Archive for July, 2010
You are currently browsing the Anatomy Of A Classic blog archives for July, 2010.
29
Jul
2010
Overrated Classics?
Entertainment Weekly posted a slideshow of twenty classic films they think are overrated. While I agree that there are overrated classics out there (see Bringing up Baby), I don’t think The Philadelphia Story or the Wizard of Oz are among them. I think it’s perfectly acceptable to dislike a classic film for any number of reasons, but just because Lawrence of Arabia made you fall asleep at eight years old, it doesn’t mean it’s overrated.
Do you agree or disagree with any of the films they chose? Tell us in the comments!
By the way, EW, I think you missed the entire point of Gone With the Wind. Maybe you should read our post on anti-heroes?
27
Jul
2010
Wrong Number, Right Price
Barbara Stanwyck in Sorry, Wrong Number
Last week my roommate and I saw the 1948 film noir Sorry, Wrong Number at a summer film festival. Outside. For free.
Check your local city/parks and rec calendar for similar events. Organizers of public events like this commonly show classic films, partly because older media tends to be more “family friendly”. Thanks, Hays Code!
23
Jul
2010
Bobby Speaks!
Kendra of the fabulous Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier site vivandlarry.com recently had the chance to interview AoaC hero Robert Osborne! Mr. Osborne talks about TCM’s Summer Under the Stars, programming “The Essentials” with Alec Baldwin, our “Best Eyebrows in Classic Film” queen Gene Tierney, and more. Listen/read their conversation here.
Great job Kendra. Lucky gal!!
Mr. Robert Osborne, TCM host
20
Jul
2010
The Method Man: Marlon Brando
Life Magazine has posted a slideshow of some previously unpublished photos on their website of Marlon Brando taken during the filming of his first film, The Men (1950). The photos give a glimpse into Brando’s famous method acting process as well as the more personal side of Brando. In honor of the 60th anniversary of The Men, Life also posted another slideshow of previously unseen portraits of the actor.
9
Jul
2010
5
Jul
2010
Classic Classroom: Cleopatra
Ready the ridiculously elaborate headdresses, there is a new film in the works about the life of Cleopatra VII, Queen of Egypt. While Angelina Jolie is rumored to star in this newest film, three classic film stars have also played the Egyptian queen.
Claudette Colbert starred in Cecil B. DeMille’s 1934 epic, Cleopatra. Colbert’s co-stars included Warren Williams as Julius Caesar and Henry Wilcoxon as Marc Antony. The film is well-remembered for its extravagant art deco sets and more risque imagery due to the Hays Code having just taken effect that same year.
Vivien Leigh appeared in the 1945 film production of George Bernard Shaw’s play, Caesar and Cleopatra with Claude Rains c0-starring as Julius Caesar. This was the most expensive film ever made in Britain at the time and flopped at the box office almost ending director and producer Gabriel Pascal’s career.
Probably the best known portrayal of Cleopatra is by Elizabeth Taylor in the 1963 epic, Cleopatra. Rex Harrison and Richard Burton starred as Julius Caesar and Marc Antony, respectively. The film was directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz and cost $44 million dollars to make (about $307 million today), a record high at the time.
2
Jul
2010
Favorite Fridays: Americana Edition
Just in time for Fourth of July weekend, we share our favorite films that deal with the cultural heritage and history of America! USA is a-okay! Amer-I-can! Rah!
Alix picks: The Misfits, 1961
The Misfits is an amazing film about the end of the cowboys and the Wild West. The story, especially the final scene, is incredibly moving and wonderfully shot. The film was written by Arthur Miller, directed by John Huston, and stars Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe, Thelma Ritter, Eli Wallach, and Montgomery Clift. Monroe is really exceptional in the film and proves that she could do more than just play the dumb blonde, comic-relief character, although unfortunately this was the last film for both her and Gable.
Lindsay picks: Oklahoma!, 1943
Who wouldn’t want a man who owned a team of horses – one like snow, the other more like milk? That’s what Laurie (Shirley Jones) faces as she tries to resist the wooings of cool and handsome Curly (Gordon MacRae). Full of toe tappin’, knee slappin’ songs by misters Rogers and Hammerstein, Oklahoma! is a lot of fun to watch even if you don’t have a surrey with the fringe on top. Or know what a surrey is.
