“At The Movies – June is Bustin’ Out All Over!” Vol. III, No.5 (June 2022) By Stephanie Mardesich Cinematic Expert
“At The Movies – June is Bustin’ Out All Over!” Vol. III, No.5 (June 2022)
By Stephanie Mardesich Cinematic Expert
“June Is Bustin’ Out All Over” is one of the memorable tunes and dance number of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s famed musical Carousel that inspired this month’s theme. June is the sixth month of the calendar year, most likely named for the Roman goddess Juno, patroness of marriage and the well-being of women, is known for graduations and brides, with many traditional holidays/celebrations including Flag Day, Father’s Day, Juneteenth, Summer Solstice. Some more modern fun, less known include: June 1, “Say Something Nice Day” ; June 3, “Chimborazo Day;” June 6, “National Yo-Yo Day”; June 8, “Upsy Daisy Day”; June 21,”Go Skateboarding Day”; and June 30, “Asteroid Day”.
Enjoy some films reflecting variations on “June” theme; and several fine actresses named “June” to enjoy.
Carousel (USA,20th Century Fox, 1956, 128 min., dir. Henry King)
Set in Maine, the late 19th century romance of factory worker the naive Julie Jordan (Shirley Jones) and handsome carnival barker Billy Bigelow (Gordon MacRae) is charming and sweetly sad, and destined for doom. From the first moment they meet it’s instant, yet restrained, attraction they attempt to deny depicted in the soulful “If I Loved You.” The couple elopes and struggles financially living by the largess of Julie’s cousin Nettie (Claramae Turner) Julie is expecting a baby and Billy makes his commitment to provide for his child in the dynamic “Soliloquy” (My Boy Bill…) and in desperation agrees to help his criminal crony Jigger Craigin (Cameron Mitchell) pull off a heist, that ends in his demise. The story begins 15 years after his death, when Billy is making an appeal to the guardian “Starkeeper” (Gene Lockhart) in heaven asking to return to earth for one day to help the daughter Louise (Susan Lucky) he never knew who is having her own emotional challenges. Billy ultimately redeems himself and spiritually aids his daughter instilling her with courage and confidence.
Other outstanding performances by Barbara Ruick (Carrie Pipperidge) Julie’s best friend and co-worker, and Audrey Christie (Mrs. Mullin) who owns the carnival and covets Billy, hence when he marries she fires him out of revenge. Rodgers & Hammerstein (R&H) created what was destined to become classic of the American and international stage, from its first performance on Broadway (starring Jan Clayton and John Raitt) with so many memorable tunes from robust “June is Bustin’ Out All Over”, inspiring “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, gorgeous “Carousel Waltz” with countless productions that continue to be staged. Curiously no Academy Award® nods – it was a big year including R&H The King & I in same year as Carousel – what were the producers thinking (or not?!) , though director King nominated for Directors Guild of America award.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049055/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
June Moon (USA, Paramount Pictures, 1931, 79 min., dir. A. Edward Sutherland)
Based on comedy play of same name by George S. Kaufman (You Can’t Take It With You) and Ring Lardner the film the “Tin Pan Alley” early “talkie”, and pre Hays office code, tale of aspiring lyricist Fred Stevens (Jack Oakie) who arrives in the Big Apple to make it big in show biz. It’s one of about 700 films of the era that were sold to Universal for television broadcast though apparently this picture not in the package so dubious to be able to see the movie. Cast relatively unknown except for Oakie and Frances Dee (Edna Baker) who was cast in subsequent film as a leading lady, then married actor Joel McCrea and essentially retired from the silver screen to devote herself to her husband and their three children.
More details, however no link to view:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0022015/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
June Bride (USA, Warner Bros., 1948, 96 min., dir. Bretaigne Windust)
Journalist Carey Jackson (Robert Montgomery) who has been posted in foreign territory returns to America and takes a job at Home Life Magazine working with savvy editor Linda Gelman (Bette Davis) his former girlfriend. They wing to Indiana to cover the “typical American wedding” in the Brinker family that turns out to be far from “typical.” Humorous antics not quite “screw ball comedy”, snappy dialogue, though unlikely pairing of the leads, keeps the pace going. Top supporting cast includes “veterans” Fay Bainter, Jerome Cowan, Marjorie Bennett, James Burke and
ever enjoyable Mary Wicks. As Leonard Maltin points out “blink” and you might miss Debbie Reynolds debut.
performance. Bit of DR Trivia: Eight years later she would co-star with Davis playing her daughter in A Catered Affair.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040499/?ref_=vp_close
Tell Me That You Love Me Junie Moon (USA, Otto Preminger Films, 1979,113 min., PG, dir. Otto Preminger)
Three emotional “misfits” Junie Moon (Liza Minelli) epileptic with facial scars, Arthur (Ken Howard) wheelchair bound, Warren (Robert Moore) sexually confused, leave shelter of hospital where they met and take up residence together. Humor and pathos combine for compelling story. Script adapted from her novel of same title by author Marjorie Kellogg. Preminger received Palme D’Ore nomination at Cannes Film Festival.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066445/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Juno (USA, Fox Searchlight Pictures, 2007, 96 min., PG-13, dir. Jason Reitman)
Sixteen year old Juno MacGuff (Elliot Page, nee Ellen Page), high-school junior in Elk Park Minnesota discovers she's pregnant by her friend and long time admirer Paulie Bleeker (Michael Cera) after one “encounter.” Put off by the atmosphere of the abortion clinic the independent minded Juno decides to give birth and place the child for adoption. She finds an upscale “yuppie” couple seeking a child one the Penny Saver personals, contacts them, tells her mother stepmother Bren (Allison Janny) dad Mac (J.K. Simmons) and continues on with school. She meets the intended parents, one laidback and the other meticulous and uptight, sign papers, and the year unfolds. Will the plan succeed? See the film and find out.
Film garnered four Oscar®nods included “Best”: Actress for Page (only 20 years old), Picture, Director; and one win for “Best Original Screenplay.”
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0467406/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Henry & June (USA/France, Universal Pictures, 1990, 132 min., NC17, dir. Philip Kaufman)
“Love quadrangle” based on true situation takes place in 1931 between Paris, France, and New York City. Includes controversial American writer Henry Miller (Fred Ward) his wife actress/artist June (Uma Thurman), diarist/author Anais Nin (Maria deMerios) her husband Hugo (Richard Grant). Summed up it’s a tale of erotic passion. Supporting cast includes Kevin Spacey (Osborne). Story inspired by Nin’s book of same name that revealed the relationship(s).Oscar® nod for Best Cinematography. Caution: sophisticated sensuality, nudity, language.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099762/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
A few films to consider featuring actresses named “June” (find links for more at https://www.imdb.com/
June Allyson – ever charming MGM starlet, married to actor Dick Powell
(Little Women, MGM 1949); The Three Muskateers, MGM, 1948); Good News, MGM 1947)
June Haver – beautiful blond, married to actor Fred MacMurray
(Look For The Silver Lining, Warner Bros. 1947; The Daughter of Rosie O’Grady, Warner Bros. 1950;
I Wonder Who’s Kissing Her Now?, 20th Century Fox, 1947)
June Havoc - “Baby June”, older sister of Rose Louise “Gypsy Rose Lee”
(Gentlemen’s Agreement, 20th Century Fox, 1947; Brewster’s Millions, Edward Small Productions, 1945)
June Lockhart - best known for decades of television roles including mother(s) in Lassie and Lost In Space; daughter of famed “character” actor Gene Lockhart
(She Wolf of London, Universal Pictures 1945; Meet Me In St. Louis, MGM, 1946)
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)
