“At Home With The Moon In The Movies” Volume II, No. 8 (Oct. 2021)

By Stephanie Mardesich

October is the month when the autumn echoes the cornucopia of the harvest, fall foliage in rust and umber, “Indian Summer”, Halloween tricks and treats, romantic night skies. A prelude to “holiday” season with Thanksgiving and Christmas on the horizon.

“October” originates from Latin octo, “eight” as it was the eighth month of the early Roman calendar. When the Romans converted to a 12-month calendar, the name October stuck despite that it is now the tenth month of twelve.

It’s a good month to view the stars/constellations, and the “Hunter’s (full) Moon” beginning c. October 19 for several days, an omen of the season to hunt game and grouse. It’s a bountiful time and plenty of films that reflect the celestial season by theme or title to view, over many moons.

Moon Over Miami (USA, 20th Century Fox, 1941, 91 min., dir. Walter Lang)

The Latimer sisters from Texas Kay (Betty Grable), Barbara (Carole Landis), and Susan (Charlotte Greenwood) inherit some family money and move to Miami, pretending to be well to do with one sister wealthy and the others working for her, to snare rich husbands (is this precursor for How To Marry A Millionaire that Grable also starred in?). Lush romantic setting, lovely tunes, “complications” and handsome wealthy bachelors Phil O’Neil (Don Ameche) and Jeffrey Bolton (Robert Cummings) add up to fun entertainment of a bygone era. Strong supporting cast includes Jack Haley, always a bright presence.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033918/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2

The Moon & Sixpence (USA, David. L. Lowe-Albert Lewin, 1942, 89 min., dir. Albert Lewin)

Adaptation of the novel of same name by Somerset Maugham inspired by the story of French post impressionist artist Paul Gauguin. The book is a personal favorite, though when one compares the story of the Gauguin inspired Paul Strickland (George Saunders) to the true life of the artist it’s rather a stretch, e.g. Strickland is English though abandons his bourgeois life as a family man and stockbroker (similar to Gauguin) to pursue his artistic creations, and world travels, is what occurs. Ergo view the movie and detach from the quasi-reality as historical interpretation. The film has certain intensity because of the protagonist who is not a character to like, though his art highly revered. Supporting cast includes Herbert Marshall and Eric Blore.

Oscar® nod for Best Score (Dimitri Tiomkin).

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035078/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Moontide (USA, 20th Century Fox, 1942, 94 min., dir. Archie Mayo & Fritz Lang un-credited)

A lone dock worker Bobo (Jean Gabin, popular French actor of the era). After a night of heavy drinking he wakes up on a barge hired to sell bait. Night watchman Nutsy (Claude Rains) and he become friendly, Bobo rescues local waitress Anna (Ida Lupino) from the sea after attempting suicide taking her to the barge to recover. He soon learns that an acquaintance Pop Kelly (Arthur Aylesworth) was murdered and he’s the suspected. Bobo and Anna fall in love looking to marry, however Bobo´s former buddy Tiny (Thomas Mitchell) whose been dependent on him is envious and attempts to undermine the relationship.

Academy Award® winner for best screenplay – b&w. Considered early “noir” film with Lang’s contribution significant.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035082/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_75

The Moon Is Blue (USA, 1954, dir. Otto Preminger)

When successful architect Don Gresham (William Holden) meets young actress, Patty O'Neill (Maggie McNamara) on top of the Empire State Building he’s enthralled and invites her to dine. They stop by his apartment and Patty purports she's an excellent cook so Don nips out to the grocery store for provisions. Enter his former fiancée, Cynthia Slater (Dawn Addams), then Cynthia's father David (David Invent) arrives, a middle-aged lothario who wrangles an invitation to stay for dinner and makes a play for Patty. It’s a bit of fluff with some risqué dialogue, however the talent is outstanding as is the work of director Preminger. Three Oscar® nods included “Best Actress” for McNamara (who had a brief yet significant career sadly passing away at age 49).

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046094/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

The Moon-Spinners (USA, Walt Disney Productions, 1964, 118 min., G, dir. James Neilson)

Mary Stewart’s exciting novel (a far better story, though the movie is entertaining) set in Greece is the source for the film adaptation. Story involves British musicologist Frances Ferris (Joan Greenwood) and her teen aged niece Nikky Ferris (Hayley Mills) are on a working holiday recording Greek folk songs for the BBC.

They arrive in quiet coastal town of Aghios Georgios on island of Crete (where Europe and Asia Minor “link”) and take accommodations "The Moon-Spinners" inn, though they don’t exactly feel their presence is welcome except by Alexis (Michael Davis), the young son of proprietress Sophia (Irene Papas). Frances and Nikky learn from Alexis that the lack of hospitality because of his Uncle Stratos (Eli Wallach), suspicious of anyone ever since his recent return from London after a 15 year absence. The inn is preparing for a wedding though the only other guest is a young Englishman named Mark Camford (Peter McEnery). Nikky has her own suspicions and mistrust of Stratos though unaware there is something more sinister occurring in the nearby Bay of Dolphins.

Enthralling Greek countryside and Aegean are appealing background – you’ll want to be there - as Nikky unwittingly gets caught up in what is the very dangerous and potentially life threatening sort of treasure hunt pursued by Stratos and Mark. Silent screen star Pola Negri (Madame Habib) was enticed by Walt Disney to come out of 20 year retirement and makes a glamorous if not amusing appearance.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058371/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Moonstruck (USA, MGM, 1987, 104 min., PG, dir. Norman Jewison)

“When the moon hits your eye, like a big pizza pie, that’s amore….” famously crooned by Dean Martin the familiar tune (nominated for Academy Award® “Best Song” in 1954) sets the tone for a unique romantic comedy with underlying tragic tones of grand opera. Loretta Castorini (Cher) is a working girl from Brooklyn, still living at home in what might be considered early spinsterhood, is engaged to the rather insipid Johnny Cammerari (Danny Aiello). Then she meets his rather earthy brother Ronny (Nicholas Cage) a one handed baker and the “magnetism” is undeniable. Though she attempts to resist Ronny’s charisma overcomes. He invites her to the opera. She has a marvelous make over, and it’s amore. How to break the news to her fiancé and family, with her wise cracking mother Rose (Olympia Dukakis) juxtaposed with her father Cosmo’s (Vincent Gardenia) potential (or is it happening?) affair leads to hilarious tension. Six Oscar® nominations with two wins: Best Actress Cher, and Best Supporting Actress Dukakis.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093565/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

The Man In The Moon (USA, MGM, 1991, PG-13, 99 min., dir. Robert Mulligan)

It’s summer of 1957 in rural Louisiana. Fourteen year old Dani Trant (Reese Witherspoon) is in that awkward phase of young teenage years. Her beautiful older sister Maureen (Emily Trant) will attend Duke University in the fall. There mother Abigail (Tess Harper) is expecting fourth child and their father Matthew (Sam Waterston) is kind yet rather strict. When 17-year-old Court Foster (Jason London) moves into the vacant farm next ) with his widowed mother and two little brothers door the atmosphere changes. Court and Dani become friends, enjoy conversation and the local swimming hole though he has responsibilities on the farm. Dani develops a crush on Court, though he’s fallen for Maureen. An emotional “coming of age” story with the reality rather painful in the end.

Early role for Witherspoon that indicates her future prowess, and director Mulligan known for bringing that out in young talent.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102388/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Honeymoon In Vegas (USA, Castle Rock Entertainment, 1992, 96 min., PG-13, dir. Andrew Bergman)

Though he promised his dying mother Bea (Ann Bancroft) he would abide by her warning not to marry Jack Singer (Nicholas Cage) and Betsy (Sarah Jessica Parker) decide to elope to Las Vegas and marry. Under pressure from rather sinister gambler Tommy Korman (James Caan) to whom Jack has lost $65K in a card game. To repay the debt Tommy states he wants to spend weekend with Betsy. The comic side of Indecent Proposal. Betsy seems willing to go along the plan, though Jack becomes insanely jealous.

Who will she ultimately choose?

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104438/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Autumn In New York (USA, 2000, OG13m dir. Joan Chen)

Successful restaurateur Will Keane (Richard Gere) whose reputation as a “womanizer” precedes him is introduced to 22 year old Charlotte Fielding (Winona Ryder) by Charlotte's grandmother Dolly (Elaine Stritch) a long time friend Dolly he has not seen in years, the mutual is apparent and after their first date, Will and Charlotte agree that their relationship will never progress to one of a long term standing, but for different reasons because Will’s customary m.o. and Charlotte revealing she has a terminal heart condition. Charlotte's candor causes Will look at this relationship differently. His best buddy John (Anthony LaPaglia) advises that if continues to date Charlotte he had better treat her well. Their relationship does end up being different than both expect, for Charlotte a change from her current "let me die in peace" attitude to want to fight for her life.

Consensus is this film not so great, however it’s the romantic mood and scenes in NYC that have appeal. judge for yourself.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0174480/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Magic In The Moonlight (USA/France, Gravier Productions, 2014, PG-13, dir. Woody Allen)

When magician Stanley Crawford aka Wei Ling Soo, a.k.a. (Colin Firth) who is a popular performer and also dedicated to revealing spiritualist frauds meets Sophie Baker (Emma Stone) and her conniving mother Mrs. Baker (Marcia Gay Harden) he’s determined to expose their nefarious actions. The more time he spends with Sophie however, he begins to believe she might actually be able to communicate with the “spirits” and that he might be falling in love with her. Clever script by Allen. Supporting cast includes ever impressive Eileen Atkins among other talent.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2870756/?ref_=nm_flmg_wr_9

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)