Ended the afternoon with Anthony LaPaglia's annual Emmy submission episode for WITHOUT TRACE, this year abducted and tortured while trying to find a missing con man. Boy, the make-up, acting, and sound effects certainly made his torture seem VERY realistic. Very disturbing to watch but a good episode with several big surprises.
Yep, nothing beats an afternoon of realistic torture.
For me, however, the afternoon was lame/tame bycomparison. Watched "Carousel" and its special features DVD including the complete commentary by Mr. Nick Redman and Ms. Shirley Jones.
I found the commentary fascinating. Really enjoyed the discussion about Barbara Ruick. Before marrying John Williams, Ruick was apparently married to actor Robert Horton (with whom she attended the premiere of the film in New York and both of whom were captured on the Fox Movietone News reel that is also on the DVD).
Shirley commented that she had worked with both Gene Lockhart and Ed Begley and always got them confused. I have never worked with either, but I've never confused them at all.
Ms. Jones also had high praise for Jacques D'Amboise's dancing in the ballet and indicated she believed this was his first film. Mr. Redman made no comment. I thought for sure they'd both later slap themselves across the head when they recalled that Mr. D'Amboise was one of the Pontipee brothers in "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" before he made "Carousel."
Those few things aside, however, the commentary was fascinating and insightful and wonderfully interesting throughout the length of the film. One cannot say that about most commentaries!!!
I have always loved this film. And I love having it on DVD in this format. The color, however, seemed a bit flat to me. I don't think Fox lavished as much attention on it as it obviously did on the glorious "The King and I".
And DR MattH, you must watch with the commentary turned on as Nick and Shirley DO talk about the casting of Frank Sinatra and Shirley has some interesting things to say, including why she thinks he walked away.
