Top 5: Barbara Stanwyck

Barbara Stanwyck is one of my favorite actresses, with her ability to be both tough and fragile in her films she could do no wrong.

Source: theclutteredclassicattic.tumblr.com via Willie on Pinterest

1. My Reputation (1946)

To be honest with you I think this is her best film, and I'm pretty sure (and don't quote me on this, I'm not 100% positive) that she said this was her favorite as well. In this she plays a recently widowed mother of two who eventually falls in love with George Brent, even if she did resist his amorous attentions at first. It causes gossip amongst her friends and in true Stanwyck style she doesn't give a damn what they say or think.



 

2. The Lady Eve (1941)

Her she is at her most comical and deceitful yet playful all in one. Attempting to trick a lovestruck Henry Fonda doesn't really work when she starts falling in love with him too. What makes this movie really stand out is the abundance of innuendos and last but not least a certain scene when she gets him for lack of a better phrase - hot and bothered.

 

3. The Bitter Tea of General Yen (1933)

Frank Capra's lesser known masterpiece which failed at the box office due to it's "interracial" relationship depicted (I quote interracial because Nils Asther who played General Yen was Danish and Swedish). If this got a Criterion release at least, it would receive the audience it rightfully deserves.

 

 

4. Double Indemnity (1944)

Forget about the wig, this is THE film noirs to end all film noirs. Her chemistry with Fred MacMurray is a huge change to the one they had in their previous movie together (Remember the Night, which is awesome). Here they are hot and then the heat starts to fizzle out when she is revealed to be nothing more than a lying, murdering good-for-nothing (insert word for a no-good-woman here).

 

 

5. Ball of Fire (1941)

In this she is Sugarpuss who takes refuge in a house of older bachelors that includes naive Gary Cooper who happens to be researching American slang. With her help she also teaches him to kiss among other things.

"I love him because he's the kind of guy who gets drunk on a glass of buttermilk, and I love the way he blushes right up over his ears. I love him because he doesn't know how to kiss, the jerk!"

Source: silverscreenoasis.com via Darlene on Pinterest

Honorable mentions:

There's Always Tomorrow (1956) (A Douglas Sirk masterpiece)
Forbidden (1931)
The Two Mrs. Carrolls (1947)
Jeopardy (1953)

Camille (1936) & Camille (1921)

Camille (1936)

Source: jazz-vintage-classichollywood.tumblr.com via Catherine on Pinterest

This adaptation just speaks for itself. It's one of the most atmospheric, heart wrenching, beautifully done films ever made, certainly of the entire 1930's and of Robert Taylor and Greta Garbo's careers.
If you want a heart breaking romance with an actor like Robert Taylor who can play heart broken so well,  look no further than the best film made from Dumas story.

Garbo's portrayal as the tragic Marguerite is one of the finest of romantic cinema with beautifully done costumes, cinematography and weepy music to highlight all the moments in the film that convey the fate of Marguerite's illness and Armand's love.

George Cukor's fine direction brings out all the lavishness and tension in the atmosphere when Armand's faith and love is being tested again and again.

I love this movie so much it is now on my top 50 films. _______________________________________________________________________

Camille (1921)

Source: vintagetwenties.tumblr.com via Carol on Pinterest

Alexandre Dumas,fils story set in modern-day 1920's with Valentino as Armand and Nazimova as the lady of the camellias aka Marguerite.

With Nazimova's outrageous hair, it might at first distract from the story but after awhile it's forgotten and I personally became quite taken in with this adaptation mainly because of Rudy Valentino's performance and all the sad faces he makes. Even when Marguerite first speaks to him it's meant to be a let down "he would do better to study love" it does not stop him from falling.

It's silly to give this one a 4/5 because of that hair but there is one - Nazimova in certain scenes where she does exaggerate with her acting but then again there were moments where she was genuine especially when told she had to give up the only man who really loved her for her, and not as a kept woman.

My Top Films: Vertigo (1958)

Vertigo is Hitchcock's masterpiece (that's NOT a fact, it's an opinion, just putting that out there). It's his magnum opus even if it failed at the box office at it's release. It's reputation grew over the decades to quickly become one of the best films ever made, something people failed to see at the time even Hitchcock himself.

Upon first viewing oh so many years ago I was smitten, not only with the whole film but with Jimmy Stewart's performance as the obsessed detective who became the pawn in Elster's malicious plot. It's a story of love's dark side.

Source: moviesinframes.tumblr.com via philip on Pinterest

Paperman (2012)

Paperman is a Disney animated short film that accompanied the Wreck It Ralph when it was in theaters. I have not seen Wreck It Ralph but just over a week ago I discovered this wonderful short film which brings back the Disney of old when it comes to animation they use to do before the 2000's (with the exception of The Princess and the Frog which is awesome).

I decided to post this on my classic blog because it has that classic feel and look to it. It's a touching story with no words spoken, plus it is nominated in this years Oscars for best short film. Instantly it became one of the best shorts I have seen in a long while.

The storyline from Walt Disney Studios (they obviously say it better than I could):

An animated short that follows the story of a lonely young man in mid-century New York City, whose destiny takes an unexpected turn after a chance meeting with a beautiful woman on his morning commute. Convinced the girl of his dreams is gone forever, he gets a second chance when he spots her in a skyscraper window across the avenue from his office. With only his heart, imagination and a stack of papers to get her attention, his efforts are no match for what the fates have in store for him. Written by Walt Disney Animation Studios

 

 

Revisiting The Pirate (1948)

I don't know what it is with me not liking some films the first time around and then revisiting them because I can't get them out of my mind, and then falling in love with them which I should have done in the first place. One of the reasons being is watching a movie while drowsy and not focusing correctly. Being in the right frame of mind helps too.

This has happened way too much over the past couple of weeks (not complaining). For example: The Lady Vanishes, The 39 Steps, and now The Pirate with Gene Kelly and Judy Garland.

When I first watched it I thought it was a silly, somewhat stupid movie that I couldn't believe that the main actors actually took part in (because I love them so) until I returned to it well over a year later and became absolutely entranced. I realized (upon actually doing some "research" which I should have done the first time around) that the movie itself was intended as a farce/take on silent Douglas Fairbanks films and the likes from that era. I also see that even Gene Kelly himself said it took people 20 years to finally get it.

It didn't take me that long but falling head over heels in love with a movie like this makes you appreciate your love for films even more. I have not see the other Kelly and Garland pairings but I will be pretty soon. It's over the top in dramatics and comedy timing but it's suppose to be and Gene Kelly falling instantly in love with Manuela (Garland) and trying so desperately to make her admit that she loves him too is my favorite aspect of the film.

My original rating was 3/5 stars, now it's 5/5 (or 10/10, whatever you prefer).

My Top Films: Les Enfants du Paradis (1945)

A couple months ago I finally composed a top film list on my IMDb profile. I always hesitated doing one before, a top 10 this, a top 25 that but I finally came up with one by looking through all my favorites and placing what I thought were the most significant to me (aka films I can't stop thinking about) into a top 40 (and albeit I might add more to make it to 50 in the near future).

I had an idea for my blog here to write a little bit about the classics that are on my list and why (if I can).

To view my IMDb profile, go here. AND as it states, not in any particular order.

@toutlecine.com

I guess I've said quite a bit about this film. IT IS the best one I have seen this year (tied with The Artist) when it comes to classics (The Artist counts as a classic in a lot of ways).

What more needs to be said about Baptiste and his pursuance of love with an unattainable woman. It's such an awesome film I cannot get enough of. It deserves a spot on every list (if you're in love with it like me).

Pure genius!