Dr. Strangelove

DR. STRANGELOVE, OR: HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE BOMB (BLACK AND WHITE, 1964)

Director: 

Stanley Kubrick

Cast: 

Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, Sterling Hayden, Slim Pickens, Kennan Wynn, Peter Bull, James Earl Jones and Tracy Reed

Ages: 

12 and up

Plot: 

It is the cold war. Insane general Jack D. Ripper (Hayden) has just sent the go code for several planes to go bomb Moscow. His aide, Lionel (Sellers) wants to put a stop to it, and Buck Turgidson (Scott) learns about it in the Pentagon. He tells the President (Sellers again) and an ex-scientist Dr Strangelove (Sellers once more), who both try to find the go code as  Russian Ambassador (Bull) proves that bombing Moscow would mean the end of the world. They do, with Lionel’s help, but the aircraft with Maj. "King" Kong (Pickens) and a lieutenant (Jones) are unable to get the message.

Dr Strangelove, played by Peter Sellers.

Why it’s good: 

Because it is a satire and black comedy about, of all things, nuclear war, cold war and how the communists are trying to "pollute" the Americans (as the insane Jack D. Ripper would say).

And it is also Stanley Kubrick’s least controversial movie. The screenplay was collaboration between him and Terry Southern, which is mighty priceless. The famous line is “Gentlemen, you can’t fight here, this is the war room!” It is just like the “I am your father!” from the movie Star Wars (said by James Earl Jones, who happened to be playing a lieutenant in this film).

Another thing to note is Sellers playing multiple roles. He plays Jack D. Ripper’s aide Lionel Mandrake, the President and Dr Strangelove.

But most of all, the names are all silly, Lionel’s last name is Mandrake, the President’s was Merkin Muffley, George C. Scott’s was Buck Turgidson, Sterling Hayden’s was Jack D. Ripper and Slim Pickens was ‘King’ Kong.

Parent’s guide: 

One of the character’s, assisted by Mandrake, shoots some of his own soldiers who are marching from base to base. There are several scenes where they use nuclear weapons on accident. One character fights with Peter Bull’s insisting he is a Soviet spy.

Trivia: 

Peter Sellers was originally supposed to play the Major, too, but had trouble developing the accent for the character. Thus they had to choose someone else, and they chanced on Slim Pickens, who was never shown the entire script.

If you like this…: 

"Fail-Safe" (1964) is not really a comedy, but a rather dramatic Cold War suspense film with Henry Fonda playing the President. By today’s standards, it is too slow and confusing. I watched only half of it for the reasons above.              

Psycho

PSYCHO (BLACK AND WHITE, 1960)

Director: 

Alfred Hitchcock

Cast: 

Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, Janet Leigh, John Gavin, Martin Balsam, Patricia Hitchcock, John McIntire, Vaughn Taylor and Frank Albertson

Ages: 

12 and up

Plot: 

Marion Crane (Leigh) is an office worker who works for George Lowery (Taylor). One day, George asks her to bank in $40,000 given by Tom Cassidy (Albertson) for a property deal. Given the opportunity, she flees with the money and checks into a motel run by friendly yet jumpy Norman Bates (Perkins), who has a domineering mum. When Marion suddenly disappears, her sister Lila (Miles), Marion's lover Sam (Gavin) and Detective Arbogast (Balsam) try to hunt her down. However, Detective Arbogast is killed shortly finding Marion's last known location. Now, Sam and Lila ask help from a sheriff (McIntire). Will they be able to find Marion?  Will they be able to find the killer?

Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates and Janet Leigh as Marion Crane  

Why it’s good: 

What makes this the most classic horror films of all time? Well, there is the classic shower scene where the insane killer comes into the room and ends the life of Marion Crane.

The second thing is the eerie score by Bernard Herrmann which increases the tension between the characters and the entire plot, as well as its suspense. The suspense is more than the horror, the horror is mostly in the shower scene and the scary corpses.  

The rest of the film is strictly Hitchcock and not much horror. It is more thriller than mystery of the Hitchcock side. When the ending is revealed, you’ll probably not believe the story. It is rather improbable for a normal person, but then, some people can learn to empathise Norman Bates’ situation.

Well, the film is the mother of all the classic horror films, you can say. This one inspired everything from this to “Don’t Look Now” (1973) and later “Texas Chainsaw Massacre”. I believe this is the best, the freshest and the most original, and I hope it shall age well.

Trivia: 

In the shower scene, real blood was not used, but rather Bosco Chocolate Syrup, still sold widely in Europe. This was Hitchcock’s last film for Paramount, though most of it was shot in Universal.

Parent’s guide: 

A lot for this movie. Two of the characters say they want to marry and kiss each other while dressing up for work. The shower scene suggests nudity, but no private parts are shown. It was skilfully done. Another character is stabbed while at someone’s house. A dead corpse/skeleton is shown in a cellar. Sam and Norman fight in the same location. Do not show this to toddlers. This film is not that appropriate for young children.

If you like this…: 

See the Hitchcock chapter above to see the master’s finest works.

On the Waterfront

ON THE WATERFRONT (BLACK AND WHITE, 1954)

Director:
Elia Kazan

Cast:
Marlon Brando, Lee J. Cobb, Karl Malden, Rod Steiger, Pat Henning, John F. Hamilton, Leif Erikson and Eva Marie Saint

Ages:
12 and up

Plot:
On the docks of New York, the union manages the labourers badly. The person who runs the union is Johnny Friendly (Cobb), who has many goons helping him. One of them is Terry Malloy (Brando), an ex-prize-fighter and boxer. One day, Joey is killed by Johnny and indirectly by Terry, but only Terry feels guilt-stricken.  His conscience worsens when he is befriended by Edie Doyle (Saint), the daughter of ‘Pop’ (Hamilton), who are both related to Joey. Priest Barry (Malden) wants to stop the union bosses from having too much control, so he holds several hearings. Kayo Dugan (Henning) tries to tattle on Johnny, so Johnny finishes him off. Now, Barry encourages Terry to tattle on Johnny, and Terry tries to, but when Johnny learns about it, he kills Charley (Steiger), Terry’s brother, who is also a longshoreman. Now, Terry has one thing in mind - revenge!

Terry Malloy (Brando) flanked by Edie Doyle (Saint) and Priest Barry (Malden).

Why it’s good:
Based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning series of newspaper articles, it is sure to be good.

And it really is good. It is morally enlightening, similar to the themes in George Orwell's book Animal Farm. This time it is no longer a farm, but the waterfront of New York.

The acting by the leads are incredibly sublime, you cannot fault Marlon Brando as Terry Malloy or Eva Marie Saint as Edie Doyle. Both of them won Oscars in their roles. 

This film will be controversial to sensitive older kids but will present a sense righteousness to the young teenagers. It is quite mature, so begin by explaining the moral values - Marlon Brando is not a bright guy, but he is one with good moral values. He sets an excellent example for the rest of the longshoremen.

He is a good role model for teenagers, too. Fight for what you believe in. Fight for freedom! Fight for a better life!

Trivia:
Marlon Brando originally refused to play Terry Malloy.

Parent’s guide:
Violence throughout. Terry’s face is seen bleeding in one scene. Lee J. Cobb’s is scarred, too. Joey falls off the roof just when Terry leaves. Terry and Edie find Charley’s body hanged on the wall.

If you like this…:
The rest of the Kazan-Brando films - "The Wild One" (1953), "Viva Zapatza" (1952) and "A Streetcar Named Desire" (1951).             

Charade

CHARADE (Colour, 1963)

Director:
Stanley Donen

Cast:
Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, Walter Matthua, George Kennedy, Ned Glass and James Coburn

Ages:
12 and up

Plot:
Peter Joshua (Grant), aka Alexander Dyle, aka Adam Canfield, aka Brian Cruikshank is on holiday in a ski resort where he meets Regina Lampert (Hepburn). He soon learns her husband was murdered on a train and that he had a fortune. Regina goes home to Paris and finds the place ransacked, and with the aid of Peter aka (etc.), she catches the murderer. In the process, they fall in love.

The aging Grant and the young Audrey Hepburn in Charade.

Why it’s good:
This is a cross between screwball comedy, whodunit, romance and thriller. The first ever movie to do so. Silly, eh? A crowning achievement, actually, a sub-screwball spy hoax.

Based on the novel with the same name, Charade is actually the best Hitchcock film Hitchcock never made. The fun is equal to the sleuthing around the three likely suspects (Coburn, Glass and Kennedy). The romance is too. Yes, women are the best spies.

There is a slight WWII backdrop, so you will have to pause to explain OSS missions and the five men who stole the money they were supposed to deliver. Double crossing, too, as the murderers walk in to the husband’s funeral and put a mirror at the nose. They murdered him as he double-crossed them (at least that was what I thought). Soon the mystic Hamilton Barthomelow appears which increases the suspense.

Another reason to watch this is the excellent location shots in Paris.

The most screwball part, though, is the "pass the orange without your hands" joke. Both Hepburn and Grant play the game badly, and it ends split-screened with the five identities (!) of Grant.

Parent’s guide:
The scene where the characters pass an orange without using hands is kind of sexual. Some violent scenes to note. The first scene has a strangled man laid down on the side of a railway track. There is a scene where one of the men assaults Hepburn in a telephone booth before Grant saves her.

Trivia:
Grant celebrated his birthday during filming. His wish was to make another comedy with Hepburn.

If you like this…:
More murder-comedy films would include 1934’s "The Thin Man" (see Mystery chapter) which span six sequels. It stars William Powell and Myrna Loy drinking almost too much alcohol with Caeser Romero and Maureen O’Hara roaming in the background.

Breakfast at Tiffany's

BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S (Colour, 1961)

Director:
Blake Edwards

Cast:
Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard, Patricia Neal, Buddy Ebsen, Martin Balsam, Jose Luis de Vilallonga, John McGiver and Mickey Rooney

Ages:
12 and up

Plot:
Holly (Hepburn) is a socialite living in an apartment in Manhattan, New York City. She is always annoying the Japanese neighbour (Rooney) upstairs, who complains the key is always misplaced by her. One day, she meets Paul Varjack (Peppard) in her apartment. Paul is being supported by 2-E (Neal). Paul proposes to Holly, but she refuses as she is determined to marry Portuguese-speaking South American millionaire Jose (Vilallonga). Paul soon learns a new thing about Holly - she has been married to Doc (Ebsen) since she was fifteen.

From left: George Peppard, Audrey Hepburn and Patricia Neal.

Why it’s good:
It is essential viewing and tale about modern loving and the pursuit of material wealth. Teenagers and adults should like it, but the younger ones may not.

Why? It is too adult. Explaining is not good enough; I did not understand the comedy-drama the first time at nine. There was too much of the Sing Sing Prison subplot with Sally Tomato. Also there was Martin Balsam as O.J. Berman, a Hollywood (?) agent. The only good fun for laughs at that time was the Japanese man's endless shouts and Holly trying to impress Paul in any way she can think of. There is a library visit, in the least.
It is also a piece of art, engravings on rings and the endless parties. The next thing is the "Moon River" song which was kind of weepy. Weepy. What a thing. Teenagers would not cry, they would laugh.

Parent’s guide:
Quite a violent breakdown in Holly’s room one day. Holly’s cat gets knocked on the wall. Holly and Paul kiss in the rain. The relationship between Paul and 2-E is quite unconventional.

Trivia:
Based on a Truman Capote novel.  Marilyn Monroe was the preferred lead for Holly, but her agent declined this role fearing it may spoil Marilyn Monroe's image.

If you like this…:
"Charade" (1963) is a screwball comedy in this chapter co-starring Hepburn. More Hepburn: "Funny Face" (1957; see Musical chapter), "My Fair Lady" (1964; see Musical chapter).

The Apartment

THE APARTMENT (1960)

Director:

Billy Wilder

Cast:

Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, Fred MacMurray, Ray Walston, David Lewis, Jack Kruschen, Joan Shawlee and Edie Adams

Ages: 12 and up

Plot:

C.C. Baxter (Lemmon) works in Manhattan, New York. He literally climbs up his building floor-by-floor as he rents his apartment out to his bosses, including Sheldrake (MacMurray). Baxter soon falls for elevator girl Fran (MacLaine) whom Sheldrake also loves. Who would Fran choose? Why?



Still of Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine in one of the film’s funniest scenes, in which Lemmon cooks Spaghetti on a tennis racket for Fran being overdosed on pills.

Why it’s good:

It is a teenage comedy, full of jokes for teenagers, and particularly also dramatic as well as wittily romantic.

The storyline is basically the ones where two people go after the same person. It is, in a Billy Wilder-I.A.L. Diamond script, a comedy of mistaken identities, of so many coincidences and of lives' misfortunes.

The acting, in particular that of Shirley and Lemmon, is quite excellent. The era of this type of comedy is more riotous and closer to today's than Chaplin.

As I have mentioned it is a teenage comedy, but it is so classical and well-scripted as well as well-directed, so it is so good ANYONE would like it.

Parent’s guide:

It is a modern comedy, so expect more. There is a scene where Fran’s brother comes to Baxter and knocks him over. Quite a lot of drinking as it is New Year’s Eve.

Trivia:

It is the last black and white picture to win an Oscar till 2011, when "The Artist" won an Oscar.

If you like this…:

More Lemmon would equal to "Some Like It Hot" (1959) and "The Odd Couple" (1968). If the Wilder guy’s direction or script amazes you, find "Sabrina" (1954), "Sunset Boulevard" (1950). See the Director’s section.   

Citizen Kane

CITIZEN KANE (Black and white, 1941)

Director:

Orson Welles

Cast:

Orson Welles, Joseph Cotton, Dorothy Comingore, Agnes Moorehead, Everett Sloane, Ray Collins, Paul Stewart and Ruth Warrick

Ages:

13 and up

Plot:

Charles Foster Kane lives in Xanadu, Florida. He dies suddenly, only muttering the word "Rosebud" while looking into a snow globe. Mr. Bernstein (Sloane) is ordered to find out more about the death and approaches many of Charles’ friends, including fellow reporter Jed Leland (Cotton), his first wife (Moorehead), an ex-servant (Stewart) and many others, but soon realizes he is going in circles.

Why it’s good:

It reflects simply on wealth, life and its frauds. If you have already watched this, you will understand that wealth can sometimes be bad and that wealth can take control of our fate and lives.

Also great about the film is its cinematography and photography. You will notice how Gregg Toland’s camera manoeuvres around the mansion – it starts at the "No Trespassing"sign around the gate of the mansion while it takes in scenes of Charles’ wealth.

The film is also explicit and then classic in its own way with excellent direction and a well-written screenplay.

Parent’s guide:

There is some drinking within Kane and Jed, an excellent team. If you think they need to know about the newspaper industry first, do point out the key points when they float up (e.g. There is a circulation board outside of the newspaper company Welles’ runs, "The Inquirer").

Trivia:

It was nominated for twelve Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director, but only won the one for screenplay. Most of the film’s cast come from The Mercury Theatre, founded by Welles at age 21.

Still of Orson Welles and Joseph Cotton in Citizen Kane

If you like this…:

Check out "The Third Man" (1949) which pairs Welles and Cotton in a film-noir directed by Carol Reed. Welles plays Harry Lime, a criminal, while Cotton plays novelist Holly Martins.