Great Performance

Cinema Criticism Writing

Robert Walker in Strangers on a Train

Alfred Hitchcock's Strangers on a Train (1951) is a somewhat neglected masterpiece. True, it did serve as the basis for the Billy Crystal-Danny DeVito Throw Momma From the Train (1987), but it tends to get short shrift compared to Hitchcock's Rear Window, Vertigo, North by Northwest, The Birds and especially Psycho. Watching Strangers on a Train again in class this week, I was struck by Robert Walker's charming and extremely disturbing performance as the psychopathic killer Bruno Anthony. I would say it's every bit as good (if not nearly as famous) as Anthony Perkins' performance as Norman Bates in Psycho.  

Standout Sequence

Comedy

We watched A Night at the Opera this week. There are so many funny bits in the film that it seems almost continuously hilarious. One bit that stands out, however, is the famous "stateroom" sequence, in which Groucho's tiny cabin on an ocean liner is filled by one person after another until they all finally spill out. This is an amazing sequence, partly because so much care is lavished on letting the gag build slowly and steadily. You don't see that sort of thing very much, then or now (especially now). It's said that the idea for the bit was provided by Buster Keaton, who served as a consultant. It's certainly Keatonesque.

Room Change: Composition

Composition

Unfortunately, we'll be in a different room again this week. On Thursday, 8/30/12, we'll be in the Cornell Social Sciences building, room 135.

Room Change: Expository Writing

Expository Writing
Unfortunately, we'll be in a different room again this week. On Wednesday, 8/29/12, our class will meet in the Cornell Social Sciences building, room 170.

Announcement

Expository Writing



This looks like it's going to be an amazing class. Lots of energy in the room -- of all sorts. One announcement for my students, however. I mentioned that there would usually be a short break during each class meeting, but not this week. Just too much to do. So maybe hit the rest rooms before coming to class this time.

Harmonious Students

Composition



Fascinating group of students this semester, including several music majors. During a short break in our first class, some of them pulled out sheet music and began singing together. That was a new one on me. I thought about requesting a song ("Volare," maybe?), but decided against it. Maybe we can put together some sort of talent show later in the semester...

First Class

Cinema Criticism Writing

I think a good group has somehow assembled for this class this semester. It's a small group, and some of the students seem to have landed in it almost by default. And yet they all seem to be really involved in film, deeply interested in language and totally ready to work together. I was so absorbed by what they had to say in our discussion period that I almost forgot to give them the short break I had promised. Hey, what more could I ask?