“Rhapsody in Blue” is not only George Gershwin's most famous piece, it is also the name of the 1945 biographical film. I happened to be in a St. George, Utah hospital, getting a couple of days' worth of IVs for dehydration, when the flick came on just before midnight on Turner Classic Movies (TCM). As everyone knows, sleep doesn't necessarily occur in hospitals at night. Terrific movie; sad ending [spoiler alert: the hero dies]. Old movies are often fascinating things. You have to be able to handle the black & white format, to begin with. Then you have to favor plot over action. Some of the best include “Casablanca” (1942), “A Streetcar Named Desire” (1951), “All Quiet on the Western Front” (1930), “Stagecoach” (1939), and “Night of the Living Dead” (1968). Anyone who hasn't seen all these films has led an incomplete life. Let us not forget “From Here to Eternity” (1953), with eight Oscars. I rode my bike to see it in the theatre when it first came out, got home late, and got restricted for a month as a result, an ironically appropriate punishment for that great movie. But at least I wasn't held captive by Sgt. Fatso Judson (Ernest Borgnine). Watching old movies is time traveling made easy.
You're spot-on Henry! There are certainly some "classic" movies that should be required viewing before graduating High School. I tend to prefer the black & white format......it makes you use your imagination more, but most importantly it focuses your attention on the actual movie and its message. Color and special effects are very cool, and I enjoy them immensely.......but they're used more today to hide the fact that films no longer contain an actual message, or life lesson....or any lesson. I think that's why they've run out of ideas for new movies.......they refuse to use movies as a tool to send a life message.....and as a result they end up being just an hour plus of special effects and pretty people. When I was a kid EVERYTHING on TV, from morning cartoons to I LOVE LUCY at night taught or presented a life-message worth learning. If you ever go back and watch the few TV shows that were on in the late 40's thru the 60's you won't find one that has a plot that doesn't teach you something.....or reinforce something you already were taught that's important. We've gotten away from that...........probably for not wanting to offend someone someplace.....and the whole population suffers as a result. Oh well.........as Bug's used to say...."I knew I shoulda taken a left at Albuquerque"
later,
bob
Hello HenryM.
Thanks for yet another trip down memory lane. I was never much of a movie goer, because of the financial pressures in those days on a large family. However, all those years ago, I was fortunate to be chosen to play the part of the child in 'Streetcar Named Disire' in my local Am Dram. So, I am familiar with the storyline.
Those were the days when we were obliged to make our own entertainment.
Best wishes
Bill
Hi Henry,
Wow....that was one of my favorites! I had to wait up until midnight to see it........which was hard when I was a young kid......and I had to keep the volume low or my folks would wake up and make me turn it off......but it was always worth watching. When DVDs became popular the very first series I bought was The Twilight Zone, followed by the Life of Riley with Jackie Gleason (1947). That was on after the Twilight Zone and few have ever seen it with Jackie as Riley. The intro to it was just a guy whistling while a black screen showed the names of the cast members. It was so cheaply done I was mesmerized at what it must have been like to have been a pioneer show without others to copy or guide them.
Funny you should say they're won't be another with the Twilight Zone..........because obviously you're right.....when they announced they were making a Twilight Zone movie (with William Shatner and Dan Ackroyd)....back in the early 80's I guess.......I couldn't wait for it to hit the theaters. But what a disappointment. It just didn't have the magic. Neither did it when they tried it a second time..........or a third. A lot of things were wrong in the world when TV went mainstream.........but I think they certainly got it right in those early years. Sometimes you can only bottle lightning once! I'm just glad I was there to witness it first hand. "There's the sign post ahead.......you're next stop.....the Twilight Zone!"
regards,
bob
We saw "Streetcar" on Broadway about 20 years ago. Alec Baldwin and Jessica Lang were wonderful. I'm sure the kid's part wasn't done as well as Bill played it.
Mike
