tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post8870488116335150589..comments2023-05-21T03:16:13.000-07:00Comments on Down These Mean Streets: Ace in the Hole (1951)Margot Shelbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06580855468061590981noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-63440557797090839292018-08-29T09:52:57.780-07:002018-08-29T09:52:57.780-07:00To my shame I had to look up Ned Young, ha. As for...To my shame I had to look up Ned Young, ha. As for Margot, I just think Gillie looked fabulous. :)Margot Shelbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06580855468061590981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-17664421461428231122018-08-28T11:39:26.592-07:002018-08-28T11:39:26.592-07:00For the sake of the male gender I hope that you ar...For the sake of the male gender I hope that you are not too like Decoy's Margot....<br />unless of course your background is the grinding poverty of a Lancashire Mill Town<br />(didn't expect to hear that in a USA Noir did we) then I guess it's OK.<br />The Lancashire Mill Town bit is very Ned Young don't you think.john khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07080168531365446977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-50117238922511254092018-08-26T09:31:09.837-07:002018-08-26T09:31:09.837-07:00Yes, yes, I took Gillie's name as alias. What ...Yes, yes, I took Gillie's name as alias. What does that say about me though?<br /><br />I know Patricia Morrison died not long ago and I've only seen her Lady on a Train and Fallen Sparrow. I've never even heard of Persons in Hiding. Just looked it up and I'd like to see that. I'll check out Laura's review. And I've never even heard of Hoover's series. He seemed to have his finger in every pie.<br /><br />BTW, you can leave comments on old reviews. That's why I have them listed. :)Margot Shelbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06580855468061590981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-35028342031503694272018-08-26T06:56:27.325-07:002018-08-26T06:56:27.325-07:00Slow on the uptake,as ever, I've just figured ...Slow on the uptake,as ever, I've just figured out your nom de plume,of course Jean Gillie's<br />role in the fabulous DECOY. I should have posted all this on the DECOY thread,but I don't like<br />commenting on older threads. Someone who gives Gillie a serious run for her money in the<br />Femme Fatale stakes is Patricia Morison in the sublime PERSONS IN HIDING. I try wherever possible<br />to highlight the film and Laura has given it a very positive review.<br />PERSONS IN HIDING pre-dates both GUN CRAZY and BONNIE AND CLYDE; as evil as Morison's Dorothy<br />Bronson is (in one scene she tries to roast Lynne Overman alive!!) you cannot help but be on<br />her side-even in defeat she is totally defiant. Morison's film career went nowhere but she<br />did become a celebrated Broadway diva and recently passed away at the grand age of 103.<br />Please forgive the hi-jack but I could not resist a plug for PERSONS IN HIDING.<br />I DO hope PERSONS IN HIDING gets released on disc along with the other three films in <br />Paramount's J Edgar Hoover series: QUEEN OF THE MOB,UNDERCOVER DOCTOR and PAROLE FIXER.<br />All these titles are now owned by Universal.john khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07080168531365446977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-35200150222000259092018-08-25T10:17:52.113-07:002018-08-25T10:17:52.113-07:00Hi John, thanks for the kind words. I always have ...Hi John, thanks for the kind words. I always have to think about my writing a lot that's why I don't post so many reviews. I'm unfortunately a very slow writer. <br />I'm so glad there are more and more Blu-rays coming out, they look so good. Also with Criterion you get really good extras.<br /><br />I'd say too that Decoy is Monogram's best picture. I will write something about John Payne soon, either Kansas City Confidential or 99 River Street.Margot Shelbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06580855468061590981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-20875804292087724932018-08-25T09:25:08.851-07:002018-08-25T09:25:08.851-07:00Long time since I've seen this film and your r...Long time since I've seen this film and your review has convinced me that I must shell out<br />for the Criterion Blu Ray.<br />I love your style of writing which fits the genre perfectly-as a newcomer I'm trawling through<br />the back pages; your review of DECOY sensational,to say the least. Always considered the film<br />the CITIZEN KANE of Monogram flicks..that scene where Gillie actually hands Herbert Rudley her<br />gun..devastating!<br />I will stay tuned from now on,no John Payne..yet though I'm sure his day will come.john khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07080168531365446977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-45682504174514231332018-08-19T00:24:59.068-07:002018-08-19T00:24:59.068-07:00Margot, thanks for the book title. I've read ...Margot, thanks for the book title. I've read about IN LONELY PLACES, but I haven't read it yet, and yes it is expensive for a paperback.<br /><br />Like you, it's been a while since I saw THE BIG CAPER. It wasn't great, but it was okay, and that, for the most part, is okay with me. I remember watching it, because I like caper movies, Rory Calhoun, and James Gregory. Also, knowing of Rory's background, I thought that he was a perfect choice to play an ex-con thief, who starts to think beyond his thieving days. Walter S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02507750468123235383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-83313331959136111492018-08-18T19:31:36.540-07:002018-08-18T19:31:36.540-07:00Thank you. The movie is really one for the ages.Thank you. The movie is really one for the ages.Margot Shelbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06580855468061590981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-73137276002109430282018-08-18T16:28:51.119-07:002018-08-18T16:28:51.119-07:00I also think it's one of Billy Wilder's be...I also think it's one of Billy Wilder's best films. It's scathing, yes, but it's smart and it's full of terrific performances.<br /><br />Terrific review. You've done the film justice.Silver Screeningshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04955048716754142299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-24419668645372456432018-08-18T11:04:33.182-07:002018-08-18T11:04:33.182-07:00The book is called In Lonely Places: Noir Beyond t...The book is called In Lonely Places: Noir Beyond the City by Imogen Sara Smith. It covers all the Noirs outside the city, including small towns. It's a good book, quite expensive, but I got it through the interlibrary loan system.<br /><br />I know The Big Caper. It's been a while since I've seen it but I thought it was OK. Even Rory Calhoun, one of my many many favorites, was not that interesting in it and Mary Costa didn't really register at all. Did you like it?Margot Shelbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06580855468061590981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-33740680694024286432018-08-17T21:56:07.096-07:002018-08-17T21:56:07.096-07:00Margot, I agree that there are many "Rural No...Margot, I agree that there are many "Rural Noir" movies out there. Also, there are the "Small Town Noir" movies. Have you had a chance to see THE BIG CAPER(1957) with Rory Calhoun, Mary Costa, and James Gregory?<br /><br />If I may ask, what is the title of the book on Rural Noir that you are reading?Walter S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02507750468123235383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-89107883003272219552018-08-17T08:28:24.682-07:002018-08-17T08:28:24.682-07:00Thank you, Walter.
I'm actually reading a goo...Thank you, Walter. <br />I'm actually reading a good book on Rural Noir at the moment and there are really so many. <br /><br />From the 50s on, the cinematography became different, much less expressionistic, more natural. The contents of a movie was still Noir, though the photography wasn't anymore. <br />Margot Shelbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06580855468061590981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-60779469982953304632018-08-16T20:57:17.471-07:002018-08-16T20:57:17.471-07:00Margot, another outstanding write-up of a great mo...Margot, another outstanding write-up of a great movie. You keeping topping yourself and that is why it is a pleasure to read.<br /><br />ACE IN THE HOLE(if my memory serves me right, I first saw it on the Channel 3 WREC-TV LATE MOVIE as THE BIG CARNIVAL) is timeless, because there is nothing new under the sun. I first saw the movie in the early 1970's and it was very relevant for those times.<br /><br />I really got a kick out of your "Noir beyond the city" or the "Mean Outbacks of Rural Noir" because you took the hammer and stamp and hit it right square on the metal. I enjoy Rural Noir, because it hits close to home. I also liked Cigar Joe's use of "Soleil" Noir. Yes, Noir in daytime , or in the sunlight.<br /><br />Looking forward to the next one.<br /><br /><br />Walter S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02507750468123235383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-508941341330081012018-08-13T08:48:42.767-07:002018-08-13T08:48:42.767-07:00I always liked the expression Film Soleil. :)I always liked the expression Film Soleil. :)Margot Shelbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06580855468061590981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-88274040947795923942018-08-13T08:13:38.145-07:002018-08-13T08:13:38.145-07:00love this Film "Soleil" Noir lots of gre...love this Film "Soleil" Noir lots of great dialog lines. Great review.cigar joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10247683034889027958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-70878077986794939232018-08-13T07:59:10.367-07:002018-08-13T07:59:10.367-07:00I'm blushing. Thank you.
The problem is that ...I'm blushing. Thank you.<br /><br />The problem is that there is no one to identify with. Everybody is in on the crime.<br />I like both titles of the film. Interesting that people thought or think the movie is confusing. To me it's a pretty straightforward punch to the face. There is no ambiguity to it.Margot Shelbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06580855468061590981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-438911474100140182018-08-13T07:52:32.797-07:002018-08-13T07:52:32.797-07:00The movie was certainly ahead of its time. In gene...The movie was certainly ahead of its time. In general I don't believe at all that a movie has to be ahead of its time to still be relevant today, there's nothing wrong with being of its time. However, here it seems as if Wilder looked into a crystal ball.Margot Shelbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06580855468061590981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-36631170553229267542018-08-13T06:38:07.810-07:002018-08-13T06:38:07.810-07:00Movies have always shown the dark side of the coll...Movies have always shown the dark side of the collective public (audiences for hangings, etc.), but nobody ever used the sledgehammer like Wilder in The Big Carnival. That is the title by which I first saw the movie and I thought it was perfection. I may have been a teenager, but it didn't confuse me one bit, as was a complaint of it that I have often read.<br /><br />The cynicism is real and it makes me angry and sad. Local news always interviews the family of accident victims immediately after an incident. Why is this news? It is simply people in grief. Journalism has many layers and not all are honourable, by a long shot.<br /><br />PS: Your articles are now appointment reading for me. I see something new is up, go fix a coffee or tea, and settle in. You never disappoint. Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-2978625309867319572018-08-13T02:29:48.809-07:002018-08-13T02:29:48.809-07:00Excellent review of one of Wilder's best films...Excellent review of one of Wilder's best films. He is spot on when he shows us that news is entertainment for some who watch it. Today there are many events like the one shown in this film where the cameras keep rolling, and people keep on watching. Really the news crews and spectators should leave the sites of disasters etc and have respect for the dead, the injured, the trapped and the grieving. This film is still so relevant today.Maddyhttp://maddylovesherclassicfilms.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com