“At The Movies – Dog Days of Summer” Vol. III, No. 6 By Stephanie Mardesich Cinematic Expert
“At The Movies – Dog Days of Summer” Vol. III, No. 6
By Stephanie Mardesich Cinematic Expert
Some “hot” movies to enjoy in July, that’s usually the warmest month of the year in summer season:
Too Hot To Handle (USA, MGM, 1938, dir. Jack Conway)
Clever newsreel reporter Chris Hunter (Clark Gable) is posted in Shanghai doing reports on the Chinese-Japanese war when he meets aviatrix Alma Harding (Myrna Loy). At first she distrusts him, but by a trick he manages to get her hired as his assistant. During an adventurous expedition through the jungles of South America searching for her lost brother her opinion changes and romance ensues.
Exciting footage of airplanes in action and bombs exploding. Co-stars Walter Pidgeon as rival love interest Bill Dennis; excellent supporting cast includes Walter Connolly, Leo Carillo, Marjorie Main. Gable and Loy have great “chemistry” and appeared in six films together, once dubbed “King & Queen” of Hollywood in MGM “golden age.”
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0030879/?ref_=fn_al_tt_5
Cat On A Hot Tin Roof (USA, MGM, 1958, 104 min., dir. Richard Brooks)
The family of "Big Daddy" Pollitt (Burl Ives) convenes at the stately mans somewhere in Louisiana where his wife Big Momma (Dame Judith Anderson's), and the offspring are awaiting Big Daddy’s return from some medical tests. “Favored son” Brick (Paul Newman), an ex-football player, whose bitterness is not made sweeter by over imbibing spurns his passionately inclined wife, Maggie “the Cat” (Elizabeth Taylor). His older brother Gooper (Jack Carson) vies for equal affection from Big Daddy while contending with his expectant wife Mae (Madeleine Sherwood) and all his “no neck monsters” plethora of children.
The gathering of the clan is more of a farewell because Big Daddy is terminally ill though he’s in denial. Long time memories and new revelations make for powerful dialogue and confrontations, and eventual reconciliation of what was hidden hostility and mistrust. Tennessee Williams play translated to the silver screen was huge critical and box office success. Six Academy Award® nominations, surprisingly no wins. Both Newman and Taylor are at their peak screen presence and captivating to watch.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051459/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
The Long Hot Summer (USA, Jerry Wald Productions, 1958, 115 min., dir. Martin Ritt)
Prosperous widower Will Varner (Orson Welles) owns many businesses and properties in Frenchman's Bend, Mississippi, including a plantation. His children are a He’s in poor health and concerned about who will being carry on the Varner. Son Jody (Anthony Francoisa) has no ambition other than spending most of his time kanoodling with around with his sexy wife Eula (Lee Remick). Clara (Joanne Woodward) his 23-year-old daughter is clever, yet spoiled, wasting her time on pensive pursuits. Most of her contemporaries are married, though Clara has been dating Alan Stewart (Richard Anderson), a passive “mama’s boy” for too long (six years!). Will would like Alan to show some tenacity and ask Clara to marry him. Jody laments nothing he does is ever good enough for his father.
Enter Ben Quick (Paul Newman) who Jody hires to do some sharecropping on vacant land when Will is hospitalized. There’s some mystery about Ben and whether years ago he burned down someone's barn as an act of vengeance. Will appreciates Ben’s direct manner and comes to consider him as the son he never had, as he has much the same spirit. Will does whatever he can to get Ben to be part of the family and carry on the Varner name. That means marrying Clara, and there is a genuine attraction between the pair of would be lovers, while Jody continues to flounder doing whatever he can to retain his position in the family.
Based on William Faulkner novella Spotted Horses, the story has had many incarnations for the big screen and television. Director Ritt received prestigious Directors Guild of America (DGA) nomination.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051878/?ref_=fn_al_tt_9
Some Like It Hot (USA, Ashton Productions/The Mirisch Company, 1959, 121 min., dir. Billy Wilder)
Chicago 1929: Musicians, Joe (Tony Curtis) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon), have the ill fortune to witness the St. Valentine's Day massacre. They’re desperateto get out of town and get away from the gangster responsible, Spats Colombo (George Raft) the only job they know of is in Sweet Sue’s (Joan Shawlee) all-girl band heading to Florida. They get the gig and show up at the train station as Josephine (Curtis) and Daphne (Lemon), the replacement saxophone and bass players. They pull off the masquerade delighted being around the girls, especially adorable Sugar Kane Kowalczyk (Marilyn Monroe) who sings and plays the ukulele. Joe/Josephine takes on a dual masculine role as affluent, shy playboy, and sets out to seduce her while Jerry/Daphne in feminine character is pursued by a millionaire, Osgood Fielding III (Joe E. Brown). Hilarious scenario with some edge when the gangsters they’re eluding arrive in Florida for a “convention” (meeting of the nation’s current crime lords) the two men in disguise try to keep their true identities hidden. Famously filmed at Hotel Del Coronado (California) the film is totally entertaining. Six Oscar® nods with one win for “Best” costumes (Orrey-Kelly).
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053291/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Summer and Smoke (USA, Hal Wallis Productions, 1961, 118 min., dir. Peter Glenville)
More “heat” on the big screen from playwright Tennessee Williams with the adaptation for motion picture of his 1948 play. Set in Glorious Hill, Mississippi, story centers around spinster Alma (“that’s Spanish for soul” as she reveals) Winemiller (Geraldine Page) who has loved handsome Dr. John Buchanan, Jr. (Laurence Harvey) since childhood. Though he appears solid and respectable John has a darker side and a passion for Rosa Zacharias (Rita Moreno), the town's less than reputable vamp. He toys with Alma's affection and her dreams of romance and possible marriage, and eventually in a role reversal of sorts he’s the prude and she the rather fallen woman. Excellent support cast includes: Una Merkel, Thomas Gomez, John McIntire, Lee Patrick and “introducing” lovely Pamela Tiffin. Four Oscar® nods.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055489/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
In The Heat Of The Night (USA, MIrisch Corporation, 1967, 110 min., dir. Norman Jewison)
Police detective Virgil Tibbs (Sidney Poitier) is caught up in the racial tension of the southern U.S.A. when he is falsely arrested after the murder of a prominent businessman, while he waiting for his train at the station in Sparta, Mississippi. The confusion is soon resolved though when local police Chief Bill Gillespie (Rod Steiger) learns that Tibbs is the Philadelphia number one homicide expert - “they call me Mr.Tibbs”- he begrudgingly asks for assistance. The murder victim came to Sparta from the North to build a new factory and his widow Mrs. Colbert (Lee Grant), and business associates, immediately speculates that Eric Endicott (Larry Gates), the most powerful man in the county, committed the crime as who had the most to lose if major competition was installed. Tibbs' is bold and brave though his life is threatened, as he perseveres racially prejudiced atmosphere, until the killer is caught. Seven Academy Award® nods with two wins including “Best” picture and actor (Steiger). Warren Oats also part of the strong cast.
Note: Curiously no Oscar® nod for “Best” score or song with the well known theme song sung by Ray Charles. Composer Quincy Jones did receive nod for “Best” score for In Cold Blood and song Banning and perhaps too much competition from himself? Spin off television show (1980s) with Carroll O’Conner as Gillespie and Howard Rollins, Jr. as “Mr. Tibbs”.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061811/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2
The Hot Rock (USA, Landers Roberts Productions, 1972, 101 min., PG, dir. Peter Yates)
The comedy caper begins when small time crook John Dortmunder (Robert Redford), released from prison, is approached by his brother-in-law Andy Kelp (George Segal), about a jewel heist of a valuable diamond housed in the Brooklyn Museum that according to Dr. Amusa (Moses Gunn) was stolen during colonial era that has great significance to his people in Africa. Dortmunder assembles a team of rogue burglars including Stan Murch (Ron Liebman) and Allan Greenberg (Paul Sand), and devises an elaborate plan to steal the gem. Despite their care and experience, circumstances and plain bad luck keep the gem just out of their reach. Hilarious antics as the bumbling crew steals the diamond, misplaces it, steals again. Talented cast also includes Charlotte Rae (Ma Murch) and Zero Mostel (Abe, Greenberg’s father) adding to the chaotic fun. Oscar® nod for “Best” editing.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068718/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Dog Day Afternoon (USA, Warner Bros., 1975, 125 min., dir. Sidney Lumet)
Based on true story about bank robbery gone wrong on August 22, 1972 when the Chase Manhattan Bank branch in Gravesend, Brooklyn, New York, was held under iege by Sonny Wortzik (Al Pacino) , a Vietnam veteran turned bank robber determined to steal enough money for his "wife" Leon Schermer/Elizabeth Eden (Chris Sarandon) to have the medical treatment operation to change from a man to a woman.
On that hot summer afternoon, Sonny and cohorts Stevie (Gary Springer) and Sal Naturile (John Cazale), stage a robbery cum hostage take over at the First Savings Bank of Brooklyn (“stand in” for the Chase bank). Steve is nervous and flees. Although the bank manager and female tellers agree not to interfere with the robbery, Sonny soon learns there is not much to steal, as most of the cash has been picked up for the day. He then gets an unexpected telephone call from Captain Carmine Moretti (Charles Durning) of the NYPD, who tells him the place is surrounded by the city's entire police force. Having few options Sonny apprehensively negotiates with Moretti, demanding safe escort to the airport and a plane out of the country in return for the bank employees' safety. Penelope Allen (Sylvia) and Carol Kane (Jenny) lend their talent to the outstanding cast. Six Oscar® nods; one win for “Best” screenplay (Frank Pierson). Caution: Disturbing violence and subversive language.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072890/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_56
Heat and Dust (UK, Merchant Ivory Productions, 1983, 130 min. R, dir. James Ivory)
While investigating the life of her grand-aunt Olivia (Greta Scaachi), whose life seemed cloaked in scandal, Anne (Julie Christie) discovers a curious propinquity. Her search takes her back to the early 1920s, when Olivia, recently married to civil engineer in the colonial administration Douglas Rovers (Christopher Cazenove), arrives in India to reside with her husband. Olivia becomes fascinated by the culture, customs, and the local ruler the Nawab (Shashi Kapoor) who combines British distinction with Indian pomp and ruthlessness. This fascination is not without risks with the region being ransacked by a group of mercenary marauders and hostility opposing the prejudiced British community led by
Major Minnies (Barry Foster) and Dr. Saunders (Patrick Godfrey) against the Nawab. As Anne delves into the history of her grand-aunt, she discovers parallels in their existence and contemplates her own life and choices.
The intriguing story, going back and forth in time, upholds the elegant tradition of Merchant/Ivory is based on the novel by long time collaborator Ruth Prawer Jhabvaha who penned the script. Eight BAFTA nominations including one win for Jhabvala for Best Screenplay - Adapted.
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)
