To celebrate the second annual National Classic Movie Day, Rick at the Classic Film and TV Cafe is hosting the Five Movies on an Island Blogathon. Please head on over to his site and check out everyone's "must haves."
I love my imaginary desert island. Not only does it have electricity, it has a spa, a gourmet chef, a fully stocked bar with a bartender who looks suspiciously like Cary Grant, and a DVR. But, the genie who granted me this wish put a condition on my dream oasis – I could only have 5 movies. I begged for more (maybe cable with TCM?), but he was hard hearted and stood firm: only 5 movies or the bartender (who doubles as a masseur) would vanish. What to do, what to do……
Okay, as if there was a choice, here are my 5 films to keep me company in paradise. Each has to be a film I could watch over and over again. Each satisfies my rich, interior inner fantasy life.
Sunset Boulevard
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| There can never be too many Norma Desmonds |
Not only because it is simply the greatest film ever made (says I), but because it is endlessly surprising. No matter how many times I watch it, I am hit with something new to admire. This should help keep me entertained for quite some time. And I never tire of the monkey funeral.
City Lights
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| The poetry of romance |
Chaplin raises my spirits, breaks my heart and fills my soul. His artistry is endlessly inspiring and his humanity a lesson along the journey of life. The silent film is a visual poem that aims straight for the heart.
Gigi
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| Paris! Champagne! Louis Jourdan! |
Oh, just because it is Paris, and colorful and melodic and based upon a story by one of my favorite writers, Collette. It is joyous and romantic – and I like to feel that way!
Vertigo
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| Creepy? Yes, but fascinating |
A tough toss-up between this and North by Northwest (with Rear Window making a play), but I have to go with a film that I can watch over and over again and still have questions about. I figure this will give me something to chew on for a while.
The Apartment
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| Jack Lemmon's performance is shattering |
CC Baxter, I adore you. I never tire of Jack Lemmon’s great, great performance. I love every minute of this film, every performance, every tug of the heart and knowing smile. Yes, the world can be a nasty place, but all is not lost as long as there are CC Baxters out there.
For classic film lovers, every day is National Classic Movie Day, but it's nice to get together once a year and say it out loud.
23 comments:
Okay. I must say I guessed I'd find Norma here, but the rest of your list was filled with delightful surprises. Plus, a kick in my pants for not considering such wonderful titles.
Spa? Gourmet chef? I'm hoping that our islands are neighbors (I'm too out of shape to row very far!). I love your choices! Indeed, I almost included VERTIGO--my favorite Hitchcock--but ultimately bumped it for REAR WINDOW. I'm still not sure if I made the right choice there. THE APARTMENT was another one on my short list. Yes, Jack Lemmon is fabulous, but it's also my favorite Shirley MacLaine performance (and nothing else comes close). Like Caftan Woman, I thought SUNSET BLVD might be shown on your island paradise.
Tremendous list of choices! So many great movies to consider -- what I hope is that our islands maybe once a year allow us to pick ANOTHER five, or set up an off-island lending program with fellow bloggers. :-)
I always come across something I've never really watched -- with yours I can't, for some reason, ever remember watching The Apartment all the way through, or mindfully at least. Truly no excuse for that! It's now on my must-watch list! We always learn so much from these great lists from fellow film/TV lovers!
Terrific list!! And tricked-out desert island, too! xoxo
First, it's good to see you again on the blog, Marsha!
Second, I agree that Sunset Boulevard is the best film ever made. It's superb!
When I get tired of my desert island, feel free to invite me to visit yours. I'll love to watch these films over and over again... and meet the bartender / masseur, of course.
Kisses!
Le
Great choices! I don't think the desert island solitude would be a problem. :)
Man, I hope your island and a few others I have checked out are within swimming distance! No Billy Wilder film made my list and he is one of my top five favorite filmmakers! It was gut retching to leave The Apartment, as well as Sunset Blvd, Double Indemnity and Some Like it Hot off the list! I did go with a Hitchcock film and a Chaplin but not the same ones. As I said gut retching!
These are all such great choices! City Lights made my list as well. And your other picks were wonderful -- I could watch any of them on a desert island and be perfectly happy :)
Caftan Woman - you're invited to my island anytime. I'll share all films (but not the bartender).
Rick - no spa, no trip. Many thanks for hosting - this was great funn!
Lisa - many thanks for your comments. I love your blog. It's fun to find new-to-you bloggers during these events!
Le - you are always welcome - but hands off the bartender!
Ruth - no, in fact solitude would be quite welcome!
John - you said it. As soon as I posted this, I immediately wanted to change the list. Now, reading others, I see that 5 is just impossible!
Anne Marie - wasn't this fun? It's great to see how similar and diverse we all are.
I don't know if you know how alike our movie tastes are. I love all of the movies you're taking with you. With the exception of VERTIGO I considered them all. How fun!!
Aurora
I can see that when I finally get bored over on my island, Marsha, I'm going to have to paddle over to yours. Love your picks!
Aurora - I know - the same taste in movies and - ahem - handsome men! I know you're not a fan of Vertigo, but maybe if you watch it during a massage.... just sayin'
Lady Eve! So happy to see you. I'm on my way over to your place now.
Gourmet chef? Bartender who resembles Cary Grant? I need to know the latitude and longitude of your island! I was delighted to see "The Apartment" on your list. I have truly realized just how much I love Jack Lemmon. He adds strength and vulnerability and zest to every role he graces. Great post!
Toto2 - you're invited any time! "The Apartment" was a film I resisted for a while (can't say why), but once I saw it I was hooked. Billy Wilder is a master, but I think this is his best. it just overflows with heart.
Who wants off the island when they have Louis Jourdan? Great list!
Love City Lights. But I was surprised no Jean Hagen on the queue.
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