A few days ago we suggested films you might want to watch on New Year’s Eve. Joe’s favorite is Repeat Performance, a film noir with a twist ending. And for romantics we noted When Harry Met Sally might be a good choice.
Hello, everybody. Mr. Joe Morella and Mr. Frank Segers her again. Mrs. Norman Maine is out buying the champagne for tomorrow night.
We’ve decided to add two more of Joe’s favorites to the list of films which have at least a key scene about New Year’s Eve. Who can forget Shirley MacLaine bolting a NYE party and running through the streets of New York to the bewildered Jack Lemmon?
If you haven’t seen it this year rent The Apartment. It’s one of Billy Wilder’s best films and has great performances by ALL the actors who inhabit it.
Another film which, though not about New Year’s Eve, has a key scene that takes place that night is Show Boat. Whichever version you choose, the 1936 black and white, or the 1951 color, you won’t be disappointed.
Irene Dunne and Allan Jones star in the earlier one. And you’ll see torch singer Helen Morgan recreate the role of Julie, which she’d done on Broadway. The later version stars Howard Keel, Kathryn Grayson and Ava Gardner as Julie. Although Gardner’s voice was dubbed it was one of her best performances ever.
Many thought at the time that Lena Horne, who was under contract to MGM should have been given the role as the singer who is an octaroon, passing for white. But the studio felt that audiences knew Horne was black and couldn’t overcome the prejudices of the day.
If you’re having a marathon, see both versions.
Happy New Year.
