The Not So Quiet Man

 Just in time for St. Patrick's day here is a couple pages from a 1952 issue of Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin about John Ford's classic, The Quiet Man (1952). If you are having any trouble reading the following pages, click on them and use your touch screen to zoom in. If that still doesn't work for you, you can click here.

Video: Charley Chase - The Heckler (1940)

Cowboy Church #110

 Hello my friends and welcome back for another service of Cowboy Church. 

Today's musical selection begins with Red Foley's 1949 recording of Jesus Loves Me. Most of us who grew up in church grew up singing this song as children and hearing it again brings us back to the surprising simplicity of the gospel message (something we have too often tried to complicate). This hymn first appeared as a poem in Anna Bartlett Warner's 1860 novel, Say and Seal. The music as well as some additional lyrics were added by Dr. William Batchelder Bradbury in 1862. The Carter Family wasn't the only country group of the 1930's and 40's with the last name Carter. There was also The Chuck Wagon Gang which in their original incarnation consisted of D.P. Carter, his Son, Jim (Ernest) Carter and his daughters, Rose (Lola) Carter Karnes and Anna (Effie) Carter Gordon Davis. The group recorded mostly old gospel songs. Incredibly the group is still around today (though with completely new members). In this post we will hear their 1941 recording of Jesus Hold My Hand. This is another hymn that while upbeat came out of tragedy. Thomas A. Dorsey had not be married long when his wife was about to give birth. Dorsey was needed in St. Louis and though he regretted going and not being with his wife he reluctantly went. In St. Louis he received a telegram that his wife had died. She did give birth to a baby boy, who died not much later. Dorsey was understandably heartbroken and he turned away from God. One day a friend invited him to a music school. Dorsey found himself sitting at a piano with everything dead quiet. All the sudden this song came out. The song was first published in 1933 and connected with others who were going through similar grief. Now we join Roy Rogers and Dale Evans singing The Lord is Counting on You. This song is written by another legend of cowboy gospel music Stuart Hamblen. Hamblen had also been an actor and appeared in the Roy Rogers movie, The Arizona Kid (1939). Now we join Trace Adkins singing Muddy Water. This great song comes from his 2008 album X. Next comes Johnny Cash singing Let the Lower Lights Be Burning. In the notes for the box set Unearthed, John wrote, "This is a very special song for me, and I'll tell you what it means to me now. When my father was dying, he was in a coma, and all my brothers and sisters and I were gathered around the bed, and we felt like telling him goodbye. But my oldest sister Louise said, 'Let's sing to him.' So we started singing 'Let the Lower Lights be Burning.' At some point I looked at him and, though he had been sound asleep in a coma for days, his lips started moving and he started singing that song along with us. The more we would sing it the more he sang. And he opened his eyes and he looked around at us as we were singing. Ad of course everybody had a good cry as watched him and listened to him as he sang 'Let the Lower Lights be Burning' with us." This version comes from John's 1962 album, Hymns From the Heart. Now it is time for the singing cowboy, Gene Autry with Let's Go to Church (Next Sunday Morning). This lovely version comes from an episode of Gene Autry's Melody Ranch Radio Show dated 4/1/1950 and also features The Cass County Boys, The Pinafores, Johnny Bond and Carl Cotner's Orchestra. As we end our musical selection for the day The Sons of the Pioneers tell us to Read the Bible Everyday in a classic 1948 recording. This song was written by one of the group's original members, Tim Spencer. 

                                                                Film Daily, 1946


Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. ~ Matthew 21:21

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. ~ Proverbs 3:5-6

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. ~ Ephesians 4:29

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. ~ Hebrews 10:24-25

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. ~ Jeremiah 29:11

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ~ James 1:5

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. ~ 1 John 4:1

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. ~ 2 Peter 1:20-21

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. ~ Romans 12:12

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  Lamentations 3:22-23

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

The hope of the righteous will be gladness, but the expectation of the wicked will perish. Proverbs 10:28

He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he. Proverbs 16:20

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

 

Some Cartoons For Saturday Morning #114

 Hello my friends and happy Saturday morning. Welcome back for another round of classic cartoons. 

Today's selection begins with Sylvester and Tweety in Tweet Dreams (1959). This cartoon is what is often referred to as a cheater. This means that it uses clips from earlier cartoons. The cartoons which have clips used here include Sandy Claws (1954), Tweety's Circus (1955), A Street Cat Named Sylvester (1953), Gift Wrapped (1952) and Too Hop to Handle (1956). Another cheater cartoon, Freudy Cat (1964) uses a similar premise where Sylvester visits a psychist. I have always loved the ending joke of this film. 

Next comes Disney's last Silly Symphony short, The Ugly Duckling (1939). The studio had already made this Hans Christian Anderson story into a Silly Symphony in 1931. However this version is more dramatic while the early version was more comedic. This wide different take on the source material fully justifies, the series returning to this story. Looking at this film, there is no doubt that the Silly Symphonies went out on a high note. The animation is fantastic even by Disney standards (animators include Eric Larson, Stan Quackenbush, Riley Thompson, Archie Robin, Milt Kahl and Paul Satterfeild). Comparing this to the earliest Symphonies shows how far Disney had come in the art of character animation. It is no wonder this won the "Best Cartoon" Oscar of 1939. Though originally playing in movie theatres this cartoon made a very early appearance on TV, when it played on an early variety show (May 1, 1940) celebrating the first anniversary of TV's first commercial appearance in New York. A review in Photoplay stated, "You'll choke with laughter and tears at the same time; gasp at the lovely color and settings. The Hans Christian Anderson story is followed closely except Disney improves on Anderson's very funny implication that the swan's egg in the duck's nest might lead Papa Duck to suspect his mate." A review in The Film Daily states. " Though the story only concerns the feathered folk this short is fused with real feels and pathos." 

                                                         Motion Picture Daily, 1940

Next comes a classic Fleischer Popeye cartoon, I Never Changes My Altitude (1937). When movie magazines listed this cartoon they changed the name to the grammatically correct, "I Never Change My Altitude." The following is an exhibitor's review from the Motion Picture Herald, "I Never Change My Altitude: Popeye the Sailor - These Popeye cartoons are very good for the kids. This one did not go over with the adults. Running time , eight minutes, A.J. Inks, Crystal Theatre, Ligonier, Ind. Small Town Patronage." Another exhibitor's review for the Motion Picture Harald, disagreed with this stating, " I NEVER CHANGE MY ALTITUDE: Popeye the Sailor—A good Popeye. Adults will enjoy this as much as the kids. Running time, seven minutes.— A. E. Eliasen, Rialto Theatre, Paynesville, Minn. Rural and small town patronage." 

Up next is a classic Daffy and Porky teaming, The Ducksters (1950). This cartoon features Daffy hosting a very sadistic radio game show with Porky as the contestant. Daffy is as much of a clear cut villain here as he would be in the later cartoons when he is up against Speedy Gonzales. However he is so energetic and fun to watch here that even those who hate his later more villainess roles will have fun watching this cartoon. This film would be reissued to theatres on June 18, 1961. 

Next comes Cubby Bear in Croon Crazy (1933). The following is an exhibitor's review from Motion Picture Herald, "Croon Crazy: Cubby the Bear - Seldom is there a short nowadays that doesn't ring in the 'Come up and see me sometime' stuff. You wonder whether new expressions are not all washed up. Why not start something new. - Mrs. N. Monte Gill, Strand Theatre, Montpelier, Vt. General Patronage." 

Up next is a Color Rhapsody cartoon from Columbia, The Herring Murder Mystery (1943). This is the only theatrical short directed by Dun Roman, who worked as a writer on other Columbia cartoons and would later work on Jay Ward's television cartoons. A reviewer for The Exhibitor wrote, "Technicolor, drawing and animation are all good but it isn't particularly funny." 

 

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Motion Picture Herald, 1934



Today's cartoon selection ends with an oddball Disney short, Football Now and Then (1953). This cartoon was directed by Jack Kinney and it features much of the same mixture of clever satire and great cartoon slapstick as his Goofy shorts. Yet this film is much stranger than any of his Goofy cartoons. Though even a lot of major Disney fans are not familiar with this, those who know this cartoon all seem to have a fondness for it. So I hope you enjoy one of the silliest cartoons to come out of the Disney studio. 

 

Thanks for joining me come back next week for another round of animated classics. Until then may all your tunes be looney and your melodies merry. 

 

Video: Got A Lot O' Living to Do (From Loving You (1957)) - Elvis Presley

 

Movie Review: The Sword and the Scoob

 

Note: This is a direct to video film.

Michael's Movie Grade: B

While not the best Scooby-Doo! movie, this definitely a good one. 

    After some really disappointing recent Scooby movies lately (Return to Zombie Island, Curse of the 13th Ghost), it is good to see the franchise get back on track with a movie that while 

nothing fantastic is thoroughly entertaining. The mystery here is a darn good one. It is solvable if you pay attention and try to figure out all the clues. Yet at the same it is never too obviously spelled out. A medieval setting proves prefect for the Scooby gang. Atmosphere has always been one of the most important parts of any Scooby outing and this movie definitely provides on this front. This is something that is especially true as we reach the climax in this movie (which takes place in an effectively creepy castle).  Morgan Le Fay proves to be an excellent villain. Like most of the best villains from this franchise she is quite creepy and threatening but never too scary to take away from the lighthearted fun. For fans of not just Scooby but all things pop culture, this film serves as a treasure trove of delightful references. From a Twilight Zone inspired opening to various references to Thundarr the Barbarian to a character named Mr. HB, this film will delight pop culture fans of all ages. 

The largest problem with this movie is that it feels like it has to have constant jokes. While there are some quite funny jokes here, there are also quite a few that miss. If the film simply let itself have more of a breath between jokes then one feels that the comedy could have worked better. Sadly once again this film also seems to have characters become dumber for the sake of a joke and then bring them back to normal afterwards (this seems to be a fault with many recent Scooby-Doo! movies). 

This may not be the original Zombie Island but it is certainly a vast improvement over Return to Zombie Island. While I doubt this will be many people's favorite Scooby movie, but I also feel that most Scooby fans will have a lot of fun watching this. 

The Looney Tunes Compilation Movies

 

Are the Looney Tunes compilation movies flawed? Yes. Do I absolutely love them? Heck yes.

For those of you unaware well after the golden age of Looney Tunes, Warner Brothers made 5 feature length movies combining the classic cartoon shorts and new animation. These movies are The Bugs Bunny/ Road Runner Movie (1979), The Looney Looney Looney Bugs Bunny Movie (1981), Bugs Bunny's 3rd Movie: 1001 Rabbit Tales (1982), Daffy Duck's Movie: Fantastic Island (1983) and Daffy Duck's Quackbusters (1988) (I am not including Bugs Bunny Superstar (1975), because the film is a documentary with no new animation). The first of these was directed by Looney Tunes legend Chuck Jones. The next three were directed by another classic Looney Tunes director, Friz Freleng. The last was the only directed by people who did not work on the classic Looney Tunes shorts, Greg Ford and Terry Lennon. 

As a kid these movies were just as much of a part of my Looney Tunes diet as any of the classic shorts were. Kids have the ability to watch the same movies over and over and never grow tired of them and that is just what I did with these movies. As such these features have become and remain just as much of a part of my Looney Tunes vocabulary as any of the classic shorts. Since I got into these movies as a kid, they actually served as my introduction to some shorts that weren't on TV as often (Mexican Borders (1962), The Pied Piper of Guadalupe (1961), The Unmentionables (1963), Curtain Razor (1949), Catty Cornered (1953))  still whenever I watch those shorts I think of these features. Childhood is probably the best time to be introduced to these movies (though they are aimed just as much at all audiences as the old shorts). When you are a kid you are not a film critic but rather someone simply looking to be entertained. The faults of these movies may be obvious but none of them stop the films from being incredibly entertaining. The classic cartoons are just as funny as ever when watched as part of a feature length movie and while the new scenes do not reach the heights of the classic cartoons they are still entertaining in their own way. The largest faults come from the connection of the old and the new. The animation is obviously better in the old and Mel Blanc's voice has aged. This can make it all too obvious what is old and what is new and therefore disrupt the flow of the movie. There are also times when the inclusion of certain cartoon shorts can feel forced into a movie's story. However while these faults may be very noticeable to the film critic in me, they make little difference to the movie fan in me. Every time I watch these movies I find me enjoying myself too much to care about these faults. That is why they remain common choices for watching movies at home for me (I hope that one day I can see these on the big screen).

These movies may not be for purists and I fully understand anyone who doesn't like them. However I admit that I not only like them but love them.