tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post1037144075733211364..comments2024-02-05T21:23:49.249-08:00Comments on Lady Eve's Reel Life: PLANES, TRAINS, AND AUTOMOBILES: FRANK CAPRA'S "LOST HORIZON"The Lady Evehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-56451431316234259392015-10-22T08:11:29.843-07:002015-10-22T08:11:29.843-07:00In earlier comments I mentioned a DVD that's a...In earlier comments I mentioned a DVD that's available now that you might want to check out. I believe it was UCLA and the AFI that began its restoration many years ago and so scenes that were cut and thought lost are now included. + extras. I recommend Lost Horizon even to those who are not great fans of Capra.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-55601212112878737872015-10-22T08:04:25.302-07:002015-10-22T08:04:25.302-07:00Thanks, Christian. Capra did a fine job of depicti...Thanks, Christian. Capra did a fine job of depicting and contrasting the turmoil before arrival in Shangri-La with the serene, dream-like quality he created for the lamasery compound and the valley. I have always loved the grandiose "moderne" architecture and grounds of the compound, a real 1930s fantasia.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-89100943103768165802015-10-22T04:55:39.866-07:002015-10-22T04:55:39.866-07:00It's been many years since I have seen this fi...It's been many years since I have seen this film. I cannot even comment on whether I liked it or not. Think that means I need to watch it again. Loved all the background information, and as always well done. John/24Frameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14719659042858962026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-4556377408158853242015-10-21T23:20:29.203-07:002015-10-21T23:20:29.203-07:00Great review Lady Eve, and I very much enjoyed the...Great review Lady Eve, and I very much enjoyed the historical note on the model for Shangri-La. The film itself seems veiled in mists, a work of lost time, with fantasmic art-deco sets that could only be pure fantasy. Yet we suspend disbelief in watching this story and so identity with Conway. Great selection for the blogathon.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07407056803955925235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-52821734543193477352015-10-20T21:16:04.732-07:002015-10-20T21:16:04.732-07:00I'm so glad you mentioned John Howard, Rick. I...I'm so glad you mentioned John Howard, Rick. I edited out a reference to his casting. At the time, David Niven was suggested for the role but was deemed "too light." Thinking of Wuthering Heights, A Matter of Life and Death, Separate Tables and even The Bishop's Wife, it's clear that passing on him was a mistake. Howard's George isn't much more than a whining brat. I think Niven would've given the character and his resistant point of view the credibility Howard failed to. Only the nobility and consideration Colman brought to his character makes it possible to believe Conway would leave Shangri-La because of his brother's hysterical accusations.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-24881658691028102952015-10-20T20:58:33.794-07:002015-10-20T20:58:33.794-07:00Lost Horizon is my favorite Capra film, too. He to...Lost Horizon is my favorite Capra film, too. He took a great deal of care to express the story's idealism and appreciation for social as well as intellectual and spiritual enlightenment. It's beautifully filmed, the sets are really "out of this world" and Ronald Colman as Conway is one of the best examples of perfect casting I can think of. There's a DVD out there now with great extras - excellent back story and history plus an alternative ending (which I could swear I saw on TV as a child).The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-18577054301807827042015-10-20T19:49:42.834-07:002015-10-20T19:49:42.834-07:00This was one of my father's favorite films (th...This was one of my father's favorite films (that's not surprising because he loved the novel and was a Ronald Colman fan, too). It's a beautiful film, although I always wish that someone other than John Howard was cast as Conway's brother. His performance makes George seem so petty that I resent him deeply when Conway decides to leave with him. By the way, I think the musical remake was judged too harshly. Yes, it's flawed,, but still interesting and with a couple of nice songs.Rick29https://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-36322946929799976442015-10-20T19:09:47.172-07:002015-10-20T19:09:47.172-07:00"Lost Horizon" is my personal favorite C..."Lost Horizon" is my personal favorite Capra film - it really is magical; it speaks to the romantic idealist in us all. This film really made a deep impression on me when I first saw it broadcast as a child, and you've really done a superb job, Eve, of capturing its mystique in your concise and beautiful descriptions. I believe the themes of this story speak powerfully to the world we live in today, to the longing that many of us share for a society that's enlightened and respects the humanity in us all. You've inspired me to return to this classic (it's been quite a while) - I'm sure I'll see even more this time around.Motorcycle Boynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-64165231720295398952015-10-20T18:05:19.368-07:002015-10-20T18:05:19.368-07:00Thank you! I remember falling in love with Shangri...Thank you! I remember falling in love with Shangri-La and Ronald Colman the first time I saw Lost Horizon.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-28703145601329460732015-10-20T17:03:51.941-07:002015-10-20T17:03:51.941-07:00What a beautiful post about a magical film. I will...What a beautiful post about a magical film. I will never forget the first time I saw it and how I have never forgotten it.FlickChickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17351624749230610755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-26187806469262575652015-10-20T15:52:46.634-07:002015-10-20T15:52:46.634-07:00While there are plenty of spoilers in my piece, I ...While there are plenty of spoilers in my piece, I left quite a bit out, too, so you have a surprise or two in store. I hope you enjoy Lost Horizon.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-44402441439161003252015-10-20T15:50:50.981-07:002015-10-20T15:50:50.981-07:00I agree. Later in his life, Capra expressed some m...I agree. Later in his life, Capra expressed some misgivings about perhaps "getting lost in the architecture" of Shangri-La, but I think he was being hard on himself, it all works for me. And, yes, Colman was more than worth the wait.<br /><br />There's a DVD out now with some excellent extras on the production.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-7234815891804266642015-10-20T13:46:59.423-07:002015-10-20T13:46:59.423-07:00Can't believe I haven't seen this! I'v...Can't believe I haven't seen this! I've gotta check it out ASAP. It looks like a gorgeous movie, and what a great cast, too. Loved your review. :)Silver Screeningshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04955048716754142299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-14031547679373508112015-10-20T11:56:54.035-07:002015-10-20T11:56:54.035-07:00I think Capra and Riskin succeeded beautifully in ...I think Capra and Riskin succeeded beautifully in capturing the spirit of "Lost Horizon". Along with his innate storytelling abilities, Capra was a genius with is casting of the character people in his pictures and he was so right to wait for Ronald Colman. You have reminded me of how fond I am of this picture that I haven't seen in too long a time, and I thank you.<br /><br />Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.com