1957 Hit films and television shows

CHRISTY ROSS STAFF WRITER

CLR725@CABRINI EDU

Cabrini College has come a long way since its opening in 1957. The 43 women from the first graduating class probably imagined nothing even close to what Cabrini is now. Fifty years have passed and I’m sure those 43 women still remember exactly how their first day at Cabrini College went, maybe what they wore and probably their favorite movies of the time.

Not only has Cabrini College changed, but the film industry has too. Since we are currently celebrating our 50 anniversary, why not celebrate the movies that once made someone laugh or cry 50 years ago.

1957 was a popular year for many movies and I am sure reminding people of them will bring back a memory they once had.

Ann Marie Marino, Class of 1961 Cabrini College graduate, said some of her favorites from that time were musicals.

“There was always music in our house when I was growing up. Musicals always or almost always have a happy ending. I like happy endings,” Marino said.

“Flower Drum Song,” a story about a Chinese woman and her father who illegally enter San Francisco in order to marry her fiancé, is one of Marino’s favorites. Other musicals included, “Pal Joey,” “South Pacific” and “Funny Face.”

Some dramas that were favorites back then were “Anastasia,” a story about a Russian businessman who tries to pass a mysterious imposter as the Grand Duchess Anastasia.

“Twelve Angry Men” was also a hit back in 1957. This drama and crime flick dealt with the prosecution of a SpanishAmerican boy who allegedly killed his father. It was up to a jury of 12 men to determine the verdict.

This was the time when Marilyn Monroe made her debut in several movies. In “Some Like It Hot,” a movie of comedy, crime, music and romance, two struggling musicians witness a St. Valentine’s Day Massacre and try to find their way out of the city before they are found and killed by the mob. Their only escape was to dress up as women and join an all-girls band. Other Monroe favorites were “The Prince and the Showgirl,” “Let’s Make Love” and “The Misfits.”

Although there are many other movies that made their debut in the late 1950s, these are several household favorites of that time. Most movies were musicals, usually with a happy ending, while others dealt with crime. Comedies started to show around this time as well.

As we celebrate Cabrini College’s 50 year anniversary it is important to remember everything, including the movies of that time. These are films that the young women who started at Cabrini 50 years ago watched and loved. Maybe they even had movie nights in the mansion back then too.

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Jake Verterano Staff Writer

JCV722@CABRINI EDU

I Love Lucy, Mr. Ed, Rin Tin Tin, Sam and Lassie. These television shows are just a tiny fraction of the most popular during the 1950s. Television in the ‘50s was vastly different to what is seen today.

“Television was aimed towards families in the ‘50s. We would all sit around on Saturday nights and watch it together,” said Dr. Kathleen McKinley, sociology professor.

The shows of the ’50s followed simple plots where there was a problem which was solved within a half hour. It wasn’t like television today where people have to tune in every week to find out what’s next for their favorite characters.

Jack Benny and Ed Sullivan brought a fun variety show to television. They had a variety of different characters and sketches to keep people entertained.

“Last Comic Standing and Comedy Central do a lot of what we used to see on prime time,” McKinley said. “Stand up comedy on the radio and television was part of everyone’s weekend.”

Animal shows were huge during the ‘50s. “Lassie,” “Mr. Ed” and “My Friend Flicka” were some of the biggest shows of this time period. In the shows, animals were depicted as being able to perform extraordinary acts such as talking or rescuing small children from wells. Today, children look up to talking sponges and high school students who sing every five seconds.

“There have always been bad guys on television, but today they’re more likely to be criminals. It used to be ‘evil doers’ and outlaws doing all the dirty work,” McKinley said.

The reason for this change is that television has to change to become more believable. People aren’t going to tune in to see something unrealistic to them. They like seeing shows where they can actually be afraid of something. On a show like “Law & Order,” criminals come off as being realistic and actually being capable of harming someone.

The most popular form of television comes in a sitcom. The iconic “I Love Lucy” was one of the most watched shows in history. The show skyrocketed Lucille Ball into the limelight. People will never forget some of her hilarious sketches that have withstood the test of time. Today, people tune in to see their favorite char- acters on “The Office” and “Friends” take place in bizarre situations.

Teenagers now retreat to MTV when they need an escape from the real world, no pun intended. There they can watch “Laguna Beach,” “TRL” and “Next.” These shows keep them entertained with current mainstream music and various celebrities. “American Bandstand” was the big hit of the ‘50s amongst teenagers. “It helped to define a generation….a generation that was growing out of the Mickey Mouse Club and wanted to be identified as teenagers,” McKinley said.

While the faces, language, content and much more have changed about television, one thing has remained a constant. People are still tuning in to their favorite shows to stay entertained, and it doesn’t seem as though that will end anytime soon.

CHRISTINA MICHALUK STAFF WRITER CMM736@CABRINI EDU

Grey’s Anatomy is back for another thrilling season. The whole group is back minus Isaiah Washington and Kate Walsh. The season premiere was a good start of the drama to come. McDreamy’s “girl from the bar” has turned out to be Meredith’s half sister. That is sure to stir up plenty of problems.

Callie has the new chief position. Our favorite “Nazi,” Bailey is still upset that she wasn’t given the job. Callie struggles to figure out what she needs to do as the new chief as well as try to figure out how to gain everyone’s respect.

The only disappointing part of the episode was the plot with Izzy and the deer. I think the drama with her saving the deer was a bit much and a bit off the wall. I didn’t like how it was placed in the episode.

I look forward to seeing how Izzy and George’s friendship will play out. Will George and Izzy finally get together? The previews are a big tease, but perhaps we will find out next week. This season is going to be very interesting.

ABC’s season premiere of “Private Practice” aired Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 9 p.m. The Grey’s Anatomy spin-off show staring Kate Walsh, also known as Dr. Addison Montgomery, starts off with her resigning from Seattle Grace’s drama-filled hospital, and heading south to Los Angeles.

Joining the Private Practice and Wellness Center of her friend Naomi, played by Audra McDonald and Naomi’s husband Jackson, played by Taye Diggs, Addison is a little shocked on how “private” the practice really is.

After a fast moving hospital in Seattle, Addison comes to her new job to find she will get personal with only one patient a day, if that.

While flirting with co-worker Pete Wilder, played by Tim Daly, she runs across her first patient, a 15- year-old girl in labor. With the girl’s father furious, complications occur during the procedure and Addison has to use her talents to the best she can to save both the girl and the baby’s life.

She proves to her unaccepting co-workers that her world-class skills will be put to good use and she will be staying in Los

Reed, performer.

Angeles no matter what. Addison comes to realize she loves this new lifestyle.

Psychologist Violet Turner, played by Amy Brennerman, runs into a problem with her patient having a breakdown while Naomi and Jackson try to revive a dead husband and try to keep control of the wife and mistress.

I strongly disliked the season premiere of “Private Practice.” Being a huge “Grey’s Anatomy” fan, I know that Kate Walsh is an extremely intense character. In my opinion, her character does not fit well with the small practice atmosphere that is in “Private Practice” and she had better chemistry with the characters in “Grey’s Anatomy.”

Also, I feel as though this show will get boring because there will not be many new characters coming in and out of the show, due to the practice being so small and the setting not being a fast paced hospital. Although I did not like the season premiere, I will watch the next episode to see if I was being too critical in “Greys’ ” defense.

Personally, I am very interested to see what the audience makes out of this show and the publics opinion after a few episodes.

DIANA VILARES EVENTS EDITOR DVV722@CABRINI EDU