What did you watch?
-
spiderwort — 3 months ago(December 21, 2025 03:25 PM)
Haven't seen
Green for Danger
, unex, but I
love, love, love
The Man Who Came to Dinner
. It's one of my all time favorites, based upon the Kaufman/Hart play, and it always makes me laugh out loud. I watch it every year; in fact I'm getting ready to watch it again next week. -
sheetsadam1 — 3 months ago(December 21, 2025 02:08 PM)
Theodora Goes Wild (1936, Richard Boleslawski)
- A very charming comedy bolstered by a clever premise and great performances from Irene Dunne and Melvyn Douglas. It reminded me at times of Frank Capra's
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town
from the same year, although it ultimately goes in a very different direction.
7.5/10
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945, Elia Kazan) - A lovely family drama! All of the actors are top-notch and while it won two Oscars, I was shocked to learn that it wasn't nominated for even more. While I absolutely love all of the Best Picture nominees I've seen from that year (and I've seen all of them but
Anchors Aweigh
), I think I'd pick this over most of them. My only criticism is that the last ten minutes of the film seem quite rushed, but the preceding two hours are more than enough to make up for that flaw. I've added the book to my reading list as well.
9.5/10
My Night at Maud's (1969, Éric Rohmer) - A French film set during the holiday season. Rohmer attempts to use Pascal's wager as a metaphor for interpersonal relationships. This is slow, talky, quite dense (one probably should go into it with some basic theology and philosophy under their belts), and, frankly, I lost quite a bit of interest in it once the night referenced in the title had come and gone. But it is quite good up to that point, particularly Françoise Fabian's performance as Maud.
6.5/10
Three Wishes for Cinderella (1973, Václav Vorlíček) - A co-production between East Germany and Czechoslovakia, this is apparently traditional Christmas viewing in much of central Europe. While there's nothing particularly Christmassy about it (lots of beautiful snow scenery, though), I can understand it's reputation. This characterization of Cinderella differs rather significantly from most versions of the story I've read and seen and it remains highly enjoyable throughout, with some nice cinematography and a great performance by Libuše Šafránková as the title character.
7/10
Fanny and Alexander (1982, Ingmar Bergman) - The theatrical cut of this film won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, but I opted to watch the five-part television version over several nights instead. While I've not seen the theatrical version to compare, I would suspect that my ideal version would fall somewhere between the two; while the version I saw could have benefited from a bit of editing (particularly in the second and third acts), I can't imagine that excising a full two hours from it was an improvement. Regardless, I quite enjoyed this one and appreciated what I think Bergman was getting at, although I wouldn't place it on the same level as some of his earlier work.
8/10
Misery (1990, Rob Reiner) - Rewatch. Not my absolute favorite Rob Reiner film or even my favorite of his Stephen King adaptations. Indeed, the other (1986's
Stand By Me
) is among my favorite movies of all time, but I can't really justify watching perhaps
the
quintessential summer movie in the middle of December. What really makes the movie is the excellent casting: Richard Farnsworth, Frances Sternhagen, and even the great Lauren Bacall are here. But for much of the duration, we see only two people: James Caan doing some of the best work of his career and Kathy Bates in an Oscar-winning turn as Annie Wilkes, one of cinema's great villains. I hadn't rewatched this in years, but it still more than holds up and would be a great one to have on hand if you face the possibility of being snowed in this winter.
8/10
And about my
favorite
Rob Reiner film: Stephen King wrote a piece for the New York Times this week talking about what it meant for him (which I've posted it elsewhere on the forum), as did a writer for The Guardian. Both well worth reading. RIP Mr. Reiner
https://www.filmboards.com/board/t/New-essay-by-Stephen-King-on-%2522Stand-By-Me%2522-and-Rob-Reiner-3602566/
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/dec/19/i-watched-stand-by-me-with-rob-reiner-both-film-and-man-changed-my-life
Draft Barron Trump
- A very charming comedy bolstered by a clever premise and great performances from Irene Dunne and Melvyn Douglas. It reminded me at times of Frank Capra's
-
spiderwort — 3 months ago(December 21, 2025 04:06 PM)
So many special ones you have there, sheets. I haven't seen
My Night at Maud's
or
Three Wishes for Cinderella
, but
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
is one of my all-time favorites. It was director Elia Kazan's first film, and it's a real beauty (I love the novel, too).
And I really enjoyed
Theodora Goes Wild
. Very well done with its great cast, enchanting scriipt, and solid direction by Richard Boleslawski.
Interesting to note that both Kazan and Boleslawski were part of the Stanislavski system. Actually, Boleslawski trained at the Moscow Art Theatre under Stanislavski. And Kazan was an original member of the Group Theatre, whose works were founded upon Stanislavaski system. And in 1947, Kazan, along with Cheryl Crawford and Robert Lewis, founded the Actors Studio, which was predicated upon the same techniques.
Anyway, I love
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
and really enjoy
Theodora Goes Wild
.
And I loved Bergman's
Fanny and Alexander
, too, which I saw on the big screen, although I do believe it went on too long, something I generally don't think of Bergman doing. I haven't see it in ages; I probably need to watch it again.
As for
Misery
, I only saw it once, and I admired so many things about it - Reiner's direction for sure, and Kathy Bates great performance - but it's not really a favorite of mine. There are so many other Reiner films I really love.
And thanks for the links about Reiner. They were very moving. I send prayers to his family and friends. It's a great loss for so many. -
sheetsadam1 — 3 months ago(December 21, 2025 06:58 PM)
Interesting about the Stanislavski system. I learned a little about that in a college course and I believe we watched the film adaptation of
A Streetcar Named Desire
as a part of the course. If I remember correctly, Kazan had directed the original Broadway production with much of the same cast.
I've enjoyed everything I've seen from Kazan, which I believe is
Streetcar
,
On the Waterfront
,
A Face in the Crowd
,
East of Eden
,
Panic in the Streets
and now
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
. I really should check out more of his films soon.
Draft Barron Trump -
spiderwort — 3 months ago(December 21, 2025 07:45 PM)
Oh, yes, you must! He is considered the greatest actors director of all time, and he's been my inspiration for decades. You've already seen a lot of his great films, but I would also highly recommend
Wild River, Baby Doll
and the one he made (wrote and directed) about his uncle's life,
America America
.
But you must also see the film he directed that literally changed my life and made me want to become a director decades ago, which I did:
Splendor in the Grass
(1961). It's a heartbreakingly beautiful story of young love in small-town 1920s Kansas, written by the playwright William Inge (
Picnic, Bus Stop, Come Back Little Sheba
). Kazan had directed Inge's
The Dark at the Top of the Stairs
on Broadway, and they formed a bond which resulted in Inge's first and only original screenplay,
Splendor in the Grass
, for which he won an Oscar. Natalie Wood received an Oscar nomination for her performance, and it was the film debut of Warren Beatty. I highly recommend it.
Here's a trailer:
Another thing about Kazan: on Broadway, in addition to
Streetcar
, among others he also directed
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Sweet Bird of Youth, Tea and Sympathy, Death of a Salesman
and
The Skin of Our Teeth
. -
sheetsadam1 — 3 months ago(December 23, 2025 04:32 AM)
Lots of great information there! Thanks!
I have added all of these to my list and will try to get to
Splendor in the Grass
in particular shortly after the new year. Natalie Wood is always a plus!
Another one of his that I have wondered about is
Viva Zapata
. I know the basics of the real history and love John Steinbeck, who wrote the screenplay, and I typically enjoy Marlon Brando and Anthony Quinn, but I just have a tough time picturing Brando as a Hispanic character. For what it's worth, I had the same issue with Charlton Heston in
Touch of Evil
and ended up enjoying it despite that. So would you consider
Viva Zapata
to be worth seeking out?
Draft Barron Trump -
spiderwort — 3 months ago(December 23, 2025 02:01 PM)
You're so welcome.
And, yes, I would certainly consider
Viva Zapata
one to watch. I should have included it before. It has a good script and, of course, good performances. And it received 5 Oscar nominations, including ones for Brando and Steinbeck, and Anthony Quinn won for Best Supporting Actor, so it's definitely worth seeing. But personally I would prioritize the others I mentioned first, especially
Splendor in the Grass
and
Wild River
. I hope you can find those.
Wild River
is another that's a real beauty with exceptional performances by Montgomery Clift, Lee Remick, and Jo Van Fleet. -
MissMargoChanning — 3 months ago(December 21, 2025 04:29 PM)
Desk Set, 1957
Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy.
Takes place during the Christmas season.
You asked a pretty question; I've given you the ugly answer.
Fasten Your Seatbelts….
It's Going To Be A Bumpy Night! -
spiderwort — 3 months ago(December 21, 2025 04:50 PM)
All re-watches of some of my holiday favorites:
The Bishop’s Wife / Henry Koster
(1947). A suave angel (Cary Grant) saves a woman (Loretta Young) and her Episcopal husband (David Niven) from spiritual doubt and marital woe. Great supporting cast includes Elsa Lanchaster, Monty Wooly, and Gladys Cooper. One of the best and one of my all-time favorite holiday movies, it’s a film I end up watching every year. (On several streaming channels)
Meet Me in Saint Louis / Vincent Minnelli
(1944). An early 20th-century family (Judy Garland, Margaret O’Brien, Mary Aster, Leon Ames) faces an emotional upheaval when they must relocate from St. Louis to New York due to the father's job transfer. Another of the best holiday films, which I can’t resist watching every year. (On TCM through December 31 and on Tubi).
Christmas in Connecticut / Peter Godfrey
(1945). A publisher of a woman’s magazine (Sydney Greenstreet) has his best columnist (Barbara Stanwyck) play holiday host to a Navy hero (Dennis Morgan). And absolute delight, it’s another that I watch every year. (On TCM through December 31).
It Happened on 5th Avenue / Roy Del Ruth
(1947). A hobo (Victor Moore) shares a New York mansion with a veteran (Don Defore) and others who need a wintertime place to stay. Co-stars include Gale Storm, Charles Ruggles, Ann Harding, and Alan Hale Jr. Over the years, this has become one of my increasingly favorite holiday films. Very well done with a smart script and wonderful performances by all the cast. (On TCM through December 31 and on Plex)
Holiday Affair / Don Hartman
(1949). A war widow (Janet Leigh) has a 6-year old son, and two men (Robert Mitchum, Wendell Corey) who want to marry her for Christmas. Another that has become a favorite over the years. A touching, meaningful story with excellent performances by all. (On TCM through December 31 and on Fawsome).
Tenth Avenue Angel / Roy Rowland
(1948). The young daughter (Margaret O’Brien) of a poor New York City couple (Phyllis Thaxter, Warner Anderson) helps an ex-convict (George Murphy) and his sweetheart (Angela Lansbury). Not the best film, but one that I always enjoy watching because of the cast and its touching, sentimental story. Other cast members include Rhys Williams, Barry Nelson, and Connie Gilchrist. And Margaret O’Brien is simply wonderful in it. (On TCM through December 27) -
sheetsadam1 — 3 months ago(December 21, 2025 07:00 PM)
Of these, I've only seen
The Bishop's Wife
and
Meet Me in St. Louis
, but I loved both of them. The others look great as well! I've actually had
Christmas in Connecticut
on my watch list for a long time. Perhaps I'll get to it this week!
Draft Barron Trump -
PygmyLion — 3 months ago(December 22, 2025 03:28 PM)
We are getting quite a bit of overlap in the Month of December.
The Bishop's Wife
and
Holiday Affair
are two of my favorite Christmas movies, and I have watched them again. I watched
It Happened on 5th Avenue
recently and enjoyed it again.
Your post reminded me to watch
Tenth Avenue Angel
, which I did last night. I watched it last December for the 1st time. I feel pretty much the same about it as you do. -
star-core — 3 months ago(December 21, 2025 08:39 PM)
Le notti bianche (1957) aka White Nights
Yours, Mine and Ours (1968)
Von Richthofen and Brown (1971)
The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb (1964)
Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell (1974)
The Firemen's Ball (1967)
The Angry Guest (1972) (Shaw Brothers)
Ten Seconds to Hell (1959) -
spiderwort — 3 months ago(December 21, 2025 09:41 PM)
Le notti bianche
is on my list to see soon, I hope. And
The Fireman's Ball
; been meaning to see that one for years, but I don't know where to find it.
I haven't seen any of your others except
Yours, Mine and Ours
, which I really enjoyed. Henry Fonda and Lucille Ball were a good team. They were together in one of my favorite classic films and I think one of Ball's best performances,
The Big Street
.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034514/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_2_accord_1_cdt_t_57
She never got her due for her ability to do serious work; she's remembered most her for her comedies and for running Desilu, but she was a real talent. -
star-core — 3 months ago(December 21, 2025 10:00 PM)
The Fireman's Ball, I bought the OOP Arrow Video Blu-ray off Ebay. (I think around £25).
Le notti bianche is really good, like a tragic/romantic fantasia. Just been released on Radiance Blu-ray in UK. Don't know if they're putting it out in the US. Don't know where you reside..
Regarding Lucille Ball, I like her in The Dark Corner '46, and I seen her a few weeks ago in Lured '47, going undercover in London to catch a serial killer. A month ago or so I watched The Facts of Life '60, where she and Bob Hope play a couple trying to have an affair, which is fun.
She's always fun!