High Noon

Gary Cooper, Grace Kelly, Tex Ritter songs....need I say more? The classic arch-type Western. Or is it? Honorable lawman versus the yellow-bellied outlaws....a mismatch, showdown in the streets......yet justice prevails.

Despite technical difficulties (thanks Netflix) and a tick infestation of epic proportions (thanks Stella and Managua), we were quite distracted trying to watch this great, albeit short, Western classic.

Thanks to a glitchy DVD and a dog littered with ticks, I had a hard time taking in the subtleties of this flick. Yet, it is interesting to note, in 1952, as the Cold War escalated, how Gary Cooper personified the increasingly lonely global struggle against the evil Communist menace. Or, was it a statement against the stifling blacklist that had begun in Hollywood? Instead, perhaps it was just a simple Western tale of Good vs. Evil?

At any rate, Gary Cooper bounces around town, looking for a posse, for a fight that can't be won, a fight for honor, for justice sake.....and there aren't any takers. Instead, through the 'real time' of this short film, an hour and a half slice of time from the 19th century Wild West, we learn a lot about human motivation, vice, and virtue (or lack thereof) that pervade society today, as seen in pretty much any struggle you care to examine.

Much to my surprise, High Noon is not some cliche B-Western that happened to have a marquee name in Gary Cooper. Instead, it is a thought-provoking film that ages like fine wine. Easily one of the best 5 Westerns I have seen.

Worth the Hype or Not Worth the Hype? Worth the Hype Definitely. I had my reservations, even about 25-30 minutes into the film. But, the suspense, and the intelligent social commentary, make this a must-see for those interested in the Western genre, as well as overall American cinema. High Noon belongs on the short list of the best Westerns ever made.

Saudi Larry

Oh Lawrence, if you could see the mess we're in now! How ironic, the American Taliban had nothing on this guy. He really seemed to care about his Arab brothers, as they fought to escape Turkish tyranny and unite feuding tribal leaders on the oil-rich peninsula.

Alas, a movie about Saudis without oil....how refreshing! Of course, Lawrence of Arabia is a classic, and most everyone knows a little about the story. Lawrence, the romanticist, well-read and idealistic, chooses the 'other path', advocating indigenous territorial claims in an era of epic European land grabs and imperialism. A man without borders, Lawrence uses cunning and daring to stymie and harangue Turkish installations along the Arabian peninsula. Increasingly, he becomes more ruthless, gaining undying loyalty from the various Arab tribesmen, along the way.

A conflicted British officer with an affinity for Arab culture, played brilliantly by Peter O'Toole, Lawrence and Sherif Ali, local chieftainplayed even more convincingly by Omar Sharif, represent the clash of civilizations that still dogs us today in the 21st Century. Admittedly, I have limited understanding of the region, as a whole, and watched with great interest, this classic film about a region so troubling to us as Americans today. While Anglo Lawrence and his band of camel-riding marauders were fighting an established Turkish foe during World War I, we today, look to the now-established Saudis to fight another brand of stealth marauders that plagues the globe. Sadly, I'm convinced nothing has changed, as both tales are wraught with self-preservation, deceit, and unabated greed.

But back to the main story.....some interesting tidbits about the film....This isn't the flick you want to see with a feminist, as there are absolutely no female speaking parts....a cinematic record. That said, the cinematography is absolutely stunning, the soundtrack is classic.....there is even a musical interlude that allows one to freshen one's beverage. In all, an interesting film that has aged well in the 40 or so years since its theatrical release. It's worth the price of admission just to see Omar Sharif ride his camel up from the distant horizon, just to shoot a guy sipping water from his well.

Worth The Hype or Not Worth The Hype: Worth The Hype.....Great acting, cinematography, musical score. A bit long, which is tempered by the intermission. When's the last time they made a movie with one of those!? If you are interested in historical dramas, this one's for you (I am), but beware, it has some dry, British-type moments, which aren't for everyone....especially those of us Yanks that like our stories with happy endings. Overall, I'd say it deserves to be in the Top 100 of all-time.

Stagger Lee.....He Was a Bad Man!

Monday Morning Blues on a Wednesday

Two more weeks before our newest addition to the family...Prospective parenthood, work, and other obligations have limited my blogness.

Folks, I can't get enough Blues. This week, after a long hiatus, I want to introduce you to a lesser known legend of yesteryear, Cryin' Sam Collins. Collins, one of the first recorded slide players, hailed from Louisiana in 1887, performing mostly right across the border in McComb, Mississippi in the early 1920s, recording some sides for Gennett Records later on.

A lesser known 'Delta' player, Crying Sam is similar in voice to Tommy Johnson, yet he doesn't have the same haunting quality, or feel, in the vocal delivery. Indeed, he is a cross between Johnson and Blind Lemon Jefferson....Delta-Lite, if you will. His most famous side was perhaps, Jailhouse Blues, a well-sung, well-played classic blues. However, this early Delta bluesman actually recorded Midnight Special Blues before Leadbelly. Although I prefer Mr. Ledbetter's, it's interesting to hear an early variation of the song. Not unlike Leadbelly, Collins dabbles in different sub-styles within the blues, playing a variation of the oft-recorded Shake That Thing, here it's Do That Thing, a dance piece that makes you smell the pine wood and corn liquor on a Saturday night.

In all, I'd recommend Collins for a change of pace from the usual suspects....the oft-mentioned greats, such as Robert Johnson, Leadbelly, Skip James, Furry Lewis, and company. Check out Jailhouse Blues on the Yazoo Record reissue for a great collection of his material

Well....I finally saw The Godfather!

I know, I know...where have I been all these years? This entry will probably be a waste of time for most of you. You don't need someone to tell you how great this movie is. Just in case, some 35 or so years later, I'm here to tell you that it is one of the top 5 movies of all-time.

The acting, the cinematography, the directing, everything..... I know Brando's performance as Don Vito Corleone is now cliche, but it is superb nonetheless. The movie starts with a bang with the whole 'I'll show you!' scene with the pompous movie director that doesn't want to play nice with mobsters.....The look on his face when he discovers that he's cuddling with the severed head of his half-million dollar thoroughbred.....Classic.

Or Pacino, as a baby-faced up and coming mobster, slowly transforming from an idealistic war hero, to a calculating cold-blooded killer, as he becomes 'The Godfather'. Caan's supporting role as the hot-headed older brother is solid, although his exchanges with Talia Shire, the battered sister, are the weakest moments of the film. Indeed, Shire can bring down practically any movie (see Rocky I-XVIII) I particularly like the use of Italian throughout the film, as it lends an authenticity that cannot be overlooked. Most directors aren't that brave anymore, fearing they will lose the mainstream.

I can't imagine how breathtaking this film was when it was originally released.

At any rate, since I've hatched out of my cocoon, vowing to my wife to watch 'all the classics' that I never got around to seeing, I'll be reviewing Lawrence of Arabia next.

Worth The Hype or Not Worth The Hype: Definitely Worth The Hype.....This movie ages like fine chianti. If you haven't seen it, don't be an idiot like me and wait decades.....Go see it immediately!