tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post3903525551182541787..comments2024-03-28T18:32:38.243-04:00Comments on Poseidon's Underworld: Time to Polish My "Mahogany"Poseidon3http://www.blogger.com/profile/10465785002285422594noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-32895567961123919992014-06-05T14:52:37.080-04:002014-06-05T14:52:37.080-04:00Eric, you (and the others) are TOO kind to suggest...Eric, you (and the others) are TOO kind to suggest that I could ever begin to fill the irreplaceable shoes of Robert Osborne who has not only devoted his life to cinematic journalism, but was truly THERE all along and met anyone and everyone! However, I'm not so modest that I would be averse to hosting some sort of fun-filled film-oriented show (on TCM or some other, lesser place!) where guests and I could discuss all the great and wonderful (and not-so-wonderful) movies and stars that I cover here. ;-) Thank you so much for coming here and leaving your captivating comments.Poseidon3https://www.blogger.com/profile/10465785002285422594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-10852248024331513582014-06-05T13:49:46.048-04:002014-06-05T13:49:46.048-04:00The comment by Narcisco Duran that you replace Rob...The comment by Narcisco Duran that you replace Robert Osbourne (when the time comes, of course) on TCM is genius! I played the soundtrack to this film to death when I was in high school but I never saw the movie until years later. I did have the novelization-I was almost shocked to see it again. A friend of mine from the South Side of Chicago told me Miss Ross was very cold (bitch was the word he used) to everybody who gathered in those God-forsaken neighborhoods to watch the Chicago filming. That is indeed Marshall Fields, I worked there briefly a few years after this-when they asked me to hide in a giant mirrored faux pillar to look for shoplifters on the sales floor I moved on. This movie provides a view of it only employees saw. Worthwhile for that if nothing else-today it's a dumpy Target. Miss Ross studied Fashion Design in school in Detroit so it wouldn't surprise me if she did do the costumes-either that or the real designer saw the final result and requested anonymity. Berry Gordy gave her everything she wanted in those days-even a child(!)EricSwedehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18193841212565163376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-31218036668685912602013-03-26T08:20:43.936-04:002013-03-26T08:20:43.936-04:00I love Mahogany but...I have to admit that it is n...I love Mahogany but...I have to admit that it is nearly impossible for me to sit through in its entirety. And I have tried. Many times. I find that a little past the half way point is when it is incredibly easy for me to get up and do something else...do laundry, clean something, start dinner. I always make it back before the end but your description of the plots second half...is a little foggy.Scooterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09874254346853382934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-60195969535832223852013-03-25T09:01:57.427-04:002013-03-25T09:01:57.427-04:00ND, I'm going to have to look that movie up. R...ND, I'm going to have to look that movie up. Right before checking on the girls yesterday for the first time, I did have visions of killer swarms! [Still a newbie here.]<br /><br />By the way, the roll call for the "I have a crush on Kate Jackson" fan club is now up to two. Please make room. I too was madly in love with her and at times thought it would be wonderful to marry her. Then again, there were also times when I wanted to BE Wonder Woman. <br /><br />As to roses, I have quite a few myself. I don't exactly channel her but I do have visions of Faye Dunaway in Mommie Dearest working the roses bushes and asking Tina for the axe! :-)<br /><br />Bee well!NotFelixUngerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04812102754911699275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-21186247653536813562013-03-25T03:53:44.739-04:002013-03-25T03:53:44.739-04:00Bee-keeping, NotFelixUnger? That reminds me of my...Bee-keeping, NotFelixUnger? That reminds me of my all-time favorite made-for-tv movie, "Killer Bees" (1974) starring Miss Gloria Swanson and Miss Kate Jackson (the only woman on whom I ever had a crush). <br /><br />Give me a few tips Not FelixU., should I channel Miss S. or MIss J the next time I prune my roses? : ) <br /><br />I was so gone for that film, that when I was a pre-teen, I demanded my folks drive me up to the Napa Valley (where my mom was raised) just to stare at the house where the movie was made. <br /><br />Cheers to all from NorCal !Narcisohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05145756558278365203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-31934123704086826812013-03-23T17:44:47.988-04:002013-03-23T17:44:47.988-04:00To echo the other guys, your writing is fantastic....To echo the other guys, your writing is fantastic. It's like reading a conversation I had with myself inside my own mind! It's fun, witty, informative yet titillating, too! [I love the word "titillating." I so rarely get to use it!]<br /><br />Finding a good writer is easy. Finding a great writer with his/her pulse on the pop-culture significant to one or more generations is a hard thing to do. <br />It's the reason I keep coming back! <br /><br />Happy weekend ya'all. [I started bee-keeping recently. I just entered the hive for a look for the first time 30 mins ago. I'm sweating, shaky and I need a drink. No stings! They like me! They really like me!]<br />NotFelixUngerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04812102754911699275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-11867057261494661252013-03-23T16:54:45.386-04:002013-03-23T16:54:45.386-04:00Hi Poseidon
First off, I have to concur with the e...Hi Poseidon<br />First off, I have to concur with the earlier comment about your writing. You underestimate your skill in providing facts, personal observations, and wit in your posts. All in a very readable, entertaining fashion. The net is full of film sites with writing so dry that the actual thrill of movies is lost. You strike just the right note of fandom and film scholar to inspire folks to visit the films you write about.<br />Now, on to "Mahogany"...I can never figure out why I avoided this film when it came out, for it would have been a favorite in my teens. I only got around to seeing it on cable TV in the 80s and couldn't believe my luck. It was the good/bad movie of my dreams.<br />Although it is nothing but deliciously full-tilt camp to me, the background info of your post reminds me of how much of a missed opportunity it was. There's a lot that could have been done with the film, but it feels so amateurishly directed, and the ultimate message of Maghogany leaving behind her dreams still seems a lousy one to send to young girls (well, let's face it girls are not "Mahogany"s biggest audience, anyway). Still, I , like you, love the theme song, and Diana as a clothes horse is heaven. Oddly, I don't own this film, but I think It'd high time I got it. Loved reading all the facts about the cast you dug up.Excellent post, as always!Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-86660444672414595732013-03-22T19:43:59.472-04:002013-03-22T19:43:59.472-04:00I concur with Narciso, I've been in love with ...I concur with Narciso, I've been in love with your blog for years now!! And I don't just love, I LUV Mahogany. I was one of many future gayboys who was entranced by this film in junior high. Thank you for reviewing and schooling me in this fabulous film. By the way, I don't know what's crazier about Mahogany: that, at 5 foot nothing, Miss Ross, as beautiful as she is, would become a world famous supermodel, or that anyone would buy her "couture" inspired by a Chinese Restaurant, or the homoerotic, S&M fight betwixt Tony Perkins and Billy Dee -- it's all AMAZING!!! Percyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13533725649659264538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-42591713879957964302013-03-22T08:11:39.848-04:002013-03-22T08:11:39.848-04:00Holy mother of god! Narciso, that is one very fla...Holy mother of god! Narciso, that is one very flattering and touching response to my site and myself. I am very appreciative and deeply complimented by it. I am surprised, however, that anyone could think highly of my actual "writing" as I am not nearly educated enough when it comes to proper use of grammar or punctuation and I never met parentheses, commas or run on sentences that I didn't love! Ha! But I try...<br /><br />I can't lie about it. My dream job would be to talk about, write about, interview about and become immersed in classic movies. But that's one of those fantasy type of scenarios that seems out of reach. Someday I may set to work on a book, though. I have at least one solid idea for one.<br /><br />Anyway, again, I welcome you and thank you VERY MUCH for your remarks!Poseidon3https://www.blogger.com/profile/10465785002285422594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-91266234729353235732013-03-22T04:33:02.082-04:002013-03-22T04:33:02.082-04:00Thank you Poseidon. As requested, I posted a few c...Thank you Poseidon. As requested, I posted a few comments on your "vintage" entries... Please permit me some space: your writing is wonderful. I was a writer and copy editor at a newspaper for a dozen-plus years, so believe me, I know.<br /><br />You always seem to strike the right note: observant, respectful, awestruck, dishy, gentle, pointed, poignant, diplomatic, and sweet, all at once.<br /><br />An ordinary writer would drop a few mean cracks about facelifts and minuscule genitals and then be done with it. Their ilk is a dime a dozen.<br /><br />What you have accomplished, however, is admirable and rare these days: observe, report, inform, and then comment. You educate us first, and then entertain us. Your personality shines through via your ethos. And your bank of knowledge is so darned formidable! <br /><br />If Robert Osborne ever retires, go bang on TCM's door. If that fails, write the first comprehensive book about made-for-television movies.<br /><br />I know I am not wrong as many here have posted similar comments. Forget the new Pope, I'll kiss your ring first! Happy Spring folks.Narcisohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05145756558278365203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-56051189308819716202013-03-21T08:33:52.520-04:002013-03-21T08:33:52.520-04:00Whew! Lots of reactions to this one! (I'm gl...Whew! Lots of reactions to this one! (I'm glad since I put a LOT of time into it!!)<br /><br />NotFelix & Joel, regarding Diana and your experiences with her, I wonder if she was not putting her best foot forward while in the public eye, being very "on" while the fans were around, but then let her guard down behind the scenes. Still, NotFelix, I know that what you saw and heard for yourself is authentic. Mood swings?? Who knows. <br /><br />I can tell you that in her prime, I would have crawled through broken glass to catch a mere glimpse of Faye Dunaway and she was once here to perform Master Class on stage. A friend of mine who has directed, starred in and worked on countless shows for thirty years (and seen countless more) said that seeing Faye in that show was her most memorable experience in the theatre EVER. (I still kick myself for missing it!) However, the hotel that was housing Dunaway had a memorable experience for all the wrong reasons. This was not long after Princess Diana's death which was at least partly due to Paparrazi and the hotel had put Faye in a room that was away from the fire escapes, for fear that a nosy local photog would climb up and try to snap pics of her. All was fine until she discovered that the room near the fire escapes was just a tad larger than the one she was booked into and so ALL had to be moved from one suite to the other. This miffed the employees greatly. Still, I also heard that she was at a small local movie theater and was amiably chatting with other waiting patrons in the lobby about the movies that were there. I think so much of it has to do with the time, place, mood of a given moment.<br /><br />Joel, I have a $1 DVD of "The Ballad of Andy Crocker" and really enjoyed it. I seem to recall Agnes skeet shooting during the scene you mention. She is always wonderful. There's a tribute to her here somewhere that you ought to be able to find if you click her name on the right.<br /><br />And Narciso, number one: that story is HILARIOUS! I guess quite a few little gaylings were taken with this movie!! Priceless scenario... Number two: by all means, YES, I get to see comments no matter how old the posts are. I get an e-mail every time sent to my inbox at work. So please do comment away. I love to read what others have to say about the subjects I dwell on here in The Underworld. <br /><br />Thank you all so much for sharing. I really liked hearing the recollections about Diana Ross and her impact on people! :-)Poseidon3https://www.blogger.com/profile/10465785002285422594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-16096639690578764842013-03-21T02:38:41.731-04:002013-03-21T02:38:41.731-04:00Oh dear, do I have a memory to share about this fi...Oh dear, do I have a memory to share about this film! I was in junior high school when Mahogany came out, and one of my budding gay boy classmates did an English class presentation in which he acted out the juicy scenes from "Mahogany." <br /><br />I do clearly recall him coaxing the reluctant class fat girl to play the part of Beah Richards. He held up a felt-pen drawing of the colorful gown as prop... <br /><br />He also portrayed a scene in which he cried, I don't recall which. Granted, this was the San Francisco Bay Area, but still, i have to give the little towhead credit for guts.<br /><br />By the way, as I devour your older posts, and believe me they are tasty, what if I want to add a comment? Will you be able to read them? Will all comments somehow be flagged to your attention even if it for an older post?<br />Narcisohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05145756558278365203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-73059441811767939692013-03-20T22:10:21.468-04:002013-03-20T22:10:21.468-04:00I'll have to renew my memory of this. It's...I'll have to renew my memory of this. It's been years since I watched it and it didn't make much of an impression at that point but maybe a review is in order, it sounds like much more fun than I remember.<br /><br />I saw Miss Ross in concert at a theatre in the round about a 15 years ago and she was enchanting and wonderful with the intimate audience and dressed to the teeth. However a family member of mine worked at the venue and said she was an odious reptile to work with.<br /><br />Your comment about Nina Foch's ability to make a small character flesh and blood in a few small scenes brought to mind another great actress and her talent for doing the same. I saw Agnes Moorehead in a movie a few years ago, a TV movie called the Ballad of Andy Crocker about a returning Vietnam vet, where in one scene consisting of less than 10 minutes screen time she conveyed all you needed to know about her character through body language and minimal dialogue. Granted her competition for acting honors was not high, the leads were Lee Majors and Joey Heatherton!, but she made something memorable out of practically nothing. I have seen Nina Foch do the same in many films, sometimes being the only worthwhile thing in a picture.joel65913https://www.blogger.com/profile/14526657073681774683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-60909335110677189602013-03-20T20:21:30.847-04:002013-03-20T20:21:30.847-04:00BTW! "Polish my Mahogany????"
Wasn'...BTW! "Polish my Mahogany????"<br /><br />Wasn't I just insisting not too long ago this was a classy joint??NotFelixUngerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04812102754911699275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006108502645191096.post-14738901648702806782013-03-20T18:38:21.708-04:002013-03-20T18:38:21.708-04:00This movie is always a treat to watch. Since the f...This movie is always a treat to watch. Since the first time I saw it I thought, "Gosh this reminds me of Back Street." Of course, Back Street is one of my favorites. This movie is a little too 70s for it to fall into my top 10 [or 20]. Still, it's wickedly fun every time. <br /><br />Regarding the famous, "I don't wake up till noon," ego, I can honestly say, I saw her in Vegas during the 80s. Back then it was built more like a dinner theater and people sat at actual tables though the venue was huge. It was a group of us. Some girls, some boys, some straight some gay. Two of the more flamboyant boys at the table caught her attention. After the show she came to the table and draped herself over those two boys all night long. My friend Adriana and I kept fighting each other for the camera taking pictures of Miss Ross with her boys. To this day I have about 20 pictures of Miss Ross with some fellas and I'm not in a single one!<br /><br />The reason why I am reminded of that story is that though I have heard the horror stories of the famous ego, I never saw an ounce of it when I was within a 6 foot radius. She was charming, charismatic, funny, engaging and quite, quite gracious. NotFelixUngerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04812102754911699275noreply@blogger.com