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How did they make cars fall apart in old movies (2017)

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Re: How did they make cars fall apart in old movies (2017)

#61
post #14

I immediately assumed this article was about the French movie Le Corniaud (1965) in which a 2CV falls apart in 250 pieces in an accident—this scene specifically: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnLj5Xo4zBc&t=19s It became one of the most iconic scene of French comedy movies. To prepare the scene, the special effects engineer sawed off the car in 250 pieces, reattached every piece with hooks, and secured the hooks wit…

I'm not sure how to translate this line: « Ah ben maintenant elle va marcher beaucoup moins bien, forcément ! » (Bourvil reportedly improvised it, causing de Funès to start laughing and bow his head to hide it).

Google Translate: “Ah well now it’s going to work a lot less well, of course!”

Deepl:

- It's going to work much less well.

- It's going to run much less smoothly.

- It's going to run a lot less smoothly.

None of these suggestions sounds good to me (in case it isn't clear I'm not a native English speaker).

Re: How did they make cars fall apart in old movies (2017)

#62
post #23
post #6

For those who don't know, Keaton was amazingly dedicated as a comedic stuntman - a silent era Jackie Chan (he was less popular after the silent era, but kept working until his death in the 60s). From Wikipedia: Garry Moore recalled, "I asked (Keaton) how he did all those falls, and he said, 'I'll show you.' He opened his jacket and he was all bruised. So that's how he did it—it hurt—but you had to care enough not to…

> He opened his jacket and he was all bruised. So that's how he did it—it hurt—but you had to care enough not to care." It reminds me of the glass eating trick by David Blaine, where the trick is to… just eat glass. It makes it quite bittersweet, as after all, those men are trading some of their wellbeing for some of their fame. Not sure how to feel about it.

Men sell their bodies all the time. Miners, fishermen, football players, etc. 97% of all workplace fatalities are men.

Re: How did they make cars fall apart in old movies (2017)

#63
post #44
post #6

For those who don't know, Keaton was amazingly dedicated as a comedic stuntman - a silent era Jackie Chan (he was less popular after the silent era, but kept working until his death in the 60s). From Wikipedia: Garry Moore recalled, "I asked (Keaton) how he did all those falls, and he said, 'I'll show you.' He opened his jacket and he was all bruised. So that's how he did it—it hurt—but you had to care enough not to…

> He opened his jacket and he was all bruised. So that's how he did it—it hurt—but you had to care enough not to care. I don't want performers to risk their safety, health and life for my entertainment. Obviously I cannot stop it, but I can stop watching those who engage in things like this. (And I don't just mean the stunt performer, but the director, the producers, the studio and the franchise.) I have unsubscribed…

> There is the principle attributed to Houdini

Houdini died from a rather trivial stunt he performed many times before. A hit to the abdomen before he could flex his muscles most likely ruptured his appendix. Keaton died of lung cancer well past the end of his fame.

You can manage the danger of stunts, you can reduce it and prepare for anything that could go wrong. You can never completely avoid it and sometimes a single error is all it takes.

Re: How did they make cars fall apart in old movies (2017)

#64
post #6

For those who don't know, Keaton was amazingly dedicated as a comedic stuntman - a silent era Jackie Chan (he was less popular after the silent era, but kept working until his death in the 60s). From Wikipedia: Garry Moore recalled, "I asked (Keaton) how he did all those falls, and he said, 'I'll show you.' He opened his jacket and he was all bruised. So that's how he did it—it hurt—but you had to care enough not to…

Video of some of his better stunts: https://youtu.be/yOo_ZUVU_O8?si=1OEwZTk-d88ma2Zs And a great Every Frame a Painting film essay on his work: https://youtu.be/UWEjxkkB8Xs?si=n-4ZNr_cMnYVKijs He was truly an innovator that makes today’s “films of people talking to each other” look amateurish. A few months ago the local theatre was playing Sherlock Jr. with a live band, and it was awesome. Try to see it in similar ci…

> A few months ago the local theatre was playing Sherlock Jr. with a live band

AFI in Silver Spring?

Re: How did they make cars fall apart in old movies (2017)

#65
post #63
post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> He opened his jacket and he was all bruised. So that's how he did it—it hurt—but you had to care enough not to care. I don't want performers to risk their safety, health and life for my entertainment. Obviously I cannot stop it, but I can stop watching those who engage in things like this. (And I don't just mean the stunt performer, but the director, the producers, the studio and the franchise.) I have unsubscribed…

> There is the principle attributed to Houdini Houdini died from a rather trivial stunt he performed many times before. A hit to the abdomen before he could flex his muscles most likely ruptured his appendix. Keaton died of lung cancer well past the end of his fame. You can manage the danger of stunts, you can reduce it and prepare for anything that could go wrong. You can never completely avoid it and sometimes a si…

> You can manage the danger of stunts, you can reduce it and prepare for anything that could go wrong.

I think that is all I'm asking. Or not even that. Just saying that if they don't, i don't want to watch it.

> Houdini died from a rather trivial stunt he performed many times before.

The blows which allegedly killed Houdini were not suffered during a performance or stunt.

Re: How did they make cars fall apart in old movies (2017)

#66
post #61
post #14

I immediately assumed this article was about the French movie Le Corniaud (1965) in which a 2CV falls apart in 250 pieces in an accident—this scene specifically: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnLj5Xo4zBc&t=19s It became one of the most iconic scene of French comedy movies. To prepare the scene, the special effects engineer sawed off the car in 250 pieces, reattached every piece with hooks, and secured the hooks wit…

I'm not sure how to translate this line: « Ah ben maintenant elle va marcher beaucoup moins bien, forcément ! » (Bourvil reportedly improvised it, causing de Funès to start laughing and bow his head to hide it). Google Translate: “Ah well now it’s going to work a lot less well, of course!” Deepl: - It's going to work much less well. - It's going to run much less smoothly. - It's going to run a lot less smoothly. None…

All four sound fine to my native ears. "It's going to run ..." is most natural when talking about a vehicle. (French if I recall does not distinguish "working" from "running" for machines generally.)

Re: How did they make cars fall apart in old movies (2017)

#67
post #6

For those who don't know, Keaton was amazingly dedicated as a comedic stuntman - a silent era Jackie Chan (he was less popular after the silent era, but kept working until his death in the 60s). From Wikipedia: Garry Moore recalled, "I asked (Keaton) how he did all those falls, and he said, 'I'll show you.' He opened his jacket and he was all bruised. So that's how he did it—it hurt—but you had to care enough not to…

You can see some classic Keaton in "A Funny thing Happened on the Way to the Forum". He remained great, even as an old man.

Re: How did they make cars fall apart in old movies (2017)

#68
post #14

I immediately assumed this article was about the French movie Le Corniaud (1965) in which a 2CV falls apart in 250 pieces in an accident—this scene specifically: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnLj5Xo4zBc&t=19s It became one of the most iconic scene of French comedy movies. To prepare the scene, the special effects engineer sawed off the car in 250 pieces, reattached every piece with hooks, and secured the hooks wit…

The one I thought of was the Silver Hornet from Revenge of the Pink Panther: https://youtu.be/0z-FtAMg6Vw?si=zGsEnyt4NKtsMnLb Even though I’ve seen many different versions of this gag, they are all still funny to me.

This seems very much like an homage to the French film example, just done less well.

Re: How did they make cars fall apart in old movies (2017)

#69
post #67
post #6

For those who don't know, Keaton was amazingly dedicated as a comedic stuntman - a silent era Jackie Chan (he was less popular after the silent era, but kept working until his death in the 60s). From Wikipedia: Garry Moore recalled, "I asked (Keaton) how he did all those falls, and he said, 'I'll show you.' He opened his jacket and he was all bruised. So that's how he did it—it hurt—but you had to care enough not to…

You can see some classic Keaton in "A Funny thing Happened on the Way to the Forum". He remained great, even as an old man.

Wow, I completely forgot that he played Erronius. Every time I think about the way he says "stolen in infancy by pirates" in that gravelly voices of his I have to stifle a laugh.

Re: How did they make cars fall apart in old movies (2017)

#70
post #42
post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am also trading my short term wellbeing, if only for money - by working in an unappreciative startup; I suppose many others do the same, and even more would like to. My hope is that my long term wellbeing improves as a result.

That's true, although society generally does not applaud sustaining permanent injuries at work as dedication.

I can’t imagine staring at a screen for 8h+ hours a day[1] is not causing some permanent injuries.

[1]: Not to mention daily zoom calls with a micromanaging boss and a mandatory video on rule.

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