quote:

Originally posted by kluurs:
A Nun's Story

/thread drift

My mom met Marie-Louise Habets when they were in Wurzburg, Germany in the late 1940s. They were both working as part of the International Relief Organization.

quote:

Originally posted by Daniel:
Jack,

"Beauty and the Beast - Cocteau not Disney"

I'd like to see this.

Do, it’s unbelievably good and unique.

quote:

Originally posted by CHAS:
One way to enjoy the lists is to enlarge the image of WTF to the point you can see the lists but not who posted the list.
Trying to guess the poster is fun. I scored 0.

3. Suddenly, Last Summer (1959)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...y,_Last_Summer_(film)

Of course, Katherine Hepburn and Montgomery Clift were perfectly cast and gave excellent performances.

But, to say Elizabeth Taylor stole the show would be an understatement.

Her performance was genius and she was almost unbelievably beautiful in this film.

This is my second favorite Elizabeth Taylor film. My third is, The Taming of the Shrew (1967). This film has the distinction of being the only one Elizabeth Taylor did in verse.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...the_Shrew_(1967_film)

4. A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...ed_Desire_(1951_film)

Marlon Brando's performance in this film almost defies belief. You've probably seen it. If you haven't, I recommend it. Its legendary status is well deserved.

5. Rebel Without a Cause (1955)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebel_Without_a_Cause

I've fallen very deeply into a James Dean phase over the last few months. As with all artists, I'm interested in him and his work.

Full disclosure-- I've seen Giant (1955) and liked it a lot (but it was too long).

I really want to see East of Eden (1956) soon.

quote:

Originally posted by kluurs:

A Nun's Story
Dr. Zhivago
Lilies of the Field

Yes!! This list reminded me of growing up in the boonies (it was then, now not so much)in north Scottsdale. Our parents weren't big on driving us around to places, so we were limited to where we could go on our bikes. Combine that with Arizona heat and the fact that both parents were huge readers, and the unexpected boon of having the county bookmobile parked in front of our house every two weeks, and I became a big reader. The movies above were first books, which I loved. I think I read "The Nun's Story" about 5-6 times (this is no exaggeration).

Summer boredom isn't always such a bad thing.

I would struggle to build my list of top 5 movies, because I generally don't remember them a few weeks (OK, days) after I've watched them. Going on the basis of "memorable," I'd have to say that my top list would include:

1. Giant
2. Gone with the Wind
3. Star Wars - the first one
4. 2001: A Space Odyssey
5. The Trouble with Angels

They each have a place in my childhood. Some are great movies, but they're on this list because of family events.

Giant - one of the first "grownup" movies I remember watching and getting it
Gone with the Wind - when it was re-released (in the late 60s?) to theaters my mom dragged us to see it. I got in trouble at school for reading the book afterwards, because of "that scene" where Scarlett was nearly attacked. Unsuitable reading for children! (My parents laughed, they had zero censorship, for which I'm eternally grateful.)
Star Wars - went to see it after it had been on the screen for about a year. I figured that anything that was that hyped was probably not that great, and it was a space soap opera. My college roomie and I went for one of the last showings at a big theater. The movie theme started (amazing dolby sound system in the theater), and I was hooked right then and there.
2001 - spent my allowance taking my dad to see it at a big cinerama screen as partial payback for his needing to fix our living room wall after I drove the car about 18 inches into it (it shared a wall with the carport... another story)
The Trouble with Angels - actually a very funny comedy starring Hayley Mills and Rosalind Russell. We saw it in a theater (which was pretty unusual for us). My mom drove us about 25 miles to see it (also pretty unusual). We loved it so much we went back the next night to see it again. There were lines from the movie which became family memes. "A box of colored threads," is one (for those of you who might have actually seen the movie).

Lovely memories.

quote:

Originally posted by Amanda:
This has all been a big help in choosing videos (series and movies) to watch - especially on the stairstepper. (I finally discovered "Who's Afraid of...etc." is presently available on HULU for subscribers - which I am, through Spotify).

Looking forward to it. Remembering that Elizabeth Taylor got lots of extra credit at the time because her weight was on the heavier side then, and she let herself be shown cackling, double chin and all. Wondering what Richard Burton did that made her argue he (not she) should have won the best acting award for his performance.

(And other people's lists are helpful too. So many great old films I missed seeing at the time!)

I think you might enjoy it!

quote:

Originally posted by Daniel:

I think you might enjoy it!

I am, thanks.

I was interested to learn since my posting above, that Elizabeth was only 34 when playing the bitchy middle-aged wife in this movie - and that she actually put on 30 lbs. specifically for the role.

Now THAT'S quite a daring move for a star reknowned for her glamorous persona, especially considering she had a lifelong weight problem.

Must have been quite a challenge to take it off again. I remember quite a few nasty cracks aimed her way for those double chins which I now realize were voluntarily acquired (unable to find the name - and NOT including Richard Burton himself who had a few unflattering words about her supposed shortcomings.)

Richard Burton teased her for double chins and was quoted as saying her legs were too short.

Strangely, Truman Capote was quoted as saying her head was too big for her body. This might explain why I'm not a Truman Capote fan.

In any case, Richard Burton, in a more charitable moment, gave this comment about Elizabeth Taylor's beauty: "Elizabeth was beautiful beyond the dreams of pornography."

It really was a great love affair.

Here's an idea for a thread hijack. Your five favorite B movies.

I love B movies!

In no particular order:

1. I was a Fugitive From A Chain Gang starring Paul Muni
2. Plan 9 from Outer Space
3. Little Shop of Horrors--the original with Jack Nicholson
4. The Day the Earth Stood Still
5. Glenn or Glenda?

Another James Dean tribute.

https://youtu.be/gec98uIW_EM