I Just Watched...

[Bronxgirl48]

Don't despair, Holden! It always pops up "live" sooner or later!

Gustav and Otto will still be fighting.

[Detective Jim McLeod]

Autumn Leaves (1956) TCM On Demand-8/10

A lonely middle aged typist (Joan Crawford) falls for and marries a younger man (Cliff Robertson) who turns out to be mentally unstable.

First time viewing for me and I loved this melodrama, one of the best of the decade. Robert Aldrich was the director, he would reunite with Crawford 6 years later for What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?. I thought this would turn into a thriller about a psycho terrorizing a woman but it becomes a serious look at mental illness. It takes a turn when characters played by Vera Miles and Lorne Greene show up for a plot twist I did not see coming. Both Crawford and Robertson are excellent here, their performances rank with some of their best. I'm surprised both did not get Oscar nominations.

I know many won't agree but I find Joan Crawford in the 1950s to be very attractive. The dark eyebrows and slash of a mouth looked sexy to me. This film is a definitely a must for Crawford fans.

[jamesjazzguitar]

Autumn Leaves (1956) TCM On Demand-8/10

A lonely middle aged typist (Joan Crawford) falls for and marries a younger man (Cliff Robertson) who turns out to be mentally unstable.

First time viewing for me and I loved this melodrama, one of the best of the decade. Robert Aldrich was the director, he would reunite with Crawford 6 years later for What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?. I thought this would turn into a thriller about a psycho terrorizing a woman but it becomes a serious look at mental illness. It takes a turn when characters played by Vera Miles and Lorne Greene show up for a plot twist I did not see coming. Both Crawford and Robertson are excellent here, their performances rank with some of their best. I'm surprised both did not get Oscar nominations.

I know many won't agree but I find Joan Crawford in the 1950s to be very attractive. The dark eyebrows and slash of a mouth looked sexy to me. This film is a definitely a must for Crawford fans.

I also enjoy Autumn Leaves. I can't recall another film where Vera Miles looks as beautiful or plays such a sexy role. 1956 would rank as Miles best year since she was in The Searchers, The Wrong Man, 23 Paces to Baker Street and Autumn Leaves.

[Detective Jim McLeod]

I can't recall another film where Vera Miles looks as beautiful or plays such a sexy role. 1956 would rank as Miles best year since she was in The Searchers, The Wrong Man, 23 Paces to Baker Street and Autumn Leaves.

That is true, and it showed her great versatility since all of those roles were totally different.

[Allhallowsday]

THE GHOST AND MRS. MUIR (1947)

[Bronxgirl48]

I love those 1940's-1950's California cottages (MILDRED PIERCE, AUTUMN LEAVES) They look so cute and cozy.

I am also very fond of Captain Gregg's seaside abode. THE GHOST AND MRS. MUIR figuratively (and literally) never grows old. Beautiful movie that always make me weep. (along with LASSIE COME HOME)

[Allhallowsday]

THE UNINVITED (1944)

[scsu1975]

THE UNINVITED (1944)

One of the great ghost stories of all time, with a beautiful score by Victor Young. The first time I saw the film, I could feel the hair standing up on my head when Mary Meredith put in her appearance.

[Swithin]

Slow Horses (2022)

Slow Horses is based on a series of novels about rejects from MI5, destined to live out their careers in "Slough House," so named because it's so far from the main MI5 headquarters that it might as well be in Slough. The theme song (sung and co-written by Mick Jagger) offers a good summary of the plot:

"Surrounded by losers
Misfits and boozers
Hanging by your fingernails
You made one mistake
You got burnt at the stake
You're finished, You're foolish, you failed.

There's always a hope
On this slippery slope
Somewhere a ghost of a chance
To get back in the game
And burn off your shame
And dance with the big boys again."

I enjoyed the series, though the constant insults and shtick from the rejects' boss (played by Gary Oldman as a big fat slob who farts a lot) become tedious after a while, as do the demeaning ways in which the rejects talk to each other. Jack Lowden, whom I've seen on stage several times, is particulary good as one of the main characters, all of whom are itching to do something useful. They get involved in some serious cases (a kidnapping of a Muslim comedian by a right-wing group who threaten to chop his head off), and, in the second series, a rather complicated mix-up with Russian spies. There is a right-wing politician played by Sam West, and the MI5 "Number Two Desk," played by Kristin Scott Thomas. Although the "slow horses" are, to some extent, blundering idiots, they do help to solve the major cases, although everything needs to be covered up at the end, which is annoying. There are also loose ends and silly plot devices that don't always make sense. Jonathan Pryce is very good in a supporting role. The series has been renewed for more seasons.

Here's Mick singing the theme song:





Christopher Chung is brilliant as a foul-mouthed computer geek



Freddie Fox, Kristin Scott Thomas as the "big boys."

[TikiSoo]

THE UNINVITED (1944)

One of the great ghost stories of all time, with a beautiful score by Victor Young. The first time I saw the film, I could feel the hair standing up on my head when Mary Meredith put in her appearance.

I was so lucky to have seen this on the big screen in a Movie Palace-it's one of my favorites!

And here's someone's "take" on it I always thought was hilarious:
In the book The Definitive Guide to Horror Movies, James Marriott said The Uninvited feels more dated than Universal Studios' gothic horror films and that the visuals "achieve an effective eeriness". Marriott found Milland's character a "boorishly rational man" and critiqued the plot because the villains are women who are not in relationships with men or who refuse to bear children.

[HoldenIsHere]

Autumn Leaves (1956) TCM On Demand-8/10

A lonely middle aged typist (Joan Crawford) falls for and marries a younger man (Cliff Robertson) who turns out to be mentally unstable.

First time viewing for me and I loved this melodrama, one of the best of the decade. Robert Aldrich was the director, he would reunite with Crawford 6 years later for What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?. I thought this would turn into a thriller about a psycho terrorizing a woman but it becomes a serious look at mental illness. It takes a turn when characters played by Vera Miles and Lorne Greene show up for a plot twist I did not see coming. Both Crawford and Robertson are excellent here, their performances rank with some of their best. I'm surprised both did not get Oscar nominations.

I know many won't agree but I find Joan Crawford in the 1950s to be very attractive. The dark eyebrows and slash of a mouth looked sexy to me. This film is a definitely a must for Crawford fans.

The middle period of Joan Crawford's career is my favorite of hers and one of my favorite periods for any actor.
MILDRED PIERCE, POSSESSED (1947), FLAMINGO ROAD, THE DAMNED DON'T CRY, SUDDEN FEAR and, yes, JOHNNY GUITAR are all highly entertaining movies that hold up to repeat viewings.
No "movie star" could convey as much with a look as Joan Crawford.

I've wanted to see AUTUMN LEAVES for awhile but it fell off my radar.
I see that it is on Watch TCM until October 25!

I love when a movie goes in a way that you don't expect.
Thanks for your post!

[Allhallowsday]

...THE UNINVITED (1944)...

And here's someone's "take" on it I always thought was hilarious:
In the book The Definitive Guide to Horror Movies, James Marriott said The Uninvited feels more dated than Universal Studios' gothic horror films and that the visuals "achieve an effective eeriness". Marriott found Milland's character a "boorishly rational man" and critiqued the plot because the villains are women who are not in relationships with men or who refuse to bear children.

Sounds accurate. After all, Mary "...was a goddess...!" If it is implied that a character was gay, they were an evil character. Or, a fool, or sick. The last has hung around the longest.

[TikiSoo]

We just visited the Joliet Prison in IL and there were references to The Blues Brothers '80 having been filmed there-

..so upon returning home we decided to watch the movie-neither of us had seen it before, although I'm sure most of all you have.

It's a very loose story of two brothers- Jake played by John Belushi and Elwood played by Dan Akroyd- Jake is just released from doing time in prison. They go visit the orphanage where they were raised and find Kathleen Freeman playing the Nun in charge desperately needing $5k to pay the taxes. This, like every scene that follows, bring a quick smile of recognition for the actor cameo then instantly fall flat with silly, idiotic attempt at humor. (although I did chuckle when she floated away)

Neither of the brothers are likable, neither have clever or funny lines or show any charisma at all. It's extremely disappointing just watching them go through the movie without much impact. My comment halfway through was, "This reminds me of The Commitments '91- not a very good movie but people felt like they enjoyed it because they liked all the music."

Mr Tiki didn't like it because ALL the police work was implausible which is often the case in movies. But even I knew 99% of the police work shown was crazy incorrect-like when the Bros are "caught" and there's a sea of rifles pointed at them-the rifles in back are pointed towards the heads of police in front! I know, it makes a good image, but it's crazy.

Actually, that closing scene was the only one I liked because of how it jump cut from "caught" to the Jailhouse Rock number-that was the kind of editing/humor I expected from a movie like this.



Did you recognise Spielberg as the clerk? There were many, many movie & music cameos which were fun to see. The sets were fabulous & often expensive-much attention to detail-and the realistic touches really added to my enjoyment of the movie.
But the writing was just awful.

[Detective Jim McLeod]

The Miracle Man (1932) Youtube- 7/10

A gang of con artists hide out in a small town where they meet a faith healer.

A very good and unusual film, first time viewing for me. It was a remake of a 1919 Lon Chaney silent which is now lost. I saw it for Boris Karloff. He has a very small part, only a few minutes in the beginning. His character is a lecherous tavern owner who shakes down the gang for a cut of their money. He also likes to watch Sylvia Sidney undress through the keyhole in her door.
The story remains interesting when they get to the town, Sidney and Chester Morris are leaders of the gang. The most surprising thing in the film is that the faith healer in town turns out to be the real thing. So this leads to some moral dilemmas for the crooks.
Oh and this was based on a play by George M. Cohan, yes that Cohan who wrote "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and "Over There".
The copy on Youtube is watchable but the sound is slightly out of sync but not that bad.