Lately I’ve been interested in understanding or attempting to understand the sense of satisfaction dedicated professional craftspeople get from their work. Pursuit and mastery of some endeavor whether it be violinmaking or banking seems to drive just about all of us but in some ways work that involves our hands and bodies in the creation of something tangible seems particularly satisfying.
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FHB readers have provided me with good list of books on subject. Now I’m wondering, does anybody know of any movies, narrative or documentary, that portray people involved in the practice of a trade or craft (carpenters, masons, plumbers, woodworkers, gardeners, instrument makers, etc), movies that give some insight into the struggles and rewards of hand labor?
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Mr Blandings Builds His Dream House...Mr Tissander is a classic...LOL
required viewing for anyone in this racket...
I especially like the paint color scene....
That's not a rock....dats a ledge.....Hey want them lintels rabbeted ........?"
" I don't want any rabbits around here..."
.....?.....I give ........is that from Mr. Blandings ?how about ...." fat drunk and stupid, is no way to go through life son ""
Yes, that's from "Mr. Blandings..." It's what Cary Grant says after the carpenter asks him "if yous want these lintles they should be rabeted?"
What the...
..I missed THAT, but I heard .".it just sounded cheaper to say no ""
Well, I have to admit, it's been many years since I've seen the movie, but I'm very good at remembering obscure lines from movies, (and that's about all). I could be wrong though.
I don't think your wrong, I was probably laughing to hard when all the wood starts falling from the sky , the movie is a hoot
......and those painters......"
I remember seeing a movie, maybe 10 years ago or so, about an old black carpenter who was trying to go about his business while the greedy land developers were trying to find a way to steal his farmland. I think it starred Sidney Portier (sp) . I also thought it was one of those "hallmark hall of fame classics" but I didn't see it on the list when I just looked. I thought it to be a very good movie and showed an honorable side to being "simple craftsman." Not much in the way of blood, guts, sex and chase scenes. Definately a family movie.
Simple Life of Noah Dearborn w/Sidney Poitier, Dianne Wiest
Haven't seen it but will check it out. Thanks.
Tracking down name of above movie I came across another possibility, The Last Brickmaker in America, also with Poitier. Anybody know anything about it?
Poitier, of course, was builder in Lilies of the Field. Great performance/movie.
".it just sounded cheaper to say no " LOL you beat me to the punch, maddog.
i figure that's the thinking most homeowners have when they hire work and don't know what the heck they are talking about.jc, this may be waaaaayy off, but as far as really getting into the head of a true artist as they do their craft, a film i would highly recommend is "Babbette's Feast". the art in this case is culinary, and it's a long movie. it features mostly women but it's not a chick flick. takes a while to get started, but by the feast at the end you see craft and art from the perspective of a person who has had to give up something at which she was a talented master, and after years has one last chance to create something astounding. if you are after the meditative force and satisfaction behind the creation, this is a good one to see. the idea behind it can be applied to any fine craftEdited 11/11/2005 1:32 am ET by msm
Edited 11/11/2005 1:33 am ET by msm
Check here-- http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040613/quotes
T
What kind of book are you planning ?
Or script ??!?
"Other than telling us how to live, think, marry, pray, vote, invest, educate our children and now, die, I think the Republicans have done a fine job of getting government out of our personal lives" -Craig Carter.
It's not exactly about a craftsman. "Life As A House", about an architectural model maker and building his dream house. Moving story with some closeup construction of what appears to be a Post and Beam home on a water front hillside.
Bob The Builder<G> "what's in a name?" d'oh!
Anybody remember "Tool Time"? (VBG)
locolobo; Edmonton, AB
Anybody remember "Tool Time"? (VBG)
Yea they run it about 12 times a week. <G>
Tim
HGTV used to have a show Modern Masters that sounds like what you are looking for. I don't know if it is still on the air, they filled the evening time slots with more fluff.
"Modern Masters" still comes on here where I live. Don't always catch it but certainly enjoy it when I do.DUM SPIRO SPERO: "While I breathe I hope"
not what you were asking, but an interesting side note..
Harrison Ford worked as a cabinet maker before he became an actor. Saw a picture of him once standing proudly behind an old green 66 powermatic cabinet saw.... same saw I have as a matter of fact.
He also did some carpentry in ' Wtness'
Harrison Ford rented my aunt and uncle's house in Strasburg, while Witness was being filmed. He fixed and outside step for them...rolled a log up to it. It's still there<G> "what's in a name?" d'oh!
Ever see "The Money Pit"? I bought it.
(The house... not the movie)
"Money PIT"...That'f funny - guess they made more than one, as I've got one too -bet mine's older 8>)
Yep, one of my favorites: Overboard.
blue
Harry Connick Jr's character in "Hope Floats" was as close as I can remember to an accurate depiction of a craftsman.
A good one is Mel Gibson in 'The Patriot'. He makes windsor chairs, and they always break.
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People are entitled to their own opinions; People are not entitled to their own truth.
Jacob
I always liked Paul Neuman's carpenter type in Nobody's Fool.
Pretty realistic portrayal of a middle of the road type of guy.
Mike
Trust in God, but row away from the rocks.
Middle of the road? Sullivan was a character that was more out on a limb and didn't care. What a great movie though, especially for watching Mr Newman at his best.
Maybe I've run off the road so many times, the shoulder is my middle! ; ^ ) Mike
Trust in God, but row away from the rocks.
Good one.