The Day the Earth Stood Still

Earlier this week, I re-watched The Day the Earth Stood Still for the first time in many years, and I noticed some religious overtones.

When Klaatu arrives on Earth, he says, "We have come to visit you in peace and with goodwill," which echoes what the angels say in Luke 2:14 when they announce Jesus' birth to the shepherds:  "'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!'" [NKJV]

When Klaatu escapes from the military hospital, he disguises himself in clothing belonging to a Major L. M. Carpenter, and he takes on Carpenter's name as his own.  In the Bible, Jesus is referred to as "the carpenter" (Mark 6:3) and "the carpenter's son" (Matthew 13:55).

Klaatu also acknowledges a higher power.  After he is apparently revived from death by Gort, Helen asks him, "You mean, he has the power of life and death?" and he replies, "No, that power is reserved to the Almighty Spirit; this technique, in some cases, can restore life for a limited period."

American Graffiti

A couple times over the last two months, I had some vague thoughts about American Graffiti.  Last week, I watched it again in order to pay close attention to details and write this post.

The DJ Wolfman Jack holds great significance for the characters, and every radio is tuned to his station.  When Curt goes to the radio station to talk to him, "Crying in the Chapel" by Sonny Till & the Orioles is playing.  This is the only non-secular song in the entire soundtrack, and its subject matter and placement underscore the godlike status that the characters attribute to the Wolfman.  In this light, Curt's trip to see the Wolfman at the radio station takes on the same meaning as a pilgrimage to a deity's shrine.

The Wolfman's comment "that's just a dedication, man; what I can do is I relay it, it'll be on tomorrow or Tuesday" suggests that the current day is Sunday, which also figures into this quasi-religious aspect since Sunday is the usual day for church services.

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Until the end of the movie, Bob Falfa is always wearing a hat, and he displays an arrogant confidence that he's faster than Milner.  The two features are connected:  Falfa's hat acts as a sort of victor's crown representing a status that he doesn't really deserve.  Falfa loses the race with Milner when he crashes, and it's in this crash that he's de-crowned.  After Milner helps him stumble away from his wrecked car, he's left merely holding his hat: