Top 5 Simpsons Episodes of Season 3

Season 3 is when it starts to get good. Many Simpsons fans consider this season to be the best. I’m not one of them. I think the show continues to mature in later seasons. Wouldn’t that be kind of depressing if Season 3 was the end all and be all? Don’t get me wrong, I love these episodes. I spent my childhood watching these in syndication ad nauseum. I’m still not sick of ‘em. So, here is the long awaited list of my Top 5 Simpsons Episodes of Season 3.

Rank: 5

Episode: Radio Bart (3-13)

Synopsis: Bart uses a microphone to trick Springfield into thinking a little boy fell down a well, and then later falls down it himself.

Comments: So, Bart is kind of a little shit. If I ever reproduce, I pray that I'm not bestowed with a child like him. Of course, that would be just my luck. And hopefully years of watching The Simpsons would equip me for such an atrocity. Anyway, this is one of my favorite Bart episodes because it shows several sides of his personality, such as being a little shit...and being proud of it. I love when he's trapped in the well and he mourns never being able to "smoke a cigarette or shave a dirty word in his hair." So Bart isn't Timmy O'Toole and thank God because I wouldn't like him and I don't think America would have liked him either. Plus the plot is ironic and irony is always good.

Quote: "I called my good friend Sting. He said, "Krusty, when do you need me?" I said, "Thursday." He said, "I'm busy Thursday." I said, "What about Friday?" He said, "Friday's worse than Thursday. Then he said, "How about Saturday?" I said, "Fine." True story!" - Krusty the Klown.
Rank: 4

Episode: Homer Alone (3-15)

Synopsis: Marge goes a on a mini vacation alone, leaving Homer with Maggie and Bart and Lisa with Patty and Selma.

Comments: I like this episode for the same reasons The Empire Strikes Back and The Two Towers are my favorite movies of their respective trilogies: I like that the story is split into three mini stories. First we have Marge who is exhausted from her life as a housewife and she takes solo vacation. All of her scenes are of relaxing, drinking tequila, and watching Thelma & Louise. Homer is home alone with Maggie and struggles to take care of her. She even escapes looking for her mother. And finally, Bart and Lisa are trapped at Patty and Selma's and you know how I love anything Patty and Selma. This isn't an episode that will go on the inevitable, definitive Top 100 lists that will pop up all over the internet whenever the show is canceled. "Marge vs. the Monorail" it is not. But it's one of my favorites.

Quote: Bart: "I'm scared, Lisa."

Lisa: "You think you know fear? Well, I've seen 'em naked!"

Bart: "Waaaauuuuuugh!"

Rank: 3

Episode: Black Widower (3-21)

Synopsis: A seemingly redeemed Sideshow Bob gets out of jail and proposes to Selma, although Bart is still suspicious.

Comments: My reasons for putting this one at number 3, are the same for putting "Krusty Gets Busted" on my Top 5 Episodes of Season 1. They're both good mysteries. Sideshow Bob is awesome. And it's always cool when a ten year old boy can foil an "evil genius". (I put evil genius in quotation marks because Sideshow Bob has never successfully executed one of his diabolical schemes...at least in the 10 episodes he's been featured in). That, and I love Selma's desperation to get married and procreate. (I miss those days, although I'm glad she has Ling now.

Quote: "Tonight on MacGyver...MacGyver...MACGYVER." - T.V. Announcer.

Rank: 2

Episode: Bart the Lover (3-16)

Synopsis: To get back at Mrs. Krabappel, Bart answers her personal ad with a fictitious lover.

Comments: Again, here's Bart being a little shit. This time he's playing with the emotions of a fragile, lonely divorcee because she, took his yoyo and gives him a month of detention. Anyway, this episode is a little pedophiliac...and depressing. But I like Mrs. Krapabbel and knowing her future relationship with Skinner makes it a little more okay. It does get better for her. Bart's letters to her are very good for a fourth grader. P.S. I love the swear jar B story.

Quote: "Maybe it's the beer talking Marge but you got a butt that won't quit. They got those big chewy pretzels here merJanthfgrr five dollars??!!!? Get outta here..." - Homer's postcard to Marge.

Rank: 1

Episode: Colonel Homer (3-20)

Synopsis: After a fight with Marge, Homer meets a beautiful aspiring country singer who sets her sights on him.

Comments: What is it with me and the romance episodes? I'm a little ashamed. (In future posts, it only gets worse). Part of the entertainment comes from Homer's total ignorance/denial of sexy Lurleen's interest in him. As far as the ladies go, Homer is no prize pig so of course he would remain oblivious. Marge probably assumes that no other woman would ever want him since he is so...um...unique. But when another woman comes along, Marge is ill-prepared to deal with competition.  She fails to make Homer realize the danger of the situation and also threatens Lurleen by pettily introducing herself as "Mrs. Homer Simpson." Of course, Marge wins in the end and Homer relinquishes his title as Lurleen's manager. One of the sexiest scenes of the series occurs when Homer slowly undresses as Lurleen sings "Stand By Your Manager."  Also, I love the music. Sorry to take the suspense out of a future post, but "Bunk With Me Tonight" is my favorite original Simpsons song. But you'll have to wait for said post to read why.

Quote: Marge: "All our money's tied up in the woman. If she fails, we're broke. If she succeeds, I have no husband. I don't know what to root for."

Patty: "You don't?"

Wuthering Heights (1970)

Year: 1970
Rated: G in the United States, A/PG in the UK.
Run Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes

Tagline - The power, the passion, the terror of Emily Bronte's unforgettable love story.

First Viewing - December, 2007 on DVD.

Adaptation Accuracy/Dialogue - Following in the footsteps of WH ' 39, 1970's version only tells of the first generation but it does so in a rather strange way. Whereas most versions whisk over Hindley Earnshaw's downward spiral, or make it a secondary plot point, this adaptation treats it almost as equally as the main love story while underplaying the characters of Edgar and Isabella Linton.

From the beginning, the movie takes a more sympathetic look at Hindley. For some reason never explained, (in the book as well as this movie) his father detests him and thinks he's not nearly as good as Heathcliff. This hatred is somewhat unmerited when Hindey's tutor tells Mr. Earnshaw that his son would benefit from going to college since he is (apparently) a very good student. Earnshaw sends him off, mostly to get him out of his hair.

After this, the plot pretty much goes along normally with Hindley returning with Frances and then becoming a drunken wastrel after her death. Heathcliff buys the Heights and feeds Hindley's addiction while wooing Isabella and torturing Cathy. Controversially, (at least to me), Hindley actually succeeds in his revenge plan by shooting Heathcliff shortly after his sister's death. Heathcliff chases her ghost and finally dies. His spirit is then shown running off with Cathy. Then the credits roll, so we can assume that Hindley remains the owner of Wuthering Heights and Heathcliff's revenge plan is foiled.

As far as framing goes, WH '70 begins at Cathy's funeral where Heathcliff observes from a distance. It then cuts back a few years with Nelly's narration and forgoes Lockwood. There is some character accuracies/inaccuracies that I'll go into further below. The dialogue is semi-faithful...probably C level. Most notably, the "I am Heathcliff" scene is very underplayed and treated like any other scene.

Heathcliff - (Timothy Dalton, age 26) Out of all the Heathcliffs I've seen, Timothy Dalton is probably the youngest looking. He is one of the youngest actors to play him as well. Although it shouldn't be that big of a factor, physical embodiment of the character is at least half the role. (I mean, you wouldn't cast Tobey Maguire as Heathcliff, even if he could personify all of the right looks and actions and vocal inflections, would you now?) Where most Heathcliffs thrive after they've traded in their stable boy rags for velvet overcoats, Dalton is best as an unrefined heathen. Age again? I don't know. You can see for yourself that although Dalton is young, he is not baby faced and would be considered "ruggedly handsome." Amazingly, Timothy Dalton has also played Mr. Rochester from Jane Eyre, Rhett Butler in Gone With the Wind's sequel Scarlett and 007 himself, James Bond so you would think he would be able to channel the snarky sophistication gentleman Heathcliff is known for.

Cathy Earnshaw - (Anna Calder-Marshall, age 23) Like Angela Scoular in WH '67, Anna Calder-Marshall portrays Cathy as young and immature, but with less motivation or thought. Plus, she has a weird way of pronouncing things and a high pitched voice. Like Dalton, Calder-Marshall has the right kind of youthful look often absent from Wuthering Heights adaptations but still looks like a woman in her 20's vs. a girl in her teens. This Cathy is irritating, possibly the most irritating due to her weird character choices.

Edgar Linton - (Ian Ogilvy, age 27) How is it that Edgar keeps getting the shaft? He is one of the most important characters in WH, and one of the few that survives both generations. But again, here he is as a plot device rather than an active character with feelings. Still, I enjoy some of his scenes such as the one right after Heathcliff leaves and when he brings Cathy flowers while she is ill. Then again Ogilvy isn't really into his role, it appears, but look what he has to work with!

Isabella Linton - (Hilary Heath Dwyer, age 25) This is the least sympathetic Isabella ever. I must say, that's certainly a change. Usually Heathcliff is shown entirely to blame for "seducing" Isabella into a seemingly romantic marriage. But Isabella is shown not as a lonely sheltered princess, but as a whiny spoiled brat. Since I have no sympathy for her, I almost look forward to Heathcliff's abuse of her.

Hindley Earnshaw - (Julian Glover, age 35) In the only version of Wuthering Heights to mildly concentrate on Hindley, you would hope that his characterization would be more in depth than previous versions. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but it's nothing special. Yes, there is more of him, but he really doesn't develop any. From his drunken stupor, we don't see him realize the error of his ways, rise from the ashes and calculate on killing Heathcliff. He just does it. It's like a weird alternate world where the story ends suddenly. A "what if" version, if you will. So what if Hindley killed Heathcliff? Does he remain owner of the Heights or does he lose ownership to someone else because of his alcoholism?

Frances Earnshaw - (Morag Hood, age 28) There's definitely more Frances in this one. We actually have a scene after Hareton's birth. Usually they jump straight to Hindley drowning his sorrows with a motherless baby crying the background. Frances is shown sympathetically and likable, as she should be, but there isn't much of a window into her character.

Nelly Dean - (Judy Cornwall, age 30) Nelly is my favorite part of this whole movie. Finally, she is shown as young and as involved in the story. Some readers (such as yours truly) have romantically linked Nelly to Hindley. That is inescapable in this version. Although never referred to through dialogue, it's done through looks and expression (and Cathy excitedly and knowingly announcing Hindley's return to Nelly). Nelly narrates that she is the only one who misses him when he leaves for college. When he returns from school, she is nervous about seeing him and wants to look her best. Of course, her romantic dreams are smashed when Frances is revealed. Insult is added to injury when she, along with Joseph and Heathcliff are sent to live above the stables. And then Nelly has to take care of Hareton after Frances dies. The scene between the two of them is touching. After Nelly moves to the Grange with Cathy, her romantic feelings for Hindley are never touched upon again and sadly, her character's importance is also diminished. One has to wonder what happens in this version with Hindley still alive...

Joseph - (Aubrey Woods) Joseph is Joseph.

Costumes/Character Appearances -Again, 1780's costumes are used, but they are not terribly fancy and seem to have 70's fabric. Everyone looks fairly fitting to their character with Hindley being the only one I think is too old physically and he should have dark brown hair like Cathy.

Sets/Filming Locations - As good as to be expected.

Music - This is a Golden Globe nominated score, a first and only for Wuthering Heights adaptations. And yes, it is good, in a 70's kind of way. I actually own it on record. The main theme is hauntingly and good for Wuthering Heights, however the other motifs are weak.

Overall Likes - Nelly's youth; Nelly's unrequited love for Hindley; Heathcliff and Cathy's appearances; The music; Mrs. Earnshaw's suspicion of Heathcliff being her husband's bastard; The scene with the mud; "I'll give him something you have not known!"; Heathcliff chasing Cathy's ghost.

Overall Dislikes - Cathy's whiny voice; Edgar and Isabella too different; Hindley attacking the random maid; Too many servants (yeah, I know it's accurate); The "I am Heathcliff" scene outside; Heathcliff and Cathy making out with a branch; Heathcliff requesting a tumble from Isabella; Heathcliff running around with the fire poker; Hindley killing Heathcliff.

Final Thoughts - Like I said, Nelly is my favorite part of this version. If she had been portrayed as an older woman like in all the other versions, it would probably be my least favorite. It has good parts, but not many. With the single generation adaptations, I can't help but wonder why they don't spend more time on Hindley, Frances, Edgar, Isabella, and Nelly. Focusing on Heathcliff and Cathy is a problem with all versions, but at least the ones with the second generation have a time crunch excuse.

There is a particular scene where Cathy and Heathcliff's affair turns from just emotional to physical. The two make out in a wooded area for a good three minutes until they are interrupted by Isabella. I don't really care for it when sex is brought into the story. Cathy's a bitch but I don't think she actually commit adultery. Also the forced romance of the scene is laughable.

It did get me thinking about "what if" versions of Wuthering Heights though. What if Isabella refused to marry Heathcliff? What if Heathcliff didn't leave after hearing it would degrade Cathy to marry him? What if Cathy and Edgar weren't married when Heathcliff returned? What if Hindley didn't turn to booze and raised his son properly? What if Mr. Earnshaw treated all his children equally? Theories are springing up in my mind, but then the story simply would not be Wuthering Heights.

P.S. WH '70 has the best movie posters...

Turkey

Japan

Wuthering Heights (1967)

Year: 1967

Rated: NR (PG)

Run Time: 3 hours, 20 minutes 

First Viewing - Fall, 2009 on DVD.

Adaptation Accuracy/Dialogue - At 3 hours and 20 minutes, how could it not be accurate? Well, certainly compared to WH '39 and other versions, it is. This version is a BBC miniseries split into four 50 minute episodes. The story covers both generations, spending the first two sections on the exploits of Heathcliff, Cathy, Edgar, Isabella, and Hindley, and the last two sections on Hareton, Catherine, and Linton.

Interestingly, WH '67 goes in chronological order, beginning not with Lockwood's arrival, but with Mr. Earnshaw bringing Heathcliff to Wuthering Heights. Several versions cut Lockwood out, so I was surprised to see him pop up in the fourth episode, near the end of everything. I rather liked it. His appearance was as shocking to me as it was to the inhabitants at the Heights.

Finally, a lot of the dialogue is word for word, with the natural exceptions here and there, so that's appreciated. The "I am Heathcliff" scene could have been longer, as could any scenes involving Hindley and Frances. 

Heathcliff -(Ian McShane, age 25) Ian McShane is a fairly rough Heathcliff. As a stable boy, he is too quiet and passive and as a gentleman, there's just something not quite right. He really shines in the second half while being the puppet master of Linton and Hareton. As the movie goes on, his characterization gets stronger and stronger. I can't decide if it's because by the end of filming McShane had a real handle for the character, or if he better understood Heathcliff in that stage of life. 

Cathy Earnshaw - (Angela Scoular, age 22) This is probably my favorite Cathy...or at the very least, the most accurate Cathy. Age has a lot to do with it, methinks. But I also want to believe that Angela Scoular knew that Cathy should be played as a bratty, immature teenager rather than a passionate and dramatic lover. She understood that Cathy isn't a likable character but managed to play her with such passion and accuracy. 

Edgar Linton - (Drewe Henley, age 27) Edgar...meh. There isn't enough Edgar in this one. He's just kind of there as a plot device to keep Cathy and Heathcliff apart and then to produce Catherine. In fact, Edgar doesn't become remotely sympathetic until he is a father and attempting to protect his daughter from Heathcliff's evil plans.  

Isabella Linton - (Angela Douglas, age 27) Isabella, like her brother, is equally forgettable and doesn't have the opportunity to strengthen her character in the second half. Again, she is a means of torturing Cathy and baring Linton. 

Hindley Earnshaw - (William Marlowe, age 35) In comparison to WH '39's Hindley, this one has far more development and motive. Bringing in Frances creates sympathy for him. He's also much more active and involved in the story.  

Frances Earnshaw - (Maureen Beck, age 33) I believe Frances appears in just one scene of this movie, right after Mr. Earnshaw has died and Hindley has returned. Even though she appears in just one scene, her very presence is still better than none. In that one scene, she is perky, yet likable, making us believe that Hindley didn't marry a bitch. 

Nelly Dean - (Anne Stallybrass, age 29) Although Anne Stallybrass is the youngest actress to portray Nelly, she doesn't do much with it. She is introduced as a child, along with Hindley and Cathy (a rarity!) but once everyone is grown, Nelly seems to have aged ten years older than her charges. A personality is never developed. She is a little more feisty when it concerns Cathy's tantrums, but she perpetually suffers from "nursemaid syndrome." 

Hareton Earnshaw - (Keith Buckley, age 26) Hareton is one of my very favorite characters of Wuthering Heights and until this version I had been pleased with every portrayal of him. He is supposed to be rough, temperamental, and uneducated, but never...um, for lack of a better word, retarded. Behind his shy exterior, Hareton is supposed to be intelligent and kind, but this version of him makes him out to be exactly what Catherine thinks he is: a lowly, dumbass stable boy. 

Catherine Linton -(Angela Scoular, age 22) I had always thought WH '92 was the only version to have the same actress play Cathy and Catherine, but I was delighted to see that this version does the same. It also furthers my theory that Angela Scoular knew her characters, as Catherine is played with a refined, yet naive calm that her mother always lacks. 

Linton Heathcliff - (Michael Wennink, age unknown) The actor does a good job of portraying Linton as a simpering, spoiled weakling, but he looks too old to make it believable. He's too masculine as well. Linton should be effeminate.  

Joseph - (John Garrie) This is perhaps the creepiest looking Joseph, and the most menacing. He seems to enjoy carrying out Heathcliff's evil bidding despite being devoutly religious. Therefore, he's probably the most memorable. 

Lockwood - (Jeremy Longhurst) Lockwood appears in voice over at the beginning of each episode to sum up what happened in the previous episode. In fact, I wouldn't know if the narrator was Lockwood if the end credits didn't have Jeremy Longhurst listed as "Lockwood's voice". It's a simple, straight forward recitation with no characteristics of Lockwood. However, in the fourth episode, Lockwood shows up suddenly and plays his part as confused visitor. Since he is usually introduced at the beginning with more important characters, his personality is never developed. In WH '67, Lockwood is Lockwood and not a confused observer. 

Costumes/Character Appearances - Because this is an accurate adaptation, the costumes are from the right era. However, they are quite simplistic but that is to be expected because of the sparse TV production. Heathcliff is dark and not handsome, so thumbs up. One of the issues of having the same actress play Cathy and Catherine is that they are not suppose to resemble one another. Catherine is supposed to be fair haired (which she is in this version) and look more like the Lintons instead of the Earnshaws. Again, ages are an issue, but this film is more forgivable. Both Edgar and Linton are too old and sturdy. 

Sets/Filming Locations - As a TV production, the sets are small and cramped, kind of like a play. In fact, I don't think we ever see and exterior of Thrushcross Grange and for Wuthering Heights, we get only a fuzzy shot.

Music -Interestingly, there is no music. The wind acts entirely as the soundtrack. I wonder if this was simply a cost thing or if the director wanted realism or a constant reminder that we are out on the wild and windy Moors. I like music though and I think it would have helped more than hindered. 

Overall Likes - Dual generations; Angela Scoular's Cathy; Nelly as a little girl; Heathcliff demanding Hindley's horse; Nelly's surprise at Frances; Hindley crying over his wife's death; Nelly not putting up with Cathy's shit; Heathcliff's abuse of Isabella; Heathcliff taunting Hindley while he's dead; Heathcliff in the second half; Lockwood showing up suddenly. 

Overall Dislikes - Black and white; Too simplistic camera shots and production values; Nelly's lack of personality; Too little Frances, Edgar, and Isabella; Hindley demanding to kiss Hareton while he's bathing; Hareton too stupid; Linton too old/strong; Too sudden ending. 

Final Thoughts - Wuthering Heights (1967) has a lot of good qualities and yet several bad ones that are too huge to be ignored, particularly the characterization of Hareton and Linton. Like I said before, Angela Scoular's performance as Cathy is my favorite and by far the strongest part of this movie. 

Since it was originally a miniseries meant to be viewed over the course of a month, and not in one sitting, it does feel a little long and a little slow at times. And it's dated of course. I'm really glad it's been released on DVD though, because I do enjoy having it on in the background while I'm doing my homework. But it's not that entertaining. It's not a good movie...but a good movie adaptation of Wuthering Heights. I wouldn't recommend it for any slumber parties, but for someone who would rather watch a film version than read the actual book for English class.

As you may have noticed, many of the character pictures are not from WH '67 but I still wanted to give a basic idea of the actors' appearances.

Wuthering Heights (1939)

Year: 1939
Rated: NR (Probably PG by today)
Run Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes.

Tagline: I am torn by Desire... tortured by hate!

First Viewing: 2005, Junior year of high school on TCM.

Adaptation Accuracy/Dialogue - The 1939 version of Wuthering Heights is the most famous and considered to be the best. I beg to differ. In fact, I demand to differ. First of all, it only covers the first generation of characters. Hindley never marries Frances (more on that later) therefore, Hareton is never born. Cathy dies of "lack of will to live" and not from complications during childbirth, so no Catherine. Although we see that Heathcliff and Isabella are still together at the beginning of the movie, they appear to have not created Linton.

Since most of the versions fill up two hours of screen time with both generations, this one has to stretch a little, therefore creating fictitious scenes like a ball at Thrushcross Grange. Besides that, for reasons unbeknown to me, a lot of the dialogue is changed instead of being cleaned up for modern audiences. Because Wuthering Heights is in the public domain, there is no reason for this!

Finally, there are a lot of character innacuracies, which I will review individually, but the biggest thing that effects all of them is the ages. Every actor is far older than the character they are playing. This will be a very common complaint in all these reviews because it's an issue in every adaption of WH, but the '39 version is particularly guilty.

Heathcliff (Laurence Olivier, age 32) - Despite being too old, Laurence Olivier is one of my favorite Heathcliffs...and one of the handsomest. Being a classically trained Shakespearean  actor, I think he does better as "refined Heathcliff" after he returns as a wealthy gentleman. Physically, Heathcliff is supposed to be dark skinned and "unattractive" and in my opinion, stable boy Heathcliff is still too attractive...and old...and calm. It would be interesting to see Olivier as Heathcliff in the second generation of events, since he already has the age and refinement going for him.

Cathy Earnshaw (Merle Oberon, age 28) - It's rumored that Vivien Leigh (Laurence Olivier's wife) was up to play Cathy, but she was already cast in another little MGM film called Gone With the Wind. I feel that the chemistry and Vivien Leigh's Englishness would only help this version, but looking back, she probably made the right choice to be in the other movie. Merle Oberon is okay as Cathy. She definitely has the bitchiness down, but with it comes an uptight prissiness that doesn't fit a girl who is supposed to be "half savage and hardy and free." I find her unsympathetic.

Edgar Linton (David Niven, age 29) - This is one of the gentlest Edgars. Gentle without being too big of a pussy, otherwise all sympathy is lost for him. As with all Edgars, you should believe that he truly loves Cathy and Niven does a very convincing job of this.

Isabella Linton (Geraldine Fitzgerald, age 26) - Although she is supposed to be a weak, timid, and naive character, Isabella is often portrayed tougher than she really is in film adaptations. This is one of them, but Geraldine Fitzgerald does it without being too strong. She is more daring, and even travels to Wuthering Heights unchaperoned to see Heathcliff. I also love her transition after a few months of marriage to Heathcliff. Costuming has a lot to do with it, but her vivacity and beauty is gone even though she continues to love Heathcliff despite his underplayed abuse. I love her last scene where she contemplates how if Cathy dies, Heathcliff would be free to love her.

Hindley Earnshaw (Hugh Williams, age 35) - The reason Hindley becomes a drunkard is because his wife Frances dies shortly after childbirth. For some reason, this version cuts this out entirely, and Hindley has no motivation for his descent into alcoholism. Is it supposed to be because his father didn't love him? Not good enough, if you ask me. Hugh Williams does the best he can with this Hindley, but his character seems oddly detached from the rest of the story.

Nelly Dean (Flora Robson, age 37) - Too old. Nelly is always too old. She's supposed to be the narrator and a character that interacts with all the other characters, but in most versions (including this one) she acts as a nursemaid to Cathy's Juliet, if you get my analogy. It's obvious that William Wyler wanted Nelly to be an all knowing, outside observer instead of an active part of the story, so I'm blaming the director rather than Robson herself. She's simply too old and boring.

Joseph (Leo G. Carroll) - You can't get Joseph wrong. Mix a thick Yorkshire brogue, piousness, and over all uselessness  and you've got him down pat.

Lockwood (Miles Mander) - Lockwood is Lockwood. You can't really say  much about him. No complaints about this portrayal.
 


Costumes/Character Appearances - Wuthering Heights was published in 1847. It takes place from 1771 to 1801 and for some reason, the film makers decided to set the movie in the 1840's, instead of when it was supposed to be. Why? I can only assume it was to have dresses similar to those in Gone With the Wind. But even that's a stretch. I know most people don't care (and probably couldn't tell the difference) but I notice and it bothers the fuck out of me.

Age issues aside, both Edgar and Isabella should be blonde to set them apart from the brunette Earnshaws. Heathcliff should have darker skin and hair and is supposed to be less attractive than Edgar Linton. However, at the time the book is set, more effeminate and gentle looking men were considered handsome. Rugged gypsy stable boys would not be hot, but disturbing and scary.



Sets/Filming Locations - WH '39 was filmed in southern California instead of on the real Moors of Northern Yorkshire England. Luckily, the black and white cinematography hides it pretty well. As for the houses, I have no great complaints.

Music - Generally, I don't like scores from old movies. They are far too melodramatic and WH '39 has one of the most stereotypical examples of this. I blame the era for this mishap. The music is more "romantic" than "haunting."

Overall Likes - Accurate framing of Nelly telling the story to Lockwood; The scenes with young Heathcliff and Cathy playing at Penistow Crag; Geraldine Fitzgerald's entire performance; Cathy chasing after Heathcliff in the rain; Edgar's gentility; Dr. Kenneth; The coldness of Heathcliff's return scene; Isabella's final scene with Dr. Kenneth wishing for Cathy's death, refusing to go to the Grange with Nelly, and begging for Heathcliff to love her; Cathy dying while standing with Heathcliff admiring the Moors from an open window; Nelly still being married to Heathcliff, 30 years later.

Overall Dislikes - The ages of all the actors; Unnecessary dialogue changes; Nelly's inactivity; The melodramatic music; No Frances; 1840's costumes; That woman playing the harpsichord at the ball (seriously, why was that so long?); Cathy dying from...nothing; No second generation.

Final Thoughts - As a movie, Wuthering Heights (1939) is okay. Maybe even as a tragic romance movie, it's good. But as a faithful adaptation of the book, it's not good at all. There are just too many unnecessary changes. However, despite the edits, the screenwriter does manage to add in some good stuff that wasn't in the book.

But it doesn't age well. It wreaks of the 30's and not in a good way. I can't help but compare it to Gone With the Wind. Both are epic tragic romances, but one seemed to get bigger stars, bigger sets, a bigger budget and much, much more attention. Why? I attribute it to the books' publication dates. GWTW was fresher in everyone's mind and a recent Pulitzer winner. WH was nearly a century old and an English standard. It's kind of like Twilight being made into a movie now, and, well, if GWTW was going to be remade.

Still WH is considered one of the classics of 1939 and it does it with a relatively small cast and minimal locations. It's definitely a more intimate film, a calmer film when it comes to epic romances. I feel that Wuthering Heights '39 is considered the best just because it's old and Oscar nominated. That's a shame, because there are better versions but this one is necessary for any WH fan to watch.

Videography: Britney Spears (Part I - ...Baby One More Time)

Since I got an overwhelming response to my Videography of Reba McEntire miniseries (one comment...yes!) I decided to do another one. This time, I've chosen a pop music artist who owes a lot of her fame to music videos...Britney Spears. Yes, I suppose I'm still in this mini phase but maybe "artistically" reviewing her music videos will get me out of it. I'm excited to do this one because we're dealing with pop music instead of country...and a teenager/20something instead of a 20something to 50something...and all of these videos were made over a period of 11 years versus 23.

Instead of splitting this videography into "time periods" (i.e. the early 2000's, the mid-early 2000's...), I've done it by Britney's persona, which also kind of correlates with album releases...so bare with me. In the beginning, a mere 11 years ago, Britney was a 17 year old singer with aspirations of fame a fortune. Her earliest videos walk the fine line of virgin and Lolita, but if you ask me, they lean more towards virgin. Okay, so she bares her midriff and sometimes she opens her legs and twists around while dancing...they hadn't seen anything yet.

Order: 1

Title: "...Baby One More Time"

Album: Baby One More Time (1998)

Song Premise: A girl wants one last fling with a guy she regrets breaking up with.

Video Premise: Britney is a bored Catholic school girl, but as soon as the bell rings, she is up in the hallways dancing with her other Catholic school girlfriends all sporting perfectly toned, tan abs exposed by their tied up white shirts. Later, the dancing is moved outside the school where Britney has changed outfits and is now wearing a pink sports bra and baggy white 90's pants. Finally, more dancing occurs in the gym with Britney occasionally morosely twirling a basketball. However, the bell rings and the whole video turns out to be a daydream.

Comments: This is a classic video, there's no doubt about that. After its debut, girls aged 11 to 17 started doing 500 crunches every night before bed so they too could wear crop tops...that were ordered to be replaced as soon as they walked into their school. (Remember when shirts were too short? Now shirts can pass for dresses!) I digress... All right, let's just get it out now. I was in the 5th grade when Britney Spears became popular, the very age America feared would be corrupted by her high tempo pop hits and bellybutton. But I wasn't. Trust me. As a ten year old, I didn't get the sexualized Catholic school girl thing, so maybe it was a tongue and cheek jab at all the pedophiles. Her dance moves aren't sexual, except that one shimmy. The only people who understood the implied sexuality where those old enough to make such claims.

Order: 2

Title: "Sometimes"

Album: Baby One More Time (1998)

Song Premise: A commitmentphobic young woman asks her guy to take it slow.

Video Premise: Dressed in pristine, virgin white, Britney switches from peering at a guy through one of those telescope thingies you have to pay a quarter to look through and dancing on the boardwalk with others dressed in white.

Comments: I get what they're doing here. Since she received so much criticism for her "sexy" image in "...Baby One More Time", they decided to show Britney as a sweet and innocent teenage girl who is terrified of relationships and therefore, will remain intact. I'm really surprised they didn't show her with a halo or a habit for that matter.

Order: 3

Title: "(You Drive Me) Crazy [Stop Remix]"

Album: Baby One More Time (1998)

Song Premise: A girl is driven crazy by her new infatuation.

Video Premise: Britney is a waitress at a dance club. After her shift is over, she changes into a metallic green top and parties with Adrian Grenier and Melissa Joan Hart and dances with other waitresses/waiters.

Comments: This video is the love child of Britney Spears' handlers and the producers of the underwhelming teen flick Drive Me Crazy, which was specifically named for this goddamn song. The song is good, the movie is not. If you're from my generation you might remember it. Trust me when I say, it wasn't no 10 Things I Hate About You. I like this video for the most part, despite the dated, WTF cameos.

Order: 4

Title: "Born to Make You Happy"

Album: Baby One More Time (1998)

Song Premise: Your basic “poor me, I’m hopelessly devoted to you” song.

Video Premise: Britney is sleeping peacefully and then enters a dream where she sings in a silver room. Next she dances on top of a wooden structure. Finally, an open-shirted hunk strides into her bedroom and the two playfully pillow-fight.

Comments: This is an odd one. Half of it channels "Sometimes" and the other half channels

"...Baby One More Time." So, Britney is half innocent and half attitude. They were fucking with us...which I find interesting. Also, Britney's a bit pissed in this video. Of course, she should be if her entire existence is based around making someone else happy. Again, I don't think any of the dance moves are blatantly sexual. P.S. Her boobs look HUGE.

Order: 5

Title: "From the Bottom of My Broken Heart"

Album: Baby One More Time (1998)

Song Premise: A young girl deals with her first heartbreak.

Video Premise: A bitter breakup leads Britney to pack up her Laura Ashley doll and other essentials, say farewell to her mom and little sister and catch a bus out of her small, rural town. Britney sings on a tire swing and porch wearing a Blossom hat, while she reminisces about days gone by with her ex-boyfriend. Just after she leaves, the boyfriend returns too late.

Comments: So I hadn't seen this video until just now. (And I call myself a Britney fan...tsk, tsk). Anyway, from the sickly sweet promotional pictures, I figured I'd hate it. But I didn't. This is the first one with an actual plot...well, it's more like the shadow of a plot, but it's there, damn it! It has flashback scenes, which is enough to satisfy me for a break up song. Dare I say, a few of the scenes feel a little country. They make out on a water tower! Plus, I loved the ironic ending with the boyfriend returning not in time. Serves him right.