AlanSKaufman Reviews

The Ring (1996 TV Movie)

The Ring 1996

[10/10 · 24 October 2017]

A profound movie.

A most powerful Holocaust account on film.

An imaginary yet credible formulation of a relationship between members of Teutonic background with Jewish background after the defeat of Hitler.

The ring, a precious German family heirloom, is introduced early in the story, but is put aside until near the drama's end when in a manner that would have taxed Sherlock Holmes, provides the avenue to the resolution.

Perhaps the saddest yet gladdest tale conceived. Its conclusion will have you sobbing in league with all of the surviving characters.

View this masterpiece to recreate your faith in humankind a la a Walt Disney fairy tale.

O. Henry's Full House (1952)

Count Your Blessings

[23 April 2017]

O. Henry was a late 19th and early 20th century short story writer. He was best admired for his twist endings. O. Henry's Full House selected five of his tales to dramatize.

As a kid I watched the film on television, sitting on the couch with my beloved dachshund sleeping in my lap. "The Last Leaf" starring Anne Baxter was absorbing my attention. Tossed into a New York City blizzard by her rejecting lover, she despairingly makes her way to her sister's apartment building in front of which she passes out. How curious that in real life, Baxter would decades later collapse on a city sidewalk and die.

Baxter is helped inside by her sister and a doctor makes a house call. Diagnosing her with pneumonia, he naively believes that due to her young age she will survive. However, the sister knows about the affair yet cannot convince Baxter to forget it. Lying in bed looking through the picture window, noting the leaves dropping from the vines, she declares that when the last leaf has fallen, she will die.

That night the sister and we see two remaining leaves. One blows away and the other is beginning to break off. We all fear the leaf will fall by morning. When dawn comes, there is sunlight behind the curtains, and Baxter demands her sister pull them open. In horrific anticipation, I found myself squirming, startling my poor doggy. To avoid spoiling the scene, I won't reveal what next transpires, but take my word that O. Henry's twists could be quite complex - what you think you see, might not be what really is there.

The last movie segment was based on his most popular "The Gift of the Magi", wherein newlyweds experience their first Christmas Eve together. Even in 1905 there was commercialism demanding that people spend rather than focus on their love for each other. We witness the wife in tears as she sells a precious possession to buy a gift for her beloved. When he comes home he is shocked at what she sold. Then she and we experience shock discovering what he in fact sold to afford his present. Fortunately the pair laugh at what they've done, celebrating the true meaning of the season.

They've learned the priceless lesson that this feature reminds us of - count your blessings.

Life (I) (2017)

Jake 'n' Ryan 'n' Calvin: The Moral of Life

[24 March 2017]

Coincidentally, my buddy and I recently revisited two DVDs, BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN with Jake Gyllenhaal and WOMAN IN GOLD with Ryan Reynolds, so discovering that both gentlemen star together as space station astronauts in the movie LIFE, we checked it out.

Soil is taken from an unmanned vessel returning from Mars, An organism is found. Our world is informed of the discovery and a little girl gives it the name of Calvin from her Calvin Coolidge school. (President Coolidge advocated noninterference in foreign affairs, maybe a noble idea, but contributing to the development of World War II.)

It quickly becomes apparent that Calvin is not benign and begins graphically killing the crew to consume their blood. The being grows larger and more powerful seemingly invulnerable to destruction. I have seen my share of horror movies but this one had me scared as it felt too realistic plus you were connected to the plight of the characters.

Of course, in reality, nothing is more terrifying than people conducting mayhem. In the earlier mentioned films, Jake suffered from homophobia, and Ryan suffered from consequences of the Holocaust. In LIFE, however, we are led to believe that governments have achieved relative peace in their search for extra terrestrial life. Perhaps peace is even harder to fathom than the existence of the life form.

I had read reviews mentioning a twist ending without disclosing any details. So I reflected on possible outcomes. Does Clavin kill all on board, does it invade earth? And what is the mechanism of these events? You also may be drawn into the story especially anticipating the conclusion.

I found the movie edifying. Just as peace can lead to dangerous consequences, so too can unbridled scientific research. This is, pun intended, the moral of LIFE.

Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959)

Gertrude

[14 March 2017]

An unexpected pleasure of the 1959 movie adaption of Jules Verne's Journey to the Center of the Earth was the charming character of Gertrude, the pet duck of Hans, an Icelandic gentleman who joins the adventure. When the group conducts a roll call, he proudly announces Hans and Gertrude Belker as though they are a couple.

The film has many moments of humor including the singing voice of Pat Boone which deflects the dangerous descent into our planet. When the group need choose which way to proceed, Gertrude always senses the correct one. When members find themselves being flooded with water, the duck easily floats on top locating a means to escape.

One feels certain that the good guys will eventually prevail over the bad guys who are trying to unfairly claim credit for the scientific discoveries. Unlike real life where evil can prevail, we expect this work of fiction to be upbeat. And yes, this is what happens, except for one shocking deviation as the movie approaches its grand finale.

Gertrude wanders off again perhaps in search of an escape. The bad guy follows. Soon we see the sickening sight of bloody feathers. The poor creature has been eaten by the villain! How frightening for young viewers as well as any humane adult.

The group learns about this crime and Hans attempts to strangle the murderer, but is stopped by everyone. The wretch tries to flee but is buried by an avalanche of boulders. At least mother nature takes proper revenge.

At the movie's conclusion where the survivors are being honored, Boone's character is wedded, and another couple are engaged, but Hans remains alone. How tragic.

What obviously should have been done is depicting Gertrude easily evading the villain. Killing her off is like killing Lassie! An otherwise fine movie was ruined. I watch the film now only to enjoy Gertrude's early scenes.

Playing for Time (1980 TV Movie)

Vanessa's Best

[10/10 · 6 March 2017]

Playing for Time is based on a true story in Auschwitz. Paradoxically we see no gas chambers because the central character portrayed by Vanessa Redgrave survives by performing in a camp orchestra for the benefit of the camp bosses.

Instead we get an in depth portrayal of "life" in the death camp through the remarkable portrayal of the lead actress. I have never seen a role where Vanessa is not thoroughly convincing in her performance. I must comment on the frequent criticism that in her personal life she holds controversial views. I find this totally irrelevant. In their professional roles, actors are precisely that and we marvel how they can realistically display unimaginable features. Vanessa is the finest of actors and that alone is what must matter.

I recall a holocaust film that focused on naked women being herded into a gas chamber. Ratings determined that many viewers were "turned on" by such a scene. How contemptible! In this film you will not be "turned on" by anything, rather you will feel the horrors of the experience.

One of the creepiest characters is Dr. Mengele. At times almost gently polite, we know that he was one of the most evil camp physicians. As some bosses were busy partying, it was the physicians who selected the victims for immediate death or for merciless medical experimentation. Most doctors escaped punishment after the camp was liberated.

This excellent movie gives you a real taste of the death camp. Even the train ride to the facility is graphic in detail. A powerful film, with a powerful actress who will transport you there and guard you from personal harm.

The Whales of August (1987)

The Wails of Aging

[10/10 · 31 August 2015]

My birthday is in August and this year I had a nice celebration thanks to my roommate. We are both seniors. Aging is difficult due to growing infirmities plus financial concerns, and especially in America the elderly are not liked because the young are terrified of eventually becoming like them.

The Whales of August filmed in 1987 was a swan song for several outstanding performers: Lillian Gish, Bette Davis, Vincent Price. Apart from a brief ecstatic introduction taking place circa 1899, the story occurs during two August days some fifty years later in beautiful coastal Maine. While waiting for the whales to appear, the characters recall happier highlights of their past lives, and struggle to face the sorrow of their last days.

No one commits suicide, and there is some hopeful resignation. The actors act out their all too real feelings. I was in tears at the conclusion, appreciating their contributions and recognizing that all died since filming.

Life is short and tough. This movie offers you a way to share in cherishing the good times and preparing for the end.

Atlas Shrugged: Who Is John Galt? (2014)

Part Three Differs As In Night And Day

[10/10 · 18 March 2015]

There are many movies structured around Utopia. Lost Horizon gave us Shangri-La where Jane Wyatt played the marvelous hostess, and later in Father Knows Best she symbolized the ideal housewife and mother. The Wizard of Oz gave us a land initially wonderful to Judy Garland until she realized she was homesick for Kansas.

In Atlas Shrugged Part Three: Who Is John Galt?, Dagny Taggert's plane crashes in Galt's Gulch, a hidden haven in Colorado where the other inhabitants have been chosen by their leader to create a paradise. Analogizing Atlas the legendary giant holding up the world who shrugs it off after getting no thanks, they have taken their talents away from the ungrateful governments. Dagny finds it heavenly but decides she can't leave behind the battle for Earth. Upon returning she does not remain long, quickly reconciling herself to the world's inevitable demise. After making love with Galt then soon rescuing him from the regime's attempted crucifixion, she heads to the Gulch to live happily ever after.

The fundamental question for these movies is whether perfect societies can actually exist?

In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve violated their Creator's edict and were exiled. They had merely wanted to use their brains for something, so reached for the fruit of the forbidden Tree of Knowledge. But after deportation, were they any different in temperament? Their incestuous children established the human race, which has had a persistently violent history.

The U.S. was founded under Thomas Jefferson's brilliant Declaration of Independence, yet he was a slave holder of black people and nearly exterminated the American Indian. His intelligence did not overcome his racism.

Arthur Koestler postulated Darwin's Evolution leaving us with genes from the savage T-Rex, dooming humanity.

I've read Atlas Shrugged and seen all three movies. In my earlier review of Part One, I demonstrated how that film adaptation contradicted the novel's premise and I felt the actors did not get it. Part Three differs as in night and day. The theme of this feature largely parallels the tome. The actors understand what they are saying and doing.

However, it is your decision if the ideas therein convince you to wish joining Galt's bunch or remain home facing your current circumstances. You may dislike their personalities or believe you wouldn't fit in, assuming they'd even allow you entry. (In the book, admirable Eddie Willers was not admitted, in the movie he is.) If you are attracted by the group's apparent congeniality, consider it a fanciful escape as in Peter Pan or Lost Horizon or Oz.

Otherwise simply turn off your video and may you elsewhere discover a distraction from the travails of life.

The New Lassie (1989–1992)

A Glorious Finale

[10/10 · 27 November 2014]

I grew up with the original Lassie TV program. A person's best friend is a dog. The innocence and love is always heartfelt. The TV series lasted 19 wonderful years. Inasmuch as The New Lassie is its sequel, I need briefly review its predecessor.

We never met Lassie's original owner. However, there were at least four families we witnessed Lassie living with, more if you include change of actors for some characters, plus one season by herself. Viewers of the whole differ over which they preferred.

My favorite was the first: the Miller family with Jeff, his mother Ellen, and his gramps. Others were partial to little Timmy, who before being adopted by Ruth and Paul Martin, lived with Jeff's family. Some liked the various Forest Rangers. When on her own, Lassie felt a bit lonely as did we, but she was discovered by the caring Holden Ranch clan which she and we admired.

But looking at the whole, when it ended it was incomplete. You see, in life, we want to feel we've completed a process, sometimes returning to our roots. In the case of Lassie, that meant reuniting with Jeff Miller. (Lassie's character was portrayed by different collies over the course of the series, but was supposedly the same ageless dog throughout.)

The New Lassie premiered in 1989. The beginning of each episode reprises the famous whistle of the Martin saga, then updates to a truly haunting piece of music highlighting a cast including Jon Provost, the now adult Timmy staying with the McColloughs. It takes over two years to reach the finale, where both Timmy and Lassie reunite with their long lost friend, Jeff, replayed by Tommy Rettig. (In this program, Lassie is a descendant of the first series canine appearing to have similar memories.) I can only surmise that Tommy felt elated returning to his TV series roots. The actor passed away only a few years later, at least having experienced the chance to do so.

One hopes that the entire Lassie and The New Lassie series will be transferred to DVD, rather than searching channels to find an occasional episode. Comparing the beautiful music and stories of each segment of Lassie together with The New Lassie would constitute an inspirational journey.

I'm writing this on Thanksgiving Day 2014, thankful for the opportunity to express these thoughts and feelings.

On the Beach (1959)

For Many, The World Has Already Ended

[10/10 · 24 September 2013]

My buddy did not want to watch with me my DVD of the 1959 film On the Beach, because it is a depressing end of the world drama, as absolutely no one survives a third world war, yes, humanity is extinguished.

Yet in essence, upon death, the world ends for many people every day. Before you pass on you may provide for remaining friends or family, and you feel consoled by anticipating their remembrance of you. Except you simultaneously realize that eventually they will all die too, and memories will fade among their descendants.

Look at world history - countless civilizations have been eliminated although monuments and numerous artifacts are extant. The movie merely speeds up this process because all remaining life soon perishes, so no one is left to take notice of these losses.

Succeeding motion pictures have depicted world wide cataclysms where select individuals endure. On the Beach distinguishes itself by sparing us violent death scenes, while recognizing our mutual fate is to finally give up the ghost. Rather than loot or savage others, most people faced their own demise privately by reflecting on the meaning of one's life. This is not defeatist: when dying from an incurable disease such as radioactive poisoning, you must prepare for departure.

I found myself contemplating how lead actors Gregory Peck and Ava Gardner have in real life died, so fiction became fact since their personal world actually did expire. This is the root of the sorrow I felt, and why On the Beach is paradoxically an authentic characterization, despite we the living temporarily overcoming its premise of annihilation. Sorrow is also a cause for belief in a Supreme Being who we desperately wish to save us. In the film, worshipers and non-worshipers alike fall, paralleling what occurs in reality. But if you maintain faith in an afterlife, take comfort as your being on earth concludes.

On the Beach provides an invaluable commentary on our tenuous existence in this sometimes wonderful but always deadly world that sooner or later will end for all of us.

Reunion (1989)

A Haunting Epitaph for Idyllic Friendship

[29 September 2012]

The Holocaust is so shocking that perhaps a more appropriate way to comprehend its import is to focus on the time just before it happened. Cabaret is one such film, however its highly entertaining music detracts attention from the story characters. A better fit is the 1989 movie Reunion, which lavishly illustrates the threat to Germany's beautiful scenery, intellectual heritage, and setting for a rare and idyllic friendship.

In a 1932 German boy's school, Hans meets new student Konradin. Gradually becoming best friends, they admit having no other friends. Yes, as Hans is Jewish and Konradin a Count, others might be deterred from approaching them, but the pair possesses a mutual chemistry that exclusively draws each other.

Exquisite actors convincingly depict the depth of their friendship as they walk to school, camp overnight at breathtaking sites, swim, eat, and endlessly converse on numerous subjects. A fascinating pleasure to behold, you feel as if you are participating with them.

But your participation forces you to experience the negative consequences impacting their lives. Several children, neighbors of Hans, die in a fire. Hans is angry at God and believes that if He exists, He is a monster for letting innocents burn to death. We recognize this as merely a taste of the forthcoming Holocaust.

Friction arises when Hans learns that his friend's parents are supporters of Hitler. Konradin himself is being drawn into the movement though he rationalizes that an exception will be made for good Jews like Hans. Hans knows better. As his parents send him to America, the two friends awkwardly depart company. Thus ironically Hans escapes the Nazis while the fate of his former buddy remains unknown to him. Hans spends decades unable to forget, finally returning to Germany seeking a reunion.

I discovered months ago the 1971 Reunion novella crafted by English painter Fred Uhlman, published in 1977 with Arthur Koestler's introduction. I then acquired the film available only on VHS. Let me quote from the book's opening paragraphs, "I can remember the day and the hour when I first set my eyes on this boy who was to be the source of my greatest happiness and of my greatest despair." The book and movie are clearly complementary.

In both vehicles, the account abruptly ends after Hans determines Konradin's whereabouts. Emotionally, you will find yourself left in a vacuum, literally gasping for air. A haunting epitaph for the Holocaust, a haunting epitaph for the idyllic friendship in Reunion.

Friday the 13th: The Series (1987–1990)

A Palpable Sense Of Loss

[29 January 2012]

Ryan at ten years of age loved his kid brother. One day as they played ball, Ryan tossed it clumsily, so his brother in struggling to catch it, ran into the street where he was fatally struck by a car. Their mother witnessed the whole thing. Blaming Ryan, she abandoned him, and he did not hear from her until several decades later. An awkward reunion, Ryan tried to be polite but was confused by his memories. Could they forgive each other?

During 1987-90 I watched every TV episode of Friday the 13th the Series. The two cousins, Ryan and Micki, had inherited their wicked uncle's antique shop. They discovered that most sold objects were cursed by the devil and the duo had to recapture the objects as they were used for murder and mayhem.

The show had many powerful elements: mystery, adventure, moral conflicts. The horrible deeds were filmed in such a way that the focus was on the evil intent, not on the gory result. Most important was the acting of the two leads. They were young and physically healthy, and needed to remind themselves that they deserved moments of rest and relaxation. But even here, the writers handled it just right. Ryan was understandably attracted to his beautiful cousin, but she steadfastly said no. They were close friends and close cousins, and those boundaries were never to be crossed. Respectful of each other, Ryan and Micki became emotionally closer than many couples.

Fascinated by this pair, you were often on the edge of your seat in concern for any predicament they were in, notwithstanding your confidence that somehow they'd escape the dilemma. Unfortunately, as the second season neared completion, word grew that the actor portraying Ryan was leaving the series to move on to other projects. Initially, his character's fate was to be the climax of the season, but it was brilliantly decided to place this feature as the premiere of the third season. As a ratings technique, it clearly worked. You waited impatiently throughout the summer for the opening episode, fearing that Ryan would not survive this installment. The tension was overbearing. When the show aired, you were in tears the whole time.

Micki and Ryan are called to France on an urgent mission, and at the airport, Ryan says goodbye to his mother, assuring her that he will return. You sensed this was the last time they would see each other, but you were not quite correct, as demonstrated by the amazing twist ending. As this riveting story progresses, Ryan gets taken over by a demon, kills a nun, and after escaping the police momentarily regains his free will, sobbing profusely over what he has done. You the viewer sob even harder over his agony. In an incredible depiction, as Ryan is about to be turned into a child so his body can be occupied by Satan himself, Ryan relives the death of his brother and asks for forgiveness. Ultimately, the Virgin Mary removes the demon from Ryan, leaving him as a child the same age as when his brother had died.

Ryan does not remember any of his adulthood. Taken back to America, he recognizes his mother, despite looking older to him. She is stunned to find him as a child, but realizes that a miracle has occurred. She and he are reunited to make up for their missing years. Micki witnesses this reunion and we are reduced to even more tears.

The season attempted to carry on. Micki had a friend helping her collect the cursed objects. There were two problems proving fatal for the series. First, without Ryan the show stumbled along no matter how clever the scripts, since ultimately the anchor had been the unique relationship of Ryan and Micki. Second, with direct Divine intervention having deterred the devil, a weekly pursuit of cursed objects became pale by comparison. Thus the season's end was the series' end, with an especially fine final performance by the actress playing Micki. You have the advantage of hindsight, recognizing that Ryan's transformation should have been the series finale. Then ask yourself some questions: would you really want to revert to childhood, and without memories of your adulthood, would you do anything differently? At least Ryan's mother knew his adult history and she'd try furnishing him with a reconciling path towards his new future.

The Series provided so much of value that its absence is a palpable sense of loss. To reduce our sense of loss, we recall its past and practice the lessons it imparts.

Atlas Shrugged: Part I (2011)

Atlas Shrugged Years Ago

[1/10 · 29 August 2011]

The title of Ayn Rand's novel Atlas Shrugged analogizes the legendary giant holding up the world, who finally tiring at receiving no thanks, decides to shrug. My eyes are tearing as I report that while retaining the book's name, the movie shrugs its intricate underlying story and moral teachings.

Published in 1957, the opus largely transpires in a not too distant future. Describing the ruination of the '50's culture of hope and prosperity due to the welfare state forcing people making a living to pay for those too lazy to work, John Galt leads the best minds to cease contributing their time and talents, thereby causing the country's collapse.

The author was prophetic. Although Galt was fictitious, the railroads, the mills, the family farms have since disappeared, joining other productive jobs now overseas. Doctors no longer make house calls: the true cause of our health care crisis. Atlas Shrugged years ago, the novel standing as a history lesson needing to be understood if humankind is to recover.

The movie ignores that history, commencing five years from the stagnant present day, the railroad and mills incomprehensibly restored. We're fed merely flashes of newspaper reports on the bad economy with no comparison to America's glorious days.

In contrast, the novel opens with Eddie observing specifics of decay as he walks New York City streets. The scene shifts to his railroad boss Dagny experiencing first hand the circumstances ordinary folks endure as she rides a train stopping from negligence. Later, we're presented the essential backstory of Eddie and Dagny growing up together, how their past shaped their present. Context, focus, and drama, so frustratingly absent from the motion picture.

In this feature, hero Hank looks Hollywood handsome and initially seems more upright than today's crooked businessman in bed with politicians. Except noble Hank literally beds rival Dagny who displays a mindless grin after their tepid sex. Dagny's earlier relationship with Francisco in the novel is richly complex, although in the film he's a nitwit, so I guess it doesn't take much from Hank to satisfy her. Oh, by the way, Hank's cheating on his faithful wife Lillian. Missing is novel Hank's guilt and struggle over his affair with Dagny. You see, back in the book's time, it was wrong to violate one's marriage. Today it's common behavior, so the movie, yes, I'll say it, shrugs this immorality and its consequences. (I'm a Hitchcock fan, and had he been director, I imagine he'd have had Hank take a shower. . .)

In the novel, Dagny's brother James is a villain who drives his wife Cherryl to suicide. The film does not reference her. Indeed, James is portrayed as a nice guy over his head as chief: he's bullied by his powerful sister, his subordinate. Ergo, Dagny and Hank are painted hedonistically, their suffering victims being James and Lillian.

John Galt in the novel is a man of mystery and integrity. On screen he becomes a shady figure in a ponzi scheme luring people with promises of higher profits derived from later investors.

The film abruptly halts. Parts two and three depend upon ticket sales. On opening weekend, I attended a nice theatre in a nice suburb with a tiny audience most of whom fell asleep. The online rave reviews came from book admirers desperately reading into the movie the countless pieces lacking. In the tome, Dagny and Hank wouldn't hurry a project to finish on time, they'd do it right or not at all. Whereas the movie makers failed to practice what they ineptly preached as they apparently rushed through this mess to meet a completion deadline.

The novel's concluding chapter is entitled "In The Name Of The Best Within Us." An authentic version of Atlas Shrugged could be filmed by someone who hasn't shrugged. Perchance, kind reader, how about you?

The Outer Limits: Fun and Games (1964) Season 1, Episode 27

A Haunting Sensation: "Fun and Games"

[15 July 2011]

Late at night, city lights and sounds penetrate an apartment building hallway through a broken window around which curtains are flapping. This scene concludes the 1964 episode titled "Fun and Games" from the 1963-65 TV show "The Outer Limits", the haunting sensation facilitated by eerie music from the series.

We've watched a man and woman selected from that building participate in a contest on another planet with two alien beings, the losers' world to be destroyed. We expected the earthlings' triumph and our Earth indeed survives. But how they win is more a complex study of their emotional states than the action filled thrillers common today.

Indeed, that is how you are able to relate to this story. In a typical adventure the viewer needs be as physically strong as the participants, otherwise, do you of moderate strength really share in their performance? Probably not, and only if they are of average ability as here may you psychologically partake in and learn the lessons they do.

Shortly before the conclusion, the woman is told that when returned home she will not remember any details, but will retain the emotions experienced to help in her resumed life. You see, preparing for battle, she had to consider reasons to risk death for humanity, was she a hero or a cheerleader, what past events made her the person she was. For many of us, these are merely abstract ideas but in this tale they become concrete.

Let's return to the wind blown curtain finale. Contemplate reading about it above, especially if you hadn't seen the film, thus not knowing who broke the glass or why. Did you have abstract feelings such as the curtains are uncontrollable, life is as breakable as glass, the darkness is frightening in its unknown, and the haunting sensation is foreboding? Having observed the film, your feelings become concrete, such as simply drawing the curtains, life and broken glass can both be cleaned up, the darkness isn't frightening once you understand what's out there, and the haunting sensation is a stirring reminder of how your insight has grown.

To paraphrase the program's theme of returning control of your TV set, let me return you to your own realm having acquired knowledge through this article.

Touched by an Angel (1994–2003)

"Death Came On Friday, Life On Sunday, But There Was A Long Very Hard Day In Between"

[28 June 2011]

The title of my review reflects a pivotal scene in the series finale of Touched By An Angel. Monica has served nine years as an angel case worker. Being evaluated for promotion to supervisor, she's given her toughest assignment in a small town where before Easter most children had died in a school explosion. Talking with the pastor of the local church subsequently abandoned by everyone, she tearfully describes the holiday in the above quote. The pastor replies that "all of us are stuck here on Saturday, aren't we?"

The paradox about the series is that despite literally presenting the existence of God and His helpers, the show was watched faithfully by nonbelievers. Each week the angels were dispatched in human form as a nurse, or a teacher, or a carpenter, or a friendly neighbor to assist in an illness, poverty, loneliness. Invariably the angel as human would fail to resolve the problem so they would finally reveal their true nature by glowing, and inform the suffering person that God loves them. At this point, numerous viewers broke into tears.

It's been said that life is tough and then you die. Thus countless people desperately want to believe in a loving God that will reward them in Heaven. The show dispensed with theological downsides, namely questioning why a loving Being would allow hardship before reaching that Heaven. Each week one was so wrapped up in the realistic portrayals of suffering that one was enraptured by the happy conclusion.

Cynics hated the sugary treatment and even some believers thought it too simplistic, especially the suicide episodes. A person pointing a gun to their head or standing over a cliff was asked by a glowing angel to put down the gun or step back from the cliff because God wanted them to live. Viewers protested that a friend or relative had killed themselves so where was their angel? The writers answered with a story where a man puts his gun down, so the joyous angel departs, except afterward hears a gunshot. Both the angel and the man's family are angry at God, but they learn the lesson that people possess free will and not even God can change their behavior.

The finale was all the more blunt, precisely playing upon the emotions of long time viewers trying to handle the show ending its weekly uplift. In this two part episode held over two nights, we were given time to absorb the fact that due to her promotion, Monica was going to be separated from her beloved teacher Tess. Consequently, she'd face the same grief as the viewers. That was the ultimate secret of the show - tapping into and sharing one's deepest feelings. True, clever preachers do that, but viewers felt the writers and actors on the show sincerely believed in their message.

Sadly, the finale mirrored life too well. Monica and Tess are indeed gone. Perhaps you have experienced brief encounters with people who appear "angelic" - such as a benevolent stranger offering a kind word or deed. But they disappear and you are left only with memories.

To refresh those memories, I repeatedly watch the finale on DVD. As with all good art, it provides an escape from life's Fridays and Saturdays. If you are fortunate enough to actually experience Sundays, consider yourself truly blessed, that is, touched by an angel.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008)

Two Little Boys Holding Hands Symbolize Salvation

[10/10 · 26 December 2010]

Perhaps a friend or boss or significant other tells you a lie, betrays your confidence, physically abuses you. To escape from your disillusionment with humanity, you wish to see an inspirational movie. How about an adventure where there's a hero determined to avenge the exploited like yourself?

This is the subject matter of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. In Nazi occupied Europe, eight year old Bruno, son of a death camp commander, meets a boy, Shmuel, and becomes his friend. Bruno discovers he's Jewish and betrays him. Overwhelmed by guilt, Bruno attempts to help his friend but winds up with him in a gas chamber, the two little boys holding hands as they die.

Whew! The incredulity disturbs many, for despite millennia of recorded human indignity, there is something incomprehensibly evil about the Holocaust. In contrast, there is something incomprehensibly good about this film. I watched the DVD during Christmas, the holiday commemorating the birthday of a Jew who died trying to save the world for Gentiles. Inversely Christlike, Bruno is a Gentile who dies trying to save the world for Jews.

Critics complain that Bruno's story is pure fiction. Nevertheless, real life heroes do exist. Miep Gies tried to save Anne Frank. Miep and Anne live on in our consciousness. Though their sacrifice hasn't significantly improved the world, neither did Christ's sacrifice.

Perhaps, then, your disillusionment with humanity will be alleviated as you envision two little boys holding hands symbolize salvation.

Madame X (1966)

A Catharsis For Living

[10/10 · 15 April 2010]

Life is tough, then you die. That old saying forms the foundation of the film Madame X whose popularity suffers because we don't like sad features. Yet this overwhelming tale will haunt you forever.

The original 1966 trailer, the packaging on the 2008 DVD, and the opening credits give away a supposedly major surprise at the concluding portion of this swiftly moving melodrama. We learn that Lana Turner's character Holly will stand trial for murdering a man, and her lawyer is none other than the grown son she was forced to abandon when he was a young child. She becomes Madame X to hide from the sins of her past.

There is a reason for this early revelation to the viewers. Holly initially doesn't know his adult identity and he is unaware of hers. Learning who he is, she is understandably shocked. Since we already know the truth, we are able to fully focus on her mental state instead of withdrawing into our own inner feelings.

The trial was filmed during the heart of the civil rights battle. Despite Holly and the deceased and the jurors all being white, her attorney employs an argument favored during that time - jury nullification, meaning that a person should be acquitted even though technically breaking the law, if a higher purpose is served. He justifies her killing the man not in self defense, because the man was blackmailing her and threatening the welfare of her son. This is analogous to a battered housewife killing her tormentor while he sleeps, not legal, but nevertheless legitimate in the eyes of many citizens.

We never learn the verdict because Holly dies before it is delivered. We the viewer are again free to fully focus on her death as she, in the arms of her son, comes to grips with what had happened in her life. Her last prerogative is to remain Madame X so he will not inherit her sins. In his heart, he knows she is his mother.

You cry buckets of tears, not precisely for this fictional character, rather "in the name of the best within us" as Ayn Rand described in her novel Atlas Shrugged. There, Cherryl Taggart, a shop girl struggling to do the right thing, got in over her head and drowned herself. Holly was also a shop girl struggling to do the right thing, got in over her head and drank herself to death.

In addition to Turner, fine performances are rendered by John Forsythe, Constance Bennett, Ricardo Montalban, Burgess Meredith, and Keir Dullea. Madame X offers exquisite theme music, delivers much food for thought, and can provide you a catharsis more valuable than numerous psychiatric sessions.

You'll be grateful for this fabulous film.

Cake Boss (2009– )

The Way To Your Heart Is Through Your Stomach!

[8/10 · 2 April 2010]

A Bride, A Boat, and Bamboozled! That's the descriptive title of the very first episode of the TV series Cake Boss, the saga of Carlo's Bake Shop in Hoboken, New Jersey. Witness the assembly of three last minute wedding cakes for a magazine display offering wonderful publicity, and experience an extravagant boat cake for a mysterious birthday person turning out to be the boss himself bamboozled by his staff into designing it at his own expense!

The egotistical yet lovable thirty something boss is Buddy whose pace appears frenetic, but there's a method to his madness. I briefly worked as a caterer's assistant and it was non-stop action keeping up with customers' demands. Buddy reacts swiftly, continuously explaining and demonstrating his thought processes both in preparing goods and in managing his team.

However, the voluminous information and complex proceedings may prove overwhelming, potentially spoiling your delight of the delicious products. I discovered the best way to watch this program is to purchase the DVD and generously use your player's slow motion, freeze frame, and rewind features. By absorbing things at your own stride, you can better view the delicate construction of the cake making process and contemplate the exquisite detail of the beautiful results.

Let your mouth drool at the entirely edible boat cake: the water is made from crystal blue piping gel, and the sculptured bait box, tackle box, cooler, and fisherman are fashioned out of modeling chocolate. Eating a sample gives a new meaning to the expression taking in a work of art!

Most employees are Buddy's relatives and although feuds are frequent, it's all in the family, so he and his actually live with the consequences and mutually repair the damage.

Thus Cake Boss is more than a fabulous food show, it's also a cliff-hanging melodrama. Such a deal - two invaluable gems for the price of one. You'll positively hunger for later installments. Wait 'til you see the fire department drive their engine and truck to the bakery for photographs to more accurately create a fire scene cake where the realistic looking smoke cleverly consists of water vapor. And see how Buddy gets even with the delivery guy who messes up an especially gorgeous cake - don't worry, the fix is accomplished in a good clean fun way, I almost envied the guy, but he learns his lesson!

Bon appetite!

A Single Man (2009)

Life and Its Suffering Do Go On

[10/10 · 20 January 2010]

Loneliness and loss frame the movie A Single Man. George's life partner Jim dies in a car accident. George has lost his world and contemplates suicide while everyone around him is fearful that their world will end, too, during the 1962 Cuban missile crisis.

George's flashbacks with Jim focus on their personalities, rather than on their sex, unlike so many other movies of today, where "making love" predominates "love". Yet the emphasis centers on their good times together - almost too good to be true. Herein lies a paradox, because if it really was so, then George had a better life than most of us, and frankly, it's difficult to feel too sorry for him. Get on with your life, buddy, and be thankful for what you had!

On the other hand, after an emotionally arousing but apparently nonsexual encounter with Kenny (here again the theme of love versus making love), George puts away his gun and burns his letters of goodbye, only to then suffer a fatal heart attack. In his dying moments he reunites with his beloved Jim, but we can only speculate whether it's merely reveries or authentic life after death. The credits roll at this point, so we need also wonder about Kenny's state of mind when he finds George's body. Life and its suffering do go on.

The film's advertising is slightly misleading in that George is shown lying next to Charley, his woman friend with whom he had a past relationship. Sure, this is designed to attract straight viewers, but anyone hungry for psychologically rather than sexually mature scenes between a man and woman will find it here.

We are born single and usually die alone. A Single Man dramatizes our loneliness in a powerful and literally haunting way. I seriously recommend watching this film alone to let it capture you in its rumination.

Clutch Cargo (1959–1960)

Your Best Friend, Clutch Cargo

[10/10 · 31 July 2009]

Aristotle argued that good and bad art can be objectively distinguished. But there's an alternative saying that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. In the end, your love for something or someone overrides their objective qualities.

Thus my feelings about the Clutch Cargo series are not swayed by criticisms that the artwork or animation is simplistic or strange. As I first watched Clutch in my childhood days, perhaps my mind was imprinted with an indelibly favorable impression.

Clutch is a powerful hero, yet down to earth. A tremendously nice guy, he'd risk his life to save a stranger. He attracts the ladies, but if anything is going on, he's totally discrete - never any boasting or flaunting on his part. Clutch deeply cares for his ward Spinner, who doesn't need to attend formal school as his guardian is an excellent instructor.

There is some similarity to Batman and Robin, except those two faced great emotional upheavals sometimes in conflict with each other. This torment is absent from Clutch and family.

Adventure awaits at every juncture, villains are defeated, good people prevail. Each episode contains five chapters, the first four cliffhangers, the finale upbeat. A total of 52 episodes are exactly enough to last a year without repetition. The bongo beat of the musical theme is hypnotic. Paddlefoot, coincidentally for me a dachshund, is reminiscent of my beloved childhood pooch.

I'm haunted by the expression you can't go home again. But Clutch takes you very close. When you're overwhelmed by the world's madness and by your personal travails including invincible aging, you can seek timeless escape and solace by turning to Clutch Cargo, your best friend.

The Ugly Truth (2009)

The Truth Is Truly Ugly

[31 July 2009]

I chose to view The Ugly Truth for two reasons.

First, I had last seen the star, Katherine Heigl, in a remarkable 2002 Twilight Zone episode, Cradle of Darkness. She's from the future sent on a one way trip back in time to the year of Hitler's birth where she's to try killing the baby. She gives a riveting performance, ending with a shocking twist. I naturally wondered how she'd do in a comedy.

Second, the title of her new movie intrigued me. The truth is seldom told precisely because it is ugly, hence unpopular. Many people prefer comforting lies from movies, politicians, and dates. It would be refreshing to have a film uphold a principle regardless of its consequences.

Paradoxically, while discovering the movie rewarding on both counts, the truth was so ugly that I don't wish to see it again, and can better appreciate Katherine's fine acting skills in her earlier performance.

Here's a succinct summary: The male lead portrays a sexist pig believing that men want only one thing, and women who romanticize for something more are losers. Katherine plays a modern woman with old fashioned virtues, finally meeting a nice guy. The sexist pig, confident she'll fail, offers to help her get a date with the guy. However, when she appears to be heading towards a relationship, the pig gets jealous, so he makes an R rated pass at her in an elevator. The result? She coldly dumps the nice guy because she found the sexist pig sexier. The movie concludes with an even stronger R rated scene of our heroine in bed with the pig.

Disgusting, yes, but true to life, isn't it? Just look in your own mirror. If you're a nice guy, you've probably finished last. If you're a romantically inclined woman, you're probably pining away. And if you're a happy couple, well, please spare your lonely neighbors your X rated chatter, and watch out, 'cause the sexual excitement will diminish and you'll cheat on each other seeking fresh conquests!

Star Trek (2009)

Tears Of Remembrance, Tears Of Sorrow

[5/10 · 9 May 2009]

Reviewing a remake is always tricky because the new feature can never stand alone, rather it is invariably compared to the original. The new Star Trek movie tries to avoid this dilemma by utilizing the old time warp theme. History is rewritten including the details of how Captain Kirk joined his crew.

The problem isn't so much the story, rather it's the new actors playing the old roles. Don't get me wrong, they all tried hard. Some, especially the new Spock, Doc Bones, and Scotty were downright good imitations, but they were still fakes. Poor Spock, I mean the poor actor, at the denouement he meets up with his future self, played by Leonard Nimoy, the one and only Spock, and is put to embarrassing shame by comparison.

In the TV saga, the Next Generation was the start of new actors portraying new characters carrying on the tradition. Instead of a remake, why couldn't this movie have been like that?

Sure, there were moments in the film when tears formed in my eyes as I recalled the glory days of the original series. But the tears of remembrance merged with tears of sorrow because you can't go home again. Even DVDs of old episodes don't quite bring back the joy of experiencing them for the first time. But contemplating those remarkable old episodes is more satisfying than watching people here play dress up.

Superman Returns (2006)

Light Of The World

[7/10 · 21 January 2009]

As a youngster, I longed for the Messiah who would rescue us from sickness and sorrow. In the Jewish belief, he'll come eventually. In the Christian perspective, He's come and gone, promising to return one day. Reluctantly, I found neither prospect satisfying, feeling that thousands of years of waiting had passed in vain.

Reading comic books, I discovered that Superman ran circles around Jesus. The latter walked on a shallow body of water calming a small storm, healed a few lives, and chose not to combat his tormentors. The former, however, leaps off tall buildings changing the course of mighty rivers, saves millions of lives, and fights a never ending battle for truth and justice.

Superman was originated by Jewish writers giving him an Hebraic name, Kal-El, cast in a Mosaic role as a stranger from planet Krypton adopted by the loving Kent family. His legend gradually grew messianic, the quasi-Christian foundation firmly established in Superman Returns which frequently labels him "savior".

The film states it openly: Marlon Brando's voice of Jor-El, Superman's father, announces that he has sent his only son to show humanity the light of the world. Critical to the movie's premise is that Jor-El's son parallel God's Son. Frankly, most Biblical movies fail in presenting Jesus Himself as Christlike, because it's so difficult for a performer to portray such an exalted symbol of goodness. The 1959 Ben-Hur approaches the closest. Never showing the face of Jesus, we witness His roughened carpenter's hands caressing the thirsty Charlton Heston. This lovingkindness, central to Christ's essence, is brazenly absent from many professed Christians, especially politicians.

Behold, in comparison, Christlike characteristics exuding from actor Brandon Routh's interpretation, described by director Bryan Singer as "radiant". This Man of Steel, possessing incalculable strengths, exhibits a tenderness, a sweetness, a kindness so rare in men that detractors dismiss him as gay. But a man's expression of heartfelt love as opposed to "making love" is not a matter of sexual preference. When Kal-El lifts Lois Lane skyward, figuratively ascending towards Heaven, his solace transcends anything sexual. Be honest with yourself, whatever your gender or orientation, don't you wish for this heavenly figure's embrace?

(And we mustn't assume that Jason, the revealed son of Superman, is the result of ungodly fornication: both he and Kal-El, like Jesus, may have been conceived without sexual union. We are simply unaware how procreation is achieved by Kryptonians.)

Jesus was divine but also human, experiencing suffering. Superman suffers mentally, primarily loneliness, and his physical invulnerability lessens upon exposure to rays of deadly kryptonite. Humanizing the Super Being facilitates identification between him and us.

Unfortunately, although The Passion of the Christ film blatantly reminded audiences that Jesus was brutally beaten, it ineffectively communicated the underlying passion (forgive the pun) of the beating. Romans did not believe Jesus was divine, He was merely a troublesome Jew, not a unique personality. Thus there is a mechanical tone to the horror: in today's violent culture it's equivalent to watching the terrors of war on TV as one eats dinner.

In contrast, the savage pummeling of Superman by Luthor and his henchmen is intimately personal, so shocking and repulsive that most critics are bereft of comment. Try looking closely (if you're able: my eyes were flooded with tears) and perceive how the men grab at Superman's head and face, how they manhandle the remainder of his body, how Luther mounts him before piercing his side with a kryptonite shard. My God, this is more than mauling, this is sexual assault, this is the virtual rape of a man. Ironically, the PG13 rating, forbidding explicit depictions, adds to the intensity of the scene. Recall the Psycho shower where no knife was in fact shown penetrating skin, yet is more graphic than gross slasher flicks.

Equally disturbing is that Superman, admittedly severely weakened, sobs in anguish while not even attempting to resist. His turning the other cheek is, realistically, the trauma of infinite indignity paralyzing him, similar to other rape victims. Some detractors again classify his behavior as gay. If so, they should level the same accusation against Jesus who submitted because of his Father's will.

Despite mortal wounds, Superman saves the world from Luther's menace, subsequently falling to earth arms stretched outward. (In other words, unlike Jesus, Superman "comes down the cross" to rectify wrongs.) Succumbing to his injuries, Superman dies (actually recuperative Kryptonian suspended animation) and later resurrects. Resolved is the conflict fashioned at the movie's beginning: unsuccessfully searching five years for his biological home Krypton, he had returned to his adopted home Earth, apologizing profusely for abandoning us. This messiah will stay, at least for movie sequels.

Religious authorities, of course, have ready responses differentiating the two saviors. Superman is fiction whereas they claim God is real. Christ came not to impress us with His powers, but to die for our sins so believers could attain eternal afterlife in Heaven. Since the date of His return is unknown, we shouldn't wait for His reappearance, instead focus on living virtuously, spreading His Word. As for rampant evil on earth, it's God's will to test our mettle. He does allow moments of doubt and anger for seeming to have forsaken our plight.

After years of reflection, I'm still longing for the Messiah but I recognize this: look up in the sky and you'll see birds and planes but no Superman. Rather, observe the miracle of creation, something science cannot adequately explain. The mystery of life furnishes hope that someday our earth may indeed be saved by a super visitor.

Thus the allegory of Superman has shown us the Light Of The World, Jor-El's prophecy fulfilled.

Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009)

Paul Blart Outshines Forgetting Sarah Marshall

[19 January 2009]

As a frequent movie goer, I saw several previews for Paul Blart: Mall Cop. I found myself drawn to Paul because like me, he's a nice guy without the best social skills. He takes his job too seriously, as I did. Lastly, he suffers from hypoglycemia, which can cloud your mind, and I, an insulin dependent diabetic, also suffer from bouts with low blood sugar. Paul was struggling to do the right thing, and through a series of comedic events, he appeared to be succeeding. Thus I looked forward to enjoying the film laughing at myself while laughing with Paul.

Unfortunately, the previews left out a major aspect of his life presented in the actual film. Early on we see him at home with both his daughter from a failed marriage and his mother. They're commiserating about his lonely single life. Critics say this is not a funny sequence, indeed, I don't believe it's supposed to be. Here too, I identified with Paul because as an aging single, I face similar difficulties. But wait! Since Mall Cop is supposed to be a comedy, how is this resolved?

Not very decently, I'm afraid. He reports to work determined to find a girl. He sure does, of course, and she's a young, pretty kiosk attendant named Amy. You might suspect her charm and friendliness are part of her job. Oh, you needn't worry, this is a movie, so naturally she returns his attraction. Paul's exaggerated body language suggests he's interested in just one thing, which I dismissed as due to his low blood sugar, but what's her excuse? We quickly learn. Her current boyfriend is an obnoxious jerk, but his build is almost as large as Paul's. Before I say more, let's compare a somewhat similar context in Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

That film received plenty of attention because as Sarah was dumping Peter, his towel slipped off, and the camera revealed full frontal nudity. Viewers questioned the purpose of the scene. Well, practically speaking, it was designed to pull those viewers into the audience, however in the story, Peter, a nice guy who's socially inept, was demonstrating to Sarah and the rest of us that he at least possesses the "equipment" Sarah desired. The paradox was that Peter, although wanting something more from a relationship, let his gonads overrule his judgment. Yeah, Peter like Paul, except during Paul's PG mall adventure, we'd anticipate no indiscreet revelation.

Okay, back to Amy. I ask your forgiveness for my commenting that she's solely interested in what's below a man's waist and since Paul is overall bigger, she imagines his equipment is bigger. While I'm sure the actress herself is a wonderful human being, the script clearly shafts her character.

The movie belatedly arrives at the major interaction developed in the previews, namely, the mall taken over by a gang, and Paul is trapped inside forced to defend good over evil. Incredibly, we witness a plot deviation where Paul has an escape route and is ordered to evacuate with everyone else. He proceeds to the parking lot, sees Amy's car, and figures she's still inside. He returns to the mall foolhardily to try rescuing her and while he's there, he might as well rescue the other hostages. His capture of the villains is not remotely believable or even entertaining. Thankfully, there was a humorous scene straight out of the previews, where Paul thinks he's gravely injured and slowly rolls up his sleeve, disclosing only a minuscule scratch to which he affixes a children's bandage.

When the siege ends, he kisses his beloved, and admittedly it's cute. I mean, I had attended the showing because I liked Paul from the previews, and despite my disappointment, maybe I was having second thoughts. Also I was munching a candy bar 'cause my blood sugar was low and I was getting foggy and sentimental.

The credits began to roll, and to my delight, included the only images making me burst out laughing! Paul and Amy are being married! I then fantasied that they had saved themselves for their wedding night. Amy will finally discover if she was correct about Paul's size! Perhaps the DVD will include an unrated version where we can all look on. In this scenario, I'd bet Paul Blart: Mall Cop outshines Forgetting Sarah Marshall!

Doubt (I) (2008)

No Doubt About It

[12 December 2008]

Many people stay in abusive relationships because by being hurt they're getting some form of attention.

The mother of the boy in the movie Doubt uses such an excuse to justify supporting the priest accused of molesting her child. Inasmuch as her husband routinely beats their son (which mom does nothing to stop), she believes the kid at least receives some kindly attention from the priest.

You want to cry over her and the plight of the world that allows unremitting evil. It's the only scene where one feels this way. Paradoxically, Doubt is too successful in its premise as it otherwise leaves one saddled with doubt as to guilt or innocence and the lead actors behave so ambiguously as to appear amorphous.

Even the youngster gives no clue as to what if anything is going on. Alright, we thankfully are spared actually witnessing his being pummeled or possibly being seduced, but with absolutely nothing dramatized his performance comes across as indifferently as most others.

Yet I wish to stress the value of the film. If life is filled with doubt, if you can't believe anything anyone says, if nobody seems motivated by righteousness, well, Doubt gives a compelling confirmation. God help us all.

Window on Main Street (1961–1962)

A Window Of Hope

[10/10 · 12 November 2008]

When the DVD of Father Knows Best Season One came out, I hesitated to purchase it. You see, I most remembered Robert Young as Marcus Welby the super doctor but he was so unlike a real doctor that it seemed pure fantasy. I vaguely recalled scenes from his being the super dad but he was so unlike my father that I couldn't identify. Yet having an interest in early TV shows presenting a morally upright image, I checked out the collection.

What floored me was a bonus, the pilot episode of Window on Main Street, the 1961 series that starred Robert Young as a widowed author returning to his home town. Each episode was a chapter in his book, as he wrote about the inner lives of people in the community.

While I fell in love with the music, the sentimentality, and the nostalgia, I was busy with other things, so I fast forwarded through most of the program until I reached the preview of the next one. Delivered by Young as narrator, the proposed plot concerned a young, sensitive boy who witnesses his teacher in a "most compromising situation." I became fixated on speculating what this might be, or more precisely, what could have been aired on a "family" show.

Recently, Season Two of Father Knows Best was released and includes as a bonus that next chapter of Window called The Teacher. The youngster, catching her kissing a man, has an authentic look of horror on his face. I too was chilled because I understood what the kid was going through. Unlike today, of course, where sex is so commonplace, such aversive feelings would be considered abnormal.

Young's character was friendly with the boy and counseled him and his teacher who appropriately apologized. What struck me was that this did not feel like a fantasy, but real encounters among real people. I was moved to fully watch the pilot.

Soon after arriving, Young had met the lad's mother, a very nice person. But Young felt that he had made a mistake in coming back to a town that had changed so much since his youth. Preparing to leave, he receives an envelope containing part of a letter he had then written to a girl with whom he had briefly conversed. I won't reveal more except to say that he locates the now grown woman: even a mystery buff like me was surprised by who she was. The complex story is succinctly dramatized: how and why he decides to remain is sweet and innocent and drove me to tears.

Yes, those were the classic days of TV. We wished to escape from the horrors of the world and find hope and inspiration. The problem with Superman or Father Knows Best is that they were too fanciful to believe. But Window On Main Street hits home. Apparently its intensity and integrity were too hard to take as the show lasted only half a season.

Dare to enter this Window On Main Street where you may dream of finding the peace and happiness you deserve.