topic Re: "WATERLOO BRIDGE" VIVIEN LEIGH, ROBERT TAYLOR FRIDAY 9:00 A.M. EASTERN TCM in TV and Movies

"WATERLOO BRIDGE" VIVIEN LEIGH, ROBERT TAYLOR FRIDAY 9:00 A.M. EASTERN TCM

Oznell — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 18:34:44 GMT

9:00 a.m. Friday-- "Waterloo Bridge" Robert Taylor, Vivien Leigh, C. Aubrey Smith

Impossibly romantic, sweet, heart-rending. MGM gives their full treatment to this tale of a chance meeting and aftermath between a lovely dancer and a gallant World War I soldier. Robert Taylor and Vivien Leigh match up felicitously onscreen-- they have a not dissimilar "energy", and an almost preternatural beauty that in combination is devastating.

When, oh, when will TCM schedule films like this for primetime evening, instead of the all-too-prosaic morning,

ha.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6CeSwoxwq8

Re: "WATERLOO BRIDGE" VIVIEN LEIGH, ROBERT TAYLOR FRIDAY 9:00 A.M. EASTERN TCM

Laura14 — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 19:18:44 GMT

One of my favorite movies of all time with Vivien Leigh.

Re: "WATERLOO BRIDGE" VIVIEN LEIGH, ROBERT TAYLOR FRIDAY 9:00 A.M. EASTERN TCM

golding76 — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 19:21:58 GMT

One of my perennial favorites, oznell.

ETA: I wrote my comment without having seen Laura's. You know there is a golden nugget of a movie here because of the similarity of our comments.

Re: "WATERLOO BRIDGE" VIVIEN LEIGH, ROBERT TAYLOR FRIDAY 9:00 A.M. EASTERN TCM

Oznell — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 19:53:31 GMT

You do indeed, @golding76. There seems to be something about that timeless story that finds its way to the heart, especially the tender heart.

Re: "WATERLOO BRIDGE" VIVIEN LEIGH, ROBERT TAYLOR FRIDAY 9:00 A.M. EASTERN TCM

drizzellla — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 20:39:39 GMT

I vividly remember Robert Osborne giving the introduction at the beginning of this movie. He was so impressed with Vivian Leigh's acting. He pointed out the one scene when Vivien Leigh unexpectedly encounters Robert Taylor in the train station. Robert Osborne said Vivien Leigh did not have to say a word to convey her thoughts. Her expession said it all.

And because of his recommendation, I watched it for the first time. And I try and watch it every time it is on. The same with That Hamilton Woman.

Thank you Oznell and Robert Osborne.

Re: "WATERLOO BRIDGE" VIVIEN LEIGH, ROBERT TAYLOR FRIDAY 9:00 A.M. EASTERN TCM

Oznell — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 23:58:10 GMT

Ah, @drizzellla, your mention of Robert Osborne brings back great memories. He was so perfect for the channel, with that encyclopedic knowledge, his own history as an actor, and most important, his passion for film. I know we've lamented this before, but there's no one at TCM that can approach all that. With the exception of Eddie Muller, and they seem reluctant to let him out of his little film noir category.

If I ran TCM, and had a unique talent like Muller in the wings, I'd be using him for EVERYTHING, ha. At least until I hired others of his caliber to be hosts.

Speaking of R.O.'s passion for movies, there's a fun little article he wrote, called "Robert Osborne's Secret Favorite Movies." If you do a search on the title, it'll pop up. (I'd link it, but it's in "The Daily Beast" so sidebars way too political to post.). It's a very fun read. Quite an eclectic list, including "Remember the Night", "The Narrow Margin", "My Name is Julia Ross", and so on.

Re: "WATERLOO BRIDGE" VIVIEN LEIGH, ROBERT TAYLOR FRIDAY 9:00 A.M. EASTERN TCM

Highlands72 — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 23:33:21 GMT

I can't decide whether I prefer this version of "Waterloo Bridge" or the 1931 pre-code version (which was illegal to show during the Hays Office years). The two versions have slight differences, but I like them both very much. I usually find pre-code movies very interesting.

There was another re-make of this film in the 1950s, with Leslie Caron, but for me, it isn't nearly as good as the two previous versions. I never really warmed up to Leslie Caron.

Re: "WATERLOO BRIDGE" VIVIEN LEIGH, ROBERT TAYLOR FRIDAY 9:00 A.M. EASTERN TCM

Oznell — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 23:50:05 GMT

Just looked it up. Wow, @Highlands72, I never knew Mae Clarke took on this role-- very, very interesting. I love the things we learn in these movie threads!

Re: "WATERLOO BRIDGE" VIVIEN LEIGH, ROBERT TAYLOR FRIDAY 9:00 A.M. EASTERN TCM

twinsister — Fri, 09 Nov 2018 02:32:06 GMT

Another great movie!! Vivien Leigh and Robert Taylor were perfect in their roles. Even though I know what is going to happen, the ending makes me tear up every time!

@Oznell - thanks for these reminders!!

Re: "WATERLOO BRIDGE" VIVIEN LEIGH, ROBERT TAYLOR FRIDAY 9:00 A.M. EASTERN TCM

drizzellla — Fri, 09 Nov 2018 23:59:54 GMT

@Oznell wrote:
Ah, @drizzellla, your mention of Robert Osborne brings back great memories. He was so perfect for the channel, with that encyclopedic knowledge, his own history as an actor, and most important, his passion for film. I know we've lamented this before, but there's no one at TCM that can approach all that. With the exception of Eddie Muller, and they seem reluctant to let him out of his little film noir category.

If I ran TCM, and had a unique talent like Muller in the wings, I'd be using him for EVERYTHING, ha. At least until I hired others of his caliber to be hosts.

Speaking of R.O.'s passion for movies, there's a fun little article he wrote, called "Robert Osborne's Secret Favorite Movies." If you do a search on the title, it'll pop up. (I'd link it, but it's in "The Daily Beast" so sidebars way too political to post.). It's a very fun read. Quite an eclectic list, including "Remember the Night", "The Narrow Margin", "My Name is Julia Ross", and so on.

I am guessing after the article was written, TCM would have it's "Robert Osborne's favorite movies night". Because those were the movies that were shown. If I saw the title (sometimes it just said "Robert's Favorites" posted on the schedule, I made sure I watched TCM that night.

I saw so many movies that I never saw or heard of before.

Re: "WATERLOO BRIDGE" VIVIEN LEIGH, ROBERT TAYLOR FRIDAY 9:00 A.M. EASTERN TCM

OKPrincess — Fri, 09 Nov 2018 15:52:19 GMT

The ending is not what I expected. 😢😢 He would have understood.

Re: "WATERLOO BRIDGE" VIVIEN LEIGH, ROBERT TAYLOR FRIDAY 9:00 A.M. EASTERN TCM

golding76 — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 02:30:06 GMT

A few moments ago I finished weeping through it for, perhaps, my 25th viewing. The direction and acting were so artfully and skillfully done.

What a beautiful, poignant story of unselfish romantic love.

I'll always love this movie.

Re: "WATERLOO BRIDGE" VIVIEN LEIGH, ROBERT TAYLOR FRIDAY 9:00 A.M. EASTERN TCM

golding76 — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 04:55:45 GMT

So enamored am I of this film, that I decided to find out who wrote the screenplay for the 1940 version. The script was so beautifully written and on a level far superior in thought and expression to movie scripts written in the last several decades, in my opinion.

In my search, I discovered this:

Waterloo Bridge stars Robert Taylor and Vivien Leigh, her first film after the success of Gone with the Wind. The film was a success at the box office and nominated for two Academy Awards—Best Music for Herbert Stothart and Best Cinematography. It was also considered a personal favorite by both Vivien Leigh and Robert Taylor.

Three screenwriters worked on this film. One was a playwright and biographer who had written for The New Yorker, another was a lawyer and a journalist while the third was a screenwriter who had escaped from Nazi Germany. They each had a rich background in the arts.

Re: "WATERLOO BRIDGE" VIVIEN LEIGH, ROBERT TAYLOR FRIDAY 9:00 A.M. EASTERN TCM

Oznell — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 12:45:05 GMT

Great background, @golding76, thanks for enriching info!

Re: "WATERLOO BRIDGE" VIVIEN LEIGH, ROBERT TAYLOR FRIDAY 9:00 A.M. EASTERN TCM

sunshine 919 — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 14:15:36 GMT

One of my all time favorite scenes in any romantic movie is when Vivien lee and Robert Taylor dance in the candle light and the candles are slowly put out. Such a lovely scene. Love this movie.

Re: "WATERLOO BRIDGE" VIVIEN LEIGH, ROBERT TAYLOR FRIDAY 9:00 A.M. EASTERN TCM

culebra — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 18:40:47 GMT

Vivien Leigh, when asked what was her favorite movie, she stated Waterloo Bridge.

Robert Taylor also stated that Waterloo Bridge was his favorite also.

Both of them are wonderful in their roles!

Re: "WATERLOO BRIDGE" VIVIEN LEIGH, ROBERT TAYLOR FRIDAY 9:00 A.M. EASTERN TCM

miata1 — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 18:09:19 GMT

I thought they made such a beautiful couple and he looked so dashing when he danced with her. The ending is so sad as he loved her so much and would have understood. But with the ending, are we to believe that he found the good luck charm years ago at the site or someone had told me that maybe he just found it but he had gotten so much older, years had gone by so how could it still be there. Sorry if I am not conveying what I mean too clearly.

Re: "WATERLOO BRIDGE" VIVIEN LEIGH, ROBERT TAYLOR FRIDAY 9:00 A.M. EASTERN TCM

golding76 — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 18:43:40 GMT

ro1234,

It is interesting to me that you brought up some thoughts on the good luck charm because last night when I viewed the film for the umpteenth time, for the first time ever, I wondered about the charm and how it explained how the Robert Taylor character knew she was forever gone from his life. I am sure I simply absorbed the ending after previous viewings, but for some reason, last night I decided to drink every last drop of understanding from this film. And I thought carefully about that good luck charm.

The charm that was with her when she died was, of course, taken by the authorities when they came on scene and removed her body. We had already been introduced to the fact that the Ladies of the Evening had a bit of a community and shared news among themselves as well as the workers in the pubs. Thus, news of the death reached Kitty, who then informed Roy (Robert Taylor). It must have "happened" this way. The authorities showed Kitty and Roy what items were found with Myra. Roy took the good luck charm.

The charm was a unifying element for the story.

[The rest of the story, according to Goldie. LOL]