Movie Monday: Sons and Lovers 1960

Just when I thought I had depleted Netflix's selection of great classic films, I stumbled on this beautiful gem of a movie, Sons and Lovers from 1960. I didn't think I recognized any of the actors*, but the movie had great reviews, and had won lots of awards in 1961. So I gave it a shot, and I'm so glad I did!

Sons and Lovers is a UK film from my favorite decade in British offerings of cinematography and screenplays. Just as expected from this genre, the screenplay was engaging and meaningful, the subject just a little daring for the time, and each pan of the camera was like a beautiful moving photograph.

Set in the early 20th century, this simple story takes place in a sleepy English mining town, where progressive thinkers like Walter Morel were quite the rarity. While his father and brother worked in the dangerous coal mines, young Walter was encouraged by his affectionate mother to foster his creative talents, and to not settle down with any of the local towngirls who just weren't women enough to eclipse her place in Walter's heart. His mother's own life was a disapointment to her, and Walter loved and pitied her too much to leave her to pursue his own dreams. So off he goes searching for love and the meaning of life with different women, all the while seeking approval from his mother most of all.

While reading about this film, I discovered it was based on a book by the same name. Much like East of Eden, the book and the movie vary especially due to the fact that the movie versions focus more on the younger generation, and their love lives. I didn't miss the whole family history that one could discover from reading the book Sons and Lovers, and as a simple movie viewer who knew nothing of the book, I was able to piece together information about each character's background, based on clues told on the actors' faces and their interactions with eachother. It's not too difficult to speculate what their past must have been like, but it was mysterious enough to give another layer of depth to the storyline.

I read some reviews that remark on the movie's falling short of D.H. Lawrence's novel, which isn't surprising considering its 1 hour 42 minutes run-time. Everyone knows you can't fit the meat of a novel into the timeframe of a movie. And this one seems to have done a good job at focusing on one aspect of the story, and really drawing in the viewer. And judging by Sons and Lovers' awards sweep in 1961, apparently the Academy agreed with me.

*I did recognize Walter's mother (seen in image two, looking towards the sky) immediately as Wendy Hiller, an actress I enjoyed in Murder on the Orient Express, and came to adore in my childhood favorite, Anne of Green Gables, as Diana Barry's feared Great Aunt.

Movie Monday: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes 1953

As a child, I loved watching glamorous Hollywood musicals, and performing my favorite song and dance numbers with girlfriends in our driveway. I wonder what the neighbors thought? About a year ago, I decided to revisit the classic Marilyn and Jane movie (I've been a long-time fan of Jane Russell!), but sadly felt a little let down by all of the fluff. So I gave up about twenty-minutes in. I'm not sure if I just wasn't in the right mood, but after watching some Jane Russell clips on Youtube last week, I thought I'd give it another go. And I'm so glad that I did!

Lorelei (Monroe) and Dorothy (Russell) are best friends and coworkers- dancing on stages and nightclubs around the world, and breaking hearts wherever they go. Lorelei is always watchful for possible diamond gifters, while Dorothy's ideal man has a cute face, can keep up with witty banter, and can show her a fun time. But things get serious when Lorelei snags a millionaire fiance, and Dorothy takes it upon herself to make sure her friend doesn't mess things up this time. It proves to be a difficult task when a private detective follows the girls to see how loyal the beautiful, blonde fiance really is.

At first glance, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes might appear to be an escapist musical comedy with all of the glitter, costumes, and diamonds that we love from the '50s. And I'm sure it can be that way for most of the viewers. I, however, look at this movie as sort of a satirical view of current cultural norms from when this movie was made. Some norms don't change as much as we think, but I suppose as a culture, we do expect more of women in the brains department than we did in the '50s. The point of this film is that women and men are similar in the way they objectify one another and place expectations and fantasies on the shoulders of someone of the opposite sex. Is Marilyn's character really brainless and ditzy? No, she isn't. And it isn't revealed until the end. And is she justified in her gold-digger tactics? Certainly not- but she has proven her point that the opposite sexes are more equal than they seem.

Movie Monday: Butterfield 8 1960

She wakes up alone in a bed not her own. She washes out her mouth with expensive whiskey and tries on the furs of another man's wife. A typical morning for Gloria Wandrous, who is outraged when last night's lover leaves money for her on the dresser. She scrawls furiously with red lipstick onto his gilded mirror, "No sale!"

Elizabeth Taylor's role in Butterfield 8 is as complex as the actress's real-life persona. Fighting a dirty reputation that she just can't help but confirm at every turn, the unexpected happens for this looking-for-love party girl- She falls in love. Really falls in love. But of course, she chose the wrong man.

Butterfield 8 is the story of a fashionable, party-girl who might be part call-girl, party model, and certainly all woman. She is passed around form man to man, when the movie's start finds her in a love affair with a wealthy married man. She dreams that maybe she can tart fresh, that her past can be wiped clean. But the turn of events make her wonder if this will ever be possible.

It's a sad movie that I remember affecting me deeply the first time I watched it years ago. The second time through, I was a little disappointed by what seemed to be a tritely contrived melodrama that would probably never have worked without Elizabeth Taylor as the leading lady. Still, even with a weak plot and less than stellar dialogue, Taylor manages to draw us into the confused emotions of Gloria. It's not an all-time favorite, but it has style, is an interesting reflection of the times, and I suppose I wouldn't mind recommending it to a friend like you!

Movie Monday: Marnie 1964

Marnie is such a great film for budding Alfred Hitchcock fans- the kids who were drawn in by the drama of Vertigo and by the suspense of North By Northwest. Marnie is one of those Hitchcock movies that can easily slip under the radar for some reason. I mean, really, not a lot of people know that Sean Connery ever starred in a Hitchcock film, not to mention Tippi Hedren ever appearing in a movie without birds violently attacking her pretty head. So if you're a fan of the master of suspense, and wonder what other movie titles you should carve into your Hitchcockian bedpost- this is a great one! But don't worry- there are more reasons to watch Marnie other than flexing your film-guru muscles.

Tippi Hedren stars in what I think is her most convincing role- a sly and mysterious female criminal who has no trouble attracting the menfolk, and lots of trouble keeping them away. Mark Rutland (Sean Connery) might know a little something about Marnie's criminal history, and finds her all the more appealing because of it. Their relationship develops through happenstance, blackmail, and curiosity- culminating in Mr. Rutland's discovery of what's really wrong with Marnie.

Watching Marnie is a fun experience- for the style and cinematography alone. Hedren and Connery actually turn in great acting performances (Hedren isn't known for her acting chops), and all of the supporting characters work together to bolster what might might otherwise be a boring plot- The inner workings of the female-criminal's mind. Hitchcock manages to spin together some suspense in unexpected places (his true genius!), and if you're anything like me- your curiosity will keep you glued to the screen until the end. I mean really, the main mystery of this movie to me was how anyone could resist the charm of 1960's Sean Connery. (Point and case below!)