Into the turbulent 60s. Though musicals really develop into something great in the 50s, the 60s may have had too many. Of the 10 winners, 4 were musicals. I think this tells us something about the 60s. Times were uncertain, so it makes sense that escapism would reign in entertainment for a bit. Not that all these musicals could be considered solely “escapism,” but I do think they weren’t quite asking the hard questions that later winners in the 70s would. This was definitely the decade where "Old Hollywood" was shifting to "New Hollywood."
1960-1969
“Really? This was ‘the Best?’”
Oliver! (1968)
This is sorted here for a couple of reasons. 1- 1968 was a pretty great year for cinema and this movie just pales in comparison to films like the (also nominated) Lion in Winter and the (not nominated for Best Picture) 2001 and Battle of Algiers. Shoot, screenplay winner The Producers might be a better musical than this and that had maybe two songs. 2- Though the songs, the performances and even the musical itself isn’t bad, I just didn’t find this very interesting. It somehow makes 2 and a half hours feel like 4. I suppose it should be noted that my first exposure to this Dickens tale involved Billy Joel and Cheech Marin. “Why should I worry?” Grade: C
The Good
West Side Story (1961)
Robert Wise had an extremely varied career. In addition to being Citizen Kane’s editor, horror helmer of Curse of the Cat People and The Haunting, and the man behind the sci-fi classic The Day the Earth Stood Still- he also has some well made musicals under his belt. Wise’s adaptation of the popular Sondheim/Bernstein take on Romeo and Juliet is solid and archetypal. I have always felt though that it is missing some of its bite in the film version. Or perhaps I’ve usually encountered grittier interpretations of the stage version. It’s a good flick, if a little cheesy when viewed now. Grade: B-
Tom Jones (1963)
I’m not sure how to classify this movie. I think it is mostly a comedy, I mean I laughed a lot and it is kind of zany at times. It’s also an adventure film and a bit of a lusty romance. It’s kind of bizarre and I think that’s why I like it, though most of the people involved in the production seemed to think it wasn’t so good. Director Tony Richardson would trim 7 minutes from the film when he made his cut years later- and maybe that is for the best as the film does seem a little long. It took some digging to find the original theatrical cut of this, but I found it. I dug this more than I thought I would, however I think a lot of folks would be probably confused why this won anything. Grade: B
The Sound of Music (1965)
Okay, before I get to it, I gotta level with you- I kind of hate Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals. So keep that in mind. Another Robert Wise joint with great photography, color, and an iconic performance from Julie Andrews (not to say anything of Christopher Plummer). Too bad it’s filled with songs I can’t stand and that makes me feel every minute of its three hours. But I know that a lot of people love this film because of those songs, so I’m willing to admit my bias on that. I think this will always disappoint me because it is the only time in history that a musical could have gotten away with dancing nuns and nazis. Rolfe doesn’t really dance much, so don’t give me that argument. The film is well made and despite my bias, I probably would have voted for this in ‘65 too were I there. Grade: B
A Man for All Seasons (1966)
Given my cinematic leanings, I should think “Shark’s in the water. Our Shark.” when I think of Robert Shaw. Nope, I think “Do they take me for a simpleton?” Not sure how a little quote like that won out in my brain, but it did and it's from this flick. The story of Thomas More and his clash with King Henry is more interesting than it should be- mostly because every performance is top notch. However, I think the also nominated Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Is a better film. Grade: B
The Great
The Apartment (1960)
An unusual romantic comedy. Jack Lemmon owns an apartment that his bosses use for affairs. One night Shirley MacLaine attempts suicide in the apartment and Lemmon finds her. I assure you it’s funny. Director Billy Wilder sort of specialized in these seemingly light comedies with a streak of darkness. Though I am a big fan of this film, it probably could be a little tighter. This is essential Wilder if not quite essential Oscars. Grade: A-
My Fair Lady (1964)
The musical adaptation of a George Bernard Shaw classic, My Fair Lady is a delightful film with songs that everyone knows, even if you don’t know where they came from. I was a fan of the original Shaw play, Pygmalion, before I watched this. Though the performances are great: Audrey Hepburn at her most marvelous, Rex Harrison at his douchiest- The changed ending of this from Pygmalion taints the film for me. Grade: B+
In the Heat of the Night (1967)
This is in need of reexamination right now. The story of a black northern cop caught up in a southern murder case seems timely again. Maybe it was never untimely. The crime drama is really tight and enthralling. Though other nominees The Graduate and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? might be better remembered now, I can see why this won out. Grade: B+
The Essential
Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Bare in mind that the first time I completely watched this was on a regular size screen and not in the cinema and that seems to make a difference. Even on a smaller screen this epic of T.E. Lawrence is still spectacular. This may very well be the best shot film in history. I lament I didn’t see it in the cinema. Well shot and all though, I still felt kind of disappointed. There’s a lot of hype about this film and when I finally finished it, I could help but feel like “that’s it?” I didn’t really have that feeling with Gone with the Wind or Casablanca. If I were to go back in time, I would make To Kill a Mockingbird Best Picture and give Best Actor to Peter O’Toole. No offense to Gregory Peck there, it’s just that big Pete gives the performance of his life and I always felt that Peck in Mockingbird got it more for legacy reasons and it would be hard not to win for the role of Atticus Finch. My quibbling aside, if you can see this in a cinema- go do it. Grade: A-
Midnight Cowboy (1969)
Often just a footnote for being the “X-rated” winner (since amended), Midnight Cowboy is probably the most 60s film of all the winners. This gritty, at times naive, uncomfortable story of a hustler in New York really gets under your skin. Not the easiest film to watch, and certainly dated, it’s worth watching just for Dustin Hoffman as Ratso Rizzo. Grade: A
Tune in Tuesday for the 70s!