Creepy Things to Remember: A Kill Fest Public Service Announcement
Another Public Service Announcement from Christopher Lee. Notice the odd cocking of the head at the end, as if confused by what he just said. Just one more little touch that makes Lee the best PSA announcer EVER!
You figured it out Fox. I've been putting these together in my basement over the last month hoping no one would make the connection. Because where else could I have possibly gotten these Christopher Lee PSA's? It's a mystery.
If you should chance to pass an automobile accident and see someone bleeding out on the pavement, that person may well soon be dead. Or at least his insurance premiums will skyrocket.
Do people still have portraits of themselves made? I don't think I've ever had one hanging in my house.
I did used to have a framed photo of Elvis Costello in my bathroom, though. Lady friends thought it was bizarre. Understandably so, but it was always a good ice breaker/conversation starter.
Christopher Lee making love or masturbating is a "buzz" kill?
Speak for yourselves boys! I for one think Lee is one hot and sexy guy who can bite my neck any time. Even if he's 90 years old, wearing a diaper and toothless I'd still let him suck on my neck.
Marilyn, are you saying Lapper & I should get a room? I got a sense Marilyn was crabby today. Hey don't take it out on us that your Cubs just got swept in the playoffs!!
And yes, Lapper, I really love Psycho. I think the camerawork and tone during the post-Janet Leigh death clean-up sequence is top notch awesome. That scene is so tighly controlled and wound. I love it.
I'm not sure I follow. Maybe I'm reading too much into this. But if you're implying "Does anybody really like that movie" I'd say "Hell yes I think it's a masterpiece!" So is that what you're saying? Because I think it's pure genius from beginning to end. Okay the last pyschiatrist stuff is a little unnecessary but other than that... and it's featured prominently in my month ending finale.
Kimberly - I'm going to try and block out thoughts of a diaper wearing Christopher Lee masturbating.
My comment regarding Psycho actually assumed you all do love the movie and it was kind of in the spirit of what you say when you're driving away from Dairy Queen and somebody says "God, isn't ice cream about the best thing going?" and everybody just nods, because they've got melting ice cream running towards the elbows.
I'll go you one further, Laps, and say the whole second half of the movie is unnecessary. The whole thing is there in the first 49 minutes, the whole thesis statement. The more I think of Psycho the more I think it's the quintessential postwar American movie. I'll elaborate in a post on my own blog one of these days but it's 50 minutes of screen time that just becomes more and more meaningful the older I get.
I don't know if the Leigh arrival-murder all falls into that 50 minutes, but if it does I would agree with Arbo that that is the peak of the film. I like when, erm... Arbogast shows up, but then it does fade a tad near then end. Not enough to take away it's masterpiece label mind you.
Quintessential post-war movie? I couldn't really argue against that. When I think of the Bates Motel and it's existence and it's current state in the movie all based around Eisenhower and the interstate system that began in the fifties it takes on a theme of the old America (pre-war) and its old ways slashing away at the new America (independent women, highways, service economy). It really is brilliantly told. I could go on (really I could for many many paragraphs) but I want to read a post by you on the subject. Do it this month!
Also, when Arbogast visits and starts questioning Norman at the desk and the camera closes in on Norman's nervous face - that's Hitchcock doing some of his finest work. God I wish I could have seen it not knowing Norman was the killer.
Agreed. Arbogasts arrival and "interrogation" of Norman is also brilliant. I would extend the peak of the film that our Arbo speaks of at least to that point.
I don't know if the Leigh arrival-murder all falls into that 50 minutes
It's actually 49 minutes, which I noted before I wrote my second post at Arbogast on Film, related to Marion Crane's sexuality.
I love the Arbogast v. Norman scene, too, but mostly from an actor standpoint. Both players are at the top of their form. The scene also seems to me to be a battle between cold Protestant repression (symbolized by Norman) and Hebraic needling (symbolized by Arbogast) which reflects the more dialogue-based Talmudic tradition. And, true to history, when they push too hard, the Jews get it in the neck.
But back to my original point. I think the whole theme of people isolated or alienated from life is perfectly encased in the first half of the film and the impossibility of honest success so nicely personified by the twinned neuroses of Marion and Norman. They both hear inner voices, they both have mother issues, and they both break the law - they're on the same road but Marion isn't as far gone as Norman and when she tries to turn back he murders her (although not for that reason). That one of these wounded birds is made to turn on the other rather than to lash out is the real tragedy of Psycho... and life.
Good stuff, guys. You're rolling out stuff that I never would have though of before, and gets my brain excited and reminds me of why I love thinking and talking and typing about film! (see, I'm getting all gay & giddy about it...)
Which, reminds me of another Jewish-themed reading Arbo had of Wes Craven's Last House on the Left which was just freakin' awesome. If Arbo and Lapper don't mind, HERE is the link.
And Arbo please feel free to remove that link if you think I am taking liberties with your own material. That might sound like a silly disclaimer, but sometimes I it feels weird posting another fellas stuff without his permission... even when I think it's great stuff.
28 comments:
You know... I remember Lapper saying that this fall he was gonna reveal his true identity.
Could it be??? Nah... but, could it???
You figured it out Fox. I've been putting these together in my basement over the last month hoping no one would make the connection. Because where else could I have possibly gotten these Christopher Lee PSA's? It's a mystery.
By the way, does it count if you purposely knock a portrait of someone you hate off a wall? Because if so I've got some portrait smashing to do.
If you should chance to pass an automobile accident and see someone bleeding out on the pavement, that person may well soon be dead. Or at least his insurance premiums will skyrocket.
Do people still have portraits of themselves made? I don't think I've ever had one hanging in my house.
I did used to have a framed photo of Elvis Costello in my bathroom, though. Lady friends thought it was bizarre. Understandably so, but it was always a good ice breaker/conversation starter.
Fox, let me know if it falls.
If you should encounter your wife whilst making love to another woman, take notice of the time. It may be your last minute on Earth.
Do you think Christopher Lee ever made love to a woman other than his wife?
Sorry... I know I just brought up the image Lee making love, and that's kind of a buzz killer for Kill Fest.
Fox, it's not like you brought up the image of Christopher Lee masturbating. Now that would be a buzz kill!
it's not like you brought up the image of Christopher Lee masturbating
Perhaps that explains the "odd cocking of the head"?
Ohhh me.
Get a room -- without portraits hanging on the wall!
How did Christopher Lee doing fuzzy old saws about death turn into a conversation about sex?
I hear the Bates Motel has several vacancies. They advertise in my banner section. Check it out. It's a nice place run by a sweet boy and his mother.
Christopher Lee making love or masturbating is a "buzz" kill?
Speak for yourselves boys! I for one think Lee is one hot and sexy guy who can bite my neck any time. Even if he's 90 years old, wearing a diaper and toothless I'd still let him suck on my neck.
It's a nice place run by a sweet boy
Oh, that would be Master B... uh, Norman.
Does anybody else really love Psycho? Does anybody else think Psycho could end and still be satisfying after only 50 minutes in?
Oh, that would be Master B... uh, Norman.
Arbogast is my God!
Marilyn, are you saying Lapper & I should get a room? I got a sense Marilyn was crabby today. Hey don't take it out on us that your Cubs just got swept in the playoffs!!
And yes, Lapper, I really love Psycho. I think the camerawork and tone during the post-Janet Leigh death clean-up sequence is top notch awesome. That scene is so tighly controlled and wound. I love it.
I'm not sure I follow. Maybe I'm reading too much into this. But if you're implying "Does anybody really like that movie" I'd say "Hell yes I think it's a masterpiece!" So is that what you're saying? Because I think it's pure genius from beginning to end. Okay the last pyschiatrist stuff is a little unnecessary but other than that... and it's featured prominently in my month ending finale.
Kimberly - I'm going to try and block out thoughts of a diaper wearing Christopher Lee masturbating.
[NOTE: my Psycho comment was meant for Arbo. All of y'alls stupid October names are MESSING WITH MY HEAD!!!]
My comment regarding Psycho actually assumed you all do love the movie and it was kind of in the spirit of what you say when you're driving away from Dairy Queen and somebody says "God, isn't ice cream about the best thing going?" and everybody just nods, because they've got melting ice cream running towards the elbows.
I'll go you one further, Laps, and say the whole second half of the movie is unnecessary. The whole thing is there in the first 49 minutes, the whole thesis statement. The more I think of Psycho the more I think it's the quintessential postwar American movie. I'll elaborate in a post on my own blog one of these days but it's 50 minutes of screen time that just becomes more and more meaningful the older I get.
I don't know if the Leigh arrival-murder all falls into that 50 minutes, but if it does I would agree with Arbo that that is the peak of the film. I like when, erm... Arbogast shows up, but then it does fade a tad near then end. Not enough to take away it's masterpiece label mind you.
Quintessential post-war movie? I couldn't really argue against that. When I think of the Bates Motel and it's existence and it's current state in the movie all based around Eisenhower and the interstate system that began in the fifties it takes on a theme of the old America (pre-war) and its old ways slashing away at the new America (independent women, highways, service economy). It really is brilliantly told. I could go on (really I could for many many paragraphs) but I want to read a post by you on the subject. Do it this month!
Also, when Arbogast visits and starts questioning Norman at the desk and the camera closes in on Norman's nervous face - that's Hitchcock doing some of his finest work. God I wish I could have seen it not knowing Norman was the killer.
Jonathan-
Agreed. Arbogasts arrival and "interrogation" of Norman is also brilliant. I would extend the peak of the film that our Arbo speaks of at least to that point.
Btw... anyone have an opinion on the remake??
I don't know if the Leigh arrival-murder all falls into that 50 minutes
It's actually 49 minutes, which I noted before I wrote my second post at Arbogast on Film, related to Marion Crane's sexuality.
I love the Arbogast v. Norman scene, too, but mostly from an actor standpoint. Both players are at the top of their form. The scene also seems to me to be a battle between cold Protestant repression (symbolized by Norman) and Hebraic needling (symbolized by Arbogast) which reflects the more dialogue-based Talmudic tradition. And, true to history, when they push too hard, the Jews get it in the neck.
But back to my original point. I think the whole theme of people isolated or alienated from life is perfectly encased in the first half of the film and the impossibility of honest success so nicely personified by the twinned neuroses of Marion and Norman. They both hear inner voices, they both have mother issues, and they both break the law - they're on the same road but Marion isn't as far gone as Norman and when she tries to turn back he murders her (although not for that reason). That one of these wounded birds is made to turn on the other rather than to lash out is the real tragedy of Psycho... and life.
Good stuff, guys. You're rolling out stuff that I never would have though of before, and gets my brain excited and reminds me of why I love thinking and talking and typing about film! (see, I'm getting all gay & giddy about it...)
Which, reminds me of another Jewish-themed reading Arbo had of Wes Craven's Last House on the Left which was just freakin' awesome. If Arbo and Lapper don't mind, HERE is the link.
And Arbo please feel free to remove that link if you think I am taking liberties with your own material. That might sound like a silly disclaimer, but sometimes I it feels weird posting another fellas stuff without his permission... even when I think it's great stuff.
No objections.
What if a portrait of an already dead person falls. Does that mean they die from being dead? Or does that mean they come back to life?
And if the portrait of a living person does fall is there like a 3 second rule? If you hang it back up in time, that person doesn't die?
What the hell, Lee? Don't leave so many unanswered questions.
Evil Clown, Chris verified for me that the three second rule does indeed apply. Race to hang it back up and everyone's okay. Phew.
Personally, I think that little cock of the head at the end is a draggy kind of "Oh, no you DON'T" kind of thing.
Does that make me weird?
I love the thought of Lee wagging his finger in that "Z" fashion at the same time he's saying, "Oh no you don't!"
And I wouldn't say you're weird. I'd say you're a lovable eccentric!
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