Now Screening - What Are You Watching Right Now?

[Macca]

One of the most ridiculous disaster movies I have seen was 'Moonfall' (2022). An absurd mixture of alien conspiracy, AI, and an odd team flown into space to put things right.

It was so bad I was gripped for the entire duration of the film. The CGI special effects are however very good.

I taped that but not watched it yet. Roland Emmerich films are always so stupid, you have to keep watching just to see how ludicrous it will get.

[Barry]

I hope you enjoy the film Martin. For my part, having seen the film I have no wish to see it again.

[struth]

Sea of Sand, 1958...



There were no accurate maps of Libya at the beginning of World War II, so the L.R.D.G. surveyed and mapped the country while on operations. L.R.D.G. navigators were so highly prized for their skills, that they were often lured away to other clandestine units such as the S.A.S.

Brigadier Ralph Alger Bagnold, FRS, OBE was a professional soldier, desert explorer and the principal founder of the Long Rang Desert Group. His studies and publications on the action of the wind on sand formations are still considered to be the foremost authority in their field. Later, he became an advisor to NASA on the subject during their planet exploration programs.

The Special Air Service also operated behind German lines. For a few months, the L.R.D.G. provided transportation for the S.A.S. In June 1942, the S.A.S. obtained fifteen Jeeps, each were modified to accommodate twin mounted Vickers "K" type machine guns, a Browning machine gun, and a Lewis gun of World War I vintage. The Jeeps were also equipped with ammunition, explosives, extra fuel, rations, water, and other gear to operate for days, if not weeks behind enemy lines. They were very effective.

[struth]

Key Largo, 1948..




Lionel Barrymore was severely disabled by arthritis (clearly visible in his hands) and was confined to a wheelchair, making the scene in which his Mr. Temple character gets up and falls taking a swing at Toots more than a dramatic moment.

The character of Johnny Rocco was modeled on Al Capone, who retired to Florida and died there of complications due to advanced syphilis a year before this film was produced. Screenwriter Richard Brooks later revealed he had also incorporated biographical details about another famous gangster, Lucky Luciano, into Rocco's character as well.

Santana was the name of Humphrey Bogart's yacht, which he purchased from June Allyson and Dick Powell. Before that it had belonged to George Raft and Ray Milland. He loved the Santana so much he named his production company after it.

Felipa Gómez, who played the Old Indian Woman, was born just five years after the U.S. Civil War ended.

[struth]

Claire Trevor again in 'Murder, My Sweet', 1944.




For the scene in which Marlowe is drugged, Edward Dmytryk showed Dick Powell falling through a sea of faces. He borrowed a trick from Saboteur (1942) by having the camera pull back from the actor to make it seem like he was falling. He also had the camera accelerate as it pulled back, to intensify the horror.

Dick Powell's portrayal of Philip Marlowe earned the approval of Raymond Chandler himself.

RKO was on the verge of bankruptcy when it signed up aging matinée idol Dick Powell to make a series of musicals. Powell only signed under the proviso that he could play a straight dramatic role first, so he was cast as Philip Marlowe. Attached director Edward Dmytryk was initially horrified at this casting decision.

It was hard to get Mike Mazurki to tower over Dick Powell, because the former singer stood 6'2", with Mazurki--a former pro wrestler--only slightly taller at 6' 4-1/2". For many scenes, Powell had to stand in a trench. For Moose Malloy's first appearance, reflected in the window of Marlowe's office, Edward Dmytryk couldn't get Mike Mazurki to appear large enough because the window was too far from the camera. Instead, he had a plate of glass placed between the camera and Marlowe's desk, then reflected Mazurki's image in that. On screen, the plate glass is undetectable, making the large reflection seem to be farther from the camera.

[struth]

Heaven Can Wait, 1943..

[struth]

The Ipcress File, 1965.

[Barry]

The Ipcress File, 1965.

Excellent film!

[struth]

Paint Your Wagon, 1969... a semi musical in my book... top class cast and script.




Lee Marvin drank real alcohol throughout the production, even though director Joshua Logan fought him about it. In most movies, the actors and actresses drink tea for whiskey and water for vodka. Marvin would only work if he got real liquor. Lee Marvin was apparently drunk nearly every day of filming.

Jean Seberg's singing voice was dubbed by Anita Gordon. Clint Eastwood and Lee Marvin did their own singing. Marvin's recording of the song "Wanderin' Star" went to number one on the U.K. charts, earning him a gold record.

[struth]

Tremors, 1990..