Catching Up With The Classics... "It Happened One Night"

It Happened One Night (1934)

Not Rated

Starring:  Clark Gable, Claudette Colbert, Walter Connolly, Jameson Thomas

Directed by Frank Capra

The Story:

Spoiled heiress Ellie (Colbert) has secretly wed King Westley (Thomas) much to her father's (Connolly) chagrin. As he spirits her away aboard his yacht, she jumps ship and disappears. Soon she winds up in the sights of fired newspaper reporter Peter Warne (Gable). He offers his help in return for breaking the story of the century.

Turn back the clock 80 some odd years.

While there were other films before it, cinematic history was fine tuned/perfected with this release.

It's the formula for the screwball comedy.

It's the formula for the romantic comedy.

It's the formula for the road trip comedy.

It would go on to sweep the Oscars that year becoming the first film to win Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director and Best Picture.

Sadly, they don't make comedies like that anymore, or if they do, the Academy for whatever reason, doesn't like to reward comedies with any award nominations period.

However, just because the Academy liked it, does that mean it's really any good?

The short answer is yes!

The writing is crisp and fun and the chemistry between Gable and Colbert is everything you hope for between romantic leads.

Naturally the hate/love relationship is one you can see coming from a mile away... now...

But in 1934?  Maybe not so much.

If you lament the fact that Hollywood has grown stale with ideas, remember, much like a public library has a lot of books (and movies!) to offer, so too does Hollywood.

This is not my first Capra rodeo, and his direction fits this story like a glove. The story unfolds and you become invested with Capra's characters as you get caught up in their story.

It is however, my first foray into the film catalog of Clark Gable.

That's right, I've never watched Gone With The Wind, to name but one of his many accomplishments.

His range in this film is spectacular. He's a comedic actor one moment, a hapless romantic the next and then in the blink of an eye, he becomes a classic heavy. He's given a lot to do, and he pulls it off effortlessly.

So the bottom line, if you've never seen it, the next time you're adding stuff to watch on Netflix (not the streaming portion) feel free to add it.

I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Shooting The War With A Camera..."Five Came Back"

Five Came Back (2017)

Not Rated

Starring William Wyler, George Stevens, John Huston, John Ford, Frank Capra

Based on the book by Mark Harris

The Story:

In World War II, 5 acclaimed Hollywood directors willingly gave up their careers and joined the military. Their job was to document and present what they saw and what was happening at the time. In harms way, and with no guarantee that they would even survive their experiences, these directors answered the call of their country.

Presented by 5 acclaimed directors of today, Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola, Paul Greengrass, Guillermo Del Toro, and Laurence Kasdan and narrated by Meryl Streep, this documentary chronicles briefly their successful careers pre-WWII and everything they were tasked to do for the allied war efforts during the war.

It's a 3 hour documentary split into 3 hour-long episodes that works as a chronological effort of before the war/early war, the main war effort, and the conclusion of the war and life afterwards.

What they saw, what they shot forever changed each of them.

Upon their return from service, they went back to Hollywood and all turned in what is arguably the best work of their career, though in the case of Capra, his work was not appreciated until generations later when It's A Wonderful Life became a staple on television during the holidays.

Highly recommended, especially if you're a film or history lover, and if you're both, this is right up your alley.

It's a Netflix Original series and one you shouldn't miss.

Final Grade: A

100 Greatest Movies of All Time...That I Own. # 29 ~ Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Ah... 1939... what a wonderful year at the movies.  Or so the critics say.  The only film from that year to hit the countdown is my favorite of the bunch, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.

James Stewart stars as Mr. Smith in this collaboration with Frank Capra to show an honest young man heading to D.C. and encountering the corrupt establishment that has crept into that city since the beginning of our government.

Amazing how spot-on this film was in 1939, and sadly, seems even more appropriate in 2012.  : /

Sad that this movie hasn't become more ingrained in the public conscience, and we the people demand a change by the politicians that we put in office.

We'll never stand a chance when special interest groups are involved.

Yep, corrupt politicians and kickbacks are aplenty in D.C. and Mr. Smith becomes the fall guy as they pin lies and falsehoods on the newly elected senator.

Their attempts to smear the naive senator in the court of public opinion both at home and in the Senate work like a charm.  He's soon looking at leaving office, almost as quickly as he took the job.

Luckily for Mr. Smith, he is able to gain a filibuster advantage and attempt to reveal the entire plot and truth to the world.

It's a rousing performance by Jimmy Stewart, and should have you rooting for him, regardless of political affiliation.

All of the performances are spot-on, from the Senators that have no stake in the matter, to those that are knee-deep in corruption.

Then you have the lovely Jean Arthur who goes from assistant to love interest in the movie as she too falls for the ideals that Mr. Smith proves to her aren't just some hick from the sticks, but the ideals that all Americans should aspire to achieve.

The movie itself is brilliant, and likely for me,  the greatest political movie ever made.