CENTENNIAL SUMMER
US, 1946, 102 minutes, Colour.
Jeanne Crain, Cornell Wilde, Linda Darnell, William Eythe, Walter Brennan, Constance Bennett, Dorothy Gish.
Directed by Otto Preminger.
Centennial Summer is a pleasant, now dated, musical. It reflects the cinema-styles of the leisurely mid forties - it might be compared with the Rogers and Hammerstein State Fair, also starring Jean Crain at this time. The centennial of American Independence is the setting, Philadelphia the city. The picture of American family life, romance and romantic dreams, misunderstandings have been the staple of this kind of film over the decades.
The young stars are attractive and were popular at twentieth century fox at the time. Walter Brennan, bearded, has a less raucous role then usual - and sings. So does Dorothy Gish. Constance Bennett has an enjoyable time as a worldly-wise aunt. Colour is attractive, the period also. Direction is by Otto Preminger - he had made Laura and Fallen Angel and started on a career of some success. The black minstrel singer and the children towards the end reminds us that he was to direct Carmen Jones and Porgy and Bess. The Jerome Kern score has not proved memorable. An example of popular Americana of the forties.
1. A pleasing piece of Americana? Musical comedy? Its entertainment value in the '40s? Now?
2. Colour photography, period, Philadelphia? Decor, costumes? Jerome Kern's score?
3. The atmosphere of the 1876 Centennial? The stressing of American Independence and traditions, the accent on the modern world? Picture of an American family, work, the city, romance?
4. The contribution of the songs, the dancing? The placing of the songs? The lyrics relating to characters, situations? The addition of the negro dance routine at the end? The mood and style of the music?
5. The focus on the family, especially with Father and the President's address, which he could not hear? His work at the railways? His clock invention - and his working on it so long? His love for his wife? The children? The atmosphere of the Centennial? His difficulties with his job, clashes with his boss? The arrival Xenia - and his wife's jealousy? Xenia's helping him with interviews, with the job - and her final success? His love for his daughters, especially Julia? Friendship with Philippe? A picture of the 19th. century American father? Walter Brennan's style?
6. Julia as heroine? Strength, sweetness? The clashes with Edith? Love for her father? Knowing about his demotion? Working for Philippe to earn some money? Her falling in love with Philippe, working with him at the exhibition? The clash with Edith and the discussion about romantic games? Outmanoeuvred by Edith? Her upset. running away to her grandmother? The happy ending?
7. The contrast with Edith - spoilt. her place in the home, her teasing Ben? Her tantalising Julia and fighting with her? The manoeuvres with Philippe? The meal, the dance? Her jealousy? Her place at the show and the reconciliation with Ben - with the humour about her being possibly pregnant?
8. Cornel Wilde as Philippe - the dashing French style. presence in America, the Centennial and the Exhibition, his love for Julia, working with her, victim of Edith's games, his ambiguous behaviour, being hurt? The exhilaration of the exposition? The reconciliation and happy ending?
9. Ben as the ordinary American - in love with Edith, bewildered by her, joining with Julia in tactics. the solid American citizen at the end?
10. Xenia as the woman of the world? Her international style? Sweeping men off their feet? The discussions with Harriet about jealousy? Harriet's fantasies about Xenia taking her husband? The manoeuvres for the job and restoration? The clock?
11. The atmosphere of the Centennial, celebration, faith in American progress? Americana ?
12. Folksy, sentimental, charm? The happy ending?
