Well....I watched "A Cold Wind In August" and it turned out that it was really not a very good film, which kind of shocked me.....Sad to say that, but, true. 
Scott was certainly an extremely attractive young man at that point in his life---very very appealing, but, sad to say, I'm afraid he was not as good in the film as I had thought he was, at the time. My memory of his performance had been quite diffeent...and Lola Albright, well, a very beautiful woman, but the script was just not good at all, and one might say, the whole thing felt quite "dated" in every way. That is not always true of many of the older films of the late 1950's and early '60's. But....this one, unfortunately didn't hold up well----at least, not for me.
The true revelation for me was another film that TCM showed later that night,..Directed by Alan J. Pakula and Written by Alvin Sargeant...another May-December Romance---older woman and younger man fall in love, starring Maggie Smith and Timothy Bottoms. "Love & Pain & The Whole Damn Thing", (Rent-able at Netflix) released in 1971, if I am correct. I had never seen it before and it is a charming, sweet and very funny film, and deeply touching, too. It is such a literate script with so much humanity and it encompasses some great truths......
It was a revelation to me because I did not even remember hearing about this wonderful film, let alone seeing it---How I missed this film, I will never know. And I loved every minute of it. It was all filmed on location in Spain and it is extremely beautiful because of the real locations....
This is a film very much worth renting and in fact, actually buying. To me, this was not dated, at all. It is a really special film that warmed my heart and lifted my spirits......Run, do-not-walk, to the nearest Video/DVD Store---in my case Netflix. See....this is why Turner Classic Movies is such a truly valuable treasure. 
Like I said before, where else could you see this early Alan J. Pakula Directed film, with the sublime Maggie Smith and the very talented and dear young Timothy Bottoms? Nowhere! BRAVO, TCM!More To Come.........
- had this to say:
well now... i have never seen or heard of Love & Pain and I love love love Maggie Smith!!! Now I am going to have to see this movie somehow..I don't know how I missed it on TCM! Thanks for the tip Naomi!
- Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at 4:35:00 AM PDT
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Maggie Smith is a wonderful actor! It's fun to take a look at films I've seen before; sometimes I am just as impressed as I was the first time; other times I see more and then there are the times that I wonder what I like about it in the first place! Perspective changes, doesn't it? Thanks for another interesting post, Naomi. Be well.
- Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at 5:44:00 AM PDT
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I can't say I've seen either film I'm afraid but what I did notice is that when I recently watched Airplane again, it just wasn't that funny. The humour, to me anyway, had really not stood the test of time. I was disappointed as the first time I saw it, I thought it was one of the funniest films ever.
- Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at 10:00:00 AM PDT
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What ever happened to Timothy Bottoms? I doubt I will ever be see this film since I'm not on Netflicks and have no cable. I rely on my little video store in town. But it looks like one I'd like. Even before I was the older woman part of a couple I liked these stories. I'm trying to remember the names of a couple I'm thinking of but they escape me.
- Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at 2:58:00 PM PDT
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I have always thought that Maggie Smith is a terrific actor, my favourite film of hers is The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. I think I need to rent it again.
- Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at 3:26:00 PM PDT
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I'm glad you get such joy out of watching movies Naomi! I love to watch them without the commercials too. Makes a wonderful difference! Nowadays the commercials are so many more than they used to be. (Is that proper English? HAHA!) Well, you know what I mean!
Glad to hear Sweetie is still doing well after a little setback.
Hugs and love,
Rachel- Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at 3:47:00 PM PDT
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Maggie Smith is just sublime isn't she?!
My favourite May-December romance story is "Harold and Maude"... gosh I love that movie!
I will keep a look out for Love and Pain etc.
Hope you're feeling better!- Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at 5:29:00 PM PDT
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Noami I think movies of 'yester-day' are worth what is being shown lately in the theatre scene. Some really cheap production that it is not worth going to the movie anymore.
- Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at 7:16:00 PM PDT
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I love it when TCM shows a great movie that I have never seen before.
I caught Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing the other night too, and thought it was awesome.- Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at 10:06:00 PM PDT
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Just the title "Love & Pain & The Whole Damn Thing" would interest me but your review put me over the top.
Excuse me, but I am off to Netflix now. Thanks Naomi.- Wednesday, September 8, 2010 at 4:29:00 AM PDT
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I'll add this to my list. Netflix will certainly be wondering about all the sudden requests for this film! I just watched the Vivian Leigh special on TCM the other night and thought about you and wondered if you were watching it. There was a lot I didn't know even though that special was quite old. I guess I just missed it all these years.
- Wednesday, September 8, 2010 at 11:24:00 PM PDT
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These are two movies I don't recall. Have usually enjoyed Maggie Smith, do recall the name Timothy Bottoms but can't remember any of his other films.
Interesting how some older films aren't as we remember since there's been so much since then. I decided for myself, anyway, that it's partly simply because it's not the "first time" viewing -- loses some element.- Wednesday, September 8, 2010 at 11:55:00 PM PDT
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Sounds familiar, but I love Maggie Smith, will watch it. Sounds like my kind of film.
- Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 8:49:00 AM PDT
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Thanks for the recommendation - have just added it to my Netflix queue. I love Maggie Smith, and when I was younger I sort of had a crush on Timothy Bottoms. I definitely do not remember this movie, though.
Nancy in Iowa- Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 10:08:00 AM PDT
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I had never heard of the second one either and will definitely add it to the netflix list as it sounds good. Maggie Smith is always wonderful
- Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 10:40:00 AM PDT
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I love watching old films, but haven't watched one in ages. I must put that right! :)
- Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 3:12:00 PM PDT
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had this to say:
Catching up on movies we missed is one of the lucky luxuries of living in the 21st. century! In the "old days" a film was released, run in large theatres, then in small ones, and then it was GONE! Hidden in studio vaults forever! Thanks to electronic innovation, we can enjoy the art of yesterday, today and tomorrow.
For all of you who are within driving distance of Los Angeles, I have a hot tip on a great play being presented at Theatre West. I saw "Waiting for Lefty" there last weekend, and it was in-credible!!! This is a 1930's era Odets play about a union meeting. The cast is so realistic you think you are really right there in the union hall. Costumes, sound, everything is as good as it gets.It has gotten great reviews. It really helps to contrast the difference between this economic mess and the 1930's.
I heard a teen tell her mother (who had said the family will have to share 1 cell phone because money is tight)"back in the thirties, life was easier and simpler. We have so much more to worry about!"
She should go see "Lefty" and find out how much worse things were then.
the fat lady- Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 4:18:00 PM PDT
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I'd never heard of either film, Naomi. I'll look for the one with Maggie and Tim.
- Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 10:48:00 PM PDT
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love the review (and the photos that you've added!) and i'm putting "...and the whole damn thing" on my to-see list. gotta love that title!!
- Friday, September 10, 2010 at 12:00:00 PM PDT
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Love and Pain- I remember that movie! Sorry I missed the rerun. Will have to watch for it.
My sister in law and a couple others I know are happily married to younger fellows- something I hope never to have to opportunity to consider):-- Friday, September 10, 2010 at 12:09:00 PM PDT
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I've never heard of it either....what a gem you found I think. :) I'll try to rent it......sounds like its right up my alley.
Love to you Naomi. Sorry I havent visited much lately.... sending good wishes.- Friday, September 10, 2010 at 12:40:00 PM PDT
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Hi Naomi, I remember Maggie Smith and Timothy Bottoms, because as I was young I read a magazine named "Cinemim", that's means Movie our something similar...
Thanks for the recommendation of the film.
Many hugs to you and to lovely Sweetie too!- Saturday, September 11, 2010 at 7:04:00 AM PDT
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had this to say:
I adore Maggie Smith ever since I saw her on the Sister Act movies. It's refreshing to see a picture of her when she was still young.
- Saturday, September 11, 2010 at 2:35:00 PM PDT
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had this to say:
I love Maggie Smith but have not heard of that movie. I'm going to Amazon to find it the moment I leave here.
Thanks for the tip/review.
Cheers.- Sunday, September 12, 2010 at 12:14:00 PM PDT
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