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Attention U.S. TCM Subscribers: TCM will once again be presenting The Best Years of Our Lives, an incisive look into how each of three returning servicemen adapt to civilian life at home, after World War II. Previously, I highly praised The Best Years of Our Lives for its exceptional musical score composed by Hugo Friedhofer in the first part of a series entitled Top Ten: Motion Picture Music Treasures. This emotionally powerful tour de force will commence (updated) Monday, September 30 (2019) at 5pm PST.
http://thecinemacafe.com/the-cinema-treasure-hunter/2013/11/17/top-ten-motion-picture-music-treasures
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Just bumping this so that TCM subscribers will know it's on again: Sunday, February 10 at 11pm PST.
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Just letting those who might be interested know, this will air again Monday, September 30th. See top post for details.
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I was very moved by the film and its music when I first saw it, circa mid-90s. The huge music store at the mall (Media Play) would not order the Preamble CD for me, because according to their computer "it doesn't exist."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_Play
When I finally tried a run-down, hole-in-the-wall local record store that did most of its business in used CDs, they special-ordered THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES for me 1-2-3. And it's a great re-rerecording that brought tears to my eyes more than once.
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This classic really deserves the Blu-ray treatment.
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Posted: |
Sep 30, 2019 - 2:41 PM
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By: |
roadshowfan
(Member)
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I remember seeing the OST at, of all places, Best Buy. This would have been in the late 1990s, right after I bought the VHS.
The Best Years of Our Lives remains among the greatest of American films. All the more so for having its finger "on the pulse" of the country, circa 1946. It's a masterpiece in every way, even if imo Fredric March--great actor he was-- should have given his Oscar to James Stewart that year.
I couldn't agree more. It's a film that only improves with age. There is a maturity about the whole production that still impresses me greatly. And the music is, well, just Hollywood scoring at its finest and one of the few scores that truly deserved the Oscar! The whole homecoming sequence is a textbook example of how music can elevate, and the moment Myrna Loy realizes Fred has returned never fails to make my heart burst!
The film aired on UK TV recently and visually it was the most glorious print I've ever seen, but sadly the audio seemed to have been mastered too brightly and the music sounded rather shrill to my ears. I'm wondering if it was the blu-ray that was screened and whether anyone can confirm the audio anomaly.
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Posted: |
Oct 1, 2019 - 9:21 AM
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By: |
jackfu
(Member)
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I think Jim and Roadshowfan have put it as well and as succinctly as any I’ve ever read about TBYOOL, thanks!
I think one of the most significant aspects of it are the things unsaid yet understood. I mean, men of that generation (my Dad’s) typically just didn’t talk much of what was going on in their hearts and minds about the things that happened in WWII and how it affected them. They fought and won the war, then came back home and tried to resume their lives and move forward.
To me, the characters Homer, Al and Fred typified that stoic, pick yourself up and move on attitude very well, but even more poignantly the unspoken interactions they have with their spouses, families, love interests, etc. speak volumes. There's a sense of quiet understanding that stands out about them. And I always find something new at which to marvel each time I watch it.
When Mr. Derry reads aloud the letter of commendation written about Fred, actor Roman Bohnen does it with such sincerity and sense of wonder and amazement that his son (Fred) was so nonchalant about it – it gets me every time.
I wonder if a film like this could/would even be made today.
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Where's Arthur "Don't Call Me Mudcat" Grant? We're talking on his thread but he's not here.
I'm here, Jim. And as usual, have no clue what you're on about. You're like some Pekingese poking around for its preferred posts to piss on.
And just so that it is perfectly clear to others, I am not referring to your post re The Best Years of Our Lives which I appreciate along with all the others that refer to a film I've recommended. As I have explained before when you objected to my not showing enough appreciation to those who respond, I don't feel the need to comment on every (or any particular) reply that does not either pertain to what I wrote or stimulate my interest.
What I am sick of is your constantly calling me out on my posts personally for things you don't like (repeated TCM recommendations, my not commenting enough on posts I originate etc) and yes, even things you approve of (going back and resubmitting past posts) as if I should be constantly trying to gain your holy blessing. I'm a little old for a babysitter. Why do you insist on making certain individuals ill on these boards with your persistent nit-picky oversight or in some cases, shameful bullying? Perhaps you think it's funny like the other juvenile delinquent who decided to go back through all of my past TCM recommendations and comment on those pertaining to a certain film, therefore flooding the current boards with long buried and forgotten posts of mine. In case you're unsure, I'm not laughing. I'm also not going away (unless some admin bans me) as long as there is one person around who likes being reminded of films someone like myself thinks are worth watching. If you want to have a go at me personally may I suggest you address me personally? It's on my site (but you probably don't ever go there) so here: arthur@thecinemacafe.com As far as your personal haranguing on my posts, kindly BACK THE F**K OFF.
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Posted: |
Oct 4, 2019 - 11:40 AM
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By: |
jackfu
(Member)
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Yes, a good actor who died too young in 1949. (Also fine as the impotent prison warden in BRUTE FORCE.) The reactions of the civilians in BEST YEARS are often used to convey what the soldiers cannot. There is dark irony when the inevitable speech about "I gave you the best years of my life" comes from the mouth of the faithless wife.
Thanks! You raise great points about the civilians and Fred's wife. She's the villainess, essentially, but not totally without sympathy, I think. It's easy to single out someone like her for not waiting for her husband to come back, but I think there are hints that perhaps things weren't that great before he left for the war.
My wife's uncle (her Dad's brother) married and fathered a child just before joining the Navy and serving in WWII. His wife divorced him after a couple of years and very shortly after, he was killed (on his birthday), Oct 30, 1944 when his ship, the USS Franklin was hit by a kamikaze. The aunt may have not done a good thing, but she must have felt devastated when he died. And my wife's family, being the awesome folks they are, never held that against her and indeed still considered her part of the family.
Back to your comments, there's so much depth to TBYOOL, it's a primer for movie storytelling at its best.
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The Grant Tantrum. ( nice rhyme!)
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Come on, arthur. I've never written anything in one of your TCM topics that warrants such a vitriolic reply.
You actually read it?
Count Phelps with a rare nocturnal post!
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Come on, arthur. I've never written anything in one of your TCM topics that warrants such a vitriolic reply.
Misinterpretation on my part then? You actually have no animosity toward me ever or what I'm doing here? In that case, I apologise for thinking otherwise especially after your persistent needling of another long gone poster on these boards (a person named Dan who coordinated his posts with... never mind). What you did with him was cruel in my opinion and I saw a similar pattern with me but perhaps I was wrong and if so am sorry for overreacting.
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