tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post9050980756327512111..comments2024-02-05T21:23:49.249-08:00Comments on Lady Eve's Reel Life: JOHN M. STAHL...a reappraisal and a reaffirmationThe Lady Evehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-50341980542594338462014-01-31T19:41:53.471-08:002014-01-31T19:41:53.471-08:00I know I am late to the game here but if you ever ...I know I am late to the game here but if you ever get a chance to see Stahl's silent film "Memory Lane" please don't miss it. It's rarely shown but it's truly wonderful. One of my absolute favorites.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00171332556315236652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-77660767220444759702010-12-11T15:20:22.954-08:002010-12-11T15:20:22.954-08:00Doctor, this is an interesting overview of the car...Doctor, this is an interesting overview of the career of a director whose name I did not know. I have seen LEAVE HER TO HEAVEN and the “ill-fated” PARNELL, but I never made the connection to John Stahl. I have also seen both versions of MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION and IMITATION OF LIFE, and while I preferred Stahl’s version of both films I remained ignorant of him as a director. I recently watched ALL THAT HEAVEN ALLOWS with special features that included an interview with Douglas Sirk, and I found it interesting that he didn’t mention the original version of either of these films. I would disagree with you on one point; I actually enjoyed Robert Taylor as the reckless playboy opposite Irene Dunne. I have seen the 1941 version of BACKSTREET, but I would really like to see both films that feature John Boles. Thank you again for your excellent post.whistlingypsyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06126688373252306609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-24208322200520368032010-12-11T09:26:09.106-08:002010-12-11T09:26:09.106-08:00I must admit I am unfamiliar with your topic, and ...I must admit I am unfamiliar with your topic, and must do more research as time permits. I disagree with one comment, your suggestion to NOT see Parnell. Every movie has some redeeming value, even if it is about how not to make a movie. <br /><br />Thanks for the new project!Allen Hefnerhttp://bitactors.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-16415102102131156172010-12-11T03:49:39.837-08:002010-12-11T03:49:39.837-08:00Excellent article. You made excellent points about...Excellent article. You made excellent points about how the tags he was given easily apply to those directors lauded through the Golden Age to present. Yes, Parnell was poor but even Francis Ford Coppola laid an egg with Godfather 3 -- that doesn't detract from his other great films. Plus, 3 of his films became big hits for Ross Hunter when he remade them and Hunter was a savvy producer, so clearly Stahl made quality films. Again, great topic and well done!Gilby37https://www.blogger.com/profile/12559239743969365425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-14262221584804670622010-12-10T19:30:09.435-08:002010-12-10T19:30:09.435-08:00I'm like Eve and Dawn -- I never really put to...I'm like Eve and Dawn -- I never really put together some of Stahl's films, some of my favorites, as his. Leave Her To Haaven, Imitation of Life, Keys of the Kingdom, Back Street -- I love those movies. It always irritates me that critics use the term "women's movies" as a denigrating criticism. It makes what women like seem to be second rate, thus implying that women have second rate tastes. Always made me mad to hear that. Really good article, Doc, about someone I never knew anything about. Enjoyed it a lot.ClassicBeckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03591715859057540467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-7473649800692699232010-12-10T06:36:55.480-08:002010-12-10T06:36:55.480-08:00Doc, I did not realize that I was such a huge fan ...Doc, I did not realize that I was such a huge fan of John M. Stahl. Thank you for a wonderful write up about his work. LEAVE HER TO HEAVEN, is one of my favorite films. I have also wondered how this movie got by the censors.Dawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03476174860119487509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-16986095904702925822010-12-09T16:33:54.650-08:002010-12-09T16:33:54.650-08:00Doctor - Thanks for a great job in support of John...Doctor - Thanks for a great job in support of John M. Stahl. I must admit that, though I'd seen his versions of IMITATION OF LIFE and MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION, I was not aware of him as the director. And tho I'm a fan of Douglas Sirk, I prefer Stahl's versions of those two films. Have seen LEAVE HER TO HEAVEN several times but until recently didn't associate it with John Stahl. The themes and Technicolor glory of LEAVE HER TO HEAVEN do seem to foreshadow Sirk's classic melodramas of the '50s.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-40733322320834701432010-12-09T15:34:59.884-08:002010-12-09T15:34:59.884-08:00Thanks, Doc, for a very informative review! Heck, ...Thanks, Doc, for a very informative review! Heck, if John Stahl had only made one movie and it was LEAVE HER TO HEAVEN, I'd be a fan. It was sheer genius to cast Gene Tierney as a possessive, subtly devious murderer. The swimming scene is a creepy classic!Rick29https://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-74507269381183787932010-12-09T11:10:18.011-08:002010-12-09T11:10:18.011-08:00Perhaps the best thing about "Parnell" i...Perhaps the best thing about "Parnell" is that it gave Carole Lombard the opportunity to play all sorts of good-natural practical jokes on Clark Gable, such as the time he and Myrna Loy had to "get in the mood" for a tragic scene and Carole made sure "I'll Be Glad When You're Dead, You Rascal You" came over the stage sound system. (After the film was released, Lombard reportedly issued fliers humorously promoting it and handed them outside the MGM entrance, much to Louis B. Mayer's chagrin.)VP81955https://www.blogger.com/profile/11792390726196611188noreply@blogger.com