75 years! If people are still talking about a film 75 years after its release, then we have a movie that truly stands the test of time! 1950 was quite the year in film! "Sunset Boulevard", "Father Of The Bride", the award winning "All About Eve", "Harvey", etc. The films I will spotlight (with the exception of two), are cult classics.
"Stage Fright"- This film is considered a "lesser Alfred Hitchcock film", but that means its a great film for anyone else. This film (like most Hitchcock), was ahead of its time. The critics and even Hitchcock himself didn't like the "lying flashback" in the film. I will not reveal that spoiler in case you haven't seen it, but it was revolutionary and one of the great things about the film in addition to Marlene Dietrich's scene stealing performance! Worth watching once if you're a Hitchcock fan!
"The Asphalt Jungle"- This is one of the most influential crime heist films ever (some call the benchmark!) made! John Huston had a lot of success and scored a lot of award nominations for himself (and the film). The film spawned a TV series a decade later and again inspired so many crime & heist films that would follow! Also notable for one of Marilyn Monroe's earlier screen roles!
"In A Lonely Place"- Five years before Nicholas Ray directed the legendary "Rebel Without A Cause", he crafted an intensely personal film noir of sorts with Humphrey Bogart (in one of his finest performances) as a troubled and violent screenwriter accused of murder! Time has been very kind to this film, as it is now considered to be one of the greatest film noirs of all time!
"Gun Crazy"- Joseph H. Lewis crafted one of the most influential film noirs of all time and helped give Welsh born, Irish actress, Peggy Cummins an unforgettable role as Annie Laurie Starr, who manipulates her husband (John Dall), into a "Bonnie & Clyde" type of life! This film did inspire the "Bonnie & Clyde" film from 1967 (amongst many other crime pictures).
"Outrage"- Directed by the great Ida Lupino (who was also a famous leading lady in the 1940's)! This film deals with sexual assault and the psychological and emotional effects it has on the victim. The film does seem dated, but still has some shocking scenes and the subject matter was (and still is) difficult to portray on film! This was only the second "post-code Hollywood film" that dealt with the controversial subject matter.
"Rashomon"- Akira Kurosawa's revolutionary film (one of two he would make in 1950), was the first of its kind to have such a non-linear story line. You get the same incident told from four different viewpoints. This plot device is something that we see frequently in film & TV shows, but it was the first of its kind and also the first Japanese film to score awards and recognition outside of their home. The film is such a huge part of our culture that the court room term, "Rashomon Effect" was inspired by this film! My pick for the best film of 1950 (and one of my all time favorites)!
Click here if you want to hear my in-depth analysis of these films!
