Star In The Night (1945)

 

Star In The Night - 1945

Coming up next is 1945's "Star In The Night", a short-film that sees a "modern day" telling of the Nativity story set in the deserts of the American west.

The film's cast includes J. Carrol Naish, Donald Woods, Rosina Galli, Lynn Baggett, Anthony Caruso, Irving Bacon, Claire Du Brey, Dick Elliott, and Virginia Sale.

In the American West, three cowboys are riding through the desert heavily laden with gifts they've just purchased.  Not really knowing why they purchased them in the first place, they set off into the night.

They see a flash of light coming from a huge star in the distance.  Curious about its origin, they decide to ride towards it.

The star is actually a light advertising the Star Auto Court, a place where weary travelers can come and rest, rent a cabin, and have some hot food before continuing their journeys.

The proprietor, Nick, is tired of selfish people always out for themselves.  This has made him indifferent to Christmastime and the joys of the season.  He tells a hitchhiker as much when the man comes and asks for a cup of coffee to warm him up.

A flurry of demanding, rude, and grumpy guests serves to illustrate Nick's point.  He thinks that there is no true goodness left in people, and if they are nice, it's only because they want something for themselves.

A young couple arrives at the auto court.  Jose and Maria Santos need a place to stay badly.  She is going to have a baby soon.  However, having just rented the last cabin, Nick has nowhere to put them, and there is no other place for many miles around.

Nick's wife Rosa strikes upon an idea.  There is one place left.  It's not much, just a shed that looks like a little barn.  It's not a cabin, but it will be soft and warm.  Jose and Maria are very grateful.

When the circumstances are explained to the other auto court guests, they decide to all pitch in and help.  They give of their own possessions and comforts so that the young couple can have their baby.  Seeing the goodness in the guests, Nick is truly moved.

The cowboys eventually make it to the shining star.  They find out that a baby is going to be born and decide to give all the things they've bought to the newborn.

Eventually, the baby, a little boy, is born.  Everyone congratulates Jose and then rushes out to see the little one.

Staying behind to clean up, Nick is drawn to the calendar and sees an illustration of the first Christmas, which makes a deep impression on him.

As everyone gathers around the new baby, Nick looks out the window and reflects on the message of peace, love, and brotherhood that Christmas brings.

Cast rundown:

   J. Carrol Naish................................Nick Catapoli

   Donald Woods.................................Hitchhiker

   Rosina Galli....................................Rosa Catapoli

   Lynn Baggett..................................Maria Santos

   Anthony Caruso..............................Jose Santos

   Irving Bacon...................................Mr. Dilson

   Claire Du Brey................................Traveler's Wife

   Dick Elliott.....................................Traveler

   Virginia Sale...................................Miss Roberts

And that's it for Star In The Night.  This film won the Academy Award for Best Short Subject.  I think it's very beautifully done and should be a part of everyone's Christmas film-viewing tradition.

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Down Argentine Way (1940)

Down Argentine Way - 1940

How about a little vacation?  1940's "Down Argentine Way" is the perfect venue for a little getaway.  Hear we find Betty Grable and Don Ameche falling in love amidst the festive atmosphere of Buenos Aires.

The film's cast includes Don Ameche, Betty Grable, Carmen Miranda, Charlotte Greenwood, J. Carrol Naish, Henry Stephenson, Leonid Kinskey, and Frank Puglia.

We open with Carmen Miranda singing the totally apropos "South American Way".

We're also treated to some shots of a bustling Argentine metropolis.  (I love the way these travel films showcased the country/city they featured.)

And then we get right into the story.  Successful horse breeder Don Diego Quintana is ready to sell some horses.  He admonishes his son Ricardo, who is on his way to New York, not to sell to anyone with the last name of "Crawford" due to a longstanding feud.

Well, that's exactly what happens.  Ricardo meets Glenda Crawford (however she doesn't reveal her last name to him yet), and there's an instant chemistry.

When the two go out on a date later that night, there is further proof that they are made for each other.

When he discovers that Glenda's last name is Crawford, he has to back out of a horse buying deal with her.  Glenda and her aunt are pretty puzzled as to why.  Ricardo heads back to Argentina.

Glenda and her aunt Binnie head to Argentina as well.  The reason: to buy some horses.

While out night club hopping, Glenda and her escort attend a performance given by Carmen Miranda.

Glenda runs into Ricardo at this nightclub.  After some initial unpleasantness because of the horse deal in New York, the two become close again.

Aunt Binnie also finds herself a South American romance.  She's been ready to hit the town since she arrived.

When the Crawfords visit Ricardo and his father at their estate, Binnie gets thrown off the property.  "You must have told him your name," says Ricardo apologetically.  "Yes, I did," replies Binnie, "and I added a few under my breath."

Glenda and Ricardo have to find some way of getting Don Diego to accept the Crawfords.  This project includes a whole new revamping of the Quintana horse operation.

Binnie, meanwhile, doesn't stay upset for too long.  She finds a local festival and joins in the fun.

Everything ends up alright.  At the end of the film, we get a reprise of the songs.  (Check out Charlotte Greenwood as she high kicks!)

And Glenda and Ricardo fall into each other's arms, this time for good.

Cast rundown:

   Don Ameche..............................Ricardo Quintana

   Betty Grable..............................Glenda Crawford

   Carmen Miranda.........................Herself

   Charlotte Greenwood..................Binnie Crawford

   J. Carrol Naish............................Casiano

   Henry Stephenson......................Don Diego Quintana

   Leonid Kinskey............................Tito Acuna

   Frank Puglia...............................Montero

And that's it for Down Argentine Way.  This was Carmen Miranda's American film debut.  Because of her busy New York schedule, Miranda never filmed with the rest of the cast.  All of her scenes were shot separately and then added into the film.

It's a perfectly delightful and fun film.  This horse definitely agrees!

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