Tuesday, January 7, 2025

What Else I Watched, 2024Q4

For October I rewatched The Little Shop of Horrors (1960) then saw Little Shop of Horrors (1986) for the very first time. The Roger Corman film was adapted into an off-broadway musical In the early 80’s, then later adapted for this film and changed quite a bit along the way. I was pretty lukewarm on the first film and was again here. I didn’t love the musical remake as much as I hoped. I liked elements of it. Ellen Greene was spot on as Audrey. Rest in peace, Jonathan Haze.

I also rewatched Carnival of Souls (1962), which was fine. I gave it a four last time, and I will leave it there.

Wicked Little Letters (2023) is loosely based on a true story of a woman who was falsely accused in 1920 of mailing profanity-laden letters to a respected family in a small English village. I remember enjoying it but little else. I gave it a 7 on IMDb, so 3.5?

It’s been eight years since I watched The Bishop’s Wife (1947). I liked it fine back then, saying it was “quality holiday fare” and had “humor and heart”. On second viewing, I think I liked it even better. I’ll give it a 4 out of 5 this time around.

A Christmas Story (1983) is still charming and amusing and a must-watch Christmas movie, but I don’t know if it’s at the must-watch-every-season level. Like Carnival of Souls, a bit of the shine seems to have come off.

From Darkness to Light (2023) is a documentary about Jerry Lewis’ troubled production of The Day the Clown Cried. Long story short, the studio lost faith in the production, the producers failed to renew the rights to the story, and the existing footage was both praised and condemned by Lewis himself. The shoot was not complete, there is no final edit, no adaptation rights, and we may never see it. If Harry Shearer is to be believed, maybe that is a good thing. Fascinating watch. AMRU 4.

I first and last saw It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) fifteen years ago, when I called it a “Well made, satisfying movie”. I will revise that by saying it’s the best Christmas movie ever. Ironically, the climax was far more impactful the second time around. I will up my rating from 3.5 to 4.5, and my IMDb score to 9/10. I am looking forward to seeing it again next season.

Eight off-brand films a quarter isn't too bad, I suppose, but it was feast or famine for me. Three were in October and four in December. And truth be told, I haven't watched anything since. Happy nother year.

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

Penny Serenade (1941)

Julie (Irene Dunne) announces that she is leaving her husband Roger (Cary Grant) because they don’t need each other anymore. While looking through her record collection, she reminisces about their life together, the good times and the bad.

Dorothy Adams is a familiar face, memorable as Laura’s maid. Character actress Beulah Bondi also made a thirty year career playing old ladies, including It’s a Wonderful Life, which I rewatched this season. And if It’s a Wonderful Life is sappy done right, Penny Serenade is sappy done wrong. Starting in the second act the sentiment is poured on fairly thick, and it only got worse.

This was Grant’s first of two competitive Oscar nominations. He was up against Gary Cooper as Sergeant York, so he had no chance here. I never saw None But the Lonely Heart, so I don’t know what chance he had against Bing Crosby.

Penny Serenade is a tiresome watch. Grant is always entertaining, though I prefer when he doesn’t play an idiot. The story isn't very compelling, but it’s the sentimentality that ruins it for me. AMRU 2.5.

Thursday, December 26, 2024

We’re No Angels (1955)

Three escapes from Devil’s Island prison (Humphrey Bogart, Peter Ustinov, and Aldo Ray) hide out on the island waiting for a chance to sneak aboard a steamship to freedom. In the meantime they meet the Ducotel family who run a general store, whom they plan to rob blind. The family trusts the men, although it’s unclear why, and the men begin to like the family. Cousin Andre (Basil Rathbone) proves harder to like.

Similar to 3 Godfathers, we again have three criminals learn the true meaning of Christmas and become good people. Instead of wise men, our three are analogs of the three archangels, even watching the family from up on high. But as Bogart’s Joseph says, “we’re no angels”. And they’re not.

Joan Bennett came out of scandal-induced retirement to play the Ducotel matriarch. Leo G. Carroll is over a barrel as shop owner Felix Ducotel. Pretty Gloria Talbott (The Cyclops) is their fainting-prone daughter. Peter Ustinov is a name I am quite familiar with but may have heard him more than seen. At 55 he played the 'Old Man' in Logan’s Run. His distinct line delivery was quite interesting.

I did not pick up on the screwball tone of We’re No Angels at first. When Mom Ducotel finds her daughter unconscious in the arms of a convict, I would expect her to have some follow-up questions, but we saw what happened and she believes their explanation without question. They are the main characters, after all. Once I accepted these things, it was quite enjoyable. AMRU 3.5.

“We came here to rob them and that's what we're gonna do - beat their heads in, gouge their eyes out, cut their throats. Soon as we wash the dishes."

Friday, December 20, 2024

Susan Slept Here (1954)

Hollywood screenwriter Mark (Dick Powell) wants to work on a serious script involving juvenile delinquents, so his cop buddy places him in custody of a teenage girl (Debby Reynolds) for inspiration, as cops do. This arrangement would keep her out of jail for the Christmas holiday. Jealous fiancé hijinks ensue.

This is the second film in a row where Powell plays a Hollywood screenwriter, after his penultimate film (The Bad and the Beautiful). Glenda Farrell (I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang) is Mark’s secretary and Alvy Moore (Green Acres) is his personal assistant. Adorable Anne Francis (Forbidden Planet) is his fiancé. Though we never learn her character’s age, Francis was only two years older than Reynolds. We aren’t to like her so she plays the Ice Queen.

Ignoring the absolute absurdity of the premise, this is a witty and charming story. What cannot be ignored is the creep factor. 35 year old Mark, played by 49 year old Powell, is paired with seventeen year old Susan (22 year old Reynolds). And, no, she doesn’t turn 18 by the end of the film.

Mark, despite his difficulties, is living the white male fantasy that only the 1950’s could give voice to. Cool job, cool apartment, surrounded by helper-friends and beautiful, amorous women, and has a fully stocked bar. Moore's Virgil is his foil. Purposeless job, little respect, and the ladies won't give him a second look. He and Farrell's Maude also serve the purpose of validating Mark's interest in an underage girl. That's very important, isn't that right Woody?

It feels icky to like Susan Slept Here as much as I do. There's not a ton of chemistry between the leads, but it was a very entertaining watch. AMRU 3.

Friday, December 13, 2024

3 Godfathers (1948)

After robbing a small town bank, three bandits (John Wayne, Pedro Armendáriz, and Harry Carey Jr.) go on the run in the desert with very little water. They happen upon a dying young(ish) woman about to deliver her first baby and the three promise to take care of him.

Westerns can be a little two dimensional, and 3 Godfathers is a perfect example. It doesn’t help that it’s also a Christmas movie. Our three outlaws represent the three wise men from the east. This isn’t interpretation, it is literally in the text. We watch three criminal but essentially good people learn to put the welfare of a baby over themselves. You know, the true meaning of Christmas.

The film is dedicated to director John Ford’s friend Harry Carey who died prior to this film’s production. He appeared in an earlier version of the story and son Carey Jr gets an Introducing credit, even though it’s his fifth film role. A youtube video brought my attention to prolific character actor Ward Bond. He has appeared in 261 feature films including thirteen Best Picture nominees and four winners. Silent film star Mae Marsh makes an appearance. She has a ton of screen credits.

3 Godfathers is a fine movie, I suppose, and definitely holds your interest, but the lack of depth and wooden performances (looking at you, Duke!) make for a sometimes annoying watch. AMRU 2.5.

"Quit talkin' Mex in front of the infant!"

Monday, December 9, 2024

Going My Way (1944)

A young and carefree priest (Bing Crosby) is assigned to be assistant at the troubled St. Dominic’s Church, but his methods run afoul of father Fitzgibbon (Barry Fitzgerald). I wonder if music will somehow solve the church’s problems.

Recorded a year ago under the impression that it was a Christmas movie (it is not), I watched it early because my cable provider is deleting stuff off my DVR. I will rant on this during my year end wrap up. A friend of Bing’s Father Chuck is Genevieve, star of the New York Metropolitan Opera. She is played by Risë Stevens, star of the New York Metropolitan Opera. Would-be church for-closer is played by Gene Lockhart.

There is an interesting situation where the neighbors, police, clergy, and landlord all become suspicious of a young woman’s life arrangements. At eighteen she essentially ran away from home to become independent, but her moral turpitude comes into question. Won’t some decent man make an honest woman out of here? By which I mean a housewife. This is just one of those prevalent social conventions that disappeared by century’s end.

Going My Way does not appear to have too much going for it, but you become dragged into their world. Father Chuck’s earnestness, Father Fitzgibbon’s quirkiness, and the people who surround them are all very engaging. It’s little surprise that the film won … seven Oscars?!?! Ok, that is a little surprising. In addition to Best Picture, it earned statues for both Bing and Barry, director, original story, screenplay, and song. Fitzgerald was nominated for both lead and supporting actor.

Accolades aside, it's an excellent film and a very pleasant watch. You are caught up in the story and are left satisfied. AMRU 3.5. But it’s no Double Indemnity and certainly no Laura.

Saturday, December 7, 2024

The Bad and the Beautiful (1952)

A washed up producer (Kirk Douglas) tries to get his former friends to make another picture to revive his career. The three, a director (Barry Sullivan), star (Lana Turner), and screenwriter (Dick Powell), recount their story of how they fell out with him.

Nominated for six academy awards and winning five, Hollywood is a sucker for stories about Hollywood, and apparently so am I. The three stories do not overlap much and illustrate the extent Douglas’ Jonathan is willing to go to further his interests. The now successful three must ask themselves if they can put their feelings aside to now help their former mentor. 

Gloria Grahame won an Oscar nine and a half minutes of a fair southern accent. It would be the shortest screen time for an acting Oscar at the time ... I'm happy to say. Leo G. Carroll has a brief role as a difficult director and Barbara Billingsley makes a blink-and-you’ll-miss-her appearance five years before becoming June Cleaver.

Many of the characters are thinly-veiled versions of real contemporary people. I will out David O. Selznick as a primary inspiration for our main character, but you can read the details for yourself. Selznick even contacted a lawyer to see if there were grounds to sue.

The Bad and the Beautiful is expert storytelling. The performances are excellent (Douglas uses his “angry Kirk” voice only once), the script is tight, and the story compelling. The film came highly recommended and I came to it very late. I should have believed it. AMRU 4.5.