Comments on: TCM Pick O’ The Day: Thursday, January 15th

By: TBogg » They came to Hollywood…and nobody cared.

TBogg » They came to Hollywood…and nobody cared. — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 21:59:42 +0000

[...] John Nolte: Hey! There’s an old movie on Tuner Classic Movies. Imagine that… [...]

By: Carl H

Carl H — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 14:43:24 +0000

“It’s just like the first time I came here, isn’t it? We were talking about automobile insurance, only you were thinking about murder. And I was thinking about that anklet.”
One of my favorite movies of all time. I came for the Chandler dialogue, but stayed for that ankle bracelet.

By: Jeff Dove

Jeff Dove — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 07:42:33 +0000

I’m amazed that no one has credited the director, who I think is one of the 3 greatest of classic Hollywood (John Ford, Howard Hawks) – Billy Wilder. Also a sharp, cynical, cutting scripter of dialog.

And Wilder is also the director of two other movies mentioned above, Sunset Boulevard and Some Like It Hot, as well as absolute classics like The Lost Weekend, The Apartment (also with a great, evil MacMurray), and Ace In the Hole.

By: John McClain

John McClain — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 22:07:14 +0000

I saw this movie several years ago and left it wanting more Edward G. Robinson. I immediately searched for any movies that he was in around the same time that DI was made. Before DI, I saw him in Ten Commandments and that was about it. He was a true talent and when compared to the majority of “actors” today, it’s embarrassing.

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:04:18 +0000

Top 5 in my book, if someone was to ask what “Film Noir” is, just refer them to this movie.
Top 5 movies…1) Sunset Boulevard
2) Double Indemnity
3) Detour
4) Gun Crazy
5) Laura

By: mojo

mojo — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 16:33:00 +0000

Oh yeah. One of Big Mac’s best. And what can you say about Stanwyck, even in that cheezy blonde wig? One of the best noir films, right up there with “Kiss of Death” and “D.O.A.”

By: Koop

Koop — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 16:09:52 +0000

GREAT film!! Definitely in my all time top 20 (if not top 10). I completely agree with MARYMCL that MacMurray was very underrated as an actor and think it is a shame that he’s never been given the credit he deserves. (I loved his films with Carole Lombard).

Stanwyck was perfection, but then again, when ISN’T Stanwyck amazing?

By: JEB

JEB — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 16:01:56 +0000

Robert:

The ankle bracelet coming down the stairs was enough for Stanwyck to win the Oscar.

By: marymcl

marymcl — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:34:42 +0000

This is one of the greatest American movies. Ever.

Fred MacMurray is so underrated as an actor – the look on his face when he says “I didn’t get the woman” conveys so many conflicting emotions, it’s amazing he’s never been given the credit he deserves.

DI has hardly any physical contact, and yet I can’t think of another movie where the theme of sexual obsession is conveyed more powerfully. And with subtle humor too – the first meeting between Walter and Phyllis is a perfect example. She’s pacing back and forth, absentmindedly playing with a tube of lipstick, while he sits on the edge of a small sofa crossing and uncrossing his legs.

And then there’s the rest of the cast, the extraordinary photography, the unforgettable music – it’s just a perfect movie from start to finish.

By: Terry McGinnis

Terry McGinnis — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 14:55:08 +0000

Happy to see Double Indemnity as a Pick of the Day.

I agree with the posters above about recommending what may seem to be “obvious” classics. Not everybody knows these movies, and sometimes, it’s entirely appropriate to point out a classic like Double Indemnity.