Beholds Spirit Film, 1945
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
An Irish immigrant family in early twentieth century Brooklyn faces a variety of obstacles but proves that change is always possible. The film tackles some big issues (alcoholism, failures and foiled dreams, strict gender roles, structural social systems that keep down people down), but we see a group of people striving for the American dream. And somehow not ever totally giving up. There are happy songs, fun little adventures and quirky characters that give a full picture of life.
Uplifting Films: Brian’s 1945 Favorite Films
Blithe Spirit
Noel Coward’s screwball comedy play Blithe Spirit transforms into an entertaining film. A writer hires a medium in hopes of getting inspired for his next book. Unfortunately for him, his dead first wife is brought forth. Great frivolous entertainment farce about death, which somehow heightens the comical environment while blunting the sadness of the subject matter. It is too ridiculous to be taken seriously, so you just enjoy it.
Brewster’s Millions
Brewster’s Millions finds a man returning home from war eager to marry. He finds he has been left a large fortune unexpectedly. The catch is that he must spend a million dollars of it in two months with nothing to show for it. As they say, hilarity ensues.
The Clock
An army soldier and an office worker meet and spend a day together in New York City while the soldier is on leave. Naturally they fall in love. Two young people getting to experience a brief sense of normalcy amid uncertain times drives the emotions of the story. And the everyday people and situations they encounter throughout their adventure give a sense of the basic kindness of people, and maybe a small message of hope.
Life Begins Anew (La vita ricomincia)
Life Begins Anew (La vita ricomincia) is an Italian study of the ways war affects and changes people. Prostitution, murder, and desperate medical emergencies are a few of the things that happen to a middle class family at the end of World War II. The husband/father of the family must process everything that has happened (including his own time as a POW), and how everything is permanently changed. We heal when we see the vulnerabilities in ourselves and others around us.
The Lost Weekend
The Lost Weekend is a study on the effects of alcoholism, a man struggling to overcome addiction. The four day weekend relapse presented in the film is moving and upsetting, but I include it as an uplifting film because it shows the human spirit’s unfailing determination to never give up.