"At Home At The Movies Back To School Again” Volume III, No. 8 (Sept. 2022)" By Stephanie Mardesich, Cinematic Expert
Let’s revisit “School days, school days, good old golden rule days, readin’ and writin’ and ‘rithmatic, taught to the tune of a hickry stick…” as the song heralds more innocent times in America and the world.
September is traditionally when the new school term begins, after Labor Day, and in Southern California always the hottest time often continuing through October and “Indian Summer.” Currently students are back to school in August, height of summer that’s never made sense.
Attending school is more than “the three Rs”. It’s about the playground and games, sports and teams, student government and extra curricular activities, and teen-age “romance.” That’s the students’ perspective, while the educators have immense responsibilities, deeper concerns, and work much beyond when the bell rings for classes to begin or end. The extra hours and funds teachers spent are never praised enough. In my view they should be “paid like movie stars and athletes”!
The Breakfast Club (USA, Universal Pictures, 1985, 97 min., R, dir. John Hughes)
Five Shermer (Illinois) High School students meet in a nine hour Saturday detention and the archetype teens “jock” Andrew Clark (Emilio Estevez), pretty “princess” Claire Standish (Molly Ringwald), “nerd” Brian Johnson (Anthony Michael Hall) “kook” Allison Reynolds (Alley Sheedy), and “deviant” John Bender (Judd Nelson) they discover how they have a lot more in common than they thought. They also discover a lot more about their own essence than they realized.
Director John Hughes had a knack for talent and all the young actors he cast at that time have had flourishing careers, and appeared together in other Huhges films or similar genre. Hughes was admirer of the 1960s “Rat Pack” and his youthful teen version came to be known as the “Brat Pack.”
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088847/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Fast Times At Ridgemont High (USA, Universal Pictures, 1982. 90 min., R, dir. Amy Heckerling)
Based on the real-life adventures chronicled by screenwriter by Cameron Crowe (Almost Famous) about a group of high school students in southern California: Stacy Hamilton (Jennifer Jason Leigh) and Mark Ratner (Brian Backer) looking for love relationship are helped along by their older classmates Linda Barrett (Phoebe Cates) and Mike Damone (Robert Romanus).Jeff Spicoli (Sean Penn), perpetually “stoned” surfer, is the pivotal character that many fans of the remember best, and his confrontation with resolute Mr. Hand (Ray Walston), who believes that most of the students are using drugs. Supporting cast included Judge Reinhold, Vincent Shiavelli, Forrest Whittaker and Eric Stolz.
Director Heckerling’s first feature. Crowe received Writers Guild of America nomination and film is in National Registry. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083929/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Clueless (USA, Paramount Pictures, 1995, 97 min., PG-13, dir. Amy Heckerling)
Beverly Hills High School student Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silvertone) copes with the ups and downs of adolescent life in her affluent environment. Raised by her attorney father Mel Horowitz (Dan Hedya) Her external demeanor at first seems superficial, but rather it hides her wit, charm, and intelligence which help her to deal with relationships, friends, family, school, and the all-important teenage social life. Her superficial demeanor belies the perceptive and sensitive girl she actually is, It’s her officious m.o. however that gets her into some trouble when she attempts to manipulate the lives of peers Tai (Brittany Murphy) and Dionne (Stacey Dash), in an effort to enhance, and it backfires. She has her own situation to sort out with the unrequited love she has for her pseudo sibling (not related, except by marriage) Josh (Paul Rudd) that ultimately plays to the heart. There’s been an analogy to the premise and Jane Austin’s Emma, though for this writer that’s rather oblique. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112697/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie (UK, 20th Century Fox, 1969, 116 min., M/PG, dir. Ronald Neame)
Story set in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1930s between the two World Wars, with “liberated” schoolteacher Jean Brodie (Maggie Smith) at a girls' school. Jean imparts much personal philosophy to inspire, and empower her girls on the ways of life: love, politics, art and a twinge of anarchy. Her romantic liaisons with two male teachers Gordon Lowther (Gordon Jackson) and Teddy Lloyd (Robert Stephens) become known and she finds herself fighting to keep her job. She believes that she is in her "prime" can always count support of her favorite pupils, though there is one Sandy (Pamela Franklin) who doesn’t Miss Brodie is still in her “prime.” No longer in awe of her teacher's eloquence, she begins to learn about life and love herself. Film garnered two Academy Award® nods Best Song “Jean” by Rod McKuen, still sung by prime talent and enjoyed today; one win “Best Actress” for Smith who was superbly captivating. Adapted by Jay Presson Allen for the stage he collaborated with author of the book by author Murial Sparks on the script that deserved Oscar® nod. One of silver screen’s great lines sums up Jean’s philosophy: "Little girls, I am in the business of putting old heads on young shoulders, and all my pupils are the crème de la creme Give me a girl at an impressionable age, and she is mine for life."
Nutty Professor (Jerry Lewis original)
(USA, Jerry Lewis Productions, Paramount Pictures, 1963, 104 min., dir. Jerry Lewis)
When “nerd” chemistry professor Julius Kelp (Jerry Lewis) invents a potion that transforms him into a suave, sexy Buddy Love it’s a bit of “Jeckyl and Hyde” with no violence per se. . There’s one side effect, Buddy can't control when he'll change back into Julius so his “multiple personality” causes some hilarious occurrences. Julius/Buddy The film is perfect vehicle for the slapstick side of Lewis who also gets to be the smooth suave character that most girls would prefer, and that includes love interest student Stella Purdy (Stella Stevens). Eddie Murphy “remake” not as good as the original, though both are banal entertainment.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057372/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2
The Children’s Hour (USA, The Mirisch Company, 1961,108 min., dir. William Wyler)
Based on hit play by Lillian Hellman the film is a “re-make” of adaptation of the story first made in 1936 as These Three, also directed by Wyler that strayed from original premise, probably because of Hays Office (censorship) issues.
The intense story involves two college friends who founded and operate a small boarding school for girls, Martha (Shirley MacLaine) and Karen (Audrey Hepburn). As both administrators and teachers their responsibilities are immense. Karen is engaged to local doctor Dr. Joe Cardin (James Garner). One of the more “spoiled” children, conniving and willful Mary Tilford (Karen Balkin), sets the drama in motion after overhearing an argument between Martha and her Aunt Lily (Miriam Hopkin, cast as original Martha in These Three) that she puts her spin on aiming to get back at Martha for reprimanding her. She spreads a vicious rumor that the teachers have “unnatural” relationship revealing this to her wealthy conservative grandmother Amelia Tilford (Fay Bainter).
When her specious story can’t be corroborated Mary threatens fellow student Rosalie (Veronica Cartwright) that she will divulge Rosalie has stolen many items of jewelry if the girl does not back up her story. Martha and Karen initiate a lawsuit for slander, though they lose their case, and essentially their school because all the students have been withdrawn. When Rosalie‘s mother finds the stash of stolen items her daughter kept it leads to revelation of Mary’s lie about Martha and Karen. Mrs. Tilford tells the judge, who will overturn the ruling of the lawsuit, publish the results in the newspaper, and a full financial settlement will be paid to the teachers. In meantime the engagement of Karen and Joe is over and Martha reveals there is truth to the rumor and overcome with guilt and remorse takes her own life. Tragic tale of how such a lie and deception can ruin not just one, but three lives. Excellent acting by all, just terribly sad outcome. Directors Guild of America nod for Wyler. Five Oscar® nods including “Best Actress” for Bainter.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054743/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Good Morning Miss Dove (USA, 20th Century Fox, 1955, 108 min., dir. Henry Koster)
Often referred to as "the terrible Miss Dove” the prim and proper geography teacher Miss Dove (Jennifer Jones) presides over her classroom with strict discipline and rules, espousing dependability and common-sense approach. She is regarded as the epitome of gentility and wisdom former pupils and residents of Liberty. Hosting detention for a student one afternoon she’s suddenly stricken with pain. She’s taken to hospital by Dr. Tommy Baker (Robert Stack) and admitted by former student Billie Jean Green (Peggy Knudsen) who chats incessantly and it’s revealed she’d left town to have a child out of wedlock, returned and now on a better path. In fact she’s engaged to Bill Holloway (Chuck Connors) who Miss Dove took special interest in and he became one of her star pupils, grateful and devoted for her caring he stayed in touch through his military service and now as police officer. While awaiting surgery, Miss Dove nostalgically reminisces about her youth, students she’s taught over the years and her own life choices, with the town rallying for their beloved teacher’s recovery. Cast also includes ever reliable and entertaining Mary Wickes. Based on novel by Frances Gray Patton. As Leonard Maltin states in his Classic Movie Guide: “sentimental, warm and wonderful.”
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048130/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
The Major & The Minor (USA, Paramount Pictures, 1941, 100 min., dir.Billy Wilder)
Desperate to go home to Iowa, New York working girl Susan Applegate (Ginger Rogers) does not have the railway fare so she disguises herself as a child to ride half price. En route she meets Army Marjor Philip Kirby (Ray Milland), who teaches at a military school for youth. Amusing and romantic. Rogers and Milland great chemistry.
Adding to the charm is lovely music by composer Richard Rodgers sans lyricist Oscar Hammerstein.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035019/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Music by Richard Rodgers
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)
