It's a Wonderful Film

I am coming out of hibernation to contribute a post to Sally's annual 12 Days of Christmas Movies. This year I am going to be talking about Frank Capra's It's A Wonderful Life. This post isn't as detailed as I would like it to be, but I hope it reminds you to check out this film this holiday season. (For last year's contribution, here is my post on Christmas in Connecticut.)

I know a lot of people see this movie as sentimental schmuck, but on the other side of the spectrum are those who find the movie too dark (like the original 1946 audience).

Recently I've read a few posts that [humorously] expound the fact that the world would probably have been a lot better off if George Bailey had offed himself…or better yet, that he'd never been born in the first place. While I believe we all interpret films differently and each of us is entitled to our own opinions, I respectfully disagree. Sure, there are flaws with this film. I'm not saying that it is perfect and that I love every part of it, but I think the overall positive and powerful message overcomes any negative aspects.

{Source}

This is not something that I have talked about much on here (since it is, after all, a movie blog), but I know what it is like to be depressed, to feel like your life is worthless, that it would have been better if you had never been born. Having felt this way I can really relate to what George goes through.

I think the beauty of this film lies not in it's perfectly conceived plot or airtight characterizations. It lies in the enduring message that each of us has a place in this world, that no matter how difficult or trivial our lives seem, or how many mistakes we make, we still matter. We have a role that no one else can fill. That message has a lot to do with the hope of Christmas, too. For isn't it a tiny Savior that came over two millennia ago to save us from our shortcomings, and to raise us to new life?

By now you might be thinking, "Um, Audrey, aren't you taking this a little far?" Hey, never underestimate the power of film!

Have a very Merry Christmas and holiday season, everyone! May God bless you all!

Check out Flying Down to Hollywood for the full list of films featured!

Saluting the Flag

 
A farmers family saluting the US Flag, during the drought in Central and South Missouri; October 1953. LIFE images.

    
Clockwise from top left: a civilian, Girl Scout, fireman, and Boy Scout each saluting the flag; 1940. New York, NY. LIFE images.

 
Astronaut Edwin Aldrin saluting Amer. flag after being second man on moon during Apollo II mission; July 1969. LIFE images.

 
Kindergarten class singing the Flag Song as TV camera records saluting of the flag; 1951. Louisville, KY. LIFE images.

 
American soldiers saluting American flag flying at half staff during break in WWII action on Orote Pennisula in Guam; 1944. LIFE images.

WWI and WWII propaganda posters featuring the stars and stripes.

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

~

HAPPY FLAG DAY!

*** Note: I couldn’t find very many pictures of classic stars saluting, so Jimmy is kind of alone up there! I thought some of the other photos were cool, though. ;)

Come Live with Me (1941)

May 18 - June 2, 2011 <--it really did take me that long to finish this!

54. Come Live With Me (1941)

Starring James Stewart, Hedy Lamarr

Produced & Directed by Clarence Brown

Plot: "Illegal immigrant and showgirl Johnny Jones is due to be deported from the USA, her only hope is to get married…" (from IMDb)

Despite tepid IMDb reviews and a weak start, I found this film to be an enjoyable yet lightweight romantic comedy in the grand style that only the '30s and '40s could produce. That's not to say that it ranks among the best of the genre--some of the dialogue is a bit corny, there are plot points that don't make sense (or worse, are just dropped)--but all things considered, I can think of worse ways to spend an hour and a half. :) Hedy Lamarr is gorgeous and Jimmy Stewart is amusing--but a bit gangly and awkward as if he hasn't quite yet grown into his stardom.

Donald Meek makes a cameo appearance.

The title is taken from a Christopher Marlowe poem called “The Passionate Shepherd to His Love”. It begins…

“Come live with me and be my Love,
And we will all the pleasures prove
That hills and valleys, dale and field,
And all the craggy mountains yield.”

You can read the rest here.

Jimmy’s character recites part of this poem in the movie.

If you are interested in seeing this film, it can currently be viewed on YouTube.

**Please note that the pictures and graphics in this post are NOT MINE. You can find the original source by clicking on the respective image. If you are the creator and prefer that I not post your work, please let me know and I will promptly remove it.**

February Poll Results + March Poll

The results of the February poll comparing the two stages of Cary Grant’s career are in (they’ve been ‘in’ for a while, but don’t tell).

14 voted that they preferred his work in the 1930s - 1940s
2 voted that they preferred his work in the 1950s - 1960s

I think the fact that Grant made so many films during the first half of his career probably made the match such a sweep.

But his next poll I think will be a little harder…

MARCH POLL:

I thought it would be interesting this month to compare the stages of another legend, James Stewart. The two parts of his career are easily divided, as his roles took on more diversity after he returned from his service in World War II. Unlike Cary Grant, who mainly played variations of the same type of character, Stewart got the opportunity to flex his acting muscles in a variety of roles during his career.

This is from Wikipedia (classy source, I know):

Stewart's career defied the boundaries of genre and trend, and he made his mark in screwball comedies, suspense thrillers, westerns, biographies and family films.

I think because his image was that of such an ‘everyman’ he was able to flawlessly transition into many genres.

Just to refresh everyone of what films he made, here is a partial filmography of Stewart’s films:

 
Pre-War (1935-1941)

Next Time We Love
Wife vs. Secretary
Small Town Girl
The Gorgeous Hussy
Born to Dance
After the Thin Man
Seventh Heaven
Of Human Hearts
Vivacious Lady
The Shopworn Angel
You Can't Take It With You
Made for Each Other
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Destry Rides Again
The Shop Around the Corner
The Mortal Storm
The Philadelphia Story
Ziegfeld Girl


Post-War (1946 and on)

It's a Wonderful Life
Call Northside 777
Rope
The Stratton Story
Winchester '73
Broken Arrow
Harvey
No Highway in the Sky
The Greatest Show on Earth
The Naked Spur
The Glenn Miller Story
Rear Window
The Man Who Knew Too Much
The Spirit of St. Louis
Vertigo
Bell, Book and Candle
Anatomy of a Murder
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation
How the West Was Won
The Flight of the Phoenix
The Shootist

So which do you prefer? The films Stewart made earlier in his career, or his later work? You can vote in the poll on the sidebar.

Speaking of which, iIt really bothers me that the poll seems to be too short in length and height for the poll widget to fit into (see picture below). I’ve tried widening the sidebar but to no avail. It’s quite annoying. I may switch to a different poll service but I like the Blogger one because it matches the theme.

<---see, you can’t even read the whole thing without scrolling! Gahh! Let me know if you have any advice to make the poll fit right. : )

Anatomy of a Murder (1959)

Feb. 18-19, 2011

39. Anatomy of a Murder (1959)

Starring James Stewart, Lee Remick, Ben Gazzara, Arthur O’Connell, Eve Arden, Kathryn Grant, George C. Scott

Produced & Directed by Otto Preminger

Plot: “In a murder trial, the defendant says he suffered temporary insanity after the victim raped his wife. What is the truth, and will he win his case?” (from IMDb)

I’m a big fan of court room dramas and I really enjoyed this one. It is long but I didn’t feel the length because I was so interested. The casting in this is flawless and I can’t think of one actor that didn’t give a good performance. Some of the best moments of the film occur in the argumentative courtroom spats between the determined James Stewart and fiery George C. Scott, moderated by the judge—who in stark contrast to the riled-up lawyers has a very slow, deliberate manner. I also loved the small-town, lazy Michigan setting of the story. It provided a unique atmosphere and contrast to the intrigue of the plot. I relished every moment of this film, but…

****POSSIBLE SPOILERS*****

The ending was kind of a let-down. The verdict is given and the screen fades into the next scene. We don’t get to hear the closing statements or the reaction of the characters after this verdict. There is no final plot twist—it’s just a straight-up case. Or is it? You see, the audience is never quite certain that the defense’s story is true; we aren’t convinced of the man’s innocence or even completely sure that James Stewart’s lawyer character is entirely noble. At first this is frustrating, but it does add to the artistic merit of the story. It shows the ambiguous nature of many cases and, after the film ends, leads us to ponder the facts and fill in the gaps for ourselves. 

A Note on Content: This film often gets a reputation as a racy Code-breaker. The subject matter may have been surprising for the time, but I felt like it was done in a tasteful matter. There isn’t gratuitous sex, violence or language. Yet it is necessary when addressing subjects such as rape, murder, and possible infidelity to discuss things which are undoubtedly for a more mature audience. In other words, this isn’t one I would let kids watch. There are also some mild profanities, but none which seemed unwarranted by the plot.