A Movie You Might Have Missed #89 — All Through the Night

It's been 12 years since I began this series highlighting movies I wished more people knew about. I'm rerunning it from the beginning because I still think these are movies you might have missed. 

This is the last of the Movies You Might Have Missed ... until I come across another one!

I can't remember where I heard of this 1942 movie but the premise was intriguing. Humphrey Bogart is a gambler with a taste for only one bakery's cheesecake. When the baker is killed, he goes hunting for the murderer and unexpectedly stumbles upon undercover Nazi saboteurs. In New York City!

This movie is both humorous and dramatic, as with To Be or Not to Be or Night Train to Munich. I liked both of those movies better but we found it entertaining. And there were a lot of genuinely amusing moments and clever dialogue. I especially liked the opening when a group of gamblers are arguing WWII battle tactics based on their experience fighting rival gangs.

It features a star-studded cast including Peter Lorre, Conrad Veidt (Major Strasser in Casablanca), Judith Anderson (Mrs. Danvers in Rebecca), William Demerest, Phil Silvers, and Jackie Gleason. All seemed to be having a lot of fun playing their parts to the hilt.

Down by the Watering Hole

Down by the Watering Hole
taken by Valerie, ucumari photography Some rights reserved.

I believe this is the definition of cute.

Sea Monster and St. Brendan

"St Brendan's ship on the back of a whale, and his men praying, in Honorius Philoponus, 'Nova typis transacta navigatio' (Linz: s.n., 1621), p.12 (British Library, G.7237)."

I love maps. I love monsters. What's not to love in this monster that is so large one might think he is an island? So large in fact that there is room for St. Brendan and his men to set up an impromptu mass?

This and many more sea-faring monsters may be seen at BibliOdyssey's post Map Monsters.

Vampires and the Roman Catholic Church

When it comes to fighting vampires and performing exorcisms, the Roman Catholic Church has the heavy artillery. Your other religions are good for everyday theological tasks, like steering their members into heaven, but when the undead lunge up out of their graves, you want a priest on the case. As a product of Catholic schools, I take a certain pride in this pre-eminence.

Roger Ebert, review of John Carpenter's Vampires

Magic and murder

"Can a magician kill a man by magic?" Lord Wellington asked Strange. Strange frowned. He seemed to dislike the question. "I suppose a magician might," he admitted, "but a gentleman never could."

Susanna Clarke, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell

I haven't read this book in a long time but coming across this quote made me want to reread it. Such a perfect bit of frippery, morality, and manners!

Claret Cup Cactus

Jason Merlo, photographer
Claret cup cactus in bloom, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area - Llano County, Texas

A claret cup cactus in bloom growing in the crack of a boulder on Little Rock at sunset at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area in Llano County, Texas.

I didn't know cacti could have beautiful names like Claret Cup. Looking at the flowers, though, you can immediately see the logic and poetry behind it.

Isn't this a stunning photo? I discovered Jason Merlo when one of his photos of the painted churches of Texas was featured on Traces of Texas on Facebook. Check Jason's galleries to see more gorgous photos of the beautiful state of Texas. He offers prints for sale too.

A Movie You Might Have Missed #88: Grand Hotel

It's been 12 years since I began this series highlighting movies I wished more people knew about. I'm rerunning it from the beginning because I still think these are movies you might have missed.

Grand Hotel remains a classic masterpiece as the first all-star Hollywood epic with many high-powered stars of the early 1930s. The episodic film is set at Berlin's ritzy, opulent art-deco Grand Hotel, and tells of the criss-crossing of the lives of five major guests whose fates intertwined for a two-day period at the hotel. Its ensemble cast of stars were occupants of a between-wars German hotel, all struggling with either their finances, scandals, health, emotional loneliness, or social standing in multiple storylines.

Filmsite

This is the movie where Greta Garbo's famous "I want to be alone" line originated. An all-star cast acts their hearts out in this mother of all melodramas. Continuing our journey through early Oscar winners (Best Picture, 1932) and nominees, we thoroughly enjoyed this very good movie which can hold its own against stories of today. I especially enjoyed it as a look at life, from waiting for a new baby to someone preparing to leave this mortal coil. And lots of things in-between!

I will add that we were all quite concerned about the fate of Adolphus the dachshund.

Careful Steps

Taken by Julie Kenward

Julie and I used to be internet buddies but somehow I lost touch with her. I think she's gradually shifted to different social media and I didn't keep up. Regardless, I love this photo which I first posted way back in 2014. It is timeless.

Couple with guidebook reading map

Couple with guidebook reading map. Al Lago Maggiore travel poster.

August

August, Theo van Hoytema

Church of the Light

Church of the Light, Osaka, Japan
Taken by Bergmann

The simplicity of Ando's church is part of its beauty, and of its message: built on a low budget, the concrete walls were cast on-site, and the wood used to form the moulds for that process were then recycled to make the pews. The church has no decoration, and the only windows are the slits in the shape of a cross, as important for this particular church as it is for the foundation of Christianity itself: the Cross here is the Light.

Richard Stemp, The Secret Language of Churches and Cathedrals

I tend not to like modern architecture in churches but, obviously, that is because most of them aren't very well done. This is spectacular and I'd love to see it in person.

By the way, the Richard Stemp book is fantastic and I highly recommend it.

I came in on my knees. That is the only way in.

I never came into the church as a person who was being taught. I came in on my knees. That is the only way in. When people start praying they need truths; that’s all. You don’t come into the Church by ideas and concepts, and you cannot leave by mere disagreement. It has to be a loss of faith, a loss of participation. You can tell when people leave the Church: they have quit praying.

Actively relating to the Church's prayer and sacraments is not done through ideas. Any Catholic today who has an intellectual disagreement with the Church has an illusion. You cannot have an intellectual disagreement with the Church: that's meaningless. The Church is not an intellectual institution. It is a superhuman institution.

Marshall McLuhan, The Medium and the Light: Reflections on Religion

Absolutely. And the more you pray, the more you are drawn into this superhuman institution.

Breakfast Time

Hanna Pauli, Breakfast-Time, 1887

Isn't this a lovely, sun-dappled scene? I can hear the birds, feel a cool breeze, small the coffee.

Rafael Sabatini — Entertaining, Intelligent Swashbuckling

I just reread Scaramouche for an upcoming podcast discussion. I wanted to remind everyone of what a wonderful author Rafael Sabatini is so I'm rerunning this post from 2018.

I discovered Rafael Sabatini through the audio of his two most popular books, Scaramouche and Captain Blood. I didn't realize for some time that these were just a small sampling of Sabatini's work.

He wrote 31 novels, not to mention numerous short stories and other works. As if that weren't impressive enough, he spoke seven languages and then learned English specifically for writing because, he said, "all the best stories are written in English." He had to write for 25 years before achieving fame with Scaramouche  (After which the publishers said, "Wait, look at all these other great books he's written!" and rushed them into print.) Sabatini just kept on writing even more great books.

I love knowing that there are so many of his books out there to read. They are all adventure and romance novels with clever dialogue and elaborate plots. Heroes, swordfights, and chivalry abound though often with characters that go against our expectations, which just adds to the enjoyment. Almost all of them have historical backdrops and characters which are accurate, while being part of an exciting story.

Think of Sabatini as the Georgette Heyer of adventure. He's tops for a real page turner that doesn't dumb it down while simultaneously not needing to be deep to keep your attention.

Most are available from the usual places, public domain books can be found on Project Gutenberg or ... your local library probably has a ton of them. They were very popular once upon a time.

THE SEA-HAWK
My exploration of Rafael Sabatini's books began with noticing this title which is the name of my favorite Errol Flynn movie. Turns out the title is about all they took from the book, if indeed the book was at all involved.

This is the tale of a family feud, betrayed brotherhood, and love gone awry which results in galley slavery, more than a flirtation with Islam, and every exotic story device that can be imagined. It all works. It's a bit over-the-top sort, but I was hanging on every chapter, reading breathlessly to see what happened next.

What makes the story even better is that Sabatini evidently was scrupulous in being historically exact. Yes, Lord Oliver existed and did those things. Now, that didn't keep Sabatini from inventing and exaggerating to give us this swashbuckler. And I'm ok with that. I'm not reading these for the history, though that doesn't hurt it a bit.

ST. MARTIN'S SUMMER
Garnache is a wily and accomplished swordsman sent by the Queen to rescue an heiress who is being held prisoner by a mother and son so they can take her estate. A lot of my enjoyment of this book is due to Garnache's unbridled temper, which has been the bane of his career. Watching him struggle to overcome it and the result of his ill-timed explosions is a lot of fun because we can sympathize with his frustration.

He despises the fairer sex, "Let me tell you that this is the first time in my life that I have been concerned in anything that had to do with women." This makes it more ironic when the main players in the story are all women: the Queen of France, the girl he must rescue, and the wicked Marquise de Condillac who foils his attempts repeatedly. Poor Garnache does nothing but deal with women, except when he's sword fighting, of course.

THE BLACK SWAN
This hit the spot for swashbuckling adventure. Wanting a break from thinking and chaos and the real world, I borrowed the movie from the library and we were delighted with the old pirate adventure featuring Tyrone Power and Maureen O'Hara. Sparks flew. Swashbuckling and preening. And so forth. Naturally I had to get the book. Which was tons better. Tons.

Priscilla Harradine is sailing to England, accompanied by Major Sands who is at least twice her age and, unbeknownst to her, hoping to marry her. Also on board is Charles de Bernis. And that's lucky because when their ship is boarded by the infamous pirate, Tom Leach (sailing the Black Swan) Charles is able to save them all from certain death (and worse!).

The interest lies in watching Monsieur de Bargis nimbly navigate minefields in dealing with pirates, officious boors (Major Sands, of course), and everyone who keeps threatening bodily injury and death to the small group of people he is trying to save under very trying circumstances. One of which is the aforementioned boor who we love to hate. Of course, there is a love interest but it is handled in the most delicate way which was most enjoyable to watch unfold.

SCARAMOUCHE
Lawyer Andre-Louis Moreau has never believed strongly in any philosophical point of view. When his best friend goes to face the arrogant Marquis de la Tour d' Azyr for slaying a poacher, everything goes wrong. Andre-Louis finds himself on the run, eventually joining an acting company, but with a sense that he must speak up for his friend's beliefs, even if he doesn't really believe them. Andre-Louis's natural gift for rhetoric and logical argument are used for both humorous and dramatic effect.

This book pulls us into the arguments for and against revolution, while enjoying romance, revenge, betrayal, treason, and, of course, sword fighting. I love watching Andre-Louis become what he pretends to be.

It's extremely enjoyable swashbuckling on the eve of the French Revolution. This might be the perfect companion volume to A Tale of Two Cities, though it also had strong echoes of Nicholas Nickleby because of the theater connection.

THE SNARE
There are multiple snares in this swashbuckler by Rafael Sabatini. Set in Portugal, under Wellington's command as he forms a clever trap for Napoleon, this is a tale of jealousy, love, betrayal, and friendship ... all set into motion by one stupid, selfish brother. Atypically, this is no swashbuckler with most of the story taken up by a legal trial.

I really enjoyed it although the trial toward the end was a bit lengthy for my taste. I didn't expect military strategy to form such a big part of the plot but was fascinated by this look at the Napoleonic wars.

CAPTAIN BLOOD
Dr. Peter Blood is sentenced to slavery and exile in the islands after his arrest for treating wounded rebels. When he escapes, no ship sailing the Spanish Main is safe from his natural talent for piracy. He does, however, have an Achilles heel — his love for Miss Arabella Bishop who was the only kind person during his slave days. Rescuing her and redeeming his reputation will take all his skill.

This is the best known of Rafael Sabatini's books. It is just a touch less over the top and a bit more complete in characterizations. I did get tired of all the sailing maneuvers toward the end but that's just me. I listened to B.J. Harrison's fine narration of the novel. It made perfect listening while working on a long project.

BELLARION
Bellarion is a naive, monastery educated orphan who gets sidetracked on his way to finish his classical education in the big city. Faced with a series of emergencies, his native intelligence leads to an unsuspected ability to solve problems and strategize. His unexpected rise into a responsible position leads to intricate political intrigue and warfare.

Unfortunately, the story often ground to a halt because of the numerous battles and sieges recounted. I understand it is based on real history and people (except for Bellarion) but I feel good storytelling should have been able to communicate a lot of these events without taking me through it blow by blow. However, it is a good story overall and with my battle-skimming abilities I enjoyed it well enough.

THE HOUNDS OF GOD
Margaret Trevanion has been raised with an unusual amount independence and self-reliance which leads to her spurning the neighbor we suspect she loves and taking a survivor of the Spanish Armada as her prisoner. Who we do not trust, though that distrust is based on very little. (Heavens, I might as well be Elizabethan with that attitude!)

Others have commented on how different the second half of the book is from the first. The Spanish Inquisition and royal rulers are a large part of that difference. I actually really enjoyed both parts. Elizabeth I's note to King Philip made me laugh out loud and these two self-centered rulers are perfect foils. Likewise, we are shown several contrasts within the Inquisition and these are both entertaining and give food for thought about motivations and the result of lying to oneself (Brother Luis, I'm lookin' at you!).

The Hours of Jeanne d'Evreux

Matins :  Arrest of Christ - The Annunciation, Jean Pucelle, 1324-1328

I'm always fascinated by these sorts of books and wish something like them were readily available today. They combine the best of words and images to help draw you out of yourself and into an encounter with God. There is also usually a playful element that I really love, as witness from this closeup.

Sunflowers on the Banks of the Seine

Gustave Caillebotte, Sunflowers on the Banks of the Seine, c. 1885-1886

Somehow I always think of sunflowers on the plains, being from Kansas. Not in France on the banks of the Seine!

A Movie You Might Have Missed #87: Manhattan Murder Mystery

It's been 12 years since I began this series highlighting movies I wished more people knew about. I'm rerunning it from the beginning because I still think these are movies you might have missed.

The man in the apartment down the hallway is so awfully nice. He has one of those deep, expansive voices, and a face that breaks naturally into a smile, and the kind of big, disorganized body that's somehow reassuring. Therefore, obviously, he must be hiding something. And when his wife dies of a heart attack, it cannot be as simple as that. There must be more to it. Something deep, dark and ominous.

This is the way Carol's mind works. She can't help it; she was probably raised on Nancy Drew. She drives her husband nuts. He wants her to shut up and go to sleep, but all night and all day her mind is at work, threading together facts and possibilities into an obsessive theory: This nice guy has killed his wife, and unless she does something about it, he'll get away with murder.

Roger Ebert

What follows is a screwball murder mystery investigation, Woody Allen style. It stars Allen and Diane Keaton which tells you a lot about their dynamic if you ever saw Annie Hall. They work very well as a married couple.

I haven't seen this for about 10 or 15 years. It really holds up both as a tightly-plotted mystery and an examination of comfortable, middle aged marriage. I've always liked it but this time I was laughing out loud. In fact, I laughed out loud so many times that it got kind of embarrassing.

My mother hadn't ever seen a Woody Allen film. She liked this one a lot, which led to a minor Woody Allen festival of our favorites — most of which, it turns out, are movies practically everyone missed. I have featured many of them in the Movies You Might Have Missed series already right here.

Summer

Alphonse Mucha, Summer, 1896
via WikiArt

I love this Art Deco style and the depiction works, right down to the sultry, languid expression.

Lagniappe: Faithful in their infidelity

The charming Genovese, Florentine, and Neapolitan countesses had chosen to stick, not with their husbands, but with their lovers, and Albert had come to the painful conclusion that Italian women at least have this over their French sisters — that they are faithful in their infidelity.

Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo

You expect adventure, swashbuckling, and revenge. You don't expect the humor. Or, at least I don't.

Love Basics for Catholics by John Bergsma

When you begin to see the Bible as a book of love, it will change the way you view love, sex, marriage, family, and your personal relationship with God.

Bergsma focuses on what nine biblical marriages tell us about God’s relationship with us, including: 

• Adam and Eve—who show us that marriage is the culmination of all creation and that marriage can be an image of the Trinity 
• Ruth and Boaz—who display the tenderness and virtue of a marriage;
• Solomon and his bride in the Song of Songs—who illustrate a positive, healthy view of the body and physical beauty
• Jesus as Bridegroom of his people, the Church.

He also provides insight into Church teachings on marriage and relationships—such as monogamy, the single life, the Sacrament of Matrimony, and Jesus’s words about divorce—to show how these teachings come from the love God shares with his people through the covenants in scripture.

As with John Bergsma's other Bible Basics for Catholics books this is an excellent basic coverage, in this case how the Bible is the story of how marriage in the Bible shows us God's love for his people. 

I really enjoyed the gradual development of complexity as we followed the marriages featured in salvation history. I hadn't thought of them in a linear fashion as being an "evolutionary story" of how marriage would be understood, but it's all right there, as John Bergsma shows us. So we get both an in-depth look at marriage and God's love for his people in one handy-dandy, easy to understand book.

As with the Bible Basics book, Bergsma uses the trick of simple stick pictures to help make the main points memorable and I was happy to see them. They really are wonderful memory aids.