WHAT FILMS HAVE YOU SEEN LATELY?

[charliechaplinfan]

I'm not a huge fan of musicals, but I'd wanted to watch THE YOUNG GIRLS OF ROCHEFORT for a long time and recent discussions here finally pushed me. In-depth review: WOW! Loved everything about it, but especially Michel Legrand's music. Shame on me for waiting so long.

That's exactly what I thought.

Bogie, I felt the same about Our Relations. I prefer them playing their own children in Brats or each others wives in Twice Two.

Our Noir competition made me decide to watch a Noir I'd never seen. This Gun For Hire what a superb noir. It has all the elements, a pretty lady, Veronica Lake, a deranged killer, Alan Ladd with enough charisma to get the beautiful lady to believe in him. Laird Cregar and Tully Marshall make brilliant baddies. I was hooked but one of the first scenes when the disabled child is playing on the stairs, I thought maybe, he just might pull the trigger on her. It's absolutely brilliant.

I've also been watching Laissez Paisser this was recommending to me by Christine. I love French cinema and this is a film about French cinema during the war. It was based on the memoirs of Jean Devaivre and Jean Aurenche a assistant director and screenwriter .

Devaivre is the assistant director, he works for Continental films a German run organisation that has the best resources to make French films, he has joined with the enemy but tries to assist the Resistance from inside. Aurenche is trying to avoid working for Continental at all costs at all costs.

The film follows lives of the two men and combines them with the story of French cinema of the time. There are so many references to French film, actors and directors I couldn't keep up.

Along with this is the depiction of French life at the time which would be absurd if it wasn't true. Extras would eat the pretend food, rutabaga and artichokes made to look like full dinners, they are so hungry. A screenwriter who is starved and imprisoned and writes food into every scene. The most absurd, a trio to England in a plane at the height of the war for Devaivre after finding some documents of importance. It is like a Powell and Pressburger movie.

It was a challenging film to follow, it does rely on a certain amount of knowledge beforehand but it was worth using the brain cells

[charliechaplinfan]

Last night I watched Algiers it's the first Hedy Lamarr film I've seen. I confess, I watched it more for Charles Boyer. Here is an actor I didn't really appreciate the first time I saw him on film now I find myself a big fan. He's such a good actor, with a gorgeous voice. Might I like his voice even more than Ronald Colman's or Errol Flynn's, yes I think so.

I digress with the melifluous tones of Mr Boyer. Algiers is very entertaining, I can well believe in the underbelly of the Casbah and I felt how trapped Pepe was in his chosen prison.

Never have I seen a love scene when Parisian train stations were mentioned but it works. Hedy Lamarr is stunning but perhaps a little stiff. To be fair, her role is to look perfect and tempt Pepe out of the casbah.

Now I know I must watch Pepe Le Moko with Jean Gabin. I know it's the same story but I'm guessing it will have a different feel, Jean Gabin and Charles Boyer are both very good actors but in different ways.

And he never said 'Come wiz me to zi Cazbah'

[MikeBSG]

I finally watched "Go Tell the Spartans" today after years of hearing that it was the best Vietnam war film. It starred Burt Lancaster and came out in 1978, with its action set in 1964.

It is a good movie. Basically, I don't have much to add to what has already been said about the film, except that this is the first war movie I've seen in a while that hasn't been copied to death by later films. Perhaps that is because there are few Vietnam war movies, or that Vietnam war movies went in a more surrealistic direction that this one. Anyway, "Go Tell the Spartans" felt fresh to me.

[knitwit45]

Alison, the best Charles Boyer movie (IMHO) is "Hold Back the Dawn" with Olivia DeHaviland. It is WILDLY romantic....I think you will like it! Hope Moira or Judith or Ann Harding chime in with a really good review of it!

Nancy

[Bogie]

I can't stand Charles Boyer but that's just me

I saw First Men in the Moon (1964) and thought it was a very good movie. I'm biased as I love the "explore the unkown" subgenre of films like Fantastic Voyage.

Nonetheless the movie wasn't classically great as there were some dull moments but Lionel Jeffries made the movie worth watching IMO. His Professor Cavor was eccentric to say the least and I enjoyed his prescence throughout the movie. The Harryhausen sfx were pretty good but not up to his usual standard. Somehow though I just found the film highly entertaining.

I wish these type of movies can be revived. The last movie that had a similar approach was Mission to Mars

Anywho 2 out of 5 stars.

[jdb1]

Alison, the best Charles Boyer movie (IMHO) is "Hold Back the Dawn" with Olivia DeHaviland. It is WILDLY romantic....I think you will like it! Hope Moira or Judith or Ann Harding chime in with a really good review of it! Nancy

Well --- as they used to joke about "Ben-Hur," Loved Him, Hated Hur.

No. I don't hate DeHaviland, I just find her -- meh -- and I don't get any vibes from her in romantic situations. Haven't seen Hold Back in years and can't quite remember it. Sorry, Toots.

[charliechaplinfan]

It's alright Bogie, I'll forgive you for not getting Charles Boyer

He's grown on me. He's very romantic in History is Made at Night and Love Affair and absolutely chilling in Gaslight and Madame De.

It's all in the voice, he could easily make me forget I'm a happily married mother of two young children

[moira finnie]

I love Hold Back the Dawn (1941) which is an underrated Mitchell Leisen film with very good work from Boyer as a scheming émigré desperate to get into the U.S. as war approaches, de Havilland as a guileless visiting teacher and Paulette Goddard (who's excellent) as a glamorous crony of Boyer all perform at a high level, giving their characters considerable subtlety.

Olivia de Havilland, Charles Boyer & Paulette Goddard in Hold Back the Dawn.

Btw, Boyer's refusal in one scene to have a private conversation with a cockroach on the wall of his seedy hotel room in a bordertown in Mexico during filming so exasperated screenwriter Billy Wilder, (who wrote the scenario with one of his best collaborators, Charles Brackett, based on a story by Ketti Frings), that Wilder from then on said that he was more determined to become a director--and one who made his stars follow his scripts to the letter.

Of all Charles Boyer's films, I would probably find it difficult to choose his best, but three or four of his least seen films might be among his best and are certainly cherished by many:

History Is Made At Night (1937), directed by Frank Borzage and co-starring Jean Arthur & Colin Clive (who almost steals the movie in one of the tragic actor's last movies). Boyer is absolutely sublime, both charming, intelligent and moving in an unexpected way. (Many thanks to the generous Feaito for sharing this movie with me!).

Tovarich (1937), directed by Anatole Litvak, and co-starring Claudette Colbert & Basil Rathbone. Boyer plays a White Russian Prince married to Colbert. The pair become servants in a wealthy Parisian household and teach their employers' family how to have fun.

The Happy Time (1952): based on the delightful, humane short stories of Robert Fontaine about his easygoing French-Canadian family in Ottawa, you must see this for Boyer's explanation of the real meaning of love, which is not what one might think.

The Earrings of Madame de...(1953): directed by the always interesting Max Ophüls and featuring Boyer as the husband of a distracted wife, Danielle Darrieux, who is understandably attracted to Vittoria De Sica. Though in dire need of restoration last time I saw this, as an examination of all that occurs beneath the surface in a marriage, it is very well done by all.

Of course, I'd also recommend Mayerling (1936) & Arch of Triumph (1948) for those gloomy romantic moods you may wish to relish some dark, Autumn night...and the forgotten Gregory La Cava film, Private Worlds (1936), which is the granddaddy of many movies about the world of mental health, including the sprawling & awkward Vincente Minnelli film, The Cobweb, which featured Mr. Boyer in a remarkably similar, but no wiser, role as the earlier flick.

[movieman1957]

"Trouble In Store" with Norman Wisdom. I watched it from a tape from November's Guest Programmer month.

An ok film with Norman as kind of low level stock room guy with eyes set on girl what sells records. Of course, having the best intentions he causes trouble at every turn.

He seems parts Chaplin, Keaton and Jerry Lewis though not the best or the worst of their characters. The film has some good sight gags but little of the dialogue is particularly funny. It's all situational. Nice turn of Margaret Rutherford as chronic shoplifter who was little trouble getting by security.

I have never heard of Wisdom and wonder if anyone who has, especially those of you in England, might share comments on him. I'm curious how he fits into your entertainment history. The man is older than the hills yet he still appears to working some.

[feaito]

Moira, "History Made At Night" (1937) ought to be released on DVD and it deserves to be properly restored. It is one of the most unique films I have ever seen. It has everything: romance, drama, comedy, disaster... and it's all masterfully blended by the "master" himself: Frank Borzage.

Your mention of "The Earrings of Madame De..." (1953) and "Hold Back the Dawn" (1941) has reminded me that I have them on DVD-R and VHS, respectively and have not yet seen them. I must.

Last weekend I watched three films:

"The Desperate Hours" (1955). Excellent, suspenseful, gripping drama directed by my favourite director, William Wyler. Fredric March's family is held hostage by Bogart & company (prison escapees). March gives a top-notch, towering performance and Bogart is very good too. Having both monsters of the cinema in one film is a treat; like the clash of the titans. The boy who plays March's small son gives an impressive performance. Very good cinematography. It's not surprising though, because Lee Garmes is the cinematographer. The first B&W movie in VistaVision. 9 out of 10.

"Sadie McKee" (1934). The quintessential Crawford Soaper. Excellent. Joan's perfect in the title role as the daughter of cook who wants love but gets money instead. Her performance is very skilled and it doesn't cease to amaze me, how when directed by a good director, like Clarence Brown in this case, she gives very fine, unaffected, fresh performances. She also has a very contemporary style compared with other actresses of the 1930s. Later in her life she tended to overact and became sometimes a caricaturization of herself, like in the 1955 "Queen Bee" for example; plus she lost the fresh quality she had in the 1920s and 1930s, just like it happened with Loretta Young; above all Joan's facial expression became mask-like.

Jean Dixon's world-weary character (who befriends Sadie) is a joy to behold. Beautiful Silent star Esther Ralston, prettier than ever, plays an alluring temptress and Joan's nemesis; she sings quite well too. Gene Raymond is livelier than usual as Joan's beau and sings well "All I do is Dream of You". Edward Arnold plays an alcoholic millionaire and he's superb as always. Franchot Tone is good and Leo G. Carrol plays a stiff butler.

The story by Viña Delmar is very entertaining and absorbing. It has all the elements that catch your attention from the very beginning. 8 out of 10.

"A Woman's Face" (1941). Very good drama in which Crawford gives a strong, spirited performance as physically and emotionally scarred woman. She plays Anna Holm, a bitter, ruthless blackmailer who thanks to plastic surgery blossoms into a beautiful human being with a generous, compassionate heart. What strikes you more than the change of her appearance is really the transformation of her soul. Melvyn Douglas is OK escorting Joan, but it's Conrad Veidt's performance as the scheming, evil, megalomaniac Torsten, which stands out. A variety of excellent character actors: Donald Meek, Reginald Owen, Connie Gilchrist, Osa Massen & Marjorie Main as a stern Swedish housekeeper. 8 out of ten.

[jdb1]

It's all in the voice, he could easily make me forget I'm a happily married mother of two young children

Alison, no question Boyer had a "bedroom voice." However, it isn't always all in the voice. Let me tell you a story:

About 20 years ago, I worked in a lawfirm that had many French clients. I dealt frequently on the phone with one of them, who had the romantic French name Guy DeLame. All of us women who talked to him were smitten - he had the deepest, most resonant, most Boyer-ish voice, ever. And he said such gallant, witty, French-sounding things that we were sure Boyer must also spend the day saying. Then the wonderful day came when he was going to come into the office for a meeting. Boy, did we hustle to get our hair done, pull out our nicest outfits, etc. So in he walks, he of the sensous, seductive voice, and he looked just like this:


[Mr. Magoo]

Moral of the story: Sometimes, your dreams are best left unfulfilled.

[Bogie]

Man the thunderstorms in my area effed around with my satelite signal and hence no movies for me

Hopefully it doesn't screw with my Asian detective night or i'll cry.

So that's what you have in store from me in my next post here.

BTW jdb1 that's a great story. Reminds me of something I heard about telephone sex operators. I've heard most of them are in their 60s and haggard looking LOL

[MikeBSG]

I watched "Avanti" today for the first time.

I thought this was a terrific movie. Perhaps the pace was a bit slow, but Lemmon was wonderful, and Mills was radiant as the woman who loosens him up. The plot was nicely constructed, and I really wish I had been able to see it on the big screen. This was a splendid mix of humor and tenderness.

[charliechaplinfan]

Where do I start?

Judith you've made me laugh with your story about the Charles Boyer voice. Sometimes things are better left in the imagination.

Thank you everyone for the Boyer recommendations. I'll watch out for all of them. I have Madame De and History is Made at Night.

Norman Wisdom, what a character. His films often played here on Sundays afternoons and I spent many a Sunday afternoon when I was young watching him. He invariably always plays office boys or juniors, someone who is bound to get a simple task wrong. He was at his peak in the 1950's.He is no Chaplin but he's very entertaining.

For years he's lived on the Isle of Man and has worked tirelessly for charity and has entertained the troops. He went across in 1990 to Iraq to entertainthe troops at nearly eighty. We are used to seeing him on our TV screens as this clearly dotty but loveable comedian. Last year a programme was broadcast with the supprot of his family. He has Alzheimers and needs constant help and attention but within himself he is still the same funny man. It was quite sad to watch.

Finally Avanti isn't that the film were I saw more of Jack Lemmon than I wanted to. I'm not against nudity on film but I didn't see the necessity of that scene. Good movie though.

[movieman1957]

CCF:

You're right about "Avanti." We saw more of Lemmon and Mills than we ever would have expected. It caught me really off guard when I saw her (and him.)

Thanks so much for the info on Norman Wisdom. I did a little internet research but I liked hearing it from you. Thanks.