Gone With the Wind 1939 Directed by Victor Fleming As far as morals go, this is like Birth of a Nation 2. Though I disapprove of the showing the Ku Klux Klan being heroic or glorifying the plantation slave, I will try to judge the movie for its other...um...accomplishments. Anyway, I am a huge Gone With the Wind fan, I have also read the novel. You have to love the Scarlett character; she kind of reminds me of Becky Sharp from Vanity Fair. Clark Gable is the perfect cad though I do believe that she should have ended up with Ashley. The acting is amazing which is pretty much a guarantee when you cast that many quality actors in one movie. Although it is nearly four hours long, it still is amazing and Clark Gable deserved to win Best Actor, dammit! Truly amazing and you will find yourself rooting for the antiheroes and hating Melanie. RATING: ***** Interesting Facts: Gary Cooper turned down the role of Rhett, saying that this film will be the biggest flop in history. Oops. #6 in AFI's top 100. There are too many! I can't handle the pressure; click here.
The Wizard of Oz 1939 Directed by Victor Fleming Oh god, I hate this film. I hated it ever since I was little and the munchkins scared me. I hated it even more when I was a kid and had to perform "If I Only Had a Brain" at an acting recital. I think that should count as child abuse. Anyway, the whole film is like one bad acid trip. The songs are obnoxious and the plot is disappointing and nonsensical. I know this is supposed to based on a fairy tale but the whole thing felt vaguely sinister to me. Check out the interesting facts section, it gets pretty crazy. I think the only thing more annoying than the scarecrow song is the lion's voice. However, this film has become such a cultural icon that you should see it, just to get the references. As far as fantasy worlds go, though, I would take Alice in Wonderland or Pan's Labyrinth any day. RATING: **--- Interesting Facts: Buddy Ebsen was originally cast as the tin man but the aluminum dust in the make up coated his lungs and he had to be rushed to the hospital. Garland's breasts were strapped so she would look younger. The munchkins came from a European troupe and used this as an opportunity to escape the Nazis. AFI's number 10 in top 100 movie list. Okay, so I kind of like this song:
Captains Courageous 1937 1937 has arrived! Only 70 more years to go!
I am a huge fan of seafaring adventures. I also love Spencer Tracy so I was really looking forward to this film. The plot is very similar to The Voyage of the Dawn Treader in that a bratty kid learns about camaraderie and sailing. Harvey, the boy pictured above, is a great character. Bartholomew does not overly cute up the role and actually matches Tracy's screen presence.
What is also refreshing about this movie is that Tracy plays a Portuguese sailor without being offensive about it! I am becoming used to black face and people getting "yellowed up", unfortunately. Great film, great plot developments, and great character developments. Who could ask for anything more (I also have daisies in green pastures!)?!
RATING: *****
Interesting Facts:
Lionel Barrymore is in this. He is Drew Barrymore's great uncle!
Tracy didn't want to take on the role originally because he didn't want to sing or have curly hair. Joan Crawford called him Harpo Marx.
The Oscar Tracy won was inscribed to Dick Tracy.
Does anyone else think Jason Segel and Spencer Tracy are twins?
