Biopics
Posted: January 19th, 2015, 2:28 pm
You know what? I think I like film biographies! They can be cheezy. They almost certainly stretch the truth to the breaking point. But the format suits dramatic storytelling quite well. Origin of the character, development and conflict, resolution. And...we're out! Some of them are more interesting than others. The music oriented ones don't do much for me. Sorry, but Jerome Kern's story doesn't compare with that of Woodrow Wilson! Maybe the genre needs just the right springboard. With that intact, you're halfway there!
I just watched JIM THORPE, ALL AMERICAN. Burt Lancaster as, perhaps, the greatest athlete of the century. We see his beginnings on an Indian reservation, schooling and collegiate athletics, professional career and alcoholic downfall. All kept on track by the dependable Michael Curtiz. Some of the sports stories are pretty corny. PRIDE OF THE YANKEES, THE STRATTON STORY, THE WINNING TEAM. But these aren't bad movies. They're just a little overly emotional.
ABE LINCOLN IN ILLINOIS doesn't attempt to tell an entire life story. But whatever it is, it's quite good! The same for Hawks' stirring SERGEANT YORK. The focus is on one aspect, one issue, of the man's story, rather than his whole life. Richard Burton is intriguing as Edwin Booth in PRINCE OF PLAYERS. I even like Charles Laughton as REMBRANDT. Tyrone Power as JESSE JAMES? Fun, but I really doubt Frank and Jesse were champions of the down-trodden! This type of story is more of an adventure than a biography.
The formula doesn't always work. Moss Hart's personal ACT ONE is a wonderful book. But a guy writing a play? Not very exciting movie material! JOHN PAUL JONES? Sounds like a good concept. But the ship sinks almost immediately! And those composers. Poor Robert Walker as Jerome Kern. Don't even! I believe Danny Thomas plays Gus Kahn. Isn't there one with John Garfield?
There are a lot of these movies. Hollywood loves a success story. Some are pretty good. Some are pretty bad. In general, the concept intrigues me.
I just watched JIM THORPE, ALL AMERICAN. Burt Lancaster as, perhaps, the greatest athlete of the century. We see his beginnings on an Indian reservation, schooling and collegiate athletics, professional career and alcoholic downfall. All kept on track by the dependable Michael Curtiz. Some of the sports stories are pretty corny. PRIDE OF THE YANKEES, THE STRATTON STORY, THE WINNING TEAM. But these aren't bad movies. They're just a little overly emotional.
ABE LINCOLN IN ILLINOIS doesn't attempt to tell an entire life story. But whatever it is, it's quite good! The same for Hawks' stirring SERGEANT YORK. The focus is on one aspect, one issue, of the man's story, rather than his whole life. Richard Burton is intriguing as Edwin Booth in PRINCE OF PLAYERS. I even like Charles Laughton as REMBRANDT. Tyrone Power as JESSE JAMES? Fun, but I really doubt Frank and Jesse were champions of the down-trodden! This type of story is more of an adventure than a biography.
The formula doesn't always work. Moss Hart's personal ACT ONE is a wonderful book. But a guy writing a play? Not very exciting movie material! JOHN PAUL JONES? Sounds like a good concept. But the ship sinks almost immediately! And those composers. Poor Robert Walker as Jerome Kern. Don't even! I believe Danny Thomas plays Gus Kahn. Isn't there one with John Garfield?
There are a lot of these movies. Hollywood loves a success story. Some are pretty good. Some are pretty bad. In general, the concept intrigues me.