September 30 - Middlemarch

Today’s movie is a mini-series with a scene that happens on September 30. Watch it tonight and enjoy.  

MIDDLEMARCH                         

Dr. Tertius Lydgate arrives in Middlemarch as its new doctor and he works with town leaders to build a new hospital. On September 30, 1829 [10:40 to 16:05, Episode 1] Celia speaks with Dodo about dividing their deceased mother’s jewelry. Dodo cares nothing about this as she is more concerned about helping the poor. She rejects the neighboring landowner Sir James Chettam to marry the pedantic scholar  Rev. Edward Casaubon, who is working on a key to all mythologies. Dr. Lydgate ends up having to cast the deciding vote for the hospital Chaplin. The vote was between Farebrother, an amiable parson and Mr. Tyke, the candidate of Mr. Bulsrode, the banker. In Rome on their honeymoon, Dorothea realizes that her husband is both pompous and indolent and will probably never get around to actually writing his book. Fred Vincy has to borrow 160 pounds from Mr. Garth and his daughter Mary to pay a debt, even though they can’t afford it either.  The Casaubons return to England, where Dorothea learns her sister has become engaged to Sir James Chettam. While taking care of Fred Vincy after he becomes ill, his sister, Rosamond falls for Dr. Lydgate. Casaubon has a stroke. Dr. Lydgate tries to keep his distance from Rosamund, but finally succumbs and proposes to her. Fred Vincy’s uncle has made two wills one leaving everything to Fred, the other to Joshua Rigg. Dying he asks Mary Garth to destroy the one disinheriting Fred, but Mary, terrified of being accused of wrongdoing, refuses. Thus, Fred does not inherit and Rigg, Featherstone’s illegitimate son, does. Contrary to Dorothea’s request, her uncle invites Will Ladislaw, Casaubon’s nephew, whom she had met in Rome to visit. Dr. Lydgate and Rosamund marry. Ladislaw is installed as editor of a newspaper by Mr. Brooke.   Rosamond goes on a spending spree. Sir James Chettam appoints Mr. Garth as agent for his two estates.  Casaubon dies. In his will he disinherits Dorothea if she marries Ladislaw. Mr. Brooke’s run for parliament does not go very well and he sells the newspaper, dispossessing Mr. Ladislaw. Mr. Raffles shows up. He knows about Mr. Bulstrodes earlier unsavory beginnings. Rosamund’s stupid insistence of riding while pregnant leads to a miscarriage. Fred Vincy gets Mr. Farebrother, who also loves Mary to speak to her about him. She tells Mr. Farebrother she loves Fred. Ladislaw learns about the will and leaves. Fred starts working for Mr. Garth as his assistant. Tertius and Rosie fight about their debts. Bulstrode says he is leaving town and can’t support the hospital any more. Raffles returns to Middlemarch and Garth resigns as Bulstrode’s agent. The Lydgate’s furniture is repossessed.  Bulstrode lends Lydgate enough money to get him out of debt. Bulstrode kills Raffles by giving him liquor. Rigg Featherstone accuses Bulstrode of killing Raffles and the Lydgates suffer social ostracization.  Ladislaus returns.  Dorothea finds Ladislaw and Rosamond in a clinch, but Rosamond tells her that Ladislaw told her he loves Dorothea.  Bulstrode leases his estate to Fred Vincy, who marries Mary Garth. Dorothea marries Ladislaw, who is eventually elected to parliament.  

An interesting Victorian melodrama. Stays faithful to the source material, while bringing  out issues that will appeal to today’s audience. The costumes and scenery are excellent.

Middlemarch by George Elliott (Penguin Books, New York, 2003) at page 11 gives the date

Producer – Louis Marks

Director - Anthony Page

Screenplay - Andrew Davies

Runtime -  6 hours 15 minutes

Released  - January 12, 1994

Staring –

Juliet Aubrey as Dorothea Brooke

Patrick Malahide as Rev. Edward Casaubon

Rufus Sewell as Will Ladislaw

Douglas Hodge as Dr Tertius Lydgate

Robert Hardy as Arthur Brooke

Caroline Harker as Celia Brooke

Julian Wadham as Sir James Chettam

Elizabeth Spriggs as Mrs Cadwallader

Jonathan Firth as Fred Vincy

Trevyn McDowell as Rosamund Vincy

Rachel Power as Mary Garth

Peter Jeffrey as Bulstrode

Copyright by Ivan Walters in 2014.

Sepyember 29 - Pride of the Yankees

Today’s movie is a sports biography with a scene that happens on September 29. Watch it tonight and enjoy.

PRIDE OF THE YANKEES                           

Young Lou Gehrig plays baseball on the streets of New York, much to the annoyance of his mother who wants him to go to college and become an engineer. Gehrig does not fit in at Columbia, since he comes from a poor family and his mother works as a cook at the college. He does play baseball, which gets him noticed by pro scouts. When his mother becomes ill, Gehrig signs with the Yankee organization to provide her with the best care.  He is sent to play for the Hartford farm team, but when he is recalled to play for the Yankees, his mother finds out about his baseball career, which leads to a major blow-up, but Lou talks her into accepting his choice. In spite of early mishaps, Lou plays for the Yankees. At a game in Chicago, he meets Eleanor Twitchell and they start dating. In the 1932 World Series Babe Ruth promises a homer to hospitalized Billy, while Lou promises him two homers. Both men deliver during the game. Afterwards Lou takes the train to Chicago, visits Eleanor at 4 a.m. and proposes to her. On September 29, 1933 [1:17:00 to 1:25:48] after Lou tells him mom who’s the boss, Lou and Eleanor get married and then get a police escort to the game. Gehrig and the Yankees continue their success. On the day he plays in his 2,000^th consecutive game Lou notices a twinge of shoulder weakness. He goes into a slump and finally takes himself out of the starting lineup. He learns he has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a fatal disease. Gehrig is honored by the Yankees at Lou Gehrig day at Yankee Stadium.  

A very good biopic. It is somewhat sentimentalized, like all film bios of it’s time were, but it’s still interesting. Cooper does a very good job playing Gehrig.

Graham, Frank. Lou Gehrig: A Quiet Hero. G.P. Putnam’s Sons, New York, 1942. Page 164 gives the date of his marriage.

Awards – The movie won the Best Film Editing Oscar. The film was also nominated for the Best Picture, Best Actor(Cooper), Best Actress(Wright), Best Art Direction-Interior Decoration, Black-and-White, Best Cinematography, Black-and-White, Best Effects, Special Effects, Best Music Score, Best Sound Recording, Best Original Story and Best Adapted Screenplay at the 15^th Academy Awards.

Screenplay - Jo Swerling and Herman J. Mankiewicz

Producer - Samuel Goldwyn           

Director - Sam Wood                                      

Runtime – 2 hours 8 minutes                           

Released – July 14, 1942                                  

Starring –

Gary Cooper as Lou Gehrig

Teresa Wright as Eleanor Twitchell Gehrig

Walter Brennan as Sam Blake

Babe Ruth as Himself

Dan Duryea as Hank Henneman

Ludwig Stossel as Pop Gehrig

Elsa Janssen as Mom Gehrig

Harry Harvey as Joe McCarthy

Ernie Adams as Miller Huggins

Bill Dickey as Himself

Mark Koenig as Himself

Copyright by Ivan Walters in 2014.

September 28 - Looker

Today’s movie is a science fiction film with a scene that happens today. Watch it tonight and enjoy.

LOOKER                          

A model, Lisa, hires Dr. Roberts to make minor changes to her appearance. Then one evening she answers the doorbell and later takes a dive off of her balcony to her death.  A stranger in the apartment leaves after dropping a pen and a button. On September 28, 1984 [7:54 to 27:30] Dr. Roberts has a post-operative consult with Cindy who has had surgery like Lisa. Lt. Masters talks to Dr. Roberts about two deaths, including Lisa’s.  He suggests their deaths might be murder, but leaves when their files can’t be found. Lt. Masters notes the pen is Dr. Roberts and his coat is missing a matching button to the one left in Lisa’s apartment. Tina, the fourth girl who had the surgery wants to be changed back, since she’s terrified she’s to be the next victim.  Dr. Roberts goes to Tina’s apartment, but is too late as she also takes a dive off her balcony. He takes Cindy to a party at millionaire John Reston’s house where he learns Digital Matrix, Inc., one of Reston’s companies was involved with the dead girls.  The next day after she tries unsuccessfully to match her movements to a computerized image in a commercial shoot, Dr. Roberts and Cindy go to Digital Matrix, Inc. where a 3D model is made of Cindy. The company tried to alter the models so they had perfect scores for visual impact. Dr. Roberts theft of an ID card is discovered. Dr. Roberts and Cindy return to the lab and sneak into the Looker lab. This is where DMI has developed a computerized hypnotic pulse that they can insert into commercials. The technology has also been used to develop a gun that hypnotizes its subjects. This is how the girls were killed. They are discovered and are lucky to escape with their lives. Reston’s hitmen follow the pair back to Dr. Roberts office where they manage to kidnap Cindy. The hitmen try to kill Dr. Roberts. He escapes but stupidly gets into a Reston Security car and is taken back to the lab. Dr. Roberts uses the Looker gun he has to escape. Disguised as a Reston guard he infiltrates a presentation about their 3D program. A gun battle ensues over the backdrops for the computer generated commercials during which Dr. Roberts kills the hitman. Lt. Masters, who had become suspicious of Reston arrives in time to stop him from killing Dr. Roberts. Dr. Roberts and Cindy begin a relationship.  

An interesting sci-fi film. It does have some plot holes. Still it is interesting enough to keep you wanting to keep watching. 

Day of week and date given on wall calendar in film at 9:30

Producer - Howard Jeffrey                           

Director - Michael Crichton                                         

Screenplay - Michael Crichton                                     

Runtime – 1 hour 34 minutes

Released - October 30, 1981

Starring –

Albert Finney as Dr. Larry Roberts

James Coburn as John Reston

Susan Dey as Cindy Fairmont

Dorian Harwood as Lt. Masters

Tim Rossovich as moustache man

Copyright by Ivan Walters in 2014

September 27 - Somebody Up There Likes Me

Today’s movie is a sports biography with a scene that happens on September 27.  Watch it tonight and enjoy.

SOMEBODY UP THERE LIKES ME     

Rocco Barbella is a juvenile delinquent who drifts into a life of crime. He is sent to prison and gets in trouble by refusing to accept any discipline. In prison he meets Frankie Peppo, who tells Rocco that if he ever needs money to look him up and he’ll get him into boxing. When he’s finally released, he’s drafted into the army. He refuses to accept military discipline and goes AWOL after punching an officer. He gets into boxing under the name “Rocky Graziano” and wins six fights by knockouts before he’s picked up by the Army. He’s sentenced to one year at Leavenworth and a dishonorable discharge. The boxing coach at Leavenworth tells Rocky that if he channeled his hate into boxing he could be a good fighter. When he gets out Rocky resumes his career. He meets Norma, a friend of his sister and they start dating. They have a big fight because she is initially repelled by boxing’s violence. Rocky makes up with her, but in the process misses a bout and almost loses his license. His manager, Irving Cohen,  tells him to either marry Norma or give her up, so Rocky marries her. Then, on September 27, 1946 [ 1:08:26 to 1:11:55] Rocky gets knocked out by Zale in the middleweight title fight. Then Frankie Peppo reappears in Rocky’s life as a messenger from the mob, telling him that unless he throws the title fight  they will make his past difficulties with the law public, but if he does they’ll pay him $100 grand. Rocky fakes an injury to get the bout canceled, but when questioned by the District attorney he refuses to name names. His boxing license is suspended in New York, since he failed to report a bribery attempt. Irving Cohen gets the title fight moved to Chicago, since Illinois did not suspend Rocky’s license. Rocky almost considers taking the bribe until he sees the terrible things that happened to his friends who had been members of his youth gang. Rocky fights Zale for the title and wins.

                       

A somewhat sentimentalized story. As is usual with Hollywood biopics, this film plays around with the actual facts of Graziano’s life, but not as much as some films. Overall a decent and watchable movie.

The Boxing Register by James B. Roberts and Alexander V. Skutt (McBooks Press, Ithaca, NY, 1997) p. 258

Awards – This movie won the Best Black and White Art Direction and Best Black and White Cinematography Oscars. It was also nominated for the Best Film Editing Oscar at the 29^th Academy Awards.

Producer - Charles Schnee                  

Director - Robert Wise               

Screenplay - Ernest Lehman

Runtime – 1 hour 54 minutes                                                        

Released – July 3, 1956

Starring –

Paul Newman as Rocky Graziano

Pier Angeli as Norma Graziano

Everett Sloane as Irving Cohen

Eileen Heckart as Ma Barbella

Harold J. Stone as Nick Barbella

Sal Mineo as Romolo

Ray Stricklyn as Bryson

Robert Loggia as Frankie Peppo

Copyright by Ivan Walters in 2014.

September 26 - 61*

Today’s movie is a sports drama with a scene that happens on September 26.  Watch it tonight and enjoy.

61*  

Marc McGwire hits his 60^th home run of the season. Mrs. Maris travels to see him hit #61, but has to go to the hospital and watches him hit it from her bed. We flashback to the Yankees opening day in 1961 when some reporters say Mickey Mantle is washed up and other try to create a rivalry between him and Roger Maris. The new manager wants Mantle to lead the team and Maris is presented with the 1960 MVP award.  The reporters think Maris is dull. The Yankees start in a slump, but the manager changes the lineup and they improve. Maris has to rescue Mantle after a drunk driving wreck and moves him into his apartment to keep an eye on Mantle. The home run race begins and Mantle and Maris incorporate to take advantage of memorabilia sales and endorsements. The commissioner says there will be distinct record if anyone hits more than 60 home runs due to more games in season. The fans turn on Maris. His son is born and he is upset that reporters are at his house. There is a kidnap threat. The negative press upsets Maris and Mantle plays even though injured. Mantle and Maris have a fight, but make up. A chair is thrown at Maris in the outfield. Maris starts losing his hair due to stress and Mantle plays with a hip ulcer. Maris asks to be taken out of the lineup, but the manager talks him out of it. Some people hope Maris won’t break the record. The Orioles trade pitchers to stop Maris from tieing the record in same number of games it took Ruth. On September 26, 1961 Maris hits number 60 and ties the record. [1:47:53 to 1:49:46] On last day of season he hits number 61 and gets ovation in Yankee stadium.  Back in the present McGwire hits number 62 and praises Maris.

A great sports movie. It also is a dual biography of Mantle and Maris. Both men’s characters are well developed. Shows the seamy side of baseball with all those who secretly hope Maris can’t do it and change the rules to deprive him of the record.

McNeil, William F.  Ruth, Maris, McGwire and Sosa. London; McFarland & Co., Publishers, 1999. This book at page 100 gives the date.

Director- Billy Crystel

                    

Runtime – 2 hours 9 minutes

Released – April 28, 2001

Awards – The film won the Outstanding Casting and Outstanding Sound Editing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special Emmys. It was also nominated for the Outstanding Art Direction, Outstanding Cinematography, Outstanding Hairstyling, Outstanding Lead Actor (Pepper), Outstanding Made for Television Movie, Outstanding Makeup, Outstanding Single Camera Editing, Outstanding Single Camera Sound Mixing and Outstanding Writing Emmys in the Miniseries, Movie or Special Category.

Starring –

Barry Pepper as Roger Maris

Thomas Jane as Mickey Mantle

Anthony Michael Hall as Whitey Ford

Richard Masur as Milt Kahn

Jennifer Crystal Foley as Pat Maris (1961)

Bruce McGill as Ralph Houk

Chris Bauer as Bob Cerv

Copyright by Ivan Walters in 2014. 

September 25 - The Ernest Green Story

Today’s movie is a drama  with a scene that happens on September 25. Watch it tonight and enjoy.

THE ERNEST GREEN STORY              

Arkansas governor Orville Faubius’s advisors recommend he oppose integration for political reasons. Ernest Green decides to transfer to the all white Central High School in Little Rock. Along with eight others his request is approved. Some in the African-American community don’t approve as they think he’s just stirring up trouble. The governor sends in the National Guard and they are turned away at the schoolhouse doors.  After a court order they get inside, but are removed again after riots. The president sends in the 82^nd Airborne division to escort them to school on September 25, 1958. [49:34 to 54:23] Some students welcome them, but most engage in a program of harassment, trying to provoke a violent response, resulting in one of the African-American students being suspended after she does respond. Ernest’s physics teacher tries to flunk him out, but Ernest passes the final exam and graduates.

A not too overly dramatized account. Keeps you interested in the story. Overall a very watchable film.

Sharp, Anne W. Separate But Equal. Farmington Hills, Ma.; Lucent Books, 2002. This book at page 45 gives the date

Director - Eric Laneuville

Running Time - 1 hour 41 minutes

Released - January 17, 1993

Starring -         

Morris Chestnut as Ernest Green

Ossie Davis as the grandfather

Ruby Dee as Lydia Wilson

Avery Brooks as Rev. Lawson

Monica Calhoun as Minnijean Brown

Omar Gooding as Marcus

Gary Grubbs as Mr. Loomis

James Harper as Orval Faubus

Dennis Letts as Marvin Griffin

Brian Stokes Mitchell as Thurgood Marshall

Copyright by Ivan Walters in 2014 

September 24 - Ghost

Today’s movie is a drama with a scene that happens on September 24. Watch it tonight and enjoy.

GHOST              

Sam Wheat, an up-and-coming investment banker has just moved in with Mollie, an accomplished potter. Sam finds discrepancies in some accounts at work. Sam’s friend Carl Brunner offers to investigate this issue for him, but Sam says he will handle the matter. Later that night, returning from the theater with Millie, they are mugged and Sam is killed. Sam soon discovers he is now a ghost. Later when the mugger enters their apartment, Sam saves Mollie from harm. Sam follows the mugger, Willie Lopez, and learns he is looking for something at the orders of someone else. Sam visits a psychic named Oda Mae Brown and learns she can hear him. He blackmails her into calling Mollie, and then visiting her, in order to warn Mollie about the mugger. Sam follows Carl to Willie Lopez’s apartment and learns Carl was involved in laundering $4 million dollars for the mob and needed Sam’s security codes to move the money. Lopez was just supposed to steal Sam’s wallet to get the codes. The police don’t believe Oda Mae’s story because she has a police record. Carl gets the codes and tries to come onto Mollie. Sam forces a manic subway ghost to show him how to move solid objects. Willie tries to kill Oda Mae. On September 24, 1989 [1:22:11 to 1:38:47], Carl moves all the money into one account in the name of “Rita Miller”. Oda Mae, masquerades as  “Rita Miller”, and with Sam’s help, withdraws the money from the account. At Sam’s insistence she gives the $4 million to some nuns instead of keeping it for herself.  Mollie unwittingly reveals to Carl that Oda Mae was the person who took the money. Carl learns about Sam and threatens Mollie. Carl and Willie try to kill Oda Mae. Sam terrorizes Willie so much that he ends up being killed by a car. Willie’s soul is dragged off to Hell. Oda Mae and Sam finally convince Mollie that Sam is really there and that Carl was responsible for Sam’s death and is now trying to kill her. Carl comes after Oda Mae and Mollie, but they manage to fight him off. Carl is killed by Sam and his soul is dragged off to hell. With his task done, Sam says goodbye to Mollie and his soul goes to heaven.

A melodramatic, but watchable movie. This is a ‘chick flick’, but it’s interesting enough that guys won’t fall asleep. Maintains a good mix of drama and comedy throughout. 

Date given in film at 1:29:12 on withdrawal slip

Producers - Steven-Charles Jaffe, Bruce Joel Rubin, Howard W. Koch, Lisa Weinstein   and Lauren Ray

Awards – This movie won the Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress(Goldberg) Oscars. It was also nominated for the Best Picture, Best Film Editing and Best Original Score at the 63^rd Academy Awards

Director - Jerry Zucker                             

Runtime -  2 hours 6 minutes       

                            

Released - July 13, 1990                                             

Starring –

Patrick Swayze as Sam Wheat

Demi Moore as Molly Jensen

Whoopi Goldberg as Oda Mae Brown

Tony Goldwyn as Carl Bruner

Rick Aviles as Willie Lopez

Vincent Schiavelli as subway ghost

 Copyright by Ivan Walters in 2014

September 23 - John Paul Jones

Today’s movie is a biographical drama with a scene that happens on September 23. Watch it tonight and enjoy.

JOHN PAUL JONES                         

Young John Paul becomes a crewman on a merchant ship and rises to become master and part owner of his ship. After he accidentally kills a crewman in a dispute over wages, he flees to Virginia upon being told it could take two years for an Admiralty court to convene.   He finds his brother has died and hires Patrick Henry to clear up the estate. After a British officer insults the virtue of Virginia ladies at a ball, Jones decks him. Jones becomes attracted to Dorothea Dandars, Patrick Henry’s  inamorata. He buys a plantation, but when he asks to marry Dorothea, he father says no and she won’t defy him. Jones takes a commission in the Navy. Jones is instrumental in the success of the Navy’s first amphibian foreign attack on Nassau, Bahamas.  Jones gets an independent command, but learns his plantation has been destroyed. Jones sinks or captures 18 British ships, but he’s removed from command for political reasons.  He considers resigning, but when he sees the terrible conditions at Valley Forge, he decides to stay. Jones sails the Ranger to France, delivering news of the victory at Saratoga to Benjamin Franklin, the American ambassador to France. Jones and the Ranger raid the English port of Whitehaven.  He is honored by Louis XVI, but gives up the Ranger.  Meanwhile Jones has been romancing a French lady, Aimee de Tellison, but their marriage is not allowed as Jones is a commoner. The French provide him with a ship, Bon Homme Richard, and he sets sail on a raiding cruise. On September 23, 1779 [1:35:10 to 1:47:16] Jones meets HMS Serapis  in battle. The battle is fierce and  when the American flag is knocked down, Jones is asked if he is surrendering. Jones replied with that famous statement, “I have not yet begun to fight”. The Serapis is captured, but as Bon Homme Richard sinks Jones and his crew exchange ships.  Jones is again honored by Louis XVI. When the war ends, Jones pushes for a strong Navy, but Congress says they can’t afford it. Jones becomes an Admiral in the Russian Navy.  He wins victories, but his health declines and he dies.

A very good if Hollywoodized biography. There’s plenty of action and even romance. The film does stick fairly closely to the actual facts of Jones’ career. A movie worth watching.

John Paul Jones: Sailor, Hero, Father of the American Navy  by Evan Thomas (Simon & Schuster, New York, 2003) at pages 178-194 give the date of the battle

Screenplay - John Farrow and Jesse Lasky Jr.

Producer - Samuel Bronston                    

Director - John Farrow                                             

Runtime – 2 hours 6 minutes    

Released - June 16, 1959                                                                            

Starring –

Robert Stack as John Paul Jones

Marisa Pavan as Aimee de Tellison

Charles Coburn as Benjamin Franklin

Erin O'Brien  as Dorothea Danders

Macdonald Carey as Patrick Henry

Bette Davis as Catherine the Great

Jean-Pierre Aumont as Louis XVI

David Farrar as John Wilkes

Peter Cushing as Captain Pearson

Copyright by Ivan Walters in 2014. 

September 22 - Brighton Beach Memoirs

Today’s movie is a comedy/drama with a scene that happens on September 22. Watch it tonight and enjoy.   

BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS             

        

In Depression era New York, Eugene Morris Jerome lives with his parents, older brother Stanley, his mother’s sister Blanche and his two cousins, Nora and Laurie. His father works two jobs, cutting raincoats and selling party favors. Nora is a dancer who gets offered a part in a Broadway show.  Stanley gets fired at his hat factory job because when another worker accidentally damages three hats and is made to pay for them Stanley gets upset and sweeps dust on the bosses shoes. The boss says either write him an apology letter or don’t come back. The party favor company goes bankrupt. Mr. Murphy from across the street asks Aunt Blanche out to dinner. Blanche tells Nora no, that she cannot quit school to appear in the show. Stanley decides to write the letter. Then the father has a heart attack and can no longer work. On September 22, 1937, [1:03:56 to 1:35:33] Stanley gets snookered by some pool hall hustlers and loses his entire weekly salary. Mr. Murphy is in a drunk driving accident and is hospitalized so he can’t make his date with Blanche. Eugene’s mom and Blanche have a huge fight and Blanche says she and her children are moving out. Stanley leaves to join the army, but changes his mind and comes back home. The family gets word that 9 relatives from Poland are coming to America as refugees. Blanche and Kate reconcile.

A good film. This is a character driven plot, but fortunately the characters are interesting and the story holds your interest. Eugene often breaks the fourth wall and directly addresses the audience.

At 4:45 we’re told it’s 1937. At 1:04:45 the headline reads “Giants defeat Chicago Cubs 6-0”. This happened September 22. At 44:57 Mr. Murphy asks for a date ‘next Wednesday” and in 1937 September 22 was on a Wednesday.

Producer – Ray Stark

Director – Gene Saks

Screenplay – Neil Simon

Runtime – 1 hour 48 minutes

Released – December 25, 1986

Starring –

Jonathan Silverman as Eugene Morris Jerome

Judith Ivey as Blanche Morton

Blythe Danner as Kate Jerome

Stacey Glick as Laurie Morton

Lisa Waltz as Nora Morton

Brian Drillinger as Stanley Jerome

Bob Dishy as Jack Jerome

Copyright by Ivan Walters in 2014.

September 21 - Sad Cypress

Today’s film is a murder mystery with a scene that happens on September 21. Watch it tonight and enjoy.

SAD CYPRESS                             

During the final summation at her murder trial Elinor Carlisle thinks back on how she ended up on trial for her life in a long flashback. She shows a letter to her fiancée and cousin Roddy Winter that says someone is plotting to cut them out of their Aunt Laura Welman’s will.  They go to visit their aunt and find the housekeeper Mrs. Bishop, the nurse Miss Hopkins  and Mary Gerrod, the gardener’s daughter are living at Hunterbury. The couple consult with Dr. Lord about the letter and he takes it to Poirot.  Mrs. Welman has another stroke and asks to see her lawyer. The nurse claims a vial of morphine is missing from her bag. Even though Poirot asks them to save the letter, Elinor and Roddy burn it. Elinor then discovers Roddy kissing Mary Gerrod. Laura Welman has another stroke and dies. Laura Welman’s funeral is on September 21, 1937 [28:45 to 38:57] They learn that Laura Welman died without a will, so everything goes to Elinor, who ends her engagement to Roddy.  Elinor stupidly decides to give Mary £7,000 and learns Mary made a will at the suggestion of Nurse Hopkins, leaving everything to Mary’s Aunt in New Zealand.  Elinor buys sandwich paste and has lunch with Mary Gerrod and Nurse Hopkins, who makes tea for herself and Mary. Afterwards Elinor noticed Nurse Hopkins had a wound, which she said was caused by the rose-bush. Mary is found dead and Elinor is arrested. After Laura Welman’s body is exhumed and it is discovered she was murdered by morphine overdose, Elinor is charged with her murder also. After her trial Elinor is convicted of both murders and sentenced to be hung. After a nightmare, Poirot starts to investigate the case. He learns that Mary Gerrod was actually Laura Welman’s daughter. Poirot proves that the murderer could not have distinguished which of the sandwiches was the salmon paste that Mary ate. Poirot discovers that Nurse Hopkins is actually Mary Reilly, Mary Gerrod’s Aunt. Since Mary was Laura Welman’s daughter, she inherited the entire estate of £200,000, so Nurse Hopkins killed her by poisoning the tea, then injecting herself with an emtic, which caused her to throw up the poison. She tries to kill Poirot, but her confession is overheard by the police. Elinor is saved from the gallows and begins a relationship with Dr. Lord, who was instrumental in saving her life, by getting Poirot to investigate.      

                 

If Elinor had done what most people would have done and told Mary to clear off, she wouldn’t have been tried for murder and Mary would not have been murdered. Another good one from that master of mystery Dame Agatha Christie. Poirot is brilliant here. 

The date is given in the film at 28:36 in the newspaper.

Producer – Fiona McGuire               

Director – David Moore      

Screenplay – David Pirie                                   

Runtime – 1 hour 33 minutes                             

                             

Released – December 26, 2003                         

Starring –

David Suchet as Hercule Poirot

Elisabeth Dermot-Walsh as Elinor Carlisle

Rupert Penry-Jones as Roddy Winter

Kelly Reilly as Mary Gerrard

Paul McGann as Dr. Peter Lord

Phyllis Logan as Nurse Hopkins

Marion O'Dwyer as Nurse O'Brien

Diana Quick as Mrs. Laura Welman

Stuart Laing'' as Ted Horlick

Copyright by Ivan Walters in 2014.

September 20 - Kingdom of Heaven

Today’s movie is a historical drama with a scene that happens on September 20. Watch it tonight and enjoy.

KINGDOM OF HEAVEN            

Balian, a French village blacksmith is troubled since his wife committed suicide when  their child died. He is visited by Godfrey of Ibelin, a knight on the way to the Holy Land who tells Balian he is his father and asks him to come with him, but Balian refuses. When the village priest reveals that his wife’s body was beheaded before burial, since she was a suicide and that he had taken her cross necklace, Balian kills him and races to catch up with his father.  Agents of the priest’s bishop arrive to arrest Balian but are beaten off. Godfrey is wounded. In Messina before he dies Godfrey knights Balian. On the sea voyage to the Holy Land Balian’s ship is sunk in a storm and he and a horse are the only survivors. He meets a Muslim knight who wants the horse. Balian fights and kills him. He makes the knight’s servant take him to Jerusalem and then releases him. In Jerusalem the King, Baldwin IV and Tiberius, his Marshall support peace, while Guy of Lusignan, who is married to the King’s sister Sibylla, and Reynald de Chatillon want war with the Muslims. In Ibelin Balian orders wells dug and has an affair with the visiting Sibylla.  Raynald and Guy massacre a Muslim caravan, provoking an invasion by the Muslim leader, Saladin with a huge army. Balian and his knights charge the Muslim army to allow villagers to reach Raynald’s fortress. Balian is captured, but spared by the Muslim servant he spared, who is Saladin’s Chancellor. Baldwin arrives with his army.Saladin agrees to retreat after Baldwin promises Raynald will be punished. Raynald is jailed. Baldwin asks Balian to marry Sibylla, but he refuses as Guy would have to be killed for this to happen. Baldwin dies and Sibylla becomes queen, with Guy as king. Guy releases Raynald. Raynald kills Saladin’s sister and when Saladin wants her body and the bodies of those who killed her, Guy kills Saladin’s ambassador. Balain, having survived an assassination attempt opposes the war, but is outvoted. The Christian army under Guy and Raynald marches out into the desert and is annihilated by Saladin. Balian organizes the defense of Jerusalem. On September 20, 1187 [1:44:52 to 1:47:17] Saladin begins the siege of Jerusalem.  After a ferocious three day battle, Saladin offers to escort all the city’s inhabitants to Christian lands and Balian agrees to the surrender. Balian returns to France where he meets Richard the Lion-Hearted on the way to his Crusade. Balian and Sibylla leave together to start over.

An interesting, if historically inaccurate drama. Has plenty of good action sequences. Fabulous cinematography, costumes and sets.

God’s War: A New History of the Crusades by Christopher Tyerman (Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, 2006) at page 372 gives date of start of the siege

Producer - Ridley Scott                    

Director - Ridley Scott                                       

Runtime – 2 hours 24 minutes                            

Released – May 6, 2005                                     

Starring –

Orlando Bloom as Balian of Ibelin

Eva Green as Queen Sibylla

Jeremy Irons as Raymond of Tiberias

David Thewlis as Knight Hospitaller

Liam Neeson as Godfrey of Ibelin

Brendan Gleeson as Raynald of Châtillon

Marton Csokas as Guy of Lusignan

Copyright by Ivan Walters in 2014.

September 19 - The Crucible

Today’s movie is a period drama with a scene that happens on September 19. Watch it tonight and enjoy.

THE CRUCIBLE                       

Early one morning in Salem, Massachusetts some young girls gather in the woods with a West Indian slave Tituba to cast a love spell on the young men they desire. One girl, Abigail Williams drinks blood and calls for the death of John Proctor’s wife. They are found by Abigail’s uncle, Rev. Samuel Parris. Afterwards Betty Parris and Ruth Putnam will not wake up. Some people suspect witchcraft is involved and the Rev. Hale, an expert is sent for. We learn that John Proctor and Abigail Williams had an affair, but he ended it and she tells him no witchcraft was involved in what the girls did. When Hale arrives the girls blame Tituba and soon she and the girls are accusing others of witchcraft. Elizabeth Proctor knows John and Abigail had an affair. Judge Danforth arrives and the girls keep on accusing people, especially those they don’t like. Elizabeth Proctor is accused of witchcraft by Abigail and arrested. John convinces his servant Mary Warren to sign an affidavit that neither she nor any of the other girls had seen the devil. Giles Corey says that when Ruth Putnam accused Rebecca Nurse, Ruth’s father was heard to say she had got him a fine piece of land, as the Nurse’s property could be seized and sold if she was convicted of witchcraft. Corey refuses to tell who overheard this remark and is arrested for contempt of court. Abigail continues to say she sees the devil and Proctor finally admits his affair with her to show Abigail had an illicit motive to accuse his wife. His wife is brought in to testify. If she testifies she knew of the affair, the court will believe John. However, not knowing he confessed, she lies to save his reputation.  The girls the accuse Mary Warren of witchcraft. To save herself she accuses John Proctor. Some of the accused are hung. On September 19, 1692 [1:38:10 to 1:39:10] Giles Corey is pressed to death for refusing to name the man who accused Putnam. Abigail tries to help John escape. Hale, who by now is thoroughly disgusted with these events tries to persuade Elizabeth to persuade John to confess, so he will not be hung.  John signs a confession, but then tears it up and is hung.

A tale of hysteria and deceit. John Proctor brought what happened on himself. If he had not had an affair with Abigail, his and his wife’s position would have been unassailable. His adultery led to his death.  

The Salem Witch Trials by Marilynne K. Roach (St. Martin’s Press, New York, 2002) at pages 296-297 gives Giles Corey’s death date

Producer - Robert A. Miller and David V. Picker

Director -Nicholas Hytner                         

Screenplay - Arthur Miller                                        

Runtime – 2 hours 4 minutes                                    

Released – November 27, 1996                                

Staring –

Daniel Day-Lewis as John Proctor

Winona Ryder as Abigail Williams

Paul Scofield as Judge Danforth

Joan Allen as Elizabeth Proctor

Bruce Davison as Rev. Samuel Parris

Rob Campbell as Reverend John Hale

Jeffrey Jones as Thomas Putnam

Peter Vaughan as Giles Corey

Charlayne Woodard as Tituba

Copyright by Ivan Walters in 2014.

September 18 - The Way We Were

Today’s movie is a romantic drama with a scene that happens on September 18. Watch it tonight and enjoy

THE WAY WE WERE                 

In 1944 Katie Morosky who works at a New York radio station goes with her boss to the El Morocco nightclub in New York and meets a naval officer, Hubbell Gardiner, who she has not seen for seven years. In college she was the unconventional Jewish spokeswoman for the college Communist club, while he was an All-American athelete and writer. They have a few interesting encounters. She takes the intoxicated Hubbell home from El Morocco and they have sex. He leaves for his job in Washington, but later returns to New York and they begin a relationship. On September 18, 1944 [49:40 to 50:23] Katie gives Hubbell a typewriter as a Rosh Hashanah gift, so he can start work on a new novel. She has difficulty fitting in with his friends. They have a huge blow-up after her anger over his Republican friends jokes at FDR’s death, but make up and get married. They move to California where he becomes a mediocre screenwriter, instead of the serious writer she wants him to be. Katie becomes involved in the battle against the Hollywood blackist and the House Un-American Activities committee. Even though Katie is pregnant Hubbell has an affair with Carol Ann, his girlfriend in college and the ex-wife of his best friend J.J.   They two separate after she realizes he will always choose the easiest path, while he realizes he can’t  and doesn’t want to live up to her expectations.  Years later they meet in New York. He is a writer for a TV show and now married to Carol Ann, while she is agitating to ban the bomb. The two go their separate ways.  

A muddled tear-jerker romance. This film just skims the surface of this story. It never really gets to the meat, but as mere entertainment it is enough to hold your attention.

In 1944,  Rosh Hashanah was on this date.

Producer - Ray Stark

Director - Sydney Pollack

Screenplay - Arthur Laurents

Awards – The movie won the Best Original Score and Best Original Song Oscars. The film was also nominated for the Best Actress(Streisand), Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design and Best Cinematography at the 46^th Academy Awards. 

Runtime - 118 minutes

Released - October 19, 1973

Starring –

Barbra Streisand as Katie Morosky

Robert Redford as Hubbell Gardiner

Patrick O'Neal as George Bissinger

Sally Kirkland as Pony Dunbar

Copyright by Ivan Walters in 2014

September 17 - Frida

Today’s movie is a biographical drama with a scene that happens on September 17. Watch it tonight and enjoy.

FRIDA             

Frida Kahlo is an unconventional teen in 1920’s Mexico. On September 17, 1925 [8:03 to 10:45] she’s injured in a bus accident. During her lengthy and painful recovery she starts to draw and paint. She asks the prominent artist Diego Rivera if she should continue and he says yes. She gradually becomes a part of Rivera’s circle of radical leftists. They have an affair and are later married, with Frida telling the philandering Rivera she expects loyalty, if not fidelity. They go to New York City, so Rivera can work on a mural for the lobby of Rockefeller Center. Frida has a miscarriage and returns briefly to Mexico when her mother dies. Rivera paints in the face of Lenin, then refuses to remove it, Rivera is fired and the mural is painted over. Frida and Rivera return to Mexico. They live in two side-by-side houses. Then Frida learns Rivera is having an affair with her sister, leading to their separation and alcoholic depression. They reunite when Leon Trotsky comes to Mexico. Frida and Trotsky begin an affair, which he later ends. This leads to another separation between Frida and Rivera. She moves to Paris. When she returns she and Rivera divorce. Trostky is murdered and Rivera is considered a suspect. When he can’t be found Frida is jailed for a time.  She remarries Rivera and later dies, after having to have her leg amputated.      

An interesting biopic. Frida was certainly unusual. This film uses interesting special effects,  moving from pictures into live action.

Frida Kahlo by Elizabeth Carpenter (D.A.P., New York, 2007) at page 94 gives the date of her accident 

Producer - Sarah Green, Salma Hayek and Jay Polstein

Director - Julie Taymor

Screenplay - Clancy Sigal, Diane Lake, Gregory Nava and Anna Thomas

Awards – The movie won the Best Makeup and Best Original Score Oscars. It was also Nominated for the Best Actress(Hayek), Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design and Best Original Song at the 75^th Academy Awards.   

Runtime – 2 hours 3 minutes

Released – August 29, 2002

Starring -

Salma Hayek as Frida Kahlo

Alfred Molina as Diego Rivera

Geoffrey Rush as Leon Trotsky

Mía Maestro as Cristina Kahlo

Ashley Judd as Tina Modotti

Copyright by Ivan Walters in 2014.        

       

Today’s movie is a period drama with a scene that happens on September 16.

THE MAYOR OF CASTERBRIDGE             

While drunk Michael Henchard sells his wife, Susan  and child, Elizabeth Jane  for 5 guineas at a fair to a sailor named Newsom. When he realizes what he’s done, on September 16, 18__ [7:22 to 8:33] Henchard takes an oath not to drink liquor for 21 years. Many years later, after the sailor has died,  Susan returns with Elizabeth Jane to the fair and hears Michael is now in Casterbridge, where they learn he is now the mayor and a prosperous grain merchant. Henchard hires Donald Farfrae, a Scot as his grain manager after he initially refuses.  Susan and Michael meet and he proposes that he will pay for her and Elizabeth Jane to move into the town and that they ‘accidentally’ meet and get married, and she agrees. Henchard tells Farfrae that last year he had met on Jersey a woman named Lucetta. Henchard proposed to Lucetta.  Henchard now ends it with Lucetta and re-marries Susan.  Henchard asks Elizabeth Jane to take his surname. Henchard and Farfrae start to clash over how to run the business and who is more popular in the town. Farfrae and Elizabeh Jane start to fall in love with each other. Farfrae goes into business as a grain merchant. Henchard makes Elizabeth Jane promise not to see Farfrae again. Susan dies. Henchard tells Elizabeth Jane that he is her father and she is upset at this news. Then Henchard learns from a deathbed letter that Susan wrote that Elizabeth Jane is not his daughter. His Elizabeth Jane had died and Susan’s child with Newson was given the same name. Henchard does not correct Elizabeth Janes’ misapprehension of the true state of her parentage. Henchard withdraws his objection to the courtship of Elizabeth Jane and Farfrae.   Lucetta Templeman, who Henchard had proposed to before Susan showed up and then dumped, moves to Highplace Hall in Casterbridge. Her affair with Henchard caused the loss of her reputation. Lucetta hires Elizabeth Jane as her companion.   Farfrae goes to see Elizabeth Jane but meets Lucetta. Henchard sees this meeting and gets upset, as does Elizabeth Jane, who notices the attraction between Farfrae and Lucetta. Henchard bets on a bad harvest and buys up grain. The bankers force him to sell at a loss, but only days later the weather goes bad. Henchard is wiped out. He then tries to blackmail Lucetta into marrying him, with the letters she wrote him, that if revealed would destroy her reputation. Then a female vagrant who used to be a merchant recounts the story of Henchard selling his wife. Henchard then learns Lucetta has eloped with Farfrae. This news causes Elizabeth-Jane to leave Highplace Hall. Henchard is forced into bankruptcy and bought out by Farfrae. Elizabeth-Jane feels sorry for Henchard and takes care of him. Henchard goes to work for Fafrae. Lucretta wants to go away, but Farfrae is nominated to replace Henchard as mayor. Henchard starts drinking again. He almost kills himself, then almost kills Farfrae. Henchard gives Jopp, who bears a grudge against Henchard and Lucetta, the letters to deliver to her. Instead he makes them public. A mob publicly shames them in effigy. Lucetta, who is pregnant has a fit. She confesses all to Farfrae and dies. Then Newsom shows up, but Henchard tells him Elizabeth-Jane is dead. Elizabeth-Jane and Farfrae renew their relationship and get engaged. Newsome meets Elizabeth-Jane. Henchard, who has been living in the countryside and working as a farm laborer, returns for their wedding. Elizabeth-Jane confronts Henchard about his lies. However, she later decides to forgive him and looks for him, but finds Henchard has died.

A sad and melancholy tale. Thoughtless decisions have wide-spread consequences for many people. A rich and vibrant portrait of Nineteenth century English life.                 

The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy (Bantam Books, New York, 1981) at page 15 and the film at 8:11 give the date of the oath

Producer – Georgina Lowe

Director – David Thacker

Screenplay -  Ted Whitehead

Runtime – 3 hours 16 minutes

Released – August 17, 2003

Starring –

Ciaran Hinds as Michael Henchard

Juliet Aubrey as Susan Henchard

Jodhi May as Elizabeth Jane

James Purefoy as Donald Farfrae

Polly Walker as Lucetta Templeman

Copyright by Ivan Walters in 2014.

September 15 - Sabrina (1954)

Today’s movie is a romantic comedy with a scene that happens on September 15. Watch it tonight and enjoy.

SABRINA (1954)                      

On the north shore of Long Island live the very wealthy Larrabee family consisting of the father, mother and two sons, Linus and David. Linus, the elder is a confirmed workaholic, while David is an irresponsible womanizer. The family’s chauffer has a daughter named Sabrina, who has an unrequited crush on David. After a party where she sees David seducing yet another woman, Sabrina tries to commit suicide by closing the garage doors and turning on all the cars. She is saved by Linus and goes off to Paris to attend a cordon bleu cooking school. When she returns several years later as a stylish and elegant young woman, she is not recognized by David. In the interim, Linus is forcing David to marry Elizabeth Tyson in order to secure her families sugarcane plantations in Puerto Rico as raw material for Larrabee industries new product, an indestructible plastic. David invites Sabrina to a society party at the house, intending to seduce her. However, after David accidentally injures himself, Linus steps in and agrees to look out for Sabrina on David’s behalf. David has said he wants to marry Sabrina, so Linus decides to woo her himself to bust them up and preserve David’s engagement to Elizabeth. After several dates Linus tells Sabrina that he is running way to Paris. Later she finds two tickets and initially she thinks he’s taking her along, but he tells her the truth. Linus says he is sending her alone and providing compensation. After Linus tells her this, she tells David goodbye and decides to go to Paris. On September 15, 1955 [1:41:45 to 1:53:14] Linus tells David the deal with the Tysons and his engagement are over and directs him to go to Paris with Sabrina. At the meeting held to announce this David bursts in and insults Sabrina, calling her a gold-digger. Linus decks David, forcing him to confront the fact that he loves Sabrina.  Linus gets on board the ship carrying Sabrina to Europe and they are reconciled. 

One of the all time classic film romances. Three great stars carry this film and make it fantastic.  Beautiful cinematography and classic costumes combine to make this one of best of Hollywood’s golden age.

Date given in film on ticket at 1:31:09

Awards – The movie won the Best Costume Design Oscar. The film was also nominated for the Best Director, Best Actress(Hepburn), Best Black and White Art Direction,  Best Black and White Cinematography and Best Adapted Screenplay at the 27^th Academy Awards.

Screenplay - Billy Wilder, Ernest Lehman and Samuel A. Taylor

Producer - Billy Wilder                             

Director - Billy Wilder                                              

Runtime – 1 hour 53 minutes                                     

Released – September 9, 1954

Starring –

Humphrey Bogart as Linus Larrabee

Audrey Hepburn as Sabrina Fairchild

William Holden as David Larrabee

John Williams as Thomas Fairchild

Walter Hampden as Oliver Larrabee

Nella Walker as Maude Larrabee

Martha Hyer as Elizabeth Tyson

Copyright by Ivan Walters in 2014. 

September 14 - Missing

Today’s movie is a political drama with a scene that happens on September 14. Watch it tonight and enjoy.       

MISSING 

After the 1973 Chilean military coup, Capt. Ray Tower drives Charlie Horman and Terry Simon back to Santiago. Charlie meets his wife, Beth but they later become separated. When Beth returns to her house she finds it has been looted and Charlie is gone. Charlie’s father Ed gets the run around in Washington and later flies to Chile where he gets the same treatment from the embassy there. He and his daughter-in-law don’t get along well at first because she thinks he’s naïve about what has happened, while he thinks she’s anti-American.  Charlie and Terry were caught out of town on the day of the coup and couldn’t get back to the capital. The neighbors give differing accounts of what happened when Charlie was taken from the house. One witness says he was taken to the National Stadium, which is being used as a holding facility by the military.  David Holloway tells them how he and Frank Teruggi were arrested and Frank vanished. Ed and Beth tour the hospitals and the Stadium, looking for Charlie, without success. A man tells them that someone told him that the head of the local CIA decided Charlie needed to disappear. Terry tells them that on the day of the coup they met Capt. Ed Tower and Andrew Babcock who say they helped organize the coup. On September 14, 1973 [1:18: 20 to 1:19:50] on their drive back to Santiago, Charlie uses the radio to send a message to his father in America. A guy at the Ford Foundation office tells Ed he’s heard Charlie was executed. Some of the embassy officials tell Ed basically that Charlie deserved what happened to him for poking around where he shouldn’t have been.  Later the embassy confirms Charlie is dead and to add insult to injury they have to pay to have Charlie’s body returned to the USA.  

A must see film.

Date given in film at 1:20:04

Awards – The movie won the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar. The film was also nominated for the Best Actor (Lemon), Best Actress(Spacek) and Best Picture Oscars at the 55^th Academy Awards.

Producers - Edward Lewis and Mildred Lewis     

Screenplay - Donald E. Stewart & Costa-Gavras             

Director - Costa-Gavras                                       

Runtime – 2 hours 2 minutes                                    

Released – February 12, 1982                                  

 Starring –

Jack Lemmon as Ed Horman

Sissy Spacek as Beth Horman

Melanie Mayron as Terry Simon

John Shea as 'Charlie' Horman

Charles Cioffi as Capt. Ray Tower, USN

David Clennon as Consul Phil Putnam

Richard Venture as U.S. Ambassador

Jerry Hardin as Colonel Sean Patrick

Richard Bradford as Andrew Babcock

Joe Regalbuto as Frank Teruggi

Keith Szarabajka as David Holloway

John Doolittle as David McGeary

Janice Rule as Kate Newman

Ward Costello as Congressman

Copyright by Ivan Walters in 2014