Stagecoach

Stagecoach

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

In class we discussed The Greatest Period in American Movie Making, which was 1939 to 1941. During this time, classics like Citizen Kane, Gone with the Wind, and The Wizard of Oz. We viewed Stagecoach, which was directed by John Ford. Westerns at this time were not very popular. They were looked at as budget and director killers. In fact, Ford was told that making Stagecoach would ruin his career. Despite doubts, Stagecoach was a huge success. In 1939, Stagecoach took home 2 Oscars after being nominated for 7. It took home best Supporting actor and Best Music but was in the same list for Best Picture and Director for John Ford.

2) Find a related article (on the film, directed, studio, actor/actress, artistic content, ect.) You can use the library or the internet. Cite the article or copy the url to your journal entry. Summarize in your own words the related article but do not plagiarize any content.

On filmsite.com, the roles and the sight of symbolism being played in Stagecoach was discussed. Like so many films in the 1930's, there were characters vividly portrayed and socially different from one another. You have for example two sets of women. On one hand, you have Dallas, who is a prostitute and is looked down upon. Then you have Mrs. Mallory, the prefect women, who is looked at as so lady like. At the scene with the dinner table, you see that no one that was on the Stagecoach, except Ringo, who himself is looked down upon in society, wants to sit next to Dallas. The two characters understand each other. That's why the odd pairing get along so well and later fall in love. You see that each character has something different to give within the movie You see that certain people are respected, while others are treated badly. 

http://www.filmsite.org/stagec.html

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

The article gives you a second look within the film. It shows all the hidden symbolism that John Ford was getting out and really gave the film a more personal feel. The explained symbolism is that at first you might now see within the first glance but other a discussion with peers or a second viewing you notice what the characters and the actors are doing. It gives us the meaning of why the director did what he did and does what he does. It gives a understanding of how the characters begin to where their end at the end of the film. 

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

Many people believe that Stagecoach is one of the greatest movies ever made, but I do not agree. I honestly had a negative judgement of the film from the opening scene and that set my opinion for the rest of the film. There was so much going on that I was lost. There were too many characters coming onto the scene at once for me. I didn't even realize that they were in the stagecoach until they picked up Ringo. I believe this was an issue on the director's part. A lot was very disorganized and had to many extras walking around through the town, in my opinion. It was difficult to focus. Overall, I can see why this movie was so important but I personally would never want to see this film on my own time again.

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.

It Happened One Night

It Happened One Night

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

In the 1930's, the silent film industry was coming to an end and the screwball comedy was the next big thing. The film It Happened One Night, directed by Frank Capra, was one of the first film to established what was happening in film during that era. Censorship was starting to grow as well when in 1922 the MPPDA, the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, was created by Will Hayes. The program was created to make sure movies were following guidelines regarding sex, drug use, nudity, and many other factors. Many scenes in the movie were clean cut, like the "Wall of Jericho" scene, you see neither of them sleeping in the same bed. 

2) Find a related article (on the film, directed, studio, actor/actress, artistic content, ect.) You can use the library or the internet. Cite the article or copy the url to your journal entry. Summarize in your own words the related article but do not plagiarize any content.

The article "Studio's Luck Day" written by Crosby Day, had a inside look on the making of It Happened One Night and it's stars. Columbia Pictures wasn't a well known or highly praised studio. After ever well known actress declined the role, Claudette Colbert signed onto the film unwillingly after begin promised 4 week shooting period and a double pay increase. Many problems arrived on set because of the unwillingness from Colbert. During the hitchhiking scene, she refused to show her leg because she wanted to present her acting skills, not her sex appeal. After Capra suggested bringing in a Chorus Girl to do the scene, Colbert changed her mind and performed the scene and showed her leg. The film was a huge success and made stars out of both Gable and Colbert. 

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2003-06-15/entertainment/0306110349_1_claudette-colbert-gable-capra

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

I was actually shocked to read many articles about how bad Colbert's behavior was on set. By how great her acting was in the film, I assumed she was extremely professional. I was also shocked to learn that film garnered 5 Oscars. I was also surprised by how many scenes in this film have been recreated in several other films, television shows, and music videos. Such as the runaway bride scene, which I've seen in several films. A fun fact: the scene with Gable eating a carrot gave inspiration to Looney Tunes character, Bugs Bunny! 

　

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

"It Happened One Night," deserved every award it received. From the set, to the characters, to the plot, the movie was absolutely amazing. This screwball comedy took home Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, Best Adapt Screenplay, and overall Best Picture. The movie has shown time and time again why its one of the greatest movies of all time. Its been selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant. It Happened One Night will always be one of the greatest films of all time. 

 

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.

The Gold Rush

THE GOLD RUSH

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

In the PowerPoint, we discussed the beginning of the silent film era. We reviewed the work of Charlie Chaplin and his movie "The Gold Rush". Chaplin's work made an impact in the beginning of film history. Chaplin was one of the most successful actors of all time. He produced, directed, wrote, and starred in this impact of a film.

 2)  Find a related article and summarize the content.  (on the film, director, studio,actor/actress, artistic content, etc.) You can use the library or the internet.  Cite the article or copy the url to your journal entry. Summarize in your own words the related article but do not plagiarize any content.

 On Charlie Chaplin's website, there is an article that explores the story behind the filming of the film from the story, its actors, set designs, and much more. There's many hidden facts about the show as well.  It took 600 extras to shoot the mountain climbing scene and was one of the only scene that shot on a location not on a set. Lita Grey, who was originally cast as the leading lady, found out she was pregnant with Chaplin’s baby six months into the filming of The Gold Rush and production was shut down for three whole months. This is why it almost a took a full year for the film to be shot and filmed. Grey was cut from the film and was replaced with actress Georgia Hale. 

http://www.charliechaplin.com/en/filming/articles/5-Filming-the-Gold-Rush

3) Apply the article to the film screened in class.   How did the article support or change the way you thought about the film, director, content, etc.?

I can tell Chaplin had special relationships with women he starred in films with and you can see that come through on screen. There are many scenes where you much of a connection between Chaplin and the leading lady, as well as other actors he starred in the film with.

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.  I am less interested in whether you liked or disliked a film, (although that can be part of this)  than I am in your understanding of its place in film history or the contributions of the director.

Personally, I feel as Chaplin is one of the greatest actors of all time. I have only seen his comedic work previously. Even though The Gold Rush is a comedy, there are so many dramatic scenes that capture my attention. For example, the dream sequence. When I realized it was his imagination, I was amazed. He had so much life and talent that I felt hurt when he woke and saw that the woman of his dreams had played a sick trick on him. It takes a great actor to convince the audience to feel something.


Plagiarism Statement:  Attach this to the end of every journal assignment.

  

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.