Have I mentioned previously that I've always loved The Elephant Man? It was on TMC the other night, and it has lost none of it's power and overwhelming and oftentimes shocking sadness. John Hurt's performance is superb, as is Freddie Jones as his drunken, sadistic keeper.
"And your little sister's immaculate virginity wings away on the bony shoulders of a young horse named George who stole surreptitiously into her geography revision."
Occasional musical musings on https://darkelffile.blogspot.com/
"And your little sister's immaculate virginity wings away on the bony shoulders of a young horse named George who stole surreptitiously into her geography revision."
Occasional musical musings on https://darkelffile.blogspot.com/
When Errol Flynn goes to King John's castle with the deer over his shoulders, in that whole sequence he's the most badass character I know. I also love the scene where they bring Marian to Robin's camp in the forest. And of course Robin's fight with Little John when he loses and says "I love a man who can best me!" So cool.
The swordfight with Basil Rathbone...
Best thing this side of Inigo Montoya...
Perhaps finding the happy medium is harder than we know.
"And your little sister's immaculate virginity wings away on the bony shoulders of a young horse named George who stole surreptitiously into her geography revision."
Occasional musical musings on https://darkelffile.blogspot.com/
One thing I don't like is the way they sped up that swordplay scene. Totally unnecessary.
"The White Zone is for loading and unloading only. If you got to load or unload go to the White Zone!"
Confirmed Bachelors: the dramedy hit of 1883...
Rathbone was no slouch at swordplay. On par with the great Robin Hood scene is another with Flynn, the beach fight in Captain Blood. The waves washing over the vanquished Rathbone is the capper the setpiece of the movie , made even more of a standout as it is a location shot with a real ocean with a real beach. The rest of the movie is mostly done on soundstages , very nice sets but still when the real thing hits the screen , wow. Well staged location action scenes in that era were rare I think. Robin Hood is overall a better movie than Capt Blood IMO, it was a huge star making hit in its time and holds up very well. I had occasion to see parts of its silent predessesor recently, the similarities of the 2 are amazing. I think it was Douglas Fairbanks in the title role. I was equally surprised when seeing the 20's Ben Hur . The Heston '57 movie is a favorite of mine, interesting how much was lifted from the silent version. I am one of those who largly ignores silent, I cant get past the lack of a soundtrack. To someone who appreciates silent, this attitude is probably the same as my reaction to those that will not watch a movie in B&W because theres no color. Oh well.
Another great one.
That was just on a week or so ago. What an amazing movie. That chariot scene is every bit as good as the Heston version, if not better. And, those sets are freaking amazing!
I love silent movies. A totally flipped-out one is on tonight at Midnight: "Haxan: Witchcraft Through the Ages (1922)."
And, of course, more Hammer films beginning at 8:00.
"The White Zone is for loading and unloading only. If you got to load or unload go to the White Zone!"
I certainly will have to revisit Robin Hood now. Such a high standing here. As for sword fights, I always liked, Scaramouche. Isn't MC on TCM tomorrow night?
The older I get, the better I was.
Tomorrow, TCM is showing horror movies all day. One in particular, "The Old Dark House" (1932) at 8:00, is a great haunted house movie. Many of the cliches that appeared in future haunted house movies began in this one.
Here's the lineup:
http://www.tcm.com/schedule/index.ht...ate=2017-10-31
"The White Zone is for loading and unloading only. If you got to load or unload go to the White Zone!"
Ah, the Haunting. One of our faves. Bring me the steaming hot Claire Bloom as Theodora!
I don't like country music, but I don't mean to denigrate those who do. And for the people who like country music, denigrate means 'put down.'- Bob Newhart
And, in case nobody noticed, "The House on Haunted Hill" at 11:30. That's another one I tend to watch every time it's on, though, it's not in the same league as the others on my list.
"The White Zone is for loading and unloading only. If you got to load or unload go to the White Zone!"
The three & a half hour epic Les Enfants du Paradis (Children of Paradise) filmed clandestinely in 1943-44 in and around Paris while it was still occupied by the Nazis and released in 1945 with, Jean-Louis Barrault (the mime who taught Marcel Marceau) in a speaking role as a mime who is one of 4 suitors of a beautiful courtesan played by famous 1940s French actress Arletty, is one of my 10 favorite films of all-time.
It's considered by many to be the French "Gone With The Wind". Anyone else familiar with it?
"My choice early in life was either to be a piano player in a whorehouse or a politician, and to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference"
President Harry S. Truman
This is the "spooky" stuff I cut my teeth on as a little kid. Still love it! Happy Halloween!
I watched "The Old Dark House" last night. I can see how it generated so many tropes. And oh mercy, Gloria Stuart (she played the "old" Rose in Titanic) in her silk underoos! You know beauty and body standards change over the decades but damn, Gloria was sporting a body that would fit right in the 21st century.
I don't like country music, but I don't mean to denigrate those who do. And for the people who like country music, denigrate means 'put down.'- Bob Newhart
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