Old Movies That Folks Should See - Page 3

flippant · 11-09-2004, 03:58 PM

I just saw the old The Manchurian Candidate. If it's of interest there is a scene in it that they intentionally left in out of focus for the sake of the raw emotion. Fun to see if you can find it amongst all the paranoid/ suspense drama. It reminds me slightly of old Hitchcock.....I'm a huge fan.

Radar · 12-20-2004, 08:24 AM

A movie came out not long before Gilda Radner died called, "It Came From Hollywood" and it had Gilda Radner, John Candy, Cheech & Chong, and Dan Akroyd talking about old B movies on different topics. They had a whole section about Ed Wood. Another section covered drug movies like "Reefer Madness", another was about the incredible shrinking man, 50 foot woman, etc, etc.

It is so funny and entertaining it's amazing. I watched it again the other day and one the clips they show is the most blatantly racist thing I've ever seen. It's a Hollywood dance number with Al Jolson where a black guy goes to heaven. Apparantly it's black heaven. Everyone has tin foil wings, and halos and is singing or tap dancing. Then you see a gigantic watermelon break into pieces and inside is a black tap dancing man, children dressed up in black face singing "Hydee Hydee Hydee Hydee Ho!", etc.

It's so shocking and racist it actually is kind of funny to me. They never credited the clip in the credits of "It Came From Hollywood" but I did some research and found out it was a 1934 movie called "Wonder Bar". I just ordered it from Amazon and I'll let you know what I think when it gets here. It turns out Busby Berkeley actually worked on this film too.

Here's the lyrics to the song where Jolson goes to black heaven...

Quote:

(St. Peter:) Here you is, in the heavenly land where the good folks go;
(Gabriel:) Come right in, hallelujah to you,
(Kids:) And a hi-de-ho!
(St. Peter:) Step right up, get a new pair o' wings and a new halo.
(Al Jolson:) Thank you, suh, and my thanks to the Lawd.
(Kids:) And a hi-hi-de-hi, hi-de-ho!
And a hi-hi-de-hi, hi-de-ho!
(Jolson:) Oh, Saint Peter, is I goin' where the pork chops am a-growin' on the trees?
(Picks:) On the trees.
(Jolson:) Tell me, is I goin' where the watermelon vines am a-blowin' in the breeze?
(Picks:) In the breeze.
(St. Peter:) Yes, you is an' the chickens am free 'cause they roam at large,
Help yourself to the fat of the land, and there ain't no cover charge.
(Jolson:) Who's dat there?
That's a friend of mine, why, it's Old Black Joe;
Hear him play on his little banjo.
(Picks:) And a hi-hi-de-hi, hi-de-ho-o!
(Jolson:) Who's dat there?
Why, it's ol' Uncle Tom that I used to know;
I'm so glad that he landed up here with his cabin show.
Seems like home from the things I've seen and the folks I've met.
(Gabriel:) Wait a while,
You'll have a reason to smile,
'Cause you ain't seen nothin' yet.

wolf · 11-10-2004, 01:01 AM

I just got a happy fun box of goodies from Columbia House DVD Club (oh the joys of Dividend Dollar ... uh "Fun Cash" days). In addition to some more recent flicks, I got a good time local fun double feature ... The Trouble with Angels and Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows.

Local as in Philadelphia Suburbs. The first was filmed entirely in this area, on the grounds of Chestnut Hill College, The Morris Arboretum, and Saint Mary's Orphanage in Ambler, PA.

Knowing the area, it's a lot of fun to pick the locations ... and though the magic of Hollywood, there's at least one scene were the actors are standing on the steps of Chestnut Hill College, but the reverse shot is looking over the Morris Arboretum, which is nearby, but at least a mile from the first shot.

I also love a moment in the second movie (which is the one with the bus trip) where they board the bus in Philadelphia, drive through Pennsylvania Dutch Country for what seems like several days of movie time, only to arrive to spend the night at Germantown Academy (which isn't in Germantown, by the way), drive forever again to get to their "protest march" scene which takes place in Springhouse in front of Rotelle Frozen Foods. Total actual travel time between locations? About 1/2 Hour.

Gets in the way of my willing suspension of disbelief a little bit, yeah.

But I love the movies anyway.

My sister went to a Catholic Summer Day Camp held on the grounds of Saint Mary's. They had their own 16mm print of the film and would show it to the campers on rainy days.

Sved · 11-22-2004, 01:17 PM

I've just joined that forum... and I please everybody to forgive me if my english lacks style, vocabulary, sense or something else ...
So, some old films tou have to see :
Sergio Leone's westerns ...
"Dodes kaden", "Dersu Uzala", "Ran", and "Rashomon" all from Akira kurosawa... which are great stories (a bit long, yes, but good)!
"Holy Graal" and "Brian's life"... classics !
One of the only adaptation of stephen king I think valuable : "Rosemary's baby"
"Brain dead" (comical horror)
And there was one I can't remember the author's name, story about last man on earth in a vampires world ... (french title is I am a legend)
and I was surprised in good that "12 angry men" appears here !
if my memory allows me to remember others, i'll say it to you...

wolf · 11-23-2004, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sved

And there was one I can't remember the author's name, story about last man on earth in a vampires world ... (french title is I am a legend)

That's The Omega Man starring Charlton Heston.

I am Legend was the title of the Richard Matheson book that it was based on.

Speaking of Richard Matheson ... (how's that for a segue?)

I just got the DVD of The Legend of Hell House

Still as spooky as ever.

perth · 11-22-2004, 01:21 PM

Welcome, Sved.

Elspode · 11-22-2004, 02:22 PM

Some good films there, for sure, Sved. Minor correction - Rosemary's Baby was not a Stephen King book, it was Ira Levin.

warch · 11-22-2004, 04:27 PM

Hmmmm....! Here's one that if you havent seen, you really, really should.

The Shop Around the Corner- good Christmas time viewing. vintage 30s. Charming romantic comedy set in a leather goods shop in Budapest with skinny adorable Jimmy Stewart and fast talking Maureen Sullivan. Great supporting cast ( you'll recognize some of the character actors). The story has been remade a zillion times, but none nearly as sharp, and funny as this first adaptation of the stage play. Its a great movie.

Actually I just checked, and the movie's date is 1940.

Ernestine · 11-24-2004, 11:03 PM

Warch, I also love The Shop Around the Corner, another comedy I love from that period is Miracle at Morgan Creek.

My favorite really old ones are the "women's movies" like Stella Dallas, Mildred Pierce, Jezebel, and The Heiress.

A few days ago I saw a new "old" movie that deliberately copied the style of the great melodramas like Inherit the Wind. It was Far from Heaven with Julianne Moore and Dennis Quaid as a 1957 perfect June and Ward Cleaver couple suddenly faced with a 2002 problem (Ward's gay!). I loved it so much I watched it three times in a row. Once for the story and twice just to look at the perfect details in the clothes and sets.

Oh, oh! Gaslight and Double Indemnity and Kind hearts and Coronets!

wolf · 11-25-2004, 12:07 AM

Wasn't The Shop Around the Corner remade as You've Got Mail?. I've wanted to see the "real" version, but haven't managed to catch it on any of the classic movie channels.

Ernestine · 11-25-2004, 08:02 AM

Yes, it was, Wolf. I don't know about Turner Classic Movies, because I don't get it, but AMC, where I first saw all the great old movies I named, seems to play mainly 70's movies and westerns lately. Of course, now I'm kicking myself for not taping the 40's and 50's ones while I had the chance.

warch · 11-26-2004, 10:35 AM

We just watched a wonderful fairly new release film from France called Bon Voyage. Its not old, but is set in 1940 and borrows well from films of that era in look, character and pace. Yes, you have subtitles, but if you can get beyond that, its a great comic/suspense/drama with an ensemble of great characters. There is a historical base for the story too, that makes it more interesting.

Bon Voyage

flippant · 11-26-2004, 09:10 PM

I'm with Kitsune and Sved....Rope is a great as well as RAN. I'm a Kurosawa fan all the way. People never usually mention Ran but it is advanced for it's time like most Kurosawa films. It's almost like watching a Shakespeare in Japanese.

DanaC · 11-27-2004, 05:09 PM

Havent got time to read the whole thread .....so if I am repeating a suggestion forgive me :P

The Deadzone. Not that stupid lightwieght tv series they've made now, but the originsl movie with Christopher Walken as one of cinema's coolest anti heros.

The Wicker Man.....Just a genuinely disturbing tale with one of the screen's all time best horrifying moments ( the moment when Woodward is dragged over the crest of the hill and the full horror of his fate is revealed to us and to him )

The original Nosferatu. Truly a piece of visual art.

Laurence Olivier's Hamlet. The Danish Prince at his classical best.

A Clockwork Orange. Class in a glass. What a way to play with language and form.

Alfie ( the orignal ) One of the Britpack's finer contributions to the world of cinema.

Battle for Algiers Fabulous film, made with very few professional actors. Has a realism to it that gets under one's skin. Beautifully shot and acted. A landmark production on the indie scene.

The King and I........Not precisely what one could reasonably call politically correct but with Yul Brynner's performance I can forgive it

A Streetcar Named Desire.......Awesome movie. Marlon Brando was so well cast.

The Wall. ...........Brilliant film. The music combined with the claustrophobic sets and Geldof's moody cynicism brings the concept of the wall starkly home.

....... ok that's my tuppen'orth

Oh, and I got the same subtext on Rope.

skateboard · 12-03-2004, 08:46 PM

A Touch of Evil Orson Wells, Bette Davis, Jenniffer Leigh, Charlont Heston Battleship PotempkinNot so much good as important, how many movies have the baby pram.

11-10-2004, 01:01 AM	#3
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	I just got a happy fun box of goodies from Columbia House DVD Club (oh the joys of Dividend Dollar ... uh "Fun Cash" days). In addition to some more recent flicks, I got a good time local fun double feature ... The Trouble with Angels and Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows. Local as in Philadelphia Suburbs. The first was filmed entirely in this area, on the grounds of Chestnut Hill College, The Morris Arboretum, and Saint Mary's Orphanage in Ambler, PA. Knowing the area, it's a lot of fun to pick the locations ... and though the magic of Hollywood, there's at least one scene were the actors are standing on the steps of Chestnut Hill College, but the reverse shot is looking over the Morris Arboretum, which is nearby, but at least a mile from the first shot. I also love a moment in the second movie (which is the one with the bus trip) where they board the bus in Philadelphia, drive through Pennsylvania Dutch Country for what seems like several days of movie time, only to arrive to spend the night at Germantown Academy (which isn't in Germantown, by the way), drive forever again to get to their "protest march" scene which takes place in Springhouse in front of Rotelle Frozen Foods. Total actual travel time between locations? About 1/2 Hour. Gets in the way of my willing suspension of disbelief a little bit, yeah. But I love the movies anyway. My sister went to a Catholic Summer Day Camp held on the grounds of Saint Mary's. They had their own 16mm print of the film and would show it to the campers on rainy days. __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

11-22-2004, 01:17 PM	#4
Sved Recruit or Something Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: North of France Posts: 4	I've just joined that forum... and I please everybody to forgive me if my english lacks style, vocabulary, sense or something else ... So, some old films tou have to see : Sergio Leone's westerns ... "Dodes kaden", "Dersu Uzala", "Ran", and "Rashomon" all from Akira kurosawa... which are great stories (a bit long, yes, but good)! "Holy Graal" and "Brian's life"... classics ! One of the only adaptation of stephen king I think valuable : "Rosemary's baby" "Brain dead" (comical horror) And there was one I can't remember the author's name, story about last man on earth in a vampires world ... (french title is I am a legend) and I was surprised in good that "12 angry men" appears here ! if my memory allows me to remember others, i'll say it to you... __________________ Les icebergs volent bas, il va neiger ...

11-22-2004, 02:22 PM	#7
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	Some good films there, for sure, Sved. Minor correction - Rosemary's Baby was not a Stephen King book, it was Ira Levin. __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

11-22-2004, 04:27 PM	#8
warch lurkin old school Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,796	Hmmmm....! Here's one that if you havent seen, you really, really should. The Shop Around the Corner- good Christmas time viewing. vintage 30s. Charming romantic comedy set in a leather goods shop in Budapest with skinny adorable Jimmy Stewart and fast talking Maureen Sullivan. Great supporting cast ( you'll recognize some of the character actors). The story has been remade a zillion times, but none nearly as sharp, and funny as this first adaptation of the stage play. Its a great movie. Actually I just checked, and the movie's date is 1940. Last edited by warch; 11-22-2004 at 04:30 PM.

11-24-2004, 11:03 PM	#9
Ernestine Basset Hound Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Under the porch Posts: 22	Warch, I also love The Shop Around the Corner, another comedy I love from that period is Miracle at Morgan Creek. My favorite really old ones are the "women's movies" like Stella Dallas, Mildred Pierce, Jezebel, and The Heiress. A few days ago I saw a new "old" movie that deliberately copied the style of the great melodramas like Inherit the Wind. It was Far from Heaven with Julianne Moore and Dennis Quaid as a 1957 perfect June and Ward Cleaver couple suddenly faced with a 2002 problem (Ward's gay!). I loved it so much I watched it three times in a row. Once for the story and twice just to look at the perfect details in the clothes and sets. Oh, oh! Gaslight and Double Indemnity and Kind hearts and Coronets! __________________ "Ah, I see they have the internet on computers, now!" Homer Simpson Last edited by Ernestine; 11-24-2004 at 11:05 PM.

11-09-2004, 03:58 PM	#1
flippant shameless....so stop trying so hard....-me Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Colorado location* Posts: 215	I just saw the old The Manchurian Candidate. If it's of interest there is a scene in it that they intentionally left in out of focus for the sake of the raw emotion. Fun to see if you can find it amongst all the paranoid/ suspense drama. It reminds me slightly of old Hitchcock.....I'm a huge fan.

11-22-2004, 01:21 PM	#6
perth Strong Silent Type Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 1,949	Welcome, Sved.

11-25-2004, 12:07 AM	#10
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	Wasn't The Shop Around the Corner remade as You've Got Mail?. I've wanted to see the "real" version, but haven't managed to catch it on any of the classic movie channels. __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

11-25-2004, 08:02 AM	#11
Ernestine Basset Hound Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Under the porch Posts: 22	Yes, it was, Wolf. I don't know about Turner Classic Movies, because I don't get it, but AMC, where I first saw all the great old movies I named, seems to play mainly 70's movies and westerns lately. Of course, now I'm kicking myself for not taping the 40's and 50's ones while I had the chance.

11-26-2004, 10:35 AM	#12
warch lurkin old school Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,796	We just watched a wonderful fairly new release film from France called Bon Voyage. Its not old, but is set in 1940 and borrows well from films of that era in look, character and pace. Yes, you have subtitles, but if you can get beyond that, its a great comic/suspense/drama with an ensemble of great characters. There is a historical base for the story too, that makes it more interesting. Bon Voyage

11-26-2004, 09:10 PM	#13
flippant shameless....so stop trying so hard....-me Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Colorado location* Posts: 215	I'm with Kitsune and Sved....Rope is a great as well as RAN. I'm a Kurosawa fan all the way. People never usually mention Ran but it is advanced for it's time like most Kurosawa films. It's almost like watching a Shakespeare in Japanese. __________________ - I know we won't meet again in the season of blossoms, And I won't sit quietly by drunk in my chamber- YU HSUAN- CHI Ninth Century, CHANG' AN

11-27-2004, 05:09 PM	#14
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	Havent got time to read the whole thread .....so if I am repeating a suggestion forgive me :P The Deadzone. Not that stupid lightwieght tv series they've made now, but the originsl movie with Christopher Walken as one of cinema's coolest anti heros. The Wicker Man.....Just a genuinely disturbing tale with one of the screen's all time best horrifying moments ( the moment when Woodward is dragged over the crest of the hill and the full horror of his fate is revealed to us and to him ) The original Nosferatu. Truly a piece of visual art. Laurence Olivier's Hamlet. The Danish Prince at his classical best. A Clockwork Orange. Class in a glass. What a way to play with language and form. Alfie ( the orignal ) One of the Britpack's finer contributions to the world of cinema. Battle for Algiers Fabulous film, made with very few professional actors. Has a realism to it that gets under one's skin. Beautifully shot and acted. A landmark production on the indie scene. The King and I........Not precisely what one could reasonably call politically correct but with Yul Brynner's performance I can forgive it A Streetcar Named Desire.......Awesome movie. Marlon Brando was so well cast. The Wall. ...........Brilliant film. The music combined with the claustrophobic sets and Geldof's moody cynicism brings the concept of the wall starkly home. ....... ok that's my tuppen'orth Oh, and I got the same subtext on Rope. Last edited by DanaC; 11-27-2004 at 05:12 PM.

12-03-2004, 08:46 PM	#15
skateboard Alphabetarian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 12	<i>A Touch of Evil</i> Orson Wells, Bette Davis, Jenniffer Leigh, Charlont Heston<br><br><i>Battleship Potempkin</i>Not so much good as important, how many movies have the baby pram.<br><br>

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