My Criterion Channel selection for this week was called Dragnet Girl, a silent Japanese film from 1933. Though filmed in a Tokyo studio, it is meant to look American, with signs, buildings, clothing, and dubious past times inspired by American gangster films. So this is a strange film from the get go! A very minor crime boss falls for a straight girl, the sister of one of his young boxers. His moll doesn't take too kindly to this, and pays the sister a visit, packing a gun. However, she ends up becoming quite charmed by her, and immediately wants to quit the racket and become honest and domesticated (!). Her guy doesn't think too much of this plan at first, and a terrific row ensues. Then he agrees to pull one more job, and be done with the criminal life. He promises her he will go straight, after this final job. If this were an American film we would say, "Ya, right. Good luck with that." But this is a Japanese film, and a really strange one at that. Just try to predict the final outcome, I dare you! Anyway, it turned into a fun film, something the like of which we have never before seen. Miss Tanaka's acting is especially praiseworthy.
Publicity still from Jasujiro Ozu's Dragnet Girl, 1933. Kinuyo Tanaka and Koji Mitsui star in this entertaining Japanese version of an American 1930s gangster flic.
Now on to our DIA landscape object for today! I have been selecting some offbeat works lately, and I think I will temporarily continue mining this vein. The DIA is an encyclopedic museum, and has works from ancient art through to modern. The Kunsthistoriches in Vienna also has vast holdings of ancient art, but there is nothing modern in there. So my selections, even just on a landscape theme, are nearly limitless.
Banquet In The Open Air, Roman, early 4th C. A.D. Marble, glass, and clay. 66 cm x 66 cm. Detroit Institute of Arts.
This is a rare example of a work of art that would have hung in a Roman house. While very few have survived, Pliny writes that familiar scenes were very popular with Roman art lovers, and that these included landscapes as well as routine tasks. The Detroit panel shows both. In the upper level a group of well-to-do Romans feast outdoors, in the shade of leafy tree branches. Beneath them work is carried out, some of which is related to their feasting.
Dining al fresco, Roman style.
The lower section shows different types of human activity, carried out by servants and slaves.
In the past few weeks Deb has continued to have a number of medical tests and procedures done. We are nearly there! Next week she attends the hospital in Leamington to meet with her anaesthetist. The following week she sees her family doctor, and then undergoes surgery to repair her very painful right shoulder, caused by an injury practicing Iaido. She also continues to clear out the basement, in preparation for garage and basement asbestos removal at the end of June. I have begun to assist, and will do much more beginning tomorrow. So far we have put out a lot of green garbage bags for three weeks in a row. Likely a few more of those to go.
More Sudbury pics coming soon!
Mapman Mike
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