Coming up next we have 1933's "Three Cornered Moon", a story about a once affluent family in New York. The Rimplegars must come to terms with the poverty that comes from the Depression as they struggle to reinvent themselves in the face of adversity.
The film's cast includes Claudette Colbert, Richard Arlen, Mary Boland, Wallace Ford, Lydia Roberti, Tom Brown, Joan Marsh, Hardie Albright, and William Bakewell.
Mrs. Nellie Rimplegar is having a tough morning. She is having a hard time explaining some things to her maid/cook, who doesn't speak English. And she can't seem to locate thirty cents to pay the balance of the laundry bill. Little does she know, these will soon be the least of her worries.
Mrs. Rimplegar is the mother of four children. The first is Kenneth, who is cramming for his state bar exam. He's also a bit distracted by a two-timing girlfriend.
Then there's Douglas, who dreams of a career on the stage. His brothers don't really take him seriously.
The family's only girl is melancholy Elizabeth, who goes around saying things like "I hate Monday. What can you do on a Monday?" and "Nothing will ever be the same as it was when I
was eighteen. I was such a happy little dope."
The family's youngest child is Eddie, who goes to college. Mrs. Rimplegar fusses over Eddie, inquiring if he drink his three glasses of milk a day while he was away. When he tells her he doesn't like milk, she asks, "How long do you think you can keep on going this
way? Running around without any milk."
Elizabeth is currently dating wannabe novelist Ronald. Having recently been kicked out of his apartment and realizing that his book isn't going the way he wants, Ronald contemplates a double suicide with Elizabeth. "I haven’t thought seriously about suicide since
I was fourteen and flunked algebra," she says. She decides to bring him home to live with the family while he works on his book.
Mrs. Rimplegar is informed one day that her stock "Three Cornered Moon" is no longer producing money. In reality, she is flat broke. Naturally, she is very upset.
So, of course, the only thing to do is to hire a taxi and a woman to come home with you to wash your hair. Once the Rimplegar kids find out that they are broke, they are upset with their mother for frivolously spending and not telling them the true state of affairs.
Dr. Alan Stevens, a friend of Elizabeth's (who is also sweet on her), comes to the family's aid by becoming a boarder. He also helps them sort out what to do.
While Douglas and Eddie look for jobs, Kenneth decides to buckle down even harder to study for his bar exam. If he passes, it means a pay raise to $25 a week, a sum fit for a president (according to Eddie).
Ronald, however, wants nothing to do with the work force. Blinded by her love for him, Elizabeth decides to go to work instead.
She goes to work in a shoe factory, but after a couple of weeks she decides to quit. The sexual harassment is too much for her to bear.
The Rimplegar situation is very dire. Some relief appears on the horizon when Dr. Stevens announces that he's found a job for Ronald. It's his for the taking. All he has to do is go to see a man about it. The whole family encourages him. After much cajoling, he agrees to go.
On his way, Ronald meets up with Kenneth's ex-girlfriend Kitty, who is on her way to a party. She invites Ronald along.
During the course of the evening, Eddie collapses from hunger and exhaustion. He's been working day and night as a lifeguard for a swimming pool. He's put too bed and ordered to rest.
When Ronald comes home, he tells the group he never went to the interview. After seeing what happened to Eddie and hoping that Ronald would be able to help the family out, Elizabeth sees him for what he really is: a moocher. She breaks off the relationship and kicks him out of the house.
Things start to look up, though. Kenneth passes the bar exam and gets the longed-for raise. The whole family is jubilant.
And Dr. Stevens finally confesses his feelings for Elizabeth. She is overjoyed.
Mrs. Rimplegar, however, is a bit confused by the relationship. "Elizabeth, you're kissing Dr. Stevens. I thought it was Ronald," she says. Elizabeth smiles and replies, "Oh, yesterday it was Ronald," as her brothers cheer them on.
William Bakewell...............................Douglas Rimplegar
And that's it for Three Cornered Moon. This film was included in the National Board of Review's 1933 "top 10 films" list. It was also cited by film critic Leonard Maltin as one of the "25 Vintage Movies You Really Shouldn't Miss". The dialogue is snappy, the drama is real, and comedy abounds. It's got it all.
Coming up next we have 1942's Disney animated classic "Bambi", a story about a young deer has a grows up and faces life in the forest.
The film's voice cast includes Hardie Albright, Stan Alexander, Peter Behn, Tim Davis, Ann Gillis, Cammie King, Paula Winslowe, Will Wright, Sterling Holloway, and Fred Shields.
Deep in a forest glen, every critter is excited. A new "prince" has been born. They all gather to meet the little guy, whom his mother has named Bambi.
As he grows, we find out that Bambi is a very curious little fawn, eager to explore the world around him.
And he starts to make some close connections with the woodland creatures, too. Thumper (a rabbit) and Flower (a skunk) become his best friends.
I love Thumper's response when his mother reminds him what she has taught concerning the eating of greens. "Eating greens is a special treat. It makes long ears and great big feet," he says. Turning to Bambi, he whispers, "But it sure is awful stuff to eat. I made that last part up myself."
He also makes the acquaintance of one of his own kind, a young female fawn named Faline.
One day, Bambi crosses paths with a large deer. His mother later tells him that this was his father.
Bambi's mother tells him that everyone respects this particular deer because he is very brave and has lived longer than any other deer. And that is why he is called the Great Prince of the Forest.
The seasons begin to change in the forest, and Bambi enjoys each one with his mother by his side.
All of that changes one day when a hunter shoots and kills Bambi's mother. His father comes to him and takes him home.
Soon, springtime comes to the forest, and with it comes the season of love. Bambi, now growing into a fine young buck, is warned what loves means.
Friend Owl tells of something that is called being "twitterpated." After his explanation, Bambi and friends vow that will never happen to them.
Despite their best efforts, love finds them all. Bambi is reunited with his early childhood friend Faline, and after a fierce battle with a rival, wins her heart.
Danger once again returns to the forest when more hunters show up. This time fire from their camp ignites a deadly forest fire. The forest creatures hurry out of its path. Things don't look good for Bambi, but his father comes to the rescue and saves him just in time.
When spring comes round again, all the animals hurry to see the Bambi's offspring. The twin fawns rest with their mother Faline as Bambi and the Great Prince of the Forest watch over them.
Cast rundown:
Hardie Albright............................Bambi
Stan Alexander............................Young Flower
Peter Behn..................................Young Thumper
Tim Davis...................................Thumper
Ann Gillis....................................Faline
Fred Shields................................Great Prince of the Forest
And that's it for Bambi. Walt Disney considered this his favorite of the animated films he produced. The American Film Institute ranked "Man" #20 on their list of greatest heroes and villains. "Man" is the only character on the list of 100 that does not appear on screen. In 2018, a man from Missouri was sentenced for illegally poaching deer. As part of his sentencing, he was required to watch this movie once a month.
