Historical Survey Part 2

Ep 13: How To Steal a Million

~ Jenny ~ 50 Comments

Nicole catches Peter stealing and since a thief is exactly what she needs . . . Get the podcast: Listen here at PopD | Go to iTunes

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: # Pops ~ NRC A very enjoyable, fun movie. But, alas, when forced to adhere to the standard of what a true romantic comedy is, I have to come down that it’s not. Although I really, really want it to be. Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 4.5, Comedy: 5, Romance: 3

Alastair says: # Pops ~ NRC Alastair’s rating breakdown: Structure: 3, Comedy: 5, Romance: 4

Jenny says: # Pops ~ Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure: 3, Comedy: 5, Romance:5

Movie Info:

Story: Nicole catches Peter in her house in the middle of the night trying to steal the paintings her father has forged. It doesn’t make things any easier when he kisses her. Release Date: August 19, 1966 Director: William Wyler Writers: George Bradshaw, Harry Kurnitz. More info at IMDb.

Ep 12: Father Goose

~ Jenny ~ 10 Comments

Get the podcast: Listen here at PopD | Go to iTunes

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 5 Pops ~ Cary Grant at his best, and his best is pretty damn good. Romance gets a 5 for both wonderful romances – Cary and Leslie, and Cary and Trevor. Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 5, Comedy: 5, Romance:5

Jenny says: 5 Pops ~ Okay, maybe the structure should be 41/2 for how long it takes to get through the set-up, but I never got bored. Also, I love this movie. Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure: 5, Comedy: 5, Romance:5

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Movie Info:

Story: Walter is not happy about being blackmailed into spotting planes alone on a remote island in the Pacific during WWII. Then a French headmistress lands on the island with seven little schoolgirls. Release Date: Dec. 10, 1964 Director: Ralph Nelson Writers: S.H. Barnett, Peter Stone, Frank Taloff. More info at IMDb.

Ep 11: The Apartment

~ Jenny ~ 24 Comments

A funny thing happened after we watched this movie: We decided we needed a sixth rating, NRC for Not at Romantic Comedy because we don’t care what the AFI says, this is not a romantic comedy. Also, the podcast? Really odd because we didn’t know what the hell to do with this. Because it’s not a romantic comedy. Apologizing in advance for the two of us saying, “WTF?” for half an hour. Get the podcast: Listen here at PopD | Go to iTunes

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: NRC

Jenny says: NRC

The Popcorn Poll says:NRC

Movie Info:

Story: C.C.Baxter is on his way to the top, helped along the way by his boss, who borrows his apartment to meet his mistress. Then C.C. finds out who the mistress is. Trouble ensues. Release Date: September 16, 1960 Director: Billy Wilder Writers: Billy Wilder, I.A.L. Diamond. More info at IMDb.

Ep 10: Pillow Talk

~ Jenny ~ 8 Comments

Get the podcast: Listen here at PopD | Go to iTunes

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 2 Pops ~ If the core of the story is solid, good craft will take you far. If it’s not, you get Pillow Talk. Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 4, Comedy: 3, Romance: 1

Jenny says: 2 Pops ~ Structure ruined by WTF ending and character violations. Comedy kneecapped by assumptions that using women and alcoholism are funny. Romance non-existent (should have been no pops but we don’t do that). The movie had so many great things–fabulous cast, tight pacing, wonderful moments but the core was rotten and hollow which meant everything else fell apart. Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure: 3, Comedy: 3, Romance: 1

Blog Poll Rating: 2.5 Pops

Movie Info:

Story Brad and Jan have to share a party line (two telephones, one line, not that uncommon in the fifties) and hate each other until Brad meets Jan. Then he wants to share something else. Trouble ensues. Release Date: October 7, 1959 Director: Michael Gordon Writers: Stanley Shapiro, Maurice Richlin. More info at IMDb.

Ep 9: Desk Set

~ Jenny ~ 26 Comments

Get the podcast: Listen here at PopD | Go to iTunes

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 5 Pops ~ Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 5, Comedy: 5, Romance: 5

Jenny says: 5 Pops ~ Another gold standard romantic comedy on par with It Happened One Night and His Girl Friday. Wonderful romance expertly built on the screen. Must watch it again. Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure: 5, Comedy: 5, Romance: 5

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Movie Info:

Story: Richard thinks he’s going to replace Bunny with a computer. She thinks he’s wrong. Also he’s Spencer Tracy and she’s Katherine Hepburn, so you do the math. Release Date: May 1, 1957 Director: Walter Lang Writers: Phoebe Ephron, Henry Ephron. More info at IMDb.