Gold Diggers of 1933 1933 Okay, this movie is absolutely hilarious. I watched it with my parents. We wanted to watch a movie so they looked at what I had recorded (many list movies were options) and we chose this. We were pretty much hysterical from start to finish.
The plot centers on several showgirls who exploit rich guys for money. Not only is the dialogue witty and funny but the cooky situations that occur are fucking hysterical. I was thinking about describing one scenario but I think I will botch it so I will just let it pass. One particular line in the movie is my dad and mine's new favorite: "Peabody, you disgust me." Just say it out loud a couple times, and you will realize the full potential of this message. My dad and I use it when we play pool. Too often actually, because I am not very good.
Don't even get me started on the musical numbers. They are absolutely ridiculous. At the end, for some reason, the stage is about the size of a football field. There is grass, snow, and twenty different sets on one stage. There is also a scary baby. Best to watch when intoxicated.
RATING: *****
Interesting Facts:
"Petting in the Park" is INSANE! The musical numbers were added due to the success of 42nd Street.
Okay, just watch this one scene and tell me you don't love this movie!
I Am a Fugitive From the Chain Gang 1932 I recently watched the movie I Love You Phillip Morris. It was kind of along the same lines of escaping, then returning to prison. I only saw it because my boyfriend, Ewan McGregor, was in it. The point I am badly making is that I watch a lot of prison movies. This was the first, so it was interesting to see the birth of the genre that would eventually give me The Shawshank Redemption.
The title kind of gives away the plot of the movie. It doesn't mention, however, how brutal the scenes about prison life are. Hint: don't call a prison guard a skunk.
I feel the same way about this movie as I felt about Little Caesar. So many cliches (that they invented) are packed into the film that is only semi-enjoyable. I would have loved it if I say it when it came out, but now I am jaded. There still is some interesting irony though. Worth a watch.
RATING: ***--
Interesting Facts:
This movie was based on the life on Robert E. Burns. He visited the set but then decided the risk was to great. This film led to the pardon of Burns, who was still on the lam when the film was released.
Little Caesar 1930 This movie is the introduction to gangster films. Actually, it is pretty much every gangster film you have ever seen, all rolled into one not-so-interesting plot line. I am not a big fan of gangster movies. I felt like The Godfather was overrated, was almost bored to tears during Casino, and I have not seen Goodfellas yet. I also recently saw the 1932 version of Scarface and this is pretty much the same film.
Do I have to give a plot summary? Common sense really. Rico joins a mob and raises in the ranks. I bet you have no idea how this ends! Now, I know I am bashing but I did actually enjoy this movie. It is well-acted, and you can't really roll your eyes at cliches when you watching the movie that invented them. This movie is also a statement on the post-depression era. That is what I love about this journey; you get to experience the times with the audience!
RATING: ***--
Interesting Facts:
50!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A federal anti-organized crime division is named RICO after this movie.
The line "Mother of mercy, is this the end of Rico?" was voted 74 in top 100 movie lines by AFI.
Clark Gable was going to be cast but the director thought his ears were too big. Good luck living that down.
