Sunset Blvd

I thought this movie was really well done. Gloria Swanson had the best facial expressions and used the over dramatic looks from her silent screen days well. In her mind, she was still a great and powerful silent movie star.

There are times that I felt really sorry for her; losing her looks, and willing to buy people for love.

Max protects and loves her, even though he thinks he is helping her, he is actually contributing to her delusions.

Joe having Betty come to the house was done more out of anger at Norma, and was  felt mean to Betty. If trying to hurt both he succeeded, although I think that he wanted Betty to marry Artie, because he was such a great guy.

In the end Norma Desmond was delusional that she could not tell fact from fiction, even coming done the stairs after the murder, acting like she was in a movie and at the end saying: "Alright Mr Demille, I'm ready for my close up."

This movie was really well done, and I could imagine not very well liked by the Hollywood inside crowd, because it pokes fun at them and their lifestyles.

Sunset Blvd. - On Set Photos

Here are some behind the scenes photos taken during the filming of "Sunset Blvd."

(Note: H.B. Warner played the lead role of Jesus Christ in Cecil B. DeMille's production of "King of Kings" in 1927.)

Billy Wilder directing Swanson and DeMille

Wilder directing the New Year's Eve bedroom scene

DeMille, Wilder & Swanson

Gloria Swanson and her director

Wilder (in white shirt) shooting the pool scene

A talk with the "Waxworks"

Anna Q. Nilsson, Swanson, Buster Keaton, Holden, von Strohiem and H.B. Warner

Dollbaby. . . meanwhile, at another Sunset estate. . .

SUNSET BLVD > GLORIA SWANSON

I posted these pictures because I feel like Gloria Swanson had an amazing ability to portray her feelings and thoughts through her eyes. 
During the viewing of the film, I was personally captured by them from the very beginning. 
After she removes her sunglasses in her first scene of Sunset Blvd., it seems as though her character is immediately revealed through her "eye" expression.

Based on some of the pictures I found and posted, you can see this ability portrayed countless times in many of her films.

Sunset Blvd. - Polish Poster

Here, as promised, is the Polish movie poster for "Sunset Blvd."  Norma Desmond as Medusa is striking and clever.

Duck Soup / Marx Bros.

Although I have never watched any film by the Marx Brothers, (until now), it resonated with me that the purpose of film is to escape reality, be entertained, etc.  The random element of comedy or actions of this movie were paramount during the years of the 1930's as anarchic comedy dates back to the silent film era.  It was watchable, but my personal taste is beyond this type of genre, and perhaps generation, but I do love a good comedic parody, or even slapstick comedy! 

MARX BRO > DUCK SOUP

This was my first Marx Brothers film. I had seen these faces in the past but, wasn't sure who they were until now. Coming from a totally different era of comedy, is was a little difficult to find the acting "funny" but I was able to appreciate  the overall persona of each actor. I am sure this kind of comedy was much appreciated during this time.

After doing a little research, it seems that it was not only films they produced but, they also performed on Broadway. Prior to my research, I did think to myself, that this kind of acting and film would probably be much better live on-stage than in a film.

It was great work on their behalf during this time period. I am not sure if the "one-liners" were already popular but, if they weren't,  "Groucho" had definitely mastered them. They had a well diversified mix of comedy within the films. They dabbled in everything from  the"one-liners" to "sexual innuendos " that would have probably been fairly explicit at the time.

The family of brothers had great success playing out their personal roles, as each character carried on through the history of their Broadway shows and film-making careers.

Duck Soup

Duck Soup showcases the talents of the Marx brothers. They each play off the other one so well and seamlessly. Zeppo is the perfect straight man to his brothers comedic performances. Harpo is extremely funny without saying a word. One of my favorite scenes was when Harpo answers the phone and uses his horns to "speak".

In this movie there was a lot of sexual innuendos and overtones. Especially as Rupert Firefly and Trentino fight over Mrs.Teasdale, both obviously for political gain then actually love or attraction. Mrs. Teasdale trusts the dancer Vera Marcal, but Vera is actually working for Tremtino to help take over Freedonia. The intricacies for comedy, musical and espionage working together and very well done.

Duck Soup revisted

It was fun to watch this again and from a adult perspective.  I found much more humor but did notice that it was really quiet (no background music).  It was also cool to see the mirror skit again and remember all those that did that skit after like Lucille Ball.  I loved the different war costume changes Groucho did, especially the racoon cap!

Billy Wilder

Billy Wilder was one of the great writer/directors.  Tonight we are watching "Sunset Blvd."  Here are a few more of his outstanding films, all worthy of a viewing or two.  Also a sampling of some vintage foreign movie posters on these titles.  Enjoy.

The Lost Weekend - 1945

The Apartment - 1960 

Ace in the Hole - 1951

Some Like It Hot - 1959

Double Indemnity - 1944

Duck Soup - This Means War!

I had to watch Duck Soup twice just to make sure that I didn't miss anything and I still don't know if I missed anything. The jokes just never stop. I especially like the physical comedy when Chico and Harpo impersonate Groucho. When the brothers are pretending that they are in the mirror, it is incredible how much they look alike and can mimic the actions of each other so well. It is true that by the time that Duck Soup was made, the Marx Brothers were experienced playing their characters and audiences could mimic their antics with great precision. The War Song is just too much!!

Margaret Dumont's overly dramatic performance is too funny as well. You don't see leading ladies like that anymore!

The Marx Brothers and Duck Soup

I got a kick out of watching Duck Soup as there were many laughable moments. I enjoyed watching the brothers perform slapstick comedy which flowed together throughout the whole film. Of all the brothers, Harpo was my favorite. I liked how he could use his body or a horn or some other object without saying a single word. My favorite part in the film was when he was at the mirror with Groucho as his reflection. It reminded me of the I Love Lucy sketch where he did the same performance with Lucy. I would suggest this film to anyone who wants to laugh for an hour, just as I did.

Silent Films Worth Watching

I meant to put this up earlier, but if any of you have a desire to watch additional American Silent Films, here are a few that you might enjoy.  At least you can check out some of the vintage poster styles of the period.

All of these titles are streamable on Netflix.

Swanson & von Stroheim in "Sunset Blvd." - 1950

In "Sunset Blvd." when Norma Desmond (played by Gloria Swanson) says that she was responsible for Paramount Studios staying afloat during the Silent Era, she is really referring to herself.  It was Gloria Swanson who was Paramount's biggest star during the 1920s.

Erich von Stroheim plays Max the butler in "Sunset Blvd." and was one of the major directors (also an actor) during the Silent Era.  He directed Swanson's last silent movie, "Queen Kelly" in 1929.  Ms. Swanson had him fired and effectively ended his directing career.

To see them together in 1950 in Billy Wilder's classic film about Hollywood is thus a very strange instance of art imitating life.  The old silent footage in the movie is from "Queen Kelly", put in at von Stroheim's suggestion.  It just gets stranger as it goes.

Gloria Swanson at the height of her silent film career.

A glamour shot of Swanson from the same era.

Erich von Stroheim in a typical acting role in the 1920s.

"Queen Kelly" with von Stroheim (left) directing Swanson (right).

Erich von Stroheim directing his classic film, "Greed".

Duck Soup

I viewed the film Duck Soup a 1933 release starring the Marx Brothers. The film was set in the fictional country of Freedonia. Groucho Marx is appointed leader of this  country by the widow of the former leader who basically told the powers that be, if they want 20 million dollars, then they will have to appoint (Rufus T. Firefly) the character played by Groucho Marx. One of the things in the opening credits that caught my attention was the film was a proud NRA member (we do our part), that struct me as odd until after I did some research and found out that the NRA, did not mean or have affiliation with the Nation Rifle Association. NRA stood for The National Recovery Administration, which came about under the administration of President Franklin Roosevelt during the Great Depression. during that era many members of the film, and radio industry were very supportive of the recovery that was going on during the Great Depression era. This film was basically a Vaudevillian act set to film. It was both a comedy and a musical. The comedy in the film relied on the "one liner jokes" and physical comedy and the musical aspect was related o a particular scene within the film. However there are some observations made during viewing of this film.  There was some sexual innuendo throughout the film. The main character dancer dressed very sensual, including showing cleavage, while the other main female within the film was dressed more conservative. There was also some over-dubbing on the characters during certain scenes. Curious about why, what was the original scene and line? However during the film there was a interaction between Groucho Marx and the character portrayed by Margaret Dumont that I found rather interesting.  The scene was about a person being" headstrong and arm strong  and the two got married and that's how darkies was born"....that was blatant racist. However during that era of film and in society racial jokes were the norm and at acceptable.

Cagney & Karloff – Not Your Typical Leading Men…

After watching both James Cagney & Boris Karloff (in The Public Enemy & The Bride of Frankenstein, respectively), I came to realize that although neither are known for typical idol looks, both have a command and charisma onscreen that is unparalleled. For Boris Karloff, who had a maximum of five words to say onscreen, to keep the audience engaged and invested in his performance at “The Monster” says something about his skill – even behind mounds of makeup.

James Cagney was a revelation in his role as Tom, the young man who found power and money in bootlegging. I found him intriguing to watch – especially against the other actors in the film. He clearly outmatched his contemporaries. Another thing interesting to note with The Public Enemy - It seemed to form the basis for EVERY gangster story to come out ever since. From Scarface to Breaking Bad, all of the stories follow the same arc. 

Music for the Universal Monsters

Hearing or seeing film scores performed separate from their intended movies can be a revelation.  Here are two samples of Frank Skinner compositions for the Universal Monsters.  "Death of Ygor" is from "The Son of Frankenstein" and the live performance is from "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein."  Both are conducted by William Stromberg.

White Heat - 1949

This is a famous bit from one of my favorite James Cagney pictures.  In "White Heat" he plays a psychopathic criminal named Cody Jarrett who has an unhealthy (to say the least) attachment to his mother.  Here he finds out about her death while in prison.  The story goes that Cagney was so into the scene that at least one of the guards he punched really got a full force fist to the face.

The Public Enemy

In the Public Enemy, Edward Woods was the one that was originally playing the character of Tommy Powers and James Cagney was cast as Matt Doyle. While watching the daileys the director, William A. Wellman, had them switch roles. James Cagney went on to act and was successful in his carrer with his last film being made in 1984, two years before his death. Edward Woods made his last film in 1938, and did not have the success that Cagney did.

In the film James Cagney played the tough guy on the outside, but could and was put back into place by his older brother. This gave way to him being more ruthless in his dealings with people on the street.

Duck Soup - 1933

Here are some nice original vintage movie posters for the Marx Bros. comedy.

Duck Soup

Funny movie. Completely what i expected from the Marx brothers. As the President or King of Freedonia, he was in typical marx form, I.E. not sure if he is smart with quick wit or foolish with lucky wit.

The Ballad of Tom Joad - Jack Elliot

As promised, here is the Woody Guthrie song, based on "The Grapes of Wrath", performed by the great Ramblin' Jack Elliot.  It is only audio, but worth a listen or two.

Here is a picture of Jack as a young man hanging out with Bob Dylan in Greenwich Village sometime in those whacky 1960s.

Public Enemy and Bride of Frankenstein

Couldn't help but notice that both The Public Enemy and Bride of Frankenstein took advantage of strong male characters as opposed to Notorious and The Grapes of Wrath where women dominated the families in the story. I especially enjoyed The Public Enemy which reminded me of The Sopranos. The similarities between Tom Powers and Tony Sopranos was  very evident in almost every scene where James Cagney had a glimmer in his eye because he knew what was coming and he seemed to enjoy his occupation. I was always fascinated when Tony Soprano made that type of knowing face and now I know where he got it from.

In the Bride of Frankenstein, I was expecting that the "bride" would be in love with Frankenstein's monster when she saw him for the first time and I was quite surprised when she was not pleased at all when she laid eyes on him. I haven't seen a "horror" movie since Linda Blair spit green pea soup in The Exorcist when I was sixteen. I was so scared after seeing that movie that I couldn't sleep for three days. Frankenstein didn't scare me like that, so hopefully I will sleep nightmare free tonight!

Cagney & Karloff

In preparing for tomorrow night's viewings in class, here are some vintage posters from notable films starring James Cagney and Boris Karloff.

Notorious - Wonderful Cast

Enjoyed Notorious very much! I particularly thought that the acting by Leopoldine Konstantine was outstanding. To have the audience believe that she was just a residence in the household until she was told by her son Alex that his wife was a spy was truly enlightening. Can't help wanting to see this movie again just to notice new things that Alfred Hitchcock may have put in just to tease the audience.

Intolerance - 1916

For those of you who enjoyed looking at the monumental sets for "The Thief of Bagdad", here are two views of the largest set ever constructed, for D.W. Griffith's 1916 film, "Intolerance."  The shot from the back, with several people standing at its base, truly gives a sense of the monumental scale achieved with this all wood construction.  Imagine yourself, one of several hundred extras, asked to spend the day atop this monster; to sway and dance around as the towers were shot from the front.  Remember, there were no on-set safety inspectors in those days.

The Grapes of Wrath - 1940

The cinematographer for John Ford's classic version of the John Steinbeck's novel was Gregg Toland who would, one year later, be the Director of Photography on "Citizen Kane" for Orson Welles.  Here is a sampling of his work on "Grapes of Wrath."  One of the best, he was a true innovator.