Beholds Spirit Film, 1941
Meet John Doe
Meet John Doe has much to say to the twenty-first century. A former baseball player gets drawn into a newspaper publicity stunt and becomes a 1940s media celebrity. This gets him involved in a politician’s scheme to further his own career. The comedies of this period were screwball comedies, where the plot gets more and more ridiculous as the story progresses. Here the same idea is given a dramatic treatment, where more and more indignities are heaped on “John Doe” until he reaches his breaking point. It is then that his true character and strength emerge. Meet John Doe is one of my all-time favorite films.
Brian’s Favorite Uplifting Films of 1941
Citizen Kane
Citizen Kane is a classic for many reasons. For me, the most important reason is that no matter what our outward ambitions, our true purpose and joy in life is inescapable. The film made many technical and artistic advancements for the film industry. And it showed the power of the mass media over public opinion, an influence on society which has only increased over the 78 years since the film’s release.
How Green Was My Valley
How Green Was My Valley shows the inevitability of change in a nineteenth century coal mining town. The film presents a wide range of social and domestic issues affecting the community, and various ways people react to these changes and challenges. The style is not especially contemporary, but it is a great presentation of resilience and resistance to change.
The Lady Eve
The Lady Eve is a screwball comedy about a con artist who actually has a decent moral concern for other people. She goes after what she wants, the wealthy man played by Henry Fonda. The crazy, entertaining adventures she creates in this process make this an unforgettable film. I love the message that you have to be genuine, even if that message is partly hidden by the brilliance of the comedy.
The Maltese Falcon
The Maltese Falcon, one of the earliest film noir stories, takes in its main character, Sam Spade (Humphrey Bogart), an extreme of the masculine morality that would soon practically take over Hollywood male images. This kind of male is outside of it all, observing and judging. He exudes strength, and he refuses to show any weakness. I think this is one of the best acted versions of this type of character because the humanity of Spade still comes through.
That Hamilton Woman
That Hamilton Woman is a romantic drama about a famous love affair that makes the affair seem fun. The film shows the outcome of doing what you think you should do, duty, instead of following your heart. Because it was made as Europe was falling in World War II, it also has political parallels. I include this as an uplifting film because it suggests that passion and love are greater than anything else.