dugfowlr Reviews

O Pioneers! (1991 TV Movie)

Follows the Willa Cather novel faithfully

[10/10 · 25 February 2005]

I had taped this presentation when shown on PBS back in 1991, and as I was rereading the book was prompted to play it again. I have probably read this book at least five or six times, since Cather's novels always develop memorable characters. I found the musical and choral additions to be very helpful in understanding the story. I thought the characters were all well cast, particularly that for Marie Shabata. I note that the filmed play is available in VHS form, and I think that anyone who appreciates good literature would enjoy it. I also own a tape of the television production released in 1992, which stars Jessica Lange as Alexandra Bergstrom, and would be hard pressed to recommend one rather than the other.

The Song of the Lark (2001 TV Movie)

The giving of a life to Art

[10/10 · 8 May 2001]

Since I like Willa Cather's writings very much, I was very pleased with this treatment of a portion of the novel. Of course I felt I already knew the main characters: Thea Kronberg, Dr. Archie, Spanish Johnny, etc. The film captured the story of Thea, a Swedish farm girl living in Colorado, who aspires to be a concert pianist but finds her talent really lies in singing. It is said that Willa Cather saw this story as a parallel to her own attempts to achieve success, and how this process finally robbed her of a coventionally normal life. If you like this film, you will love the book.

I'd Climb the Highest Mountain (1951)

A wholesome but exciting and inspirational story of a circuit riding preacher.

[15 April 2001]

This movie was being filmed in the mountains of Cleveland, Georgia, at the time I had just finished high school in Atlanta, and one of my co-workers was from that town. I saw it as it was first released the following year, and enjoyed the beautiful mountain scenery as well as fine acting by Susan Hayward, who later married a Georgian and made her home in Carrollton. The author, Cora Harris, was married to a Methodist circuit riding pastor, and had a good understanding of the trials and triumphs of pastors. I would heartily recommend this film along with "A Man Called Peter" and "One Foot in Heaven" as among the best that Hollywood offered when it sought to inspire better behavior.

Lili (1953)

An enchanting tale of a trusting waif who has her eyes opened

[14 August 2000]

This is one of my all time favorite movies, and I have taken every occasion to see it again after the first time in 1953. Leslie Caron is perfectly cast as the homeless orphan who falls in with a circus troupe and becomes part of their puppet act, only to fall in love with the embittered puppet master. In the end, the lovers get together after Lili (Leslie Caron) gets to display her ballet dancing talents.

Calamity Jane (1953)

A Surprisingly good and underrated musical

[30 June 2000]

I loved this movie when it was first shown, and have had an on-screen love affair with Doris Day since, once missing a day's sleep at Thule, Greenland, to view another of her films at the base theater. More recently, I saw Calamity Jane again with a four year old girl, and she was so captivated with it that I gave her my video, and after she wore it out, gave her another. I understand that this is Doris Day's personal favorite of her films.

A Man Called Peter (1955)

An inspirational movie from the era when films intended to inspire.

[26 February 2000]

I saw this movie as I was being sent overseas, and have loved it since. It tells the story of Rev. Peter Marshall, a young Scottish emigrant to the US, who first pastored in the Atlanta area, married an Agnes Scott College coed, and finally became pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC, and also chaplain of the US Senate. Richard Todd, an Irishman, did a superb job of delivering Marsall's sermons, and Jean Peters was perfectly in character as his wife Carherine.

Night Has a Thousand Eyes (1948)

A Haunting Tale of Suspense

[10/10 · 7 December 1999]

I saw this movie as a 16 year old, and have only seen it once since, but I found it to be a spooky and suspenseful tale. Edward G. Robinson does his usual superb job of acting, and I liked Gail Russell in it very much.

My Antonia (1995 TV Movie)

Follows the novel faithfully.

[16 August 1999]

This dramatization follows the novel faithfully, and is a tribute to its producers and to the cable network who aired it. Although Willa Cather had intended that her works not be filmed, I believe that she would have been proud of this production. Most persons agree that Antonia Shimerda is one of Cather's most memorable heroines. I found the casting for the role of Lena Lingard to be uncannily on target for Jim's sweetheart. Willa Cather stands alone, in my opinion, for her ability to create characters that you not only feel you know, but do not want to give up when you have finished the book. In my case, I choose to re-read them several times.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945)

A wonderful story of the love of a daughter for her father.

[14 March 1999]

This is my favorite movie of all time, since I first saw it in 1945 at age 13. I could identify fully with the heartache of having an alcoholic father, and with the poverty of the Nolan family. I think that James Dunn was far too old for his part, but he nevertheless gave a great performance. Peggy Ann Garner as Francie was truly superb. I loved the realism of the scenes of what urban life used to be like. Betty McDonald wrote several other books, but none reaching the level of this one, and Elia Kazan did a wonderful job of directing.

The Human Comedy (1943)

This movie has haunted me since I first saw it in 1943.

[13 March 1999]

I first saw this movie as an 11 year old in 1943 and have been haunted by it since. I know it is very sentimental, but I am glad that the movie makers in those days tried to inculcate basic human values, even though they may have been a bit unrealistic.

I consider Mickey Rooney a very fine actor, and I have always liked Van Johnson enormously. I liked Frank Morgan's role, having seen him in The Wizard of Oz, and listened to him as "Daddy" in the Baby Snooks radio program.