The A to Z is now done for another year and I hope to get back to my crafting but it's Thursday which means it's Movie time and this week the theme is about Doppelgangers/Clones. He'd on over to Wandering Through The Shelves to check out the other Movie Picks from people who love film. Here are my 3....
1. THE GREAT DICTATOR-1940
This movie was filmed during 1939 before much was known what happened to the Jewish population in Europe. Chaplin said he never would have made this movie if he would have known but I think this film is strangely foreboding even though it's a comedy. It's about a Jewish barber who looks very similar to a dictator, Adenoid Hynkel, and ends up impersonating the dictator. It's actually quite funny especially the names, like Napaloni ...the Italian Dictator. I love how Chaplin takes the world and throws it up in the air, twirls it around on his finger and his foot...quite funny. For those who did not read this before, Hitler fashioned his moustache on Chaplin's little tramp!
2. VERTIGO-1958
I might have spoken about this masterpiece of film making but, I don't care, I'm speaking about it again. I have to admit, it's not my favourite Hitchcock personally but I know what a great film it truly is plus it stars my favourite actor, Jimmy Stewart. A man hires his old friend, who is a detective, to watch his wife. The detective ends up falling in love with this mysterious woman who feels she is the reincarnation of an ancestor. She ends up becoming so distressed that she climbs a tower and before the detective can reach her, she falls to her death. Overtaken with guilt because he could not reach her in time due to his vertigo, he goes into a deep depression. One day, feeling better he is walking down a street and meets a woman who reminds him of his friend's wife.....obsession starts to take control.
3. ON THE DOUBLE-1961
I watched this film a couple of times a long time ago but it stayed with me probably because I was sick the first time and my dad sat with me...we both were laughing. It is a typical Danny Kaye film where he plays a fumbling coward in the army who is asked, well, told, to impersonate a general. This general's life may be in trouble because there are nasty German double agents working as his staff. Hijinks ensues as well as romance with a delightful performance by Kaye. If you want a fun movie when it's raining outside and you want to just lay low, I say this is a fun movie to see.
I almost picked Surrogates and the Stepford Wives but I didn't...which films would you pick??
I think I would have fried my brain trying to come up with one film, let alone three. I have only seen Vertigo and I enjoyed it though not much of a Kim Novak fan - lovely to look at, but act? JMHO
ReplyDeleteYeah, she's not the best actress that's for sure. What does JMHO mean??
DeleteJust my humble opinion? Should have typed IMHO. Fat fingers.
DeleteI remember reading hearing about the movie Vertigo a long time ago and thinking how I wanted to watch it but I never did. Thanks for the reminder on what a great movie it is.
ReplyDeleteFYI, I made the big move away from Blogger and can be found at:
Elsie Amata
I'll check you new place out:) hope you see the movie soon
DeleteThe only one I haven't seen is On The Double. I liked the other two. It's been years since I've seen The Great Dictator though.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a while since I saw the Great Dictator but I want to see it again. It's been ages for the Danny Kaye film which I'd love to see again too.
DeleteI've only seen Vertigo.
ReplyDeleteAnother good doppelganger film is Dave with Kevin Kline as a double for the president.
Yes! Dave is great!!
DeleteThe Great Dictator is a powerful film, especially the speech given at the end.
ReplyDeleteYes and I agree about that speech
DeleteThe only reason I didn't pick The Great Dictator is because I haven't seen it yet, but I'll do soon since everyone says it's great.
ReplyDeleteIt is excellent and his first talkie to boot! Hope you get to see it
DeleteYes. Vertigo's good.
ReplyDeleteThe Assignment
I have to look that movie up
DeleteVertigo wasn't a bad one indeed. 1 of 3 I saw at least.
ReplyDeleteDave and The Man in the Iron Mask both popped in.
Oh gosh! That's right!! iron Mask is a good flick and Dave is great
DeleteBirgit,
ReplyDeleteVertigo is a classic Alfred Hitchcock film. Kim Novak was so pretty, wasn't she? It's been years since we watched this flick. I believe we own it on disc but I can't remember which format. We mostly have blu-rays but we still have a good number of DVDs because some movies never made it to the newer format. These days we prefer streaming everything. We're too lazy to pop in the disc. lol Nah, that's not it. We're trying to keep from causing wear on them when it's not necessary, especially if we can catch it on Netflix or Amazon Prime which don't cost us anything extra. Thanks for visiting. See ya around, girl!
She was quite pretty...such a shame she couldn't act all that well. Now she looks horrible with that facelift crap she has done to herself. We don't do any streaming or Netflix or anything else. I still have my DVDs and love them especially since they come with many features which I love to watch
DeleteBirgit, we were always thought we wouldn't like streaming content but absolutely love it now. I can't really recall Novak's acting ability but I hate seeing cosmetic surgery gone bad or over done changing a person's appearance. Even the good jobs don't look natural. I guess I'll stick with my fine wrinkles and hope for the best as I meet each stage of the aging process a long the way. ;)
DeleteI saw Vertigo long ago and liked Kim Novak. Jimmy Stewart was a favorite of mine as well!
ReplyDeleteGreat movie and Jimmy Stewart is the best
DeleteDefinitely seen Vertigo. On the Double - maybe? Sounds familiar.
ReplyDeleteVertigo is excellent and I love knock on wood especially the memory of watching it with my dad
DeleteVertigo is the only one of these I've seen. I think I've seen all of Hitchcock's films. His movies are favorites of mine and never grow old.
ReplyDeleteI've seen all three of these, and that doesn't happen often! I even own a bootleg DVD of On the Double, a film which not many seem to know.
ReplyDeleteI'm noting down these movies so I can watch it again as I don't remember watching them. Vertigo sounds an interesting concept.
ReplyDeleteI am wracking my brain but cannot remember if I have seen Vertigo or not (which appeals to me most of those you mention today.) I do love Jimmy Stewart, and loved Kim Novak in Bell, Book and Candle!
ReplyDeleteI think Hilter was upset Chaplin hated his ass
ReplyDeleteLove your choices!! The Great Dictator is one that I only recently watched after YEARS of meaning to and it was wonderfully rewarding which is always welcome when you view something with that kind of reputation. Both Chaplin and Jack Oakie are fantastic.
ReplyDeleteVertigo isn't one of my favorite Hitchcock's either though I recognize its artistry. It's just so very dark and Jimmy Stewart's character is really an rather awful man. Kim could be a spotty actress but when she connected to the role(s) as she does in this she makes quite an impact.
I have to be in the mood for a Danny Kaye movie, excepting White Christmas which I can watch anytime, but if I am I find him an utter delight in all his goofy clownish ways. This is a pleasant outing with him with the big bonus of Dana Wynter (so sleek), Diana Dors at the height of her kittenish appeal, the consistently marvelous Wilfred Hyde-White and best of all the divine Margaret Rutherford. What more can you ask for?
A fun week that I was able to reach across several genres to fill my slots.
The Devil’s Double (2011)-During Saddam Hussein’s iron fisted reign in Bagdad Latif Yahia (Dominic Cooper), a lieutenant in the Iraqi army, is called to the palace and told that because of his resemblance to Hussein’s depraved son Uday (also Cooper) he is commanded to be his body double or his family will be exterminated. Having no choice but sickened by the corruption, inhumanity and evil he witnesses he searches for a way to escape and save his family at the same time. This is Cooper’s movie all the way and he’s just great but it’s a hard film to watch.
Dave (1993)-Dave Kovic (Kevin Kline) is an affable Midwesterner, running a temp agency and making appearances at small events due to his resemblance to the current US president, Bill Mitchell (also Kline). The Secret Service takes note of the similarity whisking Dave off to the capitol as a stand-in for Mitchell at an event. While there an emergency arises, Bill Mitchell has suffered a devastating stroke and his power mad aide Bob Alexander (Frank Langella-oozing slime) and press secretary Alan (Kevin Dunn) talk Dave into assuming his place theoretically for the good of the country. Actually Alexander is seeking to usurp the political reins until he can figure out how to take full control. At first the subterfuge is known only by the two and a dutiful Secret Service agent Duane Stevenson (Ving Rhames) but as Dave starts to rebel against their treachery and display his very different personality First Lady Ellen Mitchell (Signourney Weaver) begins to suspect. There’s plenty more machinations in store all delightfully directed by Ivan Reitman and put over by exactly the right performer in each role. Thoroughly beguiling comedy with a perfect cast.
I Was Monty’s Double (1958)-A retelling of the true event where an enlisted man, M. E. Clifton James (who plays himself) was chosen to imitate Field Marshal Montgomery--the leader of the British forces during WWII. The plan (Operation Copperhead) was to have Monty’s double go on a tour of North Africa around the same time as the Normandy invasion in Northern France--so that the Germans would assume the assault would come later than actually planned and from the South. The film is about the formation and execution of the ultra-top secret plan but while it treats the subject seriously it leavens the situation with a much needed humorous undertone aided by a terrific British cast including John Mills and Cecil Parker.
I think I've seen Vertigo. Didn't make much of an impression. Haven't seen the others. I can't think of any except that one where Michael Keaton clones himself. Not a bad film, but not one I love, either. Considering that this trope is well-worn, I'm surprised that more don't come to mind.
ReplyDeleteI've only seen Vertigo. Our feelings are the same on that one. It's a great movie, but not my favorite Hitchcock.
ReplyDeleteHi Birgit- the Great Dictator gets put on tv occasionally - it's certainly an interesting movie ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI liked Vertigo but Kim Novack, not so much. I've never seen the Charlie Chaplin one, that I can remember.
ReplyDeleteAll of these are new to me. I have been watching a lot of silent movies lately and have been really getting into them. Will have to check out The Great Dictator. Thanks for sharing. :)
ReplyDelete~Jess
I absolutely love Hitchcock films! I did like Vertigo and of course love Jimmy Stewart in any movie he's ever done.
ReplyDeleteI don't remember if I ever asked you this before but did you see the movie Hitchcock which was released a few years ago (2012), chronicling the making of Psycho (Anthony Hopkins played Hitch)? If by chance you haven't seen it, by all means, do! Great movie about the great master...
I hadn't thought of Danny Kaye in years! Never saw the movie that you highlighted though.
Hope you're having a good weekend!
Michele at Angels Bark
Ah great picks here! I really want to see The Great Dictator - will add to my Blindspot for next year.
ReplyDeleteI like your choices. I forgot that Kim Novack's character was a look-alike. At the end of September, San Juan Bautista (next door) has a Vertigo Day, which includes a tour of Hitchcock's mission settings and a night outdoor showing of the movie. I would add Start the Revolution without Me.
ReplyDelete