Finding love in a Colorless World

Recently I watched two classic Black and White movies- The Apartment and Bringing Up Baby. Both films are on AFIs Top 100 movies list, a list that my friend, Madison and I have been trying to complete for the past 3 summers. I enjoyed The Apartment very much, while Bringing up Baby I was a little disappointed. 

The Apartment stars Jack Lemmon a workaholic named C.C. Baxter, who is desperately seeking to rise in his company. In order to climb up the latter of success he lends out his apartment to four managers for their extramarital affairs. Shirley MacLaine, Fran Kubliek, plays the adorable and sassy elevator operator who catches the eye of Baxter. However, Baxter is not the only man who is charmed by Fran’s personality. Mr. Sheldrake, the head of the company, is cheating on his wife with Fran. Once Mr. Sheldrake discovers Baxter’s apartment operations he promotes Baxter and exclusively uses his apartment for his affair with Fran.

As the plot unfolds in a surprisingly refreshing, and yes a little dramatic way, Fran attempts suicide in Baxter’s apartment when Mr. Sheldrake leaves her for his family. To Baxter’s surprise he returns home to find an unconscious Fran who had previously stood him up. Baxter nurses her back to health and the two get to know each other. Fran finally grows a backbone and dumps Mr. Sheldrake and realizes her love for Baxter. I enjoyed the ending because when Fran runs to the apartment, on New Years Eve to see Baxter I was afraid it was going to be a typical, formulaic ending with a romantic kiss. But, there is no mushy embrace or dramatic entrance. The two just pick up where they ended while she was staying at his apartment. They drink champagne and play cards; it’s sweet and refreshingly simple. I always enjoy any Billy Wilder’s pictures. While the story is predictably, like most romantic comedies, it’s wholesome and pleasant and when anybody needs a pick-me-up I suggest trying this movie.

Bringing Up Baby stars two of my favorite actors, Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn. I assumed I’d love this movie purely because of the actors. Grant plays a mild mannered archeologist who is on the brink of completing the skeleton of a Brontosaurs. Hepburn plays a free spirited woman and the niece of Mrs. Random who is considering donating a substantial amount of money to Grant’s characters museum.  

An addition to the cast is a leopard named Baby who responds on to the song, “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love.” It is a quick and witty comedy and while it probably is one of the best romantic comedies I couldn’t take Hepburn or Grant seriously they were spastic and chaotic. I like Grant the best when he plays the suave and charming leading man. I admire Hepburn when she plays the strong, confident, engaging young woman. That is when they are the best, and I’ll stick to watching them at their best.