Seven Days in May

This is a great movie. Directed by John Frankenheimer from a screenplay by Rod Serling no less this movie from 1964 tells the tale of a military coup planned for the United States by an unhappy military.

Later interviews revealed that President Kennedy felt that under the right circumstances such an event could happen in the United States.

In the movie Col Jiggs Casey becomes aware of a plot within the Joint Chiefs of Staff to depose the President. The Chiefs are led by Air Force General James Mattoon Scott. This General is the charasmatic leader of the coup. Believing that the President is a weak leader being taken advantage of by the Russians. Scott, played conviningly by Burt Lancaster is a true beleiver.

Frederic March plays the President and is perfect for the role. Playing a Midwestern liberal with ease the role of President Lyman is not far a huge stretch from his role of the banker in The Best Years of Our Lives.

The movie is dramatic, suspenseful and could easily be converted to the screens today. Of course today they would curse, have sex and blow things up.

The Best Years of Our Lives

This William Wyler directed movie won many Oscars in 1946 including best picture. Telling the story of three men returning home from the war to Boone City, a fictional Midwestern Town. Fred who had been a war hero flying planes will be returning home to his wife who he had married quickly before being sent overseas. Al a respected middle aged banker had been an infantry leader and Homer a young man returning with two hooks where his hands used to be.

All three have trouble adjusting to life at home. Fred finds his wife not the settling down type, she had been attracted to him as a Captain in the Air Core but not as a regular fellow trying to pay the bills. Al is promoted to a new position in loans centering on returning GI's but is frustrated by his decisions being second guessed and Harold faces the biggest challenge of all. His family does not know how to treat him and he pulls away from his fiance Wilma not wanting her to have to face a life with a handicapped man.

Frederick March as Al won the Oscar for Best Actor and Harold Russell a man who had lost his hands during the war won the Supporting Oscar for playing Homer.

This is a superb movie. Wonderful acting and genuinly likable characters. Watching many old movies it is interesting to see certain directors made movie after movie of quality. William Wyler stands as one of those.