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Classic Film Survey!

Rianna over at Frankly, My Dear, has put together a Classic Film Survey for the month of February. This has been a fun exercise as it has given me the opportunity to come ‘home’ to where my love for cinema began – with the classics.

For your consideration …

 

1. Favorite classic Disney?

2. Favorite film from the year 1939?

3. Favorite Carole Lombard Screwball role?

Don’t have one, unless you count To Be or Not to Be which I don’t because it did not really ever descend into pure screwball zaniness.

4. Favorite off screen couple? (It’s ok if it ended in divorce.)

No brainer ….

5. Favorite pair of best friends? (i.e: Barbara Stanwyck and Joan Crawford)

Josephine Baker and Grace Kelly – Not sure if they were the ‘BESTEST’ of friends, but ever since an encounter in NYC early in Grace’s career, they remained dear friends until the end of Josephine’s life. At the time of Baker’s death, Princess Grace secured her burial in Monaco.

6. Favorite actor with a mustache?

7. Favorite blonde actress?

8. Favorite pre-code?

9. Which studio would you have liked to join?

10. Favorite common on screen pairing that SHOULD have gotten married?

William & Myrna

11. Favorite I Love Lucy episode?

12.  Out of these actresses which one do you like best: Lucille Ball, Ingrid Bergman, Natalie Wood, Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Greer Garson, Grace Kelly, or Katharine Hepburn?

I can only pick one? Shucks – I guess I will have to go with Grace Kelly of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Well I’ll a little cheat … the photo below is of Grace Kelly AND Audrey Hepburn 😉

13. Shadowy film noir from the 1940’s or splashy colorful musicals from the 1950’s?

14. Actor or actress with the best autograph (photo preferred).

15. A baby (or childhood, or teenage) photo of either your favorite actress or actor (or both, if you’d like).

Joan Fontaine

 

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The National Film Registry

Last week, the Library of Congress’ National Film Preservation Board announced the latest 25 films to be added to National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically or aesthetically” significant. ”

More significantly, once a title is added to the registry, the Library makes every effort to preserve the film for future generations to enjoy. The full list of films run the gambit from full, feature length films, short subjects, documentary and experimental works.

When I was younger, I was obsessed with this list; year after year I would go about composing my list and submitting it to the Library for consideration. I also used this list as a checklist for films that I must see.

It has been several years since I have done that but it is still pretty cool to see what the selections that are made from year to year.

The Class of 2011 is as follows:

  1. Allures (1961)
  2. Bambi (1942)
  3. The Big Heat (1953)
  4. A Computer Animated Hand (1972)
  5. Crisis: Behind A Presidential Commitment (1963)
  6. The Cry of the Children (1912)
  7. A Cure for Pokeritis (1912)
  8. El Mariachi (1992)
  9. Faces (1968)
  10. Fake Fruit Factory (1986)
  11. Forrest Gump (1994)
  12. Growing Up Female (1971)
  13. Hester Street (1975)
  14. I, an Actress (1977)
  15. The Iron Horse (1924)
  16. The Kid (1921)
  17. The Lost Weekend (1945)
  18. The Negro Soldier (1944)
  19. Nicholas Brothers Family Home Movies (1930s-40s)
  20. Norma Rae (1979)
  21. Porgy and Bess (1959)
  22. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
  23. Stand and Deliver (1988)
  24. Twentieth Century (1934)
  25. War of the Worlds (1953)

 

Click here to view the complete list (from 1989-Present).

If you get a moment, take a look at the list. After looking checking it out, ask yourself: What films would you like to see on the list? your voice can be heard – nominations are open to the public. If you are passionate enough about a film not on the list, you can nominate your film by going to this site.

But before you go and try to nominate The Dark Knight, know that you can’t, well not at least for 2019 – the nominated film has to be at least 10 years old.

 

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Coming to a Theatre Near You ….

cinema screenI may not have to tell many of you out there, but when it comes to classic movies, you should take every opportunity to see them on the big screen. I was not always a purist in this regard. I figured I could watch TCM or AMC with and get a satisfactory cinematic experience. Then I saw the restored version of Vertigo (1958) at my alma mater’s movie theatre. There is nothing like it.

The problem then becomes, where to find screenings? In places like NY or LA there is not much of a problem. I know Chicago has a couple of cool places too! But it gets a little tricky outside of major metropolitan areas. There are many resources out there, but here is one site that I think is a good starting off point.

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