#project1952 day 70

[project1939]

Vintage Jello Mold number 9! This one wasn't weird or creamy or stomach churning- it's just raspberries and peaches in raspberry Jello. It tastes wonderful. My family even told me to make it again for Thanksgiving! (And I did NOT serve it with mayonnaise, btw. Shudder.)

[project1939]

I completed vintage puzzle number four! It's another Tuco Deluxe Picture Puzzle. This one was a lot more difficult than I anticipated. The colors were so bright and vivid, though, it was a joy to put together.

[project1939]

The Atlantic magazine, October 1952. This article in the magazine really stuck out me. The author writes about how important it is to keep public schools secular. (This is the era when "under God," was added to the pledge of allegiance, because of all that "we're better than commies cause religion!" stuff.) Just read the first sentence and it'll give you chills- "I must begin by pointing out the danger in the years ahead of bitter and disruptive religious division and quarrels in America." (!!!) "There is now in some quarters a demand that the public schools should teach religion. Whose religion? What creed or ritual?"

[project1939]

Day 70- Film: The Lusty Men 

Release date: October 24th, 1952. 

Studio: RKO 

Genre: Western 

Director: Nicholas Ray 

Producer: Jerry Wald, Norman Krasna 

Actors: Susan Hayward, Robert Mitchum, Arthur Kennedy, Arthur Hunnicutt 

Plot Summary: The injured legendary rodeo rider Jeff McCloud travels back to his hometown. Once there he meets a couple who are saving up to buy his childhood home and ranch. McCloud befriends them, and when Wes, the young man, shows interest in competing in rodeos, McCloud mentors him. The money Wes might make from rodeos could help him afford a ranch in months rather than years. But Wes’ wife Louise is sick with worry over her husband’s safety.  

My Rating (out of five stars): **** 1/2 

Wow! This movie kind of blindsided me- it was a great film. I wasn’t expecting it to be so good- it’s gotta be up there in the top tier of 1952 films I’ve seen so far. It’s not a masterpiece at the level of Ikiru or Singin’ in the Rain, but it’s in good company with Phone Call from a Stranger, Five Fingers, and Sudden Fear. 

The Good: 

Robert Mitchum. This is the first movie I’ve seen with him where I really fell under his charms. He looks so perfect in this kind of western- denim fits him like a glove. His stoic laconic demeanor works well here too, and with his extreme masculinity, you just completely buy him as a bull rider. 

Arthur Kennedy. I’ve become a fan of his since the project started- everything I’ve seen him in is impressive. His versatility is considerable- in Bend of the River he played a hardened criminal, in The Girl in White he was a sensitive and scientific beau for June Allyson, in Rancho Notorious he was a man obsessed with vengeance, and in this he begins as idealistic, with an almost childlike hero-worship of Jeff, and becomes corrupted and jaded. There’s a reason he was cast in prominent roles in so many films in 1952. 

Susan Hayward. She’s another actor I’ve developed an affection for during the project. This role requires a lot of skill- Louise could easily have become grating if not played well. She did a good job playing a woman with a hard protective shell. Yes, she can seem harsh, and at one point I was worried she might be being painted as a bad nagging wife, but it all comes from a place of fear. She grew up in abject poverty, constantly moving, with no consistency. She finally has a husband and some financial security, and she’s terrified of losing it. That motivates every single thing she does in the film. 

The character Rosemary. She gave me Dora vibes- my love from Outlaw Women that I’m still pining for. She was a tough talkin’ tough livin’ gal, and I loved her. 

Arthur Hunnicutt as Booker, the beat-up old timer with his war wounds from rodeoing. He’s a perfect character actor, constantly making us laugh with his tall tales. 

This was a very interesting look at rodeo life- what your lifestyle would be if you were a bronc or bull rider. The people you camp with, the prize money offered, the danger involved, etc... It also gave me huge respect for the rodeo clowns who often become decoys for the bulls when they get out of control.  

I loved loved loved that Hayward didn’t fall in love with Mitchum. The poster would lead you to believe otherwise... but even though Mitchum fell for her near the beginning of the movie, the only one she loved was her husband. That flipped all my expectations on their head, and I loved it. 

No guns were even fired or used! I cannot tell you how much I loved that fact. Here we have a western with one of Hollywood’s most macho men, and he doesn’t even have a gun or use one! He finds an old piece of a gun at his childhood home, but it’s not even complete. One of my least favorite things about westerns is guns, so to go nearly two hours without them was not only heaven, but also very daring and interesting. Mitchum doesn't need a gun to prove his masculinity, riding a bull takes multitudes more courage.

The film continually defied my expectations. The two previous examples are big reasons why. The ending is something I also did not see coming. 

The special effects with footage of real rodeo riders. There were some limitations that of course showed, but I thought it was effective. 

The Bad: 

There were some obvious painted sets a few times that distracted me.

The rushed ending. What happened wasn’t the problem for me, just how it was kind of rushed. Two huge incredibly consequential things happen, and they both felt too hurried. If the film had taken a bit more time to hit those emotional beats, it would have been more moving and satisfying, I believe.

[project1939]

(Lucy and Ethel with the Westinghouse fridge and oven behind them, Jason and The Golden Fleece's Macdonald Carey on left, Adlai Stevenson, right, gives one last radio message before the election.)

Day 70- TV and Radio: 

TV: 

Tales of Tomorrow, season 2 episode 10, “Many Happy Returns,” October 24th, 1952. 

I Love Lucy, season 2, episode 6, “Vacation from Marriage,” October 27th, 1952. 

Radio: 

You Bet Your Life, October 29th, 1952. 

Jason and the Golden Fleece, “Phil Pomeray, Jr. Wants His Father’s Respect,” October 29th, 1952. 

Bright Star, “Susan Runs for Mayor,” October 30th, 1952. 

Adlai Stevenson voting reminder. Late October through to the election on November 4th. 

Jason and the Golden Fleece is an example of what a shame it is that so many shows are now lost to us. For this show, there are only 3 existing episodes, and only one of those is from 1952. It was a really enjoyable show, and I loved the premise. It’s about a modern guy who lives in New Orleans and owns a boat called the Golden Fleece that he charters. The people that request to use it are usually the people at the center of each week’s plot. In this episode a 21 year old son is struggling to prove to both of his parents that he is a man now. Jason ascertains which parent is the larger one to blame for their son’s problems, and he goes about helping them all. Jason was played very effectively by Macdonald Carey. I knew the name sounded familiar- he was the husband in My Wife’s Best Friend! 

I Love Lucy today proved to me how much of a ridiculous dork I am. As I was watching a longer scene in the kitchen with Lucy and Ethel, I saw the refrigerator in the background and thought, “Hey, that looks like a Westinghouse Frost Free Refrigerator! The kind Betty Furness sells on Westinghouse Studio One!” The door handle was the biggest giveaway. Then I noticed the stove, and I recognized the “color glance” knobs that I love on the Westinghouse electric ranges! So now I know Lucy’s kitchen is decked out in Westinghouse gear! And I also know I am officially one of Betty Furness’ biggest fangirls! 

Tales of Tomorrow was about Moon creatures communicating telepathically with children on earth. It was fun, but it did make me laugh out loud at its overly dramatic moments, which hasn’t really happened to me before while watching the series. 

I also heard a quick radio announcement by Adlai Stevenson encouraging everyone to vote. “I sincerely hope you will vote for me, but most of all, I hope you will vote.” The election happens on November 4th, 1952.

...And now a word from today’s best sponsor: I don’t really have one today, so how about a nod to syndicated and “sustaining” shows! They give you the same entertainment without the odd interruptions in shows as they try to sell you deodorant, evaporated milk, cigarettes, kitchen appliances, cereals, frozen fruit juices, carpets, watchbands, laxatives, makeup, home permanents, aluminum products, cheese food, mayonnaise, shampoos... 

[project1939]

Day 70: “Fellas like you and me would get a lot more help if the books and rules on success was written by failures.” 

50s slang of the day: “Well, look who’s out here playing Post Office!” (Well, look who’s out here playing a kissing game! Playing Post Office was apparently an old kissing game that teens played. One boy and one girl would end up in a space together, and one would have to “deliver” a kiss to the other. Sounds a little reminiscent of spin the bottle.) 

Best/worst quote of the day: “McDonough fired me today. I just came down to the office tonight to clean out my desk and steal some carbon paper.” 

Song of the day: “False Hearted Girl,” by Tennessee Ernie Ford and Ella Mae Morse. This came up on my playlist as I was cooking tonight, and I really enjoyed it, so it’s today’s song! I already have a Tennessee Ernie Ford song on my list, as well as an Ella Mae Morse song. They are both great in their own right, but they’re even better together. 

Highlights: 

I finished my 4th vintage puzzle today! This one was probably the most challenging, but also one of the most fun. 

I took Jello mold number nine out of its mold today, and it turned out really good! It actually looked appetizing, unlike many I’ve done lately. It’s also easily the best tasting one I’ve made. 

Recognizing the Westinghouse refrigerator and electric range in the background of I Love Lucy! I am officailly a five-star dork. And a five-star dork for Betty Furness!  

I tried a biscuit recipe from the Carnation cookbook I got awhile back. With liberal amounts of butter and full fat evaporated milk, I doubt they are even near the zip code of healthy, but they look great and taste very... let’s say indulgent! In good way. 

Wow! A western film almost 2 hours long, and not one gun was used or fired?! I love it! 

Lowlights: 

Trying to even think of something!