Stay Out of The Sun…Good Luck!

 

I am writing this on July 2nd, the day back in 1997, when my favourite actor, James Stewart died at the age of 89. I was praying he would not die that week because I was getting married on July 5th, but he did and I was bummed. You bet your sweet bippy that I spoke about him at my wedding and I’m glad I did. Today is supposed to be National Stay Out of the Sun Day so I combined the 2. All I can say is that it’s stinkin’ hot outside and it is good to stay out of the sun…if you can. Here are my 3 films…

1. REAR WINDOW-1954

This is one of my all time favourite Hitchcock films and Jimmy Stewart films. It takes place around this courtyard during a sweltering summer with Jimmy Stewart as an adventurer photographer sidelined by a broken leg. He is holed up in his apartment with a cast all the way up to his upper thigh. He has a nurse who comes in every day, played by the incomparable Thelma Ritter and his beautiful fiance, played with great finesse by Grace Kelly. You meet all the people Stewart is peeping..er watching from Miss. Lonely Hearts, to the composer, the dancer, the couple with their dog and the husband with his invalid wife. You can feel the heat which just confines you even more than this intricate set. When the invalid wife is gone one day, Stewart expects foul play but is it? You get taken into his world and become a voyeur and can’t wait to  see what all the people are up to. Grace looks exquisite in her outfits and seems to be the only one who doesn’t sweat. It’s a must see film

2. ANATOMY OF A MURDER-1959

This takes place during a sweltering summer when a man is accused of murder and the only one who may be able to get him off is “aww shucks” James Stewart as the Defense Attorney. The accused, played by Ben Gazzara, claims he has no memory of killing a man who was accused of raping his wife, played by Lee Remick. The prosecutor is played by George C. Scott who was nominated for an Oscar for this role and, thought for sure he would win. When he didn’t, he was so disillusioned by the whole Oscar process, he vowed never to accept an Oscar if he ever won…and he kept that promise. Anyhoo, you feel the heat while in that court room especially when they used risqué words like panties, rape etc… In fact, these words caused quite the furor in its day and Stewart’s dad was so disgusted by the film he took out an ad, in his hometown, telling everyone to stay away from this film. It is quite well acted by everyone and I love Eve Arden as Stewart’s secretary. I can’t help but think this is the inspiration for the show Matlock with Andy Griffith in the title role.

3. THE FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX-1965

This is an all star cast with Jimmy Stewart as the pilot flying between to places in Libya carrying a variety of people associated with oil rigs. A dust storm takes them off course and they crash land in the desert. The group of men must now deal with the hot sun, doing their best to stay in the shade while rationing what little food and water they have. When an arrogant German ( who else?) finds a way to make the plane fly again, everyone gets to work despite the antagonism between Stewart and the German, played so well by Hardy Kruger. They must deal with all sorts of trials hoping they can find their way back to civilization before they die and shrivel up in the sun. This is a fun adventure film and a great character study. I enjoy watching this film whenever I get the chance. 

So, what movies can you think of that makes you think of staying away from the sun because it’s just too damn hot?