Unappreciated masterpieces?

[Blackthorn]

Of interest to many of us here at The Fedora Lounge would be the haberdashery scene from Steamboat Bill, Jr starring Buster Keaton in which he tries on a succession of hats. Significant moments 14:19 — 17:30.

[video=youtube;vjl2Fj-_Hg0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjl2Fj-_Hg0[/video]

Buster's reaction at the 16:50 is because the pork pie hat is his trademark. At that time Keaton was trying to transition away from his 'The Great Stoneface' character just as Chaplin was trying to distance himself from 'The Little Tramp'.

FUN FACT: Keaton's trademark pork pie was a Stetson fedora that he cut down, reblocked and stiffened the fur felt with sugar water.

Interesting, Veronica! And welcome to the Lounge!

 

[skydog757]

Cyrano de Bergerac (1950) is seldom seen or discussed much; probably because it's black and white and was shot on a relatively low budget. However, I'm mesmirized by Jose Ferrer's performance - he runs the gamut of emotions and deservedly won an Oscar and a Gloden Globe for best actor.

 

[EmergencyIan]

Also in the vein of a crime/caper movie, a masterpiece is Silent Partner, with Christopher Plummer and Elliot Gould.

That is a great movie! I saw it about a year ago. I don't think that I had heard of it prior to coming across it on Netflix.

- Ian

 

[EmergencyIan]

I'm sure that I'm leaving many (maybe much better) movies out, but here are six really good ones that came to mind:

Absence of Malice (1981)

Three Days of the Condor (1975)

The Great Waldo Pepper (1975)

Junior Bonner (1972)

Tom Horn (1980)

Prince of the City (1981)

- Ian

 

[lordwinters]

This might have already been posted, but I'll do it all the same.
Once Upon a Time in America (1984) by Sergio Leone. Not sure if this really is unappreciated, but it sure is a masterpiece. I for one have no knowledge of anyone I know ever watching it, and I had never heard about it before I saw it for the first time a few years ago. If you folks are unfamiliar with it, it tells the tale of a group of jewish kids growing up in New York in the early days of the 1900s, and on to when they are grown men in the 1930's. Its a heavy film to see, and its sheer lenght might be offputting to some at 3 hours and 40 minutes (that is the version I have, I'm pretty sure there is a 4 hour version as well), but it is by far one of the greatest films I have ever seen, and in my opionion a better gangster film than the Godfather.

The amazing theme by Ennio Morricone is just impeccable, and is just as important as the cinematography for the story.
[video=youtube;Jj5Xczethmw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj5Xczethmw[/video]

 

[esteban68]

Top film!

 

[Touchofevil]

I'm sure that I'm leaving many (maybe much better) movies out, but here are six really good ones that came to mind:

Absence of Malice (1981)

Three Days of the Condor (1975)

The Great Waldo Pepper (1975)

Junior Bonner (1972)

Tom Horn (1980)

Prince of the City (1981)

- Ian

Three Days of the Condor is a great movie. I am surprised that it does not get more hype.

 

[Stanley Doble]

The other night I watched Arsenic and Old Lace and was staggered by how good a movie it is. The script, the acting, everything about it is just about perfect, and screamingly funny.

If I had to nominate the perfect screwball comedy, I would put Arsenic and Old Lace up there with Casablanca or The Maltese Falcon as a masterpiece of its genre.

 

[tonyb]

I've been a fan of "Nashville," the Robert Altman film, since it was released, nearly 40 years ago now. It's one of those movies that provokes strong feelings. People either love it or hate it. I'm in the former camp, but I understand how its perspective on its subject matter (American politics and popular culture, circa 1975) isn't everyone's cup of tea.

 

[Blackthorn]

I'm sure that I'm leaving many (maybe much better) movies out, but here are six really good ones that came to mind:

Absence of Malice (1981)

Three Days of the Condor (1975)

The Great Waldo Pepper (1975)

Junior Bonner (1972)

Tom Horn (1980)

Prince of the City (1981)

- Ian

I have seen three of those, and I agree wholeheartedly. Since we seem to have the same taste, now I'm going to have to see the rest on that list.

 

[EmergencyIan]

I have seen three of those, and I agree wholeheartedly. Since we seem to have the same taste, now I'm going to have to see the rest on that list.

You should. I think that seeing the other three will be worth your while. When you do see them, let me know what you think.

- Ian

 

[Fading Fast]

I'm sure that I'm leaving many (maybe much better) movies out, but here are six really good ones that came to mind:

Absence of Malice (1981)

Three Days of the Condor (1975)

The Great Waldo Pepper (1975)

Junior Bonner (1972)

Tom Horn (1980)

Prince of the City (1981)

- Ian

I've seen the first three on your list: agree completely on the first two, but thought "The Great Waldo Pepper," while good, missed being better and lost energy (and my engagement) half way through. But I am definitely going to try to catch the rest of your list as our tastes seem reasonably aligned.

 

[EmergencyIan]

I've seen the first three on your list: agree completely on the first two, but thought "The Great Waldo Pepper," while good, missed being better and lost energy (and my engagement) half way through. But I am definitely going to try to catch the rest of your list as our tastes seem reasonably aligned.

Yes, watch the last three. Of course, you can look up the synopsizes online, if necessary. They're worth while movie.

- Ian

 

[1mach1]

Don't know if it has been mentioned, but 1974's Gone in 60 Seconds.

[video=youtube;ObOPUEr-O6o]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObOPUEr-O6o[/video]

 

[tonyb]

Looks like good clean fun.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I think this comedy could be considered as one....

[video=youtube;Muq3VeVOgKo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Muq3VeVOgKo[/video]

 

[EmergencyIan]

Another one that came to mind last night is the original: The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974).

It's a really good movie. It stars Walter Matthau, Robert Shaw, Martin Balsam and Hector Elizondo with Jerry Stiller as an MTA lieutenant. It was directed by Joseph Sargent and filmed in New York City. It's a well written, clever thriller with plenty suspense and action.

- Ian

 

[Retro Spectator]

I was watching Turner Classic Movies a few months ago, and there was a movie called Tennessee Champ on. It was from 1954, and I found it to be a good movie. Oddly, it lost money when it was released.

 

[DNO]

Another one that came to mind last night is the original: The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974).

It's a really good movie. It stars Walter Matthau, Robert Shaw, Martin Balsam and Hector Elizondo with Jerry Stiller as an MTA lieutenant. It was directed by Joseph Sargent and filmed in New York City. It's a well written, clever thriller with plenty suspense and action.

- Ian

Good choice. I always thought Shaw and Matthau were particularly good in this one.

 

[Blackthorn]

Marathon Man, with Dustin Hoffman