I'm from Missouri (well, not really, but you know what I mean)--till I see some confirmation or first hand account of Lee Tracy's kickings-up on Viva Villa, I will raise one eyebrow and say hmmmm. I never believe anything till I see some kind of proof. . Hi Eve: I have come across the Lee Tracy sto...

A newly surfaced film, courtesy of Bob O'Neill at Universal, stars Ida Lupino married to an odious Stephen McNally. The film opens with an Ida voice-over after her car goes off of bridge. Seems that hyper-ambitious McNally married her only because Ida's Dad owned the plant he managed and it is immed...

I heard a story recently about Harry Morgan that summarized his incredibly durable career. Harry's better half ran into Charlton Heston's wife at some function and while chatting Mrs. Heston remarked, " Harry was in Chuck's first movie (Dark City)" Mrs. Morgan smiled and replied, "Har...

Fascinating interviews. I wanted more.

Here's a link to a series of video interviews with Abe Polonsky that were filmed shortly before he died in 1999. These interviews are six in number and about 20 minutes in length. Whether you agree with his politics or not, Abe was an acerbic, fascinating character who was a brilliant writer and cou...

FYI- Fleischer told me that THE VIKINGS took several years off of his life. Difficult location, dealing with the Norwegian weather and government and most of all, executive producer, Kirk Douglas. Great movie, though. I love it.

I am heartened to join this string started by Moira about one of my favorite film directors and a truly fine gentleman who is sorely missed after passing away in 2006. I was able to spend some time with Dick and several of his insights about THE NARROW MARGIN, ARMORED CAR ROBBERY, Charlie McGraw, Ki...

The summary Moxie gives makes me rather ill Sorry about that Anne- not intentional at all. I actually don't care for vocational ed films about incest or prostitution either. That's really not what Christmas Holiday is about anyway. I find that I have a natural firewall between movie bad stuff and t...

I really dig Christmas Holiday It is the perfect Film Noir movie that conveys the darkest of Seasons Greetings. What other classic era Hollywood movie has Gene Kelly playing an escaped murderer with a penchant for incest with his creepy Mom (the lethal Gale Sondergaard) with songstress Durbin playin...

Could never figure out the logic behind that casting decision.

Probably the same brainiac who decided to cast George Murphy as an undercover INS agent in Border Incident. Both actors were under contract to M*G*M when the studio's fortunes began circling the drain starting during the late 40's.

You are correct about Mr. Marvin's characterization of "Slob" aka Mr. Gregory in the too little seen Shack Out on 101 (1955). This cold war comedy (in my eyes) is truly a fascinating bit of celluloid from the nuclear standoff genre of that era, especially since it features one of the most...

Lee's funniest performance wasn't Cat Ballou. His portrayal of "Slob" in SHACKOUT ON 101 is an absolute masterpiece and has to be seen to be believed.

Hi all: While taking a couple deep breaths from Noir City 6 in San Francisco this morning, I spotted this thread on Kirk Douglas and couldn't restrain myself from adding a comment. Kirk Douglas will turn 92 this year. His struggle to overcome a debilitating stroke is the highwater mark in a life cha...

One of the great late term noirs. Robert Ryan was just a brilliant actor and he was never better as an aging Deep South racist hoodlum throwing in on a bank job with Harry Belafonte and Ed Begley. We screened this last year in Los Angeles with Kim Hamilton, who played Belafonte's wife, as the specia...

I want to thank Moira for the weekend invite and all of the Oasis members for their interest, courtesy and questions. This is a really special place and all of you made me feel extremely comfortable; I really appreciate it. A final femme fatale entry. For those of you who haven't seen the Monogram p...