Linda Thompson
Supporting Actor
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2004
- Messages
- 966
- Real Name
- Linda
OK...let me preface this by saying that I'm a total sucker for all the old-style Hollywood classics. That said, I'm here to mourn the apparent loss of a whole category from that by-gone era which seems to be sadly missing today, and that is...the Entertainment EXTRAVAGANZA...
My current nostalgia pangs were spurred, specifically, by a 5-movie Busby Berkley block on TCM last night. Those over-the-top (and I mean that in a GOOD way) choreographed numbers never cease to amaze and fascinate me.
Likewise all the old Esther Williams water ballet numbers... An exquisitely beautiful art form...which she made look SO easy and graceful. I miss it.
Gene Kelly...Fred Astaire...Ann Miller...Eleanor Powell.. All sheer poetry in motion.
Russ Tamblyn's extended dance number during the "toy party" scene in "Tom Thumb"...and it was the real deal. (He was already a highly accomplished dancer, gynmast, and acrobat at the time.) I still laugh, smile and sing along...and drop my jaw...every time I watch it. Wow...
And those are just a few off the top of my head, but they're all from a very long list from back when entertainers such as these did exactly that...they exhibited some extraordinary talents to thoroughly entertain an audience.
I honestly miss the performances of all of these truly gifted entertainers, and the vehicles which showcased them.
Not to say that today's entertainers, or today's movies, aren't good. I guess I just lament the fact that (to borrow an already-overused cliche)...they really just don't make 'em like that anymore.
Am I the only one who misses them?
My current nostalgia pangs were spurred, specifically, by a 5-movie Busby Berkley block on TCM last night. Those over-the-top (and I mean that in a GOOD way) choreographed numbers never cease to amaze and fascinate me.
Likewise all the old Esther Williams water ballet numbers... An exquisitely beautiful art form...which she made look SO easy and graceful. I miss it.
Gene Kelly...Fred Astaire...Ann Miller...Eleanor Powell.. All sheer poetry in motion.
Russ Tamblyn's extended dance number during the "toy party" scene in "Tom Thumb"...and it was the real deal. (He was already a highly accomplished dancer, gynmast, and acrobat at the time.) I still laugh, smile and sing along...and drop my jaw...every time I watch it. Wow...
And those are just a few off the top of my head, but they're all from a very long list from back when entertainers such as these did exactly that...they exhibited some extraordinary talents to thoroughly entertain an audience.
I honestly miss the performances of all of these truly gifted entertainers, and the vehicles which showcased them.
Not to say that today's entertainers, or today's movies, aren't good. I guess I just lament the fact that (to borrow an already-overused cliche)...they really just don't make 'em like that anymore.
Am I the only one who misses them?