Month: July 2016

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Forgotten Tim Curry Classics

helenchristie

(Disclosure: This post appears in slightly different form on a private social media page.) Actor Tim Curry, now semi-retired, has appeared in movies that fall on every point of the quality spectrum. Depending on the audience, he’s most likely to be noted for portraying Frank N. Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show or the Plaza Hotel concierge in Home Alone 2: Lost In New York.  However, those aren’t his only films, and two of the most obscure are among the best. Pass The Ammo (1988), a comedy co-starring Annie Potts, depicts a Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker-type couple operating a sham TV ministry. … Continue reading Forgotten Tim Curry Classics

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R.I.P. Marni Nixon

helenchristie

Update:  I’m sorry I don’t have the documentation, but a little while ago I heard someone on NPR say Marni Nixon’s work on classic films was uncredited because at that time people were under serious pressure to keep her work confidential.  That conflicts with my earlier impression, and the content of this blog post was based on the early impression. As the Milli Vanilli scandal proved, part of the time singers who dub voices go uncredited.  We don’t have any way of knowing how often it happens. However, there’s no real scandal when it’s common knowledge — or at least … Continue reading R.I.P. Marni Nixon

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Roman Holiday (Movie Review)

helenchristie

Roman Holiday (1953) Director: William Wyler Cast: Gregory Peck, Audrey Hepburn (her debut), Eddie Albert Original Story: Dalton Trumbo (blacklisted, uncredited until 2003) Screenplay: Dalton Trumbo (blacklisted, uncredited until 2011), Ian McLellan Hunter, John Dighton Costume Design: Edith Head I didn’t expect to enjoy this movie.  Usually, I’m clueless when watching films made before my time, if they were popular mainstream releases.  Early art house movies are more likely to register. When I rented Roman Holiday, it was mainly for historical perspective.  I’d seen Bryan Cranston portray blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, and then watched the 2007 documentary on his life.  Both … Continue reading Roman Holiday (Movie Review)

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Melania’s Plagiarism

helenchristie

The GOP is self-destructing at its own convention, and it’s giving me hope for the future. Granted, Mrs. Trump’s speech is small compared to other issues with her husband and the party.  Be that as it may, we should welcome every hiccup in the Republican campaign. Please forgive me.  Be that as it may is a stuffy expression that’s too good to pass up.  Use it every chance you get. There’s one human factor which helps Republicans in practically every election, though.  The party has a large proportion of voters who never miss an election, and they never vote for Democrats. … Continue reading Melania’s Plagiarism