tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224037410105354251.post6464101072788842315..comments2024-03-25T04:55:45.033-07:00Comments on A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE: MOVIE SHOWCASE: OF MICE AND MENUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224037410105354251.post-56689312581204892182011-05-18T05:17:04.489-07:002011-05-18T05:17:04.489-07:00Thanks for all the kind words - I first saw the mo...Thanks for all the kind words - I first saw the movie in one of my classes in college - that was nearly 15 years ago. I think the draw for me is the acting of Burgess Meredith and Lon Chaney Jr.<br /><br />Nothing against the acting of Gary Sinise - but I do not feel the remake in 1992 can compare...David Loboscohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01870831249761911028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224037410105354251.post-7173434993740066552011-05-18T05:15:26.897-07:002011-05-18T05:15:26.897-07:00Lobosco, you have an insightful point about Steinb...Lobosco, you have an insightful point about Steinbeck's biblical approach in his writing. His most notable book with this aspect is East of Eden, with the 2 brothers who are modern Cain and Able.<br /><br />I love Steinbeck and his emphasis on the martyrdom of humanity in this world.ClassicBeckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03591715859057540467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224037410105354251.post-31528141215712731812011-05-17T23:13:43.934-07:002011-05-17T23:13:43.934-07:00I have to confess that when I finally saw this fil...I have to confess that when I finally saw this film a few years ago I did not find it a completely satisfying experience. I found the plot rather contrived in that it follows a lock-step process to inevitable tragedy, an approach I find emotionally distancing. This is, of course, down to the original source and John Steinbeck's obsession with martyrdom. I especially found Betty Field's character hard to take, and it didn't help that I've always thought her a very unsubtle actress. In a way, the story seems almost a strange variation of the fall from paradise with George and Lennie as Adam and Eve and Field as the serpent. Maybe it's Steinbeck's propensity to write parables with Biblical parallels that makes me see the film in this way. Two things that are undeniably strong, though, are the friendship between George and Lennie--whatever its nature--and the unforgettable performance of Lon Chaney, Jr. I've always felt that his failure to get an Oscar nomination as best supporting actor was the biggest oversight of that year.R. D. Finchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05045080274131718843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224037410105354251.post-57067521949611071172011-05-17T20:57:43.100-07:002011-05-17T20:57:43.100-07:00Lobosco, we have a lot in common! I did an articl...Lobosco, we have a lot in common! I did an article about Of Mice and Men on my own blog a while back, and for the same reason I think you picked it -- love for this marvelous film. In every way, I believe it is one of the few flawless films in terms of actors, director, cinematography, set, and of course Steinbeck's incredibly poignant story. Topping it all was the music by the great Aaron Copeland.<br /><br />Your review was a wonderful tribute to this movie, and I am so glad someone with your quality of writing chose it. Thanks so much for sharing it on our blogathon!ClassicBeckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03591715859057540467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224037410105354251.post-59913312304100656232011-05-17T19:25:12.812-07:002011-05-17T19:25:12.812-07:00I love this film. Yes, it may be hard to take, but...I love this film. Yes, it may be hard to take, but Caftan Woman is right -- you can't turn away from it. Two outstanding performances. I'm glad the Academy at least nominated it for best picture and recognized its excellence.Classicfilmboyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01278928051994100842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224037410105354251.post-42380091247939016582011-05-17T17:09:37.396-07:002011-05-17T17:09:37.396-07:00Before I give a comment on this review I'll ex...Before I give a comment on this review I'll explain myself.<br /><br />I've known Gary Sinise for about 16 years now and on one of our visits several years ago he told me about his remake of this film. I was obviously unaware of this remake but after our visit and his discussing filming, choosing Malkovich etc I was intrigued, although aware that it is pretty bold to remake such a classic film.<br /><br />I immediately found the remake and I have to say that although it's stellar the original is top of the line. Just as your review is! A film that translates to today's audiences while being respectful to the sometimes harsh subject matter. <br />Well done!<br />PagePagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15063277863578004836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224037410105354251.post-50552022788758247202011-05-17T14:16:45.551-07:002011-05-17T14:16:45.551-07:00Enjoyed your review very much. Every time I see th...Enjoyed your review very much. Every time I see this film, I wonder whether Lon Chaney, Jr. would have had a more successful career if he had just avoided following in his father footsteps with THE WOLF MAN. Meredith was a fine actor who didn't get a lot of good roles. He appeared in one of my all-time favorite TWILIGHT ZONE episodes.Rick29https://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224037410105354251.post-18931918021065991062011-05-17T13:34:34.215-07:002011-05-17T13:34:34.215-07:00Thanks so much for your great review of a neglecte...Thanks so much for your great review of a neglected classic. It's a beautiful, poignant movie; Burgess Meredith's performance is excellent, but I always think Lon Chaney's acting is really the stand-out; it's a good chance to see what he could do when not in Universal horror films.grandoldmovieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10773085288675763855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224037410105354251.post-77311070643900440122011-05-17T10:54:31.404-07:002011-05-17T10:54:31.404-07:001939s "Of Mice and Men" is one of those ...1939s "Of Mice and Men" is one of those films I shared with my daughter while she was in high school. One day she came home to report that her English teacher had shown the class the 1992 version and while she felt there was nothing wrong with it, she thanked me very much for showing her the classic first.<br /><br />Like the novella on which it is based, "Of Mice and Men" is hard to take, but impossible to turn away from.Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224037410105354251.post-65107526632384809562011-05-17T08:18:29.650-07:002011-05-17T08:18:29.650-07:00A powerful and heartbreaking film, one of the grea...A powerful and heartbreaking film, one of the greats of that great year.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.com