A love story of 1935
Evelyn Laye interrupted her long career in theater and made one movie with Sam Goldwyn Studios in 1930. Years later MGM signed Laye to make this movie entitled “The night is young” in 1935 with Ramon Novarro, the last of its original 1924 stars. This was his last movie at MGM. Vicki Baum (author) signed Romberg (music), Oscar Hammerstein II (libretto) and the delighted Ms. Laye to play opposite Ramon Novarro. In this schmaltz of an archduke and a brilliant ballerina, love falls flat and doesn’t end in marriage, but produced two hit songs, “when I grow too old to dream” and the title number. But the direction of Dudley Murphy did not help producer Harry Rapf to recapture his musical zest of “Broadway Melody. The comedic acts of Charles Butterworth, Una Merkel, and Edward Everett Horton are great in supporting category.
Actress Rosalind Russell also has plays in a supporting role, but she was still a budding star at MGM. Her career grew fast after this movie. Evelyn Laye, for most of her career did musical comedies and operetta, but performed in a very few Hollywood film musicals with no success. She continued acting in pantomimes. Evelyn Laye looks simply gorgeous in this film. I am a big fan of actor Ramon Novarro and loved all his films and this is no exception, but director Dudley Moore could have considered other alternatives to the ending of this love story.
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Book Reviewed: Brown is the new white, by Steve Phillips
A political analysis of the evolution of progressive voters in America (four stars)
In this book entitled “Brown is the new white,” author Steve Phillips analyzes how immigrants and African Americans have evolved in the American political landscape since Barrack Obama was elected to the highest office in the nation. He uses the statistical data to show that progressive whites and non-white population have silently merged to form a new voting majority (the author calls this New American Majority). The demography has changed not only due to immigration from Asia and Latin America but also the assimilation of second and third generations of immigrants and mixed marriages. This conclusion is based on the National Academies of Sciences report issued last year. This reports shows immigrants are more educated and better English speakers than their predecessors, and they are far less likely to commit a crime compared to the native-born. They are quickly becoming part of American communities, says the report. Mixed marriages are also increasingly common in America. Recent Pew Research Center report finds that 26% of Hispanics marry a non-Hispanic, and 28% of Asians marry non-Asians. The Census Bureau also predicts that non-Hispanic whites outnumber whites in America by as early as 2044
In the Appendix section of the book, the author shows his statistical data (Tables) and some interesting facts emerge from his study. The New American Majority, the progressive voters are highest in the following states; HI, VT, DE, MD and CA (top five on the list). The bottom of the list includes WY, UT and AL. This is an interesting analysis, and I recommend this book to anyone interested in political science and sociology.
In this book entitled “Brown is the new white,” author Steve Phillips analyzes how immigrants and African Americans have evolved in the American political landscape since Barrack Obama was elected to the highest office in the nation. He uses the statistical data to show that progressive whites and non-white population have silently merged to form a new voting majority (the author calls this New American Majority). The demography has changed not only due to immigration from Asia and Latin America but also the assimilation of second and third generations of immigrants and mixed marriages. This conclusion is based on the National Academies of Sciences report issued last year. This reports shows immigrants are more educated and better English speakers than their predecessors, and they are far less likely to commit a crime compared to the native-born. They are quickly becoming part of American communities, says the report. Mixed marriages are also increasingly common in America. Recent Pew Research Center report finds that 26% of Hispanics marry a non-Hispanic, and 28% of Asians marry non-Asians. The Census Bureau also predicts that non-Hispanic whites outnumber whites in America by as early as 2044
In the Appendix section of the book, the author shows his statistical data (Tables) and some interesting facts emerge from his study. The New American Majority, the progressive voters are highest in the following states; HI, VT, DE, MD and CA (top five on the list). The bottom of the list includes WY, UT and AL. This is an interesting analysis, and I recommend this book to anyone interested in political science and sociology.
Book Reviewed: If You Lean In, Will Men Just Look Down Your Blouse? by Gina Barreca
Being a woman and other “inconveniences”
In this book entitled “If you Lean In, will men look down your blouse,” author Gina Barreca offers a no holds barred look at the day-to-day life of being a woman in a male-dominated world. Whether it is about work, education, being wife and/or mother and other monotonies of life, being a lady is a tough business. But exploring this world through the eyes of a rational woman refreshes your thoughts and offers new perspectives. In this collection of essays, University of Connecticut Professor Gina Barreca makes you laugh and sometime cry for this material world not being ideal for a woman.
There are many stories and solutions derived from a woman’s daily experiences. The state of joy in life and happiness in a married relationship is thermodynamically unattainable. Why should a woman act shallow because she is beautiful or her hair looks great? The author examines some of the following topics;
1. Why guys make slurping sounds at us on the street
2. Good girls say no – and woman should, too
3. What makes an apology real?
4. When a mother doesn’t like being a mom
5. Sex talk in the park
6. When a friend faces a divorce
7. To a young friend who is not happy at her job
In the essay, “Good girls say no – and woman should, too” the author observes “good girls get knocked up because bad girls know better and good women are exploited, taken for granted, overrun by the needs of others…..” Her advice is say, yes only when you mean it.
With her intimate conversation and a dry sense of humor, Barreca sounds more like Gene Weingarten, Linda Nochlin, Nora Ephron, Robin Bryant, Suzanne Bates, and Judith Viorst or stand-up comedian Kathy Griffin. These essays are nice lessons for readers from this UConn Professor who teaches feminist literary theory and English literature. The upside is there is no home work!
In this book entitled “If you Lean In, will men look down your blouse,” author Gina Barreca offers a no holds barred look at the day-to-day life of being a woman in a male-dominated world. Whether it is about work, education, being wife and/or mother and other monotonies of life, being a lady is a tough business. But exploring this world through the eyes of a rational woman refreshes your thoughts and offers new perspectives. In this collection of essays, University of Connecticut Professor Gina Barreca makes you laugh and sometime cry for this material world not being ideal for a woman.
There are many stories and solutions derived from a woman’s daily experiences. The state of joy in life and happiness in a married relationship is thermodynamically unattainable. Why should a woman act shallow because she is beautiful or her hair looks great? The author examines some of the following topics;
1. Why guys make slurping sounds at us on the street
2. Good girls say no – and woman should, too
3. What makes an apology real?
4. When a mother doesn’t like being a mom
5. Sex talk in the park
6. When a friend faces a divorce
7. To a young friend who is not happy at her job
In the essay, “Good girls say no – and woman should, too” the author observes “good girls get knocked up because bad girls know better and good women are exploited, taken for granted, overrun by the needs of others…..” Her advice is say, yes only when you mean it.
With her intimate conversation and a dry sense of humor, Barreca sounds more like Gene Weingarten, Linda Nochlin, Nora Ephron, Robin Bryant, Suzanne Bates, and Judith Viorst or stand-up comedian Kathy Griffin. These essays are nice lessons for readers from this UConn Professor who teaches feminist literary theory and English literature. The upside is there is no home work!
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Book Reviewed: Louisa: The extraordinary life of Mrs. Adams, by Louisa Thomas
An intimate portrait of the First Lady Louisa Adams
This is an excellent biography of the First Lady Louisa Adams, the wife of the sixth President, John Quincy Adams (1825-1829). Born and raised in England, she was the only First Lady to have been born outside of the United States, and came to this country four years after her marriage to John Quincy Adams.
This book chronicles her role as the daughter-in-law of President John Adams and later plays a significant role in the career of her husband John Quincy Adams. His career as a diplomat, a Senator, member of the House of Representatives and the President was strongly supported by Louisa Adams not only as his wife but also as a friend and a loyal supporter. His mission to formulate the American foreign-policy of self-determination, independence, non-colonization, and noninvolvement in European politics got Louisa Adams travel around Europe and United States quite extensively. Peace negotiations called John Adams to Ghent, Belgium in 1814. Louisa Adams went on a 40-day journey across war-ravaged Europe in winter. She faced roving bands of wanderers that filled her thought, and her young son was traumatized by the war and desperation. Author Louisa Thomas provides in-depth details into the private life of Louisa Adams and her personal sacrifice to keep the Adams family sane.
Her pleasure of moving to the White House in 1825 was short-lived by the bitter politics and by her ill- health. She suffered from depression. She spent quiet evenings, reading, composing music and playing her harp. For years she struggled with her divided loyalties about the question of slavery. Her abstract sense of the injustice of slavery, and her husband’s opposition to slavery on one side; her sister’s, relatives and friends support for slavery on the other caused confusion and anxiety. She also had to deal with own her prejudices against blacks, but opposed slavery in principle. She read and re-read Bible to find explanations to oppose slavery, but also vulnerable about fears of black uprising, possible violence and making political enemies in the U.S. Her husband John Quincy Adams spoke publicly against slavery and emerged as a key abolitionist. He withstood the attacks by the pro-slavery factions and southerners but remained steadfast and resilient in his beliefs.
Louisa left behind a trove of journals, essays, letters, and other writings. She was a shrewd eyewitness to pivotal moments in the nation's formative years and shed light on the career of John Quincy Adams and his contemporaries. Author Louisa Thompson’s narratives of the historical moments are captivating. I found the book very engrossing and immensely educational. I recommend this book to readers interested in American history.
This is an excellent biography of the First Lady Louisa Adams, the wife of the sixth President, John Quincy Adams (1825-1829). Born and raised in England, she was the only First Lady to have been born outside of the United States, and came to this country four years after her marriage to John Quincy Adams.
This book chronicles her role as the daughter-in-law of President John Adams and later plays a significant role in the career of her husband John Quincy Adams. His career as a diplomat, a Senator, member of the House of Representatives and the President was strongly supported by Louisa Adams not only as his wife but also as a friend and a loyal supporter. His mission to formulate the American foreign-policy of self-determination, independence, non-colonization, and noninvolvement in European politics got Louisa Adams travel around Europe and United States quite extensively. Peace negotiations called John Adams to Ghent, Belgium in 1814. Louisa Adams went on a 40-day journey across war-ravaged Europe in winter. She faced roving bands of wanderers that filled her thought, and her young son was traumatized by the war and desperation. Author Louisa Thomas provides in-depth details into the private life of Louisa Adams and her personal sacrifice to keep the Adams family sane.
Her pleasure of moving to the White House in 1825 was short-lived by the bitter politics and by her ill- health. She suffered from depression. She spent quiet evenings, reading, composing music and playing her harp. For years she struggled with her divided loyalties about the question of slavery. Her abstract sense of the injustice of slavery, and her husband’s opposition to slavery on one side; her sister’s, relatives and friends support for slavery on the other caused confusion and anxiety. She also had to deal with own her prejudices against blacks, but opposed slavery in principle. She read and re-read Bible to find explanations to oppose slavery, but also vulnerable about fears of black uprising, possible violence and making political enemies in the U.S. Her husband John Quincy Adams spoke publicly against slavery and emerged as a key abolitionist. He withstood the attacks by the pro-slavery factions and southerners but remained steadfast and resilient in his beliefs.
Louisa left behind a trove of journals, essays, letters, and other writings. She was a shrewd eyewitness to pivotal moments in the nation's formative years and shed light on the career of John Quincy Adams and his contemporaries. Author Louisa Thompson’s narratives of the historical moments are captivating. I found the book very engrossing and immensely educational. I recommend this book to readers interested in American history.
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Movie Reviewed: Dangerous, starring Bette Davis and Franchot Tone
Bette Davis is splendid in her Oscar winning performance
Bette Davis won her first Academy Award for her stunning performance in this 1936 drama. Playing in the lead role as a jinxed alcoholic actress, she comes to the end of her career. Down and out, she meets a young architect (Franchot Tone) who saves her from self-destruction. While rehabilitating her, he falls in love with her and also breaks his engagement to his fiancé played by Margaret Lindsay. He risks his fortune to back the actress in a Broadway show and finally loses her in a deceit.
The story is based on Laird Doyle “Hard Luck Dame” and directed by Alfred E. Green. Bette Davis initially turned down the script, but Warner Bros. studio production chief Hal B. Wallis convinced her to accept the role. She wanted to look like an actress on the skids, and insisted on costumes appropriate for a woman who had seen better days. She was styled for a bob haircut for the film that later defined her persona in her professional career. Bette Davis was attracted to the lead actor Franchot Tone who was on a loan from MGM Studios. Davis carefully controlled the screenplay that would suit her ambitions to play this role; it paid off handsomely at the Academy Awards. Bette Davis went on to become one of the successful female performers in Hollywood during the golden era.
There is cop-out ending for this film which many viewers did not anticipate. But this was imposed by Hays Office due to the nature of the story. This is a powerful movie of Bette Davis and I recommend this to all her fans.
Bette Davis won her first Academy Award for her stunning performance in this 1936 drama. Playing in the lead role as a jinxed alcoholic actress, she comes to the end of her career. Down and out, she meets a young architect (Franchot Tone) who saves her from self-destruction. While rehabilitating her, he falls in love with her and also breaks his engagement to his fiancé played by Margaret Lindsay. He risks his fortune to back the actress in a Broadway show and finally loses her in a deceit.
The story is based on Laird Doyle “Hard Luck Dame” and directed by Alfred E. Green. Bette Davis initially turned down the script, but Warner Bros. studio production chief Hal B. Wallis convinced her to accept the role. She wanted to look like an actress on the skids, and insisted on costumes appropriate for a woman who had seen better days. She was styled for a bob haircut for the film that later defined her persona in her professional career. Bette Davis was attracted to the lead actor Franchot Tone who was on a loan from MGM Studios. Davis carefully controlled the screenplay that would suit her ambitions to play this role; it paid off handsomely at the Academy Awards. Bette Davis went on to become one of the successful female performers in Hollywood during the golden era.
There is cop-out ending for this film which many viewers did not anticipate. But this was imposed by Hays Office due to the nature of the story. This is a powerful movie of Bette Davis and I recommend this to all her fans.
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