Joe Canzani teaching color concept at the Columbus Art School, late 1940s.
Tag 1940s
Watched Frank Capra’s 1948 film State of the Union earlier this week. It starred Spencer Tracy as an idealistic, down-to-earth businessman who got mixed up in corrupt political system during a run for the presidential nomination. Adolphe Menjou (Tracy’s crooked campaign advisor) was as suave and double-breastedy as you’d imagine. Katharine Hepburn (Tracy’s estranged wife) was surprisingly sympathetic and sweet. Spencer Tracy did a great job with his role, too. In general, the characters were well-developed and enjoyable to see interacting.
The problem with this movie, as with Capra’s other films, is that it was mushy and sentimental. While I appreciated the film’s portrayal of the corrupt political system, its conclusion was unsatisfying and impractical. Perhaps it’s just my anarchocapitalism showing…
Though it’s long, it’s worth watching. If you don’t know what a Sazerac is, you’ll want to look it up.
The Stranger. Yes, Orson Welles does look freakishly like John Candy as Steve Roman, but even so this is a stellar movie. Great clothes (with a real New England proto-ivy style feel), great acting, and great directing. I’m no film buff, but this is the kind of movie that makes me want to study Welles’ directing techniques; there are many beautifully-done shots in this film. What’s not to love?