its not a melodrama, its a docudrama

No, it is not. A docudrama is a reenactment of actual events. The screenplay for The Best Years of Our Lives was based on a novel in verse called Glory for Me.

actual events were chronicled in the genre of the times, the plight of servicemen based on the actual lives of servicemen who came home to joblessness, disruptive homes, infidelity and displacement. Robert Sherwood wrote it that way for the purpose of honoring and empathizing with men who had served their country only to come to a change in the home front and American attitudes. Wyler's intent was to chronicle and depict the way American servicemen were treated after the war in addition to depicting how the war had changed America. Those are facts and that's a docu-drama if there ever was one. But you can think what ever want, I'm not interested in arguing with you. And I'm not going to continue debating with you because I didn't open this as a debate thread.

Docudramas are not based on representative events but on actual events as they transpired, for example the raid on Entebbe. The filler in docudramas is just dialogue no one knows about. Sometimes liberties are taken with timelines for the sake of entertainment value, but they are based on actual events with real people and supposedly pretty much as they occurred. The characters in Best Years of Our Lives are fictional.

There is a dictionary of film genres online, or there used to be. i sent students to it when i taught American Film Genres years ago at The University of Michigan.

i am not debating you at all. This is the accepted definition.

Ah, now I understand why you don't like Marilyn!! lol

[quote=Ol' Jet;61812]

Again, I don't care. it is based on the lives of real servicemen who came home and faced challenges that were real and existed, post war. And I would suggest that if, in film studies it is regarded as a melodrama, they change that definition because it conveys and depicts the life and times of post-war America. Frankly, I don't care if this movie is a docudrama a melodrama or a black comedy. I could care less, what's it's classified as because this movie doesn't speak to me as a film. It speaks to me as transman; and it's close to my heart as WWII hobbyist, a history buff, and the fact that it's sensitive socially and consciously from guys and film makers who were in the war and who cared enough about servicemen facing new challenges. I don't have to accept any other definition for these reasons which are good enough for me.

Pepe LePew!!! *Gasp* I am shocked!!! I swear, I never see anything comic about this man, but I'll bet you'll have an influence on my reaction next time I see him - I'll remember your comments, and by mental suggestion, God forbid - I'll giggle too!!! Oh, you two are baaaad!!!

Good choices Martina, but I would agree, most would fall under the 'melodrama' genre...

This film by any other name, category, what-have-you, speaks to my heart as well. I love it, and I think it's one of the best films of this post-war, hero-coming-home-to-face-the-realities-of-life-back-home genre ever made.
Whenever it's on I will watch it. It always makes my eyes well up. I love the down-home sensitivity of it.

I do too comrade. There's just something about that era.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJP3ZzOpt6k"]YouTube- William Wyler Interview with daughter Catherine Wyler[/ame]

Funny Girl (1968)
How to Steal a Million (1966)
The Collector (1965)
The Children's Hour (1961)
Ben-Hur (1959)
The Big Country (1958)
Friendly Persuasion (1956)
The Desperate Hours (1955)
Roman Holiday (1953)
Carrie (1952)
Detective Story (1951)
The Heiress (1949)
Thunderbolt (1947) (as Lt Col William Wyler)
The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
The Fighting Lady (1944) (uncredited)
The Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress (1944)
Mrs. Miniver (1942)
The Little Foxes (1941)
The Letter (1940)
The Westerner (1940)
Wuthering Heights (1939)
Jezebel (1938)

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7gBpkp3aHA"]YouTube- To Sir With Love by Lulu and Dance by Sydney Poitier[/ame]

Hey, Ol' Jet, did you catch the Warner Brothers documentary tonight? Unfortunately, I caught it midstream, but it was very interesting and insightful. Boy, that Jack L. was something, wasn't he? Not a very nice guy...however, I did like what they said about Harry, he was an altruistic human being in touch with life and people. I know I would have liked him alot - Jack, maybe not so much...

I didn't get to see it; still in the middle of a workout watching a movie on my 'puter. but i know jack was a shit. He and battling Betty , you know...

Battling Betty? Not sure what you mean by that? Lauren Bacall problem? Or could you have possibly been referring to Bette Davis? We know she did her best, but lost. However, Miss deHaviland tried her hand and won! But, I'm sure you know all of that...

Ok. The Jazz Singer is now on TCM. I've never seen it so I think I'll give it a shot. Supposedly a 'landmark' film, introducing sound, or did it really?

Bette, sorry. have fun

Sorry, not having much fun at all. Have the ol' jazz singer in the living room, but I'm way in the back of the house where the computer is...
I'm lonesome, and wanting company - slim pickins just about now...

Sorry to ruin Jordan for you, but glad you will think of us next time you see him :)

Some wonderful films there, I especially enjoy Jezebel and The Children's Hour.

I used to get his name and Billy Wilder's mixed up.

I LOVE that movie! :)

Nah, you didn't ruin Louis for me...

Yanno, I always get their names mixed up too, because they're so similar. I just keep reminding myself that it was Wyler Bette Davis had an affair with! It's so much easier for me to remember things when there's a scandal attached to it. lol

I too love the list of Wyler's films you have here, Ol' Jet. I'd be hard put to pick a favorite, but if I needed to, I think it would be The Little Foxes...I have never seen such evil portrayed as the scene where Herbert Marshall is crawling up the stairs trying to get to his heart medicine, while Bette listens without turning to look at his desperate climb - it's all in her eyes!!! Unbelievable!!! That is the most riveting performance without dialogue I've ever seen!!

I love a good scandal too! Thank you!

:lips: