Tuesday, November 13, 2012

1956-57

A whole lot of movies watched recently - some better than others as usual.

High Society ( 1956)

I loved  High Society for years before I ever saw "The Philadelphia Story". As a  musical remake of that movie it actually works very well. There are some great songs featured here (ie "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?"). Grace Kelly is excellent as the fabulously rich Tracy Samantha Lord. Bing Crosby plays her ex husband CK Dexter Haven. Obviously a leading man with an amazing singing voice was needed (seeing how its a musical and all) but Bing is no Cary Grant!
The other lead male role is filled by Frank Sinatra who plays Macaulay "Mike" Connors, a reporter who finds himself in the middle of all the family and romantic entanglements. Good fun.













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The King and I (1956)

Schoolteacher Deborah Kerr goes to Siam (Thailand) to teach the king's many children.
She also succeeds in taming the stubborn and often ruthless king.
Love the soundtrack. I have had "The March of the Siamese Children" on my ipod for years.

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The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)

While in Marrakesh, a dying man whispers a secret concerning an assassination plot to unsuspecting James Stewart which leads to many dramatic events including the kidnap of his son. Hugely suspenseful Hitchcock classic.

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An Affair to Remember (1957)

Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr meet on a cruise and fall in love despite being engaged to other people. They agree to get their lives in order, both relationship-wise and financially - and meet in six months at the top of the Empire State Building. In true movie romance style, all does not go according to plan.
Lovely movie and not at all soppy due to the general wonderfulness of the leads who are perfect together.



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Desk Set (1957)

Katharine Hepburn plays Bunny Watson (terrible name by the way) who is the head of  a research library into which systems analyst Spencer Tracy is tasked with installing an "electronic brain" ( this is apparently what they called computers back in 1957). I love these two but this movie is a bit dated nowadays. On a trivial note, loved the philodendron in Miss Watson's office. I want one of these trailing around my lounge room!


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Heaven Knows Mr Allison (1957)

Marine Corporal Allison washes up on an island in the Pacific Ocean after being involved in a sea battle during World War 2. He finds Sister Angela living alone on the island and together they struggle to survive while dealing with a Japanese invasion, lack of food and illness. Touching story with some very suspenseful moments.

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