Friday Meals on Reels: The Hunt for Red October.

Do you know the drill yet? throughout this year we’ll be looking at screengrabs from the first appearance of food in classic and new movies. Food, movies, fun – what could be better? If you don’t like it, go defect to another country.

In 1990’s The Hunt for Red October, we get a delightful screengrab of food at just after the 45-minute mark:

If I didn’t know what movie this food-grab was from, I’d probably never guess it. Before reviewing it for today’s article, I’d always remembered that this scene in Red October, in which Ramius experiences dissent from his senior crew, began with a shot of Ramius himself eating. And for whatever reason, I always remembered that Ramius was eating steak!

So it was with no small amount of surprise when I slowed this scene down to grab the frame above and it occurred to me for the first time in my 182 or so screenings of this wonderful movie: OH BUT BY THE ROTTING CORPSE OF KHRUSHCHEV, WHAT IN THE HELL ARE THEY EATING HERE?

It looks like some kind of fish, but WOW does that look disgusting. No wonder why the crew is so angry when they’re being fed crap like this. Who wouldn’t want to defect to the U.S. and go find an Arby’s when this is the kind of slop offered to an elite Soviet submarine crew?

Still, this really is a fantastic scene where the use of food provides both exposition and subtext. We witness the easy, casual power that Ramius wields on his boat here, and the fact that he continues to eat while his men are complaining adds quite a bit of depth to the scene. We see how stern Ramius is, how implacable and quietly aggressive. He casually goes about his business of eating while the men start to lose their resolve and fear for their lives. He refuses to share their doubts about the mission – at least not publically – so instead he goes about dismantling their protest by not only ignoring what they’re saying, but also by making them feel worse at the same time! It’s an exquisitely written and directed piece, and notice the way that Connery barely finishes delivering the scene’s punchline – “Personally, I’d give us…one chance in three.” before biting down on his last bit of food:

…and then effectively dismissing the men from the room: “More tea, anyone?”

Once again, the supremely clever and gorgeously gifted Mrs. Burbanked will tempt your resolve with today’s eatable, after the jump.

Today’s Friday Meals on Reels: Crazy Ivan’s Hot Ham Submarine Sandwich

• ½ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon minced fresh basil
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 4 submarine buns, split
• 12 slices fresh ham – deli or carved
• 12 slices of commie-red tomato
• 12 slices mozzarella cheese
• 12 fresh basil leaves
• 12 slices sweet American, flag-waving onion, halved
• 8 slices provolone cheese

In some sort of tightly-closed container, combine the first seven ingredients above and shake it like there’s no tomorrow. Pour/spread/otherwise distribute the mixture copiously over the open faces of the submarine buns. Layer the ham, tomato and mozzarella cheese over the bun-and-sauce mixture on the bottom sides of the buns. On the tops, place the basil leaves, onion and provolone, and place both sides of the subs, face-up, on a baking sheet. Broil for about 2-3 minutes or until all of the cheese is melted and/or browned to taste. Assemble the sandwiches, serve to your crew, and sail into history.