#Justme

Many of the earlier musicals had a 'star' of the song, a lead in the scene. In this, everyone was equal. There were times when only two were active, yet the transitions were so fast and the group came back together quickly it really appeared to be a well choregraphed team. The same goes for the costumes, they all coordinated and looked like a group. When looking at them all four on set, they all seemed to blend together. Your eye was not drawn to any one thing. The transitions were great - everything timed so well. It was fun to watch and re-watch!

I took the two scenes - by his bedside and at the wash- to show how all her life is tied to little Joe. The good and the bad all becomes good since Joe loves her. It goes with the song - life is easy (at deaths door or during the daily chores) it's all she needs. How romantic! Going against popular response, I think it could be sung to a child. That strong love may even be more easily to accept if it was with a mother/child relationship. The parental love that states I will love you no matter what you do is more acceptable (more believable). But perhaps back in the 40s undying, forever love for your husband was the norm. It is good to see this film showing true people with true feelings, not characters.

Thinking like a director - this topic just highlights again how much I don't know! There is so much in directing a musical that I have just taken for granted. Take something small like the wind blowing the flags and her dress. Did it add to the scene - yes. Would I have thought about it? No! I need to go back and watch again to see what I missed.

I was struck by how much Cohen was looking around the White House as he climbs the steps and enters the Oval Office. His actions are of awe and reverence, very much in line with patriotism of the 1940s. That's such an extreme when I compare it with the current flippant attitude toward government and just about everything in today's movies. To me it seems so out of place, but for 1942 it was gold.