Synopsis:
The true story of General Billy Mitchell, a pioneering crusader for the Army’s fledgling air corp. In spite of an impressive performance during the First World War, the commanders of America’s armed forces still think of the airplane as little more then a carnival attraction. Even after sinking an “unsinkable” captured German battleship from the air, Mitchell sees funds dry up and friends die due to poor equipment. He is court-martialed after questioning the loyalty of his superiors for allowing the air corp to deteriorate.Read More »
1951-1960
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Otto Preminger – The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell (1955)
1951-1960ClassicsOtto PremingerUSAWar -
Michael McCarthy – Mystery Junction (1951)
1951-1960CrimeDramaMichael McCarthyUnited KingdomSynopsis:
Larry Gordon, well-known crime writer, is on a train journey when a scream is heard. Upon investigation, the guard had been mugged and a man murdered. Another man is arrested but the full story is yet to be discovered.Read More » -
Vera Chytilová – Zelená ulice aka Green Street (1959)
1951-1960Czech RepublicDocumentaryShort FilmVera ChytilováHer first foray into documentary filmmaking was a short called Green Street (1959), a look at an over-loaded freight train departing from Prague. Though only nine minutes in length, Chytilová’s astute editing ensured a visual spectacle.
An early rare documentary by Věra Chytilová!Read More »
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Giorgio Simonelli – I baccanali di Tiberio AKA Tiberius (1960)
1951-1960ComedyEpicGiorgio SimonelliItalyImdb:
Cassio, a tourist guide, and Primo, his bus driver, are taking a bus load of tourists to visit villa Jovis, at Capri island. Close to the Salto di Tiberio (Tiberius Fall…) they have an accident, and they knock their heads hard, losing conscience. They come awake in Tiberius villa, in the midst of an orgy, complete with a group of British dancers, mostly blondes, who are performing for the emperor. Soon, they are wise to an attempt on the emperor’s life by his Secretary, who plans to bring the blame on Cassio and Primo’s heads. The two men dress up as dancers and try to mix with the British dancers, who are led by Cinthya O’Connor.Read More » -
Elia Kazan – On the Waterfront (1954)
Drama1951-1960ClassicsElia KazanUSAQuote:
Marlon Brando gives the performance of his career as the tough prizefighter-turned-longshoreman Terry Malloy in this masterpiece of urban poetry. A raggedly emotional tale of individual failure and social corruption, On the Waterfront follows Terry’s deepening moral crisis as he must decide whether to remain loyal to the mob-connected union boss Johnny Friendly (Lee J. Cobb) and Johnny’s right-hand man, Terry’s brother, Charley (Rod Steiger), as the authorities close in on them. Driven by the vivid, naturalistic direction of Elia Kazan and savory, streetwise dialogue by Budd Schulberg, On the Waterfront was an instant sensation, winning eight Oscars®, including for best picture, director, actor, supporting actress (Eva Marie Saint), and screenplay.Read More » -
Nicholas Ray – Johnny Guitar (Widescreen) (1954)
Drama1951-1960Nicholas RayUSAWesternQuote:
Vienna has built a saloon outside of town, and she hopes to build her own town once the railroad is put through, but the townsfolk want her gone. When four men hold up a stagecoach and kill a man the town officials, led by Emma Small, come to the saloon to grab four of Vienna’s friends, the Dancin’ Kid and his men. Vienna stands strong against them, and is aided by the presence of an old acquaintance of hers, Johnny Guitar, who is not what he seems.Read More » -
Robert Stevenson – Johnny Tremain (1957)
1951-1960AdventureRobert StevensonUSAWarPlot: In colonial Boston, a young silversmith’s apprentice injures his hand, and finds himself befriended by the Sons of Liberty and caught up in events of the American Revolution.Read More »
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Bert Haanstra – Fanfare aka The Brass Band [+Extras] (1958)
1951-1960ArthouseBert HaanstraComedyNetherlandsImdb:
After a fight the brass band in a small village splits up into two separate bands. They both want to win a contest and will do anything to prevent the other band from winning it.Read More » -
Jean-Daniel Pollet – Pourvu qu’on ait l’ivresse… AKA As Long as You Get Drunk… (1958)
1951-1960FranceJean-Daniel PolletShort FilmQuote:
In a ballroom dance, a shy young man tries to find a young girl to dance with … The clumsiness and ease of the dancers, the hesitations of the flirters, an atmosphere of celebration and derision, filmed with sensitivity, without comment or dialogue.Read More »