tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post6626453637033039371..comments2024-03-08T18:49:51.289-05:00Comments on Classic Film and TV Café: My Picks for the 6 from the '60s BlogathonRick29http://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-19583809226790094352020-06-05T15:02:30.892-04:002020-06-05T15:02:30.892-04:00Lilies of the Field is popular. We all have good t...Lilies of the Field is popular. We all have good taste. :-)Rebecca Denistonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07505297430024467869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-25129479275723428112020-05-25T02:52:36.437-04:002020-05-25T02:52:36.437-04:00Rick: Believe it.
In Tom Weaver's collection, ...Rick: Believe it.<br />In Tom Weaver's collection, <i>Earth Vs. The Sci-Fi Filmmakers</i> (2005), there's an interview with Jan Merlin, illustrated with lots of photographs showing him in makeup tests for the various roles he played (along with a few that were cut from the production).<br />In the interview, Merlin goes into great detail about which disguises he wore, as well as the few times that it was actually Douglas.<br />He's also specific about how the only other stars who actually wore their disguises were Robert Mitchum and Tony Curtis (you might recall that those two were in the same London-filmed scene). Frank Sinatra and Burt Lancaster were doubled by other actors in their scenes.<br />All of this is detailed in Weaver's interview with Merlin, with photos to back it all up.<br />And if there's one thing we should all know by this time about Tom Weaver, it's that he's the most reliable source around.<br /><br />Mike Doranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14427528138598549103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-21680613378624237502020-05-21T09:28:32.360-04:002020-05-21T09:28:32.360-04:00Kirk was a producer here as well. And that aspect ...Kirk was a producer here as well. And that aspect WAS a prominent selling point. According to Merlin, Curtis, Sinatra, Lancaster only did the final unmaskings.Bill Ohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06041905291496937729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-37559883853574613842020-05-21T08:03:01.566-04:002020-05-21T08:03:01.566-04:00Mitchum is definitely in it, he is so recognisable...Mitchum is definitely in it, he is so recognisable, especially his voice. The others must all be debatable. If you look at Lancaster's reveal and compare it to his character earlier in the film, they don't look like the same person at all. I suspect Sinatra didn't bother either. <br /><br />A lot of Kirk Douglas's character in disguise was played by another actor too, Jan Merlin I think. This does make sense as it's unnecessarily expensive to hire a big star and then make him so unrecognizable that anyone could play his part.<br /><br />Cinema Essentialshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12167367509339965033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-7624239595587130002020-05-20T22:08:17.959-04:002020-05-20T22:08:17.959-04:00Are you referring to the story about who wore the ...Are you referring to the story about who wore the disguises? I’m not sure I believe that as the actors in disguise look like the actors. Rick29https://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-77521987857984484792020-05-19T20:52:50.256-04:002020-05-19T20:52:50.256-04:00Pardon my curiosity:
Since you don't mention ...Pardon my curiosity:<br /><br />Since you don't mention the stories that have emerged in recent years about the making of <i>The List Of Adrian Messenger</i> …<br /> … I'm wondering if you've ever even heard/read about them?<br />Mind you, <i>Messenger</i> has always been a favorite of mine; I saw it in an actual theater (the Coral in Oak Lawn IL, since defunct), in its initial release in '63, when I was 12 years old.<br />Back then, twelve-year-old me liked it just fine - it was one of the reasons I became a mystery fan/buff.<br />These days, almost-70-year-old me still feels much the same - and this is about a decade <i>after</i> I learned The Big Secret about the production.<br />(I'm talking all around it here because I never want to deal in Spoilers.)<br />The Big Secret has been written about extensively in other places, with much documentation (photographic and otherwise); you can find the whole story in many places here on the 'Net (including a few on your own sidebar).<br />Speaking solely for myself, The Big Secret didn't diminish my fondness for <i>Messenger</i> in the slightest; actually I sort of admire the sheer nerve that went into it … but that's <i>another</i> story … <br /><br />Anyway, as I said - just wondering … Mike Doranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14427528138598549103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-59331737217902749352020-05-18T12:47:23.676-04:002020-05-18T12:47:23.676-04:00Rick. Sorry I wasn't able to post my own Blog ...Rick. Sorry I wasn't able to post my own Blog entry (have had some family issues I have been dealing with).<br /><br />Great list. I completely agree about Once Upon... I think Leone is under-rated as a Director - possibly because he was making what were considered "genre films" at the time. But many of his works a great, and Once is a masterpiece.<br /><br />Morricone is not under-rated, though, and his score is not only one of his best, but one of the best ever written for an American film. The opening scene with the legendary harmonica line playing, and the squeaking of the wind vane conjures the dread approaching. You're not sure what it is, but you probably don't want to be there when the train arrives. <br /><br />Brilliant stuff.Eric Warrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12494404128694639359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-37612228107833846172020-05-18T09:53:33.548-04:002020-05-18T09:53:33.548-04:00I have yet to see Lilies of the Field, but the pre...I have yet to see Lilies of the Field, but the premise sounds a bit like Loretta Young's Come to the Stable. With Poitier's presence, I'm sure Lilies is superior. Marnie just missed making my list. I find it fascinating, even though most people consider it one of Hitch's lesser efforts. It always makes me feel off-kilter when I watch it. Once Upon a Time in the West has long been on my watch list. One of these days...Brittaneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13766658979578139012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-61599358856679830242020-05-17T16:01:12.296-04:002020-05-17T16:01:12.296-04:00Ok, I'm a fan of The List of Adrian Messenger ...Ok, I'm a fan of The List of Adrian Messenger -- even though the only reason I watched it at first was for Herbert Marshall. It's quite a trip and very '60s'. <br /><br />I appreciate a Doris Day pick here, as I'm new to the Day/Hudson filmography (!) and this does sound like a great one to start. <br /><br />Thanks for organizing the blogathon!Jocelynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14952528487748234667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-66679520265024875272020-05-17T13:30:56.471-04:002020-05-17T13:30:56.471-04:00I was really curious to see your list, Rick, and w...I was really curious to see your list, Rick, and was thrilled that you included The Lilies of the Field (one of my faves). Also, thanks for the introduction to The Chalk Garden – it sounds like a haunting film.<br /><br />Thank you for organizing this blogathon. There are some wonderful "new" films to see, and I can't wait to explore them. It was hard to pick six films, but it was interesting to see everyone's choices, and how popular some of the films are.Silver Screeningshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04955048716754142299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-39439861292890457972020-05-17T12:35:58.419-04:002020-05-17T12:35:58.419-04:00My parents took me to see Lilies of the Field when...My parents took me to see Lilies of the Field when it first opened. I was too young to recognize Poitier's prodigious talent, as well as Lilia Skala's wonderful turn. But I have since.<br /><br />As for The List of Adrian Messenger, I once won a game of charades using this film title. I agree that the plot surpasses Huston's hook of using disguised guest stars. Polydor and Ajax were a wonderful film team, and I would have liked to have seen them in another film.<br /><br />Point being, I'm all for any list that includes these two movies.Ronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00452222696907771602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-46774655631726129982020-05-16T23:35:37.010-04:002020-05-16T23:35:37.010-04:00I prefer Lover Come Back over Pillow Talk, though ...I prefer Lover Come Back over Pillow Talk, though the latter is still quite funny. Rick29https://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-82706153172022362152020-05-16T23:34:28.782-04:002020-05-16T23:34:28.782-04:00I only know one movie buff that has seen Adrian Me...I only know one movie buff that has seen Adrian Messenger and doesn’t love it. So, it has its fans!Rick29https://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-67249312614027183072020-05-16T23:32:40.696-04:002020-05-16T23:32:40.696-04:00List of Adrian Messenger pops up in TCM from time ...List of Adrian Messenger pops up in TCM from time to time. Rick29https://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-2049198953291088002020-05-16T21:59:37.737-04:002020-05-16T21:59:37.737-04:00I have been eyeing The Chalk Garden but now I know...I have been eyeing The Chalk Garden but now I know I'll need to bump this one up on my viewing list. Lilies of the Field - ah, what a classic! Your choices make me want to dive right in and stay for a while. Wonderful! The Classic Movie Musehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14089924257692960579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-38842926597561756342020-05-16T21:57:33.803-04:002020-05-16T21:57:33.803-04:00Lover Come Back and Pillow Talk are about neck-and...Lover Come Back and Pillow Talk are about neck-and-neck for me, mainly because they share so many similarities and they're both brilliant.<br /><br />The List of Adrian Messenger is a film I've wanted to see for the longest time. I keep relying on TCM to show it, but as far as I know they never have, so I may have to finally just buy it. It sounds incredible!<br /><br />And yay for the inclusion of Marnie! I've always felt it deserved more praise.Michaelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06595610476583704014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-57315775526594200442020-05-16T21:48:00.259-04:002020-05-16T21:48:00.259-04:00What I especially love about your list is that it ...What I especially love about your list is that it sounds just like you!toto2https://www.blogger.com/profile/09652682900471649463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-75661843458083129892020-05-16T20:30:25.732-04:002020-05-16T20:30:25.732-04:00Great list, I agree with you about Love Come Back....Great list, I agree with you about Love Come Back. Did you ever see Mark Rappaport's documentary in ’92 with every veiled reference from every Hudson film abtly titled, Rock Hudson’s Home Movies? It's genius and proof of the subtext in films from that era due to the Hayes Code. <br /><br />I haven't seen Marnie in a long time. I should watch it again. Hitchcock is my favorite director.Philiphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18098618900974557344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-57466579448078918232020-05-16T20:23:44.580-04:002020-05-16T20:23:44.580-04:00What a great list, Rick! I share your sentiments a...What a great list, Rick! I share your sentiments about most of these films - especially Marnie and The Chalk Garden ( I had to save that one for the Comfort Films Blogathon ). I always thought the music to both of those films sounded very similar - perhaps that's what makes them so good back-to-back. And The List of Adrian Messenger is one of the finest mysteries of the 60s. So glad to see Lilies of the Field here, too. Love your runners-up, too! The Metzinger Sistershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10728879307994086409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-44379271753161726822020-05-16T18:44:13.151-04:002020-05-16T18:44:13.151-04:00Interesting list with choices that don't come ...Interesting list with choices that don't come up on a regular basis. Don't agree about Lover Come Back over Pillow Talk, but I'm glad to see Marnie on the list. One of my favorite Hitchcocks that is so often unfairly derided.Margot Shelbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06580855468061590981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-69304014993772765842020-05-16T16:17:11.918-04:002020-05-16T16:17:11.918-04:00Never heard of The Chalk Garden. Thanks for listin...Never heard of The Chalk Garden. Thanks for listing it in your blogathon.Kurt Burgesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17248344333475047502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-53009736835247077022020-05-16T14:15:34.485-04:002020-05-16T14:15:34.485-04:00Good choices. I agree about Marnie, it does grow o...Good choices. I agree about Marnie, it does grow on you. And OOATITW is easily one of the best westerns of the decade.<br /><br />Ive tried to win some converts to The List of Adrian Messenger but without much success. I did once meet someone else who likes it, so there's definitely at least three of us!<br />Cinema Essentialshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12167367509339965033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-53228191937051515482020-05-16T13:46:47.563-04:002020-05-16T13:46:47.563-04:00An interesting and eclectic list, Rick. I am one w...An interesting and eclectic list, Rick. I am one who prefers almost all of the other Day/Hudson (and Day/Garner, etc.) romcoms over Pillow Talk. Not that it isn't worthy, it's just that the formula seemed to improve over time.<br /><br />Great blogathon, again. Thanks for hosting!The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-59785254415229819162020-05-16T12:41:13.455-04:002020-05-16T12:41:13.455-04:00Oh gosh - what memories. So funny how so many of u...Oh gosh - what memories. So funny how so many of us are choosing the same sort of films. Loved that you added Doris Day to the mix. What would the 60s be without her? Thanks for hosting this wonderful blogathon, Rick!FlickChickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17351624749230610755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-90311982931250767992020-05-16T10:25:29.060-04:002020-05-16T10:25:29.060-04:00Put me down for a "ditto" on Lover Come ...Put me down for a "ditto" on Lover Come Back over Pillow Talk!<br />What a post. These are excellent choices. I'm SO glad people are posting movies I haven't seen yet. I have a long list of additions to my to be watched list thanks to this blogathon. Including some here. This is fun, fun, FUN. Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12988070910001716357noreply@blogger.com