The Sunshine Boys (1975)

I first watched this movie on television about 25 years ago, and it was a pleasure to watch it again for the first time in so many years. It's still a very funny film and I found myself laughing many times throughout. I love the character that Walter Matthau brings to life - an old vaudevillian comedian who will not give up acting, even if it means working in commercials. It sort of reminded me of when Betty White and Abe Vigoda did a Snickers commercial a few years ago for the Super Bowl.

Richard Benjamin plays the nephew who is trying to reunite the old man with his old comedy partner played by George Burns.

Some modern productions of The Sunshine Boys  update the characters to be pioneer TV stars rather than vaudevillians, which I suppose works just as well. But in the original play and this film, the whole vaudeville thing really works well. George Burns was an actual vaudevillian, so he was absolutely perfect for the role as Matthau's partner. When this movie came out in the 1970s, we still had vaudeville stars still living, but today there aren't any around anymore. Mickey Rooney was probably the most famous vaudevillians still living until he passed away this year.

I like Burns' line when he says to Matthau, "You know...I don't think we get along too good". That really sums up the movie in a way. The two comedians are able to reunite, and in a way say their last goodbye, realizing they are better off going their separate ways. I love the movie because it portrays two people who can't get along, but really love each other - sort of like a family member or friend you use to have, but just can't be with them too often. Such a great story, and great humor by Neil Simon.

It'd be cool to see this show performed live on stage.

Shirley Temple in Young People (1940)

Somber drama-comedy (more on the drama side, though) musical starring 12-year old Shirley Temple(Wendy). Adopted as a baby by the husband and wife vaudeville team of Joe (Jack Oakie, from "The Great Dictator") and Kit Ballantine (Charlotte Greenwood), she grows into childhood as a vital part of their act. There is an interesting sequence in the beginning that features film clips revealing Shirley's growth from her earliest screen appearances to adolescence. As she approaches school age - and as vaudeville fades with the changing pop cultural times - the couple feel that showbusiness is not the best life for Wendy, so they decide to retire to a farm in Vermont and settle down. There's an emotional "farewell performance" vaudeville scene with Shirley tearfully thanking the audience for their support over the years. (She also announces that next on the program in the theater is a movie; a scene that demonstrates that vaudeville acts often preceded film screenings.) In the new town, the locals have some doubts about show business people, and even snicker at newspaperman Mike Shea (the great underrated actor George Montgomery), the owner of local newspaper "The Democrat". He's among of the few supporters of the Ballantines. When Wendy turns a school play into an jazzy, vaudeville show with lavish costumes and exotic dances. During the performance, the children's parents get furious with the way the kids are dancing ("Tommy, stop that disgraceful exhibition at once!" one says). The show comes to a halt in mid-performance, and the children are pulled from the show one by one. We see a sign hanging backstage that says, "Blessed are the pure in heart". Also, there a few emotional scenes at the end when Shirley learns that she's adopted. Plus: there are a few scenes with child actor Robert Anderson, who played young George Bailey in It's a Wonderful Life.

Yankee Doodle Dandee (1942) and Meeting Joan Leslie

I saw this (again) today with my friend Mike on the big screen at the Eygptian Theater in LA. Joan Leslie was there in person doing a Q and A. (She signed a photo for me) This is a movie fondly remembered by the critics who were polled by AFI (it made the AFI "Top 100" poll in 1998 and 2008). James Cagney is energetic as vaudevillian George M. Cohen, who went on to write numerous broadway productions and penned some classic American songs, such as "You're a Grand Old Flag" and "Over There". The movie highlights the entertainer's milestones and accomplishments. Filled with musical performances and show tunes taken directly from the shows he appeared in. This movie really keeps the legacy of George M. Cohen alive. Co-starring Walter Huston and Frances Langford.

Unfortunately, there is a scene in the beginning with the "The Four Cohans" that feature them all in blackface, which is really troubling. As is known, minstrel shows were very popular in that time period. Every time I watch this movie I try to see past this and appreciate the legacy of Cohan's music. Also offensive are the lines in the lyrics to "Baby in the Bunch", a tune sung by Joan Leslie very fast paced.

THE WARMEST BABY IN THE BUNCH by George M. Cohan (1897)

[Verse 1]

You're well acquainted with the Highborn lady,
You might have heard of Hot Tamale Sal,
But there's a wench that makes them all look shady,
You've got to take your hat off to dis gal,
You'll all be dazzled when you see dis member,
You'll think that you've been drinking nigger punch,
The steam comes from her shoes in cold December,
For she's the warmest baby in the bunch.

 [Chorus - only this part is sung in the movie]

When they see her coming, all dem wenches take a chill,
Diamonds glist'nin' all around and style enough to kill,
Her steady feller broke a crap game, Down in Louisville,
And buys her chicken ev'ry day for lunch.
"Come Seben!" Dreamy eyes that sparkle
and she rolls them mighty cute,
Colored gemmen say that lady cert'ny is a "beaut,"
"Go broke," dat she's a hot potater She's a red hot radiator,
She's the warmest baby in the bunch

 [Verse 2]

The coons they all acknowledge she's a wizard,
You'll cremate if around this gal you fool,
Last January when we had a blizzard,
She had to fan herself to take it cool,
The pol'cy shops are broken by this hummer,
She's luckier than a nigger with a hunch,
She leads a life of everlasting summer,
For she's the warmest baby in the bunch.

Read Sally Tonks' review from her blog Flying Down to Hollywood.
Read Monty's review from his blog 31 Days of Oscar.