What’s Wrong With Corny?
by John Nolte
This clip is from a 1953 film called Small Town Girl. The dancer, and he was a marvelous dancer, is Bobby Van. Had Van been been born in 1918 instead of 1928 he’d probably be a household name today. Unfortunately, just as he came of age, the old-fashioned, MGM musical he was so perfect for had already peaked. Some of you might remember Van as the affable host of Make Me Laugh, a late seventies, syndicated game show, but if you really want to see the promise of the man rent Kiss Me Kate (1953).
We marvel, and rightly so, at Scorsese’s impressive tracking shots in Goodfellas (1990), but it’s worth pointing that as Ray Liotta and Lorraine Bracco enter that nightclub they’re not jumping up and down. When you consider all the elements that had to come perfectly together in order to pull off Van’s joyous hop through an idealized small town, all done in long takes, it’s a reminder that putting a smile on the face of your audience is no easy thing. Corny can be hard, harder than than even irony or nihilism.
Maybe Van’s hippity-hop number doesn’t appeal to everyone, but I’ll bet it appeals to most. And it’s not about the number itself, but the extraordinary talent that went into creating the way it makes you feel.
We don’t have to miss corny because it’s available on the magic of DVD and Turner Classic Movies for the asking, but watching this little number from this little movie makes some of us feel the way we haven’t in a movie theatre in a long time. Join me in making “corny” the new “irony.”
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42 Comments
I think the preference for “irony” over “corny” is an issue related to Dallas Jenkins recent post on the lack of religous faith in today’s Hollywood.
“Cool” is preferable to “Good”. What a horrible thing for friends in the media to find out that you’re impressed by an ability to dance or sing or by simple acts of faith.
Smirking beats a soft shoe or an act of kindness every time in that crowd.
It’s a frivolity buoyed by jolliness, that good humor that’s utterly convinced of beauty and goodness in the world.
First, doesn’t Marley qualify as corny? It may not be quality corn, but it’s in the same realm. As for Van, I’d suggest the timing of his birth was less a problem than the brilliance of a man born about the same time as he was, Donald O’Connor. (It’s easy to imagine Van showing up for an audition and muttering, “Gads, O’Connor again??”)
Not to mention the cardiovascular fitness required to pull that off! To anyone that doubts me, try hopping like that up 1 flight of stairs in your home, once. Have an oxygen tank nearby.
John,
I agree completely on the “corny” as the new “irony” idea. Like most university-educated folk, I was REALLY into nihilistic irony in my late teens/early 20s…until I noticed that the joke was on me. While I was sitting around smugly looking down on the “blissfully ignorant conformist posers,” I was personally miserable. Eventually, I came to the realization that happiness did not always mean ignorance, and having a group of good-humored friends did not equal “conformity.”
I also became a conservative at this time, and realized that experience, humility, and maturity will teach you that while there is horrible injustice and cruelty in the world, you only get one life and you are the only person who controls if it is a happy and meaningful one.
…and happy, kind people make more friends and have a greater positive impact on the world than miserable twats like Rosie O’Donnell.
…this is also why Neal Diamond concerts STILL outdraw Marilyn Manson (or whomever the “edgy” artiste du jour is)
As someone whose favorite TV channel is TCM, I feel qualified to say that what is badly missing from today’s movies — and what Bobby Van so admirably demonstrates in the delightful (and underrated) Small Town Girl — is sheer joie de vivre. Innocent joy is no longer cool. My elementary school aged children have already been socialized to understand that pleasure in small things labels them as geeks and nerds, and that they’d better get sophisticated and quickly, too.
I’m fighting the tide by enticing my kids into watching the That’s Entertainment movies (all three), and exposing them to an endless supply of classic American music from the 30s through the 50s. If they have to be surrounded by Britney, and Miley and whatever else, at least let them know Ella and Bing, too.
Great post, and a great clip!
Did you know that Bobby Van opened a steak house back on 1969? Seems that he could be found there most of the time, playing the piano to entertain guests.
James
ULP! After looking into it further, it appears that the Bobby Van who opened the steak house was a different Bobby Van who is the subject of your post.
Gee, how many entertainers named Bobby Van have come out of the New York area, anyway? At least two, it would seem.
James
For whatever it’s worth, electronica artist Goldfrapp made a music video that is either an homage or rip-off (depending on your point of view) to this scene:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=So93Iny2HWI
I had no idea there was a precedent until I saw your post, John. Thanks.
Wow, that was amazing. I also realized that the British duo Golfrapp did a remake of this number for their video ‘Happiness’. I originally thought ‘ripoff’ but maybe it’s an homage.
Let’s not forget Peter Wolf and the “Come as You Are” video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gkxRNmnC1Y
Bookworm said: “’m fighting the tide by enticing my kids into watching the That’s Entertainment movies (all three)”
Me, too, with my grands! Just sent this clip to my very talented, theatrical 13 y/o granddaughter.
That’s what’s missing from today’s movies – just sheer joy and love of life! I do miss the old movies.
What no hat tip from me, John? I “reminded” you of this clip yesterday. Well you probably already had it in the queue for today anyway.
Bitter? I’m not bitter.
Throw in kids and dogs (twice!) and you really see how hard that take must have been.
In its original, purely technical sense, “sophisticated” means “diluted” — by extension, “impure”.
So sophistication is, in more ways than one, the exact opposite of innocence.
Wonderful! Also wonderful was that small town….boy am I missing those years when I was growing up. When people seemed more honest and loyal to their country, not so greedy that they would wreck our economy, as now, just for more power and money.
I want to be entertained if I go to a theatre, not preached to. That’s why I usually just go to certain sci-fi and animated films now…although that new “When the Earth stood still”, was a promo for global warming….bet Al Gore wrote it.
I remember this being showcased in That’s Entertainment (1 or 2) with the commentator marveling at the brilliance of the scene and the athleticism of the dancer. I think if the average person tried this for over, say, 5 seconds, they wouldn’t have a smile on their face, but a grimace like they were trying to pass a bowling ball out of their nether regions.
This is fantastic. I first saw Bobby Van in the musical re-make of Lost Horizon in the 70’s. I became an instant fan. I remember, as a kid, being absolutely frightened by the film, but loving the musical numbers.
Corny isn’t really corny when it’s done well, but as you said, it’s a lot of hard work. And there’s one thing I’ve learned, Hollywood these days is all about the path of least resistance. No one seems truly dedicated to their work enough to pull off the good corn.
I think irony has become the default mode in modern entertainment, hell we have comedians whose whole career is based on giving sly ironic looks to the camera as they read off headlines. It’s become boring, and I think we’re going to see a boom in interest among the young over classic movies, just because they’re so different from what’s being dished out today.
If corny movies are ones I can watch with children of any age, they can’t be all bad. Like most dog movies.
I remember watching watching It Happened One Night with my daughter and thinking how grateful I was that I didn’t have to hit the mute button.
“Corny” = sincerity and authenticity. Irony is inauthentic. What’s ironic is that Left H-wood is skeptical when it comes to real emotions over traditional subjects — God, family, country, et al. They get corny over the environment, minority victimology and “narrative”, etc. We need to get back to being ironic about the things the Left is corny about.
Let me echo Bookworm. There’s a joyfulness at the heart of this scene – and in countless other movies of this vintage – that simply isn’t captured in today’s movies.
Glorious clip – Thank you! I’ll be back for more.
I think I’m going to love this blog. I adopted the philosophy in my twenties–though I’ll confess it’s not always easy to maintain–that I’d choose optimism over pessimism just because the alternative sucked. My favorite films are those that align to that compass. (This touches on Orson Bean’s “cinema heroes” entry from earlier today as well.) Joy is a wonderful thing, but hard to teach. You just have to show it, and this clip does it. Most dancing from the golden era of Hollywood, regardless of style, does. My wife and I have the goal of instilling as much of that into our kids as possible. The fact that they still like to watch, at ages 8 and 7, The Sound of Music and Singing in the Rain, implies that some of it is sticking. Kids know fun and happiness when they see it, and introduced early and in the right environment, will continue to want it. Here’s hoping we can make that continue on through adolescence and adulthood.
Thank you much, Mr. Breitbart, for Big Hollywood. You’re already a daily stop. As a budding filmmaker whose goal is precisely the subject of Orson Bean’s post and this one, I’ll be sharing the love.
That was delightful! My hammies ache just watching Bobby dance through town. Thanks for the post.
You morons. The whole reason naive, undiluted “joy” is scoffed at these days is because no intelligent, informed adult could possibly look at the world we live in and rationally respond with any kind of uncomplicated joyful sentiment. This type of thing only signifies naivete, infantile wish-fulfillment/childish escapism, intellectual cowardice, and willful ignorance.
Also, people really need to stop talking about irony when they clearly have no idea what it is.
JIF… it’s called “entertainment”. Your ad hominem says more about your outlook than all your other words (”put together” as Lena Lamont would say).
What is wrong with healthy escapism? I’m sure we could go to your house for the latest sermon on how crappy everything is, but why would I pay $10 to hear that? Entertain me entertainer. I care not for your political views much less a sermon delivered in a maudlin, self-righteous tone. Be funny clown! Dance dancer! Shut up and sing singer!
There’s obviously a place for social commentary in the arts, but the self-righteousness of it all and the never ending irony is really amateurish. When irony is one color on the palette it’s effective. When it’s the only color used — it ceases being art and becomes one-dimensional claptrap.
And please Mr. Webster — define “irony” for us. Be specific so we may bask in your sincere and authentic and in no way ironic intelligence.
Whew, that was great…reminded me of how we used to be entertained, pure and refreshing.
Jiff,
Please refer to my post above. Then reflect on your own life and the people that surround you.
How often do you honestly give people compliments, because you know it will make their day better?
How often do you thank people for “going the extra mile” on your behalf? Does anyone ever do that for you? If not, then you can chalk it up to your bitter, jaded view of humanity.
Being bitter and jaded doesn’t make you smarter or more insightful than anybody else, it just shows that you approach life looking for what could go wrong, and you probably get some satisfaction when it does.
From a purely physiological sense, being jaded is idiotic. It stunts your social networking and thus social status which greatly hampers your career and relationship success, and it has been shown repeatedly to shorten your lifespan.
But hey, you sure showed us!!
Spiro: The benefit of becoming a pessimist (and I should know) is that there are no more unpleasant surprises.
Unbelievable. Exhibit ‘A’ as to one of the reasons for the way things are today. People find pleasure in something innocent, straightforward and sincere and it moves a person, not to argue the merits of the entertainment, not to make a case against the premise of the article or for a different point of view. No, it moves a person to label anyone who was entertained as a ‘moron’.
I got the feeling that JIF is not just the typical website hand-grenade artist, but was really made angry by the delighted response of the comments to this clip. Why? Well, I’m not a shrink and I’m not really very smart. I also have no desire to do the ad hominen thing, but I think it’s cowardice. The irony brigade hide fear behind cynicism, self-doubt behind the all-knowing smile. Seeing others revel in what is sincere exposes, in their own mirror, the fancy mask they paint for themselves. Anger is sure to follow.
Sorry, that should have been ‘the all-knowing SMIRK’. A smile is too authentic and sincere. I have just proved myself to be the moron I was accused of being. Oh well.
Spot on, John!
I recently posted an item over on The Book Den (http://thebookden.blogspot.com/2008/12/again-with-schmaltz.html) that defended the same point (I used the word “schmaltz” rather than “corny” but incorporating the same things: wholesomeness, heart-stirring emotion, fortunate coincidences, happy endings, talent, etc.) In particular I declared devotedly against the cynical, unobservant snobs who argue that such pleasant things do not exist in real life.
They do.
It is only in modern art (literature and music included) that “schmaltz” has died. Everywhere else, at least for well-balanced people, it is alive and very well. Indeed, if your life occurs outside the pages of Hollywood cynicism or the angst of Philosophy 101, then it’s clear that schmaltz is occurring all around you: in your travels; in your love life, in your interactions with children and animals and nature; in many of your everyday experiences.
So why be embarrassed to admit you like a little schmaltz in your movies and novels too?
What a relief to find I am not alone! for quite some time now I have argued that nothing has ever been solved by the nihilist or cynic (i.e., ‘hipsters’). Progress depends on the idealist and optimist (i.e., ’squares’).
Squares won WWII and put a man on the Moon. Hipsters have accomplished nothing except the decline of society in all areas.
Wasn’t it the optimists and the idealists who thought they could invade Iraq to spread democracy and that they’d be greeted by cheering crowds? Wasn’t it the optimists and idealists who believed that real estate prices would keep going up forever, that our economy could keep growing exponentially forever?
The world needs more cynicism, not less. Read a history book. It’s always the people with good intentions, who think they embody positivity, idealism, and decency, who are screwing everything up.
And yes, I’m talking about all of you people.
Jiffy… Really? Those idealistic bastards like the Founders, anti-slavery forces in Britain and the U.S.? The Salvation Army? Martin Luther King, Jr.? Those good intentions?
Why don’t you read any book and open your eyes? Mao, Stalin, Hitler, Pol Pot — the forces of “Utopia” have killed nearly 100 million people in the 20th c.
Anybody else get the feeling that Paul Reubens saw “Small Town Girl,” and patterned his Pee Wee Herman character just a bit after Bobby Van?
Nihilists by definition believe in nothing and a cynic is a “man who knows the cost of everything and the value of nothing”. In other words, their combined contribution has added nothing to the progress of mankind.
Sure, every once in a while they get to say “I told you so” but that’s not because they are being constructive and helpful. They suffer from schadenfreude; they are the people who cheer when a person tries and fails.
The saddest thing about them is that they have taken to their philosophies out of fear. They are afraid that, if they personally try and fail, they will not be able to live with themselves out of shame. Well, they should learn from Babe Ruth who was not only a record holding home-run hitter but he also struck out more than any player in his era.
The following quotation from Teddy Roosevelt says it all quite well.
Teddy Roosevelt – To the Man in the Arena
It is not the critic who counts, nor the man who points how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly…who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at best, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat. — Theodore Roosevelt, 1910.
marvelous! just marvelous! (big smile)
Peter, reading your quote reminded me of the people who don’t vote but are always the first to complain.
And Jiffy, thanks for managing to drag the war and the economy into a thread about an entertainer dancing in the street in a film made 36 years ago. Way to contribute!
Wow. I bet his knees hurt after that. I’ve never been a big fan of Kiss Me, Kate, but I’ll have to re-watch it to catch this performer.
“And Jiffy, thanks for managing to drag the war and the economy into a thread about an entertainer dancing in the street in a film made 36 years ago. Way to contribute!” Traffic Cop, don’t you know that EVERYTHING’S WRONG ALL THE TIME?!?! A fact which we would not know if people like Jiffy didn’t tell us every chance they get.
Everything being wrong, everything being political, and all discourse being hateful and reductive is what drove me to conservatism. I also find myself disagreeing with liberals the minute they start talking, simply because they’re such obnoxious boors. And bores.
Sadly, about the only place one can find joie de vivre in films today is in ones from Pixar and maybe every fourth Disney kids’ flick.
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