Never seen it but given it's Bogey and Bacall, you've got me predicting just what activities preceded the smoking. Which has nothing to do with smoking in LotR of course.


davem has of course stepped into the breech and freed me of any need to reply, so I won't. Except to say . . .

You've got me there. I could hardly explain just what the American views of etc would be, a One Ring America so to speak. I was referring merely to American views without the definite article, of which there can be several--a sort of Three Ring circus if you will--some of which obviously can be your own, which I would not endeavour to explain to yourself as I have not explained them to myself, being as yet unaware of them, never having yet discussed American films with you.

I do recall, however, a litigitious American court case in which a manufacturer of ladders was found negligent for having, despite umpteen signs and stickers on its products relating to the safe use of said products, failed to post a sticker advising new owners not to place said product in a pile of animal manure and then climb upon it, as under the heat of the sun the footing could be warmed, causing the ladder to become unstable, leading the Litigator, who had fallen into the pile under just such a warming influence, to initiate and win said court case against the Litigatee. The business end of Hollywood is undoubtedly very aware of such a victory and is, I would suggest, covering itself with such disclaimers. From my perspective, European movies are not produced in such a barnyard. :D

As I'm not quite sure what you just said, I'll just pretend I am holding the TV remote and nod my head like I understand. It often works at home.

*Nods and smiles*

Never seen The Big Sleep? I'm shocked that a movie aficionado such as yourself never caught it. Ah well, the main attractions are Bogie being Bogie and the sparks he strikes with Bacall onscreen. It works much better as a novel. Take out most of Chandler's lively prose and strip it down to bare plot and I'm afraid it's a bit difficult to make sense of.

Anyway, what made me post is to say that in a lot of those old forties movies there didn't have to be any particular "activities" as you so delicately put it to prompt smoking; everybody smoked like chimneys all the time. They'd wake up in the morning and reach for a smoke.

One of my favorite movies, 'The Quiet Man' with John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara (directed by John Ford) also shows the differences in economics from then to now. John Wayne smokes about 100 cigarettes throughout the movie, but usually tosses them away after only a couple of puffs. With the cost of cigarettes currently (along with the taxes burdening each priceless pack), he would be much more careful with his tobacco treasures and savor each puff, only ruefully parting with them once reaching the baleful butts.

*Sniffs*

Personally I think it has been delayed while all the British actors auditioned for the role of the next Doctor - now the 11th has just been announced they can start casting for The Hobbit :p

Ummm...Doctor who?

*ba-dump-bump*

Sorry, it was there, I had to take it.

As the 10th Doctor might say, what? What? WHAT?! :D

I'll have to remember this, as an example of a handy extricatory rhetorical device if ever it appears you are getting the best of me in a discussion. :cool:

Well, I say never miss an opportunity for innuendo, whether it fits fully or not, Mister Underhill. But, yes, sad to say, I do have these gaps. It comes from having not been born in the generation that watched these movies when they first were released.

Although I have seen the absolutely wonderful A Matter of Life and Death, 1946 version, which I believe in the US was released as Stairway to Heaven and revived by Martin Scorsese. My parents spoke endlessly of it, admiringly, to much laughter. There's a coke machine in heaven for the Yankee flyers; I cannot recall if there is much smoking in it, but as a film, it's :smokin:

Does this mean that David Tennant is now available to play a younger Bilbo? :D

Only if he goes on a binge eating spree.
Even a middle-aged Bilbo wasn't exactly svelte. :)

Well, you know, Tennant has just had surgery on his back, so I was thinking that might faciliate a more rounded appearance, shall we say. :D

I suppose he might get t'hump if the new Doctor turns out even better.

I'll get me coat...

Another site reports TH release as 2012 http://sacurrent.com/film/story.asp?id=69745 - this from yesterday: If they can afford to make it at all, that is....http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2...profit-warning

davem
thanks for that link to upcoming films. Several look very good to me including SHERLOCK HOLMES, PUBLIC ENEMIES and WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE. It should be an interesting year in film.

As far as Warners in money difficulties, that is undeniable. But I think HOBBIT is pretty much a sure bet and they will not pass it up.... or if they had to there would be no lack of interest elsewhere with its huge potential of revenue.

But the question is not whether it will will be made, but when it will be released - will it be delayed so as not to clash with other big movies (or maybe till the economic climate picks up to ensure a bigger box office & more income from tie-ins) - & whether they will continue with their plan of a 'faithful' adaptation of TH for movie one, or whether they will go for a more 'commercial' movie which brings in much of the stuff they've been talking about holding back for movie 2?

Late 2011 or even 2012 is a long way away. Economic times could change quite a bit by that time. But we shall see. Patience is a virtue.

Tennant is a fine actor (though Dr Who doesn't appeal to me now I am not 6 and don't find it at all scary;)) but he is far too lanky and fey to be Bilbo. I could see him as the elven king if we forget that he had gold hair in the book - but of course he wouldn't fit with being Orli's dad so it won't work for this set up) but he does have that dangerous quality ... can easily see him chucking Thorin in the clink.

Actually, DT would make a rather good Elrond,
especially TH Elrond, but for Bilbo, remember
that in human terms you're thinking a 40ish
Babbit/Death of a Salesman type person, hmmm...

Actually - David Tennant for me is far more silmarillion-ish. There are various roles he would be good for - Eol maybe particularly. I don't suppose it will happen but there are some Sil stories which would make great films. I have alwasy felt that the Hobbit (which truly comes alive when it is read aloud) with the mini cliff hanger ever couple of chapters was best suited to a tV serial like the classics they used to adapt for Sunday afternoon teatime family viewing -. But modern lifestyle means that they don't do them so much and of course it aint where the money is...

Also, I heard that Spielberg finally forged a deal to get the first Tintin movie going.

Actually I wonder if a bit of a budget crunch for The Hobbit might not be a good thing. Filmmakers often do their best work when they're forced to get creative to solve problems instead of just aiming the money hose at them.