A Reel Retro Review: HOLIDAY INN (1942)

 With no new films to review for the foreseeable future, Reel Speak will randomly review a classic film from the TCM library every week. Not just for the sake of filling time, but to hopefully introduce some overlooked and perhaps forgotten screen gems from the past to those of us who may be unfamiliar or unawares of their existence. In the spirit of the season, now comes the holiday series…

 

In 1954, composer Irving Berlin and actor/singer Bing Crosby collaborated for WHITE CHRISTMAS; a film destined to become a holiday classic. But it was in 1942 where the ideas and groundwork were founded for that film, in their musical HOLIDAY INN. 

 

After retiring from show business, Jim Hardy (Crosby), establishes a country inn with live entertainment that only opens during holidays. He recruits Linda (Marjorie Reynolds), an aspiring singer and dancer to perform, only to have her be wooed by his former partner Ted Hanover (Fred Astaire). 

 

HOLIDAY INN at its core is a love-triangle story. The early goings have Ted looking to retire with Lila (Virginia Dale), who shocks him by revealing that she actually in love with Ted. Over the course of the next year as Jim gets his new business together, Ted and Lila split…leaving Ted to come back into Jim’s life and looking to steal Linda away from him. It doesn’t become a heated rivalry as much as playful banter, and it’s good fun to see the three characters dodge and weave around each other. 

 

Similar to WHITE CHRISTMAS, HOLIDAY INN doesn’t hang much of its hat around Christmas itself. The film covers the span of nearly two years, as Jim opens his unique inn just a few times a year and basing performances around holidays, including Valentine’s Day, the 4^th of July, and Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. Despite this, the film still has that holiday spirit; beginning with Christmas and New Year’s Eve and ending with those same holidays. With a playful atmosphere and breezy plot, it feels right at home during December. 

 

The musical numbers are well-executed and full of the giddy optimism that cinema was known for at the time. Crosby and Astaire are a blast together, and Marjorie Reynolds is a delight. Astaire comes off as a sleaze for most of the film which is something different for the usual charmer. Viewers who go into this film blindly will be mildly surprised to hear Crosby perform White Christmas; the debut of the famous tune. 

 

WHITE CHRISTMAS would ultimately be a loose remake of HOLIDAY INN, which makes the former film an interesting piece of cinema history. But even without that, it stands just fine on its own as a movie to take in with the Christmas lights glowing. 

 

BOTTOM LINE: See it 

 

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Reel Facts: The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor occurred during filming. As a result, the 4^th July segment and performance was expanded. The film also includes a blackface performance during Lincoln’s birthday which is often edited out of broadcast showings. The song White Christmas had been conceived by Berlin as far back as 1935, and he would win an Oscar for Best Original Song. The film would be adapted to a Broadway production in 2016, and would be the inspiration for the name of the Holiday Inn hotel chain. 

 

 

A Reel Retro Review: THE GODFATHER PART III (1990)

Reel Speak’s Retro Reviews have focused on films from the TCM library, with the intention of introducing forgotten gems from the past. But this week, we look back at one of the most divisive films of the last 30 years, which is headed back to theatres with a new look. 

 

Recently, famed director Francis Ford Coppola announced a new version of his divisive film, THE GODFATHER PART III (1990); the widely-panned yet under-appreciated sequel and finale to his own masterful THE GODFATHER (1972), and THE GODFATHER PART II (1974). The new cut will be 10 minutes shorter than the original, but it isn’t a straight cut as Coppola has apparently re-edited the entire film. It will sport the new mouthful-title of MARIO PUZO’S THE GODFATHER CODA: THE DEATH OF MICHAEL CORLEONE, and will hit theatres on December 4^th ahead of a blu-ray and digital release on December 8^th. 

 

How did we get here? After the great success of the first two GODFATHER films, Paramount Pictures had been after Coppola to do a third for years. A first draft of a script was penned in 1979, most of which was discarded. After Coppola’s financial disaster ONE FROM THE HEART (1982), he finally took Paramount up on their offer to do a third installment. The film would follow Michael Corleone (Al Pacino), in his final years as he tries to legitimize his criminal empire and make amends with his family, including his ex-wife Kay (Diane Keaton), and daughter Mary (Sofia Coppola). But just as Michael is free of his former mob associates, they find a way to bring him back in. 

 

Casting problems arose nearly right away. Robert Duvall, who played a major role in the first two films, turned down the chance to reprise over pay. Winona Ryder, who was originally cast as Mary Corleone, dropped out at the last minute. Coppola would cast his in-experienced daughter Sofia in the role. 

 

THE GODFATHER PART III would be a modest box office success, and would receive good-to-mixed reviews. The common criticisms were a convoluted plot and Sofia’s acting. Despite this, the film would earn seven Oscar nominations including Best Picture. It would not win any, the only film in the trilogy not to, but along with THE LORD OF THE RINGS, it shares the unique distinction of all of its installments nominated for Best Picture. 

 

Over the years, THE GODFATHER PART III has fallen deep into the shadows of its predecessors. Most cinema fans, when revisiting the saga, stop their marathons after PART II. Is it really that bad? Not really. The faults are clear; the plot is hard to follow and Sofia’s in-experience as an actress are glaring. But Sofia gets treated a little unfair; her co-star Joe Mantenga is equally bad…and he was the one who was a seasoned actor. 

 

THE GODFATHER PART III does have many merits. There’s a certain amount of joy in catching up with the characters after so many years, and it’s fascinating to see what has become of the empire-like Corleone crime family. The character work with Michael is a highlight; seeing the once boyish-man now as a broken soul trying to reclaim his humanity, and his line of they pull me back in ranks up there with some of the best of the saga. And as is the case with any Coppola film, PART III is beautifully shot and edited. Not to mention an ending that is appropriately tragic. 

Coppola himself has always considered the first two films to be the complete Corleone saga, with PART III serving as an epilogue. Through that lens it makes sense, and it’s unfair to judge PART III against the first two films…because there are very few films in history that can compete with those two masterpieces. The upcoming re-edit of PART III is fascinating, as there are no documented reports of Coppola’s original vision for the film being compromised by studio meddling or other factors. Whatever he has up his sleeve for CODA will make for another debatable chapter in the long history of THE GODFATHER. 

 

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Next week, Retro Reviews returns with a Holiday Series. 

A Reel Opinion: The Top 10 Films Every Kid Under 13 Should See

The mishandled COVID pandemic has shuttered the film industry, and has taken away the fun of talking about upcoming movies…because there aren’t upcoming movies to talk about. It is a dark time for cinema (literally), but there is a silver lining to everything, and this long break has provided us with two of them. 

 

First, it has given us the opportunity to re-watch, re-examine, and re-rank our favorite films from the past…and to discover some hidden gems that we never got around to. Second, overworked parents are eager to find quality entertainment for their stay-at-home-at-all-times kids; constantly looking for a good two-hour flick that will keep the kids quiet so ma and pa can regroup. Ever the helpful blog, Reel Speak has decided to take these two silver linings and combine them…presenting the Top 10 Best Films Every Child Under 13 Should See; when they're at the age when they're the most impressionable. 

 

How is this list stacked? It’s easy for an adult to pick any old film that is colorful and G-rated to keep those short attention spans locked in for 100 minutes, but if we’re going to entertain them, why not educate them while we’re at it? These are the films that kids can walk away from learning something important; not just in movie-watching, but in life in general. Most of these films are relics of this Blogger’s childhood, but are very much applicable today…and hey, I turned out OK so they must be good, right? 

 

 

 

 

So be our guest…

 

 

 

 

10. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (1991)

 

Disney’s cultural-smashing fairy tale that has a presence in our world today. If your kid is going to enter the world of Disney princesses, then this is the place to start. Belle isn’t the typical damsel-in-distress, as she is strong and brave, and breaks the mold of her little society by reading books and standing up to the bully in town. As entertainment, BEAST fascinates with its visuals, provides plenty of chuckles, and throws in just the right amount of scary stuff…because all of those emotions are important for a kid to learn. 

 

 

 

9. E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL (1982)

 

Steven Spielberg has spent half a career telling stories for children, and this was his masterpiece. A young boy befriends a stranded alien and keeps him hidden at home while the government hunts them both. An emotional powerhouse, ET can take kids through a roller-coaster; laughs when ET gets drunk, tears when he dies, elation when he resurrects, and then tears again when he says goodbye. Kids could very well be exhausted by the time the credits roll after so many ups and downs, but those ups and downs are important to know. 

 

 

 

8. MARY POPPINS (1964)

 

Disney’s masterful adaptation of the beloved books by P.L. Travers, with the queen Julie Andrews playing the part of the magical nanny. This film belongs to at least three different generations, and for today’s kids there’s a lot to take away; children can relate to competing for the attention of too-busy parents, the catchy musical numbers can teach them there’s a song to be sung other than Let it Go, and they may just get interested in flying a kite. And as a bonus, if another couple hours of cinema are needed, there’s always the practically-perfect sequel Mary Poppins Returns (2018). 

 

 

 

7. THE NEVERENDING STORY (1984)

Based on the book by Michael Ende, this fantasy follows a young boy with a fascination for reading who comes upon a magical book that takes him on a journey with a young warrior, tasked with stopping the dark force known as the Nothing. In a world where hand-held, digital entertainment is everywhere…the obvious lesson here is that books can be awesome too. Beyond that, NEVERENDING STORY has its moments of light terror and sadness, but the elation at the finale makes it worth it. And it’s probably a good idea for kids to learn to appreciate the skill of puppetry as opposed to CGI blobs. 

 

 

 

6. STAND BY ME (1986)

 

Rob Reiner’s charming and impactful adaptation of the Stephen King novella, with four boys going on a hike to find a dead body. On paper it seems morbid, and it speaks to pre-teen boys more than girls, but STAND BY ME hits the chords of those boys who spend their summers off on adventures in the woods with their best friends. The kicker comes at the end, with the narrator (Richard Dreyfuss), remarking that he never had friends again like he did when he was twelve; something to think about for those woods-stomping boys. 

 

 

 

5. STAR WARS (1977)

 

George Lucas’ world-changing sci-fi/fantasy adventure that is a lock to blow away the minds of unsuspecting kids. Colorful, fun, and populated with sharply-drawn characters such as a farmer, a wizard, a pirate, a princess, and a bad-guy that wears black which are relatable even for the smallest of minds, STAR WARS will draw more than one “wow!”, and in the long run teaches kids about the art of long-form storytelling that dominates blockbuster films today. And if they love STAR WARS, parents can then have the joy of telling them, wait until you see what happens next!

 

 

 

4. INSIDE OUT (2015)

 

The only “modern” film on the list, but it’s a biggie. Pixar’s mind-blowing story mostly taking place in the inner-workings of a young girl…with her five emotions (Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust), the main characters. The film had an immediate impact, with child-psychologists using it as the basis for treatment, and parents can easily ask their kids which emotion is at the controls at any given time; a simple way to get through to them. 

 

 

 

3. THE WIZARD OF OZ (1939)

 

Young Dorothy Gale and her little dog gets whisked away to the wonderful land of Oz, where she befriends a scarecrow, a lion, and a tin man…and makes enemies with a wicked witch in this timeless fantasy that has been entertaining families for over 80 years. While films like STAND BY ME and STAR WARS teach us that leaving home can lead to amazing things, OZ goes the opposite way and expresses the comfort and family warmth that only home can provide; parents can feel free to warn their kids not to wander too far from the back yard…lest a witch behind the tree get them! OZ also carries timeless musical numbers and eye-popping visuals that impress to this day. 

 

 

 

2. WATERSHIP DOWN (1978)

 

The film that shocked this Blogger into a new level of consciousness in the 1970’s. An animated adaptation of the beloved Richard Adams novel where a group of rabbits seek refuge from incoming danger. While colorful and with plenty of fluff, WATERSHIP DOWN goes dark; rabbits fight by clawing each other to death, and the crimson color of blood that appears on screen can be a shock to see. Kids may hate it out of fear, but facing fear comes along sooner or later…so an animated world, a place of comfort…is the perfect place to have that introduction. And besides that, it can prepare kids for the darkness that TOY STORY 3 (2010), flirted with. And if a primer is needed before WATERSHIP, there’s THE SECRET OF NIMH (1982), which will accomplish the same thing in a lighter touch. 

 

 

 

1. THE GOONIES (1985)

 

Directed by Richard Donner of SUPERMAN fame and produced by Steven Spielberg of all-kinds-of-fame, THE GOONIES clicks all the boxes for childhood entertainment. A group of kids head out on an adventure in search of rich stuff in an effort to save their homes from demolition. The goal is simple, easy to understand, and relatable for any young mind. Similar to STAR WARS, the sharply-drawn characters (nerds, wise-asses, cheerleaders, jocks), can be like looking into a mirror and can put any kid right into the film. The adventure is a thrill as the group runs from bad guys, escape booty traps, and hunt down pirate treasure. It is cut from the same cloth as STAND BY ME, only this time the girls are an elemental part of the group…showing that anyone can be a Goonie. 

Special thanks to Jennie Perey Saxe, friend of Reel Speak, for suggesting this topic. 

REEL SPEAK'S TOP 10 FILMS EVERY KID UNDER 13 SHOULD SEE

1. THE GOONIES
2. WATERSHIP DOWN
3. THE WIZARD OF OZ
4. INSIDE OUT
5. STAR WARS
6. STAND BY ME
7. THE NEVERENDING STORY
8. MARY POPPINS
9. E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL
10. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

 

 

 

 

 

A Reel Opinion: The Top 10 Best Sean Connery Films

Last week’s passing of Sir Sean Connery immediately sparked a world-wide look-back at his career. With over 70 films spanning many genres since 1954, the Scottish-born actor left us with a rich history of cinema; playing iconic and endearing characters that have, and will stand the test of time. Here now is Reel Speak’s Top 10 Best Sean Connery films. 

 

For this Blogger and many of my generation, our introduction to Connery was the 1959 fantasy DARBY O’GILL AND THE LITTLE PEOPLE; a live-action Walt Disney production with leprechaun mischief. In 1962, Connery stepped into the role of a lifetime when he became the British secret agent James Bond in DR. NO; a role that he would reprise six more times to varying degrees of success. Leaving Bond for a new career would be a tough task for any other actor, but Connery seemed to get better with age, starring in most-excellent films such as THE HILL (1965), THE MOLLY MAGUIRES (1970), and MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS (1974). Going into the 1980’s and 90’s he took on roles as an elder statesman, but still amazingly held onto a status as a sex symbol, with notables such as THE PRESIDIO (1988), and ENTRAPMENT (1999). He also wasn’t afraid of sci-fi, appearing in films such as TIME BANDITS (1981), HIGHLANDER (1986), and the cult-favorite ZARDOZ (1974). He worked with a wide range of directors including big-names like Lumet, Huston, and DePalma. This list of Best Connery Films are the movies that are his most memorable; his best performances in the best overall films. 

 

 

 

 

So welcome to...

 

 

 

 

 

10. THE ROCK (1996)

 

One of the best action films of the last 25 years. Michael Bay directs this thriller where a rogue General (Ed Harris), captures the island of Alcatraz. Connery plays a former inmate of the Rock, recruited by a bio-weapons specialist (Nic Cage), to infiltrate the island and end the threat. Connery drew on his real-life experience in the Royal Navy and on Bond for the character, who was a mysterious man with a hidden background of international espionage. Connery’s war-of-words showdown with Harris is a highlight, and where else can we hear Connery say, in that lovely Scottish accent of his, “personally, I think you’re a fucking idiot”. The action is a thrill, is beautifully shot, and has a tremendous score by Hans Zimmer and Nick Glennie-Smith. 

 

 

 

9. ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE OF THIEVES (1991)

 

Spoiler Alert: Connery only appears in this box office smash for a few minutes, cameoing at the very end as King Richard the Lionheart. But what a cameo it was, for it’s the scene that upstages the rest of the film and a role that everyone still talks about. It’s almost a shame, because this version of the Sherwood Forest bandit is one of the best, with excellent direction by Kevin Reynolds and a terrific score.  The ensemble cast of Kevin Costner, Morgan Freeman, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Christian Slater, Michael McShane, Brian Blessed, Michael Wincott, and the late great Alan Rickman gives it a heavyweight feel. 

 

 

 

8. FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE (1963)

 

Connery’s second outing as James Bond, with 007 assisting in the defection of a Russian asset. A direct follow-up to DR. NO, this film is where Bond really started to gain momentum as an international movie icon, setting a template for the series that would be followed for decades to come. It’s definitely dated and sometimes inappropriate considering Bond’s treatment towards women, but it’s a thrill from start-to-finish…and Bond’s big fight with a SPECTRE assassin (Robert Shaw of JAWS fame) on a moving train is one of most memorable of the entire series. 

 

 

 

7. ROBIN AND MARIAN (1976)

 

One of the reasons why cinema fans went nuts over Connery’s cameo in the 1991 ROBIN HOOD was because the man actually played Hood. This take on the legend features an aging Robin, which gives Connery a lot to draw back on and makes the film a stand-out amongst a slew of Hood films over the decades. Connery is matched on screen with the late great Audrey Hepburn as Maid Marian…and the rest of the ensemble cast is one for the history books; Robert Shaw, Nicol Williamson, Richard Harris, Denholm Elliot, Ronnie Barker, and Ian Holm. 

 

 

 

6. THE NAME OF THE ROSE (1986)

 

After playing the ladies-man of Bond for so many films, one wouldn’t expect Connery to take on the role of a monk, but he did so with great success in this mystery film. Connery and his apprentice (Christian Slater), are called to a medieval abbey to solve a suspicious death. Loaded with atmosphere and a sharp script, this is a clever thinking-man’s whodunit that has sadly fallen into obscurity. Connery would rightfully win a BAFTA for Best Actor for this one. 

 

 

 

5. THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING (1975)

 

Connery is joined by Michael Caine in this epic action-adventure, playing ex-soldiers journeying to Kafiristan with the intention of becoming kings. Directed by John Huston, KING operates on a massive scale, with every frame capturing a breathtaking amount. It’s an old-school adventure, and according to Connery and Caine…their favorite film they had worked on. 

 

 

 

4. GOLDFINGER (1964)

 

FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE set the groundwork, and GOLDFINGER built even further on that. Bond investigates gold smuggling in this mission that would set the bar by which every Bond film would be measured, with many of the elements appearing in later films; such as the use of gadgets, an extensive pre-credits sequence that stands apart from the main storyline, multiple international locations, and cheeky humor. Tack on Shirley Bassey’s breathtaking theme song, and we’ve got pure 007. 

 

 

 

3. INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE (1989)

 

Steven Spielberg’s third film in the Indiana Jones franchise, with our favorite swashbuckling archeologist (Harrison Ford), in a race against the Nazi’s for the Holy Grail. Connery comes in as Indiana’s father, giving Indy not just a foil…but for the first time a backstory and history of his own. The Holy Grail itself is nearly inconsequential, for the true “grail’ that Indy is searching for is the father that he never really knew…making this the one Indy film with any true emotional depth. A father-son story, this is the perfect Father’s Day film, and a favorite of this Blogger’s family. 

 

 

 

2. THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER (1990)

 

After being mixed up with a Russian defector in FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE, Connery plays a Soviet defector himself in another clever wink-wink. He plays Captain Marko Ramius, commander of a Soviet nuclear submarine with the ability to run silent; a first-strike weapon that could rain nukes on the U.S. with no warning. The first of many Tom Clancy adaptations, It’s one-half thriller and one-half mystery, with Ramius’ intentions not quite clear to nervous politicians and military brass. Arguablly the best film from John McTiernan of DIE HARD fame, Connery gives Ramius a weight and the film operates on a global scale with enormous stakes. This Blogger’s personal favorite. 

 

 

 

1. THE UNTOUCHABLES (1987)

 

Connery won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in this crime drama, playing hard-nosed, seasoned Irish Chicago cop Jimmy Malone…who assists Agent Eliot Ness (Kevin Costner), in a war against gangster Al Capone (Robert DeNiro). Brian DePalma helms this thriller and drama that is a classic cops-and-robbers romp, with startling sequences such as a bridge-ambush and a gunfight in a train station that take the breath away. In a film where DeNiro famously gained 30 pounds to look like Capone, it was Connery that stole the show…once again playing statesman and mentor but maintaining the charm and toughness that he was just so good at. Malone’s fate towards the end of the film is a heartbreaker, and provides an emotional wallop that most films of this genre won’t go near. Much like his character, Connery was untouchable…and this is where he reminded us so. 

REEL SPEAK'S TOP 10 BEST SEAN CONNERY FILMS

1. THE UNTOUCHABLES
2. THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER
3. INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE
4. GOLDFINGER
5. THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING
6. THE NAME OF THE ROSE
7. ROBIN AND MARIAN
8. FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE
9. ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE OF THIEVES
10. THE ROCK

 

 

A Reel Review: SMUGGLER'S RUN

Cinema has brought us some of the most iconic spaceships in all of our culture. Recently, this Blogger and his fiancée had the chance to pilot the famous Millennium Falcon at Disney’s Galaxy’s Edge…located at Walt Disney World, Florida. 

 

As yes, the Millennium Falcon. When George Lucas introduced her to the galaxy in 1977 in STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE, she immediately stole our hearts. Outsiders called her a piece of junk, but her current and former owners rightfully bragged about her speed and endurance. Piloted by the cocky smuggler Han Solo and his loyal companion Chewbacca, it was the ship that saved Luke Skywalker’s ass before he could fire the shot that would destroy the Death Star, and by the time she made her second appearance in The Empire Strikes Back (1980), she had become a character of her own; rough around the edges but resilient and heroic as she whisked our heroes to safety…dodging asteroids, laser blasts, and the pursuit of the evil galactic Empire. Her likeness became an instant cinema icon, and she sold toys by the thousands. 

 

For this Blogger and any other STAR WARS fan that had been there from the start, it had been a lifelong dream to sit in that famed cockpit, work the controls, and fly that bucket of bolts through danger. Making dreams come true is what Disney does best, and their Galaxy’s Edge attraction is the prime example. Located at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the park is a 14 acre area that presents the village of Black Spire Outpost, on the remote frontier planet of Batuu. The village truly feels like something that belongs right in a STAR WARS film. The authenticity is breathtaking. 

 

After a few turns, visitors are greeted by a life-size model of our beloved Falcon. There is very little to say other than ­oh-my-gosh-there-she-is. The recreation is overwhelming.

 

We couldn’t take enough pictures of her, and when we weren’t wiping tears from our eyes it was a marvel to stare at. But there was a mission to be done. So on it was to the Smuggler’s Run. We were escorted through a garage area (another common scene from any STAR WARS film), and eventually greeted by an animatronics model of Hondo Ohnaka, the popular space pirate who has spent time in the TV series THE CLONE WARS and REBELS. Hondo would be our “guide” on this smuggling mission. We were led through Hondo’s command center, and the doors opened to reveal a familiar setting:  

 

It was like walking into a dream. 

 

But that was nothing compared to what was next. Visitors (or smugglers, in this case), are given the option to be a pilot, gunner, or engineer. When we were asked, you can bet your bantha-balls that we were going to be pilots. The door to the cockpit opens, and lo’ and behold…

The iconic view that I had dreaming (and daydreaming) about for over 40 years. In a way, I was once again that four-year-old kid who used his grandma’s basement steps as the Falcon. But now it was there for real. Authentic to the point of being in another reality. We sat down in those seats and we were there. 

And then the smuggling mission began. Hondo guided us through the commlink, telling us which buttons and levers to push. A push of a button brought the Falcon to life, and we were off! The ride is a flight-simulator with massive HD surrounding screens in front of us…with every action we took affecting our flight. We dodged, we swerved, we ducked! G-forces could be felt as we blasted through space and the ship rocked from blaster fire and collisions. We made Han Solo proud. We pulled the lever to make the jump to light speed and YAHOOOOO!!!!

 

When the mission was over, it was hard to believe what we had just done. The exhilarating ride was an emotional flight; a flight that began for this Blogger in 1977. Disney has been making dreams come true since day one, and this was one day to be long remembered.