August 2, 2012

Something Wicked This Way Comes: Clint Eastwood. "I Talk To the Trees"

You have been warned.

Posted by gerardvanderleun at August 2, 2012 10:59 AM
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"It is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood." -- Karl Popper N.B.: Comments are moderated and may not appear immediately. Comments that exceed the obscenity or stupidity limits will be either edited or expunged.

Now you must post Lee Marvin singing from the same movie, Paint Your Wagon. I love that movie, especially on a cold dark rainy winter day.

Posted by: twolaneflash at August 2, 2012 11:48 AM

Gerard - You gotta put a warning label on this stuff - Because once seen IT CAN'T BE UNSEEN!

Posted by: Derek-Alexander at August 2, 2012 12:11 PM

That movie may have some difficult-to-watch cringe-inducing moments, but it withstands the test of time so it's good. It had a difficult production.

So what if Eastwood sings like a regular schmoe would who's singing to himself in the forest? And Lee Marvin talks in tune? Just like Rex Harrison in My Fair Lady.

Overall, it's a movie that sticks with you, there are many memorable scenes, songs, characters and dialogue. Lots of fun for the whole family. Part of the American canon, now.

Posted by: John A. Fleming at August 2, 2012 12:24 PM

If ever there was a manly musical---this is it! It's also my favorite movie, and has one of the best overtures in movie musical history. All those men singing! And beautiful---tragic---Jean Seberg. Every lousy movie Lee Marvin ever made is forgiven by Paint Your Wagon (imho).

Paint Your Wagon --- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5_57PF7HwM&feature=related

I Was Born Under a Wandering Star --- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWX-C76VhCg&feature=fvst

Posted by: Deborah at August 2, 2012 1:03 PM

Hurrah Deborah! Except that, given all the nancy boys that infest our cinema today, I'd say that Lee Marvin never made a lousy movie in his life. Or more precisely, Lee Marvin never gave a half-***ed performance. He remains a giant of the 20-century cinema.

Posted by: John A. Fleming at August 2, 2012 3:33 PM

Heh - I'll never forget his Oscar acceptance speech for Cat Ballou in which he said he thought half the credit should go to a horse.

Posted by: pfsm at August 2, 2012 5:51 PM

This was before Clint was a monster star. Marvin was definitely the star, and who can argue with the genius of Paddy Chayefski? Besides it's a battle of the sexes classic. Women want security, then they want respectability. Men want to get laid.

Posted by: Casca at August 2, 2012 9:46 PM

BTW, The Professionals is a Western high water mark.

"You bastard!"

"Yes sir, in my case an accident of birth. But you sir are a self made man."

Posted by: Casca at August 2, 2012 9:48 PM

My elders said this scene was rollicking good fun to see in the movie house. A so bad it's good moment, as they were rofl at the spectacle of a rough and tough cowboy who couldn't sing a lick, try without hope at turning in a respectable performance of a tender love ballad.

Posted by: John A. Fleming at August 2, 2012 11:04 PM

One of the rare occasions Clint Eastwood is not playing Clint Eastwood.


"I talk to the trees, does that bother you, punk? Well, does it?"

There. Fixed. Now 'Hand me down that Can-o-Beans'.

Posted by: Cond0011 at August 3, 2012 6:10 AM