“Still Safe At Home At the Movies….From Harvest To Halloween” October 2020 Vol, I, No. 7 by Stephanie Mardesich
“Still Safe At Home At the Movies….From Harvest To Halloween” October 2020
by Stephanie Mardesich
October is typically harvest time, especially in the wine country of California’s Napa and Sonoma Valleys. As the season shifts from summer to autumn, with brilliant amber, gold colors it’s also a time of spooky themes with tales of witches, goblins and Jack O’Lanterns culminating with long-standing tradition in the USA “All Hollows Eve” often celebrated Halloween Day October 31.
Many intriguing and entertaining movies to view, get your candy ready – trick or treat!
This Earth Is Mine (USA, Universal International Pictures, 1959, 114 min., dir. Henry King)
Big budget “50s” movie with more bravado than substance depicts family saga set in beautiful and beguiling Napa, California wine country in 1931, with many familiar winery locations. Prohibition has been in effect for over a decade yet the Rambeau dynasty has prevailed under the helm of patriarch Phillipe Rambeau (Claude Rains) and lovely wife Charlotte (Anna Lee) by his side. He wants nothing to do with bootleggers or illegal business, while descendent John Rambeau (Rock Hudson) is for financial gain and progress. When English cousin Elizabeth Rambeau (Jean Simmons) arrives, there’s been a pre-arrangement for her to marry the scion of another vineyard owner, though John has other ideas, fanning romantic flame (they’re only distant cousins!) It’s a “grape opera” where the bubbles aren’t only in the sparkling wine. Doesn’t get a great rating, however it’s a Technicolor picture with fine acting (Dorothy McGuire also in the cast), much drama and truly entertaining.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053355/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_59
Random Harvest (USA, MGM, 1942, 126 min., dir. Mervyn LeRoy)
World War I veteran and victim of amnesia Charles Rainier (Ronald Colman) falls in love with a music hall star Paula (Greer Garson), then suffers an accident which restores his original memories though obliterates his post-war life. It’s a romantic mystery story reflecting the trauma of war with the disruption of ordinary life, and the valor to find redemption in overwhelming circumstances. Reliable support cast includes Melville Cooper and Alan Napier and lovely Susan Peters as Kitty.
Based on James Hilton’s 1941 novel - he also wrote the novels that were adapted to the silver screen Lost Horizon and Goodbye, Mr. Chips - though curiously he did not pen the script, yet shared the Oscar® in 1943 for the Mrs. Miniver screenplay. Film garnered seven Academy Awardâ noinations including “Best” picture, director, actor (Colman), supporting actress (Peters) indicates the high caliber of the movie.
Read the book, then see the movie – you won’t be disappointed!
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035238/?ref_=fn_al_tt_
Shine On Harvest Moon (USA, Warner Bros.,1944, 112 min.,dir.David Butler)
Sometimes contrary to conventional wisdom one does choose a book because of the cover and, similarly, this movie for the title and humming the popular old-fashioned popular tune of the same name. Listen and hum: “Shine on , shine on harvest moon, up in the sky, I ain’t had no lovin’ since January, February, June or July…” Shine On Harvest Moon is the biographical story of early twentieth century vaudeville and Broadway husband-and-wife stars Nora Bayes (Ann Sheridan) and Jack Norworth (Dennis Morgan). Sheridan, 1940s “siren” (aka “the Oomph Girl”) and WWII G.I. pin up gal, was never lovelier and Morgan never handsomer. Cast includes always-charming S.Z. Sakall as Papa Carl, and an early role for “bombshell” Marie Wilson as Margie.”
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037273/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
A Walk In The Clouds (USA, 20th Century Fox, 1995, 104 min., PG-13, dir. Alfonso Arau)
Returning WWII married veteran Paul Sutton (Keanu Reeves) returns home to northern California. He meets Victoria Aragon (Aitana Sánchez-Gijón) who’s with child, however without husband. Gallantly Paul agrees to help Victoria by feigning to be her spouse to fend off the disgrace and ire of her father, winemaker Don Pedro Aragon (Anthony Quinn) of Napa Valley. With the deception romance ensues, and precarious situation of fire and mayhem in the wine country (is it really 2020?). Fans of Reeves will appreciate his handsome, sensitive demeanor. See this romantic movie to find out the outcome, happy and/or sad. Early film role for Debra Messing (Betty Sutton) prior to Will & Grace fame.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114887/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Hocus Pocus (USA, Walt Disney Pictures, 1993, 96 min., PG, dir. Kenny Ortega)
Double, double, toil & trouble – could the trio of witches the Sanderson sisters Winifred (Bette Midler), Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker), and Mary (Kathy Najimy) be reincarnated from the Bard’s Macbeth or indeed the “witch trials” of 17th century America? Unintentionally, the new boy in the old town of Salem, Max (Omni Katz), releases the condemned siblings, who look particularly weird (no Red Carpet couture here) to have one night to retain their prior status, which with bumbling efforts they just might achieve.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107120/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Bell, Book and Candle (USA, Columbia Pictures, 1958, 104 min., dir. Richard Quine)
Based on the Broadway play Gillian Holroyd (Kim Novak) has a NYC gallery featuring unique, if not primitive, objet d’art, though her avocation “shields” the fact she’s a modern day witch with subtle powers that link to her feline counterpart, a cat know as Pye. New tenant in the building, where she also resides above her showroom, Shepherd Henderson (James Stewart) intrigues her and she casts a love spell, only to realize her conscience precludes using her supernatural powers to destroy his engagement to Merle Kittrage (Janice Rule) and win his affection. Her aunt Queenie (Elsa Lancaster) offers comic relief to sultry Novak, along with Jack Lemmon as her brother Nicky, who also demonstrates his musical talent (he really did play piano very well). Hermione Gingold and Ernie Kovacs add more droll moments. Two Oscarâ nods for “Best” art direction in b&w and costume design (Jean Louis). Novak and Lemmon later appeared romantically involved in The Notorious Landlady.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051406/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Bednobs and Broomsticks (USA, Walt Disney Productions, 1971, 117 min., G, dir. Robert Stevenson)
Bednobs and Broomsticks (USA, Walt Disney Productions, 1971, 117 min., G, dir. Robert Stevenson) Set in WWII England Charmin, mixing live action and animation with musical numbers this adventure story of three young children sent from London to safely reside in the country with Miss Price (Angela Lansbury), secretly an “apprentice” witch, is full of surprises. One of the children finds out and attempts to blackmail her or disclose her secret. She balks and the magical journey takes her and charges back to London where they align with Emilius Browne (David Tomlinson) “headmaster” of the witch’s correspondence course Miss Price subscribes to, evading the ambiguous clergyman Mr.Jelk (Roddy McDowall), and ultimately help in the war effort. Cast includes veteran actors Sam Jaffe and Reginald Owen. Typically excellent production values from “the Mouse” with five Oscar nods and one win for Best Effects, Special Visual Effects. Lansbury nominated for a Golden Globe ® as “Best Actress in Comedy or Musical.”
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066817/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2
Practical Magic (USA, Warner Bros., 1998, 104 min., PG13, dir. Griffin Dunne)
Sisters Sally Owens (Sandra Bullock) and Gillian Owens (Nicole Kidman) happen to be witches who were raised by maiden aunts Francis (Stockard Channing) and Jet (Dianne Weist) in the family homestead on a remote island off the Massachusetts coast. The town suspects the ladies lineage, however the coven is kept covert. The myth prevails any men they become involved with are doomed to a faltering fate.
Sally’s more subdued personality and marries Michael (Mark Feuerstein) and has two daughters. Michael meets an untimely demise seeming to fulfill the curse. More outgoing Gillian has moved away seeking freedom and a man. She returns home to console her sister, with her latest (abusive) beau Jimmy (Goran Visnjic), and he too succumbs to “accidental” death. Ever faithful Gary Hallett (Aidan Quinn) adds to the potential romance for sibling Sally. Entertaining yet dark story, with underlying comic mood, and thespian talent on par with Stockard Channing and Dianne Weist as the “auntie witches.”. See the flick to find out if the witches can survive their suspicious history.
One more heartwarming fun suggestion, made for TV “short” animation film:
It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
(USA, Lee Mendelson Film Productions, Bill Melendez Productions, United Feature Syndicate)
1966, 25 min., dir. Bill Melendez)
For fans of Charles Schultz beloved cartoon strip Peanuts this animated short is nostalgic yet timeless. As Linus patiently hopes he will at last meet “The Great Pumpkin” will he receive real candy in his Halloween treat bag? And will Charlie Brown end up with a trick or treat? Tune in to find out!
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060550/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2
Stephanie Mardesich, a native of San Pedro from a family who arrived in the harbor area over 100 years ago. An alumna of U.S.C. School of Cinematic Arts; founder-director of the LA Harbor International Film Festival; accredited journalist and public relations consultant, she launched "Cinema Stephanie" film critique blogette in 2017. More recently, she created "Eclectic Culture" lifestyle stories and reviews blog. She is also co-producer with Jack Baric (S.P. native and R.P.V. resident) of the oral history project Stories of Los Angeles Harbor Area: For Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (SOLAHA) - Volume II debuted in March 2020.
For more see:
(to look up films) www.imdb.com
www.laharborfilmfest.com( Cinema Stephanie blogette)
www.storieslaharborarea.com (histories/stories)