tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post3166160695674261500..comments2024-03-23T21:46:50.843-04:00Comments on the passionate moviegoer: cinema obscura: two robert preston gemsjoe baltakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11467420961490314339noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-17417960295221255582019-11-26T22:47:30.047-05:002019-11-26T22:47:30.047-05:00Of course, there was a time when Broadway plays we...Of course, there was a time when Broadway plays were regularly adapted for movies, and THE DARK AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS and ALL THE WAY HOME were classic examples. THE DARK AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS remains a favorite of Angela Lansbury (who feels this was one of her best performances before John Frankenheimer "resurrected" her career with ALL FALL DOWN and THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE); Eve Arden shows more depth than usual, and, in general, it's beautifully acted. It's hard to understand the almost total eclipse of the reputation of William Inge. But there you have it. (Additionally, Inge had a knack of discovering talent: Warren Beatty, Michael Parks and Nick Nolte were three examples. Beatty starred in A LOSS OF ROSES on Broadway, and then Inge wrote SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS for him; for Michael Parks, Inge wrote the movie BUS RILEY'S BACK IN TOWN, but the studio changed the script and re-edited the movie to emphasize Ann-Margret's part; furious, Inge asked for his name to be taken off the movie. He was working on new plays which he hoped to star Nick Nolte, but then Inge committed suicide.) ALL THE WAY HOME had a period when it was shown on TV a lot, but have no idea what has happened to it. But i do remember how convincing the family atmosphere was, and the lovely scene when Robert Preston takes the little boy to the movies. (But not just these films: Shirley Booth only starred in four movies, COME BACK LITTLE SHEBA - based on Inge - and THE MATCHMAKER - based on Thornton Wilder - are readily available, but what has happened to ABOUT MRS. LESLIE and HOT SPELL?)Daryl Chinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13371258313590183345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-70274987705869438482019-11-25T21:58:32.169-05:002019-11-25T21:58:32.169-05:00You can stream "The Dark at the Top of the St...You can stream "The Dark at the Top of the Stairs" here:<br /><br />https://ok.ru/video/396669815438Peter Lappinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05109154527996679077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-35213296140861316512019-11-21T17:38:54.973-05:002019-11-21T17:38:54.973-05:00You nailed it, Bill. And thank you for references ...You nailed it, Bill. And thank you for references the wonderful - and much missed - Catherine Mary Stewart. -Jjoe baltakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11467420961490314339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-55222049933482767652019-11-21T15:28:55.297-05:002019-11-21T15:28:55.297-05:00Thank you for mentioning "The Last Starfighte...Thank you for mentioning "The Last Starfighter"! As with Sheila above, I too love it, in large part because of what she said: "His character was Harold Hill transported from River City to a sci-fi universe." Perfect.<br /><br />This movie was one of two underrated sci-fi movies from the mid-1980s that I loved, the other being "Night of the Comet." Coincidentally, both featured Catherine Mary Stewart, who during the same time also starred in a good 1950s-set coming-of-age drama called "Mischief." (Bad title, surprisingly good movie.) Movie history truly offers an endless number of overlooked or forgotten actors and movies to discover and enjoy.Bill Wolfenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-21688819036844014332019-11-20T14:34:34.452-05:002019-11-20T14:34:34.452-05:00Billy- I wrote about “Island of Love” a couple yea...Billy- I wrote about “Island of Love” a couple years ago. Then, Turner started to show it and Warner Home Archives put out a DVD. It’s easier to see now. -Jjoe baltakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11467420961490314339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-81980861380376985762019-11-20T14:31:50.189-05:002019-11-20T14:31:50.189-05:00Joe, I have ALL THE WAY HOME on tape! You do peopl...Joe, I have ALL THE WAY HOME on tape! You do people who love movies a TREMENDOUS favor by continuing to remind them of both that movie and THE DARK AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS. And what about ISLAND OF LOVE? I just love your cinema obscura section. <br />Billy from Phillynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-33521371927200293472015-04-08T16:11:12.754-04:002015-04-08T16:11:12.754-04:00Joe,
I remember seeing both of these beautifully ...Joe,<br /><br />I remember seeing both of these beautifully acted movies on the old AMC in the 1990s. I hope they show up on TCM soon. Jean Simmons and Dorothy McGuire are two of the most underrated actresses in film history. Billnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-75791354695937377012015-04-04T11:10:53.524-04:002015-04-04T11:10:53.524-04:00Never saw most of these movies but just loved him ...Never saw most of these movies but just loved him "Music Man." I'll be using your list to create a new "wish list" of films to watch.April Showersnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-73298535250337973492015-04-03T20:18:48.572-04:002015-04-03T20:18:48.572-04:00Edmond! Thanks for the heads-up. "Wild Is t...Edmond! Thanks for the heads-up. "Wild Is the Wind" is another title (another Paramount) that I'd love to see again.joe baltakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11467420961490314339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-44827698861848909622015-04-03T18:56:19.255-04:002015-04-03T18:56:19.255-04:00"All the Way Home" is currently availabl..."All the Way Home" is currently available for streaming and download on Amazon.com. I haven't watched it yet (though it's on my watchlist!) so I can't vouch for the quality of the print they are using, but it's great that these streaming services have unearthed some long-unavailable titles. I recently watched a title ("Wild is the Wind" with A. Quinn and Anna Magnani) that I thought would never see the light of day again.Pacocathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08763969020166925176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-43525327825192488562015-04-01T13:56:47.912-04:002015-04-01T13:56:47.912-04:00I'm sad to say I haven't had a chance to s...I'm sad to say I haven't had a chance to see either of these two movies - and probably won't be able to do so, given their unavailability.georgenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-31679853561748041292015-04-01T12:16:26.126-04:002015-04-01T12:16:26.126-04:00Haven't seen "All the Way Home," but...Haven't seen "All the Way Home," but I was impressed with Alex Segal's direction of the original live TV version of "No Time for Sergeants," which is available on home entertainment.<br /><br />Charlottenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-17718414510838365522015-04-01T10:42:04.090-04:002015-04-01T10:42:04.090-04:00I loved Preston in "The Last Starfighter.&quo...I loved Preston in "The Last Starfighter." His character was Harold Hill transported from River City to a sci-fi universe. The fact that it worked at all is an indication of Preston's talent, and to Harold Hill's as well! Sheilanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-45623482164859692052015-04-01T10:24:56.249-04:002015-04-01T10:24:56.249-04:00It's possible.It's possible.joe baltakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11467420961490314339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-76819309168802143732015-04-01T10:19:40.807-04:002015-04-01T10:19:40.807-04:00Perhaps it's a matter of rights issues. Is it ...Perhaps it's a matter of rights issues. Is it possible that Warners doesn't own it anymore?<br /><br /><br />Brian Lucasnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-59884182516336529942015-04-01T10:14:09.799-04:002015-04-01T10:14:09.799-04:00Brian- Yes, "The Dark at the Top of the Stai...Brian- Yes, "The Dark at the Top of the Stairs" once made the rounds on television, but to the best of my knowledge, it has never surfaced on any form of home entertainment - not as a Beta or VHS and certainly not as a DVD. Sad.joe baltakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11467420961490314339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-12937061701364582692015-04-01T10:09:51.918-04:002015-04-01T10:09:51.918-04:00THE DARK AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS became lost only...THE DARK AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS became lost only recently -- I once owned a VHS of it that I taped off of TV. I never got around to looking at it before my VCR died. It was tossed away with all of my other old tapes when I moved.<br /><br />Brian Lucasnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-24693048542806900122014-02-25T15:41:29.995-05:002014-02-25T15:41:29.995-05:00Ron! Yes, I am familiar with them. There are so ...Ron! Yes, I am familiar with them. There are so many plays that were filmed for TV and are now lost. Some enterprising DVD outlet should look into locating them and putting them out there.joe baltakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11467420961490314339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-62994963327542754382011-08-03T20:46:10.989-04:002011-08-03T20:46:10.989-04:00Yes, Joe, great choices!
I'm looking for two ...Yes, Joe, great choices!<br /><br />I'm looking for two filmed (actually taped) plays from the 80's: Separate Tables (1983) and Bus Stop (1982). They were shown on TV in the mid-eighties.<br /><br />Are you familiar with these productions, and know where I can find them?<br /><br />Thanks!Ronnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-32581434470848347802011-08-03T16:45:32.945-04:002011-08-03T16:45:32.945-04:00Yes, these two are filmed plays... but the acting ...Yes, these two are filmed plays... but the acting in both is just wonderful, and the dialogue is always memorable. I could go on and on about the many virtues of these films. Great choices, Joe!Alexnoreply@blogger.com