Four Frightened People (1934)

 

Four Frightened People - 1934

Coming up next we have 1934's "Four Frightened People", the story of four strangers who find themselves relying upon one another when they have to fight their way through the Malay jungle.  Wild animals, hostile natives, and their own tempers work against them as they struggle to survive.

The film's cast includes Claudette Colbert, Herbert Marshall, Mary Boland, William Gargan, Leo Carrillo, Nella Walker, and Ethel Griffies.

The film opens on a steamer headed along the Malay coast.  Four people aboard can think of nothing but returning to the United States on time to return to their usual existence.

We meet our assorted characters right away.  They are a cocky adventurer, a ditzy society dame, a shy scientist, and an unassuming schoolteacher.

These four people leave the steamer using a life raft.  They decide they must get off the ship because of an outbreak of plague.

However, the Malayan island and village they happen upon is no safer.  The natives tell them that there is an outbreak of cholera.

A native named Montague, who is the self-appointed "most English man in this place", is taken on as their guide to get them through the dangerous jungle to a place where they can arrange for transportation home.

Right away they set out and face the harsh jungle conditions.  Mrs. Mardick tries to make the best of the situation by keeping things light-hearted.  "Curious, no crocodiles," she observes as she looks around the water they are wading through.  She also mentions how the place is "like the botanical gardens and the zoo at the same time."  It's hilarious to listen to her observations.  At one point she screams then gives a nervous giggle.  "Just a little snake," she says.  At another place she addresses fellow castaway Stewart Corder, "Oh, Mr. Corder, there's something on your shirt...with a lot of legs."

The jungle threatens their lives at every moment.  Dangerous animals and reptiles, curious chimpanzees, and hostile jungle natives make the journey all the more arduous.

And they begin to get on each other's nerves.  Judy tries to work out the island's geography.  "Malay Peninsula is bounded on the north by Siam, on the south by the Strait of Singapore, on the east by the China Sea, on the west by the Strait of Malacca," she says.  Arnold just rolls his eyes and says sarcastically, "Water, water everywhere, and not a drop to drink."

Mrs. Mardick is taken hostage by a tribe in order that the rest might have safe passage through the jungle.  Don't be concerned about her.  She soon whips that tribe into shape and is soon extolling the merits of birth control to the tribeswomen, which makes the men very angry.  She makes sure they tow the line and behave themselves.

Soon enough, Arnold and Judy are drawn to one another.  Both are misunderstood in life.  His wife and her mother have basically beaten down and trampled on him, and Judy is feeling the same way about life in general.  They are drawn to one another, and they fall in love.

Eventually, they are all rescued and return to their previous existences.  Arnold goes back home and finds himself continually browbeaten by his wife and mother-in-law.  Unable to stand it any longer, he walks out and boards a train.

Both Stewart and Mrs. Mardick have found a calling detailing their experiences in Malaya for radio audiences.

Judy has returned to teaching in Chicago.  During class, she is both surprised and pleased when Arnold walks through the door.  He approaches her desk and takes her hand.  They leave the classroom together to the bewilderment of the students.

Cast rundown:

   Claudette Colbert............................Judy Jones

   Herbert Marshall.............................Arnold Ainger

   Mary Boland...................................Mrs. Mardick

   William Gargan...............................Stewart Corder

   Leo Carrillo.....................................Montague

   Nella Walker....................................Grace Ainger

   Ethel Griffies...................................Mrs. Ainger's Mother

And that's all for Four Frightened People.  The movie suffered many delays during its filming in Hawaii.  These included a noisy camera, a broken mechanical cobra, the illness of Claudette Colbert, and Mary Boland's temperamental behavior.  Claudette Colbert suffered from appendicitis and Cecil B. DeMille considered replacing her with Gloria Swanson at one time.

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The Bells Of St. Mary's (1945)

 

The Bells Of St. Mary's - 1945

Coming up next is 1945's "The Bells Of St. Mary's", a sort of follow-up film to 1944's "Going My Way".  In this film, we follow Father Chuck O'Malley to the parish of St. Mary's, where he becomes pastor as well as being in charge of the parochial school run by a nun who has her own ideas about education and won't stand for Father O'Malley's unconventional ways.

The film's cast includes Bing Crosby, Ingrid Bergman, Henry Travers, William Gargan, Ruth Donnelly, Martha Sleeper, Rhys Williams, Joan Carroll, and Una O'Connor.

Father Chuck O'Malley is new to the parish of St. Mary's.  He's warned by the lady who runs the boardinghouse where he is staying that the nuns at St. Mary's School caused his predecessor to be taken away to a rest home.  O'Malley isn't sure what to make of that intro.

O'Malley visits St. Mary's School and casts his eye over the grounds.  The whole place is very run down and has been threatened with being condemned by the city government.

When Father O'Malley meets with the school's headmistress, Sister Mary Benedict, he finds out just what his landlady means.  Sister Mary Benedict takes a traditional approach to education, and she isn't very tolerant towards Father O'Malley's more nonconformist and unconventional attitude.

On a tour of the school with Father O'Malley, Sister Mary Benedict shows him the building that is being erected next door.  She and the other nuns are praying that the new building's owner, Mr. Bogardus, will donate the building to them so they can have a new school.

O'Malley meets with Mr. Bogardus, and he finds out that the older man just wants to be liked by the community.

Meanwhile, there is trouble happening in the lives of a couple of the school's students.  Patsy is having trouble at home, and the problems with her home life are spilling over into her schoolwork.

While Father O'Malley works with Patsy, Sister Mary Benedict helps a young boy named Eddie, who is being bullied.  She even tries to teach him how to fight so that he can stand up for himself in the schoolyard.

Along with the students who are having specific problems, Sister Mary Benedict must deal with a few impertinent practical jokers as well.

Eventually, Father O'Malley and Sister Mary Benedict realize each other's strengths and begin to work together for the good of the school.  They even watch a rehearsal of probably the most adorable children's Christmas pageant that I've ever seen!

One day, Sister Mary Benedict is taken very ill.  A doctor is sent for.  She's eventually diagnoses with tuberculosis, but this information is kept from her.  It's planned that she is to be sent away from the school, which makes her upset.  She's justified in that feeling, because she's not being told the reason why.

Before she leaves, Sister Mary Benedict is given the joy of seeing Mr. Bogardus donate his newly finished building to the school.  She is so excited that she can hardly contain herself.

At the graduation exercises for the students who are moving on from St. Mary's Father O'Malley gives them a pep talk for going out into the world.  He also tells them that if they are ever in trouble they should pick up the phone and dial "O" for O'Malley.

Afterwards, as Sister Mary Benedict prepares to leave the school, she goes to say goodbye to Father O'Malley.  He tells her the real reason why she is leaving.  She is very grateful and promises to get better quickly so she can return.

Parting as friends, Father O'Malley says, "If you ever need anything, no matter what it is or wherever you happen to be..."  Sister Mary Benedict interrupts with a smile and says, "Yes, I know.  I'll just dial 'O' for O'Malley."

Cast rundown:

   Bing Crosby.................................Father Chuck O'Malley

   Ingrid Bergman............................Sister Mary Benedict

   Henry Travers..............................Horace P. Bogardus

   William Gargan............................Joe Gallagher

   Ruth Donnelly..............................Sister Michael

   Martha Sleeper.............................Mary Gallagher

   Rhys Williams..............................Dr. Mackay

   Joan Carroll.................................Patsy Gallagher

   Una O'Connor..............................Mrs. Breen

And that's it for The Bells Of St. Mary's.  During the production of the film, a Catholic priest served as an advisor.  At the final scene, Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman decided to play a prank on him.  Instead of just saying goodbye, the two embraced and kissed passionately.  The priest immediately began loud protestations, to the laughter of Bergman and Crosby.

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