Not to be missed : fifty-four favorites from a lifetime of film

Kenneth Turan discovered film as a child left undisturbed to watch Million Dollar Movie on WOR-TV Channel 9 in New York, a daily showcase for older Hollywood features. It was then that he developed a love of cinema that never left him and honed his eye for the most acute details and the grandest of scenes. Not to Be Missed blends cultural criticism, historical anecdotes, and inside-Hollywood controversy. Turan's selection of favorites ranges across all genres. From All About Eve to Seven Samurai to Sherlock Jr., these are all timeless films, each underscoring the truth of director Ingmar Bergman's observation that "no form of art goes beyond ordinary consciousness as film does, straight to our emotions, deep into the twilight room of the soul." CONTENTS 10 INTRODUCTION 14 IN THE BEGINNING 22 Introduction 24 FANTÔMAS 26 SILENT COMEDY DOUBLE FEATURE 30 SHERLOCK JR. 30 PASS THE GRAVY 30 THE THIRTIES 40 Introduction 42 I AM A FUGITIVE FROM A CHAIN GANG 44 BOMBSHELL 49 THE DYBBUK 54 LEO MCCAREY DOUBLE FEATURE 60 MAKE WAY FOR TOMORROW 60 LOVE AFFAIR 60 THE FORTIES 70 Introduction 72 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 74 ERNST LUBITSCH DOUBLE FEATURE 80 THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER 80 TO BE OR NOT TO BE 80 THE LADY EVE 90 STRAWBERRY BLONDE 96 CASABLANCA 100 RANDOM HARVEST 106 CHILDREN OF PARADISE 111 GREAT EXPECTATIONS 116 BICYCLE THIEVES 121 THE THIRD MAN 126 THE FIFTIES 132 Introduction 134 ALL ABOUT EVE 136 THE ASPHALT JUNGLE 141 SUNSET BOULEVARD 146 CASQUE D’OR 153 THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST 158 SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN 162 The earrings of MadaMe de . . . 168 SEVEN SAMURAI 172 KISS ME DEADLY 177 SEVEN MEN FROM NOW 181 SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS 186 VERTIGO 191 THE SIXTIES 200 Introduction 202 THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALENCE 204 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW 209 POINT BLANK 213 LE SAMOURAÏ 219 KES 223 THE SEVENTIES 228 Introduction 230 THE GODFATHER 232 CHINATOWN 238 THE EIGHTIES 244 Introduction 246 THE DAY AFTER TRINITY 248 FIRST CONTACT 253 DISTANT VOICES, STILL LIVES 257 THE NINETIES 262 Introduction 264 HOWARDS END 266 LEOLO 271 UNFORGIVEN 277 THE NEW CENTURY 284 Introduction 286 SPIRITED AWAY 288 THE BEST OF YOUTH 293 THE FIVE OBSTRUCTIONS 299 DOCUMENTARY DOUBLE FEATURE 303 STRANDED 303 SENNA 303 A PROPHET 312 OF GODS AND MEN 317 FOOTNOTE 322 ORSON WELLES DOUBLE FEATURE 328 Introduction 330 TOUCH OF EVIL 332 CHIMES AT MIDNIGHT 332 THE FIFTY-FIFTH FILM 342 A SECOND FIFTY-FOUR 346 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 350 INDEX 352 "As a child in 1950s Brooklyn, Kenneth Turan often turned to television programs like "Million Dollar Movie" on WOR-TV. Featuring a much-loved theme song from Gone with the Wind, "Million Dollar Movie" would run one feature film twice a day, every day, all week. It was there that he developed a life-long love of the world of the movies. One of the most discerning critics writing today, Kenneth Turan offers insights that are sure to delight and inspire movie-lovers of all kinds in his latest book, Unforgettable. As sophisticated and illuminating as the films they discuss, Turan's sketches are a blend of cultural analysis, historical anecdote and sordid Hollywood controversy, astute critical appraisals, all suffused with his abiding love for the silver screen. Turan's favorite films range across all genres, low and high. From All About Eve to Seven Samurai to Spirited Away, these are now timeless films--classic and contemporary, familiar and obscure, with big budgets and small--each as interesting as the lives of the authors and actors that made the usually two-or-so-hour-long cinematic experience itself"-- Provided by publisher The images and memories that matter most are those that are unshakeable, unforgettable. Kenneth Turans fifty-four favorite films embrace a century of the worlds most satisfying romances and funniest comedies, the most heart-stopping dramas and chilling thrillers. Turan discovered film as a child left undisturbed to watch "Million Dollar Movie" on WOR-TV Channel 9 in New York, a daily showcase for older Hollywood features. It was then that he developed a love of cinema that never left him and honed his eye for the most acute details and the grandest of scenes. "Not to be Missed" blends cultural criticism, historical anecdote, and inside-Hollywood controversy. Turans selection of favorites ranges across all genres. From "All About Eve" to "Seven Samurai" to "Sherlock Jr.", these are all timeless filmsclassic and contemporary, familiar and obscure, with big budgets and smalleach underscoring the truth of director Ingmar Bergmans observation that no form of art goes beyond ordinary consciousness as film does, straight to our emotions, deep into the twilight room of the soul.