Tea at Trianon: Frank Capra

John Wilson Croker on Marie-Antoinette

"We have followed the history of Marie Antoinette with the greatest diligence and scrupulosity. We have lived in those times. We have talked with some of her friends and some of her enemies; we have read, certainly not all, but hundreds of the libels written against her; and we have, in short, examined her life with– if we may be allowed to say so of ourselves– something of the accuracy of contemporaries, the diligence of inquirers, and the impartiality of historians, all combined; and we feel it our duty to declare, in as a solemn a manner as literature admits of, our well-matured opinion that every reproach against the morals of the queen was a gross calumny– that she was, as we have said, one of the purest of human beings."

~from History of the Guillotine by John Wilson Croker, 1844

Edmund Burke on Marie-Antoinette

"It is now sixteen or seventeen years since I saw the queen of France, then dauphiness, at Versailles; and surely there never lighted on this orb, which she hardly seemed to touch, a more delightful vision. I saw her just above the horizon, decorating and cheering the elevated sphere she had just begun to move in, glittering like a morning star full of life and splendor and joy. Oh, what a revolution....Little did I dream that I should have lived to see such disasters fall upon her, in a nation of gallant men, in a nation of men of honor and of cavaliers! I thought ten thousand swords must have leaped from their scabbards, to avenge even a look which threatened her with insult. But the age of chivalry is gone; that of sophisters, economists, and calculators has succeeded...."

~Edmund Burke, October 1790

Friday, January 12, 2007

Frank Capra

Godspy has an interesting article about the work of the son of Sicilian immigrants, Frank Capra, whose body of work changed the American cinematic landscape forever. One of my favorite of his films is The Bitter Tea of General Yen (1933) starring Barbara Stanwyck as an American missionary maiden in the clutches of a Chinese warlord. Share

6 comments:

Viola said...: Hello Elena,
I have become more interested in Marie Antoinette lately so I was delighted to find your blog!

You don't say here why you like this film so much?

Best Regards,
Lisa
www.webwritereditor.com
www.bookaddiction.blogspot.com; January 13, 2007 at 5:54:00 AM EST
elena maria vidal said...: Hi, Lisa! Thanks for stopping by! Well, for one thing I like "The Bitter Tea" because it shows the clash of cultures, of east and west, of Christianity with paganism. Also, it is a beautiful love story between two mismatched people, who know that although it is an impossible situation, on one level they will always be together. A great performance by Babara Stanwyck in one of the few Capra melodramas is worth watching as well. Thanks again!; January 13, 2007 at 8:16:00 AM EST
Viola said...: Hi Elena Maria,

Thank you so much for answering my question so quickly and for your lovely comment on my last blog entry.

"The Bitter Tea" certainly sounds like a very interesting movie - I always like Frank Capra movies so I am sure that I would like it! It will probably be hard to find in Australia but I'll try here first.

Best Regards,
Lisa
www.webwritereditor.com
www.bookaddiction.blogspot.com; January 13, 2007 at 9:36:00 PM EST
elena maria vidal said...: You are welcome, dear, and I also put a link to your blog under "literary links." Oh, I do hope you find the film; it is worth seeing.; January 13, 2007 at 10:35:00 PM EST
Lylia M said...: Dear Elena Maria,

Happy New Year! Have you read Capra's autobiography (The Name Above the Title)? The story of his early years in particular is a truly moving example of "the American dream" (and grindingly hard work on his part) that ultimately provided Capra with the opportunities he needed to achieve his remarkable career. I love the humanity and strong moral sensibility of his work (combined in many cases with great humor).; January 14, 2007 at 2:00:00 AM EST
elena maria vidal said...: Hi, Lylia! No, I haven't read it but it sounds fascinating! Thanks!; January 14, 2007 at 8:26:00 AM EST