favorite movie #59: it's always fair weather

Favorite movies that have had an impact on me - #59 - It's Always Fair Weather (1955) - When most people think of classic Gene Kelly films, Singin' in the Rain, On the Town, and An American in Paris come to mind. But my personal favorite Kelly film is It's Alway Fair Weather. A story about three GIs who plan to meet again after ten years home from the war, it could be described as the dark side of On the Town. Ted (Kelly), Doug (Dan Dailey), and Angie (choreographer Michael Kidd, in his first onscreen role) have led very different lives since they were in the army together, and after a few minutes of being back together frankly loathe one another. A bored Ted tries to pick up Jackie (Cyd Charisse), an advertising executive who decides the boys' story is just what her late-night television show could use — some real schmaltz. The film is prophetic in its criticism and depiction of reality television and its phony host (Dolores Gray). There are some great set pieces, with the trio dancing with garbage can lids on their feet, Cyd Charisse charming the denizens of a fight club ("Baby You Knock Me Out"), and the best number of all, "I Like Myself," with Gene Kelly tap dancing on roller skates. Yes, I said that right. Gene Kelly dances on roller skates. The script (and song lyrics) are by Betty Comden and Adolph Green and the music by André Previn. Kelly co-directed with Stanley Donen, their last film together.

The only odd note in the film is that Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse didn't have any dance numbers together. I found this on YouTube. It must have ended up on the cutting room floor.

favorite movie #58: heaven can wait

Favorite movies that have had an impact on me - #58 - Heaven Can Wait (1978) - Warren Beatty directed, produced, co-wrote, and starred in this remake of 1941's Here Comes Mr. Jordan. He plays a football player, Joe Pendleton, who is mistakenly taken to heaven before his time — by his officious guardian angel (Buck Henry). Mr. Jordan (James Mason) is called in to rectify the situation and find Joe a body so that he can return to Earth and fulfill his dreams of going to the Super Bowl. "Temporarily" installed in the body of an almost-murdered industrialist, Leo Farnsworth, Joe meets activist Betty Logan (Julie Christie) who makes him think less about sports and more about saving her little town  and the environment. Dyan Cannon and Charles Grodin are hysterical as Farnsworth's murderous wife and her lover (also his assistant). Jack Warden brings heart as Joe's mentor, coach, and surrogate father. Warren Beatty is able to balance the comedy, drama, fantasy, and romance deftly, and he's got a great arm — he's quite believable as a would-be quarterback vying for his last shot at the super Bowl before he ages out of the game. A real charmer.

The film won the Academy Award for Best Art Direction, as is evidenced by Dyan Cannon's bedroom and its riot of florals.

You'd never forget me either, would you? That thing you said you saw in me. Something in my eyes, remember? If some day somebody came up to you, maybe a football player, and he acted like he'd seen you before, you'd notice that same thing, right? You'd give him a chance? He might be a good guy. — He could even be a quarterback.

favorite movie #57: dirty rotten scoundrels

Favorite movies that have had an impact on me - #57 - Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988) - This film has a special pace in my heart. It is silly fun, and the three main players — Steve Martin, Michael Caine, and Glenne Headley — are all wonderful together. Director Frank Oz makes many funny movies, and this is one of his best. The French Riviera scenery adds to the breezy, champagne bubbly tone.

Freddy Benson (Steve Martin, as "Ruprecht the Monkey Boy"): Excuse me. May I go to the bathroom first? 

Lawrence Jamieson (Michael Caine): Of course you may. 

Freddy: [after a pause, and with relief] Thank you.

Lawrence Jamieson: Freddy, as a younger man, I was a sculptor, a painter, and a musician. There was just one problem: I wasn't very good. As a matter of fact, I was dreadful. I finally came to the frustrating conclusion that I had taste and style, but not talent. I knew my limitations. We all have our limitations, Freddy. Fortunately, I discovered that taste and style were commodities that people desired. Freddy, what I am saying is: know your limitations. You are a moron.

Related:

bedtime story vs. dirty rotten scoundrels

favorite movie #56 and art in film: s.o.b.

Favorite movies that have had an impact on me - #56 - S.O.B. (1981) - Blake Edwards had a string of flops in the 1970s, starting with Darling Lili (which starred his wife Julie Andrews), which almost brought down Paramount Studios. His recovered after filming three very successful Pink Panther sequels, and then went on to film S.O.B., a film many thought to be his poison pen letter, his revenge on Hollywood.

But S.O.B. is not just a nasty flaming arrow pointed at an insider's view of Tinsel Town. It is also freaking hilarious. The story features a character similar to Edwards, Felix Farmer (Richard Mulligan), who has a mental breakdown after his latest film, Night Wind, starring his movie star wife Sally Miles (Julie Andrews), is a colossal flop at the box office. In Hollywood money is king, and Felix's flop affects everyone in his orbit. Edwards pulls no punches depicting that orbit: the wife, children, hangers on, agents, domestic help, sycophants, and anyone else in the immediate vicinity who wants be part of the scene. The only people faithful and supportive of the suicidal Felix are his three best friends: Tim Culley (William Holden), the director of Night Wind; Dr. Irving Finegarten (Robert Preston), Felix and Sally's doctor; and Ben Coogan (Robert Webber), Sally's press agent.

The Three Muscatels

Felix has a brainstorm — what he needs to do to save Night Wind is to reshoot it with lots of added sex scenes, which will require some new, suggestive footage of his wife Sally.

Felix Farmer (Richard Mulligan) : Can she work? 

Dr. Irving Finegarten (Robert Preston) : Is Batman a transvestite? Who knows? I was specifically requested to alleviate her anxiety. Work was never mentioned. 

Felix Farmer : Irving, she's got a very big scene to do! 

Sally Miles (Julie Andrews) : [laughing] I'm going to show my boobies. What do you think, Irving, you've seen my boobies. Hmm, are they worth showing? 

Dr. Irving Finegarten : Well, since I can only render an evaluation based on a completely impersonal, purely professional examination of the subject ... uh, subjects, I would have to say that in my humble opinion you've got a terrific pair of knockers.

Polly wolly doodle all the day ...

Edwards pulls no punches and the film never stops loading one crazy situation on top of another, with  hysterical results. The cast is top notch, too — it's fun to try and spot all of the familiar faces.

What a cast. Top row, L-R: Loretta Swit, Craig Stevens, Larry Hagman, Richard Mulligan, Robert Vaughan, Benson Fong, Marisa Berenson. Bottom row, L-R: Robert Loggia, William Holden, Julie Andrews, Robert Preston, Larry Storch, Shelley Winters, Stuart Margolin, Robert Webber.

As wonderful as everyone is, Robert Preston is simply amazing, and pretty much walks away with the film (as he did in 1982's Victor, Victoria) with his Dr. Feelgood-ish portrayal of Dr. Irving Finegarten.

Well, it depends on what you mean by "all right." I once cured an amateur skydiver of acute acrophobia. Now, you could say he was all right, because he was able to jump. But you could also say he was *not* all right, because he was so stoned he neglected to open his parachute.

Check out that family portrait

William Holden, Jennifer Edwards daughter of Blake), and Rosanna Arquette

favorite movie #55 and art in film: The big clock/no way out

Favorite movies that have had an impact on me - #55 - The Big Clock (1948)/No Way Out (1987) - The Big Clock is an interesting blend of comedy and film noir. The comedy comes mainly from hero Ray Milland, who can never help but be charming, and Elsa Lanchester, who puts in a wonderful comic turn as an eccentric artist. Milland plays George Stroud, a New York editor who works for megalomaniac publisher Earl Janoth (Charles Laughton). Stroud befriends Pauline York (Rita Johnson), Janoth's mistress, who is fed up with his controlling ways. After a madcap night of drinking and complaining about the boss, Stroud leaves York's apartment as Janoth arrives - the jealous Janoth only sees a man's silhouette, but he is still enraged, and in a fit of passion kills York. The rest of the film has Janoth and his right-hand man Hagen (George Macready) tasking Stroud with finding this mystery man so that they can pin the crime on him. As Stroud leads the investigation he has to stay one step ahead at every moment, fearful that he will be recognized as the man in question. Directed by John Farrow, the film is beautifully shot in black and white, with modern furniture and settings, especially the Janoth Publications enormous clock that ticks away,  possibly ticking away Stroud's future and freedom. Art by Lanchester's character is used cleverly both as clues to the crime and for comic effect.

Art by Boris Grisson

Hagen (George Macready) tries to cover up for his boss

Stroud hides out inside the clock

The Big Clock was remade in 1987 as No Way Out. The setting was changed to Washington, D.C., and the emphasis was less on murder mystery and more as a political thriller/romance. Kevin Costner stars as Navy Lieutenant Commander Tom Farrell, who is introduced to the Secretary of Defense, David Brice (Gene Hackman) by a college friend (Will Patton) at an inaugural ball. At the same event he meets Susan Atwell (Sean Young). The two begin an intense, passionate affair, but Farrell soon learns that Susan is also the mistress of a powerful man ... guess who? After seeing a shadowy male figure leave Susan's home, a jealous Brice accidentally kills her, and as in The Big Clock, Farrell is put in charge of the investigation to find the "real" killer. The rest of the film takes place in the claustrophobic halls and offices of the Pentagon, as Farrell tries to avoid capture while proving that Brice is the true culprit. No Way Out is not as stylish as The Big Clock, but it is fast-paced and exciting, and Costner and Young are very sexy in their scenes together. The political setting also provides the filmmakers with some additional twists and turns featuring a Russian spy subplot.

Both films are great to watch and favorites when I'm in the mood for a paranoid thriller.