1) Psycho…
A twisted film if ever I did see one. Norman Bates was one hell of a cross-dressing freak. Talk about issues.
Marion Crane nicks $40 grand from her employer and karma comes to bite her on the tush in a MAJOR way. She checks into the Bates Motel and the rest is history. Cue one of the most famous shower scenes *ever in which the disturbed Norman Bates goes completely doo-la-li with a big kitchen knife.
Poor gal. She never stood a chance.
*(yep, even more famous than that Bobby Ewing shower scene in Dallas)
2) Easy Rider…
Born to be wah-ah-ah-ah-ild…
On their quest for some semblance of freedom, these two outlaw motor bikers, Billy (Dennis Hopper) and Wyatt (Peter Fonda), captured the imaginations and dreams of many.
Travelling all along the south-western part of the US on their way to New Orleans’ Mardi Gras, they passed through various towns, amazing natural scenery and met a whole heap of different people including a drunk attorney (played by the young Jack Nicholson), a group of hippies in a commune, and narrow-minded folk who had a low tolerance for ‘strangers’.
I must say, I warmed to Dennis Hopper more than I did to Peter Fonda. Hopper had a certain frivolous glint in his eye.
Easy Rider was a road movie LIKE NO OTHER. Had me wanting to jump on a Harley meself!
3) 2001: A Space Odyssey…
Though this sci-fi film was very popular and was considered by many to be ‘one of the greatest films ever made’, I found it to be too long, boring, slow and a tad pointless. (ahem, you’re talking to someone who can juuuuust about stand Lord of the Rings, so maybe I have a particular gene missing.)
All I can remember about A Space Odyssey is staring at views of space for what seemed like a 100 years.
Sorry, Kubrick. Wasn’t my cup of chai.
I was preeety chuffed I could spell ‘odyssey’ at such a young age, though! Me. Clever. Yes. Quite.
4) The Graduate…
Oooh-er, Mrs Robinson…
Dustin Hoffman played the graduate who got his groove on with the wife of his father’s friend, the very attractive Mrs Robinson. Not only does he have an affair with her, but he goes ahead and complicates things a whole lot more by having a thing for her daughter too.
I think Anne Bancroft was perfect for the role. I can’t quite picture Doris Day playing Mrs Robinson, can you? (she was offered the role initially but turned it down).
5) Alfie…
Micheal Caine was such a looker back in those days. Not that he’s ugly now…ermmm.
Alfie was a proper ladies’ man, definitely put it about a lot …until life grabbed him by the balls and taught him a thing or two. He was also fond of talking straight to the camera as if he knew we were watching and he wanted to let us in on something (probably ideal for him as he knew we couldn’t talk back.)
I wonder if Terence Stamp and Anthony Newley look back in regret at not accepting this role. What made them turn it down? They must have been kicking themselves years later ‘cos Alfie became one hell of a hit and raised Caine’s profile on an international scale.
6) Dr Zhivago…
Poet and doctor, Yuri Zhivago, falls deeply in love with nurse, Lara – and she with him. But it’s far from plain sailing. Starring Omar Sharif and Julie Christie and adapted from Boris Pasternak’s book about the Russian Revolution, Dr Zhivago was as romantic a film as it was historical. It was about upheaval, uncertainty and not being able to control the madness of what’s going on around you.
The film won 5 Oscars and writer, Pasternak, won a Nobel for the book in 1958 (which he accepted then rejected due to political pressure. His son accepted it on his behalf in 1989).
7) Breakfast at Tiffany’s…
Starring George Peppard as the aspiring writer fascinated by the quirky Ms Holly Golightly, Breakfast at Tiffany’s is another film adapted from a novel (this time by Truman Capote).
The film’s synonymous with the name ‘Hepburn’ and there’s no doubt she played a cracking good role in it as the eccentric Manhattan ‘It’ girl, rocking the black number, sunglasses and cigarette holder to a tee…
…but did you know Capote wanted Marilyn Monroe in the lead role?
The execs thought differently, though, and Hepburn got it.
8 ) Lawrence of Arabia…
By’eck, Peter O’Toole didn’t look half bad in this one. Beautiful eyes, I tell you. Beautiful.
Lawrence of Arabia, based on the real-life experiences of Lt. Col. T.E. Lawrence during the 1916-18 Arab Revolt, was a ginormous success and received critical acclaim and awards left right and centre including 7 Oscars, 4 Baftas and 5 Golden Globes.
(p.s.: Omar Sharif was in this one too and would go on to play Dr Zhivago 3 years later.)
9) Mary Poppins…
You know what I’m about to say, don’t you?
(deep breath aaand…)
Supercalifrajalisticexpialidocious!
Bet you can’t say it backwards!
Forget about SuperNanny on Channel 4, Mary Poppins was a bit strict but wasn’t she, like, the best nanny ever?! I never got a spoonful of sugar with my Aspirin. I badgered my dad for a chimney in my room. And for weeks, I’d walk around with my little brolly open even when it wasn’t raining. (my mum got a bit worried).
Played by Julie Andrews, Mary Poppins swept through London’s No 17 Cherry Tree Lane with her magic and sense of adventure and completely transformed the lives of the Banks.
(p.s.: I never realised just how rubbish Bert’s (actor Dick Van Dyke’s) ‘British’ accent was ‘til I watched it again years later)
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