topic Re: 1963 SUSPENSE FLICK FOR BIG JOANIE AND OTHERS TIRED OF TARZAN ON TCM in TV and Movies

1963 SUSPENSE FLICK FOR BIG JOANIE AND OTHERS TIRED OF TARZAN ON TCM

Oznell — Sat, 12 May 2018 03:40:48 GMT

Saturday, 10:15 p.m. Eastern TCM "The Running Man"

Big Joanie (and gang), I'm alerting you early to this fab thriller Saturday night due to your/our anguish at slim pickings on TCM lately...

First of all, what a cool romantic triangle-- Laurence Harvey, Lee Remick, Alan Bates. Clever Laurence Harvey decides to fake his own death, in revenge against an insurance company that previously denied one of his claims. His wife (the always glamorous Lee) is going along with him.

It's a long story, but they end up in Spain, in the midst of a bunch of jet-setters, under a new identity. Undercurrents seethe and surge-- Lee feels marginalized from Laurence as they play out their roles in their new circle, especially as the group includes some alluring women to which Laurence might fall prey...

Meanwhile, dogged insurance guy Alan Bates (who represents the danger of the couple being discovered) is around and is falling hard for Lee. Complications, complications...

Directed by brilliant Brit Sir Carol Reed (The Third Man), what could be more fun, suspenseful and larky than this? (Note to film fans-- this alert originally stated the film was written by Graham Greene. Wrong. Thanks for supplying the name of the actual writer, @trenet!)

Lee Remick and Harvey and Bates are all so cinematically beautiful here in the bloom of their youth, aren't they. (I can't believe as a teenager I had a huge crush on Alan Bates, esp. after "Georgy Girl"-- as he matured, he struck me more and more as a bit inertly dough-ey and androgenous-- but he had a quirky charm as a young actor....)

http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/video/244119/Running-Man-The-Movie-Clip-Not-Very-Tidy.html

Re: 1963 SUSPENSE FLICK FOR BIG JOANIE AND OTHERS TIRED OF TARZAN ON TCM

Oznell — Sat, 12 May 2018 00:11:28 GMT

And for fun, here are the stylish opening credits of the film-- could it be more Sixties? Plus the "funeral" for Laurence Harvey which opens the film-- his "widow" Lee Remick properly grieving front and center in her pew...

Those Sixties' graphics remind me a bit of the ones for British thriller series "The Saint" with Roger Moore...

http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/video/244118/Running-Man-The-Movie-Clip-Opening-Memorial.html

Re: 1963 SUSPENSE FLICK FOR BIG JOANIE AND OTHERS TIRED OF TARZAN ON TCM

trenet — Sat, 12 May 2018 00:51:28 GMT

@Oznell

This will be quite a treat Saturday night. Ages since I’ve seen it.

Of late, I try not to miss any Laurence Harvey movies.

Book not by Graham Greene. (Had to check because I couldn’t believe it was a Graham Greene I hadn’t read/didn’t have!)

Shelley Smith “The Ballad of the Running Man” 1960.

Shelley Smith was the pseudonym for Nancy Bodington who wrote a number of crime novels.

(So many Tarzan’s, even my husband would have thought too many consecutively shown! He believes Tarzan is for Saturday afternoons like it was when we were kids.)

Re: 1963 SUSPENSE FLICK FOR BIG JOANIE AND OTHERS TIRED OF TARZAN ON TCM

Oznell — Sat, 12 May 2018 11:44:54 GMT

@trenet, love Laurence Harvey too! He brings such an electric charge in his best work.

Right you are about Greene not being involved! Thank you for catching that. I went back and found I had carelessly picked that up from one of the user reviews on TCM, and didn't double check, unfortunately. The premise of the film does seem a bit "Greene-ian" but not the case.

This film will be a great lead-in to the Noir Alley flick for midnight Saturday, which I'll try to get an alert up for tomorrow...

ETA-- Oh, wait- I checked the schedule and had forgotten the Noir Alley flick is going to be "Caged". Women's prison movie which I've never seen, but a synopsis says, among other things, a little kitten gets killed. Sorry, Eddie Muller, don't think I can take it! (I'm sure his commentary will be priceless, as usual though.)

Re: 1963 SUSPENSE FLICK FOR BIG JOANIE AND OTHERS TIRED OF TARZAN ON TCM

spiderw — Sat, 12 May 2018 03:56:11 GMT

Thanks for the heads up on this movie. I always thought Harvey and Bates were so

handsome and great actors. I love Lee Remick. Of course my favorite part she played was in the great Wine and Roses movie with another talented wonderful actor, Jack Lemmon. When you mention all of these stars, I know even I don't care for the movies I will always see fantastic acting and that for me can make the movie watchable. The Running Man is a good story with a wonderful cast.

The Tarzan movies were traumatic for me as a young girl, too much animal killing. I always felt bad for the lions, tigers and other animals that were harmed. I still feel that way and do not watch animal movies. I saw Old Yeller once and cried and cried when I was a youngster, once was enough for me!!!!!

Re: 1963 SUSPENSE FLICK FOR BIG JOANIE AND OTHERS TIRED OF TARZAN ON TCM

trenet — Sat, 12 May 2018 05:36:51 GMT

@Oznell wrote:
@trenet, love Laurence Harvey too! He brings such an electric charge in his best work.

Right you are about Greene not being involved! Thank you for catching that. I went back and found I had carelessly picked that up from one of the user reviews on TCM, and didn't double check, unfortunately. The premise of the film does seem a bit "Greene-ian" but not the case.

This film will be a great lead-in to the Noir Alley flick for midnight Saturday, which I'll try to get an alert up for tomorrow...

@Oznell

I have quite a Greene collection so, my first thought was “is that one I missed?”.

Now, after reading about Smith/Bodington, I see another author and more books ahead!

One of the things I like about Harvey is the tone/pitch of his voice which, for me, adds to a restrained intensity and, I think the “electric charge” you describe.

Re: 1963 SUSPENSE FLICK FOR BIG JOANIE AND OTHERS TIRED OF TARZAN ON TCM

Oznell — Sat, 12 May 2018 11:32:52 GMT

Ran across these fabulous stills from the movie. It's a bit disconcerting to see Laurence Harvey as a blond! He's usually so "dangerous" and charismatic a personality. With his new coloring, he reminds me of an amiable Danish gigolo, or something....

Lee Remick was such a compelling, versatile actress-- she has the capacity to surprise, with her interesting line readings. Stunning and impeccable in her visual presentation, too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEh_dGlx_kc

Re: 1963 SUSPENSE FLICK FOR BIG JOANIE AND OTHERS TIRED OF TARZAN ON TCM

Judaline — Sat, 12 May 2018 12:57:05 GMT

@Oznell wrote:
And for fun, here are the stylish opening credits of the film-- could it be more Sixties? Plus the "funeral" for Laurence Harvey which opens the film-- his "widow" Lee Remick properly grieving front and center in her pew...

Those Sixties' graphics remind me a bit of the ones for British thriller series "The Saint" with Roger Moore...

http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/video/244118/Running-Man-The-Movie-Clip-Opening-Memorial.html

Very cool. Very Bond-ish. (Bond. James Bond)

Re: 1963 SUSPENSE FLICK FOR BIG JOANIE AND OTHERS TIRED OF TARZAN ON TCM

Oznell — Sat, 12 May 2018 17:57:36 GMT

Interesting point, now that I think of it, @Judaline. There seem to have been a whole spate of movies (and even TV shows) in the early to mid Sixties that fed off the Bond "mystique" in a variety of ways, this one included. Very stylish, very cool, somewhat "Mod", with an emphasis on glamorous, rarefied situations and exotic international locations. Pure fun and fantasy...

Re: 1963 SUSPENSE FLICK FOR BIG JOANIE AND OTHERS TIRED OF TARZAN ON TCM

Judaline — Sat, 12 May 2018 18:02:49 GMT

@Oznell wrote:
Interesting point, now that I think of it, @Judaline. There seem to have been a whole spate of movies (and even TV shows) in the early to mid Sixties that fed off the Bond "mystique" in a variety of ways, this one included. Very stylish, very cool, somewhat "Mod", with an emphasis on glamorous, rarefied situations and exotic international locations. Pure fun and fantasy...

Right, and I think it was the time when the 'sex kittens' entered the picture. I loved Brigitte Bardot-always did. She is heavily lined but still has her contours (yes, I keep tabs on her) so she still looks good, eyes made up, glorious hair. Never cared for Ann Margaret, but when she quit the biz to take care of her husband I really admired her-she seems nothing like her screen image. Not to mention entertaining the troops. She's a trooper herself.

Re: 1963 SUSPENSE FLICK FOR BIG JOANIE AND OTHERS TIRED OF TARZAN ON TCM

Oznell — Sat, 12 May 2018 18:03:23 GMT

The first TV show that comes to mind is the late, lamented "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.. So good with its spoofy atmosphere and far-flung locales. That's one that very few of the retro channels seem to re-run. I wonder why-- it was so good, as were David McCallum and Robert Vaughan...

Re: 1963 SUSPENSE FLICK FOR BIG JOANIE AND OTHERS TIRED OF TARZAN ON TCM

Oznell — Sat, 12 May 2018 21:14:28 GMT

@Judaline, both actresses you mention, Bardot and Ann-Margret, seem to have a care-givers spirit. Hasn't Bardot been devoting much of her time to animal welfare? And you are right, Ann-Margret seems to have been devoted, "in sickness and in health" to Roger Smith. Highly admirable!

Re: 1963 SUSPENSE FLICK FOR BIG JOANIE AND OTHERS TIRED OF TARZAN ON TCM

Big Joanie — Sat, 12 May 2018 23:47:46 GMT

Oznell .. thank you so much ....yes i have been whinning lately about

the selection of movies .. AND there was even a Tarzan on this

morning ... things startd to look up with the FBI Story this afternoon

and A Lion in Winter soon after .....

Thanks always for the heads up ... I have not seen this .. going to set the

DVR ....!!!

Re: 1963 SUSPENSE FLICK FOR BIG JOANIE AND OTHERS TIRED OF TARZAN ON TCM

Big Joanie — Sat, 12 May 2018 23:49:52 GMT

@trenet wrote:
@Oznell

This will be quite a treat Saturday night. Ages since I’ve seen it.
Of late, I try not to miss any Laurence Harvey movies.

Book not by Graham Greene. (Had to check because I couldn’t believe it was a Graham Greene I hadn’t read/didn’t have!)

Shelley Smith “The Ballad of the Running Man” 1960.
Shelley Smith was the pseudonym for Nancy Bodington who wrote a number of crime novels.

(So many Tarzan’s, even my husband would have thought too many consecutively shown! He believes Tarzan is for Saturday afternoons like it was when we were kids.)

My Saturday afternoons as a kid was for Shirley Temple ....but I may be a little

older ...!!

Re: 1963 SUSPENSE FLICK FOR BIG JOANIE AND OTHERS TIRED OF TARZAN ON TCM

Big Joanie — Sat, 12 May 2018 23:51:51 GMT

@spiderw wrote:
Thanks for the heads up on this movie. I always thought Harvey and Bates were so
handsome and great actors. I love Lee Remick. Of course my favorite part she played was in the great Wine and Roses movie with another talented wonderful actor, Jack Lemmon. When you mention all of these stars, I know even I don't care for the movies I will always see fantastic acting and that for me can make the movie watchable. The Running Man is a good story with a wonderful cast.

The Tarzan movies were traumatic for me as a young girl, too much animal killing. I always felt bad for the lions, tigers and other animals that were harmed. I still feel that way and do not watch animal movies. I saw Old Yeller once and cried and cried when I was a youngster, once was enough for me!!!!!

Oh I agree ... only saw Old Yeller once ... enough ... couldn't take the Yearlng

either .....

Re: 1963 SUSPENSE FLICK FOR BIG JOANIE AND OTHERS TIRED OF TARZAN ON TCM

daisyk — Sun, 13 May 2018 05:34:16 GMT

I missed this tonight @Oznell, but I will be on the lookout for it for the future. I thought Alan Bates was super hot in An Unmarried Woman- And I just adore beautiful Lee Remick. Thanks as always for the suggestions!

Re: 1963 SUSPENSE FLICK FOR BIG JOANIE AND OTHERS TIRED OF TARZAN ON TCM

GingerPeach — Sun, 13 May 2018 14:09:24 GMT

My favorite thing about this movie was the green pants outfit worn by a woman at the party in Spain. Such a 60s color, and I wish it would be seen again soon.

Sadly, I found the characters horribly annoying. I wish I could have enjoyed it more.

Re: 1963 SUSPENSE FLICK FOR BIG JOANIE AND OTHERS TIRED OF TARZAN ON TCM

Oznell — Sun, 13 May 2018 17:09:00 GMT

Now that I've seen it again after all these years, I can kind of see your point, @GingerPeach. Still enjoyed it though, for the actors involved. and that "kicky" sort of Sixties' ambiance.....

Re: 1963 SUSPENSE FLICK FOR BIG JOANIE AND OTHERS TIRED OF TARZAN ON TCM

trenet — Sun, 13 May 2018 18:02:55 GMT

@GingerPeach @Oznell

I just assumed the characters were supposed to be a bit annoying!

I thought I had seen this movie before but, if I did, I didn’t remember anything at all!

The early sixties ambience was fun, starting with the opening credits. Some of Lee Remick’s dresses were so cute.

And, oh, the powder blue Lincoln convertible with the suicide doors.

Laurence Harvey with the blonde hair was weird and, oh, how

thin and bony he looked in his swim trunks. The blondeness and thinness reminded me of one of the guys on the animated series King of the Hill!

After watching the movie, I’m even more anxious to read the book.

Downloaded it on my kindle.

Re: 1963 SUSPENSE FLICK FOR BIG JOANIE AND OTHERS TIRED OF TARZAN ON TCM

Oznell — Sun, 13 May 2018 18:05:07 GMT

Yes, @trenet, I expect the book is a cracking good read!