JULY’S CLASSIC MOVIE NIGHT AT OLD CITY HALL

It is with some anticipation that I announce the movie for July… COME AND GET IT.  Produced in 1935 and released in early 1936, it is a sweeping story of a lumber tycoon who forsakes true love for a chance at power and wealth by marrying the boss’s daughter.  Two decades later, in a Faustian type of self-delusion, he believes he has an opportunity to recapture his youth in a new romance.  The theme is timeless and was never better written or played than in this production.

The script is adapted from an Edna Ferber novel, which was intended to cast a spotlight on the deplorable practices in the lumber industry.  By any standards Edna Ferber has to be considered a giant in the field of literature in the twentieth century.  A Pulitzer Prize winner, her published works included two autobiographies, thirteen novels, eight plays, and many collections of short stories. Eight of her novels and two collections of short stories were made into films.  Included in this repertoire are the immortal SHOWBOAT and GIANT.

Jane Murfin, a commanding screenwriter at a time when Hollywood’s doors were closed to women writers, wrote the screen adaptation.  Like Ferber, her list of credits was impressive, beginning with her first Broadway play in 1917.

Edward Arnold plays the central character, Barney.  Never a star, he was nonetheless given starring roles because of his ability to play bigger than life men, many times with flaws but always with panache.  His role in COME AND GET IT matches his earlier performance in DIAMOND JIM. A burly man with a commanding style and superb baritone voice, he was a popular screen personality for decades.

Frances Farmer, a very highly regarded actress of her day plays the love interest Lotte, and she plays Lotte’s daughter twenty years later.  The two women couldn’t be more different and Farmer manages to handle the acting challenge magnificently.  Farmer lived a tragic life, which was captured in the 1982 film, FRANCES, starring Jessica Lange, though the film dwelt on fiction as much as it did on fact.

Finally, Walter Brennan won his first Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role of Barney’s life-long friend.

If you appreciate truly great acting, don’t miss this one.  Films as great as this seldom come along.

ShowTime is at 7 PM on Friday night, July 15 at Old City Hall.  Doors open at 6:30.

See you at the movies…

Paul Becker