Debra E

I have always had a fondness for Lubitsch films. Lubitsch can make a tragic situation and turn it on its ear, like To Be Or Not to Be and the Little Shop Around the Corner. I find it hard to focus on anything else in the film. Makes you see the best and worst of a situation at the same time even in real life. We are all heroes at times capable of compassion and humor.

Really enjoyed how they used history in a 50"s musical wrapper. It was a delight to see those old tunes revived. It energized the brain comparing and contrast the early tune with the remix. I never get tired of it.

1. Specific examples. At first indifference from Rose Marie, then interest, then intrigue. Nelson appears like a boy scout until Jennette calls him on it. 2. In all the films I have seen them in the play about the same type of characters. The films seemed to be styled on a formula which was very successful. Both actors were likable and wholesome and generally succeeded and went hand in hand off into the sunset. 3. Males were dominant, females strived for success but did not have complete happiness without a man in their life to love. Nice people wind up with nice people and live happily ever after. Bad people had unhappiness and failed at their endeavors. Follow the golden rules and you will have a happy ending. If real people followed the code they too could lead a more hopeful and stress free life with love guaranteed.

I agree that the clip exhibits a brighter perspective of life because everything is so clean, and the cast is good looking. William Powell just happens to be opposite in the theater from Frank Morgan? The actress being flighty follows the personality of the real life actress she was portraying. 2. Grand approaches are anticipate from this clip in other Depression era musicals to appear larger than life. The films were like looking at a Christmas pageant in a slum. While you are there you could see a glimmer of hope for the future and that life doesn't have to be all that bad. To be able to live vicariously through the film eased the burden. 3. Pre-code specific examples: The description by the door man would be more graphic, suggestive. William Powell's questioning might be more provocative to the door man. Ms Held's performances: the costume might have be more brief and translucent, and the song more suggestive. The note from William Powell might have had suggestive innuendo and the suggestion of a sensual rendezvous.

I am a bit of a nerd. I love to watch films and look at them on the surface, for symbolism in them, social trends of the time, style and art. I have always had a soft spot for musicals of the 1930’s. I was first introduced to the era through Shirley Temple films shown on Saturday Matinee on TV. In college I broadened my interest with Night Owl Theater which was on television when I returned home from work. My favorite 1930 musicals were the ones done by Busby Berkley with special notes to42nd overall, Foot-light Parade for Shanghai Lil and Gold Diggers 1933 for it political statement in the Forgotten Man number. Mid Century favorites of mine include: Singing in the Rain, My Fair Lady, Cabaret, and Funny Girl