Classic Movie Review

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Yesterday and today I have been watching the four movies I had on the DVR prior to getting rid of AT&T. I didn't note the years these movies came out, but they are all true classics. First - Wind and the Lion starring Sean Connery and Candice Bergman. It is about a woman and her children kidnapped by a man considered a Barbary Pirate, though no ships are involved, and taken to his home. Violence is indicated, but you do not see Raisuli, a Sharif of Morocco, played by Sean Connery actually kill anyone, just the evidence of it. Sympathy soon appears from Mrs. Pedecaris, played by Candice Bergman, as she realizes he has more values than a typical kidnapper, and even her children look up to him. I do not want to give away this movie if you haven't seen it. The one thing I found interesting when I watched this for the third of fourth time is that when it comes to acting, which was superb by everyone, you just can't take the country out of the man. Though Sean Connery plays a Moroccan Sharif in this film, his Scottish accent is most pronounced. If you have never seen this movie, I hope you get the opportunity to, it is well worth watching as Brian Kieth, who plays President Roosevelt, works to do two things, free the woman and her children from Raisuli and win votes in the coming election. One thing I also noticed about this time period that you will not find today, is that at one point when President Roosevelt is addressing the public from a train, there were a lot of pistol shooting going on, all of it aimed at the air. Today you would not be able to get near the president with a gun of any kind unless you were the one protecting him. Second - Far Country Starring James Stewart and Walter Brennan. This was the first time I had seen this movie. When I selected it to watch, I thought it was one I had seen before. It soon proved otherwise. It is no less a classic, and a good one. Jimmy Stewart and Walter Brennan play partners taking cattle to Alaska. However, he is accused of murder, by a couple of hands who had driven the cattle from Wyoming to Seattle to catch the paddle wheel going to Skagway, Alaska. Ruth Roman and John McIntire also play in this movie, one a wealthy saloon woman, and the other a crooked judge. He acquits Jimmy Stewart but vows he will hang him because he busted up his hanging. Jimmy Stewart's character plays someone who lives only to take care of himself, and doesn't trust anyone. He is not the usual good guy character, but a rough character, in a good guy role, that you do learn to like as the movie goes on. Walter Brennan's character steadies him and softens him up around the rough edges enough to be likable. Again, I give this classic full marks. If you haven't seen it, and you have the opportunity to do so. I fully recommend it. Third - Imitation of Life Starring Lana Turner and John Gavin. Lora Meredith, Lana Turner, is a woman down on her luck at the beginning who wants to enter Broadway. She knows she has the talent, she just needs the break. She gets it. In the beginning of this movie, she is searching for her daughter, five year old Susie, and finds her with the help of a gentleman, Steve, played by John Gavin, taking pictures. She is with another woman, Annie, a colored woman and her daughter, Sarah Jane, who is much lighter skinned and doesn't want to be associated with her mother, but wants everyone to believe she is white. Lora does make it on Broadway, and the years start breaking away and the children get older. 16-year-old Susie is played by Sandra Dee and 18-year-old Sarah Jane is played by Susan Kohner. Annie is played by Juanita Moore. I give this movie full marks as well, and should you happen to have the opportunity to view this, I hope you will. It is well worth the watch. Fourth and Last - Shenandoah Starring James Stewart and Doug McClure. This is a story about the Civil War and how one man and his family refused to fight on either side until the war drew them in when the youngest of six sons was taken prisoner by the Yankees because he happened to wear a Confederate cap he found while fishing. This movie shows the length a man will go to in order to protect and defend what belongs to him. It shows the convictions he believes in and will stick by no matter what. It shows the unity of family. This is a movie you will need tissues for at the end. I give this movie classic also full marks. I hope you have had the opportunity to see at least one of these fine movie classics or will take note to watch them in the future if any of them were something that appealed to you. They are all worth watching. I know this is long and I hope you took the time to read it. Thanks if you did.