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Post by sader1970 on Sept 30, 2024 8:49:43 GMT -5
If you have never seen this classic film, I think it is worth watching.
This is probably the longest, greatest comedy film of all time with virtually every living comedic actor at the time. If anyone can remember one comedian who was living when it was made but not in the film, let me know. I think despite it being 61 years old, it withstands the test of time:
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Post by rgs318 on Sept 30, 2024 9:36:22 GMT -5
I agree it is the best comedy film ever. Seeing many of those classic comics perfoirming at such a high level was great. If anyone has not seen it, take a few hours, grab some snacks and have at it. Most ho do will say thank you!   |
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Post by sader1970 on Sept 30, 2024 10:16:23 GMT -5
I am watching it again, probably for the 10th time. I have a new perspective though. As I watch it, I keep thinking of the NIL. |
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Post by DFW HOYA on Sept 30, 2024 11:19:03 GMT -5
"As for what else could have been, rumor has it that Jack Benny’s cameo was originally intended for Stan Laurel who turned it down because of his pledge not to return to the screen after his partner Oliver Hardy died. A small part was written for Groucho Marx which didn’t make it into the final script. Judy Holliday, Harold Lloyd, Bud Abbott & George Burns all turned down offers to appear and the role that Terry-Thomas filled was originally slated for Peter Sellers who wanted too much money. Bob Hope missed out too after an argument with his studio caused them to refuse him a cameo. And the great Judy Garland was meant for the part filled by Edie Adams with Rooney in Sid Caesar’s part as her husband. Ultimately she couldn’t participate and Rooney ended up with a different part." www.storyenthusiast.com/the-umpteenth-blogathon-its-a-mad-mad-mad-mad-world-1963/ |
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Post by sader1970 on Oct 1, 2024 7:55:59 GMT -5
"Great Judy Garland?" JMO but her career went downhill after playing Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz.  I can understand the Rooney/Garland married couple because of their couple/pairing in movies but I will take Edie & Sid any day. I just can't see Rooney doing the basement scene like Sid did. Rooney better paired with Hackett (and Jim Backus) in the plane. Just a brilliant movie. Was almost as good watching yesterday as when I saw it in the theater the first time. The only thing that was lost to me is knowing what was coming. In the theater, it was one surprise after another. Funniest scene for me (spoiler alert) was Jonathan Winters destroying the new gas station in the middle of nowhere. Phil Silvers played his usual Sgt. Bilko-like con-man character to perfection. Never went to a comedy movie with an intermission before or since. The aerial car/truck scenes were pretty cutting edge and the stunt driving, not to mention the people stunts likely employed every stunt person in Hollywood. Was Lou Costello dead by then? I could see him in one of the many roles (like the Hackett role). Carl Reiner played it straight, which he's always done well. Paul Ford in the control tower spot on. Rich that Peter Falk plays a cop-hating cabbie since he was Lt. Columbo for years. |
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Post by rgs318 on Oct 1, 2024 8:32:18 GMT -5
Great observations, but how do you see the great Judy Garland's career going "downhill" after the Wizard of Oz?
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Post by Tom on Oct 1, 2024 11:43:04 GMT -5
Great observations, but how do you see the great Judy Garland's career going "downhill" after the Wizard of Oz? I didn't make the comment, but I'll give it a go on a potential logic: Not a fair yard stick, but I would guess that the typical current Holy Cross student is familiar with the Wizard of Oz, but think Lady Gaga created the female role in A Star is Born and Meet Me In St Louis is a plan to meet up with west coast buddies after graduation. On some level it's hard not to go down hill after a timeless masterpiece |
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Post by rgs318 on Oct 1, 2024 13:15:08 GMT -5
I loved her version of the trolly song in Meet Me in St Louis. She had a long, full career. OTOH, Orson Wells often said that he was never able to equal what he did in Citizen Cain, but his career is still monumental...except possibly the wine commercials he did near its end. |
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Post by jkh67 on Oct 2, 2024 19:48:44 GMT -5
If you have never seen this classic film, I think it is worth watching. This is probably the longest, greatest comedy film of all time with virtually every living comedic actor at the time. If anyone can remember one comedian who was living when it was made but not in the film, let me know. I think despite it being 61 years old, it withstands the test of time: As others have pointed out (and unbeknownst to yours truly...albeit not surprisingly), other big time comedians/stars were considered for one role or another in this still laugh out loud comedy. My favorite scene has always been Jonathan Winters cycling down a desert highway on a child's bike, his hams hanging over the seat, after he trashed Arnold Stang's gas station. What a hoot! |
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Post by rf1 on Oct 5, 2024 9:21:55 GMT -5
Always loved loved the Jonathan Winters scenes at the gas station with its last wall coming down as he leaves .
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Post by sader1970 on Oct 5, 2024 9:32:34 GMT -5
You have good comedic taste!
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I can understand the Rooney/Garland married couple because of their couple/pairing in movies but I will take Edie & Sid any day. I just can't see Rooney doing the basement scene like Sid did. Rooney better paired with Hackett (and Jim Backus) in the plane. 
