Hope all my fellow Maddicts had a happy Thanksgiving. Let's all name the one dish on our Thanksgiving table that was a total disaster.

My dear sister-in-law believes all vegetables should be served practically raw, thus her brussels sprouts get my vote for being the worst. Hard as bowling balls - so disappointing, as I love sprouts. Of course, the kids and most of our menfolk do not like sprouts, so there was one continuous shudder as the dish made its way around the table - kinda like a wave at the ballpark - so funny!

I didn't have anything I disliked nor did anyone else. But I brought appetizers because I haven't cooked in years and the cocktail franks were good but everyone went nuts over the shrimp toast.

You guys are lucky no one brought Hanna's Grandmother's lime jello/grapes/shrimp concoction.

I hosted this year and did not have time to make sweet potatoes so I outsorced to the local Boston Market (how hard is it?). Well, their idea is 50% sweet potato, 50% brown sugar. I was worried a couple of people woud go into a diabetic coma. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, dessert, all turned out great. One misfire aint so bad.

Dearest POLAR BEAR,

Many thanx for creating a new context for us Maddicts. The Finest show on TV indeed. Ever.

We MUST keep the "home fires burning" during this desolate period without Mad Men.

FYI, again, even tho' I enjoy my Dewars: I never drink -and-drive, ever. Pre and Post, yes, but NEVER during. I highly recommend it-not driving when tipsy, i.e.

I cannot wait to see what they're wearing, Season 3.
And I hear you; Father Gill will either disappear or will prove a prominent influence.

FYI, one of my oft-used passwords for my random accounts is " mashedpotatoes." MMMgood.

Black or White/ Yes or No. . .

As all things in this Life must go . . .

X,
FN

One thing I did not do and have never done and will never do is go out shopping at the butt crack of dawn the day after Thanksgiving. I hate to shop, and the thought of getting out of my nice warm bed to line up outside a store in the wee smalls just to buy something I don't need at a "reduced" price is ridiculous to me. The same goes for the day after Christmas sales. I think there should be laws against opening a store at ungodly hours - I feel so sorry for the poor salespeople.

Hello all...here it is, Sunday night, and I'm feeling like there is a hole in the evening...nice long weekend should end with a Man Men episode to watch.

Our Thanksgiving table was quite nice; good company; the turkey was the best we've had in quite some time -- very flavorful. The biggest disappointment was in my mashed potatoes -- they were quite dry but I managed to salvage them for leftovers on Friday.

Happy early December to us all!

Hello Polar Bear,
Since my Dad's passing 2 months ago, Thanksgiving was non conventional this year. We opted to eat steaks instead of Turkey. My Dad loved Turkey so much. With the steaks, we were able to enjoy the new Thanksgiving tradition.

Oh Yes! Happy Holidays ya'll!!

Polar Bear,
May your brethern never become extinct and your coat never be tainted green with algae because of rising temperatures !

Now that we've survived the "happy holiday," I would like to request that our fellow MADDICTS share their:

(Including all genres!)
I) TOP TEN FAVORITE BOOKS
II) TOP TEN FAV FILMS
III) TOP TEN FAV ALBUMS

I know there are other threads that deal with movies and music relative to the temporal context of MM. But this is a query outside-or not-if some only prefer 60's movies etc-of that realm.

Thanks for assauging my rabid curiousity about the tastes and personalities of fans like us
TA,
FN

Our T-Day was great. But.....

The Sun. before, I bought what I thought was a frozen turkey but it was fresh (meaning you have to cook the thing within 2 days) and it weighed 14 lbs.

I e-mailed the honeysucklewhite.com folks to ask when I should safely cook it and they told me to cook it before Thanksgiving to be safe preferably before Tues.

I got the most wonderful recipe from the lady there on how to cook ahead without it tasting "reheated" -------

Roast it like always, let it "rest" 20--30 min.--- slice it and layer it in a 9 x 13 pan and cover with broth (canned works fine, turkey if poss. chicken fine, also) Cover with heavy duty foil and refrig. for up to 3 days.

Reheat (foil still on) at 350 degrees for 30 min. or til steams.
----------I did it and it tasted fresh carved. You do have to forego the "presentation" but the taste is identical. Even juicer, actually.

Now if I can just figure out how to keep my candied yams from being soupy, I'll have it all worked out. They tasted fine, just soupy. Maybe I should try cornstarch?

And, I agree with you, zerelda! Never will understand the "Black Friday" bit!

Hello Nora darling..I thought about you on Turkey Day and being without your father. It was the first Turkey Day I had without my father (passed away on New Years Day 2008). I hope you are doing better. The first holidays without them are always the most difficult. BTW - your icon with your father is lovely. ;o)
Cheers!

Nora:

Sorry to hear about your Dad. I am glad you decided rejoin our group. Be assured that you have many fans here who want nothing more than to support you. Hey, you're one of us.

P-Bear

Fan-Nan, I put some thought into your question and I approached it as follows:

Assume you have been selected as a crew member of the 18 month manned mission to Mars. Because of space and weight requirements, each crew member is limited as to what they can bring. So I decided that I wanted to bring stuff that would sustain me for the long flight; not stuff that I thought would impress my fellow crew members (in no order of preference).

Books
1. Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
2. One Flew Over the Cuckkoo's Nest
3. The Old Man & the Sea
4. Moondust (by Robert Smith)
5. The Emperors Handbook (by Marcus Aurelius)
6. Hannibal (by Thomas Harris)
7. The Right Stuff
8. Catch 22
9. The Illiad
10. The Bible (about time I read it cover to cover)

Movies
1. The Godfather
2. 2001 A Space Odyssey
3. The Great Escape
4. Caddyshack
5. The Natural
6. Saving Private Ryan
7. Fletch
8. Bullitt
9. Midnight Run
10. The Sopranos Box Set

CD's/Albums

1. The Wall - Pink Floyd
2. Physical Graffiti - Led Zeppelin
3. Beethoven's 9th Symphony
4. Vivaldi's Four Seasons
5. Spanish Nights - Roni Benise
6. Back in the High Life - Steve Winwood
7. Ravel's Bolero - (ya gots to get down, even in space)
8. So What - Joe Walsh
9. The Very Good Years - Frank Sinatra
10. Atomic Dog - George Clinton & the P-funk Allstars

Zerelda: My dear....do you have small children???? I do and the only way I can get the 'cool' toys they want 'santa' to bring them is to go shopping on "Black Friday"!

If you are not buying for small children and do not want an expensive electronic item for cheap...by all means STAY in bed!!! But BF is somewhat of a necessity for my family's happy Christmas morning....

oh yeah and RERUN some Mad Men please! for real....

But, MsDMAC, you shouldn't have to, dear heart. People were buying toys and celebrating Christmas for a great many years without having to act like lunatics to do so. Store owners should keep their normal hours, have their special sales, and treat their customers AND the sales staff with common courtesy and respect. I can think of one family whose "happy Christmas morning" has been shot to hell and gone thanks to some Black Friday shoppers. Personally, I would never be able to look my children in the face again, if I were responsible for that man's death just for some toys or some electronic gadget I could live perfectly well without.

Hi Drink & Smoke!
That was last Christmas with my Dad! I'm glad you noticed! It took me the longest time to set up pictures on my brothers pc. I have lots of pictures with my Dad that I'll post.
It is sad to spend Holidays without your Father. I'm sure it was equally as hard for you. Here's to our fathers and may they be well in heaven.
Polar Bear,
Yes, it was lonely without Dad, but what can you do? Like I said we had steaks for Thanksgiving, but the next day I made some Turkey soup and here came the tears. Oh boy!
Hope everyone enjoys some lovely holidays and with the list of movies you are making, how can we miss. Excellent list!

Nora, I know what you mean about being an "orphan" on holidays. (yes, you still feel like an orphan---even though you are middle aged when they go!)

My last Thanksgiving with my Mom was in 1996 and with my Dad was 2005...so it has been over a decade without her and just a few years without him on holidays...it does get easier to bear (you just become accustomed to their abscence, but you still miss them just as much!)

I recall thinking (still do)---how can people celebrate and have fun with "them" gone---how can the world keep spinning when "they" are no longer here?

"Fun" seemed impossible for me, but I put on a front for my son and husband and brother (also now gone---this was my first T-Day without him, since his passing last April)

I do feel for you trying to muddle through the season, but we are all thinking of you and praying for your strength to continue now more than ever.

Hang in there, Nora, sweetie, and lean on us when needed. That's what we're here for!

Also, the same thoughts to you, D&S, as you struggle through this first "season" without your Dad as well...Take Care and All Best Wishes to You, too!!

Be sure to lean on us fellow Maddicts/Buds whenever you feel the need. We all can relate and want to hear your thoughts.

Nora, your Dad looks like a dear man in that pic. I know he was a winner.

Someone should do a thread during Dec. for us to post our fave pics of our loved ones (as our avatars) who have gone on ahead so we can all see them.

BTW, anyone know what happened to jamm54 and Laurie B.????

I miss 'em!

HI
Holidays are bittersweet for those who are spending time with empty seats at the table.. Nora and Polar Bear I'm thinking of you and hoping that you can find ways to create new traditions that will incorporate sweet memories.
Our rowdy crowd gets a litte somber too but my brother and I find a lot of comfort in telling stories about our parents . They always lead to laughter and just a few tears...
Here's one about our dad., overheard by my brother as he was making breakfast the morning after Chirstmas.. Dad was having coffee and reading the newspaper. My nieces (one hi-schooler, one Jr hi-schooler..) were also reading the sales ads and thinking about spending gift certificates .. Lauren, to her sister, says "let's go to Target, they have some CD's I want"... Dad perked up his ears and joined the conversation...." 1st, I just want to say how proud I am that you girls are really learning to look to the future and make long term investments.. 2nd, I had no idea you could buy CD's at a store, I always have to go to the bank what rate is Target paying?".... He went back to his coffee and the sports page ... The girls were non-plussed but happy that Grandpa did not seem like he wanted to join them on their shopping extravaganza...
My brother turned off the french toast, left the room and had a good laugh... We laugh still ....

Hi Scfan,
It's so nice to hear from you once again. I'm sorry about your brother. God, that must be hard. It all is a real journey. My Dad was a real winner. Thanks for your kind remarks. I'll post more pics with him. He was the sweetest ever.
Jamm54 has a post a about the books!
And Laurie B. was headed to New York for the meeting I believe. I almost went too, but got too late to make arrangements.
Hope we'll all meet one day and give real hugs.
Happiest of Holidays to you and if God permits me to say, God Bless.

I just have to tell you about one book.... It has nearly ruined my life, but I re-read it and welcome the characters back like friends I've been missing...
Lonesome Dove
If you are not Larry McMurtry fans, this story could be a life changing event.... I fell so deeply in love alternately w/ Gus and Capt Woodrow Call that mere mortals were a waste of time...
I often join new book club discussion groups just to suggest the book to new people... If you have a hankering for the old west and want to trail a herd just one time, get a copy and saddle up!

Thanks Nana Benz,
For your sweet remarks and the story of the cd's so funny! How sweet. And, I'll certainly curl up with Lonesome Dove one day.
Again, Happiest of times with your families and friends during this Season!

Hi all,
My deepest condolences to Nora. My Dad passed in Jan. of 2007. Trust me it does get easier. Just keep talking about your Dad and you will heal. Cute story Nana about the CD's! lol.
We should have nicked name our Dad "Drink&Smoke" He loved it. Whiskey and those cigars with the tips on them with the Lady on the front. He had to have the ones in the red box.

One of my favorite movis is "Moonstruck" I never get tired of watching it. Of couse since it's Christmas time I always, always watch these movies that I have at home:
1. Bell, Book and Candle (really cute and very 60's)
2. Christmas in Connecticut
3. It's a Wonderful Life (of course)
4. White Christmas

Hi all,
My deepest condolences to Nora. My Dad passed in Jan. of 2007. Trust me it does get easier. Just keep talking about your Dad and you will heal. Cute story Nana about the CD's! lol.
We should have nicked name our Dad "Drink&Smoke" He loved it. Whiskey and those cigars with the tips on them with the Lady on the front. He had to have the ones in the red box.

One of my favorite movis is "Moonstruck" I never get tired of watching it. Of couse since it's Christmas time I always, always watch these movies that I have at home:
1. Bell, Book and Candle (really cute and very 60's)
2. Christmas in Connecticut
3. It's a Wonderful Life (of course)
4. White Christmas

Dearest Nora Paradisio,
So terribly sorry to hear about your recent Tragedy; alas, Death is such an unalterable/inexplicable part of Life. My heart goes out to your suffering.

My sweet and brilliant father died 3 years ago and I am still recovering. He was a Presbyterian minister and always prompted me to keep my Scotch under the sink. He was super-conservative but loved the occasional bawdy joke.

My fav all-time quip of his was (hope not to offend any of us adults. . .)
WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU CROSS A WHORE WITH A COMPUTER?

A FUCKING KNOW-IT-ALL!

On another note, I love how folks are responding about their fav literature and movies and music.

Polar Bear-Bless You for creating this thread- I can't wait to print out some of your favs. I too, love 2001, Pink Floyd, and The Sopranos, and Catch 22.

I trust we can keep this intriguing dialogue going for a while!

ALL THE BEST TO YOU ALL!

Chelsea and fancynancy,
Thanks for your loving thoughts. It makes me warm all over. I love the stories about their personalities. It's very endearing. My love to all.

fancynancy....HILARIOUS!!!!

Love everyone's favorite Christmas movies.

And Nana Benz, lllooooooove "Lonesome Dove"...book and mini-series. That is a classic and Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones were born to play their parts! Thanks for mentioning it.

One of my more recent favorites, along with all the movies you all have named already, is "Holiday Affair" with Robert Mitchum and Janet Leigh. I

It is a sweet old-fashioned movie and the little boy who played Janet Leigh's son is absolutely adorable. He plays his part to gap-toothed perfection. I look forward to it every year now.

Thank you SCfan and Nora for your posts. I sure appreciate the kind words. Chelsea, sounds like your Dad enjoyed his whiskey and cigars. ;o) We all seem to have a connection that keeps us blogging together. Cheers to all that are keeping this Mad Men blog alive. ;o)

I know I've posted this awhile back on another thread (I believe it was when Nora's dear Dad first passed away) if anyone wants to see a "Dad" video clip that is both sweet and sentimental (and not a little bit corny) go to YouTube and type in "My Dad Paul Petersen" and watch.

If nothing else, it is good for a nice cry. Gets me every time. It does capture the way I felt/feel about my Dad and I'm sure all of you did/do about yours as well....sniff

Well, I am so envious of all of you when you talk so lovingly about your fathers. Great stories! My dad died when I was 2 years old. He was out in the garden picking tomatoes and had a heart attack. He left my mother with 6 little kids to raise. Bless her heart, she did her very best by us - such a good mommy - we lost her just 2 years ago, and it still hurts not to have her with us. Having lived my life without a father, I just melt when I hear father/daughter stories. If anyone ever doubts the importance of a father in a child's life, I am here to tell you, it is a terrible loss. The only time I have ever been envious of my older siblings is when they share memories of our father, as I have no memories of him. I am so glad the writers sent Don Draper back home, as I was really starting to worry about Sally and Bobby not having their Daddy around - that's just how much a sentimental old gal I am about children and their fathers - even a work of fiction gets to me!

I love my dad..my kids love theirs... but my dear friend is no longer with us and left his kids fatherless...he took his own life thanksgiving night. ironic part is he was depressed over his own father's death in september....sad sad story

Yes, zerelda, the father/daughter bond is one that is one of enormous importance.

I am so sorry you never got to know yours. You can be sure he is waiting for you in Heaven to take up where he left off.

My Dad used to scratch my back until his arm fell asleep at night as we all watched those old '60's TV shows. He'd try to gradually slack off so I would not notice and I'd pipe up "It still itches, Daddy!" and he'd start scratching away again at full speed.

He wrote on my birthday card he gave me when I turned 50 that I had the itchiest back he ever heard of!

He was just a classic '50's--'60's Dad and there are so many wonderful memories of him it's hard to even begin to single one out.

I do remember once when I had a cat that got run over next to our house, I wanted him to bury it in the back yard by our other pets (a dog and a parakeet) by the back fence and he started to dig the little grave---the poor carcass was flattened with it's arms and legs out, gingerbread-man style!---
I told him to "make it so he doesn't have to be bent!" and sure enough, he dug it in the shape of the deceased with two arm and leg spaces coming out from the body area--- and we put him down in it with all his stiff appendages undisturbed to go to cat heaven! He even had a little "service" with me for it.

MsDMAC, our posts crossed it looks like.

So very sorry to hear about your Dad. You can be sure we are all praying for you in your loss.

Take Care and Many Hugs....(((((( : - } )))))))

Yep Dad's can also say the nicest things to their daughters that they will always remember and appreciate. I remember when I was in my twenties and oh so insecure. Dad asked me why I didn't have a boyfriend being such a good looking blonde. I said oh Dad good looking blondes are a dime a dozen. He said to me well you're one of the dozen. Thirty years later I still remember him saying. And to this day I never miss a chance to tell a young person how nice they look. Because I remember those insecure years. Anyway there is a beauty in youth that if realized when we were young we wouldn't have agonized so.

Of course now it's just to be alive....

To MsDMAC so sad to hear of your loss. I will ditto SC fans thoughts and you are in my prayers too. My Dad had an episode of depression at one time fortunately he got the help he needed. Everyone has a story as Opra says.

Very cute story about your Dad SC fan...

@D&S crazy how our Dad's passed in January. Seems like they wanted to make it through the holidays and then go on to the next watering hole so to speak. I know he has lots of buddies up there and I feel him checking in on me from time to time. In fact they are probably having a better time then we are...

I know the orphan feeling. I lost both my parents in 1988. One in May, the other in October. I was thirty and am an only child. I hate Mother's Day and my poor children still do not understand that I jsut want them to send gifts and cards to my mother-in-law.

I think that is why I like the net. I can feel close to many of you. If anything ever where to happen to a member, I would be heart broken. ( it has happened before in other forums) I seem to distance myself from real people. Many call me friend, and that is okay. I jsut call them aquaintances.( to myself) The odd thing is, I will tell people like you more about my feelings than my aquintances, who feel I am the best listener in the world.

I did not understand why so many thought Betty was a bad mother, because I distance myself from my own children. At first it was because both were born with kidney problems that could have been life threatening. Now, since my heart attack in June, I do it so they will not miss me. The upside to all this mess I call "me" is that my husband grew up with me, understands and he is the hugger in our family. The girls love me as I am for now, because until they have a loving mother-in-law or someone like that, they do not know any better. The other upside is that my doctor think it will make me a good nurse.

Sorry I rambled, but thank you for being here.

57Chevy, I know what you mean about feeling close to the people on this forum. We have never met and wouldn't know each other if we passed on the street, but we are friends.

Gee, I sure wish I could be at the Mad Men party in New York City on Saturday night. I have had just a crappity-doo-da Fall, and a MM party would be great fun. I am a physical wreck, and even though they say I will soon be my old self again, I am sure not feeling like it. It has been weeks now, and I feel like I will never find myself again. But, enough of the pity party. I hope all of our friends who go to the NYC party have a wonderful time. I am sure, being the MADDICTs you are, that it will be a swellegant, elegant affair, to quote Mr. Porter, and remember, the rest of us want ALL the details!

For 57Chevy and Zerelda... Until I saw your words in print, I was unaware of my own 'long range' distance in being with many people, and even longer distance from ones I love and who care for me too... It's nearly an out of body feeling, as tho I'm on the outside looking in ...
I have a strongly disconnected approach and have not known how to describe it ..Since loosing both of my dear parents I have been unwilling to let others get too close..I don't see it as a fear of intimacy so much as a guard against more loss that is bound to come my way. Totally unavoidable and surely I'm smart enuf to know that it happens to everyone and I ought to be able to get passed it, yet I do nothing to change it....the whole package of behavior makes me feel superficial and I hate it.
This MM blog is my 1st venture into sharing and I have so much enjoyed reading other maddicts insights I hardly know how to express myslf.Thanks to you all for being out there..

Well, guys, I have to say I feel the same way...closer to you guys than folks I know "in person"...glad to know I'm not as wierd as I thought!

zerelda, I want you to know that your describing feeling like you "will never be your old self again pushed a button with me... just want to encourage you to hang in there...I had a hysterectomy in spring 2006 and I mean it took me just until last summer to begin to start to feel like "me" again.

I remember thinking I was a "wreck" and would never be myself again. I felt like the me I knew before my surgery was gone forever. I still had a lot of the pelvic pain that forced my surgery... and knew I could not stay on pain meds forever...Rx for pain finally ran out and I was panicked.

I finally got up one day about a week later and the pain was gone on it's own. I don't question it, but realize it is the result of prayer. And the passage of time, I suppose. I have a cousin who had pain after her surgery for 2 years, as well--- and then it just disappeared.

Who can understand these things? I don't claim to, just am grateful.

I even had to go to a "mental facility" for a short time the first summer after my surgery...and now I am totally back to my old self.

Never never never thought it would happen, (well, I'm as "normal" as I ever was...born crazy, you might say! lol)

I'm with you, z, I wish I could go to the party Sat. night! boooo hooooo...the lucky Maddicts there had indeed better post pics and stories...

PLUS, I HOPE MATT W. SHOWS UP THERE---HE DID IT FOR THE "BASKET OF KISSES" GUYS...SO?? IT'S ONLY FAIR...WE'RE ALL JUST AS FANATIC AS THEY ARE!!!! LOL

hope hope.....

@Nana Benz, I agree with you about putting up a guard after losing loved ones.

I have done the same thing with my husband and son after my Mom passed in '97 and again, to a deeper degree, when my Dad joined her in '06.

It's hard to show love to the degree one once did after one realizes that the loved can suddenly be ripped from one with no warning and with shattering intensity (of the resulting emotional pain).

I love them more than ever, but it is hard for me to express it anymore, and I used to be very demonstrative. Strange, but true...

LOVELY LOVE to and from you dear people.

I wd. adore it if ya'll cd. express yourselves in a different way and can talk about your all-time fav books/movies/music.

It is so interesting and challenging to think about and narrow down; quite difficult actually.

Please try. . .

CHEERS!

A dish that was a total disaster?

My carrot cake.

I have used this recipe since 1988 and have made literally hundreds but it was a no go for T-Day:

One layer never baked through. I tried to slide it off the plate and it hit the table in a pile of goo.

The other layer burned on the perimeter.

I tasted that layer; it tasted fine but I wound up pitching the entire schmengy.

MadMenSuze, why does that happen with recipes you have made a kazillion times? I made a cranberry cherry jello recipe that I thought was fool proof (with me as the fool) as I had made it so often, and it was quite strange and nothing like it used to be.

Fancynancy, I have just started to re-read the Cazalet Chronicles by Elizabeth Jane Howard. There are four books in this series about an English family from the 1930s through WWII. Very well written and such a pleasure to read.

I love books with an English setting, so I love all the old English detective stories by Christie and Sayers, etc., and the newer ones by Ruth Rendell and Martha Grimes, among others. Of course, Jane Austen and Dickens are old favorites, and Joanna Trollope from present day. Another old favorite is "84 Charing Cross Road" by Helene Hanff. Great book and a very good little movie with Anne Bancroft, Anthony Hopkins, and Judi Dench.

My older sister has recently suggested I start reading a series of books by an English writer, Anthony Powell, entitled "A Dance to the Music of Time." I am hoping I will like his work, as I love finding new authors with a number of works published so I can start at the beginning and really wallow in a good long read.

Will talk about music another time, although I must say, I was so surprised to hear "Stranger on the Shore" playing as background music for Betty and her stranger - that is my all time favorite song as played by Acker Bilk - that song touches my heart and mind like nothing I have ever heard. Wow, a long post - please excuse!

Some of my top favorite movies are:
- West Side Story
- The Godfather
- Dr. Zhivago
- Once Upon a Time in America
- The Way We Were
- Picnic
- Some Like it Hot
- Vertigo
- Fatso
- Of Human Bondage

There are many more but....

I'll also get back to you with fave books and
albums.

Getting ready for tomorrow night at P.J.Clarke's.
Will let you know how it went!

Chelsea, beautifully put..thank you darling. ;o)
Cheers ;o)

Watching the piece on Entertainment Tonight about Revolutionary Road...it sure is Mad Men-y looking.

I hope it is as good as the previews appear to be.

I do like both Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, so....let's hope.

Since I haven't thought about socializing, I could have gone to PJ Clarks, instead I made reservations to come to LA on the 5th. I noticed too late that I could have gone to LA via NY!!!!! Booooh! But, I'm glad to know that I feel strong enough to come home. And, I'm home in LA, Hooray!!! Those of you in LA area must get together with me. I would love to meet you.
Love,
Nora

East, West, home is best. Life goes on, Nora, and now you have another guardian angel watching over you.

Hi zerelda, you are so right about guardian angels!

Even now I can "hear" my Mom (and sometimes my Dad, but not as often) in my mind guiding me through.

Sometimes I also can feel her/his presence in the room as well. It's certainly not like having them here but it is comforting nontheless. I am still waiting for my brother who passed on in April to "visit" me but feel like he is still getting accustomed to Heaven and will "visit" me in his own good time.

Take Care All! Love you guys....

Sorry to say, I just lost my dad on Dec. 6th. He had such a great sense of humor. At the end, he was hallucinating from the meds and he said,"Get your mother, pay the check and let's get the heck outta here." He was 93 and a super guy.I have been writing his obituary today.

Oh, Flowerpower, sweetie, I am so sorry to hear this. How very sad for you. Keep remembering the good times with your father and family, and you will come through this. Those good memories will keep him with you always.

MsDMAC,
Did this happen this thanksgiving? It such a tragedy. I am so sorry. Please take good care of yourself and tell us how you are doing.
Please
flowerpower,
Oh my God! I'm so sorry. It's such a process. I will be here with you. Please let me know how you are doing. Please take care of you and talk to us when you can. So, so sorry!

flowerpower, so sorry to hear about your Dad.

Your Maddict buds are all thinking of you and praying God will see you through.

It is so true that your memories will see you through. Right now it hurts to think of all the things you have lost, but in time thinking of your Dad will bring you comfort and gratefulness for all the years with him.

Hang in there and lean on us all you need to. We want to be there for you. God Bless

SCFan: Thank you for missing me! I've been away awhile and am so glad to see you all are still conversing away. How wonderful. I was planning on going to NY but we had a horrendous fire in our 'hood. A huge house went up in flames in a matter of seconds and was totally burned to the ground. The family is bunking in with my ex-hubby and I'm sharing "guest" duty. What a tragedy. This happened Thurs., the 4th.

MsDmac: What a horribly sad story.
FlowerPower: I'm so sorry to hear about your dad.
So many tragic things seem to happen around the Christmas holidays.

Drink/Smoke/ Nancy/ Fancy / 57Chev / Nora / Gail / OldFash/ Dry /, etc.: Hello everyone! I missed you all!

Zerelda: Love your photo - that's the real you, isn't it? What a dish!! P.S. I also HATE shopping.

SCFan: Love your new Sandra pic as well.

PolarBear: Are you serious? 2001 Space Odyssey? That's on my all-time 'movies to hate' list.

Chelsea: Love your avator too. Carole Baker? Or Jean Harlow?

.....Hey Laurie, hey SCfan......good to see you.

flowerpower, I am so sorry to hear about your dad....you've been through a lot, and I wish you peace.

LaurieB, good to see your beautiful face again, but no, that is not me. I am using a picture of the lovely Judi Dench as she is my favorite actress and also because my sisters all say I look like her - sisters can be so kind, can't they? Welcome back to the forum, and please, don't stay away so long - you've been missed.

Hi LaurieB,
Sorry to hear about your fire. Hope you are doing okay. My photog is Jean Harlow. She was, in my opinion, a hilarious actress. Did you ever see Dinner at Eight, or Red Dust?
Ditto on the Space Odyssey... What are you thinking Polar? :-)

Chelsea and Laurie B: you are not alone in your dislike of Kubrick. Steven Spielberg hated "The Shining" when he first saw it. Later in life, he said that it is now one of his favorite films.

At my age, I know there are some fights not worth fighting. This is one of them. I will just leave it with I respect your opinion. Kinda like explaining the Three Stooges to someone.

Hi Laurie B., glad you're back, but sorry for your troubles of late. Hope things are lining out a bit for you.

I'm with zerelda, why post a pic of oneself (unless one is as cute as Laurie!) when one can post a pic of what people tell them they look like! LOL

Yes, folks have told me all my life I look like Sandra Dee and I feel flattered. I can see the resemblance a bit but not as much as other folks evidently.

When I was a teen I was told I looked like her and also Colleen Corby! Flattering is not the word. I wish I could see it! But, like z. says, it's nice to hear! ha

I think Judy Dench is a good looking/classy dame! Not to mention a great actress.

Hey Polar, I will say that 2001 is a mixed bag for me.

I love parts of it, but I always think "what the hell is that door thing!!??" I have just decided it must BE a door and Kubrick was smokin' sumpthin' when he wrote that part!

Also, Keir Dullea's "fetus"... pretty imaginative...but crazy.

Remember when all the hippies flocked to see it because of the "psychedelic" trip Keir took right before he went back to fetus state?! What a crazy movie. I can see someone being fascinated by it.

The only thing I find fascinating about "2001 SO" is the fact that I always find myself watching it when I stumble across it on TV. I tell myself I don't like it, but I always watch at least a little bit, everytime. I think we all have movies that we watch when we find them on TV, no matter how many times we have seen them before. I know I can always count on my husband to watch "Last Train From Gun Hill" with Kirk Douglas and Anthony Quinn. We have watched that movie so many times we can recite all the dialogue. It is quite fun actually! We each try to say the lines before the other does. He also feels duty bound to watch any Clint Eastwood western - it must be a guy thing.

As for me, I absolutely must watch "Indiscreet" with Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant - I adore that movie, and I always cry with Ingrid at the end when Cary says "Don't cry, darling, you'll like being married!" Cary Grant.....sigh...I also love the two of them in "Notorious." Imagine, being able to say you kissed Cary Grant, even if it was only in a movie......

Funny story about 2001: When I was in 8th grade, the nuns took us to see that movie on a field trip! What were THEY smokin'!?

Everything's fine here; thanks everyone for asking.

I posted the following on another thread in response to a question from LaurieB. I am posting it here, also, as I am extremely upset at what the rest of the U.S. must be thinking of Illinois' citizens for having elected this nincompoop.

I am quite certain the man must be nuts. Today's his birthday, and I had to laugh this morning when my husband asked if I thought the Gov. would be dining on cooked goose tonight! But that is the only laugh to be had in this disgusting turn of events.

My only consolation in this mess is the knowledge that I did not vote for him this last time. I will admit I voted for him the first time, but that was because he was running on a platform of cleaning up the crooked politics and "business as usual" mess that Republican Governor George Ryan had left behind - the same Gov. Ryan currently in prison. Gov. Blago pledged to run a clean administration, and he got into office on the anti-Republican feelings then rampant in Illinois. It was not long, however, before downstaters realized that the man had an ego bigger than Illinois. He proved himself in the first 4 years to be woefully inept at running state government and absolutely incapable of keeping his word. How did he get re-elected? Let us all bow down to the Chicago/Cook County Democratic machine - they managed to keep him in office, but I am fairly certain even they are wondering what in hell they were thinking.

The state of Illinois is in an absolutely abysmal financial condition, and it cannot be blamed on the current state of the U.S. economy - Gov. Rod B.'s fine egomaniacal hand stirred the pot of this wretched mess we Illinoisans find ourselves in, aided unfortunately by the endless squabbling by the members of our legislature and other elected officials who couldn't seem to find a way to work around our lying, back-stabbing, crooked jackass of a governor.

While I am sure there are many Chicagoans who are appalled and aghast at the actions of this man, we in downstate Illinois are more than a little bitter and angry that Chicago/Cook County continues to foist these corrupt individuals upon the rest of the State. Governor B. has always boasted proudly of being a man of Chicago, and he refused to live in the Governor's Mansion in Springfield. He characterized downstate Illinois as the hicks, and refused to raise his children here. Well, downstate Illinois can now proudly say he was never our man - Chicago bred him and Chicago can have him.

As a downstate Illinoisian..what she said.
Local newspaper editorial board has condemmed and discredited the Gov for the last 3 or 4 years, not surprizing for a conservative journal but the facts of the budget shortfall and unbridled spending go beyond partisan blather..
The gov seems to have no low bar standard so I'll just have to be embarrased for him...

Sooo.... in all honesty, and keeping in mind that Chicago machine politics are at the core of everything political in Illinois, do you really, sincerely believe that Obama will come out of this unscathed? He was a part of the machine and it's how he was elected to his first seat in the state legislature. And what about Jesse Jackson Jr? I can't stand his father, but I like this guy and think he'll come out of this in good shape. I'd like to see him advance politically. Your thoughts? Any input?

I just hate the direction this country's taken the past 10-20 years. That's why we escape in shows like MadMen... ah the "good" old days.

Senator Obama, excuse me, President Elect Obama, is not, in my opinion, a product of Chicago's Democratic machine. It is one of the many reasons I voted for him - he does not carry the taint of Chicago politics - how he managed it, I do not know, but he has my respect for that fact among many others.

I like Jesse Jackson, Jr., too, so I hope he emerges unscathed from Blago's dirty shenanigans.

Back in the days of Mad Men, the early 60s, we in Illinois were blessed with Mayor Daley Senior who ran Chicago with an iron glove. We elected Otto Kerner way back then, and he was the first of our illustrious governors to be hauled off to the hoosegow once out of office. Of course, we must not forget their crony, Secretary of State Paul Powell - he is famed in Illinois for the discovery, after his death, of shoe boxes full of money stored in his room at the St. Nicholas Hotel in Springfield - offerings, no doubt, from grateful citizens for a job well done on their behalf. What? Elected officials don't take tips where you come from??!!

All these recent comments about Cary Grant...caught him and Loretta Young in "The Bishop's Wife" last night and wow...talk about a TV screen full of gorgeous...those 2 shouldn't have been allowed to be so gorgeous...wow...again.

I'm with you, zerelda...just to have been kissed by those lips attached to that gorgeous face (CG) "even in a movie" must have been somethin' else. sigh sigh.....S I G H ......

I always love the scene in North by Northwest where he is cutting through that woman's hotel room (apt?) running from the bad guys to go out on the ledge... and she grabs her glasses on her nightstand (she's in bed) and screams "Stop!!!" and (when gets a good look at CG) ... purrs "Stop???!"

He just says "Uh Uh Uhhh!" shaking his finger at her and goes on out the window onto the ledge!

So funny, sexy and classic!

I love the way the older movies "hint" at things and don't resort to hitting viewers over the head.
(meaning for him not to

Oops...don't know what that last line meant! lol

@zerelda...just read your comment on another thread about your watching "The Bishop's Wife" last night as well.

Am I right or am I right about the TV screen being full of gorgeous??!!!

What beautiful people they were. Not to mention good actors!

David Niven was attractive, too...

I love him in "Please Don't Eat the Daisies" he and Doris Day are so good together.

Oh, I had forgotten about "Please Don't Eat the Daisies," - pretty good movie from a funny book. Yes, David Niven was quite good, as was Doris Day, but then, they were good in everything they did.

SCfan, remember David Niven at the Oscars during the "streaker" craze? Standing there, trying to present an Oscar, when a naked man runs across the stage behind him, and he has the presence of mind to ad lib that hilarious remark about the man showing his shortcomings!

Welcome back Laurie B. and Dry Manhatten! ;o) It's just not Happy Hour without everyone. Great comments on those old movies. They really are great to watch. It's about time to break out "It's A Wonderful Life" isn't it? No Christmas is complete without it. Cheers! ;o)

Yes Drink & Smoke it is time to break out "Wonderful Life" Love it have it on VHS.
@SC Fan I missed Bishop's Wife the other night but have seen it before. Fortunately I have it at home on DVD so I will crank up my a.c. and lite my fire place and watch it this weekend - Love it. I agree David Niven is quite good looking. I will have to watch "Don't eat the Daisies" I wonder if it is one of our required movies?
Didn't mean ot offend you Polar Bear about Space Odyssey. Hey I never liked the "Shining" but watched it recently and really kinda liked it. Wonder if you like "Moonstruck"? I can watch that anytime. How about you? Another holiday movie that's so so is "Holiday Affair" anyone seen that one? It has Janet Leigh and Robert Mitchen in it.

These were great posts above: Movies, politics... wish we all lived where we could meet in person and discuss these lively topics.
Ms. Zerelda you were most interesting in regard to your insights on your beleagured gov. Being a former downstater myself, I am always interested in the goings on. Man will the corruption ever stop! I will admit it took me a while to warm to Obama because I know how corrupt Chicago politics are. And he does have some shady ties. I thought he would do a good job and he seems to be getting right in there with good ideas and good people. Now I wonder if/how this will affect him.

@D&S...love love love Wonderful Life...isn't Christmas without it. Jimmy Stewart is the best there is period, esp. in that movie. Donna R. also soooo good in it. I adore that movie and that is putting it mildly.

Yes, z. I recall that moment with David Niven/the streaker at the Oscars...so funny and so clever of him. Classic.

I have loved this thread and reading everyone's tidbits about Hollywood. Great reading. Can't wait for the next one on Loretta Y. and Grey Flannel Suit...adore Gregory Peck...he's right up there with Jimmy Stewart and Cary Grant.

Oh, and Chelsea, I posted up there about Holiday Affair with Robert M. and Janet L. I agree it's kinda so so, but it has it's moments and the little boy who plays her son is soooo cute I think.

I think it's coming on pretty soon...forgot which day. I love the speech Robert M. gives at the dinner table about being in love with Janet--- plus I never could see what anybody would ever see in Wendel Corey (her fiance before RM takes her away from him!) anyway...ick.

Laurie B./SC Fan, my funny 2001 story is that my Mom took me to that movie in 1968. I think the theater was the Regency, located in the Sunset District, very close to Haight-Ashbury. The audience was as wild as the last act of the movie. The intermission was a sea of tied-dye and long hair. Talk about the ultimate trip. It was probably my first contact high.

Chelsea, no harm, no foul. I did not take offense by your comments. Much of Kubrick's work affects the viewer on a subconsious level. I'll give one example from this movie. Astronaut Frank Poole is lying under a sun lamp when a message from his parents arrives. The computer HAL alerts Frank and starts the video message. Just as the image of his parents with a birthday cake appears on the screen, Frank says, "a little higher HAL". As a viewer, we just assume he is talking about the volume of the video. Or maybe he meant the intensity of the sun lamp. As the moment almost passes, HAL raises the back rest ever so slightly so that Frank can better view of the message. We know it is the correct response because Frank says nothing more and we, the audience, just let the scene pass. Yet, the magnitude of this small gesture is huge - HAL can anticipate the needs of a human and even make the correct decision when he is given unclear or contradictory direction. There have been entire essays written about HAL's conciousness and that he evolved into some kind of life form - he appears to have rudimentary emotions like pride, suspicion and fear. Yet most striking is his desire to survive, which leads him down the path of deceit and murder.

Yes, I do like Moonstruck. However, if I were to pick a romantic comedy on my trip to Mars (see my favorites above), I'd go with Crossing Delancey. As a kid from a blue collar family, I relate to Peter Reigert's pickle guy winning the heart of Amy Irving's wanna be writer. Also, the matchmaker just kills me in that movie.

I am glad SC mentioned fellow Cal alum Gregory Peck. As the only guy on this forum (I could be wrong), I have to nominate the Guns of Navarone, especially the scenes with Peck and David Niven. And let's not forget Atticus Finch, the only fictional character worthy of being called a "role model".

Oh, Polar Bear, I adored "Crossing Delancey"! I wish it would come on TV some time soon, as I have not seen it in ages. Thank you for reminding me of that great little love story.

SCfan, Wendell Corey ranks with the best of the thrown away boy friends, as I call them. Ralph Bellamy, Tony Randall, Randolph Scott are a few of the others. The guys that never get the girl 'cause somebody better comes along and sweeps her off her feet - like a Cary Grant or a Robert Mitchum. Although, I do recall in "The Grass is Greener," Deborah Kerr went from Cary Grant to Robert Mitchum and back to Cary Grant (as who wouldn't - I'm just sayin'). That was a good little movie from 1960. I'd like to see it again - had Jean Simmons in it, too, and this time she doesn't murder Robert Mitchum!!

.....Hey there, Drink&Smoke.....Cheers and Happy Holidays!

Hey D&S, zerelda and pinkpen...don't want to ruin the surprise if you don't already know...but...

CONGRATS ON WINNING THE "WHAT YOU'RE SAYING" THIS WEEK!

I LOVE YOUR POSTS AND AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU.

Note to z.....poor old Wendell & Co. (the throwaway boyfriends) too bad he couldn't act either!! lol

SCfan, I didn't know I won!! Thank you for telling me - it is a great treat to win, and in such wonderful company, too, but to hear about it from a fellow Maddict adds an extra fillip of pleasure.

If I get a Mad Men mug, I will drink my tea from it on Golden Globes night as I eat my Freddy Rumsen balls every time Mad Men wins an award. "Twill be a grand celebration, indeed!!

I agree SC about Wendall not good. But doesn't Janet Leigh have a figure to die for?

Wasn't Jack Carson a throw away boyfriend too Zerelda? However, I find him rather handsome. I also find Don Defore appealing as well. He was "Hazel's" boss

I agree, Chelsea, about Jack Carson - I always liked him - remember when he slugged James Mason in "A Star is Born"? Talk about a throw away boyfriend, didn't he lose Ginger Rogers like 5 times to other guys? Great actor, and he died way too young. I remember reading once that he used to disappear for weeks at a time without telling his studio where he was going - that was a serious thing in the days of the big studios - turned out he travelled with the circus as a clown, and no one ever recognized him under his make-up.

Oh wow Zerelda that's very interesting about Jack Carson. I didn't know that. "A Star is Born" was a great movie. Have you seen the one with Janet Gaynor and Fredric March? Fredric March has a certain something too. He's not a pretty boy.

Another yum yum male actor in my opinion was Richard Egan. He was in "A Summer Place" with our girl Sandra Dee. Please don't tell me he was short. Anyone have any tidbits on him? I don't think he made many movies and I wonder why.

BOOKS:

1)BRAVE NEW WORLD-A.L HUXLEY
2)POINT COUNTER POINT-A.L. HUXLEY
3)THE MAGUS-J.FOWLES
4)INFINITE JEST-DAVID FOSTER WALLACE
5)GRAVITY'S RAINBOW-T. PYNCHON
6)ORYX AND CRAKE-M. ATWOOD
7)ATLAS SHRUGGED-A. RAND
8)THE ELEMENTARY PARTICLES- M. HOULLBEQUE
9)WHITE NOISE- DON DELILLO
10)BABEL TOWER-A.S. BYATT

MUSIC:

1)SOME GIRLS-THE ROLLING STONES
2)DAFT-ART OF NOISE
3)RIO-DURAN DURAN
4)SADE-SADE
5)WISH YOU WERE HERE-PINK FLOYD
6)AVALON-ROXY MUSIC
7)CHECK YOUR HEAD-BEASTIE BOYS
8)B-52'S GREATEST HITS. . .
9)MASSIVE ATTACK-METAMORPHASIS
10)CHOPIN NOCTURNES-HOROWITZ

HONORABLE MENTION:
GREATEST HITS- CARLY SIMON
PORTISHEAD-PORTISHEAD

MOVIES:

1)TESS OF THE D'URBERVILLES-POLANSKI VERSION
2)METROPOLIS-F. LANG
3)2001-KUBRICK
4)THE GODFATHER-SCORSESE
5)BUTTERFIELD EIGHT
6)BLUE VELVET-D. LYNCH
7)GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING: one of the most beautifully filmed pictures ever. . .
8)LA DOLCE VITA-FELLINI
9)DR. ZHIVAGO
10)BLOW-UP-ANTONIONI

CHEERS !

apparently, i do not qualify as a BABY BOOMER
since i was born october 12, 1962.
rather, i'm a GEN-Xer.

i decided to post, despite being outside the arena of Polar Bear's target audience.

c'est la vie,
fan-nan

Hi Fan nan I forgot we should be posting about our fav movies and music. I'm still thinking as I have so many. I was born in '60 and I thought boomers went all the way until '64 so you are one of us!!! Right? Don't worry I am sure Polar Bear is an equal opportunity poster recipient.

Can anyone verify that for sure about boomer/gen exer age range?

Fancy: Not so fast. Baby Boomer years are officially 1946 - 1964, so you're one of us!

Thanks for the congrats and letting me know about the blog. Amazing...winning a mug, SCfan! ;o) You know I have wanted one of those mugs for some time now. I was hoping one of my friends would order it online and surprise me with it on Christmas day. I guess it was AMC that beat everyone to it!. THANKS AMC, you rock. Cheers! ;o)

Dear All:

The intent of this forum is for you, the audience of Mad Men, to post anything of interest to each other. It does not necessarily have to be related to the show. While saddened to read about some of your losses, I am pleased many of you decided to open up to one another and most importantly support one another.

fan-nan, I am glad you answered your own question. It is a lot harder to narrow your favorites to 10, isn't it? Depends on your mood - I bet for all of us it would change depending on when you asked us the question. An explanation as to "why" something is on your list I think would be as interesting as the list itself. So for anyone who would like to answer fan-nan's question, maybe you could tell us why it is important.

For those of you who won, congratulations. I asked Clayton for the lighter (Zippo, btw, is still made in Pennsylvania, USA). I don't know where the mugs are made but consider this when choosing - also, the lighters are a limited edition - 1,000.

Notes to Laurie B. & Nora - congratulations to you two for using your real pictures. I believe the respones to your posts reflect the genuiness everyone else feels about you guys.

Lastly, flowerpower, given your recent circumstances, I am glad you laughed at some of my other posts. Underneath this facade lies a subversive smart ass who finds the humor in the human condition.

Polar Bear:

You made an interesting observation about our having different movies on our Top 10 Favorites List depending upon the time we were asked! I agree. As well, I have been a movie buff for so long and have so many favorites that I have had to develop my own categories, such as War; Just Plain Fun, etc.

I'll start with War and try to add my reasons, as you suggested. Remember, these are subjective opinions!!!
I might add that I watch these films EVERY TIME THEY ARE ON!

1. "The Longest Day" (THE definitive D-Day film, as told
from multiple sites of operation -- and it shows Jeffrey
Hunter, too briefly, at his finest!)

2. "In Harm's Way" (Fine Navy story, with John Wayne and
Kirk Douglas in their mature prime.)

3. "D-Day, the Fourth of June" (Handsome Tyrone Power, and
lovely shots of rural England as well as London.)

4 "A Bridge Too Far" (Got mixed reviews, primarily from the
too-brief-appearances of superstars, and no doubt
because it was one battle that we lost.)

5. "The Dirty Dozen" (Fascinating story, cleverly cast and
well produced.)

6. "The Battle Of The Bulge" (A story about weather and
fighting conditions so terrible I still say prayers of thanks
each Christmas for the efforts of those who made
victory possible.)

7. "Patton" (As above, the scenes shown of the Battle of the
Bulge fighting during the reading of the requested "Good
Weather Prayer" remain among the best ever filmed.
The prayer is perfect, too.)

8. "The Enemy Below" (Great submarine story, with a
typically understated but superb performance by
Robert Mitchum and an equally intense performance by
Curt Jurgens, one of my favorite 'Germans'.)

9. "Memphis Belle", the latest version with Matthew Modine
and a young cast of star-turn performers, most who
later made good. (A story with action so riveting you
hold your breath to the last shot, when you become teary
with relief and pride. I felt so strongly about this movie
that I actually went to Memphis to see the Belle. I also
later met the pilot at an air show in Reading, PA.)

10. "Operation Daybreak" (Try to find it if you can. It was
an obscure movie with Anthony Andrews and one of the
Buttons brothers about the plot to kill Reinhard Heydrich
in Prague. Fabulous scenes of the city, and a haunting
story of the hit team and the natives who aided them.
It is a true story, and the end will leave you reeling.)

Hey,.....this was hard! Please forgive any misspellings of names or the quoting of incorrect dates, etc. And let me know when you are ready for another category!!!!!

OOPS!!!!!

My apologies ALREADY. Please make it:

3. "D-Day, the Sixth of June, with Robert Taylor.

So sorry! Instead of a day late and a dollar short, I was two days early with the wrong handsome star.

Sandy, you mentioned Memphis Belle (D.B. Sweeney, Matthew Modine, Eric Stolz, Harry Connick, Jr., on and on...whata buncha flyin' hotties...I love the movie, too. lol

As to Jeffrey Hunter, I believe he was actually getting well from a heart attack or something (not sure) and then fell in his home and died resulting from that. Awful. He was sooooo gorgeous...

I have always thought D. B. Sweeney was a cutie pie and Harry Connick, Jr. as well.

And as for Tyrone Power...whew

@ SCfan yes I agree that Jeff Hunter was hot. He was in some movies with Jane Russell.

How true we could base are fav movies and books on our moods.. best comedy, best political thriller, best 30'-40's, best western....

Some of mine our:
1. DINNER AT EIGHT
2. RED DUST
3. BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES
4. SIDEWAYS
5. MOONSTRUCK
6. HARVY
7. ITALIAN JOB (Based on true story of the Brother Bulger about a mobster and his corrupt politian brother BTY the mobster is still on the most wanted list)
8.ENEMY OF THE STATE
9. HOOSIERS, I like anything with Gene Hackman.
10. MOVE OVER DARLING (How sexy is James Garner?)

Hey, Chelsea! I agree with Most of your choices...esp. Dinner at Eight, Best Years of Our lies, Moonstruck, Hoosiers (with Gene Gene the Acting Machine!---love him)

And as for James Garner (I'm proud to say is from Oklahoma---Norman, OK---- to be exact, Home of the University of Oklahoma (Yay Sam Bradford from Oklahoma City!--- my hometown--- newest Heisman Trophy Winner---had to get all that in! lol)-----Mr. Garner is very sexy I do agree and also a class act for sure.

He used to visit a friend of his who was a resident at the Norman Veterans Home regularly, where my dad also lived at the time--you never knew when you'd see him in the halls or out in the garden area. What a fine fella he is. He is soooo tall and impressive--- even in his later years.

Best Years of our lies???? you know what I meant...ha

I can't remember any Jeffrey Hunter movies with Jane Russell. Was he in "The Fuzzy Pink Nightgown"? That's the only one I can think of - it's the one where she plays the actress who gets kidnapped, and I can't remember who else is in it.

I can remember having crushes on Jeff Chandler and John Hodiak - two good B-movie actors. There were a number of really good actors and actresses that were always considered B-movie stars and never made it to the A list. They made some good movies, though.

zerelda, I can't recall any movies Jeff H made with Jane Russell, either.

He was one cutie, though. Talented, too, so sad he went so young.

I believe he was set to be Star Trek's Captain Kirk (different name though...Christopher Pike, I think?) Lucky for William Shatner, though, I guess.

You mentioned Jeff Chandler, didn't he and Judy Holiday both die after going into the hospital for minor procedures and then ended up dying of post surgical problems (infections, or? )

Awful...I loved both of them.

Judy H. was in a "B-movie" I love called "Full of Life" so cute in it, although not at all one of her "ditzy blonde" roles. She's pregnant in it and falls through her kitchen floor! It is a gem and not seen really often on TV.

I'll tell you one gorgeous underrated actress of the olden days ('40's)..... Linda Darnell.

She was so stunning and ended up dying so tragically in a house fire, I believe.

It seems it's bad luck to be a stunner (man or woman) in Hollywood...they all seem to have died relatively young!

(Not to mention Natalie Wood! Absulute stunner and also drowned relatively young)

Morbid! ick

@Zerelda, I stand corrected it was Jeff and Chandler and Jane Russell. That's what I love about these posts all the tidbits and interesting reading.

@SC Fan congrats on your state's Heisman winner. I loved your comments on how James Garner visited his friend in a VA home. I believe he would be that thoughtful and "real" My Dad was a vet as well. God bless them.

Also I will have to look for that movie with Judy Holliday. I liked her as well. I thought she was a hoot in "Born Yesterday" She was in a couple of other fun was as well with Jack Lemmon and another with Dean Martin. ... Come on Zerelda what were those names?

"The Bells are Ringing" with Dean Martin and "Pffft" with Jack Lemmon. Judy Holliday was one great gal - she died way too young of breast cancer. She did Broadway and won a Tony, made movies and won an Oscar - if she had lived long enough, I am sure she would have conquered TV as well.

Jeff Chandler died after a botched surgery on his back. His children, I believe, won a malpractice suit against the hospital and/or surgeon. If I remember correctly, an artery was cut and he was given massive transfusions of blood while they attempted to repair the artery.

I also remember reading in a story about Sammy Davis Jr. that Jeff Chandler offered to donate one of his own eyes when it was thought Sammy Davis was going to lose both his eyes. He only lost the one, however. But that says a lot for Jeff Chandler, doesn't it, if the story is true. This was way back in the 50s - would have been a very serious proposition back then.

zerelda, dreadful about Jeff C...what a tragic turn of events for him and his family. He sounds like one solid gold fellow, for sure.

I always thought he was soooo masculine and sexy.

I loved loved loved Judy H in "Bells Are Ringing"...that song about her working at the "Bonjour Tristes (sp?) Brassiere Fact---O---Ry"!

She was one original for sure. I bet she would have given Lucy a run for her money on early TV, too.

SCFan: I thought of you last night watching the Gidget movie on Bravo. Boy that Francie (Gidget) was a little MAN-ipulator wasn't she? And only 16.

Laurie, I saw too late that Gidget was on. Was it the original?

Funny how SD was the original Gidget and also the original Tammy (oops, I think that was Debbie Reynolds on second thought)

Let's just say SD was a better Gidget than she was a Tammy. Hard to believe that Leslie Nielsen (of all the crazy Police Squad, etc. stuff in the last decade or so) was her dreamboat, huh? (Debbie's in the original Tammy movie, I believe) I think his part as the Captain of the Poseidon was the last "serious" role I remember him playing, as a matter of fact. Anyway, he sure had a second career as a comedy actor.

Well, now that we're all reading about Gidget/Tammy stuff....
Here is a little ditty in honor of the Original Tammy, Princess Leia's mom herself...Debbie Reynolds:

I hear the cottonwoods whisprin' above
Tammy Tammy Tammy's in love
The old hootie owl hootie hoots to the dove
Tammy Tammy Tammy's in love

Does my darlin' feel what I feel
When he comes near
My heart beats so joyfully
You'd think that he could hear

Wish I knew if he knew what I'm dreamin' of
Tammy Tammy Tammy's in love

Whippoorwill Whippoorwill you and I know
Tammy Tammy can't let him go
The breeze from the bayou keeps murmurin' low
Tammy Tammy you love him so

When the night is warm, soft and warm
I long for his charms
I'd sing like a violin if I were in his arms
Wish I knew if he knew what I'm dreamin' of
Tammy Tammy Tammy's in love

The end

P. S. Debbie Reynolds was never cuter than in that movie singing that song...and believe it or not I seem to remember it being a gigantic hit.

Oh,, God, SCfan, way to bring back memories - that song by Debbie Reynolds was a huge hit - at my house anyway - my sisters and I loved the movie - for short time we all stopped wanting to be Grace Kelly and enjoyed being the little country girls we actually were.

Can't stay up late enough to actually watch it again, but I see where one of my favorite movies of all time is showing tonight on TCM - "The Third Man" with Joseph Cotton, Orson Welles, Alida Valli, and Trevor Howard. Great music and great story, but I especially love it because it has my most favorite scene in a movie ever - the long shot at the end when, after leaving the cemetery, Joseph Cotton waits for Alida Valli and she walks towards him up that long boulevard and passes him right by without a look as that wonderful music plays. I could watch that scene over and over and never tire of it. Each time I watch it I am hoping that this time she will stop when she reaches Joseph Cotton, but she never does. God, I might have to stay up and watch it after all. Holly Martins and Harry Lime - great character names!

zerelda, speaking of Joseph C...caught him and Claudette Colbert, Shirley Temple, Jennifer Jones, Monty Woolley, Robert Walker in "Since You Went Away" the other night. So corny and sentimental...but good!

I believe the guy that prefaces the movies (TCM), Robert Osborne, said that Robert W.and Jennifer J. were having a bumpy time of it in their marriage while co-starring in it (and not the good kind of bumpy, if you get my drift!) and she and David O. Selznick were pretty flirty during the making of the movie. Seems they fell in love during production and she and Robert W. called it quits soon after movie was over. I think she may have been the last (?) Mrs. Selznick...not sure.

Anyway, it was a sweet, old fashioned Christmas- in-the-wartime-years movie. Poor Joseph was a dumped boyfriend in it (I got the impression that Claudette's husband "Tim", away in the war, and JC were rivals for her heart before she married "Tim")

Anyhow, JC kept on flirting with her whenever he'd come visit her and daughters on leave. I guess he wanted to be first in line when/if Tim didn't come home.

I just saw the clip on YouTube of Debbie R. singing "Tammy" ---very cute...she had the sweetest tone to her voice.

When I see Jennifer Aniston now, I think of Debbie Reynolds, both sweet blonds jilted for brunette man-eaters (Liz Taylor and whatsername Jolie). I hope Brad Pitt doesn't end up like Eddie Fisher did. Nah.... Anybody see our sweet Jen on the cover of GQ? Wow! Tastefully nude wearing only a man's necktie.

Hi Laurie! Yes, I caught JA on David Letterman last night. She has a bod to die for. I thought that cover on GQ was very well done and tasteful, also.

I can't imagine what Brad P was thinking leaving her for Angelina. I just can't figure that one.

Speaking of Debbie R. I remember her son Todd (named for Mike Todd, I think) saying that she used to write "Love, Dad" on some of his and Carrie's Christmas presents so they'd think he had remembered them...he added that as he got older, he realized that "dad" and his mother had the same handwriting!

Sounds like what she would do...rather than let them think their dad was the rat he actually was.

Some other husband she had further down the line took every cent she had (gambling I think) and she did shows at Vegas, etc. to make the money back.
She's always seemed to handle herself with class even in crappy circumstances.

I've always admired her.

Sorry I haven't checked in sooner but I'd like us all to bow our heads in a moment of silence and remember the great Betty Page who passed away last week.

Also, let's say a prayer for Van Johnson, the great studio actor of the 40's, 50's & 60's.

Lastly, a special acknowledgement to Sandy for her great list of top 10 war movies. I am so impressed that you go right to the top of the list for "too cool for school" - great knowledge!

SCfan, your favorite movie is on TCM tonight - "Holiday Affair," with Janet Leigh and Robert Mitchum and everybody's favorite old boyfriend, Wendell Cory. I have never seen it, so I will be watching tonight after the grandbaby is tucked in and asleep. I will let you know what I think of it. I am sure it will be enjoyable - when did "old" Hollywood ever mess up a Christmas movie, hmmm? "Christmas in Connecticut" with Barbara Stanwyck is also on tonight. Maybe I'll watch'em both!

Hi Zerelda,
I watch them both. They are on my annual holiday watch list. I think Dennis Morgan is a cutie..Do you have any hollywood tidbits on him?
Sorry Laurie B I am no fan of the Jennifer Aniston girl. She seems so whinny to me. At least Anjolina does some humanitarian work. But that's just my humble opinion. Do you think Brad is just way to pretty for a guy?

Zerelda...

"Everybody's favorite old boyfriend, Wendell Cory", married a Hershey gal whom he met when he was stationed at our nearby military base, Indiantown Gap. Shirley Jones has an Aunt in Mechanicsburg and is sometimes seen out and about with her. And during WW2, a large Mexican-stucco house on our Front Street by the river in Harrisburg was rented by four or five stars who were apparently quite the hell-raisers, One of them was Burgess Meredith. If I can ever find the newspaper story they wrote about that time, I'll be able to tell you a little bit more.

P,S., "guys"......

I got a Mad Men mug! It came today. It is really nice, and inside it, about 3/4 of an inch from the top, there is a dotted line which says, "Fill to here with whiskey"! Clever, clever.

Sandy, I see you got your mug. I got mine Saturday as well-cute huh?

Hey, zerelda...did you like my "favorite" (actually it's about 7th on my list) movie, "Holiday Affair"?

I love the part at the Christmas dinner table when Robert M. makes his speech (at Wendell Corey's urging!) and Janet L. almost spits out her wine!

Like I said in other forums, it's not the best Christmas movie ever made, but it has some neat moments.

Also the part where her mother-in-law blurts out "Carl??!!" in disbelief when she tells her who she's engaged to...like all of us, she can't figure out what Janet sees in Wendell Corey! ha

Not to mention Janet's super duper extra-pointy bullet bras! The one she has on under her Christmas dinner dress looks like she could mortally wound someone if they got too close!

Yes, it was very enjoyable. I wonder how old she was in that movie? Robert Mitchum sure looked young. I loved his speech and Wendell looked like he wanted to pop! Great little kid actor, too, and I don't remember seeing him in anything else. Yes, those bras were something - I bet the "girls" were glad to hang loose at the end of the day....

Zerelda, I'm from central Illinois, Springfield actually. Spent my childhood and adolescence in the midst of politics living in the shadow of the capitol building. Don't be embarrassed about G-Rod. What happened on those tapes is just politics as usual and it happens in every statehouse in the country. The language was foul, but have you listened to Nixon on the Watergate tapes? Most people don't have the stomach for political wheeling and dealing and it can be raw if you've not been exposed to it. There are plenty of other things G-Rod will be answering for sometime in the future, but I truly think Fitzgerald just grandstanded on these tapes after being pushed by the Trib.

I think one reason Obama may have escaped the taint of the Chicago political machine is that he did not grow up there and was already set in his character by the time he moved to Chicago. Also, there are some clean honest pols to come out of Chicago, even Democrats!

Gov. Kerner did end up in a jail cell, but I have to say he was a heck of a nice guy and just as down to earth as could be, as was Paul Powell. I always wondered why Powell never spent that money.

zerelda, glad you liked Holiday Affair.

Do you know if the story is true that Janet Leigh was discovered by Norma Shearer?

I heard she was on vacation at Janet's parents' hotel (ski lodge? something like that) and Norma S. saw a framed pic of Janet on the front desk and told her parents she should audition for the movies.

I've always wondered if it was true.

SCfan, I heard that story, too. Sounds believable, but I remember hearing that Lana Turner was discovered at Schraft's Drugstore and then later heard that was made up by the publicity dept., so I guess you never know with old Hollywood stories.

Magsby13, don't get me started on our Governor again! I watched his pathetic address to the people of Illinois the other day, and all I could think was where is that guy throwing the shoes when you really need him!

Enough already on Holiday Affair, I know, but I was just on IMDB and saw a link to an article in the Des Moines paper about what happened to the kid/actor (Janet's son) in it who was so cute (Gordon Gebert)

If you scroll way down in the message board area (after getting on the Holiday Affair page, of course) under the entry where someone asks "Whatever happened to the little boy who played Janet Leigh's son?" and then scroll through about 5 or 6 of the replies/comments, there's one with a link to that article with a pic of him (now an architecture professor!)

He's a distinguished looking man now and he had an interesting life up to and after that movie. He seems like a down to earth fellow.

Interesting reading. Esp. since he didn't go the route of so many child stars (drugs, etc.)

Zerelda, Greytone and Dry Manhattan:

There's a post for you at the end of the November Movie thread!

I watched "Exodus" on TCM the other night. It was their nod to Hanukkah, apparently. I had not seen that movie in 30 years, I think, and was very disappointed in it. I remember loving the book, and I thought I liked the movie when it came out. I just thought Paul Newman was wrong for the role of "Ari" and though Eva Marie Saint was pretty, she was just too cold for her role and there was absolutely no chemistry between them, in my opinion. It was a long movie, but it simply did not hold my attention as it should have. Made me want to re-read "Exodus," though.

How about all of you? Are there any movies from favorite books that you wanted to love but didn't because of the casting or any other reason?