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Entries in Film Classics (7)
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
“It’s a Wonderful Life” is the kind of film everyone loves to see (and see again) no matter what time of year it is. It seems like the more things change, the more a film like this stays the same. It provides a kind of film-watchers’ comfort food as we hurtle at breakneck speed through the ensuing decades of personal, societal, and cinematic evolution. Perhaps some of us are not so sure anymore of why exactly we like this movie, how the tradition of watching it got started or if the film is really all that good in the first place. We know that it’s a 
part of a well-worn tradition (like eating fruitcake and turkey giblet gravy at Christmas). For that reason, if for no other, we are bound to see it again some time.
There’s just something terribly likeable about that everyman character, George Bailey (played by Jimmy Stewart). It’s not that he’s all that good looking or extremely clever or exceptionally charming or anything else. He’s just supposed to be an ordinary “nice guy”. In this big old mean old world, even nice guys can have some pretty big problems. At a certain point, George’s charmed life comes crashing in upon him and he finds 
himself about to jump off a bridge to put an end to it all. George Bailey wonders out loud if his life has really been worth living. A guardian angel (played by Henry Travers) is immediately dispatched from the heavenly realms in order to put things to rights. With the help of the unearthly messenger, George comes to realize that his life has had a tremendous impact, not only on his immediate family members, but on the whole community.
Wholesome is a good word to describe this film. It’s not a type of picture that you would see made today. Maudlin might be another word employed by some detractors of the film who would have little patience for such a cinematic work. But then, such people might not really appreciate how things work and what exactly goes on around the family dinner table each Christmas at our house. There are just certain dishes that Mother makes for every Christmas dinner (like the orange 
jellied salad or the buttered spicy squash). If you come as a guest for the dinner every year, you know that you are going to have to eat those dishes. It does no good to complain. You might as be reconciled with the traditional menu offering and find the virtues of the said salad. You’ll enjoy things a lot more if you do. And after all, what’s so bad about being good? Milk is wholesome too. It can be quite pleasant if you are used to it. And you would probably miss it if you could 
no longer have it. That’s kind of how I feel about “It’s a Wonderful Life”.
>>Not so Real Life: Sarah takes a chance on striking out in a new direction. Dealing with disappointments
>>More to see: Looking for more out of life?
See the three minute summary of "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946) Also see the scene where George lassos the moon.
Catherine Savard
in 1940s films, Donna Reed, Film Classics, Frank Capra, Henry Travers, James Stewart, Lionel Barrymore, Romantic Comedy, Steve Martin, Thomas Mitchell, Video Trailer
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The Philadelphia Story (1940)
"Philadelphia Story" (1940) IMDb stars Katharine Hepburn whose ex, played by Cary Grant, complicates her present wedding plans enormously, 
as recorded by a tabloid reporter, James Stewart. The star-studded cast goes down in film history in this classic romantic comedy. The broadway hit, which also starred Ms. Hepburn in the lead female role, was recycled into a highly successful film adaptation thanks to great casting and wonderful dialogue. Tracy Lord (Katharine Hepburn) takes us all on a roller coaster ride leading up to the big day of her society wedding accompanied by a great assortment of annoying relatives, expensive wedding gifts, a 
knock-out wardrobe, interfering members of the press and a bothersome ex-husband or two hanging around in the wings. Cary Grant is perfectly understated until just the right moment as C.K. Dexter Haven (I just can't resist letting that lovely name just roll off the 
tongue). Plans come more than slightly unraveled as a result of prying eyes, a drink or two too many and general foolishness and pride. But, all's well that ends well. Everyone, including the audience, is most content with the state of matrimonial bliss by the film's finish.
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>>On to "Who's Directing Your Life?"
Catch the video clip for "Philadelphia Story" (1940) here.
Catherine Savard
in 1940s films, Cary Grant, Comedy, Film Classics, James Stewar, Jimmy Stewart, Katharine Hepburn, Philadelphia Story, TVO movies for 2009, Video Trailer, romantic comedy
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Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
"Witness for the Prosecution" (1957IMDb) Billy Wilder's classic court room drama features Tyrone Power as the accused, Leonard Vole, and Marlene Dietrich as his wife. Charles Laughton is at the top of his form as defense lawyer Sir Wilfred Robarts. You never can tell with a wily old fellow like Sir Robarts up to his old tricks in the court room. Not to be missed in this production is the irrepressible Mrs. Charles Laughton, Elsa Lanchester. Lanchester plays the 
rather shrill Nurse Plimsoll to the hilt, running after Sir Wilfred with her sharp hypodermic syringe and a wit too dull to perceive crafty old coot’s concealed flask of brandy. Thoroughly entertaining fare derived from a successful Agatha Christie play.
Catch the TVO preview of the movie “Witness for the Prosecution”.
Also presented on on SNAM on the same evening highlighting legal wrangling were films previously featured on Midnight Oil, "The Ox-Bow Incident" (1943)and "Compulsion"(1959).
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>>On to "Who's Directing Your Life?"
A must see is this short video scene of the irritating Miss Plimsoll plying her trade with the irascible Sir Wilfred.
Catch the original movie trailer for "Witness for the Prosecution" (1957) here.
Catherine Savard
in 1950s films, Drama, Film Classics, Suspense, TVO movies for 2008, Video Trailer
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Laura Video Trailer (1944)
Gene Tierney’s breathtaking beauty in the title role adds to the performance of the ensemble cast accompanied by the memorable score composed by David Raksin. It all goes together to make this unforgettable classy film noir classic.
TVOntario’s Interviews, (Aug.18,’07) include contributions from the leading man, Dana Andrews and director, Otto Preminger. The Interviews contain revelations into the evolution of this wonderful film that are almost as enjoyable as the plot reversals contained in the film itself .
. . . In the opening scene of the film, we first meet Laura through taking a virtual walking tour of her home. In the days before “video visits” in online real estate listings, it must have been something of a novelty to inspect the interior of another person’s home in their absence through the camera lens – a kind of early video voyeurism . . .
<< Back to the entire archive for "Laura" (entitled "Picture Perfect") from the Main Midnight Oil journal.
>>On to "Who's Directing Your Life?"
View the Video Trailer for "Laura" from TVO
Catch the video trailer here.
Catherine Savard
in 1940s films, Film Classics, Film Noir, TVO movies for 2008, Video Trailer
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My Darling Clementine (1946) Video Trailer
"My Darling Clementine" (1946) INDb embodies the Western à la John Ford. Rough justice on the wild frontier is brought to life with screen legend Henry Fonda playing the real life legend,Wyatt Earp. Fonda is surrounded by a strong supporting cast that includes Victor Mature (Doc Holliday), Cathy Downs (Clementine), Linda Darnell (Chihuahua) and Walter Brennan (Old Man Clanton). As for the scoop as to what really happened underneath all t
hat dust in Tombstone at the O.K. Corrall, check out the Wikipedia article.
See the video preview from TVO for "My Darling Clementine".
<<Back to Midnight Oil main journal
>>On to "Who's Directing Your Life?"
Catch the video trailer for "My Darling Clementine".
Catherine Savard
in 1940s films, Film Classics, TVO movies for 2008, Video Trailer, Western
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