As many of the faithful followers of this blog know, over the times of my writing here, I’ve posted many articles about books and movies, two of my most favorite pastimes. And today, I’m mixing the two.
As of late, between all the times I’ve been spending watching my favorite baseball team, the Atlanta Braves, I’ve used other free time and my TV to watch what I consider to be classic movies, many of them from the black-&-white era. It’s so much of a nostalgic feeling to see all those great actors, many of them now deceased, performing in iconic roles. I just recently watched a movie again, one I’ve viewed uncountable times over the years. Made in 1953, From Here to Eternity truly was a classic, winning eight Academy Awards of the 13 nominations it garnered.
And what an all-star cast graced the screen: Burt Lancaster; Montgomery Clift; Frank Sinatra; Donna Reed; Debrorah Kerr; Ernest Borgnine ; Jack Warden; Claude Akins; and George Reeves. So many famous actors and actresses to be in one movie! Lancaster, nominated four times for an Academy Award, winning Best Actor in 1960 for Elmer Gantry. Clift, also nominated four times for an Academy Award. Sinatra won the Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in this movie, just as Donna Reed was winner of the Supporting Actress Oscar. Borgnine won the Best Actor Oscar in 1955 for his work in the heart-touching movie Marty, a role that totally clashed with the cruel, sadistic character he portrayed in From Here to Eternity. As for Debrorah Kerr, she was nominated six times for the Academy Award for Best Actress , more than any other actress without ever winning. One of her most memorable nominated performances was in The King and I, as Anna, opposite Yul Brynner. Donna Reed had already starred in another Hollywood classic, It’s a Wonderful Life. Her later work included the television series The Donna Reed Show, which I remember watching as a kid, and later on she starred in Dallas. Jack Warden and Claude Akins were both character actors, but Warden was nominated twice for for Best Supporting Actor later in his career and Akins, making his acting debut in From Here to Eternity, is now remembered as Sheriff Lobo in the TV series B. J. and the Bear. And one of the most interesting appearances is that of George Reeves who later gained fame in the 1950’s television series Superman. One of his earliest movie roles was in Gone With the Wind where he starred as one Scarlet O’Hara’s beaus early in the movie.
The book From Here to Eternity written by James Jones was a fantastic read which I read as a pre-teen kid, believe it or not, after having seen the movie. It takes place in the time leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor and right afterward. That was when I first learned that movies aren’t necessarily exactly like the book it’s named after. Obviously, there were many scenes in the book that didn’t make it to the screen, scenes that certainly weren’t meant for someone of my age. Still, I read the book, with my Mom’s and my librarian’s permission. A most memorable erotic encounter from the Golden Age of movies took place on a beach where Lancaster and Kerr rolled around in the surf kissing, rather torrid stuff for the screen in that era. James Jones, stationed in Pearl Harbor, witnessed the attack and later fought on Guadalcanal. His experiences led to authoring three WWII novels, all of which are in my library. And these books, as well as the movie, are on my all-time-favorites list, never to be forgotten.
This is one of the few classics I haven’t seen. I need to watch it, though. It’s pitiful that I haven’t seen it.
Wonderful book and movie from what I recall. I do love Donna Reed also! I absolutely love classics and black and white movies! The art was so raw back then! No camera tricks or special effects, just great acting!
I need to read the book again or watch the movie again, or both!
I have always found movies and books to not be very comparative, they always change bits I think should be essential. It is interesting to hear they even did it in the golden ages of film.
There are so many fantastic black and white movies. I love to curl up on a rainy day and put one on.
I’ve never seen or heard of that movie but then again I don’t watch many black and white movies. I should really start watching them more!!
This is a great list of books and movies that you enjoyed. Gone With The Wind was always my all time favorite movie when I was younger. I never have read the book and I am going to have to now just to see how it compares. Thanks for sharing these awesome old amazing movies and books.
I love reading classics. I’ll have to check out From Here to Eternity when I get caught up on the recent books I’ve purchased. I haven’t seen the movie but in my opinion, books are always better.
This sounds interesting. I have always enjoyed reading books that are also made into movies.
I love to read books before I see the movie version. Thank you for this!
Can you believe I have never actually seen any of the black and white movies. Well, maybe I did see one. I can’t remember the name of it but it was really good. In the end everything changed to color.
I truly enjoy getting lost in a good book! I tend to find the book to be better than the movies. I have not heard of this so I will check it out!
I haven’t see this one yet, but it sounds like something I would really enjoy. Date night with the hubby is already planned now!
I enjoy black and white classics. This is one I haven’t yet watched but will soon.
What a great movie! I seriously could watch it over and over again.. I absolutely love Deborah Kerr.
I love reading and watching. And this one caught my attention. I want to get into this. It looks exciting!
I said I wanted to start watching more vintage films. I would like to put this on my to watch list.
I have always loved watching classic films, but I don’t believe that I have ever watched that movie before. I’ll have to add it to my to-watch list!
there are so much awesome black and white movies. i used to watch them all the time with my mom
I has been ages since I have watched From Here to Eternity. I love movies centered around World War II. My girls loved Pearl Harbor. I know this would make a great girls’ movie night in.
I love old black and white movies. They are just so much better than modern day over the top movies. Have never seen this one though so would love to check it out
Sadly I haven’t read the book or seen the movie, I will check my on demand and Netflix to see if I can find it.
In addition, there’s also a great Iron Maiden song based on the book. Truly great art trancends it’s original form.
I’m not sure whether I’ve seen this as a child with my grandmother or not… I think I’ve seen just about every classic movie out there with her! I’ll have to watch it soon!