I missed all the good stuff
There probably aren't that many World Records related to old movies, but I'm proud to say that I was recently part of breaking one!
On July 21st, as part of the Chicago Outdoor Film Festival in Grant Park, we officially broke the Guiness World Record for the most people wearing Groucho Marx glasses. They showed Duck Soup and we wore the glasses. Then I swallowed my mustache.
Take that, Missouri!
This is the part of the show where I answer your most popular questions as determined by the number of searches I get on a specific topic in Google Analyics. Many of the questions that I answered last time are still quite popular, but here are some new ones:
- Who is Shiloh?
Good question.
- Where can I watch Doris Day movies?
Just buy them, it's worth it.
- Was Joan Crawford insane?
"NO WIRE HANGERS!!!" Maybe.
- How do you say happy birthday in Austrian dialect German?
Huh?
- In reality, did Christopher Plummer love Julie Andrews?
In reality, how would anyone know that except Christopher Plummer?
- Is 50 too late to come out as gay?
Yes
- What is the Doris Day movie where she's a doctor's wife?
The Thrill of it All, I highly recommend it!
- Was Easter Parade in Wall-e?
Nope, it was Hello Dolly.
- Is 50 years of age too late for tubectomy?
Yes
- Is christopher plumber alive?
Yes, and kickin'.
- Is it too late for love at age 50?
Yep, sorry.
- What is the movie called that has Doris Day in it that's like My Favorite Wife?
That would be Move Over Darling, also a great movie.
- Is James Bond a corny halloween idea?
No, sounds awesome to me!
- In My Fair Lady were Eliza and Henry in love?
Some say yes, some say no. I like to think that they were not "in love" in a romantic sense, because I find that a bit creepy. And really, if they ended up together in a romantic way, what kind of relationship would that be? Kind of crappy.
- Is it too late to date my friend of 8 years?
Probably
- Was Henry Higgins homosexual?
Haha! He sure acts like it, but I think most people would agree that he wasn't meant to be.
- What is the climax of the story Ten Commandments?
Given that the movie is approxomately ten hours long, there may be more than one climax. Maybe when the Jews leave Egypt, maybe when Moses parts the Red Sea, maybe when everyone goes crazy, maybe when Moses gets the actual Ten Commandments.
- Which Vincent Price movie are you?
I don't really understand why anyone would search for this, but if I had to pick I think I'd say House of Wax.
Wow, saw Psycho last night in Grant Park and it was basically amazing! It's a totally different experience watching it on the big screen with a big crowd than it is watching it on TV in the comfort of your own home.
The park was possibly the most crowded I've seen it for a movie, which made it even more awesome because the tension was incredible. Everyone yelled for Marion to not get in the shower, Arbogast to not go into the house, and Lila to not go in the fruit cellar.
There were lots of screams during the shower scene, but they seemed forced since everyone basically knew what was going to happen. The best and most sincere screams came during Arbogast's murder scene. People just aren't ready for it, and the tension that builds as he's walking up the stairs is almost painful.
And of course there were plenty of laughs at some of the cornier ("You think I'm fruity?) and obsecene-by-today's-standards lines. I always find it interesting what people laugh at—things that I don't even notice anymore.
It was also interesting to note when people clapped. Of course, they clapped after each murder scene (because they're either really morbid, or appreciated the awesomeness of each scene? You can never tell).
They also cheered when Norman sinks the car in the swamp. I love that scene because you start out feeling sorry for Norman an account of his crazy mother murdering people and him being left with the dirty work of cleaning up. I always feel a tinge of worry when the car stops sinking into the swamp, and relief when it starts again. But the last shot of his creepy little smile makes you rethink your sympathy.
I think that's what's great about Psycho, it really messes with your head! First you think that Marion and her money is going to be the main piece of the story, but both are quickly disposed of and a whole new plot starts. One the way back to the car, I overheard a couple ladies talking about it and one asked, "So nothing ever happened with the money??" Yup.
The crowd reactions are such a good indication of how the movie's jerking you around. They cheer when Norman sinks the car, but also at the end when he's found out. Throughout much of the movie, you're debating whether to feel sorry for him or scared of him. That's what keeps it interesting. The audience thinks they know what Sam and Lila don't, that the mother is murder-happy, but in the end we learn we didn't know as much as we thought we did.
It's intense, I tell you! And even though I've seen it many times, it still freaks me out. The music alone is enough to get me ... especially on the big screen!
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