Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,
Last weekend I watched Born Yesterday (1950, recorded from Turner Classic Movies and available for $2.99 - $3.99 on some streaming services). It helped me feel a bit better after the mob attempted to sully our beautiful U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.
Billie has been junkyard tycoon Harry Brock's (Broderick Crawford) fiancée for seven years. They've traveled to Washington, D.C. so Harry can buy himself a congressman.
Harry thinks Billie is an embarrassment when they socialize with the congressman and his wife, although Harry is crude and disgusting. Harry hires journalist Paul Verrall (William Holden) to educate Billie.
Although Born Yesterday is considered a comedy––and it is funny––it also has dramatic moments. The cast is outstanding. George Cukor's direction is "superb."
Born Yesterday had me aglow when Billie and Paul visit the Capitol (it's not a set––they were on location). Billie marvels at the beautiful building as she absorbs Paul's teachings about U.S. history and democracy. It reminds me that the Capitol is a symbol of our democracy, a democracy that cannot be destroyed in spite of all the best efforts of any mob. The windows can be smashed and the speaker's podium stolen, but the building will be restored. Our democracy cannot be stolen from us.
Infinities of love,
Janie Junebug
Paul: A world full of ignorant people is too dangerous to live in.
A timely movie to have watched!
ReplyDeleteI hadn't seen it in years and had forgotten they shot in the Capitol.
DeleteI have never seen that movie. But i love old movies. I will add this to my list. Since Shirley MacLaine came up in the previous post...have you ever seen her in What A Way to Go? I have the feeling you'd love it...pink hair and all.
ReplyDeleteMaddie:
DeleteCan't believe you've never seen it. You will LOVE it.
I have not seen What A Way To Go. Or have I? Sometimes I start to watch a movie and remember, Oh, yes. I saw this long ago.
DeleteMitchell is right. I bet you'll love Born Yesterday.
Well said, Janie! I can't believe what is going on. It is tragic and disgusting. I have to believe that we will come through this.
ReplyDeleteWe WILL come through it. Democracy cannot be stopped.
DeleteI've never seen that movie but now it's on my "Must Watch" list. -Hope springs eternal, friend. I hope and pray that we will come out of this better and stronger than before.
ReplyDeleteThis is the last weekend for the current idiot-in-chief. It's almost over. I love it that so many rioters are saying they descended on the Capitol because the creature told them to do it. He loves to hang himself.
DeleteOne of my favorites. I haven't seen it for a while. It would be fun to watch again.
ReplyDeleteWatching it helped me a lot and strengthened my resolve.
DeleteI remember I really enjoyed this and she was a hoot and very touching, also. I can rent it from Netflix! :)
ReplyDeleteHope you're feeling better, my friend.
I'm a little better each day. Judy Holliday was born for the role of Billie Dawn.
DeleteI've never seen or heard of the movie, mind you I hardly watch any films, so that's not really a surprise!
ReplyDeleteI think it was remade during the '90s with Melanie Griffith as Billie Dawn. No way would I watch it. The original is perfect.
DeleteI've heard of this movie, but have never seen it. whether the haters like it or not, 1/20/21 WILL SEE uncle joe as president. KEEP HOPE ALIVE!
ReplyDeleteMy hope lives, Anne Marie.
DeleteI've seen the movie, but don't remember much. One that would be fun to revisit. It's incomprehensible to me that so many Americans, actually born here Americans, are trying to steal our democracy. It's beyond belief.
ReplyDeleteThe man they believe to be their savior told them to do it. I know it's shocking.
DeleteYou wrote something very eloquent and one I also believe in. This film is perfect for the week that was. Judy Holiday was great reprising her role from Broadway even though Harry Cohn said she was too fat. It does have some serious overtones but you have to hand it to the great Judy who carries this film.
ReplyDeleteAnd she wasn't fat at all. Judy was gorgeous and so talented.
DeleteI love this movie! We watched it again when it was on TCM recently. Definitely an appropriate choice for the troubled times we live in. Here's to Democracy! đź’Ş
ReplyDeleteMaybe you were watching as I recorded it. A bit of synchronicity.
DeleteCould be! ☺
DeleteThat's a great movie. So is "The Apartment," which you mentioned in your previous post.
ReplyDeleteI love The Apartment. So well made.
DeleteI've seen this movie, but it's been awhile. Think of the other great movies made on location. Mr. Smith goes to Washington. James Stewart in the dome. If it wasn't real, it sure fooled me.
ReplyDeleteHow I love Mr. Smith Goes To Washington. That's another good one to watch as we recover from the last four years.
DeleteI will have to see this one again. Good movie to watch now.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, dear parsnip.
DeleteI have always loved Judy Holliday. She was so darn cute and her voice. I remember watching a movie with her in it as a child, and I just loved her for some reason - asked my mom who she was and announced she was my favorite movie star. This was back in the early 60's. She died fairly young.
ReplyDeleteYou know, she was investigated to be a communist during the McCarthy era. Never a BIG star, but totally one of my favorites.
I love her, too. She was only 43 when she died from breast cancer.
Delete