Search found 65 matches

by raftfan
October 14th, 2008, 7:49 pm
Forum: Film Noir and Crime
Topic: Jake " Greasy Thumb " Guzik
Replies: 2
Views: 2762

Researching my biography of George Raft, I came across an interesting story concerning Guzik. While on a USO tour during World War II, Raft had collected a number of German and Italian pistols and rifles which he brought to Chicago to hand over as souvenirs to Guzik. Raft recalled that in accepting ...
by raftfan
October 10th, 2008, 12:55 pm
Forum: Film Noir and Crime
Topic: Kansas City Confidential (1952)
Replies: 4
Views: 3049

Moira, when I first saw this picture, anticipating much given that cast, I, too, felt somewhat disappointed - particularly when the story shifted to the Mexican resort. For some reason, though, maybe given my mood at the time, I found myself really enjoying the movie on my second viewing. Likewise w...
by raftfan
October 9th, 2008, 9:37 pm
Forum: The People of Film
Topic: Roles that kick started flagging careers
Replies: 14
Views: 5554

Nor can we forget Bela Lugosi, whose career really hit a slump following THE INVISIBLE RAY, thanks to the British Ban on horror films. Fortuitous circumstances brought him back to the fold in what was arguably his best (or at least most creatively challenging) role: Ygor in SON OF FRANKENSTEIN. Sadl...
by raftfan
October 9th, 2008, 7:00 pm
Forum: The People of Film
Topic: Roles that kick started flagging careers
Replies: 14
Views: 5554

And, of course, we cannot forget John Travolta in "Pulp Fiction".

I'd also like to mention my personal favorite (obviously) George Raft, who should have got his career back on track with his stunning turn in "Rogue Cop". Alas, it was not to be.
by raftfan
September 18th, 2008, 8:48 pm
Forum: Sci-fi and Horror
Topic: The Ghoul (1933)
Replies: 3
Views: 3248

Moira, I'll watch ANYTHING with Karloff, but IMO "The Ghoul" is not one of Boris's finest hours. I found it slow and creaky to the point where (as with my two viewings of "Vampyr") I had to fight to stay awake to see it through. Karloff's role is limited and he is dispatched well...
by raftfan
August 28th, 2008, 8:32 pm
Forum: The People of Film
Topic: My Opinion
Replies: 13
Views: 5051

Curtis misquoted that casting story regarding "The Defiant Ones". As I heard it: "Mitchum didn't want to work with a black man." "Brando wanted to play the colored part." "Douglas wanted to play both parts." Curtis reversed up the last two. And those are actua...
by raftfan
August 11th, 2008, 6:10 pm
Forum: Film Noir and Crime
Topic: Deadly Noir Dames
Replies: 10
Views: 5705

I'd give my two nods to Liz Scott in "Too Late for Tears" and my fave double-dealing dame Marie Windsor in "The Killing".
by raftfan
July 19th, 2008, 10:32 pm
Forum: Film Noir and Crime
Topic: You Can't Get Away With Murder (1939)
Replies: 2
Views: 2670

I like this one, too. It's based on a play and its stage origin comes through occasionally. But it's still an engrossing and suspenseful movie. TCM has played this film in the past (though not frequently) and it contains a great hardboiled characterization by Bogie. In fact, I remember a reviewer wr...
by raftfan
July 14th, 2008, 10:42 pm
Forum: Movies and Features on TCM
Topic: Guest Programmer
Replies: 7
Views: 3371

Ernie, definitely! It's amazing that TCM hasn't already got around to featuring him either as a guest programmer or in a "Private Screening" interview. The guy's a marvel - still active at 91! Would also be a nice tie-in with his upcoming autobiography.
by raftfan
July 8th, 2008, 5:30 pm
Forum: Classic Film Literature
Topic: Moviola
Replies: 1
Views: 11660

Tracey, I remember that miniseries. It was divided into three parts: "The Silent Lovers", The Scarlett O'Hara War" and "This Year's Blonde". I recall that it was quite good, with interesting casting: Barry Bostwick as John Gilbert and Kristina Wayborn as Greta Garbo, for ins...
by raftfan
July 3rd, 2008, 2:55 pm
Forum: Classic Film Literature
Topic: Who Still Needs a Biography?
Replies: 32
Views: 39706

I would LOVE to see bios of Henry Daniell and Laird Cregar. Fascinating actors and esoteric men.
by raftfan
July 2nd, 2008, 9:56 pm
Forum: Sci-fi and Horror
Topic: Top 10 Scream Queen Beauties
Replies: 16
Views: 9234

I'd have to cast my votes for Anne Gwynne ("The Black Cat", "Black Friday", "House of Frankenstein", etc.) and the recently-passed and gorgeous Hazel Court (need I mention her many genre offerings?)
by raftfan
June 16th, 2008, 10:57 pm
Forum: Sci-fi and Horror
Topic: What makes a horror film scary for you?
Replies: 19
Views: 8424

I agree, Tracey, that was one of the most effective openings of any horror film of that time - based of course on a popular urban legend. It's just too bad that the rest of the picture (until maybe the climax) couldn't keep up with that tempo. If I remember correctly (long time since I've seen that ...
by raftfan
June 12th, 2008, 2:16 pm
Forum: Film Noir and Crime
Topic: Walter Matthau's GANGSTER STORY (1960)
Replies: 3
Views: 3223

Before he became better known as a comedian and Jack Lemmon's sidekick, Matthau was a pretty convincing tough guy. Besides "Gangster Story", he played a gangster in "King Creole" and "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue". Hard to think of him in those kinds of parts today, but he...
by raftfan
June 3rd, 2008, 8:40 pm
Forum: Film Noir and Crime
Topic: Whistle Stop (1946)
Replies: 1
Views: 2741

Moira, despite the presence of Ava Gardner co-starring with a declining George Raft, "Whistle Stop" is a pretty unmemorable picture. Director Philip Yordan recalled that he had a difficult time coaxing performances out of both Raft and Gardner (whose most noteworthy picture previous to thi...