Ukuleles in the movies - PART 1

I was thinking last night just how many appearances the ukulele has made in cinema history, and realised that there are some great films with ukes!  I thought this would be a good idea for some blogging!

SOME LIKE IT HOT

Two struggling musicians witness the St. Valentine's Day Massacre and try to find a way out of the city before they are found and killed by the mob. The only job that will pay their way is an all girl band so the two dress up as women. In addition to hiding, each has his own problems; One falls for another band member but can't tell her his gender, and the other has a rich suitor who will not take "No," for an answer.

Ukulele Moment -  A great an hilarious movie, with Marilyn Monroe as the wonderful Sugar Kane, the bands vocalist and ukulele player!







IMDB link - Some Like It Hot

JOE VERSUS THE VOLCANO

Joe versus the Volcano is a fable which opens with somewhat surrealistic scenes of the dehumanization of Joe Bank's job and work environment (at a company whose product rather literally screws people) with imagery that seems to have been inspired by the classic film Metropolis. Joe is diagnosed with an incurable disease, quits his dehumanizing job, and accepts an offer to briefly "live like a king, die like a man" - but to fulfill his agreement he must willingly jump into a live volcano on the island of Waponi Woo in order to appease the volcano god. En route to the island, Joe meets a series of interesting characters in NYC and LA, then boards a yacht, captained by Patricia Graynamore. During the voyage Joe and Patricia survive disaster, fall in love, and finally arrive at the island where they face their destiny.

Ukulele Moment - I remember this film from when I was younger and its quite an odd one.  Usual great performance from Tom Hanks though as Joe who plays the ukulele and plays the wonderful Cowboy Song on it.

IMDB link - Joe Versus The Volcano

THE HUDSUCKER PROXY

When Waring Hudsucker, head of hugely successful Hudsucker Industries, commits suicide, his board of directors, led by Sidney Mussberger, comes up with a brilliant plan to make a lot of money: appoint a moron to run the company. When the stock falls low enough, Sidney and friends can buy it up for pennies on the dollar, take over the company, and restore its fortunes. They choose idealistic Norville Barnes, who just started in the mail room. Norville is whacky enough to drive any company to ruin, but soon, tough reporter Amy Archer smells a rat and begins an undercover investigation of Hudsucker Industries.

Ukulele Moment - A great movie from the brilliant Coen brothers, and watch out for Charles Durning descending as an angel in white robes, strumming a ukulele and playing "She'll Be Coming Round The Mountatin"


IMDB link - The Hudsucker Proxy




More ukulele movies coming soon, and if you have any favourites, let me know via the blog!