THE GREAT DICTATOR (Released to Theaters USA 1940)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì  The Great Dictator—interesting, creative, innovative—is Charles Chaplin's first 'talkie'. It uses satire for the comedic element.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A  Jewish soldier of a previous war is recovering in a military hospital while a new ruler takes the soldier's country over,  becomes a dictator of that country, and starts an anti-semitic suppression of all Jews in that country.    Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Charles Chaplin for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Charlie Chaplin for making the film possible. Cast includes Charles Chaplin, Paulette Goddard, Jack Oakie, Henry Danielle, Reginald Gardiner, Billy Gilbert, and Maurice Moscovich. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is, overall, a very good film that tells a story that is undeniably original.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

FANTASIA (Released to Theaters USA 1940)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Starsìììì

Fantasia ushered in an entirely new way to enjoy music while demonstrating Disney Studios' early stage, high level artistic endeavors. The imaginative journeys this film opens to the viewer are endless. The vast scope of this 8-segment film cannot be captured in words alone. It performs as a visual prophecy of what Disney would become to the world as he gradually drew unlimitedly talented people into his creative circle.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Additional Thanks

Than you to Directors Norman Ferguson, James Algar, Samuel Armstrong, Ford Beebe, Jr., Jim Handley, T. Hee, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske, Bill Roberts, and Paul Satterfield. Thank you to Producers Walt Disney and Ben Sharpsteen for making the film possible. Cast includes: Violinist Paul J. Smith, Conductor Leopold Stokowski, Narrators Deems Taylor and Corey Burton, Percussionist James McDonald, Singer Julietta Novis, and Mickey Mouse (voiced by Walt Disney).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This first film creates a masterful stream of music and animation from the early days of animated creativity. One of the best films of that era, it deserves a standing ovation and clapping for an extended period of time.  This movie, like no other, deserves every Bravo! and Encore! it receives.   

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SAPS AT SEA (Released to Theaters USA 1940)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Saps at Sea—cute, short 56-minute film—seems redundant with some of its gags and the film can be slow at times. Laurel and Hardy play together in this movie.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline   Oliver Hardy and Stan Laurel are working at a horn factory testing horns. Oliver gets fed up with the noise of horns all the time, and is  given the greenlight to go home and get some rest and get well.  Additional Thanks   Thank you to Director Gordon Douglas for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Hal Roach for making the film possible. Cast includes Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, and Richard Cramer.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This short film is suitable and worth one watch. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE GRAPES OF WRATH (Theatrical Release USA 1940)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.5|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Grapes of Wrath—Henry Fonda, John Carridine, John Qualan, and Jane Darwell—is an example of high-quality writing and presentation. Thanks to Director John Ford for his finesse. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A family travels from Oklahoma to California during the Great Depression. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director John Ford for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Darryl Zanuck and Nunnally Johnson for making the film possible. Cast includes: Henry Fonda, Jane Darwell, John Carradine, Shirley Mills, John Qualen, and Eddie Quillan. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is what a film should be in all respects. A beautiful classic that can be watched many times through the years. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers