PATRIOTIC ENDING

For the last week of July I wanted to cover the influence of Hollywood on America or vice-versa. Now before I continue I wish to divulge, for the first and maybe last time, my age. I am twenty-eight years old and I grew up with old movies in my home. For that reason alone I have created this blog to introduce these films to my own generation.

The reason why I find this fact vital is that everything I have learned, of the years gone by, has been fed to me through these entertaining films. I am the prime example of what their legacy teaches the youth in our day. You may not have noticed the little things that are different in some of the old films in comparison to our day, but, these little facts can give a young person an insight to what life used to be like.

For instance, in the film The Human Comedy (1943), we have a scene where people go to see a picture show. There is an usher with a flashlight at the entrance ready to show you to a seat. Before the show starts the United States flag is waving on the screen and a special announcement is given to update the audience on the war. These things were common occurrences in that day but they don't happen anymore and may have been forgotten about if they were not preserved on film.

We don't just see this in the films of that era, but more dramatically in the TV shows of that time. Probably the most important show to watch is the Dragnet series. They may add a little dramatization to the storyline but the stories are still true.

So I hope to point out a couple things that I have noticed in some of the films that contrast with our day. I also hope to show the influence that world wars had on the media. Many directors were immediately enlisted to create films that promoted our fight for freedom and gave us hope during those dark days. Things were done in that era that may have not happened in our day since conspiracy's have risen.

All-in-all I hope to open the treasure chest of the past and show a couple priceless items to you in a way that you may begin to cherish them to. I hope you enjoy!

CLARENCE BROWN (1890-1987)

CLARENCE LEON BROWN

Born: May 10th, 1890 (Massachusetts)

Died: August 17th 1987 (kidney failure)

Marriage: Pail Herndon Pratt (1913-?), Ona Wilson (1922-1927), Alice Joyce (1933-1945), Marian Ruth Spies (1946-His death).

Children: One daughter named Adrienne.

Success: Directed over fifty films.

Awards: He was nominated six times as best director for the following films: "Romance" (1930), Anna Christie" (1930), "A Free Soul" (1931), "The "Human comedy" (1943), "National Velvet" (1944) & "The Yearling" (1946). He also won two walk of fames and the Mussolini Cup in 1935 for his picture "Anna Karenina" (1935).

Interesting Fact: He was a fighter pilot in WWI.

Hidden Gems: "Anna Christie" (1930), "Romance" (1930), "Ah, Wilderness" (1935), "Edison the Man" (1940), "The Human Comedy" (1943), "Angels in the Outfield" (1951), "Plymouth Adventure" (1952).

Timeline:

 

MICKEY ROONEY (1920-LIVING)

JOSEPH YULE JR.

Born: September 23rd, 1920 (New York)

Died: LIVING

Children: Nine Children

Marriages: Ava Gardner (1942-1943), B. J. Baker (1944-1949), Martha Vickers (1949-1952), Elaine Devry (1952-1958), Carolyn Mitchell (1958-1966), Carolyn Hockett (1969-1975), Jan Rooney (1978-Present)

Success: Starred in over 350 films, and most popular with his Andy hardy series with Judy Garland.

Awards: Four nominations for Oscars in: "Babes in Arms" (1939), "The Human Comedy" (1943), "The Bold and the Brave" (1956) and "The Black Stallion" (1979). He did, however, receive two honoree academy awards in recognition of his memorable performances, along with over fourteen nominations and wins from other organizations.

Interesting Fact: Having appeared in movies from 1926-2011 (85 years) he now has the longest career in cinema history replacing Lillian Gish.

Hidden Gems: "Captains Courageous" (1937), "Boys Town" (1938), "Babes in Arms" (1939), "Young Tom Edison" (1940), "The Human Comedy" (1943), "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, World" (1963).

Here is the definition of movie star. Though his successes have been sporadic and sparse, every time he has delivered with amazing talent. I was ecstatic to see him in "Night at the Museum" (2006). As I've gone through some of my favorite movies, I've forgotten how many of them he's in. From comedy, to drama, to musical, to dancing, he has no limits. I would love to meet him someday, and thank him for his performances that shaped me as a boy.

*Here is Mickey Rooney on "What's My Line" in 1957.

#1 THE HUMAN COMEDY (1943)

Studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Producer: Clarence Brown

Director: Clarence Brown

Awards: Academy Award for "Best Story" and nominated for "Best Actor," "Best Cinematography," "Best Director" & "Best Picture"

Interesting Fact: Louis B. Mayer suggested that this was his favorite film.

This is my all-time favorite movie and I have never really had the opportunity to discuss it with many people. At one of my previous jobs, a co-worker and I would exchange our movies to watch. I handed him this movie, on VHS, and he came in the next day very solemn. He told me that it was the best picture he had ever seen.  Immediately after, he watched it again with his whole family.

Here is a movie that covers every aspect of life from the curios discoveries of a little boy to the old man whose looked back at his life and is afraid he hasn't achieved great things. The story itself centers around Homer, a teenage telegrapher, working to support his mother after the passing of his father and while his brother serves in the war. Each scene is packed with emotion and truth as it's added on to the next and the next. This is a movie for the whole family!

The movie was just released on DVD and is also available on youtube.com under "HmnCmdy A" - "HmnCmdyL" here is a commentary from Van Johnson and another touching scene.

THEME OF THE MONTH (INSPIRATIONAL)

For the first month of 2012, I would like to cover the movies that have inspired me every time I watch them. I have found that there are two categories under inspiration: Fiction and Non-Fiction. This month I will cover the Fiction.

This first week I will post on the movies themselves and rather than cover some of the more well-known ones, I want to cover those that most likely are new to you.

Here are my top 10 Hidden Gems:

1. "Human Comedy" (1943)

2. "On Borrowed Time" (1939)

3. "The Seventh Cross" (1944)

* The Trailer is at the end

4. "The Big Country" (1958)

5. "The Great Dictator" (1940)

*Fan made

6. "Penny Serenade" (1941)

*A clip from the movie

7. "Captains Courageous" (1937)

* A Clip from the movie

8. "3 Godfathers" (1948)

9. "You Can't Take it with You" (1938)

*Clip from the movie

10. "Random Harvest" (1942)