Wilson

I was kind of throwing The Harder they Fall into the melodramas bundle. I think it usually described as a boxing noir, but it has never felt like a noir to me.

I like a quite a few of his genre exercises - Prize of Gold (crime), The Prize (spy comedy), Bridges at Toko-Ri (war film).

Lust for a Vampire

Second film of the night

I will have to look again for Deadline at Dawn.

Well, I don't feel so bad about not seeing any of these Susan Hayward films. They are surprisingly tricky to find to buy or stream!

Yeah - you've sold this one to me.

Ha! More recommendations, the better. As many films as I have seen, there seems to be an endless amount I haven't! I am quite good at getting to things people recommend - I am going to seek these out. I have no idea how I haven't seen The Lusty Men.

That is one I have seen. Great film.

I was looking at Letterboxd, and I have only seen 3 films she has been in - I Married a Witch, The Fighting Seabees, and The Honey Pot - since I have been logging films from 2012 on.

I have definitely seen a few others. Clearly, I have seen The Conqueror!

But, if you have any recommendations...?

Mark Robson directed another big (and arguably terrible) romance that I very much like - From the Terrace. I guess he is best known now for his Val Lewton films, but I like his big melodramas of the 50s as much.

I quite like these soggy wartime romances. All sadness and sex, dressed up in middle class resolve and witty first dates. The edges of My Foolish Heart has some deep feelings, but the film primly avoids it, to end with a very watchable 100 minutes.

I knew the name Susan Hayward, but I am not sure I have ever seen her in a lead role in a film. She is quite good in this, if more convincing as a wet weekend than dipsomaniac. There is a great deal of skill to her reaction to the third act reveal to what happens to Dana Andrews.

I liked My Foolish Heart. Quite a bit. But, I am probably biased because My Foolish Heart is basically the greatest song ever written, and you get it every 8 minutes in this film. A song that is impossible to do badly, though the sung version in the film tries its best.

Couldn't agree more. It's such a wonderful film. A masterclass of economy, of lighting, and of pastoral design; against the intensity of Kietel and long-limbed ease of Carradine. It really is a spell-binding watch. I also rather like his return to duelling with The Last Duel.

Top 5 Ridley for me. Such an immersive film.

Ignore whatever it says. It is really good!

Factually true, but he also made the director's cut of The Counselor, which means all sins are forgiven.

(Also, The Last Duel - 5 star film)

I've never seen Diva before. All I know about it is that it is stylish.

Wendy and Lucy

Diva

Popped into Fopp at lunchtime with the intention of buying nothing. Left Fopp with:

I'm sure he liked it a lot, being an easygoing kind of guy.

Should have kept the short story title - cowards.

Based Uncle Wiggily in Connecticut by J.D. Salinger, apparently.

My Foolish Heart (1949)

Tonight's film

perfect detail

Poster for Frank Capra's Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

First watch: despite being a huge fan of It's a Wonderful Life, I haven't seen enough Frank Capra. Mr Smith Goes to Washington has a pre-war James Stewart perfectly cast as the titular Smith, a callow beanpole of a boy scout leader, handpicked by corrupt politicians to be a senatorial Yes Man. 1/3

Yeah, Leo is trying to replicate their sound or something with his band.

Knocking a star off One Battle After Another.

What is your favourite Parker film? Point Blank?

Instead of sleeping 8 hours a night, sleep 6 and watch a film. After a couple of years, you'll not even feel the lost hours, but you will have seen a lot of Westerns.

Tonight’s film

The worst I've ever felt after finishing a novel. Felt like I was having a nervous breakdown. Five stars.