Search found 170 matches

by Joe Macclesfield
August 27th, 2014, 8:08 pm
Forum: Sci-fi and Horror
Topic: Favourite Time Travel Yarns
Replies: 33
Views: 34614

Re: Favourite Time Travel Yarns

Moira, My mum would be "in the same boat" as you in regard to SOMEWHERE IN TIME. She loves the music too. I'll reserve comment--as you say: "romantic classic for some. Unbearable for others"! Never seen TURN BACK THE CLOCK (that's a great title). Remember Lee Tracy as a reporter ...
by Joe Macclesfield
August 26th, 2014, 8:36 pm
Forum: Sci-fi and Horror
Topic: Favourite Time Travel Yarns
Replies: 33
Views: 34614

Favourite Time Travel Yarns

Which is your favourite time travel yarn? I wouldn't mind placing a small bet that George Pal's THE TIME MACHINE (1960) would probably top the list for a good many here at SSO. I will admit that in many departments it is splendid. It contains great moments, without being a great film. But--doesn't i...
by Joe Macclesfield
August 25th, 2014, 5:45 pm
Forum: The People of Film
Topic: Erich von Stroheim is 125 Years Young Today!
Replies: 11
Views: 6671

Re: Erich von Stroheim is 125 Years Young Today!

Hi JF! My brother Jim and I watched LA GRANDE ILLUSION two or three months ago. A restored print. Beautiful. Jean Renoir stated in his memoirs that von Stroheim had to study his German lines, like a school boy learning a new language. I read that von Stroheim didn't know FRENCH when he made this fil...
by Joe Macclesfield
August 25th, 2014, 3:00 pm
Forum: The People of Film
Topic: Oland or Toler
Replies: 15
Views: 9287

Re: Oland or Toler

No overall favourite, Moira. But, there are many funny moments in the Chan pictures (both Oland's and Toler's). In RED DRAGON, a Monogram picture, Charlie is investigating a murder that occurs in baffling circumstances, in a locked room: Police Chief: "two shots heard, two bullets found. No gun...
by Joe Macclesfield
August 24th, 2014, 9:55 pm
Forum: The People of Film
Topic: Oland or Toler
Replies: 15
Views: 9287

Re: Oland or Toler

Looks like this one's being avoided, well--here goes. The contention that an Asian character MUST be portrayed by an Asian actor is (in my opinion) bunk! That's like saying an American character MUST be portrayed by an American actor, an English character, by an English actor! Phooey. My dad loved W...
by Joe Macclesfield
August 24th, 2014, 9:05 pm
Forum: The People of Film
Topic: Erich von Stroheim is 125 Years Young Today!
Replies: 11
Views: 6671

Re: Erich von Stroheim is 125 Years Young Today!

Moira Finnie wrote: "...but there is a loneliness, sadness and longing for the past in each of his film roles...that I think of as very European and quite appealing." Moira, that nails it nicely. I've loved the man for over thirty years. My favourite von Stroheim performance? THE GREAT FLA...
by Joe Macclesfield
August 24th, 2014, 8:21 pm
Forum: The People of Film
Topic: Francis Lederer (1899-2000)
Replies: 60
Views: 27938

Re: Francis Lederer (1899-2000)

Francis Lederer was really quite impressive as Count Dracula in THE RETURN OF DRACULA. Cold, aloof, and superior. He murders a fellow passenger on a train--an artist, emigrating to the U.S.A. Steals the man's identity, and infiltrates the household of the chap's American relatives. Lederer didn't li...
by Joe Macclesfield
August 24th, 2014, 7:43 pm
Forum: The People of Film
Topic: Jack Warner the actor
Replies: 3
Views: 13193

Re: Jack Warner the actor

There was quite a bit more to Jack Warner than Dixon of Dock Green. He'd been a motor racing driver before breaking into Films. Had worked on the continent (he idolised Maurice Chevalier, and could speak fluent French). He's excellent as the police inspector investigating a murder in Brighton in Jig...
by Joe Macclesfield
August 24th, 2014, 1:04 pm
Forum: The People of Film
Topic: Basil Rathbone
Replies: 20
Views: 10441

Re: Basil Rathbone

L.V., Rathbone in Witness for the Prosecution. Sounds fascinating. Which part did he play (I'd guess Sir Wilfred)?
by Joe Macclesfield
August 24th, 2014, 12:00 am
Forum: The People of Film
Topic: Charles Laughton
Replies: 22
Views: 28947

Re: Charles Laughton

Almost forgot--Rembrandt. A Korda picture from 1937. Not seen this since the '80s! I love 17th Century Dutch art. The ending is sweet. Not in the "cute" sense, but natty (and haunting). Just as in "The Private Life of Henry VIII", Laughton turns to camera (as Rembrandt, he's work...
by Joe Macclesfield
August 23rd, 2014, 8:39 pm
Forum: The People of Film
Topic: Basil Rathbone
Replies: 20
Views: 10441

Re: Basil Rathbone

I love Rathbone and Bruce in the Holmes pictures. It irks me somewhat when, in connection with these, Rathbone is referred to alone. It should always be Rathbone AND Bruce. Years ago, I read Rathbone's autobiography (if I recall correctly, it's entitled: In and Out of Character). A strange book--sho...
by Joe Macclesfield
August 23rd, 2014, 7:44 pm
Forum: The People of Film
Topic: Charles Laughton
Replies: 22
Views: 28947

Re: Charles Laughton

"But since I generally watch movies (as opposed to "films")". W.G., I thought they were one and the same thing!
by Joe Macclesfield
August 23rd, 2014, 7:01 pm
Forum: The People of Film
Topic: Charles Laughton
Replies: 22
Views: 28947

Re: Charles Laughton

Laughton gives a very good performance in The Suspect, a 1944 noir, which co-stars Ella Raines. He's a man driven to murder, but, one of the most sympathetic murderers that I can think of in the movies. And, although I've never cared much for the film--he's wonderful in Spartacus. He's the only Roma...
by Joe Macclesfield
August 23rd, 2014, 2:01 am
Forum: The People of Film
Topic: Robert Donat
Replies: 17
Views: 10027

Re: Robert Donat

The IMDb article states that he had "a rather neutral English accent". If you're English (and especially northern English, as I am) you can tell he was a northerner ( from Withington, Manchester). The Winslow Boy, and, The Magic Box, are two of my favourites.
by Joe Macclesfield
August 22nd, 2014, 10:40 am
Forum: Sci-fi and Horror
Topic: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941)
Replies: 67
Views: 63889

Re: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941)

"Climax" Dr. J & Mr. H (Michael Rennie). Yes-sir! Thanks W.G. I don't have my own PC, but that's a treat I'm looking forward to on Monday. Who'd have thought that that would still be around!