Metropolis- A 1927 Silent Movie- Directed by Fritz Lang - Run Time Two Hours and 26 minutes

 

The link above goes to a restored version with English Captions and a contemporary sound track.

I highly recommend Roger Ebert's brilliant thoughts on Metropolis 

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-metropolis-1927

Metropolis is a 1927 German expressionist science fiction silent film directed by Fritz Lang and written by Thea von Harbou in collaboration with Lang from von Harbou's 1925 novel of the same name (which was intentionally written as a treatment). It stars Gustav Fröhlich, Alfred Abel, Rudolf Klein-Rogge, and Brigitte Helm. Erich Pommer produced it in the Babelsberg Studios for Universum Film A.G. (UFA). The silent film is regarded as a pioneering science-fiction movie, being among the first feature-length movies of that genre.

The film is set in a futuristic city of Metropolis, where the working class toils underground to power the city's wealthy elite, who live above in luxury. The story follows Freder, the son of the city's Master, who falls in love with Maria, a worker who leads a rebellion against the machines. The film's themes explore the conflict between labor and capital, the potential dangers of technology, and the possibility of a better future.

Metropolis was a critical and commercial success upon its release, but it was also controversial. Some critics accused the film of being too pessimistic, while others praised its groundbreaking visuals and innovative storytelling. The film was also banned in some countries, including the United States, for its depiction of class conflict.

Despite its initial controversy, Metropolis has since been recognized as one of the greatest and most influential films ever made. It has been praised for its groundbreaking special effects, its expressionist visuals, and its prescient depiction of a future divided between the rich and the poor. The film has been cited as an influence by many other science fiction films, including Blade Runner (1982) and Brazil (1985).

In 2001, Metropolis was inscribed on UNESCO's Memory of the World Register, the first film thus distinguished.

The film's special effects were groundbreaking for their time, and they still hold up today. The film's use of miniatures, matte paintings, and stop-motion animation helped to create a visually stunning and believable world.

The film's expressionist visuals are iconic. The film's use of shadows, distorted angles, and exaggerated sets create a dark and foreboding atmosphere.

The film's story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of technology and the importance of social justice. The film's themes are still relevant today, and they have been explored in many other science fiction films.

Just last week I watched a Startrek Episode taken directly from the plot of Metropolis.

Mel Ulm

The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp- A 1943 Film Directed ahd and Written by Michael Powell and Emeric - run time 169 Minutes

Of the sixty or so movies I have featured on The Reading Life, this and another film from William Powell and Emeric Pressburger, The Red Shoes, jointly are in first place on my in the works list of favourite films, Mel's Marvelous Movies.

The film stars Roger Livesey as Clive Candy, a British officer who serves in the British Army from the late 19th century to the Second World War. The film follows Candy's life and career, and explores themes of patriotism, nationalism, and the futility of war.

The film was a critical and commercial success, and was nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It won the award for Best Original Screenplay. The film is considered to be one of the greatest British films ever made.

The film is divided into three parts:

The first part, set in the late 19th century, tells the story of Candy's early career in the British Army. He is a young and idealistic officer who is eager to fight for his country.

The second part, set in the First World War, tells the story of Candy's experiences in the trenches. He is a more cynical and disillusioned officer, but he still believes in the importance of fighting for his country.

The third part, set in the Second World War, tells the story of Candy's final years in the British Army. He is a retired officer who is watching the war from the sidelines. He is no longer sure what he believes in, but he still believes in the importance of fighting for what is right

Here are some of the things that make The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp a great film:

The performances: Roger Livesey gives a tour-de-force performance as Clive Candy. He captures the character's evolution from a young and idealistic officer to a cynical and disillusioned one. The supporting cast is also excellent, with Deborah Kerr, Anton Walbrook, and Stanley Holloway all giving memorable performances.

The direction: Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger are masters of filmmaking. They use a variety of techniques to tell the story, including flashbacks, dream sequences, and symbolism. The film is visually stunning, and it is full of memorable images

I felt a strong personal identity with both of the lead male characters living now as widowers as do I.

Below is one of the very powerful scenes 

The Archers made 20 films together, it is my hope to post on them all.

Mel Ulm 

 

Rebecca- A 1940 Movie Directed by Alfred Hitchcock - Sfarring Lawrence Olivier and Joan Fontaine - run time 125 minutes

 

Alfred Hitchcock had a very long career in movies.

(Born: August 13, 1899, Leytonstone, London, United Kingdom

Died: April 29, 1980, Bel Air, Los Angeles, California, United States)

In his six decades in the movie business he made over fifty films. 

Rebecca was the first film he directed after moving to the United States. 

The screenplay by Robert E. Sherwood and Joan Harrison, and adaptation by Philip MacDonald and Michael Hogan, were based on the 1938 novel of the same name by Daphne du Maurier.

The film stars Laurence Olivier as the brooding, aristocratic widower Maxim de Winter and Joan Fontaine as the young woman who becomes his second wife, with Judith Anderson, George Sanders and Gladys Cooper in supporting roles.

The film is a gothic tale shot in black-and-white. Maxim de Winter's first wife, Rebecca, who died before the events of the film, is never seen. Her reputation and recollections of her, however, are a constant presence in the lives of Maxim, his new wife and the creepy housekeeper Mrs. Danvers. 

Rebecca was a critical and commercial success, and it won two Academy Awards: Best Picture and Best Cinematography. The film is considered a classic of the psychological thriller genre, and it has been praised for its suspenseful story, its atmospheric cinematography, and its iconic performances.

Here are some of the things that make Rebecca a great film:

The story is suspenseful and intriguing, with a twist ending that will surprise you.

The characters are complex and well-developed, and they are brought to life by the excellent performances of the cast.

The performances: Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine are both excellent, and Judith Anderson is particularly memorable as the sinister Mrs. Danvers.

The direction: Hitchcock is a master of suspense, and he uses his skills to great effect in Rebecca. The film is full of memorable scenes, such as the one where the young woman sees Rebecca's ghost.

The story: The story is well-paced and suspenseful, and it keeps the viewer guessing until the very end.

Rebecca is a classic film that is still enjoyed by audiences today. It is a must-see for fans of Hitchcock, psychological thrillers, and gothic tales

It may not sound like it but there are some very funny scenes in Rebecca 

there is an important change from the novel but it has no impact on the movie 

I greatly enjoyed this  movie

Paisan - A 1946 Film directed by Roberto Rossellini - running time two hours- distributed by MGM

 

Earlier this month I posted upon Germany Year Zero, a component of three films from Roberto Rossellini concerning the immediate post World War Two Years in Germany and Italy.  These films are considered inspiration for the Italian Neorealist Movement in Cinema.  I do not hesitate to designate them as High Art.

In six independent episodes, it tells of the Liberation of Italy by the Allied forces during the late stage of World War II. The film premiered at the Venice International Film Festival and received numerous national and international prizes including a nomination at the 22nd Academy Awards for Best Story and Screenplay.

The six episodes:

"Invasion" (Sicily, July 1943): An American soldier helps a young Italian woman escape from a group of German soldiers.

"Abruzzo" (September 1943): A group of Italian partisans help an American soldier who has been injured.

"Florence" (August 1944): An American soldier falls in love with an Italian woman, but their relationship is complicated by the war.

"Romagna" (September 1944): A group of American soldiers are captured by the Germans and forced to work in a labor camp.

"Tuscany" (October 1944): An American soldier is befriended by a young boy, but their friendship is tested when the boy's father is killed by the Germans.

"Po Valley" (April 1945): American and German soldiers fight a battle to the death in the Po Valley.

Paisan is considered a masterpiece of neorealism, a film movement that emerged in Italy in the aftermath of World War II. Neorealist films are characterized by their use of non-professional actors, location shooting, and a focus on the everyday lives of ordinary people. Paisan is also notable for its use of documentary-style techniques, such as long takes and handheld camerawork.

This film is available on YouTube with English Subtitles- the film is partially in English.

I hope to post upon Rome-An Open City soon

Mel Ulm

Germany Year Zero - A 1948 movie Directed by Roberto Rosselli -Run Time One Hour and 18 minutes

 Germany Year Zero is available on YouTube with English Subtitles 

Germany Year Zero is a merciless view of 12 year old boy, once an avid Hitler Youth, caught between the designs of a pedophilic Nazi, shady black-marketers, and his own ailing family.  The background of the bombed out buildings is magnificent.

The film tells the story of 12-year-old Edmund Köhler (Edmund Meschke), who lives in a bombed-out apartment building in Berlin with his ailing father (Ernst Pittschau) and his adult siblings, Eva (Ingrid Thulin) and Karl-Heinz (Wolfgang Krüger). Eva manages to obtain cigarettes by going out with soldiers of the Allied forces, but she resists others' expectations to prostitute herself. Karl-Heinz is the older son who fought in the war and is a burden to the struggling family, refusing to register with the police and get a ration card because he is afraid of what would happen if they found out he fought to the bitter end.

Edmund is left to fend for himself, and he soon gets involved in the black market. He also comes under the influence of a former schoolteacher (Eduard von Winterstein), who encourages him to give up on life and commit suicide.

The film was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the 1948 Cannes Film Festival, and it won the award for Best Director. It has since been recognized as a classic of Italian neorealism and one of the most important films about the aftermath of World War II.

The title of the film, "Germany Year Zero," refers to the fact that Germany was essentially a blank slate after the war. The country had been destroyed by Allied bombing, and its people were demoralized and hungry. The film suggests that Germany needed to start over, to create a new society that was free from the evils of fascism.

Germany Year Zero is a powerful and disturbing film that offers a harsh but realistic look at the aftermath of war.

"Roberto Rossellini was an Italian film director, screenwriter and producer. He was one of the most prominent directors of the Italian neorealist cinema, contributing to the movement with films such as Rome, Open City (1945), Paisan (1946), and Germany, Year Zero (1948). He is also known for his films starring Ingrid Bergman, Stromboli (1950), Europe '51 (1952), Journey to Italy (1954), Fear (1954), and Joan of Arc at the Stake (1954).

Rossellini was born in Rome in 1906. He began his career as a journalist and documentary filmmaker. In 1945, he made his first feature film, Rome, Open City, which was a critical and commercial success. The film, which was shot on location in Rome during the German occupation, helped to define the Italian neorealist movement.

Rossellini continued to make neorealist films in the years that followed, including Paisan and Germany, Year Zero. These films were praised for their realism and their unflinching portrayal of the human condition.

In the 1950s, Rossellini began to experiment with different film styles. He made a series of films with Ingrid Bergman, including Stromboli, Europe '51, and Journey to Italy. These films were more personal and introspective than his earlier work.

Rossellini continued to make films until his death in 1977" From Bard

Gilda- - A 1946 Film Directed by King Vidor - Starring Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford -run time 1 hour 50 Minutes - distributed by Columbia Pictures

 

Available on YouTube 

Just seeking group reactions

"Gilda is not a musical, even though Hayworth was a musical star for the audiences of 1946. Although she had appeared in nonmusicals as she climbed to stardom (Only Angels Have Wings, Susan and God, The Lady in Question), she had reached the top through her wonderful dancing (and extraordinary glamour) in two musicals with Fred Astaire (You’ll Never Get Rich, You Were Never Lovelier), one with Gene Kelly (Cover Girl), one 20th Century–Fox color success, My Gal Sal, and Columbia’s Tonight and Every Night. To express Gilda’s frustrations, it was suitable for Hayworth to sing (dubbed) and dance. Yet Gilda, the movie, is a film noir with danger, suicide, murder, corruption, Nazis, and barely submerged sexuality. Gilda, a nonmusical, is nevertheless defined by the musical performance of “Put the Blame on Mame.” In fact, Rita Hayworth’s career has also been defined by it" from Movie Musicals by Jennifer Basinger

"Elements of film noir in Gilda: Rita Hayworth is perhaps the best example of a femme fatale in all of film noir. There is definitely a sinister underworld that includes Ballin Mundson and the German mobsters. Most of the action takes place at night. Lots of night clubs and jazz music Double crosses and betrayals galore between the three leads Guns play a huge part. ..Rita Hayworth did not do her own singing in this film. Her songs were actually sung by singer Anita Ellis." From Memorable Film Noir Movies of the 1940s and 1950s by Gary Koca

The film's plot is set in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Johnny Farrell (Glenn Ford) is a small-time American gambler who is caught cheating at blackjack in a casino. He is rescued by Ballin Mundson (George Macready), the casino's owner, who offers him a job as his assistant. The two men become friends, but their relationship is complicated by the fact that Gilda (Rita Hayworth), Mundson's new wife, is Farrell's former lover.

Gilda is a complex and ambiguous character. She is both alluring and dangerous, and she seems to enjoy playing with the men around her. She is also a victim of her own circumstances, and she is ultimately unable to escape the cycle of violence and betrayal that surrounds her

Gilda was a critical and commercial success when it was released in 1946. It was praised for its stylish visuals, Hayworth's performance, and the film's exploration of themes of sexuality and power. The film has since been cited as one of the greatest film noirs ever made, and it has had a lasting influence on popular culture.

Mel Ulm 

Gigi is a 1958 American musical romantic comedy film directed by Vincente Minnelli and starring Leslie Caron, Louis Jourdan, Maurice Chevalier, and Hermione Gingold. It is based on the 1944 novella of the same name by Colette

 

Gigi is a 1958 American musical romantic comedy film directed by Vincente Minnelli and starring Leslie Caron, Louis Jourdan, Maurice Chevalier, and Hermione Gingold. It is based on the 1944 novella of the same name by Colette

The film is set in Paris during the Belle Époque at the turn of the 20th century. Gigi (Caron) is a young girl who is being trained by her grandmother (Gingold) and great-aunt (Jeans) to be a courtesan, a kept mistress of wealthy men. Gaston (Jourdan) is a wealthy playboy who is bored with life and has no interest in marriage. He enjoys spending time with Gigi, but only as a friend.

As Gigi matures, she begins to attract the attention of Gaston. He is initially resistant, but he is eventually drawn to her intelligence, charm, and vivacity. Gigi, however, is determined to marry and have a family, and she refuses to be Gaston's mistress.

Gaston eventually realizes that he loves Gigi and wants to marry her. He proposes, and she accepts. The film ends with their wedding, as Gigi embarks on a new life as a wife and mother.

The acting is superb. Caron gives a charming and endearing performance as Gigi, while Jourdan is perfectly cast as the charming but self-absorbed Gaston. The supporting cast is also excellent, with Gingold, Jeans, and Chevalier all giving memorable performances.

The music is beautiful. The songs by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe are some of the most iconic in musical theater history, and they are beautifully performed in the film.

The production values are top-notch. The film is visually stunning, with gorgeous costumes, sets, and cinematography.

La Grande Illusion - A 1937 Film (The Geand Illusion) - directed by Jean Renoir - run time an hour and 54 minutes

 

The Grand Illusion is considered one of the greatest movies ever made.

"It's not a movie about a prison escape, nor is it jingoistic in its politics; it's a meditation on the collapse of the old order of European civilization. Perhaps that was always a sentimental upper-class illusion, the notion that gentlemen on both sides of the lines subscribed to the same code of behavior. Whatever it was, it died in the trenches of World War I." from Roger Ebert.

You may watch it on Internetarchives.org 

https://archive.org/details/1937lagrandeillusion

The movie is set in a German prison during World War One. The prisoners are a diverse mix of prisoners.  It was released just as another war was on the way.

With Grand Illusion, Renoir provides a multilayered perspective on class, war, nationalism, and prejudice. For example, the film’s treatment of Rosenthal—an affluent Jewish banker who generously shares his food with his fellow inmates— has been interpreted as an effort by Renoir to combat anti-Semitism during the rise of Nazi Germany. De Boeldieu’s sacrifice for his working-class comrades, furthermore, symbolically mirrors the changing social order of Europe. In addition, Rosenthal points out the ultimate “grand illusion”: that the current war will end all wars. The performances by Jean Gabin and Erich von Stroheim are exceptional, although the latter, having spent years away from his native Austria, reportedly struggled to speak German. Grand Illusion was the first non-English-language film to be nominated for an Academy Award as best picture. However, the work was so despised by the Nazis that they confiscated and destroyed prints of the film during their World War II occupation of France.

I highly reccomend the presentation below from the M I T film school.

"Renoir was born in Paris in 1894, the son of the famous Impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir. He began his career as an actor in the early 1920s, and his first film as a director was La Fille de l'eau (1924). Renoir's early films were mostly silent, and they often featured his wife, Catherine Hessling, in the lead role.

Renoir's first sound film was La Chienne (1931), a dark comedy about a man who is driven to crime by his mistress. The film was a critical and commercial success, and it established Renoir as one of the leading directors of the French cinema. 

Renoir's most famous films were made during the 1930s, including La Grande Illusion (1937), The Rules of the Game (1939), and The Woman on the Beach (1943). These films are all considered masterpieces of world cinema, and they explore themes of war, class, and love.

Renoir left France for the United States in 1941, and he made several films there, including The Southerner (1945) and The Diary of a Chambermaid (1946). He returned to France in 1949, and he continued to make films until his death in 1979." - Bard

Mel Ulm

Tokyo Story - A 1953 Movie Directed by Yasujiro Ozu - starring Chishū Ryū and Chieko Higashiyama

 

Tokyo Story is about an aging couple who travel to Tokyo to visit their grown children. The film was a critical and commercial success in Japan, but it did not receive international recognition until the 1970s. It is now considered one of the greatest films ever made.

The film tells the story of Shukishi and Tomi Hirayama, an elderly couple who travel from their small seaside village to Tokyo to visit their grown children. Their elder son, Koichi, is a doctor who is busy with his work and his young family. Their daughter, Shige, is a hairdresser who is also busy with her work and her husband. The only child who has time for them is their daughter-in-law, Noriko, who is the widow of their younger son who was killed in the war.

The Hirayamas are disappointed by the lack of attention they receive from their children. Koichi and Shige are too busy with their own lives to spend much time with them. Noriko tries to be a good hostess, but she is also busy with her own work. The Hirayamas feel like they are a burden to their children and they start to feel lonely and isolated.

Tokyo Story is a beautifully made film that is both moving and thought-provoking. It is a film about the importance of family and the challenges of aging. It is also a film about the changing values of Japanese society in the post-war era.

Here are some of the things that make Tokyo Story a great film:

The acting is superb. Chishū Ryū and Chieko Higashiyama give heartbreaking performances as the elderly Hirayamas. Setsuko Hara is also excellent as Noriko.

The direction is masterful. Ozu uses his trademark low-angle shots and long takes to create a sense of intimacy and realism.

The writing is sharp and insightful. The film explores complex themes of family, aging, and loss with honesty and compassion.

The cinematography is beautiful. The film is beautifully shot in black and white and it captures the sights and sounds of post-war Tokyo.

Tokyo Story is a must-see for any fan of cinema. It is a film that will stay with you long after you have seen it.

The film is set in 1953 post-war Japan, a few years after the new Civil Code of 1948 stimulated the country's rapid re-growth and embraced Western capitalist ideals while simultaneously destroying older traditions such as the Japanese family and its values. Ozu was very close to his own mother, living with her as a surrogate wife and never marrying. Ozu called Tokyo Story "the film that tends most strongly to melodrama." It is considered a Shomin-geki film for its depiction of working-class people.

"Ozu was born in Tokyo in 1903. He began his career as a film assistant in the 1920s and directed his first film in 1927. He made over 50 films over the course of his career, including such classics as Tokyo Story (1953), Late Spring (1949), and An Autumn Afternoon (1962).

Ozu's films are often praised for their simplicity and understated beauty. He was a master of capturing the small moments of everyday life, and his films often have a wistful, nostalgic quality. Ozu was also a pioneer in the use of sound in film, and his films often feature long, uninterrupted takes that allow the viewer to immerse themselves in the world of the film" Bard

I intend to watch and post on all of his films on YouTube that have English Subtitles

Mel ulm

Tokyo Story is Available on YouTube with English Subtitles

My Fair Lady - A 1964 Movie Directed by George Cukor- Starring Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison - run time 2 hours and thirty minutes

My Fair Lady is a 1964 American musical comedy-drama film adapted from the 1956 Lerner and Loewe stage musical based on George Bernard Shaw's 1913 stage play Pygmalion. With a screenplay by Alan Jay Lerner and directed by George Cukor, the film depicts a poor Cockney flower-seller named Eliza Doolittle who overhears an arrogant phonetics professor, Henry Higgins, as he casually wagers that he could teach her to speak "proper" English, thereby making her presentable in the high society of Edwardian London.

The film stars Audrey Hepburn as Eliza Doolittle—and Rex Harrison as Henry Higgins—reprising his role from the stage musical—

it was a critical and commercial success, it became the highest-grossing film of 1964 and won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor. In 1998, the American Film Institute named it the 91st greatest American film of all time. In 2006, it was ranked eighth in the AFI's Greatest Movie Musicals list.

My Fair Lady is a classic musical film that is still enjoyed by audiences today. It is a story about transformation, class, and the power of language. The film is beautifully shot and features some of the most iconic songs in musical theater history, such as "I Could Have Danced All Night" and "The Rain in Spain." If you haven't seen My Fair Lady, I highly recommend it. It is a timeless film that will stay with you long after you watch it.

I loved how Eliza Doolittle came to stand up to Professor Higgins.

 

War and Peace- A 1956 Film Directed by King Vidor, Produced by Dino de Laurentis - Starring Audrey Hepburn, Henry Fonda and Mel Ferrer

 This is epic movie making on a grand scale with a powerful producer and director with major stars based upon War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, published in 1869.

Tolstoy's novel is universally regarded as one of the greatest novels ever written.  (My in translation edition is 1459 pages,)  it begins just before Napoleon's invasion of Russia and proceeds through to his armies retreat from Moscow. (Jun 24, 1812 – Dec 14, 1812)

The lead characters all play rich pampered aristocrats,

The film tells the story of five aristocratic families in Russia during the Napoleonic Wars. The focus is on the relationships between Pierre Bezukhov (Fonda), a wealthy but searching young man; Natasha Rostova (Hepburn), a beautiful and vivacious young woman; and Prince Andrei Bolkonsky (Ferrer), a proud and idealistic young man. The film follows the characters as they experience love, loss, war, and peace.

Hepburn's performance as Natasha was widely praised and she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama. The film was also nominated for Academy Awards for Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, and Best Costume Design.

War and Peace (1956) is a sweeping and ambitious film that captures the epic scope of Tolstoy's novel. It is a visually stunning film with a strong cast of actors. While it may not be as faithful to the novel as some fans would like, it is still a compelling and enjoyable film.

Mel Ulm

Breakfast at Tiffany's- A 1961 Movie Starring Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard- run time 1 hour and 55 minutes- Directed by Blake Edwards

 

Breakfast at Tiffany's is the fourth movie starring Audrey Hepburn I have posted upon.  Previously I streamed Funny Face, Charades and Love in the Afternoon.  I have her War and Peace and My Fair Lady in que for later in the month.

Breakfast at Tiffany's is on YouTube 

The film opens with Holly Golightly, a young woman who lives in a tiny apartment in Greenwich Village, New York City. She is a high-class escort who is always looking for a wealthy husband. One day, she meets Paul "Fred" Varjak, a struggling writer who has just moved into her apartment building. Paul is immediately smitten with Holly, but she is hesitant to get involved with him because she is afraid of being hurt.

Despite her reservations, Holly and Paul begin to fall in love. They spend their days together exploring New York City and their nights dancing and drinking. However, Holly's past continues to haunt her. She is still haunted by the memory of her childhood in Texas, where she was abused by her parents. She is also afraid of commitment, and she is not sure if she can ever truly love anyone.

Breakfast at Tiffany's is a classic romantic comedy that has been praised for its beautiful cinematography, its witty dialogue, and its iconic performances. Audrey Hepburn is particularly memorable as Holly Golightly, and her performance helped to make the film a timeless classic.

Holly Golightly, deriving from a novella by Truman Capote, is a bit difficult to like initially but she quickly grew on me. The ending was emotionally satisfying.  The dialogue is funny.  

Mel Ulm

Love in the Afternoon - A 1957 Movie Starring Audrey Hepburn, Gary Cooper and Maurice Chevalier- directed by Billy Wilder - run time 2 hours and ten minutes

 

Love in the Afternoon is Available on YouTube 

Love in the Afternoon takes place in Paris. Claude Chavasse (Maurice Chevalier) is a private detective. He investigates  an adultery case: Monsieur X (John McGiver), his client, believes his wife is having an affair with another man. She is, indeed, having an affair with Frank Flannagan (Gary Cooper), a businessman already well-known for his many love-affair scandals. When Monsieur X learns the news, he only has one idea stuck in his mind: to kill Frank Flanagan. Claude Chavasse tells him that it would be a regrettable idea, but his “project” is already all set in his mind: he will go to the Ritz Hotel where Frank stays, surprise him with his wife and kill him. Fortunately, Claude Chavasse’ daughter, Ariane (Audrey Hepburn), stops him. She goes to the Ritz, enters in Flannagan’s suite by the window, explains the situation to Flannagan and Madame X, takes Madame X’s hat, this one runs away by the window, and when Monsieur X enters in the suite, he realizes that his wife is not having an affair with Flannagan. This is only the beginning of the film, but that’s what set the story and that’s how Frank Flannagan and Ariane Chavasse will meet. As you can imagine, a love story eventually starts between them and the rest of the film is the evolution of their love. Of course, for the sweet, fragile and innocent Ariane, it is not easy to be in love with a man like Frank Flannagan. She invents some incredible stories to grab his attention.This movie is named Love in the Afternoon because every time Ariane and Frank meet, it’s during the afternoon, most of the time at 4 pm.

I found this an enjoyable film.. The relationship between the Hepburn and Cooper characters required some suspension of my reaction to their age difference. 

I will next post on Breakfast at Tiffany's 

Mel Ulm

The Bicycle Thieves - A 1948 Movie is a 1948 Italian neorealist drama film directed by Vittorio De Sica

 

 

The Bicycle Thieves is available on YouTube with English Subtitles 

https://youtu.be/TVw2ctnL22M

The Film follows the story of a poor father searching in post-World War II Rome for his stolen bicycle, without which he will lose the job which was to be the salvation of his young family.

The film stars Lamberto Maggiorani as Antonio Ricci, a tram conductor who has been unemployed for months. He finally finds work posting political posters around the city, but he needs his bicycle to get to and from work. His wife, Maria (Lianella Carell), sells the family's bed linens to retrieve the bicycle from the pawnshop so he can take the job.

However, disaster strikes when Antonio's bicycle is stolen. He and his son, Bruno (Enzo Staiola), comb the city, growing increasingly desperate for justice. They encounter a number of obstacles, including indifference from the police, suspicion from the public, and the harsh realities of life in post-war Italy.

Bicycle Thieves is a powerful and moving film that explores the themes of poverty, desperation, and the human spirit. It is a classic of Italian neorealism, and it is considered one of the greatest films ever made.

The film was a critical and commercial success, and it won the Academy Honorary Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1950. It was also nominated for the Palme d'Or at the 1949 Cannes Film Festival.

The Bicycle Thieves was filmed in the streets of Rome, depicted the poverty of post World War Two Italy. The actors were amateurs.

The acting is superb. Lamberto Maggiorani gives a tour-de-force performance as Antonio Ricci, and Enzo Staiola is heartbreaking as his son, Bruno.

The cinematography is stunning. The film was shot on location in post-war Rome, and the images capture the poverty and desperation of the city.

The story is powerful and moving. It is a story of hope, loss, and redemption.

The film is a classic of Italian neorealism. It is a film that is both realistic and poetic.

The Bicycle Thieves is regarded as one of the greatest films of all time, it is cinema as High Art.

 

I Married a Witch - A 1942 Film Starring Veronica Lake- - directed by Rene Claire - A Comedy

 

Available on YouTube 

A few days ago I watched a marvelous movie, Sullivan's Travels, with Veronica Lake in the co-starring role.  I was very happy to discover a film in which she has the lead, I Married a Witch.

The film's plot follows Jennifer, a witch who is burned at the stake in 1692. Before she dies, she curses the family of her accuser, dooming them to marry the wrong women for all eternity. 250 years later, Jennifer is resurrected by lightning and decides to exact her revenge on the most recent descendant of her accuser, Wallace Wooley (Fredric March), a wealthy politician.

Jennifer uses her magic to make Wallace fall in love with her, but

her plan backfires when she begins to fall in love with him herself. The two of them must overcome their differences and the curse that Jennifer placed on Wallace's family in order to be together.

I Married a Witch was a critical and commercial success, and it is considered one of the best films of the screwball comedy genre. The film's stars, Veronica Lake and Fredric March, were nominated for Academy Awards for their performances. 

The film's use of special effects was groundbreaking for its time. The scenes of Jennifer's magic, such as when she makes herself invisible or turns Wallace into a dog, were created using a variety of techniques, including rear projection, stop-motion animation, and matte paintings.

The film's costumes were designed by Edith Head, who won an Academy Award for her work. Head's designs for Veronica Lake's character, Jennifer, were particularly memorable, and they helped to solidify Lake's image as a glamorous Hollywood star.

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Sullivan's Travels - A 1941 Film Directed and Scripted by Preston Sturges- Starring Veronica Lake and Joel McCrea

 

Sullivan's Travels - A 1941 Film Directed and Scripted by Preston Sturges- Starring Veronica Lake and Joel McCrea - Run Time One Hour and Thirty Minutes

Preston Sturges 

August 29, 1898 Chicago

 August 6, 1959 New York City

The Documentary Below details the amazing life and career of Preston Sturges 

Sullivan's Travels is considered among the top five of Preston Sturges films. 

 My post today is in Memorium of his passing away Sixty three years ago.

Sullivan's Travels satire on the film industry, it follows a famous Hollywood comedy director (Joel McCrea) who, longing to make a socially relevant drama, sets out to live as a tramp to gain life experience for his forthcoming film. Along the way he unites with a poor aspiring actress (Veronica Lake) who accompanies him. The title is a reference to Gulliver's Travels, the 1726 novel by satirist Jonathan Swift about another journey of self-discovery.

The plot is just so much fun I will leave it pretty much Untold.

I will just make a few observations on why I like it. The cast of people surrounding Sullivan are hilarious. The reporte and chemistry between the super rich director is perfect. This was my first encounter with Veronica Lake, she is in other of the movies of Preston Sturges, and I loved her. When she asked Sullivan to introduce her to Ernest Lubitsch I laughed out loud.

The film was nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Original Screenplay and Best Writing (Original Screenplay).

Sullivan's Travels is on YouTube 

I will soon post on I Married A Witch starring Veronica Lake and plan to post on The Palm Beach Story from Preston Sturges on August 29.

Mel Ulm

Naked Alibi - A 1954 Film - Starring Gloria Grahame and Sterling Hayden - A Noir Classic - Run Time 95 Minutes

 

Naked Alibi - A 1954 Film - Starring Gloria Grahame and Sterling Hayden - A Noir Classic - Run Time 86 Minutes 

Director: Jerry Hopper. Screenplay: Lawrence Roman based on a story, “Cry Copper,” by J. Robert Bren and Gladys Atwater. Producer: Ross Hunter. Cinematographer: Russell Metty. Original Music (un-credited): Hans J. Salter and Frank Skinner. Art Directors: Alexander Golitzen, Emrich Nicholson. Editor: Al Clark. Cast: Sterling Hayden (Chief Joe Conroy), Gloria Graham (Marlene), Gene Barry (Al Willis), Marcia Henderson (Helen Willis). Released: Universal International, January 14, 1955. 86 minutes

Questioned as a murder suspect, solid (but drunk) citizen Al Willis attacks his police questioners, is beaten, and swears vengeance against them. Next night, Lieut. Parks is murdered; Willis is the only suspect in the eyes of tough Chief Conroy, who pursues him doggedly despite lack of evidence. The obsessed Conroy is dismissed from the force, but continues to harass Willis, who flees to a sleazy town on the Mexican border. Of course, Conroy follows. But which is crazy, Conroy or Willis?

It turns out Al Willis has a double life.  I don't want to reveal to much of the plot so I will just say a few things about why I like Naked Alibi.

Firstly it is the brilliant acting by Gloria Grahame. She lives in Border Town, working as a singer and a prostitute.  She is also the girl friend of Al Willis.  We learn nothing of the life history that shaped her.  The dark, savage atmosphere of the town is Noir perfection.

I saw it as a study in two contrasting worlds, that of the sham respectable life of Al Willis with his wife who accepts his long absences as business trips while seeung him as a perfect husband and his real life in Bordetown. Both women love him.

The cinematography is magnificent 

I hope to soon watch another film  starring Gloria Grahame, Human Desire, soon

The plot is exciting, and kept me very interested.

Naked Alibi is on YouTube 

That Lady in Ermine - A 1948 Movie Directed by Ernst Lubitsch- Starring Betty Grable, Caeser Romero, and Douglas Fairbanks, junior

 

That Lady in Ermine - A 1948 Movie Directed by Ernst Lubitsch- Starring Betty Grable, Cesar Romero and Douglas Fairbanks Junior

Run time one hour and twenty nine minutes 

Although Lubitsch received sole credit as director, he died after only eight days of filming, and the project was completed by Otto Preminger 

This is the fifth movie directed by Ernst Lubitsch upon which I have posted.

Ernst Lubitsch 

Born: January 29, 1892, Berlin, Germany

Died: November 30, 1947, Los Angeles, California, United States

The film is set in 1861 in the Principality of Bergamo, a fictional country in southeastern Europe. Countess Angelina (Grable) is about to be married to Baron Mario (Romero), when Hungarian hussars led by Colonel Teglash (Fairbanks, Jr.) invade the castle. Mario flees, leaving Angelina to fend for herself.

One of Angelina's ancestors, Francesca (also Grable), was forced to deal with a similar situation many years earlier. Her portrait hangs in the castle, and by night, Francesca leaves the confines of the portrait to help Angelina grapple with her growing feelings for the colonel.

The film's dual role for Betty Grable, as both Angelina and Francesca, was a challenge for the actress, but she was able to pull it off with great success.

The film's musical numbers are some of the best of Lubitsch's career, and they help to move the story along and add to the film's overall charm.

The film's setting in a fictional country in southeastern Europe gives it a sense of escapism and allows the filmmakers to create a world that is both familiar and exotic.

The court settings are well done, the men are gorgeous and Betty is always a cinematic delight.

This film, as are numerous others starring Betty Grable as well as works directed by Ernst Lubitsch are on YouTube 

Mel Ulm