by Jim McAllister
"Screwball" comedy was popular in Hollywood films from about 1934 until the early 1940's. Last November I devoted two columns (11-9, 11-16) to discussing the musicals of the same period and how their purpose was to cheer up audiences of the Depression and try to make them really believe that "We’re in the Money". The screwball comedies were designed to do basically the same thing during the same period and, like the musicals, they usually added a bit of commentary to their stories.
Monday, May 29, 2006
What were the screwball comedies about? The word "screwball" came about in the early 20th century and meant "crazy" or "insane" so the first thing one notices when discussing these films is the fast pacing and frenetic or crazy action. A good example of this is the 1940 entry, "His Girl Friday" starring Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell. Another trait is the story line which usually involves the breakup of a romance, as one or both partners decide they can’t stand the other, and gets involved with another person. Usually, through a rough and tumble story, they eventually find that they can’t live without each other after all. The dialogue is almost always sophisticated and slapstick comedy can be involved. Somebody or some thing is usually being laughed at such as in "My Man Godfrey" (1936) where the rich are being skewered during the height of the Depression for their frivolous spending while others starved.
WILLIAM POWELL and CAROLE LOMBARD
in MY MAN GODFREY. Made in 1936, it was
a good example of "screwball" commentary with
its portrayal of the wealthy during the Depression.
Powell and Lombard were married briefly in the
1930's. He lived to be 92, she died tragically in
a plane crash in 1942 at 34 while on a war bond rally
trip. She was married to Clark Gable at the time;
he never fully recoverd from her death. (Modern
Times)
in MY MAN GODFREY. Made in 1936, it was
a good example of "screwball" commentary with
its portrayal of the wealthy during the Depression.
Powell and Lombard were married briefly in the
1930's. He lived to be 92, she died tragically in
a plane crash in 1942 at 34 while on a war bond rally
trip. She was married to Clark Gable at the time;
he never fully recoverd from her death. (Modern
Times)
When watching a screwball comedy, one will notice that although there is a lot of sexual innuendo, there isn’t much in the way of sex. Had these movies been made before 1934 this may have been different, but 1934 was the year that Joseph Breen took over the administration of the Hollywood Production Code and started enforcing the Hays Code of 1930. Hence, Frank Capra had to be careful in the first successful screwball comedy, "It Happened One Night" (1934). Clark Gable was allowed to take off his shirt to reveal a bare chest in the motel room but with a blanket dividing the room between him and Claudette Colbert. (Note: that scene almost ruined the undershirt makers as men wanted to be like the ultra cool Gable and quit wearing undershirts.) "It Happened One Night" also incorporated a couple more traits of screwball comedy: strong willed women, and wealth by one or both parties. In this case, Colbert is the strong willed, runaway heiress being chased by reporter Gable and her harried father, Walter Connolly. A similar role is that of Carole Lombard in "My Man Godfrey". It’s hard to think of Lombard as anything but strong willed as she played a similar personality in other screwball favorites, "Nothing Sacred" (1937), "Twentieth Century" (1934), and "Mr. And Mrs. Smith" (1941).
CLAUDETTE COLBERT and CLARK GABLE
in IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT. Gable was loaned
to poverty row Columbia Pictures by MGM as
punishment for asking for more money. Col-
bert originally had no interest in the movie. Result:
IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT won Best Movie Oscar
for 1934, Best Actress: Colbert, Best Director: Frank
Capra, Best Screenplay: Robert Riskin. Truly "screwball"!
(Modern Times)
in IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT. Gable was loaned
to poverty row Columbia Pictures by MGM as
punishment for asking for more money. Col-
bert originally had no interest in the movie. Result:
IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT won Best Movie Oscar
for 1934, Best Actress: Colbert, Best Director: Frank
Capra, Best Screenplay: Robert Riskin. Truly "screwball"!
(Modern Times)
William Powell and Myrna Loy starred in "The Thin Man" series of six films produced between 1934 and 1947. These entries exemplified the screwball touch. Nick and Nora Charles (Powell and Loy) were characters invented by Dashiell Hammett and "The Thin Man" movies had it all: plenty of wealth, some slapstick, misunderstandings, a lot of drinking, a strong female lead, and a good final resolution. They are fast paced, funny, sophisticated, and well worth watching.
Some of the Hollywood’s best were well suited for screwball comedy. They were all good looking, classy performers who weren’t afraid to take a pratfall or get a pie in the face. I have mentioned Cary Grant, Rosalind Russell, Carole Lombard, Gable and Colbert, and Powell and Loy. Others were also good such as: Melvyn Douglas ("Ninotchka" (1939) with Greta Garbo), Jean Arthur (The Ex-Mrs. Bradford (1936) with Powell), and Ginger Rogers ("Bachelor Mother" (1939) with David Niven).
Some of the Hollywood’s best were well suited for screwball comedy. They were all good looking, classy performers who weren’t afraid to take a pratfall or get a pie in the face. I have mentioned Cary Grant, Rosalind Russell, Carole Lombard, Gable and Colbert, and Powell and Loy. Others were also good such as: Melvyn Douglas ("Ninotchka" (1939) with Greta Garbo), Jean Arthur (The Ex-Mrs. Bradford (1936) with Powell), and Ginger Rogers ("Bachelor Mother" (1939) with David Niven).
A lot of popular character actors inhabited these movies too. Among them were Edward Everett Horton, the above mentioned Walter Connolly, Franklin Pangborn, the ever rotund Eugene Pallette, Alan Mowbray, and Edward Arnold.
Although there were a few more screwball films made in the 1940's, the style had pretty much run its course by the early 1940's. With the onset of World War II, the Depression finally ended and with it the feeling for frivolity. War pictures became popular as part of the fighting mentality and people turned their attention to more serious matters. The day of the screwball comedy was basically over but not forgotten by the Depression audiences of the 1930's.
Although there were a few more screwball films made in the 1940's, the style had pretty much run its course by the early 1940's. With the onset of World War II, the Depression finally ended and with it the feeling for frivolity. War pictures became popular as part of the fighting mentality and people turned their attention to more serious matters. The day of the screwball comedy was basically over but not forgotten by the Depression audiences of the 1930's.
Sunday, May 21, 2006
THE "GHOST ARMY" OF WORLD WAR II
(Author's note: This article was originally published on April 27, 2005 in the INDEPENDENT. I was fascinated by the story of the ghost army and the bravery of those guys in World War II and, with Memorial Day arriving in another week, I feel a tribute to them and our current fighting forces is appropriate with a reprint of that column....JM
by Jim McAllister
I’m sure you are wondering, "What in the world was the ghost army of World War II?" It’s an interesting story that I will explain in this column.
Ever since warfare has existed, armies have relied on some type of deception to gain an advantage on their opponents. Some ancient armies used plaster dummies, others used fake smoke signals and spies, and we all know about the famous Trojan horse. These ancient examples of deception were carried into modern warfare during World War II with the exploits of the ghost army or their actual title which was the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops.
The ghost army was a unique and little known group of American soldiers who played a big part in the Allied victory over Germany through their abilities in the art of deception. Even though information on this unit became available about thirty years ago, not much has been written about them. As World War II faded into history, so did the 23rd Special Troops.
The ghost army was organized by Lieutenant Colonel Merrick Truly. He was the executive officer in charge of these deception experts. Although Truly’s men reported to the American ground commander in Europe, General Omar Bradley, most of the American soldiers did not know of the existence of the Special Troops. They operated at night under strictly special orders and were not even required to give their identity to superior officers.
by Jim McAllister
I’m sure you are wondering, "What in the world was the ghost army of World War II?" It’s an interesting story that I will explain in this column.
Ever since warfare has existed, armies have relied on some type of deception to gain an advantage on their opponents. Some ancient armies used plaster dummies, others used fake smoke signals and spies, and we all know about the famous Trojan horse. These ancient examples of deception were carried into modern warfare during World War II with the exploits of the ghost army or their actual title which was the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops.
The ghost army was a unique and little known group of American soldiers who played a big part in the Allied victory over Germany through their abilities in the art of deception. Even though information on this unit became available about thirty years ago, not much has been written about them. As World War II faded into history, so did the 23rd Special Troops.
The ghost army was organized by Lieutenant Colonel Merrick Truly. He was the executive officer in charge of these deception experts. Although Truly’s men reported to the American ground commander in Europe, General Omar Bradley, most of the American soldiers did not know of the existence of the Special Troops. They operated at night under strictly special orders and were not even required to give their identity to superior officers.
The most unique part of this already unique group was the composition of its members. Many of these men were already famous as artists, sculptors, architects, literary figures, and others from the world of the arts and humanities. Actor Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. was perhaps the most well known for his Hollywood successes, but there was also renowned fashion designer Bill Blass, Olin Dows: a prominent artist, George Diestal: a Hollywood set designer, Art Kane: a fashion photographer, and Harold Laynor, whose artistic works depicting World War II and other subjects, are shown in galleries throughout the country.
The ghost army consisted of 82 officers and 1,023 enlisted men. With their eclectic mixture of talents, they were strictly in the deception business. The Special Troops were made up of four units: a sonic deception company, a special radio company, a company of combat engineers, and a battalion of camoufleurs. They served with four armies in five European countries in five major campaigns from D-Day (June 6, 1944) until the end of the war in 1945.
The Special Troops used six major methods of deception: camouflaging troops and tanks, placing dummy tanks and artillery, firing pyrotechnics to simulate actual artillery fire, the use of artificial sound effects, using artificial radio communication, and using fake special effects. This created an atmosphere of great danger as they needed to be in close to front line battles.
The Special Troops used six major methods of deception: camouflaging troops and tanks, placing dummy tanks and artillery, firing pyrotechnics to simulate actual artillery fire, the use of artificial sound effects, using artificial radio communication, and using fake special effects. This created an atmosphere of great danger as they needed to be in close to front line battles.
Although these brave men were involved in at least twenty other confrontations with the enemy, their biggest contribution was probably at the battle between Allied Forces and Germany at the Rhine River on March 23, 1945. Their contributions were essential in weakening the German assault and forcing Germany to surrender two months later in May of 1945.
Although records and information concerning the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops are sketchy, the aforementioned artist Harold Laynor (1922-1991) made a series of fifty paintings covering two years of participating in World War II. His works include paintings of army buddies, aspects of training and, as the series progresses, he relates the brutality and horror of war.
Although records and information concerning the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops are sketchy, the aforementioned artist Harold Laynor (1922-1991) made a series of fifty paintings covering two years of participating in World War II. His works include paintings of army buddies, aspects of training and, as the series progresses, he relates the brutality and horror of war.
Like the above mentioned celebrities participating in the 23rd, Dr. Laynor was highly distinguished in his field. Although he used primarily watercolors for his World War II work, he was also a pioneer in the use of lacquer as a medium of painting and the use of 3D paintings for the blind.
The Laynor Foundation website (www.laynor.org) has valuable information concerning the ghost army and also features seven galleries of Dr. Laynor’s World War II paintings. They are very interesting and illustrative of that terrible time in our history.
Optical illusions, bluffs, sleight of hand, misinformation, disappearing acts: all part of the ghost army of World War II; a brave and cunning bunch of guys who were instrumental in giving us the lifestyle we enjoy today. (Comments? Questions? azjimmcallister@cox.net)
The Laynor Foundation website (www.laynor.org) has valuable information concerning the ghost army and also features seven galleries of Dr. Laynor’s World War II paintings. They are very interesting and illustrative of that terrible time in our history.
Optical illusions, bluffs, sleight of hand, misinformation, disappearing acts: all part of the ghost army of World War II; a brave and cunning bunch of guys who were instrumental in giving us the lifestyle we enjoy today. (Comments? Questions? azjimmcallister@cox.net)
Monday, May 15, 2006
THE BIG BANDS: SWING, JAZZ, AND BENNY GOODMAN
by Jim McAllister
Once upon a time in America couples actually touched each other while dancing. Not only that, if you really got into "fast" dancing you needed some athletic ability plus you better be in good physical shape. If you see movies such as "Cabin in the Sky" (1943), The Marx Brothers’ "A Day at the Races" (1937) or "Hellzapoppin’" (1941), you will see dancing being performed that will take your breath away. Popularly known as "jitterbugging" or "swing dancing" many years ago, this style was originally an outgrowth from a popular dance in the 1920's called the "Lindy Hop", named after transatlantic crossing aviator Charles Lindbergh.
In the 1920's, the so-called society orchestras played a ragtime style dance music that included a lot of strings. By the latter part of the decade, artists like Louis Armstrong were breaking away from that style fronting smaller groups consisting mainly of brass sections, piano, and drums. As the 1930's emerged these "swing" bands became larger and louder (they were now known as "Big Bands") and were led by such future stars as the Dorsey brothers, Cab Calloway, Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Artie Shaw, and Benny Goodman.
Once upon a time in America couples actually touched each other while dancing. Not only that, if you really got into "fast" dancing you needed some athletic ability plus you better be in good physical shape. If you see movies such as "Cabin in the Sky" (1943), The Marx Brothers’ "A Day at the Races" (1937) or "Hellzapoppin’" (1941), you will see dancing being performed that will take your breath away. Popularly known as "jitterbugging" or "swing dancing" many years ago, this style was originally an outgrowth from a popular dance in the 1920's called the "Lindy Hop", named after transatlantic crossing aviator Charles Lindbergh.
In the 1920's, the so-called society orchestras played a ragtime style dance music that included a lot of strings. By the latter part of the decade, artists like Louis Armstrong were breaking away from that style fronting smaller groups consisting mainly of brass sections, piano, and drums. As the 1930's emerged these "swing" bands became larger and louder (they were now known as "Big Bands") and were led by such future stars as the Dorsey brothers, Cab Calloway, Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Artie Shaw, and Benny Goodman.
Since this was considered a drastic change to the popular music and dancing scene, there was much consternation from previous generations much like that experienced in the 1950's by Elvis and in the 1960's by The Beatles. I tend to pick Benny Goodman as the harbinger responsible for the success of Big Band jazz and swing. January 18, 1938 is an important date in this movement as that was when promoter Sol Hurok booked Goodman and his band into the most prestigious venue in the country, Carnegie Hall. Goodman had experienced some hard earned success before the Hall date, but that was the benchmark for all others who followed.
Benny Goodman was born in Chicago on May 30, 1909 and was part of a family of twelve. By the age of 16 he was playing clarinet for various bands and by 1933 was doing recordings with drummer Gene Krupa and trombonist Jack Teagarden. He led his first band in 1934 and then was engaged to perform on radio via NBC’s "Let’s Dance". He also performed on the "National Biscuit Saturday Night" broadcasts. Although he also played standards that appealed to the masses during the day on New York radio, the late night programming allowed him to play his own type of music. Although New York didn’t hear much of these late night broadcasts, the kids in California did because of the three hour time difference. This would later prove to be a major factor in Goodman’s success.
Benny Goodman was born in Chicago on May 30, 1909 and was part of a family of twelve. By the age of 16 he was playing clarinet for various bands and by 1933 was doing recordings with drummer Gene Krupa and trombonist Jack Teagarden. He led his first band in 1934 and then was engaged to perform on radio via NBC’s "Let’s Dance". He also performed on the "National Biscuit Saturday Night" broadcasts. Although he also played standards that appealed to the masses during the day on New York radio, the late night programming allowed him to play his own type of music. Although New York didn’t hear much of these late night broadcasts, the kids in California did because of the three hour time difference. This would later prove to be a major factor in Goodman’s success.
In the spring of 1934 Benny and the band took off on a summer tour. Although they had Benny’s music, they were told to stay with the standards because of the complaints of the older ballroom dancers about the new style of the band. Refusing to acquiesce to this demand, the tour was becoming a failure as fewer people were showing up to hear the new sound. As plans to disband the tour were discussed, they reached California. The first stop was Oakland where lines of young people extended around the block to get into Sweet’s Ballroom to "jitterbug" the night away to the sound of Benny’s music. He was happy with this success but considered it more as a one time situation than any sort of breakthrough. However, when the band reached the Palomar Ballroom in Los Angeles for the last stop on the tour, the crowds of kids and adults were there to greet him and dance the night away again. The band stayed at the Palomar for a two month gig before heading back east wallowing in the success of the West Coast dates. Thanks to the East Coast-West Coast time difference of three hours, Benny Goodman had become a star through his late night radio broadcasts.
More success was attained in Chicago and then it was on to New York to pack them in at the Paramount Theater where kids waited for hours to get in and jitterbug in the aisles. At the age of 28, Benny Goodman was practically at the pinnacle of his profession as he was now featured on the Camel Caravan radio program and receiving rave reviews from the critics and fans. Then there was January 18, 1938, the date that he received his final approval with the Carnegie Hall gig. Benny Goodman was truly the "King of Swing".
The swing era began to fade a bit as World War II progressed, but Benny Goodman’s influence was felt as he was responsible for many kids getting into music and working in particular with the clarinet. He later played some classic compositions as a soloist with noted orchestras around the world. He had played with the best jazz and swing artists of his time and remained the King of Swing until his death in June of 1986 at the age off 77. (Comments? Questions? azjimmcallister@cox.net)
The swing era began to fade a bit as World War II progressed, but Benny Goodman’s influence was felt as he was responsible for many kids getting into music and working in particular with the clarinet. He later played some classic compositions as a soloist with noted orchestras around the world. He had played with the best jazz and swing artists of his time and remained the King of Swing until his death in June of 1986 at the age off 77. (Comments? Questions? azjimmcallister@cox.net)
Monday, May 08, 2006
THE 2006 MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL
by Jim McAllister
It has been one year since I reviewed The McDowell Mountain Music Festival number two. It was a great event and the 2006 event that took place Friday and Saturday, April 28 and 29, was even better. Think about it: For fifty bucks you get to enjoy an entire day on the polo field of Westworld in Scottsdale and listen to some great bands perform from noon until eleven o’clock at night. Fifty bucks won’t even get you close to a Madonna concert or any other notable act, so this was a great deal.
It has been one year since I reviewed The McDowell Mountain Music Festival number two. It was a great event and the 2006 event that took place Friday and Saturday, April 28 and 29, was even better. Think about it: For fifty bucks you get to enjoy an entire day on the polo field of Westworld in Scottsdale and listen to some great bands perform from noon until eleven o’clock at night. Fifty bucks won’t even get you close to a Madonna concert or any other notable act, so this was a great deal.
The Festival also is a family friendly event as there was a craft center and other activities to keep the kids busy. Once again the proceeds of an expected $30,000 will be donated to the Boys Hope, Girls Hope foundation and the Phoenix Day Child and Family Learning Centers.
This year’s setup looked about the same as last year’s with plenty of food and drink booths on the perimeter of the field. There was the artist’s colony section with some nifty stuff and the obligatory tacky items and, of course, tee shirts were available. I’m glad the organizers haven’t gone overboard with the booths, enough is enough with that sort of attraction .With the heat of Saturday I was thankful for the suds available at the Sierra Nevada beer booth. I also was glad I lathered down with sun block as the sun was shining in all of its Arizona glory.
The music at The McDowell Mountain Music Festival just keeps getting better. Last year was good with well known acts like Bruce Hornsby and Solomon Burke performing along with good but lesser known acts. This year was an improvement as Friday’s lineup included the multi platinum Black Crowes as the featured act of a day that included Traveler, The Pistoleros, Tishamingo, Son Volt, and Buckwheat Zydeco.
This year’s setup looked about the same as last year’s with plenty of food and drink booths on the perimeter of the field. There was the artist’s colony section with some nifty stuff and the obligatory tacky items and, of course, tee shirts were available. I’m glad the organizers haven’t gone overboard with the booths, enough is enough with that sort of attraction .With the heat of Saturday I was thankful for the suds available at the Sierra Nevada beer booth. I also was glad I lathered down with sun block as the sun was shining in all of its Arizona glory.
The music at The McDowell Mountain Music Festival just keeps getting better. Last year was good with well known acts like Bruce Hornsby and Solomon Burke performing along with good but lesser known acts. This year was an improvement as Friday’s lineup included the multi platinum Black Crowes as the featured act of a day that included Traveler, The Pistoleros, Tishamingo, Son Volt, and Buckwheat Zydeco.
On Saturday, the entertainment level was kicked up a notch as nine acts made their way to the stage. I arrived in time to see the end of event co-organizer Walt Richardson’s set. Following Richardson was the master of reggae, Burning Spear. This guy has been around for over thirty-five years and, along with his band, put on quite a show. A large crowd cheered enthusiastically and since there was accessability for fans to get close to the stage, there was plenty of dancing. Spear’s band was great and for a moment, I thought I heard a guitar riff similar to the one in Norman Greenbaum’s "Spirit in the Sky" from 1970. Could it be? Did that lead guitar player for Spear give me a nod of appreciation for noticing that? I would like to think so.
After Burning Spear came Ozomatli, a group with a sound very different from the smooth reggae tones of Burning Spear. I would describe their sound as a mix of rap, Latin, hip-hop, all with a middle eastern background. Does that sound a bit different to you? I assure you that it was but some of their tunes were pretty good as I enjoyed the mysterious air to them with the middle eastern sound. Whatever it was they did, their fans were appreciative as the crowds were enlarging and getting more boisterous with their cheering and dancing. Evening was approaching and full blown party time was nearing.
Saturday night brought 1970's favorite, The Marshall Tucker Band, popular rock and soul guitarist Johnny Lang, and three time Grammy winning Los Lobos. That concluded a great day and weekend of music and fun at the 2006 McDowell Mountain Music Festival.
Saturday night brought 1970's favorite, The Marshall Tucker Band, popular rock and soul guitarist Johnny Lang, and three time Grammy winning Los Lobos. That concluded a great day and weekend of music and fun at the 2006 McDowell Mountain Music Festival.
The Festival is a nice event that I look forward to. It appeals to everyone from families to young party animals to older fans of some of the nostalgic bands like Marshall Tucker. In the two years that I have attended, I have yet to see any type of scuffling that you might expect at an event that includes beer and rock and roll. Security is good and I even saw a "rent a cop" that reminded me of officer Jim Chee of the Tony Hillerman novels. How is that for imagination?
If you have never gone, I would suggest marking your calendar for next year. Two suggestions: Take some chairs for seating and some blankets if you plan to sit in front of the bandstand. Last year it got pretty cool at night. Secondly, if you are there for an extended period in the daytime, bring along some sun block. I saw a lot of pink people that are suffering today from the sun exposure.
Other than those suggestions, I hope I see you next year for another fun time at The McDowell Mountain Music Festival, 2007. (Comments? Questions? azjimmcallister@cox.net.
If you have never gone, I would suggest marking your calendar for next year. Two suggestions: Take some chairs for seating and some blankets if you plan to sit in front of the bandstand. Last year it got pretty cool at night. Secondly, if you are there for an extended period in the daytime, bring along some sun block. I saw a lot of pink people that are suffering today from the sun exposure.
Other than those suggestions, I hope I see you next year for another fun time at The McDowell Mountain Music Festival, 2007. (Comments? Questions? azjimmcallister@cox.net.
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