Exciting New Project!

For the Desktop Publishing course I am taking, I have to work on a final project using Adobe InDesign to develop something new in print. I was inspired by the DVD boxed set of the 7th Season of Road to Avonlea which came with a booklet with notes "written" by one of the characters. I decided to do something similar.

I'm developing a "Breaking the Code" special edition boxed set. It will have 5 DVDs, all of which are from the late 1950's and represent Hollywood's rebellion against the Hayes Code. I'm going to pretend that its sponsored by Turner Classic Movies and possibly be inspired by some of their designs. The booklet itself will have a different article, written by myself, on each of the 5 movies. My goal is to make the complete package, the DVD boxed set cover as well an 8-page booklet and present it to the class as my final project.

The reason I'm so excited about this is that I have finally found a way to incorporate my love of classic films into my school work! And I can simultaneously post my progress on this blog! I will be, of course, careful about what I will post because I'm probably stealing lots of copyrighted material (granted this project will never be distributed into the real world).

For now, I have to come up with the 5 movies I want to be in the boxed set. I know definitely that Suddenly, Last Summer (1959) will be one of the films. Please feel free to send in your suggestions for the other four DVDs and let me know what you think about my project.

A Face in the Crowd (1957)

"THERE'S NOTHING AS TRUSTWORTHY

AS THE ORDINARY MIND - OF THE ORDINARY MAN"

~ Lonesome Rhodes

The collection of truly amazing classic films, that I have yet to see, is an ever-shrinking pool. And it just got smaller when I watched Budd Schulberg and Elia Kazan's film A Face in the Crowd (1957). I was captivated both by the film's over-arching message of the corruptiveness of power as well as its fantastic storytelling. This film is so well done that I feel it merits, not one but two entries, with this being the first.

The story is about Larry "Lonesome" Rhodes, a simple Arkansas country boy, whose charm catapults him from jail to radio to broadcast television. He becomes intoxicated by the power his growing audience gives him and this of course leads to his downfall. Its fascinating to see how dangerous it can be and how vulnerable we are when power is put into the wrong hands.

The film itself is exquisitely made. The pacing shifts as the story moves along. My favorite example of this is the Vitajex scene which starts slowly with the formation of the advertising plan and escalates when Lonesome Rhodes takes over. The following scenes are manic flashes of Rhodes' numerous Vitajex commercials. The flashes become faster and faster as the ratings of Rhodes' show rises as well as the sales of Vitajex.

Its also interesting how the two main characters are filmed. Andy Griffith ,as Lonesome Rhodes, is practically bursting out of the screen. Whereas Patricia Neal, as Marcia, is swathed in light in those early scenes when things are still innocent and pure and towards the end when things start to go downhill, she is drowned in shadows, with the exception of her face, which is framed in various ways by clever lighting.

This film encapsulates the film-debuts of Andy Griffith and Lee Remick and the pinnacle Walter Matthau and Anthony Franciosa's early careers. Walter Matthau is particularly exceptional as Marcia's love interest who is the single voice of reason because he sees through the fogs of illusion. And Lee Remick! I had been actively watching for her and was excited to see her as the 17-year old baton-twirling, cheerleader who seduces Lonesome Rhodes.

There are so many reasons to watch this film. Watch it for its political message of the abuse of power. Watch it to see several legends get their film start. Watch it to see cameos by Rip Torn, Mike Wallace and Bennett Cerf (I haven't found him yet!).Watch it for Elia Kazan's excellent direction. But most of all, watch it for Budd Schulberg's amazing story.

God Speed Deborah Kerr (1921-2007)

I Shall Return!

I'm taking a short hiatus to be able to concentrate on some major school projects. Do not fret. I shall be back very soon and I do have things to talk about. I'm excited to do a little research on Student Prince in Old Heidelberg (1927) as soon as I'm on a break (and as soon as I've finished watching it), I'll do a post on it.

Hasta luego!