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             Curated classic films

Midsummer Musings

      I realize that this is supposed to be about classic American films, but let me recount to you a small part of the script of Never on Sunday, the 1960 film starring Melina Mercouri as a happy, Greek prostitute who educates an American scholar about joy and freedom. Written and directed by Jules Dassin, with the backdrop of the Greek port city of Piraeus, Mercouri’s character is happy because she refuses to see the negative side of life.  She tells the stories of classic Greek tragedies but changes all the endings to “and they all went to the seashore”. Going to the seashore was a metaphor for happiness.  Until I saw this, I thought I was the only one who felt that way. Now I know there is a universal realization that no one can be unhappy at the beach – except in On the Beach (1959), 

because waiting on the seashore in Australia for the drifting radioactive cloud from the recent nuclear war will definitely not bring you happiness, unless you are masochistic.  If you are, then you should watch this, because it is good – even iconic (who can forget the view of an empty post-war San Francisco?). Based on the novel by Nevil Shute and directed by Stanley Kramer, it features poignant performances by Ava Gardner, Gregory Peck, Fred Astaire, and Anthony Perkins.

   So with that exception, I offer the following films that have some seashore connection and I hope they make you happy.

The Cocoanuts (1929)

Basically, a film of the Broadway hit, but with this film, you get not only a beach and Florida story, but you also get The Marx Brothers' first film.  Pretty primitive technically, but some of the best Marx Brothers laughs. I dare you to be unhappy watching this. With Margaret Dumont, Mary Eaton and Kay Francis. Directed by Robert Florey, Joseph Santley.

Sinners in the Sun (1932)

This is a curious title for the film where there are sinners but little or no sun, as most of the scenes are indoor locations and the only beach scenes happen at night. But it has a decent script and stars Carol Lombard and Chester Morris as a poor, young couple who learn money isn’t enough to make you happy. It also has a nice performance by the B-picture beauty, Adrienne Ames, and a very brief appearance of a very young Cary Grant in his second film role. Directed by Alexander Hall.

The Gay Divorcee (1934)

The second film where Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers were dance partners and the first where they were the stars.  As with all their films, the trifling plot is wrapped in wonderful music and dance. However, the plot does place the players at a beach side resort hotel, although bathing costumes are worn in only one number. Directed by Mark Sandrich.

Murder on a Honeymoon (1935)

The honeymoon of the title is about to take place in the sun of Catalina Island, but a murder happens on the sea-plane trip from the California coast.  This is one of the entertaining Hildegarde Withers mystery series, starring Edna May Oliver and James Gleason as her friend, Inspector Oscar Piper. Directed by Lloyd Corrigan.

Having Wonderful Time (1938)

Ginger Rogers stars as a New York secretary who meets Douglas Fairbanks Jr. on vacation at a resort in the Catskills. He is a waiter earning money for law school and their road to romance is rocky, with Lee Bowman, Lucille Ball, and Eve Arden adding complications.  Directed by Alfred Santell.

Moon Over Miami (1941)

Three sisters with limited resources come to Miami with a plan to find rich husbands. I was watching this film starring Betty Grable, Don Ameche, Robert Cummings, Carol Landis, Charlotte Greenwood and Jack Haley, when I felt I had seen it before, only it didn’t star Betty Grable. That’s because I had seen the remake called Three Little Girls in Blue (1946). Actually, Moon Over Miami was a remake of Three Blind Mice (1938) which was based on a play of the same name. Directed by Walter Lang.

The Devil and Miss Jones (1941)

A rich department store owner goes undercover to spy on troublemaker employees and is surprised by what he finds. The beach scene here is when his new ‘friends’ from the store take him to crowded Coney Island for a look at how working people spend summer days. Starring Jean Arthur, Robert Cummings, Spring Byington, and Charles Coburn as the rich guy.  Directed by Sam Wood.

Pagan Love Song (1950)

Well, you can’t talk seashore and bathing suits without including one Esther Williams movie.  This one has practically no plot in the romance between Esther who is half-Tahitian and Howard Keel, an American who comes to Tahiti when he inherits a coconut plantation. Shot in sun-drenched Technicolor on location in Hawaii instead of MGM’s back lot, this is a ‘swimmingly’ lovely treat for the eyes. Directed by Robert Alton.

A Summer Place (1959)

You’re hearing the Max Steiner theme running through your head now, aren’t you? Daring in 1959, it is rather tame today, but for those of us of a certain age, Sandra Dee and Troy Donahue on the beach will always be THE teen romance. Beautiful scenery supposedly of Maine, but really northern California.  Directed by Delmer Daves.

Some Like it Hot (1959)

Back to Florida with Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon hiding from gangsters, disguised as members of an all-female band.  Frolicking on the beach, Marilyn Monroe encounters Tony disguised as a wealthy yacht owner who speaks like Cary Grant. Directed by Billy Wilder.

Beach Party (1963)

I know we’re getting a little less classic here, but with this title, it’s got to be on the list.  This is the first of the beach party films, the first feature film for Annette Funicello outside of her Disney roles, with Frankie Avalon, Robert Cummings and Dorothy Malone. It’s a 1963 Santa Monica and Malibu time capsule -- sand, surfers, and rock and roll.  Directed by Lou Rusoff.

     Again, I know I am supposed to be talking about American films, but I can’t resist giving you this extra treat from France -- Jacques Tati’s Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday, from 1953.  It takes you back to another time and the way summer vacations used to be. If you’ve never seen it or any of his other classic comedies, you should seek them out.

     And don't forget the sunscreen!