At The Movies….Pomp & Circumstance By Cinematic Expert Stephanie Mardesich
June is when most graduations and commencements from pre-school through advanced education traditionally took place over the years though recently many occur in May. It’s an auspicious time when typically celebrations are held with place with friends and family to support and cheer the graduating students as they advance to a new plateau in their lives. At most commencement/graduation ceremonies a designated speaker addresses the graduating class with an inspiring speech, and university/college president, provost, or dean hands out diplomas (or facsimile), aka “sheepskins”. as the student garbed in cap (tassels to right until ceremony complete) and gown walks across the stage, though most who have fulfilled graduation requirements will receive their diplomas in the mail following the ceremony.
Students may receive honors such as “cum laude,” “magna cum laude,” or “summa cum laude” that designate their high academic achievement and grade point averages. The most distinguished honor is Phi Beta Kappa, a society that recognizes and promotes excellence in liberal arts and sciences since 1776 symbolized with a “key” awarded to that special student recipient.
Recalling Edward Elgar’s elegant composition “Pomp and Circumstance”, includes six marches with the first from 1901 most associated with academics, that so many graduates “walk” to as they receive their diplomas. In the old fashioned sense, here are some movies with sentiment, humor, and ethos to consider viewing that have memorable commencement moments. Congratulations graduates, tassels to the left!
Mr. Belvedere Goes To College (USA, 20th Century Fox, 1949, 83 min., dir. Elliot Nugent)
Clifton Webb recreates his Sitting Pretty role When “Mr. (Lynn)Belvedere” (Clifton Webb) , the World's Greatest Genius, discovers that he is ineligible for an honorary award because he never attended college he enrolls as a freshman in a major university. As a middle-aged student he quickly becomes the target for "hazing" from obnoxious upperclassman Avery Brubaker (Alan Young, later best know for TV series “Mr. Ed”) , while also excelling to BMOC (Big Man on Campus) for his unique attributes, that undermines his intention of being incognito. Journalism major Ellen Baker Ashley (Shirley Temple) also threatens to blow his cover by writing an article about him the school paper. Before earning his college degree (four years' worth of study in six months!), Belvedere plays Cupid for Ellen and her would be beau Bill Chase (Tom Drake) and has the local sorority house towing the mark and manners as the head “hasher.”
Note: Film was big success and lead to follow-up movie, 1951's Mr. Belvedere Rings the Bell.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041662/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_2
Carousel (USA,20th Century Fox, 1956, 128 min., dir. Henry King)
Set in Maine, the late 19th century romance of factory worker naive Julie Jordan (Shirley Jones) and handsome carnival barker Billy Bigelow (Gordon MacRae) is charming and sweetly sad; and destined for doom. From the first moment they meet it’s instant, yet restrained, attraction they attempt to deny depicted in the soulful “If I Loved You.” The couple elopes and struggles financially living by the largess of Julie’s cousin Nettie (Claramae Turner). When Julie is expecting a baby Billy makes his commitment to provide for his child in the dynamic “Soliloquy” (My Boy Bill…). In desperation agrees to help his criminal crony Jigger Craigin (Cameron Mitchell) pull off a heist, that ends in his demise. The story begins 15 years after his death, when Billy is making an appeal to the guardian “Starkeeper” (Gene Lockhart) in heaven asking to return to earth for one day to help the daughter Louise (Susan Lucky) he never knew who is about to graduate from high school and having her own emotional challenges. Billy ultimately redeems himself and spiritually aids his daughter instilling her with courage and confidence.
Other outstanding performances by Barbara Ruick (Carrie Pipperidge) Julie’s best friend and co-worker, and Audrey Christie (Mrs. Mullin) who owns the carnival and covets Billy, hence when he marries she fires him out of revenge. Rodgers & Hammerstein (R&H) created what was destined to become a classic of the American and international stage, from its first performance on Broadway (starring Jan Clayton and John Raitt) with so many memorable tunes from robust “June is Bustin’ Out All Over”, inspiring “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, gorgeous “Carousel Waltz.” The countless productions continue to be staged. Curiously no Academy Award® nods for the picture. It big year including R&H The King & I competing with Carousel. What were the producers thinking (or not?!) , though director King was appropriately nominated for Directors Guild of America award. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049055/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
High Time (USA, Bing Crosby Productions, 1960, 103 min., dir. Blake Edwards)
At age 51 wealthy widower and hamburger restaurateur Harvey Howard (Bing Crosby) decides to go to college.with great protest by his grown children. he insists on not receiving preferential treatment, and lives in a dorm like the other students. He becomes quite involved in study sessions, fraternity initiations, and sporting events and falls in love with French Professor Helen Helene Gautier (Nicole Maurey) though but doesn't consider re-marrying appropriate. Oscar® nod for Best Song The Second Time Around.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053912/?ref_=ttawd_ov_bk
The Trouble With Angels (USA, Columbia Pictures, 1966, 112 min. PG13, dir. Ida Lupino)
Teen age girls being sent to St. Francis Academy Catholic boarding school Mary Clancy (Hayley Mills) and Rachel Devery (June Harding) meet on the train and it’s their destiny to be friends and troublemakers, with Mary the “ring leader.” In the three years that ensue the girls and their many pranks include smoking cigars in the basement and setting off fire alarms, putting bubble baths in the nuns' sugar bowls, giving tours of private nuns quarters, countless antics that try the patience of the savvy, yet saintly regal Reverend Mother (Rosalind Russell).As they matriculate they gain a greater respect for their teachers and the commitment and devotion required to be a nun, leading one of them to make a life-changing decision revealed before the ceremony with all the girls in lovely white dresses and carrying bouquets. Based on the 1962 book Life with Mother Superior by Jane Trahey, about her own high school years at a Catholic school near Chicago, Illinois.
Cast includes as some of the nuns veterans Binnie Barnes, and Mary Wickes; stunning beauty Camilla Sparv; and Jim Hutton as Mary’s former teacher who Mother Superior admonishes. Short droll turn by Gypsy Rose Lee (Mrs. Mabel Dowling Phipps) as guest “charm instructor” adds more star quality. Mills is delightful, and her costumes darling. Harding has good screen presence and pity not to see her in more roles. Outstanding direction by Lupino. Lead to a sequel Where Angeles Go Trouble Follows, starring Russell and Stella Stevens (and introducing Susan St. James). Entertaining, yet not as good as the first.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061122/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1
Officer & A Gentleman (USA, Lorimar/Paramount, 1982, 124 min., R, dir. Taylor Hackford)
Navy Aviation Officer Candidate at school in Pacific Northwest Zack Mayo (Richard Gere) is a “Navy brat with a bad attitude. Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley (Louis gusset, Jr.) is in charge to train and evaluate him. Zack meets Paula (Debra Winger), local factory worker who has a rather grim life with little beyond family. As graduation approaches he must decide who he is and what it is he wants to do with his life. The graduation when the midshipmen toss their caps in the air, and especially final scene when Zack leaves the graduation ceremony and hops on his motor cycle to reclaim Paula is one of the all time romantic moments in film. Six Academy Award® nods, two wins including Best Song “Up Where We Belong” that has become all time hit.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084434/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1
Back To School (USA, MGM,1986, 96 min. PG-13, dir. Alan Metter)
When his son Jason (Kieth Gordon) announces that he is not sure about going to college. millionaire businessman Thornton Melon (Rodney Dangerfield) is upset and against his son quitting avowing that college is the best thing he never experienced for himself. To prove his point he enrolls in school along with his son. Thornton is a big hit on campus: always throwing the biggest parties, knowing all the right people, but is this the way to pass college
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090685/awards/?ref_=tt_awd
Legally Blonde (USA, MGM, 2001, 96 min., PG13, dir. Robert Luketic)
Two years after first-year Harvard law student Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) incredibly proved in court that Brooke Taylor-Windham (Ali Larter) did not murder her husband, Elle is featured graduation commencement speaker. Her inspiring words speak to passion and confidence, traits that helped her exceed the odds and succeed at Harvard when many never took her seriously "remembering that first impressions aren't always correct."
Witherspoon exudes charisma, ingenious in her naïve way. and takes “dumb blonde” to a Mensa level. The movie has innate charm and memorable moments, e.g. “bend & snap”, and is timeless entertainment. Great supporting cast lead by Luke Wilson, Holland Taylor and Raquel Welch.
Stephanie Mardesich, a native of San Pedro from a family who arrived in the harbor area over 100 years ago. An alumna of U.S.C. School of Cinematic Arts; founder-director of the LA Harbor International Film Festival; credited journalist and public relations consultant, she launched "Cinema Stephanie" film critique blogette in 2017. More recently, she created "Eclectic Culture" lifestyle stories and reviews blog. She is also co-producer with Jack Baric (S.P. native and R.P.V. resident) of the oral history project Stories of Los Angeles Harbor Area: For Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (SOLAHA) - Volume II debuted in March 2020