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New Photos Added: Audrey Hepburn, Hitchcock, The Munsters, Marilyn Monroe, “Strange Days,” John Wayne, Bogart, Brando, Mitchum, Dino, Hemphill, etc.

December 29th, 2008 by Scott Marks

Leo McCarey’s An Affair to Remember (1957) - 1 image added: The Money Shot.

Humphrey Bogart - 5 photos added

Marlon Brando - New gallery with 81 images added

Stanley Donen - 2 photos added

John Ford’s Donovan’s Reef (1963) - 8 Lobby Cards added

John Ford directing The Horse Soldiers (1959) - 1 photo added

Cary Grant - 15 photos added

Howard Hawks directing Rio Lobo (1970) - 1 photo added

Goldie Hawn - 1 photo added

Jim Hemphill - 1 photo added

Audrey Hepburn - 20 photos added

Continue reading New Photos Added: Audrey Hepburn, Hitchcock, The Munsters, Marilyn Monroe, “Strange Days,” John Wayne, Bogart, Brando, Mitchum, Dino, Hemphill, etc.

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DVD Review: A CHRISTMAS CAROL / Clive Donner (1984)

December 8th, 2008 by Scott Marks

A Christmas Carol (1984)
Directed by Clive Donner
Written by Roger O. Hisron from a short story by Charles Dickens
Starring: George C. Scott, David Warner, Susannah York, Roger Rees, Frank Finlay, Edward Woodward, Michael Gough, Joanne Whalley and Introducing Anthony Walters as “Tiny Tim”
Photographed by Tony Imi in Tele-Vision

Rating: ★★☆☆☆

You know Alis-tair and Ma-goo and Derek Ja-co-bi; Va-nessa Williams played a “Scrooge” named “E-bo-ny.” But, do you recall, the an-gri-est Scrooge of them all?

George C. Scott, in the role he was born to play (20 years earlier), stars as Ebeneezer Scrooge in this Classics Illustrated tele-version of Charles Dickens’ beloved Christmas staple. By this point in his career, Scott had amassed a big enough steamer trunk filled with tricks where he could stop acting and quickly slip into caricature. Eyes roll, his brow furrows, teeth gnash, the voice thunders and yes, Virginia, there is a blow up scene. In fact there are a few volcanic bursts scattered like uncut diamonds throughout this faithful adaptation.

He first erupts while calling for his beleaguered employee Bob Cratchit (David Warner). Once you’ve been summoned by a pissed off George C. Scott, all other commands wilt in comparison. He also has a hell of a hard time shaking off the Ghost of Christmas Past (Angela Pleasence). George C.’s mighty mitts are no match for his throbbing temples. Soon we hear that gurgling Scott growl slowly begin to roar, like a tiger starting his engine. His pained anguish can no longer be internalized and he wails, “LEAVE ME!!!” Not exactly a Hardcore ”TURN IT OFF!!!,” but it kept me humming.

Scott deemed television beneath him, as well he should, and with the exception of a few small screen performances (Fear on Trial, The Price), showed up on set and hit “auto pilot.” During his first two ghostly visits, Scott’s appearance is pretty much relegated to cutaway shots. The anger must settle and simmer for a few commercial breaks before the grand final venting where he pleads for his life, as all Scrooge’s must, with the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come (Michael Carter). Watch as his face turns into a Fourth of July fireworks show! His agony is so authentic that my head almost exploded from laughter. There are even a few residual chuckles during and after his nice guy epiphany. One would anticipate a  crap-eating grin when he tosses that street urchin some goose money on Christmas morning, but when, if ever, have you seen a full-grown Scott jump up and down on a mattress? Turn it on!

Continue reading DVD Review: A CHRISTMAS CAROL / Clive Donner (1984)

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