It has been several years (at least 20, or more) since I saw this movie. I remember the drunk guy singing a very amusing song. But I can't recall what the lyrics were.
Can anybody help me?
Thanks!
Cheers!
Sincerely, Steve B.
something about singing the blues???? or booze
shareAs one of his visitors was a military officer, he made up a song. "Make me a sergeant and gimme' the booze and I'll enlist."
It's on the front page of the movie under the quotes ... it was ...
"Make me a sergeant in charge of the booze! Make me a sergeant in charge of the booze! "
I always thought he said make me a sergeant and charge the booze.
What I never see mentioned is that that delightfully loony singer also would be the Blob's first victim four years later. Yes, he's the one who pokes that meteor, releasing the gucky invader. His name is Olin Howlin aka Olin Howland.
Jensen: "General, I'll make a deal with you. You make me a sergeant and charge the booze, and I'll enlist. {sings} Make me a sergeant! Charge the booze! Make me a sergeant and charge the booze!... Make me a sergeant! Give me the booze! Make me a sergeant! Give me the booze!" (approximate as I'm watching it)
Other patient (Oscar Blanke): [in response to Jensen's shouting] "Please! My nerves!"
*giggle*
This film has so many great bits by people either just getting started, about to make a name for themselves, and old-timers.
*** The trouble with reality is there's no background music. ***
I like your quote, but you know ... one of the things I really enjoyed about a Friz Lang movie called "M" was the fact he had no music ... unless it was a radio playing in the scene. I really like how Lang didn't try to lead you on emotionally with background music. I'd like to see more of the old movies that are like that.
shareActually, in "M", there was all that6 whistling of "In the Hall of the Mountain King"
Sam Tomaino
Yes but the whistling was part of the scene ... just like with the radio at the cafe' the couple where in.
I was referring to background music that has nothing to do with what is happening in the film.
Absolutely right! I will say that whistling added to the unease just as well as any musical score would.
Sam Tomaino
This is rather belated, but... The quotation came from a sticker from TK Graphics back in the Seventies. The company produced all sorts of items for SF/horror/genre fans. That one was a favorite because background music often cues the audience about characters falling in love, being in danger, etc.
It might be nice to get a musical cue occasionally. Maybe we wouldn't miss opportunities or find ourselves in peril.
So, this has long been one of my favorite quotations. I guess I'll never know who came up with it.
*** The trouble with reality is there's no background music. ***
[deleted]
I didn't know the drunk was the "old man" in the original version of "The Blob."
Thanks for the info!
Cheers!
Sincerely,
Steve B.
He had an amazing career, including appearing in "Gone with the Wind"!
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0398250/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
*** The trouble with reality is there is no background music. ***
What a good character actor he was!
I didn't make the connections till I was working on a book about character actors. Sometimes he's "Howlin", other times "Howland"; he really kept busy. h's one of those "wallpaper actors" that never seem to get to make a name for themselves. Clara Blandick is probably one of the most well-known examples. Who's Clara Blandick? Auntie Em!
Meanwhile, Olin gets at least two very memorable moments, even when his name remains pretty much unknown.
*** The trouble with reality is there is no background music. ***
It must been fun writing that book. A true labor of love!
I didn't have access to the Net. I didn't know about IMDb.
I'm not sure if I should continue the project, but I have about 1,000 entries at this time. If my old word processor works, I can print out more. Who knows? Maybe someday I'll see if I can find an interested publisher. It would be a nifty reference guide, with entries for such people as Bobo Lewis, Rockets Redglare, Galaxy Craze, Rags Ragland and many more.
*** The trouble with reality is there is no background music. ***
Sounds like a fascinating book with rarely-mentioned Hollywood personalities. I hope it gets published someday.
Perhaps this will give me incentive to continue my work. I've had people say, "Can't you just look it up on the Net," which truly discouraged me. I just wanted to put together a book about overlooked people that would be as comprehensive as possible. I don't want to just list a filmography; each film listing would include a thorough cast listing with notable names in bold.
It would be nice if Mr. Howlin/Howland and others could be focused on in such a way. It would be wonderful if I could have pictures of them, but some might prove too difficult. With him, you can say, "The old man in 'The Blob'" or refer to his scene in "Them!". A film fan would say, "Oh, yes! I know him!" For example, Carmen Filpi is the hobo on the train with Pee-wee in "Pee-wee's Big Adventure". Alice Drummond is Alice the librarian in "Ghostbusters". There are memorable moments that bring actors to mind, but not everyone gets one of those moments. Then, a picture would help.
BTW: Galaxy Craze IS that actress's real name!
*** The trouble with reality is there is no background music. ***
I wish you the best of luck regarding your book-writing project.
Sincerely,
Steve.
Thank you!
I'd love to bring attention to all of these people in the background who often add so much to movies, often without the audience noticing. It says a lot that Olin's small role in "Them!" delights so many people, yet he also could be the tragic old man who releases the creature in "The Blob". Other times, he simply blended into the action.
*** The trouble with reality is there is no background music. ***
Please let me know when your book gets published. :-)
I'd be happy to do that! I hope I can create something film buffs will love. I know the majority of those dedicated to movies like to know about even minor actors. People have helped IMDb stand out by contributing those we recognize, including good ol' Olin.
*** The trouble with reality is there is no background music. ***