How Green Was My Valley

How Green Was My Valley a.k.a. The movie that beat Citizen Kane for Best Picture.
I tried watching this on a week I was working and that didn't work out so well. I kept falling asleep. I did get through the first hour of it before I stopped it and then finished it a couple of days later. And, I have to admit that by the end of it I stopped paying much attention to it.

The movie is about a boy Huw growing up in a valley in Wales. They had a coal mining plant and all his relatives worked there. The movie is narrated by the adult Huw as he relives his memories of his childhood. He watches the town transform from a happy little town to a town that is full of gossip and corruption. It starts as a nice place where people are happy and no one complains. Then the owners of the coal plant start lowering wages and firing people. So, the coal miners form a union with the help of Huw's older brothers much to the objection of their father. Then Hews Sister falls in love with the priest but marries the coal mines owner's son. Which then causes all the older women to start gossiping. We watch as Huw becomes the first of his family to go to a state school and deals with trying to fit in. Finally the movie ends with his father dieing in the coal mines.

The movie is just under 2 hours but it is one of the most boring movies. The narration is slow and just puts you to sleep. If anyone has trouble sleeping just watch this movie and it will knock you right out. Originally the producer Darryl F. Zanuk wanted to make this movie a four hour epic like Gone With the Wind. Thank God he didn't. It would have taken me a week to watch the whole thing. The one funny scene comes after Huw gets beaten at school by his teacher with a wooden ruler. Two guys from his valley come in and smack around the teacher in front of the class.

How green was his valley we will never know because it was shot in Black and White. The reason for that is because they shot it in California and flowers wouldn't match the Welsh landscape. The reason they had to shoot in California was because of World War 2 and the Nazi's continued bombing of England. Would it have made a difference I don't know but I think it still would have been boring.

One of the controversies with the movie was the pro-union message in the first part. While the father is against the union the union ultimately is formed and portrayed as a good thing. I wonder how the movie would be received today in our political landscape. I bet all the conservative pundits would trash the movie and call it anti-American.

The main question with this movie is how did it beat Citizen Kane a movie now called the best movie of all time, for Best Picture? I have no idea. While I think Citizen Kane is over rated an not even close to the best movie of all time I have to agree that it is way better then this movie. I haven't seen all the movies nominated for best picture that year but I know Alfred Hitchcock's Suspicion, and The Maltese Falcon were both better then this one. John Ford was nominated for his 3rd Directing Oscar in a row and Won his Second in a row. He won the previous year for The Grapes of Wrath and was nominated the year before that for Stagecoach. As far as I am concerned this is the worst of the 3 and think he should have stuck to Westerns. A young Roddy McDowall does a good job at playing Huw but too bad its just a bad movie.

Week in Review 7/19-7/25/10

Had a lot going on this week but managed to get a couple of good movies and some not so good movie in.

Watched Soylent Green the 1973 Sci-fi movie with Charlton Heston early in the week. What a cheesefest that was. It's one of those movies that's so bad you have to laugh. It has one great line at the very end which ended up on the AFI list of best quotes but the whole movie leading up to the end is just ridiculous. The movie is supposed to take place in 2022 where overpopulation and global warming has made food scarce. Charlton Heston plays a detective trying to solve a murder of some rich guy who works for the Solyent company. While investigating the guys murder he comes across a giant conspiracy. The investigation makes no sense. One of the funniest parts is when he is interrogating a women who was this guys "furniture", as he asks her questions he is getting undressed and gets into bed with her. Not sure what kind of interrogation technique that is but worked for him. Also apparently the future(if we make it past 2012) will look a lot like the 70's. I know that past trends do come back but lets hope not like that. This is one movie that could use a major update. While the plot and story could be interesting and still relevant with the fears of overpopulation and global warming it just needs to be told better.





Heres another not so good one. I finally saw 2012. Now I guess I kind of had unrealistic high hopes for this movie. 2012 and the Mayan calender is a subject that I find fascinating and have listened to many conspiracy theories on Coast to Coast AM about the subject. And if anyone can pull off an end of the world disaster movie I thought it could be Roland Emmerich the guy that ended the world in Independence Day. But I was very disappointed. At 2 and 1/2 hours the movie is way too long. You should be able to destroy the world alot quicker then that. The movie deals with too many characters that are not necessary to the story. Would have been much shorter and better if we didn't even meet some of these people. Oddly John Cusack is actually good. He is funny and you kind of root for him even in the most bizarre circumstances he is in. Woody Harrelson plays a crazy radio host in a short but hilarious role. What really makes me mad about this movie is that I had an idea similar to this movie years ago when I first started listening to Coast to Coast AM. 2012, solar flares, end of the world, Mayan prophesies, crazy talk show hosts all going to be in my movie. Not like I would ever make a movie anyway. But still. I had the idea first.



After getting postponed a day due to some tornado's in the area I finally go to watch the movie on Friday. So, glad I finally saw the movie before people started telling me things about it and spoiled it. I don't want to give anything away here but lets just say it was mind blowing. The concept, the effects, the acting, and the ending was just amazing. While I know some people would argue that the ending was awful (and I am glad I didn't see it with my wife because I know she would have hated it) but I thought that was exactly how it should have ended. It was a movie and an ending that makes you think and that's how I like it. And what else would you expect from the guy that made Memento another twisting mind blowing movie. And who thought that Joseph Gordon Levitt could be an action star. His fight scene in the hallway was my favorite part of the movie that's all I am saying. It was awesome.



A Small Act is a HBO Documentary that premiered at Sundance earlier this year. Its the story of how a women who made a small charitable contribution to an organization that helps African school kids changed the life of a boy. The boy grew up, went to college, went to Harvard and eventually started his own charitable donation for children in his own village. The movie follows Chris Mburo and his organization as he tries to help kids from his village in Kenya. His organization gives money to the brightest students in the village so they can go to secondary school. The organization is named the Hilde Back Foundation in honor of the Swedish teacher who donated money and sponsored him. After Chris graduates from Harvard, gets a job at the UN and starts this foundation that he named after her he sets out to find out who she is. Its amazing when she finds out after so many years that she truly changed this persons life. Its a great story of how one small act of kindness can change people lives and in turn lead to other's lives being changed. It's an uplifting story that actually shows the pay it forward philosophy is alive in the world. Another incredible documentary from Sundance and glad HBO is showing a bunch of them on Monday nights. So if you have HBO check out their Monday night Documentary Showcase.

To Sum up.
Soylent Green-Bad so bad its almost funny
2012-bad
Inception-awesome-must see
A Small Act-Inspiring-Must see

Wings(1927)

Wings the silent movie from 1927 not the TV show from the 90s. It took a long time to get this movie. It is one of two movies that won best picture that is not available on DVD. I had to go to the library and order the VHS. Took over a month till they finally called me and said they had it. I was so excited went down and got it. When I finally put it in the VCR it wouldn't work. I wasn't sure if it was the VCR or something else. When I looked at the tape I realized that it was broken. So, I had to bring it back to the library and hope that they could get a copy from someplace else. Lucky for me they could and it came in alot faster then a month. So, finally got everything working and sat down for a nice 2 hour silent film.

The movie is about 2 guys from the same town that want to be pilots. They come from different backgrounds, David is a rich upper class from a very proper family and Jack is a middle class adventurous day dreamer. They each have a love interest. Mary loves Jack and follows him around. Jack pretty much treats her like a little sister. Sylvia is the girl from the city that likes David, but both David and Jack are in love with her. Basically David and Jack dont get along real well and don't like each other right from the start. But they both join the Air Force and become friends while training. Then they go off to fight in WWI and the girls are home waiting for them. Mary becomes a nurse and drives trucks in the war. During the war David is captured by the Germans and steals one of their planes to escape. But he is shot down by Jack who doesnt realize it's David till after he crashes and dies. Obviously these events changes everybody especially David who has to live with the fact that he killed his best friend.

The movie wasn't too bad. Its actually an interesting story that doesn't seem very original today but is not badly done. It is one of two movies that won best picture that is about WWI All Quiet on the Western Front is the other one. The action wasn't too bad. They actually made the actors fly the planes with the cameras attached to the front of the plane. So, the actors had to operate the camera, act, and fly a plane all at the same time. Very impressive. Interestingly enough the first movie to win Best Picture was a war movie. I think it kind of set a precedent. Probably more war movies have won best picture then any other genre,including the most recent movie to win The Hurt Locker.

One of the other things that I found interesting is a similarity along with Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans which won Best Picture, Unique and Artistic Production. They both have two women in them, one from a small town and the other from the big bad city who tries to steal the other girls guy. Not sure what they had against girls from the city back then but seemed to be a common theme. The girls from the city were always portrayed as rich and beautiful and the poor girl next door cant compete with them.

Other facts of note
Only silent film to win best picture even though the Jazz Singer(the first Talkie) came out the same year it was not even nominated for Best Picture.
One of only 3 movies to win Best Picture without being nominated for Best Director
A young Gary Cooper had a small role in the movie.

Rebecca

While not the best Hitchcock movie it is the only one to win Best Picture. I was very excited to see it. Hitchcock is one of my favorite directors and has made some of the greatest movies. I started watching it and the DVD kept skipping. I finished the movie and realized I had missed parts. And it was some of the most important parts that explain the mystery. But I was able to rewind and see most of what I missed. Just to be safe I went to Target and bought a copy for myself.

The movie is about a young girl who marries a rich older man. This mans previous wife Rebecca died in a boating accident. After the new wife(she never is given a name) moves into the large mansion she is surrounded by the memories of Rebecca and strange things start to happen. The ghost of Rebecca seems to be haunting her. As the mystery unfolds it takes some twists and turns but is very satisfying at the end.

Hitchcock is the master of atmosphere and mood and he really shows it here. Rebecca demonstrates exactly why Hitchcock has a whole genre named after him. The whole mood of the movie is dark and foreboding. You never know what to expect and he keeps you on the edge of your seat. Somehow even though it won best picture Hitchcock didn't win best director he lost to John Ford for The Grapes of Wrath. While the acting and story were good I feel that it was Hitchcock's direction that made it great.

Besides Grapes of Wrath, Rebecca beat one of my favorite classic comedies The Philadelphia Story. The Philadelphia Story is a very funny movie with some of the best actors, Jimmy Stewart, Cary Grant, and Katherine Hepburn in it. Its a lot of fun and just great to see all those amazing actors interact with each other.

1939

1939 is considered one of the best years of movies. The 10 Best Picture Nominations were Dark Victory, Goodbye Mr. Chips, Love Affair, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Ninotchka, Of Mice and Men, Stagecoach, The Wizard of Oz, Wuthering Heights, and of course the winner that year Gone With the Wind. Five of them are on AFI Top 100 Greatest Movies of all time the most of any year,and two of them are in the top 10. Gone With the Wind is #4, The Wizard of Oz is #6, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is #29, Stagecoach is #63, and Wuthering Heights is #73. Ninotchka and Dark Victory made the list of Greatest Passions along with Wuthering Heights and Gone With The Wind. After watching Gone With the Wind I decided to check out some of the other movies that were nominated. Luckily for me TCM had them on TV recently and I could DVR most of them, I didn't realize that Dark Victory was one of the movies nominated because that was on TCM too but didn't tape it. But I had The Wizard of Oz, Stagecoach, and Wuthering Heights on my DVR. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington I can get on Netflix on demand.

So, I spent my Sunday watching movies much to the displeasure of my wife. Although I did get a few chores in but only managed to see the three movies I had on my DVR. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is going to have to wait even though it is one of my favorite out of the bunch. Anyway, started with the Wizard of Oz. I haven't seen the whole movie in a long time. While it is a good movie and I love the transition from black and white to color I still see it as a movie for kids.


Next on the list was Wuthering Heights. Based on the book by Emily Bronte about two lovers who just never can be together. Cathy loves Heathcliff but he is a poor stable boy and she is from a prominent family. Eventually she marries the rich guy next door and he marries the rich guys sister to get back at her. Not sure what it is about people using marriage to get back at someone. Similar to Gone With the Wind where Scarlett uses marriage to get what she wants. Basically a sad and dark movie. It's another movie that while it is not bad just doesn't do much for me. I do like the fact its not another happy love story and that it takes their love to a dark place.

Then on to Stagecoach after mowing the lawn and doing some weed whacking. This is the movie that made John Wayne a movie star and changed the genre of Westerns. It is a movie about a group taking a stagecoach through Indian territory. The group of social misfits includes among others a prostitute, a drunk doctor, an outlaw, a thief, and a pregnant women. It was one of the first Westerns that dealt with societal prejudice. I like movies where a bunch of people who wouldn't normally be together are forced to work together. Each character has their flaws but also their virtues and its fun to see that played out. The one thing I didn't like about the movie was the final shootout. You see one shot fired then the camera cuts away and all you do is hear the shots. Not sure how John Wayne takes out three guys(hope I didn't just ruin the movie for anyone). The movie now (as most Westerns are from that time period) is criticized for its portrayal of Indians as butchers. And while that would take another John Ford movie to help change that in Westerns this movie doesn't get into that much and mostly focuses on the group of people dealing with fear.

Well maybe I will get to see Mr. Smith Goes to Washington soon and hopefully TCM plays some more 1939 movies that I haven't seen.

Gone With The WInd

Well finally made to a movie almost everyone has heard of. This movie is the first truely classic movie to win Best Picture. It broke alot of records and when adjusted for inflation still is the highest grossing movie of all time even beating Titanic and Avatar. 1939 was a year filled with classic movies. Gone With The Wind beat The Wizard of Oz, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Wuthering Heights, and Stagecoach. All of which were on AFI 100 Greatest Movies of All Time. But Gone With the Wind is still considered one of the best movies of all time.

I have been somewhat dreading watching this movie because it is 4 hours and I thought it was just a long chick flick love story. I had seen it a while ago but never watched the whole thing all the way through. It turns out that I was wrong about the movie. The movie is very good and not entirely a love story. It really about a stubborn, selfish girl(Scarlett O'Hara) who will do anything to get what she wants. Even marry her sisters fiance to get his money. We watch her as she goes from a little girl in the South pre Civil War to a mother post reconstruction. We get to see the South change through her eyes and how she changes(and doesnt change) in response to it. She grows up to become a strong determined women, but never changes from that selfish little girl. The one man who see through her Southern Charm to who she really is is Rhett Butler. A man who doesnt follow the rules for being a Southern Gentleman he falls for Scarlet's independant and determined streak. The have this chemistry between them but Scarlet has no use for him much of the movie. Olivia de Havilland plays Melanie the wife of the man who Scarlet secretly wants to herself. Melanie is the opposite of Scarlet, very caring, forgiving, and considerate. She goes through the same things that Scarlet goes through but instead of coming out selfish and bitter she comes out caring. It is interesting to see the contrast of the two ways people deal with difficult situations.

All the acting was great. Vivien Leigh as Scarlet was amazing. Clark Gable as Rhett good as always. He has a presence with him on screen that you just dont see much in movies today. This confident almost cocky guy but still likable. I havent seen him in too many movies but this is the third movie that won best picture with him in it and he pretty much plays the same character but he does it so well it doesnt feel overused. You always hear about those two but for me the big surprise was Olivia de Havilland's performance. She always takes a back seat to Scarlet but her presence is always there. And of course Hattie Mcdaniel's Mammy was great. Her looks were priceless and she supplied the comedy for the movie, and won Best Supporting Actress. I was loving the movie for the first 3 hours but the last hour was kind of a let down. I don't want to give too much away but it turns too much into a weepy love story at the end and gets kind of boring. But for the majority of the movie was amazing. It really is one of the best movies of all time.

Some of its acheivements.
When adjusted for inflation it made $1.6 Billion most of all time.
First color movie to win Best Picture
Victor Fleming directed two movies that were nominated for Best Picture Gone with the Wind and The Wizard of Oz.
Hattie McDaniel was the first black actress or actor to win an acting award.
At 238 minutes it is the longest movie to date to win best picture.
Won Oscar for Best Editing, which brings up my a famous question from my dad. "How can a movie that long have good editing?"
The line "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn" was voted number 1 movie quote on AFI's 100 Greatest Movie Quotes. Also, "after all tomorrow is another day" and "As God is my witness, I'll never be hungry again" were at 31 and 59.
Voted number 4 on AFI's 100 Greatest movie's of all time and number 2 Greatest Passions of all Time, and Number 4 on Greatest Epics of all Time.

You Can't Take it With You

You Can't Take it With You is one of those movies that I feel needs to be put in context of its time. So, I decided to find out what was going on in 1938 and headed over to History.com to see what I could learn. It was a very busy year with a lot going on.
In the world the events that would eventually lead to WWII and the Holocaust took place. In March Germany annexed Austria, then in November the Nazis launched "Kristallnacht" or "Night of the Broken Glass". That is when the Nazis raided Jewish settlements and imprisoned, killed , and stole from many Jews in Germany and Poland. With no real consequences from outside countries it lead Hitler to believe he could get away with anything.
In the United States we were still dealing with the effects of the Great Depression and Roosevelt's New Deal policies. The House of Un-American Activity Committee was formed to find communists and The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 was passed that set a minimum wage and limited child labor. In 1937 after a little recovery the United States went into a recession. It was believed by many that this recession was caused by greedy corporations and monopolies.
It is the idea of greedy corporations being the cause for the recession and peoples money problems that is the back drop for the movie. The movie is about a business tycoon who is buying all the property from the people in a town. They never really say what he is going to do with the property except it will force one of his business competitors to go bankrupt and he will be rich. There is one family that refuses to sell. They are a family of odd balls. The grandfather played by Lionel Barrymore encourages his household to do whatever they like to do and even brings home strangers. He convinces a bank teller to leave his job and live at his house to follow his dream of making toys and masks. The one daughter who has a normal job is a secretary for the business mans son played by James Stewart. They fall in love and want to get married. But the differences between his rich parents and her poor and unusual family makes things difficult. Then added to the mix is the fact that its his father trying to buy the house. Basically its an odd ball comedy. The moral of the story is to follow your dreams, do what makes you happy, and if your greedy you will die rich but not happy, because money You Cant Take it With You when you die.
I enjoyed the movie. I love the quirky family and Jimmy Stewart is as good as always. This was his first movie with Frank Capra and while not considered his best it is still fun and enjoyale. Frank Capra had a knack for making light hearted films that were enjoyable yet seemed to have a moral. In this movie it was don't take life too seriously and have fun. In Mr. Smith Goes to Washington it was even the little guy can make a change, and in It's a Wonderful Life the moral was we all have something to contribute to others life.
It seems in times like we are in now his stories never go out of date. We seem to be going through the same troubles with similar feeling about greedy corporations. Maybe everyone should watch this movie again and we can all learn something. People might argue that it was not the best movie of 1938 but it definitely meant something and spoke to the people of that time. And while some movies age poorly this one still has meaning today.

Also of interest:
Frank Capra was the president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences,
(which gives out the Oscar)and he was host of the ceremony. And who thought
politics didn't play a role in winning Academy Awards back then.

Spencer Tracy won his second Best Actor award in a row for Boys Town making him the first actor to win back to back awards.

Walt Disney received an honorary awards for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and
was "recognized as a significant screen innovation which has charmed millions and
pioneered a great new entertainment field" he received one regular size statuette
and 7 miniature ones.

The Grand Illusion was the first foreign language picture to be nominated for Best
Picture. No foreign language picture has ever won best picture. The First Award
For Best Foreign Language Film was given out in 1946.