Man, what a
year. I don’t think it’s thrown about the same weight as previous years –
particularly with the explosion of categories (although some quite overdue –
especially supporting actor and actress nods, although dance direction is certainly
a dated slot). From sequels to romantic comedies to backstage musicals,
literary adaptations, lavish historical features and intimate relationship
dramas, there was still a lot to like in the films on show from 1936.
First, the
good stuff – a lot of great actors became greater. William Powell, Spencer
Tracey, Myrna Loy, Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur all got strong roles that they
could sink their teeth into. A lot of the old writers and directors were
similarly getting chances on new forms, meeting head strong works and turning
them into compelling pictures.
That said,
there were a LOT of duds too. Films like the awful General Spanky, Pigskin Parade and x represented the era at its
most confused, least coherent and generally most misogynistic and racist. The
whole thing gets a bit skin crawly. Even some of the solid films narratively
still had sketchy attitudes towards minorities and women, portraying both as
generally deceptive, cold or stupid. It can be a bit unpleasant, even with the
knowledge that these are old films.
Anyway,
let’s have a quick look at the ones to watch :
Three Films to Watch from the Ninth Academy
Awards
1. Dodsworth
really took me by surprise. This is an intimate and strangely modern story
about a man who retires and takes a trip with his wife to celebrate only to
find he and her no longer connect. This film could honestly be made today,
nearly shot for shot, word to word, and it would work. The way the two actors
portray a couple who were very much in love in their youth but slowly become
aware their marriage is over is taut and beautiful and very emotive. Definitely
one to check out.
2.
After theThin Man. So I LOVE these movies. William Powell and Myrna Loy slay as a
couple of private detectives in love, and this sequel to The Thin Man is totally charming, doing what I always say a sequel
should do – deepening the world instead of stretching it.
3.
Libeled Lady. How often do you get a cast like William Powell, Myrna Loy (I love
them, okay? LOVE), Spencer Tracey and Jean Harlow with a great script and a
funny, delightful plot? Socialite Myrna Loy is suing a newspaper run by Spencer
Tracy for defamation of her character and so Tracy hires William Powell to
seduce Loy in order to generate some blackmail-worthy material. It’s a total
schlocky rom com but it really works as it never treads into some of the uglier
behaviour and Powell, awesomely, falls for Loy hard and first. It’s a fun movie
and so well-made it’s really worthy of the nods.
(Honourable
mentions go to Romeo and Juliet, San Francisco and Mr. Deeds Goes to Town,
which are all pretty terrific.)
Three to Miss
1.
General Spanky. The American Civil War is experienced through an orphan boy shining
shoes about town. My loathing of this film is a little irrational, but I
seriously hate it. From the surly star of the picture to the general bigotry of
it, the ugliness of the narrative and the silliness of it. I really, really
don’t like it and couldn’t recommend not seeing
it enough.
2.
Pigskin Parade isn’t an awful film, but it’s a very odd mix of musical, sport film,
underdog movie and romantic comedy and it doesn’t work more often than it does.
3.
Banjo onMy Knee. A hillbilly is mistaken for murder. Again, not a terrible film,
but it’s strangely paced, pretty sexist, and narratively doesn’t hold together
well at all. Definitely not worth the effort it took to find.
I’m actually
half way through the tenth year of Oscar nominees, so you can expect that
before the end of the month which is pretty cool – if I do say so myself.
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