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A Movie A Day: Quint remembers THE ALAMO (1960)
Indisposed? By God if you mean drunk, you say drunk, sir!

"Remeber The Alamo" by Sledge Hammer	Jul 6th, 2008 11:38:44 PM
"Yeah I do, it was shit" Sorry, couldn't resist. Still, hardly one of Wayne's better efforts.
Why do you not remember The Alamo (2004)? by YouAreAllMyBastardChildren	Jul 7th, 2008 12:06:57 AM
Don't care for the fiddler on the Alamo roof? Quint, my little bastard, did you partake in any sort of physically beneficial exercise today? The butt squeezes you performed while seated on your La-Z-boy during the film do not count.
GIVE ME THE AMULET, YOU BITCH!!!! by DRACULA_WANTS_THE_AMULET	Jul 7th, 2008 12:07:12 AM

Don't mess with Texas, by Stevie Grant	Jul 7th, 2008 12:09:55 AM
The Alamo was meant to slow the Mexican army's advance, and spare civilian casualties (Santa Anna had a "kill all gringos" policy, which allowed a lot of Chicano volunteers to return to the militia to kill more of his troops...); after Mexico populating Texas (North of the Naco.) with gringos and demanding those evil Northern Euro Immigrants/poor US Immigrant gringo Protestants learn Spanish, convert to Roman Catholicism, and 16th century Spanish (conquistador) government methods, and obey everything Mexico City says... that is, give all the money asked, while the only Mexican presence besides the tax collector, was the occasional Mexican military barracks backing said tax collector... But, ol' Santa was damn good at killing farmers and ordering the deaths of their families. He proved that everywhere in the Mexican provinces. Luckily, Santa Anna got so arrogant, Texas won San Jacinto. And the real irony is... Mexico never (economically) recovered from Santa Anna's insane economic rape and pillaging.
I saw this one at the Savoy with my Dad. by Napoleon Park	Jul 7th, 2008 12:19:56 AM
I remember a lot of classic moments - drawing a line in the sand, packing the cannon to explode, and of course the final moments of Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett. Didn't some teen idol type actor sing a song or something too? I remember doing a lot of doodles in grade school though all I got was the general fortress shape with the rounded arch over the doorway. Still to have grown up with Code Approved comics that actually had "the good guys always win" written out as a rule, the Alamo really opened my mind to storytelling possibilties. The state of education can't be so bad that it's considered a spoiler to mention that the fort is overrun and everyone is slaughtered in the end, right? I mean, that's like saying "You know in Titanic? the boat sinks." The Duke's "Death of Davy Crockett" was so over the top that even as a kid I was wondering "is that even physically possible?" Still, having grown up with Disneyland and the Fess Parker Crockett with the Tennessee Ernie Ford theme song, then - still as a kid, mind you - to be hit with "Hey, you know Davy Crockett? He dies." Well, that was pretty awesome. Wow, I must have been about 8 if this was in a first run theater. That's some age to find out that some times good guys lose and heroes die. I'm pretty sure I saw it once more some time in the '80s on HBO or Starz or something. One testament to this flicks power to grab you and shake you is that both times I saw it, I never realize how long it was. Two-forty-five? Really? It was big and epic and covered a lot of ground, but it just flew by.
Flicker, by Stevie Grant	Jul 7th, 2008 12:45:34 AM
to be honest, the worst example of Texas misrepresentation I've seen was in the X-Files movie. Anyone (let alont the 20+ million who are Texans) whose ever flown in to or out of DFW International (ie, hundreds of millions) knows that Dallas is not a desert. That was a insulting level of bullshit. Hell, they might have well depicted Las Vegas as being in the middle of a forest.
Hey I remember The Alamo. by TheNorthlander	Jul 7th, 2008 12:49:15 AM
I saw it once in London, on Leicester Square.
Far too bloody by Chicken Thunder	Jul 7th, 2008 12:56:59 AM
Bloody awful!
VENGEANCE IS MINE by palimpsest	Jul 7th, 2008 01:38:19 AM
That's THE KLANSMAN, right? First movie on Quint's list I don't think I've seen. Yay for Marvin vs Borgnine machismo overload! Any EMPEROR OF THE NORTH fans in today?
Dracula wants the amulet... by depalma25	Jul 7th, 2008 02:09:03 AM
we get it... you enjoy Monster Squad. Your username sums it up quite nicely. Your comment is, just simply, redundant. Oh, wait, I'm still waiting for a "wolfman has nards!" reference.
FOR: QUINT by DRACULA_WANTS_THE_AMULET	Jul 7th, 2008 02:20:45 AM
CALLER: MR. ALUCARD (SCHOOL?) MESSAGE: INTERESTED IN VAN HALEN DIARY POSSIBLE $$$ (PS: GIVE ME THE AMULET, YOU BITCH!!!!)
This is such a good feature.... by Gabba-UK	Jul 7th, 2008 02:30:06 AM
however I find it amazing that you haven't seen the Black Hole?? That film is a quilty pleasure, complete Star Wars/Star Trek rip off but for some reason I still enjoy it. I think you might too Quint....
Well I'll be ball tied and hung from a tree! by saggyballsack	Jul 7th, 2008 03:00:09 AM
Now that's cool news!
They Actually Tried Showing This Garbage by Aquatarkusman	Jul 7th, 2008 06:35:32 AM
In my 7th grade Texas history class. Of course, we were all in the throes of the "rappin' John Wayne" novelty song, so it made the movie a bit enjoyable. // P.S. I thought for a minute you were seeing the good (Imamura-directed) Vengeance is Mine; no such luck.
Quint, you'll burn out after a month and by Grammaton Cleric Binks	Jul 7th, 2008 06:47:07 AM
need a break, but you gotta keep this up, and do at least a weekly review of something you've never seen.
Wow, are Pighart and Dracula_Wants_the_Amulet retarted? by NomoredirtyjokespleaseweareYanks	Jul 7th, 2008 06:47:59 AM
Guys, don't even try. You are not the next DamnyouMichealBay. Drac, we get it....you like the Monster Squad. PigHart, your just fucked.
If you're going to call someone else retarded... by Sledge Hammer	Jul 7th, 2008 07:18:41 AM
...you might want to at least learn how to spell it correctly, otherwise you just look like, well, a bit of a retard really. But in answer to your question, yes, yes they are.
You've Never See The Black Hole? by kevinwillis.net	Jul 7th, 2008 07:19:46 AM
Did your parents have you locked in a box? It's not the greatest movie, but, good Lord, between the theater, cable (or, at the time, the local Microwave Movie Channel--had to have a special attena for it, fun technology that went nowhere) I must have seen The Back Hole 30 or 40 times. It was just on. Not the best movie. But some great parts, and some great effects. I was never a big fan of the end.
John Ford came along as well... by Gungan Slayer	Jul 7th, 2008 08:00:53 AM
Causing further problems to this film, John Ford kept showing up during the production, trying to give Wayne advice. Wayne, who didn't really want to offend his friend and mentor, would often send Ford to go shoot random second unit stuff---stuff that was never actually used in the film. There's like three seconds of battlefield stuff in the film that was shot by Ford, the rest of his second unit stuff axed (wayne never was going to use it to begin with). This film does have it problems, but it's a good one to watch. I would like to see it in its restored, expanded roadshow version. perhaps some day...
Quint by Manos	Jul 7th, 2008 09:35:52 AM
This is hands down one of the best features this site has seen in a long time, but I have to second what Gammaton said - don't burn yourself out. I have to admit that I'm seriously envious of your visits to the Burns Basement. What a wealth of stories that man must have, and you must know a few others with stories to tell. Maybe, when you're ready to give AMAD a break, you'll have some long talks and share some of those stories with us. I think AS(tory)AD might be a nice companion piece to AMAD. Something to think about, at least.
Daniel Boone/Dave Crockett always seemed like the same guy by Crimson Dynamo	Jul 7th, 2008 10:34:00 AM
Maybe it's just Fess Parker messin' with my mind
Bob Burns by m.dung	Jul 7th, 2008 10:37:58 AM
Word has it that Bob is in possession of the 'ahem' "undergarments" worn by Sigourney Weaver at the end of the first Alien. Anyone else heard this? Let's just hope they're under glass and not at the bottom of his sock drawer.
forced meme is forced by ArcadianDS	Jul 7th, 2008 10:48:17 AM
looks like we accidentally got a shipment of new tards that were supposed to be delivered to 4chan. anyway This one is only interesting because of the murder drama. Somebody should write a screenplay about that - sort of an "LA Confidential" that peeks behind the lights and backdrops of Hollywood to solve a murder. If you let him drink a shot of dry gravel, I bet Gary Sinease (wow is that bad or what) could do a passable John Wayne - as long as it was just for a quick cameo.
My dad liked this movie. by Tacom	Jul 7th, 2008 10:55:45 AM
I thought it was okay. I agree with Quint that it is clunky but you do feel bad what happens. Honestly I knew little about history and had no idea they all died at the end!
What Would Wayne Do? by theredtoad	Jul 7th, 2008 11:14:31 AM
Watch Gremlins 2.
I wonder if they'll ever make a real Alamo movie.... by Beard of Zeus	Jul 7th, 2008 11:16:19 AM
The one where Travis is an unapologetic racist rebel rouser, Bowie is a drunkard murderer at the end of the line and Crockett as the disgraced politian looking to rebuild his image? I guess sometimes you can't seperate the legend from the history.
I too found it a bit clunky. It started to lose me by Big Jim	Jul 7th, 2008 12:51:40 PM
about halfway through. I found the pacing to be a problem. The movie could have done without Crocket's love interest. That scene by the river really ground the movie to a halt for me. But it did pick up in the last hour. I was impressed with some scenes where it seems Wayne just planted the camera and they would do a 3-4 minute scene in one wide-shot. I get so tired of seeing "close-up 1, close-up 2, two-shot, wide shot, close-up 2, close-up 1, two-shot..."; it's nice now and again to see a one-take scene run all the way through.
Roadshow version and some other random stuff by PDepew2181	Jul 7th, 2008 01:52:00 PM
As far as the "Roadshow version" is concerned, I believe that this is the version that was released on VHS back in the early '90s. I say I believe this because my dad owns that version and I bought this on DVD a few years back, and I know of a few scenes that are missing. The only two that I can remember specifically are a scene between Bowie and Travis at the beginning of the film, after Houston has departed, where Travis informs Bowie that Houston promoted him and essentially embarasses Bowie in front of some of the other officers. The other scene I remember missing wrapped up the ridiculously unnecessary subplot of the guy who was with the girl Crockett liked and then sent away. In the DVD version, Crockett, Bowie and some of Crockett's men discover this guy's arms cache which he intends to sell to Santa Ana, I believe. The DVD cuts at that point, but the scene continued where this guy and his goons confronted Crockett & co. just to get killed easily. That was always one of my major problems with this film. It was way too long, and that whole subplot in addition to everything between Crockett and the woman was completely unnecessary and should have never been filmed. That was definitely the sign of Wayne being a novice director. The film should never be taken for any kind of historical accuracy either. The biggest problem is where Bonham rides back in and says that Fannin and his men were slaughtered, which did not happen until after The Alamo fell. Fannin mounted a very poor attempt to relieve The Alamo, but quickly turned back when his wagons broke down, if I remember correctly. That being said, the movie isn't horrible by any means. The final battle is still pretty dramatic. Most of the performances are good. I always liked Harvey and Widmark in their roles. Wayne played John Wayne, not Davy Crockett. Most of the supporting cast was good. Funny that Quint should mention that he found Chill Wills awful, considering the legendary and notorious campaign he mounted once he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor. For those not in the know, he took out an ad saying that the movie's cast were praying harder for "Cousin Chill" to win then the actual defenders had prayed for their own lives. That was followed by Groucho Marx's classic reply that he was proud to have Chill Wills as a cousin, but was still voting for Sal Mineo. Anyway, it's not bad, but not great. It's certainly a John Wayne lovefest on several levels, and your own taste for him will dictate how you like this movie. If you want a more accurate depiction of the events, however, you should definitely watch The Alamo from 2004 with Dennis Quaid and Billy Bob Thornton. That movie is certainly not beyond faults, but it is better than Wayne's version.
Alamo (wayne) vs Alamo (2004) by Die_Hardest	Jul 7th, 2008 02:00:47 PM
I actually thought the best parts of the 2004 version were the Houston parts. The Travis Bowie stuff was good, but if you really want to watch a movie about the Alamo you want to see the legend more than the actual history. The trick is getting legend and history to overlap a little, something no Alamo movie has ever really done very well. When you get right down to it though, John Wayne kicks Billy Bob Thorton's ass as Davy Crockett.
Laurence Harvey by The_Skook	Jul 7th, 2008 02:24:38 PM
Quite agree! He brought nobility to that role (true to life... who knows). If you like Harvey, Quint, check him out in the original 'Manchurian Candidate', and also 'Room at the Top' which he did before the US called and he was still doing small scale Brit movies. Excellent film.
Gungan Slayer by Knuckleduster	Jul 7th, 2008 04:34:38 PM
Really? That's interesting. He should have just handed the whole production over to Ford. Oh, vanity...
Bloody Awful if you ask me. by Jedibobster	Jul 7th, 2008 05:14:39 PM
Did you hear the one about the crashing plane?
So then, do you have tea? by TheNorthlander	Jul 7th, 2008 05:19:30 PM
No.
Can't wait for the Black Hole review by Grammaton Cleric Binks	Jul 7th, 2008 05:42:49 PM
Maximillian Schell, Robert Forster, Ernest Borgnine, Anthony Perkins, Slim Pickens. THIS is an all-star cast
Manchurian Candidate by Quint	Jul 7th, 2008 05:49:56 PM
Is an amazing movie... I still haven't seen the Denzel Washington remake, though, despite people really seeming to like it. I just don't know how it could be any better than the original... And kudos to the American Werewolf nods. I would have put those in the article if I had thunk it up like. heh
Re: Manchurian candidate by TheNorthlander	Jul 7th, 2008 05:55:53 PM
I actually just watched the remake for the first time very recently, found it really cheap on HD-DVD, and it IS really good. Still haven't had a chance to see the original though so I don't know how it compares, but standalone it works great.
Quint Knows What I'm Talking about by DRACULA_WANTS_THE_AMULET	Jul 7th, 2008 07:29:17 PM
Show us the Amulet!!!!
Machurian Candidate by Die_Hardest	Jul 7th, 2008 09:16:39 PM
Obiously the original is better, but the remake is a very good updated retelling of it. It's too bad the whole McCarthy-ism angle was lost though.
I like Demme's use of subjective angles. by Knuckleduster	Jul 8th, 2008 10:13:19 AM
He's the one director who makes it work. It certainly did the job in The Manchurian Candidate. It was a bit jarring in The Truth About Charlie, but I actually found it quite funny in that movie. Don't know if that was the point, though. But you're right, octagonproplex, Frankenheimer is underrated.

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A Movie A Day: Quint remembers THE ALAMO (1960)
Indisposed? By God if you mean drunk, you say drunk, sir!

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A Movie A Day: Quint remembers THE ALAMO (1960)Indisposed? By God if you mean drunk, you say drunk, sir!

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A Movie A Day: Quint remembers THE ALAMO (1960)
Indisposed? By God if you mean drunk, you say drunk, sir!