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Post by Andrea Doria on May 30, 2023 14:44:41 GMT
Following on Topbilled's May Mother's Melodramas will be June Father's Melodramas.
I wanted to start with "The Heiress," because it features one of the worst fathers ever. The rest will all be great improvements after Dr. Sloper, who is able to crush his daughter's self-esteem with just a few well placed remarks. He is portrayed by Ralph Richardson who I first saw as the kind, loving father in Doctor Zhivago and next as the horrible, sarcastic husband in "Anna Karenina." What a range!
Also starring are Olivia de Havilland, Montgomery Clift, and Miriam Hopkins all at the top of their games.I hope lots of people will watch this with us. It's a great movie adapted from the English classic novel by Henry James, "Washington Square."
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Post by Fading Fast on May 30, 2023 14:54:45 GMT
Great choice, Andrea, I'm really looking forward to it. It's been decades since I've seen it, so it will feel really fresh.
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Post by topbilled on May 30, 2023 15:45:34 GMT
You can't go wrong with THE HEIRESS or this super fine cast, with razor sharp direction by William Wyler.
Bit of trivia...Miriam Hopkins was one of Wyler's most favorite actresses. They also collaborated on THESE THREE (1936) and its remake THE CHILDREN'S HOUR (1961). And after THE HEIRESS, he directed her in CARRIE (1952), which would be a good choice if we ever do a month of melodramas starring Jennifer Jones
Back to The Heiress...the original Broadway production ran for 410 performances from September 1947 to September 1948. Wendy Hiller played Catherine, Peter Cookson was Morris, Patricia Collinge was Lavinia and Basil Rathbone was Dr. Sloper. Rathbone earned a Tony. Beatrice Straight was a replacement Catherine on Broadway, and she was known off stage as Mrs. Peter Cookson!
Anyway, I am excited about this selection because it's such a great filmed version of a great play. I have stated elsewhere that I feel THE HEIRESS, not ALL THE KING'S MEN, should have taken home the Oscar for Best Picture of 1949. In fact, I would go so far as to say it's the best picture of the 1940s, a decade when a lot of excellent motion pictures were produced.
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Post by topbilled on Jun 2, 2023 19:11:56 GMT
Andrea sent a message to me and said she could not find THE HEIRESS online.
A beautifully restored print is available on the Russian site:
ok.ru/video/266562636451
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Post by topbilled on Jun 3, 2023 14:48:58 GMT
I found a review I had written for THE HEIRESS a few years ago, and for some reason I never posted it on the IMDb. Re-reading it this morning made me eager to re-watch THE HEIRESS, which I think is an indicator of a decent review.
I will post it in this thread tomorrow after we watch the film together...
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Post by Andrea Doria on Jun 4, 2023 17:21:21 GMT
I'm here early to get a good seat. Once the concession stand opens, I might have to go get some Necco wafers.
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Post by Fading Fast on Jun 4, 2023 17:45:35 GMT
I'm here early to get a good seat. Once the concession stand opens, I might have to go get some Necco wafers.
I remember those chalky discs that claimed to be some sort of candy.
I'll save your seat. I love your choice of theater.
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Post by Fading Fast on Jun 4, 2023 18:51:25 GMT
Just noting that my latest Sunday Live! Don't be so Melodramatic crush, Mona Freeman, is in "The Heiress."
Which does not mean I've forgotten for one minute about my first Sunday Live! swoon, Ms. Rosamund John. We'll need to watch another one of her movies, too, at some point.
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Post by Fading Fast on Jun 4, 2023 18:56:07 GMT
He said "nix" to the Necco wafer, but asked for the big sized popcorn:
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Post by galacticgirrrl on Jun 4, 2023 18:56:54 GMT
Hello! Time and technology are smiling on me today. Ready with my DVD copy. 115 minutes - is that a close match to the online version?
I haven't watched this one in eons. Can't wait.
I don't remember Necco wafers for some reason.
The theatre is beautiful.
You have had me off looking at photos of my old summertime cottage cinemas.
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Post by topbilled on Jun 4, 2023 18:58:41 GMT
Hello! Time and technology are smiling on me today. Ready with my DVD copy. 115 minutes - is that a close match to the online version? I haven't watched this one in eons. Can't wait. I don't remember Necco wafers for some reason. The theatre is beautiful. You have had me off looking at photos of my old summertime cottage cinemas. Yes, the complete running time for THE HEIRESS is 115 minutes.
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Post by Fading Fast on Jun 4, 2023 19:00:05 GMT
Hello! Time and technology are smiling on me today. Ready with my DVD copy. 115 minutes - is that a close match to the online version? I haven't watched this one in eons. Can't wait. I don't remember Necco wafers for some reason. The theatre is beautiful. You have had me off looking at photos of my old summertime cottage cinemas. That's great. So glad you can join us. The on-line one is 110, so close enough.
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Post by topbilled on Jun 4, 2023 19:00:59 GMT
Hello all...
I forgot Vanessa Brown was in this.
I see there is a special men's wardrobe credit at the beginning...
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Post by Andrea Doria on Jun 4, 2023 19:02:08 GMT
Starting the projector NOW. (so glad galasticgirrl is here)
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Post by topbilled on Jun 4, 2023 19:02:15 GMT
I love Aaron Copland, and his scores bring class to movies...but all his music sounds the same to me.
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