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In Reply to: RE: Whatever happened to elegance? posted by danj on August 19, 2009 at 08:45:17
'Top Hat' was on one hand a musical, because musicals were very popular at the time it was released, but even more so it was a fantasy. It, like many (hundreds?) released during the Great Depression, were set pieces showing the supposed lives of the wealthy and carefree. Hence, they allowed the large percentage of the U.S. populace who were poor-to-dirt-poor to, for a few cents, sit in a dark theater and dream about a life they would never have. Do you really want movies like 'Top Hat' to be part of current production? I sure don't-they were a product of their time, and though they may be "elegant", they're ultimately silly and insincere, without even the thinnest veneer of realism. Needless to say, that can describe a large crop of current cinema, but at least we rarely see people eating supper in a tuxedo. In retrospect, it's a wonder theater audiences of the time didn't rise up out of their seats, grab pitchforks and torches, and storm the Bastille that is Hollywood.
Hey, that might be an idea for a screenplay!
"dammit"
Follow Ups:
and a type of film whose time is long past. Did you read where I mentioned its silly plot? What I don't like is the big budget incompetence and lack of originality that most current movies exhibit.
I realize that. It's just my opinion that those movies, as good as they were, are of their time. From my perspective, I see many, many current movies that, though as dissimilar as is humanly possibly from F.A. fantasy/musicals, are none the less wonderful, creative films. They're just different-and that's why film is art. What would we have to compare to those F.A. musicals if all were the same, and then how could we judge their relative merits? That's the fun in being a film buff.
"dammit"
I know "Top Hat" is ancient and no one would go see a film like that today. I, too, am a film buff and am frustrated by the lack of choices. Again I was not wondering why movies like "Top Hat" are no longer being made; I asked what happened to elegance and the ability to entertain without gross SFX, gore, and dizzying editing.
Read "Blockbuster: How Hollywood Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Summer" by Tom Shone and you'll understand most of my frustrations. It's an interesting history of how the beancounters displaced the creative minds when deciding which properties to film and release. The book is several years old but even more current today than when originally published. I found it a fascinating read.
AND JUST HOW WOULD YOU DO THAT? In my opinion the only way to do that is to stay away from the theaters and refuse to patronize their CRAP. But IMHO Americans want CRAP! They love CRAP! Do you realize that the only ambassadors of OUR culture are THE SIMPSONS and KING OF THE HILL or maybe Hulk Hogan. The American Indian has more culture than any citizen of the USA. I guess if you call baseball and American football and basketball and Hollywood CULTURE then I guess we have culture but IMHO is not much to be proud of. About the only people in the USA who have a culture are those to attend the military colleges; a culture of WAR! I guess Oscar Wilde was correct when he said; "America is the only country that went from barbarism to decadence without any intervening culture." As far a directors of films rising to the level of former superstar directors then I don't see any the likes of Ford, Huston, Lean, Wells or Hitchcock. In Hollywood, a professional wrestler or body builder would stand a higher chance of directing a film than anyone who diligently studied FILM or CINEMA at a college or university. At least we can buy a DVD of these great films of the great masters and enjoy them in our homes! It seems to me that directors are now employees and the people who produce films are only interested in a return profit and are NOT interested in producing anything of cultural worth. The great architect Le Corbusier (Edward Jeneret) said: "..the gift of imagination is a gift from the God's to a few for which they receive innumerable kicks in the ass their entire life." Ray
"I think the journey should be just as enjoyable as the destination." GRH
"Orson Wells, thou art avenged." Ray Hughes
"I think the journey should be just as enjoyable as the destination." GRH
And trust me, I'm laughing with appreciation. A couple of great posts-but I disagree that imaginative movies by good directors aren't being made. Do you think that, say, 'Memento' is anything but one man's vision of what his movie should be? There aredozenshundreds of such films that have been produced in the last 20 years. We're living in a rich age for film making-just stay away from anything with the Jerry Brukheimer stamp of approval.
Plus, and BTW, I forgot to mention how much I enjoy the 'Thin Man' movies, and virtually every F.A. film up to his declining years. 'Royal Wedding' is a fookin' masterpiece. But as you say, we live in a wonderful time where we can, 'for a couple of bucks', enjoy these for what they are, at any time we please. I do that-plus enjoy some current releases.
"dammit"
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