| Athena | |
|---|---|
 "Athena" (VHS) | |
| Produced by | Joe Pasternak |
| Written by | William Ludwig Leonard Spigelgass |
| Starring | Jane Powell Edmund Purdom Debbie Reynolds Vic Damone Louis Calhern |
| Music by | Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane |
| Distributed by | MGM |
| Release date(s) | 4 November 1954 |
| Country |  United States |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
Athena is a romantic musical comedy released on 4 November 1954 by MGM. Joseph Pasternak ( September 19, 1901 – September 13, 1991) was a Hungarian -born American film director in Hollywood William Ludwig ( May 16, 1912 - February 7, 1999) was an Academy Award winning screenwriter Leonard Spigelgass ( November 26 1908 - February 15 1985) was an American Film producer and Screenwriter. Jane Powell (born April 1 1929) is an American Singer, dancer and actress. Edmund Anthony Cutlar Purdom (b December 19 1924, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England) is an Italian -based Mary Frances "Debbie" Reynolds (born April 1, 1932) is an Academy Award -nominated American actress, Singer Vic Damone (born June 12, 1928) is an Italian American Singer. Louis Calhern ( February 19, 1895 &ndash May 12, 1956) was an American stage and screen actor Hugh Martin, born on August 11, 1914, in Birmingham, Alabama, is an American theatre and film composer arranger performer Vocal coach Ralph Blane ( July 26, 1914 - November 13, 1995) was an American Composer, Lyricist, and performer Events 1333 - Flood of the Arno River, causing massive damage in Florence as recorded by the Florentine chronicler Giovanni Villani Year 1954 ( MCMLIV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1954 Gregorian calendar) The United States of America —commonly referred to as the English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States Events 1333 - Flood of the Arno River, causing massive damage in Florence as recorded by the Florentine chronicler Giovanni Villani Year 1954 ( MCMLIV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1954 Gregorian calendar)
Not a great success on its release, this Motion Picture has an unusual and somewhat campy appeal.
The film tells the story of a passionate girl with an extended family who share her unconventional beliefs. She falls in love with an old-fashioned man who is engaged to another woman!
The film includes many joyful songs with clever choreography.
The writers appear to have had fun inventing characters whose beliefs are an odd mixture of assertiveness, natural health, the supernatural, and bodybuilding for men. Assertiveness is a Trait taught by many Personal development experts and psychotherapists and the subject of many popular Self-help books The term supernatural or supranatural ( Latin: super, supra "above" + natura "nature" pertains to entities events Bodybuilding is the process of maximizing Muscle hypertrophy.
Contents |
Plot
The film stars Jane Powell as the energetic and eccentric "Athena Mulvain", who as the name suggests is not Greek, but comes from a family who appears to have been zanily inspired by classical antiquity. Jane Powell (born April 1 1929) is an American Singer, dancer and actress. Classical antiquity (also the classical era or classical period) is a broad term for a long period of cultural History centered on the Mediterranean The entire family are vegetarian, teetotallers, and into astrology and numerology. Astrology (from Greek grc ἄστρον astron, "constellation star" and grc -λογία -logia) is a group of Systems Numerology is any of many Systems Traditions or Beliefs in a mystical or Esoteric relationship between Numbers and physical
Edmund Purdom plays the conservative lawyer "Adam Calhorn Shaw" who hopes to be elected to office like his father and his father's father, and who is, at the start of the film is engaged to sophisticated society lady, Beth Hallson. Edmund Anthony Cutlar Purdom (b December 19 1924, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England) is an Italian -based
Destiny or "the stars" dramatically begin to change the course of Adam's life when he meets Athena at a nursery. Athena, believing she has found her soul mate, follows Adam home where she meets Adam's fiance Beth, and begins mulching Adam's peach trees. She sings a song which captivates Adam and his Japanese butler Roy.
On her way home Athena meets an old ex-navy friend of Adam's who is now a successful crooner popular with the girls. Using numerology, Athena confidently introduces her sister "Minerva" (Debbie Reynolds) to this man Johnny Nyle (Vic Damone). Mary Frances "Debbie" Reynolds (born April 1, 1932) is an Academy Award -nominated American actress, Singer Vic Damone (born June 12, 1928) is an Italian American Singer. Minerva is suspicious of Johnny's advertising of alcohol and meat products, however she believes Johnny might be alright "after some work with Grandpa".
Athena returns to Adam's house the next morning to the shock of Adam's fiance. Adam promises to tell Athena that he has no romantic interest in her, but finds she has left. He asks his legal secretary Miss Seely to search for her but to no avail. Eventually Johnny returns and tells Adam where Athena lives.
That night when Adam goes to the house, he meets the meditating Grandma Salome, Minerva and Athena's 5 other beautiful, singing and dancing sisters Niobe, Aphrodite, Calliope, Medea and Ceres. He is also surprised to find a number of scantily clad body builders wearing high-waisted 1950's swimshorts!
Next he runs into Grandpa (Louis Calhern), the charismatic head of the family who believes in exercise and "the direct approach". Louis Calhern ( February 19, 1895 &ndash May 12, 1956) was an American stage and screen actor He also meets Grandpa's hopes for the title of Mr Universe, Ed Perkins and possible runner-up Bill Nichols. The Universe Championships are an annual Bodybuilding event organised by the National Amateur Bodybuilders Association (NABBA
Despite the bizarre ways of the family, and although Adam initially tries to resist Athena, he eventually succumbs to her charms, and breaks up with Beth. Just when all is looking rosy, Grandma foresees difficult times ahead. Athena's sisters advise Athena to break up with Adam, however Athena chooses to push ahead with the relationship, knowing that "love can change the stars".
The sisters visit Adam's house while he is out and perform a makeover, removing rugs and screens and installing large urns and fresh flowers. Adam's influential family friend, Mr Grenville, Adam's law firm partner Mr Griswalde and Adam's campaign manager for election to congress Mr Tremaine phone Adam's house and reach Athena on the phone. Curious, they visit Adam's house only to find Grandma there in place of the girls.
Adam invites Athena to a formal reception at Mr Grenville's home. Athena at first charms the party with her pleasant nature and an off-the-cuff rendition of an aria from a Donizetti Opera. However she loses her temper when Beth presents Athena with a buffet dinner where all of the vegetables are stuffed with meat.
More difficulties arise when Adam humiliates Ed Perkins and Grandpa on television at the "Mr Universe" final.
Despite requisite further conflict, harmony is restored and all of the main players gather around for a Mulvain-style feast.
Songs
The film features several songs by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane including
- "Athena" (Chorus)
- "The girl next door" (Johnny Nyle), a slight variation on the 1944 hit "The boy next door" from "Meet me in St Louis"
- "Vocalize" (Athena Mulvain) which is reprised later in a choral arrangement as "Harmonize" (Athena Mulvain, Ulysses Mulvain, Chorus)
- "Imagine" (Minerva Mulvain, Johnny Nyle)
- "Love can change the Stars" (Athena Mulvain, Athena's sisters, Johnny Nyle)
- "I never felt better" (Minerva Mulvain, Athena Mulvain, sisters)
- "Venezia" (Johnny Nyle)
A poetic verse from "Love can change the Stars" includes the words:
"When two hearts are entwined,
Venus dances with Mars,
Hand in hand we will find,
Love can change the Stars. Hugh Martin, born on August 11, 1914, in Birmingham, Alabama, is an American theatre and film composer arranger performer Vocal coach Ralph Blane ( July 26, 1914 - November 13, 1995) was an American Composer, Lyricist, and performer " The Boy Next Door " is a 1944 popular song by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane. Meet Me in St Louis is a 1944 romantic Musical film from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer which tells the story of four sisters living in "
Jane Powell also performs Donizetti's "Charcun le sait" from La fille du régiment (Daughter of the Regiment). Domenico Gaetano Maria Donizetti (29 November 1797 &ndash 8 April 1848 was an Italian composer from Bergamo, Lombardy. La fille du régiment ( The Daughter of the Regiment) is an Opéra comique in two acts by Gaetano Donizetti.
During the Mr Universe final, the body builders 'pose-off' to the popular and stirring "Tango Jalousie" by Jacob Gade from 1925. The Universe Championships are an annual Bodybuilding event organised by the National Amateur Bodybuilders Association (NABBA Jacob Thune Hansen Gade ( Vejle, Denmark, November 29, 1879 &ndash February 20, 1963) was a Danish violinist The music enhances the dramatic moment when Grandma realises Ed has drawn the unlucky number 13. It is not until after the competition that Ed's jealousy becomes apparent.
Players
Starring
Jane Powell as Athena Mulvain
Edmund Purdom as Adam Calhorn Shaw
Debbie Reynolds as Minerva Mulvain
Vic Damone as Johnny Nyle
Louis Calhern as Ulysses Mulvain
With
Linda Christian as Beth Hallson
Evelyn Varden as Salome Mulvain
Ray Collins as Mr Tremaine
Carl Benton Reid as Mr Griswalde
Howard Wendell as Mr Grenville
Virginia Gibson as Niobe
Henry Nakamura as Roy
Additional Actors listed in the Closing Credits:
Nancy Kilgas as Aphrodite
Dolores Starr as Calliope
Jane Fischer as Medea
Cecile Rogers as Ceres
Kathleen Freeman as Miss Seely
Steve Reeves as Ed Perkins
Richard Sabre as Bill Nichols
Facts about the film
- Early in the film, Athena believes that Adam is unsuitable for her because according to numerology, "he is a 4 man, born in a 3 month with a 9 car". Jane Powell (born April 1 1929) is an American Singer, dancer and actress. Edmund Anthony Cutlar Purdom (b December 19 1924, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England) is an Italian -based Mary Frances "Debbie" Reynolds (born April 1, 1932) is an Academy Award -nominated American actress, Singer Vic Damone (born June 12, 1928) is an Italian American Singer. Louis Calhern ( February 19, 1895 &ndash May 12, 1956) was an American stage and screen actor Linda Christian (born Blanca Rosa Welter on November 13, 1924 (some sources cite 1923 in Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico) is a Evelyn Varden (12 June 1893 in Adair Oklahoma &ndash – 11 July 1958 New York) was an American actress. Ray Bidwell Collins ( December 10, 1889 – July 11, 1965)was an American actor in Film, stage, Radio Carl Benton Reid ( born 14 August 1893 in Lansing Michigan &ndash 16 March 1973 in Hollywood California) was an Virginia Gibson ( Virginia Gorski) ( St Louis Missouri April 9, 1928) is a film and stage Singer, Kathleen Freeman ( February 17, 1919 - August 23, 2001) was an American Film, Television, and stage Stephen L Reeves ( January 21, 1926 &ndash May 1, 2000) was an American bodybuilder, Actor, and author However Athena soon realises her mistake when she says, "Mr Benvenuchi told me you had 5 peach trees, which syphons you out and makes your system fluid. . . You're really Neuter - isn't that heaven. "
- In Athena's quote above, she mispronounces Mr Benevuchi's name. Adam pronounces it better in an earlier scene.
- Minerva displays a belief in karma when she tells Johnny Nyle that money he earns from advertising alcohol or meat products will bring him no pleasure. Karma ( Sanskrit: कर्म, kárman - "act action performance" Pali: kamma) is the concept of "action"
- One line in the song "Imagine" appears to be out of character for Minerva when she sings
Imagine you're a weevil - an old Boll Weevil,
suppose a field of cotton is me,
if you came along and settled down in it -
fetch the DDT
and she sprays insecticide around the "Mulvain's Health Foods" shop. The boll weevil ( Anthonomus grandis) is a Beetle measuring an average length of six Millimeters which feeds on Cotton buds and flowers
- The sign at the front of the Mulvain residence says:
For the traveller in want
For the traveller in pain
Take this rocky road
to the house of Mulvain
- Grandpa Ulysses Mulvain is 78 but looks like he is in his 50's. Louis Calhern was 59 when he played the role, but died 2 years later. Louis Calhern ( February 19, 1895 &ndash May 12, 1956) was an American stage and screen actor
- Grandma Salome Mulvain says "I love you, let us be friends" in a mystery language that sounds like "Num mirray gon gopawl". Is this a mantra invented for the film? Grandma also finds solace or gains insight by "communing with Narda", a mythological being perhaps also invented for "Athena". A mantra ( Devanāgarī मन्त्र (or mantram is a religious or mystical syllable or poem typically from the Sanskrit language
- At the start of the film Miss Seely is eating chocolates. Later when Adam's 3 gentlemen advisors are concerned about Adam's involvement with Athena, Miss Seely appears at the end of the scene crunching on a carrot.
- Grandma Salome Mulvain instructs Mr Grenville to "Open your eyes. Look up at the sun. Don't be afraid. . . Pretend you're a tulip. " While most doctors advise not to look at the sun, William H Bates (1860 - 1931) taught that glasses were bad for eyesight and magnifying sunlight into the whites of the eyes was beneficial!! You may read the conventional attitude to the dangers of sun observation here. William Horatio Bates ( December 23, 1860 - July 10, 1931) was an American Physician who practiced ophthalmology and developed what The Sun (Sol is the Star at the center of the Solar System.
- Both Minerva and Grandma advise the boys to "Hold the good thought". This appears to be a reference to the New Thought Movement, which teaches that you attract what you think about, good or bad. The New Thought Movement or New Thought is a New religious movement developed in the United States during the late 19th century which emphasizes metaphysical
- Steve Reeves and John Grimek were tied in the 1948 Mr Universe competition. Despite Steve Reeves superior physique, John Grimek won because he could lift more weight.
- Steve Reeves went on from this film to play Hercules and several other characters in various Sword and Sandal films. Hercules ( 1958) is an Italian Feature film based upon the Hercules myths and the Quest for the Golden Fleece. Sword and sandal films or pepla (singular= peplum) are a Genre of adventure or Fantasy films that have subjects set in Biblical
- Edmund Purdon married Linda Christian in 1962, 8 years after "Athena" was made. However their marriage did not last long.
- The original film had an aspect ratio of 1. 75 which is very well suited to DVD widescreen (16:9). However the film has not yet been restored and only a low quality television version (1. 33 or 4:3) based on the VHS release has been made available on DVD in Australia.
References
External links
- Athena at the Internet Movie Database
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