Thursday, January 25, 2018

Thursday Movie Picks TV Edition-Book to TV Adaptations


I am coming back to the blogging world even though my mom’s funeral or celebration of life is this Saturday and I feel guilty writing something I find fun so soon after my beloved mom’s death. I feel like I shouldn’t have fun so soon and yet, my mom would laugh and say, “Don’t be silly sweetheart, just because I am gone doesn’t mean you should stop living.” She would laugh and say, “no, no...don’t be silly.” So I'm writing about TV shows this week which is supposed to be based on a book. I didn’t go the mini-series way where I would have a lot more Picks, I chose actual tv shows that were or are quite successful and 2 have a lasting influence even today. Check out Wandering Through The Shelves to see what the rest have chosen. Here are my 3....

1. SUPERMAN-1952-1958


We all know that this tv show and all the tv shows after and films as well, come from the great comic books written by Jerry Sieger and Joe Shuster (a Canadian) from the 1930’s on. The first tv show starred George Reeves as the Man of Steel and poor George became typecast as a result. In fact, he had a substantial role in From Here to Eternity but when it was shown to people in an advanced screening, people were  laughing at Superman in this movie so his role was almost cut out completely. We know the story, Superman is from the planet Krypton, raised here on earth and  he decides to fight evil. He becomes mile mannered Clark Kent hired as a reporter for the Daily Planet and quickly falls for non nonsense Lois Lane, the star reporter. Somehow, she and photographer  Jimmy Olsen, get into trouble and Superman saves the day. I watched these shows constantly and loved them and had no idea how famous he really was in the 1950s until much later. The first season was more adult like and more violent, for this decade, so the execs decided that this is a kid’s show and, to lessen the violence and adult scripts, made it kid friendly. Oh and George Reeves did not kill himself by trying to fly off a building or shooting himself with his costume on, he was murdered...I am certain of that.

2. LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE-1974-1983


I read the books, written by Laura Ingalls Wilder, and I watched the tv show and loved it despite their home looking more like Little Outhouse on the Prairie. It Stars Michael Landon as Charles  Ingalls, The patriarch of an all female household. His dutiful wife, his perfect oldest gal, Mary, before she becomes blind, the youngest daughter, Carrie who neve did much and the plucky star, Laura Ingalls. Many episodes were about Laura and how spunky she was, always questioning and always beating up Nellie Olsen, the spoiled brat of the Olsen Family who own the store. I loved the simple tales that often had some teaching behind it. My favourite episodes were when the school kids were caught in a blizzard walking home from school. The other was the horrible episode when a fire hits the school for the blind and one of the regular characters was killed along with Mary’s baby. I had to pick this one because my mom called every PSW and nurse, Laura Ingalls. I don’t know why but she did and she even called the one lady who placed her into bed last Monday, after lunch, Laura Ingalls. She told the PSW to have a good day and good night And that was the last thing my mom said.

3. CARDINAL-1917 TO PRESENT


I started watching this highly rated Canadian show when it first came out and I am addicted. This is an adaptation of "40 Words of Sorrow" by Gilles Blunt which was a big seller. It takes place up north and begins with a young, ambitious detective sent to investigate Cardinal, a long time cop who has secrets he is trying to keep. During this time, a serial killer is loose and they must try to find the killer all while she is investigating Cardinal. The other cops  dislike her making her job even more difficult. If you get a chance, you should watch this.

43 comments:

  1. Well, I guess I'd have to go current and say the obvious - Game of Thrones. I did watch Little House sometimes when I was a kid.

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    1. I know Game of Thrones will be big this week but I haven’t seen it. I don’t have Netflix or HBO

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  2. The only one I've seen is Little House on the Prairie which was never for me. I forget to use mini series on nearly every TV pick.

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  3. We got our first TV in 1950 and I grew up watching Superman. I have never seen one episode of LHOTP. Not sure why not. I have not heard of Cardinal (2017?) though I love Murdoch Mysteries on CBC. I'd be tempted to pick Father Brown until I started reading the stories and discovered that the BBC totally changed the setting. Kept Brown and Flambeau only. I still love it.

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    1. Cardinal is really good but they are much more serious than Murdoch

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  4. I haven't seen any of these but I've heard about Little House on the Prairie.

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  5. I watched the original Superman occasionally when I was a kid and it was being rerun in the afternoons after school and while it was a tad dated I liked it. Poor George.

    I also watched Little House off and on when it was in its first run. Sometimes it was very compelling and sometimes pretty sticky sweet. LOVED Alison Arngrim's bio "Confessions of a Prairie Bitch" about her years playing Nellie Olsen.

    I haven't heard of your third but it sounds interesting.

    I went the miniseries route for mine all of which I really enjoyed when they showed. I own the first two and rewatch them often.
    East of Eden (1981)-Comprehensive telling of the John Steinbeck masterpiece itself a twist of the Cain and Abel parable is effectively rendered if slightly weakened by a mushy performance by Timothy Bottoms as main protagonist Adam Trask. But it is entirely worth seeking out for Jane Seymour’s virtuoso turn as one of the most venal females in literature. Her work as the soulless Cathy/Kate is a revelation-she is by turns vindictive, coy, feral, enchanting and chilling. It is one of THE best pieces of acting in television history. For her work alone this is a must see but it is a very effectively told tale with many other fine performances especially Lloyd Bridges as a version of the author’s own grandfather Samuel Hamilton.

    Tales of the City (1993)-Based on Armistead Maupin’s first book in his Tales series this is a bittersweet look at the denizens of the bohemian apartments of 28 Barbary Lane in swingin’ 70’s San Francisco whose owner Anna Madrigal (Olympia Dukakis) is the freest of spirits. Full of wonderful period detail and fine acting from at the time rising performers such as Laura Linney as naïve new girl in town Mary Ann Singleton and Chloe Webb as nonconformist Mona Ramsey as well as Parker Posey, Paul Gross, Thomas Gibson and a wealth of others. Followed by several sequels.

    The Stand (1994)-Solid rendering of Stephen King’s chronicle of a nearly annihilating plague followed by a battle of good versus evil features an excellent cast (Gary Sinise, Laura San Giacomo, Ruby Dee etc.) and involving story telling though it does have some ill-conceived special effects even for the time. Outside of that misstep this is about as good a version of the story as can be had.

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    1. I was thinking of the Mini Series and would have picked East of Eden which I think is surperlative to the 1950’s film version. I agree with everything you say about this mini series and Jane Seymour. I would have picked The Thorn Birds as well. I haven’t seen Tales of the City but I have seen The Stand and was just thinking about this show yesterday but couldn’t remember the name

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  6. Hi Birgit...she would be laughing with you sweetie....I shall be looking out for Cardinal as I really love detective stuff.....will be thinking of you on Saturday and sending you hugs xxxxx

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    1. Thank you so much because I am feeling anxious. I appreciate your kind words

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  7. I think most of our loved ones want us to get on with our lives after they've passed, and I'm sure your mom would be no exception.

    I agree that George Reeves was almost definitely murdered. I think Hollywoodland, which I assume you've seen, dealt with the various theories quite well.

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    1. You are right and she would want me to not grieve so as she is with my dad. I read an excellent book about George Reeves and feel that it was Marx who killed him. He was The henchman for MGM and was the husband of the woman who was having an affair with Reeves. It could have been Ms. Mere herself

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  8. The only actor still living from "The Adventures of Superman" is the original Lois Lane on the series, Phyllis Coates. Jack Larson died in 2015, Noel Neill (who was the second most-popular pinup gal during World War II) died in 2016. I'm positive George Reeves was murdered. By whom? I couldn't say.

    That show "Cardinal" has been on a long time, but it hasn't made it south of the border yet, at least not anywhere that I've seen it. I asked Mary, and she hasn't seen it, either. Guess we'll have to go looking for it...

    Glad to see you blogging again! And I'm sure your mother would be happy to see you were getting back to life.

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    1. I didn’t know Phyllis Coates is still alive which is pretty neat. Cardinal is actually pretty new and this is the second season unless you are thinking of another show called by the same name. Thank you for your sweet words

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  9. The only happy memories I have from the days after my mother day three years back was from the books I forced myself to keep reading. Honestly, I think that's the only thing that kept me sane. It seems wrong, but grief is best counterbalanced by stuff like this.

    Ever seen Hollywoodland? Fascinating look at Reeves and the circumstances of his death.

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    1. You are right with your wise words. I have seen Hollywoodland which is good.

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  10. H Birgit - I feel for you ... but as you're doing, you need to step away and just switch off for a time. I haven't seen these ... but now I'm in Canada - I think! Cardinal might be on - not that I'll be watching ... as I don't control the control!!

    With thoughts for Saturday - a time for joy too seeing family and friends perhaps you wouldn't normally see ... and enjoy those memories they share with you of time with your mother - take care - Hilary

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words and I will take in so much on Saturday and hope it goes well

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  11. Listen to your mom--laugh, dance, enjoy life. The Mama liked Laura Ingalls, too. I thought it was because little Laura reminded the Mama of her own plucky childhood.

    I'm with you. I think George was murdered, too. Just goes to show how good he was as Superman that people didn't want to believe him as anyone else.

    Good cheer, BB!

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    1. Thank you so much. Your mom and mine have something in common because she felt she could relate to Laura Ingalls. George Reeves caused a huge sensation and it’s a shame what happened to him.

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  12. Will be thinking of you on Saturday x

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  13. Our loved ones want us to continue with life like they did in most times indeed.

    I've seen Little House on The Prairie and a few superman episodes. Funny how your mom just randomly called everyone that.

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    1. Thanks Patt. My mom said she could relate to Laura Ingalls so that character meant a lot to her for some reason

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  14. I'm so sorry for your loss. It's totally okay to do frivolous things during this time. It'll keep you sane. The more frivolous and for you, the better.

    Little House was huge in my elementary school, but I just couldn't. I'm not sure why. I've never seen an episode, but I am quite aware of it.

    Lots of book adaptations nowadays. I'm happy to see that. I'd love it if they did more fantasy-type shows, though. The ones they do aren't the book series I was into. Alas.

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    1. It’s fun y how many I read around blog land just were not into Little House..I thought it would be the opposite. Game of Thrones I suspect, will be big this week. Thanks for your well wishes, much appreciates

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  15. Personally, I think it's a tribute to your mother to review these shows. Ironically, since we didn't own a TV until I graduated and moved out of the house, I never saw any of these shows. Superman would have been before my time, anyway, but Little House probably wasn't. And I've never heard of Cardinal, but I would love to see it, if only it was here in the states.

    I'll be with you on Saturday, if only in spirit.

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    1. Thank you very much for your kind thoughts. Superman was before my time also but the6 played it often in reruns. Little House is still shown and kind of fun to rewatch

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  17. He was murdered, by Lex Luthor

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  18. Sorry to hear about your mom. However, you have nothing to feel guilty about. If you don't find some type of release during this time you might really go crazy.

    Love your picks. I used o watch Superman and Little House on the Prairie a bunch as a kid. Of course, Supes was one of my faves. I liked Little House well enough, but wouldn't consider myself a big fan. Still, I saw it all the time because somehow it always seemed to be on at my house.

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    1. Thank you for your well wishes. I am feeling anxious actually. I’m glad you like my choices. Little House is on everywhere even today.

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  19. So sorry to hear about your mum. My mother has just died too and the funeral service is next week. It's hard, isn't it? But as you say, our mums wouldn't want us to stop having fun and I have tried to carry writing and posting. RIP our lovely mums!
    That's Purrfect

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    1. I’m so sorry to hear about your mom. May we light a candle and think of them with sweet memories and funny moments. It is hard but we must carry on.

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  20. I absolutely loved Little House on the Prairie. I have watched every episode countless times. I read and enjoyed the books too. :)

    Sending you hugs. I can only imagine how difficult things are for you right now. I do think your mom would be happy your wrote this post though and wouldn't want you to feel bad. Moms always want us to feel happy. Plus- you spotlighted LHOTP and that had to make her smile. :)
    ~Jess

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  21. First: I know exactly what you mean about feeling guilty for doing something pleasurable while you're mourning your mother. You already know that your mother would support you, so I'm glad you've put aside your misgivings because you are definitely not wrong. Grieving and taking pleasure from everyday life are not mutually exclusive!

    Second: I used to watch Little House on the Prairie occasionally - only because I adored 'little Jo'. :)

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  22. I haven't seen any of them though I do know of the first 2. Have not heard of the last one. We don't usually get Canadian series, unless Netflix picks them up.

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