tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post2153574734851803599..comments2024-03-26T05:01:57.793-07:00Comments on DREAMS ARE WHAT LE CINEMA IS FOR...: ANGEL, ANGEL, DOWN WE GO 1969Ken Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-90908437324590120162017-09-16T19:19:29.778-07:002017-09-16T19:19:29.778-07:00Ken it's easy to confuse the two shows. They ...Ken it's easy to confuse the two shows. They both had the same creators and production team. Route 66 and Naked City were created by Stirling Silliphant and Herbert B. Leonard. "A Case Study of Two Savages" is likely the Naked City ep you recall. Tuesday Weld and Rip Torn were the titular "savages". Both shows featured many up and coming actors who went on to bigger things, thanks to legendary casting director Marion Dougherty.Petehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08391684502958867670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-26012129340803573862017-09-14T03:23:33.640-07:002017-09-14T03:23:33.640-07:00That Tuesday Weld episodic i mentioned was mis-rem...That Tuesday Weld episodic i mentioned was mis-remembered. It was actually an episode of "The Naked City." I remember my dad watching "Route 66" when I was young, but I think I've only seen the odd episode here and there as an adult. But you're right, great theme music!Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-69026856507038173632017-09-12T11:27:08.214-07:002017-09-12T11:27:08.214-07:00Tuesday Weld (loved her in "Soldier in the Ra...Tuesday Weld (loved her in "Soldier in the Rain") co-starred with Cloris Leachman in the Route 66 episode "Love is a Skinny Kid". Filmed in Texas. Burt Reynolds had a small part in it too and was considered for the George Maharis role when that actor left the series. So was Robert Duvall. The first three (of four) seasons is on Hulu if you're ever interested. Episodes can be a bit hit and miss, but overall it's one of the most ambitious dramas ever produced, with dialogue that's so poetic at times, it's close to Shakespearean. THEE best theme music, by Nelson Riddle.<br /><br />By the way I'm gonna have to dig out Altman's "Three Women" based on your blog. Janice Rule guested on three Route 66 eps!Petehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08391684502958867670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-47707014221355329512017-09-12T05:26:46.902-07:002017-09-12T05:26:46.902-07:00You're pretty insightful yourself, Peter. That...You're pretty insightful yourself, Peter. That's a fair assessment of the allure of motion pictures can be for the young, and how it cam mature into something broader and more fulfilling.<br />That's very cool that you are a "Route 66" expert! I always remember a particularly interesting episode with Tuesday Weld that played like "Badlands" many years before that film was made.<br />Anyhow, thank you again. It's a pleasure finding out what films you relate to (or not!). Looking forward to hearing from you again Peter!Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-69789765905453874392017-09-10T08:17:13.662-07:002017-09-10T08:17:13.662-07:00I loved "Then Came Bronson too". I am q...I loved "Then Came Bronson too". I am quite an expert if I do say so on that show's precursor, the brilliant "Route 66". I even scored an end-note in writer-creator Stirling Silliphant's official bio. YAY! <br /><br /> How can you NOT crush on Michael Parks, Chris Jones, Alain Delon and their "Godfather", James Dean. I certainly did. Although I am a flaming heterosexual, those guys were C-O-O-L. I wanted to BE them.<br /><br />But only they can be them. We have to try to find a way to be ourselves, even if that doesn't turn out to be "cool".<br /><br />Maybe that's part of why you and I gravitate to some off-center films. You, an African-American growing up in a white neighborhood. Me a white kid growing up in a mostly black suburb. Both of us Catholic though and yes my son was ordained Father James (after Dean) Morley in 2015. <br /><br />But in childhood/adolescence we maybe were also both a bit "fish out of water? - projecting ourselves onto TV/move characters - seeking identity. You relate how you were sneaking into theaters at a very young age (9?) seeing tons of films. Out of that experience you developed a very keen eye for what's good and what's B-S on the big screen. No B-S, I look forward to reading more of those insights on this blog. It has become a bright spot in my day when it pops into my head to check out what's up at lecinemadreams.<br /><br /> Petehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08391684502958867670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-9460512499152477122017-09-09T13:59:11.543-07:002017-09-09T13:59:11.543-07:00Aw, I really am gratified if you find some of what...Aw, I really am gratified if you find some of what I write about to be relatable. Not everyone's tastes are the same, and I largely try to write from my personal truth when it comes to a film.<br />When I read that you share a similar response, or that you have other films that strike you in similar ways...well, that's the biggest compliment you can give someone who writes about film. <br />Thank youfor the link to Wild Seed. I took a brief look at it and I recognize it as a film I saw (but don't remember) when i was a kid. It played on TV a lot during the time Parks had his TV show "Then Came Bronson" and when I harbored a crush on him. I look forward to seeing it; I'm positive I won't recall a single thing about it. It'll be like new! Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-13133043015820710782017-09-07T13:26:00.982-07:002017-09-07T13:26:00.982-07:00I'm having a LOT of fun reading your great blo...I'm having a LOT of fun reading your great blogs, Ken. So much of what you write is relatable (like Audrey's train signal moment in "Two For the Road") <br /><br />I'm glad you intend to watch The Idol. I think you'll appreciate it. Jennifer Jones is a bit of a bitch in this. But vulnerable. And the caddish Marco (Parks) brings both those aspects out of her. This movie MADE me a fan of hers.<br /><br />There is a scene in a smoky nightclub where they dance, a diegetic Johnny Dankworth song plays in the background (with trippy pre-delay that is SO mid-60s cool!!). The dance ends, but the song continues to play, and Marco eerily quotes the bible (a running motif in the movie). THAT is one of those goosebump moments for me, to use the term you so aptly coined. <br /><br /> I also highly recommend Wild Seed with Parks. Here is a link in case you haven't seen. <br /><br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMal_FZPyH0<br /><br /> A small film that people who've seen seem to never forget. Excellent direction, kinetic cinematog/editing and a Miles-Davis-esque score that is one for the ages!<br /><br />Peter Morleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-34106571560490555882017-09-07T05:54:03.764-07:002017-09-07T05:54:03.764-07:00Hi Peter,
I've actually never seen "The ...Hi Peter, <br />I've actually never seen "The Idol", but based on what you wrote about it, I searched it out on YouTube and plan on checking it out before it's removed.<br />From what little I've seen. it fits a more convention narrative structure (reminding me of all those "Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone" older lady/young man films of the '50s) than this full-tilt psyche-out.<br />Michael Parks is most definitely a better actor than Jordan Christopher (primarily a musician) and the director of this film is rooted strictly in exploitation fare.<br />In all my time with Jennifer Jones she never brought up Michael Parks, but she never spoke of her career unless I asked her about something. The only thing I do know is that both films were made at a particularly unhappy time of her life, following the death of her husband.<br />Thanks for relaying your fondness for "The Idol." I'm not sure why I never pressed myself to see it before, but I will now. Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-41145358505560105592017-09-05T15:02:46.599-07:002017-09-05T15:02:46.599-07:00Ken, I've never seen this film, but I have see...Ken, I've never seen this film, but I have seen Jennifer Jones in "The Idol" from a couple years before. Many times! In it, I think she is more successful with this artistic "taking chances" business, which you report to be ill-advised in "Angel, Angel". You're no doubt familiar with "The Idol", because you mention the James Dean-esque actors Michael Parks and Christopher Jones. Parks co-starred with Jones (Jennifer, not Christopher) in "The Idol". <br /><br />I'm also not familiar with Jordan Christopher, so I don't know how close he came to the Dean mold - but Parks and Jones certainly nailed it, along with French actor Alain Delon. "The Idol" is a favorite of mine, fitting right in there with other offbeat, low-budget jazzy, pseudo-arty 60's films, like "Wild Seed" and "Once a Thief". <br /><br />I'm wondering if Jennifer Jones, when you were in her employ, ever mentioned "The Idol", or Michael Parks. I've read that she and Parks became friends on the set of "The Idol", wherein you'll recall, their characters have a disastrous one-nighter.Peter Morleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-66129859406910654342017-08-16T16:23:09.364-07:002017-08-16T16:23:09.364-07:00Hi Roberta
I've never seen A FAREWELL TO ARMS ...Hi Roberta<br />I've never seen A FAREWELL TO ARMS (allergic to Rock Hudson and war films...even war romances) but I can well imagine that Jones was pretty good in it. She had a kind of contemporary appeal for me as well as the characteristics you note, which made her a singularly interesting actress to watch.<br />I have however seen LOVE IS A MANY SPLENDORED THING and I like her in it a great deal. She has the kind of strength and vulnerability I see in Deborah Kerr.<br /><br />ANGEL is such an oddity because Jones seemed to spend most of her career in roles that were so classy, it's strange to see her take on a part many of her peers must have seen as crude (I can't imagine what her friend Lauren Bacall had to say about it).<br />Hope you do get a chance to check this film out someday. Thank you for commenting, Roberta!Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-70106046968182523292017-08-16T16:11:31.056-07:002017-08-16T16:11:31.056-07:00Ha! It's true, this is definitely one of those...Ha! It's true, this is definitely one of those movies that cries out for audience interaction.Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-11370998511744831042017-08-15T11:53:02.859-07:002017-08-15T11:53:02.859-07:00Ken, just catching up on this review. I HAVE to se...Ken, just catching up on this review. I HAVE to see this movie now. I always saw the title listed in Jennifer's filmography but had no clue what it was about.<br /><br />As others pointed out, female stars of the '40s and '50s really had a hard time getting their bearings in the 60s. Of course television proved kind - and lucrative - for some. It seems, though. As if the most beautiful ones got the worst treatment as they tried to continue in movies. Ironically, even with all the advancements in plastic surgery older actresses -not just well preserved but vacuum packed - still have trouble finding quality roles. <br /><br />I like Jennifer Jones as an actress very much. She and young Jessica Lange had that same sort of enigmatic, hidden wellspring of passion, anger and fear just below their surface of delicate beauty. They both had odd vocal mannerisms too, a breathy sort of catch in their voices.<br /><br />Have you seen A Fairwell To Arms? Caught it on TCM last year and surprisingly got capitulated by it. The childbirth scene is really raw for its time, and she goes for it.<br /><br />My favorite performance is Love Is A Many Splendored Thing. I acknowledge the wrongness of her playing a Eurasian, absolutely. But she brings an adultness and intelligence to the roll. She never plays coy about a woman having an affair with a married man. And she's believable as a woman doctor when there weren't many.<br /><br />At least this very bad movie gave many of us lovely memories of her.Roberta Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03065433889234217024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-6009580525473887142017-08-15T11:10:38.647-07:002017-08-15T11:10:38.647-07:00This needs to be watched with a group. And I need...This needs to be watched with a group. And I need to be in that group. <br />Mark Christian Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07046256098867457816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-49824615958282339682015-11-25T06:09:54.621-08:002015-11-25T06:09:54.621-08:00Thank you to make a so rapid answer ! Too bad, thi...Thank you to make a so rapid answer ! Too bad, this time. The amazon description, with the english subtitles mentionned, gave me hopes. <br /><br />The same DVDs firm proposes a Wicked Lady edition (the Faye Dunaway version) : the director of collection seems to be a man of very good taste ! ;-) Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-11054356120095869492015-11-24T11:13:25.124-08:002015-11-24T11:13:25.124-08:00Hello Francesco
I'm afraid I can't help. ...Hello Francesco<br />I'm afraid I can't help. I didn't even know this film was given a professional DVD release until reading your comment! The only copy of the film I have is a bootleg I purchased from iOffer (no subtitles).. For the screencaps shown in my article,this piece, I used a copy of the film that was up on YouTube for a long while, and they had a subtitle option.<br />However, every DVD review site covering the US Blu-Ray DVD says there are NO subtitles. Only a commentary track and stills gallery.<br />I hope this helps. Thanks for asking!<br />Here in the states, the film Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-65601878137783273002015-11-24T09:21:00.147-08:002015-11-24T09:21:00.147-08:00Hello,
A very technical question ! I'm frenc...Hello, <br /><br />A very technical question ! I'm french and, after your review, I was curious about this movie. Amazon announces english subtitles for the DVD, the reviewers said they has none. Who is right ?<br /><br />Thanks ! <br /><br />FrancescoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-6210207566167744642014-07-28T15:13:54.845-07:002014-07-28T15:13:54.845-07:00Hi Thom
I hope you can still find it a streaming c...Hi Thom<br />I hope you can still find it a streaming copy of it online. I'm positive you'll get a kick out of it. Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-26339763359977348702014-07-26T14:54:48.645-07:002014-07-26T14:54:48.645-07:00I'm with Poseidon on this, I've always wan...I'm with Poseidon on this, I've always wanted to see it (though to be honest had forgotten about it). In fact, I'm not reading your essay, fabulous as I know it is, until afterwards. Now on with the search!<br />Thombeauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14610129742797260253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-14280108946017520382013-11-05T21:04:38.987-08:002013-11-05T21:04:38.987-08:00Hi Joel
I'm rather impressed at the number of ...Hi Joel<br />I'm rather impressed at the number of posts you've made your way through! Thanks!<br />Hollywood at this time must have been very bewildering to older stars. Free from the protection and career guidance of overlord studio heads, one gets a sense that these great actors and actresses had no idea how to guide their own careers. <br />I'm sure that the scripts became less plentiful as they aged, but surely unemployment would have been preferable to appearing in this kind of thing. A whole film festival could be devoted to the misguided attempts by stars of Hollywood's Golden era to remain relevant to younger audiences.<br />I never saw that film, "Too Young to Kiss", but Hollywood has long had such an odd history of strange age casting. And to be honest, I think this used to bother me more then does it does now.<br />These days, if i see a film bout teenagers that actually cast teeneagers, i'm stunned at how little their life experience seems to bring to the role. They seem much "younger" than their age. Now, should I see a 29 year old Sissy Spacek playing a teen, it seems at leastas if she's able to bring some depth.<br /><br />The aging hippies in "Angel Angel Down We Go" are another matter. It's just bizarre how old they are!<br />Glad you got to see this, though. It's a have-to-be-seen-to-be-believed experience.Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-1613095290547079452013-11-05T17:09:04.373-08:002013-11-05T17:09:04.373-08:00This craptastic mess highlights more than any othe...This craptastic mess highlights more than any other that an Oscar is no guarantee of being able to age in film with your dignity intact, well this and the tragic sight of Ray Milland in The Thing with Two Heads! <br /><br />While I'm glad to hear she was a gracious, pleasant woman I must confess I am not a fan of Jennifer Jones. To me she was always a wan presence in her films and I rarely saw a performance of hers that I couldn't envision another actress doing better. As others have commented a good deal of the fault was Selznick's who was determined to turn her into the world's greatest actress and stuck her in things for which she was not suited, for instance she was a disaster in Duel in the Sun in a role that Ava Gardner would have made come alive. But within a limited range she could be an okay actress, I really enjoyed her in The Towering Inferno, her gracious dignity was well used and she wasn't any more ill treated than the rest of the cast. Also after a terrible beginning in Since You Went Away she's quite good in the second portion of that film. She held an option on Terms of Endearment for a number of years so it's not as if she didn't recognize good material but she never could have done what Shirley MacLaine did with it.<br /><br />Back to Angel, Angel I only saw it the once on Netflix streaming, which was enough, but what was unmissable was that the filmmakers had no conception of the audience they were trying to connect to, if one existed for it to begin with. It's not just that the actors are too old for their roles, Hollywood has often done that-I recently watched a minor comedy called Too Young to Kiss with a 34 year old June Allyson playing a 22 year old masquerading as a 14 year old child prodigy and being convincing as a 28 year old, its that it's obvious they're playing at the whole flower power, peace-love-and Bobby Sherman thing. None of it feels real for a second and if they don't believe how are we as viewers supposed to? It also doesn't help that most of the acting stinks on ice and the movie is horribly directed.<br /><br />Other than being a fascinating time capsule to show people some of the heights of 60's tacky decorating and fashions the film is best placed deep back in the What Were They Thinking files next to Ann-Margret's The Swinger, Skidoo and Psych-Out.joel65913https://www.blogger.com/profile/14526657073681774683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-43236820846156101312013-08-15T18:22:11.974-07:002013-08-15T18:22:11.974-07:00That IS a wonderful memory! It's always great ...That IS a wonderful memory! It's always great to meet a screen favorite and have them meet, if not exceed, one's expectations. Thank you very much for sharing with us your personal encounter with the great actress!Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-45666629558468053302013-08-15T17:19:37.325-07:002013-08-15T17:19:37.325-07:00Jennifer Jones is one of if not, my favorite actre...Jennifer Jones is one of if not, my favorite actress. So imagine my shock when I saw her at the Art Institute of Chicago about ten years ago. I was in college down the street and liked to strol through the museum before going home.<br />So I turned the corner into the renaissance area and there she was!<br />She was with a man and woman and she looked beautiful! She was wearing a red cashmere cardigan with tan plaid slacks and the shinest pair of patent leather pumps I've ever seen. She had a cane and the largest pearl necklace. I debated going up to her knowing that she was shy; but couldn't help myself.<br />I quietly told her how much I enjoyed her movies and that I thought she was a very strong inspirational person. She was very kind and said those were happy days, and that she was at the AI to see about loans for the Norton Simon. <br /><br />I told her that I had visited the year before and loved it, she asked what my favorite pieces were and if I had been inside the sculpure garden. I said goodbye and she said I had lovely blue eyes! A wonderful memory that I will hold forever.Erickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13787536310214232635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-33330803401420650012013-06-17T15:10:37.252-07:002013-06-17T15:10:37.252-07:00What a wonderful collection of memories! I especia...What a wonderful collection of memories! I especially love the Enquirer/Star magazine stuff. Cracks me up to think that the famous are as susceptible to the lure of celebrity gossip as anyone else.<br />Thanks so much for sharing that, Angelman. Always fun to hear about close-encounters with Golden Age celebrities!Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-48084507429188361222013-06-17T08:41:34.086-07:002013-06-17T08:41:34.086-07:00For years, Zsa Zsa spent every winter at the Welli...For years, Zsa Zsa spent every winter at the Wellington Polo Club, in a home she told me she rented from Prince Charles and Princess Diana, who were still married at the time. That's how long ago it was. I interviewed her for a local magazine, and ended up being a pal for a couple of seasons. She and hubby Frederick were absolutely charming to me and my girlfriend Natalie, who shares Zsa Zsa's sign of Aquarius and reminded her of daughter Francesca, Zsa Zsa was very down to earth--she made her Hungarian goulash for us once, though she ate only Nutri-System popcorn herself as she was dieting...and when you went into her powder room, next to the commode was a tall stack of National Enquirer and Star tabloids! This was in the early 1990s...she looked great if a bit zoftig, and Frederick was always showing off his very nice legs in tennis togs...<br /><br />It was also through Zsa Zsa and Frederick that I got to meet the great Estee Lauder. We were having lunch at Cafe L'Europe in Palm Beach and the grande dame of cosmetics stopped by the table to say hello to Zsa Zsa. She asked Zsa Zsa if her mother was still alive, which appalled poor Zsa Zsa (the mother was alive and well at the time). <br /><br />Fun memories! angelman66https://www.blogger.com/profile/16471674180789592940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-1299302151725587142013-06-10T11:56:09.843-07:002013-06-10T11:56:09.843-07:00"Hang out with Zsa Zsa Gabor"? How many ..."Hang out with Zsa Zsa Gabor"? How many people can say that sentence??? Was it during her cop-slapping days? I'm intrigued!<br />Anyhow, your comment caused me to recall a fact that I had forgotten. After virtually every one of my exercise sessions with Jones I would meet her hairdresser (possibly makeup as well) who was there to get her ready for the day.<br />She was heavily involved in the renovation of the Norton Simon Museum at the time and had full schedule of events and parties. Although she was never made up for our sessions, that makeup guy was ALWAYS waiting in the living room for us to finish! I hadn't thought of that in years.Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.com