Lover of pre-1968 film. Gidgetologist.
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That Man from Rio 1964
I'm in love.
I'm in love with this film, Jean-Paul Belmondo and the idea of traveling to Rio de Janeiro.
After staying up too late to finish this movie, I'm still in a glittering haze over L'homme de Rio.
There's adventure, romance and lots of humor. I love Belmondo with the little boy Sir Winston, played by Ubiracy De Oliveira and I was laughing out loud at some of the fighting attempts.
I'm thoroughly charmed, and this is certainly one of my favorite new-to-me films of 2021. -
Gidget 1959
It's really easy to dismiss GIDGET as fluff.
But this film (and the book it is adapted from) is what spawned the surf culture of the 1960s, including
- The Beach Boys music
- American International Pictures beach films with Frankie and Annette
- And overcrowded beaches at Malibu.Also, Gidget is a feminist figure.
Sure, Sandra Dee plays her as sweet and demure. But this is a girl bucking against convention and turning her back on all her boy…
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Fortune Is a Woman 1957
Intriguing story once it gets going and some interesting shots. Really enjoyed it, especially the last half.
Bernard Miles steals the scenes he's in, per usual. Love him. -
Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase 1939
The best of the Nancy Drew WB films, and sadly also the last. I watched and wrote about it in honor of Bonita Granville's 100th birthday. More here:
cometoverhollywood.com/2023/02/02/watching-1939-nancy-drew-and-the-hidden-staircase-1939/
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Dodsworth 1936
Simply one of the best films ever made - no hyperbole here. If you haven't seen it, you're missing out.
It's a powerful look at the fear of growing old and desperately grasping for youth.
Walter Houston, Ruth Chatterton, Mary Astor are all outstanding. (And shoutout to baby John Payne).Some moments I love:
The first shot as Samuel Dodsworth (Houston) looks out his window on the day he retires. How those first shots are all from behind and we… -
The Trouble with Angels 1966
This is a perfect film.
After moving out on my own 9 years ago, this was my go-to "I'm sad and need a pick-me-up" movie.
With each viewing, it hits differently, but it's no less magnificent. This go-round (watching with the online film club girls), I cried a lot. The little "I'll miss you" goodbye at the beginning, the women in the home for the elderly, every single Christmas scene, Sister Liguori.
The little touches of storytelling really make this…