Mid-Century Mass Media Movie Study

Media (the plural form of medium) is the common usage word for all the various forms of mass communication.  Today, the Internet, television and movies are the media technologies that inform and entertain us.  In 1943 we were informed and entertained almost exclusively by print media, radio and movies.  Guadalcanal Diary is a 1943 monochrome film that the contemplative movie connoisseur should view and study for its unusual confluence of the media of the mid-20th century.

The Guadalcanal Campaign during World War II was significant because it was the beginning conflict in the long and difficult effort to reverse Japanese military conquests and take the war back to the Japanese Islands.  Richard Tregaskis was a 26 year old journalist who volunteered to serve as a war correspondent with the Marines on Guadalcanal.  Five months after the commencement of the six-month campaign, Tregaskis published a book,"Guadalcanal Diary," giving the American public an eyewitness account of the island battle.  Six months after publication of the book, 20th Century Fox began production of a film based on the book.  The film was released in October of 1943, just ten months after the conclusion of the fighting on Guadalcanal Island.  The movie and book exposed the public to the real life experience of men-at-war.  It is significant that this mass communication of the war experience was only mid-way through the war in the Pacific theater of operations.  The horrific death tolls of Iwo Jima and Okinawa (148,185 combat deaths) were more than a year in the future for the 1943 movie patrons.  One year after the movie's release, three of the film actors recreated their roles for the Lux Radio Theater presentation of "Guadalcanal Diary," thereby completing a triparte mass communication by print, film and radio.                                                          John Greanias, Copyright 2013.

An Excellent Lake View and Hollywood Story

What were you doing at age 19?  Veronica Lake, at age 19, was starring in Sullivan's Travels.  Her co-star and romantic interest, Joel McCrea, was almost twice her age.  No matter, it works! Perhaps it works so well because it is almost impossible to make Lake look like a teenager.  Even pigtails would probably not make you think "teenager."  Veronica Lake, she of the "peek-a-boo" hairstyle, had that special "thing" that Hollywood movie producers and directors desired in a leading lady.  Something more than beauty.  The something that Lake delivered on screen is best described as "sultry."  The dictionary definition of the word "sultry" is "extremely hot."  That just about says it all!   However, Sullivan's Travels is much more than Veronica Lake.  It is a delightful satire of Hollywood.  The film was released in December of 1941.  Surely, it offered movie patrons a welcome respite from America's violent entry into World War II on December 7.  More than seventy years later, Sullivan's Travels is still a good trip!          John Greanias, Copyright 2013.

Wow, This Film Achieved 100% on the Tomatometer!

The Americanization of Emily (1964) is one of my enduring favorite films.  It is a love story, a war story, and a comedy.  The movie never seems to be prominently featured in any film venues, so I have long concluded that it must have some special appeal for me that others fail to perceive.  I decided to check a resource that I have found to be respectable, responsible and reliable, the Rotten Tomatoes website.  I was gratified to find that I am not alone in my adulation of this movie. The fact that it is filmed in black and white is a large part of the allure.  Monochrome is the perfect medium for this film set in England during World War II.  Julie Andrews is the English Emily, and James Garner is the U.S. Navy officer responsible for the "Americanization."  Both Andrews and Garner have designated this movie as one of their favorite performances.  It is a beautiful and entertaining story, and 100% on the Tomatometer is as good as it gets!
John Greanias  Copyright 2013

Make It In Black & White

Grey is a color mid-way between black and white.  A monochrome film is the perfect medium to highlight "battleship grey."  If you make a Navy war film, make it in black and white.  As my evidence of this fundamental truth, I submit for your viewing pleasure In Harm's Way (1965).  Great stars (John Wayne, Patrica Neal, Henry Fonda, Kirk Douglas, Dana Andrews, Burgess Meredith, George Kennedy, and even Larry Hagman in a small role) and an exciting action story!  The action begins with the attack on Pearl Harbor.   Actually, the action begins the night before the Japanese attack when Bond Girl, Barbara Bouchet, makes her appearance. In 1951, John Wayne and Patrica Neal were featured together in another Navy war film, Operation Pacific (filmed in black & white, of course).  They make a credible couple in both films.  Although the film is fictional (based on a book) the general storyline is a composite of true major events of the war in the Pacific theater.  The way to see an excellent example of monochrome filmmaking is In Harm's Way.                                                                            John Greanias Copyright 2013

Before There Was Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus came late to the party of Disney-developed performers with famous fathers.  In the 1960's Hayley Mills became a very popular child actress by appearing in a series of Disney movies, including Pollyanna and The Parent Trap.  Her father is John Mills, who performed in more than 100 films and was knighted by the Queen of Great Britain for his achievements.  The Disney films were very entertaining; however, my favorite Hayley Mills film was her first feature role and, of course, it was in black and white. The movie is Tiger Bay, and it was released in 1959.  The film also features Hayley's father and German actor Horst Buchholz.  The movie is best described as a drama/crime story.  The character played by Hayley Mills in complex and fascinating.  A real bonus is the location filming which will give you a real life experience of visiting a port city in England 50 years ago.  Movies are wonderful time machines, and this one is authentic and thoroughly entertaining.  For a good time, put your eye on the Tiger.
John Greanias Copyright 2013

Put Your Money Where Your House Is

Are you thinking about remodeling your home, or purchasing a fixer-upper that may (or may not) have good bones?  If you answered yes (or even maybe), then I have a film to recommend.  Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House may be more than 60 years old, but it is as relevant today as a jumbo mortgage.  Gary Grant and Myrna Loy combine their unique comedic talents to make you smile at their suffering.  There have been other films about the perils of home construction, but none deliver the charming interplay between husband and wife that is perfectly executed by Grant and Loy.  For a good time visit this House!  
John Greanias Copyright 2013

The Truth Will Come Out?

A United States Senator decides to come clean about his personal history, but then the media engages in a cover-up.  Is this a story about life in Washington, D.C.  No, it is another John Ford directed Western masterpiece (93% on the Tomatometer).  The film is The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.  The theater poster announced "James Stewart and John Wayne, TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST TIME" (the second time was 12 years later in The Shootist).  Gene Pitney recorded the top 10 hit song, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.  The movie has a surprise ending, but another big surprise is the fact that the top 10 Gene Pitney song, based on the movie, was not used in the movie.
John Greanias Copyright 2013