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

 

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.

 

 

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