Death as a Character

 

I have no idea why death has been on my mind but, it has been and what better way to celebrate this disturbing thought than in film. One can take death in many variations but, I thought, it’s fun to showcase films where death is actual entity that roams with us. So here are my 3 films I chose that represent Death in a unique way.

1. DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY-1934

It might feel a bit stagey, but, I love this film! It has an ethereal film and seems to capture an otherworldly feel thanks to, not just Death, but to Evelyn Venable. She is the actress playing the daughter of a count who seems to float through the film who belongs to another time and place. Death comes in the form of the dashing Frederic March who revels who he is to her dad and wishes to take the form of a human so can feel what humans feel. While on a holiday, no one dies and Death is enjoying himself but, when he meets Evelyn, he falls deep in love and can not bear the idea of being without her. It’s a very different film that  had a great feel for the other world this film inspires to be. I need to see this again.

2. THE SEVENTH SEAL-1957

Talk about parody! Many of you may not have seen this great Swedish classic but the image of Death play8ng chess for the soul of the knight has been parodied in many movies and TV shows. Bengt Ekert  plays Death to perfection who is after the soul of the Crusader, played by the great Max Von Sydow, who refuses to go with Death. Along the way we meet various people from a young couple who are actors to a court jester. It is set during the Middle Ages when the bubonic plague was everywhere. It is a philosophical film which brings up the meaning of life, religion, death and more. I find it one of the most intelligent films I’ve ever seen.

3. THE ADVENTURES OF BARON MUNCHAUSEN-1988

I saw this film when it came out and loved it. It is one wild ride based on the German exploits of this Baron in German folklore. This man ends up with a young girl, played by Sarah Polly and together they go through many adventures while he tries to find his original troop. He ends up on a planet with a Horned up king played with much gusto, by Robin Williams. From there, they end up inside a whale, inside a volcano with Hades and his wife, Venus.its the age of Reason but nothing seems to make sense. Baron Munchausen reverts to youth but, when things don’t go his way, he ends up old with death, ragged and looking sort of like a bird, tries to capture his soul. It is scary and you wish for the Baron to win. It is a film by Terry Gilliam so you know it is different. It did bomb at the box office because of the gossip of all the production delays plus it is just very different but it’s worth checking out.

What other films can you think of where Death  is represented as an actual character?

Who Won The Oscar-1950

 

It’s freebie week over at Monday Music Moves Me and, it is which song won the Oscar, which was nominated and which came up nadda. We’ll, let’s see if you choose correctly…

1. BE MY LOVE SUNG BY MARIO LANZA

This song come from the musical, “The Toast of New Orleans,” starring Kathryn Grayson, David Niven and Mario Lanza which made Lanza a star. This was written by Sammy Cahn( lyrics) and Nicholas Brodszky ( music). Lanza sang this song with Kathryn Grayson in the musical but it became a huge hit for just Lanza’s voice alone that it was his first million seller. 

2. A DREAM IS A WISH YOUR HEART MAKES SUNG BY ILENE WOODS

Ilene Woods portrayed Cinderella in the animated musical of Cinderella. It was written by Mack David, Al Hoffman, and Jerry Livingston and became a hit for Disney and you can hear this song in Disney films and is reprised in the 2015  live version of Cinderella starring Lily James. This song is inspired by Frank Liszt’s, “Transcendental Etude #9”.

3. MONA LISA SUNG BY SERGIO DE KARLO

I always thought Nat King Cole was the originator of this song but, he was not! This song come from a the film, “Captain Carey” and it was sung by Sergio whom I never knew about since I have not seen this film. This song was written by Ray Evans and Sam Livingston and didn’t make it really big until Nat King Cole  sang it. 

So…you know the drill, which won the Oscar, which was nominated and which came up empty-handed?

Life After Death

 

My mom died 7 years ago, yesterday, and I miss her so much but, I bet, I am not alone in people missing their moms or dads. It had me think about how many conversations my mom and I had about life after death. We could talk for a long time about this topic and my mom was hopeful that this actually existed. There are a few films about this very topic and I chose 3 that my mom really liked and here they are..

1. BETWEEN TWO WORLDS-1944

I love this film about a group of people piled into a cab ready to get to the wharf and board a ship to the States when they get hit by a bomb. 2 others, a husband and wife, completely separate from this group decide to end their lives together by turning on the gas in their apartment. They wake up on a ship and realize they are dead but the group in the cab, have no idea. We meet the whole group from the loud mouthed reporter to a gossipy rich bitch and her sweet husband to a sailor coming home to be with his wife and small baby. While on board, the group slowly learn what really happened to them. It makes one think about what happens when one dies. It’s a great film about characters and the afterlife. One of my personal favourites and one my mom saw one night and very much enjoyed it. This was Erich Korngold’s favourite musical piece he created for film.

2. HEAVEN CAN WAIT-1978

This is an excellent remake of the 1941 film, “ Here Comes Mr. Jordan”  and, I think, it’s just as good as the original. My mom and I went to see it in the movie theatre and we both liked it for the light comedy but mixed with sadness that still can bring a tear to my eye. Warren Beatty play a football star who dies but is placed into the body of a rich man because the angel got too eager and took Joe’s soul before he actually died. His body was cremated so now he is in a real dilemma because he should never have died, the head angel, played so well by the great James Mason,  decide to place him int9 the murdered body of a filthy rich man. You find out the guys not too happy widow and his attorney are having an affair and killed the real rich dude.  The love interest, played by the. Real-life love interest, Julie Christie, realizes that the cold-hearted rich dude has changed somehow and now wants to help her and the charity she is passionate about. You also have his couch, played so well by Jack Warden, who realizes that the rich bloke is his friend Joe. I always felt most sad for the character played by Jack. This is a real gem.

3. WHAT DREAMS MAY COME-1998

This is another film both my mom and I went to see and we both loved it. Robin Williams gives an excellent portal of a loving father and husband who dies and is in his own personal heaven heavily reliant on paintings he loves. In Fact, this film was one of the first for a great contribution to a new way of visual effects and art direction. The main character, played by the great, Robin Williams, loves art so when he is in heaven, everything looks and feels like a painting. There he meets an angel played by Cuba Gooding Jnr who tells him his wife has committed suicide and is in purgatory. Robin decides that he must save her and he travels through a Dantesque landscape which feels very heavy and foreboding. It really makes you think about the hereafter and how heaven may look. It is visually stunning, well acted, heroic and a real love story that defies the ages. Funny, this film’s original print was destroyed in the Universal fire in 2008 and they found a copy in Europe just like some very old films you hear about. 

Which films can you think of about the afterlife that you like?

Motivation!

 

Motivation…..what the hell is that? LOL I do plan to walk more and create more and do my best to laugh more and enjoy the moments. I do this anyway but, we all can have bad days, which is ok, but I love to concentrate on the good rather than all the crap that surrounds us. This proud Canadian will enjoy this year despite all that one sees, endures and hears…it’s all in the attitude. Curious as a Cathy has a great theme this week about a “New Start or what motivates you” so here are my 3 picks…

1. RAISE A LITTLE HELL SUNG BY TROOPER-1978

This is a staple of Canadian songs and was a big hit for this Canadian band. Apparently, it is a song often played in hockey games..what do I know..lol. I just always loved this song

2. I WILL WALK 500 MILES BY THE PROCLAIMERS-1988

I love dancing to this song which is just so upbeat and fun. I may not walk 500 miles, but I do plan to walk more, when I can.

3.  DREAM A LITTLE DREAM SUNG BY THE MAMAS AND THE PAPAS-1968

I know this version of this old song the best and for good reason, it’s excellent! The harmonies of this group is superb. I had no idea it was written back in 1931 and sung by Ozzie Nelson..yes the dad from the Ozzie and Harriet Show. This song speaks to my daydreaming ways which I do often and makes me want to get my ass upstairs and create some cards. I hope this will happen this weekend..we shall see.

What songs motivate you?

Who Should Have Won the Oscar 2020

 

2020 seemed to be filled with Oscar snubs and the Beat Actor had a few from Adam Sandler to Leo DiCaprio. I was pissed off this year because I hated who won the Best Actor and this is which I am speaking about. 

1. JOAQUIN PHOENIX IN JOKER

I was looking forward to this movie and Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of this iconic villain but I ended up being really irritated by his acting and hated this movie. I found he was acting it way too much and his own issues with sanity was coming forward because, let’s face it, Joaquin is quite an odd person. I didn’t like this film because of the writing too. They show this insane person kill and he, at the end, is eulogized by the people, which is gross. There were so many others that were better than him because you couldn’t see them act. Joaquin kept throwing it in my face at how well he is acting and feels he is better than Heath Ledger…which he is not. Just think how Heath would have been in this film. 

2. ADAM DRIVER IN THE MARRIAGE STORY

This is a great story about 2 people, successful, but their marriage is faltering. We see the demise of their love as we see their work flourish. He is a successful theatre director and his wife acts in his plays but she has now been given the ability to act in TV.  We see them fight for their child and lawyers get involved who are the only winners. This is a well acted film and you feel for the characters. Adam is excellent in this film and you feel for both. He was nominated but didn’t win and I would have been happy if he did.

3. TARON EGERTON IN ROCKETMAN

Taron nailed it as Elton John and you believed him to be Elton. I had no idea how brilliant Elton was when he was so young and this actor showed this man’s complexity so well. You believe the actor and I feel he should have won the Oscar because you believe in him and do not question anything he does. He deserved to win but he wasn’t even nominated. I just don’t understand why.

So do you agree with me or would you choose another actor?

I have to say one thing….i am a proud Canadian and I will fight to remain Canadian. No person would like to be bullied, cajoled and threatened when we have always have been an Ally. I bet Americans would not like being bullied and threatened if the shoe was on the other foot. So Resident Rump can go to the place that never cools. I Am CANADIAN!

Music From the Hubby

 

My hubby loves Harley and me so…hence the picture. Harley is such a sweet guy, except when he goes after food. He is the bees knees and I just love my hubby and he loves me so I asked him what classic style music popped into his head that he loves and he chose the 3 I have here. I am signing up for Monday Music Moves Me which is a freebie week.

1. WHAT IT’S LIKE BY EVERLAST-1998

I remember when this came out and I don’t mind it even though there is some rap to it but it also has hints of blues and rock. 

2. BLACK MAGIC WOMAN BY SANTANA-1970

I love Carlos Santana and so does my hubby and this is a classic song, one of many this legend has created.

3. WISH YOU WERE HERE BY PINK FLOYD-1975

I mean, what can one say about Pink Floyd? They are legendary and this song is legendary to repeat that word again. This is one of so many that are just great. 

So, what songs do your spouses’ love?

Star of the Month-Dana Andrews

 

DANA ANDREWS

BIRTH: January 1, 1909

DEATH: December 17, 1992

AGED: 83 yrs

DIED FROM: pneumonia and heart failure. Suffered from Alzheimers as well.

REAL NAME: Carver Dana Andrews

MARRIED: twice, the first wife died from pneumonia in less than 2 yrs of marriage. 2nd marriage last until his death.

CHILDREN: 4 kids; 1 from the first wife.

FAMOUS SIBLING: Steve Forrest

AFFAIRS: Carmen Miranda, apparently. I would need to read more to confirm this.

TALENT: singing, operatic voice

KNOWN FOR: talking about his alcoholism including ads about this. Great advocate when few stars spoke about their issues. He also worked for womens' rights in the acting field. He also made tons of money in Real Estate.

This man should be better known  and right along side the A players like James Stewart, Clark Gable, Gary Cooper and Spencer Tracy but, unfortunately, he is not known unless  you love film history and old movies. He was never nominated for an Oscar which is a crime and he was never given more musicals because he had a trained, singing operatic voice. The one musical he made, his voice was dubbed because the higher ups didn’t know Dana could sing. Dana didn’t correct them because he felt that the person dubbing him needed the job. 

He came from a family with 13 kids ( parents must really love each other, again and again and again). He really wanted to be an actor so he hitch-hiked to California to make it big. After working in basic jobs, he finally got into films and married. He was a happy camper with a wife and son but, in less than 29 years his wife died from pneumonia. He was now a widow with a young son but he steadily climbed up the ladder and remarried. The 1940s was his peak but he was also an alcoholic who had more than one DUI. He and his wife separated for a time which might be when he had a brief affair with Carmen Miranda..maybe. The good news is he finally sought help, became sober and became one of the first famous advocates for the National Council on  Alcoholics and Drug Dependence. He and his wife reunited and they had 3 children but, sadly, his first son, from his first marriage, died from a cerebral hemorrhage when only in his 20s. Dana was also one of the first vocal advocates for women who were sexually manipulated in the industry. He was a steadfast and true gentleman, I think.

One fun point is the film, “Zero Hour” was the basis for the comedic film, “Airplane” and I need to see that movie since I love that comedy.

This man suffered some sad losses but he straightened out and was an early vocal advocate for AA and women's issues in the industry. He could play a romantic lead, a tough guy, and even comedy albeit hecwas more the straight man. He should have been nominated and won for his role in The Best Years of our Lives but he never was noticed  which is so very sad. You should check some of his films out. Here are films that I ranked from my favourite to lesser but also films I have yet to see.

FILMS 

1  The Best Years of Our Lives- 1946

2. The Ox-Bow Incident- 1942

3. Laura- 1944

4. State Fair-1945

5. A Walk In The Sun- 1948

6. Ball of Fire- 1941

7. Up In Arms-1944

8. Elephant Walk- 1954

9. The Purple Heart-1944-need to see!

10. Fallen Angel- 1945

11. Boomerang- 1947

12. Zero Hour- 1957- Airplane based their movie on this film.