Silent Film of the Month: The Ten Commandments (1923)

 

Run Time: 136  minutes. Studio:  Paramount. Director: Cecil B. DeMille. Writer: Jeanie Macpherson. Producer: Cecil B. DeMille.  Main Cast: Theodore Roberts, Charles de Rochefort,  Richard Dix, Rod La Rocque, Edythe Chapman. Cinematographers: Bert Glennon, J. Peverell Marley, Archie Stout, Fred Westerberg. Editor: Anne Bauchens.

Before I first saw this movie I excepted it to simply be a dry run for the 1956 epic by the same director. However this is a very different movie from that later film. This film is separated into two segments. The first segment was what I was excepting more or less, it is the story of Moses straight from the book of Exodus. The second segment is a modern day (well modern in 1923) story about how the Ten Commandments (and the the whole bible for that matter) are still relevant today. 

This is an excellent film and it is beyond easy to see why it was so popular in it's day. It is often thought by people who don't watch silent films that special effects in these movies were beyond primitive. As any silent film fan knows this is far from the truth and the special effects here hold up very well. In fact I would argue that scenes like God writing the Ten Commandments on the tablets are actually better here than they are in the 1956 film. The first segment of this film while not as epic as the later version felts big then and feels big today. The sets (the Egyptian set in this movie was even larger than the grand Babylonian set in D.W. Griffith's Intolerance (1916)), the effects, the cinematography and the storytelling are all just as absorbing and powerful as they must have been in 1923. I don't see this incredible feat of filmmaking can not move any movie audience. In a much shorter time this achieves very close to the power of the later film and there are a few time it even surpasses it. The second segment will divide movie fans today and is perhaps part of the reason why this movie is not as well known as the later film. The reason for this is that it is unabashedly melodramatic. This portion of the film has all the subtlety of a TV soap opera. Pure unabashed melodrama has certainly fallen out of favor with a lot of movie fans today and there are many who will find this much too forced and over the top. I am not one of those people. Just because melodrama is not for everyone doesn't mean it can't be done well and it is certainly is done very well here. The characters are engaging enough for me to truly care about them, the visual filmmaking is still excellent, the drama works surprisingly well and the story is kind of fun in how over the top it gets at times, while still not taking away from the strong message of the movie.   

This film can be found on YouTube.

-Michael J. Ruhland

1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

3. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

4. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

5. Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

6. Thou shalt not kill.

7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.

8. Thou shalt not steal.

9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor’s.

Movie Review: Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe

 


Michael's Movie Grade: B

This movie feels like an extended episode of the TV show, however it is like a really good episode. 

While the story is larger than the average episode of the show, it remains (like the show) more about the characters and humor than the story. Candace takes center stage here (as you might have guessed from the title) and this movie shows how good of a character she really is. She could have easily been the one note antagonist for her brothers and in lesser hands she definitely would have been. This movie shows us that beyond all her annoyance she truly loves her brothers and as silly and over the top as this movie is, this emotional center works and keeps the film relatable. I also love how Phineas and Ferb love their sister as well and aren't simply trying to drive her crazy as they would in lesser hands. This movie reaffirms and expands on these relationships in a way that is honestly quite touching. This of course does not mean that the humor takes a backseat. The examination of these characters is so well woven in that it can still be there and effective while the film spends most of its running time focusing on the humor. While not every joke in this movie works (it definitely has its share of clunkers), there are definitely some laugh out loud moments to be found. The songs while not especially memorable are a lot of fun and often feature quite clever lyrics. 

This may not be a masterpiece but for cartoon lovers and fans of the show there is a lot to enjoy. 

-Michael J. Ruhland   

Cowboy Church #73

 Hello my friends and welcome to another service of Cowboy Church. 

Today's music selection begins with Charley Pride's recording of This Highway Leads to Glory. This song was written by Lassaye Holmes, who also wrote a Christmas song Charley recorded called Christmas in My Home Town. This recording comes from Charley's first gospel album 1971's Did You Think to Pray. Next comes the Queen of Rockabilly herself, Wanda Jackson with the song Jesus Cares For Me. This comes from Wanda's 1973 album Country Gospel. For this album, Wanda leaves behind her rock and roll to do some gospel songs in a pure country style. She proves that she is just as great at country ballads as she is at fast rockers and singing this type of music you quickly realize just how great her voice really is. This is followed by Alan Jackson singing How Great Thou Art. This classic hymn was originally based on a poem by Swedish Pastor Carl Gustav Boberg. He wrote this poem after walking home one day and a sudden storm came. When the storm stopped he saw the clear bay in front of him and heard a church bell in the distance. This inspired him to write the poem. He first published it in 1886. When he published it again in Witness of the Truth (A Newspaper he edited in 1891, it included both words and music. The English language version we all know was translated by missionary Stuart K. Hine. This is followed by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with Jesus Loves the Little Children. This comes from a 1955 Little Golden Record that also included them singing The Good Lord is Going to Take Care of You.   This song was written by C. Herbert Woolston and is said to have been inspired by Matthew 19:14 ( “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.”) The song is to the tune of the 1864 Civil War song, Tramp Tramp Tramp (written by George Fredrick Root). Roy and Dale only sing the refrain of this song as that is all that was commonly used in Sunday schools. However these are not the only lyrics to this song. To see the full lyrics click here: http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/j/e/s/l/jesloves.htm . This is followed by The Sons of the Pioneers performing Suddenly There's a Valley from their 1963 gospel album, Hymns of the Cowboy. Today's musical selection ends with Johnny Cash singing I Talk to Jesus Everyday. This recording comes from his 1971 album Man in Black. It is important for us Christians to remember that God is not just our Lord but our friend and we can and should have a personal relationship with him. This is a true blessing that the Lord and creator of everything should want to be our friend and spend time with each one of us. At the beginning Johnny talks about how all superstars pale in comparison with Jesus Christ. As much as anyone who reads a blog like this loves great entertainers and as much as I love them, there is only one God and he is infinitely greater than all of the great entertainers put together. 

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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

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. John 4:18

Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.' Mark 10:27

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 3:3-6

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

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

Happy are the people whose God is the LORD! Psalm 144:15

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  Romans 10:9

 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7:25

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out. Acts 3:19

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgw_yprN_-w&feature=emb_title


-Michael J. Ruhland 

Silent Films on TCM This September

 Hello my fellow TCM fans and silent film lovers, to make sure you don't miss a thing here is a list of all the silent films that will be playing on TCM this September. Unfortunately there is not much this month. After taking a month long break for Summer Under the Stars, Silent Sunday Nights seems to be taking another month long break as Sundays are dedicated to September's Star of the Month, Dorothy Dandridge. Luckily from looking forward at the schedule Silent Sunday Nights appears to be coming back in October, but the lack of silents for September is very disappointing. Still the very few that will be shown are great movies that I always enjoy seeing. Also on the bright side (though not silent) I am looking forward to Leonard Maltin hosting classic short subjects on the 14th. 

 

Wednesday, September 9th

The Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926) Director: Lotte Reiniger. 4:45am Pacific. 7:45 am Eastern.

Sunday September, 13th

The Ace of Hearts (1921) Director: Wallace Worsley. Starring Lon Chaney and John Bowers. 10:15pm Pacific. 1:15am Eastern. 

Monday, September, 21st

Flesh and the Devil (1926) Director: Clarence Brown. Starring John Gilbert and Greta Garbo. 

-Michael J. Ruhland 

Some Cartoons For Saturday Morning #86

 Hello my friends and happy Saturday morning, once again it is time for another selection of classic cartoons. 

First up is a classic World War 2 themed Merrie Melodies cartoon, The Fifth-Column Mouse (1943). This film differs from most of the World War Two propaganda cartoons of this era as there is no sign of Nazis, Hitler or Japanese soldiers. The cartoon is more of an allegory, albeit not a subtle one. While the political overtones may go over a modern kid's head (if the child is not familiar with World War 2 history) there is no doubt that movie audiences knew exactly what this cartoon was referring to upon its release. The music in this film is delightful and I especially love the rendition of  Blues in the Night . 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRvw4rVqYMM&feature=emb_title

Next comes another Merrie Melodies cartoon from 1943, Fin N' Catty (1943). Though this is not one of the better known Warner Brothers cartoons, it is one I have always had a special fondness for since I first saw it as a kid. The storyline is a simple cartoon story we are all familiar with a cat tries to eat a fish with little luck. Yet director Chuck Jones and writer Michael Maltase (the same team who brought us the Coyote and Roadrunner cartoons as the "Duck Season, Rabbit Season trilogy) find a nice twist on this formula often playing on fact that cats hate water. The ending gag and the opening narration definitely make this cartoon stand out for me. One exhibitors review (from the Motion Picture Herald) shows the writer confusing this with another Warner Brothers cartoon. This is that review: "FIN-N-CATTY: Merrie Melodies Cartoons—Good cartoon with the 'Jerry Colona Worm.'—Ralph Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va." The "Jerry Colona Worm" appears in only two cartoons, The Wacky Worm (1941) and Greetings Bait (1943). The cat's design here is similar to the one used in later Warner Brothers cartoons (directed by Robert McKimson) It's Hummer Time (1950), A Fractured Leghorn (1950) and Early to Bet (1951). The design is also very similar to a differently colored cat Chuck Jones used in The Aristo-Cat (1943).  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6q_7HXN09A&feature=emb_title

Next comes a cartoon who's title explains the basic story, Cat Meets Mouse (1942). If any of you have ever seen a cartoon before, you know the basic storyline from reading that title. If the opening gag of this Terry-Toon seems completely tasteless today, it must be remembered that in 1942, nobody working on this cartoon knew the true horrors of a concentration camp. This may not be on the level of say Tom and Jerry but it is a delightful cartoon in its own right. A 1942 issue of the Motion Picture Herald lets us know that this cartoon played with the feature To The Shores of Tripoli (1942) at the Roxy the "week of April 4th" and the "week of April 11th." A review in The Motion Picture Herald describes this cartoon by stating "Paul Terry's appealing characters, the cat and the mouse, are engaged in a naval conflict in this reel." The review later states, "It should bring laughs."   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPnN_CuCsLE&feature=emb_title

Now for a Garfield Quickie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bom4p5RVEIk&feature=emb_title

What are Saturday Morning cartoons without cereal. 

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Hanna-Barbera's Abbott and Costello TV cartoon from 1967 is of special interest to Abbott and Costello fans because Bud Abbott does his own voice. Unfortunately Lou Costello had passed by this time and the part was taken over by Stan Irwin. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzWyCtTzPkM&feature=emb_title

Let us end with a song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_npKpGl0coc&feature=emb_title

Thanks for joining me come back next week for more animated treasures. Until then may all your tunes be looney and your melodies merry.

-Michael J. Ruhland 

The Grand Ole Opry in 1948 and 1957

 For any country music fan (like me), The Grand Ole Opry is a place with a special magic that can never be described. It is not just where many great country singers preform, but it is a place where so much important music history has happened and in many ways the home of country music. Even though Waylon Jennings and Nashville did not even come close to seeing eye to eye, still in his song Bob Wills is Still the King he sang "You can hear the Grand Ol' Opry in Nashville Tennessee. Its the home of country music on that we all agree." It is hard to even guess where country music would be today if it wasn't for the Grand Ole Opry, but the history of the genre would be drastically different. 

Tonight let us take a look at two years of the Grand Ole Opry, 1948 and 1957. The following pages come from a 1948 issue and a 1957 issue of Radio and Television Mirror. If you have trouble reading these pages click on them and use your touch screen to zoom in. 

                                             1948

1957

-Michael J. Ruhland 

 

Cowboy Church #72

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

Since for some reason videos on this blog seem to not show up on some devices for some reason each video will be followed by a link to where you watch the video elsewhere. 

Today's musical selection begins with Little Jimmy Dickens singing Alone With God. Though Jimmy Dickens is best remembered today for his joking around and novelty songs like May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose, he could deliver a powerful emotional song with the best of them. Listening to his vocal treatment of this song it is hard not to the notice the pure emotion in his voice. This is followed by Hank Snow singing My Religion's Not Old-Fashioned (But It's Real Genuine). This recording comes from his 1966 gospel album Gospel Train. The song was written by one of the true giants of cowboy gospel music, Stuart Hamblin (It's No Secret What God Can Do). This song has a message that is just as important to us today (if not more so) than when Hank recorded this song. Being a Christian should not become something old fashioned. The world often tries to look at it as such, but the word of God is just as true today as it always has been and therefore God is always relevant regardless of what is happening in the world around us. Speaking of Stuart Hamblin, up next is one of his most popular compositions, This Ole House. This is the very first recording of the song, sung by Stuart himself in 1954. Later the same year Rosemary Clooney would record the song and take it to number 1 on the charts. The story goes that Stuart was inspired to write this song when he and John Wayne went hunting and came across a hut with a dead man inside but a dog outside still faithfully guarding the place. This is followed by Roy Rogers with A Cowboy's Sunday Prayer. This recording comes from his (and his wife Dale Evans') 1959 gospel album Jesus Loves Me. Next is Johnny Cash (joined by The Carter Family and the Statler Brothers) on a 1971 episode of The Johnny Cash TV Show, performing a medley of gospel songs ( Old Time Religion, The Fourth Man and The Old Account). Despite how many tough outlaw songs he recorded, gospel music was always the music closest to Johnny's heart and when he decided to become a singer professionally, he wanted to be a gospel singer. When he got his own TV show, he wanted to make sure that gospel music played a prominent part. This was not something the networks and executives were happy about, but Johnny made sure that all throughout his shows run there would be gospel music mixed in with the country and rock and roll. Today's musical selection ends with The Sons of the Pioneers singing, He Walks With the Wild and the Lonely. This recording comes from their 1963 gospel album Hymns of the Cowboy. 

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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

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense ; he has become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2

Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD. Proverbs 16:20

 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:3

Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. Mark 11:35

For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions. Matthew 6:14-15

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 

Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. Proverbs 28:13

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 1 John 2:1

If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink Proverbs 25:31

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you Matthew 5:44 

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. Romans 12:17

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgw_yprN_-w


-Michael J. Ruhland