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Welcome to Chandler Swain Reviews, a film site where one may express their opinion openly without fear of intimidation, backstabbing, eye rolling, subcutaneous eruptions, hysterical paralysis, Congressional subpoenas, acid reflux, spontaneous combustion or recalcitrant quips.
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Enter all who would regard cinema as an Art Form.
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MAY MOVIE OF THE MONTH
DAN DURYEA in JUNE VINCENT
Roy William Neill’s 1946 production of
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Before we proceed any further, perhaps it might help if we asked an obvious
question: Just who is Chandler Swain anyway (see right) and what is his ultimate goal with this movie site? It might be important while perusing the pages of this site to keep in mind that the mindset on these pages is a fairly “old school” one, following the traditions of the Critical Mind as opposed to the easy methodology of film thought brought forth by the wave of Populism which has swept the country, and has been instrumental in bringing the American version of this most modern of art forms to its lowest creative level ever. The twofold purpose of this site 
is to both celebrate and excoriate (see below) the cinema form; in that the most primal entertainment values of 
film may be identified and encouraged, but also pursue a path of illumination on the more artistic aspects of the 
form. All films, regardless of commercial or artistic permutations should be given equal attention, as every single film, no matter how obscure or seemingly insignificant, contributes to the whole of the form. 
Since film, aside from the significant aspirations to Art, is also a commercial 
enterprise, an industry, it stands to reason that the commercial viability of a offensively crass and distastefully banal production may
have subsequent negative influences on seemingly unrelated independent or artistically inclined enterprises. As much independence as some filmmakers would like to claim, the form- in the most commercial sense- has evolved 
(or devolved as some would have it) into a completely synergistic industry. Or something like that. Readers are invited to peruse and comment to their heart’s content. Contrary views are welcome as there is very little that is less stimulating than someone who always agrees with you. Original thought is encouraged, but please… no quoting of that antithesis of lucid film thought- Roger Ebert.
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The usefulness of Internet film sites cannot be underestimated, but it is a fatal mistake to think they are a substitution for published critical thought found in either book form or in the still numerous serious film journals available from around the globe. Film sites are merely another resource not an end to themselves. Similar to the 
incontrovertible concept of actually seeing film in an intended large screen format (regardless of the film’s vintage), it is imperative that the serious cinephiles avail themselves with as much legitimately valuable information and viewpoints on the cinematic as possible. Much of what exists on the Net, in regard to film is fan-based in origin (as is much of the existing newsstand magazine output), and while some are endearingly enthusiastic 
in nature, it is important for the serious cinephile to not be led by the short leash of sentimental favoritism as opposed to solid philosophic views on the Art of Cinema, based on legitimate avenues of Critical Thought and not merely the winds of nostalgic romanticism.
Much of what is written on blog sites comes from a younger generation of writers, to whom the Internet is the most natural arena of expression; and while opening the field for a more immediate arena of public communication, this extended atmosphere of filmspeak does not necessarily advance the 
field of criticism in its purest form, but in fact may retard it’s evolution. First of all, there is far too much regressive film experience expressed, in which the same basic films are looked at ad infinitum; usually expressing the same viewpoints which have been studied sometimes for decades. This is where inexperience rears its ugly head; in that the novice enthusiast may make critical overtures that are already well-worn but the writer is unaware of this due to a lack of comprehensive scholarly experience in the field. It is as if, instead of the professor leading the course, each student is 
standing in a queue for their own opportunity to express the exact same views. This, unfortunately puts critical thought at a moribund standstill.
For film criticism to retain relevance, it is imperative to move beyond the current critical stasis, to elevate the class of film criticism beyond the reductive decades long trend toward reviewing as opposed to critical enlightenment, and to discard the crutches of fatal pollutants of open critical appraisal, such as the Auteur Theory which inevitably lead to a weakened Populist viewpoint rather than the more independent, forward thinking standards of analysis characteristic of The Critical Establishment. 
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CARE AND FEEDING OF CHANDLER SWAIN REVIEWS, or:
How to Succeed in Negotiating This Site Without Really Trying
The first thing one must remember while visiting Chandler Swain Reviews is that it is set up more as a website rather than a blog site, therefore things are run more inefficiently and with a greater disdain for personal comfort. However, if one remembers that the 
lifeblood of this site is the main menu at the top of each page, one can easily negotiate the site without encountering too many highway tolls or pesky speed traps. One may notice on page sidebars, both a listing for new features (most are not “posted” as such and will have to be discovered by clever navigating of the site itself) and a list of current feature films playing on these pages. Simply travel to the pages indicated for the movie you wish to view, burn some popcorn and have a great time. All films reviewed on these pages are listed alphabetically on The Film Vault page along with the appropriate location. If there are suggestions about the site, comments or criticisms you’d like to express, feel free. It may be a global internet, but the First Amendment still applies here, and your voice has value. Ciao.
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A NAME BY ANY OTHER FACE: MAY CLASSIC FILM IMAGES QUIZ
May being the month of Memorial Day, let us expand the concept of remembrance and include all biographical films in comprising this month’s film photo quiz in which you are once again asked to identify the following twelve stills, only this time, in keeping with our
inflationary times, there are three parts to the puzzle. All willing are expected to (1) name the film, (2) name the subject character of the film and (3) name the actor who plays that subject. As usual, all correct entries will be scrutinized by our crack staff of scholars from the hallowed halls of the Smarterin U. Film School. Anyone who correctly identifies all thirty six portions of the puzzle will achieve fame, fortune and a sense of superiority to all Mankind, though somewhere else. Here, if you’re lucky, you might get a shrug and an almost sincere “well done, I suppose.”
#1
#2
#3
#4 
#5 
#6
#7
#8
#9
#10
#11
#12
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LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW!: JANUARY CLASSIC FILM IMAGES/ THE SOLUTIONS
With Winter nipping at the heels there seems no better time to recall those great films in which snow, ice and snugglin’ with a spiked mug of cocoa inspired holiday cheer and depressed fourth quarter retail sales numbers. (Sorry Jordan Marsh, but no one really
wanted the exclusive set of macrame luggage.) Your goal is to get out of that pesky nor’easter, dust off the frostbite and join Al Gore’s “no I wasn’t wrong about global warming- that’s a warm blizzard out there” cult by identifying all twelve of the following cinema images; films that take place in or feature important sequences in snow and ice. Good luck, and remember…when throwing a snowball at the landlord, don’t forget the cue ball in the center, for balance and a more accurate toss.
#1 DOWNHILL RACER
#2 LETTER NEVER SENT
#3 THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD
#4 QUINTET
#5 THE WHITE HELL OF PITZ PALU
#6 SMILLA’S SENSE OF SNOW
#7 THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS
#8 THE SHINING
#9 ALEXANDER NEVSKY
#10 A SIMPLE PLAN
#11 DOCTOR ZHIVAGO
#12 WHERE EAGLES DARE
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OCTOBER CLASSIC FILM IMAGES: FOR GUYS AND GHOULS OF ALL AGES/THE SOLUTIONS
October, bringing the annual season of Halloween, witches, warlocks and nausea inducing candy corn, is a perfect time to slide down the secret staircase bannister to the bubbling
cauldron of Memory Lame and relive the glorious moments which terrified and made you watch a film from underneath a blanket or eye covering fingers. You assignment is to identify all 13 of the spooky films from which the following hallucinations emanate. As always, the winners of such an enterprise will receive boxes of raisins, cans of mushroom pieces, a soggy bag of coffee grounds and anything else we here at CSR can extract from the depths of our cupboards to fill your Halloween bags with the rich aroma of an off season room at our favorite Cornwall castle equipped with ghostly apparitions and decaying nests of vole.
#1 THE FEARLESS VAMPIRE KILLERS
#2 NIGHT OF THE DEMON/CURSE OF THE DEMON
#3 VIY
#4 MARK OF THE DEVIL
#5 PSYCHO
#6 THE RAVEN
#7 CIRCUS OF HORRORS
#8 HAXAN
#9 REPULSION
#10 X (THE MAN WITH X-RAY EYES)
#11 BLOOD FOR DRACULA (ANDY WARHOL’S DRACULA)
#12 THE LEGEND OF THE 7 GOLDEN VAMPIRES
#13 KWAIDAN
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HAVE SOMETHING TO EXPRESS?
Have a comment about this site, a film reviewed or just want to chat? Don’t hesitate to write. We may be slow to respond here but everyone’s views are important. Let’s hear from you.
Chandler, I only know the answers to #2: Let the Right One In, #4: Haxan: Witchcraft Through the Ages, #5, the remake of Nosferatu, #8 The Hour of the Wolf, #9 Repulsion and #10 Eyes without a Face. Can you please, please send me the answers to the rest, as I’d love to see these films!
I love your piece regarding remakes. I have mixed feelings on remakes. As an idea in general, I don’t necessarily think remakes are “bad.” But maybe part of that mindset stems from my literary background. I work in an English department, and my M.A. is in British and American Literature. I’m often in the minority when talking to my work/school friends, because I do not inherently hate literary adaptations. I don’t always think that the book is better than the movie, because really, why should it have to be? Does it make one work of art (a bit hyperbolic, but it works for this example) less valid if another, perhaps even ultimately better, work of art was inspired by it? I don’t think adaptations or remakes devalue their source material, at least that’s not the case in every circumstance. I think we have to face the fact that, indeed, not everyone is like “us.” Which means that, as much as I love to read literature, including the “classics,” I know that sometimes the best way to share that classic story is through a film. And as much as I love older films, sometimes people are just too stubborn, set in their ways, or (GASP) just happy with their own preferences to want to watch older films, so remaking something would at least bring the lovely source material to a new generation, even if I personally hate the source material.
Two examples of each case: Shortly after I’d graduated high school, my then boyfriend and I decided to go to the theatre, even though we didn’t know what was showing. When we arrived, I noticed that the film “O” was there. Now, I knew “O” was a modern retelling of Shakespeare’s Othello, so I really wanted to see it (because I actually LOVE Shakespeare adaptations, even if they are very loosely based on his material). So as my boyfriend looked at the titles, I instantly said, “Can we see ‘O’? I’ve heard it’s good.” That’s all I said. After the movie, the guy told me he really liked it a lot, so I said, “Yeah, I thought it was a really good interpretation of Othello for a younger generation.” He had no idea what I was talking about so I clarified: “Othello was a play by Shakespeare and this film is an adaptation of that play.” That’s when the truth came out. The boyfriend admitted that, had he known the film was an adaptation of Shakespeare, he wouldn’t have watched it. Was I mad at him for disgracing the Bard? Of course not! I think the story of Othello is so fascinating, so I was just glad that this film brought the tale to audiences who normally would never have read it or watched a more straightforward adaptation of it.
My second story (and pardon the lack of brevity, but I so enjoy responding to your writings): When Van Sant’s remake of Psycho was on VHS (yes, I don’t think my friends and I had DVD players just then) my friend, Krista, rented it as one of the films to watch during a typical weekend sleepover. My girlfriends and I gathered around the t.v., curled up in our blankets, refrained from the requisite sleepover giggles, and watched the remake. I had, of course, already seen the original numerous times, and I’d even gone to the theater with my parents to see the remake, but Krista had seen neither. When the end twist was revealed, Krista gasped. I remember that moment so clearly. The goosebumps and minor heart palpitations she experienced at that precise moment were no different than those I’d experienced the first time I’d watched Hitchcock’s version (which was of course already an adaptation of the novel by Robert Bloch). Was my experience “better” than Krista’s because I’d watched the Hitchcock version? Of course not.
Sure, there are remakes that make me cringe when I watch them, but I still watch them. I am not instantly opposed to a remake, even if some aspect about it bothers me from the get-go (such as remaking Let The Right One In so soon after it was released, just to save American audiences from reading subtitles—but I still watched the remake and I still liked it). And then there are remakes I look forward to, like Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, because God knows that book needed something to liven it up. I don’t always “understand” why a remake is made, and there are some that I choose to avoid, and many I hate, but I think this issue, like most issues, is a complex one, not one I can escape by twisting my face in disgust and saying, “Ewwww…remakes.”
Wow, that was some response.Sorry about the slow response on this end. The article is only still half out there as I’m still trying to decipher the rest of my notes written in a haze of java induced caffeine scrawl. Much of what I was still going to focus on was the question of adaptations as a form of remake, not only literary but theatrical (including the conversion of movie to musical back to movie…oh, it’s endless). I actually find the idea of remakes currently depressing only in that at this moment I feel it accentuates the lowering of performing standards which has encased much of American cinema today. I just don’t feel the personalities being pushed by Hollywood have the stuff of actors of yesteryear. Not the maturity, nor the experience. (This is especially true on Broadway where many young performers, instead of learning their craft, appear in a blockbuster and then go back to star on stage for the “experience” when at that point all it is is a “star” turn gimmick to attract a young audience.) Naturally, I would love it if every film were totally unique and original but remakes will always be with us and they have yielded some surprising successes. One of my favorite films is Friedkin’s “Sorcerer”, his remake of Clouzot’s “Le salaire de la peur”, which I annoy many with in my opinion that it is actually superior to the original. Similarly, in Gillian Armstrong’s version of “Little Women” I find a superior rendering of Alcott (albeit with variations) than the first two versions. (And for my drive-in level interests, I actually prefer the newer “The Blob” to the original.) I don’t think the average person really cares about the subject, it is a matter for the true film enthusiast to gnash teeth over, although in some circles I think there is too much of a sense of possession inherent in the subject. Some people take it far too personally. Anyway, I always remember a favorite anecdote in which someone was speaking to James M. Cain about a film adaptation of one of his works and about what damage they’d done to his book. Cain merely gestured at the bookshelf and said (I paraphrase) “My book’s still there and it’s fine.” Smart man.
I share your enthusiasm for Shakespeare adaptations of any sort whether it’s a straight adaptation (it’s very fine to have to such distinctive versions of “Henry V” with which to mentally argue over which is better) or a “creative” inspiration (“Forbidden Planet”, “Theater of Blood”, “O”) and note with amusement that many who profess to loathe remakes are champions of Zeffirelli’s “Romeo and Juliet” (first version or remake be damned, it’s loathsome movie anyway- though I think his Mel Gibson “Hamlet” very fine and prefer it to the Olivier version) discounting the many versions filmed previously. (I am of the opinion that this play is an impossible thing to stage in any medium with any success, and consider it one of the Bard’s lesser moments…but that’s just me.)
Anyway, I’ll decrypt the notes and finish the piece soon and we’ll talk more about this. (How about a remake of “The Front Page” that really sizzles? That Wilder version was horrible.)
Hi Chandler–you have a really great site depicted selflessly here & so much heart, soul and passion is felt with that much profound intensity. I only know 2 of the films shown here and here goes: #2 definitely looks like 1963s The Great Escape w/James Garner (pictured), Steve McQueen, Richard Attenborough, Donald Pleasence, James Donald, Charles Bronson and James Coburn based on a true story/actual events. #5 I’m leaning towards Glory (1989) based on another true story and stars Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington (in his Oscar winning performance as Best Supporting Actor), Morgan Freeman, Cary Elwes, Andre Braugher and Bob Gunton. Thanks again for posting this and I hope to hear from you soon!
Aldora
Welcome to the salt mines Aldora. Thanks for the kind words about this site. My opinion is that it’s a product of laziness and carelessness, but your opinion sounds better. Both guesses on the photo quiz are, of course, correct. I think I put too many ringers in this one. While the writing continues to be slow in coming lately, the photo quiz changes monthly so stay tuned.
Chandler: I must admit I’m a Hamlet fan, but I think my favorite Hamlet experience comes from a broadcast of This American Life. It was called Act V, and it chronicled the rehearsals and ultimate closing night performance of Act V of Hamlet—but the catch was that the play was conducted in a maximum security prison, hence the ability to only rehearse and perform one act at a time. The entire Act V was not performed on the program, but the interviews with the inmates were fascinating. The tagline of that particular episode was something like: Imagine a play about murderers being performed by murderers. I require my students to listen to the radio program almost every semester. You know, after thinking about Shakespeare and your mention of Theatre of Blood, I think I have inspiration for my next blog post (even though I still need to write like two or three more, but since I’m pretty sure nobody is paying much attention….!).
This sounds very interesting and I’d like to hear more, and I’d especially like to hear that program. (I always believe Shakespeare is best experienced in the performance rather than the reading, though I personally enjoy both equally.)Though my favorite of his plays is “Julius Caesar”, I am the most fascinated with “Macbeth”. (Is that a contradiction?) Probably a good deal of that comes from my procrastination of finally doing a lengthy article about Polanski’s version which I find incredibly interesting on so many levels, though I don’t believe is a particular success. (I wonder if any film could be?) Have you seen Kurosawa’s take on “Hamlet”? I think it’s far more interesting than his “Macbeth” or “King Lear” efforts.
By the way, don’t stop writing your posts! I am paying attention and I’m certain others are as well. You’re writing is too good for even the Spongebob Squareheads that occupy most of the sites to ignore. I was jumping around your articles (there are so many, I say humbled) but decided to go back to the beginning and absorb them in order so it’ll be a bit before I’m completely up to date. It’s simply a treat to have something of value to look forward to reading.
Chandler:
Here is the link to the Act V broadcast.
http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/218/act-v
Bijoux/Nohaybanda/Bethany: (I like to think you’ve a million aliases as you are actively engaged in an international avoidance of law enforcement…it feeds my sense of adventure.) A million thanks for the link, much appreciated and I will go over the material this evening. This sounds extremely interesting and I can’t wait to dig into it. I was watching Larry King’s interview with Brando yesterday, and for the first time in my life, the man began to make sense. (Brando, not Larry King.) Is it possible my mind is expanding? If so, hopefully I’ll absorb all of this new material you’ve graciously provided before the dead grey cells counterattack and take full possession once more. -Chandler of the Apes
Nothing yet? No December responses?
#2 is “The Night Porter”
#3 – “Hiroshima, Mon Amour” (I think)
#4 – “Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice” (too easy)
#7 – “Chinatown”
#9 – “The African Queen”
Well, it’s the holiday season I suppose. Anyway, an excellent five answers, especially since all are correct. (And I thought #2 might present a problem since Bogarde had his back to the camera.)
Hi ChandlerSwain & Merry Christmas to you–I must complement you on your very impressive holiday posting masterfully depicting your infinite love & passion for the classics! I also wanted to tell you that I’ve always found your cinematic conversing to be quite refreshing in all of its worth, splendor and picturesque refinement; now for the task at hand. I’d like to start out w/the ones that I’ve seen at least 2-3 times (via Fox Movie Channel and TCM, when it aired of course):
#1) Looks to me like 1947s Unconquered starring Gary Cooper (so many of his classics are my favorites), Pauletter Goddard (in my opinion an underrated but immensely talented actress along with her then husband Burgess Meredith, who was quite memorable and fascinating in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men with Lon Chaney, Jr), Boris Karloff (another personal favorite actor of mine), Ward Bond (an awe-inspiring classic film actor), Cecil Kellaway (loved him in The Postman Always Rings Twice with John Garfield, Hume Cronyn and Lana Turner), Howard Da Silva (I’ve seen him in the forgotten but masterful film gem Border Incident starring George Murphy and Ricardo Montalban and I’ve enjoyed viewing that film very much on TCM) and of course C. Aubrey Smith!
#4) Definitely Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (1969) with Natalie Wood, Robert Culp (magnificent in the I-Spy series with Bill Cosby), Elliott Gould and Dyan Cannon.
#7) One of my all time favorite films to watch of Jack Nicholson, other than The Terror with Boris Karloff & Dick Miller as well as One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, is the one depicted here: Chinatown (1974) starring Faye Dunaway (she was astounding and superb in her Oscar winning perfromance via Network with William Holden and Peter Finch who won the Academy Award posthumously for his performance in the classic film satire) and John Huston.
#8) I think that this is Torrid Zone (1940) with James Cagney, Pat O’Brien and Ann Sheridan.
#9) Who could ever forget Humphrey Bogart’s Oscar winning performance in The African Queen (1951) with Katharine Hepburn, which interestingly enough turned out to be the only film that starred 2 legends of the stage/silver screen?
#10) Finally, my last guess would have to be another overlooked but emblematic film jewel is Hobson’s Choice (1954) starring Charles Laughton and Sir John Mills!
Well, these are my choices for the films selected from the list–I do hope that you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year as I’m looking forward to viewing many of your wondrous and genuinely captivating articles posted here!
Sincerely
Aldora
Merry New Year Aldora! (I think that covers all holiday festivities since you left your message)
As always I am astonished at the breadth of your comments, so full of information, enthusiasm and infinite charm. (I am so glad you’ve shown enthusiasm for “The Terror”, a much maligned almost-accident of a film that bears many hidden treasures for those who approach it with a mind unpolluted by the negative attention it’s received over the years.) Anyway, I have been hesitant to respond as I wanted to come up with a response that was worthy of your labor intensive comments, but I feel most answers would be anticlimactic, so perhaps I’ll just jump into the banality void I usually percolate in and say: “Howdy!”
Need I say that your identifying answers are all correct (as usual) and I’ll try to come up with something a bit more challenging, say a Basil Rathbone or Leslie Howard photo array that might stump you. (Just kidding, I don’t think that would be possible.) Anyway, thanks again for tuning in, and I’m hoping that inspiration will strike me more often than my usual once an eon to write something new that might be of interest. Hope all is well in the New Year. Addio.
Hey there, Thank you for this nice posting! I will certainly bookmark CHANDLER SWAIN REVIEWS | Just another WordPress.com site. Many thanks.
A wise decision. And only pennies a serving!
Hey there, thank you for revealing your ideas in CHANDLER SWAIN REVIEWS | Just another WordPress.com site. This is really an awesome blog.
Well thanks. The site was either going to be about my plans to be a despotic ruler of an island nation or movies. I hope I made the right decision.
Hello ChandlerSwain & good morning. I’ve become extremely busy with so many things (my niece’s 2nd birthday & an important engagement in regards to my fiance, but as always I’ve deeply enjoyed reading/commenting on your many cinematic and profoundly heartfelt articles)! Now for the following responses:
#3 is Topkapi (1964), an excellent heist classic film with Peter Ustinov giving a memorable Oscar winning performance as Arthur Simpson; it’s interesting to point that Ustinov played one of the film’s leading roles, but was nominated for–and won–the best supporting actor Oscar for Topkapi (one of my favorite films of his was 1978s Death on the Nile starring David Niven, Maggie Smith, Bette Davis and a multi-talented cast from the stage/silver screen.
#4 looks like The Italian Job (the 1969 original) with Michael Caine, Noel Coward, Benny Hill and Rossano Brazzi; in my opinion, this classic British caper filmgives a more masterful depiction of a awe-inspiring picturesque moment from Hollywood’s Golden Age than the 2003 American remake…then again I am an old school lover at heart and for me classic films have more significance than modern interpretations!
#7 is w/o a doubt the classic film noir The Killing (1956) starring Sterling Hayden, Timothy Carey, Coleen Gray & Elisha Cook Jr; it was directed by one of my favorite and hugely inspirational directors Stanley Kubrick.
#8 I’m not too sure about the name of the movie but I do recognize the face…that has to be Marcello Mastroianni (very talented, captivating and exquisite in his craft of performing on the silver screen especially in 8 1/2, La Dolce Vita and other memorable film works).
#9 is The Hot Rock (1972) with George Segal and Robert Redford (pictured) along with Moses Gunn, Zero Mostel and Christopher Guest in his first onscreen appearance; also an important fact to point out is that Quincy Jones composed the film soundtrack for this & The Italian Job (1969) as well.
#11 looks like How to Steal a Million (1966) with Audrey Hepburn, Eli Wallach, Charles Boyer and Peter O’ Toole; Ms. Hepburn’s clothes/wardrobe was designed by the French designer Hubert de Givenchy (aka the French brand Givenchy).
Finally #12 is the silent crime film Underworld directed by Josef von Sternberg with Clive Brook and Evelyn Brent (pictured); Ben Hecht won the Academy Award for Writing (screenplay) during the very 1st Academy Awards ceremony held on May 16th, 1929 (Underworld’s character of Bull Weed portrayed by George Bancroft was modeled on the criminal ” Terrible” Tommy O’ Connor, an Irish-American mobster who gunned down Chicago Police Chief Padraig O’Neill in 1923 but escaped 3 days before his execution an was never apprehended). Thank you for providing yet another informative and incredibly insightful article ChandlerSwain; I’m looking forward to your next edition because your posts have become so much than words could ever say…to me everything that you’ve contributed here has become an indescribable enriching experience! Take care and thank you from the bottom of my heart!
I’m so glad Aldora is good at this game.
Yes. It’s getting challenging finding a way to stump anyone around here, especially Aldora.
Wow. That is very impressive. Sorry for the delay in responding as I didn’t want anyone who hadn’t played yet to know whether you were right or not until the posting was over, though by now I think anyone who even casually glances at this page would admit that you’re ALWAYS right. Ah well, I’ll have to find some way to make it more challenging for you. Perhaps I’ll consult my brain trust of chimps who I am trying to get to type out “Hamlet” to work on the problem. They’re far more clever than I. By the way, you were right about Marcello on #8, the film being “Big Deal on Madonna Street”.
#8 is “Big Deal on Madonna Street”, and #5 is “Rififi”, I think
Correct and thanks for playing.
Delighted by the refreshing lack of self-importance here.
“The usefulness of Internet film sites cannot be underestimated, but it is a fatal mistake to think they are a substitution for published critical thought found in either book form or in the still numerous serious film journals available from around the globe. Film sites are merely another resource not an end to themselves…”
Wise words. The internet has seen the rise of the “cult of the amateur”, where everyone thinks they’re a bloody expert, a leading authority on cinema. Except their “credentials” amount to a good-sized film collection, access to a computer and a penchant for hyperbole. Clever as some of these folks may be, Andre Bazin they AIN’T.
I’ve subscribed to your site, look forward to future essays, further utterances and tips re: off-the-beaten track flicks.
Thanks for the vote of confidence. And I certainly welcome anyone who might casually reference Andre Bazin. It seems like such an obvious thing, but I continually find myself frustrated over the amount of postings I see on the internet written by those who have no consideration that culture may have indeed existed before their day of birth.
Amazing site. Love all the gifs!
Thanks. They do seem to repopulate like rabbits.
Yes, Chandler. Obviously your expertise and site, as well- scream, ‘professional’, and ‘educated’, where my reviews merely stammeringly whisper, “fun on a Saturday night”. Carry on, then.
April’s movie guesses:
1 Breaking Away
2 The Stratton Story
3 Hoosiers
4.
5 The Great White Hope
6 Fear Strikes Out
7 Seabiscuit
8 Jim Thorpe All American
9 The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars and Motor Kings
10 Pat and Mike
11 Without Limits (at least, I think that’s billy crudup as prefontaine and not Jared Leto)
12 I have a guess for this one, but I’m not gonna risk it.
Show off. Well, that’s a perfect ten out of ten so far, which looks like it took you less time to answer than it took to put on the site. Why hesitant on #12? I’m certain if you know some of the others, you’ll know this. #4 is a ringer, far more obscure than the rest, however, a clue might be found elsewhere on the page where the film is prominently referenced.
Chandler: Along with my affinity for being a not-so-secret agent, I am absolutely crazy for films with sport themes. The only time I ever watch sporting events is during the Olympics, where I will watch any of the events except hockey or basketball. But I love movies about hockey, basketball, football, etc., etc., etc. As to my hesitation for #12, I’m embarrassed to admit that I just don’t remember his ears being that big, and was certain that I was mixing up actors/movies and would come up with the wrong guess….not that I have reason to fear a wrong guess, but I just wasn’t up for the defeat that day. I still can’t figure out 4, but I’m holding out hope for an epiphany and reading Ulysses for the inspiration to have an epiphany (that’s how those work, right??). But I did notice you have two pictures of KDunst. A fan?? Did you like Melancholia?? I’d love to hear a ChandlerSwain post regarding Von Trier.
I do like the little Dunst. I actually have an inscribed copy of “The Little Prince” from her (her favorite book- so she claims), and she seems to be an actress of enormous talents, looking for those challenging roles, wherever they may be hiding. I do plan on writing about “Melancholia” but after a piece on “Antichrist” which I think will be relegated to the Sexual Politics page rather than as an official posting.
You’re writing about Antichrist!! Can’t wait for that post.
Hi ChandlerSwain. I wanted to say first that I’m very happy that other individuals like Bijoux Alexanderplatz answers your deeply insightful & informative quizzes; second, I will admit that this particular quizz has proven to be a bit difficult for me but luckily for me I’ve watched so many classics all my life it would seem that I can even memoraize the entire script by heart….just kidding. So w/o further adieu, I would like to present my guesses in regards to the following quiz for the month of April:
#2 is without a doubt The Stratton Story (1949) starring James Stewart and June Allyson; they made 3 films together including this one based on the true story of Chicago White Sox pitcher Monty Stratton. The other 2 being The Glenn Miller Story (1954) with Charles Drake and the late Harry Morgan based on the life of the iconic band leader/jazz musician Glenn Miller that also featured one of my favorite romantic theme songs of all time..Moonlight Serenade and the final film collabroation being Strategic Air Command (1955).
#3 looks like Hoosiers (1986) with Gene Hackman pictured; I loved him in The Poseidon Adventure, The Conversation and Bonnie and Clyde among my favorites..impassioned and multi-talented actor but also underrated as well.
#5 is The Great White Hope (1970) with James Earl Jones, Hal Holbrook, Moses Gunn and Jane Alexander; both Alexander and Jones recieved Oscar nods for their performances.
#6 is Fear Strikes Out (1957) with Anthony Perkins and Karl Malden pictured here that was also based on the life/career of American baseball player Jimmy Piersall.
#7 is Seabiscuit (2003) with Tobey Maguire and Chris Cooper that was loosely based on the true story of the thoroughbred who overcame incredible odds and made history.
#8 is Jim Thorpe-All American (1951) with Burt Lancaster in the title role of the great Native American athlete who won medals at the 1912 Olympics but was forced to return them.
#10 looks like Pat and Mike (1952) starring Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn and Aldo Ray.
#11…I’m going to take a stab at it and say Prefontaine (1997) with Jared Leto as American long distance runner Steve Prefontaine who died tragically at the age of 24 after a car accident on May 30th, 1975.
and finally #12 is definitely The Set-Up (1949) directed by Robert Wise; it starred Robert Ryan, Audrey Totter and Darryl Hickman…a truly great film noir boxing drama.
I’ve tried my best but I had so much fun in the process…again, thank you for posting this wondrous quiz & I’m really looking forward to May’s edition. I wonder if there’s a Leslie Howard quiz in the making..lol!
P.S. I’m really going to take a wild stab at # 4 and say Dark Hazard (1934) which was an underrated film that Edward G. Robinson starred in and didn’t get much cinematic recognition but became a great classic film to watch!
Ah, Aldora, I thought twelve was the setup, but it has been too long since I’d see it to be confident.
Nice going Aldora. Seven out of nine, that’s Hall of Fame status in any sport I know. A hint as to #4, as I’ve informed Mata Bijoux, it is a more difficult film to identify than the others as having only a prominent background in the sports arena as opposed to being specifically about that sport, though there is another reference to that particular film on this page. Now if could only equip this sight with audio, I’d cue up the Glen Miller for you…
#2 looks like Hitchcock’s “Topaz” and #6 is Lila Kedrova, one of the few good things in “Torn Curtain”
#4 looks like Paul Newman but is (I assume) not “Torn Curtain”… maybe “Fat Man and Little Boy”?
#9 is “North by Northwest” (great screencap, too!)
Welcome back quimedelivera-
You are absolutely correct in your identification of both “Torn Curtain” and “North by Northwest” in the May photo quiz. However, the identification of #4 (you’ve correctly surmised it is not “Torn Curtain”) is not “Fat Man and Little Boy”. Here’s a clue: the film depicted was made by a famed American director who lived outside of the United States. (Not much of a clue, I grant you, but it’s all I could come up with at the spur of the moment.) Also, Newman’s co-star was first featured in a film by Robert Bresson. Thanks for playing.
WOW! First let me say that this was one of the most difficult & yet very impressive film quizzes that I’ve ever had the pleasure of answering, ChandlerSwain (in regards to the fact that I was only able to give you 3 guesses that I feel are worthy of just being…..lucky, I guess). But all kidding aside, I honestly think that I have a battle, one here for the ages (I hope that’s the correct saying). Here are my following guesses:
#5 appears to me No Way Out (1987) with Kevin Costner; it was the only movie that I’ve seen that featured him in a Navy suit (my father went to the Navy during his prime).
#4 might be The Verdict (1982) starring Paul Newman and James Mason; it’s also interesting to point out that Mason also appears in #12, but I can’t recall the picture (I know it’s him because of his eyes & other features that may seem trivial to some but not to me lol).
Finally #10 is probably one of the wildest and craziest guesses that I’ve ever done but here goes: It looks like Our Man in Havana (1959) with Alec Guinness & Burl Ives.
Well, I’ve tried my very best and as always I’m very grateful to have taken the time to post an answer or two in response to your deeply insightful quiz; it’s also wonderful to see so many classic film lovers have the awe-inspiring opportunity to view this as well, plus I’m a huge fan of espionage/spy films! Thank you for posting this, Chandler, and I do hope to have more in-depth and cinematically informative conversations with you because I’ve always viewed myself as a classic movie lover at heart…take care and God Bless!
Hi-de-ho Aldora-
Welcome back. This quiz actually didn’t start of as a particularly difficult one, but in the selection process, it sort of took on a life of it’s own. (Sorry.) Anyway, your identification of both #5 as “No Way Out” (a remake of “The Big Clock”) and #10 as “Our Man in Havana” are both dead on. #4, however, is not “The Verdict” but a slightly earlier Newman film. Hint: it takes place in England and is directed by a very famous (late) Academy Award winning American director. You are also correct about the other still with James Mason. Thanks very much for your enthusiastic responses to this silly little series of mine, it’s very much appreciated.
Breaking News: I’ve just realized something of vital importance! #6 looks very familiar in the scene because of the one individual whose screenshot I’m seeing; It’s from the 1966 Hitchcock thriller Torn Curtain, an often underrated classic that might not have performed well in the box office but then again I feel that a truly great classic film doesn’t need the spotlight of a successful monetary gain in order for it to become a genuine classic (just my opinion) and I’ve also enjoyed seeing it also with Lila Kedrova (who could forget that face), Newman and of course Julie Andrews as his love interest. Also, I know that I’ve got #4 mixed up in regards to Paul Newman and thrillers but maybe I can rectify the situation: my only guess has to be Absence of Malice (1981) co-starring Sally Field. It’s also my only other guess since the reason why I was able to recognize Paul Newman in this one was not only because I’ve seen both of his films (of which I’ve very much enjoyed viewing), but that also I’ve learned that later on in his film career (as one ages of course) his hair took on a grayish salt & pepper look; the latter comment I express with great content of course because my father had the same color as Newman and to me that showed plenty of maturity, depth, character and intelligence (qualities that are sorely lacking in today’s society but here becomes overflowing and that I can fully appreciate). Thanks again ChandlerSwain and I also wanted to retract my comment about the quiz being too difficult (not trying to sound political, mind you); if anything, they’re a lot of fun and I’ve always deeply enjoyed the honor & privilege of answering your posts every month!!
“Torn Curtain” is correct, but unfortunately “Absence of Malice” is not. The hair aspect is actually a valuable way to go with Newman as there are distinct differences (as you pointed out) in hair coloring throughout the years. The film in question co-stars a French actress, and has a title reminiscent of English clothing. Can I be any more obscure than that? Also, don’t retract your statement on the difficulty of the quiz, it actually is. I was simply saying I thought it would probably be any easy one, but when completed I went “uh oh”. It’s a toughie, I admit. Bonus hint: the first film is a 60′s spy film based on a popular 60′s TV spy series.
#4 is John Huston’s “The Mackintosh Man”
#8 is another Dirk Bogarde film
#12 I’m not sure about, but it looks like “From Russia with Love”. The screencaps for #1 and #3 are intriguing, but I don’t recognize them off hand.
Nicely played. #4 is indeed “The Mackintosh Man”, and though #12 isn’t “From Russia With Love” (what it is is a film directed by a great late New York City director), that particular Bond film may be lurking closer than you think. As to the Bogarde film, it is a film of many titles. #1 is a 60′s spy film based on a 60′s spy TV show and #3 is a 60′s spy film based on a major bestseller. That’s it for clue time. Nice to hear from you again, quimedelivera.
Anyone else? (Wow, May has gone quickly!)
Anyway, #12 is Sidney Lumet’s “The Deadly Affair” and #3 looks like “The Manchurian Candidate” (if it is, I’m surprised that it hasn’t been identified yet). And incidentally, #2 isn’t really Hitchcock’s “Topaz”, is it? (Seeing that “Torn Curtain” and “North by Northwest” are already present.)
The month truly did fly by, which means only another day or so before I have to put a new photo quiz on the page. Yikes! #2 is indeed “Topaz”, and I know it was probably lazy to put that many Hitchcock films on one quiz, but there aren’t that many opportunities to represent him, when the subjects have been horror, war or sports films… so when in Rome… Anyway, #3 is not “The Manchurian Candidate”, but another major spy film, originally written by an author who had a more recent success in the theaters. And #12 is Sidney Lumet’s “The Deadly Affair”. Nicely played quimedelivera, and always good to hear from you.
No June responses?? Maybe that’s because it seriously flew by (seriously). Anyway, here is my paltry guess list:
#3 the deep
#5 is atlantic city
#6 blue crush
7 jaws
8 there’s a few options so I’ll just go with beach party
I feel like I’ve seen a few of these films (the last few certainly) and am just drawing a blank
June really did fly by, but that could also be because when I set my clock ahead I set it fourteen days ahead. Bad planning. Anyway, you are absolutely correct on photos 3, 5, 6 (sharp pick up on that one) and 7, but you’ve picked the wrong beach with 8, so we’ll have to send out the lifeguard to rescue you.
#1 – “Gidget”
#2 – An Italian film?
#3 – “The Deep”
#4 – “Mr. Hulot’s Holiday”
#5 – “Atlantic City”
#6 – “The Descendants”
#7 – “Jaws”
#8 – “Beach Blanket Bingo”
#9 – “The Longest Day”
#10 – “Thunderball”
#11 – “Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation”
#12 – An Italian film?
Welcome to the sand dunes. Your answers to photos #1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, and 11 are correct. Incorrect on #4, 6 and 8 (wrong beach) and neither #2 nor #12 is an Italian film, though I’m sure someone in the crew probably had Italian background somewhere in their family. (Sorry, that’s the best clue I could think of.)
Your inexhaustible enthusiasm puts the rest of us to shame.
Oh if that were only true, but I fear I’m far too lazy in my writing to shame anyone but myself. If only I had your capacity to be as succinct and as insightful in my writing as you are in your pieces… well, then I’d probably feel even worse at not being more productive than I already do. I especially loved that piece on “Cromwell”.
Hi Chandler and good evening; I hope that you won’t mind if I use my Facebook account (not that I’m a huge fan of the social media site..lol) but I just wanted to try something different; I’m still classicfilmlover782 just under a different name online. I wanted to extend my deepest thanks to you for allowing your June film article to continue the online post (much appreciated since I’ve had the unfortunate opportunity of missing it during that time period) & I only think that it’s fair that I start off my first responses with that article, so without further adieu:
1) Looks like either Gidget or A Summer Place, so instead I’m going along with Gidget which stars Sandra Dee along with Cliff Robertson
3) Definitely looks like 1977s The Deep & if I’m not mistaken, the following stars in your pic are Nick Nolte, Robert Shaw and Jacqueline Bisset (I’ve always appreciated the underrated but profound talents of Shaw, especially in films like The Sting and one of my favorites the original version of The Taking of Pelham One, Two Three with Walter Matthau & Hector Elizondo among my favorite films..I also have The Deep via Netflix as well.
5) Atlantic City with Burt Lancaster and Susan Sarandon
6) Blue Crush with Kate Bosworth and Michelle Rodriguez
7) Jaws with Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss (one of my favorite films that truly made me NOT want to jump in the water at all)
8) Looks pretty tricky (in a good way of course) considering that there’s more than likely a few or more films into this particular series and Bijoux gave a great response with Beach Party; my only other guess would have to be Beach Blanket Bingo…it was either that or Muscle Beach Party so I opted for my first response (Beach Blanket Bingo)
10) It’s very interesting with this pic because it just so happens that there’s currently a James Bond marathon happening all in the month of July on Encore; it’s a shame that I can’t give a response to that only that I can safely say that its Sean Connery portraying the suave agent 007 (lame and predictable answer some may say, but hey I tried..lol)
11) Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation with Jimmy Stewart
and now for my July picks:
2) Yankee Doodle Dandy with Jimmy Cagney in his Oscar winning role as George Cohan
3) Looks like PT109 with Cliff Robertson and based on the true story of John F. Kennedy before he became the President of the United States..an excellent film
5) Abraham Lincoln (1930) with Walter Huston?
6) Patton with George C. Scott in the title role (another great film from one of cinema’s greats and I’ve recently seen him in Dr. Strangelove with Peter Sellers, Keenan Wynn, Slim Pickens and Sterling Hayden,,a wonderful classic)
10) Young Mr. Lincoln with Henry Fonda; this was where he teamed up with director John Ford and their last teaming together as director/star was Mr. Roberts
12) Sergeant York (1941) based on the life of Alvin C. York and starred Gary Cooper in his Oscar winning role as the title character
13) My final guess is Bound for Glory based on the life of Woody Guthrie and starred David Carradine along with Ronny Cox..great film.
Those are my film guesses for the months of June/July–thank you again Chandler for posting these articles and as always I deeply look forward to your future posts; take care and God bless!!
For June, #1,3,5,6,7 and 11 are correct. For July you’re six for seven. #5 is incorrect. Thanks for playing.
#2 – “Yankee Doodle Dandy”
#3 – “PT-109″
#4 – “The Alamo”
#5 – “The Birth of a Nation”
#6 – “Patton”
#7 – Must be a Western film
#8 – I wish I knew this
#10 – “Young Mr. Lincoln”
#11 – “1776″
#12 – “Sergent York”
Eight for eight on your specified guesses. Nice going.
Great to be back here in the salt mines again, Chandler….I’ve been busy with my 5 month old daughter Briana! Things have completely changed for me personally but not my love & passion for classic films; I’m still able to view many of Leslie Howard’s films whenever I can. In response to your January lineup featuring Let it Snow, here are my answers: #3 is The Thing from Another World which was and still is one of my favorite science fiction classics (John Carpenter’s The Thing from 1982 was deeply inspired by this 50s classic with an unaccredited direction from Howard Hawks), #4 is Paul Newman in Quintet, #7 looks like Tim Holt and Anne Baxter in The Magnificent Ambersons, #8 is The Shining (Here’s Johnny!), #10 looks like Billy Bob Thornton in A Simple Plan co-starring Bill Paxton I believe, #11 is the stellar romantic epic Dr. Zhivago with Omar Sharif, Julie Christie & Alec Guinness and finally #12 we have Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood in Where Eagles Dare. Thank you again Chandler for your insightful posts because all of your articles have given a selfless awe-inspiring meaning in my cinematic existence and I hope to comment on more of them very soon; until next time take care and be on the lookout for my very first post coming soon!!
Could this be Aldora?? I kinda of thought when I had a new follower who was a “leslie howard fan” that it might be her:) Congrats on Briana. I’m sure you’re a wonderful mother. Maybe Briana’s first words will be Robert Osborne.
Awesome site
. I’ll come back and have a go at your latest quiz. Unfortunately work beckons.
Wow, what a site! And expertly written, as well. I have one question: Where do you get all your clips and photos. I have a movie blog, but I don’t know where to get the visuals to accompany it.
Welcome aboard Mark. I have tried several methods and sources for site illustration but the one I’ve used for a while and seems to work very well is a combination of using the YouTube Downloader HD to convert a particular clip or entire film into AVI format which is then compatible with the freeware Movie to Animated GIF Converter (available, if memory serves well at (www.evanolds.com) which not only makes pretty decent animated GIF clips but stellar still frame shots from anywhere in the downloaded material. (Strictly for critical and educational purposes, lest the copyright police be worried).
Great impressions! Nice! Check out my blog about Movie Violence, i think you’ll like it:
violencine.wordpress.com