The Silver Screen Oasis

My dream job would be doing what Robert Osborne does! (LOL) But if I guess I would want to introduce films that have something to do with the people I've written about, so:

The Magnificent Ambersons (1941) This would be my selection for Agnes Moorehead as I believe it is her finest film performance and one of the great performances of any actress.

Remember the Night (1940)would be my selection for Fred MacMurray--certainly "Double Indemnity" is his greatest film and performance, but I just plain love "Remember the Night."

Waterloo Bridge (1940)would be my Robert Taylor selection--beautiful film with two outstanding performances by Vivien Leigh & Taylor.

The Thin Man (1934)I wrote a book on "The Thin Man Films" and while some feel the second one "After the Thin Man" is the best of the series, I still prefer the first. It's a delightful mix of mystery and screwball comedy with the unsurpassed William Powell & Myrna Loy.

A Star is Born (1937) would be my Fredric March selection--he gave dozens of superb performances, but when all is said & done I feel his best is this Selznick classic.

By now it would be getting to be morning and my final selection would be from my "Disney Films Book" (which I could have combined with Fred MacMurray, but I don't want Fred to be overly identified with the Disney-My Three Sons years), so I would go with The Parent Trap (1961)as I just adore Hayley Mills (I doubt the Disney folks would allow "Mary Poppins" to be shown).

charlestranberg wrote:I guess I would want to introduce films that have something to do with the people I've written about, so:

Hey, Marie Wilson is missing!

The Great Silence (1968)
The Decalogue (1988)
Don't Look Now (1973)

Charles,

I couldn't agree more with you about March and A Star is Born. Absolutely my favorite March performance, and a wonderful picture, heartbreaking but far from sentimental. I'm a big fan of Wellman.

And as much as I like After the Thin Man, I don't think it holds a candle to the original film.

Joel,

I will always thank you for cluing me in on The Great Silence. It's a masterpiece.

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My choices would be all over the place if I were guest programmer. I could go in a couple of different directions with it, and that's what makes it hard. If I were simply picking certain favorites, great films that I would like classic film fans like me to see, my list would look something like this:

Quai des Orfevres
Union Depot
Port of Shadows
Ashes and Diamonds
A Kiss for Cinderella

But I might take my turn and spotlight a certain character actor... two come to mind, and my lists for the movies I would pick to show them off might look like this:

WALLACE FORD:

The Last Hurrah
The Matchmaker
The Set-Up
Blues in the Night
The Lost Patrol OR Freaks OR Beast of the City


JOSEPH CALLEIA:

Tough Guy
Riffraff
After the Thin Man OR Robin Hood of El Dorado (which Calleia wrote with William Wellman, but doesn't star in)
Five Came Back
Deadline at Dawn

of course, then there's Marcel Dalio....

Charles, I'm with you on "Remember The Night." If there is nothing else in that movie then it's enough to watch Christmas Eve at Fred's house. It's lovely.

Professional Tourist wrote:

charlestranberg wrote:I guess I would want to introduce films that have something to do with the people I've written about, so:

Hey, Marie Wilson is missing!

If they allow me one more I would go with Boy Meets Girl (1938)for Marie. While "My Friend Irma" (1949) might be a better choice given that she is best known for "Irma" I want to present a film that would be representative of her Warner Brother years, and "Boy Meets Girl" is probably the best of that lot and has a terrific cast of WB veterans.

I forgot to mention Remember the Night ... it's such a warm movie, and as you say, while Double Indemnity is a magnificent performance, this one I just love.

I am totally in love with both those movies, KR. I actually watched Ashes and Diamonds AGAIN day before yesterday, to catch the commentary. I'm a little obsessed with it right now.

Did I say "a little"?

I made choices earlier when this thread began, and now I've changed my mind again.

I think I would want to host Auntie Mame, Captain's Paradise with Alec Guinnes, Yvonne De Carlo, and Celia Kaye, and Madame Curie with Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon.

Christy, I think your evening would be a lot of fun! I think one could make a drinking game out of how many times Alec Guinness goes back and forth to his different wives. And I'm sure there's one in Auntie Mame, too. Maybe every time the chairs go up and down.

And I love Madame Curie, maybe I'm one of the few, but I think it's a super movie, great love story, but also a great career story.

Sue Sue Applegate wrote:I made choices earlier when this thread began, and now I've changed my mind again.

think I would want to host Auntie Mame, Captain's Paradise with Alec Guinnes, Yvonne De Carlo, and Celia Kaye, and Madame Curie with Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon.

I Love "Auntie Mame" and "Captain's Paradise" is a often overlooked Guiness gem. I haven't seen "Madame Curie" in a long time, so it would be a chance to reevaluate that film.

Thanks, Jacccccckkkkkkiieeeee! and Charles.

Masha, love your avatar!

Charles, I also feel Captain's Paradise is one of Guiness's overlooked gems. It is just a delight to see him squirm, and Yvonne De Carlo was adorable in this role. It is possibly my favorite De Carlo screen appearance. You see her eyes twinkle and how perky and energetic she could be. Celia Kaye has the chance to play the "wronged woman" in a sort of reversal role from her Brief Encounter foray.

As for Auntie Mame, all my goddaughters tell me that's what I am. It's a grand feeling to be associated with such an inspirational, loving kook who is widely accepted as the Pied Piper of following your dreams and your instincts to be authentic.

Masha,

The only one of those films I know is Casque D'Or. I;m adding the rest to my list of movies to see!

I can see you as Auntie Mame, Christy! That's a great way to be. Wish I were as free spirited, though I am free thinking.