It is the 3rd week of January...people are saying they are sick of the cold. I have news for them...It's January, People! December was unusually warm and now we are in the midst of cold and some snow and people, here, are complaining. Here's an idea-move or suck it up! Embrace the weather, walk in the snow, make a snowman or an angel and then have some hot chocolate. If we still have the exact same weather in March, then bitch away but, until then, enjoy the wonders of nature. This is my non-judgemental rant for the day:)
Onward to Thursday Movie picks where, over at Wandering Through the Shelves, one can find what everyone else has picked for this week's theme-Airplane movies. Oh there are so many to choose from and I have to admit I love the movie, "Airplane," and all the sequels because they are so funny but I didn't choose them. Here are my 3...
1. WINGS-1927
This is the first film to win Best Picture at the very first Academy Awards. I believe it won due to the great battle scenes in the air since over 300 pilots were used not to mention 3,500 infantrymen from the army. William Wellman, the director, was a veteran of World War 1 and was not only part of the French Foreign Legion but an accomplished flier of the Lafayette Escadrille. He was truly a no-nonsense director who created amazing fight scenes that we actually see as documentary footage about World War 1. It stars Clara Bow, who, she herself, thought she was just arm candy, with Richard Arlen and Charles "Buddy" Rogers as the 2 pilots. Arlen was also a flying veteran but Buddy Rogers was taught how to fly for this film so the camera could be with him in the airplane. These 2 men, once great friends, are now antagonists because they both love the same woman, Bow. They both end up in the Great War and both fight at the famous Battle of Saint-Mihiel. Gary Cooper has a tiny part in this film which jump-started his career. Clara Bow had a great time off screen with many of the extras and Cooper. One day I will read about the making of this film in detail.
2. FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX-1965
Now I haven't seen the remake because I rolled my eyes when they placed in the token female, besides, this film has Jimmy Stewart and he flew a bomber many times over Germany in World War 2 so he knows a thing or two about flying! This movie takes place in Africa, when the plane carrying bunch of men to work in the oil fields, crashes in the Sahara desert. You not only get to learn about these men but about survival. Their only chance is a arrogant German(of course) figuring out how to get the plane to fly before they all die. The only gal in this movie is a mirage-Barrie Chase, doing a sexy dance. This is an excellent film about men, the desert and that hunk of junk called an airplane.
3. Airport '77-1977
First, there was Airport with Burt Lancaster, then Airport '75 with Charlton Heston (Watch this hoot and then watch Airplane!) the 3rd one is Airport '77. In the 70's there were many disaster films-they were big! I love them all with all their campiness and this is another fun one with a huge cast from Jack Lemmon, Olivia De Havilland and Joseph Cotton to James Stewart, Christopher Lee and Lee Grant. Good ole George Kennedy is in all 3 playing the same role-gotta love that man:) It starts with 2 hijackers wanting to commandeer the plane because of all the priceless art on board. They knock out the Captain, gas the passengers to sleep (not be killed), and promptly crash the plane in the Bermuda Triangle. The passengers are, mostly, ok except they are now under water and, since they were off course, the Navy is not looking in the right place. How will they ever survive? You will have to watch this fun film to find out.
What 3 movies would you pick?
I haven't seen any of these, but I did see the Flight of the Phoenix remake.
ReplyDeleteOne day I shall pick a film you have seen:)
DeleteI think I saw Flight of the Phoenix but once again, it's a long time ago. As for the Airplane movies, I think I saw one or two, but am not totally sure.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right about complainers. I remember when I first came here another ex pat limey was complaining about the snow and I said to him "didn't you know it snowed here before you came?". We used to love this time of year particularly because of cross country skiing. Wish we could still indulge. It was great fun.
I can't think of someone not having seen one of the Airport movies:) People always complain about the weather-It's a Canadian thing I think
DeleteI haven't seen any of these!!!! I really want to see Flight of the Phoenix and Wings...and I will eventually.
ReplyDeleteThey are both really quite good
DeleteI've not seen the first one although that's cool it won the very first Oscar.
ReplyDeleteAirplane! Now there's a funny airplane movie.
Die Hard II is set in an airport - does that count?
Die Hard 2 does count! I love it how his wife deals with that prissy reporter. Even if you go to youtube to check out the flying sequences in Wings, it's pretty cool that they were all in the air doing these stunts
DeleteRumack (Leslie Nielsen): I just want to tell you both good luck. We're all counting on you.
ReplyDeleteHi, dear Birgit!
I haven't seen the first two. Thanks for reviewing them. I have seen Airport '77 two or three times. George Kennedy was one of my favorite actors, so many great performances in supporting roles (see The Dirty Dozen). The cast of '77 also included young Kathleen Quinlan, a favorite of mine in later roles (see Apollo 13).
My three movie picks would be:
* Airplane (Robt. Stack, Peter Graves, Barbara Billingsley, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and an all star cast)
* Red Eye (Rachel McAdams)
* Snakes On a Plane (Julianna Margulies)
Steve McCroskey (Lloyd Bridges): Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue!
Thanks, dear Birgit!
I love Lloyd Bridges in this film as well as Peter Graves, Robert Stack and the great Leslie Nielsen Red Eye is popular one for today but I still have to see it as well as the high camp Snakes on a Plane. Good ole George is still around which is nice.
DeleteI went with another of the Airport sequels, the one with George Kennedy, lol. Don't think I saw '77.
ReplyDeleteI also need to see the others, especially Wings. I have seen the remake for Phoenix...ugh.
George was in all the Airport films including...um...Concorde which is so bad it's good.
DeleteI haven't seen any of these, but I really want to see "Flight of the Phoenix"!
ReplyDeleteI love this film and there is a twist in it that you don't see coming
DeleteHaven't seen these (surprise :) but I would pick:
ReplyDelete1. Air Force One (the one with Harrison Ford; hijacked plane).
2. Flight (with Denzel Washington).
3. Non-Stop (with Liam Neeson).
LOL with your rant of the day :) We are never happy are we? Give it a few months and it will be hot and people will be complaining of that.
betty
Air Force One is just an all round fun flick and I love Gary Oldman. Flight is excellent and Denzel is one of the great actors that I think belongs right up there with Tracy, Stewart and Wayne. I have not seen Non-Stop but it is on my list. I can't keep up with all the Liam Neeson action films. We can complain on a perfect day-never satisfied are we:)
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteCan't spell.
Deletelol but I still hate the cold. Never seen any of those ones, seen the remake of Flight of the Phoenix. Only airplane movies that haven't been said that popped in was Flight plan and Red Eye, not that they were great.
I don't mind the cold as I can dress up for it but the heat gets to me...Oops I am on the verge of complaining:) I have not seen either of those 2 films. Red Eye seems to be the popular film this week.
DeleteI LOVE Wings! I started with great trepidation, as I usually do with silents since they can be such a vastly different viewing experience, but it was just wonderful. Even if her part is small I've found I just love Clara Bow, she's so alive on screen it's too bad scandal and mike freight caused her to end her career.
ReplyDeleteAirport '77 is my second favorite of the series, preposterous but a great cast with Lee Grant swallowing scenery whole as the bitch from hell.
I'm a sucker for these sort of films, I was exposed to Airport and The Poseidon Adventure at too early an age I guess. I could only get down to five:
Airport (1970)-The big one that started the disaster trend of the 70’s. A little hokey to be sure but eminently watchable. Multiple storylines intersect during a major snowstorm inside an airport when a desperate man boards a plane bound for Rome carrying a bomb. It’s all rather melodramatic but the all-star cast keeps it entertaining. Helen Hayes won a best supporting actress Oscar for her performance but it’s Maureen Stapleton who gives a real and very touching portrayal of a woman in an impossible situation. Jacqueline Bissett is young and beautiful, the chicest stewardess to ever fly the friendly skies.
Flight of the Phoenix (1965)-WE MATCH!!! During a sandstorm in the Sahara a plane crashes in the desert, by chance one of the passengers is an airplane designer who formulates a plan to build a flyable plane from the wreckage but they must rush before their food and water runs out. Great cast, Jimmy Stewart, Peter Finch, Richard Attenborough and Ernest Borgnine among others, in a tense adventure. AVOID the remake it is T-E-R-R-I-B-L-E!!
Five Came Back (1939)-Twelve people (including a young Lucille Ball) bound on a flight for South America are blown off course in a storm and crash land in a jungle known to be inhabited by head hunters. As the crew race against time to fix the plane the situation brings out the best and worst among the survivors. When at last the engine is repaired only five can fly out, who will they be? Trim little thriller was remade as Back from Eternity in the 50’s.
Bonuses-Jet over the Atlantic (1959)-Utterly preposterous low budget quasi-thriller with gaping plot holes and absurd actions but still sorta fun. It's the very absurdity of the story, poison gas floating through the plane that only effects certain people, guns being shot off willy-nilly without regard to the fact that they are aboard a plane that makes you suspend belief and enjoy it for what it is. Even with all its faults this is still more fun than suffering through many other more self-important films. Something for a rainy afternoon.
Zero Hour! (1957)-The film that was the inspiration for Airplane! is a competently made drama if you can watch it as a separate viewing experience…but that’s a big if. Dana Andrews and Linda Darnell play it straight but you can see the influence they had on the other film. Sterling Hayden is stiff as a board, Lloyd Bridges had to change practically nothing to parody it. Even if you are trying to be detached and see it apart from the spoof a line will pop up like "Looks like I picked the wrong day to quit smoking." and it takes you right out of the movie.
Yeah! We Match!! We also were on the same theme with the Airport flicks. Concorde is just the worst so I don't count that one but of the 3, Airport '75 has to be the campiest in my mind. The '70's suits alone that Heston wears makes me laugh. I think my favourite character is that little arrogant Kraut (I can say that as I have German descent) because he is right with what he says even though you want to kill him. I have not seen Five Come Back, Jet... or Zero Hour which I now really want to see-sounds like a hoot!
DeleteAlways something to complain about...once summer comes it'll be too hot.
ReplyDeleteToo hot, or too cold, can't it be just right
This is so very true-we never are satisfied
DeleteAlways something to complain about...once summer comes it'll be too hot.
ReplyDeleteToo hot, or too cold, can't it be just right
This is so true-we are never satisfied:)
DeleteNot seen any of these, and can't think of anything to add. Loved your rant though!
ReplyDeleteThank you:) A rant is fun sometimes
DeleteFlight of the Phoenix was one of my dad's favorite movies and I have fond memories of watching it with him.
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful to have these memories with your dad. I have similar ones with mine
DeleteWhat? No Snakes on a Plane?
ReplyDeleteI have not seen that movie yet but know it is one silly but fun bad movie
Delete"The Flight of the Phoenix" was an AWEsome movie!
ReplyDeleteI agree 100%
Delete"The Flight of the Phoenix" was an AWEsome movie!
ReplyDeleteWINGS!! I was hoping someone would pick that. I'm ashamed to say I haven't seen it yet, nor any of the Airport movies.
ReplyDeleteWings is great and I hope you see it one day. I am surprised you have not seen any of the Airport films-they are great!
DeleteAirplane movies.... These lend themselves well to action flicks. I didn't see the original Flight of the Phoenix, but I did see the remake with Dennis Quaid (who I have a wicked crush on). I also liked Con Air rather a lot. And Alex already mentioned Die Hard II, which involved an airplane.
ReplyDeleteDennis Quaid is easy on the eyes but I would still see the original film:) Con Air is a fun watch as well as Die Hard 2.
DeleteMy favorite airplane movie is just plain Airplane. Still funny after all these years, too. I'm intrigued that the three you picked you'd rate higher than that one, though, because I haven't seen or heard of any of them. Might have to check them out. I'll pass on the remake of Flight of the Phoenix, though. I haven't seen very many remakes that are even considered good, much less surpassing the original.
ReplyDeleteOh I LOVE Airplane (Ever seen a grown man naked?) but I thought it would be a popular choice. Airport 77 is just fun but Flight is a great movie with a fun WTF twist and I love Wings because of the incredible flying
DeleteI saw quite a few disaster movies back then, so more than likely saw Airport even though I can't remember anything other than George Kennedy being a pilot. Do you remember seeing a movie starring Valerie Bertinelli as a flight instructor of WWII pilots to be? It may have been based on a real person.
ReplyDeletethe 70's were all about disaster movies. I don't know that movie but I bet it is based on a real person. There were many great female pilots back then
DeleteThat Valerie Bertinelli movie was Pancho Barnes and yes she was a real person, she had quite a colorful life including founding the stunt pilot union among many other things.
DeleteYour mention of her reminded me of another film that I'm kicking myself for leaving out now called Tail Spin from 1939 about a female cross country air race that starred Alice Faye, Constance Bennett, Eve Arden and Jane Wyman (playing a character named Alabama!) obviously it's dated now but an interesting document of an event that use to actually take place.
Oooh! Thank you! I didn't know this and this movie with all the women sounds like a good one
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThanks, Joel. I must go find out more about Pancho Barnes. Also want to find Tail Spin. That sounds like a good one.
DeleteI had heard of Wings only because of it winning that first Oscar. I don't believe I've seen any of those movies.
ReplyDeleteBut this reminded me that Olivia de Havilland is still alive. She's like 99. She did an interview with EW last year (and it just floored me that she has an email account!). The link: http://www.ew.com/article/2015/01/29/olivie-de-havilland-gone-with-the-wind
I will have to see this because, yes, she is alive and will be 100 this year-pretty cool
DeleteI love the Airplane series, and I'm wondering if I saw Airport many years ago. Perhaps I need to rent it to find out. It sounds fun. And I didn't know Jimmy Stewart was a real war hero. What a catch, right? Where are men like that now?
ReplyDeleteCheers, Birgit. Keep a smile.
The Airplane movies and Police Squad etc... are so funny. I love them. Yes, Jimmy Stewart is the most decorated actor (Audie Murphy is the most decorated war veteran who, later on, made movies). He went to bat for his fellow aviators who he was in command of and once had to land his plane without the wheels due to enemy fire. It was quite the feat
DeleteI've never seen Wings all the way through--just clips. I've watched Flight of the Phoenix. I adore Jimmy Stewart. I saw the original Airport movie, which was very successful when it came out, but I haven't seen any of the sequels.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Isn't Phoenix a great movie? I love it. Airport is a good flick and Helen Hayes (the old lady) won an Oscar for her role in this. The following 3 get campier but they are fun
DeleteI LOVED Helen Hayes in that movie. She was great.
DeleteI personally am super excited for the cold weather! It didn't feel like Christmas when it was 75 degrees here in NC on Christmas Day. We are just getting our first big snowstorm and I'm loving it. Snow Day!! :)
ReplyDeleteI wish we did have snow for Christmas. You are getting smacked right now and I love a nice winter storm
DeleteI'm reveling in the cold weather. I wish it could last forever, since last summer in Egypt was miserable. I remember all those disaster movies in the 70s, especially "Earthquake!" when they fitted theaters with Sensurround Sound and made the chairs shake! Haha!
ReplyDelete(Thanks for dropping by my blog. I don't really count lesser stars as the big Three when they die. Like people reminded me that Lemmy and Natalie Cole died before Bowie, but I don't even know who Lemmy is and Natalie was famous because of her father. Like Celine's hubby wasn't a star, just famous because of her. But Bowie, Rikman, and Glenn Frey (not like his name's a household word, but who does't know The Eagles?!) were much more famous.) Have a great weekend, Birgit!
I remember Earthquake and how the chairs were supposed to move around. I watched it again a couple of years ago and was laughing at the big phone in his car-times have surely changed. I agree about Celine's hubby but he is a huge deal in Quebec because he was quite the star in his own band back in the 60's. The had his funeral today-ughhh what a show! It looked like the president was being buried-I find it a bit tacky
DeleteI am enjoying all this cold. It's great considering it was downright hot up until October last year -.-
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of any of the movies you listed! The only movie I can think of and enjoyed with a plane as a pretty main point was The Langoliers. Well, actually it's a miniseries. And well, actually, it was a novella by Stephen King first. Good stuff, that!
Hahahaaa-I can go with a TV show/miniseries. I loved Lost
DeleteI haven't seen any of these- but I actually can't remember hearing of any of them before. So, maybe tomorrow I will actual snuggle up on the couch while the snow is coming down and watch a movie or two. :)
ReplyDelete~Jess
Yes because when has a big snow storm, it is the perfect time to watch a movie
DeleteSpeaking of George Kennedy...love him. I've never seen him in any role I didn't like him.
ReplyDeleteHe seems, to me, to be a nice man. He was the best thing in that horrible Tarzan movie with Bo Derek-a truly bad, bad movie
DeleteHe does, doesn't he. I don't think I saw that one. Another favorite of mine, who ranks under the quiet unsung heroes, is Jimmy Stewart. A wonderful actor who came across as being a man of honor.
DeleteWell Jimmy Stewart is my favourite actor so I couldn't agree with you more
DeleteAw, man! I haven't seen any of yours. The Airplane movies are the best ones I can think of. Memphis Belle is fun.
ReplyDeleteMemphis Belle is another movie that is great to watch! I forgot about that one
DeleteYou've got some really oldies this week. I've heard of Wings (a classic) but never seen but just clips of it. There's no way to top Jimmy's Phoenix, so I doubt I'd bother. I always grit my teeth when they have to add in the 'token' whatever in any oldie that was too good the first time, to be re-done well. I think I've seen Airport 77, one of those anyway! My fav of all I can think of, is Phoenix. We won't see Stewart's like again, I think. TFS & Hugs
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about Jimmy Stewart and Phoenix is such a great movie. The Airport films are such a hoot
DeleteI've seen none of your pick:(. I know of Wings because of the Best Picture and Flight of the Phoenix because it was remade, but I've seen neither.
ReplyDeleteI remember Airport 77... I also remember the spoof cartoon in MAD Magazine! Heard of Wings and Phoenix...but not seen either.
ReplyDeletex Asha