When ‘people’ criticize the arts for being pretentious, I often often totally agree. But then I ask well: what do you 'the people' have to offer in return? Why bother seeing all these arts events? For what? For show? Sadly, for many that is indeed the case. And the 'many' arts organizations are happy to suck the money and turn an ‘eye’.
I often go to MoMA film screenings. Trying to ignore the patrons' irritating shouts/ shssses/carbuncles in response to rustlings papers et al et al. Who in effect make far more noise than any other.
So I go less and less. And sitting on one’s one is not/ever/never that much fun. Also. But when a movie IS. Then ‘fun’ Is not an adjective nor noun. I knew/know nothing about director Tay Garnett
…but One Way Passage (1932) caught my eye-...Kay Francis. 1932 and at 67min! I still think they are lying about the length! Let alone the creation time. When the movie finished I just sat there staring at the screen. Just couldn’t believe how economically brilliant/poignant it all had been. Moreover, the hero had committed murder. But then, we don’t know why nor how. For those of us ‘in the now’ when the ship steward opines that he/they could all have 'all' been murdered (when he learns of the hero's past)- me/you/they think oh- how very 2020 America. Maybe, very yes. Who cares? Well: we care but NOT because of public opinion. ! ( That is so often wrong, wrorg, wrong).
The dolly tracking (focus pulling) shots are SO ahead of their time (even if a little wonky). (Wonk my arse:) (but I participated (as an actor) in a/that very technical maneuver with Gerry Anstiss (in a workshop) - he was DOP on Losey's Galileo- and more..) Way underrated. I would have died happy seeing just that film. And I think day to fay maybe I should have. but as the NY Post would 'say' : tomorrow is another day. :) !!!!!!!!
