In the Heat of the Night

Q1: How does the film relate to the chapter in Foner?

In the Heat of the Night is a film that focuses on the racial tensions experienced in the South during the 60s. Virgil Tibbs is an African American homicide detective from Philadelphia. After a rich white guy is found murdered in town, Virgil is arrested because he was at the train station with a large sum of cash on him. Upon learning that Virgil is a renowned homicide detective, the Chief asks for help with the murder. Virgil reluctantly agrees and becomes invested in the case. Along the way, Virgil encounters much discrimination from the townspeople and even the Chief. This relates to the chapter in Foner because Foner talks about the tensions between blacks and whites, especially in the South. While blacks were mostly non-violent in their protest, whites met this non-violence with violence. Trying to beat the blacks into submission. An example of this is “a bomb exploded at a black Baptist church in Birmingham, killing four young girls.” (917)

Q2: What can we learn about American culture during the time period by interpreting the film as a primary historical source?

This film gives a glimpse of what small town life was like and how difficult this life was for blacks. Within the small town, everyone knew each other and there was a general fear of outsiders. The film depicts some segregation in the sense that races are seen associating with each other and Virgil is denied service in the diner.

Q3: What does the film reveal about attitudes towards gender, class, and race?

The film suggests that attitudes towards black people were bad during the 60s. Even though Virgil was clearly educated, well dressed, and an asset to the town, many people couldn’t see past the color of his skin. To them he was just a useless, potentially violent, dumb, black man. This is ironic because the film portrays the white townspeople as fairly uneducated and ignorant. Women are only briefly shown in this film, the murderer’s girlfriend comes off as whiney, untruthful, manipulative, and uneducated.

Q4: What was the most important scene in the film?

The most important scene in the film is after the Chief has found out that Virgil is actually a homicide detective and he realizes he needs help. The Chief asks Virgil to stay and help with the investigation. Virgil declines, asking the Chief why he would even want his help. The Chief says, “Because I’m not an expert.” This scene is important because it shows a white man deferring to a black man. The Chief realizes that he has no idea how to solve the case and because of that is willing to ask for help from Virgil.

Review

I’d rate this film 4 out of 5 because it was entertaining to watch for the most part but dragged on a little too long. There were too many red herrings. I also would have liked to see more black characters in different parts of town. I liked the ending because it wasn’t what I’d been expecting.

The Girl Can't Help It

Q1: How does the film relate to the chapter in Foner? 

The Girl Can’t Help It tells the story of Tom Miller, a talent scout/agent, Jerri Jordan, and Marty “Fats” Murdock.  Marty is former gangster who wants to marry Jerri but thinks Jerri isn’t good enough for him.  It’s for this reason that Marty wants Jerri to become a famous singer.  The film relates back to Foner because Foner talks about the rise in consumerism, male dominance within family, and free enterprise.  Foner talks about the rise in consumerism and how the “1950s represented the culmination of the long-term trend in which consumerism replaced economic independence and democratic participation as central definitions of American freedom” (877.)  This is evidenced in the film by the gifts that Marty bestows on Jerri.  Marty makes sure the Jerri has the best of everything, clothes and apartment.  Having these nice things sets Jerri’s new life apart from her childhood when she didn’t have as much.  Male dominance is shown between Marty and Jerri because Marty is always ordering Jerri around.  The whole plot centers on Jerri trying to become a singer, something she doesn’t even want.  Marty also won’t let Jerri clean or cook because even though these are traditionally woman tasks, Marty strives to put Jerri in a high enough class where these tasks become unnecessary.  This view of the male/female dynamic isn’t unlike that of Foner speaks about, “Films, TV shows, and advertisements portrayed marriage as the most important goal of American women.  And during the 1950s, men and women reaffirmed the virtues of family life” (880.)  Foner describes how the American economic system was built on free enterprise and how this concept is portrayed to communist countries to show how much better off Americans are.  Free enterprise is shown in the film when Marty decides to go into the record business.  In true American spirit, Marty muscles his way into providing juke boxes for bars, restaurants, and hotels; while pushing the competition out.

 

Q2: What can we learn about American culture during the time period by interpreting the film as a primary historical source?

The film again places an emphasis on consumerism and having thing things.  Evidenced by Jerri’s expansive wardrobe, Tom’s dependence on alcohol, and Marty’s lifestyle.  We also get a glimpse at youth culture towards the end when Jerri and subsequently Marty perform at a sock hop.  The teenagers are all dancing along in 50s style dance, wearing long skirts, socks or saddle shoes.  This also depicts the shift towards rock and roll music.  The film doesn’t touch at all on racism or the rising tensions that lead to the civil rights movement.  Based on the depiction of the time period, one would believe that the 50s were a time of stylish clothes, partying to excess, and good music.

 

Q3:  What does the film reveal about attitudes towards gender, class, and race?

The Girl Can’t Help It isn’t very kind to women.  Jerri, while being a likeable character, lacks overall intelligence and sophistication.  She’s about to marry Marty even though she doesn’t want to and he treats her poorly because her parents want her to.  She doesn’t want to be a singer because all she wants is to bear children and cook/clean.  Jerri is also portrayed as being lower class than Marty.  Which is why she needs to become someone before Marty can marry her.  This shows a disconnect between classes.  Tom is also shown to be of a lower class and is portrayed as an alcoholic.  Again, race isn’t depicted in the movie.

 

Q4:  What was the most important scene in the film?

The most important scene is actually a series of scenes, in which Tom parades Jerri around numerous night clubs in New York.  Tom instructs her to talk past the front desk on her way to the bathroom and tell anyone who asked to “ask her agent.”  The response from the owners of the bars is all the same, they want her for their club.  This shows women as nothing more than eye candy.  The club owners don’t even question what her talent might be nor if she even has a talent for that matter.  The whole scene just objectifies women.

 

Review

I’d give the film 4 out of 5 because I enjoyed it.  While the film was what I would call substance light, it was still enjoyable to watch and kept my interest pretty much the whole time.  I think it would have added a little bit of dimension to the film if race had been present in some manor.  There were many humorous moments in the film.

Pick Up on South Street

Q1: How does the film relate to the chapter in Foner?

The film starts with Skip McCoy pick pocketing Candy’s purse.  Candy is unwittingly transporting a top-secret microfilm (containing scientific formulas for the atomic bomb) to a communist agent and that is what Skip gets away with.  Federal agents are after the communist agent and want to use the film as bait.  The feds work with local police and track down Skip.  Skip realizes what he has and won’t give it up to the police or Candy, who tries to sleep with him.  Candy falls in love with Skip and doesn’t want to see him hurt.  In the end, Skip proves himself loyal to the US and Candy.  Themes of communism and anticommunism are present in the film.  The Chapter in Foner focuses a lot on the anticommunist crusade.  “Those who could be linked to communism were enemies of freedom” (861) which further shows the opinions of people towards communists.  This relates to the film because there is a general hysteria surrounding the film and if it falls into the wrong hands.

 

Q2: What can we learn about American culture during the time period by interpreting the film as a primary historical source?

Pick Up on South Street suggests that this may be a difficult time for some people financially as they may have to resort to pick pocketing as a means of getting by.  This film also suggests that there are communist spies present in America at this time and they were working on getting government secrets regarding weapons. 

 

Q3:  What does the film reveal about attitudes towards gender, class, and race?

Candy is portrays women as being week creatures that are easily pushed around by men.  Her ex boyfriend beats her up and then she falls in love with Skip who treats her poorly and has also physically assaulted her.  This makes women appear as weak creatures that are dependant on men.  The other female character, Moe, portrays women as conniving and opportunistic as she sells out her friends for money.  She redeems herself in the end when she tries to protect Skip and is killed for her efforts.  Skip and Moe represent a lower class because they are criminals.  This suggests that all lower class people are criminals instead of hard working individuals.

 

Q4:  What was the most important scene in the film?

The most important scene in the film is when Moe is killed because it represents a turning point in the film.  It takes the film from somewhat of a comedy to a serious film.  It also helps the audience to associate the communist character with cold blooded murder.

 

Review

I’d give the film 3 out of 5 because I wasn’t much invested in it.  The characters weren’t well developed with the exception of Moe.  I felt bad for Moe when she was killed.  I didn’t even like Candy and because of that I could have cared less if she ended up with Skip or not.

The Purple Heart

Q1: How does the film relate to the chapter in Foner?

Foner talks about the rising tensions between Japan and the United States because Japan decided to align itself with Germany.  The US cut off oil supplies to Japan.  The culmination of these tensions was the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.  The blow was unexpected and forced the US into the war.  After the Japanese forced 78,000 Americans to surrender in the Philippines, “thousands perished on the ensuing “death march” to a prisoner of war camp, and thousands more of disease and starvation after they arrived” (804-805.)  This gives some indication of how prisoners of war were treated by the Japanese.  This relates to the movie because the film depicts eight soldiers held as prisoners of war.  They are put on trial for murder, which breaks agreements about how prisoners of war are to be treated, and the whole thing is something of a three ring circus.  The Japanese basically just want to get information out of the soldiers and have no interest in a just trial.  The atrocities faced by real life soldiers match up with those of the film soldiers to some degree.  Often, the soldiers are taken off camera and tortured in a manner unknown to the audience.

 

Q2: What can we learn about American culture during the time period by interpreting the film as a primary historical source?

Viewing this as a historical source tells us that Americans were widely afraid of the Japanese, most likely due to the attack on Pearl Harbor (which was the first attack on US soil since the war of 1812.)  This fear is the reason the Japanese are portrayed as caricatures, a way to dehumanize them.  Also because of this fear, “authorities removed over 110,000 Japanese men, women, and children – nearly two-thirds of them American citizens – to interment camps far from their homes” (823.)  In contrast to the Japanese, the American soldiers are portrayed as heroes, which would suggest a strong support for the troops.

 

Q3:  What does the film reveal about attitudes towards gender, class, and race?

Race is the most dealt with topic and it shows the overall fear of the Japanese people. Other than that, gender, class, and race don’t really play a role in the film.

 

Q4:  What was the most important scene in the film?

The most important scene in the film comes right after the men put their wings in the cup.  The wings symbolize whether to reveal the information that the Japanese want or to withhold it and face death.  It is decided that if even one man wants to tell, than the others would comply.  That one man simply needs to break his wings and put them in cup.  The “judge” pulls the wings out one at a time, each fully intact.  The captain rejoices in the fact that his men are still supporting each other even after the horror they have been forced to endure. 

 

Review

I’ll give the film 3.5 out of 5 because I liked the overall concept.  The fact that the movie was made and released before it became know that these events pretty much had happened was cool.  But I felt like the film dragged at times.  The caricatures of the Japanese were somewhat distasteful for me but I acknowledge that is because I wasn’t in the same mindset towards the Japanese as people were right after Pearl Harbor.