CINDERELLA LIBERTY

US, 1973, 117 minutes, Colour.
James Caan, Eli Wallach. Marsh Mason, Burt Young.
Directed by Mark Rydell.

Cinderella Liberty is a very likeable film which, while tackling emotional entanglements in the sleazy atmosphere of a US Port is filled with basic human goodness and some hope.

James Caan portrays Ordinary Sailor John Baggs, a sensitive and kindly man, victim of navy inefficiency and his own feelings for a pregnant pool hustler and her son. The joys and disappointments of the relationship are movingly portrayed, skirting the dangers of sentimentality and giving the audience an emotional life. Caan and Marcia Mason are excellent and there is good support from Eli Wallach as a down-and-out sailor. The film was directed by Mark Rydell who has made such varying films as "The Fox", "The Reivers", "The Cowboys", "Harry and Walter Go To New York". This is an entertaining and pleasing film which offers much for discussion about life and love.

1. The meaning of the title and its emphasis on freedom? The overtones of the fairy story - how was it verified? Cinderella needed for the transforming of Maggie and Doug? How were they Cinderellas? How was Johnny Baggs a 'fairy godmother' figure?

2. How entertaining was this film? How entertaining in its basic humanity? In its presentation of ordinary human goodness in ordinary sordid situations?

3. How consistent were the behaviour patterns of the principal characters? Johnny and his sensitivity. his response to Maggie. the result that this had on him, and his pursuing of Maggie in love for her fulfilment? Maggie and her pool-room life, her response to positive help, her self-destructive return to a poorer form of life? Doug and his sordid background and his gradual response to love and kindness in his life?

4. Comment on the communication of loneliness in the film. The emphasis in the opening on sailors rejoining families,, Johnny being alone, How did this contrast with the end with sailors leaving and farewelling families and Johnny with a family? How was the message and meaning of the film summed up by this transition?

5. Comment on the presentation of Navy life and its impact on John? The Navy as a job which he did efficiently, its possibilities for promotion and for communication with others. the treatment that he received by Forshay. the impersonal atmosphere of the Navy as regards his health, his files, payment and his personal life? How did the Navy represent the impersonalism of modern society?

6. How attractive a character was Johnny? As an ordinary seaman, his explanation of his home life, his use of leave as a lonely man. his betting with Maggie, his night with her, sexuality in his life? How great was his sensitivity. his response to Doug. his finding him on the Ferris Wheel and bringing him home? How did he change in his concern for Doug. taking him out. the use of language, his work on shore patrol? When did he begin to love Doug and Maggie? His concern for them and the resultant happiness? His concern for the baby and his taking responsibilities? What attitudes did he have in organizing the marriage? The happiness of the marriage, helping Doug with his teeth? How much did they suffer with the death of the baby? How much did he suffer with Maggie’s turning her back on him? Why did he not give up? How did his love for Doug help him to continue?

7. How well drawn was the picture of Maggie? Was she credible in her role at the poolroom ,as a hustler? Her explanation of her New Orleans background? How good a mother was she? Where was her failure? Did she love Doug? How did the sequences with the Welfare Officer show the objectivity of her failure? Why did she respond to Johnny? How happy did she become with the love and the prospect of marriage? Somebody wanting her? The prospect of the baby being called John? How important was her pregnancy for her and her attempts to lead a healthier life? The strenuous nature of the birth. John's presence during the birth? Why was she so broken with the death of the baby? Another failure? Why did she return to her old ways? Was there any malice towards Johnny? The hurts inflicted on him?

8. How attractive was the portrayal of Doug? His cheekiness and yet the sentiment in the performance? The picture of brash cheekiness? His language and talk with his friend on the Ferris Wheel? His hostility to Johnny? His love for his mother? His following Johnny on the Shore Patrol and learning -friendship? What did he learn in his response to Johnny? His response to love and friendship? His growing attitude of love to his mother? The teeth etc.? The sharing of food, the cake etc.? How happy was he when the baby was born? How saddened with his mother's change of heart? His reliance on Johnny? What future would he have with Johnny and searching out Maggie?

9. The importance of Lynn Forshay for the film? The old Navy life that Johnny led, his revenge on him and their laughter together? The disillusion when Forshay was sacked from the army? The impact of the seediness of his job at the strip joint? His celebration of the birth of the baby with Johnny? Did you expect that they would change places at the end? Were you glad that this would be a new life for Forshay?

10. What was your initial attitude towards the welfare Officer? Why? Was she merely doing her job? Was she sympathetic towards the family? Did your attitude change when she agreed to help Johnny? Why?

11. What view of the family did the film take? What insight into family relationships did it give? What insight into goodness, hope, love?

12. Which details of this story impressed you most? Why?

13. How valuable a film was this as regards values entertainment? Human insight? Some inspiration and encouragement in living?