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hachmom-1
I was a theatre history major in college and still love both theatre and history and also books in general, photography, and baseball
Im also a medival recreationist and a Titanic buff
I'm married (over 25 years) have 2 chilren, one in High school, one in college. Have almost gotten enough years in civil service (911 operator) to be retirement eligible.
Some Favorite Movies (in no particular order)
Psycho
Planet of the Apes
The Elephant Man
Frankenstein (1931)
The Body Snatcher
That Entertainment
Singing in the Rain
Chariots of Fire
The Lord of the Rings (all 3)
The Manchurian Candidate
The Quiet Man
A Man For All Season
The Lion in Winter
Star Wars
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Schindler List
Its a Wonderful Life
The Wizard of Oz
1776
All About Eve
Time after Time
The Wicker Man (not the remake)
The Sting
Bang the Drum Slowly
Field of Dreams
The Power of Myth
Casablanca
The Dark Crystal
The Court Jester
The Day the Earth Stood Still
Yankee Doodle Dandy
The Adventures of Robin HOod
Ben Hur
The Legend of Hell HOuse
A Hard Days Night
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
The Wild Wild West: The Night of the Raven (1966)
Not the best West
Cockeyed episode involving Indians, a treaty, a missing princess and Dr Miquelito Loveless' attempt to shrink Jim West and the rest of Humanity.
Someone associated with this film must have been a huge fan of "The Incredible Shrinking Man" since much of the business is swiped from that film. (Tiny house? Check. Spider? Check. Murderous cat? Check. Tiny person armed with needle? You get the idea. All in all it's no one's best.
12 Dog Days of Christmas (2014)
Save the dogs, get rid of the actors
The good news first, the dogs are adorable (and I'm a cat person). That's where the good news ends. Even by the high held standards of made for TV Christmas movies this is pretty bad. Just concentrate on the dogs. They're adorable.
M*A*S*H: Abyssinia, Henry (1975)
An episode that affects every other episode
I watched this show in its original airing. There had never been a sucker punch quite like it. Henry Blale's Death will haunt the following 8 seasons, not only because of the effect on other charecters (especially Radar), but the effect on the audience as well. Never again would our charecters be completely safe. This was not only true on MASH, but any TV show.
Over many years of watching MASH I have noticed another effect of this episode. Knowing what will happen at the end of the third season affects the earlier episodes as well. Watching the episodes where Henry learns of the birth of his son, watches film of his daughter's birthday, or passes on a chance for an early medical discharge because the work he is doing is too important-all take on greater meaning knowing that Henry Blake would never get home.
The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries: Assault on the Tower (1978)
Worth it Just for Patrick Macnee
I was only a casual Hardy Boys fan back in it's heyday, but this episode is something special. The Brothers journey to England after their father is kidnapped, meeting up with his British contact, played by the always wonderful Patrick Macnee, John Steed in all but name. It's a lovely tribute to an actor and his most memorable row, and well worth watching even for non Hardy fans.
King Lear (1983)
A Great Last Shakespeare role for Olivier
Lear is such a tricky role for an actor. By the time he has the life experience to truly understand the role, he lacks the energy to play it night after night on stage. That is one of the things that makes this Lear so special, that for once we have an actor who is just the right age to play Lear.
It is true that the film quality, shot for television, is not great, but it truly doesn't matter. Filming for television has other advantages. It's unlikely that Olivier at his age and health could have managed Lear even on a more complication motion picture filming. And all the compromises of TV are worth it to have a record of Olivier's Lear on film.
Even More importantly, a stage production could never have gathered what may be the best supporting cast ever for a Shakespeare film. The two performances that best stood out for me were Diana Rigg's absolute evil Regan, and the gentle crazed brilliance of John Hurt's Fool. Since Mr Hurt seldom did Classic works, his performance is extra special.
But in the end, it's Olivier's Lear that matters. So many great stage performances from actors of his generation were lost. it's a lucky thing indeed to have his Lear.
Between the Acts at the Opera (1926)
Slice of film history.
As a film comedy short it is so-so. As a chance to see a very early Vitaphone film (a year before The Jazz Singer) it's a priceless treasure, not to be missed. The print looked good and the sound sync is excellent.
This Is the Army (1943)
A Slice of Movie and American History
As a musical This is the Army is average at best. As a slice of American History, of a time when so many entertainers put aside personal profit to entertain troops, this film is special. Also it is a reminder that Michael Curtiz, not usually ranked among the great directors is none the less one of the most versatile director ever. Coming off of Yankee Doodle Dandy, this is another flag waving musical, and if he isn't lucky enough to have a star of the level of James Cagney, this ensemble review is more reflective of the wartime review show. The numbers are well staged, with many fine solo performances highlighted. Particularly outstanding is the performance by Kate Smith of God Bless America, interspersed with shots of families about to be affected by the war listening intently. It really does give of sense of what it was like in 1942, wondering where sons and husbands would be going soon.
But in the end nothing about that matters. This film is worth watching just to see Irving Berlin reprise his role in Yip Yip Yaphank, performing "I Hate to Get Up In The Morning". (Berlin, a chronic insomniac, really did hate getting up in the morning). In addition to the historic value of this piece of film, there is also some satisfaction in seeing one of the true geniuses of the American Musical Theatre, just managing to carry the tune of one of his own songs. It is a tribute to his commitment to the country and the war that he is willing to put himself front and center in this way. I own a DVD purchased in the wild and wooly days of copyright laoses, bought specifically for the purpose of owning this ;little slice of history. Sometimes I put it in and just waatch that part. There are better films of Irving Berlin's music, but none tht feature the man himself.
Mork & Mindy: Dr. Morkenstein (1979)
One of the best episodes
This is my favorite episode of Mork and Mindy. They gave Mork a chance to show real maturity and emotion. The vocal performance of Roddy McDowall (One of my favorite actors ) was pitch perfect. Mork's line to Orson "I played Wizard of Oz, I gave the Tin Man a Heart" melted me.
I have to add that I hadn't seen this episode in probably 20 or more years before Robin Williams death. I saw the episode mentioned on line and went to YouTube to watch it. I had forgotten about Roddy McDowall voicing the robot. Doubly heartbreaking to watch again, especially as Mork watches his friend die, and then the wrap up with Orson, just broke my heart all over again. A must not miss episode.
Baretta: Just for Laughs (1978)
A Really Good Episode
I was a casual viewer of Beretta in the years it aired, but this episode is a special treat. Ray Bolger plays a retired vaudevillian who is receiving letters threatening him with harm if he performs again. He comes to Beretta to find out why and informs him that he intends to defy the threats and return to the stage. The solution to the mystery is clever and satisfying,
The truth is the plot is not that important, as the pleasure of the episode is the performance by Bolger, still actively singing and dancing. It worth keeping an eye out for should Beretta syndicate in your area.
Route 66: Lizard's Leg and Owlet's Wing (1962)
worth the wait
I have been searching for this episode for many years, ever since I read Dennis Gifford's biography of Karloff in high school. MeTV was kind enough to run it as part of a Halloween marathon. I enjoyed it a great deal. Seeing Karloff, Chaney and Lorre carry on like a trio of schoolboys was quite entertaining. Here at least the 3 display a genuine affection for each other. All 3 seem to be having a wonderful time. There were also a lot of clever digs at TV and movies.
It was a real joy to see Chaney and Karloff in their most famous roles on more time. The question of whether old school monster can still scare the audience is treated with humor, but ironically the subject would recur more dramatically in Karloff's last major film-- Targets.
All told an exceptionally enjoyable outing, especially for Lorre, Karloff and Chaney.
Prince of Players (1955)
More Burton than Booth
As a college student majoring in theatre history I spent a lot of time studying the Booth family, and among the many books i read was Eleanor Ruggles Prince of Players which was a favorite. What a disappointment it was when i saw this movie. The only worthwhile thing about this movie to my mind is the chance to see Burton act Shakespeare which he does very well, he is less successful acting Booth. This is not all his fault Burton is miscast in the role..the only thing Burton had in common with Booth was a beautiful voice and a fondness for alcohol.(in a later time period he would have been an awesome Junius Booth, however.) It is difficult to say who in the 50's would have been right as Booth a small dark man with a striking resemblance to Edgar Allen Poe.(In the 70's i always thought that Ian McShane would be perfect.) Another complaint about the movie is that ending as it does, shortly after the assassination it leaves out much that was interesting about Edwins life:his career as an actor manager, his traumatic second marriage, the founding of The Players Club, as his attempts to raise the stature of the acting profession.The worst part of this film, for me, was the ending....with the ludicrous sight of Edwin being egged on the stage as he tried to perform. The fact of the matter is that Edwin was well received on his return to the stage, and that very few people held him responsible for what had happened. The real story of Edwins return to the stage would have made a triumphant, if less melodramatic ending to this film.
Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth (1988)
The most important show of my life
This is the single most important program I ever saw in my life...it introduced my to Joseph Campbell's work, which I later read everything I could get my hands on, and it gave me entire new perspectives on religion, myth, and my whole life's journey. The "labrynth" quote at the beginning of "The hero's journey" has guided me every since. And then there's just the simple pleasure of hearing two intelligent men in intelligent conversation. And its astounding to watch Campbell at his age, so close to his death, discoursing on such a variety of topics. Its rare to say a show changed ones life but this one did. I try to watch it thru at least once every few years, and have proudly introduced many friends to it as well. Must see viewing