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.
