[DAILY DOSE OF DELIGHT #2 (From Rose Marie)]

Daily Dose #2

1. What do you notice about the interaction between the characters in these two scenes? Please give specific examples.

They never touch. They are only ever love in their eyes. Their voices are each so powerful and they are flirtatious in their singing in the first clip. In the second, there is no judgement from him. He understands how hard it was to put herself out there like that. He supports her. Yet she is embarrassed.

2. If you have seen either or both of these actors in other films or television shows, please share your perceptions about them.

I haven’t seen other films with these two actors. I will definitely try and catch more movies with them to form a more accurate opinion.

3. What do these clips tell you about the male/female relationships as they are depicted in the films during this era? What norms might you expect are supported under the Hollywood Film Code?

The code might have effected they way they loved each other physically. There was no physicality to their relationship in these two clips. He told her he loved her through song. She playfully mocked him. He might have gotten more physical with it in the boat. He mores more respectful. The bar scene may have been different without the code, with the other performer. She may have been dressed differently (more raunchy).

[DAILY DOSE OF DELIGHT #1 (From The Great Ziegfeld)]

Daily Dose #1

I think the clip exhibits a lighter perspective of life than truly realistic. I believe it just doesn’t feel the need to address it. The film is a biopic. It is not taking place during the Depression era. I think it makes a joke towards him giving a way 5-pound note, but I don’t feel the darkness of the era needed to be addressed. So, it comes across as playful rather than realistic.

I feel a theme to look at would be the new American dream and how in the Depression era, its still what Americans wanted. The film takes place during the end of the 1800s or early 1900s. America was being revitalized into a new idea of being totally free. She isn’t worrying about her choices, but enjoys the moment. Yet, Anna Held must chose between the two men. You could say she has the freedom to chose, but how much freedom is there in that choice.

I definitely think if this had been made pre code era, they would have had her change in the dressing room. She would have seen the flowers and read the note, but while she deliberated, she might have removed her stage costume (which may have been more revealing) and gotten into something more comfortable. This would allow her to be viewed more sensually and also given her more power on the screen.

[Opening Salvo For Mad About Musicals Course]

I honestly feel that picking a favorite musical is near impossible. It's like picking your favorite movie. A friend of mine and I feel that different films define moments in your life or who you are as a person when you see it. The first film I ever watched, in its entirety, as a child was Wizard of Oz. Even to this day, I can watch it and get lost in the world that the musical sets up for its audience. My father was big into musicals and growing up, he introduced me to all sorts like West Side Story, Singin' in the Rain, 1776, Tom Thumb, My Fair Lady, Meet Me in St. Louis, and so many more. 1776 was always one of my favorites growing up because I was a huge history kid. Singing' in the Rain lead me to fall in love with movies and cinema. In high school, I fell in love with Moulin Rouge, which was something completely different then the musicals I grew up with. It was flashy (in editing and effects) and fast paced, but the message stuck with me. So much so I have a tattoo with the lyrics for one of the songs on my back. Now, I love the Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and High Society. I feel like this evolution says a lot about me. I've just moved away from home and away from my family to be with boyfriend. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is about being whisked away and starting a new life with the one you love. High Society is about mistakes, not being perfect and accepting that, and falling in love with your best friend all over again. I feel connected to these films right now and thats probably why, because I identify with them. They reflect who I am as a person.