Old school
May 30th, 2005I’ve got lots of really, really important things to blog about but… I’m in a mood. I’m not a writer and I only “write” when inspiration hits me. It hasn’t quite yet. So…
I love old movies. I mean I really love them. Especially if they have Bogart in ‘em. Of course I love Casablanca. But I love To Have and Have Not even more. Rent it. You’ll be shocked at how many lines from the movie you already know. After you’ve seen that one and have acquired the taste, look for High Sierra. (I doubt that one’s available on DVD. But if you keep an eye on Turner Classic Movies, they play it at least a few times a year. It’s worth the wait just for Ida Lupino.)
Most modern movies really blow. In the old days they knew how to tell a story on screen and still let you use your imagination. Y’all can keep your explosions and fight scenes. Give me some good dialog. Writing is hard. I know because I’m not good at it. Special effects are easy.
You can also keep Pamela Anderson and Chloe Flavor of the Week and whomever is “hot” now. There’s never been, and will never be, anybody sexier than Myrna Loy or Lauren Bacall. I say that having never seen either of them naked. Take any naked star of today and put her up against Bacall in To Have and Have Not or Dark Passage or put her up against Myrna in the Thin Man movies. No contest for me. Bacall and Loy are far sexier with their clothes on than the sluts on the screen today could ever dream of being no matter what they do.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to finish watching the Coca-Cola 600 on the PVR and then watch Casablanca for the Xteenth time. (If you still love me, you could buy me To Have and Have Not. I saw it available on DVD at Best Buy.)
I think Ingrid Bergman is beautiful. Have you seen her in The Inn of the Sixth Happiness? Great film about a determined single woman who wants to be a missionary in China. She adopts several orphans, and she leads around 100 children over the mountains, escaping the attacking Japanese. Oh, and there is a bit of romance involved. I love this movie because both Ingrid and her male counterpart in the film portray people of strong character. Worth a rental or even a purchase.
True old movies are much better at story telling. Maybe thats why they are always trying to redo it for the kids.
Ooooh, I *adore* old movies! Everything is better in them – although the remakes always tank (to put it politely). Today’s actresses couldn’t hold a candle to the grand lady actresses of the past, and the same goes for the gent.
I think Lauren Bacall is a wonderfully beautiful lady, too. She’s more seductive just *standing there* than any of our modern ingenues coiuld ever be. I think it’s called…talent…or something.
Locally, I’ve got the Redford theatre. They play almost *nothing* but old flicks. “White Heat” is one of my favorites now.
I agree that they don’t make movies like they used to anymore. I like a good summer blockbuster as much as anyone, but that’s all just digital bells and whistles anymore.
“Casablanca” is one of my all time faves, as well.