Another week has passed with the Oscars now done for another year, we have more movies to watch, pick apart, love and hate. This is all about films already seen and you get to pick 3 films that fit the theme present each week by Wandering Through The Shelves. This week it is all about movies that feature characters on the run. I could pick all Hitchcock films since he loved this theme but I am actually not going Hitchcock at all (Gasp!). Head over to Wandering to see what the others have chosen. here are my 3...
1. BEGGARS OF LIFE-1928
This is a silent film but a great one with Richard Arlen, Wallace Beery and the great Louise Brooks as the main character who is truly on the run. She plays a young girl who kills her guardian in self defense when he attempts to rape her. She takes off and meets up with a hobo who disguises her as a boy and they travel the rails to meet up with a group of hobos in a camp run by Wallace Beery. Beery takes a shine to Louise but he is a brute with heart who helps her and the nice hobo escape. Ya see, this hobo and Louise have fallen in love and wish to be together. Many stunts with the train are performed by Harvey Perry (who slept with Brooks -she thought he was a jerk) a great stuntman back in the day. Brooks also performed some of the stunts and the train derailment is real and the wreckage can still be seen (the Carizzo Gorge in California).
2. GUN CRAZY-1950
A young juvenile delinquent is free and wants to be good. He and his 2 pals go to a carnival where they watch a young female sharpshooter. The young man is smitten and she is with him. They share a love of guns and both are crack shots. They marry and she tells him she will try to be good but soon realizes she loves being bad and pressures her young husband to start robbing banks. This man who is good, trying to be bad, agrees and they hold up banks and stores all over the place and end up in the news. When he sees that she is ready to gun down and grocery store clerk, he stops her and later says he wants to stop but they are on the run from the law and the law wins. Talk about a screwed up love with guns being the phallic symbol. It is a B movie that is much better than many A films out there and the acting of Peggy Cummins as the bad ass gal is excellent.
3. BANDITS-2001
This is not well known but a true gem and a great cast with Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thornton and Cate Blanchett. If you want crime, romance and humour, this is a perfect movie to watch. 2 friends break out of prison and end up on the run but they also love to rob banks. They are very polite with one being strong and silent and the other, smart and a hypochondriac. They stay overnight at the bank manager's house, keeping them prisoner and the next day, they walk in with the manager and rob the bank. Things turn weird when they kidnap a manager's wife who's husband doesn't really care that she is taken and she becomes thrilled with being part of the team. She first falls for Willis but also falls for Thornton. What will they do? I found this quite funny and entertaining.
Midnight Run comes to mind, but that doesn't fit.
ReplyDeleteHow about The Fugitive with Harrison Ford? Or any of the Jason Bourne films.
Three for three. Have not seen or even heard of these. And it's too early for any serious thinking on my part. Gotta run.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen any of your picks this week. Beggars of Life sounds very different compared to other short films I've seen. That one I'll have to look into.
ReplyDeleteI love Bandits. We must have watched it 20 times when we first discovered it and quoted lines from it so often. Burning feathers, etc. Now when I catch a glimpse of it, still brings back fond memories.
ReplyDeleteBetty
Hi, Birgit!
ReplyDeleteYou hit on three movies I haven't yet seen. Based on your reviews and the clips provided, all three are of keen interest to me.
I am fascinated with silent films, studied them in college, and I am familiar with Wallace Beery from other projects. Louise Brooks was a cutie. It amazes me to read about the incredible risks filmmakers took to capture action sequences in those early years when they couldn't rely on special effects and quite a few lead actors performed their own stunts.
Peggy Cummins was another gorgeous actress. I remember seeing her in the horror film Curse of the Demon. She is still with us at age 91. Clearly she played a gun and crime obsessed bad girl to perfection in Gun Crazy. The scene you provided, showing how an ordinary man can become smitten by a beautiful bad girl, reminded me of the Russ Meyer films Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!; Common Law Cabin; Finders Keepers, Lovers Weepers; and Vixen!
The pairing of Bruce Willis and Billy Bob Thornton is inspired. I appreciate a movie that offers a mix of crime, romance and humor and I am eager to see Bandits.
My suggested movie with an "on the run" theme would be The Chase (1966) which features a young Robert Redford on the run as prison escapee/fugitive "Bubber" Reeves. The film boasts an all star cast which includes Marlon Brando, Angie Dickinson, Jane Fonda and E.G. Marshall. Award winning composer, singer and songwriter Paul Williams has a small part in the film.
Thanks a lot for introducing three movies that I am genuinely excited to see, dear friend BB!
I haven't seen any of yours.
ReplyDeleteI'll go with The Fugitive, as Alex did. Also, The Defiant Ones. Lastly, The Getaway, with Ali MacGraw.
I haven't seen any of the 3
ReplyDeleteBandits was an enjoyable one. Back when Bruce Willis didn't phone it in. The Fugitive and US Marshals would get my vote. As would Run, few people ever heard of that one, not even on dvd.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen any of these but I'm in love with Bandits already!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Bandits but haven't seen the other two. They sound interesting, though. When thinking of such movies, it's the Hitchcock ones that come to mind, especially "To Catch a Thief" starring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly.
ReplyDeleteThree films to add to our queue! Thanks, Birgit.
ReplyDeleteGun Crazy is a great one. John Dall was never that compelling a presence but Peggy Cummins makes up for his blandness, she's riveting.
ReplyDeleteI saw Bandits in the theatre and liked it well enough but don't think I've thought about it since.
Beggars of Life is one on my watchlist, I think Louise Brooks is a great too, but it's a tough one to track down.
There are many, many films to choose from and too avoid the more obvious ones I reached back to earlier films and added an extra when I realized my first three are all intense dramas.
The Clouded Yellow (1950)-Fired and seeking tranquility after a case goes wrong British Secret Service agent David Somers (Trevor Howard) retreats to the Fenton country estate and a quiet job cataloging butterflies. Upon his arrival he meets and becomes enamored with the Fenton's niece, the fragile Sophie (Jean Simmons). His peace is short-lived though when Sophie is framed for the murder of menacing handyman Hick. Escaping to London he uses his skills and a network of old friends to evade capture as both the police and the real murderer chase them across Britain as they attempt to flee to safety. Tidy thriller that benefits from location filming throughout England and a superior cast.
Dust Be My Destiny (1939)-Down on his luck but honest Joe Bell (John Garfield) gets into a fight with a crook and is sentenced to a work farm for 90 days. There he falls for Mabel Alden (Priscilla Lane), much to the displeasure of her stepfather Charles Garreth (Stanley Ridges) the farm's foreman. Goaded into a fight Joe knocks Garreth out and the panicked pair flee. To avoid suspicion and hard up for cash the couple endure an audience wedding then learn Garreth has died and Joe is wanted for his murder. Moving from town to town to elude capture they try to build a new life when Joe get a job as a photographer on a newspaper after capturing pictures of fleeing bank robbers but destiny is still on their trail. Solid Warner Bros. social issue drama with two excellent lead performances.
You Only Live Once (1937)-Ex-con Eddie Taylor (Henry Fonda), recently released due to the influence of his fiancée Joan (Sylvia Sidney) the public defender’s secretary, attempts to stay to the straight and narrow after they marry. Things go wrong however when he’s accused and convicted for a bank robbery he didn’t commit in which six people were killed. Sentenced to fry in the electric chair he escapes on the eve of execution with the aid of a smuggled gun, accidentally killing the prison chaplain while fleeing. Taking Joan with him they go on the lam but only tragedy lays ahead. Bleak Fritz Lang directed film, an amalgam of the Bonnie & Clyde legend and Lang’s reaction to his first wife’s embrace of Nazism, is considered the precursor to film noir.
Lighthearted Extra-Midnight Run (1988)-Fun adventure comedy/buddy film of bounty hunter Robert DeNiro taking fugitive mob accountant Charles Grodin cross country to collect his reward and dogged every step of the way by the FBI, Mafia and other bounty hunters all of whom want Grodin for reasons of their own. DeNiro & Grodin have a spiky exasperated chemistry with each other that adds greatly to the comedy of the situation.
Bandits was good, I need to check out these other 2.
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen any of these.
ReplyDeleteI loved Bandits. I haven't seen the other two. This topic made me think of Just You and Me, Kid.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of any of these movies, but I adored your synopses, which was funny and informative for those of us unfamiliar with the flick.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by. I'm so sorry I am late visiting, but I'm still quite ill.
Once again, I'm not familiar with any of these 3. The description you provided on Bandits, sounds like something my Hubs would like however. He likes Bruce Willis and Billy Bob. I'm not a big fan of either, but recently enjoyed B.Bob in Goliath. He did the part very well. TFS & have a great weekend. Hugs
ReplyDeleteThey're all new to me but I enjoyed them.
ReplyDeleteAll new to me too! We actually went to a silent movie recently, Annie Laurie with Lilian Gish. It was in an old church with live music - a friend's son was in the band. I wasn't sure about going, but it was a great experience. We had quite a laugh at their concept of Scottishness though - and the outmoded sexual etiquette.
ReplyDeleteI like the theme, BIRGIT.
ReplyDeleteYeah, 'BANDITS' was a good movie. And I own 'GUN CRAZY' -- a mostly unknown but good Noir. There's one particularly long, unedited shot in that movie with great camera movement that's really excellent. Not quite on a par with that opening in Welles' 'TOUCH OF EVIL', but still really exceptional.
I know you were avoiding Hitchcock, but my list would have to include 'NORTH BY NORTHWEST'.
And I'm going to cheat a little bit and include an old TV series from the early '70s. There was a Western called 'ALIAS SMITH AND JONES' that -- until one of the two main stars committed suicide -- was absolutely brilliant. The plots in most of the episodes were really complex and full of great twists and surprises.
The premise was that these two outlaws, modeled after BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID (and that's another great "on the run" movie), were trying to go straight. The governor says he will pardon them if they commit no crimes for a certain length of time, but no one is allowed to know about their deal. Meanwhile, lawmen are still trying to capture them and their past keeps catching up with them and they always wind up in some kind of trouble while expressly trying to avoid trouble and crime. Great, great TV series for about two seasons, until the charismatic PETE DUEL killed himself.
~ D-FensDogG
Check out my new blog @
(Link:] Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
POSTSCRIPT:
DeleteBirgit, I ought to add the following Fun Fact:
Of course you remember the great, Academy Award-winning movie 'THE STING' (starring Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid), right?
Well, guess what! The storyline for that movie was actually ripped off from a single, one-hour episode of 'ALIAS SMITH & JONES'. It was titled 'THE GREAT SHELL GAME' and it aired on TV in February, 1971 -- years before 'The Sting'.
And THAT'S how great 'AS&J' was!
~ D-FensDogG
Check out my new blog @
(Link:] Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
Bandits is the only one of the three that I've seen. Billy Bob is incredible in this picture. Cate and Bruce aren't bad either. I enjoyed it so much that I bought it.
ReplyDeleteI'm not familiar with Bandits but it has a great cast.
ReplyDeleteYOU have a pleasant, productive weekend.
Hugs,
Birgit, The silent film wouldn't be up my alley. The second movie is new-to-me but someone mentioned and it sounds like a possibility that I'd like to see. "Bandits" we saw years ago and I really can't recall much about it but I'm a Bruce Willis fan, so may be we need to see it again. :) Thanks for sharing and for visiting. Have a great weeekend!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know your choices, Birgit, but when I started thinking about the theme I realised that there are dozens of films about characters on the run! Thelma and Louise, Bonny and Clyde, Catch Me If You Can, The Fugitive... I could go on and on! :)
ReplyDeleteSusan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
I loved that you included a silent film in the mix, Birgit. I always get educated on great films by you. Thank you.
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ReplyDeleteHello Birgit, I’m just over from Alexjcavanaugh’s blog and wanted to say I enjoyed reading about your movie picks. I’ve seen Bandits, but the others are new to me.
This was quite a variety of films. I think I need to see Bandits. I missed that and I love that cast.
ReplyDeleteI'm not familiar with Beggars of Life.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the shout out at Alex's! Well deserved.
Hugs
Visiting from Alex's. It's great to meet you. :) Don't know that I've seen any of these films, although I think I've heard of the third one. Thanks for the info!
ReplyDeleteOnce again, you know more films than I do. ;)
ReplyDeleteFirst...sorry for not responding last week as I was so very busy and was trying to play catch up on the blog Land. I'm glad you like my choices and so very happy Alex showcased me on his blog. Everyone who visited me and commented here I am very thankful.
ReplyDeleteGun Crazy sounds a little like Bonnie And Clyde.
ReplyDeleteIt is!
DeleteBeggars of Life sounds pretty darn good! Yes Gun Crazy! Great film. I wasn't keen on Bandits, thought the epic cast could pick it up but I thought it just ended up being silly.
ReplyDeleteInteresting choices. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYour link worked very well.
Heather
Co-Host, 2017 Blogging from A to Z April Challenge
All of these sound pretty intriguing, and I did see Gun Crazy (great movie), but I especially want to see Beggars or Life now. Not just for the movie, but for the back story behind it. Sign me up!
ReplyDeleteExcellent film and Louise Brooks was quite the hell raiser and very, very intelligent!
DeleteThe picks sound intriguing! Shal add them to my list of to-be-watched!
ReplyDeleteDamyanti
i LOVE silent movies!
ReplyDeletei wish i can find this one here .story sounds appalling .
Kate is my favorite actress
Silent Movies are excellent and hope you get to see this one day
DeleteI haven't seen any of these but they sound intriguing!
ReplyDeletehttps://thatspurrfect.blogspot.co.uk/
I consider the first 'Bourne' movie to be an on the run movie...does that count?
ReplyDeleteyes it does! Great movie
DeleteBandits sounds hilarious.
ReplyDeleteHappy Hump Day, Birgit:)
Happy Hump day too:)
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