Author: 18cinemalane

Hi, I'm Sally Silverscreen! As long as I can remember, I have loved movies and the movie-going experience. Talking about movies, something dear to my heart, brings me so much joy. I am a fan of Hallmark and do enjoy watching their movies from time to time. When Calls the Heart is one of my favorite television shows and I am proud to call myself a Heartie! I look forward to sharing my thoughts about movies, When Calls the Heart, and Chesapeake Shores with you. To everyone who visits this blog, I hope you have a great experience when you come to 18 Cinema Lane! -- Sally Silverscreen Profile picture created by K from K at the Movies https://katthemovies.wordpress.com/2019/03/30/graphic-design-is-my-passion/

Sunset Over Hope Valley: One Shared Ingredient

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

During their trip to the Mercantile, Mei and Mike are searching for walnuts or almonds. This ingredient is intended for a moon cake and butter tart recipe. But when almonds and walnuts are nowhere to be found, the couple adopt a different, more accessible ingredient: hazelnuts. Not only does this decision work in Mike and Mei’s favor, other Hope Valley residents choose to use hazelnuts in their recipes too. In this episode of When Calls the Heart, hazelnuts become a shared ingredient among the characters. However, this is not the first time ingredients have been shared. When I introduced my re-cap for this season’s second episode, I talked about the presence “hope” has had within Hope Valley. I even gave an example of how hope impacted the lives of the show’s characters. Thinking about Hope Valley as a recipe, “hope” is an ingredient the characters have shared since the show’s beginning. It has taken on different forms (depending on the situation), being applied to each character’s life in a personalized way. How “hope” is shared is dependent on the character in question, from Elizabeth giving her students valuable advice to Lucas coming up with ways to save the day.

Just a reminder: If you did not see this episode of When Calls the Heart, there will be spoilers within this re-cap.

When Calls the Heart season twelve poster created by Hallmark Media, Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Channel

Season: 12

Episode: 10

Name: Through the Valley

Major stories:

Lucas has been served with a lawsuit from the ranchers. When he shares the news with Edie, she declares how she no longer works for McGinty. After Nathan is informed of the lawsuit, he and Lucas confront McGinty over it. During this confrontation, McGinty shares how Allie and Oliver trespassed on his property. Later that day, when Nathan asks Allie about McGinty’s claim, Allie confesses how she and Oliver, indeed, trespassed on McGinty’s land. Even though Allie believes she was in the wrong, Elizabeth tries to take some of the blame, due to presenting project-based learning to her students. But Oliver steps in and reveals how a path near McGinty’s land was blocked by ash trees. He believes the ash trees were stolen from Lee’s property, as the only ash trees near Hope Valley are owned by Lee. Oliver’s suspicions end up being correct, with Bill and Henry later confronting McGinty about Oliver’s findings. To avoid time in jail, McGinty drops the trespassing charges he gave to Oliver and Allie.

When it’s time for Elizabeth’s students to share their progress on their projects, Emily doesn’t have anything to bring to class. After school, she explains to Elizabeth how working at Henry and Joseph’s hazelnut business has prioritized her time. This inspires Elizabeth to help Emily find her project through her work with the hazelnuts. Because of how sawdust has helped the hazelnuts grow, Emily decides to create a project about the positive effects on conserving sawdust. But when she picks up a book she ordered at the Mercantile, Florence and Ned reveal how several students have submitted their applications for college. Embarrassed by her forgetfulness, Emily shares what happened with Elizabeth. When Emily tells Elizabeth she wanted to be just like her, Elizabeth reassures her student how a career in business would be a better fit for her. Meanwhile, Elizabeth is concerned about her son. He has not only been more tired lately, he also has been hungrier. When Jack Jr. passes out one day, Faith suspects he could be dehydrated. But after a series of tests, Faith tells Elizabeth her son has Diabetes.

Heart image created by Dashu83 at freepik.com <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background image created by Dashu83 – Freepik.com</a> <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/happy-valentines-day-and-heart-card-with-happy-valentines-day-and-heart_1747001.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a> Image found at freepik.com

Minor stories:

Mei and Mike plan on hosting a private harvest feast for just the two of them. They go to the Mercantile in search of walnuts or almonds for their butter tart and moon cake recipes. When almonds and walnuts are not available, Joseph suggests using some of the hazelnuts from his and Henry’s business. The other patrons of the Mercantile believe Joseph’s idea is a good one. So, they adopt hazelnuts in their recipes, turning Mike and Mei’s private feast into a community wide event. Despite this change in plans, the feast is a success! During the feast, Mike reveals to Mei the real reason he wanted the event to remain private; presenting a second honeymoon to Niagara Falls.

Georgie McGill returns to Hope Valley. Because of the recent arrests of Woody and Sunny Garrison, Georgie won’t share any information about the case. She even forbids Bill from sharing information with Rosemary. This upsets Rosemary, but she manages to find a way to write a report without Bill’s help. Meanwhile, Georgie and Bill interrogate Woody. He not only admits to being an accessory to the crime, he tells Bill and Georgie his brother, Jake, gave him a treasure map before he passed away. Woody claims only Jake knew where the stolen gold coins are. After the interrogation, Bill apologizes to Rosemary when he pays her a visit at the Valley Voice’s office. He explains how Georgie likes things done “by the book”. Bill also tells Rosemary how the gold coins’ location is still unknown. At the harvest feast, Georgie and Rosemary come to better terms. One reason is how, according to Georgie, Bill sang Rosemary’s praises to Georgie. However, that’s not the only thing Bill does. Before she leaves Hope Valley, Georgie and Bill share a kiss.

Sunny autumn landscape picture created by Kotkoa at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/autumn-forest_1436222.htm’>Designed by Kotkoa</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background image created by Kotkoa – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Some thoughts to consider:

  • It is interesting which stories have become prioritized in this season of When Calls the Heart. As I mentioned in this re-cap, Faith tells Elizabeth her son has Diabetes. While this development leads to an interesting story, I wish that story had been introduced earlier in season twelve. Meanwhile, Ava’s story was drawn-out for more than half the season. Personally, I think her story should have lasted, at most, four or five episodes.
  • When Calls the Heart’s creative team has tried to give Bill a love interest on more than one occasion. First, it was Abigail. Then, it was A.J. After that, it was Mollie. Now, it seems to be Georgie. If Bill does start a relationship with Georgie, I wonder if Jack Wagner will leave the show? As of the publication of this re-cap, there haven’t been any announcements about cast members departing from When Calls the Heart.
  • Throughout the season, I’ve heard some fans entertain the idea of Edie and Lucas becoming a couple. But, in my opinion, the on-screen chemistry between Chris McNally and Miranda MacDougall hasn’t been as strong as other on-screen pairings. Plus, Edie and Lucas shared such limited time together within season twelve. Maybe these things could change if When Calls the Heart receives a thirteenth season. However, I don’t know if Edie will leave when season twelve ends.
Sunset image created by Photoangel at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background image created by Photoangel – Freepik.com</a>.<a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/red-sunset-clouds-over-trees_1254327.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What are your thoughts on this episode? Do you think Bill and Georgie will form a romantic relationship? Let me know in the comment section below!

Have fun in Hope Valley!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: The Phantom of the Opera (1925) Review (Silent Pioneers Double Feature Part 2)

On By 18cinemalane4 Comments

In my review of 1920’s The Garage, I admitted silent films are rarely covered on 18 Cinema Lane. Acknowledging the one hundredth anniversary of a movie is even rarer. This is a reason why I selected 1925’s The Phantom of the Opera for the Silent Pioneers Blogathon! But reviewing this film also presents a full circle moment for me. Before 2025, I had seen pieces of The Phantom of the Opera from 1925. That’s because those pieces are featured at the beginning of Phantom of the Megaplex (which happens to be celebrating its 25th anniversary this year). As a fan of that movie, I felt I owed it to myself to finally check out the film that paved the way for countless cinematic projects. Though this is my first time seeing 1925’s The Phantom of the Opera in its entirety, I am familiar with its story. This is due to seeing parts of 2004’s adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera. So, without further delay, let’s start this review!

The Phantom of the Opera (1925) poster created by Universal Pictures

Things I liked about the film:

Color coded film: Silent films have a reputation for appearing in black and white. But in The Phantom of the Opera, only the Phantom’s lair is presented in this hue. This is because the Paris Opera House is color coded based on where a scene takes place. Outdoor scenes appear in blue. Scenes taking place backstage, and even a ballet performance, are presented in pink. The only scenes fully in color are those during the Bal Masque de l’Opera. Color coding the movie’s scenery gives each part of the story its own distinct significance. It definitely gives The Phantom of the Opera a unique identity!

The acting: When you think of 1925’s The Phantom of the Opera, you think of Lon Chaney. Though he spent the movie with his face covered by make-up or a mask, Lon utilized the use of his eyes and body language to give the Phantom emotion. During the Bal Masque de l’Opera, the Phantom discovers someone betrayed his trust. His eyes not only appear very wide, they even look pained. The Phantom falls back in his seat, emphasizing how shocked he is by the betrayal. Even though Lon stole the show, there are other performances I liked in The Phantom of the Opera! Mary Philbin portrays Christine Daae. Through a variety of acting techniques, Mary shows the audience what her character is thinking and feeling. A perfect example is when Christine meets the Phantom for the first time. Shocked by his appearance, she leans back against the wall, trying to move as far from him as possible. Christine’s eyes are wide and her jaw drops in horror, illustrating how unsettled she is by the Phantom.

The on-screen chemistry: As I just said in this review, Mary Philbin portrays Christine Daae. Throughout The Phantom of the Opera, Christine shares romantic feelings with Raoul, portrayed by Norman Kerry. When these characters shared moments together, their interactions were romantically tender. The love between Christine and Raoul feels like it radiates off the screen. Mary and Norman’s on-screen chemistry was very sweet, making their characters’ scenes together feel genuine. Their performances, as well as the screenwriting, made Raoul and Christine’s relationship one of the best parts of The Phantom of the Opera! I wish Mary and Norman shared more scenes together.

The Silent Pioneers Blogathon banner created by Maddy from Classic Film And TV Corner

What I didn’t like about the film:

Underutilized characters: There were a few underutilized characters in The Phantom of the Opera. Two of them are the new owners of the Opera House. At the beginning of the movie, the ownership of the Opera House changed hands. Not only are the new owners informed of the Phantom’s existence, they are presented with evidence he actually exists. Yet, these owners don’t do anything to remove the Phantom from the Opera House or protect their business from the Phantom. A major reason for this is how the characters were underutilized, making limited appearances throughout the story.

Little sense of urgency: Like I said in my review, the new owners of the Opera House don’t do anything to remove the Phantom from the Opera House or protect their business from the Phantom. Any time the Phantom makes threats to ruin the show or even when Christine disappeared, there was little sense of urgency to prevent the Phantom’s chaotic plans. The day after Christine went missing, there was a newspaper article written about her disappearance. But no search party was organized to look for her. Even Raoul’s suspicions don’t appear raised when he receives a mysterious note from Christine. When Christine returns at the Bal Masque de l’Opera, no one notices except for Raoul. With all this said, the Phantom doesn’t seem as big of a concern to the Opera House’s community as he should be.

Unanswered questions: For this part of my review, I will spoil The Phantom of the Opera. If you haven’t seen this film and are planning on watching it, skip ahead to the part of my review titled ‘My overall impression’.

The 1925 version of The Phantom of the Opera attempts to give the Phantom a backstory. But this attempt leaves the audience with more questions than answers. On a notecard addressing the Phantom’s history, it states he is a “master of Black Art”. This statement is never given an explanation, especially since the Phantom isn’t shown adopting magic or supernatural powers. The notecard also states the Phantom was “exiled to Devil’s Island for criminal insane” and that he “escaped”. No explanation is provided why he was taken to the island in the first place. Did the Phantom actually commit a crime or was he falsely accused, with taking over the Opera House and causing chaos his form of revenge? These are two examples of unanswered questions in The Phantom of the Opera.

String of musical notes image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/pentagram-vector_710290.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a> <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com. 

My overall impression:

1925’s The Phantom of the Opera is considered a classic, not just from the Silent Film Era, but within film history. So, imagine my shock when I discovered the movie was never included on any of American Film Institute’s 100 movies lists. When this film was first released, it brought something new to cinema’s table. The Phantom of the Opera paved the way when it came to the power of make-up. The 1925 picture also showed the world the expansive nature of storytelling through a cinematic lens. This is why, in my opinion, the story of the Phantom and his opera house is better suited for film than the stage. Lon Chaney is one of the most celebrated actors of all time. His role as the titular character proves why that statement holds true. Lon’s ability to transform into the Phantom makes his performance captivating. Beyond the make-up, he effectively uses his eyes and body language to bring emotion to his character. Though the film has its flaws, The Phantom of the Opera still holds up, even a hundred years later. Color coding for each area of the Opera House gave the production a unique identity, as well as distinct significance to these spaces. In a world where silent films are not as common as they once were, I’m thankful for the restoration efforts made for The Phantom of the Opera.

Overall score: 7.5-7.6 out of 10

Have you seen 1925’s The Phantom of the Opera? Which story do you wish had been adapted into a silent film? Let me know in the comment section below!

Have fun at the opera!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: The Garage (1920) Review (Silent Pioneers Double Feature Part 1)

On By 18cinemalane7 Comments

Before participating in the Silent Pioneers Blogathon, I had only seen, and even reviewed, four projects from Buster Keaton’s filmography. To, kind of, make up for lost time, I chose to review The Garage for the event. The other reason why I selected this movie was because it was recommended by Lea S. from Silent-ology. I will admit silent films are rarely covered on 18 Cinema Lane. In the seven years my blog has existed, I’ve only reviewed seven silent film titles. The last time I wrote about a silent picture was 1920’s Pollyanna back in 2021. So, reviewing another silent movie has been long overdue. So far, my experience with silent films has been pretty positive. But will that change with The Garage? Keep reading my review to find out!

The Garage (1920) poster created by Comique Film Company and Paramount Pictures

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: In silent films, actors and actresses heavily rely on facial expressions, emotions, and body language to show what their characters are thinking and feeling. While on-screen text can help elaborate what is happening on screen, the way actresses and actors appear in a silent film can show what can’t be said. At the beginning of The Garage, Roscoe ‘Fatty’ Arbuckle is upset Buster Keaton made a car he just washed dirty. He gestured toward the spot of dirt on the car by repeatedly pointing toward it. Roscoe ‘Fatty’ Arbuckle even has a frown on his face, emphasizing how upset he is. Later in the film, Buster is chased by a dog. When he gets stuck in a fence, he appears scared as the dog is ripping up his pants. Fear is in Buster’s eyes as he looks to be screaming. Molly Malone is the only actress in The Garage. Any time she was included in a scene, she was just as expressive as her male co-stars! When Molly is first introduced in the story, she is so excited to see Jim. She is smiling the entire time, making her happiness clearly visible.

The slapstick comedy: When I reviewed The Twilight Zone episode, “Once Upon a Time”, I talked about a scene where Buster’s character, Woodrow, and a man named Rollo walk past a rack of suit pants. After Woodrow grabs a pair of pants, Rollo picks Woodrow up so he can put the pants on. When I saw this comedic trick in The Garage, I was happy to recognize it from The Twilight Zone! The trick was just as well performed in the movie as in the television episode! Another comedic trick utilized a piece of spinning floor. When Roscoe ‘Fatty’ Arbuckle walked on the spinning floor, he was able to effortlessly walk off the circle. But, when Buster got on the spinning floor, he stumbled and tumbled to the ground. The only way Buster could escape was when Roscoe ‘Fatty’ Arbuckle tumbled to the ground himself and pulled Buster to the circle’s edge. These two examples showcased the simplicity and creativity of The Garage’s slapstick comedy!

An overarching narrative: Earlier in this review, I brought up how excited Molly was to see Jim. This is because they are in a romantic relationship. In The Garage, Jim and Molly’s relationship served as an overarching narrative. It even intersected with the events taking place in and around the garage. For me, I looked forward to seeing what would happen next with Molly and Jim. The strong acting performances and nice on-screen chemistry kept me invested in their part of the story! There was also a sense of mystery to Jim and Molly’s relationship. A contributing factor was the couple experiencing situations as they took place in the film.

The Silent Pioneers Blogathon banner created by Maddy from Classic Film And TV Corner

What I didn’t like about the film:

Inconsistent slapstick comedy: The Garage consists of three separate stories: Roscoe ‘Fatty’ Arbuckle washing a customer’s car, Jim becoming covered in car grease, and the garage being set on fire. While there was plenty of slapstick comedy in the first and third stories, the slapstick comedy was limited in the second story. This is because so much of that story was focused on Jim and his relationship with Molly. Besides becoming dirty from car grease, Jim gets a dog to scare off Molly’s potential admirers. With everything I said, the emphasis on Jim and Molly’s relationship in the second story kind of overshadowed Roscoe ‘Fatty’ Arbuckle and Buster Keaton.

Tonally inappropriate music: Like I just said in this review, there are three stories in The Garage. The third story involves the garage being set on fire. During that story, cheery piano music can be heard in the background. Though this type of music plays throughout the movie, it felt tonally inappropriate in the third story. The reason is Jim and Molly’s lives being in danger, which raises the story’s stakes. Because the stakes are lower in the first and second stories, cheery music playing in the background makes sense.

A confusing timeline: So much is happening in The Garage due to the film consisting of three separate stories. In one story, customers either rent cars or have their cars washed. The residents from the garage’s neighborhood have a scheduled lunch-time. But the title-cards sprinkled throughout the film never clarify when events like the aforementioned two take place. Is The Garage set in a singular day or are the situations happening over an extended period of time? Had the title-cards mentioned when events were taking place, those title-cards could have provided transitions between stories.

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My overall impression:

As I said in my review’s introduction, my experience with silent films has been pretty positive. This experience is, so far, remaining positive due to my thoughts on The Garage! For the most part, the 1920 picture is a fine, pleasant production. The strength of the acting and the creativity of the slapstick comedy led to an overall enjoyable time. I even liked how Molly and Jim’s relationship served as an overarching narrative. Even though the film itself was pleasant, it did contain some flaws. Without contextual information, I found the story’s timeline confusing. There was also one part of the movie where the music was tonally inappropriate. But like I said, I found The Garage a fine, pleasant title! This movie could be a good introduction to Buster Keaton’s filmography.

Overall score: 7.1 out of 10

Have you seen The Garage? Which film from Buster Keaton’s filmography would you like to see me review? Tell me in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Sunset Over Hope Valley: Figuring It Out Together

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

When Angela takes a tour of the Schwartzman School, she meets a fellow student named Miss Gamble. Angela also meets some of the school’s other students, who share their enthusiasm for solving mysteries. One of these students tells Angela how the best part of mysteries is working together to figure them out. This statement made me think about how problems, conflicts, and even mysteries were solved on When Calls the Heart. If a character needs to figure something out, they will, more often than not, turn to their family or friends for help. Just in season twelve alone, the characters have relied on one another to make things possible. Oliver turned to Elizabeth for guidance when his writing sample needed improvement. Fiona sought out advice from her friends when her life was at a crossroad. Even Lee needed reassurance from Faith when he feared receiving the same medical diagnosis as his father. These three examples showcase another overarching theme on When Calls the Heart; working together to solve Hope Valley’s conflicts, problems, and mysteries!

Just a reminder: If you did not see this episode of When Calls the Heart, there will be spoilers within this re-cap.

When Calls the Heart season twelve poster created by Hallmark Media, Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Channel

Season: 12

Episode: 9

Name: Buried Treasure

Major stories:

A man named Woody has recently come to Hope Valley. When he overhears Allie and Oliver talking about their map, Woody asks them to take him to a tree bearing his parents’ initials. Oliver and Allie agree to take Woody there, especially since they were planning on going hiking anyway. During the hike, the trio cross paths with Sonny Garrison, Woody’s cousin who just escaped from prison. He forces Allie and Oliver to join him and Woody on a treasure hunt. Meanwhile, Elizabeth organizes a search party with Mike and Henry when she discovers Oliver and Allie’s whereabouts. Thankfully, Elizabeth is able to find the duo because of Allie’s hair ribbon, which Allie put on a branch. Sonny is upset there is no treasure to be found. In retaliation, he desires to keep Allie, Oliver, and even Elizabeth as hostages. This plan is prevented due to the arrival of Nathan, Bill, and several other Mounties. Later, in Hope Valley, Nathan shares he was able to find Allie and Oliver because of Allie’s hair ribbon, which he returns to his daughter.

Lucas is struggling to find a solution for the national park project. So, he turns to Henry for advice. Henry suggests making an Executive Order, to make the planning process move a bit faster. He also tells Lucas by asking the ranchers for permission, they’re just going to keep finding ways to prevent the project from happening. Lucas shares this plan with Lee. He reveals how the Executive Order could cost him his Governor position, but keeping his promise to Lee is more important. When Lucas shares his plan with Edie, she tells him she will still be his friend. But she also warns Lucas how McGinty will continue finding ways to get what he wants.

Image by hannazasimova on Freepik

Minor stories:

At the Mercantile, Ned informs Ava of another traveler who lost a trunk similar to hers. Even though she insists the trunk belongs to her, Ava tries getting rid of it by throwing it over the hotel balcony. After Mike discovers the trunk in a nearby wagon, Ava comes clean about who she really is. While Ava’s name is actually Ava, she is not the heiress she has claimed to be. Before coming to Hope Valley, Ava was an assistant to Clive Maxwell, a well-known magician. His “trick” was to steal valuable items from the audience. When Clive tried stealing from a Pinkerton, he put blame on Ava. So, she ran away to Hope Valley to protect her name and because she read such good things about the town through Elizabeth’s book. Since Ava confessed, Nathan agrees to recruit a Mountie to escort Ava to court, in order to testify against Clive.

Angela, Joseph, and Minnie take a tour of the Schwartzman School. While there, they meet a student named Miss Gamble. Angela is led by Miss Gamble through the school facility and even meets some of the other students. Minnie, Angela, and Joseph were given a good first impression of the Schwartzman School. But when they arrive home, Angela has her doubts about living independently and going to school in another town. To encourage her daughter, Minnie reminds Angela of the time when she was nervous about sledding down a hill. Angela was eager to go sledding by herself after she and her mom went sledding. Minnie tells Angela to, at least, give living independently a try.

Image of magic show essentials created by Macrovector at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/card”>Card vector created by macrovector – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

Some thoughts to consider:

  • Back in my re-cap for this season’s seventh episode, I said I was worried all the build-up in Ava’s story may lead to an underwhelming reveal of who Ava truly is. While I’m thankful the Hearties finally received closure to this mystery, I think my worries proved somewhat true. Ava’s actual backstory was interesting. However, it wasn’t shocking or exciting enough to justify being drawn-out for nine out of twelve episodes. In fact, some of those nine episodes had me forgetting there was a mystery surrounding Ava in the first place. If When Calls the Heart receives a thirteenth season, I hope this screenwriting flaw is improved.
  • As I said in this re-cap, and even in this re-cap’s introduction, Angela and her parents take a tour of the Schwartzman School. If she decides to attend the school, I wonder how Angela’s story will be included in future seasons? Will some scenes cut away to the Schwartzman School or will Angela be temporarily written off the show? Perhaps Hallmark would consider giving Angela her own spinoff series?
  • Is it just me or does it seem like Earl Wyatt has vanished from Hope Valley without a trace? Since his last appearance in this season’s sixth episode, none of the other characters have brought him up. He hasn’t appeared in any scenes either. This sudden disappearance makes me wonder how his story will conclude at the end of season twelve? Maybe the creative team’s intention for Earl is have him stick around in Hope Valley for another season?
Sunset image created by Photoangel at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background image created by Photoangel – Freepik.com</a>.<a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/red-sunset-clouds-over-trees_1254327.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What are your thoughts on this episode? Do you think Angela will attend the Schwartzman School? Please tell me in the comment section!

Have fun in Hope Valley!

Sally Silverscreen

Comparing with the Critics – Worst of 1976 – Gable and Lombard

On By 18cinemalane7 Comments

This review is from my series, Comparing with the Critics. If you’d like to learn more about the series, click on the link below.

Introducing my new series, Comparing with the Critics!

In the ‘Best Films of 1976’ episode of Opening Soon…at a Theater Near You, Gene Siskel stated “1976 was a pretty lousy year for movies”. He emphasized that statement by saying “the year was littered with dogs”. Since I haven’t seen a lot of movies from 1976, I can’t agree or disagree with Siskel’s claim. But what I can do is talk about one of Siskel’s choices for worst movies of 1976. As I said in my 1976 introduction of Comparing with the Critics, one episode was primarily focused on discussing the best movies from a given year. This left Siskel and Ebert with only a few minutes to talk about some of the year’s worst films. Despite the 1976 episode’s limited selection of “bad” movies, I chose Gable and Lombard for this edition of Comparing with the Critics Worst of review. What made Gable and Lombard the most interesting title from the episode’s collection of “bad” movies was the story’s emphasis on Clark Gable and Carole Lombard’s relationship. I am somewhat familiar with Clark and Carole, as I have reviewed at least one of their movies on 18 Cinema Lane. Because I hadn’t heard of Gable and Lombard until I saw the ‘Best Films of 1976’ episode of Opening Soon…at a Theater Near You, I viewed the film as a way to expand my cinematic horizons and learn more about Carole and Clark. Now that I have seen the movie for myself, I believe Siskel’s, and even Roger Ebert’s, thoughts on the film were a tad harsh.

Gable and Lombard poster created by Universal Pictures

Before revealing his choices for the worst movies of 1976, Siskel says the year featured “two kinds of cinematic canines: cheap, lousy pictures and expensive, lousy pictures”. Based on what films he chose, Gable and Lombard was placed in the latter category. According to Wikipedia, the film’s budget was $4.5 million. It appears most of the budget was spent on Gable and Lombard’s set design. One scene took place outside, with the guests at a ball wearing white. Small candles surrounded the pool’s perimeter. In the pool were small islands of white flowers and candles, along with swans peacefully gliding through the water. Overall, this part of the set was absolutely gorgeous! Throughout Gable and Lombard, some scenes took place in Clark or Carole’s dressing room. These dressing rooms looked more like condominiums; distinct spaces that appear livable. Carole’s dressing room boasted a color combination of yellow and white. Featuring design choices like a white dining room set gave the dressing room a feminine style. Meanwhile, dark wood surrounded the fireplace in Clark’s dressing room. There was even a pool table located near the fireplace. These design choices created a more masculine space. Carole and Clark’s dressing rooms provided a good visual representation of how different they were despite having a similar career path.

In Name Only poster created by RKO Radio Pictures. Image found at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:In_Name_Only.jpg

While Roger Ebert never shared his thoughts on Gable and Lombard in the ‘Best Films of 1976’ episode, he did write a review for the movie, which can be found on rogerebert.com. In his review, Ebert states “Brolin does, indeed, look a lot like Gable – but imitation here has nothing to do with flattery”. While I agree with Ebert’s opinion on James Brolin’s appearance in the movie, I disagree with the rest of Ebert’s statement. Not only did James look like Clark, he even sounded like him too! It almost felt like James transformed into another person. During Gable and Lombard, James consistently carried an easy-going attitude. This choice in acting and directing showcased Clark’s down-to-earth personality. Meanwhile, Carole was a comedic, life of the party. Portrayed by Jill Clayburgh, Carole’s up-beat personality made her one of the most popular actresses of her time. But behind closed doors, Carole had her doubts and insecurities. In one scene, Carole is sharing with Clark how she feels undeserving of a recent achievement. Her eyes reveal a sense of worry. Concern, even sadness, can be heard in her voice. During her conversation with Clark, Carole looks and sounds truly discouraged. Clark, with a warm smile and calming tone of voice, reassures Carole what’s most important is surrounding herself with people who support her. Jill’s and James’ performance is one of the reasons why this scene is one of my favorites in Gable and Lombard!

China Seas poster created by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

Sidney J. Furie, the director of Gable and Lombard, chose to make “a movie about just folks”, primarily focusing on the personal lives of Clark Gable and Carole Lombard. While Ebert says this decision gave “the movie a certain originality”, he also criticizes Sidney’s choice, claiming that “by limiting itself to this aspect of their lives the movie never deals with the reasons we find them interesting in the first place”. As I said in this review’s introduction, I am somewhat familiar with Clark and Carole. Because I don’t know which parts of Gable and Lombard are factual or creative liberty, I took the story of Carole and Clark’s relationship with a grain of salt. From the way Louis B. Mayer (portrayed by Allen Garfield) talked to Clark about groups of people demanding certain elements of films be changed due to “indecency”, I knew he was talking about the Breen Code, a series of morality related guidelines enforced in Hollywood from 1934 to 1954. Therefore, I saw Gable and Lombard as a character study of how a portion of the Breen Code era affected the professional and personal lives of the Hollywood landscape, with Carole and Clark serving as just two examples. When Clark is accused of having an affair with a waitress, Carole volunteers to testify in court. Everyone from her inner circle knows if she testifies, she will expose her and Clark’s relationship as well as end her career. While explaining why he doesn’t want Carole to testify, Louis B. Mayer shares with Clark the ugly truth about what happened to some actresses after their careers ended. This scene is honest about the consequences if the Breen Code was broken. By viewing the film from the lens of the Breen Code, Gable and Lombard’s narrative is not only compelling, it is given higher stakes.

Twentieth Century poster created by Columbia Pictures.

I said earlier in this review how Ebert and Siskel were only given a few minutes to talk about the year’s worst films. This made Siskel’s discussion of Gable and Lombard sound vague, as he states “in real life, you can get arrested for playing around with dead bodies. The same should be true for movie-makers who desecrate the memory of great, dead actors”. Because this review affords me more time to elaborate on my opinion, I will now discuss what I didn’t like about Gable and Lombard. At the beginning of the movie, Clark is told Carole was in a plane crash, but her whereabouts are unknown. The very next scene shows Carole riding in an ambulance, alive and appearing uninjured. That scene took place years before the plane crash happened. With no on-screen text acknowledging the story’s time and place, it was sometimes difficult to figure out the story’s timeline. I liked James’ and Jill’s portrayal of Clark and Carole. However, I found their on-screen chemistry inconsistent. When their story began, Carole and Clark went from enemies to lovers. For the rest of the story, they continuously broke up then got back together. I recognize Gable and Lombard is based on a real-life relationship. But because of the back-and-forth nature of that relationship, I couldn’t stay fully invested in the relationship of Clark and Carole.

Comparing with the Critics banner created by me, Sally Silverscreen. TV show title cards created by WTTW National Productions, WTTW, Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), Lifetime Television, Tribune Entertainment, Buena Vista Television, and Disney-ABC Domestic Television

Looking back on Gable and Lombard, I believe Siskel’s, and even Roger Ebert’s, thoughts on the film were a tad harsh. I wouldn’t call it a “dog” or “lousy”, as the movie does have its merits. But I do believe the marketing is a bit misleading. The quotes on Gable and Lombard’s poster are “It was the wildest, wackiest love affair Hollywood ever knew” and “They had more than love – they had fun”. In the ‘Best Films of 1976’ episode of Opening Soon…at a Theater Near You, Carole dumped salad on Clark’s head, one of the more humorous scenes from the film. While there were comedic moments sprinkled throughout the story, the movie’s marketing presents the false idea it is solely a comedy. Seen from the lens of the Breen Code, Gable and Lombard presents a character study of how a portion of the Breen Code era affected the professional and personal lives of the Hollywood landscape. With the story emphasizing Carole and Clark’s relationship, they navigate complicated decisions, as well as honesty about feelings and emotions. The balance of comedy and tragedy adds a sense of maturity to the overall story. At worst, the movie prioritizes style over substance. as most of the budget seems to be put toward the set design. But, at best, Gable and Lombard is just ok.

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Coming Soon to a Blog Near You; The Second Chance Christmas Double Feature!

On By 18cinemalane2 Comments

Whenever I publish one hundred posts, I commemorate the achievement by creating a double feature! The two movies are chosen based on a shared theme. My 900th post was a Comparing with the Critics introduction to 1976. But my review of The Chalk Garden is what inspired this edition’s double feature. When I reviewed the 1964 film earlier this month, I talked about receiving a second chance to write about the movie. This opportunity caused me to think about other titles I’ve been meaning to check out. Looking back on all the blogathons I participated in, I realized I still haven’t seen 1954’s Young at Heart. Upon discovering it was a Christmas movie, I immediately found the perfect excuse to finally see An Old Fashioned Christmas. After selecting and watching these films, I will try to answer the following question:

Did these two movies deserve a second chance?

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Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Sunset Over Hope Valley: The World is Hope Valley’s Microphone

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

Whenever a new tool, idea, or concept has been introduced in Hope Valley, it has been used for the greater good of the town. The more recent addition of radio technology serves a perfect example. In this episode of When Calls the Heart alone, the radio has educated listeners, provided a platform for debates and discussions, even entertained. The radio has become a positive inclusion to Hope Valley. Other ideas have made Hope Valley a better place, from the iconic Jack Thornton School to the town’s Christmas festivities. While some of these ideas are not frequently presented on the show, they have left their mark on the history of When Calls the Heart. I haven’t given much thought to the overarching theme of new ideas serving Hope Valley’s greater good until I reflected on this episode, as well as the show as a whole.

Just a reminder: If you did not see this episode of When Calls the Heart, there will be spoilers within this re-cap.

When Calls the Heart season twelve poster created by Hallmark Media, Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Channel

Season: 12

Episode: 8

Name: The Show Must Go On

Major stories:

Rowlin Rockwell (Randell’s cousin), from Benson Hills Broadcasting, pays Rosemary and Fiona a visit in Hope Valley. He informs the ladies of the Daily Dialogue’s low listenership numbers, even lower than a radio show about animal sounds. In order to impress Rowlin, Rosemary quickly comes up with the idea of bringing her production of The Importance of Being Earnest to the radio. Rowlin is so impressed with this idea, he tells Rosemary she has to present the play the next day. At rehearsal later that day, when Rosemary announces this change in plans, Mike confesses he has a sore throat. Ava recommends Mike pay the hot springs a visit. Lee and Bill also take Ava’s advice. But the next day, Mike, Bill, and Lee end up sick with Laryngitis. This stresses Rosemary out because this means about half of the play’s cast is too unwell to perform. After some encouragement from the ladies of Hope Valley, Rosemary decides to host an all-female radio production of The Importance of Being Earnest instead. The performance ends up being a success! Even Rowlin’s family liked it!

Lucas hosts a meeting with the local ranchers about Allie and Oliver’s proposal. The most vocal objection comes from a rancher named McGinty. He doesn’t believe the ranchers should move their cows to a new pasture to cater to the local wildlife. The other ranchers agree with him, even Edie stands by McGinty’s opinion. But later in the episode, Edie reveals to Lucas McGinty has tricked the other ranchers, including her uncle, into signing a loan to use his land. This is the result of a mudslide destroying a path to a pasture years ago. At the meeting, Allie recognizes McGinty’s boots, believing he helped cover up cow tracks near the river back in this season’s sixth episode. Meanwhile, Nathan shares with Bill how Toddy claims a rancher gave him small batches of gold coins for five to six years. When the rancher passed away, Toddy stopped receiving the coins. Nathan tells Bill the remaining coins were sold in Amsterdam and the identity of the rancher is Ernest “Ernie” Martell, Edie’s uncle. When Bill and Nathan question Edie about Ernie’s acquisition of the coins, she claims to have no idea what they are talking about.

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Minor stories:

Elizabeth is scheduled to appear on an episode of the Daily Dialogue. During the recording of the episode, Elizabeth discusses her project-based learning idea with Eileen Bennett, a Superintendent from the Department of Education. Eileen doesn’t think Elizabeth’s idea is bad. However, Eileen believes the classroom’s purpose is to prepare students to be academically competitive. This lack of whole-hearted support makes Elizabeth feel discouraged. For most of this episode of When Calls the Heart, Elizabeth focuses on assisting Rosemary with the play. But after the radio performance, Elizabeth discovers a collection of letters from teachers who listened to her Daily Dialogue episode. The letters are supportive of Elizabeth’s idea, with some teachers even adopting project-based teaching. Using Nathan’s suggestion, Elizabeth reads some of the letters on The Valley Voice Radio Hour.

After selling her barber shop, Fiona still plans on marrying a man named Harold. She confesses to Faith her reason for wanting to get married; Harold is a lawyer who could help Fiona make a difference. Fiona even asks Faith to be her Maid of Honor. Later in the episode, Elizabeth shares with Fiona her reason for breaking up with Lucas in season ten; the relationship didn’t feel right in her heart. She also encourages Fiona to follow her heart and tells her how she should spread her wings to fly. After the radio performance of The Importance of Being Earnest, Rowlin is not only thrilled with the success of the play, he also likes the successful response of Elizabeth’s Daily Dialogue episode. He reveals to Fiona and Rosemary he just acquired a license for a new radio station in Port Townsen and wants to recruit them to be in charge of the station’s programming. While Rosemary turns down the offer, Fiona accepts. Before leaving for her new adventure, Fiona mentions calling off her engagement to Harold. As a going away present, Faith gives Fiona a locket, so she can fill the locket with what her heart desires.

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Some thoughts to consider:

  • Now that When Calls the Heart is more than halfway through season twelve, I’ve noticed parts of the story introduced earlier in the season have been abandoned. Back in this season’s third episode, Lee reveals to Faith how his father died of an unnamed medical condition. He even shares his concerns of developing the medical condition himself. Since then, the story has not acknowledged this part of Lee’s medical history. With four episodes left in season twelve, I’m not sure how that can be resolved?
  • In this season’s second episode, Allie was concerned about not having a special interest. But what started as a chance encounter with an animal print in the dirt led to Allie’s interest in the Great Timber Wolf. Allie’s story in season twelve has been well-written. It has provided her with character development, helped her make a new friend, and connected with one of the season’s major stories. I do wonder if Allie will, indeed, find a way for the Great Timber Wolves to return?
  • As I mentioned in this re-cap, Elizabeth receives letters from teachers who support her project-based learning idea. Some teachers even claimed they were already utilizing project-based teaching in their classroom. Based on those letters, I got the impression those teachers were using project-based teaching before Elizabeth came up with her idea. With that said, why did Elizabeth submit her idea for publication if her idea already exists?
Sunset image created by Photoangel at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background image created by Photoangel – Freepik.com</a>.<a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/red-sunset-clouds-over-trees_1254327.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

What are your thoughts on this episode? Do you think the Great Timber Wolves will return near Hope Valley? Let me know in the comment section!

Have fun in Hope Valley!

Sally Silverscreen

Take 3: Tarzan in Manhattan Review

On By 18cinemalane9 Comments

During my search for my “so bad, it’s good” movie, I’ve learned to find two things: a film that is built on a gimmick and a film that is unintentionally funny. Though these things have helped me get one step closer to finding my “so bad, it’s good” movie, a film has yet to earn that coveted title. For the annual So Bad It’s Good Blogathon, I had several selected movies to choose from. But, in the end, I picked the 1989 film, Tarzan in Manhattan! That title alone gives away the project’s gimmick; an iconic character existing in a more contemporary setting. Based on the movie’s synopsis, there seems to be elements that could be unintentionally funny, such as Jane becoming more street-smart when she’s usually known for being book-smart. But what made me ultimately select Tarzan in Manhattan for the So Bad It’s Good Blogathon were the reviews on IMDB. According to what I read, it seemed like the movie’s creative team didn’t take their project seriously because they acknowledged the film’s gimmick. With all of that said, let’s see if this movie could become my “so bad, it’s good” film!

Tarzan in Manhattan poster created by American First Run Studios and CBS

Things I liked about the film:

The acting: When I reviewed The Chalk Garden earlier this month, I said I was invested in the story because of the acting performances’ quality. I also said each acting performance was good for different reasons. In Tarzan in Manhattan, the cast made a strong effort to make their performances as entertaining as possible. In my opinion, these efforts worked, as their performances kept me invested in the story! Joe Lara used emotion well while portraying the titular character. A great example comes from the first ten minutes of the movie. Tarzan experiences a tragedy, as he discovers someone close to him passed away. Upon making this discovery, Tarzan is understandably upset. His eyes are brimming with tears and his mouth presents a frown. Quickly realizing what possibly happened, Tarzan’s sadness turns into anger within seconds. He then grits his teeth and the rest of his facial features become tense.

Kim Crosby portrays Jane in Tarzan in Manhattan. In my review’s introduction, I pointed out how Jane became more street-smart. Because of this creative decision, Kim adopts a down-to-earth, laid-back personality she consistently carried throughout the movie. When Jane meets Tarzan, she’s unfazed by the situation. Her whole persona presented the idea she, as a cab driver, has seen it all. Portraying Jane’s father, Archimedes, is Tony Curtis. Similar to Kim’s performance, Tony’s on-screen no-nonsense attitude was consistent. What also worked in Tony’s favor was how believable his on-screen interactions were. Anytime Archimedes and Jane shared a conversation, it felt like a realistic discussion between father and daughter. The strength of Kim’s and Tony’s acting talents helped make that possible!

Respect toward the source material: While I haven’t read the book Tarzan in Manhattan is based on, I have seen another adaptation of the Tarzan story. Based on that experience, it appears the creative team of the 1989 film made efforts to respect the source material their project is based on. Remember when I said in this review’s introduction how Jane became more street-smart when she’s usually known for being book-smart? It is true she is street-smart in Tarzan in Manhattan. However, the book-smart aspect of her character actually worked in harmony with the street-smarts. Around the time she and Tarzan first meet, Jane shares how she has a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from NYU. Her book-smarts, along with problem-solving skills, help Tarzan find an important clue in figuring out Cheetah’s whereabouts. Throughout his New York City trip, Tarzan carries a bag of expensive jewelry as a form of currency. It is revealed the collection of jewelry belonged to Tarzan’s parents, the Lord and Lady of Greystone, before they passed away.

How humor was incorporated: I mentioned in my review’s introduction how Tarzan in Manhattan’s IMDB reviews were the reason I chose the film for the So Bad It’s Good Blogathon. Based on those reviews, it seemed the movie’s creative team didn’t take their project seriously because they acknowledged the film’s gimmick. As I watched the 1989 picture, I could detect a sense of self-awareness. From the dialogue to the “Easter Eggs”, it felt like the movie’s creative team recognized how much of a gimmick their project was built on. During the plane ride to New York City, Tarzan is reading a book about surviving in New York on five dollars a day. This “Easter Egg” calls out how expensive the Big Apple can be. After somersaulting his way into a locked room, Tarzan leaves that same room by escaping through an open window. This situation causes Archimedes to ask Jane why Tarzan can’t leave through the door like other people. The aforementioned self-awareness in Tarzan in Manhattan made comedic moments genuinely hilarious!

The Seventh So Bad It’s Good Blogathon banner created by Rebecca from Taking Up Room

What I didn’t like about the film:

Things that don’t make sense: There were some parts of Tarzan in Manhattan that didn’t make sense. One example takes place toward the beginning of the film. Within the first five minutes of the story, Tarzan is shown living a secluded life from civilization, how Tarzan is usually portrayed in other adaptations. Then, all of a sudden, a man named Joseph shows up to give Tarzan and Cheetah a pair of books. Based on their interaction, it seems like Joseph and Tarzan’s friendship has lasted even before the events of the movie. If Tarzan lives close enough to civilization where walking to Joseph’s store is possible, why does he still live isolated in the jungle?

Inconsistent sense of urgency: A reason why Tarzan travels to New York City is to rescue Cheetah. This part of the film’s synopsis would warrant a sense of urgency throughout the story. But Tarzan, along with Jane and Archimedes, don’t figure out what likely happened to Cheetah until more than twenty minutes into an hour and thirty-four-minute film. While there is a sense of urgency in Tarzan in Manhattan, it appears at certain moments in the movie. These creative choices made the story’s sense of urgency inconsistent.

Part of the story that doesn’t lead anywhere: On more than one occasion, the audience is reminded how Tarzan is the son of the Lord and Lady of Greystone. Jane even purchases a book featuring his family’s portrait. I appreciate the creative team’s efforts to respect the source material their project is based on. However, the part of the film about Tarzan’s family history didn’t lead anywhere. The story’s main conflict had nothing to do with the Greystone estate. Tarzan’s family weren’t even featured in a subplot. I wish that part of Tarzan in Manhattan had a stronger connection to the overall story.

New York City skyline with letters image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/new-york-skyline-typographic-silhouette_719554.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

My overall impression:

When I started this review, I said I learned to find two things when looking for my “so bad, it’s good” movie; a film that is built on a gimmick and a film that is unintentionally funny. Tarzan in Manhattan is definitely built a gimmick, with enough self-awareness in the movie to acknowledge this. But what the film isn’t is unintentionally funny. The way the story’s humor was written and delivered gave the audience a reason to laugh with the creative team, not at them. Humorous moments felt like they were intended to be comedic. This is one of the reasons why Tarzan in Manhattan was as entertaining as it was! Though there were flaws in the 1989 picture, there were aspects of the project I liked. A few examples are the acting performances and the on-screen chemistry between Joe Lara and Kim Crosby. Even though moments with high-stakes and a sense of urgency are sprinkled throughout the story, Tarzan in Manhattan is, for the most part, silly and goofy fun. Out of all the movies I reviewed for the So Bad It’s Good Blogathon, I’d say Tarzan in Manhattan is the best one. So, when it comes to finding my “so bad, it’s good” movie, I ended up taking a detour this time.

Overall score: 7 out of 10

Have you seen Tarzan in Manhattan? Which adaptation of the Tarzan story is your favorite? Please tell me in the comment section!

Have fun at the movies!

Sally Silverscreen

Comparing with the Critics – 1976 – Introduction

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

In the 1970s, when Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert’s show was called Opening Soon…at a Theater Near You and then Sneak Previews, there were no separate episodes for the year’s best and worst movies. Instead, one episode would show Ebert and Siskel devoting most of their time to talking about the best films of a given year. In the last few minutes of that episode, Siskel and Ebert would briefly mention some of their choices for the year’s worst titles. The first episode of any iteration of Ebert and Siskel’s show premiered in late November, 1975. That made 1976 the first year to receive a year-end episode of the best and worst movies. This is an interesting coincidence, as Network became the first movie I reviewed for my Comparing with the Critics series. For worst of 1976, I didn’t have many films to choose from due to the episode’s limited selection. But after seeing which pictures Siskel and Ebert selected, I chose Gable and Lombard as the Worst of 1976. As I already said in this introduction, I reviewed Network. That movie was picked as the Best of 1976.

Comparing with the Critics banner created by me, Sally Silverscreen. TV show title cards created by WTTW National Productions, WTTW, Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), Lifetime Television, Tribune Entertainment, Buena Vista Television, and Disney-ABC Domestic Television

Sunset Over Hope Valley: Making Everything Seem Possible

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In Elizabeth’s opening monologue in this When Calls the Heart episode, Elizabeth says Fiona “makes everything seem possible”. Looking back on Fiona’s time on this show, there’s truth to Elizabeth’s statement. Ever since her debut in season six, Fiona has accomplished whatever she’s set her mind to. She has helped bring telephone technology to Hope Valley, started her own business, and even assisted Rosemary with her radio show. Fiona has also been a friend to lean on, a provider of advice, and a contributing member of Hope Valley. Fiona is just one example of how the show’s characters have found success not only in Hope Valley, but in the world of When Calls the Heart. In fact, I can’t think of a character on this show who hasn’t received a success story. I haven’t read the books this series is based on. However, I would assume some of the overarching themes in those books are achieving personal success and accomplishing goals.

Just a reminder: If you did not see this episode of When Calls the Heart, there will be spoilers within this re-cap.

When Calls the Heart season twelve poster created by Hallmark Media, Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Channel

Season: 12

Episode: 7

Name: Dance the Night Away

Major stories:

Elizabeth surprises Nathan with tickets to Buster Keaton’s new movie! So, the pair travel to the city to embark on their adventure. After enjoying the movie, Nathan and Elizabeth cross paths with Toddy Davis, who still believes Nathan is an estate dealer named Danny. When Toddy’s wife, Trudy, approaches the group, she invites Elizabeth and Nathan to a party she and Toddy are hosting that night. Keeping up the appearance of Danny and his wife, Diane, Nathan and Elizabeth accept the invitation. At the Davis’ party, Elizabeth and Nathan make up their relationship’s backstory as they go along. As Elizabeth and Nathan talk about “their song”, Trudy encourages them to sing it. So, the pair effortlessly perform “their song” in front of the party guests. Before Elizabeth and Nathan leave, Toddy offers Nathan some gold pocket watches with a double-headed bird on them. Toddy claims the watches came from a rancher who passed away the previous year. Nathan tells Toddy he’ll check in with his “buyer”.

After seeing a performance of The Importance of Being Earnest in Cape Fullerton, Rosemary is inspired to host her own presentation of that play. She recruits some of Hope Valley’s residents to fill each role. One eager participant is Ava. One evening, at rehearsal, Ava presents her knowledge of the play by reciting some lines from the script. She claims she performed The Importance of Being Earnest at her boarding school in Maryland. Surprised by Ava’s acting experience, Rosemary puts her in charge of the prop department. Ever since Ava came to Hope Valley, Rosemary hasn’t liked her. That evening, after rehearsal, Rosemary shares with Lee how she thinks Ava is too dramatic. Lee reminds his wife how she was once known for being too dramatic and how there’s no one like her. Eventually, Rosemary decides to give Ava a part in her production.

Theater seats image created by weatherbox at freeimages.com. “FreeImages.com/weatherbox.”

Minor stories:

While hiking in the forest, Oliver and Allie discover an unclaimed pasture. This discovery inspires the duo present their findings to Lucas. Allie and Oliver propose a solution for the cows to roam and the salmon to spawn. Lucas actually likes their idea, believing it could be the best of both worlds. He even presents the idea to Edie. She encourages Lucas to draft a proposal for the idea to, at least, be considered. But later in the episode, during a card game, Edie tells him to forget the unclaimed pasture even exists. When Lucas asks her why, Edie says it’s lawyer/client confidentiality. Not happy with this response, he ends the card game early.

Fiona receives an offer for her barber shop. Before she can accept the offer, Fiona needs to check with her business partner, Mr. Weaver, first. While she’s waiting for Mr. Weaver’s approval, Mei pays Fiona a visit at the barber shop. Sensing Fiona may be sacrificing her own happiness, Mei reminds her friend how she has a spark and must follow it. After hearing this advice, Fiona gets the call from Mr. Weaver approving of the barber shop’s offer. A few moments later, a sold sign to put on the barber shop’s door.

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Some thoughts to consider:

  • As I said in this re-cap, Elizabeth and Nathan play the roles of Diane and Danny. What works in their favor is how no one at the party knew who they were. But I find it hard to believe no one recognized Elizabeth, especially after she became an author. Elizabeth’s book about living in Hope Valley drew Ava to visit the town for herself. She even recognized Elizabeth the moment they met. It’s unknown if Elizabeth’s book was a bestseller in the world of When Calls the Heart. If her book or even her project-based learning lesson plans bring her any amount of celebrity status, the idea of Elizabeth being unrecognizable seems unrealistic.
  • Season twelve of When Calls the Heart is now a little past the half-way point. At this time, Hearties are no closer to learning the truth about Ava, as her story has just given them more questions. I understand the show’s creative team need to keep their audience invested in the story throughout the season. But I’m worried all this build-up may lead to an underwhelming reveal of who Ava truly is. This, kind of, feels reminiscent of how Mei’s story was drawn-out back in season nine.
  • In this re-cap, I mentioned Fiona selling her barber shop. While it’s sad to see a beloved Hope Valley business sold, I wonder what the fate of the barber shop will be? Will it remain as a barber shop or become a completely different establishment? With Elizabeth and Nathan going to the movies and Rosemary producing a play, could this be foreshadowing Hope Valley finally receiving a theater?
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What are your thoughts on this episode? What new business would you like to see in Hope Valley? Tell me in the comment section!

Have fun in Hope Valley!

Sally Silverscreen