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Post by spiderwort on Oct 21, 2019 14:12:14 GMT
Because I grew up in small towns, small town films almost always make me happy, even the ones that aren't that good. Among my favorites: The Last Picture Show (1971) - a film shot in and around the small Texas town where the author of the novel, Larry McMurtry, grew up and still lives. One of the best small town films ever made, in my opinion, filled with subterranean webs of darkness and despair that dwell along with the goodness in small town lives.
Picnic (1956) - based upon the play by William Inge who was raised in a small town in Kansas. The film, which takes place over Labor Day weekend, was shot entirely in small Kansas towns and that authenticity, so beautifully rendered by cinematographer James Wong Howe, is a joy to behold.
Places in the Heart (1984) - the semi-autobiographical story of writer/director Robert Benton's life growing up in the Depression in the small town of Waxahachie, Texas, where it was also filmed.
The Dark at the Top of the Stairs (1960) - another adapted from a William Inge play about small town life in 1920s Oklahoma. This one was shot at Warner Brothers, however, on their "Midwest Street," but it has the feel of an authentic small town of the era.
The Human Comedy (1943) - adapted from William Saroyan's novel about small town life during World War II. Saroyan was born and raised in the small California town of Fresno. The film was shot at MGM and southern Ca. locations, but it also has feel of an authentic small town. (I could go on and on, but will stop for now so others can add more titles.)
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Post by Martin Stett on Oct 21, 2019 18:03:23 GMT
Kiki's Delivery Service (1989) -- Miyazaki's tale of a young girl apprenticing to become a witch: an occupation that is a lot more work and a lot less fun stuff than you would expect. One of the great joys of this movie is watching Kiki learn to love her job through her interaction with people, learning that she enjoys helping others.
The Spirit of the Beehive (1973) -- A story of a small town in Franco era Spain seen through the eyes of a young child. Few (if any) movies capture the fears and wonders of childhood so well.
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Post by PromNightCarrie on Oct 22, 2019 16:53:12 GMT
I didn't grow up in a small town, but I do like films with that type of setting. Hud is one of my favorites.
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Post by therealcomicman117 on Oct 23, 2019 2:20:43 GMT
Stand By Me - Rob Reiner's classic adaptation of the Stephen King novella, is a great coming-of-age story set in the middle of nowhere.
A River Runs Through It - Robert Redford's poignant beautiful tale of two boys growing up in rural Montana. For me it's one of those movies that really grows on you. The cinematography in particular is quite beautiful.
Picnic - Really good film about happenstance that occurs in a small town in rural Kansas. If you haven't seen this one I highly recommend it it was also Cliff Robertson film debut.
The Gunfighter - Gregory Peck helps a small-town overcomes their troubles. Really great little Western. It was considered a flop upon release but has now been re-evaluated as one of the best early examples of the genre.
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Post by therealcomicman117 on Oct 23, 2019 3:41:39 GMT
therealcomicman117 I agree with you about all of these. And I'm glad to read your comments about The Gunfighter, a film I always thought was critically overlooked. Glad to hear it's getting some recognition now. A River Runs Through It and Stand By Me are both indeed beautiful films. And I am so glad! to see another fan of Picnic, one of my all-time favorites, so beautifully done and perfectly filmed in its small town Kansas locations. The George Duning score is to die for. And, yes, it was Cliff Robertson's debut. It may interest you to know that on Broadway Paul Newman played that role. And Joanne Woodward was the understudy for Janice Rule, who played Madge. That's how she and Newman met. I love all things William Inge, whom I consider to be the American Chekhov. And I was inspired to become a director when I saw his film, Splendor in the Grass (1961), directed by my other idol, the great Elia Kazan. I actually wasn't 100% familiar with the Paul Newman connection in Picnic but it makes sense when you say it like that. Newman was still a struggling actor at the time, having just come off the disasterous The Silver Chalice. It could have proven to have been a a good career move, but instead we got a really solid actor out of it, that audiences have never seen before.
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Post by spiderwort on Oct 23, 2019 5:30:48 GMT
therealcomicman117 Actually Newman appeared in Picnic on Broadway from 1953-54 (477 performances). He then made the disastrous The Silver Chalice, though when I can't be sure, because it was released in 1954. He finished the play in on April 10 and the film was released on December 20. Must have been done in a hurry! Or maybe he had a small role. I never saw it. Here he is in the play with Janice Rule, who played Madge, and Ralph Meeker, who played Hal. Here's a better picture of Meeker and Rule. I always really liked her.
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Post by therealcomicman117 on Oct 23, 2019 6:05:33 GMT
spiderwort - Ah, thanks for the clarification. Considering when the performance ended, he probably went from that to filming the movie. I have to imagine that his role was very small, since he was still an up-and-comer at the time.
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cherry68
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Man is unhappy because he doesn't know he's happy. It's only that.
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Post by cherry68 on Oct 23, 2019 15:41:42 GMT
Pane, amore e fantasia and pane, amore e gelosia Don Camillo (the whole franchise) Benvenuti al sud / Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis (same format, different movies)
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