tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post4340506177458993124..comments2024-03-24T21:42:48.278-04:00Comments on Another Old Movie Blog: AbrahamJacqueline T. Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-41185738320428543002009-02-12T19:59:00.000-05:002009-02-12T19:59:00.000-05:00Hi, weepingsam, thanks for stopping by. You've ma...Hi, weepingsam, thanks for stopping by. You've made a good point about Crosby's reticence and Marjorie Reynolds' initial reluctance to put on the blackface as clues, as well as how Louise Beavers was used, to illustrate how the filmmakers might have sensed the awkwardness of the scene.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-86851131416705992452009-02-12T19:29:00.000-05:002009-02-12T19:29:00.000-05:00It's a very strange sequence - the musical number ...It's a very strange sequence - the musical number is played straight enough, which makes it very uncomfortable to watch... But the way it's set up is uncomfortable in a way that seems more intentional: Reynolds resists, Bing basically bullies her into it - and he's playing a dirty trick on her anyway, deliberately hiding her. They all act embarrassed by it before they go on, which isn't what usually happens around blackface numbers in the 30s... and if I remember the plot right, it's the point where he starts working to keep her there at her expense - it's where he starts to be the villain.... So - I think there is some evidence the filmmakers knew how awkward the scene would be, and might well be using Louise Beavers as a reminder of the real issues Bing is using to keep his girl away from Fred Astaire.weepingsamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11885871104310819374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-31686828725283116192009-02-12T16:28:00.000-05:002009-02-12T16:28:00.000-05:00Hi, Anagramsci, welcome to the blog.I like what yo...Hi, Anagramsci, welcome to the blog.<BR/><BR/>I like what you wrote here,<BR/>"Ms. Beavers definitely seems to recognize the full import of the very strange opportunity that presented itself to her in the midst of a ludicrous situation."<BR/><BR/>It was an opportunity to be sure in the midst of a ludicrous situation. How nice that she took the ball and ran with it.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-5487003540375535382009-02-12T16:17:00.000-05:002009-02-12T16:17:00.000-05:00yes, this is great stuff--and I think your interpr...yes, this is great stuff--and I think your interpretation of Beavers' role in the sketch is very worthwhile... hard to say what Mark Sandrich thought he was doing here, but Ms. Beavers definitely seems to recognize the full import of the very strange opportunity that presented itself to her in the midst of a ludicrous situation<BR/><BR/>DaveExpos 1983 Blog https://www.blogger.com/profile/10798243137456349089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-26975406947783651202009-02-12T09:59:00.000-05:002009-02-12T09:59:00.000-05:00Thanks, John. I would hope that any uncomfortable...Thanks, John. I would hope that any uncomfortable subject can be discussed frankly if it is discussed with gentleness.<BR/><BR/>By the way, I hope our readers will scoot across the hall to John's latest "Women's Art is Women's Work" series for a fine look at 19th century children's literature: http://robertfrostsbanjo.blogspot.com/2009/02/to-prepare-boys-and-girls-for-life-as.html.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-16783848604422546082009-02-12T09:26:00.000-05:002009-02-12T09:26:00.000-05:00Speaking of "impressive posts" (thanks, ...Speaking of "impressive posts" (thanks, by the way), this is excellent. Kudos for tackling such a difficult subject in such a straightforward, thougtful & heartfelt manner.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15687192784861682991noreply@blogger.com