Video Link: Jean-Luc Godard Interview with Dick Cavett (1980)

 

Jobyna Ralston From the Tennessee Hills

 Jobyna Ralston is a name that should be familiar to many fans of silent comedy. She was the leading lady in seven of Harold Lloyd's classic feature length movies (including The Freshman (1925), Why Worry (1923) and The Kid Brother (1927)). While her work with Harold is her greatest claim to fame, she had a much more varied career than this. She even had a decent role in the first movie to win Best Picture, Wings (1927). She worked with another legendary screen comedian with Max Linder in The Three Must-Get-Theres (1922). Jobyna was directed by Frank Capra in The Power of the Press (1928). She even worked in early talkies with such films as The College Coquette (1929) and Sheer Luck (1931). 

Like many silent film stars she had a career on stage before acting in movies. At the age of 21 she made her Broadway debut with Two Little Girls in Blue (May 03, 1921 - Aug 27, 1921). (Source for dates: https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/jobyna-ralston-424259).

Here is an article about Jobyna Ralston from an issue of Motion Picture Classic (dated May 1926). If you have trouble reading the following pages, click on them and use your touch screen to zoom in. If you don't have a touch screen, click here. 

Now enjoy Shoot Straight (1923), a short silent comedy featuring Jobyna.

Here is one of the silent features where Jobyna was the leading lady for Harold Lloyd, Hot Water (1924). 

Movie Review: A Great Awakening

 

Michael's Movie Grade: A-

A superb historical drama. 

This movie tells the true story of the friendship between Benjamin Franklin and the preacher George Whitefield. This unlikely friendship between a deeply devout Christian and a man who has always been critical of religion and skeptical of God's existence is the heart of the film. The way these two very different men come to care for and respect each other is quite touching. Through this movie, you even get to see how the two clearly influenced one another. The way this relationship folds out and develops makes it so that we are fully capable of seeing what each saw in each other. Though they do argue about their theological and moral differences even in these scenes you can see how much they love each other. John Paul Sneed and Jonathan Blair's performances add very much to this. John Paul Sneed is one of the best Benjamin Franklins I have ever seen in a movie. He is so incredibly convincing that sometimes you almost forgot that he is not the real historical figure. George Whitefield is a very difficult character for any actor. To play this character you must be loud and boisterous (while never being over the top), while also being gentle and tender. That Jonathan Blair pulls this off perfectly is no small feat. This is a truly incredibly performance. The two actors also have fantastic chemistry with each other. They work extremely well together whether in scenes where they are gently ribbing each other or in the powerful scene later on when they are having a particularly heated argument. The film's concluding scene could have come off as a forced sermon but because of how we have seen this relationship unfold it feels like an earned emotional moment. 

Despite some poor special effects in one scene, this is a very handsome movie filled with the type of beautiful period look that audiences have grown to expect from this type of film. 

This is a truly great film that I hope finds a big audience.  

Filming Beau Geste

 After a recent restoration, screenings at the TCM and Cinecon Classic Film Festivals and a Blu-ray release, the silent version of Beau Geste (1926) has been receiving much attention lately. Because of this many are discovering what a good movie it is. That makes it the perfect time to share this vintage article with you.  

This article is from a June 1926 issue of Motion Picture Classic. If you have any trouble reading the following pages, click on them and use your touch screen to zoom in. If you don't have a touch screen, click here.

How the Keystone Kops Happened

 Have you ever wondered just "How the Keystone Kops Happened?" Well, you might want to keep wondering as there is probably not a whole lot of truth to the following article. If you have read the book, CHASE! A Tribute to the Keystone Cops (which is an essential read for any silent comedy fan), you know that the exact origin of the Kops is not very easy to pinpoint and is definitely more complex than is presented here. That the author of this article was in charge of publicity for the Keystone Studio casts an even greater sense of doubt over this article as this is obviously the story that Mack Sennett (the head of the Keystone Studio) wanted you to read. Still this is a very entertaining and fun read that should delight fans of silent comedy. 

This following article is from an issue of Motion Picture Classic dated June 1926. If you have any trouble reading, click on the pages below and use your touch screen to zoom in. If you don't have a touch screen, click here. 

Here is a delightful film featuring the Kops, A Hash House Fraud (1915).

Cowboy Church #263 - Easter Service

 Hello, my friends and happy Easter. Welcome to a special Easter service of Cowboy Church. 

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with Easter is a Loving Time. This comes from a 1955 Little Golden Record. The king of the cowboys and the queen of the west are backed up here by The Sandpipers and Mitch Miller and His Orchestra. 

This is followed by The Chuck Wagon Gang with Kneel at the Cross. . This song was written by Charles Moody. Though Moody's work was hardly confined to gospel music (he was a part of a popular secular band called The Georgia Yellowhammers), he did write many gospel songs (another being, Drifting Too Far From the Shore). This song was written in 1924 and has become a southern gospel standard. This recording comes from The Chuck Wagon Gang's 1960 gospel album, Perfect Joy. 

Afterwards is The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1948 recording of The Old Rugged Cross.  This song dates back to 1913 and was written by evangelist, George Bennard. Actually, the first verse was written in 1912. It was written while Bennard was a part of a series of revival meetings in Albion, Michigan. He was worried about the complete disregard for the gospel around him and wrote this verse as a repose. Of writing it Bennard said, "I seemed to have a vision ... I saw the Christ and the cross inseparable." The song wouldn't be completed for several months, when he was leading meetings at a local church in Pokagan, Michigan. He played it for Rev. Leroy (the sponsoring pastor) and his wife, Ruby Bostwick, both of whom found themselves moved to tears. It was then incorporated into a service at that church on June 7, 1913. The song has the same effect today as it must have back then.

Then comes Gene Autry performing Peter Cottontail in a scene from the movie, Hills of Utah (1951). This song was written by Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins, the team that wrote the Christmas classic Frosty the Snowman. Because of Gene Autry's success with such Christmas songs as Here Comes Santa Claus and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, the songwriting duo decided that Gene Autry was the best singer to introduce a song about a holiday figure. When Gene recorded the song, it went up to #3 on the Country Charts. Naturally the song would have to appear in a Gene Autry movie. 

Next is Curtis Grimes with Because He Lives. Though this song in many was feels like an old hymn it is actually much more recent than you might think. The song was written by Gloria and William J. Gaither and won an award for being the Gospel Song of the Year for 1974. In an interview the couple stated how this song came to be, “‘Because he lives’ was written in the midst of social upheaval, threats of war, and betrayals of national and personal trust. It was into this world at such a time that we were bringing our third little baby. Assassinations, drug traffic, and war monopolized the headlines. It was in the midst of this kind of uncertainty that the assurance of the Lordship of the risen Christ blew across our troubled minds like a cooling breeze in the parched desert. Holding our tiny son in our arms we were able to write: How sweet to hold our newborn baby, and feel the pride, and joy he gives; But greater still the calm assurance, this child can face uncertain day because He lives.’”

To remind us why we truly celebrate Easter, Johnny Cash will then sing He's Alive from his 1979 album, A Believer Sings the Truth. This song tells of the story of Peter and how the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus affected him. This song brings us a message of hope in the most hopeless of times. When Jesus was crucified, things seemed as dark and hopeless as they get, yet he raised from the dead and brought great joy and forgiveness to all who accept him as their lord and savior. If he can overcome the grave, how much more can he overcoming anything we might be worrying about right now.  This wonderful recording comes from John's 1979 album; A Believer Sings the Truth. This was a double length gospel album and Columbia Records felt that such an album from John could never be successful. However, Columbia allowed John to release the album on its own and it was successful earning a spot in the Country Top 50. A shorter version of the album called I Believe would be released in 1984, which would feature a select few songs from the double album. A Believer Sings the Truth would not find its way to CD until 2012.

Now we rejoin Gene Autry for another Easter tune, Sonny the Bunny. This comes from an episode of Gene's Melody Ranch radio show that first aired March 31, 1951. Gene is backed here by Carl Cotner’s Orchestra.

Today's musical selection ends with Cowboy Copas with his 1955 recording of The Stone Was Rolled Away.

Now for an Easter message from Billy Graham. 

Now for an Easter episode of The Great Gildersleeve radio show.

Matthew 28

Jesus Has Risen

28 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

The Guards’ Report

11 While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, 13 telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ 14 If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

The Great Commission

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

 

Thanks for joining me. Come back next week for another service of Cowboy Church. Happy Trails to you until we meet again.

 

Movie Review: Fantasy Life

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B

A very charming dramedy. 

In this film, a man in his 30's just lost his job and is suffering from anxiety attacks. It is then he gets a job nannying his therapist's three granddaughters. While doing this job he falls for the girls' actress mom. 

There is a lot to love about this movie. The main character is delightful and instantly relatable. While in lesser hands such a character could have come off simply as pathetic and pitiful, underneath all his anxieties he is quite charming and a very good guy. This is because like a real person who has anxiety, his anxiety is part of him but doesn't define him. Matthew Shear (who also directed and wrote this film) is simply wonderful in this main role, showing a nerdy type of charm and charisma. Also wonderful is Amanda Peet as the girls' mother. She delivers a truly great and film stealing performance that in many ways is just as emotionally powerful as anything involving the actual lead character. Actresses having a hard time finding work as they reach a certain age and struggling to deal with this has been a subject that has been covered countless times in other movies. However, Amanda Peet's performance makes this part of the story still hit hard emotionally.  The chemistry between the two is fantastic and the two stars truly light up the screen when they share it. 

Adding to this movie's charm is that it is often hilarious. The early scene where the main character is talking to his therapist is truly hilarious with Judd Hirsch giving an especially great comedic performance.   

At only an hour and a half, the movie does often feel too rushed though. This is heavily seen when it comes to the main character's relationship with the girls he is watching. The first time we see them together, he is having trouble controlling them. The next time, he and the girls seem to get along perfectly. We have no clue to what made this change. With the focus on the possible romance between the nanny (or manny as he is called in multiple scenes) and the mom, the girls receive surprisingly little screen time and during that limited time, we barely get to know who these characters (who are very important to the story) are as people. The rushed pace also makes so that important plot points either happen way too quickly or are mentioned rather than shown. 

This is a very charming movie, even if it feels really rushed.