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Reviews
Sullivan's Travels (1941)
Drama and Comedy meet and get along just fine
Joel McCrea is able to give a fine performance as a serious, melancholy, motion picture director in a way that is hilarious. He felt it was unsympathetic and disrespectful to laugh and enjoy life when so many people were facing hardships of one sort or another. He decided the way to help those suffering was to join them in suffering. Once he understood 'suffering' he planned to make a movie about 'suffering'. So, he sets out to get experience suffering dressed as a tramp without any money. He learns a lot of lessons and meets some very interesting people along the way. Most of the people take themselves very seriously, but like in real life they were actually ridiculous. The supporting cast was good and memorable. Even the portrait of one woman's deceased husband was funny and memorable. It makes a nice statement about finding goodness in people even in very unexpected places and simply enjoying life. It is safe for the entire family to watch without fear of excessive violence or offensive language or material. Definitely a fun move. Also sort of educational because I learned that a motor home used to be called a 'land yacht'.
The Hanging Tree (1959)
The Hanging Tree - Gary Cooper at his best
An excellent cast tells an excellent story. Gary Cooper is a doctor with a past, afraid to face the future. He portrays himself as a very hard man, yet he gives aid to people in distress.
Carl Malden is so creepy in his role you may never see him in another movie without thinking of him in this role.
It captures the idea of the power gold can have over people.
There is romance, but it is more a story of people finding themselves as they search for a new and better life.
I have watched all of Gary Cooper's movies. This is one of his finest. Don't miss it.
Music by Marty Robbins is an added bonus.
Westward the Women (1951)
Westward the Women - truly shows strong women functioning well in trying circumstances
I gave this movie ten stars because:
1. It tells an excellent story of brave women from all walks of life (widows, pregnant unmarried woman, women brave enough to go after what they believed was going to be a better life, and women of 'ill-repute' also looking for a chance to have a better life.) The women are the focus of the movie. Robert Taylor is good as the lead - and his 'side-kick' - a small size Japanese man are both very good. However - the focus is always on the women. The women could actually 'act'. The entire cast was excellent - and wonderful casting/
2. There is amazing character development and variety of personalities among the cast. The characteristics of the women are not the dominating story of the movie, but all their characteristics together make a good part of the story and show the variety of personalities found in brave and adventurous women. EVERY woman was a strong woman. Each had different abilities and strong points, but they were all very capable.
3. The women seemed very capable in a primitive setting actually driving wagons themselves - no shrinking violets there.
4. It shows the strength of determined women. Circumstances continually knock them down - but they refuse to give up.
5. It actually tells a good story. I don't think such a movie could be made today because the story of the women would be lost in smut, violence, and foul language.
6. There is romance in the movie, but the bravery and adventuresome spirits of the women is not overwhelmed or lost altogether by some romance.
7. It is always nice to watch a movie that is not trying to sway me politically, preach about one cause or another, use offensive language, or have unnecessary explicit sexual content. This is an enjoyable movie anytime.