The coolest Count ever!
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
"I never drink...wine."
Okay put on your thinking cap. When you think of Halloween, what images come to mind? Candy? Sure. Kids? Of course. That time you nailed that sexy hunchback in the supply room at the office Halloween party? Well, maybe that's just me. Ever think of...Romanians? No? Really? Hmm. Work with me here people! Ever think of guys, "Zat talk like zis!" and wear tuxedos and opera capes and don't like mirrors or garlic? I'll let you think about it for a moment.
That's right! Vampires! Specifically Dracula - as played by Bela Lugosi. Bela's portrayal of Count Dracula the vampire from Transylvania is part of popular culture around the world. So much so that there is a thriving tourist trade in Transylvania. Which as all of us edumacated Americans know is a region of modern day Romania. So you do think of Romanians on Halloween! So there nyah!
Well, Universal's Dracula starring Bela was not the first film version of Bram Stoker's vampire novel - and sure as hell not the last! The first full length film adaptation was made in 1922 in Germany by F. W. Murnau, and was called...
Nosferatu
Nosferatu is (supposedly) an old term used in eastern Europe meaning vampire. What language is it from? Where was it first used? I don't know. Read a book! However, the fact that this term has remained in use and is actually recognized by those of us who are not 90 year old Romanian women can be attributed to the film.
If you know the story of Dracula, then you know the story of Nosferatu. But that does not mean this film is not worth seeing. Because Bela Lugosi's portrayal of Dracula has so influenced the image of the vampire, it is fun to see The Count before the world had heard of Bela Lugosi.
Nosferatu was made in 1922 and is silent. This alone is a significant difference. There is no suave banter, no "Good eve-en-ing!" But this is more than made up for by the visuals. The vampire in this version is not a handsome, sophisticated man of the world type, like Bela. No, Nosferatu lets you know the first time you see 'Count Orlok' that this is not a guy you want to invite to a dinner party. The count looks rather rat-like. He is very tall and very thin. He has very long fingers and long claw-like finger nails. He is bald. He has very large unblinking eyes. His ears are pointed. He moves strangely, haltingly, carefully, as if he is constantly stalking. When he reads, he holds the paper right up to his nose. He refers to blood as 'precious'. Yeah Orlok is one odd dude.
But the best part comes when we finally get to see his teeth. Orlok does not have the sharp canine teeth we are used to seeing in vampire movies. Orlok's teeth are very large and are right in the front of his mouth. They are his incisors - again very rat-like.
The association with rats does not stop there. The film points out that vampire legends often blame the horrible outbreak of disease on vampires and their vermin hoards. Sure enough, plenty of rats follow Orlok when he moves from his castle in Transylvania to new digs in Bremen. And they bring plague with them. There is a great scene of bearers carrying the coffins of plague victims down the street. Huh? Wait a minute! Did I say the count moved to Bremen? Well, it is a German movie. Bremen takes the place of London. Not a big deal.
Nosferatu does divert slightly from the standard story of Dracula that we all know. Bremen instead of London. The plague. Early in the film we see Orlok roaming about the Transylvanian country side howling and scaring people and horses as a...hyena? Yep! A hyena was used for these scenes - and kind of a scrawny one at that. I guess the idea was that a hyena looked more exotic and ferocious than a wolf. Remember this was before TV. No one had seen Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom. Many people who did not live in central Africa did not know what a hyena looked like.
The biggest change in the story is at the end. I won't spoil it for you. You should see this movie, for historical reasons if nothing else, but this version does not end the way we are used to vampire movies ending. Here's a hint: Van Helsing does nothing! He just shows students venus flytraps and hydra and tells them that they are types of vampires!
Nosferatu also has some great outdoor scenes. That may not sound like much to you and me, but exterior filming was a lot more difficult in those days.
I saw this film while I was in collage. The version I saw at school was much better than the bargain bin DVD I own. It actually referred to the vampire as Count Orlok - my DVD refers to him as Dracula. That is important, and I will tell you why shortly. Also the version I saw at OSU had several scenes that were not included on my DVD and a much better musical score. The scenes I remember - and miss - most are those featuring Orlok carrying his coffin from the ship to his new home. There are several scenes where stop motion techniques are used to imply the vampire's magic. In the missing scenes, Orlok jumps from point to point in negative exposure until he gets to his new home. When the film goes back to normal exposure, we can tell that the people on the streets did not see Orlok pass by!
You should see Nosferatu. It is a fun scary movie. It is the first full length version of Dracula ever produced. It lets you see the story of Dracula from a different perspective. And simply because you can. What do I mean by that? Well, Nosferatu is what we would call today an unauthorized adaptation of Dracula. Bram Stoker was dead by the time it was made, but his widow was not. She sued because the film makers never received permission from the Stoker estate to make a version of Dracula. She won. A judge ordered all copies of the film destroyed!
Somehow a few copies survived all these years. Sometimes it is better to be lucky than good.
The Great Lakes Brewing Company makes a beer called Nosferatu. It is a red ale. I tried to get some to use as the perfect beer review to go with this movie review, but I have not been able to find it at the stores near my home. Rest assured I will get my paws on some and give you a full report. Stay tuned!
"Two! Two vandeerful Halloween movies! Aah aah aah!"
That's right! Vampires! Specifically Dracula - as played by Bela Lugosi. Bela's portrayal of Count Dracula the vampire from Transylvania is part of popular culture around the world. So much so that there is a thriving tourist trade in Transylvania. Which as all of us edumacated Americans know is a region of modern day Romania. So you do think of Romanians on Halloween! So there nyah!
Well, Universal's Dracula starring Bela was not the first film version of Bram Stoker's vampire novel - and sure as hell not the last! The first full length film adaptation was made in 1922 in Germany by F. W. Murnau, and was called...
Nosferatu
Nosferatu is (supposedly) an old term used in eastern Europe meaning vampire. What language is it from? Where was it first used? I don't know. Read a book! However, the fact that this term has remained in use and is actually recognized by those of us who are not 90 year old Romanian women can be attributed to the film.
If you know the story of Dracula, then you know the story of Nosferatu. But that does not mean this film is not worth seeing. Because Bela Lugosi's portrayal of Dracula has so influenced the image of the vampire, it is fun to see The Count before the world had heard of Bela Lugosi.
Nosferatu was made in 1922 and is silent. This alone is a significant difference. There is no suave banter, no "Good eve-en-ing!" But this is more than made up for by the visuals. The vampire in this version is not a handsome, sophisticated man of the world type, like Bela. No, Nosferatu lets you know the first time you see 'Count Orlok' that this is not a guy you want to invite to a dinner party. The count looks rather rat-like. He is very tall and very thin. He has very long fingers and long claw-like finger nails. He is bald. He has very large unblinking eyes. His ears are pointed. He moves strangely, haltingly, carefully, as if he is constantly stalking. When he reads, he holds the paper right up to his nose. He refers to blood as 'precious'. Yeah Orlok is one odd dude.
But the best part comes when we finally get to see his teeth. Orlok does not have the sharp canine teeth we are used to seeing in vampire movies. Orlok's teeth are very large and are right in the front of his mouth. They are his incisors - again very rat-like.
The association with rats does not stop there. The film points out that vampire legends often blame the horrible outbreak of disease on vampires and their vermin hoards. Sure enough, plenty of rats follow Orlok when he moves from his castle in Transylvania to new digs in Bremen. And they bring plague with them. There is a great scene of bearers carrying the coffins of plague victims down the street. Huh? Wait a minute! Did I say the count moved to Bremen? Well, it is a German movie. Bremen takes the place of London. Not a big deal.
Nosferatu does divert slightly from the standard story of Dracula that we all know. Bremen instead of London. The plague. Early in the film we see Orlok roaming about the Transylvanian country side howling and scaring people and horses as a...hyena? Yep! A hyena was used for these scenes - and kind of a scrawny one at that. I guess the idea was that a hyena looked more exotic and ferocious than a wolf. Remember this was before TV. No one had seen Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom. Many people who did not live in central Africa did not know what a hyena looked like.
The biggest change in the story is at the end. I won't spoil it for you. You should see this movie, for historical reasons if nothing else, but this version does not end the way we are used to vampire movies ending. Here's a hint: Van Helsing does nothing! He just shows students venus flytraps and hydra and tells them that they are types of vampires!
Nosferatu also has some great outdoor scenes. That may not sound like much to you and me, but exterior filming was a lot more difficult in those days.
I saw this film while I was in collage. The version I saw at school was much better than the bargain bin DVD I own. It actually referred to the vampire as Count Orlok - my DVD refers to him as Dracula. That is important, and I will tell you why shortly. Also the version I saw at OSU had several scenes that were not included on my DVD and a much better musical score. The scenes I remember - and miss - most are those featuring Orlok carrying his coffin from the ship to his new home. There are several scenes where stop motion techniques are used to imply the vampire's magic. In the missing scenes, Orlok jumps from point to point in negative exposure until he gets to his new home. When the film goes back to normal exposure, we can tell that the people on the streets did not see Orlok pass by!
You should see Nosferatu. It is a fun scary movie. It is the first full length version of Dracula ever produced. It lets you see the story of Dracula from a different perspective. And simply because you can. What do I mean by that? Well, Nosferatu is what we would call today an unauthorized adaptation of Dracula. Bram Stoker was dead by the time it was made, but his widow was not. She sued because the film makers never received permission from the Stoker estate to make a version of Dracula. She won. A judge ordered all copies of the film destroyed!
Somehow a few copies survived all these years. Sometimes it is better to be lucky than good.
The Great Lakes Brewing Company makes a beer called Nosferatu. It is a red ale. I tried to get some to use as the perfect beer review to go with this movie review, but I have not been able to find it at the stores near my home. Rest assured I will get my paws on some and give you a full report. Stay tuned!
"Two! Two vandeerful Halloween movies! Aah aah aah!"
Friday, October 21, 2005
"Bartender, two zombies please - and keep bringing them until I turn into one."
Zombie. What a great word! Perfect for this time of year! What's Halloween without a few zombies? According to The American Heritage College Dictionary a zombie is: A supernatural power or spell that according to voodoo belief can enter into and reanimate a corpse. A corpse revived in this way. Additionally, a zombie is also the term for a person who, due to the effects of various drugs, seems to be dead, but is them reanimated due to the ministrations of a voodoo practitioner. This zombie then follows the commands of the voodoo practitioner. So you know that guy down the street who is always bringing live chickens home - chickens nobody ever sees again? Don't piss him off!
Yep! That was the definition of zombie; an undead slave bound by voodoo magic. Until 1968. Then a guy named George Romero taught us all a different definition of the word zombie.
You see old George and some of his friends made a movie near Pittsburgh that was released in 1968, and that movie changed audience's image of zombies forever. That movie is Night of the Living Dead.
The Plot:
Seven people try to survive in a barricaded farm house while outside strange homicidal people try to break into the house.
The Hook:
The "strange homicidal people" are zombies. Mr. Romero's particular style of zombies; people who have risen from the dead to feast on the flesh of the living! Yeah baby!
The Goodies:
Oh where do I begin! Night of the Living Dead is another example of a great film made for next to nothing by relative amateurs. Mr. Romero had a friend that was a butcher who brought cuts of meat and bones and organs for the zombies to munch. And who were the zombies? Ordinary townsfolk who answered an ad asking for extras for a movie that was filming just outside of town!
So, our trapped players are:
Barbara - she and her brother Johnny were visiting their father's grave when they were attacked. Babs got away. But what happened to Johnny?
Tom and Judy - young couple who were going "to the lake" when they heard something on the radio about roaming gangs of murderers and took shelter in the farmhouse.
Harry and Helen Cooper - had their car overturned by a bunch of weirdoes and barely escaped along with their daughter Karen.
Ben - young black man, he was at a diner when some very strange things happened. He learned that "those things" don't like fire and that smashing them in the head with a tire iron will stop them.
Once all of our cast are assembled the movie kicks into high gear. Mr. Cooper is an asshole. He is convinced that the best place to be is in the cellar. Ben thinks that is dumb and that it is better to stay upstairs where they have food, water, a radio and TV and can fight or run away if needed. Mr. Cooper thinks Ben is insane. Why? Because Ben is not intimidated by him and he is after all, black. We can't trust a black guy to lead now can we? Actually, this is never stated, but it seems obvious that part of Mr. Cooper's problem with Ben is simply that he is a smart no nonsense black guy. I am amazed the dreaded "N-word" is never used. At one point Ben says to Mr. Cooper, "Now get the Hell down in the cellar. You can be boss down there. I'm boss up here." And once the Cooper's realize that it is probably better to be upstairs with the others, Ben says, "If you stay up here, you take orders from me!" Okay this is strong stuff for a young black guy to be saying in a movie to a bunch of white people in 1968. I can only imagine how audiences reacted!
Power struggle aside, the folks in the farmhouse learn just how deeply they are submerged in poopy. Using the radio and TV they eventually learn that the dead are coming back to life and killing and eating the living. This is apparently due to some sort of radiation from a Venus probe. Well, I guess George felt he had to give a reason for all this zombie stuff. We even see a general on TV trying to cover-up the link between the zombies and the Venus probe. Government conspiracy anyone? Oh, by the way, the movie never refers to them as zombies, however the TV reporters do start to call them "ghouls".
Well, the news is that the National Guard and civil defense agencies have started to establish emergency shelters with food, water, medical staff and soldiers to protect folks from the zom... sorry ghouls. They advise people to make for these shelters if they can get there. Meanwhile local law enforcement has been authorized to form bands of men to hunt down and burn the bodies of the ghouls. Additionally, reports confirm that massive head trauma will destroy the ghouls.
The group - well Ben - forms a plan to get to a shelter. But first they need to go get the truck Ben found and refuel it at the pump out by the barn. Tom volunteers to help because he knows trucks and fuel pumps. Judy is not to happy about this plan. Mr. Cooper will frighten the ghouls away from Ben and Tom by lobbing Molotov cocktails out a second floor window. Right after Ben and Tom go outside to get the truck, Judy runs out to help. Chicks! Well, I bet you can guess that the plan does not turn out well. In fact it turns out so ... uh ... unwell that Ben ends up shooting Mr. Cooper. Hee hee hee!
The ghouls get a free munch on and then the lights go out in the house! This provokes an all out ghoul attack and ... well ... Ya know I would love to tell you the rest, but you really owe it to yourself to see this flick! And since it has a great ending I think I will stop right here. I don't want to spoil it for you.
When I was a kid Night of the Living Dead was legendary among boys my age because it was rumored to be so shocking and gross. I guess this was true in 1968, but now it is still frightening and disturbing, but does not compare with modern films for shock and gore potential. But it is one of the films that set those trends in motion.
I recently read that George Romero actually drove the film around to theaters in the trunk of his car at first! Then he took it to the 42 Street grindhouses in New York and that is when it took off. Think anybody with a shot-on-digital video film could get away with that today?
Night of the Living Dead is a great movie. If you have not seen it yet - you need to do so soon! Only ten days to Halloween - why not see it now?
And you can! For free! On your computer! Here:
http://www.netbroadcaster.com/movies/horror/nightoflivingdead.html
Yep! That was the definition of zombie; an undead slave bound by voodoo magic. Until 1968. Then a guy named George Romero taught us all a different definition of the word zombie.
You see old George and some of his friends made a movie near Pittsburgh that was released in 1968, and that movie changed audience's image of zombies forever. That movie is Night of the Living Dead.
The Plot:
Seven people try to survive in a barricaded farm house while outside strange homicidal people try to break into the house.
The Hook:
The "strange homicidal people" are zombies. Mr. Romero's particular style of zombies; people who have risen from the dead to feast on the flesh of the living! Yeah baby!
The Goodies:
Oh where do I begin! Night of the Living Dead is another example of a great film made for next to nothing by relative amateurs. Mr. Romero had a friend that was a butcher who brought cuts of meat and bones and organs for the zombies to munch. And who were the zombies? Ordinary townsfolk who answered an ad asking for extras for a movie that was filming just outside of town!
So, our trapped players are:
Barbara - she and her brother Johnny were visiting their father's grave when they were attacked. Babs got away. But what happened to Johnny?
Tom and Judy - young couple who were going "to the lake" when they heard something on the radio about roaming gangs of murderers and took shelter in the farmhouse.
Harry and Helen Cooper - had their car overturned by a bunch of weirdoes and barely escaped along with their daughter Karen.
Ben - young black man, he was at a diner when some very strange things happened. He learned that "those things" don't like fire and that smashing them in the head with a tire iron will stop them.
Once all of our cast are assembled the movie kicks into high gear. Mr. Cooper is an asshole. He is convinced that the best place to be is in the cellar. Ben thinks that is dumb and that it is better to stay upstairs where they have food, water, a radio and TV and can fight or run away if needed. Mr. Cooper thinks Ben is insane. Why? Because Ben is not intimidated by him and he is after all, black. We can't trust a black guy to lead now can we? Actually, this is never stated, but it seems obvious that part of Mr. Cooper's problem with Ben is simply that he is a smart no nonsense black guy. I am amazed the dreaded "N-word" is never used. At one point Ben says to Mr. Cooper, "Now get the Hell down in the cellar. You can be boss down there. I'm boss up here." And once the Cooper's realize that it is probably better to be upstairs with the others, Ben says, "If you stay up here, you take orders from me!" Okay this is strong stuff for a young black guy to be saying in a movie to a bunch of white people in 1968. I can only imagine how audiences reacted!
Power struggle aside, the folks in the farmhouse learn just how deeply they are submerged in poopy. Using the radio and TV they eventually learn that the dead are coming back to life and killing and eating the living. This is apparently due to some sort of radiation from a Venus probe. Well, I guess George felt he had to give a reason for all this zombie stuff. We even see a general on TV trying to cover-up the link between the zombies and the Venus probe. Government conspiracy anyone? Oh, by the way, the movie never refers to them as zombies, however the TV reporters do start to call them "ghouls".
Well, the news is that the National Guard and civil defense agencies have started to establish emergency shelters with food, water, medical staff and soldiers to protect folks from the zom... sorry ghouls. They advise people to make for these shelters if they can get there. Meanwhile local law enforcement has been authorized to form bands of men to hunt down and burn the bodies of the ghouls. Additionally, reports confirm that massive head trauma will destroy the ghouls.
The group - well Ben - forms a plan to get to a shelter. But first they need to go get the truck Ben found and refuel it at the pump out by the barn. Tom volunteers to help because he knows trucks and fuel pumps. Judy is not to happy about this plan. Mr. Cooper will frighten the ghouls away from Ben and Tom by lobbing Molotov cocktails out a second floor window. Right after Ben and Tom go outside to get the truck, Judy runs out to help. Chicks! Well, I bet you can guess that the plan does not turn out well. In fact it turns out so ... uh ... unwell that Ben ends up shooting Mr. Cooper. Hee hee hee!
The ghouls get a free munch on and then the lights go out in the house! This provokes an all out ghoul attack and ... well ... Ya know I would love to tell you the rest, but you really owe it to yourself to see this flick! And since it has a great ending I think I will stop right here. I don't want to spoil it for you.
When I was a kid Night of the Living Dead was legendary among boys my age because it was rumored to be so shocking and gross. I guess this was true in 1968, but now it is still frightening and disturbing, but does not compare with modern films for shock and gore potential. But it is one of the films that set those trends in motion.
I recently read that George Romero actually drove the film around to theaters in the trunk of his car at first! Then he took it to the 42 Street grindhouses in New York and that is when it took off. Think anybody with a shot-on-digital video film could get away with that today?
Night of the Living Dead is a great movie. If you have not seen it yet - you need to do so soon! Only ten days to Halloween - why not see it now?
And you can! For free! On your computer! Here:
http://www.netbroadcaster.com/movies/horror/nightoflivingdead.html
Halloween treat for grown-ups: Dead Guy Ale
Watching Night of the Living Dead? Why not watch with a dead guy or two? Dead Guy Ale made by Rogue Ales Brewery in Newport, Oregon just may be able to bring a stiff back to life!
Dead guy Ale is a Maibock. A what? Okay - Bock is a style of beer that is high in alcohol content, traditionally made in Germany and sold during the autumn and winter. Bock often uses lots of barley malt during brewing and can be sweet, but the high alcohol then delivers a kick. Maibock (May Bock) is a slightly lighter style of bock that is sold in spring.
ABV = 6.50% and IBU = 40
The color is a nice almost ruby amber (Rouge calls it "deep honey") and the brew is slightly cloudy. The aroma is all malt and hops. Crisp and strong. Dead Guy Ale forms a semi-persistent head.
The taste is complex. it starts off sweet - from the barley malt - changes to spicy and finishes very bitter due to the hops and alcohol content. There is a strong long lasting aftertaste that might offend those who don't like such a hoppy taste lingering in their mouths.
A good beer - but not for the timid. Be bold. Grab yourself a dead guy and suck on it!
Okay! Halloween movie number one is in the can! Keep those suggestions coming! So far I have received one.
-BigRuta
Sunday, August 28, 2005
"The girl! How much for the little girl?"
Jump for joy kiddies, BigRuta is back! Sorry it's been two months since my last post, but I been on summer vacation. Yep, I been traveling around these here U S's of A and I had a ball! Word of advice for those of you who may be trekking though the heartland of 'Merica - stop in at Big Sal's Truck Stop and Travel Emporium if you are near Marked Tree, Arkansas. I've never been anywhere like it! You can get some grub, fuel up, stay the night, play the slots, and watch bulls become steer (I almost fainted!). The owner is Sally Mae Cooter. She and her husband Bocefus will be right glad to see ya. Oh and be sure to say howdy to their daughter, the lovely Ida Sue Cooter. I went for a walk with her out back of the propane tanks and she showed me just how sexy webbed toes can be!
More about my summer of discovery in upcoming posts - now let's get to the flick!
Today's movie is The Bad Seed, Warner Brothers, 1956. The Bad Seed was originally a book by Maxwell Anderson that became a hit on Broadway. I chose to review this movie because it shows that what I refer to as "B-Movies" are not always the cheap silly drive-in kind of films that most people think of when they hear the phrase b-movie. Many films that are a bit odd or shocking or unsettling fall under my umbrella term b-movie. Most films that have become cult hits also belong in this category. The Bad Seed definitely qualifies!
The Plot:
The Penmarks are a typical upper middle class 50's family. Dad is an army officer, Mom is a homemaker and their daughter, little Rhoda is a smart, sweet and very feminine girl. Strangely, people who upset Rhoda seem to end up dying in unpleasant ways.
The Hook:
Oh come on! Do you really need me to tell you?
The Goodies:
The Bad Seed is a very well put together film. However, some modern viewers may find the pacing and dialog a bit odd. Because the Broadway play was such a success (Nancy Kelly who plays Rhoda's mother Christine won a Tony) the producers of the film took no chances. What we see is basically the play but with the addition of some outdoor settings. Because this is simply a filmed play, most of the plot comes through as expository dialog. We know what has happened because we hear the characters talking about it. We don't actually see any action. Most of the actors are the same ones who starred in the Broadway play, so they know their parts backward and forward. The dialog may seem a bit fast for normal conversation, but not as fast as some older British Shakespearean productions!
Okay so, we learn that Rhoda is a spoiled rotten little daddy's girl. The Penmark's landlady Monica gives Rhoda a ton of gifts and praises her every move. Rhoda's father Kennith is almost a noncharacter. He is there to show that there is a dad involved and that this is a happy idyllic 1950's family. Kennith is gone away in Washington for most of the movie. We do get to hear some rather disturbing dialog from Rhoda about her father: "You're so big and strong!" and "I'll miss your kisses Daddy!" Maybe I'm just a perv, but that stuff is creepy!
Rhoda's mom Christine is a typical nervous nelly 1950's mom. She wrings her hands and buries her face in her hands when upset and claps her hands when she wants Rhoda's attention. Oh and she has always had the feeling that she does not belong, she often felt that she was adopted. One good thing about Christine is that she can and does see through Rhoda's manipulation of others. Just a bit too late.
And then there is Leroy. Leroy is the Penmark's handyman. Leroy is a great character, second only to Rhoda. He is kind of sleazy. He "likes" Christine - nudge, nudge. And he is the only one who understands, from the beginning, that Rhoda is a spoiled self-centered manipulator. His habit of goofing off and napping on a pallet of packing material he has made in the cellar will turn out bad for him in the end.
If you have been paying attention, you may have noticed that I give away the plots of the movies I think are fun but stupid. I do this so that you can enjoy the silly stuff without necessarily sitting through the actual flick. Call it a public service. You're welcome. But I do not give away the stories of the movies I think you should watch. I just try to give you a taste, a little idea of what the film is about and why I think it may be worth your time. I gave you a rather big taste of "The Abominable Dr. Phibes." But in this case, I think I should hold back. So...
Rhoda is a sociopath. She cares nothing for anyone but herself. She might have some feelings for her parents, but they seem contrived. No one seems to understand this, except for Leroy but he learns that it is dangerous to underestimate this little girl. Christine starts to put the clues together, but refuses to believe that Rhoda could be evil. Then she learns a family secret from her father - can you guess? With this knowledge she finally confronts Rhoda. Ultimately, Christine does what she feels she must, and that is the end of the story.
Unfortunately, that is not the end of the film. Well, it was the 1950's and Christine's solution simply could not be seen as being endorsed by the film makers, so they tag on a really rather hokey ending for the film. I think this was a mistake. The film should have ended with Christine's final act of conscience. That would have been a powerful end. People would no doubt have been outraged, but so what. I would rather have a much more dramatic shocking ending then a clean stupid ending.
Great Lines:
Rhoda's comment's about a schoolmate's death, "I thought it was exciting!" and "Why should I feel sorry? It was Claude Daigle got drowned, not me"
Leroy about Rhoda, "She sees through me, but I see through her." and "Ain't scared of nuthin huh? I'll find a way to scare you!"
Leroy to Rhoda, "That's the thing about blood. You can wash and wash, but you can't get it all off."
In a great scene that is too long to quote, Leroy tells Rhoda about the electric chair!
The Bad Seed is a great little film that you should take the time to see. It has influenced many films that came after it. Oh and to further reinforce the fact that it was a play, the cast is introduced one-by-one at the end to take a bow.
And then Nancy Kelly (Christine) spanks Patty McCormack (Rhoda)!
Another Saturday night, another blonde.
While I watched The Bad Seed, I had myself a taste of another blond in pigtails - St. Pauli Girl Lager.
St. Pauli Girl Lager is brewed by St. Pauli Brauerei in Bremen, Germany. It is one of the three European lagers that achieved mass market distribution in the US in the 1970's. Can you name the other two? Hint: one is from Holland and one is from Germany. Need another? Okay. Hint 2: they both come in green bottles. Still don't know? Hint 3: their names start with H and B respectively. If you still can't figure it out, then go drink some Thunderbird - you're useless!
St. Pauli Girl Lager is a clear bright yellow brew with a fine bubbled semipersistent head. The aroma is very light and hoppy. ABV: 4.9% and IBU ~ 20.
The taste is crisp with a nice sour finish and aftertaste that lasts a while. St. Pauli Girl feels like a more robust beer, a lager with a slight bit of ale body to it.
Those who like American mass market lagers should try St. Pauli Girl. It may make you want to try more European beers, and that is always a good thing.
Well folks, that's about it for now. Remember, questions, comments and requests are always welcome. See ya soon!
-BigRuta
Okay! Okay! Heiniken and Becks. Jeez! What a bunch of babies!
More about my summer of discovery in upcoming posts - now let's get to the flick!
Today's movie is The Bad Seed, Warner Brothers, 1956. The Bad Seed was originally a book by Maxwell Anderson that became a hit on Broadway. I chose to review this movie because it shows that what I refer to as "B-Movies" are not always the cheap silly drive-in kind of films that most people think of when they hear the phrase b-movie. Many films that are a bit odd or shocking or unsettling fall under my umbrella term b-movie. Most films that have become cult hits also belong in this category. The Bad Seed definitely qualifies!
The Plot:
The Penmarks are a typical upper middle class 50's family. Dad is an army officer, Mom is a homemaker and their daughter, little Rhoda is a smart, sweet and very feminine girl. Strangely, people who upset Rhoda seem to end up dying in unpleasant ways.
The Hook:
Oh come on! Do you really need me to tell you?
The Goodies:
The Bad Seed is a very well put together film. However, some modern viewers may find the pacing and dialog a bit odd. Because the Broadway play was such a success (Nancy Kelly who plays Rhoda's mother Christine won a Tony) the producers of the film took no chances. What we see is basically the play but with the addition of some outdoor settings. Because this is simply a filmed play, most of the plot comes through as expository dialog. We know what has happened because we hear the characters talking about it. We don't actually see any action. Most of the actors are the same ones who starred in the Broadway play, so they know their parts backward and forward. The dialog may seem a bit fast for normal conversation, but not as fast as some older British Shakespearean productions!
Okay so, we learn that Rhoda is a spoiled rotten little daddy's girl. The Penmark's landlady Monica gives Rhoda a ton of gifts and praises her every move. Rhoda's father Kennith is almost a noncharacter. He is there to show that there is a dad involved and that this is a happy idyllic 1950's family. Kennith is gone away in Washington for most of the movie. We do get to hear some rather disturbing dialog from Rhoda about her father: "You're so big and strong!" and "I'll miss your kisses Daddy!" Maybe I'm just a perv, but that stuff is creepy!
Rhoda's mom Christine is a typical nervous nelly 1950's mom. She wrings her hands and buries her face in her hands when upset and claps her hands when she wants Rhoda's attention. Oh and she has always had the feeling that she does not belong, she often felt that she was adopted. One good thing about Christine is that she can and does see through Rhoda's manipulation of others. Just a bit too late.
And then there is Leroy. Leroy is the Penmark's handyman. Leroy is a great character, second only to Rhoda. He is kind of sleazy. He "likes" Christine - nudge, nudge. And he is the only one who understands, from the beginning, that Rhoda is a spoiled self-centered manipulator. His habit of goofing off and napping on a pallet of packing material he has made in the cellar will turn out bad for him in the end.
If you have been paying attention, you may have noticed that I give away the plots of the movies I think are fun but stupid. I do this so that you can enjoy the silly stuff without necessarily sitting through the actual flick. Call it a public service. You're welcome. But I do not give away the stories of the movies I think you should watch. I just try to give you a taste, a little idea of what the film is about and why I think it may be worth your time. I gave you a rather big taste of "The Abominable Dr. Phibes." But in this case, I think I should hold back. So...
Rhoda is a sociopath. She cares nothing for anyone but herself. She might have some feelings for her parents, but they seem contrived. No one seems to understand this, except for Leroy but he learns that it is dangerous to underestimate this little girl. Christine starts to put the clues together, but refuses to believe that Rhoda could be evil. Then she learns a family secret from her father - can you guess? With this knowledge she finally confronts Rhoda. Ultimately, Christine does what she feels she must, and that is the end of the story.
Unfortunately, that is not the end of the film. Well, it was the 1950's and Christine's solution simply could not be seen as being endorsed by the film makers, so they tag on a really rather hokey ending for the film. I think this was a mistake. The film should have ended with Christine's final act of conscience. That would have been a powerful end. People would no doubt have been outraged, but so what. I would rather have a much more dramatic shocking ending then a clean stupid ending.
Great Lines:
Rhoda's comment's about a schoolmate's death, "I thought it was exciting!" and "Why should I feel sorry? It was Claude Daigle got drowned, not me"
Leroy about Rhoda, "She sees through me, but I see through her." and "Ain't scared of nuthin huh? I'll find a way to scare you!"
Leroy to Rhoda, "That's the thing about blood. You can wash and wash, but you can't get it all off."
In a great scene that is too long to quote, Leroy tells Rhoda about the electric chair!
The Bad Seed is a great little film that you should take the time to see. It has influenced many films that came after it. Oh and to further reinforce the fact that it was a play, the cast is introduced one-by-one at the end to take a bow.
And then Nancy Kelly (Christine) spanks Patty McCormack (Rhoda)!
Another Saturday night, another blonde.
While I watched The Bad Seed, I had myself a taste of another blond in pigtails - St. Pauli Girl Lager.
St. Pauli Girl Lager is brewed by St. Pauli Brauerei in Bremen, Germany. It is one of the three European lagers that achieved mass market distribution in the US in the 1970's. Can you name the other two? Hint: one is from Holland and one is from Germany. Need another? Okay. Hint 2: they both come in green bottles. Still don't know? Hint 3: their names start with H and B respectively. If you still can't figure it out, then go drink some Thunderbird - you're useless!
St. Pauli Girl Lager is a clear bright yellow brew with a fine bubbled semipersistent head. The aroma is very light and hoppy. ABV: 4.9% and IBU ~ 20.
The taste is crisp with a nice sour finish and aftertaste that lasts a while. St. Pauli Girl feels like a more robust beer, a lager with a slight bit of ale body to it.
Those who like American mass market lagers should try St. Pauli Girl. It may make you want to try more European beers, and that is always a good thing.
Well folks, that's about it for now. Remember, questions, comments and requests are always welcome. See ya soon!
-BigRuta
Okay! Okay! Heiniken and Becks. Jeez! What a bunch of babies!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)