Al's Top Rated Films: 1960–1969
IN PROGRESS: These are my favorite movies from the 1960s that I have seen so far. I haven't seen a ton since I'm an 80s baby, but I will continue to add them to the list as I watch them.
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- DirectorRobert RossenStarsPaul NewmanJackie GleasonPiper LaurieAn up-and-coming pool player plays a long-time champion in a single high-stakes match.Classic sports drama from Robert Rossen that follows a cocky and gifted pool player named "Fast" Eddie Felson who travels across the country with his hustling partner Charlie Burns, looking to take down legendary pool master "Minnesota Fats" in a high-stakes game of billiards. Fats is accompanied by his own hustling manager, Bert Gordon, and Eddie loses the marathon big time in an overconfident cloud of drunkenness. From there on, Eddie does some serious self-evaluation, and lifts himself back up by building character this time around. Meanwhile, he also falls in love with a beautiful, self-destructive, and depressed woman named Sarah Packard, who has a great affect on him. But his goal has not changed. He is still determined to take down "Minnesota Fats" and become one of the greats, so he gets in with Fats' manager Bert Gordon, which proves to have troubling and tragic consequences. Paul Newman is just about my favorite actor, and I'd have to say this is my favorite lead performance in his long and illustrious career. Piper Laurie plays the beautiful and melancholy Sarah Packard perfectly, whom Newman shares some great chemistry with throughout the film. George C. Scott puts on one of his finest roles as the money man Bert Gordon—the hustler behind the hustler. Jackie Gleason was also excellent as Minnesota Fats. Myron McCormick, Murray Hamilton, Michael Constantine, and others has great supporting roles. The film also features a fantastic jazz soundtrack/score.
- DirectorSergio LeoneStarsClint EastwoodEli WallachLee Van CleefA bounty hunting scam joins two men in an uneasy alliance against a third in a race to find a fortune in gold buried in a remote cemetery.Monumental western adventure, and the second installment in Sergio Leone's renowned "Dollars" trilogy (1964–1966). It's often hailed as the greatest western of all time, and I'd have to agree. The story is set in 1862 New Mexico during the American Civil War, and follows a cool, collected, and masterful gunslinger named Blondie (The Good), a money hungry hitman for hire named Angel Eyes (The Bad), and a greedy and deceitful outlaw named Tuco (The Ugly). Blondie and Tuco initially have a partnership where they go from town to town where Tuco is wanted as an outlaw, and finds Blondie collecting the bounty and saving Tuco from being hung just before they flee the town. It's a slippery partnership with almost zero trust, which adds more tension when they learn $200,000 in gold coins are buried in a cemetery. They each possess different information about the gold's location, which means they have to stick together to find it. Meanwhile, since the Civil War is taking place, they run into some hairy situations with Confederate and Union soldiers. Angel Eyes (The Bad) eventually learns about Blondie and Tuco's partnership, and the existence and location of the mysterious gold. The three of them meet at the cemetery, which is the start to one of the most historic showdowns in film history. This is Sergio Leone's magnum opus, and the film that perfects the Spaghetti Western genre. I've never seen a movie directed with such unique cinematography, intense detailed close-ups, and a fantastic driving score. Everything is done better than its two predecessors. And it's definitely worth watching every minute of this 3-hour long masterpiece. Highly stylized and entertaining throughout. Clint Eastwood arguably delivers his all-time best lead performance, along with Eli Wallach and Lee Van Cleef's amazing starring roles. Aldo Giuffrè, Luigi Pistilli, John Bartha, Antonio Casale, Antonio Casas, and others also has great supporting roles.
- DirectorStuart RosenbergStarsPaul NewmanGeorge KennedyStrother MartinA laid-back Southern man is sentenced to two years in a rural prison, but refuses to conform.Brilliantly written and directed crime drama from Stuart Rosenberg and Donn Pearce set in 1948 and follows an easygoing, stubborn, and troubled ex-Army Sergeant who's sentenced to 2 years in a rural Florida prison and chain gang after getting drunk one night and "cuttin' the heads off" parking meters. After a few scuffles with the other inmates, he starts to win friends and respect among the other prisoners with his carefree attitude and philosophy. Everything is going fine until his mother dies, and the inflexible warden feels he may try to run, which he has seen when the family of prisoners die. So he locks him up in solitary confinement, which leads him down a dark road when his insubordination and refusal to conform reaches its boiling point. Fantastic drama and some nice comedy involved. Paul Newman arguably delivers his greatest lead performance of all time. George Kennedy and Strother Martin also put on excellent performances on par with their best. Jo Van Fleet, Clifton James, J.D. Cannon, Lou Antonio, Marc Cavell, Richard Davalos, Robert Donner, Warren Finnerty, Dennis Hopper, Robert Drivas, Morgan Woodward, Luke Askew, Wayne Rogers, Harry Dean Stanton, Ralph Waite, Joy Harmon, and others had excellent supporting roles.
- DirectorSergio LeoneStarsHenry FondaCharles BronsonClaudia CardinaleA mysterious stranger with a harmonica joins forces with a notorious desperado to protect a beautiful widow from a ruthless assassin working for the railroad.Incredible western and arguably Sergio Leone's greatest film. The story is set in 1880s Texas, and opens with three gunman patiently waiting at a muted train station they took control of for obscure reasons. When a train comes by and drops off a mysterious harmonica player (nicknamed Harmonica), the air immediately turns deadly, and results in a thrilling and fatal showdown with Harmonica killing all three men. It's one of my favorite openers to any film, and the story never falters from there. We then follow three killers and a strong woman with very different ambitions throughout the picture. Harmonica wants to take his revenge against Frank, who is the ruthless leader of a gang of criminals, works with a railroad tycoon named Morton, and strives for more power and fortune. Another unrelenting bandit named Manuel 'Cheyenne' Gutiérrez is also tracking down Frank, and joins up with Harmonica to stop Frank and save a beautiful woman named Jill McBain who strives for independence. It's all set in Leone's signature slow-moving camera shots, quick editing, intense close-ups, and a chilling soundtrack that perfectly portrays one of cinema's best revenge stories. Charles Bronson delivers his all-time best lead performance, as does Jason Robards. Henry Fonda usually takes "good guy" roles, and delivers a superbly convincing role as the sleazy blood-thirsty criminal. Claudia Cardinale also delivered an excellent starring role. The grouping of all four of these performances really makes it a classic. At nearly 3 hours long, it's worth every minute. Gabriele Ferzetti, Paolo Stoppa, Woody Strode, Jack Elam, Lionel Stander, and many others had great supporting roles.
- DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsAnthony PerkinsJanet LeighVera MilesA Phoenix secretary embezzles $40,000 from her employer's client, goes on the run and checks into a remote motel run by a young man under the domination of his mother.This is one of my all-time favorite thrillers, and much more of a horror film than any Hitchcock film that came before it. The story follows a Phoenix secretary who steals $40,000 from her real estate boss's client after she was instructed to deposit it in the bank. Embarking on a new life for herself, she goes on the run as the police start to investigate her disappearance. After getting caught in a rain storm late at night, she finds the secluded and deserted Bates Motel, where she meets the quiet, lonely, and mysterious owner and manager, Norman Bates. After hearing maniacal screams from the house on a the hill above the hotel, he explains it was his ill mother, and shares his life story with her while they eat dinner in the hotel office. But there's a much darker mystery to Norman than he's letting on. The cinematography, camera angles, and lighting were all superbly done to heighten the suspense as much as possible. Front to back Hitchcock classic. Anthony Perkins plays one of the best most thrilling of any Hitchcock characters as Norman Bates. His performance was superb. Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, and Martin Balsam also had excellent starring/supporting roles. John Gavin, John McIntire, Simon Oakland, Vaughn Taylor, Frank Albertson, Patricia Hitchcock, John Anderson, Mort Mills, and others had excellent supporting roles.
- DirectorRobert MulliganStarsGregory PeckJohn MegnaFrank OvertonAtticus Finch, a widowed lawyer in Depression-era Alabama, defends a Black man against an undeserved rape charge, and tries to educate his young children against prejudice.Fantastic crime drama from Robert Mulligan based on the classic novel by Harper Lee. The story is set in 1932 Alabama during the Great Depression, and follows a dedicated and principled lawyer and single-father (Atticus Finch) who works hard to take care of his curious and inquisitive young children, Jem and Scout. When Atticus decides to defend a black man (Tom Robinson) accused of raping a white woman, the town erupts in racism and outrage as tensions soar during the trial of his career. Things get even more intense when an angry lynch mob wants Tom Robinson's blood, and are willing to hurt anyone protecting him to reach their goal. Excellent story, superb acting, and fantastic anti-racism messages. It's also one of the best courtroom/trial films of all time. Gregory Peck gives his greatest performance of all time as the wise Atticus Finch. Mary Badham (Scout) and Phillip Alford (Jem) had outstanding lead acting roles for being so young. Dill Harris, Frank Overton, Brock Peters, Paul Fix, Collin Wilcox Paxton, James Anderson, and Robert Duvall all had very nice supporting roles.
- DirectorMike NicholsStarsElizabeth TaylorRichard BurtonGeorge SegalA bitter, aging couple, with the help of alcohol, use their young houseguests to fuel anguish and emotional pain towards each other over the course of a distressing night.Extraordinary and powerful drama from Mike Nichols about an extremely bitter old married couple who finds joy and contentment by verbally attacking each other and bringing up extremely painful memories. After a late night party and plenty of drinking, they walk home after inviting a young couple from the party over for more drinks. Once they arrive, the intensity immediately starts to set in as they use them as fuel to inflict as much pain and anguish onto each other as they can handle over one late distressing and inebriated night of drama. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton both delivered superb emotional and riveting performances. Burton in particular delivers some excellent dark comedy throughout the picture, which really made the film more entertaining. George Segal and Sandy Dennis were also both superb. It's no wonder all 4 were nominated for Oscars, with 3 of them winning. Fantastic story with beautiful cinematography and camera angles. Dramas don't get any better.
- DirectorNorman JewisonStarsSidney PoitierRod SteigerWarren OatesA black Philadelphia police detective is mistakenly suspected of a local murder while passing through a racially hostile Mississippi town, and after being cleared is reluctantly asked by the police chief to investigate the case.Superb crime drama/mystery from Norman Jewison that follows black Philadelphia police detective Virgil Tibbs while he's passing through an extremely racist small Mississippi town in 1967, and is mistakenly suspected in the murder of a rich Chicago man. The confusion is cleared up after meeting the racist police chief Bill Gillespie; who reluctantly asks for his assistance in the investigation after finding out Tibbs is the number one homicide expert in his department. Tibbs makes plenty of enemies and ruffles several feathers as he investigates many extremely racist individuals, which finds Tibbs suspecting a bigoted and wealthy plantation owner named Eric Endicott. Tibbs' life is soon at risk after his confrontation with Endicott, but he refuses to leave town before the case is solved, which finds he and Gillespie working through their differences to get the job done. Not only one of the best anti-racism films ever made, but also one of the most incredible crime dramas ever made. Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger both present their most powerful and varied lead performances. One of the most legendary duos in cinema history. The story and direction was superb all around. Warren Oates, Lee Grant, Larry Gates, James Patterson, Quentin Dean, Scott Wilson, Timothy Scott, William Watson, William Schallert, Beah Richards, Peter Whitney, Kermit Murdock, Larry D. Mann, and others all had nice supporting roles.
- DirectorGeorge Roy HillStarsPaul NewmanRobert RedfordKatharine RossIn 1890s Wyoming, Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid lead a band of outlaws. When a train robbery goes wrong, they find themselves on the run with a posse hard on their heels. After considering their options, they escape to South America.Excellent and unique western/biography from George Roy Hill and William Goldman that's set in Wyoming during the early 1900s, and follows outlaws Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid—the leaders of the feared Hole-in-the-Wall Gang. They make their living robbing banks and trains, and one day they rob the wrong train, which infuriates the owner enough to hire a band of 6 bounty hunters who are tasked to hunt down and kill only Butch and Sundance. After barely escaping the initial attack, they decide to flee to Bolivia and start a new life of crime with Sundance's lover, Etta Place. While they settle into their old ways and find comfort with life in Bolivia, the posse of 6 killers prove to be relentless in their pursuit of the trouble-making duo. Paul Newman and Robert Redford put on a couple of their very best lead performances as Butch and Sundance. Their chemistry was excellent throughout. Katharine Ross also delivered am excellent starring role. Ted Cassidy, Strother Martin, Charles Dierkop, Donnelly Rhodes, Jeff Corey, George Furth, Cloris Leachman, Kenneth Mars, Jody Gilbert, and others also has excellent supporting roles.
- DirectorSergio LeoneStarsClint EastwoodLee Van CleefGian Maria VolontèTwo bounty hunters with the same intentions team up to track down a gang of outlaws led by a psychotic Mexican bandit, who is plotting an audacious bank robbery.Spectacular western, and the second installment in Sergio Leone's renowned "Dollars" trilogy (1964–1966). It's also a film that stands on its own as one of the best westerns of all time. The story is set in the late 1800s, and follows a drifter and gun-slinging bounty hunter named Manco who rides into the town of El Paso in search of a Mexican outlaw named El Indio. On his journey, he meets another bounty hunter named Colonel Douglas Mortimer. When the odds start to waiver, they decide to enter into a partnership to track El Indio down and split the reward money. When El Indio and his gang have their sights set on robbing the local bank in town, Manco and the Colonel are set for a deadly high-noon shoot-out. While Sergio Leone's next film "The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly" (1966) is clearly his magnum opus, this film is a classic in every respect. His signature style is even more heightened. The intense close-ups, quick editing, and even more improved score makes for an even more dramatic and thrilling story. Clint Eastwood delivered a fantastic lead performance once again (arguably his best in the entire trilogy). The addition of Lee Van Cleef as a lead performer really sets this one apart from its predecessor. He was awesome. Gian Maria Volontè (El Indio) also played a great villain. Marianne Koch, Sieghardt Rupp, Joseph Egger, José Calvo, Daniel Martín, and many others and excellent supporting roles.
- 19641h 35mPG8.3 (520K)97MetascoreDirectorStanley KubrickStarsPeter SellersGeorge C. ScottSterling HaydenAn unhinged American general orders a bombing attack on the Soviet Union, triggering a path to nuclear holocaust that a war room full of politicians and generals frantically tries to stop.Hysterical and warped war comedy from Stanley Kubrick that follows a U.S. Air Force General after he has gone mad, and orders a nuclear bombing attack on the Soviet Union for insane reasons. He has shutdown all communication, and only he knows the code to recall the B-52 bombers that are sent on the mission. The United States President meets with his team of advisors on how to handle the catastrophe, and learns the attack could result in a "Doomsday Machine", which will wipe out every living thing on earth. The drama unfolds with hilariously clever comedy brought on by his disturbed advisors, a former Nazi and strategy expert, and their dealings with the Ambassador of the Soviet Union. This film takes an unsettling and frightening issue like nuclear war and flips it into one of the funniest satirical comedies of all time. It's scary to think how this mistake could have been made back in the 1960s. Peter Sellers delivers one of the most iconic roles of the decade playing 3 characters (Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake / President Merkin Muffley / Dr. Strangelove). George C. Scott, Sterling Hayden, and Slim Pickens also had excellent lead roles. Peter Bull, Tracy Reed, Keenan Wynn, James Earl Jones, Jack Creley, Robert O'Neil, Gordon Tanner, and others also had excellent supporting roles.
- DirectorJohn FordStarsJames StewartJohn WayneVera MilesA senator returns to a Western town for the funeral of an old friend and tells the story of his origins.Fantastic western from John Ford set in the small western town Shinbone in 1910, and follows an educated lawyer named Ransom Stoddard, who's on his way into town when he's robbed and nearly killed by a ruthless local steel-whipped criminal named Liberty Valance. He decides to stay in town thanks to help from a tough cowboy named Tom Doniphon and the supportive locals, who love his ideas on education, politics, and the law. Trouble ensues when Ransom starts winning the town over with his ideas, which finds the locals turning against Liberty Valance's threats to gain power. The story can only end with one of the men lying dead in the street. One of my all-time favorite westerns. James Stewart and John Wayne were fantastic together, and both deliver a couple of their all-time best performances. Vera Miles also delivers her absolute best, as was Lee Marvin who played the gritty Liberty Valance perfectly. Edmond O'Brien, Andy Devine, Woody Strode, Jeanette Nolan, John Qualen, Denver Pyle, Ken Murray, Strother Martin, and Lee Van Cleef also had great roles among a great supporting cast.
- DirectorStanley KramerStarsSpencer TracyFredric MarchGene KellyBased on a real-life case in 1925; two great lawyers argue the case for, and against, a Tennessee science teacher accused of the crime of teaching Darwin's theory of evolution.Excellent historical drama and biography that revolves around the famous Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925, when science teacher B.T. Cates was arrested for teaching his students Darwin's theory of evolution. Renowned defense attorney and atheist Henry Drummond is brought in to defend Cates, while former presidential candidate and famous god-fearing evangelist Matthew Harrison Brady is named prosecutor. The two are longtime opponents, and thoughtfully clash over the topics that reveal themselves in a thrilling and controversial trial. This film definitely ranks as one of my favorites in the genre of courtroom/trial dramas. Spencer Tracy and Fredric March both delivered fantastic performances, and arguably the best of their careers. They had superb interactions together throughout the film, and the dramatic ending was fantastic. Gene Kelly, Donna Anderson, Dick York, Harry Morgan, Elliott Reid, Florence Eldridge, Claude Akins, Philip Coolidge, and Norman Fell also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorStanley KramerStarsSpencer TracyBurt LancasterRichard WidmarkIn 1948, an American court in occupied Germany tries four Nazis judged for war crimes.Very powerful and historically important war drama from Stanley Kramer that follows the 1948 German trial of 4 Nazi judges that sentenced millions to sterilization or death during the rise of Hitler in World War II. The trial is led by retired American chief judge Dan Haywood, who has a discouraging and taxing challenge ahead of him. The trial is arguing whether the judges should be charged with crimes against humanity with their overall responsibility for the Holocaust, or if they were just carrying out the duties outlined by German laws; and speculates on how much information the judges may have had about the horrific sentences they delivered. Superbly written and acted throughout. Maximilian Schell, Spencer Tracy, Burt Lancaster, and Richard Widmark all delivered superb lead performances, and arguably the best of their careers. Marlene Dietrich, Judy Garland, Montgomery Clift, William Shatner, Werner Klemperer, Ray Teal, Torben Meyer, Edward Binns, Otto Waldis, Howard Caine, Alan Baxter, and others also had excellent supporting roles.
- DirectorGuy GreenStarsSidney PoitierShelley WintersElizabeth HartmanA blind, uneducated white girl is befriended by a black man who becomes determined to help her escape her impoverished and abusive home life by introducing her to the outside world.Fantastic drama from Guy Green that follows a young, uneducated, and troubled white woman named Selina who was blinded by her abusive prostitute mother Rose-Ann when she was just 5-years-old. For 13 years, she has lived an extremely isolated life with Rose-Ann and her grandfather, and faces verbal abuse from Rose-Ann on a daily basis. One day when she's lucky enough to get out of the house and visit a local park, she is befriended by a kind-hearted black man named Gordon Ralfe. He works and lives nearby and continues to see her in the coming days to help her get around in the city. After learning about her dreadful past, he wishes to help her escape her horrific reality. Not knowing his race, Selina ends up falling in love with his kind and gentle soul she has never known before. Trouble comes into play when Rose-Ann learns about their relationship, and intently prohibits her from see him again since he is black. Elizabeth Hartman doesn't have many credits to her name, but she played the lead role absolutely perfectly. Sidney Poitier also delivers one of his greatest performances I've seen yet, with his endearing and charismatic character. Shelley Winters played the perfect, nasty and abusive mother/antagonist. Wallace Ford, Ivan Dixon, Elisabeth Fraser, John Qualen, and Renata Vanni also great supporting roles.
- DirectorStanley KubrickAnthony MannStarsKirk DouglasLaurence OlivierJean SimmonsThe slave Spartacus survives brutal training as a gladiator and leads a violent revolt against the decadent Roman Republic, as the ambitious Crassus seeks to gain power by crushing the uprising.Absolutely epic historical drama and biopic from Stanley Kubrick set in 73 B.C. Rome, and follows the life of a Thracian man named Spartacus who was enslaved by the corrupt and violent Roman Republic. At this time, he plots his escape, and leads an uprising against the tyrannical Roman Republic after breaking free from a gladiatorial school run by Lentulus Batiatus. The revolt quickly spreads to the Italian Peninsula with thousands of slaves fighting, while many in high positions of power build armies to defeat the slaves. When Spartacus and thousands of slaves face challenges on their way to Brandisium, they're forced to face the dangers of Rome head on. Kirk Douglas arguably delivers the best, most varied and complex lead performance of his career. Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons, Charles Laughton, Peter Ustinov, John Gavin, and Tony Curtis also had excellent starring roles. Woody Strode, Nina Foch, John Ireland, Charles McGraw, Joanna Barnes, Harold J. Stone, John Dall, Herbert Lom, Nick Dennis, John Hoyt, and others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorDavid LeanStarsPeter O'TooleAlec GuinnessAnthony QuinnThe story of T.E. Lawrence, the English officer who successfully united and led the diverse, often warring, Arab tribes during World War I in order to fight the Turks.Epic adventure-filled biography from David Lean set during World War I in 1916, and follows a young, educated, highly eccentric, idealistic, inexperienced, and impassioned British Army lieutenant named T. E. Lawrence. He is sent to the Arabian deserts to meet with Prince Faisal to understand his feeling regarding his revolt against the Turks. British liaison Colonel Brighton advises Prince Faisal retreat after a bloody battle killed many of his men with guns and modern explosives they don't have access to. But Lawrence pitches the idea of taking control of the Turk-led Aqaba in a surprise attack with the help of the Howeitat tribe led by Auda Abu Tayi. When they are victorious and have control Aqaba, Lawrence is pronounced a hero to the Arabs, and is also praised by the British Army for his work. However, the killing and blood on his hands has driven him to a mentally unstable state as he continues to lead the Arab people to more bloodshed. Extraordinary story, with gorgeous production, a beautiful score, and superb acting from the entire cast. Peter O'Toole arguably delivers his greatest lead performance of all time as T. E. Lawrence. Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn, Jack Hawkins, and Omar Sharif also had fantastic starring roles. José Ferrer, Anthony Quayle, Claude Rains, Arthur Kennedy, Donald Wolfit, Michel Ray, John Dimech, I.S. Johar, Gamil Ratib, Zia Mohyeddin, and many others also had excellent supporting roles.
- DirectorRobert AldrichStarsBette DavisJoan CrawfordVictor BuonoA former child star torments her paraplegic sister in their decaying Hollywood mansion.Fantastic and horrifying drama/thriller from Robert Aldrich that starts in 1917 with 9-year-old Baby Jane Hudson becoming a spoiled vaudevillian child star, while her jealous 11-year-old sister Blanche Hudson is pushed to the side. By 1935, Blanche has become the better, more famous, and beloved actress, with the washed up Baby Jane getting sympathy acting roles thanks to Blanche. In 1962, Blanche is left crippled and wheelchair-bound after an "accident" involving Jane, and now lives an a rotting mansion with Jane, who is now an alcoholic, and has extreme mental struggles. Jane has complete control over her paralyzed sister who has no contact with the outside world, and tensions turn horrifying when Jane's jealous viciousness becomes more ruthless as she goes slowly goes insane. Fantastic story with a great twist at the end. Bette Davis delivered a complex and terrifying lead performance. And even though she and Joan Crawford were known to quarrel in real life, Joan also delivered arguably her best lead performance. They are arguably the best roles from both actresses. Marjorie Bennett, Victor Buono, Maidie Norman, Julie Allred, Anne Barton, and others had excellent supporting roles.
- DirectorBilly WilderStarsJames CagneyHorst BuchholzPamela TiffinIn West Berlin during the Cold War, a Coca-Cola executive is given the task of taking care of his boss' socialite daughter.Brilliantly done comedy from Billy Wilder that's set in West Berlin during the Cold War in 1961, and follows an oddly placed Coca-Cola executive named C.R. "Mac" MacNamara, who's given the comical task of taking care of his boss' 17-year-old spoiled high-society daughter, Scarlett. Macis working on a trade agreement to get Coca-Cola into the Russian market, and wants to move up the corporate ladder any way he can, and Scarlett's short stay runs longer when she marries an East German Communist and then becomes pregnant, he scrambles for ideas to dissolve the situation and save his career before before his boss returns. Superbly written and acted with an an explosive ending sequence. James Cagney delivers one of his all time best performances, and quite possibly belting out the most dialogue I've ever heard from an actor in a single film. Horst Buchholz, Pamela Tiffin, Arlene Francis, Liselotte Pulver, Arlene Francis, Howard St. John, Hanns Lothar, Leon Askin, Ralf Wolter, Karl Lieffen, and Peter Capell were all great among the supporting cast.
- DirectorBilly WilderStarsJack LemmonShirley MacLaineFred MacMurrayA Manhattan insurance clerk tries to rise in his company by letting its executives use his apartment for trysts, but complications and a romance of his own ensue.Excellent comedy drama/romance from Billy Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond that follows a determined and hard-working Manhattan bookkeeper named C.C. Baxter who has been working at a giant life insurance company for 4 years, and is one of 32,000 employees that work in their Manhattan office. Aside from his quality hard work, he tries to move up the corporate ladder by letting his superiors use his apartment to secretly meet women other than their wives. When the big boss finds out what he's doing, he wants to get in on the apartment rotation, and gives Baxter a promotion. It ends up causing an issue for his other superiors who expect to have a steady schedule using his apartment, and causes more personal problems for him when he finally gets the chance to pursue a relationship with the beautiful elevator operator from work, Fran Kubelik. Superbly written and acted throughout with a lot of laughs and some very heavy drama. Definitely my favorite roles to date from both Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine. Fred MacMurray, Jack Kruschen, Ray Walston, David Lewis, Edie Adams, Hope Holiday, Joan Shawlee, Naomi Stevens, Joyce Jameson, Willard Waterman, and David White were also great among the supporting cast.
- DirectorMike NicholsStarsDustin HoffmanAnne BancroftKatharine RossA disillusioned college graduate finds himself torn between his older lover and her daughter.Excellent comedy/drama/romance from Mike Nichols that follows a troubled and directionless young man named Ben Braddock who returns to his California home after graduating college. He immediately feels extreme pressure from his parents, relatives, and friends on the subject of what he's going to do with the rest of his life. His beautiful married neighbor Mrs. Robinson takes a liking to him, and aggressively seduces him into a secretive sexual relationship that heightens his anxiety even more. One day Mrs. Robinson tells Ben that her daughter Elaine is returning from college, and warns him not to get involved with her. After Mrs. Robinson's unsuspecting husband sets up a date with Elaine and Ben, a strange love blossoms between the two, which causes intense turmoil and subsequent disaster between Ben, Mrs. Robinson, her husband, and daughter. Dustin Hoffman delivers one of the greatest performances of his career. Anne Bancroft and Katharine Ross had superb lead roles as well. William Daniels, Murray Hamilton, Elizabeth Wilson, Brian Avery, Buck Henry, Norman Fell, Walter Brooke, Alice Ghostley, Marion Lorne, and others had very nice supporting roles.
- DirectorRichard BrooksStarsRobert BlakeScott WilsonJohn ForsytheTwo ex-cons murder a family in a robbery attempt, before going on the run from the authorities. The police try to piece together the details of the murder in an attempt to track down the killers.Excellent historical crime drama/biography from Richard Brooks based on renowned author Truman Capote's classic true crime novel, "In Cold Blood" (1966). The story is set in the rural town of Holcomb, Kansas, 1959, and follows two parole-breaking ex-cons who drive 400-miles to rob the Clutter family farm home, which they suspect has a safe containing over $10,000 inside. The cool, cocky and confident Dick Hickock got the tip, and chooses his dreamy and mentally unstable friend Perry Smith to be his accomplice since he has a short-fused temper and isn't afraid to kill anyone if needed. The robbery goes horribly wrong, and they end up killing the entire family under mysterious circumstances while only walking away with $43. The rest of the film tells their story of escape and capture as they scramble to find freedom and struggle with the blood on their hands. Fantastic story all around with a great cast. Richard Brooks rightly earned his Oscar nominations for best directing and writing, while Quincy Jones' Oscar-nominated score was also fantastic. Robert Blake and Scott Wilson both delivered excellent lead performances. John Forsythe also had a great starring role. Paul Stewart, Gerald S. O'Loughlin, Jeff Corey, John Gallaudet, Charles McGraw, John McLiam, Ruth Storey, Brenda Currin, Paul Hough, and many others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorStanley KramerStarsSpencer TracySidney PoitierKatharine HepburnA couple's attitudes are challenged when their daughter introduces them to her African-American fiancé.Fantastic comedy drama from Stanley Kramer that follows a young white woman named Joey who has just become engaged to a sophisticated young black doctor named John Prentice. After a vacation in Hawaii, they travel to her childhood home in San Francisco to meet her conservative parents for the first time. On top of that, Joey also invites John's parents over for dinner that night, as a surprise to John and the rest of the family. Being raised liberal, Joey is caught off guard by everyone's intolerant views on their black-and-white relationship, which proves to be a comical and dramatic challenge for all 3 couples to overcome their differences. Superbly written and acted all around. This was my first time seeing Sidney Poitier and Katharine Houghton on film, and they were both delivered fantastic lead performances. Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn also deliver a couple of their best and most popular lead roles, and fit the story perfectly. Beah Richards and Roy Glenn were also excellent as John's parents. Cecil Kellaway, Isabel Sanford, Virginia Christine, Alexandra Hay, Barbara Randolph, D'Urville Martin, Tom Heaton, and others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorSergio LeoneStarsClint EastwoodGian Maria VolontèMarianne KochA wandering gunfighter plays two rival families against each other in a town torn apart by greed, pride, and revenge.Incredibly unique action-packed western and the the first film in Sergio Leone's classic "Dollars" Spaghetti Western trilogy. The story is set in the late 1800s, and follows a wandering drifter and gunslinger named Joe that arrives in the small Mexican village of San Miguel. He quickly learns about a bitter feud between two rival families—The Baxters and the Rojos. When Joe kills 4 of murderous men in Baxter's gang, he's hired by the Rojo family to fight for them. But Joe has plans of his own, and decides to cleverly play the two families against each other for his own benefit. While Sergio Leone would go on to perfect his signature style in the next two "Dollars" films, this is incredibly exciting and unique film, and presents many of his trademarks beautifully. The extreme close-ups, the cut-heavy editing, and minimal dialogue with a fantastic driving score. He takes his time with each scene and makes them special. Plenty of the credit also goes to Clint Eastwood. He delivers an iconic lead performance that rivals a lot of his finest work. He was perfect for the role. Gian Maria Volontè also delivers a fantastic starring role as Ramón Rojo. Marianne Koch, José Calvo, Sieghardt Rupp, Joseph Egger, Antonio Prieto, Daniel Martín, and others also had very nice parts among a great supporting cast.
- DirectorDelbert MannStarsErnest BorgnineBetsy BlairEsther MinciottiA middle-aged butcher and a school teacher who have given up on the idea of love meet at a dance and fall for each other.Fantastic drama/romance from Delbert Mann set in the Bronx, New York, and follows a 34-year-old Italian-American butcher named Marty Piletti. Marty is a good, wholesome, honest, and hard-working man who's younger siblings are all married, and is hassled on a regular basis by his mother, friends, and customers that he should get married. But Marty sees himself as a fat ugly dog who's been hurt so many times that he is content to live a lonely life without the pain of rejection. One night his mother pushes him into going to the Stardust Ballroom in hopes he will meet a woman to marry. What starts off as a typical disaster turns into a magical night he will never forget, once he meets an 29-year-old woman named Clara Snyder who may be average looking, but has a beautiful personality, and shares many of the same life experiences as Marty has. Tensions come into play when Marty's skirt-chasing friends dog him into brushing her off, and his mother becomes scared of living her life alone without any purpose once Marty finally does marry. This story is so relatable and real, and unique compared to any romantic drama I've ever seen. Ernest Borgnine was absolutely perfect as Marty, and delivers his all-time best lead performance. Betsy Blair also delivers a fantastic starring role. Esther Minciotti, Augusta Ciolli, Joe Mantell, Karen Steele, Jerry Paris, and others also had great supporting roles.