Films I've Watched Lately Some of Which I've Liked Greatly, Plus a Look at Three TV Series Finales

Brian Donlevy in The Great McGinty

The Great McGinty (1940) Sturges. As I’ve mentioned repeatedly on this blog, Preston Sturges directed six films between 1940 and 1944 that ranged from excellent to classic McGinty, The Lady Eve, Sullivan’s Travels, The Palm Beach Story, The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek and Hail the Conquering Hero— there was also one pretty good film, Christmas in July. As a director he’d done nothing before and had five lesser efforts after. McGinty was the first of this incredible run. Brian Donlevy plays a hobo who votes three dozen times for the political machine one election night (and gets paid handsomely for his efforts) then is hired to work as muscle. He moves up the ladder eventually becoming mayor and then governor. Then it all comes tumbling down. McGinty is brilliant satire on politics and like all of Sturges’ best fare, a joy to watch. The film’s only flaw is that flies by much too fast clocking in at 82 minutes.

Days of Heaven (1978) Malick. Terrance Malick is the one director for whom the term self-indulgent surely applies. Much of what he has made in the last few decades is a long, slow slog through cinematic mire. I’ve enjoyed a few but for the most part Malik’s films are sure cures for the insomniac. However he had two gems early in this career, Badlands (1973) and Days of Heaven. The latter is a gorgeous film — all hail cinema photographer Néstor Almendros! Also gorgeous are co-stars Brooke Adams and Richard Gere. I also find Linda Manz as the narrator and younger sister of Gere’s character to be strangely beguiling. Days of Heaven is an example of what Malick could have been making all these years if he gave a tinker’s damn about his audience.

Love Crazy (1941) Conway. One of the lesser of the William Powell/Myrna Loy collaborations (they made fourteen films together). At that it’s still a bit of fun for those of who could watch Powell and Loy sitting around reading the phone book. But as the missus said after we watched Love Crazy, “the script was beneath them.” Due to a preposterous misunderstanding (film and TV “misunderstandings” are notorious for stretching credulity) Loy wants to divorce Powell. He hits on the idea of acting insane so that she must care for him. Hilarity should ensue especially given who are leads are but alas the writers weren’t up to the task. To be sure there are moments but they are few and far between.

Down By Law (1986) Jarmusch. I love this movie so much that it has a place in my top 100 but I'm hard pressed to tell you exactly why. It’s…quirky? Eccentric? Decidedly off-beat? All of the above and more? Definitely more. Three disparate characters find themselves cellmates in a New Orleans (a disc jockey, a pimp and a recent Italian emigre) the first two have been framed the third can argue self-defense. They form a most unlikely friendship in the midst of their despair. Of course they escape and one stumbles into a happy new life tailor made for him. The others seek greener pastures. John Lurie, Tom Waits and Roberto Benigni star as does the soundtrack and the script and direction by James Jarmusch.

The Philadelphia Story (1940) Cukor. How many times have I seen this film? Certainly more than a dozen, maybe twenty times. Like all great films it gets better with each viewing. It stars Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn and Jimmy Stewart so that pretty much guarantees a good picture. Roland Young as Uncle Willie and Virginia Weidler as little sister Dinah are scene stealers. The combined efforts of writers Phillip Barry, Donald Ogden Stewart and Waldo Salt are to be lauded as is George Cukor’s direction. Philadelphia Story is most certainly a comedy but the dashes of drama here and there blend nicely and raise the overall story to a higher level. Call it a sophisticated screwball comedy.

The Cranes are Flying

The Cranes are Flying (1957) Kalatozov. A fairly recent discovery of mine this Russian film is subtly anti-war (subtle enough to have gotten by strict Soviet censorship). It’s a beautiful love story too. Two lovers are — as so many were — broken up by war. In this case the Nazi invasion of the USSR. It is an inevitably heart-wrenching and heart-breaking story. There is love, there is hate, there is tragedy and there is -- as ever in life -- hope. Beautifully filmed and acted.

Now a few words on three recent TV series finales.

Succession. The story of the family we loved to hate and by god did we hate the Roys. It was odd to watch such contemptuous people and find yourself at various points rooting for one or the other. They lived in a world of riches that regular folk like myself can only imagine. They bickered constantly, sniped at one another, shifted allegiances at the drop of a hat, held no core beliefs and only wanted more. More power, more wealth. There were no ends to their means other than more. You’d be hard-pressed to get an honest word out of one of them. So, yes, it was compelling. One of the great TV shows of all time. The acting and writing couldn’t have been better. The finale was satisfying and appropriate.

Barry. Speaking of appropriate endings, this show reached perfection in its denouement. Bill Hader has risen, for me, from a favorite entertainer, to genius. He not only starred but wrote and directed this brilliant show that went from comedy to dark morality tale like a slap in the face. It was odd to stay with the title character through all his dramatic changes as his true nature (natures?) became clearer. Hader surrounded himself with an exemplary supporting cast who had rich, clearly drawn characters to embody. I don’t know that there’s even been a show quite like Barry. It’s difficult to classify and impossible not to immerse oneself in.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. I was about ready to give up on this program during it’s penultimate season. It had lost it’s early glimmer and verve. But what a comeback! This final season has been great stuff. The centerpiece was Rachel Brosnahan as the titular character (and she was plenty good enough to carry the show) but the depth and talent of the rest of the cast (how does one call them supporting when they offered so much?) raised the show to another higher level. Maisel the show was pure unadulterated fun while shining a rather bright light on sexism and other issues. I miss it already.

The Blogger (That's Me!) Emerges from Depression, Discourses on this and other Topics including Blood Simple

Frances Mcdormand in Blood Simple

Came out of a prolonged depression, first thought: this can’t last. Nasty thing depression telling you things like that. Doesn’t have the decency to leave you alone when you’re not experiencing it. Follows you around like an annoying acquaintance tapping you on the shoulder saying, “I’ll be back, ya know, probably soon so don’t get too comfortable.” 

Lot not to be depressed about. Had a wonderful vacation in Paris and London. Already planning next year’s trip — getting there is half the fun, the ubiquitous “they” say.

The marriage not only survives our travels but gets stronger from them. The wife is an amazing woman who’s endlessly patient when the blackness has enveloped me. She is also good when anxiety strikes, which it often does when the depression is in abeyance. There’s some bloody unfairness for you. The depression passes and in comes the anxiety. Doesn’t always happen that way but can. Worse is getting the depression and anxiety as a set. Double-teamed. Ugly business.

Today the depression was driven away by a visit to the gym. I’ve only recently returned to the gym having had to settle for working out at home in a good example of better than nothing. Actually in the years away from the gym I was able to focus a lot on core work specifically through planks, push-ups, squats and the like. Can still do those at the gym along with other exercises but now can hop on the stairmaster, elliptical machine and do fast-walking on the treadmill.

It’s really good to sweat again. That’s what I’ve been missing. Figure I’ll trim a few pounds in the coming months.

No, I don’t need the depression about. Lord was I feeling miserable yesterday. Every possible thought came with pain. The happiest memory came with a side dish of misery. Hard to get much accomplished. A work day is no problem. You’ve got to work. The depression steps to the sideline while I’m teaching. There ARE limits — thankfully.

Novel is done. Well, it’s all in the hands of the editor. After that, depending on the verdict there could be days, weeks, even months more work. Hoping to have the whole bugger done by the end of the summer. Then fame and riches await. Actually I’ll settle for finding a publisher and enjoying moderate success.

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I’m resuming this on Monday morning (began it Sunday afternoon). Still feeling good. Don’t mind Mondays anymore. I only teach the one class so going to work is no great chore and of course I enjoy my students and helping them speak and write better English. There’s a podcast I listen to every Monday, it’s about my favorite English football team (soccer to you Yanks), the Arsenal. The co-hosts are insightful, charming, witty and do a lot of work for charity through the podcast, the blog and forums. Proud to follow them. The  season ends next weekend. The British football season is a long, long slog starting in mid August and not ending until May. Even longer this season due to the interruption of a Winter World Cup. Arsenal will finish second which is at once disappointing given how many days they were top of the table and a great accomplishment given the competition and how far they’ve come.

Sometimes when you're wearing attire representing your favorite team a perfect stranger will make a derogatory comment about said team. Why do they think this is okay? I've had this happen while entering a cafe, walking down a quiet street, standing outside my abode, leaving the gym. I find it incredibly rude. I see people wearing shirts and jackets and jerseys of a team I abhor but wouldn't think of saying anything to them. I satisfy myself with muttering under my breath. But others.... people are weird. In the most recent case I had crossed a street and a gent going the other way said, "Arsenal is bad." I replied by asking, "why would you say that?" As I continued past him he said, "it's banter." But an adult telling another adult that the team they support "is bad" (never mind that said team is having a great season) is just obnoxious. And what kind of "banter" were we going to have? Exchanges of my team rocks, yours sucks? Pointless if you're anything over nine-years-old. 

On a cheerier note I watched Blood Simple yesterday, the Coen brothers first film (wow, came out nearly forty years ago). Not sure how many times I've seen it (at least five) but liked it so much more this last time. Classic noir. Frances McDormand is terrific in her film debut, especially considering she'd only just come out of acting school. She provides quite a contrast opposite the great veteran actor, M. Emmet Walsh. It's one of the better scripts you'll ever come across and that's something that gets lost in discussing the Coens. Yes, they're great directors but they're equally good as screenwriters. Blood Simple is one of the best film debuts by a director ever.

What's New? The Blogger Has Much to Relate after a Ten-Day Absence

Photo I took at the D'Orsay

While in Europe I posted regular updates on my comings and goings but since returning it’s been virtual silence. I imagine my readers (both of us) are wondering what I’ve been up to. After all being in Berkeley is as exciting as being in Paris or London. Isn’t it? 

On May 1st I returned to work. I enjoyed this very much. I have the privilege of teaching the English language to people from other countries. Most of my students are charming people, eager to learn and willing to put up with my nonsense. I also have colleagues who I get along swimmingly with. The banter is breezy and enjoyable although deeper topics are sometimes explored. Workplace camaraderie is one of the great perks of employment.

The weather here is worth noting. Thankfully we had a very wet winter with enough precipitation to put a dent into California’s worst-ever drought. However — and I speak as a lover of the wet stuff — things have gone a bit too far with rain continuing into April. Warm dry conditions finally arrived while we were in Europe (where it was cold and sometimes rained) but the inclement weather returned here shortly after we did. On Monday I walked to work in the rain (my umbrella got wet — damn it!). It has also remained unseasonably cold with temperatures not exceeding sixty degrees fahrenheit by much or for long. The predicted high for today is sixty-two. As I’ve noted here repeatedly I do not like hot weather but I could stand a few days of warm. Stupid climate change.

My first weekend back from vacation was taken up preparing for my speech at the Finnish Hall for Vappu. Said speech was reprinted on this blog in my most recent post. I love public speaking, unlike many people I don’t get the least bit nervous. I always make sure to know my audience and anticipate not just what I want them to hear but what they want to hear. It can be a delicate balancing act but as a teacher for many decades it’s in my wheelhouse. I prepare meticulously and practice. Warm waves of applause are always welcome. Keeping my ego in check is a struggle but I’ve years of experience in that department as well.

The event as a whole was successful with good food and good music. I am proud to be on the Culture Committee of the Finnish Heritage Society which plans these events.

Last weekend the focus was the Bay Area Book Festival. Usually I attend four to five events but this year managed only two but they were both excellent. On Saturday I saw Adam Hochschild speak for at least the third time. He is undoubtedly one of America’s premier non-fiction writers. Mr. Hochschild was speaking about his latest book American Midnight about the dark period in this country from 1917-1921 when civil liberties were cast aside, lynchings were sadly ubiquitous and immigrants were scapegoated. Parallels were drawn between then and today. But also noted are those who fought the good fight against repression. This will be the seventh of his books I’ve read, his works on World War I and the Spanish Civil War were particularly good.

On Sunday I saw a woman named Ilyon Woo speak about her new book, Master Slave Husband Wife: An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom. It is the story of a married enslaved couple who escaped from the south with the woman (who was light-skinned) posing as a white man and her husband pretending to be her slave. Upon making it safely to the north they toured the country speaking about their experiences. It’s all compelling stuff all the more so for those of us in the audience as among the attendees were ancestors of the couple. 

Speaking of books, I’m currently reading one that I bought in a well-regarded bookstore in Cambridge about the legendary English football (soccer to you Yanks) coach, Brian Clough, Nobody Ever Says Thank You. He was the subject of a film called The Damned United (2009) Hooper starring Michael Sheen. Clough was a brilliant manager who led two different teams (Derby County and Nottingham Forrest) out of the second division to become champions of the top flight. To do this once is remarkable to do it twice is difficult to fathom. He also led Forrest to consecutive Champions League titles. But Clough was his own worst enemy and self-saboted everywhere he went. He was — to put it mildly — a volatile personality who did his things his way no matter whose feathers he ruffled or who was insulted, wronged or badly hurt by his words and actions. He was charismatic, boorish, brilliant, egotistical, charming, bitter, benevolent, mercurial, outspoken and endlessly fascinating (at least from afar). I'll finish the book today and will miss reading about this singular character.

I’ve also been doing my FINAL edit of novel number three and my editor (aka the missus) is now reading it. She’ll be sharing her observations after which I’ll make more revisions. It looks like I’ll finish the damn thing in just under three years. I’m anticipating a Pulitzer for all this time and effort. It has been the proverbial labor of love and any success it enjoys will not give me as much satisfaction as has the writing process.

Speaking of the better half, we’ve been loving the final seasons of three terrific TV shows: Succession, Barry and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. It will be a shame to see them go as they’ve each reached their peaks. Previously we enjoyed season two of Perry Mason. Sadly the writer’s strike has cost the world several episodes of Last Week Tonight With John Oliver and the daily charm of Late Night With Seth Myers. Give the writers what they want you greedy bastards.

It’s been nice to be back on the old blogaroo. Perhaps after this final run though of the novel we can get together more often.

In Praise of Finland, My Speech at the Finnish Hall

Follows is the speech I made on Sunday at the Finnish Hall where we were commemorating Vappu, a national holiday in Finland that falls on May Day.

A Finn and a Swede were having a drinking contest. After a few hours of drinking in silence the Swede said: “Good vodka.” To which the Finn replied, “you want to talk or drink?”

Kippis.

We are here today to recognize Vappu a day of widespread celebration throughout Finland. It is a day that has grown in significance and popularity over the years with Finns turning out in huge numbers to celebrate.

Vappu is relatively new in my experience. It was rarely mentioned as I grew up and I cannot recall whether there were even Vappu celebrations at this Finn Hall. If so they were not greeted with the same kind of fanfare reserved for other occasions. I wondered about this recently before discovering  that Vappu only became a national holiday in Finland in 1979 and in those days was mostly celebrated by university students. 

Vappu is a confluence of four celebrations. The first is in recognition of a Catholic saint, Walpurgis (Valburg in Finnish). She was canonized on May first 870 AD for amongst other things, fighting against witchcraft. You don’t see many witches in Finland, so she was clearly effective — for  better or worse. The night between April 30th and May 1st was named Walpurgis Night which Finns shortened to Vappu. I doubt many celebrants in Finland today raise a glass to Saint Valburg anymore. But she could rightfully be credited as the founder of the feast.

By the 1700s Finns were celebrating Vappu as part of the general festivities marking the end of another long, harsh winter and the coming of Summer. You’re probably aware of this Finnish joke: we had a nice summer last year, it was on a Thursday. 

In the early 20th century people in much of the world began celebrating May first as a day to recognize workers, May Day. Thus in Finland Vappuu became a triple celebration. The fourth aspect of Vappu festivities and the one that is now of primary focus, is as a day for students to celebrate the end of the school year.

It is, along with Joulu, the most anticipated time of the year, many young Finns, and doubtless older ones too, start celebrating a couple of weeks before Vappupäivä.

As I said Vappu was not much of a thing when I grew up. My parent’s and grandparent’s generations — who created this hall and made the Bay Area a welcome home for other Finnish emigres — came from working class roots, indeed many hailed from rural areas where Vappu had less significance. 

Besides in the first sixty years of the 20th century Bay Area Finns were in a constant state of celebration. They had come to the United States and both assimilated and maintained their national identity. They were living the American Dream. My father came from relative poverty in Finland but here, working as a carpenter during the building boom, he was making enough money to support a family of four, own his own home and two cars, and through his union have health insurance and a pension. 

My father and other Finns worked hard and played hard. There were always weekend activities and even occasional outings on weeknights. Parties, picnics, barbecues, dances, concerts, ski trips, hunting and fishing, spectator sports aplenty, holiday gatherings. It was a nonstop whirlwind of fun to balance the hard work. Vappu was nothing special if it was thought of at all.

The world is a different place today. Finns don’t see the United States as the land of milk and honey anymore and consequently aren’t pouring into the Bay Area. Why would they? In fact, it’s tempting to ask a Finn in the United States: what are you doing here? You’ve got it so good in your own country! (Well, besides the winters.) While the United States still has much to offer immigrants as well as its second, third and fourth generation citizens, there’s been trouble in paradise for awhile and I don’t just mean Trump. 

But Finland, boy do they have cause for celebration at Vappu as well as the other 364 days of the year. Let’s consider some facts.

Finland is the 8th most educated country in the world according the World Economic Forum. 

Finland has, according to U.S. News and World Report, the sixth  most well-developed school system.

Finland is ranked number one in transparency by transparency international and is the second least corrupt country in the world according to global economy dot com.

World population review ranks Finland the 6th freest country in the world and is fourth in freedom of the press.

World population review also says Finland is second in the world in gender equality.

Our country is 14th in social acceptance of LGBTQ people according to a UCLA School of law study.

Finland is the 6th safest country in the world says U.S. News and World report.

Finland is both third in social mobility — World Population Review — and social welfare spending.

Positive News says that Finland is second in social progress.

Finland has a 100% literacy rate.

A Yale University study ranks Finland third in environmental performance in combatting the affects of climate change and Finland is also the third most environmentally friendly country, this time according to World Population Review.

Finland is also now teaching students how to identify misinformation campaigns and propaganda. Starting this campaign at the elementary school level. Media literacy is part of the national curriculum.

In Finland, the number of homeless people has fallen sharply. Those affected receive a small apartment & counseling — with no preconditions. Four out of five people affected make their way back into a stable life. And all this is CHEAPER than accepting homelessness.

Dads in Finland spend more time with their kids than anywhere else in the world. Both parents get the same parental leave, and employers encourage dads to take time off. 

The maternity package or äitiyspakkaus, known internationally as the Finnish "baby box," is a kit granted by the Finnish social security institution Kela, to all expectant or adoptive parents who live in Finland or are covered by the Finnish social security system.

In Finland, university is free.

In Finland every person who can vote receives a mail reminder about the elections. No registration is needed, and you can even vote at malls and supermarkets!

Finland was ranked Europe’s least angry country last year by landgeist. This must have made our neighbors really mad.

Finland also recently had a prime minister who knew how to effectively mix work with play as evidenced by videos of her dancing and partying.

And finally, Finland’s men’s ice hockey team defeated Russia last year in the Winter Olympics to claim its first hockey gold medal. Hyvaa Sumoi!!!

It’s no wonder that last month the World Happiness Report named Finland the happiest country in the world for the sixth year in a row.

At only 105 years old, Finland is still a relative youngster at being an independent country. It shares a large border with Russia, which, as Ukranians can tell you, is not a terribly comfortable way to go through life. Finland’s recent acceptance into NATO was met with widespread approval, including here in the United States. So it is remarkable that this small country with a population of less than six million has become a model of democracy, equality, social justice and fighting climate change. Things are far from perfect in Finland, the economy is sometimes sluggish, drug abuse is a serious threat and of course Russia is next door. But what this tiny beautiful country has accomplished, what it guarantees its citizens, particularly it’s youngest members and its most vulnerable, the way it protects its environment and plans for its future, the equality enjoyed by its women and members of the LGBTQ community are all things of which we can be very, very proud. 

I don’t know if any of you are of a mind to celebrate Walpurgis, but I’m sure you’re enjoying the end of one of our colder and rainier winters. Raising a glass to the working people who keep the machinery of life going is always a good idea. Many others of you are students or the older kin of students who will soon be successfully ending another school year. So let us celebrate all that Vappu is about but let us also recognize that it is another reminder of our justifiably great pride in Finland and what it stands for today and it’s unbelievable accomplishments.

Hyvää vappua! Ja kiitos kaikille.