A tad early for me... but I'm very interested.

Call it Roots Ivy...

Or Ivy's Irie...

"See me in me Bass an' ting - O!"

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/gary.hart/lyricsa/althia.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeeVdiqRFBs

... Gloucestershire is a long way from Shoot-Up Hill...

te.

Last edited by Terry Lean (2006-12-16 05:06:53)

I've seen the film. I can't say much about the accuracy of the clothes regarding the specific time period but I can say that the clothes are visually appealing, the kind of clothes that make you wonder, Was there really a time when men and women dressed that meticulously and stylishly, even when they were at home reading the newspaper?

And Hollywood is the last place I'd go for historical veracity . They're interested in drama and visual effect rather than accuracy. They've always been that way and always will be. Good Night, Good Luck with George Clooney is a good example. Total nonsense historically, but visually appealing.

I meant the Murrow-McCarthy history. The movie made it seem like Edward R. Murrow and his staff brought down McCarthy. He was already toast; they just jumped on the bandwagon.

As to the clothes, I thought they were visually interesting, appealing, etc., but I'm no expert on the era so I can't say how accurate they are, but they sure looked swell. But imagine the dry cleaning bills with all that cigarette smoke constantly swirling around?

I've always liked the crispness and contrasts of clothes of that era. Any thoughts on their accuracy in the film? I'd imagine they did their homework. But, as I say, I'm no expert.

I think you're right. I grew up in a house where both parents smoked. You just don't notice it if you live in it. But now I cough at an outdoor cafe if someone is puffing eight tables away.

Cigarette smoke sure looks great on film, though. Actually, it's getting a little cliche with all these period dramas. It's sort of a cheap way to create atmosphere.

It almost makes me want to take up smoking.

Zachary Scott. Now there's a Golden Era guy who knew how to get the most out of a cigarette on screen.

Hey, PG:

Mildred Pierce. One of my all-time favorites, mostly because of Zach Scott. I found some great phtos of him working a cigarette but I'm too daft to figure out how to upload them.

Thanks for this photo of the stylish actor in all his glory. I've read the bio. Pretty good. Such a short life, though, I wanted to read more about him but the guy died at 51 in 1965, from a brain tumor, and typecasting as a villain a la the one he played in Mildred Pierce pretty much limited his career in H'wood, though he made over 30 films. Note to TCM: How about showing some of 'em?

So he worked on the stage--rather intriguigingly. Faulkner adopted Requieum for a Nun for Scott's wife and they took it on the road to much acclaim. He had an agile mind, though I imagine no one realized this from the H'wood roles he played.

Do you have any favorite Scott films other than Mildred Pierce? Ruthless (1948) or The Unfaithful (1947) perhaps? Some of his other films are not easy to find on DVD. I think he's one of those over-looked actors because he just never hit it really big in H'wood. But certainly a man of style and memorable screen presence, don't you think?

Richard Bissell was Deputy Director of the CIA, basically the second in command under Allan Dulles. A brilliant economist who taught at Yale, he was a key figure in planning and supervising the shipping of material and supplies during WWII and played a similar role during the Marshall Plan. He was the father of the U2 spy plane as well as the sponsor for the Bay of Pigs fiasco and the assasination attempts against Castro. Independently wealthy, he was a central figure in the founding of the CIA. not mid level by any means.