Safe at Home…at the Movies

By Stephanie Mardesich

With more time to watch movies in the comfort of one's abode due to the "safe at home" recommendation during the virus crisis, I've been asked about some of my all-time favorite films for entertainment, to enlighten and inspire. Having basic "antenna T.V." and no special cable access per se means there are fewer options than many have access to however some that are available are MoviesTVNetwork, standard T.V. channel options and their "layers", DVDs and VHS still work. For others with more technology links, there's Amazon or other "streaming" resources.

So what to choose?

To paraphrase the illustrious director Peter Bogdanovich (The Last Picture Show, Paper Moon, What's Up Do? among his many credits) there aren't simply old movies, rather wonderful movies you might never have seen before. There are so many flicks I can view over and over and always glean something special from the elements of plot, acting, dialogue, costumes, music, art direction, and cinematography that compose a movie and define its greatness or not. Admittedly my propensity is for films are from the late 1930s to 1950s, in my opinion, the truly golden age of Hollywood and indeed the world.

To begin this new column or series, you might appreciate, ironically in this germ wartime concern, one of my all-time favorite films is Casablanca (Warner Bros., 1942, directed by Michael Curtiz;102 min.). With nine Academy Award® nominations and three wins for Best Picture, Director, Script it's always alluring whether I'm on a plane winging from the U.K. back to America, or at home on the telly, I'll still tune in.

Intriguing from the moment, the picture opens with the imposing titles and exotic music and world the map focusing in on French Morocco in the peak of WWII in Europe with people scrambling to obtain exit papers to depart for the free world; and Vichy vs. "free French" government in conflict.

"Rick's" Cafe American glamorous nightclub is the hub and a crossroads for military, local and international society to intersect. Ruggedly debonair proprietor Richard "Rick" Blain (Humphrey Bogart) "ex-patriot" with a mysterious, if not evil past, is master of his domain. His covert pal cum nemeses police Captain Renault (Claude Rains) conveniently looks the other way with respect to gambling in the back room, more often toward the way of some potential feminine conquest who he can "help" to his end. The mood is dramatic, sexy, and suspenseful with mayhem and murder. Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman) arrives in luminescent glow with her companion (actually husband) resistance fighter Victor Laslo (Paul Henreid) seeking exit papers, and it's apparent she and Rick have a past. The action that ensues is perfectly paced until the noble (nearly happy) ending. Superb supporting cast includes S.Z. Sakall, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre, Conrad Veidt and Dooley Wilson as (play it again) “Sam” crooning the melancholy As Time Goes By. And see it again, and again, and again.

Corresponding to the ex-pat wartime theme, take a look at To Have and Have Not (Warner Bros., 1944, directed by Howard Hawks; 100 min.). Based on a novel by Ernest Hemingway, scripted by James Furthman and William Faulkner, it's the first pairing of Humphrey Bogart (Harry Morgan) "Bogie and (Lauren) Bacall" (Slim) and the famous "you know how to whistle" line. Walter Brennan (Eddie) adds a comic touch, and Hogey Carmichael (Cricket) smoothly tickling the ivories to Slim's sultry singing adds to the sensual undertone of her somewhat mysterious character, a gal on the run, but from what?

Continuing the WWII theme and personal favorite Since You Went Away (Selznick International, 1944, directed by John Cromwell and "un-credited" Edward F. Cline, Tay Garnett, David O.Selznick; 172 min.). Nine Oscar® nods, one win (for another Max Steiner exquisite score). A movie I've admired since childhood viewing on television (I didn't watch cartoons except for Betty Boop) with a most touching account of the pathos and romance of war, then again is war ever really "romantic" or only in the reflective memory? Claudette Colbert, Jennifer Jones, Joseph Cotton, Hattie McDaniel, Shirley Temple, Robert Walker, Lionel Barrymore, Agnes Moorhead and Monty Woolley compose a cast that is a total "star lineup" that shines through the decades.

Tender Comrade (R.K.O., 1943, directed by Edward Dmytryk; 102 min.) is another evocative film of the era, with a script by Dalton Trumbo (of "Hollywood 10" infamy) speaking to patriotism. Ginger Rogers, as stalwart wartime wife (Jo Jones) turned widow working in a defense plant while her man Robert Ryan (Chris Jones) is at the front lines as told in flashback and cathartic correspondence. Ruth Hussey (Barbara Thomas) and Jane Darwell (Mrs. Henderson) turn in ever-memorable performances.

On a more light-hearted note, and laughter is the best medicine, I Was A Male War Bride (20th Century Fox, 1949, directed by Howard Hawks; 105 min.) would boost endorphins. French military officer Captain Henri Richard (droll Cary Grant) is assigned to work with American counterpart Lt. Catherine Gates (WW II pin-up gal Ann Sheridan) in post-WWII Germany. After an initial conflict, love ensues, they marry, and she's to return to the U.S.A. though the only way for him to join her is to masquerade as a female war bride under the auspices of America's 1945 War Brides Act. Madcap antics with Grant's perfect timing and charm and Sheridan's down to earth sensuality are a delight for the endorphins and truly uplifting "medicine" for the spirit.

Speaking of spirit, don't forget to enjoy your favorite while viewing (libation or non-alcoholic). Buckle up for a cinematic journey via the silver screen of home viewing, Enjoy the ride and movies that have endured the test of time. Get your popcorn ready!

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; credited 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)