Movies in March 2021

The Jazz Singer 1927 The son of a Jewish Cantor must defy the traditions of his religious father in order to pursue his dream of becoming a jazz singer.  Director: Alan Crossland Writers: Samson Raphaelson (play), Alfred A Cohn (adaptation), Al Jolson, May McAvoy. Cantor Rabinowitz is concerned and upset because his son Jakie shows so little interest in carrying on the traditions (five generations in the family have been cantors in the synagogue). Jackie finds that in order to balance his career, his relationship with Mary, and his memories of his family, he will be forced to make some difficult choices.Toot, Toot, Tootsie (Goo' Bye!) - (1922) Written by Gus Kahn, Dan Russo, Ernie Erdman, Ted Fio Rito and Robert A King  and sung by Al Jolson. 

Gone with the Wind 1939 A manipulative woman (Vivien Leigh) and a roguish man (Clark Gable) conduct a turbulent romance during the American Civil War and Reconstruction periods. Directors: Victor Fleming, George Cokor (uncredited), Margaret Mitchell (story of teh Old South "Gone with the Wind") Sidney Howard (screen play). 

I’ll See You in My Dreams 1951 Danny Thomas and Doris Day.The success and decline of songwriter Gus Kahn  is portrayed, with his wife, Grace Kahn, sticking by him the whole time. This musical bio of Gus Kahn, the "Corn Belt Bard," Doris Day sings one great song after another, while Kahn, the author of countless tunes from the title number to "Ain't We Got Fun" and "Makin' Whoopee," is portrayed by Danny Thomas. American popular music from the days of Tin Pan Alley, vaudeville, Broadway and early sound movies, the story is swept along by the expert direction of Michael Curtiz.

Inherit the Wind 1960 (Directed by Stanley Kramer) – Spencer Tracy and Frederic March. Based on a real-life case in 1925, two great lawyers argue the case for and against a science teacher accused of the crime of teaching evolution. Inherit the Wind is a fictionalized account based on the famous Scopes "Monkey Trial" which took place in Tennessee in 1925. (The teacher arrested for teaching evolution was John Scopes (1900-1970), the prosecuting attorney was William Jennings Bryan (1860-1925), and the defense attorney was Clarence Darrow (1857-1938). The names were all changed for the play and the film, but the basic incidents were true.). 

Judas and the Black Messiah 2021 The film is directed and produced by Shaka King, who wrote the screenplay with Will Berson, based on a story by the pair and Kenny and Keith Lucas.  Bill O'Neal infiltrates the Black Panther Party per FBI Agent (played by Lakeith Stanfield), an FBI informant. As Party Chairman Fred Hampton ascends, falling for a fellow revolutionary en route, a battle wages for O'Neal's soul. American biographical drama film about the betrayal of Fred Hampton (played by Daniel Kaluuya), chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party in late-1960s Chicago.

Thanks to Turner Classic Movies and more recently AMC Theaters (allowing me to actually sit in a movie house – Creve Coeur Cinema). Needless to say, in light of heightened dialogue around equity, justice and politics, and during a global pandemic each of these films contribute as meaningful thought starters. I love that movies have that power.