Category: Movies

Happy Birthday Samuel Clemens: Mark Twain in Film

Mark Twain Tonight On November 30 in 1835, Samuel Clemens was born in Florida, Missouri. Clemens, of course, later adopted the pseudonym “Mark Twain” from a term used during his riverboat days and went on to become one of America’s greatest authors.

Twain’s novels — including Tom Sawyer, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, and the beloved and controversial Adventures of Huckleberry Finn — are classics that capture a certain time period as well as a timeless American spirit. It is no surprise that there are several film versions of Twain’s books, and there even is a Texas high school named after the author of books about kids skipping school.

Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer on Film

But I am not sure there is a great film version of one of the novels that fully captures what Twain did with his books. Of course, films often fail in fully capturing a novel, but the films may still be successful in their own rights.

The film versions of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer are often ordinary children’s movies, even though the former novel was much more than a children’s book. Below is a scene with Frodo. . . er, a young Elijah Wood, in a Walt Disney film, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1993).



A Connecticut Yankee

A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court has inspired various versions on the big and small screen.  There is even one with Bugs Bunny.

One of the most successful film versions of a Twain novel is 1949’s musical A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, starring Bing Crosby, Rhonda Fleming, and William Bendix.

Hal Holbrook as Twain

But the performance that may best capture Mark Twain is Hal Holbrook’s one-man show, Mark Twain Tonight.  The show appeared on CBS in 1967 and won Holbrook an Emmy.

In Holbrook’s spot-on believable performance, he captures the humor and dark satire present in much of Twain’s works. This excerpt below includes dialogue taken from Twain’s controversial 1903 essay, “The Damned Human Race.”

The Real Mark Twain on Video

We always need a Mark Twain, and American writers, commentators, and comedians continue to be influenced by the writer. In 2011, he was honored with a postage stamp. And in 2010 he had a best-seller with Autobiography of Mark Twain, Vol. 1.  The book was was first released that year following Twain’s instructions that much of the text not be published for 100 years.

For a video of the real Mark Twain, check out the video below of the only known video of the man, shot by Thomas Edison.

So on this birthday of America’s great humorist, take some comfort in that Samuel Clemons is still with us, whether it be with the movies, his writing, or his inspiration. The recent parodies of The Pepper Spray Cop, for example, seem to capture our national Twain-ian humor. As Mark Twain once explained, “The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter.”

What is your favorite Mark Twain book or film? Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • Why Is “Unchained” In the Title of “Unchained Melody”?
  • The Babe Ruth Story (and Funeral)
  • The Underdog Who Created the Red-Nosed Reindeer
  • A Christmas Carol: Dickens, Edison, Sim, and the Fonz
  • “The Little Drummer Boy” on TV and in Song
  • Mars is Now Streaming Live

    • (Some Related Chimesfreedom Posts)

    This Week in Pop Culture Roundup (Post-Thanksgiving 2011 Edition)

    kermit the frog plush toy

    If you have been too busy pepper spraying shoppers trying to grab that toy you want, here are some of the pop culture stories from the week that you might have missed.

    ——— Music ———

    No Depression featured an interesting story about a recent encounter with Garth Hudson of The Band.

    No Depression also featured a nice review of Glen Campbell on his final tour.

    Chimesfreedom     sends our best wishes to The Bee Gees’ Robin Gibb, who is fighting liver cancer.

    The Rolling Stones are releasing an expanded reissue of Some Girls, including a song with John Fogerty.

    “Does this mean I can play whatever I want?” — Ozzy Osbourne on getting his own music channel on SiriusXM Radio.

    “What I do is more like a poke in the ribs than a kick in the face.” – Weird Al Yankovic in Chicago Tribune profile.

    Influential jazz drummer and bandleader Paul Motian passed away last week. RIP.

    “Cracklin’ Rosie, get on board!” Neil Diamond will tour this summer to support a greatest hits CD.

    If you are a fan of The Swell Season, check out this interview with Marketa Irglova about The Swell Season, the new documentary on the band, and her new solo CD.

    WhatCulture! has a review of William Shatner’s new CD, Seeking Major Tom. Below is Shatner’s version of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” with his face in the sky of this crazy official video.

    ——— Movies ———-

    “He’s an older Bruce Wayne; he’s not in a great state.” — Christopher Nolan revealing some information on the upcoming The Dark Night Rises, which begins eight years after the last Batman film. William Shatner Calling Major Tom

    Slate listed its top five bad movie songs.

    Scarlett Johansson will direct a film adaptation of a Truman Capote novella, Summer Crossing.

    A new Woody Allen documentary prompted several stories. One article on the film quoted director Robert Weide on Woody Allen: “He doesn’t think of himself as a great artist.’’ Meanwhile, Salon ranked Woody Allen’s 10 Greatest Films. Personally, I think it is a crime that the list does not include Crimes and Misdemeanors.

    Kermit the Frog went to the White House on Tuesday. Also, this past week saw country music day at the White House, which included Kris Kristofferson and Lyle Lovett.

    The Artist, a new silent film, opened this week to rave reviews.

    An international Laurel and Hardy appreciation society meets every week in California near the Hal Roach Studios.

    “The Muppets are sweet and subversive.” — Los Angeles Times review. In another Muppets-related story, Slate discussed “Mahna Mahna” and how music from an Italian soft-core film became the Muppets’ catchiest song.

    ——— Television ———

    Elizabeth Shue will become a regular on “CSI” starting in February, replacing Marg Helgenberger.

    CBS signed up Survivor for two more seasons with Jeff Probst as host and executive producer.

    Katy Perry will host Saturday Night Live on Dec. 10.

    ——— Other News ———

    Two former death row inmates whose convictions were each overturned after years on death row were married last week.

    Finally, the UC Davis Pepper Spray Cop is now a funny Internet meme. Follow this link if you wish to skip the article and go straight to some very funny photos of the Pepper Spray Cop in unique situations, showing the strength of using humor to fight the powers.


    What was your favorite pop culture story this week? Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • The Groundbreaking Rock and Roll Movie, “The T.A.M.I. Show”
  • Glen Campbell & Stevie Wonder: “Blowin’ in the Wind” (Duet of the Day)
  • Weird Al Yankovic Joins Weezer in Video for “Africa”
  • The Man Behind the Organ in “Like a Rolling Stone”
  • The Ambiguous Anti-War Underpinnings of “Galveston”
  • Death in Movies That Remind Us to Enjoy Life

    • (Some Related Chimesfreedom Posts)

    This Week in Pop Culture Roundup (Nov. 20, 2011)

    Wizard of Oz

    In case you were overwhelmed last week worrying about the NBA lockout or who is the sexiest man alive or the latest on Ashton Kutcher’s problems, below are some of the pop culture stories you might have missed.

    ———-Music———-

    The heart-stopping, earth-shaking,…legendary E Street Band will tour with Bruce Springsteen in 2012 supporting a new album.

    In a new interview, Michael Stipe explained why REM called it a day.
    “The horror was if somebody Twittered or leaked it.”

    Listen to Kate Bush’s new CD 50 Words for Snow on NPR First Listen.

    Also on NPR, you may listen to Michael Jackson: Immortal, the new CD of Jackson songs for a Cirque du Soleil production.

    The Los Angeles Times reported that Drake’s “Marvin’s Room,” on his new CD Take Care, was inspired by a visit from Stevie Wonder.

    The New York Times reviewed the new album by Florence and the Machine.

    The Chicago Tribune reviewed a performance by Fall Out Boy frontman Patrick Stump, who played “shiny funkified soulful pop” in promotion of new solo CD.

    I like music critic Greil Marcus, so will have to check out his new book on The Doors that was reviewed in The New York Times at the link.

    “I’ll be watching you.” Sting released a free app for the iPad that documents his career.

    ———-Movies———-

    Brad Pitt plans to quit acting in three years. I guess they need to hurry up and film Oceans Fourteen.

    Natalie Wood films Officials are investigating actress Natalie Wood’s drowning death from 30 years ago. Although initial reports claimed a yacht captain was blaming Woods’ then-husband actor Robert Wagner for the death, recent reports note that Wagner is not a suspect. But Christopher Walken, who was on the boat with the couple the night Woods died, has hired a lawyer.

    Karl Slover, one of the last living actors who played one of the Munchkins in The Wizard of Oz, passed away Tuesday.

    The new film The Great Flood features archival footage from the 1927 flood and music from Bill Frisell.

    The screenwriter for “The Departed” picked his top 5 British crime and suspense films from the 1960s and 1970s.

    Illumination Entertainment is planning a Woody Woodpecker film. (Thanks @VeryAw.) I grew up with the cartoons, so I’m excited that this overlooked character may be revived.

    The Atlas Shrugged DVD was released with a back cover mistakenly saying the movie was from a novel of “self-sacrifice” instead of author Ayn Rand’s contrary philosophy of self-interest. Oops!

    Andy Buckle’s Film Emporium blog wrote an interesting comparison between two epic World War II films, The Thin Red Line vs. Saving Private Ryan. (Thanks @buckle22.)

    Johnny B. Goode! Last weekend, Michael J. Fox reenacted his guitar playing from Back to the Future at a charity event.

    ———-Television———-

    Former first daughter Chelsea Clinton was hired by NBC News.

    Charlie Rose is going from PBS to CBS, which is pairing him with Gayle King.

    A new mid-season comedy on CBS, “iROB,” will feature Rob Schneider and Cheech Marin.

    Ricky Gervais will be back as host of the Golden Globes.

    ———-History and Other Pop Culture News———-

    The new CBS On the Road reported the sad and touching ending to the story of the friendship between Bella the dog and Tara the elephant: Have tissues handy. If you have not heard of Bella and Tara, you might first want to check out an earlier story about the animals.

    “Sticks Like Magic!” CNN reports on the interesting background of the toy Colorforms, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this month. I had forgot about Colorforms, which I had as a kid.

    Long-lost Air Force One tapes made the day JFK was killed were just discovered and put up for sale.

    Nice to have some good sports-related news with Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos rescued safe from kidnappers.

    The Houston Astros are moving to the American League. I’m still confused from the Brewers league switch in 1998.

    Shout! Factory released a new 11-DVD set of Mr. Magoo cartoons, featuring the voice of Jim Backus.

    Check out some New Guinness World Records for 2012.

    What was your favorite pop culture story this week? Leave your two cents in the comments.

    J. Edgar (Short Review)

    j. edgar
    J. Edgar Hoover’s long career in the FBI spanned a number of significant historical events, and the new film about the man, J. Edgar (2011), captures some of the scope of that history while trying to understand a very complicated person. In the film, we see terrorist activity from the early twentieth century through the gangster era into the Depression through the Lindbergh baby kidnapping and the Civil Rights movement through Kennedy’s assassination, until finally Hoover’s paranoia is passed onto the incoming president Richard M. Nixon. It is a big span for a movie, but Director Clint Eastwood never loses sight of its goal of telling the story of the main character.

    When I first heard Leonardo DiCaprio was going to play Hoover, my initial reaction was to think he was miscast. While some critics may still believe that (and also criticize the makeup on the aging characters), DiCaprio does a surprisingly excellent job filling the shoes of the larger-than-life Hoover. DiCaprio is one of the few actors who could convincingly play Hoover at a young age and at old age.

    Judi Dench plays Hoover’s domineering mother, and Naomi Watts plays Hoover’s long-time secretary. But much of the movie focuses on the relationship between Hoover and his longtime assistant, Clyde Tolson, played well by Armie Hammer. Many speculate that Hoover and Tolson had a romantic relationship, and the film focuses on Hoover as a repressed man. Whether or not they had a physical relationship, their close bond, among Hoover’s other repressions, is one of the devices used to try to understand Hoover’s secretive nature and interest in the sexual lives of others.

    While not perfect, the movie was fascinating, thoughtful, entertaining, and informative. Although the movie jumps back and forth through time, Eastwood was masterful in doing it in a way that never seemed confusing. But while I was never bored, watching the film is not necessarily a pleasurable experience. If there is a weakness in J. Edgar, it is that you have to spend two plus hours with someone who is not very likeable. Even when Hoover was doing some things that benefited the country and busting criminals, he seems less like a hero and more like a troubled person who happened to do some heroic things as a side effect.

    Conclusion? J. Edgar is a very entertaining film that is epic in scope but personal in focus. If you do not mind spending time in the company of an unlikeable character as long as the character is interesting, and if you are curious about American history, you will like this movie.

    Check out some other reviews because why should you listen to me? The Rotten Tomatoes website currently indicates a low critic rating of 40% with a higher audience approval of 66%. Mike Giuliano of ExploreHoward.com calls the movie “a worthwhile character study that’s able to transcend its various flaws.” On Flick Filosopher, Maryann Johanson, by contrast, concludes that the film “is too staid and static, and too unfocused, to make us feel much of anything at all.”

  • The Missing Marine From the Iwo Jima Flag Photo
  • Bryan Cranston As LBJ in “All the Way” (Short Review)
  • Why Did God Make Oklahoma?
  • Don’t Miss “Philomena” (Short Review)
  • Bob Dylan Believes in Detroit in Super Bowl Commercial
  • Ira Hayes Won’t Answer Anymore

    • (Some Related Chimesfreedom Posts)

    Treasure Island & Wallace Beery

    Treasure Island Wallace Beery
    On November 13 in 1850, Robert Louis Stevenson was born in Scotland. Although early in his life Stevenson studied civil engineering in law, he eventually became a writer and the author of literary classics like Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde(1886) and Treasure Island (1883).

    There have been different television and film versions of Treasure Island — including different ones with Orson Welles, Charlton Heston, a young Christian Bale, and even the Muppets. But for me, the film that stands out is the 1934 movie directed by Victor Fleming and starring Wallace Beery, Jackie Cooper and Lionel Barrymore. While I enjoyed some of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, Wallace Beery’s Long John Silver is the first movie pirate I think of.

    Beery’s interaction with the young Jackie Cooper in the 1934 Treasure Island are brilliant. Check out this wonderful scene where the pirate works to convince the young boy to help him escape the noose.

    Beery worked with Cooper, who died in 2011, in another classic film, The Champ (1931). According to Wikipedia, Cooper later noted how difficult it was to work with Beery, who kept trying to undermine Cooper’s acting.

    Although another child actor, Mickey Rooney, stated he enjoyed working with Beery, Cooper’s story actually enhances my viewing of Treasure Island. I like the image of Beery as a difficult man who tried to upstage child actors. What else would one expect of Long John Silver? Arrrrgh!

  • This Week in Pop Culture Roundup (18 Dec. 2011)
  • Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge: “Help Me Make It Through the Night” (Duet of the Day)
  • I Love Trash
  • A Dark Humorless Somewhat Revisionist Western: “Hostiles” (Short Review)
  • What Song Does the Sergeant Sing About a Sparrow in “Hostiles”?
  • This Is What We Call the Muppet Show!

    • (Some Related Chimesfreedom Posts)