The job of an actor is to find 'THE' moment in his/her material and to stir the audience in either dramatic or comic terms. All the negatives and some positives have already been stated in this column about "Hurry Sundown." However, no one has bothered to really tell about the actress who plays Rose. Her name was Beah Richards, best remembered by some as Sidney Poitier's mother in "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner." Ms. Richards has lingered in my memory since I saw "Hurry Sundown" in the theatre all those years ago. Her performance is monumental here, although, the material, as already stated by many, stunk as skunk! She 'rose' over all the 'stars' in this sorrowful piece to create her memorable portrait. The only reason I'd want to see this film on DVD would be to see her amazing performance once again. Ms. Richards truly found that moment to stir the emotions in an otherwise poorly conceived film.
Reviews
5 Reviews
Hurry Sundown
(1967)
Most Memorable Performance in Hurry Sundown is by Beah Richards
13 December 2010
Young Americans
(2000)
Interesting, winning school teens with parent problems!
17 August 2009
When I started watching this series I was instantly taken by the sweetness, seriousness and interesting lives of the kids' characters. A refreshing change from other WB series' characters with little substance to offer viewers. Indeed, how could the WB not have closed the series with resolutions? "Young Americans" is my favorite WB series other than "Dawson's Creek" (very different story lines). A thread that interests me is the intriguing possibilities of the Senator due to how he spent his Rawley years. Mrs. Krudski's 'looks' continue to make me wonder every time Will mentions the nice man who let him drive the neat car in the Parking Lot. Might she have also dated the good Senator? Will (beautifully & sensitively played by Rodney Scott, a young actor with THE most perfect face, ever, and a sensitivity and intelligence which makes me feel angry toward his father for his seeming disinterest in his own incredible son), to me, is the most interesting character as he is the glue that brings everyone around him, together - might he ever resolve his differences at home with Dad? Can winning, confident and handsome Scout ever be completely sure of his father (The Senator), again? The Senator seems like a nice man who may have had a youthful indiscretion! Will Bella, perfectly played by Kate Bosworth, ever find the illusive answer to her biological question? Her mother's abandonment has been tough on her (and stepfather, Charlie.) Small a role as Charlie the mechanic has, I like him immensely for the love and respect he shows Bella, his adopted step-daughter! Will Jacqueline (Jake) reveal her 'Rawley' identity to her mother? Will Hamilton's parents resolve their differences? Mother and Finn, well, excuse me! Etc., etc., etc. I feel that the WB made a HUGE mistake not continuing the series wounding me severely when they canceled it! It might easily have lasted several seasons for its intelligent writing, directing and acting. Steven Antin, what wonderful writing you usually do - though, nothing comes up to the concept of YA. Since, it was cancelled, perhaps, one fine day, you'll be able to get the same actors to play the same roles some years into their futures. All of us who love these characters and story would be right there to see what happened to them, to a person! So many characters including: Will's best childhood friend, also, interested in Bella, Sean; and Finn, who, also, hails from New Rawley - the town. WB, please, put the 8 episodes out on DVD!!! Also, perhaps one day you'll divulge WHY you canceled it??? The truth! Numerous International fans are interested!!!
The Emperor's Club
(2002)
A well-meaning teacher learns that he is not, himself, above learning.
25 March 2006
Warning: Spoilers
I like "The Emperor's Club" immensely! We get to see an excellent teacher, Mr Hundert, in trouble as forces lurking beyond his realm of experience (Senator Bell & his son) challenge his ethics and his methods of teaching to have him look in the mirror and question his own life and worth as an educator. In spite of Sedgewick Bell's influence on the other students, we see that they do learn under Mr. Hundert, having his efforts not be for naught! This is demonstrated via the education of Mr. Mehta, if not the rest, save Sedgewick Bell, when we learn, 25 years later, that Mehta has become an educator, himself, and that he attributes Mr. Hundert's influence (at least in part) in that decision. However, Hundert's method of trying to save Bell by using the unethical means of sacrificing Blythe's rightful position in the Mr. Julius Caesar competition, in the final analysis, losing Bell's soul to his father's methods, anyway, one questions the failed end justifying the means! In the end, Blythe shows us his strength of character in his forgiveness of Mr. Hundert's ethical lapse (big a deal as it would have been as a legacy with at least one former family Caesar) recognizing his teacher's worth as we see him sending his own son to study under Hundert.
Why people have to compare films of the same genre and choose one over another is beyond my comprehension. Both renditions of "Goodbye, Mr. Chips" were excellent, schmaltz and all, portrayed by two remarkable actors. "Dead Poet's Society" was also a good film though in my opinion not on the scholarly par with "The Emperor's Club". DPS brought out more of the psychologically fragile aspect of a human being (the student), while TEC brings out the scholarly aspect as well as to make us or keep us aware of some very unseemly personalities in the political arena and big business which have been corrupting and bankrupting our society for far too long. A subject of our time with so many recent examples and it seems to have no end. Harris Yulin as the arrogant Senator who seems to have a pact with the devil, is excellent! To be arrogant and corrupt is bad enough, but, to corrupt one's own child by design is criminal and Yulin swings deliciously low for this role!
Kudos to writer Ethan Canin for the original story and screenwriter Neil Tolkin for a beautifully developed screenplay. Gentlemen, we need more stories like this one in today's world if we are to recognize and survive all the SELF-ABSOPTION, ARROGANCE, GREED and CORRUPTION that has taken over and become status quo. We also need more stories with positive characters such as are Blythe, Mehta, Masoudi, Hundert etc. to uplift us and realize that all is not lost, yet. We need to know about the unscrupulous types like the school's director, well played by Edward Herrmann, who only see $ signs for new school wings and not the lack of integrity in allowing a cheating student not to be called on his compromise.
Kevin Kline is in top form, here! He ingests Hundert with a quiet though scholarly presence and a strong sense of knowing the past so that we are not doomed to repeat the mistakes of others. All cast should be extremely proud of their work on this project! The actors playing the young students didn't hit a sour note among them and it is chilling when young Blythe walks in at the end knowing whose son he is and that his parents have been incredible and positive role models (we know his father has and assume that mom has as well). The actors playing the students 25 years later were likewise wonderful - in particular I like Steven Culp as Blythe with his noble intelligent ways and no corruption in him. Joel Gretsch as Bell has the right amount of good looks and charm coupled with his father-fed dark side as does Emile Hirsch as young Bell. We have to wonder what is in store for Sedgewick Bell in his future relationship with his son, Robert as Robert is witness to his father's corruption in the men's room scene. Mehta's humility and excellent student was almost stolen with mother's and then wife's beaming pride at each of the competitions. He is truly an inspired character. As for Patrick Dempsey, is there any young actor in cinema today with more charm than he? He continues where the younger actor left off to ingest Masoudi with fun, devilish charm and simple honesty! I highly recommend "The Emperor's Club" and wish more like it invaded our atmosphere and our part of the cosmos!
Why people have to compare films of the same genre and choose one over another is beyond my comprehension. Both renditions of "Goodbye, Mr. Chips" were excellent, schmaltz and all, portrayed by two remarkable actors. "Dead Poet's Society" was also a good film though in my opinion not on the scholarly par with "The Emperor's Club". DPS brought out more of the psychologically fragile aspect of a human being (the student), while TEC brings out the scholarly aspect as well as to make us or keep us aware of some very unseemly personalities in the political arena and big business which have been corrupting and bankrupting our society for far too long. A subject of our time with so many recent examples and it seems to have no end. Harris Yulin as the arrogant Senator who seems to have a pact with the devil, is excellent! To be arrogant and corrupt is bad enough, but, to corrupt one's own child by design is criminal and Yulin swings deliciously low for this role!
Kudos to writer Ethan Canin for the original story and screenwriter Neil Tolkin for a beautifully developed screenplay. Gentlemen, we need more stories like this one in today's world if we are to recognize and survive all the SELF-ABSOPTION, ARROGANCE, GREED and CORRUPTION that has taken over and become status quo. We also need more stories with positive characters such as are Blythe, Mehta, Masoudi, Hundert etc. to uplift us and realize that all is not lost, yet. We need to know about the unscrupulous types like the school's director, well played by Edward Herrmann, who only see $ signs for new school wings and not the lack of integrity in allowing a cheating student not to be called on his compromise.
Kevin Kline is in top form, here! He ingests Hundert with a quiet though scholarly presence and a strong sense of knowing the past so that we are not doomed to repeat the mistakes of others. All cast should be extremely proud of their work on this project! The actors playing the young students didn't hit a sour note among them and it is chilling when young Blythe walks in at the end knowing whose son he is and that his parents have been incredible and positive role models (we know his father has and assume that mom has as well). The actors playing the students 25 years later were likewise wonderful - in particular I like Steven Culp as Blythe with his noble intelligent ways and no corruption in him. Joel Gretsch as Bell has the right amount of good looks and charm coupled with his father-fed dark side as does Emile Hirsch as young Bell. We have to wonder what is in store for Sedgewick Bell in his future relationship with his son, Robert as Robert is witness to his father's corruption in the men's room scene. Mehta's humility and excellent student was almost stolen with mother's and then wife's beaming pride at each of the competitions. He is truly an inspired character. As for Patrick Dempsey, is there any young actor in cinema today with more charm than he? He continues where the younger actor left off to ingest Masoudi with fun, devilish charm and simple honesty! I highly recommend "The Emperor's Club" and wish more like it invaded our atmosphere and our part of the cosmos!
A Man Called Peter
(1955)
A man believes so strongly in God and he compels others to do the same.
21 March 2006
"A Man Called Peter" is the story of a man whose complete conviction and trust in God carries him to his 'calling' as a shepherd to a flock at an important Washington D.C. church and to the young woman who becomes his wife and mother of his son. Led to important posts as Chaplain of The New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington D.C. also called The Church of Presidents once attended regularly by Abraham Lincoln, and later becoming the Chaplain of the Senate, the portrayal of Richard Todd as Dr. Peter Marshall is nothing short of COMPELLING with his voice and speech as beautiful and mesmerizing as one will ever hear with his Scottish brogue. Especially moving is the scene where he addresses the Naval Academy at Annapolis when one realizes that it took place the morning of Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941 as the Empire of Japan was simultaneously bombarding Pearl Harbor. Jean Peters is beautiful but also of the proper dramatic weight for the role of his wife. Billy Chapin was quite appropriate as their son, Peter John, who went on to preach, himself and who today runs Peter Marshall Ministries offering CD and cassette products of his father's dynamic sermons over 50 years ago. (Whatever happened to Billy Chapin?) Especially terrific is Jill Esmond in a comic role where her comedic timing and actions are first rate. The rest of the supporting cast headed by Les Tremayne and Marjorie Rambeau are fine. The Cinemascope and Technicolor direction adds drama and beauty to the film as does the score, especially in the scene at Annapolis with the men's choir voices raised harmonically for a beautiful hymn rendition. The film deserved its Oscar nomination in cinematography if not in other categories for which it was not nominated. I highly recommend the new widescreen edition of this film from 1955.
Dancing at the Harvest Moon
(2002 TV Movie)
Central character is trying to recapture a past time in her life.
12 November 2005
Beautifully executed script. My only complaint was that Jackie Bissett's accent was not explained and, as in the case of another watcher, I agreed 100% that whereas Eric Mabius was perfect in his role and totally comfortable in his/John's character being in love with an older woman, even to the end of the film, Jackie B. (who had plenty of experience in this situation as in "Rich and Famous") did not seem comfortable in return. This, beyond the fact that her character had been fleetingly in love with John's father over 25 years before. This was a beautiful story and I will seek out the book by Kinnon. Embarrassed to say that since I am in the same place now that Maggie was in the film, I teared through the entire film. Eric Mabius' powerful and perfect performance is in part responsible for my high grade. He was able to continue his character's persona created by another actor as his father giving the same passionate human flavor that a son would have who was very like his father. Beautiful!
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