ADAM HAD FOUR SONS

                                             JACK'S BACK and this time it's personal

DATE AND STATUS:  Thursday, September 7th, 2012, and regarding movies, I'm a dithyramb!

September 7th, WAIT, if September means “seven” why is it the ninth month? 

We take the predictability of the calendar for granted.   But we may have felt differently if we were living under the rule of Julius Caesar.

September was the seventh month of the old Roman calendar.  In this calendar, the year began in March.  But the Julian calendar reform shifted the start of new year back two months to where it is now: January 1, ah, interesting.

This change made September in the new calendar the ninth month, and one of only four Gregorian months with 30 days.  The name of the month is derived from septem, which is Latin for seven.   It has long been regarded as a number of perfection, luck, and wonder. (Think: seven days of creation.)

Talk about a shift in the weather, YIKES!   It feels so chilly, (that's because it is chilly,) and all those dark clouds heed my sunny, bright, personality, what a shame!

Okay, so the good doctor removed most of my fifty-plus stitches/staples.    I gotta tell you, during the painful procedure, I was a plucky little soldier, and stopped myself from screaming obscenities at Mac.

I still have some of the stitches; Mac, the most excellent and thorough doctor feels the remaining staples should not be removed at this point;  they haven't healed to a strong enough point, and he doesn't want the wound/injury to re-open.  Fine by me.

I hope that it won't be much longer that I can get back on Cruella, rowing! Can you believe that I miss exercising?   I'm the epitome of a non-athlete who hates to sweat!

Are you back into the scheme of work yet?  Sorry, I shouldn't be rubbing your faces in it, but when one is retired, he/she tends to think of days gone by.

Days gone by, yesterday, I went back and looked at all of my posts that I have created since I started blogging. 

My writing has greatly improved, although my thought process still tends to be peripatetic, quite random, and then there are those bloody prepositions.  Don't get me going about them, they're my nemesis, or seem to be. 

I am always trying to improve my writing style, vocabulary, and, grammar.  I suppose it just takes a little more reading on the subject, and of course, time.  Lots of studying, and lots of time will always improve one's knowledge of a subject. 

 "Let no man deceive himself.  If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.  For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God."  (unknown source.)  Exactly!

 I am also trying to use more of Blogspot's features to enhance my posts, although enhancing the appearance of a post is a lot more easier than uploading videos from you-tube.  The instructions seem so easy, but  I still can't do it!  I try and try, and fail and fail. 

On the one post where I did succeed in including a video, ("Strangers on a Train",) I wrote down all the steps of creating that post, and have tried to match them to my new posts, but, still I fail, fail, fail!

I was thinking, which is always a little dangerous for me, perhaps there might be someone out there, reading my posts, who can help me in this endeavour, is there, and will you?  If so, get in touch with me by email, or here, whatever you want.

With reference to film, I really am the personification of a dithyramb!   I'm so enthusiastic, and excited about movies, even that one of today "Adam Had Four Sons" yup people, it's time to get out the popcorn, we are going to the movies, well, movie.

"Adam Had Four Sons" is a good quality Hollywood film of drama and romance, starring that talented esteemed actress, Ingrid Bergman, in the leading, and only significant role. 

Warner Baxter, (whose name sounds similarly-studio-like) also, lends a hand, while classy Susan Hayward, one of my all-time favourite actresses, veers into unexpectedly, and totally, tawdry territory!   (My alliterations have also improved!)

Warner Baxter portrays a wealthy, easy-going father of a family of four boys who is doubly struck with tragedy when his wife dies, he goes out of business, after the stock market crash, and is ultimately forced to give up his estate. 
 

A recently arrived governess, Emilie  (played by Bergman,) works to keep the family together.   But with the loss of Adam's fortune, the boys are off to a boarding school, luckily financed by a wealthy cousin, and Emilie must return to France, until Adam (played by Baxter) can afford to repurchase the family estate, and recall Emilie to look after it.

Years later, Adam's financial situation improves, and everything is getting back to the former status; Adam invites Emilie back to the estate, partly because he is comfortable with her presence, and partly because he wants a replacement for his wife, but just as she is settling in, the Great War comes, and the four boys, now grown up, enlist in the army.

 Hard times are soon to follow, again, when one of the son returns home married,to a self-serving-conniving-jezebel, named Hester, whose motivations are muddy (at best,) and who wants to rule the roost, among other things.

Hester schemes to rid the house of Emilie, while she seduces another son, Jack, when her husband is at war.  Emilie discovers the affair, but to preserve Adam's happiness, and the brother's reputation, she keeps quiet and pretends to Adam that she was the one involved with Jack.  The movie is  beginning to essentially sound like the television  series "Dallas," isn't it!

Ultimately, all is discovered, and Hester receives her comeuppance.  Emilie and Adam become engaged and all ends happily.

"Adam Had Four Sons" proves to be surprisingly enjoyable fare, primarily because the film often veers into unexpected, totally, tawdry territory.  There are many, MANY unforeseen plot developments, and this is one of the film's strengths.  I love being surprised in films, and guess movie endings far too often. 

It's not exactly the most memorable classic film, but it's certainly one of the more entertaining, and reminds, this critic, of films from the forties which were cranked out by the studios every month!

"Adam Had Four Sons" is heavily charged with sentiment.  It lays stress on the simple virtues, and wrings the tender heart.  It is comfortably set on bygone days for nostalgic effect.

The film is a trashy guilty pleasure, typically melodramatic, designed solely to entertain, high art this is not, and though the film doesn't exactly contain any great shakes, in terms of acting or directing, the high sleaze quotient ensures that "Adam Had Four Sons" remains engrossing enough to warrant a recommendation.

"Adam Had Four Sons" contains a number of genuinely compelling characters, starting with Adam himself.  Played by Baxter, Adam is more than a stereotypically stiff patriarch; it's clear that he loves his sons, and even when he suspects one of them of having an affair with Emilie, he is outwardly accepting of their relationship.

Ingrid Bergman is just as effective as Emilie, her angelic nature, reminiscent of her Joan-of-Arc portrayal, is a nice counterpart to Susan Hayward's nasty Hester.

"Adam Had Four Sons" is good quality Hollywood entertainment concerning a family that is able to persevere, despite a few tragic setbacks, and one vicious hussy (think Joan Crawford,) who is attempting to disrupt what dignity the, mainly-all-male-family, has left.

"Adam Had Four Sons" is a little bit earnest but it has all the attributes of the kind of craftsmanship and skilled balance of story and content that we don't see much of today.

Miss Bergman, as the governess, does manage in a restrained and understanding performance to convey the devotion of a woman for the boys whom she helps to man's estate and from her alone does one catch a sincere emotional response.

But Warner Baxter plays the father in a routine, surface way; none of the several young actors who play the boys stand out above the rest, and the norm lacks distinction, indeed; and Susan Hayward so coyly overacts the romantically unlicensed mischief-maker that often she is plain ridiculous.  Too bad,  I'm a huge Susan Hayward film, but this film does not do her credit.

 On the whole, "Adam Had Four Sons" is an antique tear-jerker, one of those dramas all dressed up in old clothes which never gets anywhere.

                                      UPCOMING MOVIES FOR REVIEW:

"Elmer Gantry." Both Burt Lancaster and Shirley Jones received academy award nominations for their work here. I want to see if they deserved them, you know how the Academy can be.

"Blow Dry." For no other reason that when I saw the title of this movie in the television guide, it intrigued me.

"Thief." This film stars James Caan and is reported to be one of Mr. Caan's personal favourites. Well, now it is time for us to decide if we want this movie to make our favourites list.

"An American in Paris." I love musicals, and this one gets great reviews from practically everyone, we'll see what I think very soon.

"The Maltese Falcon."  I've avoided seeing Humphrey Bogart and Peter Lorre in this story of murder and intrigue for far too long, (I'm supposed to be a film buff!)  Please note, that the time for me to see this movie has been changed to November to coincide with my salute to Mr. Humphrey Bogart.

"Zorba The Greek." This film stars Anthony Quinn as an amoral Greek peasant who teaches a British student the meaning of life.  I want to see if the movie can teach me anything.

"The Dark Knight."  I thought I should view a relatively-recent film. As a child of ten, I loved "Batman," and this film  offers, Heath Ledger, who won an academy award, posthumously, as the joker.  I'm really looking forward to this one!

FILMS COMING SOON:  Exodus, The Sand Pebbles, Giant, Big Night, The slut at four o'clock, can't wait to see all of them!!!!

HIGH SOCIETY

                                            JACK'S BACK, and this time, it's personal!

DATE AND STATUS:  Thursday, September 6th, 2012,  I'm fat and hideous, but at least I smell nice.

Goodness, we had a helluva thunderstorm last night,  IT WAS WILD!   My beloved dog, Angel saddled up beside me, and I could feel her shaking.  I really hate it when my baby's upset.  But, today is looking better, although,  there certainly is a chill in the air. 

It's not enough to know that all our summer holidays are over, and we return to work, (well, some of us,) but, the weather has to dramatically change as well!   JEEZ, sometimes I think it's a plot!

And the Turner Classic Movie (TCM) channel!  They keep running nothing but excellent films, how the heck can I possibly tune into "Days of our Lives?"

Yes, I'm fat and hideous, it IS a side effect from my asthma medication, but I still shouldn't delude myself that I'm the stud I once was.  I'm not Brad Pitt, then again, I'm not Quasimodo either!  (He really was ugly,  HE REALLY WAS, don't you think?)

But, I do smell nice.  I used to think that I smelled like celery, but, fortunately for me that malodorous condition disappeared, and I can stop worrying that someone' s going to put me in a salad!

Today, I'm supposed to have the stitches in my knee out.  I fear it will hurt, let me amend that, I know it will hurt!  The doctors always lie and say it won't hurt, but it does! 

Relative of mine, Tallulah Taylor, got her driver's license today, yes, after six years of practising, she finally gets it! 

My good friend, Pearl Ring, who's been married four times, told me she's ready to go down the aisle, yet again.  ARE YOU KIDDING?  And she had the nerve to ask me, why not?  ME, of all people!  The girl has to have had a slight cerebral disturbance, (it's in her family you know.)

Bran muffins don't always set you free.

Stephen King has probably written another book.

Mary Poppins is a bitch!  Who the hell is she to spit spot? How come she keeps fooling everyone?

If I didn't have bad luck, I'd have no luck at all.

 LIFE!  It keeps going on, and we all have to face certain unpleasantness's, but if we face those painful matters with humour, courage, and conviction, knowing perfectly well that "this too shall pass," then we will have survived the worst of it, and we can laugh at adversity's face.  SO THERE!

Big announcement time, HUGE, really:  In the month of November, on Monday the fifth to Sunday the 11th, I will be having my very own salute to Humphrey Bogart.  YUP, I have already picked out the seven of his films that I'll be first-time viewing, and then of course, reviewing them. 

Why don't you share in this experience with me?  It will be interesting, fun, and thought provoking because the movies I have chosen are:

"The African Queen"
"To Have and Have not"
"Key Largo"
"The Treasure of the Sierra Madre"
"The Maltese Falcon"
"The Big Sleep"
"Dark Passage"

HUMPHREY!   HUMPHREY!    HUMPHREY!
WATCH A GREAT MOVIE STARRING BOAGIE
READ ABOUT IT FROM JACK E
ENJOY A CUP OF TEA,
BUT DON'T FORGET TO TUNE INTO THE MOVIE!

I know it's corny-I had to!

On with today's review of "High Society!" which is yet, another remake of a classic movie,"The Philadelphia Story."

"High Society," (hoity toity, indeed,) directed by Charles Walters, and starring Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, and Frank Sinatra is a musical comedy movie.  The film was produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, (MGM), famous for all those Judy Garland/Mickey Rooney musicals,  and shot in Technicolour, with music and lyrics by Cole Porter.   Pretty impressive, eh! Yeah, I thought so too.

Based on the film "The Philadelphia Story"  the movie is about a successful popular jazz musician named C.K. Dexter Haven (Bing Crosby replacing Cary Grant's role) who tries to win back the affections of his ex-wife, Tracy Lord (Grace Kelly substituting for Katharine Hepburn, imagine?) who is preparing to marry another man, (conflict, we have to have conflict.)

The musician has huge competition from a National Enquirer-like reporter, Mike Connor (Frank Sinatra now standing in for James Stewart, who won an academy award in this role,) who also falls in love with his ex-wife, and the woman's priggish fiancee, George Kittresh, played by John Lund, whom I've never heard of before. 

As an aside, this was Grace Kelly's last film appearance before she became Princess, consort of Monaco.

Anyway, the film, just like "The Opposite Sex" was/is a musical remake.  The location of the story was changed from Philadelphia to Newport, Rhode Island.

INTELLECTUALLY speaking, there was never much sense or sanity to Philip Barry's "The Philadelphia Story," either as play or film.

Its story of a society woman whose psyche was so confused that she could think herself thoroughly devoted to a priggish fiancee, a magazine writer yet, and her ex-husband, all within the span of one day was a sheer piece of comedy contrivance.

The attractiveness on stage and screen was due almost wholly to the sparkle of Katharine Hepburn as its erratic heroine.  Since its brittle material has been cast into a musical film, there is little chance of disguising its bright but faux qualities.

 "High Society," its new pretentious name set to music, is as flimsy as a gossip-columnist's word, especially when it is recounting the weird behavior of the socially elite. With pretty and lady-like Grace Kelly flouncing lightly through its tomboyish Hepburn role, it misses the snap and the crackle that its UN-musical predecessor had.

For sure, there are moments of amusement in this handsome film,.  One bit is when Frank Sinatra as the magazine writer sent to do a story on the mores of society plies the haughty heroine with wine and gets her drunk, loosening her inhibitions. Mr. Sinatra does make hay with this scene.

Some other scenes include Louis Armstrong and his band beating out some catchy tunes that have been borrowed from Cole Porter records, or especially written by him for this show.  In spite of the austere surroundings of a gold-plated Newport chateau, Mr. Armstrong beams as brazenly as ever and lets the hot-licks fall where they may.

Musically, Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby sing some catchy songs together.  The best is "Well, Did You Evah?", a spoof of the haughty and blase, and Mr. Crosby makes "I Love You, Samantha" (whoever she is) a pleasingly romantic thing.

There do come tedious stretches in this socially mixed-up affair, and they are due to direction, and the miscasting of Grace Kelly in the pivotal role.  The part was obviously written to be acted with a sharp cutting-edge. Miss Kelly makes the trenchant lady no more than a petulant, wistful girl.

 Mr. Crosby seems a curious choice in the role of the young lady's cast-off husband, and who gets her back at the very end.  Humphrey Bogart would have been a better C.K. Dexter Haven, yeah, Boagie, too bad for us we got Bing Crosby.  He strolls around the place like the favourite uncle, having fun with Mr. Armstrong, and his boys, and viewing the feminine mystique with an amiable masculine disdain.

Mr. Crosby, also strokes his pipe like a phallus, and with more affection than he strokes Miss Kelly's porcelain arms.  I know,  I couldn't believe it either, and in a musical, YET!

Adding to the general hubbub of pre-wedding day madness in the Newport set are: John Lund as the stuffy fiance, Celeste Holm as a smart photographer, is usually better in films than she is here.  Louis Calhern as a wicked old uncle, seems much too believable,  if you know what I mean, and Margalo Gillmore as the mother of the bride.   

Miss Lydia Reed as an impish younger sister is kept pretty closely confined.  She appears to have the waspish nature that Miss Kelly could use to good advantage.  But then, who amongst us, besides that Poppins woman is perfect! 


                                               UPCOMING MOVIES FOR REVIEW:

"Elmer Gantry." Both Burt Lancaster and Shirley Jones received academy award nominations for their work here. I want to see if they deserved them, you know how the Academy can be.

"Adam Had Four Sons." This movie stars Ingrid Bergman and Susan Hayward, two of my favourites, and that is reason enough for me to watch this movie. But I bet I end up liking this movie for all sorts of reasons, and not just because of Miss Bergman and Miss Hayward.

"Blow Dry." For no other reason that when I saw the title of this movie in the television guide, it intrigued me.

"Thief." This film stars James Caan and is reported to be one of Mr. Caan's personal favourites. Well, now it is time for us to decide if we want this movie to make our favourites list.

"An American in Paris." I love musicals, and this one gets great reviews from practically everyone, we'll see what I think very soon.

"The Maltese Falcon."  I've avoided seeing Humphrey Bogart and Peter Lorre in this story of murder and intrigue for far too long, (I'm supposed to be a film buff!)  The time for me to see it has been changed to November for my salute to Mr. Humphrey Bogart.

"Zorba The Greek." This film stars Anthony Quinn as an amoral Greek peasant who teaches a British student the meaning of life.  I want to see if the movie can teach me anything.

FILMS COMING SOON:  Exodus, The Sand Pebbles, Giant, Big Night, The slut at four o'clock, can't wait to see all of them!!!!

THE OPPOSITE SEX

                                       JACK'S BACK, and this time it's personal!

DATE AND STATUS: Wednesday, September 5th, 2012, and I'm frustrated, (no Lola, not that kind!)

I spent most of the day yesterday, trying to include a trailer of the film, "The Band Wagon," into my post.  I followed Blog Spot's instructions to a T, but still failed in my endeavours.

 I was able to put the trailer into a separate file/new post,  but I wanted the movie trailer in my post, and not a separate post.  Two days ago, I somehow managed to put a trailer of the movie "Strangers on a Train" into my post.   l'll be darned if I know how I did it.  Consequently, I'm frustrated!

I'm feeling rather fatigued as I haven't been sleeping well, you'll pardon me if I jump right into my write of "The Opposite Sex."

Although Clare Boothe's "The Women" was filmed in 1939, it has aged gracefully, to judge by "The Opposite Sex," the remake that is the subject of today's post, it is as classic a story, but not nearly as good.

Although some aspects of the original investigation of the well-endowed Park Avenue-Broadway echelon have changed, "The Opposite Sex" basically is still the story of "the jaded, frenetic women" whose meat is gossip and whose wine is divorce talk, it's just interpreted this time, in song.

It is also still the soigne tale of Kay Hilliard (June Allyson) who is a former nightclub singer, married ten years, and mother of a young daughter, who learns her Broadway producer hubby Steve Hilliard (Leslie Nielsen) had an affair with one of the chorus girls, Crystal Allen (Joan Collins.)

Through the beauty parlor grapevine, a vile manicurist, played by Alice Pearce, (television show Bewitches Gladys Kravitz,) drops the gossip of Steven's philandering to customer Sylvia Fowler (Dolores Gray), who can't wait for Kay to find out so she lets it get back to Kay through the socialite set that they both belong to, which includes, Edith Potter (Joan Blondell), who appears to be the only one happily married; seems she's always pregnant, and confirmed bachelourette Amanda Penrose (Ann Sheridan) who is Kay's only true friend.

From Steve's perspective, his unfaithfulness was a one night stand mistake, (don't caught, cheating husbands always say that,) but Crystal is a man-eater who wants what she doesn't have.  Kay plays him right into the chorus girl's hands when, after learning of an incident involving their eight year old daughter Debbie (Sandy Descher), pride causes her to leave her husband for (42 days in) Reno and a divorce, which I believe is a common mistake.

 Barbara Jo Allen (the name sounds like she is a character on Petticoat Junction?) plays Dolly DeHaven, the society columnist that breaks the story and splashes it across the newspapers.

On the train to Reno, Kay meets another first-time would-be divorcee Gloria Dell (Ann Miller,) who neither sings nor dances, which is a big flaw of the film, and serial chew ‘em up and spit ‘em out Countess D’Brion (Agnes Moorehead).

Lucy (Charlotte Greenwood) runs the ranch where the ladies stay in Nevada; Buck Winston (Jeff Richards) is the womanizing ranch hand that preys on these newly unattached women.

Soon, Sylvia shows up at the ranch and finds that, coincidentally, her husband is leaving her for Gloria; a prolonged cat fight ensues.  Once Kay's divorce is final, Amanda arrives to give her an update on Steve, and some sage advice, but it takes a while for her to heed it.

All the ladies return to New York, Sylvia with Buck on the hook; she plans to fund his singing aspirations.  The two of them become social friends with Steve and the new Mrs. Hilliard, Crystal.  Meanwhile, Kay's former agent Mike Pearl (Sam Levene), finds her work as a singer once again; she'd been retired 10 years while married.

When lovelorn Kay learns from her daughter that her husband's second marriage is less than ideal, that Crystal is fooling around behind his back (once a slut, always a slut)  with Buck, she takes action, utilizing Dolly to her advantage, so that the predictable reconciliation (and happy ending) can take place before the film's end.

The venomous mixture of deadly females vs. deadlier females, sharp dialogue and songs is a surface inspection of a segment of Manhattan society rather than the deep dissection it once was.   One might not want to live in this plush "jungle" but the principals, who keep the cat fights going briskly, make it an interesting place to visit.

I thought "The Opposite Sex" was a pale remake of George Cukor's witty 1939 "The Women," it's glossier and the satire is softer; it also adds Cinema scope, music and men, but to no avail.

The songs are forgettable, with only "Young Man With A Horn" (sung by June Allyson with Harry James) being bearable.  David Miller does a workmanlike job directing the film.  The script by Fay and Michael Kanin drains all the vinegar out of Luce's play, just keeping it bitchy and witless.

Most of Miss Boothe's comedy still drips vitriol, and the fangs and claws of its decorative vixens are almost as terrifying as they were two decades ago.  

Speaking of the ladies, it might be added that the lush wardrobes, enhanced by excellent colour photography, provided for this covey of dames, is enough to drive distaff viewers to distraction.  

Joan Collins' performance as the two-timing, bombshell bitch who snatches Miss Allyson's husband is eye-filling but hardly inspired.  Dolores Gray, as the blond gossip monger who loses her mate to Ann Miller is capable, but wasted; Ann Sheridan, as a sympathetic, unattached writer who knows all about the opposite sex is inspired, surprisingly; Joan Blondell, in an all too-brief role as the gentle matron who is making a career of motherhood can almost be called a cameo, and Agnes Moorehead, also wasted, as a brassy, much-married countess, lends spice to the palaver, and punch to the battles.

The film is of value only because it descended into camp, and there's probably an audience for that sort of thing.  But I found it unfortunate, it took a marvelous comedy and made it into a film that can be enjoyed mostly for its colorful costumes and catty acting from its cast.

What was wonderfully caustic dialogue in the first adaptation devolves into something a bit more tame, and very disappointing, it could have been good.

                                             UPCOMING MOVIES FOR REVIEW:

"Elmer Gantry." Both Burt Lancaster and Shirley Jones received academy award nominations for their work here. I want to see if they deserved them, you know how the Academy can be.

"Adam Had Four Sons." This movie stars Ingrid Bergman and Susan Hayward, two of my favourites, and that is reason enough for me to watch this movie. But I bet I end up liking this movie for all sorts of reasons, and not just because of Miss Bergman and Miss Hayward.

"Blow Dry." For no other reason that when I saw the title of this movie in the television guide, it intrigued me.

"Thief." This film stars James Caan and is reported to be one of Mr. Caan's personal favourites. Well, now it is time for us to decide if we want this movie to make our favourites list.

"An American in Paris." I love musicals, and this one gets great reviews from practically everyone, we'll see what I think very soon.

"The Maltese Falcon."  I've avoided seeing Humphrey Bogart and Peter Lorre in this story of murder and intrigue for far too long, (I'm supposed to be a film buff!)  The time is now for me to see it, so I shall.

FILMS COMING SOON:  Exodus, The Sand Pebbles, Giant, Big Night, can't wait to see all of them!!!!

THE BAND WAGON

                                                 JACK'S BACK, and this time it's personal

DATE AND STATUS:   Tuesday, September 4th, 2012 and I miss NEW YORK!

Sad news people, Michael Duncan Clark,  has died.  I liked this actor very much.  I first noticed this actor after seeing his impressive performance in the Tom Hanks film, "The Green Mile," and he was fantastic in this role.  He was a gifted actor, and was only fifty-four years old, which is way too young for someone to die. 

And after reading Mr. Clark's obituary, I was surprised to learn that that bitch who people loved to hate, namely OMAROSA, from the television show, "The Apprentice,"  was his fiancee.   You just never know!

Speaking of movies, ("The Green Mile,") in between watching great old classics on the Turner Classic Movie (TCM) channel, I watched this perfectly ridiculous movie last night, entitled  "Piranha." 

Oh my goodness, I didn't think films could be so bad.  It was obvious that the film was intended to be seen in Three Dimension (3D,) there were so many instances where objects seemed to jump out at you, including a severed penis, it might have been interesting to see it in 3D at the theatre, regardless, for a bad movie, this film was a lot of fun, and if you can't find anything else on Netflix or pay television to watch, you may want to give it a shot!

Yup, I miss New York, it has been way too long since I was last there, and since learning that a good friend of mine went there over this past Labour Day weekend, I am somewhat anxious for a return trip to Manhattan, and in particular, BROADWAY!

I really want to see the reconstituted, "Annie."  It has a great cast, including two-time Tony winner, Katie Finneran, Anthony Warlow, whom I once saw in "The Secret Garden" (another Tony-winning musical that I love,) and Lilla Crawford as our beloved moppet, (they say she is amazing, but she could never be Andrea McCardle, NEVER). 

Also, I want to see David Mamet's play, "The Anarchist," which stars the legendary Patti Lupone and two-time Oscar Nominee, Debra Winger.  I have no idea what the plays about, but with a cast like that, who cares?

I think the best time for me to visit New York would have to be sometime in November.  We do have tickets,sometime that month to see "La Cage" at the Princess of Wales theatre, so the trip, if I were to go, would have to be scheduled after seeing George Hamilton in that fun musical.

"The Band Wagon" is a 1953 musical comedy film that many critics rank, along with "Singin' in the Rain," as the finest of the Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) musicals.

Betty Comden, and Adolph Green,  our writers of the movie, patterned the film's characters, Lester and Lily Marton after themselves, although the fictional characters were a married couple, and Comden and Green were not romantically involved, or so they say.

Okay, here's as brief a synopsis of the story that I can give:  Has-been Hollywood hoofer, Tony Hunter (Fred Astaire) returns to Broadway in the hopes of revitalizing his stage career.  Eventually, he does!

Now, if my brevity was way too brief, continue reading.

Stage and screen star, Tony Hunter (Fred Astaire,) is concerned that his career might be in decline. AS Tony Hunter's mementos are auctioned off, enthusiastic writers, and good friends,  Lester and Lily Marton (Oscar Levant and Nanette Fabray) meet Tony at the train station, and find him in a strange kind of melancholy, (I wonder why?, he's a has-been, he's down on his luck, nope, no reason for feeling sad.) His good friends Lester and Lily Marton have written a stage show that they believe is perfect for his comeback.

Tony signs up, despite reservations after the director, Jeffrey Cordova (Jack Buchanan,) changes the light comedy into a dark reinterpretation of the "Faust" legend, (you have to admit that that is quite a switch!) with himself as the devil, and Tony as the Faust character. 

Tony also feels intimidated by the youth, beauty, (who wouldn't?,) and classical background of his female co-star, noted ballerina Gabrielle "Gaby" Gerard (Cyd Charisse.)  Unbeknownst to Tony, Gaby who is in awe of Tony's stardom, is just as insecure in his presence.  (This has a familiar ring, I used to be intimidated by doctors, until one of them confessed that he was intimidated by me!)

Eventually, being intimidated by Gaby proves too much for Tony.  He walks out, then Gaby speaks with him alone and they work out their differences. (You see folks, communication is the key!)  They also begin to fall in love, though she already has a commitment to the show's choreographer Paul Byrd.   (Of course, a movie has to have CONFLICT!)

When the first out-of-town tryout in New Haven proves to be a disaster, Tony persuades Jeffrey to let him convert the production back into what the Martons had originally envisioned.  Tony, now in charge of  the production, takes the show on tour to perfect the new lighthearted musical numbers.

And, since the original backers have walked out, (producers always are interested in only one thing:  profits!) Tony finances it by selling his personal art collection.  Byrd walks out, but Gaby remains.

The revised show proves to be a hit on its Broadway opening.   Afterwards, Gaby lets Tony know she loves him, of course she does, he is Fred Astaire!

De rigeur, the ending of the film is pure corn,  which matters not when we've been so thoroughly entertained.  All the unrelated musical numbers are encore delights for a valued audience, and the actual finish is a curtain call!  The plot has run its course, and "The Band Wagon" doesn't pretend that it has any dramatic goals or higher themes.

"The Band Wagon" may not be as inspired or original as some of its fellow MGM musicals, who cares?  I loved it!  It's total joy! and "The Band Wagon" is now one of my very favourite musicals of all time. 

What care I that there's no high concept as in "Singin' in the Rain" and unlike "An American in Paris" it's not necessarily out to be the most artistic picture ever made.   It's out to make us smile, and glow, and succeeds admirably.

As with Fred Astaire's early RKO films, "The Band Wagon" makes do with less and achieves more.   It wins us over with the bare rudiments of musical entertainment, performance and personality. "The Band Wagon is pure enjoyment from one end to the other."

I can't understand about critics' complaints about the lack of a great performance from Cyd Charisse, as she's not there to recite Shakespeare, but to be lovely and show off her fantastic legs in motion, which she does, and seductively.  

I was swept away by Cyd Charisse's beauty and in today's idiom,  SHE WAS HOT!  Of course, Miss Charisse has inconsistencies, but still she is appealing, especially  when she oscillates among being shy gamine, pretentious artiste and stage-savvy soubrette depending on the momentary story needs,  I tell ya, that girl knows her craft!

Charisse is even a more magical dance partner for Fred Astaire than she was with Gene Kelly. 

From start to end, it's Astaire's movie anyway, a picture with a sense of nostalgia for a great age passing. 

Both "Tony Hunter" and Astaire graciously play to the fact that sooner or later even the greatest stars have to bow out, and Astaire was a 'quit while you're ahead'  type of  performer who needed encouragement to believe that his kind of entertainment was still necessary, and the accolades for "The Band Wagon" had to have been a boost!

Another appealing part of "The Band Wagon" is its sense of perspective and good will.  Fred Astaire could surely dictate any terms he wanted but he allows the film to have a gentle rib at himself, as a performer past his prime.

Not only that, Astaire generously shares the spotlight with a great stage performer really past his prime, and one who had to be fairly obscure to general American audiences, Jack Buchanan who plays Jeffrey Cordova.  That's graciousness all the way.  That's class!

I was tired just watching Fred Astaire jockeying between dancing/singing for a show within a movie, but Mr. Astaire seems to do it effortlessly.  He truly is a paragon of perfection, he's all class, and I intend to now watch all the Fred Astaire films that I can get my hands on.

There's no denying "The Band Wagon"  soars, it jettisons its perfection from start to finish and should not be missed.
 
As a slight aside, "The Band Wagon" was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry (USMFR) by the Library of Congress  as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant!"    Got that Evelyn, maybe you could put this movie in the vault  (that's a great idea for my movie holdings, eh Evy, THE VAULT, are you gonna help me out?)

                                                  UPCOMING MOVIES FOR REVIEW:

"Elmer Gantry." Both Burt Lancaster and Shirley Jones received academy award nominations for their work here. I want to see if they deserved them, you know how the Academy can be.

"Adam Had Four Sons." This movie stars Ingrid Bergman and Susan Hayward, two of my favourites, and that is reason enough for me to watch this movie. But I bet I end up liking this movie for all sorts of reasons, and not just because of Miss Bergman and Miss Hayward.

"Blow Dry." For no other reason that when I saw the title of this movie in the television guide, it intrigued me.

"Thief." This film stars James Caan and is reported to be one of Mr. Caan's personal favourites. Well, now it is time for us to decide if we want this movie to make our favourites list.

"An American in Paris." I love musicals, and this one gets great reviews from practically everyone, we'll see what I think very soon.

"The Opposite Sex." I saw the preview of this film and it looked an awful lot like the movie, "The Women" a film that I cannot rave enough about. This version looks like it is musicalized, I can't wait to see it!

"The Maltese Falcon."  I've avoided seeing Humphrey Bogart and Peter Lorre in this story of murder and intrigue for far too long, (I'm supposed to be a film buff!)  The time is now for me to see it, so I shall.
,
FILMS COMING SOON:  Exodus, The Sand Pebbles, Big Night, can't wait to see all of them!!!!

STRANGERS ON A TRAIN

                                                    JACK'S BACK and this time it's personal!

DATE AND STATUS: Monday, September 3rd, 2012 and I'm happy, I'M NOT HAPPY, I'm happy

Of course I'm happy, I have everything I need, and then some, now, I'm not CRAZY HAPPY like I  would be if I won a lottery, but there it is.

My nephew, Ian, and his beautiful wife Melissa, recently sent me a picture of their seven day old son, Bennett,  gosh, newborns are beautiful, and they're so small, funny how fast they grow up.

I remember that alot of my friends who have had children say they could always see little changes in their child every day. WOW!, it must be amazing to watch that growth.

I never had any children of my own, and it is the one area of my life that does sort of bother me. I feel, having a child of my own would make me immortal, even when I die, at least a part of me would go on.

I don't think it's a crime to want to be remembered, after all, the pharaohs built the pyramids for that reason.  But, having no children of my own doesn't mean that I won't be remembered.  Far from it.

 I am very blessed with many nieces and nephews, who I know will remember me.  For all of them, I try to be the very best uncle that I can be and they tell me I am.

Sorry for being wistful, maybe it's because it's Labour Day, the end of summer.  I'll try to change my mood by just getting into today's stunning suspense film, "Strangers on a Train."

I hope my write up can do this movie justice, and I shall try very hard not to be effusive, as I want this write up to propel you into watching this Alfred Hitchcock suspense/thriller/horror movie.

Right off, I have to say that I think it is pure genius how Mr. Hitchcock manages to link an ingenious plot with insinuating creepiness, and creepy is putting it mildly, mighty mild!!

You see there's this tennis star,  Guy Haines (Farley Granger) who wants to divorce his unfaithful wife, (who wouldn't)  Miriam (Laura Elliott,) so he can marry the elegant and beautiful Anne Morton (Ruth Roman.)


Okay, nothing new about this story so far, let's continue.  While on a train to meet Miriam, Guy meets Bruno Anthony (Robert Walker), a rather forward stranger who has recognized Guy from gossip items in the newspapers that detailed his marital problems. 

During lunch in Bruno's compartment, Bruno tells Guy about his idea for the perfect murder(s), he calls it a "Criss-cross": Bruno will kill Miriam, and in exchange, Guy will kill Bruno's father.  "They can get away with it,"  Bruno claims because they are both strangers to each other.  In other words they cannot be connected with each other, and there is no identifiable motive for the crimes.

The "criss-cross" murder dealt in "Strangers on a Train" indeed would have worked perfectly, except for the detail that only one of the strangers agrees to it.  To me, the two characters Guy and Bruno can be viewed as doppelgangers.

Bruno's manner is pushy and insinuating, with homoerotic undertones.  Guy, rightly so, is offended by the references to his private life, but inexplicably doesn't break off the conversation, which ends on an ambiguous note, with Bruno trying to get Guy to agree to the plan, and Guy trying to jolly him along, and get rid of him.   I ask you, who among us hasn't done this?, Haven't you been polite to some crazy person to avoid a conflict with them,  and then when you can, you rid yourselves of this person as soon as you can.

Guy hurriedly leaves the compartment, but leaves Bruno thinking he has agreed to the deal.  When Guy accidentally leaves his cigarette lighter behind, a gift from Anne to Guy, Bruno pockets it.  Bruno then heads to Guy's hometown and does murder Guy's wife, and then demands that Guy keep his half of the bargain.

Guy's problems start when his alibi falls through, and then his problems increase exponentially when Bruno makes repeated appearances into Guy's life.  Bruno seeks to remind Guy that he is now obliged to kill his father, according to the bargain he thinks they struck on the train.   As a plot, this has a neatness that Hitchcock must have found irresistible, especially since Guy has a motive to murder his wife.

Okay, so now you have the gist of the story, a plot made of ingenuity, and amorality.  The perfect combination for such a suspenseful film.

It is the sense of two flawed characters, one evil, one weak, with an unstated sexual tension, that makes the movie intriguing, and halfway plausible, it also helps to explain how Bruno could come so close to carrying out his plan.

 To all appearances, Guy is the all-American stereotype, an athlete, unassuming despite his fame, conservatively dressed,  he is a man of indeterminate sexual nature.   Guy is an ordinary man caught in an extraordinary web of terror and lunacy and Granger is excellent as the harassed young man innocently involved in murder.  Stewart Granger is soft, elusive, and convincing as he tries to slip out of Bruno's conversational web instead of flatly rejecting him.

Robert Walker's role has extreme colour, and he projects it deftly, and is flirtatious and seductive, sitting too close during their first meeting, and then reclining at full length across from Guy in the private compartment. The meeting on the train, which was probably planned by Bruno, plays more like a pickup than a chance encounter.

 Roman's role as a pleasant, understanding girl is quite a change for her, and she makes it warmly effective.


 The film includes a number of puns and visual metaphors that demonstrate a running motif of crisscross, double-crossing, and crossing one's double.   In the film, Hitchcock draws gay characters so sharp yet subtle, perhaps too subtle.

Aside from its very evident approach as a crowd-pleasing popcorn flick, the movie is one of the original shells for identity-inspired mystery thrillers, in which natural human behaviour is the driving force behind the true macabre rather than supernatural elements.  Even classic endeavors like "Fargo" and "A Simple Plan" seem directly fueled by this concept.

 "Strangers on a Train." is fast, exciting, and woven with wicked style, this is a great story and you will not be sorry for experiencing it.  It was first class all the way, and I'm glad I took the trip.

UPCOMING MOVIES FOR REVIEW:

"Elmer Gantry."   Both Burt Lancaster and Shirley Jones received academy award nominations for their work here. I want to see if they deserved them, you know how the Academy can be.

"Adam Had Four Sons." This movie stars Ingrid Bergman and Susan Hayward, two of my favourites, and that is reason enough for me to watch this movie. But I bet I end up liking this movie for all sorts of reasons, and not just because of Miss Bergman and Miss Hayward.

"Blow Dry." For no other reason that when I saw the title of this movie in the television guide, it intrigued me.

"The Band Wagon." This film showcases the talents of Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse, and they both have been described as being brilliant in this movie, after I watch it on TCM, I'll decide.

"Thief." This film stars James Caan and is reported to be one of Mr. Caan's personal favourites. Well, now it is time for us to decide if we want this movie to make our favourites list.

"An American in Paris." I love musicals, and this one gets great reviews from practically everyone, we'll see what I think very soon.

"The Opposite Sex."  I saw the preview of this film and it looked an awful lot like the move, "The Women" a film that I cannot rave enough about.  This version looks like it is musicalized, I can't wait to see it!

FILMS COMING SOON: Exodus, The Sand Pebbles, The Maltese Falcon! Giant! I really can't wait to see these movies, yeah folks, I'm excited!

ROMANCE ON THE HIGH SEAS

                                                          JACK'S BACK and this time it's personal!

DATE AND STATUS:                Sunday, September 2, 2012 and I'm exhausted!

Gosh, I'm just exhausted.  Running around, as best I can, trying to stay on top of what is recording on my three personal video records (PVRs,) planning what to record off the Turner Classic Movie (TCM,) and home box channels, remembering to turn timers on, turn that one off, well, let's just say that it is a good thing that I'm organized.

In between the plethora of movies I watch, I have to eat, sleep, bathe, do chores, answer email, go to parties, and then write this blog, which is a little discouraging, as I don't know if I'm writing in vain, are you really out there?????  I really good use a shot of encouragement!

So, I've established that I'm busy, as we all are, (don't you think I know that?) which is why I know you'll forgive me for jumping right in and writing about "Romance on the High Seas," which I absolutely loved!

"Romance on the High Seas" is a film from a time when going to the movies was fun.  The musical film is a fun-loving romp that stars Jack Carson (who crops up in some rather excellent movies, such as, "A Star is Born," "Mildred Pierce", and more,)  Don DeFore, (remember him, he was Hazel's boss on the hit television show of the sixties,) Janis Paige (my first encounter with her,) and in her film debut, Miss Doris Day, with whom we all know and love.

What can I say?  "The romance on the high seas" take place when a bride, Mrs. Elvira Kent, (Miss Paige,) suspects her husband, Michael (Mr. DeFore,) of infidelity, so when he cancels yet another of their planned anniversary vacations, which is an ocean cruise to Rio De Janeiro, Mrs. Kent tests his fidelity by pretending to go on the cruise to Rio anyway, and actually sends in her place, and under her name, Georgia Garrett (Doris,) whom she met in a travel agency. 

Georgia Garrett, you see, is a poorly paid nightclub singer, and has always wanted to travel but could never financially pull it off, (sound familiar anyone?)  Meanwhile, while the husband believes his wife is away, the Mrs.spy's on him to see what he really does behind her back!

When the husband, sees his wife is all too willing, and eager, to take a trip, alone, he hires Peter Virgil, (Jack Carson,) a private detective, to follow and report on her.  Trust works two ways ladies and gentlemen, and what's good for the goose, is always good for the gander, (it's even better for us, the audience, who get to watch all this suspicion and silliness!)

Okay, so Peter joins the cruise and, as part of his job, becomes acquainted with Georgia.  Georgia, following the instructions of the real Elvira, keeps up the ruse by pretending to be Elvira to everyone, including Peter.

Now to add even more conflict and confusion, Georgia and Peter (naturally) are attracted to each other, and gradually fall in love, after all, this movie is called "Romance on the High Seas."   What happens?, can you guess?, probably, but it is more fun for you to watch this wonderful movie.

On all levels, except for the star billing, the film works, and it is a delightful screwball comedy of the 30s.  Films back then were made to entertain, and they did, then came message films and Hollywood lost their way because, ideology was it's first requirement.   Sadly, films have become political propaganda today, and have lost the fun, and the reason for attending them.

The sets are gorgeous, so are the clothes and accessories on the ladies. There are many elaborate crowd scenes, and it's obvious that Warners spared no expense on the budget for this one which wasn't a bad way to introduce Doris Day to audiences.

Great fun, lovely songs, funny, camp, snappy dialogue, and highly recommended.   I have a feeling this will become one of your favourite Doris Day movie, like it now is mine!

                                                            UPCOMING MOVIES FOR REVIEW:

"Strangers on a Train." I don't know if I want to see this movie because I enjoy mysteries of if it's because I like train travel, regardless, I'll be travelling on TCM, first class of course.



"Elmer Gantry" Both Burt Lancaster and Shirley Jones received academy award nominations for their work here. I want to see if they deserved them, you know how the Academy can be.

"Adam Had Four Sons." This movie stars Ingrid Bergman and Susan Hayward, two of my favourites, and that is reason enough for me to watch this movie. But I bet I end up liking this movie for all sorts of reasons, and not just because of Miss Bergman and Miss Hayward.

"Blow Dry." For no other reason that when I saw the title of this movie in the television guide, it intrigued me. 

"The Band Wagon." This film showcases the talents of Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse, and they both have been described as being brilliant in this movie, after I watch it on TCM, I'll decide.

"Thief." This film stars James Caan and is reported to be one of Mr. Caan's personal favourites. Well, now it is time for us to decide if we want this movie to make our favourites list.

"An American in Paris."  I love musicals, and this one gets great reviews from practically everyone, we'll see what I think very soon.

FILMS COMING SOON:    Exodus, The Sand Pebbles, The Maltese Falcon! Giant!  I really can't wait to see these movies, yeah folks, I'm excited!

RACHEL GETTING MARRIED

                                                     JACK'S BACK and this time it's personal

DATE AND STATUS:            Saturday, September 1st, 2012 and I'm budgeting!

KVETCH, KVETCH, KVETCH (and I'm not even Jewish!)  Some of you want more of a synopsis with the review of the movie, some of you want a more critical approach, I LOVE IT ALL, keep your comments coming!

Yes, I am in reduced circumstances, or will be soon, that is if I don't become more aware of where my money goes.  In particular I need to curtail my habit of buying movies without regard.  So, I'm going to pay more attention.

Every time I order a film from Amazon, it shall be logged onto a spreadsheet, and even if I never order another movie again, my collection will still leave me with about a million or so movies.


I miss Cruella, it has only been two days since my last rowing session, but when one is into the groceries every five minutes or so, one needs to try and balance that gluttony with exercise, otherwise that one will soon look like a hippopotamus!   Unfortunately, for me, I will not be able to row for at least another ten days.   I guess it could be worse, it can always be worse!

After reviewing yesterday's post, again, I think I need to offer a little more explanation as to why I sometimes don't watch the movies when I say I'm going to watch them.  Now, it's established that eventually I will watch all the movies that I list, the only thing in question, is, when will I watch the movies listed.

You see, I think you'll agree  that when viewing certain types of films, one needs to be in the right mood.  For example, if you've just come back from a funeral, you're not likely to be in the mood to watch "Mary Poppins," although it could be just the right spoonful of sugar to aid you in feeling better.    For me personally, with all of recent injuries to my body damaging my skin, I don't particularly want to see any movies that deal with that flesh eating disease!

The movies you watch  all depend on the frame of mind that you are in, so even though I had "Rachel Getting Married" on my list to view earlier this week , I wasn't quite in the mood to go to a wedding, until today, and am I ever glad I went.

The problem in “Rachel Getting Married,”  not the problem with the film,  mind you, is that even though Rachel is the one getting married, it’s all about Kym, her younger sister.

 Kym, played by a decidedly un-princessy Anne Hathaway is a recovering drug addict who after being in and out of rehab for ten years is now several months into a treatment that seems to be working and is given a day pass to attend her sister's wedding.

Kym's sister Rachel (Rosemarie DeWitt)  is more than a bit resentful of Kym's antics taking center stage.  Time ticks by, long-simmering family tensions come boiling to the surface in an atmosphere strained between Kym and her family members as they struggle to reconcile themselves with her past and present.

Underlying the family's dynamic is a tragedy that occurred many years previously, which Kym retells at a Narcotics Anonymous meeting.  As a teenager, Kym was responsible for the death of her young brother Ethan, who was left in her care one day;  driving home from a nearby park, an intoxicated Kym had lost control of the car, driving over a bridge and into a lake, where her brother drowned

.Helping give this story its essential air of reality is the decision director Jonathan Demme made to shoot the movie in "the most beautiful home movie ever made."   Demme chose not to plan shots in advance, instead giving his cinematographer, Declan Quinn, the ability to respond in the moment to what was going on with the actors, and it's a tribute to his ability that his camera always seems to be in the right place at the right time.

The film received critical acclaim and, deservedly so.   Kym is a major pain in the ass, and Hathaway's raw, spiky performance makes no attempt to ingratiate.  Yet she makes Kym's inner torment so palpable you can't help but feel for her, however insufferable she may be.

The themes of dependency and recovery that Kym brings home in her overnight bag are familiar, even banal.  Every unhappy family may be unique, but every addict is fundamentally the same, and if “Rachel Getting Married” had surrendered its story completely to Kym, it would have risked becoming as drab and familiar as a made-for-television 12-step homily.

Anne Hathaway as Kym, is cynical and solipsistic, and saves the movie from sentimentality, just as Rachel, embodied with calm intelligence by Ms. DeWitt, inoculates it against melodrama.   Debra Winger, in a few quietly incandescent scenes as their mother, briefly lifts the movie onto another plane altogether, somehow combining movie-star charisma with an almost heartbreaking restraint and giving us a taste of what we’ve been missing in the years of her semi-retirement.

It would be a shame to miss “Rachel Getting Married,” which does have  its flaws, but it is so persuasively forgiving of the flaws of its inhabitants that you can only respond, in like spirit, with love. 

                                           WEEKLY UPCOMING MOVIES FOR REVIEW

"Strangers on a Train."   I don't know if I want to see this movie because I enjoy mysteries of if it's because I like train travel, regardless, I'll be travelling on TCM, first class of course.

"Elmer Gantry"   Both Burt Lancaster and Shirley Jones received academy award nominations for their work here. I want to see if they deserved them, you know how the Academy can be.
"Romance on the High Seas"   This is Doris Day's first movie, which, I have to confess, I'm kinda curious as to how she'll make out, regardless of Ms. Day, I always enjoy romance, whether it's on the high sea or the low sea. And yes, I'll be watching it on TCM where I enjoy many, many great movies.

"Adam Had Four Sons."   This movie stars Ingrid Bergman and Susan Hayward, two of my favourites, and that is reason enough for me to watch this movie. But I bet I end up liking this movie for all sorts of reasons, and not just because of Miss Bergman and Miss Hayward.

"Blow Dry."   For no other reason that when I saw the title of this movie in the television guide, it intrigued me.

"The Band Wagon."   This film showcases the talents of Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse, and they both have been described as being brilliant in this movie, after I watch it on TCM, I'll decide.

"Thief."  This film stars James Caan and is reported to be one of Mr. Caan's personal favourites.  Well, now it is time for us to decide if we want this movie to make our favourites list.

FILMS COMING SOON: Exodus, The Sand Pebbles, An American in Paris, The Maltese Falcon!  I really can't wait to see these movies, yea folks, I'm excited!