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georgestrum
Reviews
Wonder (2017)
Wonder is Wonderful Julia Could Have Been More So
This was a wonderful film that the whole family could enjoy with one
exception. I was disappointed in Julia Robert's very understated performance. She was the only actor who didn't shed a tear. real or faked. There is the old acting school theory that shed a tear on stage the audience won't. On the contrary I found all the stars emotionally moving but "wonder" why Julia did not.
Safety Last! (1923)
Great films should be turned into a musical
My hands still sweat whenever I see Harold climb up the buildings side. I try to look for evidence of his accident to his hand but have a hard time noticing it. I read somewhere that he actually used a "double" for any closeup shot of his hands. He wore a special glove for distance shots. What a great musical could be made based on his films. A musical with the catchy tunes of the 20s with an agile actor who can sing and dance his way through Harold Lloyd like predicaments would be fun. It would have to be approved of by his granddaughter Susan who I believe handles his estate. A friend of mine met Harol Lloyd in person and found him to be very friendly and nice gentleman. I am glad they have restored his films. TCM should show them more often.
It (1927)
Musical comedy potential
"It" has elements for a great musical comedy translation. One was attempted back in 2002 by McKibbins and Mcnicholl. It didn't run long unfortunately at least not as long as the more popular musical "Thoroughly Modern Millie" also based on a previous film. I saw the play and found the creators trying to place elements of Millie into It which may be the reason for the musical's failure. Perhaps the stage version should have opened like the film did. We first see Clara Bow as the It girl already and not transforming into one. Perhaps the effete Monty should have been played up more. All the other plot elements are there including the Coney Island and Yacht party scenes to the climatic rescue at sea. I love the movie "It" so much I was hoping and cheering on the musical to be more successful but it wasn't. I must confess I was a little disappointed. Perhaps some community theatre or high school may revive...."it" .
The Ten Commandments (1923)
A revision of the modern portion would be smart
This version with a "modern" story is wonderful. When DeMille revised it he left out the modern story and told more fully the story of Moses from the beginning. I'd like to see them revise just the modern portion. I would bring the story up to the 21st century with perhaps changing the characters to Afro-Americans. The mother can become a very religious church lady who meets her fatal end during an Easter service when the church collapses. You would involve hundreds of people and not just her as in the original. The feuding brothers show the current status of Afro-Americans today. The upper and lower class. Maybe someone seeing this just might. The modern story may relate more to people's lives today.
The Fraidy Cat (1924)
Young Joe Cobb
Joe Cobb is most interesting to watch. He was the youngest of the bunch and very precocious. He must have been something in real life. A very smart child who probably was able to follow the director's directions well. He may have been a little bit of a bully and bossy with a loud sassy mouth. I can imagine him causing some trouble and mischief with the other boys on the set. Too bad his career ended early but he ended up working on planes during WWII and stayed with it till he retired in 1981. I wonder what he looked like in later years and if he remained a heavy person. He reminded me of a young Jackie Gleason. Perhaps Jackie Gleason saw these films as a child himself.
Music in the Air (1934)
Music In The Air Music To Your Ears
This was an excellent adaptation to film from the stage hit by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II. The opening Alpine scene reminds you of a later film, "Sound of Music". A strong screenplay by Howard Young and Billy Wilder that avoided becoming too saccharine.Gloria Swanson was given top billing as a tempestuous German Prima Donna and she did all her own singing which was quite good. She really was a hoot in her role and she really was a natural for comedy. John Boles plays the show's lyric writer and is suave as ever and sung on his own rather well too. Douglas Montgomery is fun to watch. He's a little bit on the goofy side and his songs were dubbed by a James O'Brien. June Lang played the heroine trying to break into show business but fails. Her vocals were dubbed as well by a Betty Hiestand. Ms. Lang showed great effort but like her character she played, doesn't quite cut it. Perhaps she took the same advice and went home. We never heard from her again. Al Shean is also a classic act as the Poppa.
Easter Parade (1948)
A Musical Among The Greatest
From start to finish this film ranks highly with the best of the best movie musicals like "Singin' In The Rain" does. The way Fred handles the pesky little kid in the toy shop is precious. Notice the wary shop help in the background keep eye. Look for Fred trying to cajole Ann on to the terrace to dance and she refuses due to the cold then warms herself by the fire, so realistic. Fast forward to the "Girl On The Magazine Cover" in a Zigfeld Roof production number. How glamorous to see a beautiful woman who can dance with a chorus of handsome men in tuxedos. When was that last done in the 21st Century? I highly recommend this picture if you never have seen it. I guarantee you'll want to see it again and again.