MUSINGS, PONDERINGS, RUMINATIONS AND FANCIES

[Bronxgirl48]

Swithin, thanks so much for that quote!! Only we Bronxites know just how great our borough is, and how much short shrift it is given in "Golden Age" Hollywood. To them it was all about Brooklyn, Brooklyn, Brooklyn!

I checked the December schedule and ALL MINE TO GIVE is on it.

And HIBI, if you are reading this, I also saw that SUSAN SLEPT HERE will be aired twice during this holiday month. I think you mentioned you had never seen it?

[HoldenIsHere]

On my recent viewing of CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, I realized that Caractacus Potts, the inventor played by Dick Van Dyke, anticipated the development of internet streaming.
He tells his idea to an incredulous Truly Scrumptious when she asks about his prototype during their first meeting.

TRULY Oh, and what’s this gadget?
CARACTACUS Well, that’s not quite right yet, but eventually, I hope to transmit moving pictures by wireless.
TRULY Oh, really?
CARACTACUS Yes, really.

I think the reference was intended be to an older technology called television, which has always been able to receive moving pictures and sound wirelessly, though I'll admit the description fits the definition of streaming when the streaming device is connected to the internet wirelessly.

Yes, it was meant to be reference to television.
The 1968 audience would have been familiar with receiving televised "moving pictures" broadcast "over the airwaves" into their homes for many years and would have seen the humor in Truly's incredulous "Oh really?" reaction to Caractacus's idea.
Incidentally, I grew up watching television via cable. My mother had explain to me what those things I saw on the roofs of some houses were for. (They were called antennas.)
Fast forward to another generation: my sister had to explain to her son what a phone booth was for.

[Dargo]

Livvy is one of my favorite actresses but to be honest I barely remember the movie! Shame on me because de Havilland won her first Oscar in this part! So I definitely need to revisit. The only moment I recall is when she pours herself that glass of milk.....

You have very special memories of this film so when next I see it and for any reason don't care for the thing, I will be gentle.

Don't worry, Bronxie. I have a feeling after you revisit this one, you'll have tears in eyes as well.

I especially love it because of how it's told in flashback, and thus giving it an even greater bittersweet nostalgic feeling.

Have you seen ALL MINE TO GIVE? Talk about tearjerkers. Max Steiner's music contributes mightily to the emotional intensity.

Actually, I haven't. However, after just now reading through its Wiki synopsis, it sounds as if this one is quite the tearjerker as well. However, I must warn you that tearjerkers that are based upon the premise of a beloved one dying, I've never found nearly as emotionally involving as films in which the protagonist ultimately comes to make the more noble decision which might run counter to their own interests, and with the death of someone or anyone within the story not necessarily being a must.

(...I will though keep my eyes peeled for AMTG this month on TCM and so thanks for the heads-up...oh, and if for some reason I don't care for it, I'll be gentle as well)

[Dargo]

Bronxie:

My favorite line from To Each His Own, said by the nurse when Livvy says she can't stay in Pearson Falls:

"The more I learn about small towns, the more I like about the Bronx!"

Yeah, I remember that line the nurse says in it too, Swithin.

And yep, it IS a great line, and one which of course calls out the idea of small-minded provincialism for what it is.

In fact, I remember thinking the first time I ever watched this film as a teenager if some nurse might've said something similar to my birth mother after her parents drove her down from the then small town of Kelowna, British Columbia to have me delivered in a certain much larger west coast American city.

(...but of course in this case, instead of saying "the Bronx" the nurse would've said "Los Angeles")

[Swithin]

Bronxie:

My favorite line from To Each His Own, said by the nurse when Livvy says she can't stay in Pearson Falls:

"The more I learn about small towns, the more I like about the Bronx!"

Yeah, I remember that line the nurse says in it too, Swithin.

And yep, it IS a great line, and one which of course calls out the idea of small-minded provincialism for what it is.

In fact, I remember thinking the first time I ever watched this film as a teenager if some nurse might've said something similar to my birth mother after her parents drove her down from the then small town of Kelowna, British Columbia to have me delivered in a certain much larger west coast American city.

(...but of course in this case, instead of saying "the Bronx" the nurse would've said "Los Angeles")

And that means, Dargo, that you can run for U.S. President! We look forward to your candidacy!

[txfilmfan]

On my recent viewing of CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, I realized that Caractacus Potts, the inventor played by Dick Van Dyke, anticipated the development of internet streaming.
He tells his idea to an incredulous Truly Scrumptious when she asks about his prototype during their first meeting.

TRULY Oh, and what’s this gadget?
CARACTACUS Well, that’s not quite right yet, but eventually, I hope to transmit moving pictures by wireless.
TRULY Oh, really?
CARACTACUS Yes, really.

I think the reference was intended be to an older technology called television, which has always been able to receive moving pictures and sound wirelessly, though I'll admit the description fits the definition of streaming when the streaming device is connected to the internet wirelessly.

Yes, it was meant to be reference to television.
The 1968 audience would have been familiar with receiving televised "moving pictures" broadcast "over the airwaves" into their homes for many years and would have seen the humor in Truly's incredulous "Oh really?" reaction to Caractacus's idea.
Incidentally, I grew up watching television via cable. My mother had explain to me what those things I saw on the roofs of some houses were for. (They were called antennas.)
Fast forward to another generation: my sister had to explain to her son what a phone booth was for.

I'm a bit older (rapidly nearing 60), but only knew TV via cable as well. Everyone in town had cable because without it you could only receive 2 local stations. Never saw an antenna on houses, except for a ham radio operator down the block, whose antenna was quite a bit larger than a TV antenna.

Only when I got to college did I have to mess with an antenna, as our dorms didn't have cable. Now I find I'm doing it again, since YouTube TV doesn't carry as many local channels as my previous TV provider (MeTV and AntennaTV in particular). So I've got one TV hooked up to an indoor antenna.

[Dargo]

And that means, Dargo, that you can run for U.S. President! We look forward to your candidacy!

LOL

Oh sure, JUST what this country needs right now, Swithin! ANOTHER old white guy runnin' things.

Haven't the last TWO been ENOUGH for ya?!!! LOL

(...and besides, and considering I've always been inclined to tell people exactly what I think of 'em, I wouldn't stand a chance in hell of being elected, anyway)

[Bronxgirl48]

Livvy is one of my favorite actresses but to be honest I barely remember the movie! Shame on me because de Havilland won her first Oscar in this part! So I definitely need to revisit. The only moment I recall is when she pours herself that glass of milk.....

You have very special memories of this film so when next I see it and for any reason don't care for the thing, I will be gentle.

Don't worry, Bronxie. I have a feeling after you revisit this one, you'll have tears in eyes as well.

I especially love it because of how it's told in flashback, and thus giving it an even greater bittersweet nostalgic feeling.

Have you seen ALL MINE TO GIVE? Talk about tearjerkers. Max Steiner's music contributes mightily to the emotional intensity.

Actually, I haven't. However, after just now reading through its Wiki synopsis, it sounds as if this one is quite the tearjerker as well. However, I must warn you that tearjerkers that are based upon the premise of a beloved one dying, I've never found nearly as emotionally involving as films in which the protagonist ultimately comes to make the more noble decision which might run counter to their own interests, and with the death of someone or anyone within the story not necessarily being a must.

(...I will though keep my eyes peeled for AMTG this month on TCM and so thanks for the heads-up...oh, and if for some reason I don't care for it, I'll be gentle as well)

Just the first notes of Max Steiner's score for AMTG in the opening makes me immediately break out in tears. It is so poignant and bittersweet.

[Dargo]

Just the first notes of Max Steiner's score for AMTG in the opening makes me immediately break out in tears. It is so poignant and bittersweet.

Would it be what sounds to me like an Irish/Scottish Jig starting at the 1:02 minute mark of this, Bronxie?...

[Hibi]

Swithin, thanks so much for that quote!! Only we Bronxites know just how great our borough is, and how much short shrift it is given in "Golden Age" Hollywood. To them it was all about Brooklyn, Brooklyn, Brooklyn!

I checked the December schedule and ALL MINE TO GIVE is on it.

And HIBI, if you are reading this, I also saw that SUSAN SLEPT HERE will be aired twice during this holiday month. I think you mentioned you had never seen it?

Thanks for the heads up!! I'll have to check the schedule and record it.

[Swithin]

Just the first notes of Max Steiner's score for AMTG in the opening makes me immediately break out in tears. It is so poignant and bittersweet.

Would it be what sounds to me like an Irish/Scottish Jig starting at the 1:02 minute mark of this, Bronxie?...

That's intentional. The couple are emigrants from Scotland. Max Steiner took that into account whilst creating his score.

Btw the screenplay was written by Dale Eunson based on his family's experience. Dale Eunson's father Robbie Eunson is played by Rex Thompson in the movie. Robbie is the boy who goes off with the sled at the end of the movie.

[Bronxgirl48]

Just the first notes of Max Steiner's score for AMTG in the opening makes me immediately break out in tears. It is so poignant and bittersweet.

Would it be what sounds to me like an Irish/Scottish Jig starting at the 1:02 minute mark of this, Bronxie?...

I've been having problems with YouTube on my computer for several months now and was not able to access this. I tried troubleshooting tips but still cannot get ANY volume in general on YT and the screen shows up like a negative print. Help!

[Bronxgirl48]

Swithin, thanks so much for that quote!! Only we Bronxites know just how great our borough is, and how much short shrift it is given in "Golden Age" Hollywood. To them it was all about Brooklyn, Brooklyn, Brooklyn!

I checked the December schedule and ALL MINE TO GIVE is on it.

And HIBI, if you are reading this, I also saw that SUSAN SLEPT HERE will be aired twice during this holiday month. I think you mentioned you had never seen it?

Thanks for the heads up!! I'll have to check the schedule and record it.

You are so very welcome! Hope you enjoy it! At the very least Dick Powell's Hollywood apartment with its mid-century decor is to die for!

Plus - terrific performances by Anne Francis (remember I had talked about her in this film in a previous post), Glenda Farrell and Alvy Moore.

[Hibi]

Swithin, thanks so much for that quote!! Only we Bronxites know just how great our borough is, and how much short shrift it is given in "Golden Age" Hollywood. To them it was all about Brooklyn, Brooklyn, Brooklyn!

I checked the December schedule and ALL MINE TO GIVE is on it.

And HIBI, if you are reading this, I also saw that SUSAN SLEPT HERE will be aired twice during this holiday month. I think you mentioned you had never seen it?

Thanks for the heads up!! I'll have to check the schedule and record it.

You are so very welcome! Hope you enjoy it! At the very least Dick Powell's Hollywood apartment with its mid-century decor is to die for!

Plus - terrific performances by Anne Francis (remember I had talked about her in this film in a previous post), Glenda Farrell and Alvy Moore.

I'd forgotten about Anne Francis!

[Bronxgirl48]

Anne is just pitch-perfect as a spoiled rich girl engaged to Powell.