"Marcheta" in THEY WERE EXPENDABLE
Vložit
- čas přidán 12. 10. 2009
- "Marchéta" (pronounced Mar-KEE-ta) is a 1913 "love song of Old Mexico" written by the American composer Victor Schertzinger when he was but 25 years old. These days all of the versions to be found on modern CD are either overwrought ballads by male vocalists like Al Jolson and Mario Lanza, or else corny "cha-cha" dance instrumentals. However, , when played in waltz-time, as a serious orchestral love song, it becomes an achingly beautiful theme.
Director John Ford made "Marchéta" one of the emotional linchpins of his 1945 film THEY WERE EXPENDABLE. It is first played when Rusty Ryan (John Wayne) attends a hospital dance on Corregidor in the Philippines, and falls in love with a nurse there. Much later in the film, as Bataan falls and Corregidor (where his lover is stationed) is being bombed and starved into submission by the Japanese, a poignant reprise of the song appears on the radio as Wayne is getting drunk in an island bar, reminding him of his night of dancing with her in the darkness as he realizes he'll never see her again.
The song is utilized expertly by Ford in THEY WERE EXPENDABLE, and would stick with John Wayne for the rest of his life. Ford always had an accordionist on his set named Danny Borzage, who would often play mood music during scenes to help the actors find the right tone. Borzage would also create an intimate sense of family among the cast and crew by playing favorite themes whenever John Ford or a member of his stock company appeared on set. Everyone had their own tune, and after THEY WERE EXPENDABLE, "Marchéta" became John Wayne's theme.
I think it's a beautiful melody, and deserves to be remembered far better than it has been. Have a listen to it here in a pair of clips from THEY WERE EXPENDABLE and see if you agree.
_________________________
FOR CONSERVATIVE MOVIE LOVERS is the name of an ongoing series of written essays on cinema appearing at BIG HOLLYWOOD, a leading conservative website focused on reforming America's poisoned popular culture:
bighollywood.breitbart.com/aut...
Join conservative cinéaste Leo Grin as he journeys through the history of the greatest art form of our time, highlighting the intellectual, mythological, and cultural importance of the discipline from a right-wing perspective. Read penetrating essays on each film, explore a host of accompanying links to further reading, find information on buying and renting the discussed movies, and add your comments to the ongoing film-club discussion. - Krátké a kreslené filmy
Just watched this movie ...nice to know other people still notice these beautiful touches.
Watched this film loads of times, I think it’s the hopelessness of their situation. Just got worse as the film went on. Very well acted, loved Donna Reed ❤️
That's what war does to you my friend ,this film as you say brings out the pointless themes of war,but anyway that theme is brilliant.
He wasn't Angry John Wayne as he was in later John Ford movies esp. The Searchers. He was 'put in his place' a number of times by his co-star, Robert Montgomery.
Such a powerful use of music, the old days which were carefree to the present when they have just had a funeral for one of their friends.
yes, beautiful
A masteriece. I'm prejudiced as a life-long John Ford fan, and there were several other superb WW II films from 1945 (PRIDE OF THE MARINES (with John Garfield no less!), and A WALK IN THE SUN and THE STORY OF G.I. JOE. But THEY WERE EXPENDABLE was simply the greatest contemporaneous film to come out of WW II.
I would add "The Best Years Of Our Lives" to that list.
It's a great film, but was made after the war and my comment was aimed at those made during the war. @@infantinofan
This scene just tears me up, this one and the dinner with the officers and Donna Reed. When she cries and tells Rusty "...they're all such swell fellas." I wonder how many couples like them faced the same situation on Bataan or Corregidor. Just makes me sad.
Although this movie was made more than 60 years ago, it shows the shark realism of War...Just to watch the faces of those guys at the bar, knowing they had no chance of ever making it out of the Phillipines and would either be taken prisnor, or killed by the Japanese, brought it all home to the viewing audience....Great Movie, Great song.
All the music in "They Were Expendable" is superbly matched to the mood and tempo of the moment. Despite his caustic demeanor, Ford was an absolute master of romanticism.
Indeed
Colonel K A true Irishman!
@@JD-ku6vd Well, he fought and drank like one for sure, but I'm being sentimental thanks to the Dooley side of my family.
Colonel K A Malone from County Cork salutes you sir!
@@JD-ku6vd God bless the Irish (cause few others will). :)
The bar scene with the sailor drinking, with beer running down his mouth, is one of the greatest-and most poignant--scenes in movie history.
I cry every time I watch this scene. They've lost their buddies, they know that the end is near and they're thinking of home and happier times. Just so, so sad............
Or the scene where the young sailors drinking milk instead of beer... John Ford
this clip could serve as the definition of" Poignant"
I could listen to it for hours
I love this beautiful tune, have "hummed" it for years and finally learned it's name.
we're lucky to have phones to look this stuff up and find out immediately.
I also love ❤️ this music.
someone contemporary should sing the masterpiece.
I love this song. ❤️
Marilyn...After reading the source of this pretty love song, I have a sneaking hunch that it might have been a favorite of John Wayne's, seeing how he had a "thing" for high born and high spirited beautiful Mexican women....it sure fits,,,Marcheta, a love song of old Mexico....just beautiful !
Ultimately an elegiac tribute about a fighting defeat in the face of overwhelming odds, "They Were Expendable" is one of the greatest of World War II films. The beautifully sad and regretful melody of "Marcheta" fits the mood perfectly.
In grade school, one of the boys played the accordion and I remember him playing this when we were in seventh or eighth grade. Growing up in Albuquerque, I also remember Marchita being played by the musicians at one of restaurants on Old Town. Plaza. Perfect theme song for this movie.
lucky you. all I've had is to watch the movie and see the little clips
I first saw "They were expendable" in early 1946,in Shanghai,when I was fifteen,and only
just released from a Japanese internment camp WW2.....I was immediately impressed
by "Marcheta"......by its lovely,touching,and haunting melody.....which has been with me,
throughout my life....and,a tune recognised by my Mum,at the age of 93 ! Great stuff !!!
estrada359 "a tune recognised by my Mum, at the age of 93!"
The story goes that Oscar Hammerstein II knew that Jerome Kern was dead, when Hammerstein sang Kern's favorite song in his ear, as he lay in his hospital bed after a stroke, and Kern didn't respond.
Great story sir... You made me think of the movie Empire of the Sun and the beautiful music there..
Finest war movie ever.
This performance was probably done by the studio orchestra for the movie. I would dearly love to have a full version of this arrangement. If I were rich I'd hire the band to make a copy of it.
Worth seeing over and over. Beautifully done, moving and poetic.
This is the story of John D. Bulkely (the Robert Montgomery part) -- I served under him and if you want a great read, pick up (on Amazon) "Sea Wolf" about his exploits in both the Pacific (he saved Gen. MacArthur's life by getting him out of the Philippines) and at D-Day. A remarkable man, a true warrior, one (if not the) most decorated man in WW2. Served for 59 years in the US Navy...in his 70s.
Alan Cassidy Thank you for your service, and for the back story.
One of my favorite scenes from one of my favorite WWII films. If I didn't know John Ford directed it, this scene is a dead giveaway. The images of the abandoned Sailors having a last beer and staring off into space is pure Ford. As a man, Ford was a gold-plated asshole, but he understood the Navy as well as anyone in Hollywood, maybe more so. This movie endures because it has a soul all its own.
Yes, a great movie and prob my favorite WW2.. I own this and the book. I agree Ford directed the bar scene but Montgomery took over directing when Ford was injured. Did you notice in the C-47 scene at the end Wayne was almost smiling as he put his arm on Montgomery....
That's right, Irish. Ford fell off a scaffold and broke his leg. Told the producer that Montgomery would finish the picture. News to Montgomery! Anyway, the film turned out beautifully. That C-47 scene was tough when you consider the alternative of not securing a seat on that flight. And I'm sure many would make something of that gesture by The Duke at the end. It was just something that buddies did back then.
Thank you for enlightening me, this movie is one of my favorites but I had forgotten this scene, it means a lot and now I know more about the music.
How I love this film, the music haunts me, thank you for all the information.
Thank you so much for posting this! Such a beautiful song.
Love this song ❤️❤️❤️❤️🥰🥰🥰
Movie when movies were movies. Great movie THEY WERE EXPENDABLE
Thank you so very much for this. Long been a favorite of mine. My dad and I went to see this film on the big screen in 1979 at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee in a WWII film revival. Dad told me the name of this piece and I spent years looking for it and here you have it. My dad turned 18 in 1945 as this film was being readied for US distribution. His uncle and aunt gave him a copy of the book and inscribed a message on the inside cover, saying "To Bud - - on his natal day". I have read the book several times and get melancholy to what happened to Motor Torpedo Squadron Three.
Thanks for your post. A great movie. I own the movie and book. I too grow sad thinking of our guys( and women) stuck out there like that and to think they gave MacArthur the Medal of Honor... though his quote at the end is stirring as is the Battle Hymn of the Republic..
I just went to buy the book from Amazon £41 🤨
Greatest movie ever made
I just love this kind of music and love when they, in the old films, beautifully moods in scenes with music like this. I loved this music when I watched the movie and am glad to find it here on YT. WWIIDDSS
My mother was named Marcheta from a song my grandfather heard from Bing Crosby, she was born in 1940.
Mia Barr That would be this song. Bing Crosby sang a beautiful rendition of it.
This is the single greatest contemporaneous film to come out of WW II.
There. I said it. And I'm Ford-prejudiced.
And I won't take it back.
Watched this film since I was a bairn , still love it 50 years later.
Wonderful 🏋️♀️💚🇺🇸
Fantastic.
the theme song compliments so sensitively the events and time of that period perfectly...America, as a country, were all pulling the same wagon...god bless the greatest generation.
This movie, The Purple Heart, Bataan and The Best Years of Our Lives are the best of the during and just after WW II movies.
Love this song ❤️
♥️♥️♥️
could not agree with your synopsis more,
this is one of my favorite 40s films and
I think the play between wayne and
montgomery, along with the haunting
musical melodies is top shelf, thank
you for sharing this video, and your thoughts
about a very underappreciated classic with us
Donna Reed, class act.
This clip edited out the radio announcer cutting in to announce the fall of Bataan.... A shame our guys getting caught out there with no relief.... Awesome movie, I own it and the book..
Thank you so much--for the scene, the music, and for the backstory to it.
A beautiful melody, but I did not know it was in this film. After seeing again a short wile back I recognized the melody from an album by Chet Atkins (The Other Chet Atkins). Very beautiful when played on acoustic guitar by a great musician.
Watched movie. Great ❤️
This piece of music seems to captivate the feeling of absolute desperation, knowing that there was nothing that they could do to stop the Japanese forces. Losing their friends little by little & not knowing the fate that awaited them.
paul eggins I beg to differ. No matter how bad things got, those men and women always maintained a dignity and sense of honor. And it wasn't just in pictures. That was America.
@@nstix2009xitsn I was only talking about the film & not what really happened. I am also aware of the dept we all owe America for their sacrifices during WW2. You may also aware of the other nations that helped end that bloody awful conflict, like the UK Australia India the Gurkhas the Filipino’s to name a few.
The movie scene in the bar is cut. After the entry of the crew, the radio announces the surrender of the Philippine army. Then "Marcheta" continues to play, hence the melancholy and self-absorption of the soldiers. They already know they are dead or prisoners with no alternative to leave the islands and return home..... Incredible scene for a cinema that is no longer possible. There are no more masters, no more sensitivity, no more desire to make works of art. Instead of actors and actresses, we have ridiculous guys and girls, with tattoos, ridiculous voices, and who are not credible to make movies, except for characters of thugs and vicious, where they play themselves....
thank you! the editing makes all the difference.....
Fine young American Sailors ... The Greatest Generation. Say a prayer for them as they pass on to history, and a prayer that we their children and grandchildren will learn something from their sacrafice.
Of course, John Ford et al, always carry their music from movie to movie, remember the old man and "The Red River Valley" song? Also Marcheta is used in another movie ,by Ford, to inspire your hidden memories of this movie etc..
Love em all...pat
Por qué resulta tan entrañable esta escena?
@MajorYork1
I'm prejudiced since I'm supposed to be a John Ford expert (not to the exclusion of others, I might add). But I firmly believe that this was the best contemporaneous Hollywood film to come out of WW II. No wonder it happened in 1945, when THE STORY OF GI JOE and A WALK IN THE SUN, two of the others, were also released. When the war was nearing its end. When kids had starting becoming adults, if they lived long enough.
But these were Ford's people. Good people. Good Navy.
Btw, I wish they would create albums of music from scenes like these.
"musica".... John Ford was quite the director
Thanks for posting! I always wanted to know the title of this song. I'm a big fan of this movie. I have it on DVD and just finished watching (again). That is a nice write-up you provided and did not know that about John Ford's use of Danny Borzage OR that this was John Wayne's "John Ford stock company" theme. I'm going to bookmark this video so I can provide myself a little mental escape during the workday with this beautiful tune and terrific movie. Well done!!!
@TheAlleypoo
Bulkely lived quite a long life, and I remember when he died, in fact, long after I'd first seen this film. Of course, only John Ford could have made the movie. He was there, too, to recount it and later tell us about it.
How far Hollywood has sunk. All they know is how to make cartoons. That's all recent movies are.
100% CORRECT. Hollywood no longer can make patriotic movies without conservative help.
My very favorite WW2 movie and I thought Robert Montgomery was the best...compassionate, strong, kind, and a pro. Just a beautifully crafted movie.
I first heard this song while in college in the '70s. It haunted me for decades because it seemed so familiar. Then I recently discovered that the great tenor Richard Tauber sang it.
My mother was a big Tauber fan and that must have been where I heard it while a child in the '50s.
czcams.com/video/QSceovOSQMU/video.html
@curtindobbs Exactly my thoughts!
Sorry if this is a dupe: Bing Crosby has a good version of this song to be found here on CZcams. I listened to it over and over growing up. It was a record that my mother had.
Have some San Miguels!!!
Does anyone know the song the appears many times in the movie and also appears in the opening credits after Anchors Away?
No recuerdo ahora el contexto de la escena aunque lo intuyo,pero aún desprovista de su antes o después ,la escena es una obra maestra por si misma
belisamo
I'm with ya. I've watched it perhaps 50 times through three or four copies, between VHS and DVD. The technical delivery doesn't matter much, I suppose. The humanity does.
Creo que yo estoy más triste que todos ellos
Let's show the whole movie please
In 1960, guitarist Chet Atkins, in his album "The Other Chet Atkins", covered Marcheta.
IMHO Chet's solo guitar version is comparable with Ford's. You can hear it at czcams.com/video/kc7WN762c0w/video.html
REPLY
Does anyone have the funeral scene from this movie..Where he talks about the flag?
Sometimes the best acting involves no speaking at all
Can someone confirm the name of the actor who is dancing with Donna Reed at 0:20 on this film clip, possibly Paul Langton? The countenance on the man's face is more than just acting in this noir film scene. I think he really loved her! I can't play "Marcheta" without remembering this scene and how Schertzinger's waltz makes it so unforgettable. Thanks for any ID that follows.
I believe it is Louis Jean Heydt [Ohio]
Thanks, David, for your kind assistance. What man wouldn't love dancing with Donna Reed? John Ford didn't use Heydt, or the waltz "Marcheta" on a whim. His flawless craft as a director is remarkable and I believe his execution of that "seconds" only scene, is most arresting.
I was at a panel in Lone Pine where Ford's grandson Patrick spoke and he said this was his favorite of Jack's films. It is deeply affecting. I am just a kid of 69 but I know that this movie, released while the War was still going on, had to resonate with the audience at the time. I highly recommend "Five Who Came Back" as a great book on this era and its affect on 5 famous directors. I know this site says Conservative Movies but Ben Mankiewicz was also on the panel and raved about this book. And I am sure you heard Ford's theme played over the scene with Russell Simmons- Red River Valley
It may be.. I will have to dig out my VHS copy with better clarity.... One of my favorite movies, esp regarding WW2
Yes, could be Heydt... love how at the end he says" I don't knoww.. could she could be a prisoner somewhere, maybe in the hiills" An awesome movie that I own and the book... There was another plane actually... The movie did not resonate with audiences I read as the war was over when it was released. Robert Montgomery took over the direction after Ford was injured...
@Labaron26
I only point out your typo about the "shark" realism of war as a kuddo and compliment. Since it's true.
I'm not a conservative, but I love this movie. Thank you for sharing our common interest.
@musicnsports95 Because he is now such an icon, many try to keep making fun of John Wayne as just a star who got lucky.
Not so. I could never agree with his politics (which, in fact, were not as simplistic or predictable as many would claim). Bottom line is that his eyes were enormously expressive. And John Ford knew how to photograph them.
.....and MacArthur got the Medal of Honor huh?.........