RAMble, the University Libraries' blog

With the IMC featuring Song and Dance films, I decided to take advantage and watched several old-time musicals which I had never had the opportunity to watch: 42^nd Street [IMC DVD 791.43657 F745 2006], The Band Wagon [IMC DVD 782.14 B214 2005], and Singin’ in the Rain [IMC DVD 781.542 S617 2002].

42^nd Street surprised me, because most of the movie is a rehearsal for the final 15 minutes or so which actually features the performance of the musical. This movie is about a show which might be the last musical for the director. He gets backing from a gentleman on the condition that Dorothy Brock (played by Bebe Daniels) is the leading lady. However, the night before the show, Dorothy breaks her foot. When the director discovers, he is anguished, until some of the chorus girls recommend Peggy, a fellow chorus girl, to play the lead part. The director and Peggy (played by Ruby Keeler) then practice up until the final moment when the show goes on. The finale is Peggy performing wonderfully in the part as the musical is performed for the Broadway crowd.

My next movie was The Band Wagon, which stars Fred Astaire as a faded star, and Cyd Charisse as a ballerina. Astaire’s friends write a musical which they hope with reinstate him to his former glory. They take it to a popular director, which decides to reimagine it into a serious musical. Opening night, the musical flops, and the backers for the musical pull out. Astaire decides that they will reinstate the musical to its original script while touring, a way to save money but still perform the musical as they work on it, which saves it from flopping. The end result is an interesting sort of musical, but my favorite scene is a parody on film noir which captures the essence of film noir perfectly in my opinion.

My final movie, and the best in my opinion, was Singin’ in the Rain. Gene Kelly is absolutely perfect in this role, and Debbie Reynolds plays her part wonderfully too. This is another film about reimagination: successful silent movie actors must transition into sound as The Jazz Singer is introduced to audiences and becomes a success. When the producers of Kelly’s film add sound, it is laughed at by audiences as soon as it is in theaters. Kelly and Reynolds with help from Donald O’Connor must somehow make the movie a success, and they accomplish it by adding music. They save the movie, and help to get Reynolds the credit she deserves.

Next week our Halloween movies will be on display, so come check some out! Don’t forget to keep following along on your own film travelogue at https://letterboxd.com/peterstanley/list/1001-movies-you-must-see-before-you-die/by/release/ .

Library faculty and staff members discover many possession patrons forget during the hustle of their daily schedules. Items such as water bottles, keys, and umbrellas are delivered to our lost and found every week. Our faculty and staff members understand that life on a college campus can be hectic and items get left behind. The members of our library community want to ensure you are reunited with your belongings. If you misplace an item in Francis Harvey Green Library, visit the Library Help Desk on the Second Floor for assistance. If you forget an item in Presser Music Library, ask one of the staff members at the Library Help Desk if your item has been found. In order to claim your item at either location, bring a valid photo identification card. A staff member will also ask you to sign the lost and found log to verify your identity. If you lose an item in the library, keep calm and follow these steps.  

Items that are not claimed by the end of the semester are donated to members of our campus community who are in need. West Chester University Libraries donate unclaimed belongings to organizations such as the campus Resource Pantry. According to the mission statement on their website, “The WCU Resource Pantry eliminates barriers to degree completion for students with financial need by providing access to resources, while empowering students to learn independent living skills and achieve long-term stability.” With these goals in mind, current and future generations of West Chester University students receive the services they require.

The 24five Zone in Frances Harvey Green Library will be open 24 hours, 5 days a week from September 17^th through December 14^th from 12 noon on Sundays through 6pm on Fridays.

Students will have access to computers, printers, and scanners, as well as plenty of seats. Be sure to have your RAMCard with you. The 24five Zone will only be open to current students and you will be required to present your valid ID to enter. Students should enter the 24five Zone through the Starbucks on the first floor.

As always your feedback is very important to us. Tell us what you think, tweet @FHGLibrary #24five!