You bring us back the other reality that we have missed so much of since the fire. We DO have to take the time to get away, even for just a few hours. The rebuild bullshit is tearing us down.
So glad you felt up to an outing and you went to see the movie! And thank you for the heads up of two more coming along.
Clearly your critiques carry weight due to your experience and knowledge base… Just think of it. An hour with Jimmy Stewart!
I wish my mother were still living for an informative conversation about similar wartime personalities… in particular I remember her mentioning Audie Murphy with great admiration, but she never elaborated, and of course I was young and also intimidated by her and so … just never learned more from her on topics like that.
She passed suddenly in the same manner as her dad and brother so… I’m watchful in hopes I don’t carry that same genetic tendency. Hmmm.
Anyway, anytime you feel the urge to write more about war heroes, any at all… Always your writing carries stories of oh so many pilots, the action, particular campaigns - who, what, when, where … I know I’m not alone in my eagerness and interest to learn.
Always grateful for your critiques and recommendations. Thanks for this. I enjoyed seeing Pressure June 5, which was great timing.
So many other aspects of people Mom referenced are coming to my mind now, but it’s not the place for saying more. Suffice it to say there were contradictions in the beliefs she seemed to hold and convey… Biases… And yet there were people she clearly admired who didn’t fit her templates.
One trait always was spunk.
Growing up, we got to watch “I Love Lucy,” spunk personified, of course!
Tom, I am jealous. When you mentioned your favorite movies today, I thought about mine. I'm not sure I can rate 5 as all time favorites, but I have two: "The Wizard of Oz" and "It's A Wonderful Life". The latter is so moving to me, and I have read (perhaps untrue) that the scene on the bridge where George Bailey considers suicide and Clarence the angel saves him, Jimmy used the emotions of the war to deliver that tremendous scene. I draw heavily on that movie for one of my manuscripts.
I recall seeing him on Carson back in the day, and he seemed like a good man. I sure would love to have met him.
I didn't realize he was a pilot. After finishing your book "Bloody Skies" a few weeks ago, that really hits as to what he experienced and why Jimmy could bring those experiences to his acting.
You can see the experiences of the war in Stewarts movie choices before the war and after. After, the movies are much darker and about "important" items. Not much light and gaiety in them.
>Anyway, go see “Pressure” - it’s a good story that comes at the right time to remind Americans about back when 89% of Europe didn’t see us as a “doubtful ally” and when our word was good.
Thank you TC for your recommendations. I was sure when I saw the previews we would get your input on it. Looking forward to seeing it and the othe two you mentioned!
My only quarrel with "Pressure" was near the end when they gave only a three-second nod to the C-47s following behind the ground forces. They were crucial to the entire operation, and weather is always a factor in the air.
I look forward to "Jimmy" because he's one of my idols. When my fantasy version of America floats across my mind, he's always President and he's everybody's dad. And he's in one of Hollywood's most underrated erotic scenes, the one where he and Donna Reed share a telephone to talk to a friend in "It's a Wonderful Life."
“If ever any one man won the Battle of Britain, he did. I don’t believe it is realised how much that one man, with his leadership, his calm judgment and his skill, did to save not only this country, but the world.” - Lord Tedder, head of the RAF, on Keith Park, at the New Zealand Society’s annual London dinner, February 1947
A shameless plug for the dramatized documentary about Sir Keith Park, an exceptional fellow countryman, who led the RAF to defeat the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain. I don't know where you might find or access this, but recommend viewing it if you can. "The Kiwi Who Saved Britain" is worth watching for the historical footage contained.
He also saved Malta. He's well portrayed (I think) in Battle of Britain. (If you have never seen Battle of Britain, it is also available on MGM this weekend and you should check it out. It's historically accurate - though the pilot's names are changed since most were still alive and buying the movie rights to their lives to get their names would have made a movie that scrambled for money too difficult to do.)
Some footage from that 1969 movie is used in the documentary courtesy of MGM. However, much of Keith Parks on-screen appearance in Battle Of Britain was fictionalised for dramatic effect.
You bring us back the other reality that we have missed so much of since the fire. We DO have to take the time to get away, even for just a few hours. The rebuild bullshit is tearing us down.
Thanks again Tom.
An afternoon playing movie hookey can give you a week's energy to fight the daily struggle.
Great advice, even if I have to go alone. That mght be better therapy actualy.
It is, or with a friend
So glad you felt up to an outing and you went to see the movie! And thank you for the heads up of two more coming along.
Clearly your critiques carry weight due to your experience and knowledge base… Just think of it. An hour with Jimmy Stewart!
I wish my mother were still living for an informative conversation about similar wartime personalities… in particular I remember her mentioning Audie Murphy with great admiration, but she never elaborated, and of course I was young and also intimidated by her and so … just never learned more from her on topics like that.
She passed suddenly in the same manner as her dad and brother so… I’m watchful in hopes I don’t carry that same genetic tendency. Hmmm.
Anyway, anytime you feel the urge to write more about war heroes, any at all… Always your writing carries stories of oh so many pilots, the action, particular campaigns - who, what, when, where … I know I’m not alone in my eagerness and interest to learn.
Always grateful for your critiques and recommendations. Thanks for this. I enjoyed seeing Pressure June 5, which was great timing.
So many other aspects of people Mom referenced are coming to my mind now, but it’s not the place for saying more. Suffice it to say there were contradictions in the beliefs she seemed to hold and convey… Biases… And yet there were people she clearly admired who didn’t fit her templates.
One trait always was spunk.
Growing up, we got to watch “I Love Lucy,” spunk personified, of course!
Tom, I am jealous. When you mentioned your favorite movies today, I thought about mine. I'm not sure I can rate 5 as all time favorites, but I have two: "The Wizard of Oz" and "It's A Wonderful Life". The latter is so moving to me, and I have read (perhaps untrue) that the scene on the bridge where George Bailey considers suicide and Clarence the angel saves him, Jimmy used the emotions of the war to deliver that tremendous scene. I draw heavily on that movie for one of my manuscripts.
I recall seeing him on Carson back in the day, and he seemed like a good man. I sure would love to have met him.
I didn't realize he was a pilot. After finishing your book "Bloody Skies" a few weeks ago, that really hits as to what he experienced and why Jimmy could bring those experiences to his acting.
You can see the experiences of the war in Stewarts movie choices before the war and after. After, the movies are much darker and about "important" items. Not much light and gaiety in them.
Thanks. Pressure has been on my list. I'm looking forward to seeing it on the big screen
Looking forward to going - friends who’ve seen it thought it was excellent.
Thank you!
>Anyway, go see “Pressure” - it’s a good story that comes at the right time to remind Americans about back when 89% of Europe didn’t see us as a “doubtful ally” and when our word was good.
A reminder we all need right now. Thanks Tom.
I thought Andrew Scott as Stagg stole the movie. The weather dilemma was riveting.
Yes, he was excellent - carried the movie on his shoulders.
Thank you TC for your recommendations. I was sure when I saw the previews we would get your input on it. Looking forward to seeing it and the othe two you mentioned!
Pressure is on my list to see. Have some travel coming up so hopefully it will be a my local movie place when I return.
But, I just streamed "The Longest Day". Seen it a few times. But as I get older....meh.
Of course, the ships and planes are all wrong. And the deaths in battle are essentially bloodless. Throw up your arms and fall to to the sand. Dead.
But I do love the gliders landing at the Orne Bridge.
My only quarrel with "Pressure" was near the end when they gave only a three-second nod to the C-47s following behind the ground forces. They were crucial to the entire operation, and weather is always a factor in the air.
I look forward to "Jimmy" because he's one of my idols. When my fantasy version of America floats across my mind, he's always President and he's everybody's dad. And he's in one of Hollywood's most underrated erotic scenes, the one where he and Donna Reed share a telephone to talk to a friend in "It's a Wonderful Life."
Here's another....
“If ever any one man won the Battle of Britain, he did. I don’t believe it is realised how much that one man, with his leadership, his calm judgment and his skill, did to save not only this country, but the world.” - Lord Tedder, head of the RAF, on Keith Park, at the New Zealand Society’s annual London dinner, February 1947
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6744390/
A shameless plug for the dramatized documentary about Sir Keith Park, an exceptional fellow countryman, who led the RAF to defeat the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain. I don't know where you might find or access this, but recommend viewing it if you can. "The Kiwi Who Saved Britain" is worth watching for the historical footage contained.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_Park
He also saved Malta. He's well portrayed (I think) in Battle of Britain. (If you have never seen Battle of Britain, it is also available on MGM this weekend and you should check it out. It's historically accurate - though the pilot's names are changed since most were still alive and buying the movie rights to their lives to get their names would have made a movie that scrambled for money too difficult to do.)
Some footage from that 1969 movie is used in the documentary courtesy of MGM. However, much of Keith Parks on-screen appearance in Battle Of Britain was fictionalised for dramatic effect.