favorite movie #119 - holiday edition: follow the fleet

Favorite movies that have had an impact on me - #119 - Follow the Fleet (1936) - The New Year's holiday was always synonymous with Astaire/Rogers films on television when I was growing up in the New Jersey/New York area. All of their films are good, but this film is my favorite, because it includes the uber-romantic and melancholy dance number, "Let's Face the Music and Dance."

Fun fact: "Let's Face the Music and Dance" is filmed in one continuous take, lasting two minutes and fifty seconds.

favorite movie #99 - holiday edition: robin and the 7 hoods

Favorite movies that have had an impact on me - #99 - Robin and the 7 Hoods (1964) - Frank Sinatra and his Rat Pack buddies Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr. have fun with this Robin Hood-inspired musical. There are fun musical numbers, lots of mobster-inflected dialogue, and a general devil-may-care attitude that makes the good guy gangster romp fun. Sinatra introduces the hit song "My Kind of Town,' but my favorite numbers are Sammy Davis, Jr. shooting up a speakeasy with "Bang! Bang!" and Bing Crosby presiding over "Mr. Booze." Crosby, Sinatra, and Martin also do a great rendition of "Style". All of the songs are by Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen.

Sammy shoots and taps his way through the speakeasy

Sinatra belts "My Kind of Town"

How to hide a speakeasy

Link to Christmas:

favorite movie #98 - holiday edition: white christmas

Favorite movies that have had an impact on me - #96 - White Christmas! (1954) - There's so much I love about this film. The banter between Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye (I much prefer them as a duo to Bing and Bob Hope), the bright, splashy Irving Berlin musical numbers (except for the problematic minstrel number, but at least they left out the blackface that was in Holiday Inn), the amazing dance done by Danny Kaye and Vera-Ellen, Bing's bluer-than-blue eyes, and his romancing Rosemary Clooney over a liverwurst sandwich. I could go on and on and watch it every year (probably more than once during December).

The best things, happen when you're dancing ...

Sisters, sisters ...

... There were never such devoted sisters ...

Danny cracks up Bing

"Snow, snow, snow, snow, snow!"

Rosemary Clooney with a young George Chakiris

I'm dreaming of a White Christmas ...

Link to Christmas: The whole movie takes place during the holiday season

favorite movie #80 - halloween edition: little shop of horrors

Favorite movies that have had an impact on me - #80 - Little Shop of Horrors (1986) - I like the original B&W Roger Corman film too, with Jack Nicholson's wonderfully masochistic dental patient, but this is the one to see over and over again. Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, and Levi Stubbs as the voice of Audrey II are all amazing. Even though director Frank Oz wanted the "darker" ending that was in the Off-Broadway show, the originally released "happy" ending is still pretty ambiguous. The movie doesn't shy away from its sleazy Skid Row locations, S&M romance between Audrey and Doctor Scrivello (Steve Martin), or this version's patient who is in love with pain (Bill Murray). The scene is set by Crystal, Ronnette, and Chiffon (Tichina Arnold, Michelle Weeks, and Tisha Campbell) and the songs are great, too, especially: "Prologue: Little Shop of Horrors", "Skid Row (Downtown)", "Some Fun Now", "Dentist!", "Feed Me (Git It)", and Ellen Greene steals the show with "Suddenly, Seymour" and "Somewhere That's Green".

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.

la vie boheme

When my kid was just a little one, around 5 or 6, Rent was one of her favorite movies. She loved the music. I may have fast-forwarded through some of it, but she picked up on the emotions and the love stories and that Angel got sick and died. When stars Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal came to DC to do a live concert version of the play we went to see it with my cousin Ann. Today we watched it and her 14 year-old self got all of the story this time around. She remembered some of the songs and we cried again when Angel died, but this time she really understood it. We talked about opera and AIDS and New York City and drugs and lofts and leases and rent. I know a lot of people probably don't like the film version of this beloved show, but I do. When it was at its height I was living La Vie Boheme in NYC and couldn't really afford to go to the theater. With much of the original cast reprising their roles, this is a real treat. Despite the sadness that permeates most of the characters' lives, many of the numbers are filled with joy and exuberance. This is one of my favorites, set in the Life Cafe, one of my old haunts, which is unfortunately, no more.

This number really spoke to me today. Besides the obvious sticking it to the man theme that all artists enjoy, it seemed to underline the fact that certain societal divides are nothing new, but always worth fighting for. It doesn't matter if you relate to any or all or even none of the items on the song's list, but everyone should be be able to live their lives as they choose, and even celebrate those choices. Viva la vie boheme.

favorite movie #32: guys and dolls

Favorite movies that have had an impact on me - #32 - Guys and Dolls (1955) - There is so much to love about this musical. Its New York City setting, the wise-racking Damon Runyon characters, the bright colors and costumes, the wonderful cast, and of course the great songs and dance numbers. But for me, what takes Guys and Dolls over the top is Marlon Brando, at his sexiest and most charming. He was at the peak of his popularity when this film was made, and Frank Sinatra couldn't talk the producers into giving him the role of Sky Masterson when Gene Kelly, their first choice, was unavailable. They wanted Brando. And thank goodness for that, as he was perfect for the role and even did his own singing. Sinatra was great as Nathan Detroit, but apparently was no fan of Brando during filming. Oh well. Any petty personality issues were definitely left in the dressing room, as this filmed version of the great musical is a joy to watch. Members of the Broadway cast were also on board, including Vivian Blaine as Miss Adelaide, Stubby Kaye as Nicely Nicely, B.S. Pully as Big Jule ("from Chicago!"), and Johnny Silver as Benny Southstreet. British actress Jean Simmons does a nice job as Sister Sarah Brown, Skye's love interest, and does her own singing as well.

When a guy wears tails with the front gleaming white Who the hell do you think he's tickling pink on Saturday night?

Pet Me Poppa

In other words, Just from waiting around, For that little band of gold, A person can develop a cold

Nathan Detroit (Frank Sinatra) tries to convince Skye Masterson (Marlon Brando) to bet on Lindy's cheesecake

That bacardi flavor, it certainly makes a difference, doesn't it?

Your eyes are the eyes of a woman in love...

Luck if you've ever been a lady to begin with ...

I dreamed last night I was on the boat to heaven ...

favorite movie #16: singin’ in the rain

Favorite movies that have had an impact on me - #16 - Singin’ in the Rain (1952) - I will always like Fred Astaire, but Gene Kelly ... so sexy, so talented. This is his masterpiece. The title number. The Hollywood silent movies to talkies backdrop. The amazing cast, songs, dance numbers. The fine art-inspired set design. The dialogue. I could go on and on ...

[After filming a love scene] 

Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen): Oh Donny! You couldn't kiss me like that and not mean it just a teensy bit! 

Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly): Meet the greatest actor in the world! I'd rather kiss a tarantula. 

Lina: You don't mean that. 

Don: I don't - Hey Joe, get me a tarantula!

moulin rouge

I introduced the kid to Moulin Rouge and she loved it. She was already a big Ewan McGregor fan (chip off the old block, of course) and was also happy to see Nicole Kidman in a part more appealing than "the mean lady from Paddington." Almost 11 is such an interesting age.

Nicole Kidman singing "Come What May" in the Moulin Rouge finale HD/HQ with lyrics from Storage Space on Vimeo.

into the woods, magical, musical

Even better than I imagined, Into the Woods is the perfect holiday film. Full of wonderful music by Stephen Sondheim, a cast that is not only stellar, but can sing well, and enough joy and gloom to balance out the roller-coaster emotional terrain that accompanies the holiday season. And if there was any doubt that the movie was a hit with my ten year-old daughter, the evidence was her singing the songs in the car on the ride home, and her ultimate thrill when looking up the lyrics on the internet to discover that I had downloaded the soundtrack from iTunes for her continued enjoyment. How cool is that?

The movie, directed by Rob Marshall (Chicago, Memoirs of a Geisha), is great to look at, and uses its CGI to wonderful effect, just to add a little magic when needed. Hollywood, take note, CGI should be used as a tool, not an excuse for a whole movie. But what really enchants are the songs. The original fairytale mash-up, Into the Woods loosely follows the stories of Cinderella (Anna Kendrick), Rapunzel (MacKenzie Mauzy), Jack and the Beanstalk (Daniel Huttlestone) and Little Red Riding Hood (Lilla Crawford), while introducing a couple that yearns for a child, The Baker (James Corden) and his Wife (Emily Blunt), who, may see their wish to become parents granted if they can help reverse a curse by the local witch (Meryl Streep).

Meryl Streep makes a wonderful Witch

Emily Blunt is a stand-out, her performance shining whether she is singing or speaking. Johnny Depp delivers an (appropriate for a change) over-the-top cameo as The Big Bad Wolf ("Hello Little Girl"). But Streep is also wonderful, and aces all of her songs, especially "Children Will Listen." She brings a touching quality to her Witch, who is not quite wicked, if not entirely nice, either.

Everyone in the cast shines. An especially fun surprise is Chris Pine as Cinderella's prince, who states, in maybe his only honest moment, "I was raised to be charming, not sincere." He takes preening and posing to a whole new level, to hilarious effect. His duet mid-way, with his equally humble-brag brother (Billy Magnussen, who has eyes for Rapunzel), "Agony," energizes the film and provides the first clue to the uninitiated that this won't be a completely traditional take on fairy tales. The kid sang "Agony," her favorite number, as we walked out of the theater — for quite a while before asking me what "agony" meant. "Oh! That makes sense!"

[Cinderella's Prince]
Did I abuse her
Or show her disdain?
Why does she run from me?
If I should lose her,
How shall I regain
The heart she has won from me?

Agony!
Beyond power of speech,
When the one thing you want
Is the only thing out of your reach.

[Rapunzel's Prince]
High in her tower,
She sits by the hour,
Maintaining her hair.
Blithe and becoming and frequently humming
A lighthearted air:
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-

Agony!
Far more painful than yours,
When you know she would go with you
If there only were doors.

The Baker and his wife bargain with Jack for his cow

Parenthood, especially motherhood, is a theme that twines through the story, from the Witch's strange interpretation of a doting parent - kidnap a beautiful child and lock her up in a tower away from the world — to The Baker and his Wife being willing to do anything to become parents — to Jack's abusive mom (Tracey Ullman) and the few fleeting moments he feels of love in a Giantess's embrace, as he tells the Baker in "Giants in the Sky."

A big tall terrible Giant at the door,
A big tall terrible lady Giant
sweeping the floor.
And she gives you food
And she gives you rest
And she draws you close
To her Giant breast,
And you know things now
that you never knew before,
Not till the sky.

There are many wonderful set pieces, from Cinderella's freeze-frame number "On the Steps of the Palace" to the cast singing "No One is Alone" and the title song. But it is Blunt's Baker's Wife who touched me most deeply, especially in "Moments in the Woods."

Just a moment,
One peculiar passing moment...
Must it all be either less or more,
Either plain or grand?
Is it always "or"?
Is it never "and"?
That's what woods are for:
For those moments in the woods...

I have yet to see the play in live performance, but I have seen a filmed version, featuring original Broadway cast members Bernadette Peters (Witch) and Joanna Gleason (Baker's Wife), which was aired originally in 1991 on American Playhouse. It was very good, and I loved the music, but I found it a bit more sarcastic in tone and the characters not as sympathetic. Big screen close-ups probably help create a more intimate atmosphere in this current version, as do a few judicial trims of reprises, etc. that would work well on stage, but not necessarily on film.

Red on her way to Grandmother's house ...

The woods are a magical place, where anything, good or bad, can happen to these characters, and to the lucky audience. Can't wait to see Into the Woods again.

cinderella, then and now

The kid and I saw Cinderella this weekend.

Waiting for the show to start

It was her second Broadway musical - we saw Shrek the Musical about six years ago on a Thanksgiving trip to NY. This show was lots of fun, a revival of a revival, with a few contemporary and feminist spins to the age-old fairy tale.

Paige Faure and Andy Jones

Kecia Lewis and Paige Faure, photos from Playbill, by Carol Rosegg

I didn't realize that Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella was originally written for television, as a vehicle for Julie Andrews. I saw the 1965 version of the musical on TV when I was a kid in the '70s, with Lesley Ann Warren as Cinderella. As we watched the Broadway tour version the other day I was amazed at how many of the songs had stayed with me: "In My Own Little Corner," "Impossible; It's Possible," "Stepsisters' Lament," and especially "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful?"

I'm not sure how much of an impression it made on the kid. She really liked it, especially Kecia Lewis as the Fairy Godmother, but she was a little frustrated that she couldn't see the actors' faces very clearly from where we were sitting. We were't in the nosebleed seats, but it was still a bit of a distance. I guess I may have had a more intimate experience, all those years ago, with the television close-ups and all. But there is something about live theater. The singing gives me goosebumps. You can't really beat that.

the wizard of oz faq

The Wizard of Oz is an enduring and endearing classic. Who hasn't seen it, perhaps even multiple times? It made a star out of cultural icon Judy Garland and has held up remarkable well over the years since its 1939 release, enchanting generations of young and old alike. There have been stories over the years about what went on behind-the-scenes of making the film. The most familiar factoids center around Buddy Ebsen, who was originally cast as the Tin Woodman, but had such a terrible reaction to the silver make-up that he had to quit. Another popular story concerned the ribald antics of "The Munchkins" during production, which were even featured in a 1981 film, Under the Rainbow, starring Chevy Chase and Carrie Fisher.

One might think that a new book about the making of the film, The Wizard of Oz FAQ, might just be a rehash of such stories, peppered with a few photos, but it is far more than that. An impressive tome, running over 400 pages, The Wizard of Oz FAQ is a detailed, analytic look at the making of the film in all of its aspects - from the writing of the original source material, by Frank L. Baum, to selecting the actors, to the production of the film and beyond.

They're off to see the Wizard, L-R: The Scarecrow (Ray Bolger), Tin Woodman (Jack Haley), Dorothy (Judy Garland), and The Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr)

Author David J. Hogan ... starts off not with the making of the film, but the formation of the studio that produced it, MGM, providing background stories about Louis B. Mayer and the birth of Hollywood and proceeds from there. It is this attention to detail that makes The Wizard of Oz FAQ such a fascinating read. ...


Read my full review of Cinema Sentries

the charming lili

Article first published as DVD Review: Lili on Blogcritics.

The Warner Archive recently released the charming 1953 film Lili
, starring Leslie Caron and Mel Ferrer. Much lauded in its time, Lili won the Academy Award for Original Music Score, and was nominated for several other, inlcuding Leslie Caron for Best Actress in a Leading Role, Charles Walters for Best Director, as well as Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Best Cinematography (Color), and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Lili is not strictly a musical, but because of its award-winning song "Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo," its colorful and fanciful costumes and setting, and an extended dream sequence, has the feeling of a classic Hollywood movie musical. Director Walters, a veteran of such films (Easter Parade, Summer Stock, and The Glass Slipper, which also starred Leslie Caron), certainly helped in this regard.

Lili was based on a 1950 short story, "The Man Who Hated People," by Paul Gallico. He later expanded the story into a novella, The Love of Seven Dolls. Lili also found itself turned into a stage musical, Carnival, in 1961.

The film tells the story of a naïve young orphan girl, Lili (Caron). Homeless, Lili joins a carnival at the suggestion of its star, Marcus the Magnificent, a magician (Jean-Pierre Aumont) with whom she immediately falls in love, but who, although he constantly flirts with her, has no feelings for her. When Lili loses her job she goes to Marcus for help, but he carelessly tells her to go back to where she came from. Despondent and friendless, the girl considers suicide, but the show's puppeteer Paul (Mel Ferrer) is able to stop her by getting her attention through his puppet characters — Carrot Top (a boy), Reynardo (a fox), Marguerite (a ballerina), and Golo (a giant).

Lili soon becomes so enthralled with each puppet that she sees them as real. She begins to interact with them, and not only frees herself from her problems but also delights the growing, observing crowd. Paul and his assistant Jacquot (Kurt Kasznar) quickly add her to the act. But will Lili ever stop caring for the narcissistic Marcus (who is actualy married to his assistant Rosalie, played by Zsa Zsa Gabor) and realize that Paul, who she calls "the angry man," may actually have much deeper feelings for her?

The DVD of Lili is viewable in all regions, with a running time of 81 minutes. The image is 4 X 3 full frame, with an original aspect ratio of 1.33:1. There are no other extras on the made-to-order DVD. Although the story includes some mature themes of despair, homelessness, and negative feelings, the experience of watching the G-rated Lili can only be described as delightful and uplifting. Caron's gamine charm is perfect. The fairy tale-like Lili is truly a lovely film, to be enjoyed by all ages.

i think i finally get what's wrong with glee

Apart from it's a teen show that's most definitely not Buffy.

I love old movie musicals, and even some more recent ones, so I should like Glee. I've tried. But it's so annoying. There's a lot about it that bugs me, like breakout star and purported diva Lea Michelle and her what's-his-name costar are insufferable and bland, in that order. But they are not precisely what's wrong with the show.

My mom and daughter love this show, so we keep tuning in and I keep thinking, maybe this will be the week it wins me over. Or doesn't piss me off. But no. It always manages to screw things up one way or another. I'm not a total hater. There are some great moments, which I'm sure is why there are Gleeks. But you have to sort through so much not-so-great stuff. Mostly, any plot line involving the aforementioned power couple and the creepiest high school teacher ever (and I had some skeevy ones), Mr. Schue.

The kid is six going on seven and there is some PG content in the show, but I'm not too worried about her catching some of the make-out sessions. Although she usually conks out by the first commercial break, so it's never an issue. And I keep watching. Go figure.

What I do think isn't appropriate for her (and the rest of us) to watch is how downright nasty they are to each other. I'm not referring to the brilliant Jane Lynch as Sue effing Sylvester. Or even the bullying drinks-in-the-face, although that gets old. It's how Michelle talks to everyone, it's how Will Shuester is constantly a dick to his students and colleagues but we're supposed to like him because he sings an a capella Over the Rainbow and makes puppy-dog eyes? Where's the damn Big Gulp for me to throw?

My daughter dances happily to whatever song they're butchering as I cringe and smile. There are a few good songs, when even I got a little caught up. The Lucky duet between the blonde surfer-looking dude and Quinn the cheerleader was wonderful, as was the Barbra/Judy mash-up with Rachel and Kurt. The all-boy choir doing Teenage Dream. But the music is not the problem, it's the highlight of the show and why anyone tunes in.

The problem with Glee is that it should be about misfits. It should be this generation's Revenge of the Nerds without the revenge. But the show has styled the uber-obnoxious Rachel as a heroine. As whiny as she is, she's no outsider. She's dating the world's most boring ex-quarterback. They are a completely unbelievable couple and keep telling each other and us that they care about each other, but they have no chemistry and give the audience no reason why they should be together. And even more egregiously, they get way too many lead vocals. Michelle is a great Broadway-style singer, but there are a lot of good voices on the show and the amount of screen-time her character of Rachel and lovebird Finn gets is unwarranted. Their characters would be much more effective if they weren't so obviously the stars of the show and so endlessly front and center. More misfits, less star couple.

The peripheral characters are much more interesting. Quinn, the head cheerleader, is everything the character of Finn isn't. Cory Monteith's Finn talks (and talks and talks) about how hard it is to be popular and still want to be in the geek club, but those are just lines from the script coming out of his mouth. Dianna Agron's Quinn actually makes you believe her parallel dilemma. Coach Beiste is a fantastic character, as are cheerleaders Brittany and Santana. If Glee could focus more on the lives of all of the glee club members and less on everyone being in love with Finn (why?), or Rachel being such a beyotch (duh already), the show might have heart and not just an assortment of songs that show up on iTunes.

The show creators seem to understand how to use Jane Lynch. Just a little bit each episode and she always leaves you wanting more. Or maybe that's all her performance. But they could learn from her and try the same technique with the rest of the cast. And let some of the other actors stand in the front of the chorus from time to time. There are some tentative moves in this direction, but not enough yet to convince me that's where we're headed. I'll give them a pass on the Xmas episode. But they need to keep going this way next season. Then maybe I just might finally really like this show and not just parts of it.