Classic Movie Recall

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SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS (1937) May 09, 2016

Show notes

SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS is based on one of the Brothers Grimm collection-of-folk-tales, and follows a beautiful young princess, Snow White. Her stepmother is the evil queen, and she is jealous of Snow White’s beauty and irked by the blossoming attraction between Snow White and a handsome young prince. An attempt by the queen to have Snow White killed causes Snow White to flee into the forest where she befriends the animals --the squirrels and birds and deer -- and seven lovable dwarfs with silly names that match their personalities. Snow White and the seven dwarfs have a great time singing and dancing with the animals, until the evil queen hatches yet another devious plot... James and Lara are joined by Audience of One Susan Eisenberg, a voiceover superstar who is well-known for her role as Diana Prince/Wonder Woman on the animated series, THE JUSTICE LEAGUE. Is this animated film one for kids? Susan and Lara comment on how it was much darker than they remembered when they saw it as young girls. Is a kiss from a handsome prince the answer to all of life's problems? What was unique about a soundtrack being released for the film? And which German expressionist horror film was a big influence on SNOW WHITE? After watching this classic, you might find yourself whistling while you heigh-ho your way to work and wait for your prince to come...

Roman Holiday (1953) May 02, 2016

Show notes

With Audrey Hepburn luminous in her American debut, 1953's ROMAN HOLIDAY is as funny as it is beautiful, and sets the standard for the modern romantic comedy. Audrey plays a princess who is on a tour of Europe; when her hectic schedule overwhelms her she flees her country's embassy and runs into Gregory Peck. He has no idea who she is, she doesn't know he's an American newspaperman, and she ends up back at his apartment since he can't quite get rid of her (why was he trying to?). Gregory sleeps through his scheduled interview with the princess the next morning and while trying to avoid getting into trouble with his boss he realizes who is back at his apartment and bets his boss that he can get an exclusive interview with the princess. What's not to love about two of the best-looking people on the planet riding a scooter and running around Rome during one magical day? James and Lara talk about the brilliance of William Wyler's direction and the stunning black-and-white photography, all the men that love this chick flick, Audrey's posture, the famous scene at the mouth of truth, and how ROMAN HOLIDAY is a near-perfect example of why people still love Classic Hollywood romantic movies.

On The Town (1949) Apr 26, 2016

Show notes

Fun-loving sailors Gabey (Gene Kelly), Chip (Frank Sinatra) and Ozzie (Jules Munshin) have 24 hours of shore leave in New York City, and they want to make every second count. While Chip hooks up with loudmouth cab driver Brunhilde (Betty Garrett) and Ozzie swoons for prim anthropologist Claire (Ann Miller), Gabey falls in love with a model he sees in an advertisement, Ivy Smith (Vera-Ellen). Leonard Bernstein, with lyricists Betty Comden and Adolph Green, along with Roger Edens, provides the music. Gene Kelly got a directing credit on this film, but did he use his star power to force his way into that position? What happened to all of Leonard Bernstein's music from the play? Was the famous line "New York New York It's A Wonderful Town" almost something else? And who had padding in the buttocks of their sailor suit? James and Lara break it down in this episode about a musical that is light and sweet like a cupcake.

Rebel Without A Cause (1955) Apr 17, 2016

Show notes

After moving to a new town, troublemaking teen Jim Stark (James Dean) is supposed to have a clean slate, although being the new kid in town brings its own problems. While searching for some stability, Stark forms a bond with a disturbed classmate, Plato (Sal Mineo), and falls for local girl Judy (Natalie Wood). However, Judy is the girlfriend of neighborhood tough, Buzz (Corey Allen). When Buzz violently confronts Jim and challenges him to a drag race, the new kid's real troubles begin. Is it possible that James Dean was miscast in one of the most iconic roles of all time? One of us thinks so. James and Lara discuss the lasting impact of a terrific actor who made only three films, the appeal of bad boys, and some very cool things about one of the settings in the film. Hint: It was used in another iconic movie that we have reviewed. Grab a red leather jacket, white t-shirt, and jeans, and join us!

The Fly (1958) Apr 15, 2016

Show notes

When scientist Andre Delambre (Al Hedison) tests his matter transporter on himself, an errant housefly makes its way into the transportation chamber, and things go horribly wrong. As a result, Delambre's head and arm are now that of the insect. Slowly losing himself to the fly, Delambre turns to his wife, Helene (Patricia Owens), for help. But when tragedy strikes, Delambre's brother (Vincent Price) and Inspector Charas (Herbert Marshall) are forced to pick up the investigation. In our review, we talk about why Lara watched this film through her fingers, alternately laughing and then being genuinely moved. James discusses how it was shot so well that a lot of it seems believable (except for the two money shots), and we both agree that when you are invited into someone's creepy basement laboratory, nothing good will come from it. Put away your fly swatter and keep an eye out for the fly with the white head; this is one to invite friends over to watch with you.

Monkey Business (1931) Apr 10, 2016

Show notes

The incomparable Marx Brothers stow away on a ship and become involuntarily involved with a pair of feuding gangsters. This film includes one of the funniest Marx Brothers scenes ever, where they take turns impersonating Maurice Chevalier. MONKEY BUSINESS is the Marx Brothers at their very best. James talks about how this movie cheered him up on an awful day, Lara swoons over the musical talents of the brothers, and both of us agree that this is a fun film that showcases the timeless talents of these comic geniuses. But why was the movie banned in some countries? Are women treated as props? And is there a missing 5th Marx Bro? Listen and find out...

To Kill A Mockingbird (1962) Apr 07, 2016

Show notes

The film takes place in Alabama in the 1930s, and is told through the eyes of two kids, a young brother and sister whose father is a small town lawyer named Atticus Finch. The first part of the film is a charming immersion into the daily playful lives of the kids, with all the youthful imaginative antics that most of us can relate to from our own childhoods. Then, when their father agrees to serve as a defense lawyer for a black man accused of rape, the film shifts from being about the kids, to being an intense courtroom drama with Atticus Finch at the center. We’re immersed in a story that confronts us with profound questions fairness, dignity and humanity. This is not just a film that’s noteworthy for tackling the subject of racism, but it’s one of the most emotionally compelling films about respect for our fellow human beings, and about -- in short -- doing the right thing. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD is a stunning film that draws you in and unfolds slowly at first, which was why Lara avoided it for years. She and James talk about the power of this film to change lives (while trying not to build it up too much), the utter awesomeness of Boo Radley (played by a young Robert Duvall), and the time James drove around the Universal Studios lot and stumbled upon a cast reunion.

Adams Rib (1949) Apr 03, 2016

Show notes

There were nine films starring Tracy and Hepburn, but ADAM'S RIB is arguably the best. Writers Ruth Gordon and Garson Kanin, friends of the famous couple, wrote the film specifically for them, and Hepburn insisted on her favorite director, George Cukor. The result is a comedy that remains the best "battle of the sexes" film ever made. In our review, James and Lara get into how watching this film feels like spying on a real-life married couple, as Spencer and Kate talk over each other and are very playful together. We talk about George Cukor's static camera, the Cole Porter-penned "Goodbye, Amanda" (one of the original earworms), and are joined by actress Jennifer Lynn O'Hara of "A Single Girl's Guide To..." to discuss the pervasive double standard that women in the entertainment industry experience.

Grand Hotel (1932) Mar 31, 2016

Show notes

In this Best Picture Oscar winner from 1932, a drunk doctor, an eccentric ballerina, a jewel thief, a businessman, his mistress and a dying bookkeeper all cross paths in the finest (fictional) hotel in Europe, the Grand Hotel. James and Lara are joined by Audience of One Lou Lazzara (celebrity makeup artist) to talk about Garbo's glamorous lighting, the collective star power of so many icons, Joan Crawford's famous mouth, and lots more in the first film to feature overlapping storylines. Tell everyone you want to be alone, fall back on some satin sheets in an all-white Art Deco bedroom, and check yourself in to GRAND HOTEL.

Gold Diggers Of 1933 (1933) Mar 26, 2016

Show notes

Gold Diggers of 1933 is one of the best movies to come out of 1930s Hollywood. It takes place in New York City at the height of the Great Depression. Four showgirls scheme for that next role in a Broadway musical -- using men, loving men, cheating men. This is a wonderful comedy with the musical magic of Busby Berkeley. James and Lara are joined by Audience of One Dennis Hensley, who agreed that it is impossible to get "Pettin' in the Park" out of your head after you have heard it. We also talk about how Ginger Rogers ended up speaking pig Latin in the film, Mervyn and Busby as co-directors, and how this film manages to find the humor in The Great Depression, along with the heartbreak.

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