Cabrini College has come a long way since its opening in 1957. The 43 women from the first graduating class probably imagined nothing even close to what Cabrini is now. Fifty years have passed and I’m sure those 43 women still remember exactly how their first day at Cabrini College went, maybe what they wore and probably their favorite movies of the time.
Not only has Cabrini College changed, but the film industry has too. Since we are currently celebrating our 50 anniversary, why not celebrate the movies that once made someone laugh or cry 50 years ago. 1957 was a popular year for many movies and I am sure reminding people of them will bring back a memory they once had.
Ann Marie Marino, Class of 1961 Cabrini College graduate, said some of her favorites from that time were musicals. “There was always music in our house when I was growing up. Musicals always or almost always have a happy ending. I like happy endings,” Marino said.
“Flower Drum Song,” a story about a Chinese woman and her father who illegally enter San Francisco in order to marry her fiancé, is one of Marino’s favorites. Other musicals included, “Pal Joey,” “South Pacific” and “Funny Face.”
Some dramas that were favorites back then were “Anastasia,” a story about a Russian businessman who tries to pass a mysterious imposter as the Grand Duchess Anastasia.
“Twelve Angry Men” was also a hit back in 1957. This drama and crime flick dealt with the prosecution of a Spanish-American boy who allegedly killed his father. It was up to a jury of 12 men to determine the verdict.
This was the time when Marilyn Monroe made her debut in several movies. In “Some Like It Hot,” a movie of comedy, crime, music and romance, two struggling musicians witness a St. Valentine’s Day Massacre and try to find their way out of the city before they are found and killed by the mob. Their only escape was to dress up as women and join an all-girls band. Other Monroe favorites were “The Prince and the Showgirl,” “Let’s Make Love” and “The Misfits.”
Although there are many other movies that made their debut in the late 1950s, these are several household favorites of that time. Most movies were musicals, usually with a happy ending, while others dealt with crime. Comedies started to show around this time as well.
As we celebrate Cabrini College’s 50 year anniversary it is important to remember everything, including the movies of that time. These are films that the young women who started at Cabrini 50 years ago watched and loved. Maybe they even had movie nights in the mansion back then too.
