Monday, February 05, 2018
TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection: Romantic Dramas
- Commentary: I'm putting no labels on this collection other than the "collection" label, since this write-up includes four very different movies. It is interesting to note that the collection is named "Romantic Dramas" by TCM, who put it together, which I like because, having watched all of these movies at least once, they are romantic in the old tradition. Yes, they include relationship material, but in a much more complicated way than we tend to think of "romance" today. In addition, each of these films, in one way or another, follows the old, nuanced definition of "romantic": "marked by the imaginative or emotional appeal of what is heroic, adventurous, remote, mysterious, or idealized". This is not a collection of Pretty Woman fantasy type romantic dramas. This is a collection of "real life" romantic drama.
Update 5/26/21: Well, I put another label on this collection, popcorn-and-soda2, which is appropriate to all four movies, especially if watched on a binge-worthy afternoon.
Update 8/3/21: And, another label, I finally relented and placed these in the romance4 category.
This Collection Includes:
East of Eden: To my mind, this is a good adaptation of the second half of the novel. My preference is for the novel, but the film is excellent, as well, and handy to keep in mind as you read the novel.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Julie Harris Abra Bacon James Dean Caleb Trask Raymond Massey Adam Trask Richard Davalos Aaron Trask Burl Ives Sheriff Sam Jo Van Fleet Kate Ames/Cathy Trask Albert Dekker Will Hamilton Harold Gordon Gustav Albrecht Nick Dennis Rantani Lois Smith Servant Anne Timothy Carey Henchman Joe Barbara Baxley Nurse
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1955
Directed by Elia Kazan.
→ lois-smith, elia-kazan
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof: This is my favorite film adaptation of this play. Sometimes film adaptations of Tennessee Williams' plays don't hold my interest, but this one does. Paul Newman adds a vulnerability to Brick that is hard to beat and Elizabeth Taylor as Maggie is perfect. The convolutions revealed, as lies unravel, is compelling. This is a true troubled family drama. The only characters outside of family who appear in this are the clean-up crew, so to speak.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Elizabeth Taylor Margaret Pollitt Paul Newman Brick Pollitt Burl Ives Harvey Pollitt Judith Anderson Ida Pollitt Jack Carson Cooper Pollitt Madeleine Sherwood Mae Flynn Pollitt Larry Gates Dr. Baugh Vaughn Taylor Deacon Davis
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1958
Directed by Richard Brooks.
→ southern-gothic, paul-newman
A Streetcar Named Desire: Although I enjoyed the acting, it's certainly stellar, I studied this play in college and found the film adaptation confusing and lacking. Read the play, or see it in the theater, before watching the movie.
Here's what Three Movie Buffs have to say about this film. Interesting, informative reviews from all three.
In addition, look! Another 1951 film I didn't even realize I had!
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Vivien Leigh Blanche Marlon Brando Stanley Kim Hunter Stella Karl Malden Mitch Rudy Bond Steve Nick Dennis Pablo Peg Hillias Eunice Wright King Collector Ann Dere Matron Edna Thomas Mexican Woman Richard Garrick Doctor Lyle Latell Policeman
A miscellaneous note ripped from the Wikipedia page, linked below: As of May 2022, Mickey Kuhn, who played The Sailor and is not listed in the Actor/Role table, above, is the last surviving cast member of this movie.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1951
Directed by Elia Kazan
→ marlon-brando, southern-gothic, birth-year, elia-kazan
Rebel Without a Cause: Perhaps I wasn't the right age when I first saw this movie, well into my 50's, but it just doesn't attract me. As far as James Dean's acting is concerned, my favorite movie is Giant. That one makes me wish his life had been longer so he could develop as an actor. This movie, well, I'm sure it was a money maker, and I guess he acted well, but I found the story tedious and his character nothing to write home about. I know. It's sacrilegious to say that, but, well, I'm glad he got two other really involving films under his belt before he died.
Roger Ebert christened this movie as one of his Great Movies. I've linked his review to the of this movie.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role James Dean Jim Stark Natalie Wood Judy Sal Mineo John Crawford Jim Backus Frank Stark Ann Doran Carol Stark Corey Allen Buzz Gunderson William Hopper Judy's Father Rochelle Hudson Judy's Mother Edward Platt Ins. Ray Fremick Marietta Canty Crawford Family Maid Virginia Brissac Grandma Stark Dennis Hopper Goon Jack Grinnage Moose Frank Mazzola Crunch Ian Wolfe Dr. Minton Beverly Long Helen Robert Foulk Gene Jack Simmons Cookie Tom Bernard Harry Nick Adams Chick
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1955
Directed by Nicholas Ray.
Labels: birth-year, elia-kazan, karl-malden, lois-smith, marlon-brando, natalie-wood, paul-newman, popcorn-and-soda2, romance4, southern-gothic
