Some old chestnuts

[Ovation]

Last night I watched a Hitchcock (one of the few I'd never seen)--The Wrong Man. Probably the least "Hitchcockian" of his films, though that does not make it bad at all. Henry Fonda and Vera Miles are great and the pre-Miranda era police "procedures" portrayed in the film (based on a true story) make one happy to live after 1966 (if you're in the US).

Tonight, a completely different type of film--Smokey and the Bandit. Picked up at a blowout HD DVD sale (for 5.99). As I watched, I realized I'd never actually seen it. It has become such a cultural reference (for those who remember the 70s) that I was convinced I had seen it. Apart from a few scenes that have been in clips on awards shows and such, though, I'd never seen it. Very entertaining (fluff, but entertaining nonetheless). This will get more viewings (especially when my dad comes around--he loves these car chase movies).

So, anyone else been reviving some old chestnuts? Of particular interest would be some that are not necessarily among the "giants" of catalogue films (things like Lawrence of Arabia, Patton or Ben Hur) but rather simply lesser known or, if well-known, "guilty pleasures".

[greenhorn]

A Few Chestnuts I Know and Love...and have

Life With Father - with William Powell, Irene Dunne, Elizabeth Taylor

Cheaper By The Dozen -with Clifton Webb, Jeanne Crain, Myrna Loy

Lillies Of The Field - with Sidney Poitier

Now I need to find a copy of

The Egg and I - with Claudette Colbert, Fred MacMurray, Marjorie Main

and

Best Years Of Our Lives - with Myrna Loy, Fredric March, Dana Andrews


Not really as old as you might think, my Mom liked these kind of movies and it passed down to me. And yes I'm a Myrna Loy and Claudette Cobert fan :T

[George Bellefontaine]

My dvd collection is loaded with old chestnuts. Here are a few I have watched recently:

THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL
A look at Hollywood in its heyday, starring Kirk Douglas and Lana Turner

HOMBRE
An excellent often overlooked western starring Paul Newman and Richard Boone

THE CARPET BEGGARS
A fictional tale somewhat based on Howard Hughes, starring George Peppard, Alan Ladd, etc.

COMMAND DECISION
A WW2 film starring Clark Gable. I will be rewatrching this tonight.

[Ovation]

Keep 'em coming. My ziplist needs replenishing (actually, at 380 titles, not really, but still...)

Is Hombre a 4:3 film? According to Zip.ca, that's the only format it comes in from their inventory. If it wasn't an Academy ratio film, I'll look for it elsewhere (perhaps it's a "flipper disc"?).

[George Bellefontaine]

Is Hombre a 4:3 film? According to Zip.ca, that's the only format it comes in from their inventory. If it wasn't an Academy ratio film, I'll look for it elsewhere (perhaps it's a "flipper disc"?).

My copy is anamorphic 2:35 the original AR. It was released by 20th Century Fox. It isn't a flipper.

I'll list a few more old chestnuts later.

[wkhanna]

The Wild Bunch: Special Edition

One of my all-time favorites. I bought this a while ago, but have watched it a few times already ( not something I usually do ).

[Ovation]

I've got that on HD DVD as well. Might pop it in tonight or tomorrow.

[Burke Strickland]

THE CARPET BEGGARS

Had no idea Howard Hughes ever had to beg for anything, except to be taken seriously. :>) By any chance could your fave' chestnut actually be the kitschy classic "The Carpetbaggers"?

[George Bellefontaine]

By any chance could your fave' chestnut actually be the kitschy classic "The Carpetbaggers"?

You got it.

Here's a few more old chestnuts from my collection:

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER a much better version of the Titanic sinking

THE OXBOW INCIDENT one of the first adult psychological westerns, starring Henry Fonda

LIVE AND DIE IN LA stars a young William Petersen as a cocky federal agent

HIGH SIERRA a 1941 film that really showed Humphrey Bogart's acting range

ALL ABOUT EVE is all about the backstabbing in showbusiness, starring Bette Davis, Anne Baxter and an early Marilyn Monroe

I'll post more later. Hopefully Burke will watch over my posts