tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post6710708964017031057..comments2024-03-08T18:49:51.289-05:00Comments on Classic Film and TV Café: Rick and Sark Discuss the Hammer Thriller, "The Snorkel" (1958)Rick29http://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-27238978177529366872012-07-25T18:57:32.496-04:002012-07-25T18:57:32.496-04:00I saw this movie after reading about it in The Bri...I saw this movie after reading about it in The British Film Noir Guide, so I knew how it began. Am I the only viewer, though, who was let down by the absurd stupidity of the Gregoire Aslan character, in the role of doofus detective, who could have seen it was murder and not suicide just by paying attention to the unignorable dog in the first ten minutes of the film? This complete lack of credibility, and the later actions of the Van Eyck character in his attempts to cover up, rather spoiled it for me. Many Hammer noirs are superior to this.Waldonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-48702484571884245182010-06-11T19:40:32.126-04:002010-06-11T19:40:32.126-04:00You must watch one of the best films in the Icons ...You must watch one of the best films in the Icons set - "Never Take Sweets/Candy From a Stranger". A very powerful and dark film that, because of its subject matter (child abuse), only recived a very limited art-house release in the US, and was castigated in Britain - because it came from Hammer therefore it must be 'exploitative'. Nothing could be farther from the truth. If you want to see a real Hammer 'monster' then Felix Aylmer's completely non-speaking character is the stuff of nightmares. A very powerful film and way ahead of its time (1960).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-36799141908439134852010-06-11T17:03:11.210-04:002010-06-11T17:03:11.210-04:00Gentlemen, I loved your wonderful chat about "...Gentlemen, I loved your wonderful chat about "The Snorkel." I really liked this film a lot. I enjoy mysteries very much, even when I know whodunnit. I thought that Mandy and Paul were both excellent. A weaker link in the film is Jean, because she seems to dismiss Mandy too readily, even knowing the young girl has just lost her mother and has become an orphan. But many a film has relied on the stupidity of characters to further their plotlines and this film is no exception.<br /><br />"Cash on Demand" is quite good, too, but I agree with Rick that the ending was not strong. The performances were, however, remarkable and I recommend it whole heartedly.<br /><br />Great job, Sark and Rick! I'll have a mocha frappe, by the way.toto2https://www.blogger.com/profile/09652682900471649463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-61591039493698387692010-06-11T16:38:39.828-04:002010-06-11T16:38:39.828-04:00I've seen two others from the aforementioned D...I've seen two others from the aforementioned DVD set. STOP ME BEFORE I KILL! is interesting if not altogether satisfying, but it does have a wonderful opening. MANIAC has some creepy moments, and though it may be predictable, I thought it was quite a fun ride!sarkoffagushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00922698736476674377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-59797733817996424432010-06-11T15:58:38.624-04:002010-06-11T15:58:38.624-04:00Anon, I've seen three of the six movies in the...Anon, I've seen three of the six movies in the Hammer Icons of Suspense set. THERE ARE THE DAMNED is definitely worthy of its cult film rep. CASH ON DEMAND is a nifty little pic with excellent performances from Peter Cushing and Andre Morell (I only wish the ending was better). Obviously, I liked THE SNORKEL. I haven't seen the other three yet.Rick29https://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-84313383749464688982010-06-11T15:06:36.875-04:002010-06-11T15:06:36.875-04:00Saw this weird flick on TCM a while back and thoug...Saw this weird flick on TCM a while back and thought it was cool. Has anyone seen the other movies in the DVD set? Are they any good?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-5977289123912484312010-06-11T12:39:53.191-04:002010-06-11T12:39:53.191-04:00Very funny, Sark, V-E-E-R-R-Y-Y funny. Sounds lik...Very funny, Sark, V-E-E-R-R-Y-Y funny. Sounds like part of your license plate number. And Rick, Rick, I don't know what to say -- well, actually, I just thought of a great retort in limerick, but I would be breaking the CMBA code of behavior!ClassicBeckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03591715859057540467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-77373922040550422652010-06-11T11:27:57.409-04:002010-06-11T11:27:57.409-04:00I haven't seen this film, nor many Hammer film...I haven't seen this film, nor many Hammer films, but I enjoyed reading your delightful conversation about this film.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-88927874838066283332010-06-11T09:32:23.352-04:002010-06-11T09:32:23.352-04:00I agree, WH, that such an ending would have been d...I agree, WH, that such an ending would have been dark! I like the ending as is, but I think the original scripted ending would have worked as well.<br /><br />Becky, here are the answers to your questions in code: RR191. Unfortunately, my code is unbreakable (even I don't know it), so it's probably not much help.sarkoffagushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00922698736476674377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-80294464845835348702010-06-11T09:15:36.353-04:002010-06-11T09:15:36.353-04:00WH, that would have made for a much different movi...WH, that would have made for a much different movie! And Becky, you're not getting anything out of me...not a peep. Fortunately, TCM showed THE SNORKEL once and probably will again (one of these days, TCM should have a Hammer month). Also, for Hammer fans, I strongly recommend the Hammer Icons of Suspense DVD set. It has six movies, including THE SNORKEL and Joseph Losey's terrific THESE ARE THE DAMNED. Plus, it's on sale (6-11-10) at Deep Discount for $15.48 with free shipping.Rick29https://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-39316346269401081702010-06-11T09:08:50.507-04:002010-06-11T09:08:50.507-04:00Thanks for this guys. "The Snorkel" is o...Thanks for this guys. "The Snorkel" is one of Hammer's little sleepers. Van Eyck is wonderfully cold - a real sociopath. The original screenplay had Candy NOT going to the police (not giving anything away there!) - which would have made for a much darker ending.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-52565050550041125472010-06-11T08:57:35.594-04:002010-06-11T08:57:35.594-04:00This is fun! I'm dying here - if it doesn'...This is fun! I'm dying here - if it doesn't give anything away to say who died, who did it, and how, pleeeaaaaase tell! I'm down on my knees (well, just my good knee) to beg for that info. I love Hammer horror films, but have not seen their suspense films, apparently, because I don't recognize the titles you mentioned. How about it, boys? Show mercy!ClassicBeckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03591715859057540467noreply@blogger.com