Destination Tokyo is an interesting moving. I think it reflects some of the ideas many Americans still have about war ie. that you fight to save the other guy's country and children as well as your own. The movie also tries to portray a character who is supposedly some kind of womanizer and he is supposed to learn some family values by the end. This plot line did not work for me because while the movie is forever long, there is little time spent in character development and so I didn't really care about this jerk and whether or not he decides family life was for him or not.The movie is valuable to understand that military service can be lots of boredom followed by too much excitement. And, while I don't know how acurate they made the portrayal of life on a 1944 submarine, the movie did help you to see what risks those men were taking just getting in one of those contraptions. I also thought it was interesting how they portrayed the crews level of education, it seemed low and yet they were determined and brave, but I would be surprised if you didn't find some of the brighter sort running the submarines that are around now. Most of those old war movies could help support a thesis about how the GI Bill educated a nation.
The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer is a fun movie that is spoiled for me in a few places by really ugly sexist comments. The female lead is played by Myrna Loy. She plays a judge who ends up with Cary Grant's character in her court room. I was intrigued by this movie because of the whole female judge thing. However, they spoil that by having Cary Grant's character and the uncle character say that she needs, "a good sock in the jaw" or something to that affect 2-3 times.
Shirley Temple is as cute as can be and it's fun to see her play a teenage character. The parts where they insist that Cary Grant take her out are uncomfortable and meant to be and that part works.
Both interesting films, but difficult for me to watch just for entertainments sake. I always wonder how much of what I see there is actually how people thought during those years, or how much of it was twisted by Hollywood, just like movies frequently are now.
4 comments:
You put me in the mood for Mr. Grant! Have to look at the library today! Hey I love your bluebird picture next to your comments!
These are the same kinds of thoughts that go through my head when I see old movies. I feel uncomfortable when the social mores within run counter to my own beliefs. It's a good sign, I think. We think for ourselves, right? :)
I hadn't thought of that Lilli and that perspective makes me feel better. I've loved old movies since I was little, but they do bother me sometimes. New movies can make me even more uncomfortable that way. I have never thought of that as a really good thing until you made that point. "Thinking for yourself" is probably a like a muscle that it is good to work out on occasion.
I like the old movies cause I don't view them as a social statement. I think that they are funny. But Life with Father (the original version) is really a much more accurate social portrait. If you liked the Bachelor and Bobbysockser check out The Major and the Minor with Ginger Rogers. I liked that one too and hope to see it on DVD soon.
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