Recommend a Classic Film

There are an endless amount of fantastic old films to be seen...this one is a beaut, and I ran across this wonderfully written review of one of my favorite old films, which is on DVD of course.

The Scarlet Empress (1934) Directed by Josef von Sternberg

This picture is absolutely one of the oddest damn things ever to come out of the old Hollywood studio system. Von Sternberg himself called it "a relentless exercise in pure style" and he wasn't kidding. Where to begin? For starters, it marks the apex of Sternberg's worship of Marlene Dietrich (worship is hardly too strong a word; it might not be strong enough). His justly famous expressionistic lighting, brilliantly shot by Bert Glennon, dazzles the eye throughout. During the wedding ceremony, for instance, the whole scene is lit by what must be 10,000 candles and is shot through a variety of diffusion materials; in one shot Dietrich's face can hardly be more than a foot from the camera lens but there is a candle between them, and fabric as well, making her face waver and melt into the sensuous texture. This scene is largely silent, and the movie as a whole, though made in 1934, is often silent with music only. Rubinstein's "Kammenoi-Ostrow" arranged for chorus and orchestra plays through the whole wedding scene while Sam Jaffe, a wonderful and versatile actor, plays the insane Grand Duke Peter like Harpo Marx on bad acid. The dialogue throughout is just plain weird, and the mise-en-scene far weirder. Sternberg has created an entire fictitious style for this movie that might be called Russian Gothic. The buildings in no way resemble the airy rococo palaces where the real Empress Elisavieta Petrovna spent her time; rather we are given a nightmarish phantasmagoria of wooden architecture with railings and balustrades carved into the shape of peasants in attitudes of great suffering, and vast doors which armies of ladies-in-waiting struggle to open and close. The aftermath of a brutal feast is portrayed with a skeletal tureen stand presiding over the indescribable flotsam and jetsam. Louise Dresser is a hoot as Empress Elizabeth, never mind the accent; and I also like John Lodge, although I didn't at first; the aplomb with which he delivers his outrageous dialogue finally won me over. Please ignore all the stupid stories about Catherine the Great and horses that you may have heard; there isn't an ounce of evidence for any of them. Instead relish the opening of this gloriously crazy movie: Edward van Sloan, in his best "Dracula/Frankenstein" mode, reading to the little girl Catherine about Ivan the Terrible and Peter the Great, as we dissolve to fantastic scenes of barbaric torture, culminating in a shot of some peasant being used as the clapper of a bell, which dissolves to the sweet young adult Catherine of some years later on a swing. In the 18th century, swings were considered highly erotic, and Sternberg misses none of this. She is called away by a servant, and runs breathlessly into the parlor where her parents are receiving the Russian envoys. Her actions are literally choreographed to the music as she bobs and weaves around the room, kissing hands and saluting her elders. This is pure cinema, and absolutely nuts, but glorious. Take a good strong snort of whatever your favorite mind-expander may be (a dry red wine with a shot of Stolichnaya under it is my recommendation in this case) and blast your brain with a truly strange movie made by real artists.

Double Indemnity (1944), directed by Billy Wilder with a screenplay by Wilder and Raymond Chandler that's as sharp as a razor.

Double Indemnity (1944), directed by Billy Wilder with a screenplay by Wilder and Raymond Chandler that's as sharp as a razor.Oh yes I have loved that for years..just bought the new DVD, I think it is THE definitive film noir...the dialogue is just crackling......what great charactors.....

Here is a beaut...I know Silver agrees...Stage Door..it boasts a stellar cast and great writers...definitely worth seeing.

Stage Door (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029604/)

:D Yes yes, Silver agrees! I am probably a little biased, but with good reason.

:D Yes yes, Silver agrees! I am probably a little biased, but with good reason.I just this minute finished watching it...it is wonderful, I haven't seen it for a few years..and it is hard to believe it is 70 years old...

not trying to sound cliche', but has anyone ever seen the movie harold and maude? its seriously like one of my fav movies ever, which is so hard to choose. it hilarious. Heres the summary by imdb:
Harold is a depressed, death-obsessed 20-year-old man-child who spends his free time attending funerals and committing suicide in front of his mother, but he does not die. At a funeral, Harold befriends Maude, a 79-year-old woman who has a zest for life. She and Harold spend much time together during which she exposes him to the wonders and possibilities of life. After rejecting his mother's three attempts to set him up with a potential wife, and committing fake suicide in front of all of them, Harold announces that he is to be married to Maude. However, Maude has a surprise for Harold that is to change his life forever.
:o It is quite refreshing. :rolleyes:
Once in a while a film comes along that will touch your heart and change you forever; it stays with you. in this department, this film will not let you down. i don't want to give away the ending, so im not going to extend on this, but you guys should really find a way to watch it if you haven't seen it- especially if you're a sucker for a classic.

Harold and Maude is an excellent film..certainly (in my opinion) Ruth Gordon's finest performance..even better than Rosemary's Baby.

Harold's fake suicides are an absolute joy and as I have said before on numerous occasions I would kill for an E-Type hearse like Harold has...

Oh yes I have seen it numerous times...a real gem.

I am now rediscovering the films of Frank Tashlin (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0850895/), who, after dropping out of school at the age of 13, became a cartoonist and animator, and later went on to direct many of the best "Looney Tunes" (Daffy Duck, Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, etc.) shorts, and eventually moved to work in live action, directing Bob Hope, Jerry Lewis, Doris Day, and Jayne Mansfield (among others). I particulary recommend Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051196/)(with Mansfield and Tony Randall) and The Girl Can't Help It (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049263/)(with Mansfield and Tom Ewell).

I am now rediscovering the films of Frank Tashlin (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0850895/), who, after dropping out of school at the age of 13, became a cartoonist and animator, and later went on to direct many of the best "Looney Tunes" (Daffy Duck, Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, etc.) shorts, and eventually moved to work in live action, directing Bob Hope, Jerry Lewis, Doris Day, and Jayne Mansfield (among others). I particulary recommend Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051196/)(with Mansfield and Tony Randall) and The Girl Can't Help It (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049263/)(with Mansfield and Tom Ewell).Excellent movies Matt, both of them are real gems I think. I liked Tom Ewell alot, The Seven Year Itch with him and Marylin Monroe is such a fantastic movie too, Tom had such a droll sense of humor.

I also think Janyne Mansfield was a very good comedic actress, she was a very intelligent woman and really played up the dumb blonde angle.

Excellent movies Matt, both of them are real gems I think. I liked Tom Ewell alot, The Seven Year Itch with him and Marylin Monroe is such a fantastic movie too, Tom had such a droll sense of humor.

I also think Janyne Mansfield was a very good comedic actress, she was a very intelligent woman and really played up the dumb blonde angle.
Yeah, Itch has always been a favorite of mine.

Another one I saw recently was The Glass Bottom Boat (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060463/) (aka The Spy in Lace Panties :) ), with Doris Day, Rod Taylor, Arthur Godfrey, Paul Lynde, and a very young looking Dom DeLuise. It's not on par with those I mentioned above. but it's pretty amusing.

Yeah, Itch has always been a favorite of mine.

Another one I saw recently was The Glass Bottom Boat (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060463/) (aka The Spy in Lace Panties :) ), with Doris Day, Rod Taylor, Arthur Godfrey, Paul Lynde, and a very young looking Dom DeLuise. It's not on par with those I mentioned above. but it's pretty amusing.Oh I remember that movie, I think it is a gas to watch these older films. I actually use to really enjoy some of the Doris Day fluff movies, Please Don't Eat The Dasies, It Happened to Jane and Move Over Darling with James Garner, it was a re-shoot of Somethings Got To Give, the movie Marylin was working on, with Dean Martin, when she died. Doris was always alot of fun in her movies with James Garner and Rock Hudson.

Not a big fan of Doris Day myself, but always thought That Touch of Mink was hilarious. :)

Not a big fan of Doris Day myself
Yeah, I'm really not too keen on her either, actually. But she's good in this one.

Yeah, I'm really not too keen on her either, actually. But she's good in this one.
It sounds a funny, little film; perhaps I'll check it out :) Thanks for the recommendation!

Harold and Maude is an excellent film..certainly (in my opinion) Ruth Gordon's finest performance..even better than Rosemary's Baby.

Harold's fake suicides are an absolute joy and as I have said before on numerous occasions I would kill for an E-Type hearse like Harold has...

charlie says it ALL and i'm in FULL agreement, figgy :)

seven year is a GREAT movie!!
i'm so so on doris day as well but daisies IS good movie. her and grant WAS a great team
great call matt on the director! though for comics i GOTTA go to THE Man himself, fred "tex" avery (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000813/). especially his work in the forties. from his episodes with Droopy to the red riding hood themes to my favorite tom and jerry with tom dancin around the bulldog with the jimmy durante-esque voice


for a recommendation,
i'd go with A Barefoot Contessa (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046754/)
with ava gardner and humphry bogart http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/graphics/slideshows/ava/acontessa.jpg

Great idea for a thread. I'm not big on classic films, but an aunt has been trying to reform me. Thus far we've watched Gone With The Wind, Casablanca, Psycho and The Birds all of which I found surprisingly good. I particularly liked the Hitch**** ones. :)

Try to see The Trouble With Harry sometime, it is a very quirky, even for Hitch0ck, off-beat film, it's a lot of fun.

The Trouble With Harry (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048750/)

Try to see The Trouble With Harry sometime, it is a very quirky, even for Hitch0ck, off-beat film, it's a lot of fun.

The Trouble With Harry (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048750/)
I'll second The Trouble With Harry! Great Hitch film!

The birds is a classic horror movie. Blazin saddles is also a funny classic movie one of my favorites.

Try to see The Trouble With Harry sometime, it is a very quirky, even for Hitch0ck, off-beat film, it's a lot of fun.

The Trouble With Harry (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048750/)

I'll have to rent that. I don't think my aunt has it in her collection. She's got Hitch's more popular films like North By Northwest, Vertigo, Rear Window, etc.

Wooo two Jimmy Stewart movies in that list of three :D Hitch knew a good actor, yep yep.

And definitely catch The Trouble With Harry sometime, very strange, especially for Hitch and rather funny!

Wooo two Jimmy Stewart movies in that list of three :D Hitch knew a good actor, yep yep.

And definitely catch The Trouble With Harry sometime, very strange, especially for Hitch and rather funny!I decided to advertise it for awhile...It is right up there with Vertigo and Rear Window I think.

Hitchc0ck made so many great films with Jimmy Stewart and Cary Grant.

charlie says it ALL and i'm in FULL agreement, figgy :)

seven year is a GREAT movie!!
i'm so so on doris day as well but daisies IS good movie. her and grant WAS a great team
great call matt on the director! though for comics i GOTTA go to THE Man himself, fred "tex" avery (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000813/). especially his work in the forties. from his episodes with Droopy to the red riding hood themes to my favorite tom and jerry with tom dancin around the bulldog with the jimmy durante-esque voice

I've loved Tex Avery since I was a kid . . . and that reminds me, ed--they're putting out a collection of Avery's Droopy shorts (http://www.amazon.com/Tex-Averys-Droopy-Theatrical-Collection/dp/B000MTPA5Y/sr=1-3/qid=1170782041/ref=sr_1_3/102-7085751-5369758?ie=UTF8&s=dvd)in May that looks to be pretty definitive.

Wooo two Jimmy Stewart movies in that list of three :D Hitch knew a good actor, yep yep.

And definitely catch The Trouble With Harry sometime, very strange, especially for Hitch and rather funny!

I'll have to put them on my Netflix. The aunt is still using VHS. LOL

Yeah I too really enjoyed The Trouble With Harry, it is a really strange and quirky little film. However the two main things that stay in my mind about it are how great the colour e.g. the trees and leaves look in it and how great Shirley MacLaine looks in it.

Yeah I too really enjoyed The Trouble With Harry, it is a really strange and quirky little film. However the two main things that stay in my mind about it are how great the colour e.g. the trees and leaves look in it and how great Shirley MacLaine looks in it.My current sig pic at the moment doesn't show the vibrant fall colors, some of the outdoor scenes, like this one, were shot indoors in a gym.

There is nothing more colorful that Vermont in the Fall. I hope all this current talk about The Trouble With Harry will encourage others to watch it. It really is one of his best films.

Harry should be arriving tomorrow. :D

Harry should be arriving tomorrow. :DOh awesome, I do hope you enjoy it...... quite a few of us have been touting it of late. :)

I'll definately let you know. It sounds good from what everyone has described and I'm looking forward to watching it. :)

I watched Trouble With Harry today. I prefer my humor a little darker. This almost had a cute feel to it, although I'm sure back in its day it was considered very dark. The cinematography was stunning, particularly the scenic shots of a fall Vermont. The characters were also charming in their oddball ways with the snappy dialog. Loved when Jerry Mather's Alvin said "that was a two muffin rabbit!" :D

I watched Trouble With Harry today. I prefer my humor a little darker. This almost had a cute feel to it, although I'm sure back in its day it was considered very dark. The cinematography was stunning, particularly the scenic shots of a fall Vermont. The characters were also charming in their oddball ways with the snappy dialog. Loved when Jerry Mather's Alvin said "that was a two muffin rabbit!" :DYes it was a bit cute, well you didin't hate it, so that's a good thing. :)

Not at all. I thought it was good. I am a little more partial to Hitch's dramatic work though. :)

Not at all. I thought it was good. I am a little more partial to Hitch's dramatic work though. :)oh good, I don't think it was ever considered a very serious movie, even the constant digging up and buryings were pretty light-hearted.

oh good, I don't think it was ever considered a very serious movie, even the constant digging up and buryings were pretty light-hearted.

That's how I took it. I watched the Making Of featurette afterwards and apparently the original British story its based on is darker, but the humor was lightened for American audiences because there was concern they would find it grim otherwise. LOL

That's how I took it. I watched the Making Of featurette afterwards and apparently the original British story its based on is darker, but the humor was lightened for American audiences because there was concern they would find it grim otherwise. LOLThat kills me, it seems things use to always be cleaned up, santized, for the American audiences, like we are a bunch of wuss butts and can't take it...lol

But I enjoyed it just as it was. A darker version would be nice to see sometime, maybe somebody will re-make it.

That kills me, it seems things use to always be cleaned up, santized, for the American audiences, like we are a bunch of wuss butts and can't take it...lol

I know. Its a bunch of crap. :rolleyes:

But I enjoyed it just as it was. A darker version would be nice to see sometime, maybe somebody will re-make it.

That might be nice, although I'm not sure they could improve on Hitch's take. They would be hard-pressed to find another steller cast for one.

I know. Its a bunch of crap. :rolleyes:



That might be nice, although I'm not sure they could improve on Hitch's take. They would be hard-pressed to find another steller cast for one.
It would be hard to do, they would have to go in the other direction and make it grimmer, Hitchc0ck's was almost a light romantic romp.

Here is another gem of a movie, I always think of this when thinking about The Trouble With Harry.

What a fantastic cast this movie boasts as well. It is an all time fav of mine too.

The Gazebo (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052837/)

Also Hitchc0ck's Dial M For Murder is really a great film too, much more serious and sinister.

It would be hard to do, they would have to go in the other direction and make it grimmer, Hitchc0ck's was almost a light romantic romp.

Knowing the studios nowadays, they'd probably turn it in a slasher film. LOL

Here is another gem of a movie, I always think of this when thinking about The Trouble With Harry. What a fantastic cast this movie boasts as well. It is an all time fav of mine too.

The Gazebo (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052837/)

I'll have to look into it. Which reminds me I have to put Frieda on my Netflix.

Also Hitchc0ck's Dial M For Murder is really a great film too, much more serious and sinister.

I think my aunt has that one too. I told her we need to have another "Classic Movie Day" featuring Hitch's films. :)

Oh excellent, Frida is a must see for anybody, the movie is such a celebration of life, she had a tremendous zest and lust for living. If you look at pictures of the real Frida Kahlo, she was an attractive woman, despite the uni-brow, and Salma Hayek did a most excellent job of bringing her to life again.

All of Frida's self-portraits never did her justice as far as showing the real beauty of the woman, she was more focused on showing the pain and suffering she endured.

The movie is not the least bit maudlin, it is up-lifting if anything.

Watching the movie is like watching a painting, it is so colorful. In fact there are many scenes where paintings do indeed come to life, it is a very trippy movie.

I'm looking forward to it. I remember studying Frida and her work in Art History. She was quite an interesting character. :)

I'm looking forward to it. I remember studying Frida and her work in Art History. She was quite an interesting character. :)oh goody..the movie is very unusual, some very innovative techniques were used. I am sure you will enjoy it, I was quite surprised how much I liked it, I have since watched it quite a few times. Great soundtrack too.

It also has Edward Norton and Alfred Molina who are two of my "notable actors to watch." :D

It also has Edward Norton and Alfred Molina who are two of my "notable actors to watch." :DOh I like them both too, Molina is great in this and also Geoffrey Rush is in it, he is someone I like a whole lot.

I don't believe I have seen a lot of Rush's work, but he has a reputation for being good as well. :)

I don't believe I have seen a lot of Rush's work, but he has a reputation for being good as well. :)

i've seen a number of various films with rush. the man truly becomes his character

I'm trying to think what I've might have seen him in, but nothing comes to mind right away. I remember hearing a lot about his performance in Shine though back when he was nominated for an Oscar.