10. Charade
9. Strangers When We Meet
The first of my 5-star film discoveries of the year, Strangers When We Meet is a beautiful romantic drama starring Kirk Douglas and Kim Novak. A very passionate film featuring terrific acting and a beautiful score, it deals with extra-marital love. (Reviewed HERE)
8. Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?
Bette Davis is out-of-this-world cruel to sister Joan Crawford in this "campy" drama. One thing I love about Bette is that she was always more concerned with being a terrific actress than in being a glamour girl; therefore, she was willing to be ugly and grotesque if a role called for it...and in Baby Jane she is at her most grotesque.
7. Oliver!
My memories of this film go back over 40 years!! I remember seeing this film at the movie theatre (near South Hills Village in my hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) with my grandparents, uncle, and brother. I'm quite sure I developed a crush on Jack Wild (the Artful Dodger) from the very moment he appeared on screen. My own kids more or less grew up on this movie, which has totally fantastic music.
6. That Funny Feeling
One more of my 5-star film discoveries of the year, That Funny Feeling is an adorable romantic comedy starring the delightful real-life couple, Sandra Dee and Bobby Darin. (Reviewed HERE)
5. Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
Another of my 5-star film discoveries of the year, this bold (for its time) film tackles the issue of interracial marriage. Starring Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn (in an Academy Award-winning performance), and Sidney Poitier, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner garnered 10 Academy Award nominations. (Reviewed HERE)
4. The Sound of Music
I grew up on this beautiful film!! It has been a part of my life since its release in 1965. I have practically the entire movie memorized, including every song. Several scenes always get me misty-eyed.
3. To Kill a Mockingbird
Completely fantastic film, featuring one of my all-time favorite fictional characters---Atticus Finch. A man concerned with doing the right thing no matter what others thought, Atticus offered true wisdom when he told his children that until you've walked around in a man's skin, you cannot see things from his perspective. To me, those words mean don't judge others, for you know not how you would respond in a similar situation.
2. Les Miserables
This 1978 made-for-TV movie, starring Richard Jordan and Anthony Perkins, is my favorite screen adaption of Victor Hugo's novel. Though I've seen the 30's version (starring Fredric March) and the 50's version (with Michael Rennie in the lead), this 70's version is, easily, my favorite, and that is really saying something, since I generally prefer old to new and since Fredric March is among my top 10 actors. Both Mr. Jordan and Mr. Perkins bring a life to their characters which I did not find in the earlier two films. (Reviewed HERE)
and my favorite movie of the 1960's...
1. Madame X
Lana Turner is one of my top 5 favorite actresses, and while I love many of her films, Madame X is, without question, my absolute favorite. This is not just a tearjerker for me...it is an absolute sobber, almost to the point that I can barely breathe. I sometimes pop this movie in the player and then fast-forward to the final 30 minutes (the sobbing part), just so I can sob my heart out. Strange, yes...but the absolute truth. Lana's portrayal of the tragic Madame X is completely brilliant...her finest work in my opinion...very definitely worthy of an Academy Award nomination, which, unbelievably, she did not receive. (Reviewed HERE)
Runner-up films are Shenandoah, A Patch of Blue, True Grit, and My Fair Lady.
Next up...the revelation of my all-time favorite film. And it may be a surprise to some, as the film which has been in the #3 position edged past #'s 1 and 2 this year.
I love Strangers When We Meet (read the book in high school and was entranced!) and Whatever Happened to Baby Jane but not a big fan of Charade, I prefer Cary Grant when he's funny and goofy! I have such admiration for Audrey Hepburn but I don't really care for most of her films...weird (P.S.when I see pics of your gorgeous girlie I think of Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly, she's so feminine and lovely!). I've seen Guess Who's Coming to Dinner several times but I definitely need a re-watch:)
ReplyDeleteYou know me and comedy, Victoria. I am just the opposite with regard to Cary. If you noticed that in 4 decades of faves, there are, I think, only 2 straight comedies on there (Pillow Talk and That Funny Feeling). A few, like "Deeds" and "Born Yesterday" fall into the dramedy category, but everything else is total drama.
DeleteDid I ever tell you that my sweet girl would like to one day have a daughter, and she intends to name her Audrey Grace...yes, after Misses Hepburn and Kelly. Those 2 gals are 2 of her style/fashion role models.
great article about robert ryan
ReplyDeletehttp://dartmouthalumnimagazine.com/the-actor-who-knew-too-much/
The Actor Who Knew Too Much
Perennially underestimated, the movies of Robert Ryan ’32 are worth viewing all over again—or for the first time.
By Ty Burr ’80
Hard as marbles, dark as death, they can send a chill through the cheapest of 1950s B-movies. Beneath those eyes is a prow of a nose, then a mouth that can broaden in fraudulent welcome or, more likely, twist into a sneer. It’s a metaphysical sneer. It knows things about the world most of us are frightened to admit.
On the face of it, Robert Ryan had a pretty good run in Hollywood—credited in 70 films and several television movies and series—but why wasn’t he an even bigger star? As one of the most striking new talents to arrive on the post-WW II Hollywood scene, Ryan made an indelible mark in crime films, westerns, war movies, melodramas and more. When he was billed second or third, he almost always stole the show. When he was top-billed, you knew the film was going to have more going on—more dark energy, more repressed emotional violence—than the standard studio confection.
Ryan had the looks of a screen idol. A lean, dynamic 6-foot-4, he radiated Black Irish glamour, and women tended to act goofy when he was in the room. He had stage training and could act. He was thoughtful and articulate with directors and crewmembers alike. He was a good guy, stayed married to the same woman for 40 years and—rare in Hollywood—preferred to act on his politics rather than talk about them.
it continues at link
Tom, how on earth did you happen upon my blog? Are you a Ryan fan too? As you undoubtedly noticed, he is my co-#1 guy. I think he was a completely brilliant actor...one of the most under-rated ever. I completely and totally adore him and am on a quest to see all of his films.
DeleteThank you for the link to this article. I have bookmarked it and am adding the link to the "page" I have created for him at The Golden Age of Hollywood (a classic film social network.)
Great movies, Patti, although I don't like Baby Jane....too weird for me! LOL
ReplyDeleteI'm wracking my brain trying to think what your new Number One movie will be....Guess I need to go back and read your old posts!!
Well, since you know it has to be one of the #1 films from the individual decades, you have a 1 in 4 chance of guessing correctly. AND, if you happened to read my post and comments on "Death of a Salesman," you will already know which of the films it is. Unveiling the answer tomorrow.
DeleteYou only ever watched three Bond movies? Well, at least watch all the Sean Connory ones! They are thoroughly enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteJohan, yes, I have only seen 3 Bond films, and all of them were the Roger Moore ones. Perhaps that is why I never had an urge to see anymore, or maybe it's just not my choice of genre. I definitely march to the beat of my own drum when it comes to movies (remember "Rear Window"). My tastes are often light years away from the tastes of other classic film fans.
DeleteYou've got me wanting to see all of these! Actually, i've seen 4 of them but now want to re-visit! Oh, to have a week to just watch movies!
ReplyDeleteSo many great movies...so little time to watch them! I do try to watch a movie most every night, but, still, there is hardly enough time to catch all the movies I'd like to see.
DeleteHello Patti,
ReplyDeleteI haven't been by in a while but I enjoyed your post today. I love The Sound of Music, which we watch every Christmas, Madame X is always a tear jerker, and a movie I can watch over and over is Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? I haven't seen the others. I saw the updated version of Whatever Happened to Baby Jane with the Redgraves. I should rent the Bette Davis version sometime and I wouldn't mind seeing To Kill A Mockingbird sometime. Wishing you a lovely day.
Blessings,
Sandi
Hi, Sandi, thank you for stopping by. Hope all is well in your little corner of the world. I deleted my tea and decorating blog. Just haven't had the time to keep up with 2 blogs...can barely keep up with this one.
DeleteIf you have never seen "To Kill a Mockingbird," definitely do make it a point to see it. Even if you've read the book, the movie will not disappoint, as can sometimes be the case. It is beautiful and well-acted. Gregory Peck won the Best Actor Academy Award for his portrayal of Atticus Finch.
I've only seen three of these all the way through: Sound of Music (of course), Baby Jane, and To Kill a Mockingbird. Two of the films, I haven't made it all the way through: Oliver! and Charade. And Oliver! has Oliver Reed in it as the bad guy, so you have seen him in something! Alas, he wasn't enough incentive for me to sit through the whole thing. I do have to try Charade again, as I was young when I started to watch that, and I'm pretty sure I won't have any problems with it today. :-D
ReplyDeleteI know you would have "The Dirty Dozen" and "The Wild Bunch" (among others) on your 60's list. And, actually, I should tell you, I realized that "True Grit" deserves to be in runner-up status, so I am altering my post a bit (removing "Mary Poppins, which is much further down the list.) Yes, I DO like "True Grit," AND, what's more, I have seen the remake. While Mattie Ross is vastly more tolerable in the remake, I definitely prefer the original. Are you surprised to know that this don't-profess-to-like-Westerns gal enjoys "True Grit?"
DeleteAh, Oliver Reed in "Oliver." And I've always told you I didn't know him! Just didn't recognize his name.
If you try "Charade" again, be sure to let me know what you think. My kids LOVE it!