The Silver Screen Oasis

Feinberg wrote: ↑January 30th, 2023, 1:35 am

Detective Jim McLeod wrote: ↑January 29th, 2023, 11:31 am
Oscar Wilde (1960 TCM On Demand 6/10

Playwright Oscar Wilde is accused of "unnatural acts"

An interesting, fairly straightforward act of Wilde suing the Lord of Queensberry for libel. Queensberry's son (John Neville) is involved with Wilde. Robert Morley is excellent as Wilde, capturing his wit and talent. Neville and Morley would reunite 5 years later as Sherlock Holmes and his brother Mycroft in A Study In Terror.

There was another film about Wilde that same year, The Trials Of Oscar Wilde with Peter Finch that I have not seen, Anyone seen both?

I have seen both 1960 versions and though a bit different, I would rank them about the same. As far as the lead performances go, I ever so slightly preferred Morley. Maybe that came down to his natural ability to portray vulnerability. But John Fraser as Bosie in 'Trials' was really worth noting.

laffite wrote: ↑January 30th, 2023, 12:18 am

Swithin wrote: ↑January 29th, 2023, 11:40 pm
I don't remember SNORKY at all.

For the record, I don't recall Prince Saliano having any of Snorky's unpleasantness. Snorky didn't like many but he liked the Prince.

Detective Jim McLeod wrote: ↑January 30th, 2023, 7:26 am I've seen both but the Peter Finch move I hardly remember at all. I agree with you regarding Robert Morley. And I remember (but not clearly) really taken with the end of the film. Wasn't there some great flourish at the end, either by Morley or the movie? I remember being quite thrilled with it. I yearn to have my memory jogged. Can you help? Something more than the usual end of a Oscar Wilde movie, the hotel death bed and the remark about the wallpaper. Something else! Thanks. [Laffite wrote this]

TikiSoo wrote: ↑January 30th, 2023, 7:16 am I saw Oscar Wilde (1960) and intensely disliked it. I suppose mostly because of disliking Morley, but was disappointed that the movie was only about his trial. I was looking for something more general, well rounded story of his life, less sensationalism. I know, focusing on one incident can illustrate a personality through reaction, but just found it sordid and insulting.

Swithin wrote: ↑January 30th, 2023, 2:20 pm I haven't seen the Wilde film with Robert Morley, which surprises me, because I've done a lot of professional work on Wilde (including working with his grandson Merlin Holland), and Robert Morley's son Sheridan was a good friend of mine.

Masha wrote: ↑January 30th, 2023, 3:08 pm Blazing Saddles (1974)

It has been many, many years since I have watched this movie. I love it very much but it was not high on my list of movies to rewatch in the near future. The fact that it is leaving: TubiTV in a day or two prompted me to select it.

I did wonder if the humour held up well. It is nearly fifty years old and topical humour often does not age well.

I must admit that I did not laugh aloud as much as I have in previous viewings but it remains far funnier than most other movies. The only bit which left me cold was the repeated: Hedley/Hedy gag. I must wonder if that is because: Airplane! (1980) did this type of wordplay humour so much better that the standard is now very much higher than it was then.

laffite wrote: ↑February 1st, 2023, 3:23 pm

Masha wrote: ↑January 30th, 2023, 3:08 pm Blazing Saddles (1974)

It has been many, many years since I have watched this movie. I love it very much but it was not high on my list of movies to rewatch in the near future. The fact that it is leaving: TubiTV in a day or two prompted me to select it.

I did wonder if the humour held up well. It is nearly fifty years old and topical humour often does not age well.

I must admit that I did not laugh aloud as much as I have in previous viewings but it remains far funnier than most other movies. The only bit which left me cold was the repeated: Hedley/Hedy gag. I must wonder if that is because: Airplane! (1980) did this type of wordplay humour so much better that the standard is now very much higher than it was then.

Blazing Saddles is the worst movie I have ever seen (or close) I have made two attempts. The last probably 10 years ago. The gags were like some cheap Wannabe SNL succession of skits that fell absolutely flat. I remember holding my hands over my face and yelling, "I don't believe his!" The racial jokes were awful. And this from Mel Brooks!! Truly astonishing!

Everyone else loves it to death so I chalk it up "not getting it." I didn't like The Producers either. OTOH, Young Frankenstein is one of the funniest movies ever for me, and Airplane! was very funny. So I am not completely bereft. As far as I know, my sense of humor is still i-n-t-a-c---t..