Twilight Time Discussion Thread

[SeanJoyce]

Originally Posted by belcherman

Personally, I think Sterling Hayden would have made a perfect Ahab. He would have brought the puritanical, maniacal fervor that the role demanded, plus he actually was an experienced sea captain. I'm guessing Huston needed a name star to get financing, and given that constraint, Peck was a fine choice.

Robert Ryan as well, who did an excellent job as a despotic ship commander in Billy Budd (do Hayden and Ryan ever blur for anybody else?)

Don't want to belabor it too much though, we got Peck and he's serviceable in the role.

Still would have appreciated some Ray Ray though for the whale

[RalphoR]

That would have been something to see. I'd have loved to see what Ray's take on Moby Dick would have been.

[SeanJoyce]

Originally Posted by RalphoR

That would have been something to see. I'd have loved to see what Ray's take on Moby Dick would have been.

Would have been pretty cool as well to see him collaborate with good friend Bradbury, but I guess they had sort of just done that on The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms.

[little idiot]

Just 8 copies left of MOBY DICK

[The Great Owl]

I just finished revisiting Kiss of Death by way of the new Twilight Time Blu-ray.



After serving three years in prison for armed robbery, Nick Bianco, played by Victor Mature (I Wake Up Screaming, Cry of the City), goes the straight and narrow by making a deal with a District Attorney and snitching on his criminal cohorts. Nick subsequently becomes the target of a psychotic killer by the name of Tommy Udo, played brilliantly by Richard Widmark (Road House, Pickup on South Street, Night and the City), and he must protect his family from Udo's vengeance at all costs. The gorgeous Coleen Gray (Red River, Kansas City Confidential, Hell's Five Hours, The Killing) plays Nick's true love who also becomes a likely target for Udo, who has no qualms about collateral damage of innocent bystanders.

This movie belongs to Richard Widmark through and through, and his portrayal of a sick and twisted killer is one of the most intimidating and chilling roles in cinema history. A scene where Widmark pushes an old lady in a wheelchair down a flight of stairs is perhaps the most iconic scene from this film, but I also love a final shooting, where Udo is laughing maniacally. During my childhood, I remember seeing Roger & Ebert (or some other television reviewer?) showing a clip of the final shooting in a discussion about violence in cinema, so it speaks volumes that Widmark's unnerving portrayal of Udo has stood the test of time so well. If you're a fan of the various cinematic portrayals of The Joker in the Batman stories, then you'll find a lot to love with regard to Widmark's work here.

Like many other films noir, I appreciate how Kiss of Death sheds light on the plight of unfortunate World War II veterans who turned to a life of crime after being ignored in the supposedly bustling postwar economy. Life was not always happy and celebratory in those "Greatest Generation" years.

This Twilight Time Blu-ray sports a nice improvement over my old Fox Film Noir DVD, and the commentary tracks, which I'm still listening to now, are informative and engaging.

[drb124]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I just finished revisiting Kiss of Death by way of the new Twilight Time Blu-ray.



After serving three years in prison for armed robbery, Nick Bianco, played by Victor Mature (I Wake Up Screaming, Cry of the City), goes the straight and narrow by making a deal with a District Attorney and snitching on his criminal cohorts. Nick subsequently becomes the target of a psychotic killer by the name of Tommy Udo, played brilliantly by Richard Widmark (Road House, Pickup on South Street, Night and the City), and he must protect his family from Udo's vengeance at all costs. The gorgeous Coleen Gray (Red River, Kansas City Confidential, Hell's Five Hours, The Killing) plays Nick's true love who also becomes a likely target for Udo, who has no qualms about collateral damage of innocent bystanders.

This movie belongs to Richard Widmark through and through, and his portrayal of a sick and twisted killer is one of the most intimidating and chilling roles in cinema history. A scene where Widmark pushes an old lady in a wheelchair down a flight of stairs is perhaps the most iconic scene from this film, but I also love a final shooting, where Udo is laughing maniacally. During my childhood, I remember seeing Roger & Ebert (or some other television reviewer?) showing a clip of the final shooting in a discussion about violence in cinema, so it speaks volumes that Widmark's unnerving portrayal of Udo has stood the test of time so well. If you're a fan of the various cinematic portrayals of The Joker in the Batman stories, then you'll find a lot to love with regard to Widmark's work here.

Like many other films noir, I appreciate how Kiss of Death sheds light on the plight of unfortunate World War II veterans who turned to a life of crime after being ignored in the supposedly bustling postwar economy. Life was not always happy and celebratory in those "Greatest Generation" years.

This Twilight Time Blu-ray sports a nice improvement over my old Fox Film Noir DVD, and the commentary tracks, which I'm still listening to now, are informative and engaging.

I have the Signal One release. Is the Redman, et al, commentary worth going to the trouble to swap out for the TT when/if it goes on sale? The Signal One has the Ursini commentary.

[noirjunkie]

New Low Quantity Alert

Fewer than 10 Copies

Funny Lady
Moby Dick - UPDATE - Sold Out
Violent Saturday

Fewer than 25

Birdman of Alcatraz
Mindwarp

Fewer than 50

The Happy Ending
Runaway Train

Fewer than 100

10 to Midnight
The Believers
Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia
The Hawaiians
Save Your Legs
Solomon and Sheba

[jayembee]

Looks like Moby Dick is now sold out at both sites.

[AndersonVision]

Originally Posted by noirjunkie

New Low Quantity Alert

Fewer than 10 Copies

Funny Lady
Moby Dick - UPDATE - Sold Out
Violent Saturday

Fewer than 25

Birdman of Alcatraz
Mindwarp

Fewer than 50

The Happy Ending
Runaway Train

Fewer than 100

10 to Midnight
The Believers
Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia
The Hawaiians
Save Your Legs
Solomon and Sheba

That's just for Twilight Time.com?

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by AndersonVision

That's just for Twilight Time.com?

I think so. There's still at least 50 copies (cart trick) of Funny Lady and Violent Saturday, neither of which is on sale, at SAE.

[captveg]

Originally Posted by AndersonVision

That's just for Twilight Time.com?

Yes.

Though keep in mind that 10 to Midnight is already sold out at SAE.

[AndersonVision]

Originally Posted by captveg

Yes.

Though keep in mind that 10 to Midnight is already sold out at SAE.

I figured as much. A few of those titles suddenly surging didn't make sense.

[Mose Harper]

The low quantity title that most amazes me is....Happy Ending.

Moby Dick is a classic adventure film. While not in the 80's horror wheelhouse that drives so many quick sell outs, it's still a guy's movie so not too far off the general demographic- as are stuff like Bronsan movies, Peckinpah, etc.

But Happy Ending is (supposedly) a not entirely successful domestic melodrama with an aging cast. The only unanimous positive I've heard about it is the score.

I haven't seen it yet (I picked it up when it was on sale for $25 earlier in the winter), so I'm not criticizing it. I just strikes me odd that this one has been selling so steadily.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by drb124

I have the Signal One release. Is the Redman, et al, commentary worth going to the trouble to swap out for the TT when/if it goes on sale? The Signal One has the Ursini commentary.

All other things being equal, I would personally never double-dip just for an audio commentary track, but the Redman/Kirgo commentary is a lot of fun.

[oildude]

I was not normally a listener of audio commentaries, but all that changed in the past couple of years. I have come to really enjoy the commentaries accompanying noir releases from the different labels. They add so much to my appreciation of these films. I find myself enthusiastic to hear about the technical and historical background and development of these movies. Another bonus is that, in addition to discussing the careers and motivations of the director and the major stars, they often focus on the character actors filling up bits and pieces of the story. Some of these are the most interesting aspect of the film.

You also get a real sense of the post-WWII era in which most of these films were made, and how directors were often influenced by their experiences of living through such "interesting" times. Frequently the commentaries will reference common elements with other noir films to give the viewer a good sense of how rich the genre really is, as well as building some excitement to see more. If you aren't already a committed noir fan, listening to a commentary by Eddie Muller or other knowledgeable film historians like Julie Kirgo and Nick Redman will make you one. I find Twilight Time's commentaries to be especially good, not just for noir, but for other films in the collection also. I find myself appreciating a good commentary more than any other bonus feature.

[Aunt Peg]

Received my order for 12 discs from Twilight today:

Peyton Place
Pretty Poison
Eye of the Needle
Bobby Deerfield
Nine to Five
I Want To Live
Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte
Chilly Scenes of Winter
Nicholas Nickleby
The Barefoot Contessa
Boxar Bertha
Gran Bollito (the only one I have never seen)

Flicked through all of them and they looked great.

[q-BUZZ-p]

Ah shucks, guess I'm too late to pick up Moby Dick. I had ample opportunity to pick it up, but I procrastinated and my mind recently has been busy worrying about things other than movies. I want to purchase a copy from someone for a fair price--item can be opened, because gonna open anyway--, but I will move on and buy a foreign version that region free if nobody has a copy or is trying to price gouge me. I'm glad this sold out though, because it shows people haven't lost their interest in Twilight Time as the appeal still seems strong even as the company has been operating for some years now.

I still think if Panic Room had a 10,000 unit pressing, it would sell out at the $29.99 price in the pre-order stage or a month or so after released. Don't underestimate the cult (fanboys) of David Fincher.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by belcherman

Personally, I think Sterling Hayden would have made a perfect Ahab. He would have brought the puritanical, maniacal fervor that the role demanded, plus he actually was an experienced sea captain. I'm guessing Huston needed a name star to get financing, and given that constraint, Peck was a fine choice.

Well, you can see Sterling Hayden wielding a harpoon in the oddball western Terror in a Texas Town. I like it but Hayden has a Swedish accent which took some getting used to and the soundtrack features a trumpet that sounds (to my ears) like a toy one that you'd give to a kid.

[MassiveMovieBuff]

Originally Posted by q-BUZZ-p

Ah shucks, guess I'm too late to pick up Moby Dick. I had ample opportunity to pick it up, but I procrastinated and my mind recently has been busy worrying about things other than movies. I want to purchase a copy from someone for a fair price--item can be opened, because gonna open anyway--, but I will move on and buy a foreign version that region free if nobody has a copy or is trying to price gouge me. I'm glad this sold out though, because it shows people haven't lost their interest in Twilight Time as the appeal still seems strong even as the company has been operating for some years now.

I still think if Panic Room had a 10,000 unit pressing, it would sell out at the $29.99 price in the pre-order stage or a month or so after released. Don't underestimate the cult (fanboys) of David Fincher.

Panic Room is definitely a day 1 preorder for me. That's one of my favorite Fincher films.

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by hoytereden

Well, you can see Sterling Hayden wielding a harpoon in the oddball western Terror in a Texas Town. I like it but Hayden has a Swedish accent which took some getting used to and the soundtrack features a trumpet that sounds (to my ears) like a toy one that you'd give to a kid.

Terror in a Texas Town is an interesting exercise. Helmed by Joseph H. Lewis (Gun Crazy, The Big Combo), who could turn a low-budget outing into a work of art, and written by Dalton Trumbo (Gun Crazy, Spartacus), it doesn't quite live up to its pedigree but does offer some interesting moments. The movie it most reminds me of is Bad Day at Black Rock. Both concern an unlikely hero coming to a small town with a big secret, a secret involving greed, prejudice and murder. In this one, replace a one-armed vet armed with jujitsu and insert a stolid Swede wielding a harpoon. Sterling Hayden is the Swede and he's got the laconic thing down but he drifts in and out of the Swedish accent during the film, but this being low-budget I'm guessing that there wasn't time for a lot of retakes. One more eccentricity is Sebastian Cabot as the Robert Ryan type boss man. Try as I might, I couldn't help but picture him as Mr. French in Family Affair.

It's not a great film, but it's entertaining just for its sheer quirkiness.