« And the Oscar Goes To... | Main | Why We Fight, Part II »
December 31, 2008
Ten Best Movies of 2008, Part I
Seraphic Secret is taking a short break from blogging the Gaza War to look back at the ten best movies I screened in 2008. I have to admit that I did not see one contemporary release that comes close to the quality and passion of these older films. And keep in mind that most of these classic movies were produced on modest budgets, never intended as studio blockbusters. These ten products of Hollywood's golden age are what Hollywood used to do best: solid, unpretentious entertainment.
Charles Laughton, the finest actor
of his time.
10. The Man From Down Under (1943) starring Charles Laughton and Donna Reed. Billy Wilder once stated that Charles Laughton was the greatest living actor. Who am I to argue with the legendary director? Laughton was certainly methodical in his research. Tapped to star as Captain Bligh in MGM's blockbuster Mutiny on the Bounty, (1935) Laughton went to the original London tailor shop that made the real Bligh's uniforms and had them copied to wear as his wardrobe. Anything for a true performance. Here, Laughton brilliantly portrays a rough and alcohol sodden Australian soldier who adopts two Belgium orphans, rescuing them from the ruins of World War I. This could have been a dreadful exercise in melodrama, but Laughton's acute commitment to the crude but sensitive Aussie character raises the movie to an unexpected emotional pitch. Robert Z.Leonard real name Robert Zigler Leonard, directed this little gem. Leonard is one of those great studio directors who are sniffed at by film cultists because he didn't have a "personal signature.” But Leonard's signature, like the great Clarence Brown, was rock solid professionalism and the highest levels of craftsmanship.
Marion Davies in Peg O' My Heart
9. Peg O’ My Heart (1933) starring Marion Davies as poor Irish girl who is forced to abandon her beloved father and live with snooty, wealthy relatives in the manor—and learn to be a lady. Davies is poignant and charming. She was a hugely gifted comedienne. Unfortunately, as William Randolph Hearst's mistress she was never taken seriously. It didn't help that Hearst financed her movies and insisted that she star in stiff dramatic period pieces that were unsuited to her natural comedic talents. Davies, a former Ziegfeld Girl, also sings and dances in this movie with magnetic energy. Once again, Robert Z. Leonard provides rock solid direction. Before he died, Orson Welles confessed that he had “done a dirty” to Marion Davies with his portrayal of the shrill and talentless Susan Alexander in Citizen Kane. It's impossible to know if Welles was truly contrite—he was always acting—but he spoke the truth. Citizen Kane destroyed a talented woman's reputation for several generations. Only now is a new generation of movie-lovers beginning to appreciate Marion Davies incandescent screen persona.
8. Five Star Final (1931) starring Edward G. Robinson, and Marian Marsh, Screenplay by Byron Morgan, directed by Mervyn Leroy. This amazing film delves into the squalid world of yellow journalism. Edward G. Robinson, real name Emanuel Goldenberg, plays a city editor who agrees to pursue a story, actually a family with a terrible secret, in order to increase circulation. Lives are shattered and spilled ink results in spilled blood. There's great use of split screen to build tension during a telephone sequence, so next time you watch 24, remember that this is an old and reliable device. Robinson, one of the great American film actors of all time, turns in a powerful and moving performance as a professional who sacrifices his soul and ethics for a story that should not be told. Mervyn LeRoy, real name probably Mervyn Levine, who got his start as a gag writer for silent star Colleen Moore, stays out of the way and allows his cast to work together and dramatize the moral vacuum that has been opened. The great Marian Marsh real name, Violet Ethelred Krauth, is simply riveting. I saw this on TCM, and so far have not been able to find it on DVD or VHS. A buried treasure.
7. The Toll of the Sea (1922) From a script by Hollywood's greatest screenwriter, Frances Marion. Anna May Wong's first feature role. She was just 17-years old. This was the first Hollywood feature shot in the new two-color Technicolor process. Anna May, Lotus Flower, rescues and falls in love with a shipwrecked American sailor. He promises to take her home. But the sailor's friends discourage the love affair with a Chinese girl, and he takes off to America without Lotus Flower. Wong's performance is beautifully modulated and deeply moving, especially for one so young. Wong matured into a great actress—she steals scenes from the flashy Dietrich in Shanghai Express simply by her riveting zen-like stillness. Sadly, Wong was doomed to star in B programmers where the plot required her to die rather than end up in a clincher with her Caucasian co-star.
Constance Bennett
6. The Easiest Way, (1931) starring Constance Bennett, Anita Page, Adolphe Menjou, Robert Montgomery, and the very young Clark Gable has a small supporting role. This is a a smoldering, Pre-code moral fable. Constance Bennett, an impoverished beauty, discovers that the easiest way to support her struggling family is to become mistress to the oily, and always tuxedoed Adolphe Menjou. But Bennett falls in love with the poor but honest Robert Montgomery. Ultimately, she has to choose between love, money, and a moral code that will allow her to sleep at night. Bennett was a huge star for a few years, but her diva-like behavior made enemies of studio executives and film crews alike. When Bennett's star fell—sister Joan's star ascended as Constance crashed—there were few who shed any tears. Constance Bennett fans usually cite the superb Hollywood or Bust or the overrated Topper—a one-joke film with terminal second act problems—as their favorite Constance Bennett films. But for yours truly, The Easiest Way is her most surprising and multi-layered performance. For an insightful look into the entire Bennett clan—talk about a family with tzuris—Self-Styled Siren has been blogging about sisters Constance, Joan, a bit on tragic Barbara, and toxic daddy Richard Bennett.
5. Lorna Doone 1922, starring Madge Bellamy, John Bowers, Frank Keenan and Patrick McDonald, from the novel by Richard Doddridge Blackmore. Madge Bellamy, real name Margaret Derden Philpott, for a few brief moments in Hollywood time, was a massive star. You can also see her in John Ford's The Iron Horse. In the sound era, Madge's most famous role is as Madeleine Parker, in White Zombie, with Bela Lugosi (1932), a cult classic. But the young beauty seemed bent on self-destruction and gained a reputation for being difficult, the kiss of death in tinsel town. She sealed her fate when she walked out of L.B. Mayer's office because, as she explained, he didn't stand up to greet her like a gentleman. Her personal life was a mess. Bellamy was dominated by a grasping, overbearing mother, and Madge's only marriage lasted but four days. Her downfall came when she stalked a former lover and then shot him. Arrested and charged with attempted murder, Bellamy said: “I only winged him, which is what I meant to do. Believe me, I'm a crack shot.” Lorna Doone, one of the greatest love stories evuh, tells the tale of Lorna, a noble young girl who is kidnapped and reared by the Doone's, a clan of highland bandits. Years pass and one of the thieves tries to press Lorna into marriage, but Lorna is still in love with her childhood sweetheart. Director Maurice Tourneur, real name Maurice Thomas, was one of the great pioneers and poets of the silent cinema. Every composition is carefully balanced and source-lighting evokes layers of mood that recalls the Northern Renaissance. Bellamy is just lovely and her performance is a fine portrait of a young woman torn between the conflicting emotions of duty to Sir Ensor Doone, the clan leader, and her long lost love.
And do check out my buddy Dirty Harry's list of Ten Worst Films of 2008. Oy-vey, the things DH does for his audience. He should get a medal for hazardous duty.
In the meantime:
Mae West, the woman who famously boasted of turning
men into boys, celebrates.
The hard-working Jack has just published his Gaza Update 4.5. Seraphic Secret prides itself on transparency, so we'd like you to know that Jack asked us if we had any suggestions on how to improve his Gaza Updates. “A picture of Brigitte Bardot,” was our reasonably reply. I mean, BB would be a great moral booster during this difficult time, no?
Well, Jack didn't take our wise advice so here's one—for the troops.
The anti-Islamist BB
Posted by Robert J. Avrech at December 31, 2008 01:01 PM
Comments
Seraphic Secret is private property, that's right, it's an extension of our home, and as such, Karen and I have instituted two Seraphic Rules and we ask commentors to act respectfully.
1. No profanity.2. No Israel bashing. We debate, we discuss, we are respectful. You know what Israel bashing is. The world is full of it. Seraphic Secret is one of the few places in the world that will not tolerate this form of anti-Semitism. That's it. Break either of these rules and you will be banned.
Robert - you are absolutely right in saying that so many of the old movies done on a shoestring are true classics and art, while today so much of this stuff done for 10s of millions (with an equal amt for advertising) are "here today, forgotten tomorrow". I think Casablanca is the best example I an think of - it was I believe a low budget movie - Ronald Reagan was asked for the lead part but it went to Bogey (who if I am not mistaken was considered a B-actor most of his career -
I'll tell you a movie story I picked up in one of my travels. About 12 years ago or so, my then girl friend Mary Kay and I were traveling in Nevada and me, being military history buff, wanted to stop and see the old airport at Wendover NV. This was where all the heavy bomber crews were trained including the Enola Gay crew. One could see all the foundations of the barracks, hangers, with accompanying signs telling what these buildings were.
But the biggest surprise was seeing a movie set. Since I know next to nothing about the movie business I was surprised at how - B O R I N G it really was. Just a bunch of tents and trailers with hardly a human in sight.
And to top all this off a security guard had a fit when he saw my camera. (it was so boring I would have taken no pictures on my own accord!). Turns out they film a lot of movies at this site.
Anyway I was leaning on a fence and a well dressed man stood next to me. Turns out they were filming ConAir. I thought later I was talking to Jerry Bruckheimer but in seeing his picture later it was some other principal with the movie.
I asked this man, "Don't you think that movies these days rely more on special effects and less on good writing?"
After a moment's reflection the Principal laughed and had to agree with me.
Posted by: Bill at December 31, 2008 02:07 PM
and they were clean. didn't have to resort to nudity or graphic violence.
Posted by: mata hari at December 31, 2008 02:14 PM
CASABLANCA is a great, splendid, magnificant, wonderful, old tearjerker, but it has been SHOWN TO DEATH. For a refreshing change from CASABLANCA, try PASSAGE TO MARSEILLE.
I think Brigitte Bardot, or Prime Minister Rasmussen of Denmark, or Brigitte Gabriel, or Salmon Rushdie, or somebody, anybody, who has challenged Islamofascism, should win the Nobel Peace Prize this year. I also think Sherry Jones, author of The Jewel of Medina, should win the Nobel Prize for Literature. The Jewel of Medina is the kind of trashy romantic novel teenagers gobble up, but it was published in the face of Islamic protests. Anybody who fights Islamic censorship is making a major, courageous contribution to world literature.
Posted by: Miranda Rose Smith at December 31, 2008 11:25 PM
One of my happiest movie-going moments was watching Casablanca at Hollywood's Grauman Theatre.
btw, you ever see footage of Laughton as Emperor Claudius in the ill-fated film project of I, Claudius? Merle Oberon played opposite. (She had a car accident which halted shooting of the eventually scrapped pic.)
Posted by: Jeremiah at January 1, 2009 10:58 AM
I saw The Man from Down Under a couple of weeks ago and found it to be a delightful film. I expected that it would be entertaining, if a little maudlin, but it wasn't maudlin at all.
Charles Laughton was excellent in all of his roles, but one performance that I particularly admire is the one he gave in Payment Deferred.
Posted by: Paco at January 1, 2009 07:18 PM
Wasn't Laughton related to the Kennedys?
Posted by: soccer dad at January 2, 2009 06:40 AM
Hi, Robert. Happy New Year!
Laughton didn't plan to get Bligh's uniform copied. He went to the tailor and asked if they could make him something like what Bligh would have word, and they replied "Oh, I don't think there's any need for that, sir. We still have Mr Bligh's patterns. We can make you an exact copy."
Admiralty records are amazing. For Master And Commander, they got the original plans for HMS Surprise from the Admiralty and used them. The ship you see in the film is an exact copy, down to paint colours of individual fittings.
To be fair to this year's films, The Dark Knight and Iron Man were both excellent. Christopher Nolan's a real visionary who insists on doing everything for real unless it's actually impossible, and Jon Favreau clearly believes that special effects are no use without good performances.
Posted by: Squander Two at January 2, 2009 08:11 AM
Being a Laughton fan, I recently FINALLY managed to see "The Man From Down Under" which is one of his rarely broadcasted movies
For what I had read about it, I wasn't expecting that film to be a wonder, and IMHO, it isn't... Points of interest: I suppose it could be seen (in a way) as a film pre-dating Baz Luhrman's "Australia". It has a competent cast, and Laughton manages to give the character an appropiate brass behaviour while also showing in him an essential goodness of character: also, the chemistry and humour in his scenes together Binnie Barnes (former cast partner in Henry VII) is evidenta, but he was well aware that this would have been a perfect role for Wallace Beery... Nowadays the role would have been played by Paul Hogan...
Personally, I think that Laughton fared much better in MGM films in the 30s, when Irving Thalberg gave him the type of roles he knew nobody could do like Laughton ("Payment Deferred", "The Barrets of Wimpole Street", Mutiny on the Bounty... for the record, it was Thalberg's original idea to cast Laughton as Quasimodo, even though he played the role after Thalberg's death and for RKO). Once Thalberg died, Louis B. Mayer offered Laughton a long-term contract, but his offering to Laughton of films like "The Man from Down Under" or "Stand By For Action" make clear that Mayer was clueless about which roles or films suited Laughton better: in short, Mayer wasted Charles' talent, if you ask me.
If you think Laughton is good in this film, I think you should really, REALLY, see him in the much better film he did that same year 1943, Jean Renoir's "This Land is mine" (if you have not seen it already ;D), not only a much better film than "man from Down Under", but an excellent part for Laughton (Who was very motivated by it, and gives a great performance)
Posted by: Gloria at January 5, 2009 10:21 AM
Bill:
Like all technology, SFX is a blessing and a curse. Used too much, as CGI often is, the story becomes subservient to the effects. But hey, I'm not sentimental about the days of lousy rear projection, especially in Hitchcock films, where they often just ruined the illusion.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.seraphicpress.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at January 5, 2009 05:05 PM
Mata Hari:
Pre-code films were pretty racy, but certainly, as you say, not vulgar and filled with nudity.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at January 5, 2009 05:09 PM
Miranda:
I read a pretty disheartening interview with Sherry Jones in which she said that Islam is misunderstood and that it's just a booootiful religion and she hopes her book will correct any misconceptions about Muslims.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at January 5, 2009 05:12 PM
Jeremiah:
Yes, I have seen some of the I Claudius Laughton footage. Pretty amazing. Too bad he got tripped up in the role.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at January 5, 2009 05:14 PM
Paco:
Love Payment Deferred!
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at January 5, 2009 05:16 PM
Soccer Dad:
I have no idea. Never heard that. Gotta check it out.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at January 5, 2009 05:18 PM
Squander Two:
Thanks so much for the valuable information. I think it's amazing that Laughton even went to the tailor in the first place.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at January 5, 2009 05:21 PM
Gloria:
Okay, I surrender. You are the Laughton expert. I know that Down Under is not a great film, but I just loved it, and as oyu point out his repartee with Barnes is just great.
It's true, L.B. didn't quite get Laughton.
Have not seen the Renoir film. Will check it out.
BTW, you have a great blog. I'll be checking in often
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at January 5, 2009 05:26 PM
Robert, even though I'm not evidently a big fan of "Man from Down Under" (though I must say that it is well crafted in the way many films of the Big Studios golden era are) I've got to say that I've come across a number of people who has seen the film and likes it.
I have to say that, under his LB Mayer/MGM contract, Laughton gave two performances which I find interesting: one in The Canterville Ghost (maybe a minor film, but CL is quite entertaining to watch as his work in Deanna Durbin films), and another in The Bribe, in which he's remarkable playing a small-time smuggler
If you haven't seen "This Land Is Mine" do it whenever the chance arises: it is one of Laughton's greatest roles!
Posted by: Gloria at January 6, 2009 10:04 AM