Gone With the Wind

Gone With the Wind

 

1)   Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.

    Gone with the Wind was a 1936 novel that took a whole ten years to write, and it was written by Margaret Mitchell. Afterwards Selznick purchased the rights of the story for 50,000 and that was the last novel Margaret wrote. She wanted nothing to do with story after she sold the rights away. The lead casts of the film were Clark Gable and Vivian Leigh. Then there were Hattie McDaniel, Butterfly McQueen, Olivia De Havilland, and Leslie Howard. This film won nine academy awards. This film was the highest grossing film of all time until 1966. This film was 3hrs and 44 minutes. The premiere was in Atlanta, Georgia on December 15, 1939, and of course segregation was high, so the black cast was not allowed into the premiere. The production estimated a total of 3.9 million. Its actual domestic was 198,676,459. The actual foreign was 400,176,459, and the adjusted for inflation was the all time box office gross was number one.  

2)   Find a related article and summarize the content.

    What’s a girl to do when the man she loves is marrying another woman? Why is it that she is not good enough to be his wife but his own cousin is? Scarlett is from the old south back when it was the beginning of the civil war. She was a young beauty who could have anyone but Ashley Wilkes. Making her question herself, and love him harder she was mad about the circumstances. She had anticipations of attending his family barbeque so that she could be reunited with the man of her dreams, but was shortly warned not to go there acting a fool. She then married three men, and the first being Ashley’s wife brother Rhett Butler. This was a love story between Scarlett O’Hara, Ashley Wilkes, and Rhett Butler.

 

3)    Apply the article to the film screened in class.

This article explained the story very well, and gave a perfect summary of the plot. It made me understand that the way that I understood the film was correct. Although the article did not touch base on the actual characters and directing of the film I think that production was really good for this film. However I believe that if this film would have been portrayed by the person who wrote it, I would have enjoyed it much more.

 

4)    Write a critical analysis of the film, including your personal opinion, formed as a result of the screening, class discussions, text material and the article.

This was an amazing film. The story behind the film is what saved it, this was captivating because all girls can relate to this. I believe there would have been a deeper connection, had the original author took part in it. This film deserved all of the success that it received, I really enjoyed this moving.

Bibliography

 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031381/plotsummary

 

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM

1) ( x ) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class.

2) ( x ) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper.

3) ( x ) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text.

4) ( x ) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.

5) ( x ) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read.

6) ( x ) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography.

7) ( x ) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality.

8) ( x ) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.

Name: Nabilah Smith___  Date: 3/27/2013__

 

Stage Coach

 

1)   Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.

    Stagecoach was directed by John Ford in 1939. At this time American Movie Making was at its greatest times. The trend of the time was serious and ambitious films. Popular movies were Citizen Kane; Gone with the Wind, and Wizard of Oz. John Ford specialized in Westerns, Social/ Protest Dramas, and Military; which is why he was told he would ruin his career because those were not the movies the people wanted to see at the time. Then came John Wayne who was a B-movie actor. He didn’t reach his fame until after Stagecoach. Beating out the expectations, Stagecoach brought back the relevance of westerns. This film was set in 1880 and consists of trips from Tonto to Lordsburgh. We spoke about the background of John ford. The structure of this film was the four scenes of action, which were short prologue, first part of trip, second part of trip, and the third part of trip. Then there were the four scenes of character interaction, which were the scene in Tonto, Dry Fork Way Station, Apache Wells Outpost, and Town of Lordsburgh. This film won best supporting actor (Thomas Mitchell), and received the best score for picture, director, black and white cinematography, interior decoration, and editing.  

 

2)    Find a related article and summarize the content.

    Stagecoach beat out all the gossip stagecoach and beliefs of Westerns after reinventing the western. Giving it a moral serious and durable form which changed the way westerns were portrayed for decades known as the first greatest western. The film had one of the greatest directors, John Ford and the most iconic star John Wayne. This film was about characterization, social commentary, and moral drama. This filmed was based on nine characters who came from all different backgrounds and played different roles in life, who were all on a bus traveling through a hostile Indian territory. The passengers of the bus consist of a prostitute, alcoholic doctor, whiskey salesman, and a pregnant woman. Although commonly they would have been criticized, these individuals were viewed in a more sympathetic and noble light.

 

 

3)    Apply the article to the film screened in class.

     As the movie started I thought that I wouldn’t make it through the film. After learning John Ford didn’t like the way John Wayne displayed his acting skills, I thought it was going to be a horrible film. The film however had its parts, some were good, and some were bad. The action scenes had me indulged, the way they were moving around I didn’t expect that so early in the film industry right then. The way that they directed this film was excellent, something different then what we were used to, but still good. The film displayed many cliché’s which I found interesting, one in particular, was the hooker who had the heart of gold and the lovable rummy; what I found funny.

 

4)       Write a critical analysis of the film, including your personal opinion, formed as a result of the screening, class discussions, text material and the article.

    The film was not my favorite, as I am not interested in westerns. Although I did not like the film I have to say the production of the film was well put together, as well as the story line. The way that they put the different characters together was clever, it reminded me of when I take road trips on greyhound; you are on a bus with many people of different backgrounds. It was also funny how the prostitute had a heart, that is something seen a lot in film, and reality.

 

Bibliography

http://decentfilms.com/reviews/stagecoach

 

 

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM

1) ( x ) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class.

2) ( x ) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper.

3) ( x ) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text.

4) ( x ) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.

5) ( x) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read.

6) ( x ) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography.

7) ( x ) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality.

8) ( x ) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.

Name:_Nabilah Smith__ Date:__3/26/2013_

 

 

 

Bella - It Happened One Night

Nabilah Smith
Journal # 2
It Happened One Night

It Happened One Night

1. Relate what was discussed in class or in the text to the screening.

Dated back to the very early 1900s was the development of film. Throughout the years this form of

entertainment progressed every chance that it was given. Around the 1929/1930 film makers were

finally able to develop films with sound, and say goodbye to silent films. Early sound was

characterized by inert camera encased in sound proof glass. Of course with the new development,

came issues. There were limited or no mobility, the sound quality was muffled, microphone

placement, the mixing of sound realism, and many of issues came to trouble the film makers.

However this was something so exciting for citizens. This brought along a major change in industry.

Now that film was progressing the sounds became expensive and the need for equipment was at a

high. In 1029 Paramount, Warner’s, and Fox all received nice come ups from what they were

originally making. Along with sound came the Hollywood scandals, as well as censorship and self-

regulation in Hollywood. Popular Sennett star Fatty Arbuckle was accused of murdering Virginia

Rappe, three days after he received a $1million contract with paramount pictures. Although he was

found not guilty on all charges, his career was over. The Hays Office banned him from all films for

the time. There were many cases similar to this. Eventually the Motion Picture Producers and

Distributors of America (MPPDA) were created. They were in charge of following the many different

state and local censorship boards rule or set of standards

Along came new days for women in film. They were now allowed to have sexual desire, talking

“vulgar”, smoking drinking, and living the party night life, there were even times when they would be

nude. Some of the popular names were Jean Harlow, Theda Bara, Clara Bow, and Mae West. As if

that wasn’t the image women wanted portrayed, film started to bring more sophisticated women to

the screens. You started to see women dressed in tailored suits, with professional jobs. This change

was during the post-code era around 1934. These beautiful, intelligent, masculine women wanted to

show how there were more than life than a party to women.

Then came along “Screwball Comedy.” Bringing the war of the sexes, portraying women as equal as

or better than men. This style of comedy was now challenging the traditional roles or conventions of

women. Displaying women who did not take no for an answer, women who were in charge of their

lives, and did not live any room for a man could not control her. Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert

were the stars of It Happened One Night, a film directed by Frank Capra in February 1934. In this

film Claudette was the female who did not take no for an answer, as she ran away from her father to

prove to herself and everyone that she could survive on her own. Only it was that easy for her, and

luckily she had Clark there to guide her through it no matter how much she tried to fight him off.

Eventually falling in love with him, this film displayed a little bit of everything. From screwball

comedy, vulgar language, nudity, and the possibility to sexual activity taking place (although it was

never shown). Film developed a lot from The Gold Rush days.

2. Find a related article and summarize it.

The article that I read about It Happened One Night was a great one. Here is how I can

summarize it. It Happened One Night was not only the best, but the first “Screwball

Comedy”. The film is about a runaway heiress who has goals to running to New York City.

She meets a reporter who makes her fall in love with him after a whole bunch of disagreeing

and pretending. Despite the film's success, this film could have easily been a disaster, and

that's what many people expected it to be.In the early 1930s, Columbia Pictures was not

really favored, infact they were known as th "Poverty Row" studio. People felt like they made

cheap B-movies. No female Actresses wanted to take part in the film and the male actors

were spoiled. The only reason they were able to get Claudette Colbert was because she

already had a deal with the company, and they offered her more money for the weeks to film

the movie than she received per movie on a regular basis. However she refused to be apart

any sex scenes, and it almost took them using an extra’s leg (in the scene when they were

hitch hiking and trying to pick up a ride). Nobody expected this movie to be good, especially

Claudette, since she had previously filmed with Frank Capra and it turned out to be horrible.

Surprisingly the film caught everyone by surprise, as word of mouth created a buzz about

the movie. It did not take long for the film to do great on the box office charts. So great that it

won a numerous amount of awards.

http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/12648/It-Happened-One-Night/articles.html

3. Apply the article to the film reviewed in class

I found this article to be perfect when it comes to summarizing the film. It briefly explained

the main scenes in the movie, and the important aspects of the film. For example how the

film was the best Screwball Comedy of the time, and how sex appeal was the thing back

then. What i found to be very interesting is the facts it stated about Columbia Pictures, and

how Claudette disagreed with the scenes women were expected to play. Columbia Pictures

are now one of the best, but back then they were known for being a Poverty row. The film

however was extremely funny to me even though it was filmed in a different age. Claudette

did not want to take apart of any sexual scenes which gives an understanding as to why

they had to put the “walls of jericho” up when they were in the hotels. I would have never

expected she did not want to lift her skirt up, that only shows how great of an actress

Claudette was. Also realized that advertising and promoting went far back, how Clark was

basically modeling men shirts and trench coats making them fashion trends. this article was

perfect.

4. Write a critical analysis of the film.

I believe that this film was excellent for its time period. This was the beginning of sound, and

the sound was great. the production of the film was very good for its time, meaning back

then they didn't have the advances in technology as we do now, so you obviously can't

expect it to be out of this world great. They did an amazing job keeping the audience of

college students in the year of 2013 entertained so i can only imagine how much their

original audience loved it.The storyline was awesome as well. A young girl running away

from home, only to realize she couldn’t do it alone. Then comes along a boy who later steals

her heart. This is a movie every one could find to be amazing and hilarious at the same

time.

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM

1) (* ) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class.

2) ( *) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper.

3) ( *) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text.

4) ( *) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.

5) ( *) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read.

6) ( *) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography.

7) ( *) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality.

8) ( *) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.

Name: Nabilah Smith______ Date: _2/26/2013______

The Gold Rush

The Gold Rush - 1925

 

By: Charlie Chaplin

 

Review by Nabilah Smith

 

 

INTRO

1) Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.
 

In class we discussed that the basic information and summary of the film The Gold Rush.  The

 

Gold Rush was created by Charlie Chaplin in 1925, after taking an entire year to film. This

 

film was considered to be Chaplin's favorite film. This movie cost over $ 970,000 to create, and

 

was very successfull in the box office, as it grossed over $ 6 million. On a search for gold,

 

Chaplin first had to go through every single challenge just to get what he wanted. We spoke

 

about where they film took place. He took on a journey to Alaska, the characters spent a great

 

amount of their time in the cabin, dance hall, and on the ship while they began their journey

 

home. From hunger to cannibalism, to sadness and loneliness, and hope and love, Chaplin has

 

dealt withit all. Ending with a happy ending, all of the challenges that were faced were well

 

worth it.

 
2) Find a related article and summarize the content.

After reading an article posted by [The Gold Rush (1925)." The Gold Rush (1925). N.p., n.d.

 

Web. 13 Feb. 2013. http://decentfilms.com/reviews/goldrush.]  This film was based on a man

 

who was in hunt of gold, therefore he decided to go on a journey to Alaska to find this "gold".

 

The search was not easy infact, they had to face more than too much trials and tribulations.  As

 

if being chased by a bear was not enough torture, the guys had to deal with hunger. Replacing a

 

rubber shoe for a thanks giving turkey, they had to do anything to survive. Then there Chaplin

 

experienced what it felt like to be rejected by the woman of his dreams Georgia. Completely

 

humiliating himself by tying his too big pants to a dog, and being dragged around the party.

 

These guys went through it all, even being tossed around a blizzard and almost pushed off of a

 

cliff, which could have been a tragic end to their story. They however were able to have a happy

 

ending of success and love.

 

3) Apply the article to the film screened in class.

This article gave a thorough outline of everything that occurred in the film. Touching in the

 

most important subjects of the film. Everything was the same, and tied in perfectly. One of the

 

greatest parts of this film was the fact that there were no sound, but still full of comedy, and

 

ability to entertain an audience.

 

4) Write a critical analysis of the film

The Gold Rush was Chaplin's favorite film. This was a film that had no sound. Considering the

 

fact it was released in 1925 which was the beginning of film history (kind of) the film was a

 

success. Full of comedy the film had the ability to entertain an audience. one of the reasons the

 

film grossed over $6 million which was amazing compared to the cost of the film $970,000. this

 

film took over a year to create, but one of his best films.

 

*(we also spoke about the production of the film in class. how the film was soundless and the different tricks and dances that were used) *

 

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM
1) (x ) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class.

2) (x ) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper.

3) (x ) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text.

4) (x ) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.

5) (x ) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read.

6) (x ) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography.

7) (x ) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality.

8) (x ) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.

Name: Nabilah Smith   Date: 2/12/2012