From Here to Eternity (1953)

We are in war in 1941 where Robert E. Lee Prewitt has requested Army transfer and has ended up in Hawaii. His new captain, Holmes, has heard of his mad boxing skills and is trying to get him to fight even though Prewitt wants nothing to do with it.  So Holmes makes his stay in Hawaii a living hell.  Meanwhile the second in command, Warden starts seeing Holmes' wife, who has a history of straying from her troubled marriage. Maggio, Prewitt's friend, continuously tries to escape and Sergeant 'Fatso' Judson continues to beat the crap out of him.  In the midst of all the drama, Prewitt begins falling in love with social club employee Lorene. All of this occurs with the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor looms in the distance.

First off, seeing Donna Reed play Lorene the whore is pretty great!  I mean she is always the wholesome character.  LIke in "It's a Wonderful Life" she ends up being the spinster librarian when Jimmy Stewart isn't there to sweep her off her feet.  Seeing her a little "slewish" is refreshing and actually believable!  Oh Donna!  You saucy minx you!   Maggio (Sinatra) and "Fatso" Judson's storyline was, probably the most interesting. Ernest Borgnine plays Judson (who isn't really fat) but he is quite the bastard.  He insults Maggio's sister and when Maggio beats him up with a chair, the person in the Army in charge of punishment is, of course, Judson... who beats the crap out of him daily.  My least favorite storyline is actually the love affair between the Warden and Karen, the captain's wife. This movie has that famous beach scene where Warden (Burt Lancaster) and Karen (Deborah Kerr) are making out in the sand but aside from that, I knew nothing about the movie.  Aside from the steamy make outs, Karen (Kerr) is pretty blah.  She basically confesses to Warden that she sleeps with any warm body to make her feel better about her failed marriage.  She's more of a ho-bag than Donna Reed!  Jeez Mr. Lancaster, she sure is a keeper... false.  

Prior to this blog I had seen about half this film, but I didn’t really remember any of it. The only thing I remembered is the same scene everyone remembers: the famous beach kiss scene (which only lasts about 2 seconds in the film). I was under the impression that this was more of a war film, but the battle action is really on the periphery as the unfolding of the first half of the film becomes more like boot camp soap opera. Even the title of the film would be right at home during daytime TV between Days of Our Lives and As The World Turns. Everyone’s cheating on everyone and no one can truly be together, but luckily the second half of the film becomes a lot more thanks to the growing story arcs of Robert Prewitt (Montgomery Clift) and Maggio (Frank Sinatra), which seems to be where Cool Hand Luke drew some inspiration. I never thought of Sinatra as a “great actor,” but his Oscar-winning performance here is very impressive and memorable. Eternity’s Oscar wins seem to be indicative of a nation still in need of healing with WWII recently passed and the Korean War and Cold War still upon us. It’s not my favorite Best Picture, but the excellent performances and message of hope ensures that this film will last forever.

One of two Academy Award Best Picture winners to receive nominations in all four acting categories. The other is Mrs. Miniver.  Maybe Silver Lining's Playbook will join these two?

Sergeant Milton Warden: Rose, do you know why I like to have you serve me beer? So as I can watch you when you walk away.