The «inconceivable» talent of William Goldman (remembering William Goldman 1931-2018)

«It’s an accepted fact that all writers are crazy; even the normal ones are weird.» – William Goldman

On Friday November 16, we lost the great William Goldman, one of the best and most talented screenwriters Hollywood has ever had. Today, I wanted to remember Goldman’s «inconceivable» talent in the best way I know, by writing this post.

Films are the ensemble of many pieces but, without a good script, the puzzle wouldn’t even exist. In this post I will be honouring three marvellous screenplays, written by Goldman that gave birth to three great films and gifted the world with some of the most memorable stories and phrases in cinema’s history.

Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid 1969

I’ve already wrote about this film in my post about Paul Newman a couple of years ago (it’s been more than two year ago!!!!! time flies…) but this time I am going to highlight the script behind it. And I have to say, in my humble opinion, it is one of the most important screenplays in cinema’s history. Why do I think this? Inspired by true events Goldman brought us an unforgettable film with two of the best well-known and beloved main characters of the big screen.

Paul Newman as Butch Cassidy and Robert Redford as the Sundance Kid (1969)

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid represent a pair of «heroes» that share the same fate. The bond that Paul Newman and Robert Redford shared co-starring in this film made them almost brothers. The connection they both had with the characters has also made the general public connect Paul Newman to Butch and Robert Redford to Sundance (even I find it difficult to separate them from the roles they play in this film). The impact of Goldman’s screenplay made Robert Redford create the Sundance festival to honour his character in the film. Whatsmore, Goldman won an Oscar for this screenplay that rocketed him to fame.

Goldman accepting his Oscar for best adapted screenplay  All the President’s Men (1977)

All the President’s Men 1976

In this case, Goldman adapted All the President’s Men book into an Oscar winning screenplay. Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward, the two Washingtonpost journalists that investigated the Watergate scandal, published the chronicles of this investigation in 1974. The rights for the adaptation to the big screen were bought by Robert Redford as soon as the book was published. Robert Redford immediately asked Goldman to adapt the book into a screenplay. Goldman did a wonderful job managing to keep the audience on the edge till the final scene, eventhough the Watergate case had just happened and had been on the news for years right before the film came out. The film is almost contemporary to the Watergate case, indeed they had to end it with related teletype headlines announcing Nixon’s resignation as it occured on August 9 1975, around a year after the book was published, and Goldman decided to cover the event in its screenplay with this original final scene. Goldman also incorporated the catch phrase «follow the money» in its script as it didin’t appear in the book.

The Princess Bride 1987

In 1973 Goldman wrote a book called The princess bride an amazing and adventorus story he then brought to the bigscreen in 1987 (every writers dream!). Goldman created a fantastic world with characters that instantly found a place in all of our hearts.  Goldman was also an expert in creating phrases that will live forever and are timelessly memorable. The Princess bride is full of them, I’m sure all of you can finish this phrase with me: «Hello. My name is Iñigo Montoya….»

The princess bride is a film that captivates and is enjoyed by everyone, Goldman shared with the world a story full of adventures, romance, humor and revenge a combination that has worked so well that 30 years later people still know its quotes by heart. I could go on and talk about the magnificence behind this script forever. Do you allow me to tell you a little bit more about it?

Goldman had the marvellous idea of a framing story where a grandfather narrates the main story to his grandson that interrupts it every know and then.

Goldman managed to create a wonderful world with well-known landscapes like the cliffs of insanety, or the fire swamp; unforgettable moments like the battle of witts (screenplay of the scene in the picture) or the sword fight and characters that we’ve all heard of like Buttercup, Westley and Iñigo Montoya.  Oh and how can we forget the…. ok, ok, as you wish…. Maybe you’re right, it’s better if you go and rewatch The princess bride . And if you have never seen it go and watch it ASAP!

 

 

 

I think the secret behind Goldman’s screenplays and stories, is that he managed to make the audience connect with the characters and the narratives within a couple of minutes. William Goldman’s stories will always be remebered and his legacy will live on forever.

 

 

 

References:

Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid (1969)

All the President’s Men (1976)

The Princess Bride (1987)

Remembering Paul Newman (Paul Newman’s week)

https://giphy.com/

For cinephiles and bookworms

I’m back to brighten up your summer. If you are a cinephile or a bookworm or, like me, you are both at the same time this is a list tailor-made for you. I’ve been dying to share this list with you.  It wasn’t easy to choose which film adaptations were going to make the cut. Here I give a list of my favorite films that brought books to life and, with it, I’m literally granting you with a two for one: for each film that you should watch you’ll also have a marvellous book you should read.

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

The Wizard of Oz is based on the children’s book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz written by L. Frank Baum in 1900. Victor Fleming turned the book into one of the best films in cinema history. His directing was threatened by his full-time job directing Gone with the Wind (1939). Fleming had the great assistance of Cuckor and, together, they brought The Wonderful Wizard of Oz to life.  The artistry behind The Wizard of Oz (1939) is undeniable. In order to capture the essence of the book that described Kansas as a grey place and Oz as a colorful one, Fleming used black and white for the scenes set in Kansas and bright colors – see the yellow brick road and red shoes – for the scenes set in Oz.

Follow the yellow brick road. The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Both the book and the film explore the insecurities of childhood. And, of course, the beloved characters of Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tinman, Cowardly Lion, The Good witch of the North, the Wicked witch of the West and Toto have a very special place in our hearts. All of them feel like home, and you know what they say… «There’s no place like home».

The importance of wishing upon stars and daydreaming is perfectly captured by the film, especially on the timeless scene and song performed by Judy Garland. Almost 80 years have gone by since the film was released, and the world still knows the lyrics of Over the rainbow by heart. The film won two Academy Awards for best original score and best song.

 

 

To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

I’ve already talked about To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) in one of my previous posts (you can check it out here.) But Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird (1960) is one of my top 3 favorite books of all time so, here it is again. If you haven’t watched the film or read the book… This is your summer! As I already wrote about it I’m going to try to keep it short.

One of the most important scenes in To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

To Kill a Mockingbird tells a story about justice, morality, and endless life lessons. The novel won the prestigious Pulitzer price and the film won the Academy Award for Best Actor which went to Gregory Peck. Atticus Finch aka Gregory Peck soon became the heroe of a generation as the theme perfectly reflected the civil rights movement that was shaking the US at the time.  The film managed to transmit the viewers the feeling of innocence brought by witty-Scout in the book. But my absolute favorite character in both the book and the film is Boo Radley. If you want to know why… Read and watch!

 

In Cold Blood (1967)

Truman Capote wrote In Cold Blood in 1965. This work is a masterpiece of journalism. Capote and his long-time friend Harper Lee (yes! The same Harper Lee that wrote To kill a mockingbird) embarked themselves in the investigation of the murder in 1959 of a Kansas farmer, his wife, and children. A murder that shocked the US and kept its citizens on their toes.

The film and the book lead you through the complete journey from the crime to its punishment. Most strikingly both the book and the film make an indepth study of the  murderers, Perry Smith and Dick Hickok , the monsters that are entirely and terrifyingly human. The film and the book have Tarantinesque-vibes as they portray the repulsive facts in full detail, literally, in cold blood. Robert Blake as Perry Smith and Scott Willson as Hickock take their roles very siriously gripping the audience from start to finish.

The book and the film shocked me when I first encountered them, Although I highly recommend them both, I’m aware not everyone is capable to stand a bloodshell. If the trailer above doesn’t tease you enough, I’ll give a second recommendation: Breakfast at Tiffany’s. A novel also written by Truman Capote that became a classic film starring Audrey Hepburn.

 

Murder on the Orient Express (1974)

As a bookworm I must confess I’ve read almost all, if not all, of Aghata Christie’s novels and, with all my respects and love to the incredible Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirrot «the Belgian, not French» fictional detective created by Christie has to be my favorite detective ever.

Aghata Christie wrote Murder on the Orient Express in 1935. As the title already unravels, a murder occurs aboard the Orient Express, it seems as the perfect crime but Hercule Poirot , is one of the passengers and he never leaves a crime unresolved. This journey on the Orient Express will make you suspect of every passenger and keep you on the edge till the final credits, or the last pages.

The incredible  cast of Murder on the Orient Express (1974)

Murder on the Orient Express (1974) may probably have the best cast of all times. It reunites the best of Hollywood’s Golden Age: Ingrid Bergman who won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, Lauren Bacall, Anthony Perkins, John Guielgud, Richard Widmark,  Albert Finney as the perfect Hercule Poirot, Sean Connery, Jacqueline Bisset and Vanessa Redgrave among many others. A cast like this is a delight for the senses. It’s impossible not to love this film and the book that inspired it. If you want to know who committed the Murder on the Orient Express you’ll have to grab the book or play the film…

 

 

The Great Gatsby (1974)

Robert Redford was the perfect Gatsby. The Great Gatsby (1974)

F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote the classiest of classics in 1925. The Great Gatsby paints a perfect picture of the «roaring twenties» and tells the dark and glittering love story between Gatsby and Daisy, a timeless couple with an unforgettable story that will be ingrained in your mind and soul forever.

Farrow and Redford as the unforgettable Daisy and Gatsby. The Great Gatsby (1974)

Gatsby and Daisy’s story is beautifully brought to life through the performances of Robert Redford and Mia Farrow making their personas completely associated to their characters.

 

It was directed by Jack Clyton and screenplayed by Francis Ford Coppola. With Sam Waterston as the perfect Nick the film is the finest adaptation of Fitzgerald’s finest novel.

 

As a cinephile and bookworm I love to dive myself into stories in which «the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true», in which  «you can seek the truth within not without». And so, I hope you follow my recommendations and enjoy these stories as much as I do.

 

 

Bibliography:

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz  by L. Frank Baum (1900)

To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

https://giphy.com

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960)

https://wordpress.com/post/filmmarvellous.wordpress.com/192

In Cold Blood (1967)

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote (1965)

https://wordpress.com/post/filmmarvellous.wordpress.com/4

Murder on the Orient Express (1974)

Murder on the Orient Express by Aghatha Christie (1935)

The Great Gatsby (1974)

The Great Gatsby (1925)

 

Women In Film

Hey hey, back again! Today is March 8 which means it’s International Women’s Day. To celebrate, I will introduce you to some of the Women who have contributed to change the film industry. First and foremost I would like to credit the organisation Women in Film (https://womeninfilm.org/) for inspiring the title credits and for their wonderful job in protecting women in the industry and fighting for gender equality in the sector.  Now, let’s get into the life of these wonderful women that changed history.

 

 

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ALICE GUY

Alice Guy

I bet all of you know who the Lumière brothers are, don’t you? But, have you ever heard of Alice Guy? Alice Guy was born in France in 1873. She started working as secretary in the Gaumont manufacturing and photography supply company. After being invited to the «surprise» event of the Lumière brothers she asked Gaumont if she could use the cameras to film like the Lumière brothers have done, he gave her the permission as long as she experimented in her spare time.

Alice Guy directed The Cabbage Fairy, (you can watch it here) her first film, in 1896. This was the first narrative film in history. In it, she experimented with fiction and special effects. She narrated the story of a fairy that made cabbage’s give birth to babies. Soon she began to experiment with color and sound in her films. She was the first director to make colored film. Alice Guy experimented with sound syncroning, color tinting and special effects in her films. We can say without a doubt that Alice Guy is the brilliant mother of the film industry.

 

Hattie McDaniel

In 1939 Hattie McDaniel became the first African-American in history to win an Oscar for her role as supporting actress in Gone by the wind (1939). She was not invited  to the movie premier and during the Academy Awards ceremony she was not allowed to seat with her co-stars. She’s inspiring speech after receiving the Oscar raised awarness on racial segregation while she thanked all those who believed in her work and voted her to grant her with the award.

Hattie McDaniel will always be remembered for her marvellous work. She put her heart on her performance in Gone by the wind (1939) and for that I strongly believe she delivers the best performance of the classic film. McDaniel set the path for African American actors and actresses, and for that she will always be remembered as one of the women who made film history.

Edith Head 

Edith Head holds the record for the most female Oscar wins in history.

Edith Head with her 8 Academy Awards

She was a costume designer. Known for the elegance and simple beauty of her designs she was able to engrace the films she worked on. Costume design is essential in filmmaking, it helps actors to get into their role, portrays the image of the characters and contributes to the scenary of a film. As a curious note for 90’s kids, Edith is said to have inspired Etna’s character in Disney’s The Incredibles. (2004)

Edith Head was the costume designer of films like Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961), Rear Window (1954), All About Eve (1950) or A Roman Holiday (1953).You can enjoy the designs of the iconic dresses of these films below:

 

   

 

 

Julia Phillips

Julia Phillips was the first female producer to win an Oscar when The Sting, starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford won the Academy Award for best picture in 1973.

Julia Philipps with her Academy Award

Julia Phillips produced several well-known films like Scorses’ Taxi Driver (1976), starring Robert de Niro, that also gained a best picture Oscar nomination, or Close Encounters of the Third Phase (1977) a sci-fi classic. Julia Phillips struggled with drug-addiction and faced its consequences soon after winning her Oscar, a drug-addiction that ended her brilliant carreer by the 80’s and caused her to die from cancer in 2002 at the early age of 57.

Since Julia Phillips five other women have won the Academy Award in this category: Wendy Finerman for Forrest Gump (1994), Cathy Schulman for Crash (2004), Kathryn Begalow for The Hurt Locker (2009) which also made her the first female director to win an Oscar, Nicole Rocking for Spotlight (2016) and Adele Romanski for Moonlight (2017).

This article is a tribute to some of the women who made history in the motion-picture industry.  Women that have almost been erased from history like Alice Guy, who faced discrimination like Hattie McDaniel, who were highly recognised like Edith Head or payed a high price for their recognition like Julia Philipps. Women that have to be remembered for their legacy and that I hope will serve as inspiration to anyone who reads this.

 

 

 

REFERENCES

Home

https://giphy.com/

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0349785/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm

http://www.revistavanityfair.es/actualidad/cine/articulos/biografia-de-alice-guy-blanche-directora-de-cine-pionera/23702

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/oscars-first-black-winner-accepted-774335

https://www.theguardian.com/film/gallery/2017/oct/05/think-tall-edith-head-exhibition-opens-at-bendigo-art-gallery

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2002/jan/03/news1

 

 

Oscars’ first times

You know what they say… «There’s always a first time for everything.» And the Oscars also have plenty of «first times». To celebrate the Oscar week I would like to show you some of these «first times».

GONE WITH THE WIND (1939)

Gone with the wind accumulates several Oscars’ first times. It is the first colored film to win the Oscar for Best Picture and the first to give an Oscar to an African American, Hattie McDaniel, who won the Oscar for best-supportig actress.

Gone with the wind is one of the most memorable films in history. It remains as one of the most nominated and awarded films. It was a blockbuster at the time and became an instant classic.

Gone with the wind has also given us some of the best well-known quotes of film history. Even if you’ve never seen it these famous quotes  will probably ring a bell:

           

RITA MORENO

Rita Moreno won the Oscar as Best Supporting Actress in 1961 for her unforgettable role as Anita in the musical West Side Story. You already know of my love for musicals, West Side Story is one of my personal favorites of all time.

Rita Moreno was not only the first Latin American woman to win an Oscar but she remains as one of the only 12 artists of all time to have won all four major annual American entertainment awards: Oscar, Tony, Emmy and Grammy.

SYDNEY POITIER

In 1964 Sydney Poitier made history when he became the first African-American to win an Oscar for Best Actor. He won this Oscar for his role in Lilies of the field.

Sydney Poitier with his Oscar for Best Actor (1964)

Although at the time many thought his career would end that same night because of his skin color he proved them wrong and soon became a recognised actor of huge success. He starred in films like Guess who’s comig to dinner (1967) or To Sir, with love (1967).

Poitier, now 90 years old, remains as one of the most respectable actors of the film industry. In 2002, the Academy recognised his work with the Honorary Award.

 

 

These are only a few of Oscars’ first times. The most amazing thing is, that after 90 years of  Academy Awards, there are still many Oscars’ first times that have not happened yet. This year, for example, is the first year a women is nominated in the category of Best Cinematography with Rachel Morrison’s nomination for Mudbound. In a week we’ll know if she becomes the first woman to win in this category too…

 

 

 

REFERENCES

Gone with the wind (1939)

West Side Story (1961)

A Look Back at the First Latinos to Win an Oscar in Acting, Writing, Directing, Editing & More

https://www.essence.com/galleries/way-too-short-list-black-oscar-winners#114686

http://www.filmsite.org/bestspeeches4.html

https://giphy.com/

https://www.oscars.org/

 

 

Remembering Paul Newman (Paul Newman’s week)

I know it’s been a while since I last uploaded a new entry but I’ve been really really busy. So I decided to come back strong! And there’s no better way to do it that by writing this post to commemorate the eight years that we’ve been without Paul Newman. Yes, ladies, I’m sorry to tell you that we’ve been mourning him for 8 years now.

Paul Newman «is and will always be the most handsome man to ever be alive.» This is  the phrase that I always say when they ask me about him. Maybe I sound like my grandmother but who cares, I mean LOOK AT HIM!

 

But this entry won’t only talk about how handsome and perfect he was but about how loved he was, his beautiful story with Joanne Woodward and the amazing acting carreer and films he did throughout his lifetime.

Paul Newman was born in January 1925 and died from lung cancer in September, 26, 2008.  He served in the USA Navy during World War II, enrolled as pilot he was dropped when his colorblindness was discovered. He studied arts, drama and economics. He started his acting career in Broadway and made his film debut with The Silver Chalice (1954). His career is so extense that it’s extremely difficult to choose which ones should I talk about.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)

This Hollywood classical represented the first film in which Newman was critically acclaimed. Co-starring with Elisabeth Taylor, an already consolidated Hollywood figure he managed to find a place in the industry. Newman nails his role of a man who drinks away the pain trying to fix his life, marriage and recapture his glory.  It gain him his first oscar nomination for leading role.

THE HUSTLER (1961)

With this film Newman gained international recognition as an actor. The young pool player «Fast Eddie» that he portrayed in this film served him to prove that he was more than a handsome guy with a beautiful smile. The Hustler was a major critical success, he was nominated once again to an Oscar but did not win until 1986 with the «sequel» of the film The Color of Money. 

The Color of Money (1986)

I ususally try to do filmographies in chronological order but since The Hustler and  The Color of Money are related and I’ve alredy let the cat out of the bag about Newman’s Oscar why not introduce this film now? Martin Scorsese directed The Color of Money and reprised «Fast Eddie». The film begins more than 25 years after the events of The Hustler. It is now Newman’s job to introduce to hustling pool and shape up a young promise, Tom Cruise. After more than 30 years of being a critically acclaimed actor Newman finally won his Oscar for this role.

Going back to his personal life I would like to address now his love story with Joanne Woodward. Newman and Woodward met in 1953. When they finished filming The Long, Hot Summer Newman decided to divorce Jackie Witte and married Woodward in 1958. They were married for 50 years, until Newman passed away in 2008. When asked how was it possible that he, one of the most attractive men on Earth, had managed to stay faithfull to his wife he answered: «Why go out for a hamburger when you have steak at home?» Newman directed four films starring Woodward, the most important one and highly recommendable is Rachel, Rachel (1968).

Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward

In 1978 his son Scott died from an overdose at the age of 28. The death of his son marked him profoundly and so he decided to create Newman’s Own, a line of food products in which all proceeds where destinded to charity, specially to help people overcome drug addictions.

We must not forget his long friendship with Robert Redford as it is a key part of his acting carreer.

Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid (1969)

This Western is one of his most memorable films. Newman and Redford co-stared in this film portraying what is probably one of the best well-known partners in Hollywood’s history. The huge influence that this film has had in the film industry is remarkable. The Sundance Festival was founded by Redford in 1983 to honour his character in the film.

Redford, Newman and Melissa Newman in the set of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

 

Later on, they both partnered once again in The Sting (1983) one of my all time favourites. Its incredible film editing, marvellous sondtrack, amazing screenplay and outstanding performances make this film the perfect combination to become a timeless classic.

 

In the 21st century Newman’s work was understandably reduced. But we must not forget his last movie appearance in 2002 Road to Perdition was the perfect farewell as he  closed his acting carreer with an outstanding performance and his 10th and last Oscar nom.

Newman will forever be in our minds and memories as one of the classic icons of Hollywood Golden Era. We will remember him for his outstanding performances,and, of course, his outside and  inner beauty.

 

REFERENCES:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Newman

http://giphy.com/

TO KNOW MORE:

Happy Birthday Gregory Peck!

 

Today one of the most beloved actors in the history of Hollywood would have celebrate his 100^th birthday. If you want to celebrate his 100 anniversary there is no better way than watching some of his films. Here are my recommendations:

To Kill a Mockingbird

Gregory Peck had that kind of look in his eyes as if he would never be able to harm anyone, as if he wouldn’t be able To Kill a Mockingbird (1962); maybe that is the reason why he was the perfect Atticus Finch. The Academy Award rewarded Peck’s work with 5 Oscar nominations though he only won once, for his performance as Atticus Finch.

Harper Lee’s unforgettable literature masterpiece novel To Kill a Mockingbird (1960) inspired this marvellous film. Atticus Finch was voted as the most admired and loved hero in film industry of all time beating James Bond and Indiana Jones on the way. Gregory Peck was the perfect actor to play this role. The defence of human rights and the rich values that the film and the book teach us make both masterpieces a must.

Roman Holiday

I’ve probably already talked way too much about this film in my past articles about Trumbo and Audrey, but I would like to remark Gregory Peck’s performance on this film because, although it was overshadowed by Audrey Hepburn’s performance, is quite a remarkable one and certainly one of his most iconic roles. Also Roman Holiday (1953) is one of my favourite movies of all time so it had to be in the list to celebrate Greg’s birthday.  I would like to emphasize, once again, Peck’s gentleman manners by reminding you that it was his idea to put Audrey’s name next to his at the beginning of the film as he predicted she would win the Oscar.

Peck improvised this famous scene on set without telling Audrey about it.

Audrey and Gregory remained as close friends until she passed away. Roman Holiday is an intelligent and joyful romantic comedy and I assure you you will have the best time watching it.

The Paradine Case

Gregory Peck collaborated with the best directors of his time. He had the honour to work under Hitchcock’s orders twice: in Spellbound (1945) and The Paradine Case (1947). I already talked about the first one on my Hitchcock article and I will take this opportunity to recommend the latter. The Paradine Case was Hitchcock’s “comeback” to English cinema. Although part of Hitchcock’s Hollywood production, the plot was set in England. Gregory Peck stars in this film sharing screen with Charles Laughton, Ann Todd and Ethel Barrymore. I will leave here the trailer hoping that it makes you eager to watch the film:

Moby Dick

Apparently Gregory Peck was an expert in portraying famous book characters. He proved so in To kill a mockingbird and Moby Dick (1956).  He has managed to make us think of him as the face of captain Ahab. It is inevitable to agree that he made the fairest representation of the captain possible. Peck managed to transmit sympathy to the public, he was “the good guy”, he even made us sympathise with Ahab in this film adaptation.

The Boys from Brazil

The only really hateful character played by him which I can remember of is the infamous Nazi doctor, Josef Mengele. Peck brilliantly portrayed this epitome of cruelness making us almost hate him (almost). An older Greg offered a great performance in this terrible story that premiered in 1978 co-starring with the amazing Laurence Olivier.

 I think in this sense it is fair to say that Gregory Peck was sort of the Tom Hanks of his time, an artist of great talent who managed to gain a place in everyone’s heart.

References:

Anon, 2016. Cien años del <<alto, moreno, y guapo>, Gregory Peck el favorito de Hollywood. Hoycinema. Available from:http://hoycinema.abc.es/noticias/20160404/abci-gregory-peck-aniiversario-201604012002.html %5BAccessed April 4, 2016].

Anon, 2016. Gregory Peck. Wikipedia. Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/gregory_peck#awards_and_honors  [Accessed April 4, 2016].

Anon, GIFs Categories – Celebrities, Anime, Sports & More | GIPHY. GIPHY. Available from: http://giphy.com/categories  [Accessed April 4, 2016].

 

The Magic of Walt Disney

Walter Elias “Walt” Disney was born in 1901 and died in 1966 from lung cancer at the age of 65. He was a cartoonist, producer, animator, voice actor and entrepreneur. His influence in the world and the great contribution he made to the film industry make him look like an immortal figure, this is probably why people do not usually associate him with the Golden Era of Cinema. Maybe the urban legend that says he is cryonically frozen waiting to be waken up in a better future has increased this sense of immortality around his persona. Walt Disney was incinerated right after his death, as he wished, and in fact died before cryonisation was a “thing”. Walt Disney’s legacy is so influential that it is very difficult to summarise it or make a blog post about him and his work but I couldn’t ignore the magic he brought to the film industry and the world.

Walt Disney had a natural drawing talent, he started drawing as a hobby and then went to make it his way of living. He first sent his drawings to some newspapers and, after hearing about “moving” cartoons he decided to inform himself about these new technics. At first he founded the company Laugh-O-Gram studio with some friends. This first company did not work out as planned, and was forced to close due to bankrupt. Disney then decided to move to Hollywood and tried to find a studio that accepted his drawings there. In 1923 Walt and his brother Roy managed to safe enough money to fund their one company: The Walt Disney Company.

Mickey Mouse

Walt Disney drawing Mickey Mouse

Walt Disney wanted to create a new cartoon that would talk, and sing and whistle. He was thinking about a mouse and he wanted to call it Mortimer, his wife did not like the name and proposed him to call it Mickey Mouse. In 1928 Walt Disney started to work on the first cartoon of Mickey Mouse. He released the first animated short with sound ever released was Steamboat Willie (1928) which starred Mickey Mouse. It was Walt Disney who first voiced Mickey Mouse giving the character his special high pitched voice. In the 1930’s Mickey Mouse became the most popular cartoon character and soon series of his stories were released and new characters appeared sharing screen with him. Amongst these new characters Donald Duck increased his popularity managing to eclipse Mickey in the 1940’s.

Here is the shortfilm Streamboat Willie:

Flowers and Trees

After creating a successful cartoon character and adding sound to his animated short films Walt Disney wanted to go one step forward. Technicolor was introducing colour to films and he wanted to do the same with cartoons. The first coloured animated short-film to ever be released was also a Walt Disney production film: Flowers and Trees (1932). This animated short film was the first ever to win an Academy Award for Best Short Subject: Cartoons. It would be the first Oscar out of 33 that Walt Disney won (59 nominations). He is therefore the only individual to be nominated and to have won that many Academy Awards in film industry history.

Snow White and the 7 dwarfs

In 1934 Walt Disney thought it was time to create the first animated film, full coloured, sound and a length of more than one hour. He wanted to bring to the screen the story of Snow White and the 7 dwarfs. He set up his own art school where he trained students to have the best group of cartoonist possible. Walt was a perfectionist and he wanted Snow White to match the quality design that was expected from a Walt Disney production work.

 

Walt Disney with the special Oscar award with seven small statuettes representing the 7 dwarfs

The workers of Walt Disney Studio considered Walt an  excellent actor, he acted out every scene of his films  spontaneously and played every character to portray the  movements to his cartoonists and designers. This was a hand  making film that was made without any help from  computers or the technology that exists today. Almost four  years later after the first scratches Snow White and the 7  dwarfs was released to public in 1938. It was a huge success  and Disney was able to pay all the debts he owned for making  this picture. It was the beginning of the golden era of  animation. Following Snow White came Pinocchio (1940),  which by using the latest technology was the first animated  film that gave a sensation of 3 dimensions to the public,  Fantasia (1940), Dumbo (1941) and Bambi (1942).

 

During the Second World War half of Walt Disney’s target market (overseas) vanished. The studio went through financial problems and got almost to a situation of bankrupt.  Disney then made propaganda cartoons and training and instruction films for militaries. A lot of films were put aside on stock and were released after the War. Cinderella (1950), Alice in Wonderland (1951) and Peter Pan (1953).

Disneyland

In the late 1940’s Disney draw sketches of his ideas for an amusement park where he pictured his workers going with their families. In 1955 Disneyland opened and visitors all around the world went to have fun and enjoy the attractions.

Mary Poppins

Walt Disney spent years trying to get writer P.L. Travers to give his studio permission to make a film based on her book series Mary Poppins. After insisting he convinced her and Mary Poppins became the first film to combine shared scenes between human and animated characters.

Mary Poppins was released in 1964 and obtained instant recognition and was nominated to 13 Academy Awards. It was the last great production that Walt Disney productions made before Walt died of lung cancer in 1966.

After Walt Disney’s death there was a less successful decade for Disney. Several unsuccessful movies were released in the 1970’s and 1980’s. In 1989 with The Little Mermaid release the Renaissance of Disney studio productions took place: Beauty and the Beast (1991), Aladdin (1992) The Lion King (1994).

The Walt Disney studios started to collaborate with Pixar animation in the late 1990’s releasing Toy Story as their first movie together in 1995 and also the first computer animated movie ever made by Disney Studio. Toy Story was Pixar original screenplay. After several collaborations and some disagreements Pixar works now as a subsidiary of The Disney Company.

Walt Disney’s legacy is unquestionable, the technological advances and the stories he created will be known in years to come. He made and produced films enjoyable for both children and adults. He created magic and shared it through the screen and brought it to life with Disneyland. Walt Disney is one of the most important and influential figures to ever live in the world.

Evolution of Mickey Mouse through the years

REFERENCES:

Anon, 2016. Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/walt_disney#legacy  [Accessed March 25, 2016].

Anon, GIFs Categories – Celebrities, Anime, Sports & More | GIPHY. GIPHY. Available from: http://giphy.com/categories [Accessed March 25, 2016].

Isbouts, J.-P. & Isbouts, J.-P., 2001. Walt: the man behind the myth, ABC. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho9nKS7V5ws [Accessed March 25, 2016].

 

Trumbo, a screenwriter behind the scenes

Dalton Trumbo used to like to write in his bathtub

Dalton Trumbo was born in 1905 and died in 1976 at the age of 70. He was accused by the House of Un-American Activities Committee in 1947 for being a member of the communist party, spent 11 months in prison in 1950, and was consequently blacklisted by the film industry until the 1960s.

Trumbo during his Committee Subpoena (1947)

Trumbo joined the communist party in 1943, during the time the USA fought side by side with the USSRR in the Second World War. In 1947 the House of Un-American Activities Committee started an investigation against communist sympathizers in the Hollywood industry. The Committee began to subpoena those artists that were related with the Communist party. The shoutouts against these artists were made by famous columnists like Hedda Hopper or William R. Wilkenson who named various Hollywood actors, producers, directors and screenwriters and related them to the Communist Party.

During these subpoenas the accused were asked the famous question: “Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party of the United States?” Trumbo and ten other screenwriters refused to answer to this question alleging the first amendment that guarantees the freedom of speech and assembly. Their tactic failed and all ten were condemned to prison, two of them to six months, the other eight to ten months. Trumbo spent ten months in prison in 1950.

Trumbo photographed before getting into prison (1950)

Before being condemned to prison Trumbo had already written well-known screenplays like: Kitty Foyle (1940) or Tender Comrade (1944) both of which starred Ginger Rogers, and A guy named Joe (1944) that was brought to the screen with Spencer Tracy as protagonist. Since he was blacklisted in 1950 his scripts were fronted or credited to other screenwriters who were not blacklisted or even signed under pseudonyms. Trumbo managed to work also by correcting and revising scripts during this period.

Roman Holiday

I would humbly say that from my point of view the script of Roman Holiday is probably one of the best screenplays of all time. It is genuinely and elegantly funny, and it manages to be a romantic comedy without getting too cheesy. The light humour that Trumbo put into the dialogue and situations is amusing without having to recur to the absurd or the obscene. Roman Holiday is a film that will never get old and Trumbo’s script helped it to be an instant classic.

Trumbo wrote Roman Holiday when he was already blacklisted by the film community, in 1953. His friend and scriptwriter Ian McLellan Hunter accepted to take credit for his work and appeared as the official scriptwriter.

Fragment of Roman Holiday’s original script (1953)

William Wyler was the only director who, despite knowing Trumbo wrote the original screenplay, recognised the value of the story behind it and wasn’t afraid to direct it.

Of Course, as soon as the film premiered it gain huge success and was highly acclaimed by the critic. Roman Holiday was nominated to seven Academy Awards and won three of them including best motion picture story. Ian McLellan Hunter fronted and picked up the Oscar without anyone having a clue that it was Trumbo who actually wrote it. It was not until the 1960’s that Trumbo was recognised as the writer of this script and it was in 1993 when he was posthumously awarded with an Oscar for it.

The Brave One

In 1956 Trumbo wrote The Brave One, that told the story of a young boy who tries to save his beloved bull from being killed in a bullfighter arena. This script was signed under the pseudonym of Robert Rich. When it got nominated for best story at the Oscars they had to confront the problem of who would pick up the award if it won. In the end it was Frank King, the nephew of the film’s producer who picked up the Academy Award in name of “Robert Rich”.

The media went crazy trying to find Robert Rich and rumours pointed to Trumbo as the original writer of the script. This rumours were denied in the first place. It wasn’t until 1975 that the Oscar was reissued in Trumbo’s name.

Exodus

In 1960 director Otto Preminger went to Trumbo with the idea of making a film based on Leon Uris’s novel Exodus. Trumbo accepted to write the screenplay for this film adaptation.

After receiving the brilliant screenplay Preminger decided to come forward and Trumbo’s name was credited for his work. This was the first film that showed Trumbo’s name in the front credits since he had been accused by the House of Un-American Activities Committee marking the beginning of the end of the blacklist.

Spartacus

It was also in 1960 when Spartacus, the film by Stanley Kubrick premiered in cinemas. This classic starring Kirk Douglas was one of the most expensive Hollywood productions at the time. It was Kirk Douglas who sent the story to Trumbo and asked him to re-write it and correct it. Kirk Douglas was so eager to play the main character at this film that he produced it and followed Trumbo’s work closely. Trumbo was also credited for this script.

Papillon

His last screenplay was the adaption of the novel Papillon which he co-wrote with Lorenzo Semple Jr.. Trumbo then retired and stopped working as a scriptwriter to spend more time with his family.

Now, Trumbo’s work is recognised by the Academy and he has become one of the most influential screenwriters of all time. His legacy and his story have inspired several documentaries and biopics. The latest one is the film Trumbo (2015) starring Bryan Cranston as the screenwriter. For his performance Cranston received an Academy Award nomination for best actor. The film has received fairly good critic highlighting Cranston’s portray of Trumbo.

REFERENCES

Anon, 2016. Dalton Trumbo. Wikipedia. Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/dalton_trumbo  [Accessed March 12, 2016].

Coe, K., 2010. Audrey Hepburn. Remembering Roman Holiday. Part 1. YouTube. Available from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjl_wpyd8fm  [Accessed March 12, 2016]. 2002

Roach, J., 2015. Trumbo

Hitchcock Never Won An Oscar!

Hitchcock never won an Oscar!

Alfred Hitchcock was a British director, producer and occasional actor (cameos) who was born in 1899 and died in 1980 at the age of 89. He is known as “the master of suspense”. His work as a director has inspired thousands. He always said that he made films for the viewers. His filming methods, which were new at the time, are now widely spread and used by Hollywood directors making the general public underestimate the influence he’s had in the film industry. And despite of all of these Hitchcock never won an Oscar.

I will try to briefly explain the most important of his stylistic trademarks: The most important one is voyeurism, this is a technique first used in painting and introduced by Hitchcock to the big screen. Voyeurism makes the viewer feel like if he or she is participating directly in the action of the film. In this technique the director uses camera movement to mimic a person’s gaze. This technic is now widespread and continuously used in our days and makes the films more realistic and directly engages the viewers in the film.

Another way in which Hitchcock made his movies realistic was by using what he called “point of view shots” to show the point of view of an individual. This is done by making a close up of the actor or actress, then you show what their looking at and then you go back to the close up to see the reaction of the character. If the character starts moving the camera, when showing what the character is looking at, must move too. Like it can be seen in this clip from Rear Window where Hitchcock uses a short distant shot representing the lens of the camera that the character (James Stewart) uses to follow Grace Kelly.

Hitchcock is known as “the master of suspense” not only because his films always have a plot that runs around the mystery and the psychoanalysis but also because of the way he framed the scenes in his films. He used framed shots to maximise anxiety and fear. These feelings where transmitted by the use of close-ups over the actors and actresses reactions.

Hitchcock’s work is also characterized by his cameos, he briefly appeared in 39 out of 52 of his films. His appearances made his fans look for him and, in order for them to concentrate on the film instead of looking for him, Hitchcock started to appear early, usually before the first hour of the film.

An artist is not only an artist because of the quality of his work but also because of the influence and impact his work has on the world. And Hitchcock’s impact on the world and on the cinema industry is undeniable. Even if you have never seen any of his movies you still know Psycho (1960) and know about the shower scene in that film. Or, even if you don’t know the name of the film or haven’t watched it you know North by North West’s (1959) scene where Cary Grant has to throw himself to the ground so that a plane doesn’t crush to him:

Hitchcock directed more than 50 films. He started with silent films in the United Kingdom and made also some films that are part of his best known works: The 39 steps (1935), Sabotage (1936) and The Lady Vanishes (1939).

In 1940 he went to Hollywood and his first Hollywood film Rebecca (1940) was the adaptation of the novel after the same name by Daphne du Maurier. Rebecca was recognised as a masterpiece and was Hitchcock’s first Oscar nomination as director but didn’t win. This film starred Joan Fontaine, considered as the first “icy blond” female star of his films.

In Suspicion (1941), Joan Fontaine plays the main female character too. In this film Cary Grant is the suspicious husband of Fontaine. One of the most famous scenes in the film is when Grant is climbing up the stairs carrying an extremely white glass of milk. The glass actually glowed as Hitchcock used a lightbulb to illuminate the glass and capture the audience’s attention on it.

 

Spellbound (1945) was Hitchcock’s third Oscar nomination as a director. In this film Gregory Peck and Ingrid Bergman, considered Hitchcock’s second blond muse, play the main characters of a thriller inspired by the psychoanalysis. In this film Hitchcock makes his cameo carrying a violin and smoking a cigarette in an elevator.   The “dream scene” in this movie, made in collaboration with Dali, shows how important was for Hitchcock to create the feelings for the audience, it is truly a scene that can only be described as a dream as you can see in this clip:

Rear window (1954), starring James Stewart and Grace Kelly (also one of his blond muses), is the best example of the “Hitchcocknian” way of filmmaking where Hitchcock uses his techniques of “point of view”, “voyeurism”, close-up shots and film editing that characterized him so much. It is one of his best works as a director as he managed to tell the plot using a “photographic” camera view during most of the film. In this film Hitchcock makes his cameo as the pianist’s butler.

Psycho (1960), starring Anthony Perkins, is probably Hitchcock’s most famous film and one of his best works as a director.  The tension he transmits with this film, the violence of the shower scene that never fails to shock the audience, and the plot-twist of the end have become the trademarks of most of the terror movies that have been made since then. Psycho gave him his fifth and last nomination as director, which he also lost.

Almost one decade before Strangers on a train (1951) was released.  There is also something very special about this film. Of course, it is an adaptation of Patricia Highsmith novel, and so the plot about two men who trade murderers so that no one will suspect of them, is not Hitchcock’s merit. But it is that the film is more famous than the book and that his unique way of editing the fight scene in the carousel, with strategic cuts in each moment of the fight that make the scene dynamic and the tension palpable, are part of filmmaking history.  Hitchcock makes his cameo 11 minutes into the film carrying a double-bass as he is climbing to the train.

Hitchcock’s cameo in «Strangers on a train» (1951)

We cannot forget about one of his most renowned masterpieces: The Birds (1963) that marked the debut of one of her last blond muses: Tippy Hedren. This is probably one of the most important and best thrillers of Hitchcock’s carrier.

Even though he never won an Oscar Hitchcock did win a Golden Globe for his TV Show Alfred Hitchcock Presents an anthology series that aired in American television from 1955 to 1965. The series featured thrillers of about 25 to 30 minutes each that were all created by Hitchcock. He appeared at the beginning of every episode to eclipse his own silhouette and offered a brief explanation of the episode that it was about to air. All these short stories have to be added to his already long-list of film creations.

Hitchcock is most probably greatest filmmaker in history and his art was practically ignored by the Academy which only gave him 5 nominations out of his 52 films and never rewarded him with the golden trophy.

REFERENCES:

Anon, 2016. Alfred Hitchcock. Wikipedia. Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/alfred_hitchcock  [Accessed February 28, 2016].

Anon, GIFs Categories – Celebrities, Anime, Sports & More | GIPHY. GIPHY. Available from: http://giphy.com/categories  [Accessed February 28, 2016].

A.H., 2009. Spellbound Hitchcock (Dream Scene)1945. YouTube. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iauudtwfvhs  [Accessed February 28, 2016]. 1945

J.M.B., 2004. How to Turn Your Boring Movie into a Hitchcock Thriller. Film Techniques Of Alfred Hitchcock – Suspense, Camera Angles, Style, Editing, Basics. Available from: http://www.borgus.com/hitch/ [Accessed February 28, 2016].

J.M.B., 2012. Hitchcock Techniques (2004) Part 1. YouTube. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eg6velhqxgs  [Accessed February 28, 2016].

 

 

 

Audrey Hepburn, more than «a funny face»

Audrey Hepburn, more than “a funny face”.

Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire during the filming of A Funny Face 1957

Although she is known as one of the most iconic actresses in the history of Hollywood her origins are far from being American. “I was born May 4th in 1929 and I died three weeks later” (Feldman & Winter, 1993.) that is how she said a book of her life should begin. Born in Brussels (Belgium) Audrey suffered of whooping cough when she was only three weeks, she was so sick that her heart stopped beating but her mother kept shaking her until she breathed again not willing to give her up so soon. His father was British and worked for an english insurance company, this is the reason why she learnt how to speak in English. She also obtained the British citizenship through his father. Her mother was related to the Netherland’s aristocracy. During her early years she lived between Belgium, Netherlands and England.

She lived the Second World War and his father’s implication with the Nazi party would mark her life forever. In 1939, after her father abandoned the family, she went to live to Netherlands with her mother in the hopeful thought that the War wouldn’t affect them. But it did. Audrey continued her studies and learnt how to speak perfect English, French, Dutch and Italian. She also started to form herself as a ballet dancer.

Audrey Hepburn in one of the most memorable scenes of My Fair Lady 1964

In the 1940s she started to dance more professionally and the money she earned was donated to the Dutch resistance. By the end of the Second World War she was force to give up her ballet carrier due to physical conditions. This is the reason why she started acting.

After this brief explanation of how Audrey Hepburn became an actress I will now proceed to talk about her career in the film industry. Her big screen Hollywood debut came in 1953 with Roman Holiday where she co-stared with already well-known Gregory Peck. Thanks to this William Wyler film she won her only Academy Award as an actress. Gregory Peck, who had personally suggested that his name and Audrey’s should share the same importance in the film, predicted that Audrey would win the Oscar for best actress and that she would become a star.

Audrey and Gregory Peck in Roman Holiday (1953)

Audrey’s charm, beauty and elegance soon made her one of the most beloved actress in Hollywood. But she was not just “A funny face” as she proved in the performance of the entertaining musical under the same name that was premiered in 1957. Audrey Hepburn greeted the world with outstanding and unforgettable performances.

Of course her most iconic performance is Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961). In this film, based on Truman Capote’s novel, she makes her character Holly a truly loved one, one that once you watch the film you will never forget.

Together with Roman Holiday and Breakfast at Tiffany’s probably her third most iconic performance is My Fair Lady (1964). It is very curious that the three best known performances weren’t intended to be played by her in the first place. Elisabeth Taylor, who was already part of Hollywood’s elite, was the one William Wyler thought for Roman Holiday. The beloved Holly Golightly was meant to be Marilyn Monroe and Julie Andrews was going to be Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady.

But, apart from these three films, Audrey Hepburn also starred in Sabrina (1954) a brilliant comedy where she shared screen with Humphrey Bogart. In my opinion amongst her best performances are The Nun’s Story (1959) and Wait until dark (1967).  We can’t also forget Charade or one of her last appearances in the big screen as an old lady Marian in Robin and Marian (1976). She left the film industry playing an angel in Always (1989) to retire and dedicate her life to humanitarian causes.

It is of extreme importance when talking about Audrey Hepburn not to forget her humanitarian actions. She dedicated the last years of her life to collaborate as Goodwill Ambassador of UNICEF. She centred her help on children that suffered from malnutrition and AIDs. She always said that it is very important to feel loved but that it is more important to give love that to receive it back. Just one year before she died she received in 1992 the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, her second and last Academy Award, prizing her humanitarian work.

Audrey Hepburn died from Cancer in Switzerland in 1993. She will always be remembered as one of the best and most iconic Hollywood stars of all time.

Audrey Hepburn in one of her humanitarian missions

W., 2016. Audrey Hepburn. Wikipedia. Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/audrey_hepburn  [Accessed February 14, 2016].

W., 2015. List of awards and honours received by Audrey Hepburn. Wikipedia. Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/list_of_awards_and_honours_received_by_audrey_hepburn [Accessed February 14, 2016].

G.F. & S.W., 1993. Audrey Hepburn remembered, Wombat Productions., 2015. Documental: Audrey Hepburn biografía (Audrey Hepburn Biography). YouTube. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcwmhfrc6la  [Accessed February 14, 2016].

Audrey Hepburn dress up as a nun for The Nun’s Story 1959

 

 

March 16-17, 1988, Ethiopia — Soon after becoming a UNICEF ambassador, Audrey Hepburn went on a mission to Ethiopia, where years of drought and civil strife had caused terrible famine. — Image by © Derek Hudson/Sygma/Corbis