BRINGING UP BABY (1938)

“Bringing Up Baby”, directed by Howard Hawks, is a screwball comedy genre film that tells the awkward love story of a crazed blonde and an engaged man who is supposed to be married the next day. This film is anything but ordinary. It has the distinction of being both hilarious and painfully annoying at the same time.

This movie is a classic because it involves actors working with live animals, it has extravagant stunts, and it’s unique screwball comedy is fitting for this film. “Baby” in this film is a leopard that happens to be a gift to, the main character, Susan’s aunt. Susan uses her annoying antics to swindle David into assisting her as she transports baby to her aunt’s house.

The clip below has an example of the madness that ensues during the film. This is one of the funniest moments as well as a very shocking moment in film. Susan takes David’s clothes, so he puts on her robe. When Susan’s aunt sees him, he jokingly says that he became “gay all of a sudden.” This was at a time where being gay was a taboo subject. The filmmakers took a huge risk, but it helped to make the movie funny. This is one of the many reasons why Bringing Up Baby will always be a fan favorite and classic.

 

Watch the video below. Bringing Up Baby 1938

 

Scarface (1932)

“Scarface” (1938) was produced by Howard Hughes and Howard Hawks. This film has been pivotal in the gangster genre as a whole. It addressed prohibition and organized crime in our society during the 1920’s through re-enacting the stories of the characters in a novel called Armitage trail who mirrored a real life gangster known as Al-Capone. To avoid issues with censorship, there were alternate endings where the police killed the main character. This was to help viewers understand that crime will lead them to prison.

The scene below takes place in a café with Tony and Johnny’s girl Poppy right before he gets rundown. Johnny is Tony’s boss, but as he moves up in rank he tries to take his boss’ girlfriend who he had been pining after since their first encounter. This scene is the perfect example of the blend of romance and danger that exists in films within the gangster genre.

See scene below. If you cannot see the clip, click this link. Scarface 1932 Cafe Scene

This film helped to set the blueprint for the many films in the gangster genre that followed. It had drama, violence, romance, misogyny, and a hint of comedy to keep movie goers at the edge of their seats while wondering what was going to happen next. A classic scene in Scarface is when Tony and Guino go into the hospital to shoot and kill someone they had already put in the hospital.  Scenes like this make this film not only a classic, but the epitome of gangster.

BATTLESHIP POTEMKIN (1925)

“Battleship Potemkin” Is a silent film directed by Sergei Eisenstein. The film is named after a Russian battleship whose soldiers revolted against the officers in charge due to being mistreated at sea. It was released in the Soviet Union and ran for 1 hour and 15 minutes.

“The Battleship Potempkin” is a classic because it helped to set the standard for the war film genre. Just like “The Birth of a Nation”, it has amazing battle scenes that will always be remembered and can’t be replicated without recognition from true film lovers of all ages.

One of the most famous and remembered shots in the Battle of Potemkin takes place on the Odessa Staircase.  This shot shows the citizens of Odessa trying to escape being directly at the center of the battle that is about to ensue on the steps. They have choice but to accept their demise because there’s no way to escape as there are soldiers both up and down the stairs. The low angles and close ups used were both unique and creative and helped add to the dramatic flare of the film. This scene was also very graphic as it showed innocent people being slain, as well as a mother and child in a baby carriage. These innovative shots and its boldness in content proves exactly why “The Battle of Potemkin will always remain a classic.

 

 

THE BIRTH OF A NATION (1915)

“The Birth of a Nation” is a controversial film directed by DW Griffith. This film is an adaptation of the book Clansmen. Which attempts to re-construct the horrible image of the rural south and the KKK by portraying them as heroes whose sole purpose is to protect American women by preserving and maintaining white supremacy and confederacy in American culture.

 “The Birth of a Nation” is a classic for many different reasons. First, this is one of the first full feature narrative films which addresses an issue that has plagued our nation since its founding. Prior to this point issues weren’t addressed through film, which is a medium that reaches people on a wide scale. Because of this, a lot of people grew more fond of the KKK and the south’s “true” intentions. This film worked as a form of damage control for the image of the south and its ideals. Of course along with its positive feedback, there was an insurmountable outpour of controversy from the black community. Blacks were exploited and portrayed as violent, incompetent, and dangers to society.

Aside from the controversy, The Birth of a nation broke a lot of records. Such as its length, choice of shots, and the music score in the background. The film played for 3 hours and 10 minutes and had a full length music score composed by Joseph Carl Breil to match the entire 3 hours. This was record breaking in itself. Also the shots Griffith used were way before their time. Shots such as the panning and panoramic shots are examples of why this film is and will always be a classic.

 

WELCOME TO FILM CLASSICS

When hearing the term “classic film”, one begins to question what exactly makes that film a classic. Is it TIMELESS? If so, what makes it timeless? Does it set the STANDARD? If so, what standard has been set? Is it  IRREPLACEABLE? If so, what makes it irreplaceable? The next four posts will answer these questions in detail giving examples from four films that have been catalysts in the evolution of film production. These films are “The Birth of a Nation” (1915), “The Battleship Potempkin” (1925), “Scarface” (1932), and “Bringing Up Baby” (1938). 

 

Tajiana Spann