I thought their failure to communicate was the result of trying to be so clever and arch that nobody could tell what the hell they were talking about.
Somewhat on topic, every time I re-read a Rex Stout novel, I’m struck by how many times Archie has to find a pay phone to check in with Wolfe. I try to suppress this, because it takes me out of the story.
Desk Set
Do I need to explain why?
Cool Hand Luke: “What we have heah is a faaaailure to communicate…”
“Warden, you know my number.”
“Hello, Private Ryan? This is Captain Miller at HQ. We have orders for you to return to Omaha Beach. Just grab a jeep. We’ve already cleared it with your sergeant. Great, see you soon.”
I’m not completely understanding this. The Nero Wolfe novels far predate the cell phone era. Why does the difference in technology levels in a period piece bother you? Are you bothered when a character in a Western sends a telegram?
Reading the above, I can see how it would come off snarky. I don’t mean it to, and I apologize if it does. I’m just not following Lynn here.
All the President’s Men wouldn’t be ruined, as such. But they would spend a lot less time looking for telephones to use and then dialing them. (Curses to phone numbers with 9s and 0s!)
The Princess Bride
Buttercup, baby, I’m totally still alive. Just gotta make some bank before we get married. DON’T do anything stupid like agree to marry Humperdink. Gotta go, have a job to do. As you wish, Westley
“No thanks, weird old man. I got an Android for Christmas.”
I tend to be taken out of the story because most of the action could still take place today, except that of course Archie and Wolfe didn’t have computers. I tend to lapse into putting the story into a modern setting, instead of a 1930s-1960s setting (approximate dates).
I haven’t read a Western in ages, so I don’t know if I’d be bothered or not. The setting might be different enough from today that it wouldn’t bother me.
Um, yes, please?
I know this movie backwards and forwards. The only withheld information is withheld on purpose, because it is a secret; it is a secret to prevent a stock jump (and possible charges of insider trading, although they don’t go into that).
Roddy
Must have been a Nokia.
It occurs to me that any movie where someone sends a telegram could be replaced by someone texting someone instead.
“The Good, the Bad, and The Ugly” - The famous Mexican Standoff is interrupted by Tuco’s cell phone going off to the tune of “Sexy and I Know It”
That Super Bowl commercial would sell the hell out of anything.
In Casablanca, no cell phone is necessary: all Major Strasser has to do is phone the airport from his office and order them to hold the plane to Lisbon, rather than driving out there himself and getting shot!
Mein Gott, real Nazis weren’t that stupid! :smack:
>>Miss Appleyard pissed - u all bettr get back here 4 picnic!<<
A SEVEN YEAR OLD CELL PHONE! I can’t even play Angry Birds on this thing. There is no camera!?!?! Gee thanks but no thanks, I got a free phone when I signed a new contract.
“Hello, President Mufley, please. Try the War Room. … Mr. President? Group Captain Mandrake, here. E.O.P., O.P.E., something like that. You’re welcome.”
Turgidson would no doubt spend half the movie sexting his secretary and not getting anything productive done.
Rocky Horror: Janet whips out her cell and calls AAA from the car. They come repair the flat and the happy couple drive off, wondering about all the motorcycles gathered at the strange castle.
Um, yes, please?
I know this movie backwards and forwards.
[/QUOTE]
So you remember the title? 
(I’m guessing it’s either that, or tdn figuring you can now use a cellphone to google various answers yourself: the names of Santa’s reindeer, how much the earth weighs in tons, whether the Watusis even still have a king, and every Wiki entry from Corfu to the full text of Curfew Must Not Ring Tonight.)