Kings Go Forth (1958)

Intro.

Despite being a huge Frank Sinatra fan, I haven't seen all of his films yet.  Sure, I've seen quite a few, including the awful ones like The Kissing Bandit and The Pride and the Passion.  But I've missed some of his most well-respected or well-known, like Kings Go Forth.  Not only is it a good war story, but a good romance and a good reflection of human character.

Overview

Lt. Sam Loggins (Frank Sinatra) is the leader of a group of men who have marched through Italy and into France during World War II.  As they fight for a small valley occupied by the Germans, he gets a group of recruits including the suave, smooth-talking standout Britt (Tony Curtis).   Then on a pass in Nice, Sam meets beautiful Monique (Natalie Wood) who is American but has lived her whole life in France.  He falls hopelessly in love with her, but she does not fall for him.  She instead tells him that her father, two years deceased, was a Negro, which is why her family moved to France when she was born.  Sam takes it a bit hard, coming from a prejudiced background as was pretty common in the forties (American troops weren't even desegregated until 1948).  However, he decides to come back to Monique, but as happy as she is to see him, she soon takes interest in Britt, whom they run into while at a nightclub.  It's clear that Britt and Monique are infatuated with each other and each time the three meet, Sam becomes the third wheel.  He bows out one night to allow them to be together, only to realize that they are out all night.  Confronting Britt the next morning, he discovers that, with Monique's mother's insistence, the two are now engaged.  Sam remains friends with them both - that is until he discovers that Britt purposefully did not submit the marriage paperwork to the Army.  Furious, he makes Britt admit that he had no intention of marrying a half-black woman and a distraught Monique runs out of the house.  Sam follows her, but is too late because she gets hit by a car.  But the story doesn't end there!  Sam and Britt go out on a dangerous mission.  The only problem is, Sam has told Britt he will kill him for what he did to Monique.  The resulting battle is a harrowing night for both men that will change both of them forever.

Highlights

Not all of the cinematography was outstanding in this film, but there were a few shots that just took my breath away.  If you watch, keep an eye out for some unique angles along the streets of the French Riviera and again during some of the battle scenes.  And Natalie Wood looks amazing (of course).

Frank Sinatra and Tony Curtis are well cast in this film and each one delivers a great performance.  Frank's acting is pitch-perfect too.  When he confronts Curtis and learns that he's engaged, we aren't sure if Frank is going to smile or punch Curtis.  In fact, Tony Curtis and I both jumped when Frank stuck out his hand and growled "Congratulations."  I also really enjoyed watching Leora Dana as Monique's mother - she has a great presence and really gives her story a lot of heart.  Frank Sinatra also narrates the film.  At first I was confused, as his narrator tone was a lot softer, more reflective and sentimental than his brash speaking voice.  It makes sense though, because he is looking back on all of this as he tells the story - we can imagine he is telling it after the war is over and after he has changed.  I think that's a pretty important storytelling technique and well done.  It's hard to show two sides of a character and explain how one changed into another.          

Finally, there's the heart of the matter - whether or not such a thing as race and background can change the basis of love.  That's what we, along with Sam, discover: Love is more enduring than prejudice and the human spirit is resilient even in tragedy.

Review
Okay, I loved this movie.  It reminded me at times of From Here to Eternity in its depth and sometimes melodramatic tone.  There's also a great scene where Frank is seated at an outdoor cafe table watching Britt and Monique dance and I swear, I thought he was going to start humming "What Makes the Sunset."  But enough fan girl movie allusions - this film stands on its own two feet.  It has many layers and some great talents.  Definitely a movie worth seeing.


*"What Makes the Sunset" is from Anchors Aweigh.  Frank sings it when his girl (Kathryn Grayson) starts to dance with and fall for Frank's best pal, Gene Kelly.  Sound familiar?

Thousands Cheer (1943)

Intro.

I was attracted to Thousands Cheer because of all the stars it bragged about in its write-up: Gene Kelly, Kathryn Grayson, Jose Iturbi, Mary Astor, John Boles, Mickey Rooney, Lucille Ball, Judy Garland, Red Skelton and more.  Although I was disappointed in the overall film, I have to say that seeing so many Hollywood faces was still very entertaining.

Overview

Basically, Thousands Cheer is a lot like Anchors Aweigh on the surface except it's in the Army and without Frank Sinatra (big mistake!).  Gene Kelly plays a GI who gets involved with the Colonel's daughter (Kathryn Grayson), who is staying at her father's house on post and organizing the entertainment for the troops.  While at first they don't hit it off, Gene is pretty persistent and gets Kathryn to go with him to meet his family, a group of daredevil trapeze artists in the circus.  As their relationship develops, Kathryn is also trying to get her long separated parents back together as well as plan a huge star-studded show for the men at the post before they deploy for World War II.  Despite a few bumps and set backs, everything comes together and both troops and we the viewers are treated to a USO-style show with singing, dancing, and comedy skits.  And of course our leading couple end with a tearful goodbye at a train station in traditional feel-good Hollywood fashion.

Highlights

There are some true musical gems in this film.  Kathryn Grayson has some breath-taking songs in this film, including "Daybreak" and "Three Letters in the Mail Box."  Gene Kelly also performs his famous (not to mention adorable) dance with a mop to "Let Me Call You Sweetheart."  Jose Iturbi is also wonderful as both actor and pianist.  When they begin the big show emceed by Mickey Rooney, there are some great numbers there as well, including a doctor skit with Frank Morgan and Lucille Ball, a soda fountain skit with Red Skelton, and my favorite, a number by Judy Garland called "The Joint Is Really Jumpin' in Carnegie Hall."

Sadly, I did lose interest in the film as the pacing and storyline kind of lose momentum after a promising beginning.  I think afterward it was more of a showcase of talent like the later productions of "That's Entertainment".  However, placing it in a historical context, I can see now that this was part of Hollywood's war effort - a USO show for the silver screen.  Watching it, I could imagine audiences of the time thinking of Gene Kelly as a swell guy going off to war and Kathryn Grayson as the woman so many soldiers would like to have waiting for them back home.  It's a bit dated, but nevertheless an interesting look at wartime Hollywood.

Review

As I said, Thousands Cheer is an example of World War II Hollywood's war effort.  It entertains audiences with some great performances by a wide array of talents, including some very big names in the industry.  What it lacks in story it makes up for in heart, so if you want something fun and not too serious, it may be worth a try.

It's a Great Feeling (1949)

Intro.

I caught It's a Great Feeling just after it began last night and as it was already pretty late, I recorded it and watched it this morning.  It was a nice, delightful way to begin a perfect summer day.  The film was made back in 1949 because Warner Brothers had promised a film with Dennis Morgan and Jack Carson that would feature vendors within the Warner studios.  The original film had been canceled, but as the vendors began to complain, the studio decided to make this one.  They hired a writer and as everything was filmed on the actual lots and buildings owned by the studio, no sets had to be made.  The entire film was done in 6 weeks!  Although it does feel a bit short, the film is nonetheless entertaining and filled with enough cameos to make every film buff happy. 

Overview

Dennis Morgan and Jack Carson play themselves in the film - two actors who have been around the block in Hollywood.  They find themselves set to work on a film (Jack directing and Dennis as the lead) and try to find their leading lady.  As it so happens, a waitress in the studio commissary, Judy (played by Doris Day), convinces Jack that she can act and agrees to help him prank Dennis in order to get a part in the film.  Well, Jack doesn't keep his word, so Judy decides to go back home to Wisconsin.  The two men realize that they need a leading lady or their film will be canceled, and convince Judy to stay.  However, there's one problem - they need to convince their producer Arthur Trent (Bill Goodwin) that he discovered Judy, or he won't okay the use of an unknown leading lady.  A lot of gags and problems follow and they end with Judy again on a train bound for Wisconsin.  I won't give away the ending, but it is wonderful and a bit disappointing.  All in all, it is a funny commentary on the inner workings of Hollywood.

Highlights

Doris Day shines as Judy in this film.  She outsings, outacts and outshines her co-stars.  She has some wonderful songs including "Big Fat Lie."  Throughout the madcap antics, she holds her own and keeps the film together.  And the antics are great, including an attempt to pass her off as a famous French movie star.  But perhaps the best part of the film is the feeling that you are really behind the scenes at Warner Brothers.  That's because you are - the filming is all done in the studio, from the wardrobe department to the commissary to the sound stage.  And they have the cameos to prove it.  Here are the ones I wrote down: Ronald Regan, Gary Cooper, Danny Kaye, Joan Crawford, Edward G. Robinson, Jane Wyman and Patricia O'Neal.  I'm sure there were others I missed, but boy, what a cast!

Review and Recommendation

I liked this film a lot more than I did Thousands Cheer, despite the fact that both had many famous stars make brief appearances.  While this film had a somewhat shaky plot and even though I really wanted it to go on longer, I think it perfectly captured a side of Hollywood at which we can laugh.  Definitely a fun film to watch, especially to do some star-spotting! 

P.S. The film background is from Robert Osborne's intro that was featured on TCM.  To read more about It's a Great Feeling or more films, check it out here.

Duck Soup (1933)

Intro.

Sadly, I have not seen many Marx brothers films.  Sure, I'd seen all the classic bits and one or two films a long while ago, but I had missed Duck Soup.  That is, until TCM showed it a few days ago and I realized that going back to the original is always the best option.

Overview

Duck Soup has nothing to do with ducks or soup.  What it does deal with are four brothers having a fantastic time.  The plot is as looney as the actors - Groucho is elected the new president of Freedonia and promptly lets the power go to his head.  After he insults the ambassador to the neighboring country of Sylvania, he declares war (actually, everyone sings a lovely song about going to war).  Meanwhile, two spies from Sylvania (Chico and Harpo) are sent to follow Groucho and get his war plans.  Chico gets caught and is on trial when war breaks out (hence the singing).  After a lot of wisecracks, misdirects and shenanigans, the war ends with a food fight that wins the war for Freedonia.

Highlights

The great one-liners from Groucho keep coming like ammunition in this film.  I can't even begin to transcribe them all, but here are a few:
      I've got a good mind to join a club and beat you over the head with it.

      Why a four year old child can understand this report.  Go out and find me a four year old child - I can't make heads or tails of this.
      The Secretary of War is out of order.  Which reminds me, so is the plumbing.
      Let's give him ten years in Levenworth.  Or eleven years in Twelvenworth.

However, the true gems of the film are the sequences with two or more of the brothers. First there's the recurring car sequence with Harpo and Groucho where the motorcycle and sidecar are set to drive away but become detached every time, stranding Groucho.  When he finally switches with Harpo, of course it is the sidecar that starts and leaves the motorcycle behind.

     Then there's the way that Chico and Harpo play with the president of Sylvania - there's no straight answer to any question.  And while Chico distracts him with his interesting take on the English language, Harpo is busy with his kleptomania.  It's a wonderful bit that keeps up with the quick pace and quicker wit.  It's also a routine they continue with the rival vendor in front of the palace.  In addition to Groucho's great lines, there's also Chico's continually horrible language confusion (mistaking Tanks for Thanks, for example) as well as Harpo's silence.  I loved the phone sequence where Harpo has an entire conversation on the phone using nothing but different tones of horns.   
      Finally there is the missing mirror sequence.  In a mad dash for the war plans, both Chico and Harpo dress up as Groucho, which leads to a lot of problems.  When the wall sized mirror in Groucho's room breaks, the three begin a great look-a-like mimicry routine that has been referenced, parodied and copied so many times that it is a classic in every sense of the word.  And it is brilliant. 

Review and Recommendation

Duck Soup is a classic, I can't say it enough.  While I may not be a seasoned fan, I can definitely appreciate all of the hard work to make this comedy as seamless as possible.  The wonderful interactions between these fast thinking, fast acting brothers is a marvel in itself.  It's rare today to be able to watch such legends in a film that shaped the history of comedy.  It's definitely enjoyable for all ages, although there are a few jokes that only the adults will be able to get.  Still, if you don't laugh at least once during this film, you don't have a funny bone! 

And if you are wondering about the title, here's what John Lithgow (who introduced Duck Soup as part of TCM's Essentials Jr.) said:    
"Well, Groucho explained [....] take 2 turkeys, 1 goose, 4 cabbages but no duck, mix them all together, and after one taste, you'll duck soup the rest of your life."