Classic Ross Amico

Tag: The Secret Garden

Spring Hope & Movie Music New Beginnings

Has the world got you down? Spring is a time of hope and renewal. This week on “Picture Perfect,” enjoy music from movies about fresh growth, new beginnings, and second chances.

You can’t get much more spring-like than “The Secret Garden,” after the novel of Frances Hodgson Burnett. A spoiled orphan raised in India returns to England and her aloof uncle’s gloomy mansion on the Yorkshire moors. Gradually, she is drawn outside of herself by a cantankerous gardener, a saucy robin, and a fey lad named Dickon, who has a particular affinity with wild creatures. Her transformation, signified by the titular garden, the maintenance of which teaches her to nurture, improves the lives of all around her.

The story has been adapted numerous times, including a classic version with Margaret O’Brien, in 1949. In 1993, Francis Ford Coppola’s American Zoetrope backed a lovely adaptation directed by Agnieszka Holland. The music was by Zbigniew Preisner.

“The Best Years of Our Lives,” from 1946, is one of the most beautiful films to treat the subject of American soldiers readjusting to civilian life following World War II. A trio of veterans returns from overseas to find their lives irrevocably changed. It isn’t easy, but they rise to meet all challenges with the help of family and friends. The film is all the more moving and inspirational for its characters’ integrity and tenacity.

The cast includes Frederic March, Dana Andrews, and real-life veteran Harold Russell. Russell was awarded a special Academy Award for “bringing hope and courage to his fellow veterans through his appearance.” Russell had lost both his hands in an explosion. Honored also with an award for Best Supporting Actor, he is the only figure ever to win two Oscars for the same performance.

The film won nine Oscars in all, among them Best Picture, Best Director (William Wyler), Best Actor (March), Best Screenplay (Robert E. Sherwood), and Best Music (Hugo Friedhofer).

Based on a novel of Anne Tyler, “The Accidental Tourist,” from 1988, stars William Hurt as a travel writer, the loss of whose son leads to emotional sterility and estrangement from his wife, played by Kathleen Turner. He is eventually brought around by a quirky dog-trainer (Geena Davis, in an Academy Award-winning performance). It’s a movie about letting go, and having the courage to move forward. The understated score is by John Williams.

Finally, sports movies have always been a popular genre through which to tell stories of resurrection and redemption. “The Natural,” Barry Levinson’s 1984 adaptation of the novel of Bernard Malamud, tells the tale of a baseball player (played by Robert Redford), who is struck down in his prime, only to be reborn in mythic triumph. The inspiring music is by Randy Newman.

Put some “spring” back into your step, with music from movies about new beginnings and second chances, on “Picture Perfect,” now in syndication on KWAX, the radio station of the University of Oregon!

Clip and save the start times for all three of my recorded shows:

PICTURE PERFECT, the movie music show – Friday at 8:00 PM EDT/5:00 PM PDT

SWEETNESS AND LIGHT, the light music program – Saturday at 11:00 AM EDT/8:00 AM PDT

THE LOST CHORD, unusual and neglected rep – Saturday at 7:00 PM EDT/4:00 PM PDT

Stream them, wherever you are, at the link!

https://kwax.uoregon.edu/

March 21, 2025
Movie Music Little Women and Literary Classics

This week on “Picture Perfect,” on St. Nicholas Day, we’ll have music from movies based on books that have delighted generations of young readers.

Among the many enduring charms of “Little Women” is a memorable Christmas chapter, in which the March family helps out a neighbor in need by donating their Christmas breakfast – only to be rewarded later in the day with a feast of their own.

Louisa May Alcott’s magnum opus forms the centerpiece of a musical sampler of girls’ literary classics. Of course, readers of either gender have enjoyed these books (I’ve read two of them myself), but with female protagonists and female authors, they have proved great favorites down the years of female readers. All of them have been adapted for film numerous times.

We’ll hear selections from “The Secret Garden” (1993). Frances Hodgson Burnett’s 1911 novel tells of an ill-tempered child who loses her neglectful parents in India, only to blossom at the discovery of the titular garden on her uncle’s otherwise gloomy estate on the Yorkshire moors. Agnieszka Holland directed. The film was released through Francis Ford Coppola’s independent studio, American Zoetrope. Zbigniew Preisner provided the music.

Alfonso Cuarón directed an adaptation of another popular novel by the same author, written in 1905, “A Little Princess” (1995). In Cuarón’s version, a well-bred English girl, again brought up in India, is placed in a boarding school in New York. Her fortunes change when her father goes missing in action during World War I. The girl entertains her fellow students by reciting tales from the Hindu epic, “The Ramayana.” Her Indian connection is reflected in Patrick Doyle’s score.

“Little Women” (1994) follows the four sisters of the March family, through their formative years at their home in Concord, Massachusetts, around the time of the American Civil War. A sensation on its publication in 1868, the book remains one of the most beloved of all time. In its fifth adaptation for the big screen, Winona Ryder plays Jo and Susan Sarandon is Marmee. Thomas Newman, one of the sons of famed film composer Alfred Newman, and a cousin of Randy Newman, wrote the music.

Finally, we’ll turn to “Heidi” (1968), after the popular novel of Swiss writer Johanna Spyri, about a young girl who shares a home with her grandfather in the Swiss Alps. There have been roughly 20 film or television productions of “Heidi” to date. This one stars Jennifer Edwards, daughter of Blake Edwards, and stepdaughter of Julie Andrews. Maximilian Schell, Jean Simmons, and Michael Redgrave are in the supporting cast. The music was written by an up-and-coming composer then known as “Johnny” Williams. And there’s plenty in the score to indicate great things to come.

(Parenthetically, football fans will recall the notorious first airing of “Heidi,” as the broadcast preempted the climax of a thrilling AFL game between the Oakland Raiders and New York Jets, infuriating viewers. The event continues to live in infamy as the “Heidi Bowl.” Learn more about the catastrophe here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heidi_Game)

Then escape to a secret garden of literary classics for little women, on “Picture Perfect,” music for the movies, now in syndication on KWAX, the radio station of the University of Oregon!

Clip and save the start times for all three of my recorded shows:

PICTURE PERFECT, the movie music show – Friday at 8:00 PM EST/5:00 PM PST

SWEETNESS AND LIGHT, the light music program – ALL NEW! – Saturday at 11:00 AM EST/8:00 AM PST

THE LOST CHORD, unusual and neglected rep – Saturday at 7:00 PM EST/4:00 PM PST

Stream them, wherever you are, at the link!

https://kwax.uoregon.edu/

December 6, 2024
Little Women & Literary Classics on Film

Among the many enduring charms of “Little Women” is a memorable Christmas chapter, in which the March family helps out a neighbor in need by donating their Christmas breakfast – only to be rewarded later in the day with a feast of their own.

This week on “Picture Perfect,” Louisa May Alcott’s magnum opus forms the centerpiece of a musical sampler of girls’ literary classics. Of course readers of either gender have enjoyed these books (I’ve read two of them myself), but with female protagonists and female authors, they have proved great favorites among generations of female readers. All of them have been adapted for film numerous times.

We’ll hear selections from “The Secret Garden” (1993). Frances Hodgson Burnett’s 1911 novel tells of an ill-tempered child who loses her neglectful parents in India, only to blossom at the discovery of the titular garden on her uncle’s otherwise gloomy estate on the Yorkshire moors. Agnieszka Holland directed. The film was released through Francis Ford Coppola’s independent studio, American Zoetrope. Zbigniew Preisner provided the music.

Alfonso Cuarón directed an adaptation of another popular novel by the same author, written in 1905, “A Little Princess” (1995). In Cuarón’s version, a well-bred English girl, again brought up in India, is placed in a boarding school in New York. Her fortunes change when her father goes missing in action during World War I. The girl entertains her fellow students by reciting tales from the Hindu epic, “The Ramayana.” Her Indian connection is reflected in Patrick Doyle’s score.

“Little Women” (1994) follows the four sisters of the March family, through their formative years at their home in Concord, Massachusetts, around the time of the American Civil War. A sensation on its publication in 1868, the book remains one of the most beloved of all time. In its fifth adaptation for the big screen, Winona Ryder plays Jo and Susan Sarandon is Marmee. Thomas Newman, one of the sons of famed film composer Alfred Newman, and a cousin of Randy Newman, wrote the music.

Finally, we’ll turn to “Heidi” (1968), after the popular novel of Swiss writer Johanna Spyri, about a young girl who shares a home with her grandfather in the Swiss Alps. There have been roughly 20 film or television productions of “Heidi” to date. This one stars Jennifer Edwards, daughter of Blake Edwards, and stepdaughter of Julie Andrews. Maximilian Schell, Jean Simmons, and Michael Redgrave are in the supporting cast. The music was written by an up-and-coming composer then known as “Johnny” Williams. And there’s plenty in the score to indicate great things to come.

Escape to a secret garden of literary classics for little women, on “Picture Perfect,” music for the movies, this Saturday evening at 6:00 EST, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.

December 11, 2021
Spring Renewal Music from the Movies

Spring is a time of hope and renewal. This week on “Picture Perfect,” on the First of May, enjoy music from movies about fresh growth, new beginnings, and second chances.

You can’t get much more spring-like than “The Secret Garden,” after the novel of Frances Hodgson Burnett. A spoiled orphan raised in India returns to England and her aloof uncle’s gloomy mansion on the Yorkshire moors. Gradually, she is drawn outside of herself by a cantankerous gardener, a saucy robin, and a fey lad named Dickon, who has a particular affinity with wild creatures. Her transformation, signified by the titular garden, the maintenance of which teaches her to nurture, improves the lives of all around her.

The story has been adapted numerous times, including a classic version with Margaret O’Brien, in 1949. In 1993, Francis Ford Coppola’s American Zoetrope backed a lovely adaptation directed by Agnieszka Holland. The music was by Zbigniew Preisner.

“The Best Years of Our Lives,” from 1946, is one of the most beautiful films to treat the subject of American soldiers readjusting to civilian life following World War II. A trio of veterans returns from overseas to find their lives irrevocably changed. It isn’t easy, but they rise to meet all challenges with the help of family and friends. The film is all the more moving and inspirational for its characters’ integrity and tenacity.

The cast includes Frederic March, Dana Andrews and real-life veteran Harold Russell. Russell was awarded a special Academy Award for “bringing hope and courage to his fellow veterans through his appearance.” Russell had lost both his hands in an explosion. Honored also with an award for Best Supporting Actor, he is the only figure ever to win two Oscars for the same performance.

The film won nine Oscars in all, among them Best Picture, Best Director (William Wyler), Best Actor (March), Best Screenplay (Robert E. Sherwood), and Best Music (Hugo Friedhofer).

Based on a novel of Anne Tyler, “The Accidental Tourist,” from 1988, stars William Hurt as a travel writer, the loss of whose son leads to emotional sterility and estrangement from his wife, played by Kathleen Turner. He is eventually brought around by a quirky dog-trainer (Geena Davis, in an Academy Award-winning performance). It’s a movie about letting go, and having the courage to move forward. The understated score is by John Williams.

Finally, sports movies have always been a popular genre through which to tell stories of resurrection and redemption. “The Natural,” Barry Levinson’s 1984 adaptation of the novel of Bernard Malamud, tells the tale of a baseball player (played by Robert Redford), who is struck down in his prime, only to be reborn in mythic triumph. The inspiring music is by Randy Newman.

Put some “spring” back into your step, with music from movies about new beginnings and second chances, on “Picture Perfect,” this Saturday evening at 6:00 EDT, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.

May 1, 2021
Literary Classics on Film Music

2018 marks the 150th anniversary of the publication of “Little Women.” Among the many enduring charms of Louisa May Alcott’s magnum opus is a memorable Christmas chapter, in which the women of the March family help out a neighbor in need by donating their Christmas breakfast – only to be rewarded later in the day with a feast of their own.

This week on “Picture Perfect,” we’ll have music from movies based on literary classics for little women. Of course readers of either gender have enjoyed these books, but with female protagonists and female authors, they have proved great favorites among generations of female readers. All of them have been adapted for film numerous times.

We’ll hear selections from a 1993 version of “The Secret Garden.” Frances Hodgson Burnett’s 1911 novel tells of an ill-tempered child who loses her neglectful parents in India, only to blossom at the discovery of the titular garden on her uncle’s otherwise gloomy estate on the Yorkshire moors. Agnieszka Holland directed. The film was released through Francis Ford Coppola’s independent studio, American Zoetrope. Zbigniew Preisner provided the music.

Another popular novel by the same author, from 1905, is “A Little Princess.” Alfonso Cuarón directed his adaptation in 1995. In Cuarón’s version, a well-bred English girl, again brought up in India, is placed in a boarding school in New York. Her fortunes change when her father goes missing in action during World War I. The girl entertains her fellow students by reciting tales from the Hindu epic, “The Ramayana.” Her Indian connection is reflected in Patrick Doyle’s score.

“Little Women” follows the lives of four sisters of the March family, as they pass from childhood to adulthood in Concord, Massachusetts, during and after the American Civil War. A sensation on its publication in 1868, the book remains one of the most beloved of all time. In 1994, it received its fifth adaptation for the big screen, with Winona Ryder as Jo and Susan Sarandon as Marmee. Thomas Newman, one of the sons of famed film composer Alfred Newman and a cousin of Randy Newman, wrote the music.

Finally, “Heidi,” by the Swiss writer Johanna Spyri, recounts the events in the life of a young girl who shares a home with her grandfather in the Swiss Alps. There have been roughly 20 film or television productions of “Heidi” to date. This one, from 1968, starred Jennifer Edwards, daughter of Blake Edwards and stepdaughter of Julie Andrews. Maximilian Schell, Jean Simmons and Michael Redgrave were in the supporting cast. The music was written by an up-and-coming composer then known as “Johnny” Williams. And there’s plenty in the score to indicate great things to come.

Make “Picture Perfect” your secret garden, with music from film adaptations of girl’s literary classics, this Friday evening at 6:00 EST, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.

December 14, 2018

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