As a moviegoer for
more than 70 years, I’ve seen some great movies, some not so great, some really
bad ones, some trying but failing to be deep and meaningful, some reveling in
their shallowness. I was born the year The Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind were
released. My mother started taking me to the movies shortly after that. I saw
some movies that were definitely not PG rated. I can still remember being
afraid of The Thing.
Many times I disagree
with the critics. I don’t call them and tell him what I think of their reviews,
so now that there is an internet for anyone to babble on, I add my voice. I’m
sure there are many of you who will disagree with my assessments. Some of you
will agree. I hope to hear from all of
you.
As the Fourth of July approaches, I am reminded of Sir
Walter Scott’s lines: “Breathes there the man, with soul so dead, who never to
himself hath said ‘This is my own, my native land!’”
This should be the holiday that stirs our hearts and make us
thankful we live in a free society. A lot of wars have been fought to preserve
our way of life, and, for all its faults, our country is better than most. So,
take a moment and reflect on your patriotic feelings. Here are some films that
should make you proud to be an American.
Yankee Doodle Dandy: This is a 1942 movie about the great
George M. Cohan as portrayed by the great James Cagney. With such songs as
“Over There,” “It’s a Grand Old Flag,” and “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” you might
want to sing along. This is definitely a feel-good film.
Born on the 4th of July: (1989). Tom Cruise plays a
Marine during the Viet Nam war who becomes paralyzed from the chest down. He
becomes a protester against the war in which he once felt proud to have served.
The Patriot: (2000). Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger, Chris Cooper,
and Joely Richardson costar in this story about the Revolutionary War. Gibson
plays a farmer who just wants to be left alone, but when the war comes to him,
he fights.
Sergeant York: (1941). Gary Cooper plays true-life hero Sgt.
York. York was drafted into WWI. He captures an entire platoon. This was
probably a propaganda film. WWII was getting close.
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: (1939). The all-star cast
includes James Stewart, Jean Arthur and Claude Rains. A naïve innocent
(Stewart) goes to the Capitol as a junior senator. He meets corruption. He will
not be stopped fighting it and engages in a marathon filibuster. This is a fine
film that portrays democracy in action.
The Best Years of our Lives: (1946). This film won seven Oscars
as it portrays three soldiers who try to take up their lives after WWII. Fine
acting and a poignant story lift this film above its genre.
Stars and Stripes Forever: (1952). Clifton Webb plays John
Philip Sousa, the march king. Robert Wagner plays the Sousaphone. Stirring
music and a playful attitude make this an entertaining movie.
Abe Lincoln in Illinois: (1940). Raymond Massey plays a young
Abe Lincoln honing his skills and developing the character that makes him a
strong president. Gene Lockheart and Ruth Gordon costar.
1776: (1972). This is a musical about the birth of our country.
It is a funny and quirky film. The cast includes Ken Howard, William Daniels
and Howard de Silva.
Glory: (1989). Denzel Washington, Matthew Broderick and Morgan
Freeman star in this very good movie about the first group of African Americans
to serve as soldiers during the Civil War.
Casablanca: (1942). This classic film explores patriotism on
many levels. Who can forget the singing of La Marseillaise? Who can forget Bogart
and his “hill of beans” speech?
Apollo 13: (1995). America’s 1971 attempt to get to the moon
misfires, but the astronauts become heroes for their bravery. Tom Hanks, Bill
Paxton, and Kevin Bacon star.
From Here to Eternity: (1953). Burt Lancaster, Deborah Kerr,
Montgomery Clift, Ernest Borgnine, Frank Sinatra and Donna Reed confront Pearl
Harbor. The destruction and loss of life provide a rallying cry.
United 93: (2006). Events of 9/11 provide the backdrop for
heroism and sacrifice. Airline passengers stop a hijacked plane from causing
additional damage by bringing it down. All died. This is a very good film that
is under-rated.
Gettysburg: (1993). Martin Sheen, Tom Berenger and Jeff Daniels
fight the fierce three-day battle during the Civil War.
Miracle: (2004). Patriotism in sports. USA’s Olympic hockey
team beats the USSR in a real miracle.
All the President’s Men: (1976). This film explores the freedom
and the power of the press. I’m sure you know the rest.
The Fighting Sullivans: (1944). This is a sad story about five
brothers who lost their lives when their ship, the USS Juneau, went down during
a battle at Guadalcanal in 1943. This true story may be the basis for Saving Private Ryan.
To Hell and Back: (1955). This film is the true story about
Audie Murphy who is the most decorated soldier in American history. He earned
every medal the country could award him.
