The First 20 Years of Oscar

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.

It’s Oscar time. I’m sure all of you know who he is. He is a 13.5-inch, 8.5 pound statue of gold-plated  beauty. Oscar’s design is of a knight in the art deco style; he is holding a crusader’s sword and is standing on a reel of film with five spokes. He is awarded to those who excel in all aspects of movie making. There are several theories of how he came by his name. Unfortunately, none can be proved. He is what he is.

The best movies of the first 20 years:

5/16/29: Wings:  Clara Bow, Richard Arlen and Gary Cooper star in this story of World War I fighter pilots. Given the technology of the times, it is very well done. It holds up nicely to today’s films.

4/3/30: The Broadway Melody of 1929: Two sisters, Anita Page and Bessie Love, head to New York to make it on Broadway. Charles King plays the hero, but the story doesn’t end well.

11/5/30: All Quiet on the Western Front: Lew Ayres is a young German soldier on the front line. This is a powerful anti-war film based on novel by Erich Maria Remarque. There have been remakes, but I much prefer this version.            

11/10/31: Cimarron: Yee haw. The great Oklahoma land rush of 1889 provides the backdrop for this film starring Robert Dix and Irene Dunne. The Edna Ferber novel provides the engrossing story.

11/18/32: Grand Hotel: If Greta Garbo really wanted to be alone she should have stayed away from this hotel. John Barrymore, Joan Crawford and many other stars shine in a collection of stories that take place in a Berlin hotel.

3/16/34: Cavalcade: I wasn’t able to find a copy of this film to watch. Clive Brook and Diana Wynard star in an adaption of a Noel Coward play about two English families in the years 1899-1933.

2/27/35: It Happened One Night: This is truly a classic film to be enjoyed by most everyone. Clark Gable, newspaper man, and Claudette Colbert, socialite on her way to elope with gold-digger boyfriend, meet and sparks fly.

3/5/36: Mutiny on the Bounty: Charles Laughton, Clark Gable and Franchot Tone star in this classic true story of mutiny at sea. Many remakes, but this version did, after all, win an Oscar.

3/4/37: The Great Ziegfeld: Based on the true story of the great impresario Flo Ziegfeld, this film is a joy to watch. Playing the title character is William Powell and our favorite costar Myrna Loy. Fanny Brice and Louis Rainer round out the cast.  Rising from carnie to Broadway darling, Ziegfeld lived the American Dream.

3/10/38: The Life of Emile Zola: Paul Muni plays the French writer who exposed the social ills of his day, including the Dreyfuss case.

2/23/39: You Can’t Take it With You: The legendary Frank Capra directs this adaption of the George S. Kauffman/Moss Hart play about the course of true love. Jean Arthur, Lionel Barrymore, and James Stewart star.

2/29/40: Gone With the Wind: What could I possibly say that hasn’t been said before?

2/27/41: Rebecca: Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine and George Sanders star in Hitchcock’s only film to win an Oscar. It is a haunting tale.

2/26/42: How Green was My Valley: This is a lovely movie about Welsh coal miners. Walter Pidgeon, Maureen O’Hara, and Roddy McDowell star in John Ford’s film.

3/4/43: Mrs. Miniver: Greer Garson plays the strong wife of Walter Pidgeon during WWII. She manages with cool aplomb through tragedy.

3/2/44: Casablanca: This is another film that needs no explanation. How many times have you seen it?

3/15/45: Going My Way: The great crooner Bing Crosby plays a priest who is sent to a parish to care for Barry Fitzgerald, an aging, curmudgeon of a priest. A charming little movie.

3/7/46: The Lost Weekend: Billy Wilder directs Ray Milland and Jane Wyman in this film about a man left alone for a weekend who goes on a granddaddy of a binge.

3/13/47: Best Years of our Lives: Three WWII veterans return home to pick up the pieces of their lives, with varying results. Dana Andrews, Frederic March, Harold Russell, Myrna Loy, Teresa Wright and Hoagy Carmichael star in a film that tries to show what is was like.                    

3/20/48: Gentleman’s Agreement: A reporter, Gregory Peck, starts a series on anti-Semitism by posing as a Jew. The results are dramatic and dangerous. Dorothy McGuire, John Garfield and Celeste Holm costar. This film haunted me for years. When I saw it as a young girl, I had not heard of anti-Semitism.

The Big House

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.

Since the early 30s, the prison genre has been with us. There are serious dramas, musicals and zany films involving the “big house.” I suppose the attraction is a world most of us won’t ever experience. The closed situation makes for intense drama, and the group dynamics provides us with a chance to study human behavior.

The Shawshank Redemption (1994): Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, James Whitmore and Bob Gunton (as the despicable warden) star in this film version of a Stephen King short story. Robbins, as good a man as one could find, is framed for murder and gradually earns the respect of fellow prisoners. His redemption is a wonderful thing. Great movie.

Cool Hand Luke (1967): I revisited this film recently and saw more than the first time (probably kept my eye on Newman too much). The correlation to the Christ story is unmistakable and very telling. The large cast includes Paul Newman (who should have won an Oscar), George Kennedy (who won an Oscar), Strother Martin, Harry Dean Stanton, J.D. Cannon, Dennis Hopper, and Wayne Rogers. Well worth seeing again.

Escape From Alcatraz (1979): Macho man Clint Eastwood is a lifer on the “rock.” Not liking his accommodations, he plans a detailed plan to escape with the help of two brothers. Does it work? You’ll have to see it.

Midnight Express (1978): Based on a true story of a young man, played by Brad Davis, incarcerated in a Turkish prison for smuggling drugs, this film is horrifying. Although you don’t approve of the drugs’ charge, you don’t want him to stay in prison. Other cast members include John Hurt, Randy Quaid and Bo Hopkins.

Chicago (2002): Although this is a musical, much of the action takes place in a women’s jail.

Murder is the way for young starlets to get publicity. If you put away your moral distaste, this is a delightful movie with great music and dancing. Reneé Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Queen Latifah, and Richard Gere star. This film won beaucoup Oscars.

Papillon (1973): Famous for its bug-eating scenes, this based-on-real-life film demonstrates the resourcefulness of men placed in a terrible position. Steve McQueen is imprisoned for a murder he did not commit. He will not stay. Dustin Hoffman and Anthony Zerbe co-star.

 Birdman of Alcatraz (1962): This time the prison hosts Burt Lancaster. He is condemned to solitary confinement for murder. This is a true story of a man with time on his hands who puts it to good use by becoming an expert on birds and their diseases. Karl Malden, as the warden, has such harsh ideas of what a warden should be that he loses our sympathy.

Cell 2355, Death Row (1955): This true story was taken from the book by San Quentin inmate Caryl Chessman, known as the “red-light bandit.”  This case became an international cause celebre against the death penalty. Because Chessman did not kill anyone, many thought he should not be executed—but he was. Such notables as Aldous Huxley, Norman Mailer, Robert Frost and Eleanor Roosevelt pleaded his case. William Campbell plays Chessman.

Brubaker (1980): Robert Redford, in the title role, goes into a state prison undercover to see for himself what goes on there. What he sees horrifies him. He tries to improve conditions but finds resistance from the townspeople who benefit from corruption. The cast includes Yaphet Kotto, Jane Alexander, and Morgan Freeman.

Dead Man Walking (1995): I admit that I haven’t seen this film—Sean Penn is in it. However some of my close friends tell me it was wonderful, so I’ve listed it. Susan Sarandon plays a nun who becomes an advocate for Penn who is on death row. Is she able to halt the execution?

Big House (1930): This classic film set the standard for the prison genre. Wallace Beery (he won the Oscar for Best Actor) stars as a playboy who kills two people while drunk. Does he have the skills to survive?

Each Dawn I Die (1939): James Cagney stars as a journalist who is framed and sent to prison because of his investigation into political corruption. Although he becomes discouraged, a fellow inmate helps him prove his innocence. George Raft and Maxie Rosenbloom costar.

Naked Gun 33 1/3—The Final Insult (1994): And now for something completely different. Leslie Nielsen as Frank Drebin is sent undercover into a prison to learn about the plot to bomb the Academy Awards. Horrors. This very funny film stars George Kennedy, O.J. Simpson, Fred Ward, and Priscilla Presley.

Le Trou (1960): Oh those French! This film has a good plot, good acting, tense situations but the ending is the French curse. Watch it at your peril.

Stir Crazy (1980): Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor are sent to Arizona State Prison (some of the footage was actually shot there). What happens there is anyone’s guess. But you have a good chance to laugh your head off.

Honorable Mentions: Murder in the First, The Prophet, Riot in Cellblock 11, Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962):

That's Politics

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.

Now that the elections are over it’s time to decide which movie reflects the election process the best. Hollywood loves politics. It especially loves scandal, corruption and skullduggery. Who wouldn’t? It also loves heroism, pluck and straight shooting.

Having worked for a campaign consultant and run some small campaigns myself, I watch these movies with particular interest.

The following films range from being inspiring to being cynical. But, that’s politics.

The Candidate (1972): Politically naïve Robert Redford is picked as a candidate for U.S. Senate. Could it possibly be because his father (Melvyn Douglas) was governor of California? The opponent seems a shoo-in. With nothing to lose, Redford pursues his own agenda. Then slowly, as Redford gains in the polls, he sells out and becomes a puppet for the campaign consultants. The best line in the movie comes after he wins: “What’ll we do now?”

Bullworth (1998): Warren Beatty is a U.S. Senator who, after years of chicanery, decides to end it all. Implausibly, he hires a hit man to do the job for him. Now that the end is near, he suddenly becomes honest and gains respect. What? Of course he now wants to call off the hit. But can he do so? This is a silly movie.

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939): Starry-eyed James Stewart arrives in Washington as a junior senator. Jean Arthur is his savvy secretary. When presented with an issue he cares about, he engages in a filibuster to end all filibusters. Will he be successful? Is this a Hollywood movie? Frank Capra won an Oscar for Best Screenplay.

Last Hurrah (1958): An aging mayor, Spencer Tracy, wants one more term. The city council is opposed to his strong-arm tactics and use of racial hatred. He loses the election and then something even worse. Supposedly based on James Michael Conley of Boston.  John Ford directed.

Advise and Consent (1962): A cast of all stars headed by Henry Fonda work to appoint a Secretary of State—or fight against him. This is a big, sprawling, soap opera of a film. Delicious.

All the King’s Men (1949): Based on the life of Huey Long, this film stars Broderick Crawford, Mercedes McCambridge, and John Ireland. The well-meaning Crawford has risen from country boy to lawyer to governor by championing the under-represented. He enters politics and succumbs to the corruption so rampant in his state. So what’s new? However, the film garnered three Oscars: Best Film, Best supporting Actress, Best Actor.

Primary Colors (1998): John Travolta, Emma Thompson, Billy Bob Thornton, and Kathy Bates in a romp based on Bill Clinton’s 1992 campaign to be nominated for the presidency. Travolta is great.

Bob Roberts (1992): Written, directed and in the title role, Tim Robbins is brilliant as a folk-singing, right-winging wannabe U.S. Senator. This mocumentary also stars Alan Rickman, Gore Vidal, Jack Black, Helen Hunt, and Susan Sarandon.

All the President’s Men (1976): Humpty-Dumpty Nixon’s downfall was the Watergate Scandal. Two reporters and a deep-throated informer bring this about. This is a great movie beautifully acted by Robert Redford, Dustin Hoffman, Jason Robards, and Jane Alexander.

Parallax View (1974): Conspiracy theories are often used in political movies. This is one of them. A U.S. Senator is killed, and then the reporters who witnessed the killing are being killed. Enter Warren Beatty who investigates.

Best Man (1964): This is a political satire about campaign tactics that could have been filmed this year. Henry Fonda is pitted against Cliff Robertson. May the best man win.

Charlie Wilson’s War (2007): This film is based on a true story using real names. Tom Hanks plays Charlie Wilson, a womanizing, lightweight congressman from East Texas. That is until he learns of the plight of the people of Soviet-occupied Afghanistan. Using his power and help from a renegade CIA agent (Phillip Seymour Hoffman), he supplies weapons and support.

Born Yesterday (1950): There’s this corrupt tycoon (Broderick Crawford) who has a “dumb” blonde for a girlfriend (Judy Holliday). He’s worried that she will embarrass him while he’s trying to buy a Congressman in Washington. So, he hires a cultured gentleman (hunk William Holden) to teach her to be proper. As you might guess, Crawford gets more than he bargained for when Miss Dumb Blonde turns out to be a lot smarter than he thought. Holliday won the Oscar for Best Actress.

Nixon (1995): Sir Anthony Hopkins (Why do the Brits make the best presidents?), Joan Allen, Ed Harris. Bob Hoskins and Oliver Stone star in this film about the days after Watergate.

Great McGinty (1940): Brian Donlevy makes his living casting votes under fake names. He becomes a puppet mayor, but then his new wife makes him see the error of his ways. He grows a conscience. Could this happen today?

Power (1986): This is a story about a jaded, amoral media consultant played by Richard Gere. His job is to package politicians to make them palatable to the public. Then J.T. Walsh hires him. Julie Christie, Gene Hackman, and Denzel Washington co-star. Not a great movie, but watchable.

Fail-Safe (1964): A computer glitch sends a bomber crew on a suicide mission to Moscow. U.S. President Henry Fonda must stop it. But how? Shades of Dr. Strangelove.

Honorable Mention: Dave, Wag the Dog, The Manchurian Candidate, Dr. Strangelove, Frost/Nixon, Seven Days in May, The Contender

Revenge

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 and delighting in An American in Paris.

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.

It’s back to real movies. This month I turn to the revenge movie. You know the quotes, cold dishes, etc. Some are right on; some are just trite. But, revenge as the theme can produce great drama. I don’t think any one of us condones injustice, so while we watch a strong, or a suddenly strong, character wreak revenge, we tend to allow some latitude. What do you think? Do these films satisfy your vicarious need for justice, or do they go so far over the top that they disgust you?

The Count of Monte Cristo (2002): This classic story by Alexandre Dumas is beautifully told in this television movie. The cast is strong: Jim Caviezel, Guy Pearce, Richard Harris, and Dagmara Diminczyk  (ever hear of her?). This is definitely the “long con.” Pearce is the proper villain, in spades. Caviezel is the long-suffering hero who carries out his revenge inch by agonizing inch. Yum.

Gladiator (2000): Hunk Russell Crowe is deprived not only of his promised throne, but of his liberty. Forced to become a gladiator, he kills his way to fame and eventually fortune. Joaquin Phoenix plays his nemesis. This film won the Oscar for best picture.

Memento (2000): Guy Pearce again, this time playing a man with short-term memory loss. He knows his wife was murdered and wants to find her killer, but he can’t remember and must resort to notes written all over his body. Very clever.

The Limey (1999): Great cast includes Terence Stamp, Lesley Ann Warren, Luis Guzmán, Barry Newman (enjoyed sitting at same table with him for dinner), and Peter Fonda. Professional thief Stamp gets out of prison, discovers his daughter has been murdered, flies to Los Angeles, meets ex-con Luis Guzmán, and eventually Fonda who was having an affair with daughter. Busy man. But who will receive revenge?

Death Wish (1974, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1994): You’d think that if Charles Bronson really had a death wish, it wouldn’t take five movies to do accomplish. But then he had the formula going and there are so many bad guys in need of being stopped.

Taken (2008, 2012): Ex-spy Liam Neeson must find his daughter who has been kidnapped in Paris by human traffickers. Obviously, they didn’t reckon with the rage of a father who knows tradecraft.

Rob Roy (1995): Neeson again, this time in another century, plays a put-upon hero in a classic story. (The hero came before the drink, ya know.) Villain Tim Roth betrays Rob Roy, who must then flee for his life. Stoic Jessica Lange stands by her man.

Leon: The Professional (1994): Hitman Jean Reno, witnesses a DEA team wipe out an entire family, except for a 12-year-old girl played by Natalie Portman. Reno ends up caring for her and she decides to follow him in his career to avenge her family. Watch for Gary Oldman as the dastardly villain.

Get Carter (1971): Michael Caine stars as Carter, whose brother has died in mysterious circumstances. He leaves London to go home to Newcastle to find out what happened. There he tangles with the local talent in his desire for vengeance. Caine is at his snarling best. Forget the newer version.

Carrie (1976): Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, John Travolta, and Amy Irving star in this adaption of a Stephen King novel. With King you know that revenge will take a different turn. Spacek is a mousy, unpopular high school student who uses her “special” gift to wreak havoc on her classmates after they play a particularly cruel joke on her. Everyone say, Yeah!

Cape Fear (1991, 1962): I like the version with Robert Mitchum; he can be very scary. Gregory Peck is the prosecutor who has dared to put Mitchum in jail for rape and assault. Mitchum starts a reign of terror against Peck and his family. Revenge and terror.

The Page Turner (2007): In this perfect little French film, revenge takes a while but is so very sweet. A young piano player who dreams of being admitted to a prestigious music school is distracted by the chairwoman of the admitting committee and fails her audition. Years later, she finds herself in the employ of that very same woman. Revenge plays itself out with quiet beauty.

Munich (2005): This should have been a great movie. This true story has all the elements needed for justifiable revenge. However, Spielberg messes it up. For one thing, it is mostly shot in the dark, so I had a hard time figuring out what was going on. Skip this one.

Honorable Mention: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series (Swedish versions)

I would guess that nearly 90% of westerns are revenge themed. The old west where killings seldom get punished is awash in revenge. Here are just a few of those I consider the best:

Once Upon a Time in the West (1968): Cold-eyed killer Henry Fonda is hired by the railroad to kill anyone who tries to stop its progress. He kills the wrong man. The widow, Claudia Cardinale, hires Charles Bronson and Jason Robards to hunt down Fonda and kill him. This Sergio Leone classic has all the elements of a great film. It could have been shot anywhere, but the bleak landscape is perfect.

True Grit (1969, 2010): I think both these versions are good in their own way. As for casting, John Wayne was the better. Jeff Bridges was just an imitation. As for Kim Darby, Hailee Steinfeld was much the better. Darby was so irritating I would not have been sorry to have her stay in the snake pit. Matt Damon and Glen Campbell were about even, although I much prefer Damon as an actor. All the bad guys were good.

Unforgiven (1992): This Oscar-winning movie starred Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman and Richard Harris. Eastwood is hired by a group of whores to get rid of Sheriff Hackman, who has been brutalizing them.

Outlaw Josey Wales (1976): Eastwood again, this time with Sondra Locke and Chief Dan George and others, takes on the Jayhawkers who killed his wife and son. Who can stand a chance with Eastwood on the rampage.

Honorable mentions: Magnificent Seven, Nevada Smith, Man From Laramie, and Rio Lobo