The Help

Yesterday I finally saw what has turned out to be THE movie of the summer, "The Help".  It's taken from a very popular recent book, and although I've not read the book, I had a vague idea what it was about.  But since it takes place in Mississippi, I was definitely motivated to go see it, having lived there for awhile many years ago.  The verdict?  It's a really great movie, and everyone should see it.  The acting is absolutely phenomenal in all cases, and Mississippi was as beautiful to look at as ever.  On a side note, there were also some scenes where different Southern foods were laid out on the table, and I was salivating - I miss the food there so much.  

Would I see the movie again?  Probably not.  Although there were definitely funny moments, there were also a lot of difficult, and I have to say, ugly, heartbreaking moments.  There were actually a couple of times I wanted to get up and walk out, because the behavior of some of the characters was so disturbing.  I guess that's because the topic the movie deals with is so important.  It probably also has to do with some of the conflicting feelings I have about Mississippi and my experiences there.  But I highly recommend it.

A Letter to Three Wives

Before he wrote and directed "All About Eve", Joseph L. Mankiewicz won another Oscar, for a picture called "A Letter to Three Wives", which has long been a favorite of mine.  It stars Jeanne Crain, Linda Darnell, and Ann Sothern as three best friends, who one Saturday morning, receive a letter from another friend, stating that she is not only leaving town, but that she's leaving with one of their husbands (played by Jeffrey Lynn, Paul Douglas and Kirk Douglas).  The rest of the movie is spent in flashbacks, as each wife reviews her relationship to determine if she is the one who will come home to an empty house that night.

From the above description, you might think this picture would be maudlin, and a bit of a downer.  But it's neither. Would you believe it, it's actually considered a comedy.  It's warm, it's funny, and it's realistic in it's depiction of typical marital spats. And it takes the point of view that marriage isn't something you give up on just because you go through difficult times.  The acting is first-rate, and it's easy to relate to the characters, because they display similar foibles that any of us could recognize in ourselves.

By the way: Look for classic characters Thelma Ritter, Connie Gilchrist, and Florence Bates in hilarious supporting roles.  And see if you recognize the Academy Award-Winning actress voicing the character of Addie Ross, who is never seen on screen.

Force of Arms

I think you all know that I'm a sucker for most old movies, no matter the genre.  But I'm particularly a sucker for romantic World War II melodramas.  I sit there with my hanky and my popcorn and sob right along with it.  So it was fun for me to see a new one (at least for me) last night, called "Force of Arms", starring William Holden and Nancy Olson.  He plays a soldier, and she plays a WAC, who meet in Italy and fall in love during World War II.

William Holden seemed to specialize in playing guys who were charming, but cynical, and only wanted to live for today (think Sunset Boulevard, Stalag 17, and Bridge on the River Kwai as examples).  Here, he starts out playing his typical character, but after meeting Nancy Olson, he wants more out of life.  Most people today may only know Nancy Olson from her Disney movies (Pollyanna, The Absent-Minded Professor).  But she got an Oscar nomination for "Sunset Boulevard", which was just her third movie.  And here, she plays a WAC, who's eager to do good in the world, and who winds up falling for Holden's war-weary soldier.

Saying too much more would give away most of the plot.  But trust me on this one, you're gonna love it.  The music is gorgeous, the stars are fabulous, and by the time you get to the end, you'll have gone through a couple of hankies, but you'll feel that all is right with the world.

Classic Character - Tommy Rall

Speaking of Kiss Me Kate, it's time to mention another classic character, a dancer who I think is one of the best ever to be in movies, and that's Tommy Rall.  Other dancers are probably more well-known, for example Bob Fosse, but for my money, this guy was better.  He had an athleticism and a masculinity to his dancing that is just so watchable.  You could tell he really loved to dance, and there was no pretense to it (which is my biggest beef with Fosse).  This is particularly evident in "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers", probably his best-known performance.

Check him out in these movies:

Kiss Me Kate (1953) - Rall plays Bill/Lucentio, the gambler and rake who steals the heart of Ann Miller's Lois Lane/Bianca.  He's got several awesome numbers, but to see him on his own, look for the number "Why Can't You Behave?"  Totally incredible

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954) - Rall plays Frankincense Pontipee, who's always fighting over his fantastical bible name.  If you really want to see some fantastic dancing, check him out in the barn raising sequence.  He totally steals the number from everyone else.

My Sister Eileen (1955) - Here he has a bit part as a rake out to take advantage of little sister Eileen (Janet Leigh).  Not as much dancing in this one, but again, he steals the scene and makes Bob Fosse's character look positively boring.

Wunderbar!

It was Howard Keel day on TCM here recently - and a great opportunity to catch up on some well-loved musicals.  Today I'd like to give a shout out to "Kiss Me Kate", starring Howard Keel and Kathryn Grayson.  It's a totally fun show, about two ex-spouses battling each other while starring in a musical version of "The Taming of the Shrew". 

The music and lyrics are by Cole Porter.  Generally when one thinks of Porter's music, words such as witty, sophisticated, and perhaps cynical, come to mind.  But here he's that and then some - in fact, he seems downright sincere, especially on what I believe is the finest song he ever wrote, "So In Love".

The movie is filled with terrific dance sequences, and has a host of some of the finest dancers ever to appear on film - Ann Miller, Tommy Rall, Bob Fosse, Bobby Van, and Carol Haney.  And it also has some of the most well-known tunes in Cole Porter's lexicon - Wunderbar, Another Openin', Too Darn Hot, Why Can't You Behave?, and Brush Up Your Shakespeare (gleefully sung by James Whitmore and Keenan Wynn).  And the acting is first-rate.  In fact, the entire cast looks as if they're having the time of their lives.

When you have some time, check it out.  It's great fun, and it really is Wunderbar!