Films/DVD Asylum

"Sunset Boulevard"

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rico

(A)

Director Billy Wilder was dismayed when this 1950 classic was test marketed and the audience laughed at the opening which originally featured talking corpses in the L.A. morgue rather than the dead body of lead character Joe Gillis (William Holden) floating in the pool. The film was quickly recut to the way it appears now. Gloria Swanson's unfinished "Queen Kelly" is seen as one of the lead female character's silent films. The redoubtable Erich von Stroheim is the butler and also a former husband and silent film director. The commentary and supplements on the current DVD are outstanding. Hedda Hopper and Buster Keaton have small roles as themselves as do other figures from the silent era. Probably the best Hollywood film about itself (out of many many).

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Here's a leading question... - C.B. 10:10:16 01/03/05 (2)
what's your pick for the best Billy Wilder flick? Or perhaps better phrased--what's your favorite (the assumption being that the best one is also your favorite)?
I know--with a director such as Billy Wilder who has so many great films to his credit, the choice is almost impossible. If I had to single out just one, it probably would have to be The Apartment (1960). It won Best Picture that year, and I believe it is the only Wilder flick besides The Lost Weekend (1945) to do so.
- The Apartment is my pick as well...... - kanesays 13:31:51 01/03/05 (0)
  I see that 'Some Like It Hot' airs frequently on TCM and it appears on "The Essentials" with Sydney Pollock. It's been declared the number comedy of all time. I, for one, just don't get it.
  I don't care for Monroe's performance at all, too hambone. Lemmon is genius as usual but Tony Curtis' role of impersonating a female/then Cary Grant isn't my idea of a good time.
  'The Apartment' on the other hand, is damn near perfect. As is 'Sunset Boulevard.'
- Re: Here's a leading question... - rico 11:04:49 01/03/05 (0)
  Mine is "Witnes for the Prosecution", followed closely by "Sunset Boulevard" and "Double Indemnity". In the decided minority, I have never been a fan of "Some Like it Hot".

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