The CMBA profiles a member’s classic movie blog each month. This month,
we’re featuring Rick Gould of Rick’s Real/Reel Life.
CMBA: What
makes a film a “classic” in your opinion?
RICK’S REAL/REEL LIFE: A classic to me is a film that still
has a strong emotional resonance for audiences years or decades later.
CMBA: What
genres do you favor?
RICK’S REAL/REEL LIFE: I like a good comedy, whether it’s
smart or silly, as long as it’s imaginatively done. I watched “Moonstruck”
recently, after not having seen it for a few years. The film is still one of
the smartest, warmest, modern romantic comedies, in my book. All thanks to
screenwriter John Patrick Shanley, director Norman Jewison, and that fabulous
cast, right down to the bit parts.
I’m always in the mood for a good drama. I discovered the heist
noir/race drama “Odds Against Tomorrow” recently. The film came out in ’59,
considered one of the last true film noirs (which isn’t my fave genre, btw),
and it felt like a realistic snapshot of late ‘50s New York City. Harry
Belafonte starred and produced, with Robert Ryan utterly chilling yet pathetic,
as the racist villain.
I don’t like horror, but I love suspense, which is why I am a fan
of Alfred Hitchcock’s films. “Rear Window” and “North by Northwest,” I could
watch over and over—there’s always some little detail that’s new, or something
to savor over and over again. Conversely, I’ve only seen “Psycho” once!
And I love me a good courtroom drama. It’s like curling up with a
favorite book, for me. “Anatomy of a Murder” is still terrific, stylish but
realistic. I’m not at all prejudiced because the movie is based on a case that
took place in Upper Michigan, where I was born and raised. Otto Preminger chose
to shoot the entire film on location up here, the first director to do so.
Three of my all-time fave flicks are black comedies: “The
Manchurian Candidate,” “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?” and “Who’s Afraid of
Virginia Woolf?” I am also a sucker of the “so bad it’s good” kind of movie,
and always wonder, “What were they
thinking?!” You can find many of them reviewed on my blog!
CMBA: Why
should people care about “old” black and white movies?
RICK’S REAL/REEL LIFE: They should watch because it’s a look
back at a way of life, or of an era’s social attitudes. I’ve always found
movies fascinating for that reason. Even if there’s that glossy movie lens on a
particular topic, it’s still interesting, sometimes even more so—i.e., how
Hollywood often idealized our country, and audiences in turn often wanted to
believe what they saw onscreen.
CMBA: What
classic films do you recommend to people who may not have seen many older
films?
RICK’S REAL/REEL LIFE: Movies are so subjective, even more
so in today’s niche entertainment era. I had skipped many movies in the ’70s
and early ’80s, because I was out living it up in my younger days. But when I
saw “Dog Day Afternoon” and “Three Days of the Condor” for the first time in
recent years, I was amazed at how fresh and modern they still are. And I think
that younger audiences would be surprised, too.
As for movies going further back, I think today’s audiences might
find themselves pleasantly surprised at the imagination and style of classic
films. Like, how utterly delightful Marilyn Monroe was. Or what a stunning,
empathetic beauty Elizabeth Taylor was in her youth. They might be shocked that
Bette Davis was such a badass. Or see how modern actors like Dana Andrews or
William Holden were for their era. Or enjoy the witty movies Billy Wilder made.
Or be impressed by what strong, straightforward dramas William Wyler and John
Huston directed. Or discover what a naturalistic comedy AND dramatic actor
Carole Lombard was in her era. Or raise a collective eyebrow at how risqué
pre-code films were. Or be jolted at what a punch some films from previous eras
still pack: “A Streetcar Named Desire,” “A Face in the Crowd,” “The Days of
Wine and Roses,” and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf.” This is just for
starters, with so much to discover.
CMBA: What is the most rewarding thing about
blogging for you?
RICK’S REAL/REEL LIFE: Since I do this for free, positive
reinforcement is always nice, I won’t lie!
What are really great
are the readers, when they share their thoughts or stories about movies. I’ve
received some great anecdotes. And heard from folks who used to work in the
biz! Why, just the other day, I received a friend request from Mamie Van Doren.
Perhaps she was prompted by my Marilyn Monroe post, I have no idea why! But it
tickled me, just the same.
