Y is for Young Frankenstein

No Best Original Screenplays beginning with the letter Y, so I give you: Young Frankenstein that was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Academy Awards (lost to The Godfather: Part II). It is a film from 1974 directed by Mel Brooks, and written by Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder. The film is a comedy and a satire of the Frankenstein story that was written as the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and first published anonymously in 1818. The film bears little resemblance to the famous story of the mad scientist piecing together parts of dead bodies and bringing the sad individual back to life.

Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (Gene Wilder), a young neurosurgeon, is a descendant of the famous Dr. Victor von Frankenstein who lived and worked on his scientific experiments in Transylvania. Frederick is engaged to Elizabeth (Madeline Kahn), an interesting and slightly eccentric young woman. He takes leave of Elizabeth and his teaching career at the university to travel to the country where his grandfather, the famous Dr. Frankenstein, lived as he has inherited the man’s castle.

He has quite the journey ahead of him as he comes to know himself and his ancestors once he arrives. He acquires a beautiful lab assistant, Inga (Teri Garr), and has the hunchback servant Igor (Marty Feldman) also at his side. The evil seeming housekeeper Frau Blücher (Cloris Leachman) is no friend to them. Frederick comes upon a diary/journal where Victor has described how he brought dead people back to life, and when a poor villager dies, the good doctor decides to bring him back to life using a brain he sends Igor to fetch for him from the morgue. This of course results in misfortune, for the wrong brain is delivered.

Peter Boyle is absolutely wonderful playing the Monster. As he awakens to his life, he is of course confused, runs off, and a truly hilarious bit occurs when he happens upon the Blind Man (Gene Hackman) who invites him into his cottage for a bite to eat. The Monster is mute and therefore has trouble communicating his thoughts and feelings to others, setting up all sorts of not so funny predicaments for him, but lots of humor for us!

The slapstick comedy doesn’t truly begin until about halfway through the film, and I confess that during the first half of the story, I was kind of bored, wishing it would move along. But when it does, it really moves!  Mel Brooks had a crazy sense of humor and the situations Dr. Frankenstein and his progeny encounter are inventive and very funny. Mel Brooks went on to create other innovative comedy films, such as Blazing Saddles.

The film is rated PG and is in black and white. I recommend you see Young Frankenstein if you are interested in comedy that goes a step beyond. It was truly groundbreaking in its time, the actors are great, and it’s a good way to spend an evening when you need a good laugh.

Young Frankenstein (1974) Official Trailer 

X is for SeX, Lies, and Videotape

X is for SeX, Lies, and Videotape, a film from 1989. It was nominated for Best Original Screenplay at the Academy Awards. Written by Steven Soderbergh, it lost to Dead Poets Society that year. If you’re an intelligent person who is not afraid of sensitive subjects, you may enjoy this finely acted film. This is an adults only movie, and is rated R. There isn’t much sexual activity in the film, but there is a lot of talk about sex. It’s a morality tale about double standards and the secrets that intimates keep from one another.

Ann Mullany (Andie MacDowell) lives with her husband John (Peter Gallagher) in what seems to be an average sized city in Louisiana. Ann’s sister Cynthia Bishop (Laura San Giacomo) lives nearby, and works as a bartender. The two sisters are polar opposites: Ann a repressed housewife, and Cynthia a free spirit.

John is an attorney, an adulterer, and a liar (like some members of Congress). His friend from college, Graham Dalton (James Spader), comes for a visit and is the catalyst for many changes within this strange family.

John is having an affair with Cynthia. Ann is in therapy and discloses to her shrink the details of her seemingly dying relationship with her husband. Graham has a strange hobby being an amateur filmmaker of sorts. He interviews women, not just about anything, but about their sexual histories. It all shakes loose when Cynthia introduces herself to Graham, and he videotapes her. Secrets should be thrown into the title of the film as well as lies, as there are plenty of clandestine thoughts and actions going on.

This is an interesting film if you enjoy stories about the human psyche. It’s almost as if Graham is a psychologist, only in a very different manner, encouraging people to talk about their innermost thoughts and feelings and about subjects they’d never discuss with any of their friends or family. He’s like a therapist, just doesn’t tell the women he interviews what to do, and shrinks sometimes tell their clients what to do. What I found interesting about Graham is that he shows such unconditional positive regard for the women and their stories. His motivations are questionable, but I wondered if the women’s intimate partners would be so accepting if they told the truth like they do with Graham.

Sex, Lies, and Videotape was directed by Steven Soderbergh, and is a groundbreaking indie film. The actors all do a great job with their roles. Peter Gallagher went on to star in the TV series, The O. C., one of my favorites, and Laura San Giacomo played Vivian’s best friend and fellow hooker in Pretty Woman, not to mention her role in the TV series, Just Shoot Me. Andie MacDowell has had a full acting career. One of my favorite films of hers is Groundhog Day, all sweetness and light, kind of like her role in this film.

Have you watched Sex, Lies, and Videotape? What did you think?

Sex, Lies, and Videotape 1989 Trailer 

W is for Woman of the Year

W is for Woman of the Year, a romantic comedy from 1942 directed by George Stevens. The film is not rated and is in black and white.

Sam Craig (Spencer Tracy) and Tess Harding (Katharine Hepburn) are both columnists at the New York Chronicle. Sam is a sportswriter, and Tess is an international affairs correspondent. They come to each other’s attention quite accidentally, and a feud between them in their columns develops. They had worked on different floors of the newspaper, and met for the first time being reprimanded by their boss. Attraction is instantaneous and the courtship begins.

Tess is a worldly woman, having lived in China, traveled extensively, and she speaks several languages fluently. Sam is just a small town kind of guy who decides to ask Tess to a baseball game for their first date. One of the funniest segments of the film is Sam patiently attempting to explain baseball to Tess while at the game, difficult in that she has never attended a game in her life. It is truly comical as she is so very, very naïve.

Despite Tess inviting Sam to a party at her apartment where he can interact with virtually no one due to language barriers between him and the guests, he persists to woo her, and they eventually are married. No time for a proper honeymoon due to their career commitments. The arrival of a Dr. Lubbeck at Tess’s door on their wedding night escalates to their bedroom filling with her friends, and then Sam’s friends that he invites in response to the growing entourage of Dr. Lubbeck’s. This leads to some funny slapstick humor involving Sam’s friends, one of whom has been a boxer.

They finally make a go of their relationship, not without bumps in the road. Tess is chosen as “America’s Outstanding Woman of the Year,” and Sam has really had it by this time with his assertive career woman. Whether they will make it or not is something you’ll have to see for yourself.

Interesting about this film is the era, World War II, in which it was created. I noticed an altered map in Tess’s office showing Europe, outlining which countries Hitler had invaded and occupied. Women became part of the workforce during World War II, and were becoming more assertive and independent, characteristics that Tess possesses to the extreme. On the other hand, she has no skill in the kitchen, and there is a really funny scene near the end of the movie where Sam quietly reads the paper while she attempts to cook him breakfast with disastrous and very amusing consequences.

Woman of the Year won Best Original Screenplay at the Academy Awards for Michael Kanin and Ring Lardner, Jr. It deserves the award, as the writing is clever, the comedic situations really priceless, and it’s basically a sound story. This was the first of nine films Tracy and Hepburn would star in together and the one said to have launched their romantic relationship.

Woman of the Year Official Trailer 

V is for Victor Victoria

V is for Victor Victoria, nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Academy Awards (lost to Missing). The film won for “Best Music, Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Best Adaptation Score” for Henry Mancini and Leslie Bricusse. Blake Edwards directed this musical/comedy. The film is rated PG.

Victoria Grant (Julie Andrews) is living in 1934 Paris and having trouble making ends meet. She is a gifted singer, and happens to meet Carole “Toddy” Todd (Robert Preston) who is also on the brink of ruin. He concocts a scheme to have Victoria pretend she is a man who is a female impersonator. Thus, Victor is born.

Victor/Victoria is soon the talk of Paris. A visiting American, King Marchand (James Garner) is enchanted after seeing her stage performance. King is traveling with his girlfriend Norma Cassady (Lesley Ann Warren) who is about the dizziest blonde ever seen on screen. King’s bodyguard Squash Bernstein (Alex Karras) is a constant companion.

King is convinced that Victor is not a man, and tiptoes about their hotel to find the truth. Once he confirms that it’s Victoria and not Victor he is falling in love with, he proceeds to woo her, having dumped Norma and sent her packing back to Chicago.

The complications and hilarity with all the gender identity confusion is priceless. Blake Edwards did a magnificent job writing and directing this film. A 1933 script by Reinhold Schünzel was his inspiration.

Musically, the film is a winner. Great song and dance routines, and Julie Andrews’ voice is superb. The film sets are awash with color and the costumes are inspired. Some of the action reminded me of the crazy things that would happen to detective Peter Sellers in the Pink Panther films that Blake directed.

This is a laugh out loud musical comedy that never has a dull moment. What would you do if you were dating someone who pretended to be of the opposite sex? How would that affect your persona and how others see you in the community? These are serious questions that are explored in playful ways in this very funny film.

Robert Preston is wonderful as the gay man and entrepreneur pushing Victoria along to succeed. James Garner is great as the gangster from America caught in a Parisian situation with no easy answers. Who really steals the show is Lesley Ann Warren as Norma. She plays the gangster moll so well, as well as a singer/dancer, with no holds barred. I admired her performance the most.

Julie was married to Blake from 1969 up until his death in 2010. They often worked on films together with Julie playing a starring role, and Blake writing, producing and directing. Blake was noted for the Peter Gunn series on TV, the classic film 10, and many others. His comedic timing was impeccable. Alex Karras was an NFL football player prior to his acting and producing in the film industry.

Have you seen Victor Victoria? What did you think of it?

Victor/Victoria - Original Theatrical Trailer

U is for Up in the Air

U is for Up in the Air, nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Academy Awards (lost to Precious). Jason Reitman wrote the screenplay with Sheldon Turner. Jason was the director of the excellent comedy Juno a couple years earlier. Up in the Air is rated R for language and some sexual content.

Our first views are of earth from the window seat of an airplane, a mode of travel known all too well to Ryan Bingham (George Clooney). He has the regrettable job of traveling to American cities to fire employees at companies apparently too ashamed to do it themselves. I would find it regrettable, but Ryan does not. He loves his job and his traveling, being partial to American Airlines and racking up their loyalty miles with every trip.

Change comes to his company as well when ingénue Natalie (Anna Kendrick) arrives on the scene. She has won over Ryan’s boss Craig (Jason Bateman) who hires her to train their employees on how to fire people online. This doesn’t go over so well with Ryan, and after he gives a demonstration showing that it’s not easy to fire someone, Craig sends Natalie on her merry way with Ryan all over the U.S. in order to learn how to fire people.

Ryan is an independent guy, until he meets Alex (Vera Farmiga) who appears to be the female equivalent of him: carefree, assertive, independent and wanting a little male/female bonding while on the road. Ryan reaches out to his family, as his sister is about to get married, and Alex goes with him to Wisconsin where the couple is about to tie the knot.

I really enjoyed George Clooney in his role as Ryan. He shows a vulnerability that makes him lovable, so we really don’t want anyone to hurt him. All the actors are great in their roles, and there are some wonderful cameos by J. K. Simmons and Zach Galifianakis as employees being fired that make those scenes memorable.

Natalie grows up while on the road, with Ryan almost taking a paternal role with her. He is after all old enough to be her father, and she considers him “old.” (What? George Clooney? Not yet.)

I loved the opening sequences when Ryan goes through his routine of packing his carryon bag for travel, something he’s obviously gotten down to a science. He moves through the airport, going through all those customary checkpoints that I have grown to expect, ticketing, security, waiting for boarding, all done in an entertaining manner.

I wonder how many others like Ryan and Alex are flying overhead right now. I enjoy my flights, but I don’t do it every day. I’m heading out to some great vacation or to see family, not to business meetings and the daily grind. I really enjoyed this look into a world that exists up there, over our heads. Who is on that plane? Are they happy? See Up in the Air for a glimpse into that world.

Up in the Air (2009) - Official Movie Trailer 

T is for Titanic (1953)

T is for Titanic (1953). The film won Best Original Screenplay at the Academy Awards, and after having watched it, I can appreciate why. It is a very well written story. The film is not rated.

I was curious what I’d see when watching this original film that was made 44 years prior to the famous Titanic from James Cameron that captured young girls hearts all across the world. This black and white film from 1953 begins with an image of an iceberg calving off of a glacier and crashing into the Atlantic Ocean, thus beginning its drift into the path of the maiden and only voyage of the ship the Titanic.

In April of 1912, both wealthy class and working class, about 2200 passengers, are aboard for a journey to America from Southampton, England. Some of the same storyline is later reflected in the storytelling of James Cameron, and other parts in this film are less well known.

In the unfolding of this tragedy, the writers use a fictional family to focus our sympathies on. Richard Ward Sturges (Clifton Webb) rushes to board the ship at the last minute in pursuit of his estranged wife Julia (Barbara Stanwyck) who is leaving Europe for Michigan, Mackinac Island to be exact, with their two children, Annette (Audrey Dalton) and Norman (Harper Carter). Richard is trying to mend their broken relationship when the disaster strikes.

Also onboard is a group of students from Purdue University, including Gifford Rogers (Robert Wagner), who is enchanted by Annette and attempts to win her over during the sailing. Maude Young (Thelma Ritter) is a card shark with a smart mouth, and I wondered if she was the counterpart to Molly Brown played by Kathy Bates in the later version.

We also see the warnings of impending disaster that were directed to Captain E. J. Smith (Brian Aherne), and the unfortunate lack of necessary equipment that may have diverted the accident. The film is said to be true to the navigational data gathered during investigations into the tragic sinking of the Titanic.

With none of the over the top visual effects that the Titanic of 1997 employed, I actually liked this version better. The actors are all first rate, especially Barbara Stanwyck and the young, handsome Robert Wagner. A few fictionalized stories of the other passengers are thrown in, and it is a well-balanced film that was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration (but did not receive the award).

It is first and foremost a drama, and a reminder that human error and laxity in safety measures is what really caused the fatal injury to the vessel, and the deaths of so many travelers (approximately 1500 people). Thankfully for those sailing on large ocean going vessels today, the safety standards are high and must be adhered to. It is a sad film, but a fitting tribute to the innocent souls who lost their lives that cold pre-dawn morning in April of 1912.

Titanic (1953) Trailer 

S is for The Seventh Veil

S is for The Seventh Veil, a film from 1945 that won Best Original Screenplay at the Academy Awards for Muriel and Sydney Box. Muriel was a prolific writer, with 26 film screenplays to her name that she wrote with her husband who was a film producer.

At the beginning of the film is a statement by the British Board of Film Censors: “This is to certify that The Seventh Veil has been passed for public exhibition to adult audiences.” I had not seen this certification on a film previously and found it interesting that there was that type of regulation in 1945.

Francesca Cunningham (Ann Todd), a successful and renowned classical pianist, attempts to drown herself by leaping from a bridge into a river. She is rescued and institutionalized. Dr. Larsen (Herbert Lom) is called in to treat her as she has refused to speak and thus is feared untreatable. He proposes to hypnotize her and lift the veils from her mind. He tells the story of Salome who was hidden from the outside world by seven veils, and likens the process of treating Francesca to removing each veil to get to the underlying issues that led to her depression and loss of the will to live. He successfully hypnotizes Francesca and she tells him her story leading up to her suicide attempt.

Francesca was orphaned at the age of 14 and moves into the home of her second cousin Nicholas (James Mason), her guardian. Nicholas finds that Francesca is a promising pianist, and quickly sets in motion the musical education and practice she needs to reach the pinnacle of success. Mentor and protégé have a tumultuous relationship as the years pass, and Francesca leads a sheltered life due to her music study and performances.

The movie poster for The Seventh Veil provocatively proclaims, “It Dares to Strip Bare a Woman’s Mind,” and shows Francesca being held by the arms by an angry Nicholas. James Mason played Nicholas very well. His distinctive voice and cold bearing shows us why their relationship was so difficult.

Francesca had two chances at romance: Peter Gay (Hugh McDermott), an American musician, and portrait artist Maxwell Leyden (Albert Lieven), hired by Nicholas to paint her portrait at the piano. She is naïve at love and Nicholas is none too happy about her suitors.

Remember that Francesca is telling all of this under hypnosis. Dr. Larsen believes that she is ready to confront the past and experiences that have been making her so unhappy. The ending for me was quite unexpected, and I didn’t think it was the best ending, but then this was 1945, pre-women’s lib you might say. It’s not the ending I would have written. But I enjoyed watching the film.

Eileen Joyce is the pianist playing for Ann Todd. Most of the classical music is Chopin, Mozart and Beethoven.

Have you seen The Seventh Veil? Or any of the films of Muriel and Sydney Box? What did you think of it?

The Seventh Veil 1945 Trailer 

R is for Rain Man

R is for Rain Man, a drama from 1988 that won Best Original Screenplay at the Academy Awards for Barry Morrow and Ronald Bass. The film also won Best Picture, Best Director for Barry Levinson, and Best Actor for Dustin Hoffman. The film is about family ties, bonding between very different brothers, and a cross-country road trip in a Buick convertible. It is rated R.

Charlie Babbitt (Tom Cruise) is a high wheeler on a budget who buys and sells Lamborghinis. His assistant and girlfriend Susanna (Valeria Golino) is a long-suffering woman who is growing frustrated with the closed off and distant Charlie.

When Charlie’s father suddenly dies, they travel to Cincinnati, Ohio for the services, and for Charlie to be present for the reading of the will. Although estranged from his father for years and years, Charlie still expects an inheritance. To his consternation, he is bequeathed only his father’s prized 1949 Buick Roadmaster and his rose bushes. All the rest has been left to the Walbrook Institute as a trust. A three million dollar trust.

Charlie and Susanna go to the Walbrook Institute in search of explanations for the mysterious reasons behind his father’s last wishes, and encounter Raymond (Dustin Hoffman), Charlie’s autistic savant older brother. This was the first time that Charlie realized he had a brother. Turns out Charlie was two years old when Raymond was institutionalized.

Charlie gets Raymond to walk away from Walbrook with him to take him to Los Angeles. His ulterior motives are to gain custody of Raymond and his $3,000,000. But Raymond being who he is, he will not get on an airplane. Thus begins a cross-country road trip for the brothers in the Roadmaster convertible all the way from Ohio to LA. Susanna has left Charlie due to his insensitivity and anger. During the trip that lasts much longer than it should, mainly due to Raymond’s fears and idiosyncrasies, Charlie learns things about Raymond, his father, and himself.

Some of the most famous scenes in Rain Man take place in Las Vegas where Charlie attempts to make some cash. Susanna shows up in Vegas and her sensitive scenes with Raymond are really touching. Traveling with someone who has autism is not easy for Charlie, and Dustin Hoffman gives a wonderful performance, so believable you will think he is on the autism spectrum, which has a wide range of characteristics. Tom Cruise delivers a spot on performance as the self-centered man whose brother with special needs makes him a little more compassionate, not in leaps and bounds, but gradually over several days. This makes Cruise’s performance essential to the story, and he did a great job in his role.

Have you seen Rain Man? Given what we now know about autism spectrum disorders these twenty years later (very few people diagnosed with autism have savant characteristics I might add), what is your opinion of the depiction of Raymond? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section, and thanks for visiting.

Rain Man - Official Trailer - (1988) 

Q is for Quiz Show

Q is for Quiz Show, released in 1994, and nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Academy Awards (lost to Forrest Gump). Directed by Robert Redford, it is based on a true story that took place during the late 1950’s, a scandal that involved a television game show, “Twenty One.” The film is rated PG-13 for some strong language.

Herbie Stempel (John Turturro) is a winning contestant week after week winning more and more money for his knowledge of obscure topics that make him seem like a walking genius. His “handlers,” Dan Enright (David Paymer) and Albert Freedman (Hank Azaria), decide Herbie needs to go and brings on a charismatic, handsome teacher from a wealthy family, Charles “Charlie” Van Doren (Ralph Fiennes). Charlie is soon disillusioned because Dan and Albert want to give him the answers to the questions so that he is sure not to lose.

Herbie feels terrible about losing the show, and over a question he knew the answer to, but purposely missed because of his instructions. He makes a big fuss and his plight comes to the attention of Dick Goodwin (Rob Morrow), a Congressional attorney who takes an interest in the case and the possible deceit involved.

Dick finds a willing source in Herbie. Then Dick connects with Charlie. What they have in common is education. Dick’s wife Sandra (Mira Sorvino) has her own opinions about the issue, and yet supports Dick during his research. Charlie seems to have found a tactic to keep Dick close so he knows what is being discovered. Tortured by the cheating on the show, and yet relishing the sudden money and fame it brings, Charlie is most worried about his professor father learning the truth.  Probably not true to life, Dick is invited to Charlie’s parents’ home, a poker game with the boys, and to lunch in an expensive restaurant.

Television networks are very powerful, something the head of the station reminds Dick. What it comes down to is money, and which contestant sells the most Geritol. The executives deny knowledge of the small time workings of the quiz shows, and do not hesitate to have a fall guy in the person of Dan Enright.

The film is wonderful to watch because the times of the late 1950’s are so well depicted. The film and the screenplay did a superior job with the dialogue. Thoughtful and real, each person has his or her own unique voice. Ralph Fiennes is brilliant as the man thrust into the limelight, wrestling with his conscience daily. John Turturro is the everyman from Queens, embarrassed that his friends and family will know he didn’t know the answers to every question. Rob Morrow is the persistent Harvard man who doesn’t really want to tarnish the Van Dorens’ reputation, but feels sure that the deceit he is ferreting out at the network is worth the pursuit.

Quiz Show is a really good film, thoughtful and an important morality tale. Did you see it? Do you agree?

Trailer - Quiz Show (1994) 

P is for Princess O'Rourke

P is for Princess O’Rourke, winner of Best Original Screenplay at the Academy Awards for Norman Krasna. The film was made in 1942, and patriotic references to World War II abound. I was smiling though, right from the start of this delightful black and white romantic comedy.

Princess Maria (Olivia de Havilland) is in New York City with her uncle Holman (Charles Coburn). The family wants to marry her off to someone with a title, but she is protesting these arrangements. Bored in the confining hotel room, Holman suggests she fly to San Francisco for a vacation of sorts. Not accustomed to flying, she is given a sleeping pill to take while on the overnight flight.

Assured these are harmless, she proceeds to ask several crewmembers for more sleeping pills, and is completely unaware that the plane has turned around due to weather and headed back to NYC. She is still half asleep upon landing, and her flight was booked under the alias of Mary Williams with no address, so co-pilot Eddie O’Rourke (Robert Cummings) takes her to his apartment and calls his friend Jean Campbell (Jane Wyman) to come and help her into bed.

The following day Maria is not in a hurry to leave this unexpected adventure, and meets Eddie’s friends, Jean and her pilot husband Dave (Jack Carson). Both men are soon to join the air force. She spends a day doing “normal” things with Jean, and going out for a night on the town with them for dinner and dancing.

Eddie and the Princess are attracted to each other, and she is enchanted by the story of how Jean and Dave met and their quick courtship of just ten days before they wed. Things get complicated when Eddie asks her to marry him.

When Holman hears from his secret service man who’s been trailing Maria all day that Eddie is an upstanding citizen among other traits, he encourages Maria to marry him.

At this point it gets a little far-fetched. They go to Washington, D. C. to meet with President Roosevelt, but we only get to see his little black dog. Can a marriage between European royalty and an American pilot really work? Who will back out first? Or will they marry against all odds?

This was a cute little film. Olivia de Havilland is simply radiant, and the handsome Robert Cummings makes a good romantic partner for her. The war propaganda is a bit strong, but then it was 1943 as I mentioned.

Reviewers have commented that Roman Holiday, released ten years later, has a similar story, an escaped royal mucking about with a commoner for a day and falling in love. There are only a limited number of story types that we recycle over and over to tell the same tale in a different way. I would say that Roman Holiday is the superior film of this genre. Have you seen Princess O’Rourke? Or Roman Holiday? What is your opinion of the two films?

Olivia de Havilland - Princess O'Rourke - Clip