“To Be or Not to Be” (Movie Review-3/7/42)

Microfilm-New York Times archives, Monterey Public Library | 3/7/42 | Bosley Crowther

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents World War II Plus 70 Years: Seminar and Discussion Forum
First session: September 1, 2009. Last date to add: September 2, 2015.
Reading assignment: New York Times articles delivered daily to students on the 70th anniversary of original publication date. (Previously posted articles can be found by searching on keyword “realtime” Or view Homer’s posting history .)
To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by freepmail. Those on the Realtime +/- 70 Years ping list are automatically enrolled. Course description, prerequisites and tuition information is available at the bottom of Homer’s profile. Also visit our general discussion thread

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Carole Lombard’s final film. There was a photo of the stars in the original, but it was just a black rectangle on the microfilm, so I omit it here.

August 1939

More clips

[MinuteGal]

I love to read EVERYTHING on the movie page.

Just think of seeing a Spanish dance troupe of international stars perform live for 55 cents.....then moseying over to a French restaurant for a $1.75 Sunday dinner.

Then look at the line-up of golden-age movies and stars appearing for a week at the downtown theaters. And double-features at every one!

We have no range of movie choices like that today, that's for sure. The total, magical movie experience of those days is gone forever. I'm thankful I was able to experience it growing up. I had four local movie houses within walking distance....a veritable buffet to sample from each Saturday afternoon matinee time.

Leni

[Vendome]

I love that film.

[The KG9 Kid]

I have a long-standing affection for Jack Benny. A couple of things about this post, related to Jack Benny, Carole Lombard's death on TWA Flight 3, and what's become of the neighborhood where 'Henri' French restaurant one was:

Jack Benny, Carole Lombard in 'To Be, Or Not To Be'.

Carole Lombard crash site (Mt. Potosi, Nevada)

Summary of TWA Flight 3 crash, January 16, 1942:

"... After a brief refueling stop at what is now Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, the plane took off on a clear night for its final leg to Burbank. Fifteen minutes later, flying almost seven miles off course, it crashed into a near vertical cliff on Potosi Mountain in the Spring Mountain range at 7,770 ft, about 80 ft below the top of the cliff and 730 ft below the summit, killing all on board.

Two days later, the Jack Benny radio show went dark in memorial to Carole Lombard, featuring music instrumentals and a few Irish Tenor solos by Dennis Day:

1942-01-18 - Carole Lombard's Death - without Jack (28:28) - 6.5mb .MP3 (Courtesy of OTRPerk.com)

Now, if you use Google Maps and Google Street View to see where '15 East 52nd St Los Angeles' is, the former site of Henri's French restaurant, you'll basically find that the neighborhood has changed quite a lot since 1942, even though USC is right around the corner.

... and only $2.75 to see Eddie Cantor live in a Sunday matinee? Count me in.

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

the neighborhood has changed quite a lot since 1942,

Also not far from where the Black Dahlia's body was found.

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

'15 East 52nd St Los Angeles' is, the former site of Henri's French restaurant

Actually that's a New York paper. Here's a line from a 1940 New York restaurant guide: "HENRI, 15 East 52nd Street. Fairly expensive, the table d'hote dinners beginning at $1.75, but the food is worth it. The specialites offered daily are extra good. French cuisine."

[The KG9 Kid]

Damn if you're not right.

Neeever mind. :)

[Oztrich Boy]

I love that film.

I agree, although the reviewr doesn't.

Sig Rugmann "thick and blustering as a Nazi colonel"? He was what TVTropes notes as Affably Evil

[6323cd]

Thanks for the ping. “To Be or Not To Be” is a great movie. It just wasn’t appreciated at its release; sort of like “It’s A Wonderful Life”.