“(Still) Safe At Home – Bridges At The Movies” Volume II, No. 4 (May 2021) By Movie Expert Stephanie Mardesich
“(Still) Safe At Home – Bridges At The Movies”
By Movie Expert Stephanie Mardesich
Bridges span over water, highways, canyons, and walkways to link land separated by rivers, lakes, channels; and the “gap” of space traversed from one side to the other. A bridge by any other name could be an actor, title, or plot inspired by the concept.
Many films with “bridge” in the theme have become classics of the cinema, with corresponding links to names and titles. So many movies are also connected to war time eras, especially WWs I &II and Korea. In that respect it’s timely to consider, vis a vis Memorial Day national holiday on last Monday of May, those “fallen” men and women who served in the United States of America armed forces.
The consecrated day began as a holiday and time of remembrance to honor soldiers who died in the American Civil War and has come to represent and honor all veterans who sacrificed their lives for their country. There are many public ceremonies including locally at Green Hills Memorial Park (TBD if it will occur this year due to virus restrictions) and one I’ve attended several times at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana, with the most dignified ceremony and excellent speakers. Though the holiday (weekend) has become as much a time for barbeques, beach clean-up, and pre-summer kick off, its origins are far more poignant and patriotic.
Take a trip on your own “cinematic bridge” and consider some expansive films with pathos and humor suggested here.
Bridges of Toko-Ri (USA, Pearlberg-Seton Productions, 1954,104 min., dir. Mark Robson)
Based on James Michener novel (1953) stars William Holden (Lt. Harry Brubaker) as WWII USA Navy veteran fighter pilot called back into service in escalating Korean conflict; and Grace Kelly (Nancy Brubaker) as his wife whom he must “desert” along with their two young children to get back in action. An attorney by profession and man of conscience Brubaker is ambivalent about the conflict and serving his country. Another tragic tale of war and its impact in the Asian Pacific arena.
.https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046806/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
The Bridge On The River Kwai (UK/USA, Horizon Pictures, 1957, 141 min., PG, dir. David Lean)
Toward end of WW II in south east Asia allied prisoners of war (POWs) in a Japanese internment camp are ordered to build a bridge to accommodate the Burma-Siam railway. Instinct would be to sabotage the bridge while under construction, however under leadership of Colonel Nicholson (Alec Guiness) the prisoners are ordered to do the work or suffer extreme consequences and it’s determined the bridge should be built with quality representing the English ethic also for morale and spirit. Nicholson stoically endures torture rather than compromising principles for the will of stalwart, if not sadistic, Japanese Commandant Colonel Saito (Sessue Hayakawa). Miraculously American POW Shears (William Holden) escapes and survives. Though convalescing he’s ordered to return to the danger zone to head up a brigade to destroy the bridge that might be more of a monument to Nicholson as well as a form of collaboration with the enemy. It’s a complicated story to consider with Jacobean outcome.
Eight Academy Award® nominations with seven wins including “Best Picture, Director, Score” and “Best Actor” for Guiness. Lean also garnered Directors Guild of America (DGA) Award for “Best Director.”
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050212/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
Bridge To The Sun (France/USA, Cite Films, 1961, 108 min., dir. Etienne Perier)
Based on true story by American Gwendolen Harold from Tennessee and her marriage to attaché to Japanese diplomat. Gwen (Carroll Baker) meets Hidinari Tasaki “Terry”(James Shigeta) pre-WWII at a party in Washington, D.C. A romance ensues and against mores of time they marry. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor “Terry” is forced to return to Japan though he wants Gwen to stay in America. She chooses to accompany her husband though is not prepared for the stricter patriarchal customs of Japan and there’s much tension. They have a child who is also subjected to humiliation for being mixed race. Very dramatic and sad, however a path setting movie with Shigeta in particular a leading man of Asian descent in relationship with “Occidental” – and he was the first to do that in another film (Krimson Kimono) and an interesting article about that link here:
Film had Golden Globe nomination for “Best Film Promoting International Understanding” that’s intriguing category possibly never considered again, and should be.
More important is to consider Shigeta (what a handsome and sincere actor from Elvis’s co-star in Paradise Hawaiian Style to Flower Drum Song) and Baker’s compelling performances that transcend any racial concerns.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054701/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
View From the Bridge (France/Italy, Transcontinental Films, 1962, 118 min., dir. Sidney Lumet)
Screen adaptation of Arthur Miller play is story of NY longshoreman Eddie Carbone (Raf Vallone) unhappily married to Beatrice (Maureen Stapleton) and in his own denial covets their niece Catherine (Carol Lawrence) they have
raised like their daughter. Two illegal immigrant brothers Marco (Raymond Pellegrin) and Rodolpho (Jean Sorel) arrive
from Italy and stay with the Carbone family. Catherine falls for Rodolpho to Eddie’s distress, and vindictively Eddie turns in the aliens to the authorities. Compelling performances in this intense drama.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056668/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2
Buona Sera Mrs. Campbell
(USA, Connaught Productions (Eng.French,Italian), 1968, 108 min., M/PG, dir. Melvin Frank)
As a “bridge” between Italy and the USA the gorgeous Gina Lollobrigida (Carla Campbell), “Italian bomb shell” of her era (women emulated her chic hair style, men ogled her) and international star, is delightful in this post WWII story that’s slightly risqué, mostly charming movie. Three diverse American soldiers believed they were the “only one” in the life of the ingénue beauty they took refuge and “comfort” with during stint in Carla’s hometown in war torn Italy. The GIs depart and Carla is expecting a baby, not exactly sure who the true father is so she makes up a fantasy parent army officer “Campbell” to maintain a respectable image. She remains in contact with the trio telling each about (his) daughter Gia (Janet Margolin). All contributed financial support from abroad, though Carla never expected to actually any of them again.
About 20 years after the war a reunion junket to Italy and each of the “fathers” wants to be their for their grown up little (now grown up) girl and for Carla. Phil Silvers (Phil Newman),Telly Savales (Walter Braddock), Peter Lawford (Justin Young) are the ardent would be dads, discreetly not telling their spouses about Carla and Gia (played by Lee Grant, Shelly Winters, Dina Merrill respectively). Chaotic and amusing antics ensue with a happy outcome. Three Golden Globe nods including best foreign film, actress, song.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062767/awards?ref_=tt_awd
A Bridge Too Far (USA/UK, 1977, 175 min., PG, dir. Richard Attenborough)
True story of Operation Market Garden, Allies attempt in September 1944, to accelerate end of WW II by driving through Belgium and Holland into Germany. Plan was for U.S.A. airborne divisions to take the towns of Eindhoven and Nijmegen and British airborne division, reinforced by Polish airborne brigade, to take the town of Arnhem. They would be then reinforced by the British XXX Corps, land-based and driving up from the British lines in the south.
Key to the operation was the bridges, as if the Germans held or blew them up, the paratroopers could not be relieved. Faulty intelligence, Allied high command pride, and stubborn German resistance would ensure that Arnhem was a bridge too far.
Starry cast includes (alphabetically): Dirk Bogarde, James Caan, Michael Caine, Sean Connery, Ben Cross, Edward Fox, Elliott Gould, Gene Hackman, Arthur Hill, Anthony Hopkins, Laurence Olivier, Ryan O’Neal, Maximillian Schell, Liv Ullman and more in the “second string.” Archival footage includes dignitaries of the era: Omar Bradley,
Charles deGalle, Winston Churchill, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Bernard L.”Monty” Montgomery, George S. Patton. BAFTA nods, no Oscars®.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075784/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
The Bridges of Madison County (USA, Warner Bros., 1995, 135 min., PG-13, dir. Clint Eastwood)
Screen adaptation of popular book by same name (Robert James Waller) about photographer Robert Kincaid (Clint Eastwood) taking photos of covered bridges in heartland mid-west America (Iowa) in summer of 1964. He meets local housewife Francesca Johnson (Meryl Streep), Italian immigrant WWII bride whose husband and two teen aged children are out of town, when he stops at her farm seeking directions to a particular bridge. Against her “better judgment” she offers to show him the way. All indications are that she is content, yet unfulfilled and their brief encounter leads to a passionate four day experience that she writes about in her private journals later discovered by her children upon her death. Another (Italian) “accent” adding to Streep’s repertoire who also garnered Oscarâ nod for “Best Actress” (lost to Susan Sarandon for Dead Man Walking). Attempt to translate to Broadway musical was noble effort, yet didn’t last past six months.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112579/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Bridge of Spies (USA/Germany/India, Dreamworks Pictures, 2015, 142 min., PG13, dir. Steven Spielberg)
Could be called a “Cold War Thriller” based on what occurred with regard to U.S. A. pilot of U-2 “spy plane” Francis Gary Powers who was shot down and incarcerated in U.S.S.R. then returned to America in complicated “prisoner
exchange” involving Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance). Co-stars Tom Hanks and Alan Alda, among other notables. Six Oscar® nods with three wins including “Best Picture, Writing and Supporting Actor” (Rylance)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3682448/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_6
21 Bridges (China/USA, AGBO/Huayi Bros. Media, 2019, 99 min., dir. Brian Kirk)
Stars late popular actor Chadwick Boseman as NYPD detective Andre Davis immersed in a citywide manhunt for a pair of cop killers after uncovering a massive conspiracy, with Manhattan completely locked down for the first time in its history with entry or exit to the island including all 21 bridges that link the island of Manhattan the “main land” of New Jersey and beyond. Co-stars Sienna Miller (Frankie Burns).
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8688634/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
The Fabulous Baker Boys (USA, Gladden Entertainment, 1989, 114 min., R, dir. Steve Kloves)
Two Bridges for one with real life brothers actors Beau and Jeff playing (respectively) musician brothers Frank and Jeff Baker. The fellows have a successful dual piano lounge act that could use some “jazzing” up so they bring in girl singer Susie Diamond (Michelle Phieffer)who adds a sexy sultry quality to the act, and some tension between the siblings. Frank is married with children and more straight arrow stable; Jeff has few commitments and usually “one night stands” with regard to romance, though he cares about the teen child who resides in same apartment building he calls home. Film garnered four Oscar® nods including “Best Actress” for Phieffer (who in beguiling manner actually sang her role), though she lost to octogenarian Jessica Tandy for Driving Miss Daisy.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097322/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Bridget Jones Diary (UK/France/USA, Miramax/Universal Pictures, 2001, 97 min., dir. Sharon Maguire)
Helen Fielding’s popular novel was adapted for the screen by the author. As the title character Bridget Jones American Renee Zwellweger displays the quirky charm of the English working gal who has made it her goal to improve herself while keeping a journal that offers an outlet for her angst and a way to keep track of a year in her life. She’s soon in a sort of love triangle with her randy boss Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) vs. more sedate suitor Marc Darcy (Colin Firth). Hilarious antics ensue. Support cast includes reliable Gemma Jones and Jim Broadbent as Bridget’s parents. First Academy Award® nod for Zellweger (and rare that comedy role nominated) who lost to Halle Berry (Monsters Ball).
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)