Welcome to the third round of our nostalgic look at the Cinemaniac's favorite pieces of filmmaking of 9 decades past!! This is provided by the house known as the Internet and the constant streaming networks that live there. The occupants include Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu and Disney Plus. The Cinemaniac hopes they do not move away because they have provided so much enjoyment during these difficult times!!
In this corner we have the decade of the 1950s. It was a decade that saw an increase in film's being shot in glamorous color. Veteran directors such as Alfred Hitchcock and Orson Welles showed that they were still masters of their craft. Genres, especially musicals, would be showcased on a grand scale with ambitious contributions from both cast and crew. Five such films from the 1950s will help show why the decade provided the big screen with unique entertainment that still make an impression on audiences today.
In this corner we have the decade of the 1950s. It was a decade that saw an increase in film's being shot in glamorous color. Veteran directors such as Alfred Hitchcock and Orson Welles showed that they were still masters of their craft. Genres, especially musicals, would be showcased on a grand scale with ambitious contributions from both cast and crew. Five such films from the 1950s will help show why the decade provided the big screen with unique entertainment that still make an impression on audiences today.
Singin' In the Rain (1952)
What there is to like:
Favorite Contributors:
Favorite Contributors:
- The increidlbe dance talents of lead actors Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds. (See a brilliant example in clip below.)
- A wonderful collection of older songs from previous decades reused for the film, courtesy of composer Nacio Herb Brown and lyricist Arthur Freed.
- Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen making a great team of sharing the chore of directing.
Favorite Quote(s):
Don: "Call me a cab!"
Cosmo: "Ok, you're a cab."
Don: "Thanks a lot!"
Don: "Call me a cab!"
Cosmo: "Ok, you're a cab."
Don: "Thanks a lot!"
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)
What there is to like:
Favorite Contributors:
Favorite Contributors:
- James Mason brilliantly bringing Jules Verne's Captain Nemo to life.
- The incredible-looking, and Oscar winning, look of the Nautilus submarine designed by John Meehan and Emile Kuri.
- Walt Disney and his company bringing the project to life and demonstrating that they could handle live action as well as animation.
Favorite Scene: Giant Squid
Favorite Quote(s):
Captain Nemo: "Mr. Land, you saved my life. Why?"
Ned Land: "That's a good question. Well, there's only one thing a fella can do when he's made a mistake as big as this."
Conseil: "What?"
Ned Land: "Get drunk!"
Captain Nemo: "Mr. Land, you saved my life. Why?"
Ned Land: "That's a good question. Well, there's only one thing a fella can do when he's made a mistake as big as this."
Conseil: "What?"
Ned Land: "Get drunk!"
North by Northwest (1959)
What there is to like:
Favorite Contributors:
Favorite Contributors:
- Ernest Lehman's screenplay that builds excitement by creating one thrilling moment after another.
- Bernard Herrmann's intense musical score.
- Robert Boyle's great recreation of Mount Rushmore designed for the film's exciting finale.
Favorite Scene: Crop Duster Chase
Favorite Quote:
Roger Thornhill: "In the world of advertising, theres no such thing as a lie. There's only expedient exaggeration."
Roger Thornhill: "In the world of advertising, theres no such thing as a lie. There's only expedient exaggeration."
Touch of Evil (1958)
What there is to like:
Favorite Contributors:
Favorite Scene: Opening Tracking Shot
Favorite Contributors:
- Orson Welles being very dominant as both actor and director.
- Henry Mancini's riveting musical score.
- Russell Metty's clever camera shots that include the tracking shot that opens the film. (See clip below)
Favorite Scene: Opening Tracking Shot
Favorite Quote(s):
Hank Quinlan: "Come on, read my future for me."
Tanya: "You haven't got any."
Hank Quinlan: "Hmm? What do you mean?"
Tanya: "Your Future's all used up."
Hank Quinlan: "Come on, read my future for me."
Tanya: "You haven't got any."
Hank Quinlan: "Hmm? What do you mean?"
Tanya: "Your Future's all used up."
The Bridge On the River Kwai (1957)
What there is to like:
Favorite Contributors:
Favorite Scene: Colonel Bogey March
Favorite Contributors:
- The excellent chemistry between Alec Guinness and Sessue Hayakawa as wartime enemies engaged in a battle of superiority.
- Jack Hildyard's Oscar winning cinematography.
- Composer Malcolm Arnold's rearrangement of the Colonel Bogey March, originally written by Kenneth Alford (Warning: it is one of those songs that can get stuck inside your head.)
Favorite Scene: Colonel Bogey March
Favorite Quote:
Colonel Saito: "Do not speak to me of rules. This is war! Not a game of cricket!"
Colonel Saito: "Do not speak to me of rules. This is war! Not a game of cricket!"