1939's Best Movies: 80 Years Later

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when I saw Young Mr. Lincoln at a revival a couple months ago, the audience applauded at the end. it was awesome. throwing it a vote

flappy bird, Thursday, 11 July 2019 16:31 (four years ago) link

Stagecoach better than ever in this year's rewatch

it's with Rules and Only Angels at the top (wd have to see Mizoguchi again)

Lincoln is indeed an excellent work, but at times anticipates Perry Masonism

a Mets fan who gave up on everything in the mid '80s (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 11 July 2019 17:48 (four years ago) link

I'd probably rank Gone with the Wind as a more significant storytelling achievement

Leaving all the, y'know, Stuff to the side, I think the last quarter in particular flags significantly until the final flourish. Saintly Melanie's death was done to slapstick perfection by Dinah Shore in Carol Burnett's parody.

a Mets fan who gave up on everything in the mid '80s (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 11 July 2019 17:51 (four years ago) link

Not half as funny as the death of Bonnie Blue Butler in the real movie.

Pauline Male (Eric H.), Thursday, 11 July 2019 18:05 (four years ago) link

In the much ballyhooed first TV broadcast in 1976, Bonnie's accident was followed by an aspirin ad.

a Mets fan who gave up on everything in the mid '80s (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 11 July 2019 18:12 (four years ago) link

saw The Story of the Last Chrysanthemums within the last year and it really made an impression on me. I'm voting for that

I was so frightened by The Wizard of Oz as a 5 year old that I hid behind the sofa with my 4 year old sister when the flying monkeys appeared

Dan S, Friday, 12 July 2019 00:12 (four years ago) link

There are so many excellent films here in so many genres that choosing among them must be reduced to a whimsically chosen basis for the winner's presumed superiority. Therefore, I'm voting for Wizard of Oz because I am a sucker for films with great and memorable songs and it has the best songs of any film on the list.

A is for (Aimless), Friday, 12 July 2019 04:58 (four years ago) link

this is an incredible list, yeah. i've seen 10 of these films and could imagine voting for at least 8 of them. but yeah, had to go with rules of the game.

(The Other) J.D. (J.D.), Friday, 12 July 2019 05:17 (four years ago) link

Will do a 1929 poll and a 2009 poll and then, in the style of ILM, poll the winners from each decade.

Pauline Male (Eric H.), Wednesday, 17 July 2019 13:57 (four years ago) link

Rewatched parts of Stagecoach and ... I just think everything people like about it is done better in Only Angels Have Wings.

Pauline Male (Eric H.), Wednesday, 24 July 2019 14:54 (four years ago) link

I watched it last night, liking it less than I did twenty years ago, but I've watched more and better Ford since.

TikTok to the (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 24 July 2019 14:55 (four years ago) link

I don't get Renoir tbh

flappy bird, Wednesday, 24 July 2019 17:20 (four years ago) link

What is there not to get?

TikTok to the (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 24 July 2019 17:33 (four years ago) link

Whatever made him THE GREATEST... Rules of the Game made no impression on me and Grand Illusion, well, I should rewatch it. But he reminds me of Cukor - DULL

flappy bird, Wednesday, 24 July 2019 17:51 (four years ago) link

bring my cat o nine tails

a Mets fan who gave up on everything in the mid '80s (Dr Morbius), Wednesday, 24 July 2019 17:56 (four years ago) link

Now that Criterion has released practically every one of his major 1930s films, I recommend re-starting your reeducation with La Chienne, The Crime of Monsieur Lange, La Bete Humaine, etc.

TikTok to the (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 24 July 2019 18:08 (four years ago) link

Will do! thanks

flappy bird, Wednesday, 24 July 2019 18:13 (four years ago) link

and they're fun!

TikTok to the (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 24 July 2019 18:21 (four years ago) link

I do sympathize. When I screened TROTG for students last week I carefully avoided mentioning it often ranked #2 in many polls.

TikTok to the (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 24 July 2019 18:22 (four years ago) link

wizard of oz

k3vin k., Wednesday, 24 July 2019 19:02 (four years ago) link

Hoping Criterion gets around to TCoML someday soon.

Pauline Male (Eric H.), Wednesday, 24 July 2019 19:05 (four years ago) link

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

System, Thursday, 1 August 2019 00:01 (four years ago) link

xp really liked La Chienne, Boudu Saved from Drowning, La Bete Humaine, haven't been able to see The Crime of Monsieur Lange yet

Dan S, Thursday, 1 August 2019 00:12 (four years ago) link

I prefer TCoML to TRotG. But it has been a long time since I've seen TRotG.

Anne Hedonia (j.lu), Thursday, 1 August 2019 13:15 (four years ago) link

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

System, Friday, 2 August 2019 00:01 (four years ago) link

Good show, Wizard of Oz. Ninotchka would have been my second choice. Use to play the Garbo-laughs scene for my students every year.

clemenza, Friday, 2 August 2019 00:15 (four years ago) link

my best friend from college is writing another book about Garbo, am looking forward to it

Dan S, Friday, 2 August 2019 00:25 (four years ago) link

The right movie won, and I feel even better now having thrown my vote toward Only Angels Have Wings.

Pauline Male (Eric H.), Friday, 2 August 2019 00:53 (four years ago) link


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