5. The Little Shop of Horrors (1960). This Roger Corman film is probably best known as being shot in a few days and for the inept appearance of a talking plant in a coffee can, but actually it's a wicked satire (at least I think it is). I've watched the film a hundred times and still laugh at a long shot of Seymour Krelboin and others trouncing through a puddle of water. This is usually done as a closeup to mask on-location surroundings and to emphasize drama in adventure or jungle flicks. It's funny. The cast is brilliant with Dick Miller as an aster-eating nut job, Mel Welles as a Yiddish florist, Jack Nicholson as a masochist Wilbur Force who thrives on root canals, Jackey Joseph as love interest Audrey, and Jonathon Haze as Seymour. Plus there's the vampiric Audrey II "Feed Me!"
4.
Mon Uncle (1958). Perhaps this is not underrated in France. This is my
favorite Jacques Tati film and the best of the Hulot movies, and one of
the finest comedies ever made. It's Tati vs. Technology and a poetic
homage to Chaplin and Keaton.
3.
Hook and Ladder (1932 Hal Roach Our Gang Short). This is my favorite
Little Rascals short, with Dickie Moore and Stymie (Mathew Beard) taking
the lead on a home-made Our Gang fire engine. Spanky refusing to take
vermicide and Stymie piloting the fire engine are unforgettable. I am
still laughing. Even funny today. http://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Hook_and_Ladder_( 1932_film)
2. A
Day at the Races (1937). Most folks would pick Duck Soup (1933) or A
Night at the Opera (1935)(my favorite), but A Day at the Races might be
the most underrated of the Marx Brother's classic MGM 30's romps.
Chico's Tuitsy Fruitsy Ice Cream bit is a highlight.
1.
My Favorite Brunette (1947). This is one of my favorite Bob Hope
vehicles. The presence of Peter Lorre and Lon Chaney Jr. make this
special, with Hope threatening Lorre with a rabbit punch especially
tickling. Hope's timing was at it's peak in films such as The Lemon Drop
Kid (1951) and this underrated gem.
2 comments:
Love the music sequence with the Lindy Hoppers and the wonderful Ivie Anderson in A DAY AT THE RACES far better than any music interlude in any other Marx film. Very funny film too.
I went back and forth about including a short subject (re: HOOK AND LADDER, which is wonderful). I had a couple of Leon Errol/Edgar Kennedy RKO's that almost got listed.
My favorite OUR GANG is "The Pooch".
Love love love My Favorite Brunette.
RetroHound.com
Post a Comment