Friday, April 12, 2024
George Bernard Shaw on Film
- Commentary: Under construction.
Directed by Various.
- Major Barbara
Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Wendy Hiller Major Barbara Undershaft Rex Harrison Adolphus Cusins Robert Morley Andrew Undershaft Robert Newton Bill Walker Sybil Thorndike The General Emlyn Williams Snobby Price Miles Malleson Morrison the Butler Donald Calthrop Peter Shirley Marie Lohr Lady Britomart Stanley Holloway Policeman Marie Ault Rummy Mitchens Penelope Dudley-Ward Sarah Undershaft
Release Date: 1941
Directed by Gabriel Pascal.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
- Caesar and Cleopatra
Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Vivien Leigh Cleopatra Claude Rains Caesar Stewart Granger Apollodorus Flora Robson Ftatateeta Francis L. Sullivan Pothinus Basil Sydney Rufio Cecil Parker Britannus Raymond Lovell Lucius Septimus Anthony Eustrel Achillas Ernest Thesiger Theodotus Anthony Harvey Ptolemy Robert Adams Nubian Slave
Release Date: 1945
Directed by Gabriel Pascal.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
- Androcles and the Lion
Commentary: Under construction.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Jean Simmons Lavinia Victor Mature The Captain Alan Young Androcles Robert Newton Ferrovius Maurice Evans Caesar Elsa Lanchester Megaera Reginald Gardiner Lentulus Gene Lockhart Menagerie Keeper Alan Mowbray Editor of Gladiators Noel Willman Spintho John Hoyt Cato Jim Backus The Centurion Lowell Gilmore Metellus Woody Strode The Lion Strother Martin Soldier Sylvia Lewis Chief Vestal Virgin
Release Date: 1952
Directed by Chester Erskine.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Labels: claude-rains, Criterion8, dramedy3, jean-simmons, wendy-hiller
Friday, July 15, 2022
The Thorn Birds
- Commentary: I haven't watched this series, yet. I'm expecting to receive it today (7/15/22). I have to mention, though, despite its continued popularity, no film critics considered "accomplished" by film media reviewed this series; not then (back in the 1980's) and not now, despite the high caliber talent engaged, the fact that it continues to be lauded as the second most popular mini-series in history (the first one being Roots) and, besides these, it won several major awards. Even its Wikipedia write-up dispensed with its usual "Reception" section on this movie, although it did include a stocked Awards section, of which, might I add, this production was nominated for and won several. Despite this, I had to scrounge to find two reviews, one attached to the title of this post and the other here, written on the occasion of the release of the DVD of the series in 2004. Both are excellent and informative. If you read reviews of video media, you'll appreciate both. In addition, the DVD version I'll be receiving includes a "Commemorative Documentary" that I can barely wait to watch.
The above linked reviews, despite the fact that I'll be receiving a few more DVDs/Blu-Rays in the same package, guarantee that this series will be the first into which I dive. I find it so incredibly curious that no "critic of prominence" wanted to weigh in on this series. I suspect I will discover why top tier critics were afraid to review this series (even though I'd put good money on the proposition that all of them saw it) and that it will have something to do with being afraid of somehow getting their minds dirty. I mean, a mini-series about a priest falling in love with a woman ... starring the likes of Richard Chamberlain, Rachel Ward, Christopher Plummer, the list goes on and on ... somehow, I can imagine lots of critics cringing, shaking their hands frantically and squealing, "Eew!"
So, Dear Reader, stay tuned. Although this post remains "Under construction", I'll be completing and polishing it soon.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Richard Chamberlain Ralph de Bricassart Rachel Ward Adult Meggie Cleary Sydney Penny Child Meggie Cleary Barbara Stanwyck Mary Carson Richard Kiley Paddy Cleary Jean Simmons Fee Cleary Bryan Brown Luke O'Neill Mare Winningham Justine O'Neill Philip Anglim Dane O'Neill Ken Howard Rainer Hartheim John Friedrich Frank Cleary Dwier Brown Adult Stuart Cleary Vidal Peterson Child Stuart Cleary Piper Laurie Anne Mueller Earl Holliman Luddie Mueller Christopher Plummer Archbishop Vittorio di Contini-Verchese Brett Cullen Bob Cleary Stephen W. Burns Jack Cleary Barry Corbin Pete Holly Palance Miss Carmichael John de Lancie Alastair MacQueen Allyn Ann McLerie Mrs. Smith Richard Venture Harry Gough Antoinette Bower Sarah MacQueen
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1983
Directed by Daryl Duke.
Labels: §4, barbara-stanwyck, christopher-plummer, coming-of-age2, erotic, jean-simmons, john-de-lancie, period7, piper-laurie, religion2, spiritual2, TV3
Thursday, June 09, 2022
The Big Country
- Commentary: To me, this is the frontier version of Giant. It's a bit more romancy, yes, but the central conflict is essentially the same: the challenges of capitalistic success in western America. And, anyway, it's a delight to see Jean Simmons and Charlton Heston in such off-track roles. This movie played with Giant back to back (doesn't matter which is played first) is a great way to spend a precipitous afternoon. In fact, there are some precipitous days coming up shortly. Guess what I'll be doing through at least one of them!
Finally, yes, I know, many critics considered it silly and cliché ridden. I know it's silly and cliché ridden. And, still, I consider it one of the ultimate pop-corn-and-soda movies of all time.
Update 6/9/2022: This post was originally published on 1/16/2021 but disappeared from public view. I am now reinstating it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Gregory Peck James McKay Jean Simmons Julie Maragon Carroll Baker Patricia Terrill Charlton Heston Steve Leech Burl Ives Rufus Hannassey Charles Bickford Mjr. Henry Terrill Alfonso Bedoya Ramón Gutierrez Chuck Connors Buck Hannassey Chuck Hayward Rafe Hannassey Buff Brady Dude Hannassey Jim Burk Cracker Hannassey Dorothy Adams Hannassey Woman
Here's the Wikipedia write-up for this movie.
Release Date: 1958
Directed by William Wyler.
Labels: adventure2, carroll-baker, charlton-heston, drama2, gregory-peck, historical1, jean-simmons, period1, popcorn-and-soda7, romance1, western
Saturday, June 04, 2022
Elmer Gantry
- Commentary: This is one of those films I've watched so many times I can quote dialogue from it. The story is incendiary (literally). The production is spot on. The acting is masterful. Although I wouldn't ordinarily label a film like this a "spectacle" film, it certainly isn't in the mode of, say The Ten Commandments, the spectacle film against which to judge all spectacle films, there is something spectacular about every element of this film, not the least of which are Burt Lancaster and Jean Simmons. Both were made for these roles.
Roger Ebert wrote an extraordinary essay in memory of Burt Lancaster. I thought it was fitting to include it in this post since this movie belongs to Burt Lancaster. This was a movie that Mom enjoyed, as well, although it was one we caught on TCM and checked out of the library rather than owned. I own it, now. It's the kind of movie that makes me want to read the book. I haven't, yet, but I have a copy. I'll be cracking it soon.
And now, dear reader, an essay by Roger Ebert, the famous film critic, you will note, on reading. I remembered this essay, which I read a while back, immediate after I wrote "It's the kind of movie that makes me want to read the book." Since, in fact, I have realized that I did read the book, in high school, along with several other Sinclair novels. And yet, the reading of the book has vanished, in my memory, below the watching of the film. Hmmm. This essay reminds me that if I love the movie and it's based on a book, I need to read (or reread) the book. The two are tangled media. Employing both, I think, enhances one's intelligence with perspicuity. Consider my write-up of Rosemary's Baby. Rarely does a movie follow a book so closely, usually only in the case where the book was written with the movie in mind. Which is the point. If the book was written long before the movie was even a twinkle in someone's eye, and, if you enjoyed the movie, I guarantee, you'll really enjoy the book. Think you don't have the time for the book? Time doesn't put demands on us, we put demands on Time. Make some demands. I think you might be pleasantly surprised at what results.
Update 6/2/2022: This post was originally published on 2/5/2018 but disappeared from public view. I am now reinstating it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Burt Lancaster Elmer Gantry Jean Simmons Sister Sharon Falconer Arthur Kennedy Jim Lefferts Dean Jagger William L. Morgan Shirley Jones Lulu Baines Patti Paige Sister Rachel Edward Andrews George F. Babbitt John McIntire Rev. John Pengilly
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1960
Directed by Richard Brooks.
Labels: burt-lancaster, dean-jagger, drama4, jean-simmons, period2, spectacle1
Tuesday, May 03, 2022
Black Narcissus
- Commentary: Under construction.
This movie came in at #4 on Roger Ebert's list of The Greatest Movies Ever Made.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Deborah Kerr Sister Clodagh Kathleen Byron Sister Ruth Sabu The Young General (Dilip Rai) David Farrar Mr. Dean Flora Robson Sister Philippa Jean Simmons Kanchi Jenny Laird Sister Honey Judith Furse Sister Briony
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1947
Directed by Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger.
Labels: §3, dramaF, jean-simmons, psychological2, religion2
Monday, January 28, 2019
Spartacus
- Commentary: Yet another film I was surprised to discover I didn't own. This was a Mom favorite and it was through me watching her savoring the movie (especially the love story and the plight of Varinia) that I came to appreciate it to the point that, a good year or so ago, after checking the movie out of the library several times, decided to purchase it.
Yes, it's clearly dated in its portrayal. It rather reminds me of my reaction to The Story of Ruth, when I blurted, in response to watching the priestesses preparing for a sacrifice to Chemosh, "Isn't it interesting that the priestesses gowns look exactly like 1960's evening gowns. Do you think the state of dressmaking, at that time, included all those stays and breast shapers?" My mother ignored me.
At any rate, I continue to find this movie involving. The write-up of the movie on the back of the case in which the movie came characterizes it as a portrayal of a "triumphant" slave revolt. Maybe idealogically and politically it was "triumphant" but, certainly, the fate of the slaves who participated in the revolt was, well, not particularly triumphant. Looking back at the revolt from 2100 years, noticing the current failings of imperialism, the nascent revolt of everyone but the plutocrats, the years-long dismissal of Christianity, let alone religion, and the success of various social democracies versus the burgeoning torpor of a variety of neo- and post-imperial regimes, well, however inspirational it might have been in 1960, it is mildly depressing, now.
Update 9/29/19: Is this a "gang-movie"? Yeah, it is. More of a "good-gang" movie, but a gang-movie, nonetheless. Still fun to watch.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Kirk Douglas Spartacus Laurence Olivier Crassus Jean Simmons Varinia Charles Laughton Gracchus Peter Ustinov Batiatus Tony Curtis Antoninus John Gavin Julius Caesar John Dall Marcus Glabrus Nina Foch Helena Glabrus John Ireland Crixus Joanna Barnes Claudia Marius Charles McGraw Marcellus
Just in case, here's the Wikipedia write-up for the movie.
Release Date: 1960
Directed by Stanley Kubrick.
Labels: action1, adventure1, drama4, fantasy1, gang-movie, historical2, jean-simmons, kirk-douglas, mom-favorite1, period2, political1, spectacle1, stanley-kubrick, tragedy1
