Auntie Mame (1958)

Why it's here:
Recommended to us by a friend.

Specs:
Almost 2 1/2 hours; color

Our family's average rating on a scale of 1-10:
7.63

More about the film and our reaction to it:
Auntie Mame was a strange movie. By the end we all really liked it. While we were watching, we couldn't quite figure out what to think of it. It kept seeming like it had come to a close and several times during its run, I thought it had ended. But the story was simply told in chapters or vignettes that each told a piece. It covers an astonishing scope of time in the lives of these people, in good depth. It did feel long, though. And we began to feel that the ending was dragging on. This could be a function of the fact that we had already been tricked into thinkng the film was about to end several times before it actually did.

Throughout the whole is an astonishingly compelling performance by Rosalind Russel (who we had not seen since "His Girl Friday"). She has created a character that is burned in our brains - avant gaurd, lovably out of touch, caring and kind but totally free-spirited, she is the gem of the film.

The movie is at times silly, sad, absurd, frustrating, playful - but always compelling.

On a second viewing, I would probably appreciate it more, knowing how it is set up, what it does and where it's taking me

Iconic image:

His Girl Friday (1940)

Why it's here:
Cary Grant may be the reason it got put on our list, but truly, the reason should be Rosalind Russel. Russel is amazing in this great fast-talking, sharp-witted power roll.

Specs:
1 and 1/2 hours - Black and white. And very much a talkie :)

Our family's average rating on a scale of 1-10:
8.25

More about the film and our reaction to it:
Welcome to 1940! Its hard to believe we're in the 40s already, but what better way to welcome them in than with one of my favorite Cary Grant films, His Girl Friday.

I love Cary Grant. I do, but in this film, the powerhouse attraction is truly Rosalind Russel. I am not sure, but I'd bet she has more screen time than Grant. She certainly fills my mind till it is spilling over and, when all is said and done, feels like the true the star of the film. Though Grant is undoubtedly essential to its greatness.

They say that this is the first film where actors overlapped their lines so that one started talking while the other was still speaking. That touch adds immeasurably to the intense dynamic feel of the film. So too does the press room with fast-paced phone calls and reporters barking out their stories. This is a fast furious funny movie, directed by Howard Hawkes to a perfect pitch.

Be aware that the fast pace and quick witted dialog makes it pretty hard to follow the action (for adults as well as kids). And although there probably are all sorts of adult themes buried in the dialog, there's no way anyone can understand them well enough to be bothered by them : )  Just strap on a seatbelt and enjoy as much of the picture as you can get your ears around.

Iconic shot: