The Shining Future (1944) - Star of the month... Frank Sinatra

'The Shining Future' is a 1944 musical short film directed by LeRoy Prince and starring Olive Blakeney, Jack Carson, Benny Goodman and his Orchestra, Bing Crosby, Deanna Durbin, Cary Grant, Jimmie Lydon, Irene Manning, Herbert Marshall, Dennis Morgan, Harold Peary (Great Gildersleeve), Charles Ruggles and Frank Sinatra.  The short was produced by Jack L. Warner.

The short film consists of the following components:

• Herbert Marshall takes us through an "imaginative glimpse" into the future world of 1960, and into the living room the Ames family, who watch an archive film hosted by Jack Carson
• Frank Sinatra sings "There'll Be a Hot Time in the Town of Berlin"
• Dennis Morgan & Irene Manning sing "One Alone" as a duet
• Cary Grant reads a letter written by a Canadian soldier who was killed in action
• Deanna Durbin sings "Begin the Beguine"
• Benny Goodman and his Orchestra play "Sing, Sing, Sing" - featuring Harry James on trumpet and Gene Krupa on drums
• Bing Crosby sings "Get on the Road to Victory"
• The short closes with footage of the frontline at war

This film is world war II propoganda to encourage moviegoers to purchase war bonds. It uses the concept of the future, to demonstrate the growth of war bonds with long-term investment. For example, in 1960 Mr. Ames plans to use his war bonds as a down payment for Danny's college education. Sadly Danny's friend Joe will not be able to go to college as his parents didn't keep their war bonds.

Overall, good entertainment with a handful of memorable stars. The imaginative look into the future is amusing, although I think they were a little optimistic at how advanced the world would be. In today's world, (over 50 years later) we are still not as advanced as the world the Ames lives in - we are yet to innovate flying cars or have our own personal rocket ships.

Watch the full short film here:

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958) - Star of the month... Elizabeth Taylor

"Maggie the Cat is alive! I'm alive!" - Elizabeth Taylor (as Maggie in 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof')

'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' is a 1958 drama directed by Richard Brooks and starring Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, Burt Ives, Judith Anderson, Jack Carson and Madeleine Sherwood.

Based on the Pulitzer prize-winning play by Tennessee Williams, it became one of the biggest box office hits of 1958.

Brick Pillitt is a former football player who breaks his ankle after he jumps hurdles under the influence of alcohol. As a result, Brick spends the rest of the film on a crutch. The next day, Brick and his wife Maggie (played by Taylor) visit Brick's family home for the 65th birthday of his father, Big Daddy (played by Ives). Also visiting are Brick's brother Gooper (played by Carson), his wife Mae (played by Sherwood) and their five bratty children. 

Watch the trailer:

Key relationships

The basic premise of the film is an in-depth examination of key relationships among the various family members. I will comment on the two key relationships, Maggie & Brick, and Brick & Big Daddy.

Firstly, the troubled relationship between husband and wife, Brick and Maggie. Brick's recently deceased best friend Skipper is also an important part of this relationship bringing about a love triangle. Tied into this relationship are the themes of sexual desire, and sexual repression. Maggie is desperate for Brick to make love to her, but Brick does not show any interest. Maggie is confused about what Brick's issue is, "Where did I fail you? Where did I make my mistake?" Although the couple live together, Maggie does not feel it. She tells Brick,"I'm not living with you! We occupy the same cage that's all!" 

Secondly, we have the detached relationship between Brick and his father. From the beginning of the film, we get a sense of some tension, but we don't know exactly what this is. Once we see Big Daddy and Brick talking in the cellar, Big Daddy asks Brick what he never gave him, to which Brick replies: "You can't buy love."

Key themes

Paul Newman & Elizabeth Taylor in an early
scene in the film

Key themes in the film include greed and death.

The film explores greed, and in particular family greed, with Gooper and Mae who use their five children and crawling tactics to scheme and take the family inheritance. Maggie fights back and tries to protect her husband's inheritance by lying she is pregnant.

The film also explores the concept of death, and the way in which the characters face death, particularly Big Daddy. At the start of the film, we learn Big Daddy has been sent away due to ill health. When he returns, we are told he has fully recovered. Shortly after, we learn the doctor had lied to Big Daddy, and he is in fact going to die. Once Big Daddy discovers the truth, we travel with him on his emotional response journey from denial, resistance, exploration to acceptance of his inevitable fate. Big Daddy even says to Brick: "I've got the guts to die. What I want to know is, have you got the guts to live?"

Censored for the screen

Tennessee Williams was angered by the way in which the strict Hays Production Code forced changes to his original play.  A notable component was the way in which the film adaptation limits Brick's sexual desire for Skipper, and removes the original play's critique on homophobia and sexism.

Did you know...

• Burt Ives and Madeleine Sherwood reprise the roles they created on Broadway
• Ben Gazzara played the role of Brick on Broadway, but turned down the role in the film
• Don Murray was considered for the role of Brick
• Elvis Presley turned down the role of Brick
• Grace Kelly & Lana Turner were considered for the role of Maggie
• George Cukor turned the chance to direct this film
• Playwright Tennessee Williams disliked the film adaptation so much, he told people waiting to see the film to go home 
• Due to a musicians union strike, the film lacks a traditional music score composed specifically for the film - instead the music score features pre-recorded pieces of music from the MGM music library, much of which was composed for the film 'Tension' (1949)
• The film was originally meant to be filmed in black and white, however director Brooks insisted the film be in colour due to Elizabeth Taylor's violet coloured eyes, and Paul Newman's blue eyes
• Burt Ives (who plays Big Daddy) was only one year older than Jack Carson, who plays his eldest son, and 16 years older than Paul Newman, who plays his youngest son

Award nominations

• Academy Award nomination for Best Picture
• Academy Award nomination for Best Actor (Paul Newman)
• Academy Award nomination for Best Actress (Elizabeth Taylor)
• Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography
• Academy Award nomination for Best Director
• Academy Award nomination for Best Writing, screenplay based on another medium
• BAFTA Award nomination for Best Film from any Source
• BAFTA Award nomination for Best Foreign Actor (Paul Newman)
• BAFTA Award nomination for Best Foreign Actress (Elizabeth Taylor)
• Directors Guide of America nomination for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures
• Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture - Drama
• Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture Director
• Golden Lauren award for Top Female Dramatic Performance (Elizabeth Taylor)
• Golden Lauren nomination for Top Male Dramatic Performance (Paul Newman)
• National Board of Review Award winner for Top Ten Films
• Writer's Guild of America Award nomination for Best Written American Drama

Closing remarks

'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' is one of my favourite dramatic films, and is my favourite Elizabeth Taylor film. I like the way in which the film delves into family relationships and gradually unpacks the catalysts for the relationships throughout the film.

The entire cast delivers fantastic performers. In my opinion this is both the best performances Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman ever delivered. The only bad thing I can say about the acting is Australian actress Judith Anderson, occasionally loosing her accent and saying a few words here and there in an Australian accent. This may appear more obvious to me, as I am Australian, but other than, she does a great job.

I would consider 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' to be co-best film of 1958 with the MGM musical 'Gigi', which won the Best Picture Oscar (and is my second favourite film).

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958) - Spotlight on... On the Edge!

"Maggie the Cat is alive! I'm alive!" - Elizabeth Taylor (as Maggie in 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof')

'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' is a 1958 drama directed by Richard Brooks and starring Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, Burt Ives, Judith Anderson, Jack Carson and Madeleine Sherwood.

Based on the Pulitzer prize-winning play by Tennessee Williams, it became one of the biggest box office hits of 1958.

Brick Pillitt is a former football player who breaks his ankle after he jumps hurdles under the influence of alcohol. As a result, Brick spends the rest of the film on a crutch. The next day, Brick and his wife Maggie (played by Taylor) visit Brick's family home for the 65th birthday of his father, Big Daddy (played by Ives). Also visiting are Brick's brother Gooper (played by Carson), his wife Mae (played by Sherwood) and their five bratty children. 

Watch the trailer:

Key relationships

The basic premise of the film is an in-depth examination of key relationships among the various family members. I will comment on the two key relationships, Maggie & Brick, and Brick & Big Daddy.

Firstly, the troubled relationship between husband and wife, Brick and Maggie. Brick's recently deceased best friend Skipper is also an important part of this relationship bringing about a love triangle. Tied into this relationship are the themes of sexual desire, and sexual repression. Maggie is desperate for Brick to make love to her, but Brick does not show any interest. Maggie is confused about what Brick's issue is, "Where did I fail you? Where did I make my mistake?" Although the couple live together, Maggie does not feel it. She tells Brick,"I'm not living with you! We occupy the same cage that's all!" 

Secondly, we have the detached relationship between Brick and his father. From the beginning of the film, we get a sense of some tension, but we don't know exactly what this is. Once we see Big Daddy and Brick talking in the cellar, Big Daddy asks Brick what he never gave him, to which Brick replies: "You can't buy love."

Key themes

Paul Newman & Elizabeth Taylor in an early
scene in the film

Key themes in the film include greed and death.

The film explores greed, and in particular family greed, with Gooper and Mae who use their five children and crawling tactics to scheme and take the family inheritance. Maggie fights back and tries to protect her husband's inheritance by lying she is pregnant.

The film also explores the concept of death, and the way in which the characters face death, particularly Big Daddy. At the start of the film, we learn Big Daddy has been sent away due to ill health. When he returns, we are told he has fully recovered. Shortly after, we learn the doctor had lied to Big Daddy, and he is in fact going to die. Once Big Daddy discovers the truth, we travel with him on his emotional response journey from denial, resistance, exploration to acceptance of his inevitable fate. Big Daddy even says to Brick: "I've got the guts to die. What I want to know is, have you got the guts to live?"

Censored for the screen

Tennessee Williams was angered by the way in which the strict Hays Production Code forced changes to his original play.  A notable component was the way in which the film adaptation limits Brick's sexual desire for Skipper, and removes the original play's critique on homophobia and sexism.

Did you know...

• Burt Ives and Madeleine Sherwood reprise the roles they created on Broadway
• Ben Gazzara played the role of Brick on Broadway, but turned down the role in the film
• Don Murray was considered for the role of Brick
• Elvis Presley turned down the role of Brick
• Grace Kelly & Lana Turner were considered for the role of Maggie
• George Cukor turned the chance to direct this film
• Playwright Tennessee Williams disliked the film adaptation so much, he told people waiting to see the film to go home 
• Due to a musicians union strike, the film lacks a traditional music score composed specifically for the film - instead the music score features pre-recorded pieces of music from the MGM music library, much of which was composed for the film 'Tension' (1949)
• The film was originally meant to be filmed in black and white, however director Brooks insisted the film be in colour due to Elizabeth Taylor's violet coloured eyes, and Paul Newman's blue eyes
• Burt Ives (who plays Big Daddy) was only one year older than Jack Carson, who plays his eldest son, and 16 years older than Paul Newman, who plays his youngest son

Award nominations

• Academy Award nomination for Best Picture
• Academy Award nomination for Best Actor (Paul Newman)
• Academy Award nomination for Best Actress (Elizabeth Taylor)
• Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography
• Academy Award nomination for Best Director
• Academy Award nomination for Best Writing, screenplay based on another medium
• BAFTA Award nomination for Best Film from any Source
• BAFTA Award nomination for Best Foreign Actor (Paul Newman)
• BAFTA Award nomination for Best Foreign Actress (Elizabeth Taylor)
• Directors Guide of America nomination for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures
• Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture - Drama
• Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture Director
• Golden Lauren award for Top Female Dramatic Performance (Elizabeth Taylor)
• Golden Lauren nomination for Top Male Dramatic Performance (Paul Newman)
• National Board of Review Award winner for Top Ten Films
• Writer's Guild of America Award nomination for Best Written American Drama

Closing remarks

'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' is one of my favourite dramatic films, and is my favourite Elizabeth Taylor film. I like the way in which the film delves into family relationships and gradually unpacks the catalysts for the relationships throughout the film.

The entire cast delivers fantastic performers. In my opinion this is both the best performances Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman ever delivered. The only bad thing I can say about the acting is Australian actress Judith Anderson, occasionally loosing her accent and saying a few words here and there in an Australian accent. This may appear more obvious to me, as I am Australian, but other than, she does a great job.

I would consider 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' to be co-best film of 1958 with the MGM musical 'Gigi', which won the Best Picture Oscar (and is my second favourite film).

Princess O'Rourke (1943)

Star of the month... Olivia de Havilland

'Princess O'Rourke' is a 1943 romantic comedy starring Olivia de Havilland, Robert Cummings, Jane Wyman, Jack Carson, Charles Coburn, Gladys Cooper and Harry Davenport.

Written and directed by Norman Krasna, the film won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

Olivia De Havilland and Robert Cummings
enjoying a cherry cola in one of the
film's scenes

Princess Maria (played by De Havilland) and her uncle Holman (played by Coburn) travel to America during the nazi invasion of their native country. Maria is pushed into an arranged marriage with Count Peter de Candome (played by Curt Bois), whom she is not interested in.

On an aeroplane flight, Maria travels under the name Mary Williams, and with the help of the flight attendants and pilot, takes too many sleeping pills. When the plane is suddenly forced to return to New York, the cabin crew are unable to wake Maria due to the quantity of sleeping tablets she has taken. The plane's captain Eddie O'Rourke (played by Cummings), agrees to take care of Mary until she wakes  up. To cut a long story short, the two fall in love,  unbeknownst to Eddie that Mary is really a Princess.

A different kind of 'Cinderella' story

A question which always baffled me as a child was why are Cinderella stories always about peasant girls meeting and marrying a Prince. Are woman really that helpless and need of rescuing? Why are there never any stories about young peasant men marrying their Princess. 

Anyone else sharing these thoughts can rejoice as Princess O'Rourke is exactly about that. An aeroplane pilot meeting and marrying a Princess.

Closing remarks

Princess O'Rourke is an enjoyable feel good romantic tale which gives a new meaning to the Cinderella story. Olivia de Havilland is perfectly cast at Princess Maria. The film does get a little slow towards the end, but overall a good film.

Princess O'Rourke (1943)

Spotlight on... Royalty on Film

'Princess O'Rourke' is a 1943 romantic comedy starring Olivia de Havilland, Robert Cummings, Jane Wyman, Jack Carson, Charles Coburn, Gladys Cooper and Harry Davenport.

Written and directed by Norman Krasna, the film won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

Olivia De Havilland and Robert Cummings
enjoying a cherry cola in one of the
film's scenes

Princess Maria (played by De Havilland) and her uncle Holman (played by Coburn) travel to America during the nazi invasion of their native country. Maria is pushed into an arranged marriage with Count Peter de Candome (played by Curt Bois), whom she is not interested in.

On an aeroplane flight, Maria travels under the name Mary Williams, and with the help of the flight attendants and pilot, takes too many sleeping pills. When the plane is suddenly forced to return to New York, the cabin crew are unable to wake Maria due to the quantity of sleeping tablets she has taken. The plane's captain Eddie O'Rourke (played by Cummings), agrees to take care of Mary until she wakes  up. To cut a long story short, the two fall in love,  unbeknownst to Eddie that Mary is really a Princess.

A different kind of 'Cinderella' story

A question which always baffled me as a child was why are Cinderella stories always about peasant girls meeting and marrying a Prince. Are woman really that helpless and need of rescuing? Why are there never any stories about young peasant men marrying their Princess. 

Anyone else sharing these thoughts can rejoice as Princess O'Rourke is exactly about that. An aeroplane pilot meeting and marrying a Princess.

Closing remarks

Princess O'Rourke is an enjoyable feel good romantic tale which gives a new meaning to the Cinderella story. Olivia de Havilland is perfectly cast at Princess Maria. The film does get a little slow towards the end, but overall a good film.

Love Crazy (1941)

Spotlight on Movie Mothers... Monster Mothers

Love Crazy is an MGM screwball comedy telling the story of a married couple, Steve and Susan Ireland (played by William Powell & Myrna Loy), whose marriage is on the verge of being broken up by Susan's interfering and disapproving mother.

While Steve is returning from an errand, he bumps into his former girlfriend, Kimble Grayson (played by Gail Patrick). Steve attempts to hide this meeting from Susan, however she soon finds out, and in a jealous rage files for divorce.

To hold off the divorce, Steve pretends to have a nervous breakdown, and pleads insanity. Steve does such a great job, he declared insane by the lunacy commission and committed to a mental institution.

To further complicate things, Susan meets and is romanced by archery champion Ward Willoughby (played by Jack Carson).

The significance of the mother-in-law

In this case, we are dealing with a monster mother-in-law, Mrs. Cooper (played by Florence Bates). Although Mrs. Cooper is only featured in several scenes, she is extremely significant to the story, acting as a catalyst for most of the film's events.
Firstly, Mrs. Cooper invites herself over during Steve and Susan's fourth anniversary dinner, as is tempted by a hidden agenda to sabotage the couple's evening. She also brings a gift of a very ugly rug, which Steve and Susan are forced to display near the front door. During her visit, she asks Steve to mail her insurance premium for her. This event is significant, as it is during this errand that Steve bumps into his former flame.
Throughout the rest of the film, Mrs. Cooper attempts to fill Susan's head with negative comments about Steve.


Concluding thoughts
Of all the classic movie pairings, my favourite leading couple would have be William Powell and Myrna Loy. Powell & Loy made marriage life on the screen sophisticated and fun. Love Crazy was the 10th of 14 films the duo made together, and is also my personal favourite.

DVD releases

'Love Crazy' has not been released on DVD in Australia. It is shown occasionally on Turner Classic Movies (TCM) Australia on Foxtel.


It has been released on DVD in the US, as part of the Myrna Loy and William Powell TCM Spotlight Collection.