Movies for the Day, Saturday, April 15, 2017

Today, April 15, is the birthday of author Henry James and blues singer Bessie Smith.  It is also the anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.  My movie selections follow.




The Heiress (1949) is a 19th century
New York City romance, based on "Washington
Square" by Henry James.  James was born this
date, April 15, in 1843.  Olivia de Havilland won
an Academy Award as Best Actress.  The movie
also won Oscars for Score, Costume Design and
Art/Set Decoration.  The movie is listed on the
National Film Registry.  See also Washington
Square (1997).


The Heiress




One of the most famous disasters in history
occurred this date, April 15, 1912, when the
Titanic oceanliner hit an iceberg and sank.  Titanic (1997),
a thrilling and passionate movie, won Oscars for Best
Picture, Director, Cinematography, Set Decoration,
Costume Design, Sound, Film Editing, Sound Effects
Editing, Visual Effects, Original Song:  "My Heart
Will Go On", and Original Dramatic Score.  It also
boasts an American Film Institute Great Movie Quote:
"I'm the king of the world!"  See also Titanic (1953)
which won an Oscar for Original Screenplay.

Titanic






Bessie (2015) is the story of legendary blues
singer Bessie Smith.  This HBO movie won
Emmys for Cinematography, Sound Mixing,
Original Dramatic Score, and Outstanding
Television Movie.  Smith was born April 15,
1894.  April is also Jazz and Blues Appreciation
Month.  See also St. Louis Blues (1929), 16
minutes of Bessie Smith singing.  This film
is on the National Film Registry.


Bessie