Movies, Mom & Me

• 
  Commentary:  Under construction.
    Yes, I found a decent copy of this film for which I didn't have to pay. The thing is, I have a very low tolerance for westerns. They have to really grab me and refuse to let go, and the "western" part of the story needs to be much less compelling than the character part of the story. Not counting this one, I have only eleven western movies and two western series. There is so much critical infighting about this film that I didn't was to pay for it unless I had already discovered how I felt about it, and found myself feeling positive. I haven't watched it, yet, but I will soon.
    Should be interesting because the review I've attached to the title of this post suggests that this movie set certain standards for westerns that every western made after this one followed. Not being an out-and-out western fan, I may learn nothing from viewing this movie, but I hope I'll at least enjoy it. If not, well, no financial harm done.
    One thing of which I've taken more than casual notice, this movie is stuffed with the amazing best of character actors who plied their trade at the time this movie was being made. I don't know if Brando was responsible for attempting to put all of Hollywood's a-list character actors in this film because he was chiefly an actor, himself, but I am grateful that he did. I might end up liking this movie for no other reason than that!
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Marlon Brando	Rio	Pina Pellicer	Louisa Longworth	Karl Malden	Dad Longworth	Ben Johnson	Bob Emory
  Katy Jurado	Maria Longworth	Slim Pickens	Lon Dendrick	Larry Duran	Chico Modesto	Sam Gilman	Harvey Johnson
  Rodolfo Acosta	Mexican Rurale Captain	Timothy Carey	Howard Tetley	Elisha Cook Jr.	Carvey	Philip Ahn	Uncle

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1961
    Directed by Marlon Brando.

Labels: goflexB, marlon-brando, revisionist-western

# posted by gail @ 18:16    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  This collection, dear Reader, is my prize. I stumbled across it while looking for a copy of one of my all time favorite movies, A Face in the Crowd. After Donald Trump was elected U.S. President, I couldn't get this movie out of my head. I was not alone in this. Four Films That Explain the Rise of Donald Trump, a thoughtful article written by Sean Mulvihill on the Roger Ebert website, meditates on this, as well. Interestingly, long before Donald Trump was elected U. S. President, I owned all of the four films Sean Mulvihill talks about. Our library, at the time I was ravenous to watch A Face in the Crowd, didn't have a copy (it does, now; I suspect there were several people requesting it after Trump's election). Every copy I found for sale was horribly expensive. Then, I noticed this collection that included this movie. It was priced out of my range but I kept my eye on it, day after day, month after month. Finally, it dropped by half, which brought the price down to just under $2.00 a movie. That I could afford. I scanned the collection of the other 14 movies. Some I'd seen, some I hadn't, two I already owned (which meant I could give copies of those movies to my actor niece, both of which are classics). I knew of all of them and was excited about seeing all of them. The list below is what was contained in the collection. There are still four (or, maybe five, I can't remember) that I haven't seen. Owning this collection is a delight. I'd never paid much attention to Elia Kazan as a director. Now, I'm much better educated!
  • 
    A Letter to Elia:  The collection includes an "intensely personal and deeply moving tribute" to Elia Kazan by Martin Scorsese and a coffee table type book about the films and Kazan's development. The tribute is pretty much a vanity project, but the book is interesting and the tribute is not a complete waste of time.
      Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
      Release Date: 2010
  
  
  • 
    A Tree Grows in Brooklyn:  Under construction.
      

    Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
    Dorothy McGuire	Katie Nolan	Joan Blondell	Aunt Sissy	James Dunn	Johnny Nolan	Lloyd Nolan	Officer McShane
    James Gleason	McGarrity	Ted Donaldson	Neeley Nolan	Peggy Ann Garner	Francie Nolan	Ruth Nelson	Miss McDonough
    John Alexander	Steve Edwards	B.S. Pully	Christmas Tree Vendor	Ferike Boros	Grandma Rommely	Charles Halton	Mr. Barker

    
      Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
      Release Date: 1945
  
  
  • 
    Boomerang:  Pretty interesting legal drama. Made me wonder if this created a standard by which all legal dramas are now measured.
      Arthur Miller appeared in this movie as a suspect in a police lineup.
      

    Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
    Dana Andrews	Henry L. Harvey	Jane Wyatt	Madge Harvey	Lee J. Cobb	Chief Harold F. Robinson	Cara Williams	Irene Nelson
    Arthur Kennedy	John Waldron	Sam Levene	Dave Woods	Taylor Holmes	T. M. Wade	Robert Keith	Mac McCreery
    Ed Begley	Paul Harris	Karl Malden	Det. Lt. White	William Challee	Stone	Lewis Leverett	Whitney

    
      Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
      Release Date: 1947
    → film-noir1; lee-j-cobb
  
  
  • 
    Gentleman's Agreement:  Dated but engaging film about anti-Semitism in the U.S. Disturbing despite its datedness.
      

    Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
    Gregory Peck	Philip Schuyler Green	Anne Revere	Mrs. Green	Dorothy McGuire	Kathy Lacey	June Havoc	Elaine Wales
    John Garfield	Dave Goldman	Albert Dekker	John Minify	Celeste Holm	Anne Dettrey	Jane Wyatt	Jane
    Dean Stockwell	Tommy Green	Nicholas Joy	Dr. Craigie	Sam Jaffe	Prof. Fred Lieberman	Harold Vermilyea	Lou Jordan

    
      Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
      Release Date: 1947
    → gregory-peck
  
  
  • 
    Pinky:  An unusual take on discrimination in the U.S. South. Shows, obliquely, how idiotic, and yet how powerful, it is.
      

    Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
    Jeanne Crain	Patricia "Pinky" Johnson	Ethel Barrymore	Miss Em	Ethel Waters	Dicey Johnson	William Lundigan	Dr. Thomas Adams
    Basil Ruysdael	Judge Walker	Kenny Washington	Dr. Canady	Nina Mae McKinney	Rozelia	Griff Barnett	Dr. Joe McGill
    Frederick O'Neal	Jake Waters	Evelyn Varden	Melba Wooley	Raymond Greenleaf	Judge Shoreman	Juanita Moore	Nurse

    
      Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
      Release Date: 1949
  
  
  • 
    Panic in the Streets:  An early plague movie with a film-noir twist. Engaging.
      

    Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
    Richard Widmark	Lt. Cmdr. Reed, M.D.	Paul Douglas	Cpt. Tom Warren	Barbara Bel Geddes	Nancy Reed	Jack Palance	Blackie
    Zero Mostel	Raymond Fitch	Alexis Minotis	John Mefaris	Dan Riss	Nef	Guy Thonajan	Poldi

    
      Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
      Release Date: 1950
    → film-noir2; jack-palance
  
  
  • 
    A Streetcar Named Desire:  My write-up, including Actor/Role table, is linked to the title.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  • 
    Viva Zapata!:  Under construction.
      

    Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
    Marlon Brando	Emiliano Zapata	Jean Peters	Josefa Zapata	Anthony Quinn	Eufemio Zapata	Joseph Wiseman	Fernando Aguirre
    Arnold Moss	Don Nacio	Alan Reed	Pancho Villa	Margo	Soldadera	Harold Gordon	Francisco Ignacio Madero
    Lou Gilbert	Pablo	Frank Silvera	Victoriano Huerta	Florenz Ames	Señor Espejo	Richard Garrick	Old General
    Fay Roope	Porfirio Díaz	Mildred Dunnock	Señora Espejo	Henry Silva	Hernández	Ross Bagdasarian	Officer

    
      Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
      Release Date: 1952
  
  
  • 
    Man on a Tightrope:  Under construction.
      

    Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
    Fredric March	Karel Černík	Terry Moore	Tereza Černík	Gloria Grahame	Zama Černík	Cameron Mitchell	Joe Vosdek
    Adolphe Menjou	Fesker	Robert Beatty	Barović	Alexander D'Arcy	Rudolph	Richard Boone	Krofta

    
      Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
      Release Date: 1953
  → marlon-brando
  
  
  • 
    On the Waterfront:  I am ashamed to admit that I have not watched this yet. I keep avoiding it, despite my curiosity. I'm not sure why but will report back when I've watched it.
      Yes, Roger Ebert christened this movies as one of his Great Movies.
      Yet another movie, by the way, that has actors who were later stars playing small, uncredited roles.
      

    Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
    Marlon Brando	Terry Malloy	Karl Malden	Father Pete Barry	Lee J. Cobb	Michael J. Skelly	Rod Steiger	Charlie Malloy
    Eva Marie Saint	Edie Doyle	Pat Henning	Timothy J. Dugan	John F. Hamilton	Pop Doyle	Ben Wagner	Joey Doyle
    Fred Gwynne	Mladen Sekulovich	Martin Balsam	Gillette	Pat Hingle	Jocko	Nehemiah Persoff	Cab Driver

    
      Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
      Release Date: 1954
    → pat-hingle; nehemiah-persoff; marlon-brando; lee-j-cobb
  
  
  • 
    East of Eden:  My write-up, including Actor/Role table, is linked to the title.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  • 
    Baby Doll:  This is a dark, satirical romp that is multi-layered. I've watched it twice in astonishment. Each time I notice something else bizarre. Everyone performs exquisitely.
      

    Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
    Karl Malden	Archie Lee Meighan	Carroll Baker	Baby Doll Meighan	Eli Wallach	Silva Vacarro	Mildred Dunnock	Aunt Rose Comfort
    Lonny Chapman	Rock	Eades Hogue	Town Marshal	Madeleine Sherwood	Nurse	Rip Torn	Dentist

    
      Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up for this movie.
      Release Date: 1956
    → southern-gothic; eli-wallach
  
  
  • 
    A Face in the Crowd:  Watch this movie because Donald Trump is President of the U.S. Watch it because Andy Griffith's performance will blow you away. It will make you wonder how the hell he got stuck in Mayberry.
      

    Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
    Andy Griffith	Larry Rhodes	Patricia Neal	Marcia Jeffries	Anthony Franciosa	Joey DePalma	Walter Matthau	Mel Miller
    Lee Remick	Betty Lou Fleckum	Percy Waram	Gen. Haynesworth	Paul McGrath	Macey	Rod Brasfield	Beanie
    Marshall Neilan	Sen. Worthington Fuller	Kay Medford	1st Mrs. Rhodes	Lois Nettleton	Nurse	Rip Torn	Barry Mills

    
      Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
      Release Date: 1957
  
  
  • 
    Wild River:  Under construction.
      

    Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
    Montgomery Clift	Chuck Glover	Lee Remick	Carol Garth Baldwin	Jo Van Fleet	Ella Garth	Albert Salmi	R.J. Bailey
    Jay C. Flippen	Hamilton Garth	James Westerfield	Cal Garth	Barbara Loden	Betty Jackson	Frank Overton	Walter Clark
    Malcolm Atterbury	Sy Moore	Bruce Dern	Jack Roper	Robert Earl Jones	Sam Johnson	Ross Apperson	Attorney Armstrong

    
      Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
      Release Date: 1960
    → southern-gothic; pat-hingle
  
  
  • 
    Splendor in the Grass:  The first time I saw this movie I was unmoved. After I received this collection I watched it again and became surprisingly caught up in it. The final scenes are perfect.
      Both TCM and Emmanuel Levy have a flurry of pages about this movie. I've linked the title of the movie to the TCM posts. A list of Emmanuel Levy's posts about this movie is here. They all look interesting.
      In addition, DVD Savant has a review well worth reading in this post about the Natalie Wood Signature Collection. The review for this movie can be found as the third movie reviewed down the page.
      

    Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
    Natalie Wood	Wilma Dean Loomis	Pat Hingle	Ace Stamper	Audrey Christie	Mrs. Loomis	Barbara Loden	Virginia Stamper
    Zohra Lampert	Angelina	Warren Beatty	Bud Stamper	Fred Stewart	Del Loomis	Joanna Roos	Mrs. Stamper
    John McGovern	Doc Smiley	Jan Norris	Juanita Howard	Martine Bartlett	Miss Metcalf	Gary Lockwood	Allen Tuttle
    Sandy Dennis	Kay	Crystal Field	Hazel	Marla Adams	June	Lynn Loring	Carolyn
    Phyllis Diller	Texas Guinan	Sean Garrison	Glen	Mark Slade	Rusty	William Inge	Reverend Whitman

    
      Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
      Release Date: 1961
    → pat-hingle
  
  
  • 
    America America:  Haven't watched this yet but I suspect I am going to fall in love with it. It's an old world/new world historical drama with an emphasis on character; right up my alley. I'll report back.
      

    Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
    Stathis Giallelis	Stavros Topouzoglou	Frank Wolff	Vartan Damadian	Harry Davis	Isaac Topouzoglou	Elena Karam	Vasso Topouzoglou
    Estelle Hemsley	Grandmother Topouzoglou	Gregory Rozakis	Hohannes Gardashian	Lou Antonio	Abdul	Salem Ludwig	Odysseus Topouzoglou
    John Marley	Garabet	Joanna Frank	Vartuhi	Paul Mann	Aleko Sinnikoglou	Linda Marsh	Thomna Sinnikoglou

    
      Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up for this movie.
      Release Date: 1963
    

Labels: carroll-baker, eli-wallach, elia-kazan, film-noir1&2, gang-movie, gregory-peck, jack-palance, karl-malden, lee-j-cobb, marlon-brando, martin-scorsese, melodramaB, natalie-wood, nehemiah-persoff, pat-hingle

# posted by gail @ 19:47    0 comments    email......this post

• 
  Commentary:  I'm putting no labels on this collection other than the "collection" label, since this write-up includes four very different movies. It is interesting to note that the collection is named "Romantic Dramas" by TCM, who put it together, which I like because, having watched all of these movies at least once, they are romantic in the old tradition. Yes, they include relationship material, but in a much more complicated way than we tend to think of "romance" today. In addition, each of these films, in one way or another, follows the old, nuanced definition of "romantic": "marked by the imaginative or emotional appeal of what is heroic, adventurous, remote, mysterious, or idealized". This is not a collection of Pretty Woman fantasy type romantic dramas. This is a collection of "real life" romantic drama.
  Update 5/26/21:  Well, I put another label on this collection, popcorn-and-soda2, which is appropriate to all four movies, especially if watched on a binge-worthy afternoon.
  Update 8/3/21:  And, another label, I finally relented and placed these in the romance4 category.
    This Collection Includes:
  
  
  
  East of Eden:  To my mind, this is a good adaptation of the second half of the novel. My preference is for the novel, but the film is excellent, as well, and handy to keep in mind as you read the novel.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Julie Harris	Abra Bacon	James Dean	Caleb Trask	Raymond Massey	Adam Trask	Richard Davalos	Aaron Trask
  Burl Ives	Sheriff Sam	Jo Van Fleet	Kate Ames/Cathy Trask	Albert Dekker	Will Hamilton	Harold Gordon	Gustav Albrecht
  Nick Dennis	Rantani	Lois Smith	Servant Anne	Timothy Carey	Henchman Joe	Barbara Baxley	Nurse

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1955
    Directed by Elia Kazan.
  → lois-smith, elia-kazan
  
  
  
  Cat on a Hot Tin Roof:  This is my favorite film adaptation of this play. Sometimes film adaptations of Tennessee Williams' plays don't hold my interest, but this one does. Paul Newman adds a vulnerability to Brick that is hard to beat and Elizabeth Taylor as Maggie is perfect. The convolutions revealed, as lies unravel, is compelling. This is a true troubled family drama. The only characters outside of family who appear in this are the clean-up crew, so to speak.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Elizabeth Taylor	Margaret Pollitt	Paul Newman	Brick Pollitt	Burl Ives	Harvey Pollitt	Judith Anderson	Ida Pollitt
  Jack Carson	Cooper Pollitt	Madeleine Sherwood	Mae Flynn Pollitt	Larry Gates	Dr. Baugh	Vaughn Taylor	Deacon Davis

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1958
    Directed by Richard Brooks.
  → southern-gothic, paul-newman
  
  
  
  A Streetcar Named Desire:  Although I enjoyed the acting, it's certainly stellar, I studied this play in college and found the film adaptation confusing and lacking. Read the play, or see it in the theater, before watching the movie.
    Here's what Three Movie Buffs have to say about this film. Interesting, informative reviews from all three.
    In addition, look! Another 1951 film I didn't even realize I had!
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Vivien Leigh	Blanche	Marlon Brando	Stanley	Kim Hunter	Stella	Karl Malden	Mitch
  Rudy Bond	Steve	Nick Dennis	Pablo	Peg Hillias	Eunice	Wright King	Collector
  Ann Dere	Matron	Edna Thomas	Mexican Woman	Richard Garrick	Doctor	Lyle Latell	Policeman

  
    A miscellaneous note ripped from the Wikipedia page, linked below: As of May 2022, Mickey Kuhn, who played The Sailor and is not listed in the Actor/Role table, above, is the last surviving cast member of this movie.
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1951
    Directed by Elia Kazan
  → marlon-brando, southern-gothic, birth-year, elia-kazan
  
  
  
  Rebel Without a Cause:  Perhaps I wasn't the right age when I first saw this movie, well into my 50's, but it just doesn't attract me. As far as James Dean's acting is concerned, my favorite movie is Giant. That one makes me wish his life had been longer so he could develop as an actor. This movie, well, I'm sure it was a money maker, and I guess he acted well, but I found the story tedious and his character nothing to write home about. I know. It's sacrilegious to say that, but, well, I'm glad he got two other really involving films under his belt before he died.
    Roger Ebert christened this movie as one of his Great Movies. I've linked his review to the of this movie.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  James Dean	Jim Stark	Natalie Wood	Judy	Sal Mineo	John Crawford	Jim Backus	Frank Stark
  Ann Doran	Carol Stark	Corey Allen	Buzz Gunderson	William Hopper	Judy's Father	Rochelle Hudson	Judy's Mother
  Edward Platt	Ins. Ray Fremick	Marietta Canty	Crawford Family Maid	Virginia Brissac	Grandma Stark	Dennis Hopper	Goon
  Jack Grinnage	Moose	Frank Mazzola	Crunch	Ian Wolfe	Dr. Minton	Beverly Long	Helen
  Robert Foulk	Gene	Jack Simmons	Cookie	Tom Bernard	Harry	Nick Adams	Chick

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1955
    Directed by Nicholas Ray.

Labels: birth-year, elia-kazan, karl-malden, lois-smith, marlon-brando, natalie-wood, paul-newman, popcorn-and-soda2, romance4, southern-gothic

# posted by gail @ 18:37    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  None
• 
  Commentary:  This is a movie I've avoided purchasing for a long time, even though Mom and I enjoy watching it every time it appears on TV, whether uninterrupted by commercials and uncut or otherwise. It is, plain and simple, riveting. Frankly, a perfect movie, in my estimation. However, for some reason I could never bring myself to pay for it. Finally, I noticed what looked like a relatively unplayed copy of it at my favorite trade-in movie store really cheap (I later discovered that Costco was selling it cheap, by then, too, although not as cheap as the copy I purchased) and decided, yeah, we should have it.
    Good choice. As soon as Mom hears the theme music, she settles back in her rocker with a subtle smile, as though someone is preparing to read her a Dickens novel cover to cover.
    It should not surprise you to learn that Roger Ebert christened this movie a Great Movie.
    Just a side note: The following Actor/Role Table is nowhere near an exhaustive list of actors and characters participating in this movie that, despite sometimes have little screen time, left an indelible impression on both my mother and I as viewers. Some of those actors and characters, I'm sure, will be covered in the tables of The Godfather II and The Godfather III. Some will not.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Marlon Brando	Vito Corleone	Morgana King	Carmela Corleone	Al Pacino	Michael Corleone	James Caan	Santino Corleone
  John Cazale	Fredo Corleone	Talia Shire	Connie Corleone	Robert Duvall	Tom Hagen	Richard Castellano	Peter Clemenza
  Sterling Hayden	Cpt. Mark McCluskey	John Marley	Jack Woltz	Al Lettieri	Virgil Sollozzo	Richard Conte	Emilio Barzini
  Diane Keaton	Kay Adams Corleone	Abe Vigoda	Salvatore Tessio	Gianni Russo	Carlo Rizzi	Al Martino	Johnny Fontaine
  Lenny Montana	Luca Brasi	Salvatore Corsitto	Amerigo Bonasera	Vito Scotti	Nazorine	Gabriele Torrei	Enzo Aguello
  Johnny Martino	Paulie Gatto	Simonetta Stefanelli	Apollonia Vitelli-Corleone	Alex Rocco	Moe Green	Richard Bright	Albert Neri

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1972
    Directed by Francis Ford Coppola.

Labels: action3, al-pacino, diane-keaton, drama7, gang-movie, marlon-brando, period3, revenge1, robert-duvall, violence3

# posted by gail @ 02:04    0 comments    email......this post

• Who's watched:  M & G
• Mentions:  None
• 
  Commentary:  I'm truly surprised I've never mentioned this film in the journal. Since I saw it in the theater I've rented it for both of us to watch. We are both always delighted with it.
    My mother consistently snorts her ironic disapproval during the scenes in which DeMarco talks about women. At one point, the first time she saw it, she rolled her eyes and said, "Oh, brother!" By the end, though, she is always won over. This is one of those movies that makes me wonder which I enjoy more; watching the movie or watching my mother watch the movie.
    It is important to note (as I did in the table below) that Selena, yes, that Selena, appears briefly in this movie. It seems this was her only film appearance. It was noted in her Wikipedia write-up, to which I've linked in the table, below.
    

  Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role	Actor	Role
  Marlon Brando	Dr. Jack Mickler/Don Octavio de Flores	Johnny Depp	John Arnold DeMarco/Don Juan	Faye Dunaway	Marilyn Mickler	Géraldine Pailhas	Doña Ana
  Bob Dishy	Dr. Paul Showalter	Franc Luz	Don Antonio	Rachel Ticotin	Doña Inez	Selena Pérez	Ranchera Singer

  
    Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
    Release Date: 1995
    Directed by Jeremy Leven.

Labels: dramedy2, faye-dunaway, marlon-brando, me-favorite3, popcorn-and-soda5, romance3

# posted by gail @ 02:19    0 comments    email......this post