Reel Reflection: Looking Back at 2018’s Movie Anniversaries

By Michael Lyons

The end of the year.  A time for looking ahead…but before we know where we are going, we have to remember where we’ve been, which makes this the perfect time to look back at movies that celebrated anniversaries this past year.  Some of them blockbusters, some underrated, all of them worth remembering.

“The Dark Knight” (2008) 10th Anniversary

Director Christopher Nolan’s gritty, realistic take on Batman is so revolutionary and changed our perception of super heroes and super hero movies that it’s so hard to believe than an entire decade has passed since it debuted.  The film’s action and underlying themes still pack a wallop and Heath Ledger’s Joker (which earned him a posthumous Oscar) is still one of film’s most haunting villains.

“A Bug’s Life” (1998) 20th Anniversary

Pixar’s follow-up to the landmark “Toy Story” was no sophomore slump, the tale of Flik the ant and a circus of bugs protecting a tiny insect village from the villainous Hopper is a stirring hero’s journey filled with some of the most gorgous animation ever to come out of the Studio.

 

“Schindler’s List” (1993) 25th Anniversary

Without a doubt, one of the most powerful films ever made.  A quarter century has passed since the debut of Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece about the real-life Oskar Schindler, who saved the lives of more than a thousand Polish-Jewish refugees from the Holocaust by employing them in his factories during World War II.  The black and white cinematography is both brutal and beautiful, the story is emotionally draining, the film is still an unforgettable experience that stays with audiences, twenty-five years later.

“Die Hard” (1988) 30th Anniversary

Let the “it IS or it’s NOT a Christmas movie” debate rage on, there’s no debating that this is one of the best action movies ever made.   The story of John McLane (Bruce Willis in the role that made him a superstar) facing off against terrorists (led by Alan Rickman, so amazing in this role no matter how many times you’ve seen it) is so masterfully assembled by Director John McTiernan that it’s no wonder why it set the standard and influenced so many movies that have followed.  Yippee-Kay-Ay!

“Grease” (1978) 40th Anniversary

John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, 50’s Nostalgia as filtered through a ‘70’s lens, a hit Broadway Show adapted into a blockbuster musical.  It’s all corny, kitschy, bubble gum pop and watchable and re-watchable as anything!  It’s no wonder that an entire generation is so “Hopelessly Devoted” to this movie.

“2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968) 50th Anniversary

Hard to believe that the movie that turned linear storytelling on its ear and ushered in an age of film as a visual event hit its golden anniversary this year.  Director Stanley Kubrick’s film is everything from mesmerizing to maddening, but one can’t deny that it’s also one of film’s most original visions that, in many ways, foretold the future (was HAL the first Alexa?!?)

“Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein” (1948) 70th Anniversary

Abbott and Costello have never been funnier, the Universal Monsters have never been scarier and all of them have never been better together.  Few movies are classic comedies and few are classic horror films.  This is both.  Add it to your Halloween movie rotation!

So, as you lounge this New Year’s Day, recovering from the revere of the night before and thinking of the twelve months ahead, consider any or all of these as a movie marathon to celebrate these milestones.

Wishing everyone a Happy and Safe New Year!

Sources:

Wikipedia

“In that far off time, upon a New Year’s Day:”. The 55th Anniversary of “The Sword in the Stone”

By Michael Lyons

Disney’s “The Sword in the Stone” is a perfect movie for New Year’s Day.  It’s all about expanding one’s mind, teaching, learning and discovering that there’s more inside of you than you initially thought.  All good considerations, or even resolutions, when entering a new year.  As if that wasn’t enough, the movie concludes on New Year’s Day with Young King Arthur pulling the sword Excalibur from the Stone.

The 18th film from The Walt Disney Studio sometimes is one of their “forgotten films” (or “Disney Adequate” as some term them), but “The Sword in the Stone” has a devoted following that stretches well beyond Disney circles to devotees of the Arthurian Legend.

Based on the popular 1938 book, “The Once and Future King” by T.H. White, “The Sword in the Stone” opens with a prologue, telling us it’s a dark time, during which a mysterious sword has been left in a stone, under which resides a plaque proclaiming that anyone who pulls the sword from the stone will be crowned king of England.

We then meet a young boy named Wart, an orphan who was adopted by Sir Ector and serves as a squire to Sir Kay.  Wart is befriended by a wise wizard named Merlin and his talking owl, Archimedes.  Merlin serves as a mentor and teacher for Wart, opening the young boy’s eyes to the world.

These scenes with Merlin are true Disney animation magic.  To allow Wart to see another perspective in life, the wizard transforms them into fish, squirrels and birds.  The anthropomorphism of the animals in these sequences is perfect and the lessons learned are poignant (particularly the touching lesson about the power of love, during the squirrel segment).

During one of these sequences, there is also amazing, tour-de-force animation when Merlin comes up against the film’s villain, Madam Mim.  The Wizard and the Sorceress face off and have a “Wizard’s Duel,” which has become the hallmark of “The Sword in the Stone” and what the film has become most famous for.  In a creative, dizzying display, Merlin transforms into a rabbit, a goat, a crab and a walrus, just to name a few.  While Mim turns into a rhino, a snake, a tiger and a spotted dragon. 

Brought to the screen by animators Frank Thomas (Merlin) and Milt Kahl (Mim) the draftsmanship, expression and acting in the scene lends to its amazing re-watchability (both Thomas and Kahl were members of “Disney’s Nine Old Men,” a nickname given to the upper echelon of the Studio’s animators).

It’s after that Wart accidentally pulls the word from the stone, while attempting to get a replacement sword for Sir Kay, during a New Year’s Day Tournament.  As onlookers stand in astonishment, realizing this young boy is their King “ordained by Heaven,” the audience learns that Wart’s real name is…Arthur.

“The Sword in the Stone” isn’t near the classic stature of Disney films that came before (or since).  The film suffers from an episodic story (that ends very abruptly) and a graphic style that worked so well for the contemporary “101 Dalmatians,” (1961) but doesn’t seem to fit with what feels like a classic fable.  The sweeping grandeur of 1959’s “Sleeping Beauty” would have fit better with “The Sword in the Stone.”

Still, there is a lot to admire in the film.  In addition to the Wizard’s Duel, there’s some other great moments of personality animation, particularly from the persnickety Archimedes.  There’s also likable songs from Robert and Richard Sherman, the legendary brother songwriter team who would become stalwarts at Disney, later creating some of the Studio’s musical masterpieces.

Released on Christmas Day, 1963, “The Sword in the Stone” celebrates 55 years this month.  It’s the perfect time to celebrate this somewhat under celebrated Disney film and a perfect, magical way to ring in the New Year!

Sources:

Wikipedia

“Oh F-U-U-U-UDGE!” It’s the 35th Anniversary of “A Christmas Story!”

By Michael Lyons

“A Christmas Story” takes place in Indiana sometime in the 1940’s, but it could actually take place anywhere and at any time.  Its tale of Christmas and childhood is so universal that no matter when or where you grew up, “A Christmas Story” has meaning for you.

This is why the 1983 film has become a necessity of the Season and why images of a glowing leg lamp and the line “You’ll shoot your eye out!” are just a few things from the film that have seared themselves into pop culture.  “A Christmas Story” isn’t just about a young boy wanting a Red Ryder B.B. gun, it’s about the wonder and magic that comes with a certain age and how the closeness of family and togetherness is the most important Christmas tradition.

“A Christmas Story” celebrates its 35th anniversary this Holiday Season.  To commemorate this milestone for this classic, what follows is a list (a “Christmas list,” if you will) of fun facts about the film:

·        “A Christmas Story” is based on the 1966 book “In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash” by writer and raconteur Jean Shepherd.  In the book, adult Ralph Parker returns to his hometown for a visit, meets up with his friend Flick and as they reminisce, each chapter relays a different story.

·        Two years prior to the release of “A Christmas Story,” Director Bob Clark made the film “Porky’s.”  It was a box office success, but a very un-Christmas-like, R-rated teen sex comedy that couldn’t be less like “A Christmas Story.”  Clark also gave himself a cameo in “A Christmas Story,” as the neighbor who approaches The Old Man outside the house and asks about this “Major Award,” the Leg Lamp.

·        Peter Billingsley, who plays the title character of Ralphie, was already well known to audiences as “Messy Marvin,” a character who appeared in a series of commercials at the time for Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup.  As an adult, he went on to play in another Christmas classic, 2003’s “Elf.”

·        Jack Nicholson was originally considered for the role of Ralphie’s father, The Old Man.  The Studio couldn’t pay Nicholson’s salary, which actually worked out well, as it is difficult to imagine anyone but Darren McGavin in the role.  He is perfect.  Incidentally, we never learn the name of his character and he is even billed in the ending credits as “The Old Man.”

·        In order to get actor Scott Schwartz’ (Flick) tongue to stick to the flagpole in the now infamous scene, a hidden suction tube was created inside the pole.

·        The music playing in the background when Scut Farkas (Zack Ward) the bully appears is actually the theme from “Peter and the Wolf.”

·        The house used for the Parker home in the film was actually in Cleveland, Ohio and was sold on eBay in 2005 for $150,000.  After, the owner converted it to look more like the film and it is now a tourist attraction that includes a gift shop and museum dedicated to the movie.

·        “A Christmas Story” opened November 18, 1983.  It was not the success the Studio had hoped for and by Christmas that year, the film wasn’t even playing in theaters any more.  However, the VHS and Cable TV industry was just beginning to take off at this time, which gave “A Christmas Story” continued life in subsequent seasons.  By the mid-90’s, the film was so popular that the TBS Network began showing “24 Hours of a ‘A Christmas Story,’” in which the film was shown around the clock from Christmas Eve through Christmas Day.

·        The film has inspired a non-musical stage production that tours around the country each year, as well as a big-budget Broadway musical version that went on to be nominated for three Tony Awards and was adapted into a live production for FOX TV in 2017.  There has also been innumerable merchandise inspired from the film including reproductions of the Leg Lamp and Ralphie’s pink bunny pajamas.

·        The tag line on the original movie poster for “A Christmas Story” read: “A tribute to the Original, Traditional, One-Hundred-Percent, Red-Blooded, Two-Fisted, All American Christmas…”

Here’s hoping your Christmas brings to you the joy, the merriment, the laughter and the warmth that “A Christmas Story” brings to all of us each year.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Sources:

“Christmas in the Movies” by Jeremy Arnold, Running Press

IMDb

Wikipedia

“An Old Fashioned Christmas:” Rankin/Bass’ “The Stingiest Man in Town”

By Michael Lyons

In the long list of Hollywood’s inspired casting, Walter Matthau as Ebenezer Scrooge should rank up near the top.

The world’s most lovable curmudgeon did indeed play this role once, however it was in a seldom seen animated Christmas special, “The Stingiest Man in Town.”

Produced by Rankin/Bass, the Studio that’s ubiquitous with Christmas specials, the re-telling of “A Christmas Carol” was not only based on Charles Dickens’ classic, but was also a remake of a live-action, musical special that had aired on NBC in 1956.

“The Stingiest Man in Town” is not as well remembered as “Rudolph,” “Frosty” and other Rankin/Bass juggernauts, but it’s a solid re-telling of a familiar tale, told with some memorable songs throughout and worthy additions to “watch lists” at this time of year.

Told in 2D animation (a rarity for Rankin/Bass) that may not be as full as a theatrical film, but still lends itself perfectly to the story, “The Stingiest Man in town” not only features Matthau as the voice of Scrooge, but he is caricatured as the miserable miser as well (a nice touch).

In a VERY ‘70’s animated trope, the story is narrated by a bug who lives in Scrooge’s office.  His name is B.A.H. Humbug (get it!), who is voiced by Tom Bodley, one of a number of solid supporting voices in the special.

The ebullient Dennis Day is Nephew Fred, Theodore Bikel plays Marley, Robert Morse is young Scrooge and Rankin/Bass stock player Paul Frees is the Ghost of both Christmas Past and Present.

Adding to the proceedings are songs by Fred Spielman and Janice Torre that stay with the viewer after the special ends.  Of note is “An Old Fashioned Christmas,” one of the opening songs that sets the perfect tone, “The Stingiest Man in Town,” which is a perfect “tribute” to Scrooge and “Birthday Party for a King, “ a moving ballad that speaks to the true meaning of  Christmas.  One note, while Matthau is a wonderful voice, they should have NEVER let him sing!

With the familiar, comforting look of Rankin/Bass feeling right at home in this Dickensian world, “The Stingiest Man in Town” makes one wonder why the two never came together more often.

The special originally aired on NBC on December 23, 1978.  With it’s fortieth anniversary this Christmas season, it’s the perfect time to discover, or even re-discover, this hidden Rankin/Bass gem.

“The Stingiest Man in Town,” through its efficient, musical story telling is also a perfect way to introduce younger audiences to Dickens’ work.  The same timeless messages shine through, as evidenced by the finale song “Mankind Should Be My Business.”

What could speak to the season more perfectly? And, if that’s not enough for you, it’s got Walter Matthau...as Scrooge! 

Sources: 

“The Enchanted World of Rankin/Bass: A Portfolio” by Rick Goldschmidt

Wikipedia

“Oh What a Merry Christmas Day!” Celebrating the 35th Anniversary of “Mickey’s Christmas Carol”

By Michael Lyons

There’s really only one major flaw with “Mickey’s Christmas Carol”: you wish it was longer.

This backhanded compliment is true of many films, but this one especially.  The short film (or “featurette,” to use a Disney term) is so rich in character, story, themes and, most definitely, animation that it could have gone on for another hour without a complaint from anyone.

It’s been thirty five Christmases since “Mickey’s Christmas Carol” made its debut, so to celebrate this milestone, let’s re-visit Mickey and the gang’s re-enactment of Charles Dickens’ classic.

The movie takes its inspiration not just from the literary masterwork, but from a Disney Record Album (which is how the world listened to music before iTunes) that told the story of “A Christmas Carol” by casting the “Disney Players” in each role.  As animation production at the Studio ramped up in the ‘80’s, filmmakers turned to the album as source material.  Some casting changes were made for the film (Merlin from “The Sword in the Stone” and the Old Hag from “Snow White” were two of the Ghosts in the album version).

However, casting for each role in the film is spot on: no one is more earnest or empathetic than Mickey Mouse as Bob Cratchit or, believe it or not, friendlier than Donald Duck as Scrooge’s nephew Fred and Ratty and Moley from “The Wind and the Willows” section of “Ichabod and Mr. Toad” are perfect as the very proper solicitors for the poor.

The Ghosts themselves are inspired casting.  Goofy makes the clumsiest Jacob Marley you’ve ever seen; Jiminy Cricket is the perfect conscience for Christmas Past; As the Ghost of Christmas Present, Willie the Giant (from “Mickey and Beanstalk”) is, quite literally, a specter who looms large and Pete has never been more menacing and bullying than he is as the Ghost of Christmas Future.

There are, of course, multiple cameos throughout from Minnie Mouse as Mrs. Cratchit, Daisy Duck as Scrooge’s love interest Isabel and Mr. Toad as Fezziwg.  Also, keep an eye out for fleeting glimpses of the Three Little Pigs, The Big Bad Wolf, Huey, Dewey and Louie, Chip and Dale, as well as characters from “The Aristocats,” “Robin Hood” and other Disney animated films.

The most inspired casting, however (and typecasting that would stick forever) was Scrooge McDuck as Ebineezer Scrooge.  The character’s already frugal nature is paired well with the dour, embittered sprit of Ebineezer and we actually find ourselves rooting for Scrooge at the end.  Given Scrooge’s popularity with the ‘90’s series “Duck Tales,” it’s hard to believe that this was only the character’s second screen appearance, as he had been created specifically for Walt Disney Comics in 1947.

Giving voice to Scrooge is actor Alan Young (of TV’s “Mr. Ed” fame), who had also co-written the record album version and would go on to be the official voice of Scrooge for several decades after.  He is one of a number of talented “Disney veterans” providing voices in the film, along with Clarence Nash, the original voice of Donald Duck and Wayne Allwine, for which this film was his first assignment voicing Mickey Mouse.  Allwine at this point was only the third actor to give voice to Mickey (before him was Jimmy MacDonald and before that, Walt Disney himself).  Mickey was voiced by Allwine until his death nine years ago and the spirit and enthusiasm he had for this iconic character is definitely on display in “Mickey’s Christmas Carol.”

Mickey’s animation in the film is courtesy of another Disney veteran, animator Mark Henn, who would go on to be one of the architects of the animation resurgence at the Studio in the ‘90’s.  Henn would animated such characters as Jasmine in “Aladdin” and the title character in “Mulan.”   The same emotional depth he brought to those characters can be seen here too.  Try not to get choked up, no matter how many times you’ve seen the film, when Mickey places Tiny Tim’s crutch at his son’s grave site.

In fact, all of the animation, under the direction of Bunny Mattinson (who started his career with Disney in 1953 and is STILL working at the Studio) is so full and lush and, well, Disney.  From the quiet detail of rain on a windowsill to the large, comedic scene of Willie the Giant literally walking through a town to the climax that finds Scrooge desperately trying to hang on while a fiery coffin threatens to engulf him, this is as classic and comforting as Disney animation gets

 “Mickey’s Christmas Carol” debuted on December 16, 1983, as part of a double bill with a re-issue of “The Rescuers.”  While it received very positive reviews from critics and an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Short Subject, the film wasn’t a tremendous box office hit.

However, “Mickey’s Christmas Carol” coincided with the explosion of both VHS home video and cable in the early to mid ‘80’s, both of which helped make it very successful after its theatrical release.  Additionally, it became a staple on TV each season.  The shorter length of the film lent itself to the smaller screen, making it seem more like a TV special and fitting it very comfortably alongside such Christmas standards as “The Grinch” and “Charlie Brown.”

Three and a half decades later, “Mickey’s Christmas Carol” is nothing short of beloved.  Watching it each season is like a Holiday visit from old friends.

The film is also very true to both Disney AND Dickens’ original work.  The characters in the film play a role, but they never lose their true personality (Goofy’s bumbling ghost of Jacob Marley is the perfect example).  “Mickey’s Christmas Carol” truncates Dickens’ story, but loses none of its impact.  The themes of kindness, it’s never too late to change and keeping the spirit of Christmas alive all year round are still there, even in its brief run time.

Now...if it were only longer. 

Sources: IMDb

“The Making of Mickey’s Christmas Carol,” Walt Disney Home Video

Wikipedia

“Yule Love It!” The 30th Anniversary of “Scrooged”

By Michael Lyons

Mitch Glazer, co-writer of “Scrooged,” once called Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol” “...part of our holiday DNA.”

A perfect description.  Only someone who loves the original literary holiday masterpiece could have created a movie like “Scrooged,” a satirical, hysterical, update (at least by ‘80’s standards) of “A Christmas Carol.”  It’s the rare film that combines cutting humor with warmth and makes both work.

This holiday season marks the 30th anniversary of “Scrooged,” which makes it the perfect time to take a trip to “Christmas Past” and re-visit what has become a wickedly warped perennial of the season.

Bill Murray (in his first feature role, at the time, since 1984’s “Ghostbusters”) plays Frank Cross, an incredibly driven television executive who has become obsessed with his big-budget live broadcast of  “A Christmas Carol” that will air internationally with an all-star cast, on Christmas Eve.

Frank is so obsessed that his cynicism toward the world has reached new heights (he thinks nothing of creating a commercial that will scare people into watching his version of “A Christmas Carol” and routinely shouts at any one standing in his way).

This can all only mean that Frank is about to get...Scrooged.  Soon, his deceased boss and mentor (John Forsythe in amazingly creepy make up) comes visiting late at night, Jacob Marley style, to let Frank know he will be visited by three Ghosts.

Does he visit Christmases past, present and future?  Does he learn the true meaning of the season?  Does he change his ways?  

Was Tim Tiny?

All the “Christmas Carol” tropes are there, but it’s guaranteed you’ve never seen them like this before.  With its “Carol within a Carol” story there are a number of knowing winks to the original source material.  Coupled with that, is the setting of TV which allows for some creative pop culture jabs (the opening coming attractions for “The Night The Reindeer” died with Lee Majors and Robert Goulet’s Cajun-themed Christmas special, kick the film off with an appropriate bang of laughter that sets the perfect tone for what’s to follow). 

Bill Murray is in the role he was seemingly placed on this earth to play.  Only comedy’s most lovable curmudgeon could play a modern day Scrooge and get the audience to stay with him through the entire journey to his emotion filled rant that ends the film (rumored to have been improvised by Murray).  When he provides feedback on a TV spot by saying, “Oh my God...does THAT suck,” it’s pure Murray, making a simple line all the funnier.

Supporting Murray is a Cast comprised of a potpourri of Hollywood.  The always amazing Alfre Woodard is Frank’s put upon assistant; Karen Allen is all warmth and charm as Claire, Frank’s estranged girlfriend; Hollywood legend Robert Mitchum is Frank’s bombastic boss; Bobcat Goldthwait is hysterical as an unlucky Bob Cratchit-like employee and John Glover, perfectly slimy as Frank’s rival.

Then, there’s the Cast of the fictional “Scrooge” that Frank is producing: Buddy Hackett as Scrooge, Mary Lou Retton as Tiny Tim, Jamie Farr and Pat McCormick as two of the Ghosts, oh yes, and The Solid Gold Dancers!

Running away with the movie, however, are two supporting players: David Johansen and Carol Kane as the Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present, respectively.  Johansen is all “New Yawk” cool, while Cane steals every scene she is in, as the world’s most demented sugar plum fairy.

Pulling this all together is Richard Donner, Hollywood’s most eclectic and reliable director, who not only pulls off all of the comedy, but also some dynamic, big special effects sequences (Frank trapped in a fiery coffin is absolutely terrifying).

Debuting on November 23, 1988, “Scrooged” has gained quite the following among fans who have quoted and re-quoted the film’s many memorable lines over the past thirty years.

A large part of the reason for the film’s success is the sharp script by Glazer and Michael O’Donaghue that carries the same messages found in Dickens’ original work: “Put a Little Love in Your Heart” as the film sings or knowing how to “...keep Christmas well...” as Dickens said.

This makes “Scrooged” another worthy part of our “holiday DNA.”

Sources:

“A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens, Barnes & Noble Books, 2003

Wikipedia