The Shaggy Dog, released in theaters in 1959, was Disney Studios first live-action comedy. It was a departure from their popular animated films. The gambit paid off — it was a huge hit and it launched a slew of wholesome, funny, adventuresome movies from the studio. These goofball comedies, light-hearted family fare and suspenseful mysteries…
Elegant. Impish. Gamine. Audrey. This Saturday would be Audrey’s 90th birthday. Schedule a marathon with these classics from DVD Netflix. In each of these films, Audrey’s joy is infectious. She can dance, sing, make you laugh or feel wistful. And she has some killer dresses.
This year, April 23 marks the 455th birthday of William Shakespeare. From thrillers that will “make your hair stand on end,*” to Broadway musicals, these are not adaptations put to film. Rather, these movies use Shakespeare as a foundation to tell a story relevant to its audience.
These sophisticated films of the 1950s highlight the noir sensibility and the femme fatale.
Val Lewton isn’t quite the household name he ought to be. Today, his films are seen as prime examples of low budget horror that rely on simple lighting and strong storytelling rather than special effects makeup or schlocky monsters.