esrosedotblog

OLD HOLLYWOOD

Today's NYTimes Best 1176 Film was made when I was a junior in high school. I am sure that I saw it.

It is in Cinemascope and opens with an overture with a full symphony orchestra. This was the introduction of stereophonic sound.

It was thrilling! Remember that is the first wide screen. The speakers were arrayed across fifty feet or more behind that screen. We were stunned.

Now, on our stereo playback (four feet projected out) it is not worth one shiver.

We are also treated to wide screen moments that were meant to dazzle: a plane landing on a runway--eeeek look out!

Yes. It had that impact.

It is also pure Hollywood fantasy product in the old style. And that is a good thing.

How to Marry a Millionaire (1953)

Remember, this is when inflation had not set in. A million was a lot in those days; 7,314,000 dollars to be exact.

The stars are Lauren Bacall, Betty Grable and Marilyn Monroe. These are three major female stars of the time. Actually, Bacall begat Grable begat Monroe. They are all more or less in the same mode.

This is one more film in which we get to see Monroe really do some major acting. In a plane scene with another favorite, David Wayne, she goes from superficial to deep in about a two minute interval. She just wins you over.

The men are David Wayne (yes), William Powell, Rory Calhoun (who was gay and we knew it) and Cameron Mitchell. All good.

I really liked it and not for nostalgic reasons. It reads a bit slow now. Movies have become so fast. But the pace is fine. Once it gets going, we have a nice comedy with some really flashy scenery, costumes, and good feelings at the end.

I will give it a 4 out of Netflix5.