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What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?

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What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?
The Mirisch Company 1966.

Before watching the movie:

The two keywords that got me interested are “Blake Edwards” and “James Coburn”. There are quite a lot of WWII farces around by now, and I’m certainly no stranger to them, but a Blake Edwards farce sounds highly promising, and I’ve enjoyed James Coburn in comedies from the time as well.

From what I’ve seen, I’m not sure the title has much to do with how the story is told, unless all of the summaries I’ve read completely ignore a framing device. The unreliable narrator aspect shown on this poster is a good starting point for what I’d want to do with a story with a title like that, but I don’t expect to see it in the movie.

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Once Upon A Scoundrel

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Once Upon a Scoundrel.
Carlyle Productions 1974.

Before watching the movie:

I never heard of this before, but a Zero Mostel vehicle always sounds like fun. Even though I’m sure there will be many Mexican stereotypes abused for comedy here. Unless I’ve seen his Muppet Show appearance, it seems I’ve only seen two things Mostel ever did, and I ought to rectify that.

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Yesterday’s Movie Magic

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There’s something special about summertime movies. Maybe it’s that the theater was the original air conditioned oasis, but it’s when all the biggest thrills and magical adventures are brought out for our enjoyment, as well as, this year, the reanimated husk of The Lion King. Like all areas of the human experience, the magic of the movies has been documented in the movies, here in realistic and fantasy flavors.

  • The Majestic: a Macarthy-era drama about how a movie theater brings a small town together.
  • Matinee: the thrillfest of the year sets off a Rube Goldbergian chain of events.
  • Last Action Hero: Characters from a campy action movie come to the real world and find it’s a lot messier out here.
  • The Purple Rose of Cairo: It’s so easy to get lost in a movie, but sometimes the movie comes to you.

Yesterday’s TV Movies

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Real life gets in the way of blogging again, and I just want to relax with some TV, or at least movies about making TV (and radio).

  • A Hard Day’s Night: The Beatles have a lot of fun avoiding rehearsals for their big TV appearance.
  • Death to Smoochy: Politics and intrigue around who gets to entertain kids on TV.
  • Radioland Murders: A madcap murder mystery going on away from the microphone while the station is still on the air.
  • Quiz Show: scandal and intrigue around TV trivia games
  • Soapdish: soap opera drama behind the scenes in the soap opera production.
  • Broadcast News: It’s about ethics in journalism and romance! Still my favorite depiction of unrequited love for a best friend.

Pee-wee’s Big Adventure

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Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure. Warner Bros. 1985.

Before watching the movie:

I watched an episode of Pee-wee’s Playhouse once and I didn’t get it. I wasn’t repelled by it, it just didn’t make sense. Everything seemed random for the sake of being random, and it was like an educational children’s show without a lesson, a story, or a point.

So why am I getting ready to watch the Pee-wee Herman movie? Because it looks like it’s got a story and possibly a point. It’s a vehicle for Paul Reubens, and vehicles go places.

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