Alone in the Ring

The last few months have been quite an experience both academically and on a personal front. Things that were available at ease have ceased to exist. In turn, I am learning many new things that will be beneficial as I move ahead. Technology has ensured we keep in touch with people all across the world. It’s easy, yet, we rely on the fact that we are just one touch away from getting connected. So, Honey, Why not later? Whatever…..

Just a little info, I am currently doing my post-graduation studies at AISTS. The subject is Sports Technology and Administration. Yes, it’s an exciting course for people who love sports and people who want to make a career in sports.

This course’s exciting part is that it is recognised and co-founded by International Olympic Committee. AISTS is situated inside the campus of EPFL at Lausanne, which is also known as the ‘Olympic Capital.’ The course involves Sports Management and Economics, Sports Law, Sports Technology, Sports Medicine and Sociology of Sports. It involves other topics like Extended learning, Transdisciplinary, and projects like Team projects, Personal projects, and an Internship.

I love sports, so in a way, it reached a stage as to why not study something about Sports? I do agree, for every decision we have to evaluate our options. I haven’t taken this course because it’s cool to study sports. I have a history, and it hurts.

I am no athlete; I am not worth even being one because I didn’t possess the most vital elements required to be an athlete. That is ‘Will and a Purpose.’ Years have passed. Yes, I was good at playing, but it was just leisure. I never gave myself a chance, and in short, I wasn’t bold enough to take. That’s the truth.

Truth bites, it sure does. How long can I survive without having to breathe in Sports? Mom was right, she did her best, but I didn’t have the will and didn’t have the guts to accept it and make a sports career.

My Dad was good at basketball and table tennis. Mom did her bit at badminton. What did I do? Sports Quizzing, well, that’s not great. Its Nothing. This is the ghost that haunts me, and it always did. It’s sick; earlier, I didn’t even try and just found excuses to cover my face. Well, now, it isn’t anymore.

I had a chance to learn that there isn’t always a second opportunity in life. And all these last few years went in wondering, “What’s next best to being an athlete?”

Involve in Sports?
I loved my previous job, but you see, I can’t be a human while I carry a ghost around me. I don’t know where my future lies, but one thing is sure, I never thought I would be here this time last year. I didn’t even think about this course till June the 6th. One particular incident changed my mind. People may call it ‘coincidence.’ I know it isn’t.

I had my reasons to apply to this particular University, out of interest, including personal. I filled the application five days before the deadline, and it reached Switzerland on the deadline date.

The anticipation of being with someone will always make you feel better, and with this hope, I went ahead. Luck had it; I got the admission. Are you listening, someone?

But guess what, I am alone, should I say, ‘Alone in the Ring.’ Indeed, I have no regrets whatsoever. This is how my life was designed, and it was all fabricated by my choices. Now, I don’t want to be an athlete, but giving myself a shot at being a ‘Sports lover’ and doing something in Sports Industry would be a nice redemption.

‘Alone in the Ring’ makes me introspect, sometimes gives confidence, and sometimes pulls me down. There are special people in my life whom I look up to, share my feelings, and they are very much there. But most times, when I see or hear from them about their lives, perspectives, and state of mind, I find it better at those times to stick to my motions and move on. Every time is not the right time to share.

Irma La Douce (1963)

As a follow up to my earlier view on The Apartment, I must admit this movie is one of my all-time favorites—Irma La Douce (Irma the sweetest).

Jack Lemmon is remembered for his portrayal of Nestor Patou, an honest police officer who finds a street full of prostitutes in one of the popular areas in Paris one day on duty. He reports all the ladies to the police station in front of his senior officers. Aware of the activities, Nestor finds himself in false charges of bribe and hence thrown out of service by his old men who indulge in infixes.

He becomes close to Chez Moustache (Lou Jacobi), a local bar owner. While he is drunk, a bizarre sequence of events ends Pastor being the new pimp boyfriend for Irma as she dumps the previous guy. Pastor moves in with Irma.

He is in love with Irma and cannot digest the fact of being with other men; he comes up with a master plan of disguising himself as an old English guy (Lord X). Lord X offers Irma good money so that she can entertain only him.

To earn money, Pastor works for a meat processing industry during the night and early hours; hence most of the time, he ends up in bed tired. With time, this upsets Irma, and consequently, she finds solace by talking out her problems with Lord X.

Jealous ensures Irma’s ex-boyfriend kill Lord X. Pastor again becomes a victim.

Rest is all about how he manages to escape from prison and how he manages to convince Irma that he loves her more than anyone. One of the best comedies in Hollywood, Irma La Douce, was released in 1963 and was directed by Billy Wilder.

One of the fascinating things about Lord X is his strut and his comic timing. His ‘cheeribye’ is very catchy.

In a way, I wouldn’t like to describe much about this movie, as I would recommend everyone movie lovers to watch and enjoy.

Marilyn Monroe was touted to play the role of Irma; instead, Shirley Maclaine was chosen, as Monroe was dead by the time the production of this film started. Bollywood made a movie based on Irma La Douce, Manoranjan, starring Sanjeev Kumar, with Zeenat Aman and Shammi Kapoor playing the other lead roles.

I shall end the post with some of the memorable dialogues,
“Who wants to be a stray dog? You got to belong to someone, even if he kicks you once in a while.”

“Life is total war, my friend… nobody has a right to be a conscientious objector.”

“Shows you the kind of world we live in. Love is illegal – but not hate that you can do anywhere, anytime, to anybody. But if you want a little warmth, a little tenderness, a shoulder to cry on, a smile to cuddle up with, you have to hide in dark corners, like a criminal.”

“To be overly honest in a dishonest world is like plucking a chicken against the wind… you’ll only wind up with a mouth full of feathers.”

 

The Apartment (1960)

The last movie to win Oscar Best Picture in Black ‘n’ White was this movie. Of course, it was before Schindler’s list (1993). The Apartment made in 1960 was classic with reputed performers like Jack Lemmon (I can’t stop ravishing about him), Shirley Maclaine, aptly directed by Billy Wilder. This was a follow up from his previous smash hit comedy ‘Some Like it Hot.’

I was in tears because I was touched by Jack Lemmon’s simplicity, suppressing his feelings. The feelings when his boss, played by Fred McMurray, out of his marriage has an affair with Shirley Maclaine, and he can stand and do nothing about it.

The Apartment is in demand for few employees working at an insurance company in New York. The Apartment belongs to Mr. C.C Baxter, played by Jack Lemmon. To climb up the corporate ladder, he lends his Apartment to his fellow selected higher officials to spend time with their muses outside the house. The four managers keep their promise by paying positive appraisals to the personnel director, Mr. Sheldrake, played by Fred McMurray.

C.C Baxter is attracted to the elevator operator Miss Fran Kubelik played by Shirley Maclaine. It turns out, Mr. Sheldrake had sights on Miss Kubelik, and they were involved in a relationship, which ceases to have an identity.

Miss Kubelik cannot tolerate the mystery of their relationship in adverse circumstances, contemplating suicide and consuming sleeping pills at the Apartment.

C.C Baxter, to his shock, finds Miss Kubelik in a state of horror. Next few days, he consoles Miss Kubelik and even tries to bring a smile.

While his heroics of saving Mr. Sheldrake gave him a chance to become Asst. Director. He always dreamt of this position; now, he stalls himself to enjoy the newfound role.

Fast forward 37 years, Bollywood had its movie in Yes Boss, loosely inspired by the theme where Shahrukh Khan helped his boss Aditya Pancholi get Juhi Chawla in return for a better corporate future.

And in 2006, another Bollywood movie, ‘Life in a Metro’ finds a sub-plot similar to the screenplay of ‘The Apartment.’ Sharman Joshi does justice to his role identical to Jack Lemmon, while Kangana Ranaut and Kay Kay Menon play Shirley Maclaine and Fred McMurray to perfection.

However, according to director Billy Wilder, The Apartment was inspired when he had seen the movie ‘Brief encounter’ in 1945.

I like the ending scene.

It’s about the time when C.C Baxter and Miss Kubelik are about to start a game of cards.

C.C. Baxter: You hear what I said, Miss Kubelik? I absolutely adore you.

Fran Kubelik: Shut up and deal.

Its a Wonderful Life (1947)

I always wondered why life has a lot to give to us when least expected. Is it its way of testing one’s response? In any case, this movie gave insight into how situations pan out, which are very different from one’s dream.

This is a story of George Bailey (James Stewart) and his altruism. He always dreamt of traveling places. However, due to his father’s sudden death, his plans had to take a back step. Instead, he takes over his father’s loan and building company. Mr. Potter’s (Lionel Barrymore) malicious intentions are always cut short by Bailey’s love and affection for his town and the people.

To give a glimpse of what this movie is about:

Few days before Christmas, disaster strikes, and some part of the company’s money is lost when Bailey’s uncle was depositing in the bank. Mr. Potter, who was well aware of the possible consequences, would hide the money. Fearing about his company shut down for money loss, a frustrated and clueless Bailey contemplates suicide.

His years of goodwill ensured an angel named Clarence, who wants to earn his wings, comes to earth. He shows Bailey how his town as if he hadn’t been born. The city would have been in chaos under Potter’s reign. His family members are either dead or led a life of misery.

This probably made Bailey understand the positive impact he had on people’s lives and re-consider his suicide, and realize what a wonderful life he has had. He did want his life back, and more than ever, he wanted to live again.

This was the first movie I had seen of James Stewart and that of Frank Capra, and it happened to be the starring debut for Donna Reed, who plays Mary Bailey.

The movie has many claims and is widely rated as one of the top films never to have won Best Picture Oscar only behind Shawshank Redemption. On the technical front, this film did innovate a unique method of creating snowfall.

Personally, this movie was one of the first Black ‘N’ White films I had seen as a college student. It did have a positive impact on my life then. Four years hence, I still feel the same vibes when I think about this movie.

In the last scene, when Bailey’s daughter is very apt looking at the situation he had to deal with the angel.

At his home when the party is on, sound from Christmas bells…

Zuzu Bailey: Look, Daddy. The teacher says, every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.
George Bailey: That’s right, that’s right. Attaboy, Clarence.

Charade (1963)

A viewer’s delight. This movie had two of the great movie stars seen on screen, which marked the first time they starred together. This is Stanley Donen’s romantic-suspense drama ‘Charade.’ A movie that could have been a Hitchcock thriller or a James Bond movie.

The first time when I heard about this movie was in a local quiz competition. Our team didn’t get the answer to the introduction scene of this movie. The movie title always fascinated me. That was just one of many reasons to watch this movie. Little did I know then, it would star Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn?

Cary Grant was 59 and hence wasn’t convinced about romancing Audrey Hepburn, who was just 33 at that time. He did refuse the offers made to him because of the age difference.

Finally, Cary Grant did agree because of Peter Stone’s script’s specific change, the writer. It was decided that Audrey Hepburn would be pursuing him, and promptly the romantically aggressive lines were shifted to Audrey Hepburn’s character.

This film also reiterated the fact of Cary Grant playing action roles with ease. He refused James Bond owing to age. Apart from these legendary actors, Walter Matthau plays a pivotal character.

Audrey Hepburn plays the character of Regina Lampert, who would lose her husband through murder. Many of his friends would come to take the money, which was stolen in gold from US Government during WW II. She is ignorant about his past, and the plot continues when three of her husband’s ex-partners in crime, the US Government, all chase her in search of money. The screen name of Cary Grant changes every 20-minutes in the movie, who has a protective and selfish motive in the film. The film is shot mainly in Paris and Switzerland.

This movie, made in 1963, was a box office hit, and this movie happened to be the only time Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn appeared together on screen. Cary Grant had refused ‘Roman Holiday’ earlier, which ended up being listed in Time’s 100 Greatest Movies.

Apart from Audrey Hepburn’s lines, I love the last scene where Cary Grant chases Audrey Hepburn. Why does he pursue? Watch the movie and find it out yourself.

A Writer’s Mis(s)-Inspiration

I do have a belief in the concept of “Change.” Having a perception-oriented world around you, it’s always hard to conclude whether things are for better or worse. In any case, the experience is attached irrespective of the state of mind we are in.

I had an opportunity to meet a person while I was flying from New Delhi to Bangalore. He had everything going for him, a decent family and steady romantic relationship, and a great promise in his career. He told, it wasn’t stable concerning his girlfriend, and it took them three years and two breakups to get to this steady state.

One of the things I got to know was his talent for writing essays on philosophy, cars, music, and relationships. He doesn’t have a blog to address them but maintains a notebook to pen his thoughts.

He showed me the book, and it was empty for the last few months. He says he has become too lazy to write these days. Fair enough, responsibilities on the career front were stopping him to an extent. But, at the same time, he was frustrated that he wasn’t able to write.

He was kind enough to let me read few articles. According to my, the best ones were scattered here and there. Some of them showed his unintentional writing, I mean, writing just for the sake of it, not having a soul.

I pointed this to him, and he did agree.

Now the next question. “Sir, what has been the greatest source of motivation or, say, the inspiration to write such things?”

“Pain….. It’s something which is very much required to bring out the best, at least for me. When I look back, I feel my creativity was best when I had a hard time with either my family or with my girlfriend. I wanted some stir inside me to bring out the feelings and be honest; my best writings were when I had something inside, some uneasiness. When I wasn’t with my girlfriend, I thought that period to be a great motivating factor because I loved her, and I couldn’t convey and convince how much I missed her. All this energy was put on my writings, and friends said it was well written, that included my girlfriend too.”

Aren’t you harsh on your girlfriend by concluding like this? I asked
“Initially, I did not think this to be the reason. But, if you look back, my best writings came when there wasn’t any clarity in our relationship. Now it’s clear much clear than what it was. You know, I don’t mind this writing. I don’t want to hurt my girlfriend by telling her what I feel and the reason for my inability to write anymore the way I used to.”

At this point, I wasn’t convinced with his argument. It was a sign of him losing his touch since he feels he doesn’t have anything to say to her about how much he cared and loved. I was wondering how his girlfriend would react if she finds out about this.

Usually, I don’t interfere in people’s way of working or living. But at that time, I felt I had something to say. Also, he did ask my opinion. I chose not to be a diplomat.

“The path of self-discovery is exciting. When we decide that this is the person, we stop our discovery channel and instead switch to exploring the person regularly. This can be a judgmental call, and one has to back oneself and be convinced. It depends on what you expect from a partner. If it doesn’t match in the first step, is there any point in exploring?”

I continued, “When you say you are very at peace with yourself after getting back with your girlfriend, then it’s a positive sign. Life isn’t all about writing masterpieces. If your girlfriend’s distance away was your main source of inspiration, then think about the kind of inspiration she can be now that she is even closer. I am sure she doesn’t want you to be upset because of her. I understand we do have our ways of getting inspired, but it isn’t the right way to judge or conclude. If I were in your position, I would have expressed my feelings to the concerned and would find newer ways of looking at things.
In a way, this gives you a chance to write about things differently rather than looking at the same monotonous routine. It’s time you accepted the reality and allow the change to interact with your writing and analytical skills. It’s time for a change in the way you looked at things. You asked for my opinion, and I have given mine.”

He was surprised and suspiciously looked at me and asked me, “Have you ever gone through something like this?”

I was made to shut within no time. But I did reply, “It doesn’t matter whether I went through this all. I can say, at least I wouldn’t blame anyone but me. I have decided for the little skills I have, it’s my responsibility to find constant inspirations to keep it going. It’s tough at times, but the beauty of nature and life is such that it will give many sources; it’s only up to us to choose.” I hope this answers your question.

I didn’t realize Bangalore was such a short journey. He was in a hurry, we exchanged numbers, and that was it. And before saying goodbye, he said, he will look into whatever I had said.

In the end, it didn’t matter; whether it was because of me, he got back to his writing ways; I hope he feels excellent about writing again without having to blame someone else.

His Girl Friday (1940)

Call it front-page news or inspired by a drama called “The Front Page,” His Girl Friday will be my pick for all-time favorite Cary Grant movies.

This was the second Cary Grant movie for me, and to be frank, I became a big fan of his after watching this movie.

Cary Grant (Walter Burns) plays the role of a Chicago-based newspaper editor. The story starts with him losing his main editor, who coincidentally happened to be his ex-wife, Hildy Johnson, played by Rosalind Russell.

She would visit him to say that she would be getting married in two days. She even introduces her to be husband, played by Ralph Bellamy (Bruce Baldwin), to Walter.

More than losing his wife, he wouldn’t want to lose his primary weapon in Hildy, who had quit the job for marrying Bruce.

Watch the movie to see the events, which keep rolling while Walter makes every effort to get Hildy back on the job. He ensures Bruce is placed outside the equation so that she doesn’t have to marry him.

Quite a selfish guy, to be honest, but it’s the dialogues and how he convinces Hildy to cover one final story about a convict.

Coming to the origins, the original story had a guy playing Hildy’s role. But director Howard Hawks was convinced the dialogues would suit better if a female plays the part.

The script was altered, and the rest is a masterpiece concerning situational comedy.

I have read a lot about this movie; this movie was one of the first, if not the first, films to have characters talk over other characters’ lines for a more realistic sound.

Before this, movie characters completed their lines before the next lines were started. I have just put a scene, which showcases this…

Sabrina (1954)

The aura doesn’t diminish, and Sabrina Fairchild’s role will be an all-time favourite character of mine. Surprisingly, this was the first Humphrey Bogart movie I saw. Well, the well-known films of his were all before this movie.

Audrey Hepburn overnight became one of my favourite actresses is because of this movie. The role of Sabrina has such innocence that one would fall in love with her immediately.

The story goes this way, as narrated by Sabrina.

Once upon a time, on the north shore of Long Island, some 30 miles from New York, there lived a small girl on a large estate. The estate was very large indeed and had many servants. There were gardeners to take care of the gardens and a tree surgeon on a retainer. There was a boatman to take care of the boats: to put them in the water in the spring and scrape their bottoms in the winter. There were specialists to take care of the grounds: the outdoor tennis court and the indoor tennis court, the outdoor swimming pool, and the indoor swimming pool. And there was a man of no particular title who took care of a small pool in the garden for a goldfish named George. On the estate, there was a chauffeur named Fairchild, who had been imported from England, years ago, together with a new Rolls Royce.

Fairchild was a fine chauffeur of considerable polish, like the eight cars in his care, and he had a daughter by the name of Sabrina. It was the eve of the annual six-meter yacht races, and as had been a tradition on Long Island for the past 30 years, the Larrabees were giving a party. It never rained on the night of the Larrabee party; the Larrabees wouldn’t have stood for it. There were four Larrabees in all: father, mother, and two sons.

Maude and Oliver Larrabee were married in nineteen hundred and six and among their many wedding presents was a townhouse in New York and this estate for weekends. The townhouse has since been converted into Saks Fifth Avenue. The elder son, Linus Larrabee, graduated from Yale, where his classmates voted him the man Most Likely to leave his Alma Mater Fifty Million Dollars. His brother, David, went through several of the best eastern colleges for short periods and several marriages for an even shorter time. He is now a successful six-goal polo player and is listed on Linus’s tax return as a six hundred dollar deduction. Life was pleasant among the Larrabees, for this was as close to heaven as one could get on Long Island.

Sabrina, since childhood, was fascinated with David (played by William Holden). He hardly notices her but still cannot keep an eye off him.

When things hardly seem to move, she is sent to Paris to a cooking school to take her mom’s place as a cook in the estate. In Paris, she undergoes many changes intellectually, and when she is back to Long Island, she returns as a gorgeous lady. That’s the magic of Paris!

One scene that attracts is when Sabrina, while she waits for a cab, is noticed by David and offers her to give a lift without realizing she was Sabrina, the chauffeur’s daughter.

Oh, Hello… How are you??? asks Sabrina

Hello…. I am fine… How are you? I mean, who are you? David replies….

All this time, Sabrina was warned that she was trying to reach the moon. She believed the moon was trying to get her after her transformation.

The rich and poor status quo comes in between, and this is when Linus (Humphrey Bogart), brother of David, steps in to resolve it.

Rest is something; I would love the movie to narrate because some of the best dialogues and scenes are reserved for Sabrina and Linus.

Linus Larrabee: [while slow dancing with Sabrina] How do you say my sister has a yellow pencil in French?
Sabrina Fairchild: Ma soeur a un crayon jaune.
Linus Larrabee: How do you say my brother has a lovely girl?
Sabrina Fairchild: Mon frere a une gentille petite amie.
Linus Larrabee: And how do you say I wish I were my brother?

Sabrina was the first movie I watched of Audrey Hepburn. Cary Grant refused the role, and Bogie was a late replacement for him.

This movie was later made in 1995 with the same name, starring Harrison Ford playing Linus, Julia Ormond playing Sabrina, and Greg Kinnear playing David.

This is not all; the 1994 Bollywood movie “Yeh Dillagi” was inspired by the 1954 film. Scene to scene, one can see the resemblance. Kajol, playing the title role of Sabrina, while Saif Ali Khan plays David and Akshay Kumar playing Linus.

Directed by Billy Wilder, this 1954 movie earned Audrey Hepburn an Oscar nomination for best actress. Her haircut became a sensation. This movie managed to bag the Best Costume design (B/W) Oscar nevertheless.

The Aweful Truth (1937)

This movie will be remembered as the first Cary Grant movie I ever picked up. Unlike his other classics, this movie doesn’t have a great story, but if one went back to the era of the 1930’s I am sure the theme of the film would have reflected the mood of many people, especially after their marriage.

 He stars as a husband who ends up having differences with his wife, played by Irene Dunne. The plot begins with the introductory scene itself and what happens later is a series of funny conversations and situations that kept me going till the end of the movie.

Cary Grant, who makes every attempt to ruin his wife’s future marriage prospects by continually interfering in her personal life while both wait for the divorce, played the role of a married bachelor to perfection.

Irene Dunne compliments the same to upset Cary’s prospects. Since I am a big fan of Cary Grant, I would say this movie was the first to showcase his comic persona, which became his trademark as he became a legend in the world of cinema.

This movie is about married couples, their differences, divorce, J factor, etc.

Released in 1937, The Awful Truth starring Cary Grant, Irene Dunne, Ralph Bellamy, to name a few, was voted as the best screwball comedies of the 1930s. This effort also won director Leo McCarey the best director Oscar.

For Fashion pundits, this movie is stylish concerning its outfits, especially the one worn by Irene Dunne in the first scene.

Some Like it Hot (1959)

This movie was a debut for me in many aspects. The first and foremost attraction was Marilyn Monroe. All I heard previously were beautiful, died young, and tussle with  John F Kennedy. Of course, she was married to baseball player Joe Di Maggio briefly.

I wanted to watch this movie mainly to see Monroe. One isn’t disappointed with the introductory scene where the steam exhaust kindles her hip as she walks on a railway platform. She plays the role of Sugar Kane Kowalczyk, a lead singer in an all-female band.

If Monroe’s looks were something, check out Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon in their comical best. The story starts with a massacre on St. Valentine’s Day, which is witnessed by Joe (Tony Curtis) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon) in Chicago. After these two and to escape from the city, the mob is disguised as Josephine (Tony Curtis) and Daphne (Jack Lemmon). They end up joining the All-Female music band. They head to Miami for a performance.

Joe, dressed like a rich man, impresses Sugar and utilizes the millionaire’s yacht while Daphne is busy with the millionaire. Joe uses Cary Grant’s accent while he seduces Sugar.

Apart from a romantic scene where Joe and Sugar seduce each other, most of the thunder is stolen by Jack Lemmon’s portrayal of Daphne.

The Tango scene picturised on Daphne and millionaire is one of many comical moments to be treasured in one’s memory.

The dialogue delivery and the dialogues are hilarious. Look out for series of comical events when the mob comes to Miami for a convention. They encounter Joe and Jerry, and the rest is fun.

The movie was shot in black and white, against the contract. It stipulated that all Monroe’s films are to be pictured in color at that time. Due to the green tinge prominent on Tony and Jack’s face, the color movie didn’t seem to be the way to go.

This movie was so inspiring that in 1975 Bollywood made a movie called “Rafoo Chakkar” starring Rishi Kapoor, Neetu Singh, and Paintlal. Each frame resembles ‘Some like it hot’ barring songs.

Released in 1959, this movie won an Oscar for best costume design for a black and white film, and Jack Lemmon was nominated for Best Actor in a leading role for his cross-dressing portrayal of Jerry and Daphne.

Directed by Billy Wilder, this movie ends with one of the all-time favorite dialogues when Daphne reveals he is a man and cannot marry the millionaire.

The millionaire coolly replies, “Well, nobody is perfect.”