Saturday, May 15, 2021

My Picks for the 6 Films - 6 Decades Blogathon

For my entry in the 6 Films - 6 Decades Blogathon, I chose a favorite film from each decade from the 1920s through the 1970s. My criterion was a simple one: These are classics I can watch over and over again! If I join one of them in progress while channel surfing, you can bet I will be watching the rest of the movie again.

James Olson and Arthur Hill.
The Andromeda Strain (1971) – This superior science fiction outing pits four dedicated scientists against a microscopic menace capable of destroying all life on Earth. Its critics have labeled it slow-moving and overlong, but I find it intellectually exciting. Its thrills come not from action sequences (though there’s a doozy at the climax), but from the time-sensitive need to determine: What is the Andromeda Strain? How can it be destroyed? Why did a 69-year-old man and a six-month-old baby survive when Andromeda wiped out a New Mexico town of 68 people? Part of the appeal for me is that The Andromeda Strain includes one of my favorite plot devices: the forming of a team in which each member is introduced to the audience.

James Stewart as the pilot.
The Flight of the Phoenix (1965) – Director Robert Aldrich bookends The Flight of the Phoenix with a wild airplane crash and an exhilarating climax. But it’s the drama in-between that makes the film so fascinating: the friction among the survivors; their audacious plan to reach civilization again; and a brilliant plot twist that comes out of nowhere. Despite the presence of stars James Stewart, Peter Finch, and supporting actor Oscar nominee Ian Bannen, the cast standouts are Hardy Kruger and Richard Attenborough. Kruger creates an unforgettable character as a quiet, bespeckled German who proposes an incredible plan to save the plane crash survivors—he's irritating, childish, determined, and innovative. It’s a well-rounded performance matched by Attenborough’s wonderfully understated turn. As the unassuming man who holds everyone together, Attenborough’s character soothes egos and forges unlikely alliances in the best interests of the group.

James Stewart and Ben Gazzara.
Anatomy of a Murder (1959) – Otto Preminger’s enthralling courtroom drama requires multiple viewings to be fully appreciated. When I first saw it, I focused on the riveting story, which treats the viewer much like the jury. We listen to testimonies, watch the lawyers try to manipulate the jury's emotions, and struggle to make sense of the evidence. When I saw it a second time, I knew the case’s outcome and was able to concentrate on the splendid performances. James Stewart, Arthur O’Connell, and George C. Scott earned Oscar nominations, but the rest of the cast is also exceptionally strong. In subsequent viewings, I’ve come to appreciate the film’s well-preserved details, from the small town upper-Michigan atmosphere to Preminger’s brilliant direction (e.g., in one shot, as Scott cross-examines a witness in close-up, Stewart—the defending lawyer—is framed between them in the background).

Out of the Past (1947) –  My favorite film noir has Robert Mitchum as a man who has put his shady past behind him and found love with a good woman in a small community where he operates a gas station. But, as is often the case in the movies, his past catches up with him when a former acquaintance passes through town. With its contrasts of bright lights and dark shadows, Out of the Past is a visual feast. It’s also a compelling tale of a man pulled back into the shadows of his past—no matter how hard he tries to escape them. Kirk Douglas nails the manipulating villain; too bad he didn’t play more bad guys. Yet, despite the presence of Mitchum and Douglas, the film belongs to Jane Greer, an underrated and under-utilized actress who created one of the genre’s best femme fatales.

The Charge of the Light Brigade (1936) – It's hard not to list The Adventures of Robin Hood or The Wizard of Oz as my1930s representative, but I've written about them before. So instead, I will opt for another Errol Flynn-Olivia de Havilland classic. Often criticized for its historical inaccuracies, The Charge of the Light Brigade is nonetheless a top-notch historical action film. Against the backdrop of the Crimean War, Errol and Patric Knowles play brothers vying for Olivia's affections. An early scene informs us that Olivia’s character, though engaged to Flynn, has secretly fallen in love with Knowles. This knowledge causes us to empathize with Flynn’s British officer as his emotions evolve from disbelief to anger to understanding. I think it’s one of Flynn’s finest performances. The climatic charge, directed by Michael Curtiz, is an incredible sequence (although it resulted in many complaints over the mistreatment of horses).

Spies (aka Spione) (1928) - A diabolical genius heads a mysterious criminal organization bent on world domination. A secret agent, known only by a number, is given the mission to stop the villain. A femme fatale is dispatched to kill the hero--but instead falls in love with him. Is this the plot of the latest James Bond movie? No, it's Fritz Lang's influential silent film Spies, which pre-dates 007's movie debut by 34 years. Spies often gets lost amid Lang's early German silent classics such as Dr. Mabuse (1922), Die Nibelungen (1924), and Metropolis (1927). And yet, in terms of entertainment and as an expression of Lang's love of cinema, Spies surpasses those better-known films. It's a thrill ride from start to finish, highlighted by a nailbiting train crash and a climax with a clown that could have been devised by Hitchcock. For many years, only a 90-minute print was available--and that's the one I've seen. In 2004, it was restored to 143 minutes.

21 comments:

  1. Great choices! I really like Flight of the Phoenix and I was reminded that it's been too long since I last saw Anatomy of a Murder!
    Thanks for once again celebrating this day!

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  2. Watching Stewart and Attenborough’s reactions to Kruger's reveal is a study in two different acting techniques, both in character, and both wonderful.

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  3. Hard to argue with these choices! I've seen all but "Spies" - which sounds fascinating! Thanks for hosting what is now an annual must-blog event!

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  4. "Out of the Past"??? Great Minds Think Alike, Rick!

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  5. Out of the Past is one of the best noirs and Anatomy of a Murder is one of Preminger's best. Honestly, I am not a fan of Light Brigade. The others, I have not seen but will keep an eye out for them.

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  6. I was THIS CLOSE to picking OUT OF THE PAST for the 1940s as well. Such difficult choices. I now want to revisit all of your choices.

    I truly enjoyed this year’s event. Fantastic idea. Thank you,
    Aurora

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  7. I was THIS CLOSE to picking OUT OF THE PAST for the 1940s as well. Such difficult choices. I now want to revisit all of your choices.

    I truly enjoyed this year’s event. Fantastic idea. Thank you,
    Aurora

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  8. We enjoyed the restored Spione at the theatre with the hardest working accompanist I have ever seen.

    These choices delight my classic loving soul. The best of the day, old friend.

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    1. I'm jealous that you got to see the restored Spies...and with musical accompaniment, no less!

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  9. Thanks for recommending Spies and The Andromeda Strain. Although I read the Andromeda book some time ago, I still haven't seen the film. And Spies sounds really good – can't believe I haven't seen it yet.

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    1. Re: "Andromeda Strain," it has the hallmarks of a Robert Wise-directed film (except "Star Trek"), which is to say, not a wasted frame, with great pacing. The adaptation is excellent as well.

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  10. Omigosh - I was delighted to see Spione on this list. I saw this in an art cinema a few years back and I just marveled in the experience, and in Lang's genius.

    And maybe I *do* need to watch Anatomy of a Murder again. It was good, but I did feel that it lacked something. So many times I do come to love a film only after I've seen it at least twice!

    Thanks for hosting the blogathon and bringing this joyful day to us every year.

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    1. I watched Spies in a college course years ago and it's stuck with me ever since. I want to see the restored version; there's a copy on YouTube, but the titles are in German.

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  11. I really enjoyed reading your choices, Rick! Happy National Classic Movie Day!

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  12. The Andromeda Strain. I remember becoming terrified the first time I saw it. I haven't seen everything on your list, Rick, but those I have are great films. Thanks for hosting another great blogathon, by the way.

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  13. Love Out of the Past! It's a perfect film. Spies is a movie I've heard so many good things about, but I still need to check it out. It just sounds so cool. I also haven't seen Charge of the Light Brigade yet. Not sure why that is since Flynn is one of my favorite actors, but I'm especially intrigued now that I know you consider it one of his best performances. I'm always singing his praises as an actor, so I'll have to move this to the top of my watchlist.

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  14. I really need to revisit both Out of the Past and Light Brigade. Spies sounds intriguing! I still haven’t delved into silents as much as I want aside from Chaplin and Keaton. Thanks again for hosting!

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  15. I have yet to watch The Charge of the Light Brigade and really must rectify that. Your review has me convinced.

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  16. I hadn't even heard of Spione until a few years ago and it was a great discovery. Anatomy of a Murder is one of my favourites of the fifties, I think it might be the best courtroom drama film, a genre I find irresistible. Also Flight of the Phoenix is such a great concept. I love the revelation about Hardy Kruger's actual job!

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  17. I saw "Anatomy Of A Murder" multiple times while in film class at college. We dissected it to death (pun intended) to the point that I couldn't enjoy just watching it afterward, though I appreciate the great film making.

    I've mentioned before that post-war Jimmy Stewart was a different actor/person than pre-war, and he's so much deeper and darker that it's harder to process. Still, one of my favorites.

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  18. Great list! I like all the Jimmy Stewart movies--he's so cool. And Andromeda Strain is awesome.

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