On 28 June 2020 I started a new viewing project: #1930to2020. Each day I’d watch at least one film from that day’s year. Over the past 20 days I've watched 68 films from 1950 - 1969. 47 were new to me,
21 were re-visits.
You can read my blog on the 59 films I watched from 1930 – 1949 here.
You can read my comments on all the films on my twitter @cheshellen on #1930to2020 hashtag or on my letterboxd. The full list is below.
For those interested in films directed by women, you’ll notice the names of a number of female film directors popping up in across these two decades. Ida Lupino established her own production company in the early 50s and made a number of social issue films. In the mid to late 50s and early 60s in the UK Muriel Box (right) and Wendy Toye were both directing studio films, and Agnes Varda began what would become a six-decade film career.
I also watched the only films directed by British Theatre director Joan Littlewood, Iranian poet Forough Farokhzad and Korean filmmaker Park Nam-ok. I caught up with Maya Deren's last film The Very Eye of Night, one of Joy Batchelor's animations and the Oscar nominated documentary A Time for Burning w/d/e. Barbara Connell & Bill Jersey. And a first, little did I think my interest in watching films directed by women would see me watching a 'nudie' film, Nude on the Moon d. Doris Wishman and Raymond Phelan.
Top 5 new to me films
1959: Libel d. Anthony Asquith A real showcase for Dirk Bogarde in his dual role in the f/backs to WW2 POW camp as Sir Loddon and actor Wellney: but only one returned home. A former camp mate throws doubt on which one. A libel case reveals truths. Olivia De Havilland stars as Lady Loddon. Great court room thriller with flashbacks to the Second World War
1960: Goddess (Devi) d. Satyajit Ray
When Umaprasad (Soumitra Chatterjee) moves for work, he leaves his young wife (Sharmila Tagore) with his father. One night her father in law dreams that she's a Goddess and convinces others of her powers. Visually stunning portrait of faith/hope. Exceptional.
1960: The Grass is Greener d. Stanley Donen
Lots of sly digs at a Brit’s impression of an American and vice versa in this comedy as millionaire oilman (Robert Mitchum) woos a happily married Countess (Deborah Kerr) away from her hubby (Cary Grant). Jean Simmons stars as a meddlesome friend.
1965: Le Bonheur d. Agnes Varda
François (Jean-Claude Drouot) and Thérèse (Claire Drouot) are an idyllically married couple with two children. One day he meets Émilie (Marie-France Boyer) and now he loves both women. A portrait of marriage, love, trust and betrayal. Gorgeous use of colour/mirroring of scenes across the two relationships. Wonderful.
1963: Sparrows Can't Sing d. Joan Littlewood Whilst her hubby (James Booth) has been at sea, Maggie (Barbara Windsor) has shacked up with Bert (George Sewell). When Charlie returns there's much larks as family/friends try to delay the inevitable showdown. Cheeky Cockney Comedy.
And a bonus short film…
1967: Oncle Yanco d. Agnes Varda
In San Francisco to promote a film Agnes is introduced to an artist living on a houseboat – Jean Varda – who tuns out to be a cousin of her father. These two creative talents have an instant connection. Enchanting 16min doc which weaves together the personal, the political and the creative.
Top 5 revisits
1956: Trapeze d. Carol Reed
Veteran/damaged trapeze artist (Burt Lancaster) teams up with a young upstart (Tony Curtis) to master the elusive triple, when the glamorous and ambitious Lola (Gina Lollobrigida) works her way into the act, things fall apart. Enjoyable/atmospheric circus set film.
1958: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof d. Richard Brooks
Trio of dynamic/devastating performances at the heart of this Tennessee Williams' adaptation: Brick (Paul Newman) and Maggie's (Elizabeth Taylor) failed marriage becomes a spectacle for the whole family on her father's (Burl Ives) birthday.
1959: Black Orpheus d. Marcel Camus
The Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice transposed to Rio at carnival time, when masquerades obscure identities and the air is intoxicated by the rhythmic drums and samba beats. Marpessa Dawn and Breno Mello star as the ill-fated lovers.
1964: Mary Poppins d. Robert Stevenson
Walt Disney pursued the rights for Travers' books for 20 years. It was worth the wait as who else but Julie Andrews could have played Mary Poppins. Not practically perfect, completely perfect. Read my blog on Mary Poppins here.
1965: Bunny Lake is Missing d. Otto Preminger
British psychological thriller starring Carol Lynley as a mother whose child goes missing. There are growing suspicions from the police (Laurence Olivier), landlord (Noel Coward) and brother (Keir Dullea) as to whether she ever existed. Compelling and chilling.
Complete list of films watched: 1950 - 1969
1950: Outrage d. Ida Lupino
1950: Stage Fright d. Alfred Hitchcock
1950: Cinderella prod. Walt Disney
1951: Hard, Fast and Beautiful d. Ida Lupino
1951: Three Guys Named Mike d. Charles Walters
1951: Happy Go Lovely d. H Bruce Humberstone
1951: Behave Yourself! d. George Beck
1951: Alice In Wonderland prod. Walt Disney
1952: My Cousin Rachel d. Henry Koster
1952: Limelight w/d/s. Charlie Chaplin
1952: Secret People d. Thorold Dickinson Read my blog on The Secret People here.
1953: Secret Corner d. Muriel Box
1953: Peter Pan prod. Walt Disney Read my blog on Peter Pan here.
1953: The Hitch-hiker d. Ida Lupino
1953: Abbott & Costello Meet Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde d. Charles Lamont
1953: The Bigamist d. Ida Lupino
1954: To Dorothy a Son d. Muriel Box
1954: Cirkus Fandango d. Arne Skouen
1954: Brigadoon d. Vincente Minnelli
1954: 3 Ring Circus d. Joseph Pevney
1955: The Trouble with Harry d. Alfred Hitchcock
1955: The Widow d. Park Nam-ok
1956: Trapeze d. Carol Reed
1956: Eyewitness d. Muriel Box
1957: The Passionate Stranger d. Muriel Box
1957: The Truth About Women d. Muriel Box
1957: A King in New York w/d/s. Charlie Chaplin
1958: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof d. Richard Brooks
1958: Bell, Book and Candle d. Richard Quine
1958: The Very Eye of Night d. Maya Deren
1958: Diary of a Pregnant Woman d. Agnes Varda
1959: Sapphire d. Basil Dearden
1959: Libel d. Anthony Asquith
1959: Les Liaisons Dangereuses d. Roger Vadim
1959: Black Orpheus d. Marcel Camus
1960: Too Young To Love d. Muriel Box
1960: The Grass is Greener d. Stanley Donen
1960: Beyond the Time Barrier d. Edgar G. Ulmer
1960: Goddess (Devi) d. Satyajit Ray
1961: The Great Imposter d. Robert Mulligan
1961: Nude on the Moon d. Doris Wishman/Raymond Phelan
1962: We Joined the Navy d. Wendy Toye
1962: The L-Shaped Room d. Bryan Forbes
1963: The House is Black d. Forough Farokhzad
1963: The Thrill of It All d. Norman Jewison
1963: Sparrows Can't Sing d. Joan Littlewood
1964: Rattle of a Simple Man d. Muriel Box
1964: Mary Poppins d. Robert Stevenson Read my blog on Mary Poppins here.
1964: French Dressing d. Ken Russell
1965: Inside Daisy Clover d. Robert Mulligan
1965: Le Bonheur d. Agnes Varda
1965: 36 Hours d. George Seaton
1965: The Nanny d. Seth Holt
1965: Bunny Lake is Missing d. Otto Preminger
1966: Elsa La Rose d. Agnes Varda
1966: A Time for Burning d. Barbara Connell & Bill Jersey
1966: Les Creatures d. Agnes Varda
1966: The Trouble with Angels d. Ida Lupino
1967: Ruddigore d. Joy Batchelor
1967: Oncle Yanco d. Agnes Varda
1967: The Jokers d. Michael Winner
1967: Caprice d. Frank Tashlin
1967: The Jungle Book prod. Walt Disney Read my blog on The Jungle Book here.
1968: The Swimmer d. Frank Perry
1968: The Queen d. Frank Simon
1968: Louis Lumière d. Eric Rohmer
1969: Lions Love d. Agnes Varda
1969: The Assassination Bureau d. Basil Dearden
Check back in a few weeks for 1970 - 1989 or follow me on letterboxd or twitter for daily updates.