Once Upon a Time in the West

I enjoyed Sergio Leone's film, Once Upon a Time in the West, very much. I liked how you never really knew what was going on, but you were still able to follow along with the story.

The use of sound throughout this film was incredible. The introduction was confusing, but interesting how each character was described using their body language and music. When Harmonica was first introduced, the sound of the harmonica that was associated with him sounded very eerie. As Harmonica continued to appear throughout the film, the harmonica always sounded nondiegetic, as if he were not there. Sometimes, we really weren't aware of his presence. For example, toward the beginning, when Jill and Cheyenne were in the shop, Cheyenne swung the lantern across the room, eventually revealing Harmonica's presence.

Casablanca

Michael Curitz’s film Casablanca first premiered in New York City at the Hollywood Theater on November 26, 1942. Casablanca’s general release occurred on January 23, 1943. James Berardinelli states that “Unlike many films that later became classics, Casablanca was popular in its day, although a cadre of officials at Warner Brothers were convinced that it would be a box-office failure.” The film was a noteworthy, yet not outstanding box-office success. On its initial U.S. release, Casablanca made $3.7 million, and became the seventh best-selling film of 1943.

James Berardinelli says “It's probably no stretch to say that Casablanca, arguably America's best-loved movie, has had more words written about it than any other motion picture.” Reviews of Casablanca were mostly positive as the film won three awards at the Oscars of 1944. Those awards included Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Picture. Eventually, by the year 1977, Casablanca became the most frequently broadcast film on American television.

In the film My Darling Clementine, the character Wyatt Earp is portrayed as a typical western hero at the beginning of the film when he comes out of nowhere and shows up the town sheriff by taking care of the drunk Indian with no problem at all. Also, during the scene when we are first introduced to Doc. Holiday, Wyatt just walks right up to Doc. after he has made a big scene, and knowing that he is a trouble maker, and doesn't even pull out a gun when Doc. threatens him.

At the end of the film, during the gunfight at the O.K. corral, Wyatt is shown as a hero by giving the Clanton's a chance to surrender before he begins to shoot. It is only after they refuse that he opens fire. He gives Mr. Clanton yet another chance to leave town after the gunfight has died down some, but Mr. Clanton chooses not to take this opportunity and when he reaches for his gun, he is shot.

Citizen Kane

Citizen Kane uses diegetic and nondiegetic sounds simultaneously throughout the film. For example, diegetic sounds are used during Kane's celebration with his song. At the point of the celebration his song has an upbeat and major sound, while later on in the film his song has a more minor sound when Kane's accomplishments begin to fall apart. An example of the use of nondiegetic sounds would be montage sequence at the breakfast table scene with Mr. and Mrs. Kane. The beginning of the scene, when they are getting along and happy, the background music is lighthearted and major tones, as the sequence continues, and the conversation between Mr. and Mrs. Kane becomes more distant, the music adjusts to this and becomes darker and almost sinister.