The Ten Commandments

It's Easter, and the Passover season, which means it's that time of year again for ABC to broadcast the 1956 version of "The Ten Commandments".  Sure, by today's standards it's too long, it's corny and it's over the top.  But really, who does not love Charlton Heston and Yul Brynner.  It's got a cast of thousands (literally), and the special effects are very cool for their time - not in CGI either. It's the one time a year other than Christmas, where the country sits down together to learn about God's law, and how he saves those who put their trust in Him.  Here's hoping that ABC continues this tradition as long as there's TV.  So let it be written, so let it be done.

R.I.P. Farley Granger

There's been a lot said and written about the passing of Liz Taylor last week. But I doubt anyone payed much attention to the passing of another classic star a few days later.  His name was Farley Granger.  Most of you have probably never heard of him, but he was a pretty big star in the 40's and early 50's, and he was a favorite of Alfred Hitchcock.  He was also mighty handsome.  In later years, he worked a lot in European films, as well as on the stage.  If you get a chance, you should check him out in the following movies:

Strangers on a Train - In this movie, Granger plays a man eager to leave his marriage to his cheating wife.  On a train home, he happens to meet another passenger, played by Robert Walker, who is eager to be rid of his overbearing Mother.  In the process of their conversation, Robert Walker proposes that they take care of each other's problems. Incredibly suspenseful, this movie has one of the coolest final scenes ever.  (Note: This picture inspired the later movie "Throw Momma From The Train").  

Rope - Another Hitchcock picture, this one is an experimental film, in that it all takes place in "real time".  In it, Granger plays a young thrill killer, and James Stewart is a prosecutor out to prove how Granger did it.

They Live By Night - Probably my favorite movie of his, directed by Nicholas Ray, who later went on to direct "Rebel Without a Cause".  In this one, Granger plays a young ex-con, in love with a girl, trying desperately to go straight.  No matter how hard he tries, and even with the best of intentions, he keeps getting gradually sucked back in to a life of crime.

Yay or Nay

In today's installment of Yay or Nay, we tackle the question of the Wilson Brothers, Owen and Luke.

Yay - for Luke Wilson, my preferred Wilson brother.  Whether in a drama or a comedy, he comes across as sincere and thoughtful, and genuine.  He's also the better-looking of the two.  Check him out in "My Dog Skip", "Legally Blonde" or "Henry Poole is Here".  On the other hand - 

Nay - there's his brother Owen.  He comes across as pouty, petulant, and afraid to grow up.  Always insincere and going for the cheap laugh, I just want to yell "shut up" at the screen, because he never knows when to quit.  While I did like "Marley and Me", I can't say that it was because of his performance.  It might be wise for him to let himself be upstaged more often, even if it is only by a dog.

Rango

Lest you think that I only ever watch classic movies, I thought I'd set the record straight.  I do enjoy a lot of today's movies, and I like to think I'm a fan of most eras and genres in the movies.  Yesterday I got to see a new animated feature from Dreamworks Animation, called "Rango".  What a cool movie!  It's about a lizard who unexpectedly finds himself wandering in the Arizona desert.  He happens upon the town of Dirt, a town in the midst of a dramatic water shortage, where he becomes known as Rango, the local sherriff.  Voiced by Johnny Depp, our hero eventually saves the town from the evil forces that are stealing all the water, and in the process learns who he really is and what's important in life.

Rango is a highly original movie, which in this age of remakes and superheros is so refreshing.  It's funny, full of action and thrills, and has a terrific voice cast.  There's a lot of references to classic spaghetti westerns, both in dialog and music, and there's even a musical reference to "The Blue Danube" and "The Ride of the Valkyries".  It was such a treat, and I highly recommend it.  

Note: Rango is rated PG, and although it is suitable for children, they probably won't "get" it.  The jokes are more easily understood by grown-ups.

Full of Life

There've been a lot of movies with dumb blondes over the years.  One actress who specialized in them was Judy Holliday.  Whether in "Born Yesterday", or "The Solid Gold Cadillac", or "Bells Are Ringing", she more than any other actress had a real knack for bringing them to life.  So it was with some surprise that I watched one of her lesser-known films yesterday, and got to see her play it straight.  The film is called "Full of Life", and is about a young couple expecting their first child, and the accompanying joys and annoyances that come along with it. Judy plays Emily Rocco, a woman married to Nick (Richard Conte - another under-rated actor) an Italian man who has become estranged from his family and the church.  A problem with their house leads them to reach out to Nick's father for help, and thus begins the reconciliation between father and son, and Nick and his faith.  

It's a gem of a movie.  The biggest surprise was Judy, who was intelligent, loving, and sincere.  After all those years of dumb blondes, it was probably a pleasure for her to play a woman of some substance.

Apparently, the film was held back from distribution, because at the time, we weren't supposed to see a pregnant woman on screen.  How this movie could corrupt anyone is beyond me.  It's all about family, and faith, and what could be more valuable than that?

Buster Keaton

There's a terrific venue here in Salt Lake, called The Organ Loft, that regularly plays silent movies.  Not only that, but the movies are accompanied by their very own Wurlitzer Organ, and there's always a session on the history of the movie being presented.  I generally attend a couple of the movies each season, and this weekend they played one with Buster Keaton.

Whenever anyone talks about silent movie comedy, Buster Keaton is usually one of the three names at the top of the list.  Along with Charlie Chaplin and Harold Lloyd, they set a standard for film comedy that everyone else has been trying to reach ever since.  Like Lloyd, Keaton usually did his own stunts, and was a master of physical comedy.  But his trademark was his perpetually straight face and large sad eyes.

Keaton didn't make many feature-length movies, and so it was a real treat to see one, this one being called "College".  In it, Keaton plays a brilliant student who is unable to win the heart of the girl he loves, because of his lack of athletic prowess.  So he follows her to college, where in attempting to woo and win her, he goes out for every sport there is, and fails miserably, all to hilarious effect.

For those of you who think a silent picture might be boring, think again.  The house was packed that night, and Keaton had the entire audience roaring with laughter from beginning to end.  Even though he's been gone for many years now, I say long live silent comedy and long live Buster Keaton!

Der Dud

Aside from my well-documented love for Christopher Plummer, my other big time movie crush is Der Bingle, a.k.a. Bing Crosby.  Seriously - the man opens his mouth to croon and I melt like butter.  So I was definitely excited tonight that TCM was showing - for the first time ever - a picture of his called "The Emperor Waltz".  Directed by Billy Wilder, and co-starring Joan Fontaine, I couldn't wait for the crooning to commence.  But then it did.  What a waste.  Two hours of Bing crooning/yodeling in liederhosen, whilst he and his dog are romancing Joan Fontaine and her dog.  Yikes!  And that is two hours I will not get back!  Sad to say, for Der Bingle, this one was Der Dud.