With how incredible the 1933 movie adaption of Little Women is it would have been hard for me to believe that any film based on the book could come anywhere near it. Then this incredible movie came along and completely blew me away. This is not only perhaps the best movie of the year but it can easily hold its own with any other great movie from this decade.
Everything about this movie is extremely well done. The cast is absolutely perfect. These young actresses capture the March sisters as well as any actresses ever could. They capture not only the more overt parts of the characters' personalities, but also the more subtle parts. There are many layers to these performances making the characters have the same incredible impact they did in the classic novel. They are powerfully moving performances during the more dramatic scenes, while still capturing the sense of fun and playfulness in the lighter scenes. This is also an incredible looking film. While most movies today simply take color for granted the makers of Little Women show a perfect understanding of all that can be done with color. The color doesn't only look lovely, it also enhances the mood and emotion of each scene. This is often done very subtly and never calls attention to itself, letting the March Sisters and their story be the main attraction (the way it should be). This is extremely enhanced by the masterful cinematography by Yorick Le Saux (who has worked on such great movies as Personal Shopper (2016), Only Lovers Left Alive (2013) and Julia (2008)). Alexandre Desplat's musical score is near perfect and adds a lot to this movie. Great Gerwig's (who also directed the movie) script tells us a story all us movie lovers know by heart in a way that feels fresh and new while still retaining everything we loved about the previous adaptions. One way she does this is by not telling the story in chronological order the way the other adaptions have done. This film flashes back and forth between different time periods in the sisters' lives. This is done masterfully. Greta as both writer and director knows perfectly how to juxtapose these scenes with each other so they feel just as natural if not more so than they would in a more traditional manner. The result of all this put together is simply moviemaking at its best.
Even though this is only the second movie Greta Gerwig directed, I have no problem saying that she is now one of my favorite directors. If there is one must see movie this year (though there are in my mind more than one) it is definitely Little Women. Whatever you do don't miss this incredible film.
Thanks to TCM and Fathom Events, yesterday I was able to watch one of my all time favorite movies on the big screen.
Meet Me in St. Louis is pure movie magic at its best. Everything is as close to perfection as movies get. The songs are incredible, technicolor has never looked better, the performances are perfect, the humor is fantastic and there is a special charm in every second. Judy Garland is as perfect as ever, but in my opinion the show was stolen by Margert O'Brien as the very disturbed 5 year Tootie. She not only gives the film its best laughs, but she truly brings to life one of my favorite movie characters. There is often times a bias against sentimentality and sweetness with today's movie fans. However a film like this proves that when done right these things can make a great movie. These things have never been done better than in Meet Me in St. Louis, and here they help create a cinematic masterpiece.
Speaking of cinematic, there is no better way to see this film than in a theatre. On the big screen the vibrant colors and incredible performances truly come to life, creating an incredible sense of movie magic.
So I know this is a brief post but I just want to state again that if you are a movie fan these TCM Big Screen Classics are incredible experiences you can't miss. Next month is another fantastic technicolor musical from the same director (Vincente Minnelli), An American in Paris (1951).
Hello my friends and happy Saturday morning. Since Christmas is still approaching, let us have another look at some classic Christmas themed cartoons.
The Max Fleischer Color Classics served as the Fleischer Studio's version of Disney's Silly Symphonies. Like that series these cartoons rarely featured reoccurring characters. It was definitely uncommon to see a character from one of the Fleischers' other cartoon series. An exception was Christmas Comes But Once a Year (1936). This short movie featured Grampy from the Betty Boop cartoons. This is one of the most charming Color Classics and one of the best uses of sentimentality (something that was not the studio's forte) at the studio. Grampy was one of the best things about the later Betty Boop films and he definitely gets to shine here. The title song in this short movie would later be reused in the Popeye cartoon, Let's Celebrake (1938) with the lyrics changed to be about New Years instead. Some of Grampy's household toy ideas would later be used in the Casper cartoon, True Boo (1952). So enjoy this delightful cartoon.
Jack Hannah's Donald Duck cartoons were always fantastic examples of slapstick cartoon comedy at its finest. These were fast paced and very funny cartoons that could hold their own with any comedy shorts from any other cartoon studio. Some highlights were definitely the ones with Chip and Dale. These two Chipmunks always perfectly fit Hannah's slapstick sense of humor and they were never funnier than when directed by him. One of my favorite of these films is Toy Tinkers (1949).
The next cartoon might be a bit of a cheat, because it is about many holidays instead of just one, but so is Holiday Inn (1942) and that movie is always associated with Christmas. Plus this cartoons stars that near and dear friend to you and me Scrappy. This is the delightful, Holiday Land (1934). Unusual for a Scrappy cartoon this film is in color. In fact this short movie marked the first color cartoon from Columbia. This cartoon played for two weeks at the Radio City Music Hall to a very good response and was even nominated for the Best Animated Short Film Oscar (Disney's Tortoise and the Hare (1934) won). A review in The Film Daily called this cartoon "a generally enjoyable cartoon fantasy." In the 1940's this cartoon would receive a 16mm home viewing release. Speaking about Scrappy and Christmas together in 1936 Columbia had a Scrappy Christmas party where various cartoons (most of which featured Scrappy) were shown to Children in the Hospital For Joint Diseases in New York City. Anyway enjoy the cartoon.
Ending this post is a classic silent short movie from stop motion master, Ladislas Starevich. So enjoy The Insect's Christmas (1913). The animation here is not only impressive for being a film over one hundred years old, but it still looks masterfully done today.
Come back next week for more classic Christmas cartoons.
Hello my friends and welcome back for another Saturday Morning of classic cartoons. For me the Christmas season begins as soon as Thanksgiving is over. Since this is the first Saturday morning after Thanksgiving, this is the first Saturday morning to be exclusively about Christmas cartoons, which will continue until the Saturday before Christmas day. So sit back and enjoy these classic Christmas cartoons.
With the studio's latter day reputation, a Disney Christmas cartoon sounds like it would be very cute and sentimental. However in the early 1930's Disney films, especially the Mickey Mouse cartoons, were often just one gag after another and that is exactly what Mickey's Orphans (1931) is. Despite having a story that could easily be extremely sentimental, the story is just an excuse to fit in as many slapstick gags as possible. A review in the Motion Picture Herald stated "The youngsters will get a real kick out of this short, and the oldsters will extract a bit of enjoyment." A review in The Film Daily gave the same sentiment stating "It will delight all children and get many a laugh from their elders." An issue of The Film Daily (Dated February 7, 1932) stated "In addition to El Brendel in person this week's show at the Roxy is a special treat for the kids. The presentation includes four scenes based on 'Mickey's Orphans,' the Mickey Mouse cartoon that was held over for three weeks at this house. The characters of Mickey and Minnie are portrayed by the Arnaut Brothers, popular pantomimists. Patricia Bowman, Fred Waring's orchestra in a novelty entitled 'Dancing Melodies,' and the Roxyettes also are part of the proceedings. In the Mickey scenes, the Roxyettes and ballet group are made up to represent kittens, musical notes and animated furnishings in Minnie's boudoir." This cartoon was reissued to theatres in 1934.
Santa's Surprise (1947) is an especially delightful Christmas cartoon from Famous Studios. This cartoon is best remembered as the first cartoon to feature the character of Little Audrey. Little Audrey was an original character for the studio and also a replacement for Little Lulu, who the studio had made a series of cartoons with in the past. Little Lulu was not created by the studio but was the star of a comic strip by Marjorie Henderson Buell. When Paramount decided not to renew the license for Famous Studios to use that character, Little Audrey was created. The character was designed by veteran Disney animator Bill Tytla (possibly my favorite Disney animator), who was know a director at Famous. This short's lead animator was Myron Waldman, who specialized in cute animation (often shining his best in the studio's Casper series). Myron would later remember this cartoon as one he was especially happy with.
My favorite Casper the Friendly Ghost cartoon is True Boo (1952). This film puts a lot of delightful Christmas spirit in with its traditional Casper story. The gags where Casper uses everyday objects to make toys, heavily borrows from the Max Fleischer Color Classic, Christmas Comes But Once a Year (1936).
Next is one of my favorite of Rudolf Ising's Merrie Melodies from the early 1930's, The Shanty Where Santy Claus Lives (1933) the beginning of this cartoon is as atmospheric as these early Merrie Melodies got, and the song is extremely catchy.
The last cartoon for this post is from a very underrated cartoon series. This is Van Beuren's Little King cartoons. These films were often extremely creative and quite funny. This cartoon offers one very creative moment after another, showing what the series could be at its best. This short movie is Christmas Night (1933).
Thanks for joining me come back next week for more animated Christmas treasures.
I have a real fondness for the movie, King of Jazz (1930). It is a one of a kind movie with lots of great music and an excellent cartoon segment from the Walter Lantz Studio. This movie was just as loved by audiences back in its day and was rereleased in 1933. That version added newly filmed comedy sequences but also cut nearly 35 minutes.
The following page from Universal Weekly shows various ways this movie was advertised upon its rerelease.
The following is a 1933 article about the film from Universal Weekly.
Next is an advertisement for King of Jazz from the Universal Weekly.
As you can see by this follow page of Universal Weekly this was not the only 1930 Universal movie rereleased in 1933. Also rereleased that year was All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) and Captain of the Guard.
One last article from Universal Weekly. The line "No producer in these times could afford to a picture near as costly as was 'King of Jazz,'" seems odd considering the movie was only three years old at this point.
Now let's enjoy some great music from the movie. First is George Gershwin's Rhaposdy in Blue.
Now for So the Bluebirds and the Blackbirds Got Together. This song is performed by The Rhythm Boys (Bing Crosby, Harry Barris, Al Rinker)
We end our post with the cartoon segment for the movie. This was created by the Walter Lantz studio, and at the time their starring character was Oswald the Lucky Rabbit who can be seen briefly here.
Review: This incredible documentary takes vintage footage of World War Two pilots in action shot by William Wyler and his crew, restores it and adds a new soundtrack. This footage was original shot completely silently, so to make the film feel more real, the sound effects were created by a real B-17 plane and the effect makes one feel like they are right there. Also added to the soundtrack is audio of the surviving men talking about their lives back then. This makes it feel so much more real and personal than anything even the most knowledgeable historian could bring to the table. There was also a breathtaking new score by Richard Thomson. Though this is a folk rock score it does not feel out of place with the 1940's footage. There is an air of looking back and reembrace all throughout this music that truly enhances the feel of the film though. More important than any of the audio though is the actual vintage footage from William Wyler and his crew. It is obvious that the crew truly put themselves in harm's way to get this footage. The effect can be felt and truly highlights the heroics of the men who flew these planes and fought in the war. I don't think its possible to look at this footage and not gain at least a little more respect for young men who fought in this war. There is a completely a reason they are called the greatest generation and if anyone who fought in World War 2 is reading this, thank you for everything. This is all even highlighted greater than it has been in a long time due to some incredible restoration work. If you are like me you have seen some of this footage before, but it was faded and in poor quality. Looking at the footage as it appears in this film is a new revelation. It does not even look like the same footage.
As the film ends we see some now 90-something year old veterans viewing this newly restored footage, and giving their thoughts and insights to the experience. This is indispensable and powerful documentary filmmaking at its best. It made me feeling like I was watching this footage with them and that was an incredible experience.
If you have any interest at all in World War 2 history, this film is a must watch.
Review: It is a cliché to say a movie is like history come to life. However that is the best way to describe this film. This movie is so close and intimate that by the end we feel we know these people. Of course we can never fully know or understand what these young men went through, but this movie gives a clearer vision than any other World War One documentary I've seen.
For those who don't know what this movie is, director Peter Jackson and his crew took 100 year old footage of World War One and restored and colorized it. The result is incredible. I am normally not a fan of colorization, but what Jackson and his crew accomplished here is incredible. I do not believe this should be applied to all silent movies or even most, but the result works perfectly for this film. The way it is filmed is so close and intimate that it feels like it could have been filmed yesterday. Even more incredible is this film's use of audio. Since the original filming of World War 1 was silent naturally there was no audio. This film does add sound effects and bits of dialogue. However the real treat is the narration. Most filmmakers would have used modern narration from historians here, but this film does so much better. The point of this film is not to give a history lesson. The point of this film is to let you spend time with the men who fought and as such the narration used is actually from real archival interviews for the 1960's. So what we are hearing is the actual men who fought telling us about what we are seeing on screen. The effect is incredible. It feels like we are watching this footage along with the real men and that we get to relive these memories with them. Because of this the movie ends up feeling like no other war documentary I've ever watched.
I will state this movie has its R rating for a reason. Many of the images are downright gruesome. Still despite this the movie shows the men making the best out of their situations. They were surround by horrors, but they did not lose their sense of humor. As well as seeing them suffer through the horrors of war, we see them laugh, smile and joke around with each other. There is something absolutely beautiful in this. It shows that beauty and joy can still be found in the worst of places. Again we see the gruesome side of war very strongly in this movie, but that makes these light moments have a stronger sense of depth and power than anything a fictional Hollywood film can dream up.
It is too often today, that history is viewed as just empty words in a textbook we read in school. This is not true. As this movie shows history is as real as the lives we are living now. History was full of human beings who were well human. History is something intimate and personal. This movie shows that perfectly, and I can see someone who doesn't think they have an interest in history becoming fascinated with World War One after watching this movie. This is a movie I think everybody should see. This movie would be perfect to show in a high school or college history class to let the students see for themselves just how real what they are studying is.
I must also say that this movie has made me appreciate veterans and those who have died in war, even more. These people are truly amazing and how they make it through something like what these men went through is something I'll never understand. If you are reading this and have served or are serving, thank you for everything you do, you are incredible.
When one thinks of Christmas movies, they don't usually think of a Roy Rogers western. This gives Trail of Robin Hood a very unique place among both Christmas films and Roy Rogers films. Still this movie provides one with all they could want from a Roy Rogers western. There is exciting action, great music, good humor and much more good natured family friendly fun. There is no pretention about this film at all. It just wants to provide us with some good natured escapism and it does this marvelously.
This movie also offers an extra treat for fans of old Hollywood westerns. Many old time western stars appear here as themselves. Jack Holt has a major role here and is one of the key parts of the plot. However most of these stars play smaller roles, but put a smile on a film buffs face very easily. These include Tom Tyler, Tom Keene, Monte Hale, Rex Allen, Rocky Lane, Bill Franum, Kermit Maynard and Crash Corrigan. Even western movie villain George Chesebro appears as himself. When a little girl tells him he is meanie, he responds that after making twenty pictures with Jack Holt, he reformed him. To quote a meme that was popular earlier this year. "Infinity War: This is the most ambitious crossover ever. Me:..." Really this part of the film is what an old western fan would want to put into fan fiction and it is awesome for it.
Of course a Roy Rogers western has to have songs and a Roy Rogers Christmas western has to have Christmas songs. Roy preforms two lesser known Christmas songs here, both written by Jack Elliott. These songs are Get A Christmas Tree For Johnny and Ev'ry Day is Christmas Day in the West. Roy also preforms a non-Christmas song as well. This is Home Town Jubilee written by Foy Willing (who also appears in this movie). As a country music fan, the songs are something I always look forward to in these movies and these songs don't disappoint.
Children were a major part of Roy Rogers' audience and as such there was often a kid character in many of his movies. This film offers one of the best. This time the character is played by Carol Nugent. While often times a kid character was the weakest part of these movies, here she is delightful providing a lot of heart and humor to many scenes. She never feels like she is trying to be cute, rather she just naturally is. Carol Nugent would later appear with the other singing cowboy, Gene Autry in an episode of his television show. Speaking of children look for Roy Rogers and Dale Evens' then 11 year old daughter Cheryl Rogers as a girl asking for Jack Holt's autograph.
This movie does not feature Dale Evans as is usually common in Roy Rogers westerns of this time. The reason for this is that Dale was pregnant at this time. She choose Penny Edwards to take her place in this film, partly because Edwards also had a strong Christian upbringing. Roy's other usual costar Trigger does play a huge part in this film, providing many excellent action scenes and showing why he truly earned his title as "The Smartest Horse in the Movies."
This movie was the last film Roy made in Trucolor, which used only strips of red and blue. It used this fantastically and the color in this movie looks incredible.
This movie was directed by William Witney, who is best known today for directing movie serials. He had directed the infamous western serial, The Lone Ranger (1938). However he is probably best remembered for directing what many consider to be the greatest movie serial, The Adventures of Captain Marvel (1941). Witney was directing many of Roy's films at this time and actually directed all of Roy's feature length movies for the last four years.
Despite the title of this movie, the film has nothing to do with Robin Hood or robbing from the rich and giving to the poor. I personally have no idea where this title came from.
This is one of those movies that makes me feel like a little kid again. All my grown up cynicism quickly goes out the window as soon as I start watching. There may be nothing new, challenging or thought provoking here, but I don't care. I just want to see my hero Roy and his friends take down the bad guys and for good to prevail once again. If you let yourself be like a child again for 67 minutes, I think you will feel the same way. The charming simplicity is just too much for the child in me to resist and this movie reminds me of being a kid and falling in love with movies all over again.
Merry Christmas, my friends. Today we are going to look at a Christmas cartoon that I absolutely love. This is an early color Silly Symphony cartoon (in fact the fourth one) that shows the Disney studio at the height of its powers.
With this being an early color Disney cartoon, there is not a moment in which the filmmakers don't use color to their advantage. They knew not to take color for granted but instead use it to create a pure atmospheric spectacle. In fact this cartoon still stands out today partly for its beautiful use of color.
The following is an Exhibitors Review from the Motion Picture Herald (Dated January 13, 1934)
"Santa's Workshop: This is the greatest one-reeler we have ever had the pleasure of screening in our theatre and did the kids flock in! It is filmed in glorious color and there is only one word that can describe it - beautiful. Just as the name suggests, it shows Santa's workshop where all of the toys are made and just the type of short for this season. We played this three days and many patrons young and old, saw it two or three times. Many thanks to Walt Disney and United Artists for this great short. Running time, eight minutes - J.J. Medford, Orpheum Theatre, Oxford, N.C. General Patronage."
The following are two more Exhibitors Reviews from the Motion Picture Herald (Dated October 28, 1933).
"Santa's Workshop: Silly Symphony - An excellent all color short you will do well to book. They just rave over it. Running time, seven minutes - Wm. A. Crute, Victoria Theatre, Vancouver, B.C. Neighborhood Patronage."
The following is another Exhibitors Review from the Motion Picture Herald (dated January 3, 1933).
"Santa's Workshop: Silly Symphonies - These cartoons are good but an exhibitor can feed his public up on them by booking too many. Once a week is plenty. Running time, eight minutes. - Edmund M. Burke, Fort Plain Theatre, Fort Plain, N.Y. General Patronage."
The following is another exhibitors review from the Motion Picture Herald (dated February 4, 1933).
"Santa's Workshop: Silly Symphony - Another great color cartoon from Disney. This brought additional business after playing 'Babes in the Wood.' - H.R. Hisey, State Theatre, Nashville, Ill."
An issue of National Board of Review Magazine (dated January 1933) stated about this cartoon, "Worth being kept permanently available for Christmas programs."
A working title for this film was Santa's Toy Shop. It premiered at the Roxy in New York on December 16, 1932 playing alongside the feature film, Man Against Woman. It played with this movie from the 16th to the 23rd. It would continue to play at the theatre from the 24th to January 1st, 1933 this time playing alongside the feature. Rare for a short cartoon at this time, Santa's Workshopwas revived in big name movie theatres in 1933.
This film went through production relatively fast beginning in September 1932 and hitting movie theatres by December of the same year.
Walt himself provided the voice of one of the elves. Walter Geiger provided the voice of Santa and J. Delos Jewkes and Pinto Colvig (the voice of Goofy) provided voices for other elves.
To read two articles from The Film Daily (dated December 9, 1933) about various stores decorating their windows with Disney displays for Christmas (including a picture of one of these displays) and how Santa's Workshop worked its way into this click here.
This cartoon would later receive a sequel, The Night Before Christmas (1933). Perhaps I will write about that sometime. In 1936 an idea for another Silly Symphony cartoon centering around Santa and his helpers at the north pole was proposed. In this cartoon a little boy would have been shrunk to the size of a toy and given a chance to see Santa's workshop. One title for this would have been The North Pole. This idea never came to be.
Animation
Note: Ben Sharpsteen headed a crew of animators. All this animation will appear under Ben Sharpsteen with additional animators listed in prentices. It is interesting to note how many of these animators would go on to become major animators for Disney in their own right. Clyde Geronimi worked with other animators on a couple of scenes and these are handled in the same manner. Also bear in mind that the choice of words are from the original animation draft.
Ben Sharpsteen (Castle (Marvin Woodward); Gnomes grooming reindeer (Art Babbitt); Stables - castle in distance - truck up to castle (Art Babbitt); Factory (Joe D'Igalo); Put heads on horses and saw bodies (Harry Reeves); Put legs and rockers on horses (Harry Reeves); Bore holes in horses (Harry Reeves); Put tails on horses (Ham Luske); Paint horses (Louie Schmitt); Paint department (Dick Williams); Checkered paint (Paul Fennell); Tailors (Chuck Couch); Permanent wave (Fred Moore); Plane knocks toys off the shelf (Ed Love); Toys start to move (Joe D'Igalo); Band and soldiers march (Ed Love); Penguins, tinkertoy, donkey, elephant, jap dolls, Chaplin and cop dolls marching (Fred Moore, Jack Kinney, Jack Cutting, Nick George); Mule kicking wagon - other toys passing (Chuck Couch); Noah's Ark (George Drake); Pan of many toys - Kazotski toy last (Nick George, Jack Kinney, Ed Love); Jack in box (Jack Cutting); Last of toys in bag - pick up bag and start out with it (Clyde Geromini); Santa flies off in distance (Loie Schmitt)) Les Clark (Gnomes working on sleigh - all stop and sing; Bass gnome says "Better hurry up."; Gnomes resume work on sleigh) Norm Ferguson (Santa and secty. Santa reads Molly's letter; Santa picks up long letter; Santa starts to read long letter; Santa finishes letter; Santa orders soap - follow gnome on pan to factory) Tom Palmer (Secty looks up Molly in big book; Secty looks up Billy in his book; Secty says "Billy didn't wash his ears.") Jack King (Santa picks up mama doll; Santa teaches doll to say "mama" and "O.K.s" her; Santa inspects mammy doll and airplane) Clyde Geronimi (Toys start into bag (truck back); Last of toys in bag - pick up bag and start out with it (Ben Sharpsteen); Outside castle - gnomes cheer as Santa and bag of toys get in sleigh) Eddie Donnelly (Santa sings goodbye song and starts up on pan - goes up in air)
Story: Santa and his elves (or gnomes) prepare for the big Christmas Eve flight. The elves feed the reindeer, Santa reads his mail, other elves make the toys (whistling while they work before Snow White), Santa tests some toys and after all this they are ready for the big night. Santa sings goodbye and heads into the sky.
Below is the sequel film.
Thanks to JB Kaufman and Russell Merritt's book, Walt Disney's Silly Symphonies: A Companion Guide to the Classic Cartoon Series, which proved a huge help in writing this article.
This page from in issue of The Film Daily posted below gives fascinating insights into color films of the 1930's, and over the top ways that classic films from 1935 were advertised. Enjoy.
