Ukuleles in the movies - PART 3

The next installment bringing you movies that feature the ukuelele!

WAKING LIFE

A man shuffles through a dream meeting various people and discussing the meanings and purposes of the universe.

Ukulele Moment - In Richard Linklaters classic, animated philosophical movie, go to the scene in the church with the guy playing uke - its Guy Forsyth playing his song "True"

IMDB Link - Waking Life

REDS

A radical American journalist becomes involved with the Communist revolution in Russia and hopes to bring its spirit and idealism to the United States.


Ukulele Moment - In Warren Beatty's epic movie, look out for the sobering scene with the old man ukulele player singing "I Dont Want To Play In Your Yard". Great movie

IMDB Link - Reds

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Ukuleles in the movies - PART 2

Continuing my series about ukulele appearances in famous movies!

THE JERK

Navin is an idiot. He grew up in Mississippi as adopted son of a black family but on his 18th birthday he feels he wants to discover the rest of the world and sets out to St. Louis. There everyone exploits his naivety, but then a simple invention brings him a fortune.

Ukulele moment - The classic scene on the beach where Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters sing together, with the ukulele, the wonderful song "Tonight You Belong To Me".  It wasn't actually Steve Martin playing in the movie, which I find strange as he is a musician.  The ukulele was overdubbed and played by Lyle Ritz

IMDB Link - The Jerk

MIXED NUTS

Philip runs a crisis hotline with Catherine and Mrs Munchnik. That's the easy part, now it gets tricky... Stanley loves evicting people and he evicts Philip. Philip loves helping people and he is loved by Catherine. Catherine is loved by Louie who loves writing songs. Chris loves dancing to songs and loves to wear large dresses. Gracie also loves to wear large dresses because she's pregnant. She loves the baby's father, Felix, who loves to paint. That just leaves Mrs. Munchnik who hasn't been loved by anybody in a very long time.

Ukulele moment - another Steve Martin movie, but in this one, it's Adam Sandler ( a ukulele player in real life) who plays Louie, the guy who loves writing songs and playing his ukulele.

IMDB Link - Mixed Nuts

THE PURPLE ROSE OF CAIRO

Cecilia is a waitress in New Jersey during the Depression and is searching for an escape from her dreary life. Tom Baxter is a dashing young archaeologist in the film "The Purple Rose of Cairo." After losing her job Cecilia goes to see the film in hopes of raising her spirits. Much to her surprise Tom Baxter walks off the screen and into her life. There's only one problem..Tom isn't real. Meanwhile Hollywood is up in arms when they dicover that other Tom Baxters are trying to leave the screen in other theatres. Will Tom ever return and finish the film or will he decide to stay in the real world?

Ukulele moment - Mia Farrow as Cecilia, the ukulele playing waitress

IMDB link - Purple Rose Of Cairo





UKULELES IN THE MOVIES PART 1

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Ukuleles in the movies - PART 1

I was thinking last night just how many appearances the ukulele has made in cinema history, and realised that there are some great films with ukes!  I thought this would be a good idea for some blogging!

SOME LIKE IT HOT

Two struggling musicians witness the St. Valentine's Day Massacre and try to find a way out of the city before they are found and killed by the mob. The only job that will pay their way is an all girl band so the two dress up as women. In addition to hiding, each has his own problems; One falls for another band member but can't tell her his gender, and the other has a rich suitor who will not take "No," for an answer.

Ukulele Moment -  A great an hilarious movie, with Marilyn Monroe as the wonderful Sugar Kane, the bands vocalist and ukulele player!







IMDB link - Some Like It Hot

JOE VERSUS THE VOLCANO

Joe versus the Volcano is a fable which opens with somewhat surrealistic scenes of the dehumanization of Joe Bank's job and work environment (at a company whose product rather literally screws people) with imagery that seems to have been inspired by the classic film Metropolis. Joe is diagnosed with an incurable disease, quits his dehumanizing job, and accepts an offer to briefly "live like a king, die like a man" - but to fulfill his agreement he must willingly jump into a live volcano on the island of Waponi Woo in order to appease the volcano god. En route to the island, Joe meets a series of interesting characters in NYC and LA, then boards a yacht, captained by Patricia Graynamore. During the voyage Joe and Patricia survive disaster, fall in love, and finally arrive at the island where they face their destiny.

Ukulele Moment - I remember this film from when I was younger and its quite an odd one.  Usual great performance from Tom Hanks though as Joe who plays the ukulele and plays the wonderful Cowboy Song on it.

IMDB link - Joe Versus The Volcano

THE HUDSUCKER PROXY

When Waring Hudsucker, head of hugely successful Hudsucker Industries, commits suicide, his board of directors, led by Sidney Mussberger, comes up with a brilliant plan to make a lot of money: appoint a moron to run the company. When the stock falls low enough, Sidney and friends can buy it up for pennies on the dollar, take over the company, and restore its fortunes. They choose idealistic Norville Barnes, who just started in the mail room. Norville is whacky enough to drive any company to ruin, but soon, tough reporter Amy Archer smells a rat and begins an undercover investigation of Hudsucker Industries.

Ukulele Moment - A great movie from the brilliant Coen brothers, and watch out for Charles Durning descending as an angel in white robes, strumming a ukulele and playing "She'll Be Coming Round The Mountatin"


IMDB link - The Hudsucker Proxy




More ukulele movies coming soon, and if you have any favourites, let me know via the blog!

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