DANCE, GIRL, DANCE (1940)

Musicals month (2 of 11)

Dance, Girl, Dance (1940)

I was not at all familiar with this RKO backstage musical and having seen it, am a bit surprised with its inclusion in the 1001 movie book. It has been praised for having some early feminist virtues and has an interesting contrast of the classical dance style versus burlesque, but the main reason to see this is Lucille Ball.

I say this as someone who is not much of a fan of Lucy's TV shows (I find her too loud, but not in a funny Ralph Cramden way). But I give her her due here. She's sassy, sexy, sings and dances well and basically steals the picture. Maybe I'll give I Love Lucy another go.

Maureen O'Sullivan vs. Maureen O'Hara-Ok, I always get these two Irish beauties mixed up.
Just so I'll remember-Maureen O' Hara-Hunchback of Notre Dame, Dance, Girl, Dance, Miracle on 34th Street, The Parent Trap.
Maureen O'Sullivan-Tarzan movies, Bonzo Goes to College, A Day at the Races, Mia Farrow's mother, Hannah and Her Sisters. I think I got it now.

The ever present Ralph Bellamy: If you watch Hollywood movies from different eras, chances are good that you will see Ralph Bellamy pop up from time to time. He seemed like a second rung leading man in the thirties and fourties (like in Dance, Girl, Dance)But he really had a long movie career, ranging in roles from the doctor in Rosemary's Baby in the 60's, the prosecutor of God in Oh, God in the 70's all the way up to a businessman in Pretty Woman in 1990. Of course, my generation chiefly remembers him for being one of the wicked Duke brothers in Trading Places.

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LE SAMOURAI (1967, FRANCE)

Today's guest movie commentary is from the honorable Boo Spanyer

Le Samouraï

It's impossible for me to give this film a review without bias.

I first watched this with my parents and grandfather as a small child and instantly loved it because all over the screen I see "our car" (the Citroën DS---we had two that Popa had imported.) That was my first viewing, and I was very small. Only the cars and the main character Jef Costello, stuck in my mind because he was stylish and sad and lived in a rather monastic room with only a songbird for company. I was a little girl, so I felt sorry for the nice man. Where was his family?

Upon subsequent viewings I came to appreciate the story. My family liked this film a great deal, so when it was on the television we watched it. I discover more about the character 'Jef Costello'---he is a free-agent hitman, he lives by his own code of honour, like a samurai. The film opens with a supposed quote from the Book of Bushido,

"There is no greater solitude than that of the samurai unless it is that of the tiger in the jungle... Perhaps..."

but the text given was actually written by one of the film's writers, Jean-Pierre Melville. It doesn't matter about the origin of the text because it gives a good insight into the character and sets the tone of the piece. Costello is fluid like a tiger in his movements, he is stealthy and cat-like clean. He is honourable in his way. But his business is death, so whatcha gonna do? Itiz wot itiz.

The plot of the film involves a 'hit' that goes wrong. It's the first time that perfectionist Costello has messed up a job and when he leaves the scene there are several witnesses who can describe him to the police...
Well I won't give it all away because I hope you will want to see it.

It's a beautiful film, visually. The people in the film are very attractive. All the locations are nice to see. Everything is very stylish and clean. And it has that wonderful rainy moodiness that some French films have. Things look so nice in the light rain and at night with all the lights of the city! So it's really beautiful to watch.

There are many scenes of great tension that will keep you on the edge of your seat, or it does me that way---everyone is different.
I must say if you are a first-time viewer: don't just give up at the opening! There is very little dialogue in the first 10 minutes or so, but then they talk. It's all for setting the tone.

Because he is alone.

Because he is Le Samouraï.

-Boo Spanyer

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THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT (1974)

Musicals month (Post 1 of 11)

That’s Entertainment (1974)

Boy Do We Need It Now!

The phrase above was the tagline for That’s Entertainment when it came out in 1974. At the time, my interpretation of this was that because of Watergate, what we, the movie going public, really needed was a movie featuring clips of all the MGM musicals of yesteryear hosted by many of the stars of the era. I guess that’s what they meant, anyway.

I still think its kind of funny that as late as 1974 a documentary featuring mostly old movie* clips would be on the big screen and actually be a hit!

Seeing it again after many years, some parts are definitely better than others. Some of the host segements are a bit stiff (Frank Sinatra and Elizabeth Taylor look especially uncomfortable and it seems a little strange to have Bing Crosby on board since most of his mucials were non-MGM. Though Donald O'Connor's Mark Spitz joke seems absolutely quaint). I also found watching some of the clips, that I would rather watch some of the better films in their entirety than the bits and pieces here and there.

The segments dedicated to Judy Garland and Fred Astaire are probably my favorite bits.

This film is not in the 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die Book, but I thought it would be a good first film for me to see before I get into more musicals this month.

*That is to say, my definition of "old movie." Not some teenager who says they love old movies like The Fugitive.

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M (1931, GERMANY)

Fritz Lang’s M is considered by many to be the greatest of movies to come out of Germany during the pre-Nazi era. It’s difficult for me to not look at the story of a serial child murderer without thinking how it foreshadows the ascension of the most prolific serial killer of the century.

The film works as a police procedural of sorts, though the audience knows who the killer is long before the authorities do. The great conflict in the film is the competition between the police trying to find the killer and those in the criminal underworld who want to find the murderer for their own reasons.

The “kangaroo court” scene where the child murder is put on trial by criminals is truly the highlight of the film.

And let us not forget Peter Lorre’s memorable defense of himself before this tribunal of criminals:

Do you all want to kill me?
You just want to wipe me out?
But you can’t murder me just like that!
I demand to be handed over to the police!
I demand to be brought before a real court of law!

M will most likely be playing soon at a college film class near you.

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VIVRE SA VIE (1962, FRANCE), MASCULIN FEMININ (1966, FRANCE)

Le bloc en cinq tableaux

Tableux cinq: Confronting one’s self about Godard

The 1001 blogger has decided to watch as many films as he can from New Wave French director Jean Luc-Godard. This is his third therapy session since he has begun watching these films. He notices his latest doctor has his chair turned away from him as he enters the office..

1001 blogger: Hello doctor. I've had a couple of rough sessions here.I hope this will go better. I don't think I've seen you before.

(The doctor spins around and the blogger gasps as he notices that the doctor is...himself.)


Doctor: Are you sure? Don't you own a mirror? Sit down in my chair. And I will sit in the patient's chair. Then you will know what its like to stand in someone else's shoes. Or sit in someone else's shoes anyway. Oh, nevermind. Since I am you. I don't think that will really be necessary.

1001 blogger: (Holding head) I'm really confused now. I was feeling bad all week about striking out with Dr. Baxter.

Doctor: Oh, the Bardot look alike. Boy, those chances don't come around often. You must feel awful.

1001 blogger: Ah, never mind. Just tell me what I should do now. You know me better than anybody.

Doctor: I think you should read The Age of Reason by Jean Paul-Sartre.

1001 blogger: I have read it. I didn't really care for it.

Doctor: That's OK. Not everyone understands it.

1001 blogger: I didn't say I didn't understand it. I said I didn't like it.

Doctor: I see we're at an impasse, number six.

1001 blogger:Don't call me that. And don't ask me to read any Moliere either.

Doctor:Come on you like to be called number six. You know I know you better than anyone. Stand up and give the prisoner speech.

1001 blogger:Well Ok, but what has this to do with Godard?

Doctor: That's the point. By having nothing to do with Godard, it has everything to do with Godard. You get it?

1001 blogger: (Nodding as he stands, clears his throat and points at the doctor). I will not make any deals with you. I've resigned. I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed, or numbered! My life is my own!

Doctor:(Applauding)Bravo. Bravo. I don't think you'll need me anymore. (The doctor disappears)

(Finally feeling a sense of relief, the blogger goes up to the office wall mirror and watches himself trace his lips with his thumb. He departs)

FIN

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CONTEMPT (1963, FRANCE)

Le bloc en cinq tableaux

Tableaux quatre: Becoming even further confused about Godard

The 1001 blogger has decided to watch as many films as he can from New Wave French director Jean Luc-Godard. He is in his second appointment with his regular analyst Dr. Berger, though as he enters the psychiatrist’s office he notices that Berger has been repaced. A vouluptuous blonde comes up to the blogger and shakes his hand.

Dr. Baxter: Good afternoon. I’m Dr. B. B. Baxter. I will be taking over your case. Dr Berger is…well he said something about visiting the Outlands. I have no idea what that means. Anyway, I have familiarized myself with your case. Have a seat.

1001 Blogger: I’m just taken a bit aback. You look just like…You look like a young Brigitte Bardot.

Dr. Baxter: Tell me about it! It’s really made it that much harder for me to be taken seriously.People say they imagine me sunning nude on an Acapulco beach and not in a stuffy office. Can you imagine?

1001 Blogger: Vividly. I mean...you don’t say!

Dr. Baxter: Which is funny that your file says you have been watching Godard films. Have you seen Contempt yet?

1001 Blogger: Yes. As a matter of fact that was what I watched last week. It’s weird that I see the only film I have ever seen with Brigitte Bardot and now I have a new analyst that looks just like Brigitte Bardot.

Dr. Baxter: Not as much a coincidence as you might think. It’s like reading a book and seeing the word tunnel as you go through a tunnel. Not that much of a coincidence really. Or overhearing someone say the word hole at the very moment you trip over a rabbit hole, or-

1001 Blogger: I get it. I get it.

(Dr. Baxter crosses her perfect legs which fall gracefully underneath her short skirt and the 1001 blogger attempts unsuccessfully to avert his gave.)

Dr Baxter: It’s kind of hot in here. Don’t you think?

(The doctor unites the ribbon holding her hair. She shakes her hair, her blonde tresses flowing wildly.)

1001 Blogger: I’m a little distracted at the moment. What did you ask me again?

Dr. Baxter: I didn’t ask anything...yet. But we were talking about the movie Contempt. What did you think about it?

1001 Blogger: I’m just thinking about that opening scene where Bardot asks her husband what she thinks of her body parts.

Dr. Baxter: Yes! I think I know what to do now.

(Dr. Baxter turns off the main room light and a flourescent light comes on in its stead. Mood music begins to play. Dr. Baxter sprawls out on the polar bear rug directly in front of her patient. She reaches into her dress and pulls something out in the direction of the blooger.)

Dr. Baxter: Here. Speak directly into my dictaphone.

(The 1001 Blogger can only nod.)

Dr. Baxter: So tell me Mr. Blogger. Do you like my hair?

1001 Blogger: Uh…uh…

Dr. Baxter: I said do you like my hair? Do you want to be cured or not?

1001 Blogger: Yes. Yes. I like your hair.

Dr. Baxter: Do you like my face?

1001 Blogger: Yes. Yes. I like your face.

Dr. Baxter: My legs. Do you like my legs?

1001 Blogger: Yes. Yes very much.

Dr. Blogger: And my breasts. Do you like my breasts?

1001 Blogger: Uh..uh..

Dr. Baxter: Come on now. Do I have to actually show them to you? All right. (She begins to unbuttoned her shirt)Here..(Noticing her patient wavering in his chair)Hey, what's wrong?(Dr. Baxter comes up to him, but before she can reach him, he has passed out onto the floor.)

Dr. Baxter: (speaking into her Dictaphone, after testing his pulse and determinging that he has merely fainted.) Patient 1001 seems to be having difficulty coping with reality. Was unable to complete treatment to full climax. When patient regains consciousness, recommend session with more advanced specialist. I will be heading to Acapulco for a couple of weeks for some aquatic and tanning therapy of my own. Baxter out.

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ALPAHVILLE (1965, FRANCE), PIERROT LE FOU (1965, FRANCE)

Le bloc en cinq tableaux

Tableux trois: Seeking help about being confused by Godard

The 1001 blogger has decided to watch as many films as he can from New Wave French director Jean Luc-Godard. This endeavor has proven a challenge to his emotional and intellectual well-being. He has made an appointment with his regular analyst Dr. Berger, who bears a striking resemblance to actor Judd Hirsch, to guide him through the rocky patches.


(The 1001 Blogger enters Dr. Berger’s office)

Dr. Berger: Come in. I was very worried about you when you called me. Please have a seat.

1001 Blogger: (Sitting) Thank you. I appreciate you seeing me.

Dr. Berger: And don’t worry. Since I got your message about your issues with the films of Jean Luc-Godard, I did my research and watched as many of his films as I could.

1001 Blogger: I’ll say this, you're thorough.

Dr. Berger: So tell me what’s going on.

1001 Blogger: Well, I picked this woman up at the local Dollar General and took her home.

Dr. Berger: And did you have intercourse with her?

1001 Blogger: No. Nothing like that. I just made her watch Godard’s Weekend.

Dr. Berger: And how did she react?

1001 Blogger: She through a baggette at me, cursed me and my entire lineage and stormed out.

Dr. Berger: What did you do then?

1001 Blogger: I shook it off and watched more Godard films. Alphaville and Pierrot le Fou.

Dr. Berger: Ah, Genre films. I caught those.

1001 Blogger: But they don’t fit neatly into a genre. Is Alphaville a sci-fi or should it be defined as hard boiled detective? Is Pierrot a criminal film? Pierrot is like Badlands on acid. But it was made before Badlands or Bonny and Clyde for that matter. So it had kind of a reverse derivative effect on me. Do you see why I’m so confused?

Dr. Berger: (Moving to the closet where he removes something) This might help. Role playing. I’ll put this general’s uniform on. And here’s a coolie hat and you can be the Vietnamese village girl…

1001 Blogger: Uh, no. I appreciate that you’ve studied these films and want to recreate scenes, but that’s just too weird. Of course, I don’t have any better suggestions at present.

Dr. Berger: In life one can only know the present, No one’s lived in the past or will live in the future,

1001 Blogger: I don’t really know the present either…at least at the present, you might say.

Dr. Berger: Have you seen A Beautiful Mind yet? I love that film.

1001 Blogger: Yes, but what does that have to do with the price of tea in Marsielle?

Dr. Berger: Sorry, I was daydreaming for a minute.

1001 Blogger: Yes, doctor. But what about Godard?

Dr. Berger: I think we’re about out of time.

(A siren goes off and Dr. Berger begins to caresses the walls as he feels his way to the door.)

1001 Blogger: What are you doing? We can't be done yet!

Dr. Berger: Sorry. I’m most helpless. Alpha 60 is calling me! Alpha 60 is calling me! Come back next week! Show yourself out...

(Dr. Berger leaves the room. The 1001 blogger eventually gets up and leaves as well, realizing he is in even worse condition than we he came in.)

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