Post by lune7000 on Sept 2, 2021 22:19:31 GMT
Sometimes a formula just works
Titanic, as everyone knows, is the top (inflation adjusted) box office draw in 1997 and one of the all time biggest hits. Folks are probably less aware of the success of Maytime (1937) which came in fourth that year (the juggernaut then was Snow White)
www.ultimatemovierankings.com/1937-top-box-office-movies/
Though of completely different eras the two movies have a remarkable number of similarities due to storyline. The basic frame is the extended flashback which begins with an old woman recalling youthful adventures. In both, the return to the present at the end of the movie brings final developments that bring a completion to their life story (death in Maytime, the sinking of the Heart of the Ocean in Titanic). Both films are endued with a sense of loss resulting from fateful life decisions. In each, the listeners of the tale consists of younger people who reflect on their own life as a result.
The similarities extend to the details of story. In each case, a coveted young women is established and well off in some way. She is supposed to marry an equally well off man she really doesn't love but, inconveniently falls for an enterprising upstart of lesser means and spends time with the economic "other half". The result is that her life path is changed- she experiences a fall from society and into obscurity (this takes longer in Maytime). It gets worse: her true love is quickly killed such that, in the end, all that was gained are a few dear memories (in Maytime the lover is quickly removed but later killed). Time passes and life moves on, but the sense is that the rest of her days are a shadow of those few peak moments with true love. Each women moves to a second life and the earlier adventure becomes something of a secret which surprises acquaintances.
There are many differences of course but the gist of the plot and the feeling of loss are essentially the same. Some of the difference are interesting as they show cultural changes after 60 years. The overall feeling of Titanic is wistful and tragic. All that is left in the end is a wonderful memory of a lover at the foot of the great stairs- a retreat into a magic moment, a retreat into the past. Maytime comes from a time period where religious convictions assume a happier ending as the two lovers are reunited in the spiritual world to finally enjoy heaven together (and sing a duet!) In addition, the story in Maytime leads to a partial happy ending as it saves the relationship of a young couple. In each movie, it's all about following your heart (which will go on).
Both movies share a plot formula that is a gold plated cash machine if done well.
Titanic, as everyone knows, is the top (inflation adjusted) box office draw in 1997 and one of the all time biggest hits. Folks are probably less aware of the success of Maytime (1937) which came in fourth that year (the juggernaut then was Snow White)
www.ultimatemovierankings.com/1937-top-box-office-movies/
Though of completely different eras the two movies have a remarkable number of similarities due to storyline. The basic frame is the extended flashback which begins with an old woman recalling youthful adventures. In both, the return to the present at the end of the movie brings final developments that bring a completion to their life story (death in Maytime, the sinking of the Heart of the Ocean in Titanic). Both films are endued with a sense of loss resulting from fateful life decisions. In each, the listeners of the tale consists of younger people who reflect on their own life as a result.
The similarities extend to the details of story. In each case, a coveted young women is established and well off in some way. She is supposed to marry an equally well off man she really doesn't love but, inconveniently falls for an enterprising upstart of lesser means and spends time with the economic "other half". The result is that her life path is changed- she experiences a fall from society and into obscurity (this takes longer in Maytime). It gets worse: her true love is quickly killed such that, in the end, all that was gained are a few dear memories (in Maytime the lover is quickly removed but later killed). Time passes and life moves on, but the sense is that the rest of her days are a shadow of those few peak moments with true love. Each women moves to a second life and the earlier adventure becomes something of a secret which surprises acquaintances.
There are many differences of course but the gist of the plot and the feeling of loss are essentially the same. Some of the difference are interesting as they show cultural changes after 60 years. The overall feeling of Titanic is wistful and tragic. All that is left in the end is a wonderful memory of a lover at the foot of the great stairs- a retreat into a magic moment, a retreat into the past. Maytime comes from a time period where religious convictions assume a happier ending as the two lovers are reunited in the spiritual world to finally enjoy heaven together (and sing a duet!) In addition, the story in Maytime leads to a partial happy ending as it saves the relationship of a young couple. In each movie, it's all about following your heart (which will go on).
Both movies share a plot formula that is a gold plated cash machine if done well.