Family Movie Night: Cold Comfort Farm

Title: Cold Comfort Farm
Director: John Schlesinger
Original Release: 1995
Choice: My Wife's
My Overall Rating: 3 stars out of 5

via Wikipedia

Cold Comfort Farm, an adaptation of Stella Gibbons's 1932 novel of the same name, was originally produced for BBC television.  It was also briefly released in North American theaters.  Loads of well-known British actors are in the cast, though not all of them known so well in 1995.  Kate Beckinsale stars with Joanna Lumley, Ian McKellen and Rufus Sewell in support.

Flora Poste, a teenage girl suddenly orphaned, moves in with strange relatives on a dilapidated farm.  Flora sets about putting things as she feels they should be.  I will admit upfront that I fell asleep part way through (very tired, not a commentary on the film) but saw enough to follow the story.  For My Wife, it is close to the ideal movie: British period piece, witty dialogue and one of her favorite dreamies (Sewell).  I enjoyed it, though I do think of it as more her sort of movie than mine.

One funny bit worth mentioning, in light of my own movie theme for the year: the film's score (by Robert Lockhart) is, for the most part, fine if unremarkable.  However, as Seth, Sewell's character, is about to leave the farm to pursue his dream of Hollywood stardom, the theme music from Gone with the Wind plays.  We should be getting to that one in a few weeks.

The Cephalopod Coffeehouse: October Blog List

Greetings to all!  I hope you'll join us for the next installment of the Cephalopod Coffeehouse, an online gathering of bloggers who love books.  The next meeting is set for Friday, October 25th.  If you're interested, please sign on to the link list at the end of this post.

The idea is simple: on the last Friday of each month, post about the best book you've finished over the past month while visiting other bloggers doing the same.  In this way, we'll all have the opportunity to share our thoughts with other enthusiastic readers.  Please join us:

The Cephalopod Coffeehouse: September 2013

Welcome one and all to the Cephalopod Coffeehouse, a cozy gathering of book lovers, meeting to discuss their thoughts regarding the tomes they enjoyed most over the previous month.  Pull up a chair, order your cappuccino and join in the fun.  If you wish to add your own review to the conversation, please sign on to the link list at the end of my post.

Title: Klezmer, Book One: Tales of the Wild East
Writer and Artist: Joann Sfar

via Sequart Research & Literary Organization

If we have a favorite comic book artist at our house, it is most certainly Frenchman Joann Sfar.  My Wife first discovered his Rabbi's Cat series (reviews here and here), which, like Klezmer, is definitely for adults.  Next, she found more kid-friendly titles for our daughter: Little Vampire (review here) and Sardine (which I have not read).  Sfar's playful irreverence holds great appeal for all three of us.

Sfar draws a great deal of his material from his own Jewish heritage.  As the title would suggest, Klezmer follows the adventures of Jewish musicians in Czarist Russia - Ukraine, to be specific.  The book begins with two separate story strands which merge by the end of Book One.  First, the Baron is the only survivor when his own klzezmer band is slaughtered by the members of another.  After exacting his revenge, he is unexpectedly followed in his escape by Chava, a young woman running away from the village and her own undesirable marriage options.  The Baron reluctantly accepts her companionship and indulges Chava by teaching her to sing.

Meanwhile, in the second strand, Yaacov is banned from his yeshiva for stealing the rabbi's coat.  He discovers the remains of the Baron's band-mates and, most important to future plot development, takes all of the still usable instruments.  He doesn't play himself but imagines they might come in handy.  In his travels, he encounters the sleepwalker Vincenzo and the gypsy Tshokola.  Fortunately for Yaacov, his new friends are much better musicians than he.  They teach him to play and a new band is formed.

There are three more Klezmer books which have yet to be translated to English.  Book Two is to be entitled Happy Birthday, Scylla (Bon anniversaire Scylla en Français).  I shall definitely keep an eye out for it.

Please join us and share your own review of your best read from the past month.  This month's link list is below.  I'll keep it open until the end of the day.  I'll post October's tomorrow.  Meetings are the last Friday of each month.  Next gathering is October 25th.

Star Trek: Mudd's Women

Episode: "Mudd's Women"
Series: Star Trek: The Original Series
Season 1, Episode 6
Original Air Date: October 13, 1966

via Memory Alpha

I think it's fair to say that sexual politics were complicated in the mid-to-late 1960s.  Contemporary pop cultural efforts to address the matter can feel quite awkward in 2013.  In "Mudd's Women," the crew encounters Harry Mudd, a career criminal, and his three glamorous female companions.  In time, it becomes apparent that Mudd is marketing the women as wives for lonely men in deep space outposts.  Naturally, all of the men aboard the Enterprise are enchanted by the women.  Eventually, the crew discover that the women are taking a drug which enhances their feminine charms.

Here's where things get tricky from the broader, cross-generational perspective.  Without the drug, the women aren't so much ugly as ordinary looking and it would seem the men around them can imagine nothing more horrible.  In the end, one of the women, Eve, is given a placebo but is able to project the same beauty by virtue of her own self-assurance.  That's a little better, I suppose, but the whole concept left me feeling icky.  So, not a big fan of this particular episode.

via Ribbonrain

Nichelle Nichols (Lt. Uhura) was born Grace Dell Nichols on December 28, 1932 in Robbins, Illinois.  A triple threat - actor, singer and dancer, Nichols got her big break on Broadway, appearing in the 1961 musical Kicks and Co.  As a musician, she toured with both Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton.  Her film debut came as an uncredited extra in a 1959 production of Porgy and Bess.  Her first television appearance was on Gene Roddenberry's first series, The Lieutenant.  In her autobiography, Nichols admitted to a long affair with Roddenberry during the 1960s.

Nichols was a genuine television pioneer, one of the first African American women cast in a major television series as someone other than a servant.  Apparently, she was tempted to leave Trek during the first season in order to get back to her stage career.  None other than Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., evidently a fan of the show, talked her into staying.  He convinced her of her importance as a role model.

One of my favorite Trek scenes from my current stroll was in "Charlie X," I believe.  In a high stress moment, Kirk snaps at Uhura and she snaps right back.  In the midst of the crisis, the two of them stare at each other for a beat, then both apologize, quite sincerely.  It is a wonderfully genuine, tender, human exchange - the sort of moment that provides yet another clue as to the enduring appeal of Star Trek.

Family Movie Night: The Wizard of Oz

Title: The Wizard of Oz
Director: Victor Fleming
Original Release: 1939
Choice: Mine
My Overall Rating: 5 stars out of 5

via Wikipedia

I envy the world of 1939.  That's not easily said.  With war looming (or already well underway in the Pacific Theater), 1939 was a very dark time for much of the world.  But 1939 was Hollywood's Golden Year, considered by many to be the single greatest year in the history of American film.  1939 was the year of Gone with the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Ninotchka, Wuthering Heights, Of Mice and Men, Stagecoach and many other classic movies.

Even with all of those great movies to choose from, my envy is specific.  I want to know what it was to see one particular scene from The Wizard of Oz for the very first time.   Nope, it's not the one you're thinking.  Yes, the moment when Dorothy opens the door to Oz and the world goes from drab to vibrant color is one of the greatest scenes in all of film.  But there is one I love even more. 

With one single word, with one octave leap, a teenage girl from Minnesota vaulted to international super-stardom.  Now, as with so many great things, Judy Garland's performance of "Over the Rainbow" seems almost cliche.  That's why I want to know what it was like to hear that voice sing that song for the very first time.  Garland was all of 16 during filming.  As has been well-documented, her personal life afterward was disastrous.  But for two minutes in 1939, she was perfect.



I have watched The Wizard of Oz so many times over the years.  I'm in good company, of course.  It is the most viewed film in the history of television syndication.  I remember the last scene I was allowed to see before I was sent to bed the first time I watched as a kid: the Cowardly Lion jumping out the window.  We've watched it several times as a family, too, and there aren't many surprises anymore.  However, in this most recent viewing, I was struck by the elegance of the pre-cyclone scenes.  Obviously, most of the fun happens after Dorothy steps out the door into Munchkinland but Kansas is just as vivid.  We meet Aunt Em and Uncle Henry as they are hurrying to rescue chicks from a broken incubator.  Dorothy's whining about her dog as they're struggling to preserve their livelihood.  They don't know or care about her impending adventures.  They're farmers.  They're real.  The fantasy that follows doesn't work without them.

"Over the Rainbow" has taken on a life of its own over the decades since, firmly entrenched in the mythical great American songbook.  In recent years, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole picked up a ukelele and breathed new life into the classic tune.  I leave you with IZ:

Write...Edit...Publish: Moving on

Denise Covey is hosting Write...Edit...Publish, a monthly bloghop (details here). September's theme is "moving on" and my humble submission is offered below.  My 582-word story is not copyrighted.  Please respond with comments only.  Be sure to visit the other participants as well.  The link list is at the end of my post.

The Brass Doorknob

 

She stared at the doorknob from her seat on the couch, willing it to turn on its own so she wouldn’t have to do it herself.  The door seemed miles away. 

She looked at the clock on the wall.  5:37. It was one of those with the numbers all jumbled – 10 on the bottom, 9 where the 4 should be and so forth.  She’d found it at a yard sale.  She loved that clock.  The clock would have to stay.

Packing had been surprisingly easy.  Choosing one outfit to wear to work each morning was a nightmare but deciding what she could live without was a snap.  If it didn’t fit, it didn’t go. Toothbrush?  Check.  Pictures on the bureau – she didn’t need pictures of herself.  Of her mom?  Yes.  Of his?  Um, no.   Books?  She’d read them all.  CDs?  Most were his.  She could buy more.  Or she could come back for things, right?

No!  One-way ticket.  Don’t come back.

He slept through it all.  No surprise.  It was Saturday.  He’d be out until at least 10, normal function to resume… Monday?

Probably no sex for a while, she thought.  His t-shirt rode up over his gut.  He scratched, snored almost loud enough to wake, then rolled over.  Back to snoring – right in her ear if she’d still been lying next to him.  No sex.  Definitely a mixed blessing.

Bags were packed.  The next challenge was getting up off the couch.  The doorknob would have to wait.  Her ass was like lead on the edge of the cushion, her legs not quite strong enough to lift it.  The longer she sat, the more she could feel the tension spreading over her neck and shoulders – early rigor mortis setting in.  A deep breath.  Another one.  More snores from the bedroom.  The clock: 5:41, or 3:11 depending on how you read it.

Should she leave a note?  How long before he’d even read it?  He’d stumble into the kitchen, annoyed she hadn’t made coffee.  Back to the couch groaning over the aches, probably another 15 minutes before he realized she wasn’t there.  How long before he noticed one folded piece of paper amid all the bottles and other crap on the table?

Should she make the coffee?

With one more heavy sigh, she found the strength to stand.  The door was only about five strides in front of her – really only one direction to go.  With each step forward, a chance to step back was gone. 

For the first time, she glanced out the window to gauge the weather.  Even a day like today still has weather, she thought.  Sunrise, wisps of cloud streaking pink – beautiful, really.  No rain.  A day like this should have rain, shrouding mist, something.  But no, it was gorgeous.  Go figure.

Should she grab an umbrella?

Now, the doorknob was in reach.  Without lifting her eyes, she unlocked the top bolt.  Efforts to keep quiet seemed a bit silly now.  Even if he did wake up, he’d just assume she was out grabbing the newspaper.  She could make two trips to the car so she could grab a few more things - the clock and an umbrella, maybe.  A few CDs?

No!  One time through the door.  That’s it.

Finally, her hand was on the knob.  Only questions ahead.  Nothing but the wrong answers behind.  All she had to do was walk out the door. 

One last deep breath.  Squeeze.  Twist.

Pull.

*******************
I hope you will consider joining the Cephalopod Coffeehouse, my bloggers' book club.  Please sign on to the link list at the top right of my blog, where there is also a link to more details.

Once again, comments only please.

As promised, following is the list of September's participants.  Be sure to visit them all:

Star Trek: The Enemy Within

Episode: "The Enemy Within"
Series: Star Trek: The Original Series
Season 1, Episode 5
Original Air Date: October 6, 1966

via Memory Alpha

"Chewing the scenery" is an expression often used to describe acting performances on the original series of Star Trek, particularly the work of leading man William Shatner.  His jerky movements, halting speech and exaggerated emotions have provided ample fuel for parody over the decades since.  Shatner's tendency towards overacting is on full display in "The Enemy Within."

Due to a transporter malfunction, Captain Kirk is split into two, separate selves: a good Kirk and a bad Kirk.  As the crew attempt to rectify the problem, working simultaneously to rescue an away team stranded on the planet below, Evil Kirk causes no end of trouble aboard the Enterprise.  He drinks.  He attacks women.  He attacks men.  (Alcoholic allegory?)  Meanwhile, Good Kirk has lost the nerve and resolve which he needs to effectively command the ship.

Shatner's performance as Evil Kirk is way over the top, exactly the sort of performance which has earned him much derision in pop culture.  However, his performance as Good Kirk is subtle and understated - in reality, a much taller order for an actor.  In these early episodes Shatner already wears the role of Kirk like an old shoe, a testament to greater skill than many have been willing to concede.

A couple of Trek culture notes:

• The transporter, as cool as it is, was also a convenient cost-saving device in early episodes.  Transporter effects were cheaper than those required for a shuttle craft, which could easily have rescued Sulu and the rest of the away team much sooner.  However, one of many things I admire about the Star Trek franchise is how the transporter - which still seems like pure magic - was always presented as imperfect technology.  Over the course of the series, things do occasionally go disastrously wrong.  Limits are essential for the plausibility of an imaginary world.

via Memory Alpha

• For the first time, an alien animal is featured.  In Trek lore, the creature is known simply as an Alfa 177 canine, named for its planet of origin.  The real dog inside the costume is uncredited.

James Doohan (Scotty) was born on March 3, 1920 in Vancouver, British Columbia.  A lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Artillery, Doohan was part of the force that stormed the beach at Normandy on D-Day.  He got his start in acting in radio dramas for the CBC.  A master of accents, he auditioned for Star Trek with several different nationality possibilities, ultimately settling on Scottish.  He named his own character after his grandfather: Montgomery Scott.

via Bonanza Boomers