tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post8278952180984002480..comments2024-03-26T05:01:57.793-07:00Comments on DREAMS ARE WHAT LE CINEMA IS FOR...: LORD LOVE A DUCK 1966Ken Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-43392379770288702542020-09-02T05:09:25.636-07:002020-09-02T05:09:25.636-07:00Fabulous story and with a marvelous payoff. It'...Fabulous story and with a marvelous payoff. It's rare to hear of anything regarding "what ever happened to?" when it comes to our favorite character actors. This is a nice career coda to an actor I've enjoyed for many years. Thanks for this!Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-50165068072109538332020-08-31T19:16:22.464-07:002020-08-31T19:16:22.464-07:00I knew Max Showalter quite well. He lived in Ches...I knew Max Showalter quite well. He lived in Chester, CT the last years of his life. At that time I was doing a lot of community theatre and Max came to all the shows. His crazy laugh, so prevalent in this movie and also Sixteen Candles would always fill the theatre. He was everybody's favorite dinner guest and would tell great stories about working with Marilyn Monroe on Niagara, Betty Grable in the national tour of Hello, Dolly! (He was Horace Vandergelder) and traveling the globe during World War II with Irving Berlin's This Is The Army. Lord Love a Duck and Elmer Gantry were his favorite parts, tiny as they were. (Niagara was probably the only really substantial movie role he had.) The inside of his house looked like Sardi's with autographed pictures of stage and movie stars on every wall. When he was dying of cancer, one of his friends called me and said "Max wants to see you." I wasn't really sure why. We always got along great, but I hadn't seen him in a long time. When I came in the house, he was bundled up on the couch with all those photos around him. He turned to one of his friends, pointed to me and said "He's the only person who's been to this house who knows every actor in these photos. They usually give up after Ethel Merman and Mary Martin." My lifetime obsession with movies and theatre had finally paid off.Kipnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-85979813326675985662017-10-07T19:13:05.456-07:002017-10-07T19:13:05.456-07:00Hi Bill
Thank you very much for reading this and c...Hi Bill<br />Thank you very much for reading this and commenting. Most of my friends who are film enthusiasts can't understand my coolness toward Strangelove and The Loved One, but they tolerate me because we all share a similar fondness for Lord Love a Duck.<br />I've lived most of my life on the West Coast, so I think you may have something there in regard to my relating so much to the Southern California satire in this film.<br />Very cool to have seen this during it's first run. Makes me think it must have seemed as outrageous to you at 18 as "Blazing Saddles" did to me when I saw it 1974 and 18 as well.<br />Appreciate your taking the time to comment, and very glad you enjoyed this piece!Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-39483184425725222092017-10-06T14:41:51.090-07:002017-10-06T14:41:51.090-07:00While I can't say that I agree on Dr. Strangel...While I can't say that I agree on Dr. Strangelove or The Loved One (both favorite misanthropic comedies, although granted not AS funny as Lord Love a Duck), otherwise that's an excellent essay on one of my very favorite movies. I, however, was 18 when I saw it 1st run in Manhattan and I thought it was utterly hysterical. Maybe instead of an age gap there was a coastal gap since I've always seen myself as a New Yorker.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00736646523990103303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-62569113531793028192017-10-06T14:38:10.593-07:002017-10-06T14:38:10.593-07:00I did not know that Lola Albright won the award in...I did not know that Lola Albright won the award in Berlin. Thank you! It compensates a little for her not winning the Best Supporting Actress Oscar that she deserved for Marie.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00736646523990103303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-65440222974432972942017-03-25T10:31:27.852-07:002017-03-25T10:31:27.852-07:00I'd actually forgotten that fact, so reading a...I'd actually forgotten that fact, so reading about it a day after the news of her passing makes for a marvelous tribute. As is learning this film is one of your enduring favorites. So great, too, you have the poster!<br />Thank you for commenting!Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-52604073043425994682017-03-25T05:53:47.454-07:002017-03-25T05:53:47.454-07:00Lord Love a Duck has been my favorite film since i...Lord Love a Duck has been my favorite film since it showed up on TV in the 1960s. Albright as you may know won the Best Actress awsrd for this at the Berlin Film Festival. I have the framed poster hanging in my luving room. :)Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13431969460465592202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-12377779464881013232016-03-20T02:21:04.286-07:002016-03-20T02:21:04.286-07:00Glad to know other people appreciate Tuesday Weld....Glad to know other people appreciate Tuesday Weld. She is a one-of-a-kind actress:)Randyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05829516602558044009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-19145105841799282352016-03-19T19:56:21.085-07:002016-03-19T19:56:21.085-07:00OK, so maybe I won't rush out in trying to fin...OK, so maybe I won't rush out in trying to find "The Cincinnati Kid"! Many of the other films you've mentioned I've heard good things about. Hope they pop up somewhere sometime.<br />Thanks for commenting, Randy!Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-8853287909770550082016-03-19T02:41:57.190-07:002016-03-19T02:41:57.190-07:00Actually, I'm not a big fan of The Cincinnati ...Actually, I'm not a big fan of The Cincinnati Kid. Too much poker and I'm not a card player. So I don't know what the heck is going on;) But, it is considered an "iconic" film and perhaps the most famous/successful film Tuesday Weld has been associated with. I have much of Tuesday's work but not all of it. I can't find some stuff. Would love to get my hands on a dvd copy of F. Scott Fitzgerald in Hollywood or The Crucible, a TV movie she did in 1967 with George C. Scott. <br /><br />As far as motion pictures are concerned, Looking for Mr. Goodbar and Who'll Stop the Rain are Tuesday's best from the later 70's. Thief and Once Upon a Time in America are her best from the 80's. But, she's also good in Heartbreak Hotel from 1988. It's not a masterpiece but it's fun if you suspend reality. And, it's interesting to see Tuesday play a mom to a teenager.<br /><br />I am also a fan of Ann-Margret.Randyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05829516602558044009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-78581207723687879282016-03-18T18:27:03.316-07:002016-03-18T18:27:03.316-07:00Hi Randy
As big a fan of Ann-Margret as I am, I...Hi Randy<br />As big a fan of Ann-Margret as I am, I'm surprised I never saw "The Cincinatti Kid"- she and Weld in the same movie sounds like heaven.<br />I think Weld is great in "Pretty Poison", but I do think in "Lord Love a Duck" she is at her best. And yes, McDowall is a bit of a stretch as a high schooler.<br />Sounds as though you've seen the entirety of Weld's output. Excellent! thanks for visiting the blog and taking the time to share your appreciation of this somewhat under-appreciated actress!Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-39483232898949700902016-03-18T12:35:17.785-07:002016-03-18T12:35:17.785-07:00Tuesday at her finest! She is perfect in this movi...Tuesday at her finest! She is perfect in this movie. I like Roddy in the movie except for the fact it a little hard believing he is a high school student.<br /><br />I think, Tuesday did this movie the year before The Cincinnati Kid. Another fine performance by Tuesday although it is a supporting role. She plays Steve McQueen's girlfriend, Christian. A rare occasion where Tuesday plays the "good girl" to Ann-Margaret's "bad girl".Randyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05829516602558044009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-51303623399704861932013-01-27T14:15:22.405-08:002013-01-27T14:15:22.405-08:00Wonderful to hear from you again, bitter69uk!
You&...Wonderful to hear from you again, bitter69uk!<br />You've provided me with a couple of wonderful leads along with your enjoyable comments. I have never even heard of "A Cold Wind in August", but a John Waters recommendation to me is better than an Academy Award. I'll have to search that one down.<br />I saw "Puzzle of a Downfall Child" way back in the 80s and only remember that remarkable scene where Dunaway is forced to do a fashion shoot with a live falcon or something. I've always wanted to give it another look because at the time I only remember it being such a downer. I appreciate slower films now and wonder if my opinion would change. I'm thrilled that to learn it's on YouTube! That particular tip is priceless!<br />You seem to have your pulse on a lot of the kind of feminine histrionics I go for in movies, so I will be checking out "The Red Desert" as well (another film I'm unfamiliar with). <br />I hope you get around to re-visiting "Lord Love a Duck" and seeing how it plays for you after so long. As you say, Weld in this and "Pretty Poison" is pretty much Weld at the top of her game. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and share info on so many films I'm now so eager to investigate!Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-46181215650379287582013-01-27T08:42:15.513-08:002013-01-27T08:42:15.513-08:00Your wonderful blog reminds me how urgently I need...Your wonderful blog reminds me how urgently I need to re-visit Lord Love a Duck. I’ve only ever seen it once, well over twenty years ago (but it’s been on my LOVEFiLM wish list for ages now!) and it made a huge impression. For me, it almost defines “black comedy.” Yes, Tuesday Weld’s perky wholesome looks and disturbed / disturbing sex kitten persona are so troubling and idiosyncratic: if all she ever did was Lord Love a Duck and Pretty Poison, she’d already be unforgettable. I also love Lola Albright, so good in blowsy, somewhat older but still sexy, boozy husky-voiced older women roles like this. I’ve only ever seen A Cold Wind in August once but she slays me in that as a melancholy ageing stripper. (It’s a favourite film of John Waters – understandably!). <br /><br />Hey, I was wondering: we’re both clearly fans of Faye Dunaway. Have you ever blogged about Puzzle of a Downfall Child? I don’t think it’s available on DVD anywhere but France at moment, but the whole film is online on Youtube in glistening, exquisite quality. I watched it for the first time just recently (it’s long been considered a “lost movie”). I’d love to read your verdict on it: it’s a berserk but mesmerising car crash of a film, a true “failed art movie” (to paraphrase John Waters’ description of BOOM!) – one of my favourite genres. Full-throttle, scenery-chewing Dunaway stars as a neurotic fashion model in the throes of a nervous breakdown (it feels informed by Monica Vitti having a nervous breakdown in The Red Desert, a far more profound film). It’s nervous breakdown as fashion statement! <br />bitter69ukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10182913922421674178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-36678562117140330232013-01-26T15:53:12.044-08:002013-01-26T15:53:12.044-08:00I love Tim Burton's "Ed Wood" (a fil...I love Tim Burton's "Ed Wood" (a film with more than its share of sweater references)but you have to remind me of what that similar gag is.<br />And yes, Jo Collins...in all her 60s glam glory of big hair, heavily made-up eyes, and sequined bikini...is a vision of femininity very much dissimilar to the look of Playboy models today - too "plastic fantastic" (to borrow a term I think I learned from fellow blogger Mike in Great Britain).<br />Humor is so personal and my own tastes so quirky that I would never out and out recommend this film to someone saying they will find it funny. I can say, however, that it is an oddity and quite fascinating in that respect. Just don't expect that you'll be getting anything that you expect! Thanks, Mark!Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-66964093914559658912013-01-26T15:37:56.115-08:002013-01-26T15:37:56.115-08:00I am a HUGE fan of "Bedazzled"! I've...I am a HUGE fan of "Bedazzled"! I've seen it more times than I can count. You are spot-on in recognizing the Faustian similarities between these two laugh-out-loud satires, and while I won't go so far as to say that if you liked "Bedazzled" you'll like "Lord Love a Duck," I will say that both are examples of satire and black comedy done right. "Bedazzled" is not as mean-spirited as "Lord Love a Duck" and I truly adore the versatile and lovely Eleanor Bron in it. How perfect that you mentioned the Dudley Moore/ Peter Cook film, for after re-viewing "Lord Lorve a DucK" my taste was whetted for another look-see at "Bedazzled" and I put it on my Netflix queue just last night.Pretty keen sensibilities there Grand Old Movies...maybe you should give this one a try (but remember, you've been warned!) Thanks so much for commenting!Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-54244834100370397042013-01-26T14:38:20.017-08:002013-01-26T14:38:20.017-08:00I'm with you on the grouchy "smartphone/d...I'm with you on the grouchy "smartphone/dumb people" feeling - it seems you can go anywhere today without running into someone absorbed by what's on a phone's LED screen. Now THAT should be satirized.<br /><br />I haven't seen LORD LOVE A DUCK, but your description of it reminded me of the 1967 British film BEDAZZLED, which has Peter Cook as the Devil granting the deepest desires of poor bozo Dudley Moore, always centered on trying to bed the delectable Eleanor Bron. Like the American film, BEDAZZLED takes us on a hilariously escalating journey of not-quite-granting wishes that come at increasing hazard to the wisher. If you've never seen it, I definitely recommend it (it's on DVD); and I DON'T recommend the remake with Brendan Fraser.Grand Old Movieshttp://grandoldmovies.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-88203210998425205952013-01-25T01:15:10.260-08:002013-01-25T01:15:10.260-08:00Papaya Surprise all right...I remember when I trie...Papaya Surprise all right...I remember when I tried papaya, and the surprise was that it tasted like crap.<br /><br />You have to love that sense of humour, having all of those different coloured sweaters...in a black and white film! It reminds me of a similar gag in Tim Burton's "Ed Wood".<br /><br />Take a good look at Jo Collins--never again will you see a woman like that grace the centre of "Playboy" magazine.<br /><br />This film is available on DVD, so I'll have to look out for it. Roddy McDowall is always good value.Mark Vanselownoreply@blogger.com