The Egg and I, 1947

The Egg and I was the first of the Ma and Pa Kettle movies and in this movie, Ma and Pa are supporting characters.

The stars: Claudette Colbert as Betty MacDonald, Fred Macmurray as Bob MacDonald, Marjorie Main as Ma Kettle and Percy Kilbride as Pa Kettle.

Eugene, Michael and Eileen Irwin, 1947

"The Egg and I" has many beginnings. The post WWII world picks its self up and dusts its self off, to renew the business of living. Newly weds Betty and Bob are beginning their life together. They learn and begin a new occupation; chicken ranching. They move to a new home where they meet new neighbors. In due time, in all this newness they begin their family.

There are plenty of hardships and disappointments along the way, the same sort endured in the real world. But Betty and Bob overcome or find their way around the obstacles.

As this new year begins "The Egg and I" is a pleasent reminder that hope and courage are alive and well. Out in the "real" world there will always be brave souls beginning new jobs, lives and any number of things. Hopefully they are having an occasional laugh along the way.

Design for Living (1933)

The plot in a nutshell: Three young, struggling, American artists are trying to make a living in Paris: Fredric March as Tom Chambers, Gary Cooper as George Curtis and Miriam Hopkins as Gilda Farrell.
Both of the men become romantically involved with Gilda.
Tom and George have been friends for many years and the romance threatens to break them up. This is unacceptable. The solution:
All work and no play. They call this their “gentleman's agreement”. Instead of hanky panky all their energies are to go into the MEN’S work. ( It was a given that the woman’s work had no merit and was not worth improvement!!) The woman’s role in the men's work was that of a ham fisted critic, all stick, no carrot. Funny

The art of both men progressed. Each man had a variety of successes.
But does the "gentleman's agreement" work? Well, Gilda was "no gentleman".

The Three Faces of Eve, 1957

Ralph White to Eve White: I've never seen you take a drink before.
Eve Black to Ralph: Honey, there are a lot of things you've never seen me do before. That's no sign I don't do 'em.

I have been watching "My Own Worst Enemy". In the show Christian Slater plays "Henry" who works for some kind of terrorist organization, perhaps the government. Not clear.

The part of the show that interests me is Slater's split personality. In his brain a chip has been implanted giving him two distinct personalities: "Henry", an assassin spy type and "Edward"; an ordinary guy complete with his own memories, life and reality. When working properly the brain chip switches his awareness to one or the other personality.

An intriguing idea. Story telling aside, is it truly possible to have more than one personality?

"The Three Faces of Eve" is supposed to be based on a true story about a woman suffering from "split personality". Joanne Woodward plays Eve White, Eve Black and Jane. Her transitions between the three personalities are similar to Henry and Edward's. There is a dizzy spell followed by an extremely brief black out and then "poof" they are switched.

The title to this as well as Joanne's portrayal suggests to me that Eve was one personality. The different Eves and Jane are well but separately developed "facets" of that one personality.

This interpretation does not upset my apple cart. There can't really be two personalities in our heads, can there?
I know, I know, make some popcorn...

Invasion of the Body Snatchers, 1956

"In my practice, I've seen how people have allowed their humanity to drain away. Only it happened slowly instead of all at once. They didn't seem to mind...All of us - a little bit - we harden our hearts, grow callous. Only when we have to fight to stay human do we realize how precious it is to us, how dear." Dr. Miles J. Bennell

This movie has a theme that pops up in science fiction thriller type movies: Earth is invaded, usually by creatures from outer space. Although monstrous the creatures are able to assume a human guise in order live among Earthlings without detection. The invaders purpose is generally the domination of Earth although they sometimes just want to study us. Usually one person knows the frightening truth. But in trying to reveal the truth that character at best discredits himself. At the worst, he is put into a straight jacket. For the truth is always too fantastical to be believed. The "good guy" is usually alone in his struggles; betrayed by those closest to him. Few things could be more horrifying than looking into the familiar eyes of a loved one only to discover an alien enemy.

Keven McCarthy plays Dr. Miles J. Bennell. He is the guy who is wise to the situation; trying to be believed while running from aliens.
Dana Wynter plays Becky Driscoll; his ankle twisting female interest. She was the one person Dr. Bennell trusted; the only other person whose body had not been "snatched".

"Invasion of the Body Snatchers" lives up the the name "thriller". It digs down into that lower part of my brain, past reason, and strikes a cord of fear. It never fails to give me goosebumps. I first saw "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" in a movie theater. It was the 1978 version with Donald Sutherland.
Walking home I noticed other people on the sidewalks walked wooden legged, vacant eyed. They did not talk to one another. (I am sure that is what I saw!) The street lights cast lurid shadows on all their faces. Horrible!

Homer: "I suppose you want to probe me. Well, might as well get it over with. unzips pants.."
Kang: "Stop!! We have reached the limits of what rectal probing can teach us."
The Simpsons "Tree House of Horror VII".

Death Becomes Her, 1992

Madeline: Do you know that they do to soft, bald, overweight Republicans in prison, Ernest?

I have revisited a witch story and a ghost story. Time for a monster story; a monster of the green eyed variety... bwa ha ha

Madeline Ashton, played by Meryl Streep and Helen Sharp played by Goldie Hawn, envy one another. They fawn over one another with cool smiles and pleasant words. Inside they each seeth with envy never missing an opportunity to one-up the other. Over the years Madeline Ashton has successfully wooed and stolen away each of Helen Sharp's men.

Helen is thinking of marriage to Dr. Ernest Menville played by Bruce Willis. Does Helen say "woo hoo!" go and be happy with Menville?

NO!, of course not. What fun would that be? Helen decides that her dear Ernest must pass the "Madeline Ashton test" before she will marry him. Monstrously naive for a man of his accomplishments, Ernest fails the test most miserably- for all concerned.

Madeline is an actress whose popularity seems to be slipping away. For some reason she never suspects her acting ability to be the cause. Instead she blames her wrinkles and liver spots. She figures marriage to her "best friend's" man will be just the thing to sooth her ego. And oh yeah, I should mention that Earnest happens to be an extremely skillful plastic surgon...

The phrase "I'd sell my soul for..." is wistfully tossed about by the characters. The women are tempted by lasting beauty and Ernest by lust.

Isabella Rossellini plays Lisle Von Rhoman; a dark, powerful temptress whose bare boobies are covered by mesmerizing strands of beads. Lisle sells or trades eternal beauty to souls able and willing to pay her price. She lives in a castle-like mansion surrounded by lightening pierced "dark and stormy nights". She forgot to mention:

Lisle: "Now, a warning."
Madeline: "NOW a warning?"
Lisle: (to Ernest) "SEMPRE VIVE! LIVE FOREVER!"

What Dreams May Come, 1998

...And for my soul, what can it (suicide) do to that,
Being a thing immortal as itself?... From Shakespeare's Hamlet

The title of this comes from Shakespeare's Hamlet; that soliloquy which starts:
"To be or not to be".
Hamlet is contemplating suicide, weighing the pros and cons; the cons being mostly an unknown factor.

I imagine just about everyone wonders what is beyond this life. Eventually most are able to see it as a mystery and thus avoid turning into a Woody Allen character; stewing over death, the expansion of the universe and other things over which we have no control...

"What Dreams May Come" is adapted from a book of the same name by Richard Matheson.
Among many others it stars: Robin Williams as Chris Nielsen, Annabella Sciorra as Chris's wife Annie, Cuba Gooding Jr. as Albert Lewis and Max von Sydow as The Tracker.

Chris and Annie are beautiful people, very much in love who suffer a tragic loss. The story relates to the consequences of their reactions to the loss. Their separate choices determine their separate destinies in both this life and in the after life.

Some interesting parallel themes between "Hamlet" and "What Dreams May Come":
-suicide "...For in that sleep of death what dreams may come..." Shakespeare
-ghosts or spirits
-immortality
-defying hell
-multiple calamities
"What Dreams May Come" in addition, embraces the theme of the transformative power of love. It emphasizes our power to choose and to accept consequences; not what happens to us but how we react.

It is a beautiful picture of one man's heaven.

..."We defy augury; there's a special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, 'tis not to come; if it be not to come, it will be now; if it be not now, yet it will come: the readiness is all."...
Shakespere's Hamlet

The Witches of Eastwick, 1987

"Do you think God knew what He was doing when He created woman? Huh? No shit. I really wanna know. Or do you think it was another one of His minor mistakes like tidal waves, earthquakes, FLOODS? You think women are like that? S'matter? You don't think God makes mistakes? Of course He does. We ALL make mistakes. Of course, when WE make mistakes they call it evil. When GOD makes mistakes, they call it... nature. So whaddya think? Women... a mistake... or DID HE DO IT TO US ON PURPOSE?"
Daryl Van Horne


This movie is adapted from a book of the same name by John Updike.
Besides popcorn and your usual movie fare, have some cherries on hand to snack on while you watch this movie. Out of season no doubt. How about cherry pie, chocolate covered or...

The witches: Cher as Alexandra Medford, Susan Sarandon as Jane Spofford and Michelle Pfeiffer as Sukie Ridgemont. Jack Nicholson stars as Daryl Van Horne, presumably the Devil.

The witches are each creative women. Susan Sarandon plays a musician, Cher plays a sculptor and Michelle Pfeiffer a writer. They are good friends and enjoy evenings together sharing snacks, gossip and a very special bond: it seems whenever they focus on the same desire the thing they long for materializes.
On an evening when talk turns to men each adds to a wish list of qualities they would like to see in the ideal male. As they are all wishing together, poof! Enter Jack Nicholson.
He seems alternately bumbling and terrifying as he sets out to seduce each of the witches.
Interestingly, each woman’s talent (and hair!) blossoms after a romp with the big D. The Devil is intent on producing an heir. When the witches discover his intentions they make some plans of their own.

Why does the Devil need an heir you ask? I dont know, eat your popcorn!

This movie left me with some things to ponder:
Why three witches? Never two or five but three?
Why does sex with the Devil give a woman really big hair?
And finally, the idea of gaining creative genius through a deal with the devil pops up now and then in books and movies. Where did it start?

The Greatest Show on Earth, 1952

A very few of the stars: Betty Hutton, Charlton Heston, James Stewart, Dorothy Lamour...
The list goes on.

My grandmother always got a dreamy look when she told us grandchildren about the circus. She said when the farm children heard the circus trains they tied their coins in handkerchiefs, “climbed on their ponies and galloped over the hill”. They ate peanuts, popcorn and cotton candy which Grandma made sound like food for gods.

I am reading “Water for Elephants” by Sara Gruen and wanting to remember more of what Grandma said about the circus. There is a movie for everything, I believe.
The Greatest Show on Earth is partly a documentary. The movie shows some of the set up: the center poles being set, the canvas being unrolled and raised and the loaded trains.
It mentions the class distinction of laborers and performers: “stardust and sawdust”

The movie also tells a story with “three rings” of plot:
Two overlapping romantic triangles
a (very) friendly professional competition
and the survival of the circus against a crummy economy and shadowy but ever present con artists who follow the circus like parasites.

The documentary parts are interesting. And I enjoyed both the movie actors drama as well as the “real” circus performances which are interwoven. And the locals are interesting too. Read the signs the crowd carries and on the buildings of their towns. Also, watch the audiences carefully. I believe I saw Bob Hope and Bing Crosby looking up in slack jawed awe. There are many other familiar faces!

umm, I can smell the popcorn and a subtle whiff of elephant poo. Enjoy this great movie.

Coneheads (1993)

The Coneheads came from the planet of Remulak to conquer and dominate the Bluntskulls: also known as Earthlings.
But an encounter with defensive fighter pilots forces the Conehead ship down. The Coneheads must now make a new plan: contact their home plant and “blend in” with Earthlings while waiting for rescue.
Dan Aykroyd plays Beldar Conehead with the purchased identity of Donald R. DeCicco
Jane Curtin plays Prymatt Conehead , Mary Margaret DeCicco
Michelle Burke plays their daughter: Connie Conehead

While waiting on Earth, life unfolds for the Coneheads. Beldar advances and holds several jobs always a step ahead of the INS. ( Immigration and Naturalization Service)

Prymatt gives birth on Earth to their only child: Connie. Beldar and Prymatt find a nice home where they raise Connie.
Connie even meets her first boyfriend here on Earth: Ronnie played by Chris Farley.

Any Bluntskulls met by the Coneheads never question their unusual teeth or anatomy. To the contrary, the Bluntskulls accept them enthusiastically.

The only person who questions their identity is INS Deputy Comissioner Gorman Seedling played by Michael McKean.. This happens because the Coneheads purchased an identity that had been sold to at least two previous customers. It is red tape rather than the obvious that exposes the Coneheads as “aliens”.

The songs are great fun. Tainted Love will never sound the same after Beldar... Uh Uh.
If you want to laugh Coneheads is a good pick.

1986 movie: Peggy Sue Got Married

In this fantasy Peggy Sue, played by Kathleen Turner, gets a second chance; a chance to change her life and that of her husband Charlie Bodell played by Nicolas Cage.
Peggy Sue and Charlie married right out of high school. Peggy Sue blames that for Charlie missing his chance to go to college and/or becoming a musician. She believes that is the reason for the breakdown of their marriage.

At a class reunion Peggy Sue faints and regains consciousness as her teenage self, back in 1960. But she remains aware of her adult self and future. Peggy Sue experiences the people and events around her in a way no one else can.
Will Peggy Sue change her past, her future or both? Or is destiny a real thing?

I love the idea of getting a second chance.
Or if I had done things differently would I just end up with a different list or regrets?

Starman, 1984

This was, if not Mike’s favorite movie, at least in the top five.
NASA’s Voyager missions sent golden records into space with “greetings” in many languages, images, music and information about Earth and humans. It was an ambitious invitation to extraterrestrials.
The movie "Starman" ponders the question of what might happen when extraterrestrial, Jeff Bridges as Starman, pays Earth a call.
Will Earthlings set an extra plate or sharpen the dissection knives? Not a tough call if you have watched many movies about E.T.
Most of the action concerns Starman’s journey to rendezvous with his ship and rejoin those of his own kind. He has abducted a traveling companion: Karen Allen as Jenny Hayden. At first she resists helping Starman so far as she is able. For besides kidnapping her, he has cloned her dead husband’s body to use while on Earth! But Starman gains her trust and she introduces him to Earthly things that matter, like apple pie.