walks through the street? Was that really in the book (I am about half way through it). I doubt it, but Cathy this is an entirely different post and we can discuss it when we can get to it...which who knows? <br /><br />Rest assured though, we are on to the good stuff here. Sally Hawkins is in her first leading role, and is so very good as the steady, intelligent, heartbroken Anne. Rupert Penry-Jones is a handsome devil to be sure, and I did enjoy him as Captain Wentworth, but compared to the singular strength, and later desperation of Captain Wentworth, he doesn't take anything away from my favorite, Ciarán Hinds. Still, she seems to like him, so Rupert Penry-Jones it is. We have plenty to work with here.<br /><br />This should be good fun!James Nicholashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06715293983358801138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8491397194259005985.post-70950289371925308922010-06-28T15:47:38.821-07:002010-06-28T15:47:38.821-07:00Cool! I have the 1995 version, but have never see...Cool! I have the 1995 version, but have never seen this more recent one.<br /><br />I seems to be available on <b>YouTube</b>, according to <a href="http://janitesonthejames.blogspot.com/2007/06/you-can-watch-persuasion-2007.html" rel="nofollow"><i>Jane Austen Today</i></a>.cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13245395774915274363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8491397194259005985.post-44018208738254477752010-06-27T23:59:54.788-07:002010-06-27T23:59:54.788-07:00I have been thinking about what might be fun for u...I have been thinking about what might be fun for us next in the movie club, and the show I would like us give a look to is the 2007 BBC production of Jane Austin's <b>Persuasion</b>, with Sally Hawkins taking the role of one of my favorite characters, Miss Anne Elliott. I think you would enjoy it. I know I would love to see it again with you all.<br /><br />I should have it up by the end of the week. I hope you will be able to join me in giving it a look.James Nicholashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06715293983358801138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8491397194259005985.post-61643428671437998072010-06-25T20:47:04.550-07:002010-06-25T20:47:04.550-07:00Rex Trailer was born the same year as Audrey Hepbu...Rex Trailer was born the same year as Audrey Hepburn. The circle is complete.<br /><br />There is a picture of me on a pony at age 3 or 4 around somewhere...Some guy just brought his pony to the hood to sell pictures. That's what makes America great. Rex probably required more of a steed, though. Boston was a booming beantown back then.Darrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11277966379512526469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8491397194259005985.post-39879939801893531862010-06-25T18:42:08.923-07:002010-06-25T18:42:08.923-07:00You know, I don't actually know if I ever did ...You know, I don't actually know if I ever did ride a pony.<br /><br />But, I got my picture taken on Rex Trailer's horse the summer I turned seven!cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13245395774915274363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8491397194259005985.post-40753958242287184262010-06-25T16:18:48.157-07:002010-06-25T16:18:48.157-07:00Yeah, right, well meanwhile I've got to try an...Yeah, right, well meanwhile I've got to try and figure out how to add a button to this thing. Hmmm. Is it back on the Dashboard?James Nicholashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06715293983358801138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8491397194259005985.post-5719468079014481792010-06-25T15:54:43.601-07:002010-06-25T15:54:43.601-07:00Darrell, you are too funny.
But if you want to th...Darrell, you are too funny.<br /><br />But if you want to think I'm young enough to <i>remember</i> riding a pony, that's OK with me!cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13245395774915274363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8491397194259005985.post-27741088753086330532010-06-25T00:12:40.267-07:002010-06-25T00:12:40.267-07:00So you're saying you're a tool of Steve Jo...So you're saying you're a tool of Steve Jobs? Unless you actually start delivering the ponies and Macs, perhaps the "Home" button would be a more cost effective alternative. I'm only so blunt because of that little girl crying herself to sleep tonight because she won't get that pony ride--Cathy. Ride in your sleep, Sweetie! Ride like the wind! Sniff. . .Darrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11277966379512526469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8491397194259005985.post-18565868338994182652010-06-25T00:00:29.503-07:002010-06-25T00:00:29.503-07:00Oh by the way, I can click the blog title on my MA...Oh by the way, I can click the blog title on my MAC and get back to my front page, but it doesn't work on my Dell. I have to hit the title on my favorites list. Don't know why, but there it is.James Nicholashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06715293983358801138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8491397194259005985.post-32506556276587845082010-06-24T23:53:03.949-07:002010-06-24T23:53:03.949-07:00Drat! That darn Darrell beat me to it - again!!Drat! That darn Darrell beat me to it - again!!James Nicholashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06715293983358801138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8491397194259005985.post-38760893596387129132010-06-24T23:52:01.853-07:002010-06-24T23:52:01.853-07:00Future husband Mel Ferrer in War and Peace, was cl...Future husband Mel Ferrer in <b>War and Peace</b>, was closer, twelve years her senior, George Peppard in <b>Breakfast at Tiffany's</b> was a year older, while Ben Gazzara in <b>They All Laughed</b> was a year younger. (!)James Nicholashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06715293983358801138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8491397194259005985.post-57769448581703244162010-06-24T23:50:29.109-07:002010-06-24T23:50:29.109-07:00George Peppard in "Breakfast at Tiffany's...George Peppard in "<i>Breakfast at Tiffany's</i>."(1961) He was just a year younger. There were more after. Audrey did seem to be drawn to older men in real life, so I suspect she never had a problem with that.<br /><br />Audrey Hepburn was a most interesting person. Her appearance was due to the starvation she endured in Holland during the war. She was a ballerina who helped raise money for the Dutch resistance. She also help prepare food, like grinding dried tulip bulbs to make a flour and then bread or biscuits. She helped distribute the food, but rarely took any herself because she saw so many suffering people. She also acted as a courier for messages from the resistance. I remember an interview she gave with the Chicago Tribune Magazine late in life when the interviewer asked her about the first time she had thought about acting. She told about carrying a message when she was stopped by German soldiers and questioned. She was walking away when they called her back. She knew they would find the massage and was shaking like a leaf. She mustered her best German and her most authoritative voice and mannerisms to spin around and tell them that she was on an errand for a German officer before meeting him and that heads will roll she when she tells him who spoiled his plans for the evening. They told her to go. That's when she knew. You have to remember that she was around eleven when the Germans invaded, fifteen when the area was liberated. The Tribune writer separately asked an expert who was in the Dutch resistance about Hepburn who had been to Chicago promoting a book and he stated that she did far more than she ever told. He knew of her and had spoken to people she worked with and they had lots of stories. They thought she was the perfect carrier--frail and weak looking, passing for a boy or a girl, and smart enough to give smart answers.Darrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11277966379512526469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8491397194259005985.post-12705620621387603152010-06-24T21:54:14.503-07:002010-06-24T21:54:14.503-07:00*Massive Charade Spoilers*
I did love the titles,...*Massive <i>Charade</i> Spoilers*<br /><br />I did love the titles, and the music. And aside from the immediacy of the wedding plans, I quite liked the relationship between Grant and Hepburn -- especially his holding her off (which did a lot to reassure that he was a Good Guy, when everything else about him was uncertain), and the increasing playfulness between them. And Matthau was fine. But many of the scenes with James Coburn and George Kennedy were pretty awful, and even a couple of scenes between Grant and Hepburn at the beginning of the film felt stilted and artificial. But the story -- keeping you guessing throughout -- was good. I really liked the scene with the stamp dealer, so profoundly happy to have had those treasures in his keeping, however briefly. And the scene at the theater, with Grant trying to figure out which trap door to work, while Matthau closes in on Hepburn -- I do think that was timed beautifully.<br /><br />Now that you mention it, did Audrey Hepburn make <i>any</i> movies opposite a man her own age?cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13245395774915274363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8491397194259005985.post-47354871315002321262010-06-24T18:53:11.886-07:002010-06-24T18:53:11.886-07:00I did think Charade was a great movie!
There was n...I did think <i>Charade</i> was a great movie!<br />There was nothing like it before--except the better Hitchcocks. The split screens, animated titles, the Mancini score? I wonder if seeing many of those plot elements stolen and reused in later movies and TV shows did anything to influence your opinion. The age difference between Cary Grant(59) and Audrey Hepburn(34) does bother me a little now, as well as the fact that they don't spent any time making that love seem plausible--it's too quick with very little foundation. It bothered Grant, too, who had them redo the script to make sure that Hepburn was doing the chasing. And they did also pair her up with much older men (Humphrey Bogart, William Holden, Henry Fonda, Fres Astaire, Gary Cooper, Maurice Chevalier) didn't they? <br /><br />The only way I can think of making this film better is to take away your memory of having seen it so that you could experience it for the first time again.Darrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11277966379512526469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8491397194259005985.post-59847276274927271922010-06-24T18:01:44.940-07:002010-06-24T18:01:44.940-07:00He also uses his own legal birth name--Archie Leac...He also uses his own legal birth name--Archie Leach--when he was talking about characters he had a run-in with and bested, near the end in that conversation with the mayor.<br /><br />Williams shot a "colored cop" according to Walter's account and that made the death penalty a certainty--also according to Walter. And here I believed "Cold Case" that white-on-black crimes were never even investigated prior to 1980.<br /><br />I just thought it was unusual (for 1939) that they didn't show Walter doing anything moral, legal, or ethical. Not one redeeming act. You might say that he was taking care of that short gangster character, but that was for the things he did for him.<br /><br />I wonder what was up with that lunch in the restaurant when Walter ordered a roast beef sandwich--bring the mustard--and got what looked like stewed chicken with mashed potatoes.Darrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11277966379512526469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8491397194259005985.post-91496038701047910472010-06-24T16:59:20.949-07:002010-06-24T16:59:20.949-07:00What is really intriguing about Cary Grant, and th...<i>What is really intriguing about Cary Grant, and that we didn't get to see in this picture, is his ability to play a man with unclear intentions.</i><br /><br />How funny you should mention that! I watched him with Audrey Hepburn in <i>Charade</i> this afternoon (Cary Grant can ALWAYS perk up laundry day), and it was <i>all about</i> trying to figure out his intentions. (I didn't think <i>Charade</i> was a great movie, although not because of him.)cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13245395774915274363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8491397194259005985.post-81946804495185849092010-06-24T15:19:58.397-07:002010-06-24T15:19:58.397-07:00What is really intriguing about Cary Grant, and th...What is really intriguing about Cary Grant, and that we didn't get to see in this picture, is his ability to play a man with unclear intentions. Suspicion is an excellent example, as is Notorious. Those dark silent eyes..what is the man thinking back there..what is he capable of? I love that. Now this was a romantic comedy, so you are never going to get that kind of intrigue, but still as despicable a character as Walter Burn's was, you kind of like him. And I think shows like this were a forshadowing of what he was capable of. No one made better use of it than Hitchcock, who loved taking a hero and stretched our natural tendency to pull for him by allowing a darkness to be underlying his actions, or lack of them. The direct, purposeful action that Grant takes at the end of Notorious... oh, but that's another discussion thread. <br /><br />When Walter sends the blonde down to throw another curve ball at Hilde's fiance, and she asks what he looks like, and Grant replies, <i>"Oh, like that movie actor fellow...Ralph Bellamy."</i> That was good fun. You may not be able to go along with the moral decisions of the characters in this movie, but some good laughs were still to be had.James Nicholashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06715293983358801138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8491397194259005985.post-87333089075778008582010-06-24T03:22:50.014-07:002010-06-24T03:22:50.014-07:00Still... It sure would have been nice to ride the...Still... It sure would have been nice to ride the pony.cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13245395774915274363noreply@blogger.com