The Silver Screen Oasis

That's why we're so happy all the time!

This is late, but if anyone has a chance to catch TCM during the day on Monday, Dec. 10th, you may see oodles of Una Merkel movies in honor of her 109th birthday.


My DVR is almost out of space, but maybe others can recommend some of these movies (or warn me not to waste my time). We've discussed The Women in His Life several times on these boards, but I can definitely recommend Clear All Wires and Day of Reckoning, both of which have that early thirties punch and speed in storytelling--with some highly entertaining performances to boot.

December 10 Monday

6:00 AM
HUDDLE (1932)
A steelworker's son becomes a college football hero.
Dir: Sam Wood Cast: Ramon Novarro , Madge Evans , Una Merkel .
BW-103 mins, TV-G,

8:00 AM
BEAUTY FOR SALE (1933)
An innocent young hairdresser snares herself a rich husband but he's already married.
Dir: Richard Boleslavsky Cast: Madge Evans , Alice Brady , Otto Kruger .
BW-87 mins, TV-G,

9:30 AM
CLEAR ALL WIRES ! (1933)
Foreign correspondents clash over working methods and love.
Dir: George Hill Cast: Lee Tracy , Benita Hume , Una Merkel .
BW-78 mins, TV-G,

11:00 AM
DAY OF RECKONING (1933)
A man's nagging wife drives him to crime.
Dir: Charles Brabin Cast: Richard Dix , Madge Evans , Conway Tearle .
BW-69 mins, TV-PG,

12:15 PM
WHISTLING IN THE DARK (1933)
A mystery writer's plan for the perfect murder greatly interests a mobster.
Dir: Elliott Nugent Cast: Ernest Truex , Una Merkel , Edward Arnold .
BW-79 mins, TV-G,

1:45 PM
WOMEN IN HIS LIFE, THE (1933)
When his ex-wife is murdered, a hard-living lawyer defends the chief suspect.
Dir: George B. Seitz Cast: Otto Kruger , Una Merkel , Ben Lyon .
BW-75 mins, TV-G,

3:15 PM
PARIS INTERLUDE (1934)
Expatriates and foreign correspondents mix in a Paris bistro.
Dir: Edwin L. Marin Cast: Madge Evans , Otto Kruger , Robert Young .
BW-72 mins, TV-G,

4:30 PM
BABY FACE HARRINGTON (1935)
A milquetoast has to fight off cops and gangsters when he's mistaken for a criminal.
Dir: Raoul Walsh Cast: Charles Butterworth , Una Merkel , Harvey Stephens .
BW-62 mins, TV-G,

5:45 PM
WE WENT TO COLLEGE (1936)
Three middle-aged men try to recapture the joys of their college days.
Dir: Joseph Santley Cast: Charles Butterworth , Walter Abel , Hugh Herbert .
BW-68 mins, TV-G,

7:00 PM
SWEETHEARTS OF THE U.S.A. (1944)
When she's knocked out accidentally, a defense plant worker dreams she's a famous detective.
Dir: Lew Collins Cast: Una Merkel , Parkyakarkus , Donald Novis .
BW-60 mins, TV-G, CC,

I am interested in your reaction to Teresa (1951), kingrat. This was the film that introduced the rather forgotten Pier Angeli to American audiences. It also featured the splendid character actress, Patricia Collinge in an uncharacteristic role that one would normally not expect her to play. I am very ambivalent about the young John Ericson, but perhaps I am too hard on him as an actor. I'll post Zinnemann's comments on this film after you have had a chance to see it if you would like.

WHISTLING IN THE DARK (1933)

WOMEN IN HIS LIFE, THE (1933)


I just finished watching these two films that was shown on TCM yesterday and that the first time I seen them and I enjoyed watching these two wonderful short films. They are both equally good and well acted. Why, I like these films ... One good reason ... I like Una Merkel.

She is an excellent actress ...

Sorry, KR. I didn't say I was recording LA PROMESSE. I said that I was looking forward to it.

Due to a scheduling conflict, I unfortunately remain looking forward to seeing it. Sounds like one I would like.

THE DEADLY COMPANIONS is a very interesting western, one I sometimes bring up when discussing lesser-known examples of the genre. Quite gritty, as you'd expect, with terse performances by all and some depth. Brian Keith is terrific. Chill is chilling. This isn't quite The Parent Trap!

Kingrat:

"The Deadly Companions" is certainly a different western. The Divine MissG is quite correct about it. Just a note - that is Maureen singing the title song.

I'm a very big fan of George (as is Wendy) and I really like A Scandal in Paris. I find it very witty and surprisingly touching at the end. It's been a while since I saw it, but I do remember it's rather talky and if you like that sort of thing, it's a rich film...if not, it might be a bit on the dry side.

In the words of Maynard G. Krebs, "who me?"

I love Georgie! Scandal in Paris is excellent, but be warned, George is really cold blooded in this one.

Oh I had the wrong movie, I was thinking of Bel Ami, where George is completely soulless, right up to the last scene anyway.

I really like Scandal in Paris, it's terribly stylish, and the ending is great. There are lots of superb character actors here, with Gene Lockhart a standout. George is elegant and raffish, but his relationship with the heroine is kind of sweet. I love the trappings here, the early 1800's costumes and the sets.

[u][color=#4000BF]JackFavell[/color][/u] wrote:
*...be warned, George is really cold blooded in this one.

*...George is completely soulless, right up to the last scene anyway.

Awwwwww, you say that as though those were bad traits...