This is a movie with a scene that happens today – September 22. I hope you will enjoy this film while watching it tonight.
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
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