Votre, Mon et Notre and the Crazy Schedule

The next three months of my life are going to be a trial to test my personal fortitude, strength of will and character. I will be working full-time, attending graduate school full-time, juggling a giant load of homework all while trying to maintain a healthy and sane personal life. (Not to mention planning a trip, learning a fourth language and trying to keep this blog regularly updated). The fear has started to set in my heart and I'm worried about whether I will make it through - whether I will be strong enough to come out the other side unscathed. The last time I had a crazy-hectic schedule, I had less on my plate than I do now and I came out of the experience the worse for wear.


In crazy times like these, I try to find support amongst family and friends. But I also realize that I need to be responsible for developing my own strength and tranquility. And sometimes a really good story can transport you to your comfort zone and while you are there you build up your own confidence. That story for me right now is Yours, Mine and Ours (1968).


This particular film stands out in the midst of many other "large family" stories. This particular sub-genre has two of it's one sub-categories. The first being two familys coming together while clashing and bonding in With Six You Get Eggroll (1968) and The Brady Bunch (1969-1974). The second features an excessively procreative couple such as in Cheaper by the Dozen (1950) and henceforth any sequels, remakes and remake sequels. Yours, Mine and Ours (1968) has two excessively procreative individuals coming together to combine their large families (11 and 9) into one monstrosity of a household (20!). What's inspiring is that the story is based on real life events. They successfully manage meals, clothes, ailments and personal dramas in what seems like an impossible situation. The situation is very difficult for the couple (played by Henry Fonda and Lucille Ball) but they get through it because they rely on their abundant love for their children and each other to get them through. Plus they realize the importance of organization, perseverance and strict scheduling in maintaining a hectic life and they put all of this to work at all times.


It's a heart-warming and inspiring story. When I watch this film, I think to myself if this one couple can manage raising a family of 20, soon to be 21, then why can't I manage myself. I'm only one person managing my own life, and I have no other lives dependant on me. If they can manage 20, I can certainly manage 1.

Out of the Past, Into the Now: Metropolis (1927)

I thought I'd start yet another new mini-series on this blog in which I point out references in our present culture (pop culture, literature, etc.) to classic films. I see them all over the place and I think it might be a fun new venture to list them here. Here is my first entry.





Metropolis (1927) anyone?

Robert Mitchum's Sad Eyes: Two for the Seesaw (1962)

Certain die-hard Robert Mitchum fans, such as myself, hold a dear secret about one tiny particular aspect of his lengthy career. No, I'm not talking about his brief foray into the music industry with his Calypso album (::shudders::). I'm referring to the few select romantic films he made. Mitchum is more well-known as the tough, mean guy or the tough, nice guy in many a film noir, Western, war drama or thriller. However, he had a much softer side - one that twinkled through his sad eyes and escaped through his parted lips.

My first encounter with a Mitchum-romance, as I like to call it, was Holiday Affair (1949) (co-starring Janet Leigh). At first, I was surprised that Robert Mitchum was even in this film. Mitchum! He's the big, surly, manly-man in all those great film noirs. What is he doing in a nice, heart-warming Christmas movie? Then when I actually watched the film, I was even more shocked to see that it was also a romance! (And yes he was part of the romance!) Mitchum was not man-handling some woman telling her, "Baby, I don't care", he was opening his heart and showing he did care, while maintaining his domineering masculinity of course. It was all lovey-dovey and I just lovey-dovied this other side of Mitchum.

So, when Mitchum was saluted with his own Summer Under the Stars day on TCM recently, I was incredibly happy to see that they were showcasing another lesser-known Mitchum-romance. In this case, it was Two for the Seesaw (1962) and his love interest was Shirley MacLaine. In contrast to Holiday Affair (1949) , this is a much grittier, realistic film. Robert Mitchum plays a soon-to-be-divorced lawyer who finds himself nearly penniless and heart broken in New York City. Shirley MacLaine is a young, street-wise dancer who has health issues as well as men issues. They meet as she is trying to hock off an ice box at some strange beat party and he, unlike most men today who are just plain wimps!, actively pursues her.

There are a few interesting things about this film. Robert Mitchum and Shirley MacLaine had a real life, 3-year, love affair as a result of working very closely on set. Might I add that they were both married at the time? (naughty!) The film is also a good example of Breaking the Code as it shows an openness to talk about sex in a romantic relationship - something that wouldn't have been discussed on-screen even a few years earlier. And finally, never have I seen a film that really shows the complexity in the minutiae of a romance. Oftentimes you get a taste of the dynamics but this film really dives in and stays there for long run.