Originally Posted By TALL Disney Guy Even though it was against my nature, I decided to *try* and watch him in another film (after having been scarred by suffering through him in "It's a Wonderful Life"...*shudder*). I had gone to work last night, went to the gym, cleaned up, and had just enough time to trim muh goatee before Alfred Hitchcock's "Rope" was to air on cable at 7:05 a.m. I LOVE Hitchcock films, and this was to be my 9th one---*if* I could stomach Jimmy Stewart. I decided to chance it...I laid on the couch under my ultraultra soft SeraSoft blanket (a right dandy Christmas present), and told myself to just keep an open mind and see if I couldn't enjoy this here film. After the 1st half hour Jimmy Stewart had yet to show up, and I was too sucked in to the film to pull out even if I couldn't stand him again; so when he came through the apartment door at 7:35 a.m., I thought "Okay, for better or for worse, here we go...keep an open mind..." And (are you sittin' down, 2oony?) I liked him. I actually *liked* him! He was a *very* fine actor in this, and I thoroughly enjoyed his performance. I kept looking to his face to study his expressions and perceptions of inner thought, wanting to see his reactions to dialogue, and his role was the real pivotal one, which made it all the more juicy. I never thought I'd say it, but it's true: I ENJOYED JIMMY STEWART. Now, would I enjoy him in more films? I dunno...I really could not stand him in IAWL---his wavering, unsteady voice drove me freakin' *CRAZY* and I knew then to avoid him at all costs---even in films by my beloved Hitchcock which I would otherwise rent in a heartbeat, like "Vertigo", "The Man Who Knew Too Much", and this very "Rope". But if I could take him in this film---and actually *enjoy* him---maybe I could enjoy him in some others? When he does more this type of acting instead of how he was in IAWL, then yes, I could really like more of his stuff. Guess I'll just have to try more Hitchcock ones with him in 'em after all...but hey, now that I've thoroughly enjoyed him in a film, there's hope!
Originally Posted By kmsandrbs We're proud of you. We really are. Now you you, too, can have a wonderful life ;-)
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA How many movies of Jimmy Stewart have you watched TALL Disney Guy? Just 'It's a Wonderful Life?' You should definitely watch more. 'Vertigo' is excellent. 'Winchester '73' is also very good -- it's a Western. I'm not a big fan of 'Harvey' but it's quite popular. Only having watched one movie of Jimmy Stewart's would be like examining Lawrence Olivier's career by watching 'Clash of the Titans.' Glad you enjoyed 'The Rope' -- which I find to be a bit tedious. Did you notice that it's shot using 10, 8-minute continuous takes? It's an interesting technique, but the close-ups and other little tricks, that fade to black get to be a bit distracting. Anyway, keep watching Jimmy -- he's really quite the actor. 'The Shootist' is excellent. Stars John Wayne in his final performance, along with Lauren Bacall, and a very young Ron Howard. Jimmy plays the local doctor who is treating John Wayne's character.
Originally Posted By retlaw1 Another choice for the Jimy Stewart & John Wayne westerns is " The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance"
Originally Posted By TALL Disney Guy <How many movies of Jimmy Stewart have you watched TALL Disney Guy? Just 'It's a Wonderful Life?'> Yep, that was it until now. <Only having watched one movie of Jimmy Stewart's would be like examining Lawrence Olivier's career by watching 'Clash of the Titans.'> Yes, but if you're scarred badly enough by someone, you don't *want* to voluntarily sit through any more of their work---I'm glad to see I was wrong though (and hey, I own "Clash of the Titans", ;-) ). <Glad you enjoyed 'The Rope' -- which I find to be a bit tedious.> Really? Interesting...it kept my attention the whole time. I do wonder if it would have been more effective if we hadn't seen the murder actually take place, but the dialogue and camera trucking and pschology of it kept me at full attention---especially Phillip, since I could identify with his struggle (okay, I've never done anyone in, but I think if I did, I would react the same way---conscience overriding you and eating you alive, causing your downfall---yeesh, I wanna stay a good boy!). I also thought it was interesting the 3 leads were gay---characters, I mean (according to what I've read about the film since I've been reading about it at IMDB--though someone said the 2 main actors were too). I did wonder about the killers, because of a few lines of dialogue and the co-dependency, if they were more involved than just "close killers". Not something you'd expect to see in a '48 Hitchcock film---it was even banned in many cities according to IMDB, even though it's all sub-text. <Did you notice that it's shot using 10, 8-minute continuous takes? It's an interesting technique, but the close-ups and other little tricks, that fade to black get to be a bit distracting.> I found it intriguing and effective. I did notice on a subconscious level, but when I read about it---again, at IMDB---I found realizing that to be very cool---only 2 noticeable breaks in the entire film. And taking place in "real time" too, even sweeter. The part that *really* got me was ***SPOLIER*** When the maid was cleaning off the chest containing the corpse, going baaack and fooorth between it and the kitchen, with the other characters *just* off camera talking amongst themselves, and on the verge of opening it before one of the killers stopped her. No camera movement at all---very nice. ****END SPOILER*** Now that I've learned more about the making of it and the behind-the-scenes stuff, I wanna watch it again, lol.
Originally Posted By u k fan (Stands up) My name is u k fan and I've never seen It's a wonderful life! (Sits down to gasps from the rest of the group!!!)
Originally Posted By JohnS1 You're very lucky that Stewart was one of Hitchcock's favorite actors - that way, watching your fave director will slowly ease you into watching JS! Check out Hitch's remake of his own movie - The Man who Knew Too Much - another good Stewart flick. (Or do you hate Doris Day, as well?) (-;
Originally Posted By friendofdd Since you've come this far, TDG, try a little more knowledge by perusing this site: <a href="http://www.reelclassics.com/Actors/Jimmy/jimmy.htm" target="_blank">http://www.reelclassics.com/Ac tors/Jimmy/jimmy.htm</a>
Originally Posted By jasmine7 Oh, my gosh! I think this is one of the signs of the Apocalypse! ;-) Nah, I'm glad to hear you liked a Jimmy Stewart movie, TDG. You should try The Philadelphia Story. It's one of my favorite movies of all times, with brilliant performances by Katharine Hepburn & Cary Grant. Faboo movie!
Originally Posted By CrouchingTigger What, no mention of "Rear Window"? My fav Hitchcock film. And it stars Grace Kelly too! (Mmmmmm, Grace Kelly...)
Originally Posted By TALL Disney Guy Ah, I forgot "Rear Window"...that's what always bugged me, that Hitchcock used Stewart *4* *times*, and these were therefore 4 Hitchcock films I "could never see", lol. I've just learned that Hitch originally wanted James Mason to play Stewart's role in "Rope"---oh man, I enjoyed Steweart in this, but I would love to have seen the *brilliant* Mason in a Hitchcock film (he's the best thing in "20,000 Leagues", IMO).
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan Congratulations, TDG! I'm glad you enjoyed it, and that you gave it a chance. Seriously, Vertigo and Rear Window are two must-see Hitchcock movies. If you liked Rope you'll love those. The Man Who Knew Too Much is good, too, but not as good as Vertigo & Rear Window. Winchester '73 and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance are both excellent Jimmy Stewart movies.
Originally Posted By TALL Disney Guy Hmm, 2oony took this more low-key than I'd thought---I'd figured you'd fall out of your chair and be shoutin' "Hallelujahs" that I'd come to my senses, lol.
Originally Posted By Deogges Mom Congratulations TDG. If IAWL had been my first exposure to Jimmy Stewart, I think I would have been very hestiant to see another movie with him either. Thankfully, I first remeber seeing him in some Western. I'm not sure which one, my parents dragged my brother and I to just about every Western that came out when we were growing up.
Originally Posted By JohnS1 Actually, James Mason was in a great Hitchcock film - as a villain though, not a hero. Remember him in North by Northwest, with Martin Landau as his evil sidekick? Too bad it starred Cary Grant though - Jimmy Stewart would have done a better job! (-;
Originally Posted By friendofdd >>>I was. I just couldn't spell it!<<< Repeat after me, I, T. Good! Once again, I, T. Very well done. Now in the future you can spell it.
Originally Posted By TALL Disney Guy D'oh! I've even seen NxNW! lol But that was years ago...and lol@JohnSI's Stewart endorsements. ;-P LOL@fodd
Originally Posted By DDMAN26 Tall get thee to a video store and rent Vertigo and Rear Window. My two favorite Hitchcock films. Glad you liked Rope too, a very good film.
