We decided to spend 2-4 nights a month watching the big name movies of the day. Technically, to encompass all of the mid-century that would mean going back as far as 1935. But frankly, we can't stomach movies made before 1950...usually. So that is where we will begin. Instead of researching titles to view ourselves, we let the Motion Picture Academy do it for us.
It is of my opinion that, for the past few decades, the Academy would not consider a movie for the top slot as Best Picture unless it was super touchy-feeling or had some social message. It is about stroking some feel-good bone for those involved in the decision more than it is about honoring quality entertainment. Not so in the era we will choose our movies from. From 1950 to 1965. In those days if a movie won Best Picture it was because it was a damn good film, not because it brought attention to the plight of cloned penguins stranded in downtown Cleveland or some crap. Simple, pure entertainment. I already looked over the list...and there are a few musicals on it. While Stacy loves musicals, Tom would prefer to see John Wayne blow someone off of a horse at 150 yards with a musket shot. But, in the name of science, Tom has agreed to watch with an open mind.
One small note. It is amazing that when these films finally made it to the small screen and was viewed by denizens on their telly it was usually very small and black and white...with questionable resolution. As Tom and Stacy watch it will be on a 52 inch behemoth that rivals the picture quality from the original theater screening. And nearly as big. Some things are better in the 21st century.
Best Picture 1950: All the King's Men
Best Picture 1951: All About Eve
Aspiring actress Eve Harrington maneuvers her way into the lives of Broadway star Margo Channing, playwright Lloyd Richards and director Bill Sampson. This classic story of ambition and betrayal has become part of American folklore. Bette Davis claims to have based her character on the persona of film actress Talullah Bankhead. Davis' line "Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy night" is legendary, but, in fact, all of the film's dialog sparkles with equal brilliance.
TOM: I have never been a fan of Bette Davis, but this film is interesting because it is made during the waning of her career and it has a small part for a new and aspiring actress named Marilyn Monroe. A sort of changing of the guard. I found it slow and tedious and a good example of the pettiness and ambition of fame-crazed women. It ran way too long for me and was fairly predictable. I suppose the Academy was hard up for nominations that year. It gets stars only for the cast-1.5 MCM stars.
STACY: I thought Bette Davis outshined all of the other actors. I enjoyed the 50s wardrobe with the men in suits and dresses of the era. The bar trays and tufted furniture were a beacon to the era as well. I did not find the plot particularly engaging and the acting, other than Bette Davis, wooded. I give it 2.5 MCM stars.
That gives All About Eve an overall score of 2 MCM stars.
Best Picture 1952: The Greatest Show on Earth
The Greatest Show on Earth is a 1952 American drama film produced and directed by Cecil B. DeMille, shot in Technicolor, and released by Paramount Pictures. Set in the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, the film stars Betty Hutton and Cornel Wildeas trapeze artists competing for the center ring, and Charlton Heston as the circus manager running the show. James Stewart also stars as a mysterious clown who never removes his make-up, even between shows, while Dorothy Lamour and Gloria Grahame play supporting roles.
In addition to the film actors, the real Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's Circus' 1951 troupe appears in the film, with its complement of 1400 people, hundreds of animals, and 60 carloads of equipment and tents. The actors learned their respective circus roles and participated in the acts. The film's storyline is supported by lavish production values, actual circus acts, and documentary, behind-the-rings looks at the massive logistics effort which made big top circuses possible
TOM: First of all it was a Charlton Heston movie, and what MCM man doesn't like Charlie Heston? I found the acting overly dramatic but the cinematography was great! A full color circus movie. Other than that, and the fact I cannot believe it beat out High Noon for best picture, it was bearable. I read it tops the list of worst best pictures, but considering the cast it was a huge box office hit. I actually caught the uncredited cameos of two popcorn-eating circus spectators in the stands: Bing Cosby and Bob Hope. The movie plot was thin and it was like watching the circus on TV with some acting thrown in. I give it 2.5 MCM starts.
STACY: I am only able to review a little over half of the movie because I fell asleep. The costuming was fabulous, the acting was terrible, the plot was not interesting. Despite an all star cast and the cameos Tom mentioned, I would not recommend the movie. 1.5 MCM stars from me.
That gives The Greatest Show on Earth an overall score of 2 MCM stars.
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