At Home At the Movies…Here Comes The Sun By Cinematic Expert Stephanie Mardesich
The sun is source of light and life, warmth and growth, rebirth, symbol of justice with universal connection of enlightenment or illumination; and the sun is the source of wisdom. California is the “golden” sunny state known for the Gold Rush of 1849 and more contemporary the Beach Boys music and surfculture resonating around the world. In the 1950s-60s the “sunburst” design was used in ornamental architectural décor as wall and window hangings, and still prominent in retro fashion. The symbol cum “logo” of CBS Sunday Morning program with the pun on sun image manipulated to reflect content, often closing many segments, with complimentary music, both whimsical and versatile
Let’s dispel “June Gloom” and watch some entertaining movies radiating sun, not about heat or shine, or even famed Beatles song, rather the aura. Don’t forget your sunscreen!
Sunrise At Campobello (1927, USA, Fox Film Corporation, 1927, 94 min., dir. F.W. Murnau) Silent film.
A farmer, the “Man” (George ), with a pretty wife, the “Woman” (Janet Gaynor), and a young child meets “Woman from the City” (Margaret Livingston) on vacation. They begin an affair and she wants him to leave the country and return to the city with her suggesting he drown his wife. The Man is reluctant yet agrees and he and his wife set off for the city in his boat.
He can't go through with the murder, however , and when they reach the city they observes young couple getting married and he begs his wife to forgive him, which she does. They spend a wonderful day together at local fair, dancing, taking photos. Late that evening on the boat ride home they encounter a huge storm that puts their lives in danger though they are saved.
Recipient of the first Academy Award® (1929) for Best Actress bestowed on Gaynor, with total of four Oscar® nominations and wins for Best Picture and Cinematography.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0018455/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2
Duel In The Sun (USA, Selznick Int’l. Pictures/Vanguard Films, 1946, 129 min., dir. King Vidor
When her father Scott Chavez (Herbert Marshall) is hanged for shooting her mother and her lover, his daughter Pearl (Jennifer Jones) is sent to live with her father’s cousin and former lover interest in Texas, Laura Belle (Lillian Gish) and family of Senator Jackson McCanles (Lionel Barrymore). Laura Belle along with older lawyer son Jesse (Joseph Cotton) welcome the young woman of mixed race, while her husband the wheelchair-bound Senator is hostile and suspicious.
Younger son Lewt (Gregory Peck), irreverent if not amoral, has lustful interest in Pearl who initially resists his advances determined to be a “good girl” under counseling of Jubal Crabbe “the Sinkiller” (Walter Houston). Existing family tensions are increased by Pearl’s presence and the way flaunts herself, especially to Lewt who eventually seduces her with force and the passion thrives as she seems to have most empathy with, like two bad seeds. Ever steady presence of neighboring rancher Sam Pierce (Charles Bickford), who proposes to Pearl and wants to look after her, isn’t enough to ameliorate and Lewt confronts and kills him becoming an outlaw, with Pearl remaining loyal to him. Ending is Jacobean melodrama set in the torrid sun of wild West. Two Academy Award® nods for smoldering Jones and martyr Gish. Sweeping score by Dimitri Tiomkin also award worthy yet not honored.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038499/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_7_nm_1_q_Duel%2520In%2520The%2520Sun
A Place In The Sun (USA, Paramount Pictures, 1951, 122 min., dir. George Stevens)
Adapted for the motion picture screen from the novel An American Tragedy (1925) by Theodore Drieser the story of George Eastman (Montgomery Clift), son poor missionaries, is indeed tragic. George is struggling to earn a living when he meets his wealthy paternal uncle Charles Eastman (Herbert Heyes) while working as a bellhop in his uncle's hotel in Chicago, Illinois. Desiring a better life George takes his uncle up on an offer to work in one of the Eastman factories to accede a better place in society.
His cousin Earl (Keefe Brasselle) takes him under his wing and George begins working on the factory assembly line. Though mostly neglected by the Eastman family George still sees this position as a stepping stone to something better, which he's willing to work hard to achieve. Lonely in his new surroundings, George breaks the company rule of no fraternizing with fellow employees when he starts to date assembly-line worker Alice Tripp (Shelley Winters). Months pass and Uncle Charles remembers his nephew and promotes him professionally and personally by including him in his own social milieu. Uncomfortable in society gatherings George is befriended by breathtaking beauty Angela Vickers (Elizabeth Taylor), with whom he fell in love at first sight. The attraction is mutual which does not bode well with her snobbish parents. George is straddling two worlds, between his want for prosperity and Angela, whom he truly loves, and his obligation to needy envious Alice and not truly belonging in either one. When Alice learns of Angela and George’s other rich society friends, she reveals she's pregnant by him and tries to get him to marry her, with dire consequences.
Nine Oscar® nods, three wins. Note: It was a particularly stellar year for competition including Street Car Named Desire, The African Queen, Quo Vadis to cite a few exceptional films. Film was first of three movies Taylor and Clift co-starred in.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043924/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
The Sun Also Rises (USA, 20th Century Fox, 1957, 130 min., dir. Henry King)
In post WWI Europe a clique of young American and British expatriates wander through the continent, part of the cynical and disillusioned “Lost Generation” (as allegedly dubbed by Gertrude Stein) Adapted from the novel of same title by Ernest Hemingway two of the main characters are former lovers Lady Brett Ashley (Ava Gardner) and Jake Barnes (Tyrone Powers) journalist and World War I veteran During the war Jake suffered an injury that rendered him impotent, and Brett was his nurse. They parted ways, because she was not going to give up the sensual part of her life, yet remained friends.
After the war Jake moves to Paris, and among his pals is writer Robert Cohn (Mel Ferrer), who reveals to Jake his attraction to Brett, also living there. Jake cautions him about becoming involved with Brett because she is now engaged to Mike Campbell (Errol Flynn), and also for her promiscuous nature. Brett departs Paris for beach side sojourn in Spain. When she returns to Paris she reveals to Jake she was with Cohn. Jake and his buddy Bill Gorton (Eddie Albert) take off for the running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain and Brett and entourage tag along. She akes up with the handsome bullfighter hero of the day Pedro Romero (Robert Evans) who she eventually discards so she won’t “corrupt” him.
The mood of the movie is intellectual hedonism, mildly decadent, with underlying libidinous tension. Alluring and glamorous there’s also an emptiness and in spite of the stellar cast and Hemingway ethos film garnered no awards or nominations and did not really succeed as anticipated, though appealing for the era and stellar cast.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051028/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Little Miss Sunshine (USA, Searchlight Pictures, 2006, 101 min., R, dir. Jonathan Dayton/Valerie Faris)
Sheryl Hoover (Toni Collette) lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico with her charmingly quirky family. Her brother Frank (Steve Carrell), an authority on famous 19th century writer Parisian Marcel Proust, is unhappy declared homosexual who attempted suicide when he was rejected by his boyfriend and his great competitor became renowned and recognized as number one authority regarding Proust. Her husband Richard (Greg Kinnear) created a self-help/improvement improvement technique using nine steps to reach success, that’s an utter failure. Their son Dwayne (Paul Dano) has taken a vow of silence as a follower of philosopher Nietzsche and aims to be a jet pilot. Grandfather Edwin (Alan Arkin) was ousted from an institution for elders and is addicted in heroin. So when seven-year-old daughter Olive (Abigail Breslin) has a chance to compete in the “Little Miss Sunshine” pageant in Redondo Beach, California, the whole family travels together in their vintage Volkswagen van in a journey that brings new meaning to dysfunction, though with hope of winning the talent contest and make a dream come true. Four Oscar® nods including “Best supporting actress” for delightful Breslin, two wins including Arkin “Best Supporting Actor” and screenplay.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0449059/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
At Campobello
(USA, Dore Shary Productions/Warner Bros., 1960, 144 min., dir. Vincent J. Donehue)
The story of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's “FDR” (Ralph Bellamy) stricken with polio at age 39 in 1921 at the family summer home on Campobello Island in New Brunswick, Canada and how his family, “At Home
especially wife Eleanor (Greer Garson). Story reveals the various influences on Roosevelt’s life and his determination to recover in valiant effort to overcome and not be defeated by polio.
A gallant account of triumph over adversity based on the award winning Broadway play of the same title. Early scenes in Campobello reveal FDR’s paralysis of his legs then shifts to Roosevelt home in New York City, where he struggles to overcome his affliction. The film ends with the 1924 Democratic National Convention and his triumphant nominating speech for Al Smith's presidency in 1924. that catapulted FDR back into politics after an absence of several years to become President of U.S.A. for unprecedented three terms. Excellent supporting cast includes Hume Cronyn. Two Oscar® nominations.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054354/?ref_=nmawd_awd_1
The Sundowners (UK/Australia/USA, Warner Bros., 1960, 133 min., dir. Fred Zinneman)
Saga set in Australian Outback, with sheep drovers the Carmody family including patriarch Paddy (Robert Mitchum), wife Ida (Deborah Kerr), their teenage son Sean (Michael Anderson, Jr.) always on the move. Mother and son want to settle down and buy a farm though father wants to continue peripatetic path A sheep-shearing contest, the birth of a child, drinking, gambling, and a race horse will all have a part in the final decision to settle or not. Outstanding performances from support cast including Glynis Johns and Peter Ustinov.
Five Oscar® nods. Great critical acclaim for all performers and director Zinneman (e.g. High Noon) always brings in stellar cinematic achievement.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054353/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Empire Of The Sun
(USA, Amblin’Entertainment/Warner Bros.,1987, 153 min., PG, dir. Steven Spielberg)
Based on J. G. Ballard's best selling autobiographical novel, of young English lad James Graham ”Jim” (Christian Bale) whose privileged life is interrupted by the Japanese invasion of Shanghai December 8, 1941. Separated from his parents, he is eventually taken into custody and detained in Soo Chow confinement camp, next to a captured Chinese airfield. With strong instincts and courage he manages to survive amidst the sickness and food shortages in the camp, all the while bringing spirit and dignity to those around him. Six Oscar® nods, five BAFTA nominations with two wins. Future Academy Award® winner Bale’s “break out” performance.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092965/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_52
Tequila Sunrise
(USA, Cinema Films/Mount Co./Warner Bros., 1988, 115 min., R, dir./writer Robert Towne)
Drug dealer Dale “Mac” McKussic (Mel Gibson ) attempts to go straight. His long time best friend Nick Frescia (Kurt Russell) is police detective assigned to investigate and bring him to justice. Mac has a sort of clandestine relationship with sultry restaurateur Jo Ann Vallenari (Michelle Phieffer). In an effort to know more about Mac’s m.o. Nick gets close to JoAnn and has connections with the Mexican dealer who police believe is coming the USA to meet with Mac. What ensues is a variation on love triangle that can only end with disappointment. Towne on form with well devised script and tight directing technique.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096244/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
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)
