Saturday, May 29, 2010

Shoulder Arms (1918)

★★★★★

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Shoulder Arms is a 1918 silent film directed and starring Charlie Chaplin.

Chaplin as his signature Tramp character, is a recruit in the United States army during World War I. After capturing thirteen enemy soldiers by way of "surrounding" them, Charlie gets a pat on the back from the Sergeant (Sydney Chaplin). Later, Charlie is sent to spy on the enemy whilst disguised as a tree. During the venture within enemy lines, he meets a French girl (Edna Purviance), who aids in his mission. While impersonating as an enemy officer, Charlie discovers that his pal, the Sergeant, has been captured by the opposition. Charlie improvises by convincing the enemy soldiers to leave the prisoner in his hands, which they do, and soon enough when no one is looking, Charlie frees his friend. Together, the team of three save the day, capturing the Kaiser (also played by Sydney Chaplin) and turning him over to the U.S. superior officers. Celebration thus ensues, until that is, Charlie is awoken by his fellow soldiers.

Too bad it was all just a dream.

Read more from Wikipedia, IMDb, and watch it here!

Sunday, April 18, 2010

City Lights (1931)

★★★★★

City Lights, a historical cinematic masterpiece. Released in 1931, is a comedy romance in pantomime. Written and directed by Charlie Chaplin, who stars as his beloved Tramp character.

A Poor, blind flower girl (Virginia Cherrill) mistakes the Tramp for a millionaire when she hears the door slam on a rich man's automobile close by. The Tramp, being smitten with her, continues the charade.

Meanwhile a drunken millionaire (Harry Myers) is suicidal when his wife leaves. The Tramp happens to be at the right place at the right time, and saves the millionaire from jumping into the river. He assures the wealthy man that "Tomorrow the Birds Will Sing!". The millionaire declares that he's been cured, and that they are now friends for life, and thus treats the Tramp to the luxuries of a wealthy man's lifestyle. There is a catch, though. When the Eccentric Millionaire sobers up, there is no recollection of befriending this tramp.

An interesting little tidbit to know is that Virginia Cherrill was the first wife of Cary Grant!

Read more from Wikipedia, and IMDb

Charlie Chaplin

Sunday, March 14, 2010

The Fighting 69th (1940)

★★★★★

The Fighting 69th is a 1940 film, directed by William Keighley. Set in the time of World War I, and based upon the 69th Infantry Regiment. The story follows William Joseph Donovan (George Brent), Joyce Kilmer (Jeffrey Lynn), and most notably Father Francis P. Duffy (portrayed by Pat O'Brien) who attempts to amend troublemaker, Private Jerry Plunkett (James Cagney). Plunkett acts all tough and can throw a punch, but stick him down in the trenches and he's the biggest coward you will have ever seen!

Interesting fact: This unit was the original owner of nickname the "Fighting Irish", which later the University of Notre Dame would officially adopt in 1927.

Read more from Wikipedia, and IMDb

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Sunday, February 28, 2010

Double Wedding (1937)

★★★★★

Double Wedding is a 1937 film, directed by Richard Thorpe.

Bohemian Charlie Lodge (William Powell) falls in love with the very organized, over-controlling Margit Agnew (Myrna Loy).

To spend time with her, Charlie pretends to be interested in Margit's sister, Irene (Florence Rice) who's become very much infatuated with Charlie after loosing interest in her chicken of a fiancé, Waldo (John Beal). Margit wants her sister to have nothing more to do with Charlie, so he promises to never see Irene again as long as Margit agrees to pose for a portrait he's to paint.

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Friday, February 19, 2010

Love Crazy (1941)

★★★★★

Love Crazy is a 1941 film, directed by Jack Conway.

William Powell and Myrna Loy are Steve and Susan Ireland; a happily married couple whom on their fourth wedding anniversary, experience a night of unfortunate events that leads to their marriage being on the rocks.

Susan, being under the impression that her husband has been spending time with his old flame, is definite about divorce. But Steve is crazy in love with his wife, and does everything he can to delay the divorce and prove it, though this might just get him committed to the sanitarium!

Read more from Wikipedia, and IMDb

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Friday, February 5, 2010

I Love You Again (1940)

★★★★★

I Love You Again is a 1940 film, Directed by W.S. Van Dyke.

William Powell is Lawrence Wilson, an overly-dull businessman who one night gets a knock to the head that leaves him unconscious. When Larry awakes, not only does he have amnesia, but he is a changed man, literally. For he is George Cary, a conman. And there's more... he's charming and debonair!

When George is under the impression that Larry has a few accounts at the bank filled with coin, he plans to take advantage and cash in. Not long after, George learns that Larry has a wife, Kay (Myrna Loy) who is on the verge of divorcing him. However, when Kay is forced to spend time with her soon to be ex-husband, and all this new affection he shows for her, it begins to get Kay mixed up. If she still loved him, boy, she'd be really in love with him!

Read more from Wikipedia, and IMDb

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Saturday, January 23, 2010

Sabrina (1954)

★★★★★

Sabrina is a 1954 film directed by Billy Wilder, and starring Audrey Hepburn as the chauffeurs daughter, Sabrina Fairchild.

Humphrey Bogart and William Holden are Linus and David; two sons of the wealthy Larrabee family, and whom Sabrina's father works for.

Sabrina has been in love with David for most of her life. He on the other hand, acts as if she doesn't even exist. Till that is, Sabrina spends two years in Paris, and returns home all grown-up, dazzling with sophistication. Not only does playboy David go crazy for her, but his older brother, Linus might fall under Sabrina's spell too.

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Friday, January 15, 2010

The Big Store (1941)

★★★★★

The Big Store is a 1941 film directed by Charles Reisner, starring the Marx Brothers; Groucho, Chico, and Harpo.

Tommy Rogers ( Tony Martin ) wants to sell his share of the Phelps Department Store. However, Mr. Grover ( Douglass Dumbrille ) knows if any real business gets a look at their figures, they're sunk. He'll stop at nothing to keep Tommy from selling... Groucho Marx is Wolf J. Flywheel, a detective hired by Martha Phelps ( Margaret Dumont ), to protect her Nephew, Tommy, who's life may be in jeopardy.

Also, be sure to look out for an appearance by Deadpan singer, Virginia O'Brien!

Read more from Wikipedia, and IMDb

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