First off.....I miss my craft room (enter whining....here). The up and down weather has been nasty to my joints. Now, off with the whining when I should have been wining and dining. If you wish to see what the others have picked head on over to the host, Wandering Through The Shelves.
This was a tough one for me because so many narrators of films actually show up in the film. So what are the three I picked? See the list below....
1. HOW GREEN WAY MY VALLEY-1941
This is a great movie to pick not only because it fits the bill and is also a great film but it feels Irish even though it takes place in a Welsh mining town. The director is John Ford and the young star is Roddy McDowall with a great cast, many part of Ford's favourites. This movie has been slammed because it won the Oscar for Best Picture over Citizen Kane and, even though Kane is the better film, this film should not be slighted because of politics from over 70 years ago. The film centers around a good wholesome family where the father and his grown sons all work the mines. The town depends on the mines and when their wages are cut, a strike ensues and the people suffer even more. On top of this, the young daughter, played by the beautiful Maureen O'Hara falls for the preacher (Walter Pidgeon-from New Brunswick) and vice versa but the towns people start to gossip which adds to their sadness. All this is told by the adult man who was the youngest boy in the house played by Roddy. It is about family, hardship and solidarity. A worthy film to see.
2. JULES ET JIM-1962
Yup, I went foreign film and I went all out with the French New Wave. This film is one of the best showcasing this style of film and directed by the great Francois Truffaut. It is not for everyone because of...well,....the above-foreign film and French New Wave, but it is still a classic. This is based on a semi-autobiographical novel by Henri-Pierre Roche. If he really did live the life shown in this movie, I feel sorry for him. It is about the friendship between a Bohemian Frenchman and an Austrian who live the carefree days before World War 1. They meet the nutjob, I mean, enigmatic Catherine and both fall for her. Jules, The Austrian, ends up with her and marries her and they move back to his homeland. Enter World War 1 where both men are in the war fearful they will one day meet since they are on opposing sides. After the war, they reconnect and seeing how much Catherine and Jim are drawn to each other, Jules lets her be free. Will Jim end up with her or will Jules? Are they both nuts? There is so much more to the story and it really does showcase the 1960's style. Truffaut used many different styles for this film including the narration.
3. THE ROYAL TENNENBAUMS-2001
The director is Wes Anderson...need I say more. You either love him or you don't. I really, really like him and he often has his favourites in his films, one being Bill Murray. You will see a certain style come through all his films which is quirky to say the least but done with intelligence and humour even though many of the cast never smile in his films. In this film, the deadbeat dad, played by Gene Hackman, smiles and enjoys life even though he is a bastard. He has 3 kids who were all prodigys when they were young but are now all screw ups. Ben Stiller is the one son who has lost his wife so is now very over protective of his 2 freakish boys plus they only seem to wear red tracksuits. The other son is a tennis pro going no where fast and is in love with his adopted sister, played by Gwyneth Paltrow who seems to be the saddest nut in this film. She is married to Bill Murray but also loves her brother, um...adopted brother (no this does not take place in Arkansas). Somehow this father, who comes back home because he is dying of cancer (or is he??), brings life back to his children. It's better than I am making it sound and you should give it a try. Dysfunctional family but a family nevertheless. Oh and the narrator is Alec Baldwin who did a pretty good job of it actually.
I have to pay tribute to one more even though it was only on TV and it is the wrong time of the year but here is my special mention....
HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS-1966
I mean how can you top this classic! We all know this and if it wasn't for Boris Karloff (of Frankenstein fame) being the narrator, it wouldn't be half as good. He is perfect for this. I think almost all of you know the plot which is in the title but it is worth seeing every year. Who can resist that cute doggie too:)
Can you think of any film with narrators who don't appear on screen? I did find this a toughie
I usually cannot think of any films when I see your theme, but today one film instantly popped into my head: The Christmas Story. Also my favorite holiday movie.
ReplyDeleteYes that is a classic but I thought I already talked about that fun movie. It was filmed where I live too.
DeleteI've not seen any of these, but they've all been on my ever-growing list for years. I need to get on it.
ReplyDeleteI have a list a mile long as well
DeleteThe Grinch is awesome. That version, not the Jim Carrey one.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I'm one of those not a Wes Anderson fans.
No I dislike the Carrey version. Yup-either like or hate Wes Anderson because his films are...quirky
DeleteI've only seen Royal Tenenbaums, which I didn't enjoy. I forgot there was a narrator in it. lol
ReplyDeletehahahaaa-Alec Baldwin. Funny how some films resonate and other people forget
DeleteLOVE How Green Was My Valley! Wish I had thought of that one!
ReplyDeleteYou know how I feel about Jules et Jim.
I went with The Royal Tenenbaums, too...as did everyone else, LOL!
I knew RT would be popular today. I have to reread your review on Jules Et Jim because you write so well.
DeleteThe Royal Tenenbaums is a great pick! I almost picked The Grinch myself but the awful version with Jim Carrey because it's the only one I've seen. Maybe I'll check the 1966 one out next Christmas
ReplyDeleteOh you must see The Grinch because you will just love Boris and once you see it you will never want to go back to the bad version
DeleteI started watching A Boy's Life, narrated by the boy now an adult. Similar to A Christmas Story but not as charming or funny. I couldn't finish it. I saw The Royal Tennenbaums and thought it was a VERY strange film, didn't particularly care for it. Whenever I read your posts, I want to watch old movies! Sorry about your craft room, hope things get settled for you soon.
ReplyDeleteI don't blame you one bit for turning off A Boy's Life-blechhh-so boring and when the kid is a teen, I just want to smack him. Love How Green Is My Valley
DeleteCan't think of any right now, but I still have morning brain; just waking up :) Of the 4 here, only one I saw was the Grinch and you are right, such a classically great movie (not the Jim Carey one)
ReplyDeletebetty
Brain fog last with me a big part of the day:). Hope you see How Green Is My Valley one day
DeleteThe Royal Tennenbuams I found meh at best. Never even heard of the other two. But yeah, The Grinch stands above many.
ReplyDeleteYup Wes Anderson films either strike a nice chord or an ear splitting one which you don't want to hear again:) The Grinch is great
DeleteI haven't seen How Green Was My Valley in years.
ReplyDeleteIt is such a rich film
DeleteTerrific choices in a tough week.
ReplyDeleteHow Green Was My Valley is a very moving film, beautiful performances by all-while Sydney Greenstreet would get my vote for best supporting actor I can't fault Donald Crisp winning he was a tremendous actor. I'd never have given it the award for best film in a year that included The Maltese Falcon, I'm not a slavish fan of Citizen Kane, but it's an excellent film in a year loaded with classic movies.
I like as opposed to love Jules & Jim but a nice off center pick. I put off watching Tenenbaums for years because of my indifference to the Wilsons and Paltrow but finally broke down this year and it was better than I expected but once was good for me.
LOVE the inclusion of The Grinch!! The only worthwhile version of that story and you are so right about Karloff's invaluable contribution.
I struggled with this as everyone seemed too but after casting about I managed to come up with these three.
Ever After (1998)-Charming rethink of the Cinderella tale with Drew Barrymore a sweet but tough Cinder substitute now named Danielle, Anjelica Huston rockin’ it as a total bitch of a stepmother in whom she still manages to find nuance and Judy Parfitt and Timothy West a highly entertaining Queen and King. Somehow it also finds a way to include Leonardo da Vinci in the story too! Excellent production design. Jeanne Moreau narrates the tale as a reverie.
How the West Was Won (1962)-Sprawling multi-generational saga with a cast full of legends (James Stewart, Henry Fonda, John Wayne, Debbie Reynolds, Gregory Peck plus about 20 other recognizable names) tells of the settling of the West in amazing Cinerama. Follows the Prescott family and their descendants through the hardships and joys of taming the wild land. Broken into three segments each helmed by a different director (John Ford, Henry Hathaway, George Marshall) this has stunning vistas and a great many excellent performances. Spencer Tracy provides the off-screen narration that connects the vignettes as well as the introduction and denouement.
So Dear to My Heart (1949)-Wholesome Disney entertainment of poor country boy Jeremiah (the ill-fated Bobby Driscoll) adopting a black lamb rejected by its mother. As the mischievous lamb christened Danny grows Jeremiah determines to enter him in the county fair but that takes money he doesn’t have. He uses his daydreams-complete with animated Disney characters-to figure out ways to achieve his goal. Good family film with old reliables Burl Ives and Beulah Bondi filling out the cast. The unseen John Beal narrates as the grown Jeremiah.
I thought I would see How Green on your list since this was tough. Citizen Kane is not one of my personal favourites either but it must be given its due:) I love Ever After but I thought Jeanne Moreau narrated it and she was shown in the movie so I didn't pick it but it is such a nice film. I totally forgot about How The West Was Won! I was even thinking that Spencer Tracy must have narrated one but nothing came into my head. I love westerns but this is not one of my favourites. Jimmy is in it for such a short time and Debbie Reynolds is in for a good chunk of it. I have not seen the Disney film because I find that they like to kill off the animals so you mature about life-lol It is a shame what happened to Driscoll...he had so much going for him
DeleteI've seen all but #2. Many great movies out there if only I can find the time.
ReplyDeleteThere never seems enough time for movies and reading
DeleteSo are Citizen Kane fans just ignoring the fact that he was alone when he whispered "rosebud"? Movies that live in glass houses...
ReplyDeleteHahahahaa-so many consider it the best film ever made and so are aghast that How Green won. Yes, that was a boo boo:)
DeleteInteresting category. In my favorite narrated films - Usual Suspects, Stand by Me - one sees the narrator from time to time. For TV, The Wonder Years comes to mind.
ReplyDeleteI thought of The Usual Suspects but Kevin Spacey is seen so I didn't pick that one. I Hve not seen Stand By Me yet. The Wonder Years is a fun TV show and I enjoyed watching that show.
DeleteDrat! I was going to mention The Wonder Years. Oh, wait... I just did.
ReplyDeleteI liked that TV show:)
DeleteHi, Birgit!
ReplyDeleteI have seen #1 and #4. I have always admired Roddy McDowall's work, and Walter Pidgeon seems to turn up in all of my favorite films, too. You will see Walter in my post next Friday. Based on your review, I want to see The Royal Tennenbaums. I love quirky characters and a witty, intelligent script. Tennenbaums also features a bunch of my favorite people including Bill Murray, Gene Hackman, Stiller, Gwyneth and Alec.
Thanks for the entertaining and informative reviews, dear friend BB!
Walter Pidgeon is one of my favourite actors and I love his voice. I think you may very well like the Royal Tannenbaums because it is quirky and, yes, it is well written.
DeleteNo #1 I loved, #4 was fun. Not sure if I saw the Tennenbaums or am just remembering seeing it advertised. Not heard of Jules. But I do love my oldies! My fav in Valley was O'Hara. She was such a good actress, even as a young woman. And good to look at too! TFS
ReplyDeleteMaureen O'Hara is so beautiful and a great actress. She is one of my favourites especially in this film. I love the love story between her and Walter Pidgeon.
DeleteHow Green Was My Valley!! So unfair that people hate it nowadays all because it beat Citizen Kane for the Oscar. Such a well-made, beautiful, touching film.
ReplyDeleteJules & Jim is just alive in ways most other films aren't. One of my all-time favorites. LOVE Royal Tenenbaums, although the first time I saw it it perplexed me (I think I was too young or something).
I love that you included How the Grinch Stole Christmas SO MUCH. You could include many of the Dr. Seuss TV animations I think, but this is the best largely thanks to that tremendous Boris Karloff narration.
I love How Green Is My Valley because it is so very touching. Jules Et Jim is a film I have not seen recently but need to revisit but l always felt bad for those guys because she was just too nuts. I love The Royal Tennenbaums but I am a fan of Wes Anderson. The Grinch had to be mentioned because Boris deserves much love.
ReplyDeleteI was going to say I'd never seen any of the three films, but your description of Tennenbaums jogged my memory. I did see it. I think. Maybe not the whole thing.
ReplyDeleteI can't think of any films where the narrator didn't appear, but it's late and my brain is not fully functioning, so maybe I'll think of one later.
It sounds like it didn't make an impression. I think you would like How Green is my Valley
DeleteHmm...I think Citizen Kane was one. There's so many movies where the narrator is only on screen for only a minute, but I guess you still see them.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you--this is a tough one.
Citizen Kane uses multiple narrators but they are all seen. Great choice for narration though.
DeleteI've never seen Jules et Jim, but love the others. The Royal Tennenbaums is much loved by my children and me.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Glad you like the Royal Tannenbaums because I do find it a funny movie
DeleteBIRGIT, my friend...
ReplyDeleteI have some (unexplainable) natural affinity for movies that include a narrator who explains the action on the screen from a future reference point.
It's like with music: add some hand-clapping and I'm sure to like it. With movies: add a narrator and I'm almost sure to like it.
I think my affinity for a narrator might go back to the original showing of "THE HOMECOMING" (circa 1971?), which was the pilot for the beloved TV series "The Waltons".
Start with a NARRATOR, and there's a 97% likelihood I'll like the story.
There are many "narrated" movies that I love, but three that immediately come to mind are...
'A CHRISTMAS STORY'
'RADIO FLYER'
'THE SANDLOT'
Oh, WAIT! My #1 choice might be 'BANG THE DRUM SLOWLY', which I think is Robert De Niro's first major Hollywood movie. Also, my favorite Baseball movie ever made!
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
I know The Home coming with Patricia Neal. I love A Christmas Story and it was filmed where I live. I haven't seen the other 2movies though. I should put them on my list
DeleteI must be one of the few people in the world who hasn't seen The Royal Tenenbaums. Reading your review, it sounds hilarious! I must search it out.
ReplyDeleteI think it is a pretty funny movie and Gene Hackman is great in it.
DeleteI think the academy did right by choosing "How Green Was My Valley" over Citizen Kane. I think the former was a tougher movie to make. A lot hinged on Roddy McDowell's ability to bring his part alive and he did that well.
ReplyDeleteYou are one of the few who believe this and this movie is excellent and is dear to my heart because it is one of the earliest movies I can remember seeing.
DeleteWas congratulating myself on - for once - having seen all your films till you sneaked an extra one in at the end. Not seen that, even though I love Dr Seuss.
ReplyDeleteThe Glasgow Gallivanter
So glad you saw all of them but shocked you have not seen The Grinch which is a classic and is shown every year on TV
DeleteRoyal T - haven't seen that. Sound like fun. Sorry - been a little absent.
ReplyDeletex Asha
The only one I have seen is The Grinch. I was thinking that maybe Stand By Me falls in this category? Maybe not. Looks like you included some great movies! :)
ReplyDelete~Jess