Great to see you back, dear listeners! Wonderful! Just stellar! Absolutely stellar! Stellar! Stellah! HEY, STELLA!!! Yes, that’s my brilliant lead-in to this week’s entry in “I Keep Meaning to Watch That,” “A Streetcar Named Desire.” With a screenplay written by Tennessee Williams, and adapted from his successful stage play, this movie stars two of the most amazing actors of its time: Marlon Brando and Vivien Leigh. Chosen by Mike, this is one of “those” movies, the movies you’re supposed to see if you consider yourself a fan of film (no, I’d never seen it either; I’d read the play but never seen the movie). With its raw, gritty emotion and rather painful view of humanity, this isn’t the easiest movie to watch. Is it worth the effort? Tune in and we’ll let you know what we think.
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Loved your take on this movie! Mike, I agree with you about Vivian Leigh’s performance. There was a lot of over-the-top, scenery-chewing moments that kind of took me out sometimes. It’s still an amazing film acting-wise. If you don’t like a lot of dialog, don’t see Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Elizabeth Taylor will kill you – even though that, too, is a great movie.
Did a YEAR of improvised Tennessee Williams, which meant a year of research. Just so you know, Tennessee Williams was born in Mississippi. Also just so you know, he wrote a lot of his best stuff in Provincetown. Had to get the Mass. reference in. 🙂
Thanks, Val! I tried to watch “Cat,” and Taylor’s voice made me stop after about ten minutes. It’s not a fair try; I probably wasn’t in the mood but she seemed so SHRILL! Provincetown has changed a lot over the years, I’m sure, though the gay thing is still very prevalent. Can’t imagine that had anything to do with Williams’ writing!
I am with Val on Leigh and “Cat on Hot Tin Roof”. (I worked on a little on parody version of that called “Pussy on the House”). Tennessee Williams was apparently a big leather queen back in the day so it’s wonder Brando wasn’t in a leather harness instead of a t-shirt. Not that anyone would complain if he was, OMG his performance is great but Mike is right…”woof!” pretty much covers his looks in this. Off to look for young Brando in leather harness now…
Good luck finding one, although Brando apparently had his flings. I want to say that his look in “The Wild One” and Tom of Finland are probably the two biggest reasons for leather having become that gay icon thing. Seeing Marlon in this movie was a revelation as I had no idea why he was considered such a heartthrob, having only seen him in later movies.
DO NOT watch Last Tango in Paris… you have been warned!