An Oklahoma family driven off their farm by the poverty and hopelessness of the Dust Bowl joins the westward migration to California, suffering the misfortunes of the homeless in the Great Depression. Don’t you hate it when a movie made in the 1940s is still relevant 81 years later? The Grapes of Wrath starred Henry Fonda, Jane Darwell and Russell Simpson as members of the Joad … Continue reading 23. The Grapes of Wrath (1940)
A naive man is appointed to fill a vacancy in the United States Senate. His plans promptly collide with political corruption, but he doesn’t back down. Screenplay by Sidney Buchman, directed by Frank Capra and starring James Stewart, Jean Arthur and Claude Rains, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is still as relevant today as it was in 1939. Honestly, it’s probably more relevant now than … Continue reading 26. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
A town Marshal, despite the disagreements of his newlywed bride and the townspeople around him, must face a gang of deadly killers alone at high noon when the gang leader, an outlaw he sent up years ago, arrives on the noon train. By now we should all know my stance on Westerns and how I feel about so many of them being on the AFI … Continue reading 27. High Noon (1952)
A film crew goes to a tropical island for an exotic location shoot and discovers a colossal ape who takes a shine to their female blonde star. He is then captured and brought back to New York City for public exhibition. Believe it or not, I’ve never actually watched the original King Kong. I love monster movies, but I think the countless remakes and sequels … Continue reading 41. King Kong (1933)
When a rich woman’s ex-husband and a tabloid-type reporter turn up just before her planned remarriage, she begins to learn the truth about herself. I love a good black and white, 20th century romantic comedy. I especially love it when that black and white, 20th century romantic comedy stars Jimmy Stewart. Lucky for me, The Philadelphia Story is exactly that. Directed by George Cukor, The … Continue reading 44. The Philadelphia Story (1940)
A spoiled heiress running away from her family is helped by a man who is actually a reporter in need of a story. Out of 100 films on the AFI list, only 8 of them are pre-code films. And, out of those 8 films, only one of them is a romantic comedy that greatly alludes to sex throughout the film: It Happened One Night. Honestly, … Continue reading 46. It Happened One Night (1934)
Rufus T. Firefly is named president/dictator of bankrupt Freedonia and declares war on neighboring Sylvania over the love of wealthy Mrs. Teasdale. Look, I know it’s a classic. I know it’s The Marx Brothers. But, I just don’t find Duck Soup to be particularly interesting. I mean, there’s no real plot. There’s nothing to root for. Duck Soup feels more like a vehicle for individual … Continue reading 60. Duck Soup (1933)
