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| John Garfied and Lana Turner in THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE |
I think Hollywood in the 1930's-1960's was so much more interesting and fascinating than it is today. People like Kate Hepburn, Bette Davis, Cary Grant...they were actors. The studios controlled their images. The studios even added moral clauses to their contracts.
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| Marilyn gets her hair done by Kenneth |
You have to read between the lines and really listen to the words when you watch a classic film. I like classic films because of the clothing,hair,makeup,dancing and dialog. And those publicity photos that the stars sent out to fans are absolutely gorgeous. For you parents out there, classic films are kid friendly. Classic Films are a time capsule of the history of entertainment. They reflect what was going on in society at that time. Before DANCING WITH THE STARS there was Fred and Ginger. Now, it's all about getting skinnier all the time and doing nude scenes in every film.
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| Fred and Ginger Glide across the dance floor |
Earlier this week, I was trying to explain this to my boyfriend. When he thinks about Classic Films, he automatically thinks they will be boring. We were childhood friends and have alot in common but we are butting heads on this issue. In today's fast paced world,getting people to sit back and relax for a few hours is hard. I have started a must see film list for novice classic film fans. Suggestions are welcome! They are in no particular order. I have included a few from the 70's and 80's because they are some of the greatest ever filmed. I am also trying to take baby steps backward toward's the 1930's.
- THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE ( 1946)
- A sexy film noir classic with John Garfield and Lana Turner. Greed,Lust,Adultry and Murder take place when a drifter stops in at a Roadside Cafe. This movie is white hot.
- STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (1950)
- "HEY STELLA!" Directed by Elia Kazan. With Vivien Leigh, Marlon Brando, Kim Hunter, Karl Malden.
- CLEOPATRA (1963)
- See Burton and Taylor in their first film together.
- DR. NO (1962) AND GOLDFINGER (1963)
- Early Sean Connery at his best. Need I say more???????????????????????
- PSYCHO (1963)
- Alfred Hitchcock at his best. Stay out of the shower!
- BONNIE AND CLYDE (1967)
- Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty never looked better. Great Car Chases with Blood and Guts
- EASY RIDER (1969)
- Two counterculture bikers travel from Los Angeles to New Orleans in search of America. Stars Jack Nicholson,Dennis Hopper, and Peter Fonda directs.
- THE GODFATHER I (1972)
- About a fictional Italian afia family named Corleone. Stars Marlon Brando,Al Pachino,Robert Duvall, James Caan and Diane Keaton star in this mafia saga about the Corleone Family
- THE GODFATHER II (1974)
- Sequel to THE GODFATHER I
- RAGING BULL (1980)
- Bio of boxer Jake LaMotta. Stars Robert Deniro and Joe Pesci. Filmed in Black and White. Great direction by Martin Scorsee. Great Classical and Big Band music score
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I don't think I would include Cleopatra, a very long film that might do more harm than good. Show him Treasure of Sierra Madre.
ReplyDeleteI forgot about that one! I love that movie. It goes on my list to show him.
ReplyDeleteI suggest showing two of the best screwball comedies, both starring the wonderful William Powell in his apex year of 1936 -- "Libeled Lady," with Myrna Loy, Spencer Tracy and Jean Harlow, and "My Man Godfrey," with my all-time favorite actress, Powell's ex-wife Carole Lombard. (Hope you've checked out my Lombard blog, "Carole & Co.", at CMBA.)
ReplyDeleteI love Carole Lombard and I have seen your blog. He might also like The Thin Man movies with William Powell
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your comparison between current and post films.
ReplyDeleteClassic films couldn't have the blatant sexual jokes so they had to be subtle and clever with their humor. I think that makes them much more funny than just throwing it our faces.
Veronia Lake or Hedy Lamarr completely covered in a long silky gown that shows off their figure, is much more sexy than a full frontal Angelina Jolie.
I struggle with my boyrfriend and friends too. Its a constant battle to show them good classic movies. I think your list is a good choice :)
Well everyone I am single again. Happened about a month after this was posted. It's all good, we were childhood friends and remain friends now. So the work to spread the love of classic films continues.....
ReplyDeleteGreetings from a fellow Atlantan.
ReplyDeleteMy husband also is not a classic movie fan, although he loves Miracle on 34th Street (the original classic, not that horrible remake) and we watch it every Christmas. He also likes old detective movies (Sherlock Holmes, Charlie Chan, Mr. Moto, etc.) but that's as far as it goes. Nonetheless our marriage has survived this Great Divide. :)
Your list seems curiously "modern" though -- of the ten films listed, eight are post-1960.
Are you not a Carole Lombard fan? I don't see her on your list of favorite actresses.
I have a new man in my life that is a photographer and is really into Hurrell Style photos, so we may do a shoot of me in a photo spread of me in dressed in fashions from the 30's to early 60's. I plan on being dressed/posed as Lombard in one of the pics. Davis, Monroe, Hayworth, Crawford,Bacall and Dietrich will be included. My new man is more interesetd in classic films than my previous boyfriend so maybe we have a chance. LOL!
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