Desert Fury [1947]
1. Mary Astor’s squiggle blouse.
2. The glowing red edges of the steering wheel.
3. “She only calls me that when she wants something from me.” “I do want something from you! I want you to kiss me!” Mouth-on-mouth mother-daughter kiss.
Leatherheads [2008]
1. "You’re the kind of cocktail that comes on like sugar but gives you a kick in the head."
2. He knows the jig is up. Jonathan Pryce adjusts his tie and turns the gesture into a shrug, sheepishly grinning.
3. Randy Newman as a speakeasy piano player. He reaches for a bottle and smashes it over someone’s head.
Over the weekend I also saw Star Trek: The Motion Picture, The Planet of the Apes, 2001: A Space Odyssey and The Brother From Another Planet. But I’m not doing my 3 Things for those. Wasn’t taking notes, hehe.
Candy [1968]
1. “I’d give my right arm.” “You know, he’s left-handed.”
2. James Coburn enters the operating theater wearing white loafers.
3. Fake snow stuck to her eyelashes.
This was a beautifully photographed piece of crap. It’s one of those comedies best described as “alarming.” In its quest to be as “outrageous” and “far out” as possible, it jettisons, umm, actually being funny.
There’s nothing more inexcusable than a comedy that isn’t funny. Even a terrible drama can be “good” if it’s unintentionally funny. But a laughless comedy is just pathetic. Any movie that can’t take the notion of Ringo Starr playing a Mexican gardener and make it hilarious is seriously pathetic.
It comes alive for about 30 seconds when John Huston makes his entrance and then again for about a minute when the cop car crashes into the drag queen nightclub. But that’s it.
The Sci-Fi Spectacular yesterday was a bit disappointing. Not the movies themselves; Planet of the Apes was really, really awesome in widescreen. But the marathon itself was kind of carelessly organized. Whether because they started the movies late or just let the intermissions run too long, the program got seriously behind schedule. I only stayed for three movies, because by the time that The Brother From Another Planet was over it was already 11:30. Part of me really wanted to stay for Aliens but it was so late. If they’d been on schedule, Aliens would have started at 10.
Another letdown: Gary Lockwood in person, who was fairly smug and rambled through his anecdotes in excruciating fashion. They let him talk too long, and what he had to say wasn’t that interesting. Keir Dullea would have probably been a lot better.
Still, all in all, I’m glad I went. I like that kind of immsersive experience. The weather yesterday was appropriately ominous.
Diary of a Mad Housewife [1970]
1. "Com’on Teen, snap to it!"
2. George doesn’t appear to have a TV set in his apartment. He does have an expensive-looking stereo though.
3. He puts ice in two glasses. A strip of lemon peel in each glass, then a pour of vodka.
OK, I swear I’ll stop talking about this movie now. For awhile anyway.
Tomorrow is the Sci-Fi Spectacular at the Music Box and I’ll be there! Probably starting with The Planet of the Apes.
OK. One last time … if you can, get down to U of C’s Doc Films tonight at 7 to see Diary of a Mad Housewife. Truly one of the great forgotten movies of the 1970’s.
Poppy [1936]
1. “Run to the nearest golf course and find me a doctor!”
2. The hat rolls around and around and around.
3. He picks up the Mayor’s hat and cane and slowly strolls out the door. Always a bittersweet ending with W.C. Fields.
Further thoughts of mine concerning Diary of a Mad Housewife.
