Independence Day at the Movies

 JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: Happy Independence Day, my fellow Americans. It's a little difficult you know what to write about today, and not just because we already covered favorite summer specialties. Instead of pontificating, I'm going to suggest   movies that encompass the thrills, chills, music and mayhem that make up our country

 

Jaws: It's been 50 years since this adaptation of Peter Benchley's thriller came out, and it's as compelling as ever. Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss and Robert Shaw have to rescue Amity, NY's 4th of July holiday from a terrifying and iconic killer.

 

Born on the Fourth of July - Oliver Stone's Oscar-winning anti-war story proves Tom Cruise can really act, not just do stunts. 

  

Independence Day - my family's must-watch movie for today! If you like major American landmarks blown up by evil aliens, this one's for you.

 

A Day in the Life of America. A masterful documentary of July 4th, 2017, shot by 92 film crews scattered across the US and Puerto Rico. 

 

Yankee Doodle Dandy: the all singing, all dancing, all delightful biopic of "the man who owned Broadway," George M. Cohan.

 

Mr Smith Goes to Washington - nothing specifically takes place on July 4th, but it's a great evocation of the ideals that founded this country.

 

And finally, a classic it-can-happen-here novel turned into a miniseries, The Plot Against America.

 

How about you, dear readers? What do you suggest for the perfect Independence Day flick? 

Fourth of July Favorites

 JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: I was thinking of writing something , you know, star-spangled and patriotic, but in the run-up to this holiday ( a four day weekend for some!)  I found myself dwelling happily on all the things I just plain love about American's celebration of their national holiday. So, of course, that means... a list!

1. BBQ. Whether it's southern pork slathered in sauce, or Latin American slow-roasted and thinly shaved meats, or good old hot dogs and hamburgers, I adore a good barbecue. Make a side, bring a six pack, and show up at your friend's house for a whole day of sun and fun.

2. Naturalization ceremonies. What better way to honor the founding of our country than adding new citizens? Am I crying? No, that's just the chopped onion for the hot dogs.

 

3. Themed desserts. The more red-white-and-blue, the better. Thank heavens some of summer's favorite fruits are reliably red strawberries and watermelon. Also, grateful that the Founders went with those colors. Can you imagine coming up with sweets if we had gone with, say, the colors of one of our Revolutionary allies, Spain? Try making an appealing shortbread out of red and yellow.

4. Dogs wearing patriotic gear. SO CUTE. Just make sure to get them into the quietest place in the house before the fireworks start going off. Poor babies.

6. Houses flying the American flag and bunting. This really looks good in New England, where so  much of our housing stock is pre-twentieth century. A dear friend of mine sent me a pole, bracket and flag for my birthday this year, and I'm ridiculously excited about installing it tomorrow.

7. Small town parades. Honestly, any and all Fourth of July parades, but the home town ones - with the high school marching band, and the kids on their decorated bikes, and the fire department driving its antique hose truck - those are the best. Have I told you I won the decorated bike award at the Argyle parade in 1973? 

8. The high-brow music. Many cities, Portland among them, have free outdoor symphony concerts on the Fourth. They play the usual marches, the military service hymns, and the 1812 Overture (which has nothing to do with America but is GREAT for fireworks. They also play new and interesting works by American composers, and classical pieces the audience might not otherwise hear. 

 

9. The low-brow music. I have SO many problems with it politically, but when someone puts on Toby Keith's "Courtesy of the Red White and Blue" and cranks it up I am right there singing along. I mean, how can anyone resist a line like, "We'll put a boot in yer ass, it's the American way?"

 

10. INDEPENDENCE DAY, the Roland Emmerich movie. A family tradition (I watched it yesterday with the Maine Millennial and her new beau) that never pales. The evil aliens. The stirring presidential speech. The redemption of the drunken dad. And, of course, Jeff Goldblum and Will Smith at their sexiest. It's the American melting pot at its finest.

How about you, dear readers? What are the things you like about our own Independence Day? And for our Canadian friends, what do you usually like to do when you celebrate Canada Day on July 1st? (I know some celebrations have been cancelled this year due to the fires.)

 

 

Images by Rudy and Peter Skitterians, Jill Wellington on Pixabay, Samantha Jean,  Thomas Park at Unsplash, manseok Kimon Pixabay

Considering the Fourth of July

LUCY BURDETTE: I had the choice today of posting a photo of a flag and wishing us all happy birthday. But it felt hard to settle for that after our last two weeks in Ireland and Scotland. For me, a good reason for traveling is to get lifted out of my own small version of the world and see things as others see them. 

The histories of Scotland and Ireland are rife with conflict and loss and rivalry. One small castle in the neck of Scotland witnessed power sawing back and forth over centuries between warring factions with many lives cruelly lost in the process. In Ireland, we heard about the violence of the Troubles, the conflicts between Protestants and Catholics. In both countries we witnessed the pain of countries ripped into pieces. This is a war song written and sung by Colin Urwin of Haste to the Wedding that we heard in the storytelling barn. (Recording of the band's music will be coming soon...)



We also heard news stories about what might happen if Brexit is adopted--many Scots we met believe that if Brexit goes through, Scotland will vote to become independent. Though this might result in a recession and many difficult adjustments in their relationship with the UK, some believe this is the better path. (The American Psychological Association Monitor published a recent article describing how people are suffering from anxiety and depression after the Brexit vote--regardless of which side they voted for.) Change will come hard...

Also while we were away, we read stories about the police shooting in South Bend, Indiana, and watched videos of the angry response from African Americans in South Bend. And heard more terrible stories about the growing border crisis. I've pasted another song below from Colin about the losses that come from segregation...



  Does all change have to come through human suffering? Have we not learned anything from history? I was encouraged by our visit to Liz Weir's barn--she was invited to work with the team attempting to make peace in Ireland--through storytelling. I can't say exactly how that might have worked, though I imagine it involved a lot of listening, and learning from history, and setting smaller egos aside in the service of a greater good. 

In fact she has said: “When we started off the Troubles were at their height, and somebody would get up and tell a story about an Orange Lodge dinner, and somebody else would tell a story about going to Mass. The fact was we were all listening to each other’s stories, and respecting each other’s stories, and I think that’s very important. If you listen to someone’s story, you’re giving the utmost respect.” 



My wish for our country’s birthday—that we listen to each other and find a peaceful way to move past the contentiousness we are mired in these days....how about you?

Diannekc, you are the winner of the Wicked prize package. Please email Barbaraannross at gmail dot com to arrange delivery--congrats!

Happy Independence Day!

RHYS BOWEN:  Wishing all of our friends and followers a happy and relaxing Fourth of July! I think too many of us take independence and freedom for granted. We don't think twice when we express an opinion or criticize a political figure (and what's not to criticize these days?)
We tend to forget that in other countries this could lead to being hauled off to jail, tortured and even killed.

I am particularly aware of the meaning of independence this Fourth as I have just returned from Britain and witnessed the whole Brexit drama. If I'd been able to vote I really can't say which side I would have chosen. But I do understand the sentiment behind wanting to leave the EU. For those who voted to leave it meant being in control of Britain's own destiny. As an island nation the Brits have always been proud of having control of their laws, their borders and having never been invaded since 1066.  Britain's Magna Carta formed the basis of democracies around the world.

Under the EU many parts of life were dictated to by a non-elected body in Brussels. What kind of apples a farmer was allowed to grow, what kind of fish a fisherman was allowed to catch, the size of strawberries, meters instead of yards for cloth. And anyone allowed into the EU had a right to come and live and work in Britain. It was this feeling of lack of control that drove so many people to vote LEAVE.   Whether it will be a good thing for Britain in the long run, we'll have to wait and see.

I don't believe George Washington and his army knew whether the colonies would be better off without Britain, but they thought that the chance to decide their own destiny was worth the risk. It paid off for the US. Let's hope it pays off for Britain too.

Jungle Reds Picnic: July 4 Pot Luck!

HALLIE EPHRON: Happy Independence Day, everyone!

Our tradition each July 4 is a day trip to my friend Pat's summer house on Long Pond in Plymouth, MA. They've turned what was once the infirmary of a Girl Scout camp into a cozy one-bedroom cottage with a gigantic front porch.

We arrive after the crack-of-dawn flag raising and reading of the Declaration of Independence. We swim, feast on lobsters and corn and tomatoes, enjoy Pat & Joe's hoards of children and grandchildren (photo). Party poopers that we are, we drive home just at sunset and, as we drive, enjoy the fireworks going off on either side of the highway.

Today I'm inviting the Reds and all of our readers to a July 4 pot luck! I'm bringing my friend Pat's blueberry pie. (Scroll to the bottom for recipes!)

What are you bringing?

LUCY BURDETTE: My family would often gather with my mother's two sisters for holidays. Aunt Barbara was usually in charge of the potato salad at our summer celebrations. She had to make several kinds, because someone wouldn't eat onions and I wouldn't eat eggs and so on...(These were NOT allergies--they were preferences. She was more accommodating than I would be:)

But last year I started to think about those hard-boiled eggs--why shouldn't they be a main ingredient? What if I left out all the fancy stuff--the onions, the celery, the pickles, the peppers, the capers--and went back to something basic?

HALLIE: You left out the EGGS from the potato salad?

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN:  Proving how old I am, back at home we had sparklers. We would bend the ends, light them, and spin them.

If someone did that at our house today, I would swoop down on them with the garden hose.
Anyway.

Now we have a new tradition, which is lobsters, and grilled corn, and chilled rose. The kids play in the pool and eat hot dogs, because that is all they eat, but all good. We have strawberry shortcake and watch the local fireworks, which you can see, pretty much, from our back yard. Then listen to the Boston Pops on TV and sing along, while patting ourselves on the back that we are not in all the 4th of July traffic.
(Even writing this makes me realize how lucky we are.)

I have a FABULOUS Brussels sprouts salad, but I won't make it. I'll tell you for Thanksgiving.
Sure, I have a recipe.

Love you all madly.

DEBORAH CROMBIE: Hallie and Hank, your 4ths sound fab!  We are so boring. We stay home, grill burgers (I do make a mean burger!) and fresh corn, with fresh farm tomatoes and cole (cold!) slaw, and watermelon.

This slaw is garlicy and not too sweet, with an unexpected kick from the nutmeg. I found the recipe years ago in a newspaper somewhere and have been making it ever since. This year, with the new ice cream maker, I think maybe we'll add homemade vanilla--maybe even root beer floats! Or maybe Hallie's blueberry pie!

I like to watch the Boston Pops, then sometimes we'll drive someplace where we can see the fireworks without getting in traffic.

Hank, we always did sparklers when I was a kid. Loved them! But no kids in the family now, so no excuse:-) (Grown kids are going to the lake...)

RHYS BOWEN: Oh Hank, I used to love sparklers on our Guy Fawkes Night which is when we had fireworks.
Of course, being a Brit, I'm not supposed to celebrate the Fourth, am I? But we always do. We often go to nearby Sonoma where my daughter has a swim center and her swim team marches in the parade. But grilling lobster on a dock sounds so much better! I think your holidays must be more civilized on the East Coast! We do usually go to friends whose house has a fabulous view over San Francisco Bay to watch fireworks from their deck. Everyone brings potluck items and I'm trying to remember if I bring anything special.  John makes a mean stuffed egg.


JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: Our Independence Day tradition is to head up to Portland's Munjoy Hill for a barbeque hosted by children's book author Gail Donovan and her husband. Munjoy Hill backs up to the Eastern Prom, where the Portland Symphony Orchestra plays a free concert and there are, of course, fireworks. The great thing about having friends who live on the hill? The city closes all roads in and out of the Prom at 3:30 in the afternoon, so if you can't park up close before then, you have a long walk back to the car after the fireworks.

The PSO begins to play as dusk falls over Casco Bay, and then the fireworks explode right at the height of The 1812 Overture. Scores of people watch from boats on the water. It's magical, and one of the many times I feel so grateful to live in Maine.


I got some lovely Napa cabbage and fresh cilantro in my CSA this week, so I'm bringing an Asian-themed slaw to the party.

JUNGLE REDS POT LUCK JULY 4 RECIPES

From Hallie, Pat's Blueberry PieTwo 9" pie crusts - I pre-bake the bottom crust for about 10 minutes
Filling: Mix 4 c blueberries (rinsed and picked over) with 3/4-1 cup sugar, 3T flour, 1/2 tsp lemon peel (ESSENTIAL), 1/2 tsp cinnamon, dash of salt
Put the filling in the bottom crust; sprinkle w/1 tsp of lemon juice and dot with butter
Seal the top crust and cut slits in it. Brush on some beaten egg for shiny glazed.
Bake @400 for 35-40 minutes
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, of courseFrom Lucy, No-eggs Potato Salad6 medium red potatoes
2 eggs
Heaping tablespoon of fresh dill
1 tsp celery seed
1/2 tsp celery salt
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp cider vinegar
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
2 heaping Tbsp Hellmann's mayonnaise (I used the kind with olive oil)

Wash the potatoes, cut out any unappealing spots, and cut them in half or quarters, depending on size. Boil them gently until they are soft. Cut them into slices when cool. In another pan, boil the eggs about ten minutes and let them cool in the hot water. Stir together the oil and vinegar and dill and marinate the warm potatoes in this mixture. Meanwhile, mix the other ingredients--the celery seed, celery salt, mustard, and mayo, and add fresh black pepper to taste.
Slice the eggs and add them to the potatoes. Fold the mayo mixture into the potatoes and eggs and taste to correct the seasoning. Serve in a pretty bowl with grilled anything! Here's hoping you have a wonderful holiday weekend with all your favorite relatives and friends-- and food!

From Hank, Fresh Corn with Lemon Butter
Get fresh corn.
Take the husks off.
Put the on hot charcoal coals.
Turn turn turn, then steam with the cover on for two minutes.
Stall until the lobsters are done.
Pour lemon butter and pepper over everything.

From Rhys, stuffed eggs
Hard boil eggs. Peel.
Cut in half, remove yolks.
Mash yoke with mayonnaise
add a touch of horseradish AND Reece's pepper jelly
when smoothly blended stuff back into egg whites
sprinkle with chopped parsley
Arrange on egg dish.

From Deb, Garlic and Nutmeg Cole Slaw
In a medium bowl whisk together:
1/2 cup mayo (I use Hellman's with Olive Oil)
1/8 cup sugar (I use unrefined)
1/8 cup rice vinegar
1 clove crushed garlic
1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg

Chop or shred 1/2 head fresh cabbage, add to dressing and stir well to combine. Refrigerate covered for about an hour to blend flavors.

From Julia, Asian Napa Cabbage Slaw

1/4 c rice vinegar 
2t sugar
1t fresh grated ginger or 1T powdered
2T sesame oil
1 fresh chili, serrano or jalapeno pepper, finely chopped
1 small head of Napa cabbage, chopped into 1/2 inch slices
1 carrot, grated (this is for color, so you could also substitute re and yellow peppers, etc.)
1 bunch scallions, sliced
1/2 c fresh cilantro, chopped

Whisk vinegar, sugar, ginger, oil and hot pepper together with a dash of salt. Add remaining ingredients, toss to blend. Let sit to develop flavor.
 

On picnics, fireworks, and fire trucks...

Another July 4. Usually it's the sizzle of barbecues and sun. This year in New England we’ve had the wettest, darkest, dankest June and early July ever. But still we pack up our swim suits and towels and head down to Long Pond in Plymouth where friends own a slice of an old Girl Scout camp situated on Long Pond. They sleep in what was once the camp’s infirmary (there's still a red cross on the door).

Get there early enough (we don't) and you’d be in time to attend the annual flag raising and a reading of the Declaration of Independence, an event that has taken place in a little grassy clearing every July 4 for more than 50 years. It’s an informal affair with maybe thirty people. We walk back after and our friend Joe turns down his outdoor smoker where he's been smoking brisket and ribs for the last 12 hours. Patty-Joe Bakes the world’s best blueberry pie. Lots of grandkids arrive.

This year we were afraid we be getting another kind of fireworks--thunder and lightning. Turned out to be a spectacularly beautiful night. On the drive home, we enjoyed the splashes of fireworks that erupted from the sides of the road.

What are your July 4 traditions?

JAN: I have a confession to make. I hate fireworks. Mostly because my kids were terrified when they were small and it was always a problem. But also because they just seem like the same loud thing over and over. My poor husband, who loves fireworks, thinks the rest of us are killjoys. Which we are.

We don't have a single tradition, but we either go the (Martha's) Vineyard to barbeque with friends and check out the Edgartown Parade, or go to my sister-in-law's house here, outside Boston, to swim. This year I'll be packing all weekend to leave for France on Monday. That's not very patriotic, is it?

HALLIE: Fireworks scare me, too. If only they didn't go boom. And hanging out on the Esplanade there are always a few idiots who think it's cool to toss cherry bombs into the crowd. But watching a great fireworks display is truly breathtaking. If only you could hit the mute button.

LATE BREAKING BULLETIN - Jan broke down and braved the Esplanade Fourth of July Fireworks, and had a great time. "They were terrific!" Here's her photo.

ROBERTA: Oh I'm so jealous of your trip to France Jan!

As for the holiday, I love living in our small shoreline town where the Fourth is thoroughly celebrated. I started with the farmer's market yesterday (crammed with summer tourists who can sniff out a good thing,) then the fireworks, which we watch from some rocks on the beach nearby. It doesn't provide quite the same oomph as close up, but you can't beat the spot for no traffic and crowds. The mosquitoes were wicked this year because of all the rain. And finally this morning, our town parade. We get everything from Jazzercize to the town selectmen, to the Shriners, to fife and drum bands, to our very own fire engine. We hoot and holler at everyone we know as they go by.

HANK: As a reporter ,there are no holidays. So for years, I worked on the Fourth--but sometime was lucky enough to cover the fireworks (I love them!) on Boston's Esplanade. It's a truly different experience to go as reporter. Instead of waiting on the incredibly crowded lawn for hours and sitting with--what, half a million people? You just zoom up in the news van, park right behind the Hatch Shell (where the performance is) and stand in the front row. Of course, you have to be on the air five or six times, so there's no relaxation! And when the fireworks are over, you're still at work. But I loved it.

But now, we sit with friends in our back yard, listening to the Boston Pops on the radio, and have lobsters and corn and rose wine and ginger ice cream with raspberries. And--if you look in just the right spot between the branches of the sugar maple--you can see the tops of the Newton town fireworks.

HALLIE: Ooooh, that sounds (and looks) delicious.

RO: I was more of a sparkler kid than a firecracker kid. I just didn't get what was so great about something that sounded like a car backfiring and left little bits of paper all over the sidewalk. (I was a tidy child.)

Serious fireworks on the other hand are pretty nice. I don't go out of my way to see them but I usually watch from my terrace in NY on New Year's Eve. And last week I saw some pretty cool ones when I was on top of the Eiffel Tower.

Nothing but noise this year in Connecticut. And my husband forced me to sit through the movie 1776, which is one of the worst musicals I've ever seen - and over three hours long. That's what I get for making him watch Easter Parade every year.

HALLIE: Ah, yes, sparklers. I loved them, too. And we used to get these little things we called snakes...like a teensy weensy, miniature hockey pucks that you lit and coils of ash erupted from them. Mesmerizing.

On the side, is anyone watching the new Miss Marple on PBS? Last night it was "A Pocket Full of Rye" -- such a clever, intricate plot. The actress playing The Marvelous Miss M (Julia McKenzie) doesn't quite match the standard set by Joan Hickson--but who could?

Independence Day traditions? Any baton twirlers out there? Miss Marple? Where are you this Monday after?